Canberra CityNews June 23-29, 2011

Lexus brings a bridal smile

By Kathryn Vukovljak

AFTER an unhappy wedding experience at the Royal Canberra Golf Club, Lexus of Canberra has brought a smile to newlyweds Catherine and Steven Lé.

“We spoke to Brian Chettle and Josh Dodds at Lexus, who offered us a weekend with one of their cars as a gesture of goodwill,” says Catherine, whose rain-affected December wedding reception was featured in “CityNews” (“Leaking ceiling dampens Royal wedding”, May 12).

“We thought it was really thoughtful – a bit of a lesson in pro-active customer service!” says Catherine.

“Lexus advertises with ‘CityNews’ and they read our story, and thought the whole thing was pretty rough.”

Catherine and Steven say they had a lovely trip to the south coast – a night away which was also a wedding gift.

“We were loaned a fantastic, white RX hybrid Lexus, which we both drove and really enjoyed,” says Catherine.

“Lexus also presented us with a hamper of savoury and sweet goodies to take with us. We really appreciated the kindness.

“I suppose that was the kind of thing we might have expected from the Royal Canberra Golf Club.

“It just goes to show how far a small gesture can go.”

Team Zed’s got the message

Zed says you asked for it and the Liberals say they’ve ‘absolutely’ got it: A strong, hard-working, unified team. As they turn into the home straight for the next election, hungry to take the Territory’s rising cost-of-living to Labor’s door, FREYLA FERGUSON talks to the Opposition Leader

STRONG, credible and unified is how Opposition Leader Zed Seselja describes his party leading up to next year’s ACT election.

Seselja says the Canberra Liberals have learnt from past mistakes and are working hard at forming a united front.

“We’ve heard the message from the electorate and what they want is a strong, hard-working, unified team and we’ve absolutely got that,” he said.

“I think we got a renewed team at the last election and what we’ve done with those talented individuals is worked on backing each other up.

“Focusing on the real task, which is servicing our community. Our political party getting itself into trouble focusing on internals – that’s long behind us; that’s probably our opponents’ problem where they are now jockeying positions in the ministry whether its Greens or within the Labor Party.”

Over the past three years, ACT Liberals have spent hours working at “the grass-roots level” in the community, door knocking and listening to the concerns of the community.

“We’ve spent a lot of time out in the community – Chisholm, Lanyon, Amaroo, Ngunnawal, West Belconnen and getting a sense of what needs to be fixed; what are the concerns,” Seselja said.

“We’ve very much heard cost of living is absolutely critical.

“They don’t want large palaces built for ministers they want their local oval taken care of, or their local school, or their local footpath – that’s very much the strong message we’re been getting.”

Seselja says the directions of the party will be in local service delivery, infrastructure, housing affordability and cost of living.

“Infrastructure Canberra – building better roads and getting land out quicker to the market,” he said.

“We pushed very hard for drug driving law. We saw a problem we were the only jurisdiction that didn’t have laws that deterred people from driving under the influence of illicit drugs and with great Labor resistance.

“We pushed that through and [Opposition health spokesman] Jeremy Hanson did a really great job; that gives a flavour of some of the policies we believe in.

“Some we’ve announced, some we’ve delivered through legislation but as we go forward in the next 16 months our policies will be some of those core service delivery, infrastructure and cost of living.”

Keeping the Labor Government accountable is what Seselja claims are his biggest “wins” for the Liberals, including exposing bullying

in the Canberra Hospital, and the practise of downgrading patients on elective surgery lists.

“We are very engaged – and that’s been the key,” he said.

June 23-29, 2011

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Students learn Hyatt lesson in life skills

By Kathryn Vukovljak

FOR a first taste of life in the real world, nine Year  and 12 students from Erindale College have been invited into a mentoring program at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

Art and Big Picture Program teacher Claire Daun says: “We approached students at the college who we felt would commit to the program, who would benefit from some in-house experience, and who might possibly be interested in the hospitality industry.”

Bill Warner, director of human resources at the Hyatt, says the objective of the program is to assist in learning life skills.

“The staff here can get to know the kids, then tailor the program to them accordingly,” he says. “If all goes well, they could end up being adopted into the company, which is a wonderful way to get a foot in the door.

“It’s really all about making connections.”

However, says Claire, the program isn’t necessarily about hospitality.

“It’s about learning new things,” she says. “We want the students to become more confident in talking to people they don’t know, learn about cleanliness, hygiene and personal grooming.”

“Some students can be comfortable in their little corner of Canberra, and this initiative encourages them to get out, to use public transport, to get to the hotel under their own steam.”

The school’s Big Picture program, which promotes school students connecting with the community, aligns with the Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s Thrive Initiative to enable thriving communities, Claire says.

Although in its early stages, the mentoring program will likely consist of bi-monthly workshops, when students will

be shown various aspects of the hospitality industry from cooking, engineering and housekeeping to submitting an employment application and budgeting.

Keen chef and student Nathan Ballard says he’s really glad to have been selected for the program. “It’s seems like a really good opportunity,” he says. “In the long run I’d like to go into the police, but I love cooking so this will be a great experience. I enjoy entering cooking competitions through school, and it’s definitely a major hobby for me.”

Assistant director of food and beverages Michelle Bennett says: “We want to convey our passion for our jobs here to the students, and explaining how we do things and why.

“We want to generate enthusiasm for what we do, to engage the students and show them the pathways that are open to them.”

Pasta, spice ‘n’ everything nice

FREYLA FERGUSON meets an ambitious 24-year-old who has opened a restaurant that’s a fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine. If that isn’t enough, she’s also a chef, maitre d’ and sometimes even the “dish pig”.

AT 24 years of age, accountant-turned-restaurateur Sarah Singh has embarked on an ambitious project, that many would think are beyond her years.

Four weeks ago, she opened the restaurant and tapas lounge bar Digress on Akuna Street, a unique dining concept that draws on a fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine.

“We are hoping that this is something really exciting for Canberra,” Sarah says. “Something Canberra really needs – a little bit of spice at night.”

No stranger to the restaurant game, Sarah’s parents are Gurmer and Surinder Singh, who own the successful, Indian Affair restaurant in Phillip.

Sarah was 12-years-old when she first worked for the family business, and by 16 she was cooking alongside the restaurant’s head chef Sritharan Sinnathamby.

“I’ve always loved food. I love eating it, love making it, everything to do with it,” she said. “But more so, I love learning about it.”

When Mr Sinnathamby left the restaurant to return to Sri Lanka, it was Sarah who was thrown into kitchen to take his place.

“I was at uni at the time and got thrown into a 70-hour work week dreaming about samosas and do we have enough potatoes, do we have enough this, and enough that,” she said. “Just dreaming

about it and going crazy!

“And that’s when I really felt the pressure and where I learnt how to cope with the pressure.”

When Sarah completed her accountancy degree, she “wanted to get out of Canberra and live in a big city”.

Living in London, she worked in the accountancy department of Red Bull.

It was her time overseas that inspired the concept of the restaurant.

“I’ve travelled a lot, which is where this idea really came from,” she said. “It is a real European

concept to have a lounge bar and restaurant in the same vicinity.”

Working as an accountant “never sat well with her”, so when she moved back to Australia, naturally, she turned to cooking.

She visited the premises that was the Akuna Club 19 times before she signed the lease.

“The old Akuna Club was an absolute dungeon – they were going to turn it into a car park,” she said.

“My parents asked if I was 100 per cent sure I wanted to take on these premises. But I had this feeling, we could make something of this space.”

Completely refurbished, the premises has undergone a transformation into a restaurant and lounge bar.

The menu took seven months to research and develop, Sarah said during this time she found an amazing amount of similarities between Indian and Italian cuisines.

The base cuisine of the menu is Italian – pizza, pasta, risotto and salads but infused with Indian flavours. Dishes include chilli chicken fusilli and Kadhai paneer pizza.

The fusion also transfers to the drinks menu, including a chilli infused cocktail.

“The dishes come in mild, medium and Indian hot,” she said. “Every single bite is the same – consistency of flavours is really important to us.

“The flavour that a tandoori oven has the potential of producing is different to what you cook in a pan or oven.”

In the future, Sarah plans to continue to grow her business and also help her parents, her biggest inspirations, prepare for retirement.

“I’m not interested in replicating what I’ve done,” she said. “I’ve never been big on franchises – I think that’s where a business loses its elegance.”

Sleepout success

UNDER a full moon and with temperatures dipping to near freezing, 140 business leaders experienced the St Vincent de Paul Society’s CEO Sleepout at the National Museum’s Garden of Dreams raising more than $329,000 (and taking donations until the end of July) for the more than 1350 homeless living in and around the ACT. The participants slept on a piece of cardboard and were only provided with a cup of soup and coffee or tea to keep them warm.

Iceland on the agenda

THE CWA Canberra Evening Branch is getting into the spirit of winter with a talk about Iceland planned for 7pm Wednesday, July 6, at its Barry Drive club rooms in Civic. All welcome and enquiries to 6231 5396.

New face on radio

CARLA “Biggzy” Bignasca, pictured, will join Pete Curulli as hosts of MIX 106.3’s top-rating breakfast show on July 4. Carla comes to morning radio from her work as co-host of the “Hot 30 Countdown” and on television as a regular contributor to Channel 7’s “Morning Show” and Channel Nine’s “Mornings with Kerri-Anne Kennerley”.

Julia, we’ve stopped caring

AT the beginning of the year, I wrote in these pages that it seemed very unlikely that Julia Gillard would make that all important emotional connection with the electorate that would ensure she retained her leadership.

Alas, I have been proven right. She was a fine deputy, but the leadership gene is missing.

On a personal level, she and her partner Tim Mathieson seem like squatters in The Lodge. No doubt they are perfectly pleasant people. But they just can’t carry it off. It’s almost as though they themselves feel they’re impostors, that they know they can’t fill the historic home in any legitimate way.

It’s not because they’re unmarried. The only people making a fuss about marriage these days are the gays who aren’t allowed it. For the rest of the population it seems like a pleasant optional extra. And the Gillard-Mathieson coali-

On a personal level, Julia Gillard and her partner seem like squatters in The Lodge, says ROBERT MACKLIN

tion may well be a permanent, affectionate partnership. I tried to watch the “60 Minutes” interview but found it too embarrassing, so I really don’t care.

And that, I suspect, is the problem. Most of us just don’t care about her as a person or as a politician. Indeed, it often seems that the political persona has actually consumed the person hosting it, that there’s just nothing underneath the political carapace.

So when the time comes – if it does – for the party to bump her out of office, few will weep her passing and those shedding crocodile tears will be the political allies who relied on her for preferment. But who, I hear you cry, could possibly replace her? And why bother when Tony Abbott is so clearly unelecta-

ble as Prime Minister?

Well, the answer is that Malcolm Turnbull has learned from his mistakes the first time around. Sure, he is nudging and winking along the way but he’s letting Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb cancel each other out while he gains the approbation of the polls as the only “man of principle” in the political firmament. When the time comes, he’ll walk it in. And Gillard’s poll numbers as preferred PM will crash through the floor.

Meanwhile, Kevin Rudd has discovered his road to redemption as the putative leader of the Labor Left. He’s working his butt off gathering support among those members who oppose Gillard’s “lurch to the right” on refugees and her kowtowing to the mining billionaires. Sure, he made a

mistake in not pressing ahead with climate change, but it’s now clear from leaks that this was at Gillard’s behest... and the new proposal is really just a rerun of his CPRS.

Gillard knows he’s on the prowl. Her recent trip to the NT was an attempt to neutralise his famous apology to the Abo-

riginal people. And it failed.

The National Conference in December looms large. If Gillard stumbles, Rudd is the only viable option. Nothing is certain in politics but frankly, anything (except Wayne Swan) would be better than today’s status quo.

robert@robertmacklin.com

When least worse is the best outcome

IN politics, there is rarely such a thing as the best outcome. The most effective decisions are invariably based on finding the least-worse outcome.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is currently suffering in the polls with her nemesis gaining in popularity. Kevin Rudd no longer has to find solutions to complex issues such as climate change and financial management. How quickly the population seems to forget frustration with Rudd when it was his responsibility to make hard decisions – when he plummeted in the polls. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott just remains on message finding fault with every decision government makes and opposing almost everything the Government does in

Michael Moore

the hope that enough of the crossbench independents will give him the occasional victory. And he embraces the quixotic hope one of the issues will be serious enough to bring the Government down.

Negotiating with the cross-benchers means that the Prime Minister simply is not in a position to deliver on everything that Labor promised. It was the choice of the voters federally to restrict the free range of the major political parties just has it has been in the ACT for all but one election since self-government.

Gillard has been forced to modify her direction by having to negotiate with Bob Katter at one end of the political spectrum to Christine Milne at the other. Until the Senate changes on

July 1, when the Greens will indisputably hold the balance of power, she has had to negotiate with Steve Fielding, of Family First, and the moderate Nick Xenophon.

It is the voter’s choice that she will never be able to deliver the best solution from her perspective or that of the Labor Party. However, there is still an attempt to persist with the idea of strong government delivering what is “best” for the people. Increasing the price on carbon was never going to be a popular decision and the Government has tried to present it as the best long-term solution to climate change.

The Prime Minister is left attempting to sell a “best solution” that she has cobbled together with Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and the Greens! Compensation for vulnerable people and businesses are being proposed by the Government and the Climate Change Committee as one way to deal with the potential of increased costs

associated with a carbon price. But there are other issues that must be addressed – jobs in the coal industry, sequestering CO2 into degraded ecosystems as an important mitigation activity, the level of contribution Australia’s efforts will make globally to mention just a few. When a solution is found to one problem another will be raised in opposition because there is no “best solution”.

The collective wisdom in politics seems to be that the community needs to see things explained in black and white or good and bad. The sooner our political leaders admit that political decisions are based on the least-worse scenario, the sooner they will be in the position to have pragmatism in politics understood.

Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.

‘Bee’ fans sting Bill

I AM writing in response to Bill Stephens’ review of the Phoenix Players production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (“Bewildering play spells disappointment”, CN, June 16).

I was disappointed to read such a harsh review of a local, amateur production and can only wonder what effect a review like this could have on a group of young performers working tirelessly for little or no recognition.

I attended the second night’s performance with my wife and was selected to take part in the first act as an audience speller. I was thoroughly entertained and there was a buzz in the audience at intermission when the four of us audience spellers rejoined our groups in the theatre lobby.

I admit, that not being a regular theatre goer, I didn’t have high expectations as to the acting or singing, but I was blown away with the professionalism of everybody in the cast and crew. I would not hesitate recommending anybody see this show and have already done so. Well done Phoenix Players. Keep up the good work!

Dave Blanken, conder

WE are not sure what Bill Stephens looks for when he visits the theatre, but he is obviously different from us. Each of us has being going to the theatre for nearly 60 years and always look for entertainment which is precisely what we got from “Spelling Bee”.

It was well directed and produced, the music was great and the lyrics (stylishly delivered by the actors) were not only easily understood, but clearly assisted the telling of the simple story. In short, we were thoroughly entertained and left the theatre with a good feeling. We are also pleased to say that we did hang on the end result.

Perhaps critics feel that they are not doing their job if they fail to pour some cold water on their subjects. Thank you to those who brought us “Spelling Bee”, we had a great night out.

Peter and Meridith c rowley, Yarralumla

Sport’s future needs a woman’s touch

TIM GAVEL says women’s sport has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go

VARIOUS women’s sports, frustrated at the lack of media coverage when compared to their male counterparts, had to “sex up” their sport to attract attention a decade or more ago.

In 1994, the National Women’s Basketball League introduced the figure-hugging bodysuits before returning to shorts and shirts. In 1998, the Australian women’s soccer team posed nude for a calendar; golfer Jan Stephenson embraced the “sex sells” marketing by appearing in a bathtub covered only with golf balls and in women’s tennis the outfits often don’t look particularly comfortable.

Thankfully, the focus is now on the athletic merits of the competitors and the sport itself, but there is still a long way to go before there is equity in coverage and sponsorship.

I am writing this after speaking to Heather Reid, CEO of Capital Football. She is off to represent Australia at the

FIFA Women’s Football Congress in Frankfurt. For years

Heather has been one of the most proactive administrators going around, but she is obviously frustrated at the lack of progress being made in terms of equity.

She made the salient point that women need to become more involved in running their own sports.

In women’s soccer, six teams out of seven in the National League in Australia are coached by men, including Ray Junna at Canberra United.

Tom Sermanni coaches the national team and there is only one woman as the CEO of a Federation in Australia, and that is Heather.

It seems to me that if women’s sport is going to move forward, then surely there need to be more women involved in running sport. In the end, it comes down to the sports themselves to promote women through the coaching

and administration ranks.

The assertion that women’s sport is boring is a fallacy. The Trans Tasman Netball League has been a huge success; the Capitals’ surge towards this year’s grand final was as exciting as anything I have called.

The women’s-only Roller Derby League is having trouble catering to the large number of people wanting to see games, with a waiting list of women wanting to play, and Canberra United’s charge towards the finals was captivating.

Then there are individual athletes such as Lauren Boden and Melissa Breen, both have far higher profiles than their male counterparts.

While it is great to contemplate more women coaching women’s sport, it won’t become effective until athletes are satisfied that they are not being shortchanged. It is up to sports to develop programs and pathways for women to become coaches.

Aranda’s up there for romance

By Megan Haggan

ARANDA could be set to become the romantic centre of the ACT, with a novel by local author Elisabeth Rose, who lives in Campbell, shortlisted for the Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY) Award by the Romance Writers of Australia.

A professional clarinet player who gives private music lessons to children and plays in a wind trio, Aeolus (“we do weddings, parties and functions”), Elisabeth has had seven novels published, with an eighth on the way.

Elisabeth Rose was actually her grandmother’s name – her own surname is Hoorweg, which she says is a bit less user-friendly.

“Elisabeth Rose is the perfect pseudonym for a romance writer!” she says.

Five of her eight books feature musician heroines, with Chloe, the central character of the shortlisted “Instant Family”, a jazz guitarist and singer who has to put her music career on hold to care for her younger siblings.

“They say, ‘write what you know’, so it seemed obvious to write about musicians! But I’ve expanded since then. I

have a soft spot for romance, and I like ‘happily ever afters’,” Elisabeth says.

“I write for a US publisher in New York, called Avalon, and their main market is American libraries: They’re not generally available in bookshops, though they are in local Canberra libraries now.’

Elisabeth says that romance novels are a diverse market, with clearly defined subsets in the genre. Other publishers, such as Harlequin and Mills & Boon, for example, have different “heat” levels in different series, while Avalon is more conservative.

“They’re the sort of book you can give to either a 13-year-old or to your

Photo by Silas

grandma, with no nasty surprises in the middle! There’s nothing my mother wouldn’t like,” she laughs.

“I like relationship stories; the psychology of relationships. Why do people react to each other the way they do? It’s the interaction and the different interpretations when people fall in love, why things don’t always go smoothly.”

Romance writing is a billion-dollara-year industry internationally, with Australian writers doing very well in the category – and it’s a close-knit community here, with around 700 members in the Romance Writers’ Association. Writing for a mainly American audi-

ence sometimes means a few hiccups.

“My editor will ask me what words and phrases mean, for example, when I wrote that something had ‘gone down the gurgler’ – I’m often surprised by the things she queries,” Elisabeth says.

“I often rewrite them a different way, or find a way around it – I set one story in the outback, and the hero drove a ute. I couldn’t have him refer to it as a “pick-up truck”, so I thought: ‘How am I going to explain what a ute is, for an American audience, without stating an obvious definition?’

“So I had the heroine, who was an international pop singer whose car broke down, refer to it as a ‘pick-up truck’, and the hero said: ‘You’ve been in America too long, it’s a ute’. I’ve had little issues like that occasionally, but we Australians are pretty flexible.”

Elisabeth says she’s not really sure why she chose Aranda as the setting for “Instant Family”, but she does think of her characters when she’s in the area . “Every time I drive through, I think about my little family living here somewhere.”

The RUBY Award will be announced in August.

“Instant Family” and other books are available online at amazon.com and avalonbooks.com, and Intrigue bookshop in the Garema Centre will stock her seventh novel, “The Wedding Party”, from this month.

Bright spark

BRIGHT spark, eight-year-old Jayden Herridge, pictured, from North Canberra has won the ActewAGL kids’ club naming competition. His entry “Little Sparks” was selected to win a $100 cinema gift card. The club gives children aged 6 to 12 in Canberra and Queanbeyan the chance to learn more about sustainability and healthy living.

Going Wonkas

LIFELINE Canberra will celebrate its 40th birthday with a Willy Wonka themed black-tie gala ball at Hotel Realm on Saturday, August 13. They are promising nostalgia and an atmosphere that will take guests back to their childhood memories of “visiting the the Wonka factory”. Throughout the evening, guests can visit a five-tier chocolate fountain or fill a bag at the complimentary candy bar. Tickets are $180 each and available by calling 6204 6405 or emailing sofia. polak@act.lifeline.org.au

National Day of the Republic of Croatia, June 25

The pride behind the people’s proclamation of independence

JUNE 25, 1991 is the day the Croatian Parliament adopted the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Sovereign and Independent Republic of Croatia.

The Declaration was the explicit will of Croatian citizens declared at the referendum on May 19, 1991, expressing their wish to have their own sovereign and independent state of Croatia. It was also the expression of resistance to the threat of aggression against the Republic of Croatia, which was looming at the time.

The democratic state of Croatia, created in the Homeland War is our great pride today.

Recalling the significance of June 25, 1991, l express gratitude to all who took part in the reconstruction of the independent Croatia, in its defence and liberation, as well as to all who have advocated the establishment and promotion of democracy and have given their contribution to the development of modern Croatia in any other way.

I owe special thanks to the Croatian veterans, especially to those who gave up their lives and their health, building themselves into the foundations of our Croatia.

When the movement for the establishment of Croatian state began 21 years ago Australian Croatians were particularly engaged, determined and skilled advocates

Ambassador VICENCIJE BIUK explains why the National Day of the Republic of Croatia is one of the most important dates in his country’s history.

for Croatian independence.

Their dedication and determination has greatly contributed to Australia’s recognition of the independence of the Republic of Croatia as the first overseas country, just one day after many European countries recognised Croatia.

I take this opportunity, almost 20 years later, to thank the Australian Government, at that time led by the Prime Minister Paul Keating and Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, as well as to thank all Australian people, for their support in those difficult and important moments for the people of Croatia.

Today there is a large Croatian community in Australia, which has in many ways contributed positively to multicultural Australian society, and remains the bridge between Croatia and Australia and an assurance of excellent relations between the two countries.

Mutual trust on which people-topeople links are built corresponds to the confidence that the two countries share in their strong and forward-looking bilateral relations.

Croatia and Australia are countries that share common values of modern democracy. Both are engaged in the anti-terror coalition and their soldiers and police officers work shoulder-to-shoulder on keeping peace and building a civil society in Afghanistan and in the Australian neighbourhood in the East Timor.

As a member of NATO, Croatia’s international efforts will remain focused on cooperation in service of peace and global security.

I wish to extend to all Croatians and to all citizens of the Republic of Croatia in Australia, NZ and Oceania my sincere congratulations on the occasion of Croatian National Day, inviting them to join in the celebration of this important day.

Greek

gift of wine

IT was the Greek settlers who first introduced vineyards to the Croatian coast in the 5th century BC and wine production has flourished ever since.

Today a new generation of winemakers – with an eye towards tradition and a taste for modern appeal – create wines of quality and unique character. Croatia produces up to 700 wines, some of excellent quality.

There are some 300 official wine regions divided generally into coastal and continental wines. The majority (67 per cent) of wine is white and produced in the interior while 32 per cent is red and produced along the coast. Although there are hundreds of grape varieties in Croatia, experts agree that the red Plavac Mali grape produces the best red wine.

Croatia’s sparkling Prosecco

wine comes from Bogdanusa, a white grape. Malvazija from Istria and Posip from Korcula produce Croatia’s most renowned white wines.

Slavonia in the inland has excellent conditions for wine growing and wine making. In the past, the wines of Slavonia were often found on the tables of emperors and noblemen and it is this tradition that the present Slavonian vineyards derive from: Srijem, Baranja and Đakovo in the east and Kutjevo in the west of Slavonia. The harvest time in autumn is the most dynamic, as well November 11 – St. Martin’s Day, which is specially celebrated in continental parts of Croatia. It is the last and most significant winegrowers’ holiday of the year, when they mark the christening of young musk and its transformation into wine.

Visitors a ‘big compliment’

NEARLY 100,000 Australians visit Croatia every year, says ambassador Vicencije Biuk.

“One in 10 has a Croatian passport. Others are Aussies,” he says.

“This confidence of ordinary people is a big compliment to Croatia, a nation of friendly people, rich historical and cultural

heritage, wonderful nature and, above all, a safe and welcoming environment.

“Croatia has it all; the beautiful Adriatic Sea, apart from being a perfect tourist attraction, has a great potential in further development of Croatian ports, thus increasing potential for trade and transport.”

Split’s summer of song

WITHOUT hiding their pride, the people of Split will tell you that their city is “the most beautiful” in the world “and beyond”.

With its warm Mediterranean temperature, this ever-young city has lived its urban rhythm for as long as 1700 years, with its heart in the Diocletian’s Palace.

From over a millennium of ancient history to present day, a UNESCO protected and a registered site of World Cultural Heritage, this unique metropolis of southern Croatia blends old and new in perfect harmony. Come summertime, Split is transformed into a city of stage arts.

The Split summer focuses mainly on opera productions, presenting audiences with prominent opera productions by companies from across the world.

Famous singers perform, inspired by the ancient ambience of the old part of the city, while the streets within the Diocletian Palace provide a setting for the acoustics.

In addition to operas, the Split summer offers its visitors numerous plays, ballets and exhibitions. In recent years, the organisers have also promoted jazz concerts, film projections, street theatre and performances.

Lightning electric car

CROATIAN company DOK-ING has developed urban electric car which codename is “XD”.

The XD is a concept electric vehicle that seats three adults and has a powerful electric engine that is capable of achieving 0-100 kmh in 7.7 seconds – and all with zero CO2 emissions.

In designing the XD, DOK-ING

used its technology developed in manufacturing remote-controlled, diesel, hybrid, and electric-powered machines for the mining industry. Emotionally designed and powerfully constructed, the XD is the Croatian contribution to clean air, comfort and zippy city transport.

www.xdconcept.com

EU membership in the offing

CROATIA is on verge of joining the European Union.

The European Commission has proposed to the EU Council of Ministers to close the last four chapters in the accession negotiations with Croatia.

“This paves the way for Croatia to conclude the negotiations for the EU membership by the end of this month in order to join as the 28th Member State of the European Union as of July 1, 2013,” says Croatian ambassador Vicencije Biuk.

“The EU accession is a process that has transformed every aspect of Croatian society, leading it towards the prosperous future in the EU family of nations.

“It is the process that has confirmed Croatia’s credibility in fulfilling the EU membership criteria and its commitment in implementing the values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.”

He says the EU project has been especially embraced by Croatia’s youth, who see Croatia as a modern European democracy and a reliable

factor of stability in southeastern Europe.

“Since its declaration of independence 20 years ago, Croatia has taken great steps in the democratisation of its society,” Mr Biuk says.

“Today we can proudly state that the Republic of Croatia is a unique example of a world country that very quickly transformed from a receiver of international assistance, during its exposure to aggression, to a country that has become an important subject of international relations both on the European and global levels.

“Proud of our achievements and confidently approaching the end of the long negotiations on the path towards the membership in the EU, we can optimistically express our confidence that the Republic of Croatia will continue its successful development as a modern democratic state and an equal member of the community of states of Europe and of the world. We all have a duty to make our own contribution in achieving this.”

Support staff back in high demand

ALWAYS one of the hardest-hit sectors in a downturn, the recovery of Canberra’s office support market continues to gain momentum, says Adam Shapley, regional director of recruitment firm Hays.

“Positive growth signs and today’s demand for all levels of support staff are welcome confirmations that resurgence is now the dominant force in Canberra’s office support market,” he says.

“In particular, we’ve seen demand rise for executive assistants as business levels return to normal and executives seek support so they can focus on their core responsibilities.

“In most demand are experienced executive assistants with government experience and Federal Government security clearances. Those in the contracting or temporary market are spoilt for choice, particularly at the APS 4/5 Level.

“Demand is also high for executive assistants with strong communication, MS Word and PowerPoint skills, while knowledge of SAP and TRIM is desired.”

Adam says candidates with ministerial workflow experience and good relationship building skills are also in high demand.

“In addition to rising workloads, demand is also fuelled by candidates using the executive assistant role as a stepping stone into senior administration or project management.”

Getting

the message through

THE Canberra Institute of Technology is launching a new model of study towards communication qualifications, designed specifically for workers.

The series of short courses, ranging from three days to several weeks, culminate in the Certificate IV in Professional Communication, or can be attended as one-off, stand-alone courses. They can be completed in any order and classes are delivered at times best suited to full-time workers.

“Flagship courses such as Creative Online Communication and Media Relations are all about bringing those additional skills that don’t come with traditional study, or are harder to get on the job,” said program co-ordinator Victoria Collins.

“Creative Online Communication is one course that we’re really excited about. It’s not just about familiarising with social media and online platforms, but getting creative and strategic about their use. In this course there are no silly questions!”

Journalism and public relations are niche industries CIT has always catered to, but between these are a whole set of communications job roles that cross-over the two, and require their own multi-skill sets, said education manager Alison Halpin.

“This is particularly true of government organisations here in Canberra, as well as large corporations with their own communications areas and small businesses who need jacks-of-all-trades.”

Glebe Park’s new destination of desire

THREE charming businesses are settling in to the sleek new Glebe Park Residences. Head to the precinct to treat yourself, whether you’re looking for a new hair style, a pampering beauty treatment or a great coffee, you are sure to be surprised.

The boutique feeling Pride in great coffee

IT’S the boutique feel that makes Antique Salon so inviting according to owner Emma Luscombe.

An experienced hairdresser, Emma opened the business less than two months ago and is getting great feedback from her clients.

“Clients like the feeling here, it feels like home,” Emma says.

“I wanted to bring back the old days of hairdressing, when getting your hair done was something to look forward to.”

Emma brings to the business a wealth of experience, having spent the past 12 months teaching hairdressing at CIT after spending time hairdressing in the UK. She previously worked at a salon in Kingston for seven years.

Antique Salon boasts the range of Aveda products, which are 95 per cent naturally derived.

Antique Salon Unit 187B, 15 Coranderrk Street, Civic. Phone 62485361.

Wide range of treatments

A FAMILY business, The Mud House has been open in the Glebe Park Residences for almost a year.

While taking pride in serving great coffee, the team is also happy to offer a range of Macedonian wines at the licenced cafe.

The Mud House specialises in gourmet burgers, fish and chips and breakfasts.

During the past year, the venue has proven to be popular with visitors to the National Convention Centre and other businesses in the area, according to owner Katerina Tomeska.

“We get a lot of great feedback from our regular customers, who love our coffee and say the service is good, too,”

Katerina says.

“We also have a new barrista on board, who is very good.”

The Mud House also offers catering, gluten-free options and, because it’s a licensed venue, is also able to host cocktail parties.

The Mud House, 185/15 Coranderrk Street, Civic. Phone 6249 1101.

Lina says most people who have not had a professional skin consultation, are not using the right skincare products.

AT Avida Clinic, you can remove unwanted fat, have a gold facial and manicure all in one session, according to owner Lina Prego.

“Avida Clinic offers a wide range of non-invasive treatments to help you look and feel your best,” Lina says.

It ranges from advanced cosmetic procedures such as Veinwave, non-surgical liposuction, cellulite solutions, anti-aging and para-medical skin therapies, to beauty and relaxation services.

“We offer a free skin analysis with our para-medical aesthetician, which will establish the cause of your skin problems, which then enable us to correctly prescribe the skin care needed.”

Avida stocks Environ skincare products, created by plastic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes.

Recent additions to the clinic are the aromasteam room, and Alexami Mineral Cosmetics.

Avida Clinic Canberra Aesthetic and Wellness Clinic, 187/15 Coranderrk Street, Civic. Phone 6249 1848.

At Avida Clinic Glebe Park opening party At Russian National Day, National

At Press Gallery Midwinter Ball, Parliament House At Vinnies CEO Sleepout, National Museum of Australia

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore June

27 – July 3

ARIES (Mar 2 – Apr 20)

Have you been neglecting your nearest and dearest? Friday’s Solar Eclipse shakes up your domestic zone and exposes any festering flaws. Family relationships are where you need to make some adjustments (the sooner the better). Mighty Mars gives you an energy boost on Sunday so keep yourself busy. A restless Ram on the loose is a recipe for trouble!

TAURUS (Apr 2 – May 20)

It’s the perfect week to shake off the mental cobwebs as the Solar Eclipse stimulates your study zone. Time to read, write, research, revise and investigate. You’ll also find fresh ways to connect with those around you whether at home, at work or in your local community. Resist the urge to be precious about possessions and possessive about loved ones.

GEMINI (May 2 – June 2)

Twins aren’t too good at saving (spending is your forte – especially on the latest technological gadgets). But it’s time for a fresh financial approach, as the Solar Eclipse lights up your $$$ zone. With Venus and Mars in your sign, you’ll be at your gregarious Gemini best as you charm others with your convivial conversation and quicksilver quips.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

You’ll feel pulled in four different directions as work, love, home life and personal desires all clamor for attention. The Solar Eclipse helps you find fresh ways to balance opposing needs – but not without some stress and shenanigans along the way! It’s a wonderful week to make long overdue changes to your physical appearance and mental attitude.

LEO (July 2 – Aug 22)

Pluto and Saturn stir up your stubborn, controlling side. If you allow yourself to get into power struggles and ego clashes, then it’s going to be a long and exhausting week! Conserve your energy – and pick your battles carefully. Cool compromise is the clever way to go. Being alone in nature will help recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your spirit.

VIRGO (Aug 2 – Sept 22)

If you use your Virgo vim and verve to motivate others at work, it will lead you all off in exciting new directions. Expect some friction with a child or teenager as tempers flare and patience wears thin. Mates and money are a bad combination over the coming week, so try to keep friends and finances completely separate. On the weekend, your creativity shines.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Is your career going well? Are you overdue to retrain or ask for a promotion? Or is it time to take on a second job, or even change vocation? Don’t rest on your lovely Libran laurels. With the Solar Eclipse energising your career zone, you need to initiate some profound professional changes ASAP. Plus find practical ways to manage your stress levels.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

It’s time to plan your next heavenly holiday as the Solar Eclipse activates your adventure zone. There’s nothing like travel to broaden your mental horizons. Don’t play it safe Scorpio – be brave as you blast out of your comfort zone and take on the world. Draw inspiration from birthday great Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

With Venus and Mars moving through your relationship zone, you’re in the mood for companionship and cooperation. Independent projects are (temporarily) out; and cosy collaboration is in. The Solar Eclipse promises a fresh start to do with joint finances and shared possessions. Be tactful though – you want changes but is the other person really ready?

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your work ethic and high standards are hard for others to live up to, especially this week. Sometimes 90 per cent effort (and a happy workplace) is better than 100 per cent effort and ragged faces all round. With the Solar Eclipse in your partnership zone, it’s time to reboot a tired old relationship – or navigate a new one. Don’t let minor differences undermine a major connection.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb )

How’s your health? With the Solar Eclipse in your wellbeing zone, it’s time to take a look at your diet and fitness levels, and make appropriate changes. Don’t underestimate your ability to contribute to the local community. In the words of Princess Diana (who would have turned 50 this week): “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

PISCES

(Feb  – Mar 20)

When it comes to finances it’s famine or feast, as Saturn and Uranus stir up your money zones. So plan accordingly. Friendships are placed under the forensic microscope on Friday, as the Solar Eclipse highlights problems in existing relationships. Have some mates passed their used-by date? Spend time with people who have your best interests at heart.

Across

4 What is another term for an optical illusion?

7 Name a particular card game.

8 To be more disinclined to exertion, is to be what?

9 What is a series of underground tunnels?

11 Name a type of pendulous ornament.

13 To have failed in an examination, is to have done what?

15 Name an Australian family, noted for their association with billiards and snooker.

17 What is the obscuring of one celestial body by another?

20 What is a million times a million?

23 Name a national park established in 1979 in Arnhem Land, NT.

24 What is a recurring decimal known as?

25 To devise something new, as by ingenuity, is to do what?

1 What is an elaborate operatic melody?

2 To come into possession of, is to do what?

3 Name a prominent Torres Strait Islander, Eddie

4 Who was Helen Porter Mitchell, Dame Nellie

5 Which instruments are used for shaving?

6 Which colour lies between yellow and blue on the spectrum?

9 Name a popular beverage.

10 One who interferes is known as a what?

12 To which nationality did the composer Richard Wagner belong?

14 Name an alternative term for a buccaneer.

16 On 14 Feb. 1966, what, in Australia, did 10 shillings become?

18 What is

all about the arts

Webb of success can’t stop writing hits

By arts editor Helen Musa

HERE’S a trivia question – which American songwriter wrote hits for the Fifth Dimension, Art Garfunkel, Glen Campbell, Richard Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Joe Cocker?

Well, The Street Theatre has the answer – Jimmy Webb.

Yes, he’s still performing, and he’ll be here in early July. This is by no means Webb’s first visit to Canberra. He’s performed at Tilley’s during previous Australian tours, but now he’ll appear on a larger stage.

Webb has been ridiculously successful, and puts it down to the self-evident truth

(to him) that “the people who are making money are the ones who are writing and singing their own songs.”

He may be multi-talented, but there’s no question that people still take special notice of his lyrics, seen in the over-the-top visual interpretation (giant dancing cakes) of “someone left the cake out in the rain”, from Webb’s hit “MacArthur Park”, staged in the Australian musical “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”.

Webb is one of the most enduring pop songwriters with justly celebrated hits such as “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and a talent extending from composition to lyrics to orchestration. He is reputed to be the only artist to receive Grammys for all three.

The Fifth Dimension’s “Up, Up and Away” was his first big hit in 1967, but then Campbell recorded “By the Time I Get To

Pictures of an emerging nation

By Helen Musa

IN recent years, Canberrans have become accustomed to viewing an annual photographic exhibition staged by the Taipei cultural and economic office, but this time round, with “Retracing Our Steps: A Photo Journey Through 100 Years of the Republic of China”, the show is less about art and more about modern history – a visual lesson marking the emergence of Taiwan.

This time, many of the shots come from unnamed government photographers, though some individuals are identified. There are still exquisite images from Taiwanese life – a flock of birds, dancers from the celebrated Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and a huge artificial lily representing the “Wild Lily” student demos in 1990, but these are subservient to the chronicle of national success.

To depict a small nation with an impressive economic

record, there are images of technological advancement, low-carbon initiatives and rapid transport vehicles. Natural disasters are not forgotten and one intriguing image shows the upheaval of the earth in the September, 1999, earthquake.

The first part of the exhibition has Kuomintang leader Sun Yat-sen at centre stage, but the photos rapidly proceed through World War II into the post-war era which saw the ROC’s relocation to the island of Taiwan. A triumphal photo of the March, 2000, election captures the democratic aspirations of the nation.

A photographic exhibition is an excellent way of telling a nation’s story, but this show would have been considerably enhanced by a more professional installation.

“Retracing Our Steps,” together with the Taiwan rare stamps exhibition is at Civic Library, until June 29.

Phoenix” and Webb went on to win eight Grammy awards in a single year.

Webb may be one of the greats in songwriting, with an exceedingly useful book “TuneSmith – Inside the Art of Songwriting” to immortalise him. But so spectacular were other people’s interpretations of his songs that many don’t know he has also been a singer since the 1970s, releasing six albums in 11 years, with one album “Just Across the River”, recorded last year.

In recent years he has turned to more intimate cabaret spots such as New York’s Algonquin’s Oak Room, Melbourne’s Continental and our own Tilley’s. Intimacy has its strength to this veteran: “You reach a certain point in your life where the things you do and say do make a difference,” Webb says.

Jimmy Webb, The Street Theatre, July 6. Bookings to 6247 1223.

Where the (little) animals gather

CANBERRA composer Ian Blake and former Music For Everyone’s director Robyn Mellor have created a new musical, “The Gathering of the Animals”, playing at Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon, June 26-28. The performers, aged 7-11 years, are directed by Dianna Nixon. Tickets are $4 at the door only.

NEWS is to hand that Canberra Philharmonic Society has cancelled its planned production of “Into the Woods”. Budgetary considerations have made the orchestra too costly, it seems.

CONGRATULATIONS to long-time curator and gallery owner and arts advocate Helen Maxwell, who received an OAM in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours. Maxwell has been a mighty champion of women in art.

MEANWHILE, it is sad to hear of the passing of Anne Godfrey Smith, one of Canberra’s mightiest arts figures and a distinguished poet. Her book about the history of Canberra Repertory Society, “The Cost of Jazz Garters”, has given the name to Rep’s annual variety show, which has just opened.

arts in the city

Helen Musa

THE ACT Community Arts Office’s community advisory team has awarded micro grants of $500 or less to video/film Artist Ben Harris, visual artists/photographers Niki Van Buuren and Kerstin Styche, writers Peter Papathanasious and Barry Cooper and Canberra Dance Theatre.

CANBERRA’S DC Crew is off to compete at the World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas next month. Now they’re busy raising funds, with benefits on June 30 at 7pm Erindale Theatre preceded by a barbecue at 6pm. Tickets from Dance Central 6282 7609.

AT Wesley Uniting Church at 3pm on July 3 and 7.30pm on July 9, American professor Michael Hawn will lead two festivals of international congregational songs involving participants attending a course here on the theology and practice of congregational song at Wesley. Entry $5.

THE Persian Australian Community

Association has a night of Persian poetry, literature and music in the Canberra Theatre’s Courtyard Studio, 7pm on July 2 . Domenic Mico will launch the program, to be staged every second month. Free event 0413 286656

CANBERRA’S Gay and Lesbian Qwire will perform “Your Disco Needs You” at the ANU Arts Centre, 8pm on July 2. The show features hits by gay icons such as Kylie Minogue and Bette Midler.

BRAZILIAN guitarist Guilherme Vincens appears at the Belconnen Arts Centre on July 2 with classical Spanish and Latin American music. Local guitarist Milena Cifali will play a new composition by international composer Jesmond Grixti, back here from Kenya after several years. Bookings to www.belconnenartscentre.com.au

“INFLAMED with passion? Burning with desire?” Why is Artsong Canberra asking? Its next program, “Fire and Ice”, offers an antidote with music by husband-and-wife team Christina Wilson (mezzo-soprano) and Alan Hicks (piano) at Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, June 26 . Tickets available only at the door.

Giants’ DVD winners

Beauty that’s slow to stir

“SLEEPING BEAUTy” (MA)

THE audience at the preview of Julia Leigh’s directing debut (she also wrote the screenplay) emerged with puzzled faces and an air of “What the f… was that about?”

Like two jigsaw puzzles in the same box, “Sleeping Beauty” contains pieces that don’t fit.

With admirable strength, Emily Browning plays emotionally and intellectually disturbed Lucy, reading mathematics at Sydney University, volunteering in medical research trials, waitressing.

Answering an ad placed by Clara (Rachael Blake), she finds intermittent but well-paid employment pouring wine at haute-cuisine dinners for ageing, affluent men. Clara, an elegant and stylish bawd, gives Lucy an exotic narcotic to see her through nights with clients restrained by only one rule – no penetration.

Lucy, drugged, nude, a delicate porcelain figurine, takes no physical gratification from her work. Film-goers prepared to persevere with reading “Sleeping Beauty”, a story of erotic disempowerment of characters more to be pitied than despised, lacking clear narrative resolution, may discover merits beyond that initial negative impulse.

Those four stars come from an extended mental review concluding that the film‘s obvious defects overlie difficult themes that demand open-minded, well-informed and unprejudiced examination.

At Dendy

“THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER” (M)

THE foundation for this Israeli comedy is a suicide bomber’s victim whose body has

Packing a punch

THEATRE

“The Removalists”

By David Williamson, directed by Cara Irvine, for Free Rain Theatre, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre until June 26.

Reviewed by Helen Musa

DIRECTOR Cara Ervine presents Australian society as essentially pugilistic.

Hers is an arguable interpretation of what many believe is Williamson’s best play, though “The Removalists” may be seen as targeting the police force specifically.

In a generally powerful, low-budget production, Irvine sets the stage with three professional punching bags, useful as the hapless husband Kenny quite literally becomes the punching bag for the verbose Sergeant Simmons, played with cynical ease by Sean Ladlow.

cinema

Dougal Macdonald

She has bedroom talent, but is not in a firm relationship. Her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) asks Anni to be maid of honour, a position that Helen (Rose Byrne) with a wealthy and neglectful husband wants.

WINNERS

been in the Jerusalem morgue for a month. She had worked in a bakery big enough to need a human resources manager, whom the bakery proprietor assigns to escort the coffin back for burial in the woman’s home village, 1000kms away.

The mid-winter journey is a litany of bureaucratic obfuscation, family disputes and quirky vehicles.

It’s useful to remember that Jews write and perform much of the most engaging humour in the western canon. Here it is by turns subtle, affectionate, confrontational, sad, obstinate and optimistic.

The film initially seems to be heavy going, but patience will eventually collect its reward.

At Greater Union

“BRIDESMAIDS” (MA)

THE SMS shorthand most closely fitting this chick flick satirising American wedding traditions is OMG.

Kirsten Wiig, who also plays the principal character Anni, has written a screenplay sprinkled with too many bad-taste gags over a foundation of sporadically-deft humour. Its episodic dramatic structure lacks perceptiveness, even in its satirical context. Its clichés, whether visual, aural or dramatic, soon get tired. It could have more grip.

These shortcomings weigh “Bridesmaids” down but not beyond the actors’ ability to rescue.

Anni has self-management problems.

Showing promise

MUSIC

“Musical Mozaika”

Australian Violin Ensemble, The Street Theatre,Sunday June 19. Review by Clinton White

THE Australian Violin Ensemble chose Canberra for its first outing on its premiere concert tour. Based in Wollongong, the all-female ensemble is led by Alexandra Loukianova and features a repertoire of classical, folk and jazz pieces arranged by her partner, Dr Carlos Alvarado.

Stylish, wooden, music stands and discreet flower arrangements awaited the eight violinists and piano accompanist, who were costumed in elegant, burnished coppercoloured gowns. The disappointingly small audience greeted the group warmly.

Duncan Ragg makes a fair fist of Kenny, unable to shut his mouth to save himself, while Jordan Sanfrancesco is sympathetic as the new cop Constable Ross, whose initiation constitutes the real dramatic line in this play. Playing the removalist, Brendan Kelly is diminutive but tough.

As for the women in the play, Shannon Steele is ostentatiously flirtatious as the sister while Fiona Carter as the wife Rachel appears perpetually harassed.

The 1971 script, still lives; act one is a little bit slow, but as the play proceeds to its brutal end, it gets you in.

Much of the program was of Russian music from ballet to marches to folk dances. But the mosaic, as the concert title suggests, also featured baroque music, Latin American pieces and even some jazz.

It was an entertaining concert, but the first half lacked sparkle and precision. The tone was muted and a sameness of sound permeated the music, regardless of style.

The second half was much better with the group more relaxed and enjoying the up-tempo dances and marches. However, the jazz style of Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” was ponderous, but Kabalevsky’s “Polka” was delightful.

The Australian Violin Ensemble has potential for a unique style and sound. It is not quite there yet, but in time will present something special and different.

The glue holding “Bridesmaids” together relaxes its grip on our interest somewhat sooner than its 125-minute runtime.

At all cinemas

AFTER a night of clubbing, Ludo rides his moto through dawn-deserted Paris streets. Intersection. Delivery van. Whammo. In hospital, his chums agree that as he’s non compos, they might as well carry on with their regular vacation at the beach house owned by domineering Max whose wife Vero has his measure but rocks no boats

Erik, father of three, confesses to Max that he loves his hands but is not gay. Marie (Marion Cotillard) has lovers. Vincent’s lover has stayed in town. Antoine, 30 going on 4, is fixated about Juliette who’s also in town and about to marry another. Jean-Louis has an oyster farm and a boat that Max likes to drive. While Ludo lies immobilised, the others are drinking, eating, playing on the water and generally having fun. Beneath that happy veneer, relationships are interacting, friendships are being tested, feelings are being felt, expressed and sublimated. There’s really nobody in the group deserving sympathy. Only Jean-Louis, big, bluff, achingly fond of Ludo, has a firm grip on reality and a clear perception of how the others are deluding themselves. There’s more meat than just this on those dramatic bones.

At Dendy

A mental edge

VISUAL ART

“Inner Worlds: Portraits and Psychology”

National Portrait Gallery, until July 24. Reviewed by Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak

THIS scholarly and impeccably researched exhibition, from senior NPG curator Dr Christopher Chapman, explores relationships between portraiture and psychology via portraits of practitioners, self-portraits by mental-health patients and the works of artists attracted to the subconscious.

The journey begins with photographs, caricatures, oils and a medallion, celebrating 10 Australian men and women who pioneered the development and practice of psychology in Australia from World War I to the ‘50s, by artists including Judy Cassab and Danila Vassilieff. Among these pioneers was Eric Cunningham Dax, an early proponent of the use of self-portraiture as a diagnostic tool. Nine works from the Dax collection are included. All are compelling. The second space includes portraits from Albert Tucker, Sidney Nolan and Joy Hester. Tucker’s “Psycho” series was painted in 1942 at the Heidelberg Medical Hospital where the 27-year-old was artist-in-residence. The final room of the exhibition bursts into the contemporary and includes Mike Parr’s video work “100 breaths”, where this viewer experienced a rising sense of panic as the artist rapidly inhaled and exhaled, pressing sheet after sheet of swiftly executed self-portraits, facing outwards, against his face.

Warming the soul

WINTER lunch menus always add warmth to the soul, especially when the food is made home style with a good sprinkling of “tlc”.

“Lily”, as she’s fondly known, is the owner of Phat Burger Café, Farrer shops. She specialises in honest food, starting with all-day breakfasts at the right price.

There’s nothing fancy about the décor of this little café. It’s a local through and through – nothing more, nothing less. A few entertainment posters form the artwork and there’s a big plant as you walk in the front door. Other than that, the visual effects are the goodies in the display cabinet.

We’d never been before, but had read the trail on Facebook about Lily’s fresh pumpkin soup, made with veggies from a local gardener; meat pies and a range of home-made desserts, including sticky date pudding and cherry and white slice.

I decided on a burger, convinced that the name of the café was a fair indication they would be top notch. The line-up starts with the Veggie Delight (veggie patty, tomato, Spanish onion, aioli and lettuce for $7.80) and tops off at the Ultimate Phat Burger with a list of ingredients that seem as long as the King’s Highway ($12.80).

All burgers are made on site and served on a Turkish roll baked daily by a local baker. They are large and while my Phat Burger Temptation was loaded with tomato, beetroot, caramelised onion (not heaps), tomato relish and fresh lettuce, it had a thin meat patty and

dining

Wendy Johnson

Haynes is off to uni

By arts editor HELE n M usa

THE director of ACT Museums and Galleries, Peter Haynes, has resigned from the Cultural Facilities Corporation, effective from the end of July, to take up the post of art curator at the University of Canberra.

CEO Harriet Elvin, said Haynes had “made an immense contribution to the corporation” and would be much missed, but that he would retain a close involvement with the CFC as guest curator of forthcoming exhibitions at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

only a bit of tasty cheese ($9.80). I’m not sure I even tasted the meat; I was definitely expecting more, especially – as I say – from a place with “burger” in its name.

My friend selected the quiche. It was a deep and loaded with a medley of veggies, including carrots, mushrooms, pumpkin, cauliflower and more. Your daily intake of five veg in one day… this dish would make the good-food guide people proud. But seriously, it was delicious and great value with garden salad and chips for $14.50.

The Phat Burger Café has live music the first Friday of every month and offers a threecourse, home-cooked meal for around $50 (prices vary depending on what’s cooking). It’s byo and you have to book in advance.

The Phat Burger Café, 9 Farrer Place, Farrer. Call 6290 1086. Cash only.

Haynes, a graduate of Sydney University, is a distinguished curator and visual arts writer, and a former director of the Parliament House Art Collection and of Nolan Gallery. In his position at ACT Museums and Galleries, he has been a driving force in raising the profile of Canberra-region artists. He also presided, controversially, over the removal of the Sidney Nolan collection into the Canberra Museum and Gallery, where it now resides.

Peter Haynes.

Ivana heads into the universe

By Libby Rolfe

A FORMER

Mackillop

Catholic College student is representing the ACT in the Miss Universe Australia competition.

A beauty pageant novice, Ivana Vrbenski will compete in the national finals in Melbourne on Thursday, July 7.

To be a beauty queen, the requirements are clear.

“It was a tough process,” Ivana says. “The girls that got through to the registration round were required to wear a cocktail dress, have heels to match the dress, have nails painted clear or French and have hair and make-up done in a glamorous style.”

Ivana is taking the opportunity to showcase Canberra in the evening-wear section of the competition, with a frock from local designer Jenifer Apps.

“I wanted to get behind the local talent and show the rest of Australia what Canberra is capable of,” she says.

“The dress I will be wearing is from Jenifer Aniela’s ‘Fantasy’ collection. It is just amazing and I cannot wait to wear it.”

While the competition is fierce with the other 30 finalists, Ivana remains positive.

“So far, the people I have met while in this competition have been extremely nice. All the girls are competing for the same thing, so there is that rivalry present, but everyone has been respectful.”

Ivana moved to Sydney late last year to pursue a career in acting and modelling and is completing a part-time acting

Miss Universe Australia aspirant Ivana Vrbenski... wants to “show the rest of Australia what Canberra is capable of”.

Perils of bleaching teeth

By

Megan Haggan MANY Australians need to get their basic dental hygiene right before they start thinking about cosmetic procedures such as tooth whitening, says Woden dentist Dr Carmelo Bonnano, member of the Australian Dental Association’s federal executive.

“People look at themselves and think, ‘I’m not happy with the shade of my teeth, I want them to look lighter,’ and that’s normal,” he told “CityNews”.

“But the question is: Why are they the colour they are? There’s a series of things you need to go through. Is it age-related darkening of teeth, is it due to extrinsic staining as from tobacco, tea and coffee, or are there discoloured, old fillings?”

they really need is a filling and a lesson in brushing.”

The Australian Dental Association has just expressed alarm at the number of consumers allowing people with no formal dental training to attempt to whiten their teeth, and has created a website to offer consumers fact sheets on whitening procedures.

Side-effects of using chemicals to whiten the teeth may include damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue, and some side-effects are irreversible, the association says.

course at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts).

“All my family and friends are still in Canberra and I have found myself coming back on a monthly basis to catch up with everyone,” she says.

Miss Universe Australia is a national beauty pageant that selects a representative to go to the international Miss Universe pageant, which is owned by Donald Trump and NBC.

There has been two Miss Universe title holders from Australia: Kerry-Ann Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004.

Fillings visible in the front of the mouth are of particular concern when considering a lightening procedure, Dr Bonnano says, because they may not change colour when the surrounding teeth are bleached, leading to considerable variation between teeth and even on the surface of a particular filled tooth.

“Or is there discolouration due to underlying decay? People may have decay between their teeth and think it’s just a matter of bleaching it white, when what

Damage can include alteration of the enamel surface, reduced strength of resin-based filling materials, damaged and inflamed gums, chemical burns, blistering of mouth and gum tissues and severe tooth sensitivity, as well as visible shade variation.

“This isn’t about scaring people, it’s about letting them know that there’s a lot of factors to be considered and, with all due respect, there’s a lot of things that a non-dentist just isn’t able to diagnose, things as basic as decay,” Dr Bonnano says.

“Instead, I’d really like to just encourage people to brush their teeth more.”

More information at www. teethwhiteningfacts.com.au

To pot with dwarf trees

gardening

cedric Bryant

GARDENS continue to shrink in size and yet folk still want to grow their own in the push for organic gardening.

One can grow most vegies in pots, but how about fruit trees? Not a problem if you select the right type of fruit tree, with a range of dwarf varieties now readily available.

With dwarf trees, it is the tree that is dwarf, not the fruit, which is full size. I recommend a container at least 40cm across the top. Wooden barrels are ideal with a few provisos.

Firstly, when new and they have been allowed to dry out with wood shrinkage the metal bands tend to fall down. Nail some galvanised clouts in several places under each band. Make sure that there are plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Next, paint the inside with a couple of coats of bituminous paint, such as Ormonoid, available from most hardware and paint shops. This will stop the wood rotting and the barrel will last for many years.

Then put a layer of charcoal in the bottom of the barrel about 50-75mm thick. This not only improves the drainage, but also acts as a soil sweetener. Use only premium potting mix. Do not crowd the containers too close

together allowing good air circulation and place them in full sun.

The only type of container I do not recommend are ones that taper in at the top, like an Ali Baba pot. If the plant dies and it has been in the pot for some time it will be almost impossible to get it out of the pot without smashing it.

All the favourite apple varieties are available on naturally occurring dwarf rootstock and including Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Red Fug. Especially recommended are Trixzie Pink Lady and Trixzie Gala, both are miniature trees in their own right. These will grow to about 2m with a 1.5-2m spread. All apple trees require cross-pollination. Your local garden centre will advise you on the best varieties for this purpose. By growing a number of varieties, you can be picking fruit over an

extended period. For example, Trixzie Gala will mature 25 days after Red Delicious and Trixzie Pink Lady about 54 days after Red Delicious.

On to nectarines, which many people may not know are a smooth-skinned peach.

The Trixzie series includes Trixzie Nectazee nectarine with yellow juicy fruit on a semi-freestone. Next is Trixzie Pixzee peach, a semi-clingstone also with yellow, juicy fruit. Trixzie pear is a green-skinned, sweet, rounded pear.

All this group are miniature trees and ideal in a container or for a small garden. They grow to just 1.5m tall with a similar spread and are self-pollinating. One great advantage is they are easy to net against birds and possums.

Let’s get busy

WE have passed the shortest day of the year and it is now all downhill to spring, so let’s get busy:

In spring, when the first green leaf shoots appear start a feeding program. Initially, Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient is ideal to encourage strong root growth, changing to a high potassium plant food as the buds start to form. This will encourage more flowers and subsequently more fruit.

All deciduous ornamental and fruit trees can be planted now.

Plant winter flowering Clematis napaulensis, the honeyeaters love the nectar.

Plant Hellebores for winter and early spring flowers. When winter flowering iris, Iris unguicularis is a great fragrant, cut flower, except do not cut the flowers. Go to the base of the flower stem and pluck the flower and it will last longer.

Plants in containers will need more attention to regular feeding as with constant watering a proportion of the plant food is leached out.

OOPS... the captions of the hibiscus and the Bougainvillea were transposed last week. I have confessed it was my fault, but the editor has had the graphic designer flayed with Bougainvillea branches anyway for not knowing the difference. They take mistakes very personally at “CityNews”!

A walk on the wild side

at home

By Kathryn Vukovljak

GO for tribal prints and earthy tones to add a touch of the wild to your home, say Cate and Adam Heming, owners of The Design Establishment.

“To me, the tribal look evokes visions of the wide expanses of the African Savannah, of mysterious wild creatures and the harsh reality of nature in its raw and beautiful state,” says Cate. “This is one of my favourite looks at home.

“Colours that envision the African palette include burnt orange, cream, black, browns, and red. However, I’m a big believer of having neutral staples in the house. For example, a super comfy couch in neutral tones – in a lovely linen fabric with colour ranging from white to deep taupe – gives you an easy way to change your look without maxing your credit card.”

For creating an African look in your home, Cate says accessories are essential.

“Everything from rugs and blankets in a zebra, leopard or cheetah print pattern, or animal timber carvings or bronze statues,” she says.

“Just think; adding a zebra scarf or ethnic beaded necklace to your outfit is an easy fashion update, and the exact same can be done with homewares accessories when a style overhaul is required.”

“It can seem quite daunting at the thought of trying to create your own piece of Africa in your home.

“The best way is to take your time. Something like expressing your inner self in your room can’t be crammed into a weekend. There is no limit to what lengths you can go to, and the best way is to not rush into trying to do it in a short period of time.”

Canberra Region Property Summary

BELCONNEN

BONNER

Wanderer Bentham 0418 574 140 3BR I

Sat 12:00-12:30 24 Jalanga Cr Peter Blackshaw Belconnen 0418 628 043 4BR A

Agent 6/8 Jalanga Cr Elders Belconnen 0439 795 369 2BR J U

Sat 12:30-1:00 14 Angell Pl Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0418 822 144 4BR G

34B Bellchambers Cr Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0402 017 912 3BR J

622 926 3BR I

Sat 3:45-4:30 102 Rob Riley Cct Luton Properties 0410 542 667 3BR Sun 10:00-11:30 124 Rob Riley Cr Peter Blackshaw Manuka 0402 943 191 4BR H Sun 12:30-4:00 Block 10 Section 129 First National Gungahlin 0414

BRUCE

BUNGENDORE

CHAPMAN

Canberra Region Property Summary

CHARNWOOD

CHIFLEY

CHISHOLM

THE ONLY MARKETING YOUR PROPERT Y NEEDS.

EVATT

FADDEN

FARRER

Canberra Region Property Summary

HACKETT

GOWRIE

HARCOURT HILL

GREENWAY

GRIFFITH

GUNGAHLIN

KALEEN

KAMBAH

MCKELLAR

Canberra Region Property Summary

NGUNNAWAL

MELBA

MONASH

MURRUMBATEMAN

100%

QUEANBEYAN

STIRLING

STROMLO/URIARRA

Canberra Region Property Summary

WARAMANGA

SWINGER HILL

WATSON

THEODORE

TURNER

Properties 0417 975 375 4BR I

RISE Sat 11:15-1:00 31 Renouf St McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0414 701 465 4BR G Sat 2:30-4:00 Blk L Section Cd First National Gungahlin 0433 557 337 4BR H

557 337 4BR H

Cd First National Gungahlin 0433 557 337 4BR H

Q

6 Section 52 First National Gungahlin 0433 557 337 4BR I

Plimsoll Dr First National Gungahlin 0408 413 405 4BR H

Plimsoll Dr First National Gungahlin 0408 413 405 2BR J

2:30-4:00

Sat 2:30-4:00 91 Plimsoll Dr First National Gungahlin 0408 413 405 6BR D

Sat 2:30-4:00 97 Plimsoll Dr First National Gungahlin 0408 413 405 3BR

THE ONLY MARKETING YOUR PROPERT Y NEEDS.

YARRALUMLA