Canberra CityNews March 17-23

Our centenary goes for a song

By arts editor Helen Musa

IF ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and the Canberra Centenary creative director Robyn Archer have their way, we’ll soon be spending most of our spare time learning the words to a patriotic song.

It’s not one that’s been written especially for the Centenary. Archer has turned to research at the National Library to resurrect Jack Lumsdaine’s stirring 1938 ode to the national capital, “Canberra’s Calling to You”.

There wasn’t a trace of parody in Archer’s fervent rendition of the lyrics to a captive audience at the National Film And Sound Archive last week and only the traditional bouncing ball was missing from her efforts to coach the large audience into having a go, too.

It was all part of Canberra’s 98th birthday party

INDEX

March 17-23, 2011

Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 10

Arts&Entertainment 27-30

Cinema 29

Crossword 33

Dining 30

Fashion 19-26

Health&Fitness 18

Home&Garden 31-32

Horoscope 33

Letters 10

News 3-11

Politics 11

Property 34-48

Social Scene 16-17

Sudoku 33

Here are the words released from the NLA for loyal Canberrans to sing:

Rolling plains of the South land Vast and wide and free Windswept grass waving restless Green as the mighty sea

Our great Commonwealth of Australia

Founded her new home

From God’s good earth

There came the birth of our capital our own.

celebrations where Archer also launched the “Canberra Diaspora” project which should see former Canberrans around the globe uploading footage of themselves describing ACT encounters on the website www. canberradiaspora.com.au

As well, ABC Radio 666 will soon also announce, “Full Circle 2013: This is Canberra”, a parallel Centenary project that gives present-day locals their say.

The launch, attended by at

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Like a jewel so rare

In a setting so fair

A city of white was born, With its gardens of blooms And its rare perfumes

That greet each sunny morn, Australia’s creation, The heart of the nation, ‘Neath azure skies of blue, Wherever you are, Be it near or far, Canberra’s calling to you.

least two former governors general, diplomats and arts community members, also featured the announcement of the “Dollars for Dili” campaign supported by Rotary and the Scouting movement.

While Archer is busy over the next two weeks attending more than 40 Canberra festive events (it’s “nonsense that nothing ever happens in Canberra,” she said), the rest of us are expected to be doing our homework and learning the song.

Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au

Political reporter: Eleri Harris, 0414 618493 eleri@citynews.com.au

Lifestyle editor: Megan Haggan, lifestyle@citynews.com.au

Journalist: Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764 helen@citynews.com.au

Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086

Graphic designer: Louise Brooks

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

Distribution and circulation: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au

Signs have a way with avenues

“ARE you after further evidence of the ACT Government’s lacklustre approach to street and road signs?” writes Palmerston reader and vigilant sign watcher Shane Ryan. Travelling along Gungahlin Drive from the east, approaching Burgmann Anglican School there is a large green and white sign that says “The Valley Avenue”, but coming from the west it says “The Valley Way”. Further along the street itself, Shane reports, the signs read both “The Valley Avenue” and “The Valley Way”. “How confusing is that?” he says.

Photos by s ilas

‘Dead refugee’ stunt backfires on shock jock

Petitions locally and federally are being mounted in reaction to Sydney-based broadcaster Chris Smith’s locally syndicated program, reports ELERI HARRIS

ACT Labor Whip John Hargreaves has tabled a petition in the Legislative Assembly calling for action to address racist sentiment and intolerance towards religious freedom.

The petition, signed by 31 Canberrans, was written in reaction to the broadcast of Chris Smith’s infamous “dead refugee” competition on February 18, which aired on local Canberra station 2CC, by head coach of the Australian men’s handball team, Taip Ramadani.

“We do a really good job when we travel abroad with the team to promote Australia as a multicultural country and this just undoes the work that not just us, but everyone else, does,” Ramadani told “CityNews”.

“People here say it might not be racially motivated, but I think people abroad don’t see the distinction.”

Smiths’ 2GB Sydney program is syndicated on 2CC and on the day in question he offered prizes to listeners who could correctly number the asylum seekers to be buried in Sydney after the

Christmas Island boat tragedy.

“I think the radio program was inciting hatred and dehumanising them,” Ramadani said.

Hargreaves agreed. “At its best it was just stupid, uncaring and unfeeling, and at its worst it is a deliberate way of inciting anti-social sentiment against a segment of our community,” he said.

“It’s a pathetic piece of gutter journalism. I’ve never seen anything the like of it in the ACT and I think our radio stations, indeed any outlet that

puts programs or material in the public arena through syndication, should be vetting it.”

A Muslim by birth and choice, Ramadani was born in Sydney, but spent much of his childhood in Kosovo. He played more than 100 handball games for Australia, including at the 2000 Olympics, between 1993 and 2007. He hopes the petition will promote dialogue, with Human Rights Commissioner Helen Watchirs already engaged by Labor MLA Mary Porter to advise if

the competition broadcast constituted racial vilification.

“My office was involved in a discussion with a constituent concerned about a competition that was aired on a local radio station,” Porter told “CityNews”.

“It seemed relevant to make an inquiry with the Human Rights Commission to ask whether this issue constituted a breach of human rights.”

Watchirs, who has the power to make her own investigation, says she hopes to come to a decision within three weeks; her judgement may carry some weight with a second petition being sent to the Australian Senate.

The ACT petition asks for renewed vigilance in monitoring media and for the Assembly to write to 2CC “stating that Chris Smith’s afternoon show is inappropriate for local audiences”.

“They get a lot of air time and get noticed a lot more than the reasonable voices in society, who are a majority,” Ramadani says.

“I think the most I can hope to achieve is to generate some debate about these issues in the community.

“To add some balance to the debate and also in the long term I would hope it would lead to stronger policy regarding multiculturalism.”

The Chief Minister Jon Stanhope now has three months to determine what action should be taken regarding the petition.

He told “CityNews” he had not heard the program or read the transcript but believed it was in extremely bad taste.

No complaints, says 2CC chief

ALTHOUGH Chris Smith’s “dead refugee” competition was “distasteful” and “pretty horrible”, the program will continue to be syndicated on 2CC as no one has complained about any content, including the controversial competition segment, says the local radio station’s manager Michael Jones.

“People are more than welcome to complain and we will investigate,” Jones told “CityNews”.

“But we’ve had no problems, nobody has complained.”

He says the controversial segment was factual and there was nothing in the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s code of conduct to prevent it airing.

But a February piece in “The Australian” newspaper corrects the number of refugees Smith said were being buried in Sydney.

And ACT Human Rights Commissioner Helen Watchirs says the station may have breached the Territory’s discrimination laws.

–Eleri Harris

Forest festival

T

H e Festival of the Forest, hosted by the Friends of The National Arboretum, will be held on Sunday, March 20. The open day gives the public the opportunity to see the “living” progress of the 65 planted forests planted. The day will feature a kite display of 15-20 large kites, craft activities, tree games, a tethered hot air balloon, storytelling and music making to entertain children of all ages. Gates open from 8.30am.

Music at twilight

TH e Hall Village Brass Band, with soloist mezzo soprano Bronwyn Douglass, will perform its third annual twilight concert at the Hall School grounds on Sunday, March 20. Concert-goers are advised to bring a blanket and something to drink. The concert is free, but there will be a gold coin donation, and a raffle, with proceeds going to the band, and to the Hall School Museum.

Ancient hypochondria

DR Miriam Griffin, a distinguished classicist from the University of Oxford’s Somerville College, will delve into the personal letters of ancient Roman writers, revealing their concerns about their health and ailments in a free, public talk entitled “Symptoms and Sympathy in Latin Letter Writing” at lecture theatre five, Manning Clarke Centre, ANU, at 8 pm on Tuesday, April 5. The talk, organised by the Friends of the ANU Classics Museum, will look at the writers Cicero, Seneca, Pliny and Fronto and explain the contrasts between them. More information from neville_potter@hotmail.com

Big day to support lifesaving chopper

THE Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Base Open Day is expected to be its biggest public fundraising event, with all funds on Sunday, March 27, going towards keeping the rescue helicopter in the air, saving lives.

It has been the primary aero-medical rescue helicopter service in the ACT and southern NSW since 1998, saving more than 4150 lives.

The open day will feature children’s rides, live music and entertainment, a farm animal display, food and refreshments, and helicopter joy rides.

This year’s open day has three associate sponsors – CanPrint Communications, Providence Consulting Group and Robbo’s Motorcycles.

The Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter open day, Sunday, March 27, 10am-3pm. The base is two kilometres south of Hindmarsh Drive on the Monaro Highway.

opinion

Goodbye to footy’s boofheads

WHEN the weather gets cold, there’s nothing like getting rugged up and going to the footy, or sitting at home with a beer – heater on, telly up – screaming for your team.

The NRL and the AFL have had forgettable pre-seasons. The headlines have been about off-field embarrassments rather than the season previews.

The whole Miss St Kilda saga has been a sad and sorry tale as has the self destruction of Brendan Fevola.

On the other side of the fence, we’ve seen a steady procession of NRL players in suits filing into various police stations: Todd Carney for DUI, Benji Marshall for assault and Ryan Tandy and co. over those betting allegations.

What the hell has happened to our football codes? Surely it wasn’t like this 30 years ago?

It was! The story hasn’t got much worse, it’s just that the media got better. The ‘80s

For better or worse, MARK PARTON is so glad that the footy season is finally here.

was a decade of excess and there were boofheads everywhere doing the wrong thing.

Back then, we just accepted that there were some “nobs” around and ignored them. In part, that was about the fact that the journos were a lot chummier with the people in the game. It was also about the fact that we didn’t really care. And, another big factor is that nobody could take pictures or video footage on their mobile phones.

The legendary “Big Mahn”, Darryl Brohman agrees with me.

“I played in the ‘80s,” Brohman told me on radio last week, “Compared to the players of the ‘80s, these guys today are saints.”

When building’s ills can be reversed

“THE wrong building can make you ill, the right one can help heal you.” An old wives tale or not?

Dr Esther Sternberg says “not” and, at the recent Green Cities conference, presented evidence to support her view. Sternberg is the author of “Healing Spaces: the Science of Peace and Wellbeing” and, in her keynote address, presented a series of research results from the health industry showing just what can improve a building’s effect on its occupants.

For example, in 1984 “Science” journal reported a study on patients recovering from gall bladder surgery. The ward had two outlooks, a brick wall or a grove of trees. Those in beds in sight of the trees needed fewer pain killers, called the nurses less often and recovered a day (around 14 per cent) faster than those facing the brick wall.

Noisy hospitals (and they can be noisy, with measured levels reaching a surprising 98 decibels, the equivalent of a motorcycle revving in the room) don’t carry out their healing work as effectively as quieter ones. Even the staff report sleeping better at home

c atherine c arter

after work if they have worked in a quiet environment.

Well-designed spaces act as memory aids, decreasing medication use, falls and staff turnover in nursing homes. We understand the health effects of stress, but Sternberg has pinned down some of the factors that make it so. Glucocorticoids and adrenalin, created under stress, reduce resistance to viruses, hinder wound healing, make vaccine response less effective, increase the rate of cell ageing, and stimulate the growth or angiogenesis of cancer. And stress levels are affected by what we see, hear, smell and feel. It may cost more to include such research in our designs and plans for new developments and refurbishments. But according to Sternberg’s hospital studies, the costs are covered by savings in the first year.

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

I’ve heard so many Raiders stories from the ‘80s that never got media coverage and I’m sure they’re replicated in every city. I’m sure that the stories have been exaggerated over the years, but it’s apparent that a certain number of players did the wrong thing.

I don’t know that we’re any better off for knowing what goes on. For many, it gets down to the question of: “Should they get away it?” For others, it’s just about voyeuristic entertainment.

But for now, let’s forget about all that stuff and watch the footy.

Go the Raiders!

Talking about the Benji Marshal incident, Brohman suggested that in decades gone by, “that sort of thing would have happened three or four times every week.”

New chief for think tank

CANBeRRA-BASeD think tank Australia21 has kicked off its second decade with a call for a fresh approach to political dialogue on a national level.

Newly appointed chair, Victorian Prof Richard Hames, of the Asian Foresight Institute, says policy discussion needs to be redefined and reinvigorated utilising technology to counter growing public cynicism.

“The problem is in Australia that we have a diversity of think tanks, more or less in the same space, worrying about the future, but there is no collaboration,” Prof Hanes says.

“Our level of thinking, discussion, dialogue, is bereft of any deeper consequence of what it is to be human, and it turns people off. Politics has people turning off in droves; our so-called leaders aren’t adopting leadership positions.

“We see a need for Australia21 to step into that space and bring together different stakeholders. That’s where the clues are for the future.

“What Australia 21 is going to do is, using a proprietary technology, to be more integral, more inclusive of alternative views, more collaborative and provide a facilitation of the conversation.”

–Eleri Harris

For more information about Australia21 and its projects visit www.australia21.org.au

Cheryl’s picture of plant health

By Kathryn Vukovljak

“I’M more artist than botanist – I like gardens, but I don’t enjoy working in them!” says botanical watercolour artist Cheryl Hodges.

She will be exhibiting as part of the botanical art show at the Australian Open Garden Scheme’s annual plant fair, to be held at Bellevale in Yass on the weekend of April 2-3.

“My garden thrives on neglect; anything that grows there has to be pretty hardy, although I have planted a lot of natives recently, with a view to painting them,” Cheryl says.

“I’m interested in natives at the moment, particularly eucalypts, and I’d like to do a banksia or a waratah next.

“I love painting detail, the more the better.”

Curator of the exhibition Jan McGhie says she selected the 21 artists for the exhibition, from the ACT/NSW area, based on the high standard of their past work.

“As a gardener and painter myself, I’m familiar with all the artists and they’re great artists, all of whom have previously exhibited for the Canberra Botanical Arts exhibition,” she says.

“The show will be fairly low-key, but I think it will tie in nicely with the rest of the plant fair.

“I’m quite excited about the range of work I’ll be able to hang, and it’s great to be able to use the ballroom inside the lovely old 1860s-built homestead.

“People love going inside houses!”

The plant fair will also feature plant sales, from bulbs to trees, natives to exotics, garden sculptures, tools, events and guest speakers. Botanical artworks, framed and unframed, will be available for viewing and sale.

Living the good life down on the farm, Page 31

The Australian Open Garden Scheme Plant Fair, Bellevale, 191 Black Range Road, Yass, Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3, from 10am-4pm. Admission is $8 and children under 18 are free. The Black Range Road turnoff is located on the Yass Valley Way, between the town of Yass and the service centre on the Hume Highway. Tea, coffee, snacks and lunches will be provided by the Yass Red Cross and Rotary groups, with proceeds going directly to these groups as well as to the Yass District Education Foundation.

Thumbs up to more gardens

THE Government will look at setting aside space for community gardens in all new residential developments, as well as identifying appropriate sites to develop community gardens in established suburbs.

This follows a motion passed in the Legislative Assembly to help communities establish gardens in Canberra suburbs. The motion also supports food-growing classes for establish backyard gardeners.

“We have also asked the Government to simplify the processes of creating community gardens, which can be administratively challenging across departments,” says Greens planning spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur.

“People use community garden plots for a variety of reasons: They live in apartments or townhouses, they rent, their gardens are shady are simply too small. The waiting list for many community gardens is over two years.

“An increasing number of people want to use their backyards to grow their own food, and the motion also supports food-growing classes for Canberrans.”

Stand up to bullies and their parents!

I REMEMBER my first experience of bullying at school. I was about eight when my family moved to Puckapunyal, where my army officer dad was posted.

On my first day, I was pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked by a group of older girls, who spent every lunchtime terrifying the younger kids. None of us ever told our teachers or parents. We feared if we did it would only get worse.

My children have not encountered a school bully. Their school is much too friendly and well supervised for that. But the other day an incident at an indoor play centre got me thinking again about bullies.

My five-year-old came up to me in tears. Another girl had been pushing her off the play equipment. I gave her the old stock standard advice of staying away from the child and to forget about it. But within a minute after she resumed playing, a little girl, perhaps slightly older, turned up and with surprising force shoved my daughter aside. I intervened and told the child to stop, and play nice, but was greeted with silence and the cold, sharklike stare. No matter where my daughter went or what I said, the little predator

By sonya Fladun

continued to push, kick and harass.

The child’s parents were indifferently watching the whole performance and it wasn’t until I suggested I’d take the matter to the management that they told their little bully-in-the-making to “bugger off” and “play” with someone else.

Now, it wasn’t pleasant, but seeing my daughter confidently playing again was worth a bit of a confrontation.

The thing is, I don’t believe bullies just happen. They are created, fostered and enabled – and this begins with the example set and the guidance given, or not given, by parents.

I’ve always come down hard on my own child when they behave badly with others, but I’m reluctant to make a fuss and approach parents when someone else’s child has done something anti-social in the playground, believing it is up to the child’s parents to say something to them.

But if these behaviours become a regular event then maybe we should adopt a more pro-active approach and demand some action to show our children while they are still little, that bullies aren’t the ones with the power and, these days, all of us just won’t tolerate bullying.

Craig’s amazed!

THIS month’s “A night to Remember” fundraising dinner for 448 people at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, in memory of three-year-old cerebral palsy victim Gabby Pettit-Robberds has raised more than $120,000, through donations, raffles and auction items, for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. “The support on the night was quite amazing and really blew us away”, said Gabby’s dad and organiser Craig Robberds.

Bam Bam’s big win

ACT boxer Bianca “Bam Bam” Elmir is on track for an Olympics berth in London next year after winning the Australian Flyweight Boxing title at the Australian Championships in Melbourne. Bianca is also the World Boxing Association Australian kick boxing champion. She now heads overseas to fight in Europe with the Australian team.

Students raise $5500

M ERICI students staged a Flood Appeal Week and have raised more than $5500 for the Red Cross to assist flood victims from Cyclone Yasi. Activities included cupcake stalls, sports activities, a car wash, nonuniform day, teachers vs seniors volleyball game and a raffle.

Fulbright scholar

DAMIEN Pearce, education director at the Australian Federal Police College in Canberra, has won the 2011 Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Vocational Education and Training. Mr Pearce, one of 26 Australians to be recognised as a Fulbright Scholar this year, will compare how the US trains police at the Federal and State level with how Australian teaches its police.

Les ensures fair’s fair

By Kathryn Vukovljak

“I’M quite pedantic about the the dealers I invite to attend – they have to be genuine,” says antique dealer Les Selkirk, who, along with Rotarian Robert Harris, is co-ordinating the Rotary Club of Canberra City’s annual Autumn Antique and Collectables Fair.

“As a licensed dealer in old wares, I’m the only one who knows!”

This year’s fair will be held from Friday evening, March 25, through to Sunday, March 27, at the Albert Hall.

Les, who deals in antiques from his home showroom and carries out restoration work in his workshop, says the fair is one of the longest-running in Australia. It features high-quality, genuine, affordable antiques, old-world nostalgia and collectables for sale, according to Les – and no reproductions or new merchandise are allowed, with all items accurately described.

A purchaser will be told if any restoration has been carried out.

“I make sure everything on the sales floor is ticketty-boo, not damaged or rickety,” he says. “We can give customers a 12-month guarantee for that reason.”

Les says the fair will feature 23 antique dealers selling a range of english, Australian and French furniture, antique and estate jewellery, maps and prints, glassware, linen, lace, bric-a-brac, silver, china and pottery, including Moorcroft pottery and Royal Doulton flambé figures.

Entry is $7 ($5 concession), children under 14 are free. Wheelchair access is available on

request. Opening night is March 25,6pm-9pm, then Saturday, March 26, 10am-5.30pm, and Sunday, March 28, 10am-4pm. Proceeds will help ACT Lions Youth Haven’s dormitory building project.

letters

Where does rugby buck stop?

SPORT in the modern day is a business, and big business at that. In business though, as opposed to Rugby – the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the company/franchise/enterprise lies with the CeO and the board.

Not so in rugby, at least not with our rugby franchise, the ACT Brumbies.

Why do the Brumbies keep scapegoating the coach when things don’t go well?

When do the Brumbies start to question their

culture – one that allows a small group of players with large egos and too much power to dictate terms to the club? When does this organisation take a long hard look at itself from the top and start to question whether they have the right CeO and board in place?

If the Brumbies were a public company, the shareholders would have rightfully sold their shares the day they sacked Andy Friend. Darren Black, via email

Pedestrian compo suggestion shocks

I AM aghast that the Canberra Pedestrian Forum would suggest that injured pedestrians be deprived of the benefits of a CTP scheme (“Yes to compo changes”, letters, CN, March 10).

The ACT Government’s proposed changes are not intended to “reduce the cost... of legal fees”. They limit damages to injured pedestrians and motorists. I urge readers to log on to www. faircomp.org.au to learn more.

Letter writer Leon Arundell suggests that CTP insurance be abolished and replaced with a system which would see negligent drivers paying “part of the mandated costs [of payouts] from each year of their future income”. Is Mr Arundell suggesting that negligent drivers will always be found, and never “do a runner”, nor declare bankruptcy etcetera? He is naive if he thinks “community compliance” will be easy to achieve.

The remainder of the money, it is suggested, will come from an increase in registration fees, based on the previous year’s payments. I imagine this flies in the face of basic insurance/actuarial standards and is really just a CTP scheme by another name, is it not?

Who does Mr Arundell intend will administer such a scheme, and how does he propose it will be any cheaper than the one already in place (the one that compensates injured pedestrians and motorists properly)?

Amy Burr, Ngunnawal

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to editor@citynews.com. au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Letters of 200 words or less stand a better chance of publication.

Road less travelled

AN easy, populist claim is that politicians have a vision that is limited to the next election.

Although this neatly scapegoats elected representatives, it reflects a shallow understanding of what is really happening.

Political leadership on the immediate and the acute is easy compared to sustained leadership over a long period. Amid the floods, Queensland Premier Anne Bligh was outstanding in demonstrating how political leaders cope effectively when the problems are obvious, catastrophic and immediate.

even medium-term issues are identified and efforts made to find solutions. Hospital waiting lists are an obvious problem. However, just as ordinary people take time to react to slow change around them, so do governments.

There are always voices calling for a focus on the long term, but invariably crises take all of our focus, often leaving the more serious issues unattended until such time as they, too, become crises.

A few examples of the great challenges of our time illustrate how poorly politicians respond. Population growth threatens the planet and yet, just last year, Australia had more babies than ever before.

Add the challenge of dealing with climate change. The slow, inexorable warming of the planet will have huge impacts on all of society. Scientists have been warning about this issue for decades – and finally governments have started to react.

Similarly in health: While governments are fairly effective in dealing with severe accidents, hip replacements and food poisoning outbreaks,

By Michael Moore

they have greater difficulty in dealing with the causes of chronic diseases that are reducing the lifespan of our children for the first time in generations. Increasing amounts of sugar, fat and salt in the diet and decreasing levels of exercise requires immediate and pronounced government action. However, no government will stand up to profit-motivated industry to regulate the marketing of junk food to kids.

The same applies for the ACT Government. After being unsuccessful in luring large government departments to Gungahlin, there was also a failure to build adequate transport corridors.

And even when they were commenced, there was no direct, fast, bus corridor. Majura Lane finally came on line, but only as a two-way road and ratepayers are now paying an excessive penalty for the duplication of the Gungahlin Drive extension. Canberrans are right to ask why wasn’t it built with two lanes in each direction from the beginning?

There is an urban myth about the “boiling frog”. Legend has it that a frog dropped in hot water will jump out while a frog placed in water that is gradually heated will boil to death. This fable is applicable to political responses to the great challenges of our time.

However, it is not so much the nature of politics as the nature of humans who are reluctant to deal with the overwhelming, the complex, the long term and the simply too hard.

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

Variety rules in a special week for seniors

“VARIETY in Life” is the key message for ACT Seniors Week this year – and the week will highlight the importance of doing a range of different things all through our lives.

Seniors Week in the ACT will run from Monday, March 20 to Sunday, March 28, but there’ll be events before and after the week as well.

“It’s important for older people to get out and do something new and different, to find a challenge in a friendly environment; therefore the combination of things we have for Seniors Week range from entertainment to crafts to things people can get involved in, like volunteering, and a whole range of exercise and activities,” says Paul Flint, executive director of Council on the Ageing (ACT).

“This gives us a healthy outcome for older people.

“The second main reason for Seniors Week is to demonstrate to the community the contribution that older people make.

“So therefore people can see older people being active, and doing things that are interesting and exciting.”

Paul says there’s a perception that people do less and less as they age, but that’s not at all the case – and that perception needs to be challenged.

“For example, other than in sporting capacities, where parents tend to get involved, volunteering in the community is predominantly done by older people; it doesn’t matter whether that’s at national institutions, things like clubs and societies and the Apexes and Rotaries. Volunteers in community groups are predominantly older people and we want to highlight the contribution that they make.”

There’s a huge range of events scheduled for the week, and Paul says he’s particularly excited about the Seniors Expo, which will be held at the Old Bus Depot on Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, on Thursday, March 25.

“We’ve got close to 150 different groups exhibiting there, everything from cars to yachts and interesting things like a government bus; that’ll be there because Seniors Week is just about at the end of the period where you don’t have to pay $10 for MyWay.”

There is no charge for obtaining

a MyWay card during the transition period up until Sunday, April 10, after which obtaining one will incur a $10 fee.

“People will be able to come to Seniors Expo and do the exchange, if they haven’t done it already, and the bus will be there so they can try out the new card and see how it all works.

“Something that’s a bit interesting will be porcelain classes; Toastmasters, exercise classes like Tae kwondo so people can see how that can be appropriate for older people, and so on.”

Highlights of the week’s program include:

• The Grand Party in the Park. Sunday, March 20, 11am to 3pm. Glebe Park, Civic.

• Chief Minister’s Breakfast. Monday March 21, 7am to 9am, Ainslie Function Centre. Bookings (essential) to 6282 3777.

• Life’s Reflections Photographic Exhibition, 9am to 5.30pm (each day)

Glass Floor Exhibition Space, Canberra Centre.

• Martial arts for the over-55s. Monday March 21, 4.15pm to 5.15pm, Hughes Community Centre. More information on 0410 508230.

• Canberra Model Railway Club Open Day. Tuesday, March 22, Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, Lyneham.

• Radio Control Model Aeroplanes.

Tuesday, March 22, 9.30am to 11.30am, Crace Flying Field, Hoskins Street, Mitchell.

• Porcelain Class. Tuesday, March 22, 10am to 12pm, Canberra Seniors Centre, Turner. Bookings (required if staying for lunch) 6248 9509

• Tai Chi for beginners. Tuesday, March 22, 11am to 12pm, Communities@work, Community & Function Centre, Greenway.

• Tour of historic gold area. Wednesday, March 23, 10am to 2.30pm. Bywong Gold Town. Bookings (required) to 6236 9183.

• Seniors Expo. Thursday, March 24, 10am to 3pm, Bus Depot, Kingston.

• Zumba for Seniors. Thursday, March 24, 12.30pm to 3pm, Community

Centre - Weston Creek. Bookings (required for lunch) to 6126 9000.

• Painting with Parkinsons. Friday, March 25, 9.45am to 12pm, Australian National Botanic Gardens. Bookings (required) to 6253 3574.

• “Never too late to Sing”. Friday, March 25, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Bookings (required) to 6293 1443.

• Two Bridges walk around Lake Burley Griffin. Saturday, March 26. 9am to 10.10am, meet at front steps, National Library. More information on 6255 1398.

• Meditation and Buddhist Talk. Sunday, March 27, 2pm to 3.30pm. Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra. More information on 6238 2088.

ACT Seniors Week,

Exercise with arthritis

ARTHRITIS is a serious problem in the Australian community, with more than 3.1 million Australians (just over 15 per cent) suffering from one of the many different types of arthritis. The two most common are rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

Musculoskeletal health is where Shapemaster Feel Good Studio can be of significant assistance, says the studio’s owner, scientist and exercise therapist Natasha Lukin.

“Shapemaster’s Powertone Plus Pilates beds have been specifically developed and manufactured in the UK both for general low to moderate impact exercise and for people with physical limitations where arthritis is a leading cause of suffering,” Natasha says.

“As a rule, our customers, suffering from arthritis, experience fast and quite dramatic results after just a couple of weeks.

“Many clients admit that their pains and aches are greatly reduced. Their mobility improves to the degree that their lifestyle changes. Some are able to get back to their favourite activities, like swimming or cycling. Others find they sleep better, as pain is not bothering them at night any more.”

Independent living, by George

REOSEVALE Home Village offers residents an independent lifestyle by the waters of St Georges Basin, just two hours south of Sydney, says co-owner/manager Lyndall Browne.

Rosevale Home Village is a family owned and operated village situated on the south coast of NSW, and offers homes that are built with style and spacious floorplans, “creating a luxurious standard of living for the over-50s,” Lyndall says.

“The village is situated within walking distance of the general store, post office, doctors and chemist, and of course the beautiful waters of St Georges Basin.”

Club buses can pick up residents from their front doors, and there’s also the Shoalhaven Community Health Bus.

The village comprises four stages, including 54 homes in total. Stage Two is now nearing completion.

It’s pet friendly and features electronic security gates at the front of the village, and all homes feature vinyl insulated cladding, solid entrance and rear doors, keyed-a-like locks on all windows, a garden shed and concreted carport, and a rainwater tank.

More information at www.rosevalevillage. com or on (02) 4443 6789.

How much super?

WITH the recent volatility in the sharemarket, many prospective retirees have put their retirement plans on hold, says Paymann Farahbakhsh, financial planner at the Bendigo Bank, ACT and central west NSW.

“The most common question Bendigo Bank financial planners are asked is, ‘How much super is really enough?’

“Our super will provide the basis for our income in retirement and it is important we understand how much we will need to provide for a comfortable retirement. Whether it is many years away or just around the corner, retirement planning now could make a real difference to the amount of retirement savings we have when we stop working.”

While each individual’s situation is unique, statistically we are living longer, which means we will need more to fund our retirement.

“Do we have enough for the retirement we would like? How do we know how much is enough? The costs for singles and couples living comfortably in retirement have risen.”

More information at www.bendigobank.com.au

Shopping by the river

RIVERSIDE Plaza in Queanbeyan has a lot to offer older people as well as the rest of the community, says marketing manager Sarah Gallagher: beginning with its recently refurbished Coles and Target.

“We’ve got great services for older people, including disabled parking in the outdoor carpark, near the IMB entrance; we’ve got wheelchair and walking frames for hire and all people have to do is book through centre management.”

Riverside Plaza also offers a seniors card with specials including 10 per cent off at Priceline Pharmacy (conditions apply; excludes pharmaceuticals).

“We’re in the heart of Queanbeyan and have 45 speciality stores which include Target, Coles, Go-Lo and Best and Less.”

More information at www.riversideplaza.com.au

Location, location, location

CATHOLIC Care’s independent living units boast excellent locations and value for money, says villas manager Damien Power.

There are two developments; the Aloysius Morgan Villas at Campbell, and the St Vincent Villas at Aranda.

“These are great locations and so good value for money when you compare them to other locations around town; they have a friendly atmosphere and lovely gardens, which are kept in pristine fashion by gardeners.

“We have quality furnishings, carpets, curtains and whitegoods.”

More information at www.centacare-canberra.org

Win one of five copies of the compelling documentary “Dickens’ Secret Lover”, valued at $29.99. Full entry details are at citynews. com.au/win Win a copy of “Dickens’ Secret Lover”

At the Canberra Star Ball, Hotel Realm, Barton

At the Chief Minister’s Black Opal Stakes cocktail evening, Kamberra Wine Company, Lyneham

health&fitness

Victims still slow to make call

By Megan Haggan

CANBERRANS are increasingly aware of how to spot the signs of a heart attack, according to the Heart Foundation ACT’s latest “Heartwatch Survey”.

However, despite the foundation recommending people call an ambulance if they notice the warning signs, there is still a reluctance in the community to dial 000.

According to foundation CEO Tony Stubbs, a quarter of respondents to the survey

believed they should be sure they were having a heart attack before calling for an ambulance.

Twenty-eight per cent don’t want to be a burden on the ambulance service by calling 000, and 43 per cent don’t call because they feel they are at low risk of a heart attack.

“The campaign is achieving great results in the ACT,” said Mr Stubbs. “Unfortunately, people are not coming to us with their stories. We want to hear from the people whose lives we are

saving by seeing the warning signs campaign.”

Positive findings from the Heartwatch Survey included that 60 per cent of respondents had seen one or both of the warning signs TV commercials, and almost all believed it was effective in communicating that it’s “okay to call 000”.

Warning signs can be different for everyone, and they aren’t always sudden or severe.

Chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom, but

some people will have no chest pain and others will experience only mild chest pain or discomfort.

During a heart attack, there may be pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness in one or more parts of the upper body. Some people say they feel generally unwell or “not quite right”. If these warning signs are experienced for 10 minutes, or if they’re severe or get progressively worse, the Heart Foundation says call 000.

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

about fashion Living in the ‘70s (again)

autumn/winter fashion

| With shades of tan, camel, caramel, navy and cranberry (not to mention a bit of black) and in styles ranging from the slim, clean lines left over from the mod era to the boho chic the ‘70s are famous for, it’s a wearable trend that has something for anyone.

“It’s my favourite era,” says Annie Brown, who owns Bel’s Aviary Vintage in Manuka.

This year, the trend has truly come into its own, she says.

The eclectic looks of the early ‘0s are back with a vengeance

“Seventies styles have been floating around for a little while, but it’s turned into a full-on fashion trend for this season. It’s because there’s so much you can do with the trend: You can go towards the boho look, which is more casual, or it could be about channelling that ‘70s sophisticated, modern look.

“We’ve seen jumpsuits and maxi dresses for a while, but it’s a bit different this time. We’re

Gallotti black leather jacket, $1100 from Escala. Vintage turban, $39 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage. August Street low rise jeans, $109.95 from Ellory Lane. Giorgia B boots, $599 from La Cobbler. Hoop earrings, $19 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage. Set of three bangles, $35 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage. Samantha Wills necklace, $87.50 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage. Brooch, $18 from Emoticon.

seeing halter-neck tops, plunging necklines: It’s really glam.”

Even the midi skirt is back (rebadged “tea length” for those who are more into nostalgia for the ‘50s, another strong look for this season).

Irene Pavlovic, from Ellory Lane in the Canberra Centre, says that ‘70s trends are becoming so popular because they’re so wearable: “The trends which are most flattering on the body are what’s very popular at the moment.

“There are two key looks: One that’s very streamlined and shows off the body, and one that totally hides the body. It’s one or the other, no in-between.”

Think shift dresses and figure-hugging leather jackets – softly gleaming leather, a la Bally, is an important look – or cuddly, soft, figure-draping jumpers, capes and coats.

Annie says the renewed popularity of brown shades are easily wearable by most people: “A lot are muted tones, which fits well with the ‘70s theme.”

“The colours of the earthy palette are easy to

Miss Cherry lace dress, $69 from Ellory Lane. Cadelle tan beige leather Trudy coat, $595 from La Cobbler. Ring, $10 from Loom. Buffalo horn bangle, $65, pewter bangle, $75 from Enchanté

wear,” says Irene. “I’m finding a lot of people don’t want to wear just a series of blacks and greys as much as they have been. I’m hearing that a lot.

“Earth tones are simple and basic, but they’re also easy to mix and match with the black items people already have.

“Then you can break it up with accessories.”

Get the look

•

Pattern mixing: more than one pattern in the same outfit is now okay!

Platform and wedgeheeled shoes.

Stretchy, knitted fabrics, either figure-hugging or softly draped. Bright scarves.

Wrap dresses: think Diane von Furstenberg. Jumpsuits.

Maxi skirts and dresses

– or midi length (mid calf).

Large jewellery with a tribal feel to it.

All shades of brown, especially camel and caramel.

A smart, streamlined silhouette – or just cuddle up in a big jumper instead!

Green dress, $299 from Enchanté. Sol cape, $230 from Anuk Peru. Peru Etnico arm warmers, $66 from Anuk Peru. Gold Bling bangle, $60 from Enchanté. Green ring, $10 from Enchanté. Purple bracelet, $159 from Enchanté.

autumn/winter fashion

all about arts

Curator Richard Reid... “I don’t think the early Irish were any more decent to the Aborigines than the rest of us.”

Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s chair.

arts in the city

THE Lake War Memorials Forum members are furious about the proposed construction of two “monoliths” intended as memorials to World Wars I and II, on the lake foreshore. Anyone attending the forum’s public meeting at Albert Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 23, will hear some eminent speakers.

I’LL bet you thought “Auntie Mame” was a musical? Wrong, that’s “Mame”. This is the stage play and now, directed by Cate Clelland, it’s coming to the Courtyard Studio from March 25-April 10. Andrea Close is Mame and Canberra’s newest child star, Ben Burgess, plays the boy. Bookings to 6275 2700.

It’s all Irish, so it is Memorial opponents to rally at Albert Hall

By arts editor Helen Musa

ARE you Irish? I am, or at the least that’s what I tell everybody during St Patrick’s season, when the National Museum’s exhibition “Not Just Ned: a true history of the Irish in Australia”, opens. Exhibition curator Richard Reid agrees that the litmus test of true Irishness is the ability to talk. Ned Kelly was a good talker, but so, too, were most of the personalities on display, including swag of prime ministers, lawyers, judges, entertainers, farmers and ordinary hard-working Australians.

Richard Reid is an Irishman from north of the border, but he emigrated to Australia, took out a Ph.D. in history at the ANU and was duly initiated into the mysteries of the great Catholic-Protestant divide and Canberra’s sectarian public service divisions.

That’s all past they say, but Thylacine Designs of Queanbeyan have mischievously chosen thematic colours of green and orange for this show.

What’s to be seen?

There are 456 objects, and Reid says this answers any suspicions there won’t be enough to look at. There’s Chifley’s chair, politician Gavan Duffy’s huge map of

Ned Kelly’s armour... all four suits of armour from the gang are on show.

Victoria, Judge Barry’s replica of the Venus de Milo and the exquisite copy of The Cross of Cong from St Mary’s Cathedral.

One of Reid’s favourite sections is called “The Craic”, which sums up the fun we’re having walking through the show. It’s is devoted to Irish music dancing on the stage, complete with fiddle, flute and accordions. Slim Dusty and Ted Egan are there, proudly claiming Irish ancestry.

Pioneer multicultural broadcaster and Irish-Australian screen goddess Claire

Dunne.

You’re dying to know about those Kellys. Well, all four suits of armour from the gang are on show, but to Reid, there’s so much more. For a nanosecond he worried about the title, dreamed up by museum staff, but then he realised “Not Just Ned” perfectly conveyed exactly what he wanted.

Reid wants to dispel stereotypes about the Irish in Australia, such as that they were mere larrikin louts and ignorant servants. So he has Mark and Francis Foy, who brought fashion to Sydney, the kingly Duracks of WA and Scullin, Lyons, Curtin and Chifley – all Catholic Australian prime ministers decades before John F. Kennedy became president of the US. They’ve located Jim Ryan, a great-great-great grandson of the captain of the Catalpa who rescued Fenians from Fremantle in 1876. He’ll be here.

Reid knows the dangers of trying to romanticise the Irish. Despite much intermarriage, he says, “I don’t think the early Irish were any more decent to the Aborigines than the rest of us.”

Another myth to dispel is that the Irish are intrinsically anti-authoritarian. There were lots of Irish middle-class who thought the Kellys were mere crims – and the Kelly gang’s victims Kennedy Scanlon and Lonigan, were as Irish as their murders.

“Not Just Ned: a true history of the Irish in Australia,” National Museum of Australia, until July 31.

AWARD-winning Canberra embroidery artist Sharon Peoples has long been fascinated with red shoes, immortalised by Hans Andersen, and her images of them have achieved cult status. View her “shoes” at Karen O’Clery’s Narek in the Old Tanja Church, 1140 Tathra-Bermagui Road, Tanja, until April 4.

IT’S terrific to see that Canberra painter Bernard Hardy is holding a survey of his works at M16 studios in Griffith until March 27. His career was very nearly exploded when his entire collection of works went up in the Weston Creek fires nearly a decade ago.

DR Possum’s large-format digital prints are in the main foyer of the National Convention Centre until March 31. Dr Possum is a visual artist and children’s storywriter who was, at age three, diagnosed with autism. He went on to graduate in fine art from the ANU. Now his work is held in collections internationally.

THE Ellis Collective is a local six-piece indie-folk group about to launch their debut album “Means What It Means” with “a parochial show of respect to their hometown”. It’s at The Street Theatre, 7.30pm, Saturday, March 26, with special guests Mikelangelo, Vorn Doolette and Tom Woodward. Bookings to 6247 1223.

“ALMANAC: The gift of Ann Lewis AO” is an exhibition running at Drill Hall Gallery, midday-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday, until April 3. Lewis is celebrated and respected among art-lovers as a formidable art philanthropist.

Water bottles with a message

BRAZILIAN- BORN , Tharwa artist Marily Cintra has co-ordinated many arts-led community projects throughout Australia. She is the founder of Identity, Environment and Art and winner of the $50,000 Ros Bower Award.

Her current exhibit, “Message in a Bottle”, is a site-specific installation comprising 100 suspended bottles of Murrumbidgee water, each representing and collected by a person who has a deep connection with the river.

To the side of the gallery a large, flat-screen television presents a series of interviews and photographs. Through the recordings Cintra captures the physical and cultural importance of the river; for some, the river is a life force, a symbol of fertility and the sustainer of a productive harvest;

VISUAL ART

“Message in a Bottle”

Canberra Museum and Gallery, until March 18. Reviewed by Johnny Milner

for others its a place of happy times and memories, a place where their children grew up, a place to escape to and a place to go fishing.

The installation is about the tangible and intangible of this natural resource.

The work also cleverly engages the ever-changing nature of the river – both in its fragility as well as its power. At times, the river barely produces a trickle, at other times it is a swollen monster destroying everything in its path.

“Message in a Bottle” will make you think more imaginatively about the different

meanings of water and the recent social history of the Murrumbidgee and the Canberra region.

Singing, tap-dancing and unmissable

IF tap-dancing is your thing, this is the show for you.

In Jim McMullen’s entertaining production of David Merrick’s homage to the Broadway musical, it’s the dancers who steal the show in a series of exuberant, well-staged dance numbers choreographed by Amy Fitzpatrick.

“42nd Street” is jam-packed with theatrical clichés including the over-bearing director struggling to get his show opened, the ageing star who breaks her ankle just before opening night, and the talented young chorine who steps in at the last moment.

MUSIC

“42nd Street”

Canberra Philharmonic Society, Erindale Theatre, until March 26

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

It’s also crammed with a string of Harry Warren’s tuneful songs, all enthusiastically performed by the large, on-stage cast, augmented by a team of singers in the orchestra pit, accompanied by a taught, tight and terrific band under the direction of Colin Fischer.

Ian Croker is compelling as the Broadway director, his performance blemished only by

his overwrought rendering of the title song in the finale. Anne Timperley, glamorous and devious as the ageing star; Adrian Flor, suave and brilliantined as her leading man, and Jordan Kelly as the dance director, all impress. Kate Tricks also contributes a fine comedic characterisation which will be even funnier when she overcomes her disconcerting tendency to drop her voice at the end of sentences.

Despite being miscast in the pivotal role of Peggy, Ele Wilcher gives a plucky, appealing performance. This show is all about the singing and the dancing, so don’t miss it.

Into the mysterious unknown

THE sense of mystery in “Master And Servant” is akin to stepping into a page of an Edgar Allan Poe story.

It is also an introduction to theatrical possibilities for young people less familiar with theatre’s potential for stretching the imagination.

With passageways created for journeying into dark recesses of a ghostly mansion, the audience is admitted one at a time by a mysterious woman who seems to have insight into one’s thoughts. By restricting the audience numbers, the production allows for moments of personal confrontation as one contemplates the extension of the disturbed mind of the Master. Some horrific act or drama has preceded our intervention and it must be re-enacted with every audience.

While the actors enact very strong moments

THEATRE

“Master And Servant”

Created and directed by Ben Laden, Jigsaw Theatre Company and Courthouse Arts in association with The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre. Until March 19. Reviewed by Joe Woodward

within the imagery of the spaces, their ghostly characters could be extended to create more of the world beyond our experience. More of their silent presence and less explanation from the Servant might further the ambiance and suggest additional secrets that lurk within the darkness of the human psyche.

But it is the unknown from within Jigsaw’s dark space that is the real star of “Master and Servant”.

Rango lives the wild west

IN the first animated feature from Industrial Light and Magic, an armadillo voiced by Alfred Molina tells pint-sized chameleon Rango (Johnny Depp giving a not especially remarkable voicing) that his destiny lies on the other side of the road through the Mohave desert.

In the derelict town of Dirt, the turtle mayor (Ned Beatty) has a monopoly on that precious substance, water (shades of “Chinatown”). Rango, wearing the sheriff’s star, is bringing law and justice to the town. John Logan’s screenplay trawls through the environment, the pioneer ethos, the conflict between small farmers and ranchers, providing director Gore Verbinski with anthropomorphic animal characters enacting most of the dramatic situations fictionalised in a century of westerns. Only stagecoaches, US Cavalry, Civil War veterans and native Americans are missing.

Young folk may not connect with the old west metaphors shaping the film’s depiction of 21st century issues. The mayor imports a gunslinger to deal with Rango, a fearsome snake both venomous and constricting and sporting a multi-barrelled .45-calibre tail, given a superbly sinister voicing by Bill Nighy. Not compelling great intellectual attention, “Rango’s” enjoyable enough. While its satirical sideswipes at the values that made America great and those that made it a little despicable are there for those willing to agonise over them, it delivers satisfactions at face value.

At all cinemas

THIS intelligent film by writer/director John Wells (whose creative provenance is forever ensured by “The West Wing”) examines the demolition of the comfort zones of three, six-digit-income executives and their families when the board of a shipbuilding company orders a rationalisation to boost dividends.

Sales director Bobby (Ben Affleck) whose medico wife earns enough to put food on the table and pay for utilities, refuses to sell the Porsche, cancel golf-club membership and other luxurious diversions.

Engineering chief Gene (Tommy Lee Jones) was the company’s first employee. His wife thinks a fun weekend is flying to Florida for shopping. His mistress (Maria Bello) is the company’s HR manager.

In his sixties, Phil (Chris Cooper) is the saddest case. His employment prospects are indeed gloomy.

“The Company Men” is a reality check on what happens after the roof collapses on high incomes. It pays an oblique homage

to Aesop’s fable contrasting a high-living grasshopper with an ant whose lifestyle wasn’t fun-filled but didn’t suffer all that much when its economic basis went pearshaped.

The film’s final mild optimism does not dismiss the possibility of history repeating itself while falling short of castigating those who fail to learn from it.

At Dendy, Greater Union and Hoyts

ACCEPTING the Oscar for this scary documentary, director Charles Ferguson noted that nobody has served prison time for actions causing the Global Financial Crisis.

The greedy and often dishonest men whose practices caused the GFC show no remorse. They are bankers, insurance executives, raters of corporate performance, academics, bureaucrats and politicians who continue to pillage the economies of nations and accumulate obscenely large personal wealth. Most now hold powerful positions that allow them to continue their malfeasances and block legislation to prevent their continuation.

The US once had strong banking laws. The regulatory banking laws enacted during the Obama presidency lack the desirable rigour.

Crammed with forensic details, statistics, graphs, legislative quotations, “Inside Job” is a sere, depressing yet illuminating film that won’t correct any evils but certainly helps us understand how they came about.

At Dendy

Far from the madding crowd

dining

Wendy Johnson

TREV’S at Dickson is a nonpretentious, casual place to kickstart your day, fuel yourself at lunch, or sit back and unwind of an evening.

It’s a new addition to the Dickson dining scene, nicely positioned on Challis Street just a hop, skip and jump from the hyperactive happenings around the corner on Woolley Street and beyond.

The kitchen and bar area is to the right, a comfortable distance from the dining area which is great for noise levels. Seaside photographs are displayed on the walls, adding to a sense of calm.

It was dinner time and the menu features half a dozen entreés, four pastas, four mains, a larger selection of pizzas and a couple of sides.

If you enjoying sharing your food, a nice option is the mixed entrée platter ($8 per person for three options you can select yourself). My eye immediately caught the Greek-inspired skordalia – one of my all-time favourites – and we also opted for the pumpkin fritters and prosciutto gems.

Skordalia is intriguing. It’s made many

different ways depending on regional preference, but usually with loads of garlic and quality olive oil. This version was made with potato and lemon – nicely presented in the middle of our entrée dish with the crostini adding a sculptural element. The taste was lovely, but I confess to loving the much creamier style, made with almond.

The pumpkin fritters were light and a great combination of smoked paprika, pickled jalapeno, basil and preserved lemon.

Then we were off to the mains: The Orecchiette pasta with prawns was bland – originally, the offer to have additional cheese was refused, but the dish needed it (as well as some extra chilli for kick).

The pizzas have zany names such as Pobblebonk, Huddo’s sent it, The Djusic and Pappa Jacko’s. There are lots of vegetarian options and all priced at just under $18.

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

Mr Fungi was also on the list for those who love mushrooms, bocconcini, garlic, thyme and basil pesto. But when the pizza arrived it was far from piping hot and lost the opportunity to dish out a wow factor.

My lamb cutlets ($30) were tender with lots of oregano and pine nuts. The feta salsa was tasty and the beans fresh and crunchy.

Trev’s has an outdoor area which gets some lovely sun and the tables have umbrellas for protection when needed.

Good acting goes to war

THE classroom is a war zone in this play, with the initially unattractive pupils as much animals as the baboons they learn about in their detention classes on evolution.

Worse, there is a real, grown-up war going on outside the school that quickly impinges on the lives of the young characters.

Played out on Nevena Mrdjenovic’s whitetiled set that shows every bit of stage gore, this was a striking live visual evening in the theatre.

Director Karla Conway gradually drew sympathetic performances out of these advanced members of Youth Theatre, despite an evident tussle between their middle-class Australian accents and the working-class UK English of the original script.

In an evening of uniformly good act-

THEATRE “Cockroach”

ended.

ing, Humphrey Goldstein gave a striking portrayal as the classroom bad boy Lee and Morgan Thomas moved us with a tour de force performance as Beth, the teacher.

“Cockroach” proved a long play as British writer Sam Holcroft twisted and turned through arguments about the survival of the fittest, at one time taking a gratuitous detour into genital mutilation, to reach his thematic destination. So who is the cockroach of the play, the ultimate survivor? In my opinion, it’s womankind.

all about home&garden

The good life down on the farm

Words: Kathryn Vukovljak

Photographs: silas Brown

“IT’S not about self-sufficiency, as such – we believe in self-reliance and mutual dependence,” says David Watson, whose Bungendore farm, Mill Post, is a working livestock property that incorporates a wildlife refuge.

It will be open to the public as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme on March 19-20. The farm is designed around the principals of permaculture, or permanent agriculture – a productive, designed environment that mimics the balance found in the natural world, says David.

“It’s all about considering layout and design – it’s what you put where,” he says. “This is our first time opening the farm. We want to show people what we’ve got; what we’re doing here. It’s an opportunity for people to see permaculture implemented on a large scale. And we think it’s a nice place.”

It really is idyllic – remote and serene, with David and his wife Judith’s 1860s-built farmhouse nestled in lush cottage gardens, herbs at the kitchen door and winding paths through copses of damsons and crab apples to oaks, walnuts and redcurrants.

David says that homegrown food has always been the number one priority at Mill Post. “It’s all about security and food for our family,” he says. “I have a huge pile of firewood out there – that’s security to me. That’s warmth, it’s cooking, it’s comfort. That makes me feel wealthy.”

There are herbs, vegetables and an orchard, chooks, cows, ducks, geese and turkeys, a vast veggie garden for tomatoes, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, peas, garlic, globe artichokes, asparagus and hops.

The farm’s main, and most reliable, income comes from Merino wool, says David.

“Farming this way makes sense to us; it’s the opposite of planting a field of wheat,” he says. “In permaculture, diversity is the key. We grow a variety of food plants, including fig, raspberry, persimmon, ginkgo, grape, kiwifruit, Kentish

cherry, hazelnut and quince, but also useful plants, like cork oak, that become fodder for the animals.”

Mill Post demonstrates 30 years of permaculture practices, which David says is based on design and layout for efficiency in everything – from energy to labour. So as well as growing all their food, there’s also a compost toilet, a brick oven, mudbrick dwellings sited for gravityfed water systems and broad-scale revegetation.

“People might think it’s an evangelical thing, but it’s not, it works for us. And if people want to come and see it in action then that’s great.

“This makes us feel there is a future in the land.”

Mill Post Farm, at 312 Millpost Road, Bungendore, will be open from 10am-4.30pm on Saturday March 19 and Sunday March 20. Prebook online for specialist tours at 11am with local naturalist Rainer Rehwinkel, who will lead tours through the wildlife refuge, and at 2pm for tours of the permaculture farm with David Watson. Tours cost $20, including garden entry. Garden entry only is $8. Children under 18 are free. Book online for tours at www.opengarden.org.au.

Directions: From Queanbeyan, take Kings Highway towards Bungendore; just before Defence Headquarters roundabout, turn left into Millpost Road; garden entry via pine plantation. Parking in paddock.

Put the time in now for spring displays

THIS is one of the busiest times of the year for gardeners. Our spring displays will largely depend on how we prepare the garden over the next few weeks.

In a previous article I discussed how to buy bulbs, looking for the firmest and largest ones you can hand-pick at your local garden centre and how deep to plant them.

Bulbs do not need large amounts of plant food, as this is stored from the previous year. It is very important not to place chemical fertilisers in the planting hole.

Sometimes when this type of fertiliser is recommended it is suggested that you place some soil over the fertiliser first. Thinking logically though, the roots will soon grow through that soil and burn the new roots. In fact, this equally applies when planting trees and shrubs.

As regular readers will know, I specifically recommend organic products from fertilisers to sprays etcetera. This is particularly noticeable when folk are

gardening

cedric Bryant

demanding organically grown products and is evident with the huge growth of farmers’ markets.

After planting bulbs in autumn and, during winter only, the roots develop and little, if any, top growth takes place. To promote root growth, place a small amount of blood and bone fertiliser in the hole mixed in with the soil. This is high in phosphorus and slow reacting. Alternatively, water in with Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient that specifically promotes root growth.

Immediately after planting, give the bulbs a good, deep soaking. Then, unless we receive no rain between now and spring, highly unlikely, do not water bulbs until green leaves start to appear. Remember they come from the hottest, driest parts of the world.

As soon as the new shoots start

Cyclamen comprise 23 species growing from tubers and originate in the hot Mediterranean regions and are ideal for our local climate.

One of the most popular species is Cyclamen hederifolium, or ivy-leafed cyclamen. At this time of the year they simply pop out of the ground with their delicate pink flowers on the end of a stalk similar to Belladonna Lilies or Naked Ladies.

After they have flowered the leaves appear with the most marvellous marbled leaves of light and dark green.

THE Canberra Region Native Plant Society will hold its autumn plant sale at the Botanic Gardens, 8.30am-2pm, on Saturday, March 19. With more than 12,000 plants for sale, prices range from $4-$7 each. Be early and take your own boxes or bags – the rush will be on!

to emerge apply a fertiliser high in potassium, which specifically promotes flowers.

Most bulbs prefer full sun with a few exceptions, which include cyclamen, snowdrops and snowflakes that are considered woodland plants. These are ideally planted under deciduous trees and shrubs.

The other most popular species is Cyclamen persicum, now in flower with a wonderful range of colours at your local garden centre.

After flowering, these are often thrown out and yet they can be planted in a shady spot in your garden and will continue to multiply and flower for many years. Pictured here are this species of cyclamen in a hanging basket in our garden, where they have been growing for at least five years.

THE Horticultural Society of Canberra’s meeting is at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest (behind Realm Hotel, off Canberra Avenue) at 7.30pm sharp, on Monday, March 21. Tim Smith will talk on “Health and Regeneration of Rivers”. Visitors welcome. No charge and supper is served. The society’s web site is www.hsoc.org.au

BOOK WINNER

Thank you for the many, many entrants in my competition to win Kate Herd’s beautiful book “Kitchen Gardens of Australia”. The winner is Ida Argy, of Nicholls.

Daring to be bold with wallpaper

By Kathryn Vukovljak

“THE trend of doing a painted feature wall in the home has given way to a new direction of creating a single wall of bold, statement wallpaper,” says Colin Durbidge, director of Verve Designer Collections.

“The current look is not to do whole rooms, like they do in Europe. It’s popular now to use an amazing wallpaper design in entry halls, living rooms and bedrooms, as well as behind a glass splashback in a kitchen.”

Colin says that because people are doing a feature wall and not the full room, there’s a tendency to choose a much bolder design, which looks great on one wall but would overpower the room.

“Often, interior designers start with the wallpaper and create the room around it, which makes statement walls ideal for those building a new home or doing an

extensive renovation.

“But the look can also work for the average consumer, who already has a room full of furniture. In a bedroom, a wall of luxurious wallpaper behind the bed can add a real touch of glamour.”

Many people still think wallpaper is the same as it was 30 years ago, according to Colin, and that the concept hasn’t really moved forward, but he says that nothing could be further from the truth.

“From digital photography wall image styles – like a giant image of Venice’s Grand Canal, or a tropical beach – to gorgeous minute glass beads, contemporary flock and typographical designs available now, the look is vastly different.

“Many wallpapers are synthetic now rather than paper, so they are easier to clean, and also to hang and remove, than the wallpapers of old.”

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 1 – Apr 0)

March 21-27

Expect the unexpected, as the Sun and Uranus join up in your sign. You’re firing on all cylinders and will solve problems promptly and pick up new skills with lightning ease. You’ll feel fiery, restless and rebellious but pace yourself Rams, or you’re likely to blow a fuse! Love and duty are linked, so accept relationship responsibilities with a smile.

TAURUS (Apr 1 – May 0)

Practical Bulls – don’t dismiss your dreams as just frivolous imaginings. Dreaming by day (and by night) is a wonderfully creative thing to do, and will provide you with amazing ideas and inspiration that are hard to obtain in other ways. As birthday great Gloria Steinem reminds us: “Without dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.”

GEMINI (May 1 – June 1)

Twins thrive on constant communication and garrulous gossip but resist the urge to be the neighborhood nosey-parker. Stick to the facts and – when in doubt – say nothing. Group activities are favoured as you amp up your networking skills, expand your social circle (face-to-face and online) plus make new connections in exciting and unexpected ways.

CANCER (June  – July )

There’s pressure on you from all sides this week, as your personal and professional lives battle it out for supremacy. It’s time for cautious crustaceans to make a stand. Don’t cave in to the unreasonable demands of others – or avoid confrontation by scuttling off sideways. Be a confident Crab, as you assert your independence in positive ways.

LEO (July  – Aug )

If you harness your energy in inventive ways (through challenging projects or dynamic leadership) then you’ll have a positive and productive week. With Venus and Neptune hooking up in your relationship zone, you’re in the mood for love and romance. But are you placing your “perfect” spouse (or potential partner) on an impossibly high pedestal?

VIRGO (Aug  – Sept )

Virgos are in the mood to talk! You’re keen to voice your opinions on a variety of subjects, as Mercury boosts your verbal abilities (especially on Friday). With mighty Mars in your relationship zone, why not take a chance on love? Be inspired by Erica Jong (born on March 26, 1942): “If you don’t risk anything, then you risk even more.”

LIBRA (Sept  – Oct )

Romantic sparks are set to fly, as the Sun and Uranus join up in your partnership zone. The course of true love won’t run smoothly so be prepared for a wild card. Getting the balance right between what you want and what others need is a constant juggle. Sunday’s Venus/Neptune conjunction is perfect for Libran lovers, artists, musicians and dreamers.

SCORPIO (Oct  – Nov 1)

Stubborn Scorpios can easily get stuck in a boring rut. But Uranus has some surprises for you this week as your daily routine is shaken, stirred and turned upside down. Use it as an opportunity to reboot, refresh and re-energise. With Venus visiting your domestic zone, it’s also time to spruce up your home with cleaning, redecorating or DIY projects.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov  – Dec 1)

This week presents a grab-bag of exciting possibilities. For artistic Archers – your creativity shines in unexpected and unconventional ways. For sporty Sadges – look for innovative ways to tweak your exercise routine so it’s more effective (and much more fun). For sociable singles – a bohemian new crowd of friends is set to shake up your world.

CAPRICORN (Dec  – Jan 1)

Your business-like attitude works well with customers, clients and colleagues this week – but it won’t go down a treat with frazzled family members. Have you been neglecting your nearest and dearest? A loved one may do something surprising and startling, in order to gain your attention. Perhaps some emergency TLC is required ASAP?

AQUARIUS (Jan 0 – Feb 1)

Expect communication hiccups this week but don’t worry about living up to the expectations of others. You’ll never fit the mould of what they think you should be. You have an eclectic array of Aquarian talents but they won’t truly blossom until you nurture them with the help of a teacher or mentor. Dare to learn something different.

PISCES (Feb 1 – Mar 0)

Money runs through Fish fingers like water! There’s a need to reign in extravagant spending this week. By all means think big but make sure your plans are financially realistic. And don’t let fear of the future paralyse you Pisces. Be inspired by birthday great Erica Jong: “I have not ceased being fearful, but I have stopped letting fear control me.”

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2011

general knowledge crossword

Across

1 Which word is descriptive of the power to buy or borrow on trust?

8 What is another name for a backpack?

9 Name the famous Paris museum and art gallery, since 1793.

10 What are the offices and jurisdictions of abbots?

11 What are musical compositions intended for practice?

13 Name another term for the cosmos.

16 Which words are formed from the initial letters of other words?

19 Who wrote "They're a Weird Mob", John

22 Which spray do police officers have the authority to use?

24 Name the gender which is neither male nor female.

25 What do we call illegal drawings or words on walls or the like?

26 To be disinclined is to be what?

Down

2 What is the perch upon which chooks rest at night?

3 Name the patron saint of Wales.

4 Which government department has control over public revenue?

5 What do they call a person who continues to work during a strike?

6 Name a term descriptive of the human soul, spirit, or mind.

7 What are compositions for eight voices or instruments?

12 Which letters describe the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

14 Which complaint designates an inability to sleep?

15 Name an honorary title conferred on Hindus.

17 What are persons occupying offices of authority?

18 To convert into bone, is to do what?

20 What is a regular line of passage or travel?

21 What are written documents as proof and record of agreements?

23 Name another term for a child's bed.

Canberra Region Property Summary

BUNGENDORE

924 400 4BR B

L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0418 624 913 4BR I

Tuggeranong 0437 357 855 4BR H

Canberra Region Property Summary

FORDE

HACKETT

Canberra Region Property Summary

HALL

HARCOURT HILL

ISABELLA PLAINS

KINGSTON

LATHAM

MACQUARIE

LYNEHAM

NGUNNAWAL

Canberra Region Property Summary YOU

PALMERSTON

PHILLIP

QUEANBEYAN

St Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0402 230 057 4BR A

& Co Real Estate 0416 182 379 K

Broughton Pl Elders Queanbeyan 0418 162 701 3BR I U

0427 202 987 3BR L

Spackman Real

L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0413 503 312 3BR A

0418 162

SPRINGBANK RISE

Canberra Region Property Summary

TURNER

WANNIASSA