Canberra CityNews March 3-9, 2011

What to do about waste

By Eleri Harris

FOLLOWING the failure of “Zero Waste 200”, the Legislative Assembly now sits on a philosophical garbage dilemma with paths leading in two directions: One towards the use of waste for energy and the other towards compost.

While the two are not mutually exclusive, the commitment to a 40 per cent emissions reductions target has tied the ACT Government and Minister Simon Corbell to the exploration of technologies that would see trash become electricity or gas, regardless of other proven processes to mitigate the environmental impact of rubbish.

Corbell, the Minister for environment and energy, told “CityNews” in September that a quarter of the 40 per cent reduction would come from an overhaul to the capital’s waste disposal. i n 2008, two per cent of Canberra’s emissions came from waste.

A December draft of the ACT’s waste strategy for the future presently awaits Government analysis of submissions, with Corbell confident a final report will be issued before the year is out.

Greens M l A Caroline l e Couteur wants to know why Corbell has not investigated the proven use of organic green bins and their contents to create compost from waste.

“We know Canberrans have accepted their recycling bin quite well, they may well do the organics very well, too,” l e Couteur says.

INDEX

March 3-9, 2011

Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 08

Arts&Entertainment 23-27

Cinema 24 Crossword 30 Dining 25

Health&Fitness 29

Home&Garden 31-32

Horoscope 30 Letters 14 News 3-14 Politics 6

34-51 Social Scene 19-20

30

“it has worked just over the road in Goulburn, they’re doing well with their organic recycling.”

A trial of green bins by 2009 in the ACT was included in the Greens-l abor Parliamentary agreement that formed Government in 2008 and was an election policy of the Canberra l iberals.

“The Government’s got to use any strategy available to it,” l iberal M l A Alistair Coe says.

“There is scope to using recycled organic waste, augmenting a top soil in new housing developments. The Government needs to ensure dynamic use of waste, for zero loss.”

it’s a lack of dynamic ability that has l e Couteur concerned Corbell is overlooking smallerscale and more simple waste solutions in favour of complex technology that suits the aims of his other portfolios.

“i think, in general, they’re taking too much of an engineering approach and not taking the

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approach to get the best use of everything,” l e Couteur says.

The Greens are apprehensive about the draft strategy’s emphasis on the use of separation machinery, namely the “dirty murf” (materials recovery facility), the provision of which will be expensive and may require a contract stipulating the city provide a specific amount of waste annually.

“We’re concerned the capital expenditure on these machines will lock us into a future that is far from no waste,” l e Couteur says.

“i f a contract is not well written, then the ACT could end up in a position where we can’t afford to reduce our waste.

“A much more integrated approach is needed, you can’t just use a machine to solve problems.”

Corbell’s office told “CityNews” the trial of green bins is still being considered as part of the draft waste strategy, as is as organic compost.

Mountaineer for dinner

EVEREST mountaineer Andrew Lock will speak at the Australian Himalayan Foundation dinner at the Federal Golf Club, Red Hill, on March 25. Tickets, at $120, include a three-course meal, all drinks and entertainment. All proceeds will go to health care, environment and education projects in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Bhutan and India. Book on-line at ww.australianhimalayanfo undation.org.au or phone 9438 1822.

Shopping for schools

THE Marketplace Gungahlin has launched its sixth School Rewards promotion to help local primary schools share in $10,000 prizemoney. Until March 27, shoppers are encouraged to collect School Rewards coupons at the competition desk opposite from Big W. The school that collects the most coupons, relative to the number of its students, will win $5000; second gets $3000 and third, $2000.

Help for the hungry

CANBERRA’S major food rescue charity, OzHarvest, has received $12,500 raised at a trivia night at the National Press Club. Organised by the Chefs Network, the event was sold out with 300 guests taking part. And The Tradies club has donated $10,000 to celebrate the charity’s third birthday.

Walking the talk

SOUTH Tuggeranong priest Fr John Armstrong wants to get at least 250,000 people from around the world to take part in Walk the Talk for one hour on 15 May. The initiative, which he devised to help “create a world of hope”, is not a fund-raiser. It is simply an opportunity for people to take time out to walk and share an aspect of their life with another person. More information at 0414 917478 or email john. armstrong@ccparish.org.au.

Whooping cough epidemic

Parents urged: Keep up shots

By Megan Haggan

AS Australia’s whooping cough epidemic continues, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has warned parents to not be complacent about their children’s vaccinations.

A Melbourne newborn is the latest child to die from the disease.

According to a spokesperson for ACT health Minister Katy Gallagher, the whooping cough epidemic has not spared the Territory.

“An increase in the number of pertussis (whooping cough) notifications has been observed in the ACT since the beginning of October, with 127 and 205 cases notified in October and November respectively, compared with 41 notifications in September.

“Since then, notifications have started to decline although remain higher than when compared to previous years. There were 150 notifications in December, 127 in January and 69 to date in

February [as of last week].”

Details of cases of “notifiable” diseases such as whooping cough are provided to government for surveillance and containment purposes.

“All parents should take advantage of the free vaccines provided by the Australian Government to protect young children from whooping cough,” said Minister Roxon. “Babies can be protected with vaccinations at six to eight weeks after birth, then at four months, and then when they reach six months.

“Babies are not fully protected until their third dose of the vaccine, so it is important for those around new babies to be free of infection.

“Parents of new babies should ask their GP about a whooping cough vaccination for themselves to prevent passing on infection to their unprotected baby.”

i n the ACT, parents and grandparents of children aged 12 months and under can receive a free whooping cough vaccine as part of the ACT Targeted Adult Pertussis Program, which has been extended until June 30. Vaccines are available from GPs and, for new mothers, from hospital maternity units.

Charlotte bears her soul

By Megan Haggan

TEDDY bears helped her find her husband, have helped her avoid a “real job” and are part of her plan to get kids excited about being involved with toy design – and now they’ve brought her to Canberra.

UK-based Charlotte Morris and husband William, founders of Charlie Bears, were in town for their only Australian signing of the year, at the Canberra Centre’s Teddy Bear Shop.

“I’ve been collecting them since I

was two years old; it’s my mum and dad’s fault,” Charlotte, who admits to having “two or three thousand” in her private collection, told “CityNews”.

“I owned a chain of teddy bear shops in England and, at one stage, had my dad working in one shop, my mum in another... it was a real family business!” After she met her husband – who began as a customer – and wound up the chain, Charlotte and William decided to create Charlie Bears to offer high-end bears at a

reasonable price. There is now more than 400 in the range.

“We sold all our assets, our house, our car and said we had a year to make it work, or I’d have to go and get a real job again. That was five years ago.

“My ultimate aim is to get kids away from TV and video games and back into collecting something that their mum or dad or great-grandma did – bears aren’t something that should just be in a museum.”

Land: Why the auditor’s wake-up call matters

THE ACT Auditor-General, Tu Pham, demonstrated yet again that she is no wilting flower on the presentation of the latest performance audit on land supply.

The report entitled “Residential l and Supply and Development”, painted a scathing picture of failure on the part of the Government to deliver its objectives for an adequate supply of affordable land and housing. it also identified failure to establish a “robust approach” for managing industry activity and responding to the demand for residential land.

it is ironic at the time when the recommendations of the hawke Review of the public service for better efficiency is being considered by Government, one of the positive observations that the Auditor-General makes is that “inter-agency co-ordination has improved in recent years and there have been increased efforts and commitment by all agencies to accelerate the land release program”.

She has also commented that although the l and Release Agency has exceeded land release targets in recent years “there is a lack of clarity and transparency in land-release figures”.

From the early days of the first ACT Assembly in 1989, concern has been expressed and the influence of developers debated. Most of the concern has concentrated around inner-suburban redevelopment although there has also been considerable consternation regarding green-fields development.

l and development involves very large sums of money and any lack of clarity or transparency must be considered a major

By Michael Moore

failing of government.

The same lack of clarity and transparency in regards to the redevelopment of Bruce Stadium 10 years ago was the grounds for the then-l eader of the Opposition, Jon Stanhope, to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Kate Carnell. i n this instance, where much greater sums of money are involved his Government has attempted to spin the best possible light on the report. Deputy Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, concentrated on the land rent scheme arguing that around 600 people who would not have been able to get a mortgage are now able to access their own home. That’s great! however, if large financial transactions involving the development of land are not transparent it is simply an invitation to corruption.

Although the Government has accepted all 13 of the recommendations of the audit, there is a proviso. Gallagher says the recommendations may cross over with the findings of the recent hawke Review, the subject of criticism in this column last

week, which recommends a shake-up of the Government’s land approval departments. Opposition l eader, Zed Seselja, in his scathing criticism of the Government’s handling of land has concentrated on the failure of the Government. he describes the report as “a damning review of the Government, in particular the l and Development Agency’s to deliver enough land that is ready to build to meet the needs of a growing community”. he argues that while the Government promises to make things better for young families, it has a record of pushing up prices instead.

The l iberals offer a solution. The i nfrastructure Canberra Bill is legislation they currently have before the Assembly. it requires the Minister to prepare a Canberra i nfrastructure Plan and establishes a commissioner and a board to maintain oversight of the plan. The plan must include “a statement about how the need for and priority of infrastructure projects are to be assessed and developed”.

The downside of the legislation is that it establishes yet another layer of bureaucracy oversighting land development. The upside is that it offers greater transparency in priority setting and monitoring. it ensures that all factors are taken into account when establishing such priorities and requires reporting back to the Assembly on an annual basis.

l and development is a complex business that must be done within the context of Canberra’s strategic plans if it is to deliver liveable suburbs in a vibrant city. The Auditor-General’s report should be a wake-up call for all those involved.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government.

Redgum meets redgum

HUGH McDonald, left, and John Schumann, former members of the iconic band Redgum, took to the invitation to plant a redgum tree at the National Arboretum Canberra with unexpected energy, having to be good-naturedly told to stop filling the hole in by arboretum chairman John Mackay. The planting was made at a small gathering that included Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.

Dynamic beauty of winning shot

By arts editor Helen Musa

“STILL somehow beautiful and dynamic” is how the first female winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Jacqueline Mitelman, described her subject, Victorian artist and teacher Suzi Alesandra on learning of her $25,000 win.

In announcing the winner, Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean praised photography for recording “the day-to-day life ordinary Australians.”

Mitelman’s very un-ordinary portrait is a radical return to classical portraiture style for the prize’s judges, this year NPG director Louise Doyle, Engledow, Christopher Chapman, and Domenico de Clario.

The artist said she had first painted Alesandra 25 years ago, but had hardly seen her since that time. The grey hair and lines had not obscured her beauty and inspired her to embark on this more mature impression.

“If I were a painter I would do lots of paintings of her,” Mitelman told “CityNews”, adding that she would use her prize, sponsored by Visa, to buy a new camera.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize is at the National Portrait Gallery until April 26.

The winning portrait “Miss Alesandra”, 2010, by Jacqueline Mitelman.

It’s all about looking chic and unsweaty on two wheels

Fashion cycles inspire Trish

By Eleri Harris

Grab your fixie, throw away your lycra and pump up those skinny tyres; “style over speed” is coming to Canberra.

All will be revealed with the upcoming launch of cycle chic website, thanks to prolific mummy blogger and photographer, Trish Smith.

Based on the original Copenhagan photo-blog exhibiting images of sophisticated riders, Smith will be hitting the streets each week in search of the most stylish Canberrans on two wheels.

Smith says she was inspired by a trip to europe in September as a travel blogger for Thai Airways.

“i was really taken with all the bicycles overseas in Oslo and Copenhagen,” Smith explains.

“i found myself taking pictures of people on bikes because they looked so lovely.

“Cycling has a different feel in Canberra, it’s the ‘as fast as possible’ thing they don’t do over there, it’s not a race.

“People here feel like they need to get gear, they’re worried about

having to have a shower when they get to work. No one ever seems to get sweaty in Copenhagen, leave for work 15 minutes earlier so you don’t have to go fast.”

Armed with her digital Sl R, the Canberra native and daughter of

Pedal Power founder Bill Crowie aims to document the finest cycle fashion to promote bike riding as a way of life, not a sport.

Copied all over the world, the original cycle chic manifesto emphasises clothes over spokes,

promising to obey traffic rules, but personalising bikes and never wearing lycra.

“i will refrain from wearing and owning any form of ‘cycle wear’. The only exception being a bicycle helmet,” the manifesto reads.

“i choose to cycle chic and, at every opportunity, i will choose style over speed.

“i will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle.” having not owned a bike since 1993, Smith herself is something of a target for the cycle chic movement.

“ i ’m approaching the project as a photographer and blogger, not a cyclist,” Smith laughs, vowing to purchase a lean, classic, black, italian model asap and opening her site to contributor images via photo-sharing network flickr.

“i don’t want to talk too much about the politics of road use, i just like the cycle chic movement – get on your bike and enjoy it!”

canberracyclechic.com will be launched on March 5 with a bike ride from Garema Place to Portrait Gallery cafe, leaving the city at 2pm and avoiding all hills.

Get violence out from the shadows, says Broderick

By Eleri Harris AUSTRALIAN Sex Discrimination

Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick is set to deliver the keynote address at the International Women’s Day centenary breakfast in Canberra on March 

Simultaneously launching the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance, Broderick says while she will acknowledge the successes of i nternational Women’s Day over the past 100 years, the challenges ahead in combating domestic violence will be her central focus.

“The launch is really important,” Broderick told “CityNews”.

“Most advocacy happening until now has been State-based because the services are delivered at a State level.

“What’s missing in Australia is national advocacy at this level.”

AWAVA will work with Government agencies and the community sector to improve responses to and prevention of violence against women.

Broderick said the launch comes at a good time, co-inciding with Australia’s international launch for a plan against violence at the UN last week.

“UN Women put out guidance for countries developing national plans against violence; Australia adhered to many of their elements,” Broderick said.

“Ours represents best practice.

“My overall message is that we have come such a significant way in 100 years. We can have our own bank accounts, we’re able to keep

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick... “We just haven’t been able to make a dent or decrease in unacceptable rates of intimate partner violence in Australia.”

working after marriage, now there is a paid parental leave scheme and women at board level experienced a 600 per cent increase last year.

“That’s how far we’ve travelled, which is terrific, but there are still a number of issues where we haven’t made progress. Pay equality is one, the 17 per cent pay gap for equal or comparable work.

“Violence against women, domestic violence, is another. One in three women under 15 will experience some form of physical violence in their lifetime.

“We just haven’t been able to make a dent or decrease in unacceptable rates of intimate partner violence in Australia.

“Part of it is still the private nature, it’s seen as a private issue, but domestic violence needs to come out of the shadows.

“it’s actually a workplace issue.

“A third of those women will be in paid work and can stay in paid work if they can resolve or leave the situation.

“We’ve seen good evidence there’s absences, staff turnover, loss of productivity to a $3.6 billion cost to individual businesses.

“it’s in all our interests to do something about it.”

Broderick said she will also take the opportunity to thank community service workers for their efforts and express her support for the current pay equity case before Fair Work Australia.

“i really hope for a positive outcome there and to see their work properly valued,” Broderick said.

“Just to thank those largely women who work at the coalface every day in stressful, highly skilled work. To thank them for the work they do for all of us.”

The 100th International Women’s Day will be celebrated all around Canberra on March 8. For a list of events go to http://www.unifem.org. au/iwd/Events/act

DHL delivers a surprise sponsorship

A DONATION of $15,000 has been made by shipping company DHL Canberra to support the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8, according to Jo McIntosh, communications and community outreach manager of UNIFEM Australia and the Australian National Committee for UN Women.

After the break, more quake?

MARK PARTON says there was no place for Australian TV crews in devastated Christchurch

THE earthquakes in NZ have affected all Canberrans. The scale of devastation is astounding. My old mate Zak is from Christchurch. Despite seeing days of television images, he told me that a part of him still couldn’t believe that his city was in ruins. Tiny the cabbie was the same.

Tiny and I had a yak one day last week about the media coverage immediately following the quake and we agreed that the Australian TV stations should not have journeyed to Christchurch. They should not have been there. This is not just about how intrusive they were at a time of grief, nor about the question of whether they were milking the misery. It’s not our country and I think our people just got in the way of those who were doing important work.

On the night following the earthquake hundreds of Christchurch residents slept in parks. They were without homes or beds. At such a time, to have a dozen or so crew from the two commercial TV breakfast shows sucking up food, water and accommodation is unforgivable.

The day after the quake there was little electricity available in Christchurch. The generators that were used to get the Australian TV outside broadcasts to air could surely have been used on something more worthwhile. Of course there was genuine interest in Australia about the disaster, but there were plenty of pictures available from NZ sources.

Did I cover the NZ earthquake on my radio program? Of course I did. It was the biggest news story of the week and it had to be covered, but we found ways to bring the story that didn’t impact on those who were suffering from this great disaster. We spoke to people from the earthquake zone, most of whom we tracked down on social media. We’d lined up an interview with a resident who lost her home. She emailed me 10 minutes before the interview to tell me: “I can’t do it. I’m just not in the right place to talk about it.”

I’m sure I could have convinced her to “get back with the program” but I didn’t see it as my place to add to her pain. We thanked her and wished her all the best.

If the media is having an effect on outcomes at whatever disaster they are reporting on, it’s time to leave.

“We had a very small budget to start with, so this donation means a great deal to us.

“I think it’s wonderful how a local Canberra business – and a very male-dominated one at that – is supporting International Women’s Day throughout Australia,” she says. “The drivers are even going to be wearing our purple ribbons on the day.

“We’re sending materials to people holding International Women’s Day events throughout Australia, from Christmas Island to Coober Pedy.

“This has saved our organisation a significant amount of money, meaning we can donate a much larger amount to our leadership and political particpation programs throughout the developing world.”

It was a little different in Queensland earlier this year because it happened in our country and the electronic media coverage often assists emergency services in distributing information. The people of Christchurch got no benefit whatsoever from our TV crews being there and they shouldn’t have. What do you think?

Mark Parton is the breakfast presenter at 2CC

DON AITKIN recalls one of the most bizarre experiences of his life

Gaddafi and a hot night in Tripoli

I AM probably one of the few people in Canberra who have sat through a four-hour-fifteen-minute speech by Muammar Gaddafi, followed by a military parade that lasted for another two hours.

The whole thing began, because of the heat in the l ibyan summer, at 10.15 pm. it was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life.

how i got to be there is a story in itself, but i’ll leave that for another occasion.

The central square in Tripoli was the setting, decked out with tiered seating for the dignitaries; the group i was in were of that description, but we were of lesser importance, so we were up high, and in the furthest stand from the great leader.

The occasion was his seventh anniversary. Gaddafi was quite a young man in age (34), handsome and simply dressed.

h is voice was pleasant and well modulated, and he plainly fancied himself as an orator. Alas, my Arabic was minimal, indeed non-existent, and no

one near me could tell me what he was saying.

it was a performance, but there comes a time when one’s attention has to wander.

Mine was wondering, about midnight, where the toilets were, and when all this would stop.

There proved to be no toilets, but underneath our stand was a gradually increasing number of empty soft-drink bottles, and this proved to be the “convenience”, though climbing down underneath the structure in the semi-dark was an ordeal. To anticipate a question, our group, indeed virtually the whole assembly of some thousands of people, was male.

Given that we were conspicuous and foreign, it was not possible to go to sleep, and in any case the loudspeakers would have made that very difficult. i finally could hardly believe it when, at about 2.30, he stopped. Then, with his flourish, the military parade started, from memory mostly rockets and tanks.

They went on and on until finally, perhaps 3.30, one of our number said: “i’m sure i’ve seen that tank before! l ook at the aerial!” That was askew, but the next tank’s aerial stood proud, as did the one following. But a few minutes later back came the tank with the won-

ky one. We cheered loudly, and repeated our applause when it re-appeared a few minutes later still.

Plainly the tanks were going round the block, and perhaps there weren’t all that many of them anyway.

The farce came to an end just before dawn. i don’t think we were much use for anything the next day.

Gaddafi, now 69, is the longest-serving ruler in the contemporary world, is thought to have amassed a personal fortune of some $US60 billion and wears a uniform with medals the envy of any former Soviet general.

l ibya generates about two per cent of the world’s oil production.

l ibya has about the same number of people as Victoria, and it should and could be a thriving, rich and happy place.

The riches seem not to have gone very far into the population and, in fact, relative per capita income has been declining for the last 30 years.

My memories of the country, and we travelled quite widely over two weeks, were of enormous disparities and great possibilities. But if your ruler is siphoning off the wealth, that is hardly surprising.

Nor is the current rebellion. i wish the l ibyan people well. They have endured a lot for a long time.

Muammar Gaddafi... plainly fancied himself as an orator.

Don Aitkin, political scientist and historian, served as vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra from 1991 to 2002.

A GROUP of Canberra’s top 12 orthopaedic surgeons wants to see cyclists on roads and bike paths – not in hospital operating rooms.

The Canberra Orthopaedic Group – the largest orthopaedic practice in the ACT region – has joined the Amy Gillett Foundation as a sponsor of the Big Canberra Bike Ride on March 14.

Director, Dr Chris Roberts, says: “Our surgeons regularly see the terrible trauma that can result from incidents between bikes and motor vehicles, as well as bikes and pedestrians. We would much rather see cyclists enjoying their time on the road and on bike paths than see them in hospital beds.”

The Big Canberra Bike Ride, incorporating Amy’s Ride, starts and finishes in front of Old Parliament House. There are options for riders of all ages and abilities.

More information at www. peda|power.org.au/bcbr/

New world of difference at The Tradies

ANTHONY Watkins loves watching customers walk into the new-look The Tradies Club, in Dickson, “especially if they haven’t been here for a few years. They walk in the door and just say, ‘wow!’”

The club has been given a new fit-out to make it bright, open and welcoming to all.

“The Tradies has been a Canberra institution for 45 years,” says Anthony, the club’s group marketing and business development manager.

“But with a changing demographic in the inner north, our research showed we had to change with the times. Nearly 40 per cent of our members now are aged 18 to 35.

“Three years ago, it was only 25 per cent, and before that, even less.”

About $8 million later, The Tradies is a very different place, and one that’s set to challenge expectations.

“For example, everything in the bistro has been updated. We have a new chef, Livio Braiuka, who’s quite well-known in Canberra and was last year named the Australian Culinary Federation Industry Icon for 2010.

“There’s a lot of old and new. The Tradies is famous for its legendary schnitzels, which if anything are even bigger than they used to be; but now, in addition to the usual things like mushroom sauce, we have a range of specialty toppings. It wouldn’t be The Tradies without our schnitzels!”

The updated menu also now includes a range of modern Australian cuisine, he says.

“It’s about delivering something that’s better

than people expect. I think when people go to a club their expectations are pretty basic. But we don’t see why club food has to be boring.

“We still hold to our core values, such as being a generous supporter of the Canberra community. So nothing has changed there.

“But we believe our members deserve the best facilities we can offer.”

Anthony’s seen the evolution of The Tradies

first-hand: Several years ago, he worked behind the bar while he studied for his degree.

“I was actually working here and at the old Downer Club, and was at The Tradies for the best part of 13 years,” he says. “Once I completed my degree, in advertising and marketing, I took a job elsewhere, but then in 2009 they advertised for a marketing person and, of course, I still loved the place.

Breakfast with the Raiders

THE Dickson Tradies will host the Big Sports Breakfast at Bluey’s Café from 5.30am on Friday, March 4.

Members and guests are welcome to watch Terry Kennedy and Michael Slater broadcast live with David Furner, Terry Campese, Alan Tongue and other players from the Canberra Raiders, talking about their official season launch.

They’ll also be joined by Peter Stubbs, Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins, Neil Osborne, Neville Layt and Nick Olive to talk about Canberra’s upcoming premier race day, The Black Opal Stakes.

The Tradies Lounge Bar is currently featuring “Pretty in Pink”, where every member who buys a champagne cocktail and wears something pink between 5pm and 9pm on Friday nights will go into the draw to win a pair of diamond earrings valued at $2000, until April 15.

Further details available from thetradies.com.au

“It’s hard to get The Tradies out of your system,” he laughs.

“In many respects it was almost like an obligation: they’d done the research and decided to upgrade, and I’m not short of opinions. It was a great opportunity to come and throw my hat in the ring.

“So anyone who hasn’t been here for a couple of years is very surprised. I’ve seen it myself, when they walk in. The new look has quite an impact.”

Stepping backwards to the future of checkouts

THE supermarkets claim it’s all for our benefit, but I think self-service checkouts are a huge step backwards in customer service.

Certainly, self-serve checkouts weren’t designed for mothers with energetic and enthusiastic children in tow.

Of course, the kids love going through the self-serve and are desperate to be of help; to have a go, too. But the machines make no allowance for them and all it takes is one hand in the wrong place to trigger the “unidentified item in bagging area” message and a series of complications that inevitably destroy the claimed efficiency of the whole process.

I try to avoid these checkouts; however, as supermarkets steadily reduce their regular staffed checkouts in favour of these semi-automated

Those self-service checkouts that are popping up all over the place will, apparently, save time, but it never seems to work that way for SONYA FLADUN

systems, one’s options are often limited.

I have developed some tactics to manage the challenges of self-service. I begin by threatening the children with the amputation of any body part that goes within one metre surrounding the checkout, something they know as “the red zone”.

Engineers and computer scientists may have designed the process to be foolproof, but it never works smoothly for me. At my daughter’s insistence, we once bought a giant, fluffy, pink rabbit that, despite exhaustive attempts, was

All roads lead to Belconnen!

AT “CityNews” we are always on the look-out for silly signs around the place and reader Shane Ryan, of Palmerston, has pointed us to a couple of what he describes as “hilarious”.

“As you approach William hovell Drive from the Coppins Crossing Road, the first large green and white sign you come to says turn leFT for Belconnen; a few metres later at the intersection, another green and white sign that says turn R iGh T for Belconnen!” he writes.

“And, a mystery i would love ‘City News’ to solve: All of Canberra’s districts (North Canberra,

South Canberra, Woden Valley, Weston Creek, Tuggeranong and Belconnen) have district signs at their perimeters, except for Gungahlin! There is not a single sign to let people know they have entered Gungahlin (the district, as opposed to the suburb). Just another example of the ACT Government treating Gungahlin differently – and negatively?”

The approach to William Hovell Drive from the Coppins Crossing Road. The first signs says left to Belconnen, the one beyond (in the inset), says turn right.

never going to get its enormous tagged butt into the right position to be scanned, much less bagged.

Then there are the barcodes that just won’t scan. Either the barcode is damaged or there is a sticker over it, or the computer just doesn’t recognise it.

Then there are sale items. All too often the supposed sale price isn’t the price registered on the computer, but it’s too much trouble to wait for an assistant to deal with the three other people ahead of you before they can come over

to rectify the problem so like many consumers, I suspect, I just cop it.

I would never have made the grade as a checkout operator. Seriously, those long-suffering, foot-weary, nimble-fingered individuals who put up with grumpy, impatient shoppers, screaming children, non-existent barcodes, slow eftpos connections and pin cards with damaged or de-magnetised strips are so under-appreciated.

So I reckon we should adopt a preference to use checkouts with human beings in attendance and resist allowing ourselves to be pushed into self-service. Otherwise the trained operator may completely disappear, replaced, not by robots, but actually by customers and is that really an improvement?

Leave festival alone

T he Canberra Multicultural Community Forum rejects the suggestion in Alan hawke’s review of the ACT Public Service that the management of the National Multicultural Festival be taken over by a Special events Unit responsible for all festivals and similar activities in the ACT.

The proposal, buried deep in the massive report under the heading “Tourism, events and the Arts”, appears to be the latest in a series of attempts to take the Multicultural Festival away from the people who understand it best, and who had made it into an outstanding success. it is regularly attracting six-figure crowds to Civic – it’s obviously not broken, so why all these attempts to fix it?

letters

Policy by Rubik cube

OUR Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, is annoyed at the numbers of persons entering our jail without being drug tested. At the same time he is considering flooding the jail with free needles.

is this a policy Rubik cube? Syringes and needles are the major instruments spreading the hep C virus in the community, where up to 30 per cent still share despite over 100 million clean needles having been distributed in past decades. Victoria alone gives away six million annually.

Why would our Government help the drug trade and the spread of infection by giving inmates the instruments to increase their use, and the prevalence of hep C?

And it has still not explained how it will protect the rights of drug-free inmates by preventing their induction into drug use and crime by peer pressure or any other means. After all, don’t the scales of justice tilt just a little in their favour ?

colliss Parrett,

Indian fan

i h AV e been visiting from i ndia for the past three months. i first saw “CityNews” at the local shops and since then have regularly picked it up and read it.

i ndeed, it is a very nice magazine, covering the news of the city perfectly. its design is very attractive and i have become increasingly fond of “CityNews” and and read it regularly, despite the daily newspaper. i n fact, it is better. a rvind Joshi, via email

Barton

Any Special events Unit will be dominated by the team responsible for planning the Centenary of Canberra. The National Multicultural Festival, and indeed all the other festivals and events, will be relegated to the second rank. Why are we continually tinkering with a proven winner?

s am Wong, chairman, c anberra Multicultural community Forum

Shot in the foot?

i T is only a couple of weeks since i responded to Michael Moore’s “Muggaccino” flood levy (CN, February 3) and already we have had a rise in insurance premiums, an increase in health fund premiums and a proposed carbon tax.

Recent polls have suggested that a large proportion of people will not now contribute voluntarily to future large appeals, that the flood levy was only supported by a small majority of people and, most surprisingly for Australians, the bulk of people polled would not contribute towards the NZ earthquake appeal. it appears the flood levy might be another example of shooting oneself in the foot and that the community is starting to think more carefully about the number of muggaccinos it is willing to forgo to fund such appeals in the future.

Ric Hingee,

Duffy

Look before leaping into a new job

THE start of a new year triggers many thoughts about a new career, says Nathan Hannigan, the Southern Australia regional manager for Manpower.

“While the start of the year is a popular time to think about a career change, a hasty decision is going to land you right back where you started,” he says. “While it may look like the grass is greener on the other side, take the time to form a complete picture of your current situation. Think about how satisfied you are in your current job – how much you enjoy the work you do, your career opportunities and the culture of the organisation.

“Impulsive decisions may be okay when buying a new shirt – they’re not a good idea for making a career change. Always look before you leap.”

Here are some of his top tips for making a career move in 2011:

ó

Define what you want. Before starting your search, it is important to define your career objective. Individuals who know where they are going tend to get there faster. Look at your current role objectively and compare it to the role you want. Ask yourself, what specific skills are required to get there?

ó ó

Reassess your skills. New Year is a great opportunity to reflect on what you want out of your career. Are you doing what you do best? Take a look at your skills, abilities and interests and line them up with your current role and your ideal role. Research suggests that people whose skills, abilities and interests are most in line with their job are more likely to perform at the top of their game.

Know what you’re worth. You should also have an idea of your career net worth – that is, the value the market places on your unique abilities and knowledge.

Ensure you are continually building your skills, knowledge and technical expertise – with experience under your belt, you become more competitive and can generate your highest career net worth. Build your personal brand. Just like a corporate brand, your personal brand comes down to a combination of factors. This includes your professional reputation – what your current and past colleagues and bosses say about you, or where you have been seen “in action”, such as at external meetings. And then, of course, there’s your visual brand – does your wardrobe, makeup and grooming reflect the industry or role you want? Get some honest feedback from people you trust, to make sure you are making a good impression.

Mr Hannigan suggests that anyone looking for a new job in 2011 consider working with a recruiter to identify the roles that are most suited to them. “Manpower is always on the lookout for enthusiastic candidates and we’re experts in matching candidates with roles best suited to their skills, experience and interests,” he says.

“My team in Canberra are committed to delivering exceptional service to clients and candidates alike.”

Want a job at Manpower?

MANPOWER’S Canberra branch is looking for new consultants to join their team. Newly appointed business manager, Danielle Geld, believes the Canberra branch is a trusted and stable team that delivers solid results for its clients.

“We’ve experienced significant growth over the last 12 months, and are excited to welcome new faces into our team,” she says.

For more information about working for Manpower, contact Danielle Geld on 6200 3399.

Manpower’s Nathan Hannigan and Danielle Geld... “We’re experts in matching candidates with roles best suited to their skills, experience and interests,” says Nathan.

Kamberra Wine Company 2011 Black Opal Stakes fashion

All there, in black and

IT’S almost time for the Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes, the premier racing event in the ACT Calendar – so there’s a lot going on, off and on the track.

“Black Opal is Canberra’s richest horse race, and it’s known around Australia as one of the top races for two-year-olds,” says Thoroughbred Park’s Briony Young.

“So the race itself is top quality, but there’s a lot of action off the track with Fashions on the Field, people coming to network and to enjoy a social day out at the races.”

Vikoria Novak Design

Specialising in custom made race wear & bridal headpieces. Complete styling & makeup packages also available by appointment t 0421 372 733 | e viktoria.novakdesign@gmail.com

www.viktorianovakdesign.com

The new Myer Face of Canberra Racing 2011 (who’ll be named at the Chief Minister’s Black Opal Cocktail Evening, on Friday, March 11) will be present to judge Fashions on the Field, which have been given an exciting yet traditional twist: the theme this year is Black and White.

“We’ve decided to make the theme Black and White to make it easier for everyone to participate,” says Briony. “Everybody has a black dress at the very least!”

She said that some people are “a little bit wary” of their chances of ending up on stage, but it’s a simple case of following the Fashions on

the Field rules and injecting a touch of our own personality to be in with a chance, she says.

“It’s a level playing field. There’s also the belief that it’s really expensive to dress nicely, which just isn’t true!”

For example, the winner of the Oaks Day Fashions on the Field competition last year in Melbourne sported an $18, ‘50s-inspired dress she’d bought online and altered herself.

Black and white themes have been run in the past, and Briony says she’s looking forward to seeing how Canberrans turn out in monochrome.

“Apart from the theme, the rules for Fashions on the Field are as always: Leave the nightclub outfit at home, don’t expose excessive flesh, don’t wear stockings with open-toed shoes, pay attention to the little details.”

Stockings are a key issue at this time of year: “It’s an autumn race, but if we’re expecting good weather – and it’s predicted to be 27 degrees – you wouldn’t wear stockings.”

That adaptability – adjusting an outfit according to conditions – is an important part of good racewear, says Briony.

“It’s overall presentation: Make-up, clothing, and of course headwear.”

As well as the Classic Ladies’ Racewear section, there are other categories including best-dressed man, and Briony says this means not just wearing a jacket and tie, but paying attention to details such as cufflinks.

There’s also the Millinery Competition, Classic Couples and the Crazy Costume Award, which to date has seen Canberrans attend dressed as clowns, ponies and cows.

“It’s a great contest for the young at heart,” says Briony.

The Black Opal Stakes, Sunday, March 13, gates open at around 11am. More information at www. thoroughbredpark.com.au

white

Serenade mother-of-pearl bag, $149 from Bags to Go.

Forcast Melody dress, $89 from Ellory

Win an prize pack

THIS year Oil of Olay turns 60... and to celebrate, the brand is offering “CityNews” readers the chance to win one of three skin-care prize packs, each valued at more than $100. Full entry details are at citynews.com.au/win

New name offers advice for a better life

“IT was time to simplify our branding under one name that reflected our business focus,” says Jeff Proud, one of the directors, along with Gray Saunders and Hugh Crawford, of independent financial advisers Capital Wealth.

Capital Wealth was formerly known as Canberra Financial Services incorporating four other business names – Canberra Life and Superannuation, Canberra Insurance Brokers, Park Heath and CanFinance.

“The new name streamlines our branding under one name that more directly relates to the values of our business of wealth creation and protection,” says Jeff.

“We’ve also made significant changes to our client engagement process and are offering a new range of complementary services. We want to ensure that our clients know they’re valued.

“Each new client receives an introduction pack that includes a questionnaire regarding their critical issues, so by the time we meet, they are already armed with a list that ensures we focus on what is important to them.

“We’re demonstrating a level of concern beyond what clients would normally experience.”

Capital Wealth offers a wide range of services, including life and disability insurance, superannuation advice, business and general insurance brokers, finance and mortgage brokers, property investment buyer’s agents

and adviser and financial planning.

“Insurance is still a major part of our business, through our review process we routinely find that new clients don’t have the cover they need or believed they had,” says Jeff.

“Often the insurance cover hasn’t kept pace with their situation or market innovations. You might have insurance,

but it doesn’t mean you’re insured.

“A major part of our work is reviewing and repairing existing arrangements.

“We’re a broker, so we represent the client. All of our advice is focused on delivering the outcome the client is looking for. That’s true for all of our businesses. We always act for our client

as their independent expert in the field.

“The fact that clients have access to a range of complementary independent, property, finance and investment advice guarantees the same high standards for all of their needs.

“We offer advice for a better life.”

Capital Wealth, Level 1, 14 Dundas Court, Phillip. Call 6239 1566.

At Kuwait National Day, Hyatt Hotel

At

all about living

There’s no show without... Gerard

By Helen Musa

WE told you last year that it was impossible to have an Alliance Française French Film Festival without Gerard Depardieu.

Well, sure enough, he’s back again this year along with another stayer, Catherine Deneuve, in “Potiche,” the gala opening film on March 16 at the National Film and Sound Archive’s Arc cinema.

This is a special year for us, according to the director-general of the Alliance, Philippe Milloux, who told the Sydney-based artistic director JeanJacques Garnier “the national capital deserves more”.

The result? Canberra has the whole 46 films – 10 more than last year, and Garnier promises they are “the 46 crème de la crème”.

This is the 22nd such film festival, the biggest cultural event and “a buzz” for the Alliance, with 700 screenings in capitals all around the country. “The biggest film festival outside Cannes,” Milloux says and bound to be a big hit with Canberrans, who love “the French flair”. And incidentally, he tells me, he was very briefly once Deneuve’s bodyguard.

Milloux believes cinema is the most contemporary art form, dealing with vital issues. So, of course, there will be top-class documentaries, including “Mad Love”, about fashion czar Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. There is the Cannes Film Festival 2010 Grand Prix Winner “Of Gods and Men” and “The Clink of Ice”, a black comedy about a man whose cancer visits him for a talk.

And what’s new? This year, 11 of the films will be screened at the Arc, and there will be a new genre – horror in “The Pack”, in which superstar Yolande Moreau plays a scary truckstop owner. There are kids’ films’ such as the animation “A Cat in Paris”, where mild-mannered moggy Dino becomes a cat burglar by night. “The Round-up”, starring Jean Reno, tells the story of French police rounding up Jews in Paris for Auschwitz seen through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy. Ah yes, and there’s l’amour; the closing day, April 3, at the ARC features a romantic Gallic double bill, “2 love”. As Milloux puts it, “Jean-Jacques really knows how to woo an audience.”

Phone 62475027 for a brochure, or visit www. frenchfilmfestival.org/Canberra.aspx for all

Potent objects of power, desire and beauty

By Helen Musa

many, the very mention of the Solomon Islands conjures up violence and magic.

But in “Varilaku” at the National Gallery of Australia, the first Australian exhibition dedicated solely to Solomon Islands art, objects of power, desire and pure beauty are as exhibited for aesthetic rather than ethnographic purposes. Many readers will be aware of the controversy surrounding ethnography versus art. That debate is pretty well settled as regards Aboriginal art but “Varilaku” curator Crispin Howarth is quick to acknowledge that of the many objects brought in from around Australia, most come from museums rather than art galleries, including the Seventh-day Adventist South Sea Islands Museum in Cooranbong, NSW.

Debate aside, Howarth has focused on the exquisite craftsmanship coming from the Solomons, so named by the Spanish explorer Mendaña in 1568 because he expected to find riches like those in King Solomon’s mines.

This is a small but potent exhibition ranging from the 1860s to the modernising 1940s. One room is devoted to objects depicting skulls and actual skulls, often overlaid with decorative materials and the source of power for warriors whose cool masculinity gave the flattering name “Varilaku” to this exhibition.

The carved figureheads for the prows of seafaring vessels, mostly portray the faces of handsome warriors, complete with aquiline noses. These illustrate an element of vanity – warriors liked to look good – while revealing

considerable technical achievement. Some of the beautifully-balanced standing sculptures of the human figure feature real human hair implanted in the favoured “pudding bowl” hairstyle. In a different mode is the carving of a Bonito fish, known to Solomon Islanders as “humans of the sea” because their blood runs red. This sculpture features very fine mother-of-pearl inlay also seen in many weapons and decorations in the exhibition. As with most items on show, the artist is unknown.

“Varilaku: Pacific arts from the Solomon Islands”, National Gallery of Australia until May 29. The 128-page, full-colour catalogue is a fascinating read, with a guest foreword by Sir David Attenborough.

arts&entertainment

Disconcerting dinner’s big serve of murder

“THE DINNER PARTY” (MA)

IN 1997, ANU law student Anu Singh slipped rohypnol in her lover’s drink then injected him with heroin. The PhD thesis “Offending Women – Toward a Greater Understanding of Female Criminality” that Singh is now writing should make an interesting read!

Joe Cinque’s murder inspired a group of young film-makers to shoot an independent low-budget film in Canberra. The Film and Sound Archive recently screened it to full houses. Dendy Cinema will show it on Mondays and Wednesdays until people stop turning up. Dendy’s first screening was full house.

There’s much to admire about “The Dinner Party”, despite the essentially unpleasant theme of its totally fictive but well-crafted screenplay by director Scot Murden, co-producer Brendan Sloan and Brad Diebert. Two students give a dinner party from which we, but not all the guests, know that some are not guaranteed to leave alive.

The standouts in a strong cast are Lara Cox as control freak Angela and Kai Harris as Freddie, there for free food and wine.

Cliché-free, presenting strong, disconcerting dramatic values in a polished appearance, the film might have benefitted from more rigorous editing; some low-key exterior shots have no apparent purpose. While Oonagh Sherrard’s score serves the film well, intrusive levels diminish the value of several sequences, including an important close-up of Angela – the music drowned her words and lip-reading wasn’t a practical option. Those aside, the film does honour to its genre.

At Dendy

“THE

GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST” (M)

ADAPTING the third volume of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy into a stand-alone film required Ulf Ryberg to gloss over, omit or reshape many of its political, emotional and technological details.

Director Daniel Alfredson delivers the story’s tensions and conflicts as high entertainment that’s never less than workmanlike although at times requiring new-comers to the trilogy to take dramatic turning points at face value.

In most of her scenes, the trilogy’s victim and heroine Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) conveys unspoken interior monologue. Her courage, intellectual strength and verbal economy are admirable, enviable. As well, she provides Rapace with sardonic comic opportunities when challenging a prosecuting attorney about what distinguishes

cinema

a statement from a question, a long-overdue rectification to film and TV courtroom dialogue that. Language aficionados will admire and hope it might take root and flourish.

Anika (Annika Hallin) the pregnant sister of “Millennium” magazine editor Mikael (Michael Nyqvist) and Lisbeth’s defence counsel, is the principal supporting character. Anders Albohm is a splendidly malevolent, manipulative, mendacious psychiatrist Treborian.

Leavening a plot in which the major conflicts are intellectual, moments of violence are acceptable as much for their outcomes as for bringing changes of pace. The bad guys’ come-uppances match the wickedness of their deeds without straining to boost them merely for bravura’s sake.

Now we await Hollywood’s version.

At all cinemas

“CONVICTION” (MA)

KENNY Waters spent 18 years in jail. His sister Betty Anne’s conviction of his innocence and her determination to get his conviction for murder set aside led her to finish school and get a law degree.

The events supporting Tony Goldwyn’s film being verifiable, we must accept Pamela Gray’s screenplay at face value. That’s not easy. In early teenage years, Betty Anne and Kenny, children of a mother who bore nine by a number of fathers, were locked in closeness transcending moral and rational boundaries. They stole stuff. They broke into houses. Although there’s no suggestion of sexual intimacy, their closeness was powerful. The film offers no other information to justify her obsession with his innocence.

Once again, Hilary Swank gives a convincing portrayal of a woman from socially and economically deprived origins determined to achieve a difficult outcome. Sam Rockwell brings brio to Kenny, a man with few moral or cultural virtues who might fit an archetype for committing murder. The film gives irrefutable evidence that he did not.

Another principal character is the film’s depiction of American criminal enforcement practices. If you’re at risk of being criminally enforced, the film indicates strong reasons to be glad you’re doing it in Australia.

At all cinemas

Conductor hands over the baton

By Helen Musa

IT might sound like something from a “Monty Python” skit, but Canberra Philharmonic Society recently found itself with a legless conductor for its coming show “42nd Street”, and that’s no good at all, because a conductor has to stand up to do his job.

Popular Canberra maestro and “CityNews” music writer Col. Ian McLean, you see, has recently endured an ankle fusion, so had to beg out. Musical direction was no problem, with the capable Lucy Bermingham at the keyboard, but who would wield the baton?

Then McLean had a brilliant idea. Why not persuade his mentor and predecessor as director of music at Duntroon, Colin Fischer, to conduct the musical as he did the last time Philo staged it.

The lively septuagenarian said yes immediately, squeezing the show into his busy schedule as conductor for the Hall Village Brass Band and the Australian Rugby Choir. Now McLean can hardly wipe the smile off his face, declaring “it’s very thrilling to me… what a good bloke!”

So the show goes on from March 10 at Erindale Theatre as planned.

Elle Wilcher, 17, debuts as the young star Peggy Sawyer, who gets the chance to be leading lady in a Broadway musical, surrounded by Canberra stage luminaries such as Ian Croker as the Broadway director and Adrian Flor as Billy Lawlor, the heartthrob leading man. And what numbers! With songs such as “We’re in the Money”, “Lullaby of Broadway”, “Shuffle off to Buffalo” and the title song “42nd Street”, Philo president Jim McMullen and prize-winning choreographer Amy Fitzpatrick behind the scenes and Fischer in the orchestra pit, it’s bound to be a hit.

“42nd Street”, Erindale Theatre, March 10-26. Bookings to www.philo. org.au/ticketing or 6257 1950.

Charlie’s ‘big’ burger test

THERE’S something you need to know about Charlie Black...

The prices are kept reasonable in part because of the brasserie-style “system”, meaning you order and pay at the bar, get a buzzer that lights up and acts like something crazy from a sci-fi movie when it goes off at your table to announce your meal is ready, and you pick up your own food at the counter near the kitchen.

I let you know this because the pages of the menu are presented on a small flip stand and unless the cover page is showing when you settle into your seat you won’t know “the system” until someone wanders over to explain.

Charlie Black has one of the best locations in Manuka (corner Furneaux and Franklin streets, a great possie for watching weddings at the church across the way).

Salads start at $16 for a Caesar and top at $18 for a warm confit duck with coriander, chilli and fried vermicelli noodles. Bar snacks are mostly $11 and include a divine chicken liver and apple pate with toast.

I’ve eaten at Charlie Black’s several times now and on a recent visit was determined to put the claim emblazoned on the sign out front to a test: “The burgers are better at Charlie Black’s”.

My beef burger ($18) came with everything but the kitchen sink (“BIG” is how the menu describes it). Tasty, but a bit challenging to manage the stack of bun, patty, egg and other goodies. My friends opted for the grilled chicken burger with avocado, bacon, cheese, tomato etcetera ($18). They agreed it was decent enough with the chips being the favourite part by far.

More recently, two of us ordered the braised rabbit pie encased in light, fluffy pastry. The dish is quite rich, especially the jus, and we found it salty with the mash a

dining

Wendy Johnson

bit thin ($22) – we’re creamy, smooth mash folks. The beer-battered flathead and chips with tartare sauce is excellent value for $18. And I can vouch, from my first visit, for the spiced lamb cutlets with hummus and tabouli salad ($26).

Charlie Black’s wine list is great, although more than once I’ve had to adjust my order because a selection had run out. The Lenton Brae Southside chardonnay (2008) from Margaret River is a real treat ($10 glass; $42 bottle). The reds are carefully chosen and the martinis are all $14.

And the name? Who is Charlie Black, anyway? Some say we’ll never know.

Charlie Black, Manuka, call 6232 6600. Open seven days for lunch and dinner.

Mighty night of March 10...

STEPHEN Pike tells us that The Q’s 2011 season will kick off on March 10 (the busiest night of the year) with the sell-out Ensemble Theatre production “Tuesdays with Morrie”. Based on the memoir by Mitch Albom, it stars Glen Hazeldine and Daniel Mitchell, who replaces his father Warren (Alf Garnett) for this tour. Bookings to 6285 6250 or www.theq.net.au

ON March 10 at the Playhouse, the Japan Foundation, Sydney is presenting Les Frères piano duo from Japan, brothers Moriya and Keito Saito. We’re promised “funky beats and boogie rhythms” in their Australian premiere tour. Bookings to www.jpf.org.au

WHAT a night: “A return to glamour and oldworld charm” is how the organisers of “Opera Masterpieces” are billing a concert on March 10 at the Albert Hall that marks the venue’s 83rd birthday while raising finds for Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Bookings to concertcharity@ yahoo.com.au or phone 0422 805196 or 0429 810890

AND there’s more: Local musical star Phillip Marlan will launch his debut CD album “Moments That Matter” in an intimate concert at 8.30pm in the Canberra Southern Cross Club on March 10. He’s a Braidwood boy who studied at the Can -

arts in the city

berra School of Music under the late, formidable chanteuse Gery Scott. Bookings to 6283 7288.

IMPRO ACT will turn the theatrical spotlight on what it’s like for ordinary Australians to be asked to leave their familiar jobs, relationships, and suchlike in a new venture called “The Displaced”. It’s at the Street Theatre from March 12-17. Bookings to 6247 1223 or www. thestreet.org.au

EARLY Music Enterprises of Canberra is hosting a one-hour concert, “Upon a Time”, featuring pipe and tabor player Poul Høxbro and Australian recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey at the Great Hall, University House on March 12. It’s followed by a buffet ($40, including drinks). Bookings to eme1@iinet.net.au or 6282 7183.

HERE’S a good cause: Joy Warren, from Solander Gallery, and Robert Stephens, from Aarwun Gallery, are joining forces with an art auction to support victims of Australia’s extreme weather, as they did for the victims of the Victorian bushfires. It’s at Aarwun Gallery, 5,30pm on March 5.

Glen Hazeldine, who stars in “Tuesdays with Morrie”.

THIS year Oil of Olay turns 60... and to celebrate, the brand is offering “CityNews” readers the chance to win one of three skin-care prize packs, each valued at more than $100. Full entry details are at citynews.com.au/win Win an prize pack

Silly, sexy dancing fun

By Megan Haggan

BOLLYWOOD dancing is great fun for people of all cultural backgrounds, and it’s taking off in Canberra, says Krisha Jilson, from the Canberra School of Bollywood Dancing – it’s a full body workout that’s also “silly, sexy and totally engrossing”.

Born from India’s answer to Hollywood, the style is a vital part of Bollywood movies, where dance and song play a huge role in screenplays.

“Think of movies like ‘Singing in the Rain’ or ‘South Pacific,’ or even the TV show ‘Glee’ and you’ll get the idea,” she says.

“Bollywood traces its start to 1911, when the first Indian silent feature film was released. The industry boomed, and today there are over 250 theatres in Mumbai alone.

“Bollywood dancing is a high-energy style that uses the left and right brain function, overcomes co-ordination problems, improves balance and improves bone density.

“It has its base in traditional Indian dance, but borrows from many different styles, such as Arabic, jazz, disco, salsa, hip-hop and adds Indian spice with a bit of colour!” Dancing, especially when it’s treated as a

fun activity, has a “profound” influence on mood, Krisha says, “potentially elevating the positive aspects of mood such as excitement and happiness, and reducing depression, fatigue and tension.

“The beauty of Bollywood is that anyone can learn this dance style.

“No previous dance experience is needed; simply a love of foot-tapping music and fun.

The school has students ranging in age from four to 60-plus!” Styles range from semi-classical classes,

where the art forms of Bharathanatyam and Kathak dance are taught by experienced instructors; to Bhangra Bollywood, a folk dance from the Punjab region; to Bollywood Salsa and Zumba, which Krisha says is quite a workout.

“Reading and hearing about how many Australians, especially the school-age kids, are overweight and trying to find ways to lose weight, I think motivating them to join a dance class could not only make them fit, but also make them eat more healthily,” she says.

Getting kids moving

By Megan Haggan

SMARTSTART for Kids! will work with 20 schools in the Territory this year, mainly in low socioeconomic status areas, to boost children’s health and well being.

The program has been running in ACT primary schools since 1999, and has just signed an agreement with the University of Canberra’s Centre for Research and Action in Public Health to conduct a robust evaluation of its after-school “Healthy Exercise, Eating and Living Program”.

According to spokesman Rob de Castella: “The percentage of overweight and underweight children in primary schools is at an all-time high.”

Recently the Cancer Council and Heart Foundation announced the results of a study which showed that Australian kids – especially those in low socio-economic areas – overall have inadequate rates of physical activity, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and a high proportion of food choices based on advertising.

In 2005, 54 per cent of children assessed by SmartStart were deemed at risk, and by 2010 this rate had increased to 65 per cent.

Mr de Castella offered parents a few tips to help improve their kids’ health:

• “Children should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day,” he says. “This does not have to be sport specific or overly strenuous: any tasks that get the heart and lungs working and involve ‘huffing and puffing’ are great. Start small and involve the whole family.” A family walk around the block is ideal.

• “Fruit juice is just as unhealthy as cordial, soft drink and sports drinks, as it contains high levels of sugar. Encourage your child to drink water and milk, and get their fruit intake by consuming

Playing “Fruit Salad” at Gundaroo Primary... the

one or two pieces of fruit per day.” Whole fruit contains fibre which is not in juice.

• “Eat meals together as a family at the dinner table, not in front of the TV or on the run,” Mr de Castella says. “Meal time is a chance to sit down as a family and talk to each other. Further to this, limit the amount of daily screen time. This includes TV, movies, video games and computers.”

• “Remember, you are a great role model for your children. If you practice healthy habits, the chances are high your children will follow.” A SmartStart survey of Year Six students found that the single-greatest motivation for a child to be active was if their parents were active with them, he says. “The second-highest motivation was if their parents came to watch.”

• “Finally and most importantly, don’t give up. Persistence is the key. Continue to turn the television off, cook healthy meals and encourage your children with positive reinforcement and your children will learn to live healthier lives.”

‘Kew’ winners

readers have each won a

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore March 7–13

ARIES (Mar 2 – Apr 20)

Have you been feeling like a listless lamb? With Mercury and Uranus both barnstorming into Aries, you’re set to get your mojo back. Projects that had a false start in the middle of last year suddenly spring into action again. You’re brimming over with innovative ideas and spontaneous schemes. Watch out world – rocking Rams are ready to rumble!

TAURUS (Apr 2 – May 20)

If you continue to work quietly behind the scenes, you’ll reap the rewards further down the track. With Uranus moving into your dream zone, don’t be too conventional with your wishes for the future. Reach for the unreachable star! Be inspired by Liza Minnelli (born on March 12, 1946): “Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t know how to dream.”

GEMINI (May 2 – June 2)

Work issues take centre stage this week. Imagination is your greatest ally and you’ll find the more confident and creative you are, the more professional success you’ll generate. Mercury and Uranus move into your peer group zone so it’s time to take on board radical new ideas, as you extend your circle of friends to include a bohemian new crowd.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Jupiter sends helpful colleagues or cashed-up clients in your direction on Thursday, so make sure you capitalise on any lucky breaks that come your way. If you are in a career rut, hold on to your seat as Uranus shakes up your work zone. You’re keen to learn new techniques, start a business, move to another company – or completely change vocation.

LEO (July 2 – Aug 22)

Languishing Lions – have you lost your lust for life? Uranus powers into your adventure zone on Saturday, when the pace picks up and you approach challenges with extra confidence and chutzpah. Venus visits your relationship zone (until March 27) so it’s also a fabulous time for business negotiations, joint ventures and shared creative projects.

VIRGO (Aug 2 – Sept 22)

Virgos are usually fussy, fastidious folk but, with Mercury charging into Aries, you’ll feel more spontaneous than usual. Enjoy the change of pace! Your sex life is about to get shaken up, as Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus stimulate your need for a more adventurous approach. Celibate Virgos – exciting spiritual insights are waiting to be discovered.

LIBRA (Sept 2 – Oct 2)

Librans love to be in love. You dream of a blissful soul-mate union, where you and your perfect mate are madly in love 24/7. However, real relationships go through testing times when surprises come thick and fast and romance is thin on the ground. With Uranus ricocheting into your partnership zone on Saturday, you’re in for a rollercoaster ride!

SCORPIO (Oct 2 – Nov 2)

Attached Scorps – jealous outbursts and possessive behavior will get you nowhere fast this week. Singles – if you socialise with friends of family members, it could lead to a special someone emerging from the pack. With Uranus moving into your wellbeing zone, it’s time to update a tired old fitness routine (have you tried belly-dancing or zumba?)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 2)

Archers are adventurous souls but this week, home is where the heart is, as the Sun snuggles up in your domestic zone. Take the time to relax with loved ones – or to finish all those DIY projects you started so enthusiastically many moons ago! You’re keen to lend a helping hand, but friends and finances are an unpredictable mix at the moment.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan )

You’ll feel like splashing out on some of life’s little luxuries (especially on Thursday) as pleasure-planet Venus visits your money zone. Whether it’s gourmet food, fine wine or prestige personal-care products, it’s time to pamper yourself. Unpredictable Uranus slides into your domestic zone on Saturday, which will stir things up at Casa Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb )

Don’t hide your amazing Aquarian talents! With Uranus (your ruling planet) shifting into Aries, you’ll become more independent over the next few years, as you discover inventive ways to express the real you. And, with flirty Venus in your sign (until March 27) you’ll also be at your amorous best as you attract admirers like bees to a honey pot.

PISCES (Feb  – Mar 20)

With reckless Uranus joining extravagant Jupiter in your money zone, you’re inclined to buy now (and regret later). If you’re a smart Fish, you’ll be financially disciplined and avoid spontaneous spending sprees. From Thursday onwards, decisions must be made with lightning speed. If you dither around, you’ll be left behind in the dust.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore

all about home&garden

All for John’s love of dahlias

By Kathryn Vukovljak

“IT’S just good to have it nice,” says retiree John Woodfield of his beautiful Hughes garden – which is something of an understatement.

The well-organised, colourful garden is packed with an abundance of roses, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, daphne, viburnums iris, lilies, magnolias, pittosporums, small conifers, maples and holly – and that’s just for starters. Besides, at this time of year, it’s really all about the dahlias.

“There are 17 varieties of dahlia, and we grow 15 of them,” says John. “We grow them for exhibitions; the judges look for certain specifics depending on the type. The way the petals curl, the perfection of the ball varieties, the way the flower sits on the stem. It’s a lot of work – I can spend up to three hours a day debudding, and of course they have to be tied up properly or you might as well not bother.”

John and his wife June’s garden will be open to the public as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme on the weekend of March 12-13, when they expect around 200 dahlias to be in full bloom. This is the second time it’s opened this season – the first time, in rainy October, was to showcase the rhododendrons, but this time visitors can expect a truly stunning collection of

dahlias of every shape and colour imaginable.

“Dahlias are the easiest thing in the world to grow!” John says.

John and June are members of many gardening societies, including the Horticultural Society of Canberra, where John has been president and treasurer; the Rose Societies of NSW and Victoria and the Dahlia Society of NSW/ACT. In the Australia Day Honours this year John was awarded an OAM for service to horticulture. He says that gardening is something he loves – although he’s also driven by his competitive spirit.

“We’ve done our own design, but this is an exhibitor’s garden. We grow for exhibitions all year round, have done for 40 years, and we’ll show whatever’s going,” says John.

The dahlias started to flower in late January and will continue until the first frost, as long as the spent flowers are continually removed, the plants kept tied up and debudded, says John.

John and June Woodfield’s garden at 1 Spence Place, Hughes, open Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, 10am-4.30pm. Adults $6, children under 18 free. Funds will go to the Open Garden Scheme and the Horticultural Society of Canberra. More information at www.opengarden. org.au.

The cold, hard facts about planting bulbs

Between now and early May, it is time to get serious about planting bulbs, says Canberra’s favourite gardening writer CEDRIC BRYANT

BULBS all have one wonderful characteristic in common with their capacity to store water, which means they are extremely drought tolerant. Most of these come from the hottest parts of the world.

their parents for additional stock at no cost.

For example, despite the popular song, tulips don’t come from Amsterdam, but originate in Turkey and Turkestan; bearded iris comes from Spain and Portugal, and so it goes. I also include corms, rhizomes and tubers, which are often all lumped together as bulbs.

So let us look at a few pointers to consider. Firstly, do not plant bulbs too deeply. This is often the reason that the bulbs planted years ago now produce plenty of leaves but few flowers. Over a period of time with fallen leaves and mulching, the bulbs have gradually got deeper. By the time they have fought their way to the surface and sunlight spring is over.

Also, perhaps when those bulbs you planted years ago under trees that were small, allowing plenty of sun to reach the bulbs, are maybe now in full shade. If this is the case, dig the bulbs up and replant at the recommended level. At the same time, smaller bulbs can be separated from their parents for additional stock at no cost.

So what is the recommended level? Garden advice often shows complicated illustrations with how many centimetres each variety should be planted. In fact there are no hard-and-fast rules and even if you plant them upside down they know where the sun will come from!

The easiest guide, as recommended by Dutch bulbs growers (and, after all, they should know), is to plant the bulb the same depth as the bulb is thick. For example if a daffodil bulb is 6cm tall/ thick simply plant 6cm deep. This principle can be applied to all seeds from broad beans to carrot

seeds, such a simple rule to follow. Incidentally, my Dutch knowledge comes from regular visits to Holland to see our daughter Yvette and grandchildren who have lived there for many years.

It is unnecessary to place tulip bulbs in the fridge crisper, as is often recommended. Wait until the ground is cold; say at the end of April or beginning of May and plant tulips at that time. If we have a succession of frosts earlier then plant the tulips earlier.

A word of warning about buying mail-order bulbs. Bulbs are graded into sizes based on an international standard and you may not necessarily receive the top grade, which is impossible to tell without visual inspection.

I still recommend the best way is to buy bulbs from your local garden centre where they are stored in bulk, which means you can handpick the biggest and healthiest bulbs. They should be firm and not soft or squishy to the touch. I’ll be writing

more on feeding bulbs and other helpful hints over the next few weeks.

THE Horticultural Society of Canberra’s Autumn Flower Show is on this weekend (March 5-6) at The Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest (behind Rydges Capital Hill). From noon on Saturday (after judging) to 5pm and on Sunday from 11.30am to 4pm. This show presents a magnificent spectacle of fresh flowers, flower arrangements and plant stall. Entry is free.

A REMINDER that the School of Horticulture Plant Clinic is still operating from its new location at CIT Bruce in Building N (see plant-clinic signs) in Charles Weston Lane, corner of Eade and Battye Streets, Bruce. It is open every Thursday from 4pm to 6pm to answer all your garden questions, identify plants and offer advice on how to deal with pests and diseases.

Take the wear out of timber flooring

TIMBER floors need to be well-maintained to stay looking good, says Robyn Barnes, from Boral Timber. She suggests a few ways to keep timber in tip-top condition:

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Use mats around all doors that lead into the home in order to trap dirt and stop it from being trodden into the floor. Protective pads can be added to furniture to help prevent scuffing, particularly when rearranging furniture.

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Where relevant furniture should be fitted with barrel castors, instead of ball castors.

Move rugs around periodically to prevent patches of timber becoming lighter or darker as they are exposed to or protected from sunlight.

Don’t wear high heels on timber floors!

Keep pets’ claws trimmed so that they’re too short to scratch. Avoid using steam mops to clean floors – try a vacuum with a soft bristle head or electrostatic attachment, or an electrostatic mop.

Wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth or paper towel to prevent staining.

Use a damp lint-free mop (wrung out to avoid using excess water) to remove ground-in dirt – a pH neutral floor cleaner can also help.

Avoid using household detergents, polishes, steel wool pads or waxes to clean floors, as these can be abrasive, or make the floor slippery.

Canberra Region Property Summary

BELCONNEN

BRUCE

BUNGENDORE

CONDER

CHIFLEY

598 1BR K U

Canberra 0417 486 574 4BR F

L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0424 288 717 4BR H

Canberra Region Property Summary

HACKETT

Canberra Region Property Summary

KINGSTON

LATHAM

LYNEHAM

Canberra Region Property Summary

TORRENS

Canberra Region Property Summary

WESTON

WANNIASSA