NIGHTRIDER
How the bureaucrats crashed the bus
TIM GAVEL
Thorpe dives in the deep end
ROBERT MACKLIN
Everyone loves Malcolm, again
MICHAEL MOORE
An ode to Andrew Leigh REAL ESTATE: THOUSANDS OF HOUSES FOR SALE, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
THE ACT Government’s Nightrider bus service trial will draw to an end on February 6, but by the end of January services were already being cut to pay for a promotions campaign that critics say was “amateurish”.
The three-month, late-night bus service trial, operated by NSW transit company Deane’s, is the product of a Greens amendment to liquor law reforms passed in August last year, pushed with the intention of creating permanent services to reduce incidences of drink driving.
But just two weeks into the trial, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope publicly released data showing seriously low patronage rates and said the trial wouldn’t even make it to three months if Canberrans didn’t get on board Nightrider.
While TAMS says Nightrider was promoted through posters, timetables, print, radio, Aframe signs at pick-up points and Facebook, the Greens say the advertising was inadequate, rolled out too slowly and directed at the wrong demographic, pointing out that radio spots were bought for Nightrider on 2CC, a station that targets Canberrans 45 years or older.
“They weren’t actually targeting the people who would be using the service, young people going out at night to these city venues,” Greens transport spokesperson Amanda Bresnan said.
In early December, ACT Government promotional materials, including beer coasters and posters, were distributed to licensed venues advertising changes to the liquor laws, but none included information on Nightrider.
A cock-up or a conspiracy? Either way, TAMs’ hamfisted promotion of the summer Nightrider bus service trial has left the ACT Government looking hapless, writes ELERI HARRIS
When the service began operating on December 8 no paper timetables had been issued and there wasn’t so much as an A-frame sign denoting the location buses were leaving from.
In early, January the Greens printed 2000 timetables at a cost of $761.74, using funds from their Assembly budget, and distributed them in bars around the city a week before the Government’s version hit the streets.
TAMS told “CityNews” that 1209 people used the service in the two months to January, with 678 on New Year’s Eve, and from the weekend of January 28 and 29 some Nightrider services were merged to cut costs; three buses will now cover routes initially covered by six.
“The savings generated by this have been reinvested in additional promotion of Nightrider through direct marketing in the city,” a spokesperson said.
TAMS said they plan to eventually change the timetable on the website, but the paper versions cannot be reprinted and so will continue to be distributed with inaccurate information.
Bresnan said TAMS have demonstrated a lack of marketing and financial saavy.
“TAMS aren’t used to doing promotion like this,” Bresnan said.
“If promotion was done properly from the start there would have been higher patronage and we could have had some good revenue coming in.
“We’ve been accused of being economically irresponsible because we want to push ahead with this service, but the more people you get on
THE Canberra Institute of Technology has postponed its March graduation ceremony until October due to technical issues with a new student information management system.
CIT CEO Adrian Marron said the decision was not made lightly and apologised for inconveniences to students.
“CIT had no alternative but to postpone the planned March 2011 graduation to October to allow the time necessary to solve the IT issues,” Marron said.
“CIT is determined to
February 10-16, 2011 Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 05
minimise the impact on our students and all available resources are being targeted at the problem.”
Students who finished at the end of 2010 are still able to submit an application for award and can receive their official transcripts to confirm completion of their qualification at any time.
CIT has made arrangements for a graduation ceremony to be held at the usual venue, the AIS arena in Bruce, on Wednesday, October 19 and Thursday, October 20.
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Marketing lecturer Andrew Hughes... “My
students could do better.”
board, the more viable it is.
“You can look to what other States have done.
“Deane’s offered to do their own advertising within the set contract price and TAMS said no.
“It had to be done quickly because it was a short trial, but they had to go through bureaucratic processes to get it done and that’s really hampered the service and some good creative promotions.”
ANU marketing lecturer Andrew Hughes says the $20,000 Nightrider promotions campaign was underfunded and poorly executed.
“My students could do better than the ACT Government did in marketing Nightrider,” Hughes said.
“It was amateurish. The budget should have been $60,000-$80,000 for a trial like this.
“Unless a market knows you exist, you have no chance of getting people to buy your service.
“You can’t start it [promotions] the same time as the service itself and hope that everyone in
your market will see it and then think: ‘What a great idea! I’ll use it this weekend!’
“The awareness campaign should have been started at least two months before the service did.”
Hughes says by reducing services now the Government is telling the people of Canberra the Nightrider trial has failed before it has finished.
“If you start removing services, you start negative word-of-mouth reviews which will upset the market you do have and fail to attract more customers.
“It’s like saying it’s over, we stuffed it up.”
The Canberra Liberals’ Alistair Coe says they believe the Nightrider service has value, “but it must be backed up with appropriate communication and information about the service on offer, otherwise it’s unlikely to succeed”.
This is not the first time the ACT Government has struggled with promoting public transport, with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope admitting ACTION’s low patronage is a product of a PR crisis and the Greens decrying promotions attempts for summer Nightrider services in 2010.
Both Hughes and Brensan say the real issue should not be start-up costs, but safety and the purposes of the liquor amendments that allowed the trial to begin.
“The Greens wanted this service to succeed, Deanes wanted it to succeed, the police wanted it to succeed because they’ve continued to come out and say they’re frustrated by levels of drink driving,” Bresnan said.
“The Government said we’ve got to actually take some responsibility about getting people home to prevent drink driving and we have a real problem with drink driving in the Territory. This is about changing that culture.”
KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK meets a passionate treasure hunter with a sharp eye for a bargain
WITH an elegant home full of eclectic, antique gems, Red Hill dressmaker and bargain hunter
Teresa Zarlenga says she would never walk into a shop and buy something new.
“I can’t imagine anything different in my home,” she says of her collection of timeless, classic furniture and accessories, or “co-ordinated rubbish”, as she calls it. “I’m not interested in going into a shop – all the furniture there seems to be the same.
“I’d much rather have something with history that has just happened to come my way. It means so much more to me.”
Teresa says she loves the thrill of finding an item, be it an elegant chaise, a painting, a hostess trolley or a nest of tables that perfectly matches her “look” and the feel of her home – particularly when it sets her back around $5.
“I don’t set out to buy things, it just happens,” she says. “I never plan. I just know when it’s hunting season and go out with an open mind.
“My friends stir me because I will mostly just spend $5 on any one thing, and not much more!”
“Hunting season”, as Teresa calls it, is around March/April and September to November. “It’s the best times for church fetes, which yield wonderful treasures,” she says. “The best fetes are at St Andrew’s and St David’s in Red Hill, St Paul’s in Manuka, St Luke’s in Deakin, and Marymead. I just listen to the ABC in the mornings to find out what’s on.”
From beautiful antique glass decanters to vin-
tage china tea sets, Teresa says she never buys things she doesn’t want or can’t use.
“There’s no sense in filling up your house with clutter,” she says. “I have a strict style – classic and elegant – and I don’t expect to ever change that. People who choose various modern styles will eventually have to update their furniture, but
I really enjoy what I have, and I love the price tag! Sometimes I keep the prices on the item to remind me when I got a great bargain.
“Unfortunately, the furniture does tend to collect dust, but I do all my own cleaning. I enjoy it, I love being able to touch and look after my beautiful things.”
Teresa says her secret to creating a harmonious home is keeping to her style and the colours she loves. “I love dark wood, and I have a strict colour scheme of navy blue and cream, so no matter what I find, if it fits into the theme then I know it will work with the rest of the house,” she says. “I will never bring anything into my house that doesn’t match.”
With the help of “Bob the builder”, who Teresa says believes in her ideas, she never has to do too much to an item. “I’m happy to re-purpose things, like the wine rack that’s now my shoe storage, and I’m not afraid of reupholstering. And Bob will help me use the legs of one table and the top of another so I get the look I’m after.”
Whether it’s planter boxes found in a dump, or curlicue gates found on the side of a street, Teresa says she has an eye for detail and knows instinctively if something will work in her home. However, now she says she’s almost done collecting.
“I don’t have the need for much more, although I’d love a a crystal cabinet and a nice
chest of drawers for my bedroom,” she says.
“But I won’t go looking for them intentionally. There’s no hurry and I know I’ll get what I want in the end, when it’s meant to happen.
“This house is my dream come true, it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted.
“Elegance will never go out of style.”
CHIEF Minister Jon Stanhope is urging people who have moved to Canberra to update their address with Medicare during February for a chance to win $10,000. Mr Stanhope said the ACT relied on accurate Medicare data to get its share of Commonwealth funding and more than $4.3 million in extra funding had been generated through the three previous address campaigns. To update your address call 132011 and enter the competition at www. updateyouraddress.com.au. The competition closes at 5pm on February 28.
RoTARy in the ACT and south-eastern NSW is calling for potential youth Exchange applicants to go overseas for 12 months from January next year. Applicants must be under 18 when they leave Australia. They will need to undergo extensive preparation and briefings if selected by Rotary in June. Applications close on April 22. Full details at www.rotaryexchange. org.au
WOMEN often put themselves last when it comes to their health, says comedian Jean Kittson... but when it comes to ovarian cancer, it’s important to investigate symptoms early.
“They think, ‘oh, no, my leg’s about to fall off’ and that’s the stage they’re at when they finally decide to go to the doctor,” she says.
Jean is Ovarian Cancer Australia’s Afternoon Teal Ambassador, and she’s encouraging Canberrans to get involved by hosting an “Afternoon Teal” during the month of February: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The month is aimed at raising awareness about the disease, particularly the symptoms, which are easily mistaken for something else – and the fact that there’s no early test.
One of the biggest myths about ovarian cancer is that it can be detected by a Pap smear, says Jean, but that’s just not true.
“It’s a completely different ball game,” she says.
“The only real way is keeping up with your symptoms and your health. “For a long time it was called a ‘silent cancer’ as it didn’t have symptoms, but now they’ve found it does.”
These include abdominal or pelvic pain; increased abdominal size, or persistent abdominal bloating; needing to urinate often or urgently; and difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly.
ACT Minister for Health Katy Gallagher also welcomed Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging Canberran women to pay attention
By Megan Haggan
to these symptoms.
“Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women, representing 2.7 per cent of all cancers in women in 2006,” she says. “In addition, our growing and ageing population means we expect to see a rise in the percentage of women being diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 2006-2015.”
One Australian woman dies of ovarian cancer every 11 hours.
“It’s important to get yourself a regular GP, someone you like, and stick with them,” says Jean. “A regular GP will know if you have persistent abdominal pain, and will be able to see a pattern in your symptoms.
“Last year I did the awareness campaign and my GP said, ‘thanks very much. All the doctors here have hundreds of women coming in saying they think they might have ovarian cancer’, and I said, ‘good!’”
Ovarian cancer symptoms are easy to mistake for other common problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Coeliac disease or even “that time of the month or menopause”, Jean says.
“Women are very good about spreading information, and sometimes it’s the wrong information. Especially with health, we talk to our girls and say ‘oh, I’ve got this pain’ and we’ll always discuss it before actually doing anything about it.
“We want women talking about ovarian cancer, so if their daughter or mother or sister has any symptoms, they can have them checked out.”
More information at www.ovariancancer.net.au
Cake maker Liz Wright... “I know I am so lucky to have my lovely friend Kate here today.”
LIZ Wright of pARTy cakes nearly lost a close friend, Kate Riley, to ovarian cancer three years ago.
“Kate’s cancer started developing just two weeks prior to its discovery,” Liz says. “By two weeks, it had grown to the size of a tennis ball. By the time they operated two days later, it had ruptured and spread to her bowel and bladder.”
Kate, who lives in Newcastle, had a rare form of ovarian cancer called germ cell cancer. She and Liz attribute her early diagnosis to her paying attention to her symptoms.
Now based in Gilmore, Liz is raising money by donating a quarter of her February profits from pARTy cakes to o varian Cancer Australia, and she’ll be at the Handmade Market on Saturday, February 19, at the Convention Centre, selling cakes and promoting awareness.
“I know I am so lucky to have my lovely friend Kate here today... that is why I wanted to help raise funds and awareness of the disease, in the hope that we can find a screening tool, improve survival rates and ensure people are aware of the symptoms.”
Michael Moore
WE fell on our feet in the electorate of Fraser. Perhaps it is too early to make such a call, but I reckon it’s worth going out on a limb. I predict that Andrew Leigh will be a very effective addition to the Federal Parliament and a great local member.
The challenge for him will be to find the right balance between being a local member and a parliamentarian. The more successful his work in the parliament, the greater the demand will be on his time for parliamentary work, the party and committees. As his talents are realised more generally, there will also be a greater demand on him by the national media.
The double-edge characteristic is that the range of demands will put a significant strain on his efforts in the electorate.
Andrew Leigh has brought an intellectual depth to the Labor Party and to the Federal Parliament. It is not just because he has an academic background in economics. Over the years there have been plenty of failed members with such qualifications. To understand his level of contribution it is worth opening his website to read some of the work he has published in the popular media.
There are challenges. He does need to continue publishing thoughtful pieces – he says his passion is about achieving more equitable outcomes through building social capital. But he has to balance this with getting out and meeting the people of Fraser. He does not have the long history of his predecessor, Bob McMullan and needs to spend time building his own capital,
particularly the trust of his constituents. He distributes an email and printed newsletter as well as holding “mobile offices”, which he believes have “definitely helped to make me a better politician”. These are not new things for a politician but they are essential to remain in touch with the electorate – especially when there is a constant demand for thoughtful contributions on economic matters.
In a recent article on “skilled cities”, Leigh draws the conclusion that if cities are to be successful there is “a simple policy recommendation: get education right”.
He supports this with such arguments as “50 years ago, how many people would have predicted that computerisation would transform the labour market, that trade would reshape our manufacturing sector, and that the advent of air conditioning would spur population growth in Queensland?
“We cannot be sure what the shocks of the next half-century will be, but it’s a fair bet that investments in new school buildings, teacher quality, and trade training will be essential to creating the skilled cities of the future”.
Perhaps Leigh is the face of a new Labor! The policy goals are similar with equity as the key. However, the people who are putting the arguments have a thoughtful perspective about what is good for the whole community, starting with those least able to help themselves.
Andrew Leigh is certainly reflecting well on local branch Labor Party members who stood up to the national apparatchiks and pre-selected him to stand for the seat of Fraser.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government.
By Kathryn Vukovljak
“IT’S going to be great working with ‘CityNews’ – I think it’s a good fit,” smiles Cedric Bryant, Canberra’s best-loved gardening writer.
Horticulturalist and garden designer, Bryant has accepted our invitation to write a weekly gardening column.
Cedric, who is also ActewAGL’s Save Water ambassador, a life member of the Herb Society, and a member of the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society, the Horticultural Media Association and the Horticultural Society of Canberra, was the gardening writer for “The Chronicle” and, later, the “Sunday Canberra Times” for 24 years until his position was terminated in December by editor Rod Quinn.
“It was a sudden thing, he called me into his office and told me that he likes change and that, as of now, I was terminated,” he says. “It was a shame that I didn’t get the chance to say thank you to my readers, or explain what would be happening.
“The amount of people who have come up to me since then and asked if I’ve been sick, or on holiday, it’s crazy.”
“CityNews” editor Ian Meikle welcomed Cedric to the paper, saying: “Cedric Bryant is an icon in Canberra and absolutely no-one knows or writes about local gardens like him.”
Having trained with influential gardening “guru” John Brookes in the UK in 1988, and operated his own commercial nursery and herb garden at Yass, Cedric has been designing gardens for more than 35 years.
“Fashions are changing constantly,” he says.
“People don’t want an Australian garden at the
moment; I get a lot of requests for ‘nice pastel colours’ – when it’s hot weather people want to look at cool colours, so pinks, whites, mauves. I use Mediterranean plants, because they do very well in the Canberra climate. And low-maintenance, everyone wants low-maintenance. Which I know translates to no maintenance!
“Listening to people is key, I can’t stress that enough. I love what I do, and I enjoy going back to the gardens I’ve designed to give people tips on what needs to be done to maintain it.”
Cedric established his garden design and horticultural consultancy at his home in Watson in 1991, which he shares with his wife Gerdina. “They say the taps at a plumber’s house are always dripping, but it’s not the case here. I work hard to maintain this garden because it’s my demonstration garden,” he says.
And it’s obviously the home of a gardener – even the mailbox is made out of a watering can. The garden, based on Walter Burley Griffin’s design of Canberra, featured in the early days of the Australian Open Garden Scheme, as well as on “Burke’s Backyard” and in “Your Garden” magazine.
Since starting his business, Cedric has designed more than 500 gardens, mostly residential but also including that of the National Film and Sound Archive and restoration of the gardens at Duntroon.
“My favourite garden is the one I’m looking at,” he says. “I definitely have a passion for what I do, and love drawing inspiration from regular visits to the UK and Holland – which I think is the world leader in horticulture.”
Cedric has released a public statement to explain the change in garden writers at “The Canberra Times”, and writes of his new role with “CityNews”: “I will continue to provide the very best in garden advice, reviews on new garden books, products and landscape ideas… I invite you all to join me in this new venture.”
Cedric’s first column is on Page 28.
THE vacancy rate of Canberra’s office market has decreased slightly over the six months to January, from 14.1 per cent to 13.4 per cent, according to the Property Council’s “Office Market Report”.
However, the decrease in vacancy rates is due to a combination of demand and withdrawals, with only A-Grade posting a vacancy decrease over the period, says ACT Property Council executive director Catherine Carter.
“With the exception of B-Grade, all grades are in double-digit territory,” she says.
“Canberra continues to have the highest office-market vacancy rates of any of the capital cities, with Brisbane CBD reporting a vacancy rate of 9.4 per cent.
“Current vacancy rates indicate that the timing is clearly not right for the ACT Government to proceed with its proposed development of 55,000sqm of office space for an ACT Government office block.
“There are clearly a number of significantly more economic solutions available to the Government within the CBD as owners of vacant buildings refurbish them and bring them up to an appropriate environmental rating.”
CAM White’s fifth “Hillside Dirt Jam”, Australia’s biggest BMX dirt-jumping competition, will be held at 1408 Norton Road, Wamboin, on Saturday, February 12. Practise starts at 5pm, with the “Jam” kicking off at 8.30pm. Entry is $15 for a single or $50 for a family (two adults and two children). Last year about 2000 spectators attended the event. All proceeds go towards the Athlete Recovery Fund. For more information and confirmed rider updates visit www.unitriders.com
TIM GAVEL muses: Is there anything better than a comeback?
AS the dust settles on Ian Thorpe’s (at times) odd news conference to announce his return to swimming, I am still not persuaded as to his motives for coming back.
The news conference itself had the appearance of an airline promotion ambushed by Thorpe’s comeback announcement.
However, sport, by its very nature, lends itself to an emotional return, a sporting resurrection against the odds.
A number of examples are close to home. Remember Julian Huxley and his return to the field for the Brumbies’ last season after recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumour? Some of us weren’t sure whether he was doing the right thing. What if he suffered another head knock? That first game back was hard to watch, but at the same time it was compelling.
THE Canberra Friends of Fred are holding a evening of food, wine and entertainment in the courtyard of the National Film and Sound Archive, Acton, from 6pm on February 22 in aid of the Fred Hollows Foundation programs targeting indigenous eye health. Local president Harry Notaras says it’s $40 a ticket and offers serve-yourself wine all night and food by Tosolini’s. Tickets from friendsoffredcanberra@ gmail.com or Friends of Fred, PO Box 163, Civic Square ACT 2608 before February 18.
A CHARITY concert titled “Opera Masterpieces”, in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Australia, will be held at Albert Hall from 6.30pm on March 10. Two local sopranos, Miriam Rose and Fleur Millar-Brockman will sing arias and duets with visiting American baritone Christian Bester. The Combined Canberra Grammar School Concert Band will also perform. Tickets are $15 and $25, and bookings can be made at concertcharity@ yahoo.com.au
T HE Canberra branch of Make-A-Wish Australia urgently needs volunteers to help grant the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Make-A-Wish receives no ongoing government support and will hold an information night for prospective volunteers at the Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Civic, at 7pm. on Tuesday, February 15. For more information contact Nicky Jessup on 1800 032260 or by email to n.jessup@ makeawish.org.au
THE Australia-Thailand Association (Canberra) will be holding its annual autumn Thai dinner at the Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant, 1/88 Corinna Street, Phillip, from 7pm on Sunday, March 6. Bookings are essential through johnmilne@ ozemail.com.au or phone 6288 5487.
STAFF from Centrelink, Medicare and the Child Support Agency offices, in Canberra, Queanbeyan and Hobart dressed head-to-toe in maroon and raised almost $11,000 for the Queensland flood appeal from a Maroon Day held on January 21.
Huxley, in explaining why he made a comeback, said he didn’t want to go through life wondering “what if?”. Then there was Allan Langer’s glorious return for the third game in the State of o rigin series in 2001. Who could forget Lance Armstrong’s return from a cancer battle to dominate the Tour de France?
Sport is littered with successful and not-so-successful comebacks; that’s why it is so compelling.
What is the main driving factor behind a return?
o lympian Scott Brennan, who won gold in the men’s double sculls in Beijing, walked away, physically and mentally exhausted, from rowing to focus on his medical career.
He spent time as an intern at Canberra Hospital. He told me that part of the motivation for getting back into the sport in the lead up to the London o lympics was the inspiration he derived from dealing with patients during his time at the hospital.
With his body still relatively young, the opportunity to again to rise to the pinnacle of his chosen sport presented an overwhelming case.
I think that certain sportspeople are so dominant that they look for new challenges and they walk away from the sport, only to return because there is a challenge to get back to where they once were.
For example, basketball great, Michael Jordan, retired for the first time in 1994 to become a professional baseballer, he returned to basketball and won three NBA titles.
Whatever Ian Thorpe’s motives, I think it will do wonders for the marketing of swimming in this country.
When the trials for the London olympics come around in March next year, Australia will be captivated. It will be live on television, with stations not holding the rights breaking into regular programming to bring us the latest on his return to the sport.
If you have any doubt about the impact a successful swimming comeback can have, you only have to look at Geoff Huegil and the tidal wave of emotion his return created.
I know Ian Thorpe will have his doubters, but he will succeed if his motives for making a comeback are not superficial. And Thorpe doesn’t come across as somebody who does things half-heartedly.
With more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, are you…
BECOMING the 2011 Myer Face of Canberra Racing is about much more than winning a fashion contest.
It’s a real “step up” for Canberran women who want to raise their public profiles, to influence style on the field at local race meets and, of course, there are some fabulous prizes to be won.
It’s the only local model search of its kind, now in its third year, says Briony young, sales and marketing manager at Thoroughbred Park.
“It’s a real experience for the winner,” Briony says. “Even if you don’t want a modelling or media career, it’s about meeting new people, making new contacts and becoming an autonomous self-starter.
“Both Elkie Stuart and Aprelle Coady, our previous winners, have found it’s broadened their horizons as well as coached them on what to expect as someone who’s relied upon to speak on cue to the media.”
The 2010 Face of Racing, Aprelle Coady, agrees.
“I met a lot of different people, and it’s a fantastic opportunity if you put your heart into it,” she says.
This year’s winner will be a star of Thoroughbred Park Television, hosting the new TPTV on race days and interviewing racegoers, local fashionistas and celebrities spotted in the crowd and corporate marquees, at events including the Kamberra Wine Company Black opal Stakes, the ACTTAB Melbourne Cup Race Day and CanPrint Communi -
Entrants will present at a parade on Sunday, February 27, for initial judging, and the 10 finalists will present at the Chief Minister’s Black Opal Cocktail Evening on Friday, March 11.
cations Canberra Cup.
She’ll also help judge the Myer Fashions on the Field events throughout the year, including the Students Race Day Fashion Designer award in october, and the Junior Fashions on the Field competitions.
Briony says the judges will be looking for “someone with style and grace, someone who exudes femininity and class, and someone who’s good with people: The whole package.”
An understanding of fashion, and of the traditions associated with race wear, is essential.
“Because racing fashion goes back in tradition from the first Fashions on the Field competition, which started 40 years ago, we like to keep in line with that style – there’s a set of rules which are always there to follow,” she explained.
Race wear is about not just dressing appropriately for the weather, but also with more than a nod to these traditions.
“It’s about femininity and sophistication when you come to the races: it’s the sport of kings!” she says.
Aprelle, for example, wowed last year’s judges with a Christine Waring headpiece featuring red cherries, a white dress, black shoes, gloves and parasol, and red-and-black accessories.
While a love of race wear is vital, loving horses is a bonus, but not essential, Briony says.
“In 12 months, our winner will have a full understanding of racing! We want someone who’s confident enough to be the ambassador, but we definitely don’t want to deter women without a racing background.”
Entrants need to be aged between 18 and 40, and be comfortable being interviewed on television, radio or for print media. Extra talents are a bonus: Inaugural winner Elkie Stuart played guitar and sang the National Anthem at Thoroughbred Park on two occasions.
More than $10,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs, including jewellery from Creations Jewellers, a model portfolio by The Mark Agency, a weekend escape, and event styling by Sofia Polack for 12 months.
Entries close on Monday, February 21. Entry forms are available from Myer store ladies’ sections, or online at www.thoroughbredpark.com. au or www.outincanberra.com.au.
Entrants will present at a parade on Sunday, February 27, for initial judging, and the 10 finalists will present at the Chief Minister’s Black o pal Cocktail Evening on Friday, March 11, followed by the announcement of the winner.
2010 Face of Racing, Aprelle
met a lot of different people, and it’s a fantastic opportunity if you put your heart into it.”
ToN y Abbott will be gone as Liberal leader by the end of the year. Malcolm Turnbull will have returned to general applause with Andrew Robb as his deputy and treasury spokesman.
This much is already clear. Abbott’s aggressive one-note style of o pposition leadership has run its course with the electorate and his parliamentary colleagues are already briefing against him. Malcolm Turnbull is fomenting the unrest and Joe Hockey is co-operating in the belief that he might get the top job against Malcolm or at least secure the deputy’s job.
He’s mistaken on both counts. Malcolm will beat him and back Robb as deputy to placate the party’s right. Malcolm also knows that Robb would never have the public backing to challenge him for the leadership; he simply doesn’t have an attractive public (or private) persona. o n the Government side, Julia Gillard might well survive as Prime Minister, but only because
IN “CityNews” (letters, January 2026), Collis Parrett expressed concern about the amount of drug-related crime in the ACT and stated that the lack of drug policy, together with a lack of long-term clinical rehabilitation centres in the ACT, contributed to the problem.
In this regard, I am pleased to advise that The Salvation Army operates a modified Therapeutic Community in the ACT, namely Canberra Recovery Services.
Canberra Recovery Services is a long-term (43-week) residential treatment service. Participants who complete the program are offered supported housing for a further period as they negotiate their way back into society, find work and more permanent accommodation.
While additional Government funding would enable new initiatives to be developed, The Salvation Army remains committed to providing a high standard of treatment and re-integration services to a broad spectrum of our community.
Capt Dale Murray, Communications & Public Relations Secretary act & south nsW Division, Barton
I JUST wanted to say a big thank you for the refreshingly beautiful cover photo of your January 27 issue. Im-
Gillard may survive, Abbott will be gone, Turnbull will be back and Rudd needs to get off the diplomatic cocktail circuit... ROBERT MACKLIN opens the political year with some predictions
there is no viable alternative.
The twin national tragedies of floods and cyclone revealed quite graphically the absence of an “empathy gene” in the prime ministerial DNA. This was of a piece with her rewarding the egregious Mark Arbib and the smarmy Bill Shorten for their backstabbing of Kevin Rudd.
That, and her own role in the “assassination”, merely confirmed that she’s more clever than wise. A “good operator” she might be, but Australians will never take her – or her hairdresser – to their hearts.
Aside from Rudd there is no worthy contender on her front bench. Wayne Swan is a competent
ages of Indigenous Australians should be seen in the press more often, and it was so nice to see a strong, positive (and gorgeous) image of one of our women! I was also pleasantly surprised at the article that accompanied it, which was not the type of “real” issue story that I read in the weekly mags around town.
I hope that these images start to become commonplace throughout your publication in the fashion pages, social pages, business pages – everywhere! There are a lot of us out here doing interesting, meaningful, important and creative work, and you may not think so, but your subtle recognition is a small but positive step in the direction of reconciliation.
Monica Harland, via email
AFTER 40 years a footpath is now being built in Rosenthal Street, Campbell, starting at the War Memorial end. That it is being built at all, is due in no small measure to the Chief Minister, who has recognised that tourists and residents alike needed a safe walkway to use if they wished to visit the Memorial.
Undoubtedly, the Chief Minister will go down in history and be remembered – not always kindly – for many things, one of them being the Rosenthal footpath. Indeed, when the history of Canberra’s heritage is being written it should include the Rosenthal footpath as a remarkable achievement!
Harold Grant, Campbell
if uninspiring Treasurer, but he is not Prime Ministerial material. He might make a good administrator of Norfolk Island, but he doesn’t have the intellect or the gravitas to lead the nation. Simon Crean is yesterday; Greg Combet is inexperienced at the top level; and any claims by a Tony Burke or a Chris Bowen are simply risible.
Kevin Rudd could return, but only if he took a sabbatical from Foreign Affairs for 12 months, went bush and did some hard physical yakka among the real workers. There he might actually come to respect the Labor Party and its ideals and engender a reciprocal regard and affection from those who honour its noble and romantic
traditions. At the moment he seems to regard it merely as the vehicle for his own ambitions. Does he really think no one notices?
If he chooses to remain on the diplomatic cocktail circuit he will become increasingly irrelevant and at the first opportunity Gillard will cut him loose. So, to one who counts him as a friend, his choice looks pretty simple, not least because against Gillard, Turnbull is a shoo-in. The Greens won’t help Labor as much next time around. They too have leadership problems. Bob Brown is looking increasingly worn out. But Christine Milne, the anointed successor would curdle milk at 10 paces. And since Turnbull’s succession would take the heat out of climate change – and end opposition to the NBN – their appeal would be marginalised. The Libs would be placed very nicely for the 2013 election… if indeed the Parliament lasts that long. robert@robertmacklin.com
IT is not often that I disagree with Michael Moore’s articles but his latest one “Come on, Tony, it’s just a muggaccino” (CN, February 3) is far too simplistic.
One cannot look at the flood levy in isolation. It comes on top of higher mortgage repayments, higher rates, higher taxes and charges, higher water and energy bills, higher food prices, higher rents, higher building and services charges and, no doubt, higher insurance premiums. Perhaps the proposed levy will be the straw that broke the camel’s back and is one reason why 20 per cent of the popula-
tion doesn’t support it, according to a recently released Essential Poll.
If people continue to have their disposable incomes eaten away then they will have to make savings in other areas, which will impact on the retailing and tourism sectors, including those in Queensland.
As an economist, I regard the levy as a blunt instrument that results in distortions in the economy and the misallocation of scarce resources.
Australia will face further disasters as a result of climate change and there is a need for a disaster fund to be established which should be financed by Budget surpluses in good economic times via the progressive tax system.
In the interim, the Queensland floods should be funded by borrowings or a reduction in the Budget surplus.
Ric
Hingee, Duffy
THIS year Vision Australia’s Myer Gift Wrap and the Myer Christmas bauble sales raised more than $92,500 to support Australians who are blind or have low vision.
On behalf of Vision Australia, I would like to thank everyone in Canberra and Belconnen who helped make this annual Christmas fundraiser such an overwhelming success. Locally, you raised $3044.41 towards the total.
I’d especially like to thank the volunteers who generously gave their time at such a busy time of year – we couldn’t have done it without you.
Altogether, Vision Australia’s Christmas campaign has raised around $1 million to help support children, who are blind or have low vision, to live the lives they choose.
The gift of independence and opportunity these funds will provide is the best gift children who are blind or have low vision could receive.
Menses, c E o Vision australia
THERE’S not much time left... Monday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day! “CityNews” has a host of gift suggestions, both traditional and quirky, as well as looking at dining options for the romantic night out – but where did Valentine’s Day begin?
o riginally, it may not have been very romantic at all. o ne theory is that its chosen date may have been an attempt by the Catholic church to “Christianise” a Roman feast: February 14 was, in ancient Rome, a celebration of the goddess Juno, queen of the Roman pantheon.
The next day, the ides (15th) of February, began the Feast of Lupercalia, which involved blood sacrifices.
St Valentine himself is an elusive figure: the name is shared by several Christian martyrs, but among the popular theories is that he was a third-century priest in Rome, who married young couples in secret after a decree by the Emperor Claudius that young men serve in the army instead of marrying.
Predictably, he was jailed and sentenced to death, but the story goes that he became friendly with his jailer’s daughter, writing the original “Valentines” to her.
o ver time, the celebration became popular, particularly in 19th-century Britain where cards, often with lace and ribbons, were mass-produced.
Since 1969, when the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints was revised, the feast day was assigned to local or national calendars, instead of as part of the General Roman Calendar.
Today, Valentine’s Day is the second most important day for sending cards each year, second only to Christmas.
THE Portrait Gallery in Mitchell is offering Valentines a special on its couple sessions: $29.95 for the sitting, plus a bonus print worth $70, says photographer, manager and stylist Renae Kilmister.
The session itself, normally worth $70, lasts for one hour, features same-day viewing “and includes full hair and make-up for the girl or partner,” Renae says.
“Really, a lot of the time Valentine’s Day is more about the female and so it’s a really good opportunity for guys struggling to find a new idea to give something original, let your partner be pampered and spend some time together,” she says.
“At the end of it, you have lovely memories to put on your wall. It’s something a bit different.”
Renae’s background is with a large glamour photography franchise, and she’s recently combined her photographic and styling expertise with that of her parents, who have been taking school photographs for 30 years.
“We’ve been up and running seven months, and this is our first Valentine’s Day – it’s very exciting.”
More information at www.theportraitgallery. com.au or call 6241 8942.
CANBERRA’S new seafood restaurant, Pelagic, in Baileys Arcade, is putting on a degustation menu for romantic couples, says chef Michael Chatto – and he’s excited about his first Valentine’s Day operating the venue.
“The degustation menu starts with champagne on arrival and it’ll be really nice; we’re doing two sittings, so it won’t be rushed and it’s not a case of getting people in and out quickly, it’s a romantic dinner,” he says.
The menu includes Merimbula oysters, scallop
tartare, crab raviolo, seared kingfish and a dessert of chocolate fondant with strawberries, yogurt sorbet and roasted macadamias. There’s also the option to have the menu with or without matching wine.
Michael says Pelagic is already getting well-known for its cocktails and its wine list, and will be the ideal venue for couples looking for “a fresh, young approach to Valentine’s Day.”
More information on 6162 0752.
CANBERRA’S most attractive women are found in Gungahlin, while the most attractive men are from Forrest according to new research.
However, there’s bad news for Jerrabomberra’s women and Phillip’s men with these suburbs attracting the least “yes” votes – and Banks was ranked second-last for both genders.
According to speed-dating service Fast Impressions, Melbourne’s Canterbury was revealed as home to the nation’s sexiest women, and Brisbane’s Arana Hills for men. No ACT suburb ranked in the top 10 for either gender.
The survey reveals that Canberrans’ interest in dating services is growing.
Canberra is the third-strongest growth area in Australia for RSVP, the dating website says.
RSVP also examined the nation’s response to Valentine’s Day.
“Making a romantic gesture is not only important when you are single, but 77 per cent of respondents think that February 14 should be celebrated when in a relationship,” says spokesperson Lila Jarvis.
However, only 37 per cent of RSVP respondents planned to send a Valentine’s Day gift or message this year.
By Helen Musa
YOU can fairly bet that most Canberra film lovers will be at Commonwealth Park on February 0 for the th annual Tropfest.
More than 25,000 people are expected to cram in for satellite screenings of the largest short-film festival in the world, with simultaneous screenings in Sydney’s Domain, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Surfer’s Paradise.
But what you probably weren’t expecting is that you can have direct input into the selection of the 16th place film to be screened.
This year, with more than 700 entries, the rules have been tweaked a bit so that the public can vote, not on the top 15 films, which are already set, but on the 16th choice from the full shortlist of 25. While last year four out of the 16 finalists were from the ACT, this year there is only one, “Tin Man”, written and directed by 19-year-old Can -
berra filmmaker James Hunter and produced by Simon Weaving, who says of Hunter, “He’s such a dedicated filmmaker; he’s going somewhere.”
Weaving, who has had two finalist films in Tropfest, was persuaded by Hunter to look at his script, then he helped write it. Simon Koloadin, Hunter’s best mate from the Metroscreen film school in Sydney, is director of photography. It’s about a boy who decides to reconcile with his father after 15 years.
As “Wizard of oz” fans would know the Tin Man is a man who hasn’t got a heart – that’s the father, played by Rhys Muldoon. Playing the 25-year-old son is oliver Ackland, a rising star who recently won the $15,550 Heath Ledger Scholarship that may take him to Hollywood. Indy Anderson plays the 10-year-old son.
Weaving won’t reveal the ending, but all you have to do (I did) is click on “Tin Man” at the Tropfest youTube site at www.youtube.com/tropfest then click on the green “thumbs up” bottom to vote. You can also view the film and if you’re a registered user of youTube or Google you can vote every day until February 16!
I first encountered Hunter as a 14-year-old schoolboy at Stromlo High entering the Scinema festival. These days, he’s a confident artist with lots of contacts and since last we talked, as he jokes, “my voice has broken”.
CEo of the principal sponsor TransACT and notable film buff, Ivan Slavich, says TransACT has provided the large, high-quality screens and will also be launching an exciting competition for the budding filmmakers of Canberra. There’s also a major local sponsorship from the ANU and the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water is partnering WasteBusters to stop clean waste from Tropfest going into landfill.
TRoPFEST is at Commonwealth Park, February 20 from 3pm-11pm with live DJ and bands, audience-participation games and the screening of both Tropfest Jr and the main Tropfest film screening from 7.30pm. For premium seating visit www.events.act.gov.au
Helen Musa
HERE’S a play you won’t have seen in ages – John osborne’s “Look Back in Anger”, staged by Paris Hat Productions, the brainchild of Fiona Atkin and Eliza Bateman. It’s at the Courtyard Studio from February 17 to 26, directed by Cara Irvine. Bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberraticketing.com.au
CREATIVE director of the Centenary of Canberra Robyn Archer has been performing in Augsburg, birthplace of the German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht. Archer is one of the top English-language interpreters of “The Augsburger”, but now she’s doing it in German.
THE Gallery of Australian Design at Commonwealth Place has an unusual exhibition opening on February 9. Over a decade, Daniel Armstrong has documented a series of abandoned cubby houses located in a wild poplar forest in central Victoria. In keeping with the childlike purpose of these huts, he used a plastic, toy camera to make the images on display.
PRoKoVIEV and Ravel are on the menu for the Wesley Music Centre’s lunchtime concert on February 16. Cellist Gillian Pereira and pianist Glenyss Allen will stir up a storm from 12.40pm to 1.20pm. Entry $2 or by paper note. Refreshments by gold coin.
APPLICATI oNS for ACT o rgan School lessons in 2011 are now open. Pianists aged 11 and over are eligible and should email Garth Mansfield or Becky Blair at wesleymc@bigpond.net.au or phone 6232 7248 for details.
AMoNG the new exhibitions to look out for are 19-year-old Bonnie McArthur’s debut solo art show at the Phoenix, Civic, opening at 6pm on February 11. o n the same day, veteran artist Dirk Bouma is opening possibly his last exhibition of oils and watercolours at the CSIRO Discovery Centre; it runs to February 20. Meantime, from February 9-18 at Belconnen Community Centre are photos and drawings by Maria Del Valle Di Piazza.
By Helen Musa
yoU know the drill. A sulphurcrested cockatoo from Coolac named Maude turns art critic while Australian artists of all styles and standards paint satirical portraits.
yes, it’s the Bald Archy Prize, created in 1994 as a spoof of a
more serious prize in Sydney, it has immortalised public figures such as Amanda Vanstone, Shane Warne, John Howard and Pauline Hanson. And it’s back in town at the Watson Arts Centre.
Last year, the winning portrait was of Bert Newton. This year, the judges have been inundated with Julias and Julians as our larrikin artists turn to the world of politics and Wikileaks.
It’s the 18th year of the Archys, which preview in Canberra before moving to Sydney for the announcement of the winning
entry on April 19. After that, just as with the Archibald, selected works will tour to other venues throughout Australia.
Peter Batey, founder/director of the Bald Archy Prize, told “CityNews” that this year there is a darker, more libidinous side to the entries.
“This year’s most outrageous attempt, is a likeness of Julia Gillard, from a Queensland painter who goes by the name of Pricasso and claims to paint with his penis,” says Batey.
“He depicts the PM with a
huddle of recognisable male politicians cowering at her feet, while she triumphantly brandishes on high, a bunch of testicles.”
Sensationalism? Satire? o r just bad taste?
As cockatoo Judge Maude has commented: “I am certainly not an arbiter of ‘taste’.”
The Bald Archy Prize 2011, February 11-March 14, Watson Arts Centre, Aspinall Street, Watson, daily 10am-4pm. Admission $4 (concession $3)
PAUL Haggis has written two o scar-winning screenplays, but it’s unlikely he’ll get one for this melodrama/thriller about a husband breaking his wife out of jail after conviction for a murder she did not commit.
Legal mechanisms during the first three years of Lara’s (Elizabeth Banks) incarceration have failed to correct a manifest injustice arising from lack of evidence about a crucial point. Now John (Russell Crowe) has had enough and he’s about to fix it in his own way.
The opening quarter of the film develops at a well-judged pace as John, after consulting an ex-crim (Liam Neeson) with an impressive record of successful jail-breaks, realises the size of the task and embarks on complex and dangerous preparations.
Haggis builds the planning and logistics complexities with impressive attention to detail,
Dougal Macdonald
sprinkling them with well-judged clues awaiting explanation and markers for future reference in the implementation of the break-out. The dangers range from John’s need to seek help among social groups with different values from his middle-class rules to energetic passages once the breakout begins. It’s great writing that Haggis, wearing his director’s cap, stages with brio and confidence. So I regretted that the film had not sent me out feeling more satisfied.
At all cinemas
APPRoACHING Stephen Frears’s mildly quirky English rural-community rom-com melodrama with optimism, I came away not exactly disappointed, but certainly puzzled about the merits or otherwise of what I had seen.
The screenplay is Moira Buffini’s adaptation of Posy Simmonds’s graphic novel, a genre usually written for people who can’t follow a story told without pictures.
At a rural B&B run by Nicholas and Beth, a colony of authors labours to create deathless prose. Local handyman and hunk Andy works maintaining the house occupied by the late parents of Tamara Drewe (Gemma Arterton). In an abandoned bus shelter, Jody and Casey endure the pangs of puberty by fantasising about gossip-mag stuff.
Nicholas writes pot-boiler detective novels confident that Beth believes the lies he feeds her
THIS unusual inclusion in the National Gallery’s summer public program season saw American storyteller Diane Wolkstein recreating the famous Chinese story, the “Journey to the West”, based on the story of the Tang priest who travelled to India to bring back the Buddhist scriptures.
Best known via the children’s TV series “Monkey Magic”, it has also been the subject of a pop opera and many theatrical exploitations.
Wolkstein, who has been telling stories since 1967, especially in New york, approached it as a quiet spiritual journey, narrating and acting to a mesmerised audience of adult aficionados of storytelling and the precepts of Buddhism.
Using stylised gestures drawn from Tai Chi, she told the tale of the priest and the irrepressible Monkey King almost entirely standing up on the stage, with evocative accompaniment from her
STORy TELLING
“Monkey King: Journey to the West”
Narrated by Diane Wolkstein, accompanied by percussionist Jeff Greene, at the James O Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, February 2. Reviewed by Helen Musa.
collaborator Jeff Greene. Hers is essentially a theatrical approach as she takes on the various characters; monstrous ogres, lascivious princesses and a Buddha with a sense of humour, changes her face, and then steps outside to face us as narrator.
o ver two hours Wolkstein inches closer to her theme – personal release comes only with the annihilation of the self. It’s a demanding message, best presented through a tale.
to cover his serial adulteries. American writer Glen would like to supplant Nicholas in Beth’s life.
Journalist Tamara, whose recent nose reconstruction has revealed the stunning beauty underneath, returns to put the family home on the market. Tamara enjoys giving her girl bits a good workout, a plus for rock drummer Ben of whom Jody is enamoured.
Is this enough to convey the message that “Tamara Drewe” is no dramatic heavyweight? It’s good fun, its plot threads get comfortingly tangled, its characters extend invitations to our involvement. Jody and Casey are splendid juvenile monsters. The film is moderately good value. Frears has made the best of its lightweight material.
At Greater Union and Dendy
ANDREW Wight’s 1989 documentary, “Nullabor Dreaming“, is told from first-hand experience about the experience of a party trapped in a cave system after a flood collapsed the entry.
Andrew, a documentarist with an impressive
filmography as producer and director, co-wrote “Sanctum” with John Garvin. Neither had previously written a fiction movie. It shows.
“Sanctum” translates the Nullabor experience into an extreme-sport actioner set in PNG after a flood and rock fall isolates a group of underground explorers. Escaping is the film’s lesser problem. Its main issue is their behaviour as they try.
Richard Roxburgh plays Frank, leading his son Josh (Rhys Wakefield), his long-time colleague George (Dan Wylie), neophyte financier (Ioan Gruffud) and adventure-seeking Victoria (Alice Parkinson). They endure pain, injury, fear and physical exhaustion trying to get back to the daylight. Those are admirable dramatic elements. But you don’t need to be an experienced spelunker to recognise that the writers have handed director Alister Grierson a chalice that, if not poisoned, certainly tastes unpleasant.
There is no visible connection between “Sanctum’s” narrative content and James Cameron’s credit as producer. His main contribution, the 3D format, does nothing to enhance the viewing experience.
At Dendy
IT was brunch time on a hot summer’s day and three of us were craving something yummy.
So we toddled off to artespresso in Kingston, curious about recent changes on the menu and keen to enjoy the restaurant’s personality change – from formal to laid-back dining.
A new team is at the helm and the place was buzzing when we arrived, with the coffee machine in overdrive.
It took us a nanosecond to decide to share the decadent, sexy mussels ($19). And when I say decadent I mean it.
The mussels, sourced from the pristine waters of Boston Bay, in SA, are cooked with bacon, leek, fresh herbs and loads of licorice-flavoured Pernod liqueur. It’s addictive and we used our sourdough to soak up every single bit of sauce.
ARTESPRESSo is one of seven ACT restaurants to be just awarded a 2011 Australian Good Food and Travel Guide coveted Chef Hat.
The Chef Hats awards inspectors dine anonymously; their reviews and the votes of the dining public, determine the results.
o n the main dining line-up was a dish that is a star at artespresso. The Pollo Frito ($16) is not for those watching their waistline, but it’s worth the treat. The buttermilk-fried chicken, which some say has its origins in Cuba, is crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. The seasoning is great and the dish marries well with a side of chunky chive potatoes and a healthy organic salad for those much-needed greens. you’ll dream of going back for more.
The fish and chips featured seared salmon fillet with fat rustic fries, a fresh salad and creamy tartar sauce ($19). No complaints.
The third main was the Thai snapper fillet. The dish comes with scampi, half-shell scallop, udon noodles, daikon radish and a light green curry ($28). The flavours were stunning, but a little warning: Don’t expect a dense curry sauce – this is a lighter “broth-type” sauce. This dish is clever with wonderful flavours.
Artespresso’s main eating area is to the right as you walk in. To the left is a smaller area which forms a soundproof, private dining room when the elegant mint-green doors slide shut – a great spot for business
The ACT awardees are: Waters Edge, Parkes; Italian & Sons, Braddon; o ttoman Cuisine, Barton; Artespresso, Kingston; Mezzalira, Civic; Courgette, Civic; The Chairman & y ip, Civic; Sage Restaurant, Braddon; The Boat House by The Lake, Barton and Aubergine, Griffith.
meetings or special gatherings. The four separate outdoor patios are all lovely spots to dine, with two overlooking the hustle and bustle of Giles Street (great “people watching”) and two at the side shaded by trees.
The new team sees Craig Mortimer and Shann Howman – who many know from Manuka – at front-of-house and Dan Keogh in the kitchen supported by Rhys o’Neill. This is a fun and energetic crew who are guaranteed to add a special touch to your dining experience.
Artespresso has a good wine list and is fully licensed, but you are welcome to take your own special wine.
31 Giles Street, Kingston. Open from 7.30am (takeaway coffee available) Monday-Friday and 9am weekends; lunch from noon and dinner from 6pm MondaySaturday.
Win ‘A Year at Kew’
WIN one of five, just-released, double-disc DVDs of the acclaimed BBC television series “A year at Kew”. Full entry details are at citynews.com.au/win
WELCOME to my first new garden column in “City News”, especially those who followed my garden page in “The Chronicle” and then in “The Sunday Canberra Times” for the last years.
Also welcome to first-time readers of “CityNews”. Maybe you recently moved here from interstate with a vastly different climate. Or perhaps have just purchased your first home and are new to gardening. This garden page will provide the right advice to help you enjoy your garden. With more than 30 years designing gardens and providing horticultural advice plus owning a nursery and herb gardens with my wife Gerdina in yass for 10 years, I am gradually getting the hang of what grows here! Canberra has been variously described as a garden city, the bush capital or a treed city. I write about gardening locally with the vagaries of our climatic extremes.
Gardening here has changed dramatically in the last few years, drought and water restrictions having taken their toll on gardens. This has forced us to look at the plants we grow with an increased emphasis on drought-tolerant plants. This is all to the good, as we needed to realise the true value of water with the message of “watering responsibly”. Then in the last 12 months record rainfall has lulled many into a false sense of security with lush growth and green lawns again. However, this is not a gardening chat column, so let us get down to the nitty gritty.
AN yoNE can have a great springtime garden with the addition of bulbs and annuals, possibly influenced by Floriade, but the challenge is to have plants of interest providing colour all year round.
This is possible with a combination of both exotic and Australian plants. Each week I will bring you suggestions to achieve this aim. Before you dash out and start buying plants, I suggest you take a softly, softly approach, as the recent hot weather can continue until March. Delay planting until the cooler weather. A phrase originally coined by the Americans is “autumn time is planting time”, whereas we always used to say plant in spring. There is a wonderful range of autumnflowering shrubs includes the hardy deciduous Hibiscus syriacus from the Mediterranean with delicate shades of pink, white or purple flowers.
This can be trained as a small tree to 3-4m or as a smaller shrub.
Do not forget Lagerstroemia indica or Crepe Myrtle, which this year (with plentiful rain and hot weather) has started flowering early. Check out the colours at your local garden centre. If you have the space, always plant in groups of the same variety of say threes, fives or sevens. This will always look more effective than one of this and one of that.
I cannot overemphasise the importance of perennial plants for colour throughout the year.
The great advantage is they can be divided time and again, perfect for filling in blank spaces in the garden at no cost, or potting up for your local school or church fete. Some are quite strident with their bold colours such as Canna Lilies flowering from summer until the first frosts. Growing to a metre tall, they are perfect for the back of the bed. o thers such as Alstroemeria “Princess Series”, which only grow to 40cm, flower continuously from late spring also until the first frosts. Check out my Cedfacts Garden Information sheet “Perennials for year Round Colour” at www.cedricbryant.com
For a bold strident display consider Canna liles.
F oUR new books on roses have recently been published with the pick of the bunch “The Rose” (Allen and Unwin, 520pp h/cover, rrp $59.95) by acclaimed horticultural historian Jennifer Potter.
Beginning with the love of the rose by the Romans and Greeks right up to the present day, this challenges many cherished beliefs about the rose.
I have a copy for one lucky reader. Simply write your name and contact details on the back of an envelope, with the name of the favourite plant in your garden and post it to Cedric Bryant Rose Competition, “CityNews”, GP o Box 2448, Canberra City 2601 by Thursday February 17. I will disclose the winner in my column on February 24.
–Cedric Bryant
WIN one of five, just-released, double-disc DVDs of the acclaimed BBC television series “A year at Kew”.
Narrated by former student of Kew Garden’s school of horticulture Alan Titchmarsh, the series delves behind the scenes in a 12-part, month-by-month journey through the famous English garden. The DVDs are valued at $34.95 each. The competition closes at midday on Monday, February 28. Winners will be notified by email and names published in “CityNews” edition of Thursday, March 3. Full entry details are at citynews.com. au/win
By Megan Haggan
INDUSTRY groups and stakeholders have issued a series of calls for parents to more carefully monitor the “child-proofing” of their homes.
Most recently, University of Sydney medical professionals highlighted the risk of mothballs containing naphthalene, due to a proven risk of brain damage in babies with G6PD deficiency. One in 20 Australians of Asian, African, Middle Eastern or Mediterranean descent has a genetic variation leading to G6PD deficiency.
Affected babies can suffer from a massive breakdown of red blood cells within hours of being wrapped in clothing stored with these mothballs.
Another issue is exercise equipment: Last week the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission urged parents to keep children away from treadmills.
“Children do not understand the dangers, lack the skills to control the speed of a treadmill, and can easily fall and become trapped,” says ACCC deputy chair Peter Kell.
“o nce trapped, they have little chance of escaping a moving treadmill belt that can quickly strip their clothing and skin, causing serious friction burns that lead to scarring and require skin grafts.”
Royal Life Saving called on ACT residents to inspect their pool fences to ensure they minimise the risk of child drownings (“CityNews”, December 9-15, 2010). And
Stubbies, manufacturer of SunSmart approved UPF 50+ uniforms, called on parents to insist on UV protection when sending little ones to school, citing new research that showed while 95 per cent of parents make sure kids go to the beach wearing sunscreen, only 34 per cent make them wear it to school.
Carolyn Ziegler, director of product development for child safety brand Dreambaby, advises parents to get down and crawl around on all fours at home, to see what’s accessible from a child’s perspective.
“We forget what it’s like to be a child. We forget that a cup of tea left on a coffee table could scald a child, or that a window left open just a bit could be lethal.”
With Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar – Apr 0)
February 14 - 20
Friday’s fiery Full Moon and Moon/Mars opposition is a combustible combination so avoid the temptation to overreact. you’re feeling impulsive but remember, it takes a short time to burn bridges and a lot longer to mend them. Single Rams, love and work are cosmically connected so don’t forget to put extra lipstick or cologne in your briefcase!
TAURUS (Apr – May 0)
you’ve got so much on your professional plate that the last thing you need is domestic dramas but that’s exactly what you’ll get, as Friday’s Full Moon stirs up your home zone. you’ll also have to deal with rickety relationships on Saturday, as Saturn pours cold water on warm emotional connections. Sunday favours friends, food and freedom.
GEMINI (May – June )
Full Moon energy sees gung-ho Geminis being busy all over the place. Communication and travel are highlighted as you pack your bags, grab your mobile phone, jump in the car [or on a train or plane] and take off somewhere special. you’re also in the mood to study up a storm – or just amuse others with your entertaining stories and witty one-liners!
CANCER (June – July )
Cash-strapped Crabs – avoid going on a spending spree or lending money to others, as you’re liable to make decisions based purely on your emotions (which are fluctuating wildly under the full moonbeams). With lucky Jupiter on your side, you have a chance to make your mark at work – but only if you have the confidence to step up to the plate.
LEO (July – Aug )
Are you completely deluded about a friend, lover or relative? Have you placed them on a very high pedestal? Time to take off your rose-colored glasses and join the real world. Singles – in order to find true love you must be passionately proactive. Friday’s Full Moon (in your sign) boosts your energy levels and gets your creative Cat juices flowing.
VIRGO (Aug – Sept )
Life at planet Virgo can resemble being in the army, as your days are organised with military precision and you squeeze every last drop out of the time available. you’ll need to be flexible this week, as the Full Moon tosses your timetable out the window and shakes up your routine. Why not do something challenging, exciting – and different?
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Are you dithering around when it comes to love? It’s time to slip into super-decisive mode as you make a bold romantic move! Friday’s Full Moon activates your hopes, dreams and wishes zone so it’s the perfect day to set goals for 2011. Superficial chit-chat is out on Saturday, as relationships become more intense – and much more complicated.
SCORPIO (Oct – Nov )
Be selective about who you mix with mid-week, as you’ll pick up other people’s moods like a sponge. Friday’s Full Moon sees you at your Scorpio best (and worst) as you swing between being dramatic and demanding; sexy and secretive; passionate and possessive. you’re also thrust into the public spotlight as you cause a stir wherever you go…
SAGITTARIUS (Nov – Dec )
Moderation and common sense go out the window as you overdo just about everything, and make every mistake in the book. Don’t be dismayed by perceived setbacks! Your quote for the next seven days comes from birthday great Cathy Freeman: “Hurdles help you understand yourself, and encourage you to work harder to reach your dream.”
CAPRICORN (Dec – Jan )
Task-master Saturn is still stalling work plans and raising your frustration levels. Be patient Capricorn! Struggling from caterpillar to butterfly can be daunting but you’re getting there. Plus Venus is giving you a timely boost as your charm factor shifts into top gear. o n Friday expect dramatic developments to do with the big two – sex and money.
AQUARIUS (Jan 0 – Feb )
It’s time to be an Aquarian man or woman of action. Be inspired by birthday great Michael Jordan: “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen – others make it happen.” you’re keen to shake up your life but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. you need to make selective changes – not wreck everything!
PISCES (Feb – Mar 0)
Fish are compassionate, friendly folk who love helping others but don’t overdo it this week or you’ll end up overworked and underappreciated. On Thursday there’s a fine line between grand dreams and great delusions, so tread carefully. Friday’s Full Moon focuses on your fitness levels and favors activities like swimming, yoga, tai chi and martial arts.
COPYRIGHT Joanne Madeline Moore 2011
4 What is another word for an optical illusion?
7 Which term describes a desire for food or drink?
8 What is the redemption of a prisoner, etc, for a price?
9 Which other word designates a rascal or a scamp?
11 What are formulas for preparing dishes in cookery?
13 Name the renowned English contralto (1912-53), Kathleen
15 Which sea lies between the northern coast of Australia, PNG and Indonesia?
17 In company law, which type of trading is a statutory offence?
20 Which celestial body is also called a "minor planet"?
23 Name a summons issued for a traffic or parking offence.
24 What is a temporary prevalence of a disease?
25 Name a church officer responsible for the care and upkeep of the church.
1 Homer's "Iliad" is which sort of a poem?
2 Name the US author, blind and deaf from early childhood, noted for her work with handicapped children, Helen
3 What is another term for a sight of some landscape?
4 To lose identity by absorption is to do what?
5 Which word describes something having a stale, unpleasant smell or taste?
6 What is another name for a gauntlet?
9 Name the type of large park where wild animals are kept, uncaged.
10 What are debts which remain unpaid?
12 Name an alternative term for a tress of hair.
14 What consists of three stumps and two bails?
16 What do we call one who practises counterfeiting?
18 To be unsophisticated is to be what?
19 Something that is consumed is what?
21 What is a composition for three voices or instruments?
22 Name the Egyptian goddess of fertility and nature.
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