Canberra CityNews September 29- October 5, 2011

Hell of the ‘hidden scream’ Ringing curse of tireless tinnitus

ROBERT MACKLIN lives with tinnitus and every day the unrelenting noise within his head gets worse, with no prospect of a cure

I CALL it “the hidden scream”. The correct medical term is tinnitus and it is affecting an increasing number of Canberrans of all ages. Indeed, the latest figures on the internet suggest that victims are getting younger.

I have been a sufferer for about seven years; it’s getting worse with each passing month; there are times when I think I’m about to reach the end of my tether.

When that happens, the scream won’t be hidden anymore. I will open my mouth and shriek to the heavens, anything for a moment’s surcease. All that holds me back is the knowledge that it will do no good at all. When the bellowing dies, the hidden scream will still be there, like a hundred cicadas trapped inside my skull.

That’s when I thank goodness for our firearms regulations. I would be terribly tempted to blast them with a shotgun.

I first heard of the disease about 20 years ago when I interviewed the famous Australian soprano, June Bronhill. It had effectively destroyed her singing career; at the time she was reduced to performing simple ballads in small nightclubs. Soon afterwards she ceased singing altogether.

I have since learned that the same condition struck down Barbra Streisand. Indeed, the list of famous people who have been victims of the hidden scream is very impressive. It includes Beethoven, Schumann, Howard Hughes and Vincent Van Gogh.

INDEX

September 29-0ctober 5, 2011

Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 37

Arts&Entertainment 13-16

Body 21

Canberra Confidential 10

Cinema 15

Crossword 24

Dining 16

Garden 23

Horoscope 24

Letters 9

News 3-9

Politics 8

Property 25-40

Social Scene 11-12

Sudoku 24

But that doesn’t make it any easier to bear. It begins when you wake each morning and when you retire at night it fills the darkness. I find some relief at Tuross where the pounding of the surf seems to interfere with the soundwave pattern. When in Canberra we often play a CD – discovered by my dear, long-suffering wife – of a tropical storm and birdsongs. There’s another of a thunderstorm over Uluru but it’s not as effective and we’ve yet to find one of the rolling South Pacific breakers.

But the really agonising aspect is that the medical profession has let us down totally. They don’t know the cause; they have no idea how to cure it; and no one seems to be doing any worthwhile research.

Part of the reason is that it’s not seen as life-threatening (though Van Gogh might disagree) and doctors who don’t have it cannot know the torture we endure. So the research – and the funding – are devoted to other sexier areas where celebrities and politicians can parade their humanitarian concerns.

I had hoped that Australia’s leadership in cochlear implants and similar audio advances might lead to an effective treatment, but alas, nothing. Indeed, I try to avoid websites on the subject because that only leads to hyperawareness of the scream itself.

Hard mental work, the more absorbing the better, is the choice I’ve made. The result is no fewer than eight books, two screenplays,

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Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s famous expressionist painting “Scream” (1893)... “There are times when I think I’m about to reach the end of my tether. When that happens, the scream won’t be hidden anymore,” writes Robert Macklin.

scores of columns and articles in seven years. So I guess I have something to be thankful for.

I tried red wine and it was helpful at the time, but I soon realised there was no future in that so I gave it away. Now I just wait and hope.

And every day it gets that little bit harder. robert@robertmacklin.com

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

Journalists: Freyla Ferguson, freyla@citynews.com.au

Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

Libby Hill, libby@citynews.com.au

Lisa Ridgley, lisa@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

Contributing photographer: Andrew Finch

TinniTus, according to Wikipedia, is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.

From the Latin word tinnītus meaning “ringing”, tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes: abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal for even the briefest period (but usually with some duration), ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, nasal allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drain, or wax build-up.

Tinnitus can also be caused by natural hearing impairment (such as ageing), as a side effect of some medications, and as a side effect of genetic (congenital) hearing loss.

The condition is often rated clinically on a simple scale from “slight” to “catastrophic” according to the practical difficulties it imposes, such as interference with sleep, quiet activities, and normal daily activities.

Tinnitus is common; about one in five people between 55 and 65 years old report symptoms on a general health questionnaire, and 11.8 per cent on more detailed tinnitus-specific questionnaires.

if you believe you have tinnitus, see your doctor and have your hearing checked by an audiologist (hearing scientist). s ome audiologists run specialist tinnitus clinics to help you manage your tinnitus and they fit hearing aids and/or therapeutic noise generators if needed. s ome people may require a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist because there may be a treatable medical cause.

The Canberra Tinnitus Self Help Group offers counselling and support for people who have tinnitus or are supporting someone with tinnitus.

More information, contact 6288 0224 or visit www. tinnitus.asn.au

Natalie’s purrfect passion

CAT owners across town are already primping and preening their kitties in readiness for the “In the Swing of Spring” cat show, says Natalie Patrick, self-confessed cat lover and representative of Australian National Cats.

“What’s not to love about cats, they’re amazing creatures,” she says. “They’re playful, affectionate, talkative and occasionally very cheeky – my two are anyway! Floyd, a Seal Lynx Spotted Bengal, is the laid-back one but when he’s playing with Zep, a part-pedigree Bengal who’s more boisterous, he gets a little more excited. Floyd also loves perching himself up on my shoulder when I’m pottering around the house!”

The 14th annual cat show will be held on October 29-30 at the Croatia Deakin Football Club and will include breeds such as Bengal, Balinese, Russian, Rag Doll, Persian, Siamese and Burmese.

“I’ll be entering my special little boy Floyd in the show – this will be his fourth one,” says Natalie.

“I’m thinking about entering our little girl Zep in the companion category, too.”

Natalie says anyone can enter their cat or kitten, pedigree or not, and companion cats are welcome, provided they fulfil the eligibility requirements (available online).

“Any healthy, well-looked after and welltempered cat has the opportunity to do well,” she says. “If you have a cat you love, that’s good with people, likes a scratch behind the ears or on the belly, bring them along and show them off.

By Kathryn Vukovljak

“Besides, every cat at an ANCATS show is a winner.”

There are categories for pedigree and companion cats, as well as desexed and un-desexed cats, Natalie says, and all will be judged against the standard for their breed.

The main display and judging will be open to the public each day from 10am to 4pm, when you can see the judging in action with commentary provided, says Natalie.

“It’s a very open competition,” she says.

“Judges will examine the overall temperament, cleanliness, bone structure, eye colour, and style of the cats while explaining their decisions.”

Entries need to be received at least two weeks before the show, says Natalie, but it’s best to get your entry in as soon as possible to avoid missing out – there are restrictions on the number of cats that can be entered due to venue size.

“I think many of the cats are used to being shown now,” she says. “Some of them even butter up the judges with smooches!

“The judges are adept at handling the cats and many of the cats are so used to being on the judges’ table they either lay down or play with the cat toys the judges use.”

Natalie says that while owners and breeders of long-haired varieties may spend time primping their cats, Floyd doesn’t require a lot of

Natalie Patrick with Floyd... “Some of the cats even butter up the judges with smooches!”

Photo by Silas Brown

preparation because he’s a short-hair breed.

“He’ll get a complete groom though – bath, a claw trim, brushing, deodorising, ear clean and a tooth clean,” she says. “He also gets lots of love and cuddles!”

For more information on the show, and the entry criteria, contact ANCATS on 9544 1910 or visit www.ancats.com.au

Navy chief gets top salute

THE Navy’s highest ranking female officer, responsible for the health of many of the nation’s defence personnel, is the 2011 Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year.

Dr Robyn Walker is the director-general of Health for the Royal Australian Navy and of Health Capability for the Australian Defence Force.

The soon-to-be surgeon-general of the ADF was recognised for her service and widespread reforms to improve the health of the forces.

Later this year, she’ll be the first female officer to reach the rank of rear admiral.

“I see it, I am being promoted because I am the best person for the job not because I am female.

“If it sends a message to younger women that you can get to the very top then that’s fantastic.”

Dr Walker began her medical career as a medical practitioner and specialist in underwater and submarine medicine.

Making a move to the Navy has led her to over see the delivery of vital health and medical support to troops in Iraq, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

“Looking after people is a privilege and as one of the other finalists said, it’s often when they are at their most vulnerable,” she said.

Dr Walker also won the Community and Government Award.

In her acceptance speech Dr Walkers said: “I do look forward to

a day when we do not have to separate women’s and men’s leadership or business awards and we are on a level playing field.”

Other winners this year are: Business Owner Award , Karen Nicholas, Learning Options, Manuka; Private and Corporate Sector Award , Janine Yokom, Westpac, Belconnen; Business Innovation Award , Barbara Reid, ACT Government Health Directorate, Woden and Young Business Women’s Award , Julie McKay, UN Women Australia, Canberra.

The ACT winners proceed to the national awards finals, which will be announced in Melbourne on November 18.

Damn, the domestic goddess is back!

By sonya Fladun

iT’s so annoying the way she beams at me from the television, that totally gorgeous, perfectly groomed housewife who finds bliss in her glistening kitchen, lovingly fondles her fluffy towels and immaculate whites, and smiles with smug pride at her sparkling loo.

I’m sure she’s a familiar figure. Her children are always pristine, while her house is straight out of the pages of “Home Beautiful” – all shiny surfaces and smudge-free stainless steel. Perhaps she’s so familiar that many of us have barely noticed her return to the centre screen of advertising.

For a domesticaphobe like me, the return of the perfect female homemaker is a bad thing. For example, being repeatedly told that everyone who visits my home will judge me by the state of our loo is enough to cause chronic anti-social behaviour. After all, i have a young son who is a little directionally challenged and anyone who has a little boy knows that unless you stand by the toilet all day – mop, bucket, rubber gloves and hospital-grade disinfectant in hand – the state of the loo is pretty much a hit or miss affair. s o the constant hammering of advertised domestic bliss can really grate on those of us who only ever clean the house wearing trackie daks and who have largely given up hope of salubrious digs until after the children have flown the nest. And as women do a disproportionate two thirds of housework, i understand that to sell a miracle cleaning product you need to portray icky tasks such as loo cleaning in a positive light.

The renewed commercial celebration of housework is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things domestic. Back in 2009, as the global financial crisis hit hard, “The Independent” reported that “a return of ‘50s-style domesticity has swept Britain”.

As the u K economy went down past the s -bend, pursuits such as cooking, baking, growing fruit and veg, knitting, dressmaking and so on re-emerged as increasingly popular pursuits for British women.

i ’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing to be a domestic goddess as long as it’s about choice rather than expectation hammered home through remorseless advertising.

And i do have to wonder how, if Australian women were to follow a similar path, might an even greater domestic focus intensify their already pressure-cooker lives. i would think something would have to give and, unfortunately, that’s usually women.

The Daughter’s debut

CANBERRAN Mariska

Thynne has just launched an online prêt-a-porter fashion boutique called The Professor’s Daughter.

The former Campbell High School and Dickson College student has based the label in Melbourne, but is launching her first spring collection at the Bus Depot Markets, Kingston, on Sunday, October 2.

Inspired by her grandmother, she says the theme of the collection is “enviable style for exceptional women”.

“My grandmother was an impeccable sewer who created beautifully tailored and well-styled outfits,” Mariska says.

“She had an impeccable eye for detail and took pleasure in how she presented herself, even at home, co-ordinating absolutely everything from her shoes to her earrings down to the last detail.

“My spring collection has introduced more bright, cheerful colours, following my design undertones of ‘the perfect outfit can make any occasion memorable’.

“Based on a fresh selection of four bright primary colours, red, blue, green and yellow, the first collection sets the tone for a unique, polished wardrobe for professional women, with a selection of trans-seasonal work wear and after-five pieces.”

Every design in the collection is limited to 16 pieces, adding a touch of exclusivity.

“Wearers can create their outfits without worrying about the chance of a mass-produced doppelganger moment at their afternoon tea party or soiree,” Mariska says.

“All garments in the collection are lined, and the core of each piece is made from a pure material such as wool, silk and cotton.”

Mariska says The Professor’s Daughter (which is what she is) was created for educated shoppers who “adore well-tailored and inventively designed staple pieces that can transcend seamlessly between seasons, fashions and countries.”

“I don’t think women should feel afraid of being stylish all of the time, regardless of whether they are at social events, work, or just meeting a friend for lunch at the weekend.”

Swirl of the pipes

THE Canberra College of Piping & Drumming is holding the Canberra Highland Gathering and Scottish Fair and ACT Pipe Band Championships at Kambah Oval (opposite the Canberra Burns Club), Kett Street, Kambah, 9am-5pm, Saturday, October 8. Entry is free and will feature s cottish fare and food stalls, clan tents, pipe and brass bands, folk music, dancing and a massed band display. More information at www.canberracollegepipesdrums.org

Lifeline books a profit

LIFELINE’S Spring Bookfair has raised $440,000. More than 11,000 people attended the weekend event at Exhibition Park. “The fact that the logistical side of the event is volunteer-based means that almost every cent raised is able to be funnelled into maintaining and increasing the services Lifeline offers to the local community, most notably our 24-hour, telephone crisis counselling service”, says CEO Mike Zissler.

Zumba for research

A SPECIAL “Party in Pink” Zumba class in aid of breast cancer research will be held at the Italo Australian Club, Forrest, 11am-12.30pm, s aturday, October 8. The Canberra class is part of a worldwide initiative in 124 countries to raise funds. The cost is $20.

Green festival

THE inaugural “Living Green Festival” will be held at Albert Hall on Sunday, October 16. Themed “a kinder shade of green”, it will showcase easy ways humans can reduce their carbon footprint and be more considerate of the other animals we share the planet with. it will feature entertainment, speakers, children’s and video zones, plus product and food stalls. More information at www. livinggreenfestival.org.au

Trivia night

PARK insOn ’s ACT is holding a fund raising trivia night at the Hellenic Club, 7pm, October 20. Tickets are $10. Register at parkinsonsACT@gmail.com, or call 0402 292491.

Black-tie ball

si Ds and Kids are hosting a black-tie ball at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston on Saturday, October 22. Entertainment is by the Bruce Hall Jazz Band and there will be auction items plus an iPhone4 lucky door prize. Tickets at $150 each (which includes three-course dinner with full beverage service) are available from 6287 4255 or email fundraising@ sidsandkidsact.org

Ally turns hypocrite

THE use of America’s veto power in the UN to undermine the Palestinian claim for statehood is an abomination.

It paints our closest ally and the strongest nation on earth as a hypocrite, a bully and a sycophant.

At a time when Australia has worked closely with the US (and sacrificed Australian lives under an assertion of introducing democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan), it is busily undermining the same concept at the epicentre of Middle Eastern – and arguably world – conflict.

That President Obama is prepared to use a veto to override a general decision of the UN is appalling.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN Assembly that Palestinians want a greater role at the UN in solving the conflict with Israel. He argued that previous international peace efforts have failed and called for a new approach.

“I do not believe that anyone with a shred of conscience can reject our application for a full membership in the UN and our admission as an independent state,” he said.

“It is no longer possible, nor practical, to return to conducting business as usual as if everything is fine. This is a moment of truth. Our people are waiting to hear the answer of the world.”

The world might be ready to provide an appropriate answer, but the US is not. It continues to support direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

However, history tells us that whenever the agreement seems to be within reach Israel finds a stumbling block and then continues expanding

By Michael Moore

its settlements on the disputed land.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying he “wants peace” and is ready to make “painful compromises” and suggesting they meet in New York immediately.

He wants direct negotiations – in other words, back to the same failed approach.

This is not about the right of the State of Israel to exist – the Palestinians have already offered that concession. A Jewish state, in which nonJews are not allowed to vote, means disenfranchising one in five of all of the people who live there. Imagine the cries of anti-Semitism if any other country tried to disenfranchise Jewish people.

In supporting this approach on the one hand while using the democratic argument on the other to be involved in wars in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, the US is just being hypocritical.

The US is a “one world power”, as was illustrated in its armed support for the rebellion in Libya. It props the State of Israel financially and militarily. It has the tools to bring significant pressure on Israel, but will not use or even threaten the sanctions available.

Instead, the US is being a bully by using its power of veto to side with the strong over the weak. And then citizens of the US and her allies, such as Australia, wonder why there are extremists!

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

No needles, no drugs, no idea?

JEREMY Hanson wrote in “CityNews” (September 15) that “...prisoners are best served by providing an environment with fewer drugs, and better access to effective rehabilitation programs at the ACT prison...” I couldn’t agree more, and the ACT Government is working to achieve this at the AMC. But that is only one part of the story.

Prisoners are also best served by having access to programs that reduce the risk of harm to themselves and those around them and provide the opportunity for referral to rehabilitation and other health services, services that we all enjoy in the broader community. An NSP would complement the work already being done in the prison, not work against it as Jeremy Hanson suggests.

And let’s be clear about this, these services do not condone the use of drugs or provide ac-

cess to them, they are there to minimise harm. And with over 3500 NSP service outlets in the broader community, we are not looking at a new, unproven or radical initiative.

Michael Moore listened to the concerns of all key stakeholders developing his final report on the implementation of an NSP at the AMC. The approach developed covers implementation concerns raised such as anonymity, confidentiality, and safety. There is strong support for the principle of an NSP.

The issue at hand is about implementing a trial of an NSP, the very point of which is to see how well something might work in a local setting to be an effective approach to strengthen the harm minimisation strategies already in place.

David templeman, c E o, a lcohol and other Drugs council of a ustralia

On your bike, but carefully!

Keen cyclist LIBBY OAKES-ASH is courteous, always rings her bell or calls that she’s behind, always wears a helmet and never uses an iPod when cycling but...

I HAVE been knocked off my bike four times, each time my helmet saved me, but I have suffered broken ribs, shredded fingers and a wrecked shoulder that took four months to heal.

In the past three weeks I have witnessed no less than five accidents involving cyclists, some caused by the stupidity of other cyclists and one caused by the inattentiveness of a motorist who simply ploughed into a cyclist right in front of me. Thank goodness she was wearing a helmet as it was the first thing to hit the ground.

Many shaken people, no serious injuries but it seems to me it is only a matter of time.

I am becoming frustrated by the cavalier attitudes of many cyclists in Canberra.

Style over safety is a common theme, where those who are “cool” don’t wear a helmet and plug in their iPods so they can’t hear anyone call out, or hear the buses come behind them.

I am concerned about how so many cyclists never call out

when passing, never ring a bell, simply don’t care to use the simple courtesies of cycling.

I go through four major intersections in Civic when cycling to and from work and every time the lights change, someone runs a red light (and I mean every time) and yet cyclists don’t wait for the green light and put themselves in danger.

Bikes are outselling cars and it is wonderful to sit in Garema Place and watch all kinds of cyclists go by. But with more cyclists comes a need for more education; there is so much more to riding a bike than simply getting on and moving the pedals!

As a cycle skills coach, I know how simple techniques can improve our riding and, as a human being, how simple courtesies will ensure that cyclists, pedestrians and motorists can all happily co-exist.

More information at www.canberracyclechic.com and www.pedalpower.org.au

Canberra Confidential

The suits storm Sage

“CONFIDENTIAL’S” heard that a large group of prominent businessmen gathered at one of Canberra’s finest restaurants recently.

The invitation-only function, held at s age, was apparently attended by the “Who’s Who” of Canberra and included former chief minister Jon Stanhope, ActewAGL chairman John Mackay, PwC’s Terry Weber and NZ International Cricket team’s former all-rounder Chris Cairns.

And while “Confidential” can’t confirm if any “secret handshakes” were involved, the group apparently devoured an exquisite meal prepared by the restaurant’s French chef Clement Chauvin. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall that night! No doubt they were discussing more than just what was on the menu!

Cinema stars in refurb

GREATER union Cinemas Manuka is set for a major refurb. And “Confidential’s” heard that once complete, the ground floor will be unrecognisable.

Apparently, the plans include a complete transformation of the foyer to include new carpet, a new candy bar and a cafe.

Originally the site of the Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1927, the cinemas were built after the original building was controversially bulldozed in 1980.

Word has it the long-overdue renovations could start as early as December this year.

Footy fan, Barr none

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s reportedly been displaying a competitive streak lately. The keen AFL supporter played hard on the field in a Pollie v Media match at the AFL 9s recently. The new nine-a-side version of Australian football

is promoted as “the game anyone can play”.

But if the sport minister’s recent verbal stoush is anything to go by, he might just disagree.

“Confidential’s” learnt he was arguing over the score and calling for a goal recount after Win TV’s sports presenter Greg Thomson announced the media side had won the game.

insiders say it was great to see the sports minister so vocal and enthusiastic, but a win is a win. “I couldn’t believe how competitive he was on and off the field,” says a source. “We were calling him a bad sport, but of course it was all in good fun.”

A mad Hawks fan, Barr was no doubt drowning his sorrows at the weekend; his team going down to Collingwood 68-65. “So we get an AFL Grand Final between the two worst teams in the world… GROAN,” he tweeted.

Celebs salute Canberra

CELEBRITY chef Dominique Rizzo and garden expert Meredith Kirton have been spotted out and about in Canberra.

Both were here for the launch of the Lindeman’s Open Garden at Floriade, but they were spotted at Chairman and Yip knocking back the pink bubbles and tucking into the east-meets-west cuisine.

But the chef’s signature dish of roast duck and shitake mushroom pancakes was notably absent, the women preferring the calamari tossed with spicy salt and chilli.

“Confidential” can reveal they were overheard giving Canberra and the food, the big thumbs-up.

Brendan’s magnetic appeal

THE Magnet Mart guy has been seen out and about in Canberra. The bald guy with sunnies on his head, aka Brendan Sloane, moved to the UK to be with his girlfriend more than a year ago.

But “Confidential’s” been told he was flown back to town to film a new series of commercials for the hardware retailer.

Sloane returned to the small screen in 2009 after being dumped in 2008 and, over the years, has appeared in more than 250 Magnet Mart commercials.

Love him or hate him, if this recent jaunt is

anything to go by the commercials are obviously working.

Snedden’s star scholars CONGRATULATIONS to Catriona s chleiger, from Canberra Girls Grammar, and Vanisha Nand, from Hawker College. They each won $6000 university scholarships thanks to Snedden Hall & Gallop at a cocktail ceremony held in Canberra recently. The local law firm has been awarding the university scholarships for the past 13 years to students from ACT colleges who have the desire and the ability to study law at a university level. Now the hard work begins!

all about the arts

By arts editor Helen Musa

THE evil Snow Queen – the very thought of her sends shivers up the spine – and the story of the little boy, Kai, taken by the frigid Queen to her icy wastes, is just about Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous tale.

Canberra’s community music organisation, Music for Everyone, is about to stage an adaptation of “The Snow Queen”, complete with haunting music by Grieg, a kaleidoscope of scenes and characters, Balinese-inspired masks by Hanna Cormick and a special monologue about Andersen.

But this production is just the tip of a very large iceberg, as the play’s director Dianna nixon told me last week.

This is Nixon’s third year with MFE’s drama program “Act Up Sing Out” and soon, after a new play about dinosaurs commissioned from Michael

s ollis and Cathy Petocz, she’ll have done nine shows. Among them have been the stephen s ondheim musical “Into the Woods Jr”, “The Gathering of the Animals” by Ian Blake and Robyn Mellor and the Aussie favourite “Ginger Meggs”.

But the underlying purpose of “Act Up Sing Out” is something much deeper.

nixon burst on to the theatrical scene in Canberra some years ago with a production of “Les Miserables” for Philo. A pianist since age six, later trained in voice, dance and drama, nixon is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts.

But it is at Music for Everyone that she has found her métier, carefully guarding the delicate personalities she directs and, while not actively suppressing the show-offs, revealing how shy kids often have talents just beneath the surface.

nixon says she has been given free rein by MFE director Vivienne Winther to develop the vocal skills of young children, especially their articulation. With the guiding question, “How do

we serve the needs of young people?” she calls her productions “workshops” as she helps nurture developing personalities. it works. After a showcase during the recent MFA Open Day, one child

told her: “That is the first time I’ve ever sung in public and i never even had nerves.”

One word Nixon abhors is “talented”, with its implication that some kids have talent and others just don’t. Likewise

the idea of tone deafness – Nixon says too many young children have been told that they can’t sing, so they believe it.

Working with children aged 7-11 can be “quite tricky”, but she doesn’t fuss too much about accuracy, focusing on dynamism and hearty singing.

“The Snow Queen”, Theatre 3, Acton, October 6-13, bookings to 6257 1950 or online at www.canberrarep.org.au, or tickets at the door.

Guitar duo that lets the fingers do the talking Snow Queen tip of Dianna’s iceberg

By Helen Musa

iT’s been a roller-coaster 12 months for Canberra classical guitarists Bradley Kunda and Matt Withers.

Not only did they release a significant new album, “Landscape: Australian Guitar Duets”, but they’ve recently chalked up a featured recording spot and a 4.5/5-star review of it from the ABC’s “Limelight” magazine.

Withers is just back from a six-month, masterclass holiday in Europe, while Kunda is settling into a music PhD under the A nu ’s famed guitar guru Timothy Kain.

Both arrived in Canberra at the same time seven years ago, but have actually been playing together for nearly 10 years – they will celebrate their decade in 2012.

Together they form the Guitar Brew Duo, as well as half of the celebrated guitar ensemble Guitar Trek – founded by Kain, who has constantly

reinvented the group by changing its artistic line-up. Both are directors of the Canberra Guitar Society (www.classicalguitarcanberra. org.au), which is in the early process of starting a Canberra Youth Guitar Orchestra for students aged between eight and 18.

Over the past nine years, the pair have won prizes and performed for classical guitar societies in sydney, Queensland and Victoria and at the Darwin International Guitar Festival. ABC Classic FM’s “Classic Drive” often features them and they have also appeared on ABC Radio’s “Australia All Over” and twice on “Stateline.”

Their debut album “Songs and Dances” was released in 2009. For “Landscape” they sank their life savings into commissioning a witty, sevenmovement work by Australian composer Richard Charlton on a culinary theme, with titles such as “March of the Peking Ducks”, “Satay for Eric” [Satie, the composer] and “Tournedos Rossini”.

now, Withers has released a debut solo album.

Kunda is a gifted arranger, who says he can “turn one guitar into two guitars” and who has composed works inspired by Monet’s “Waterlilies” and Degas’ “Little Dancer of the Gutter”.

Recently, he jointly won the hotly-contested composition prize at Wesley Music Centre.

“It’s only $1000,” says Kunda, “but you have no idea how good it looks on my CV.” He was one of the brains behind the guitar section in the Musica Antica Festival last week at the A nu s chool of Music.

When it comes to the business of producing records, Withers is the organisational and public relations arm of the duo. With a background as an assistant sound engineer at the A nu ’s s chool of Music, he recorded, edited, mixed and designed all three cds. He’s also just started a guitar department at the university of Canberra.

But in the end, they’re a team. “We learnt

everything on the job,” they say.

Matt Withers is at Wesley Music Centre on October 12 at 12.40pm-1.20pm and in Cooma, at St Paul’s Anglican Church, on October 30 at 3pm.

‘First of the Summer Wine’ winners

Winners of the “First of the Summer Wine” DVDs are: Kaye Malins of Reid; Vivien Banks, Braddon; Ryan Dunning, Narrabundah; Caroline Polak Scowcroft, Lyons; and Lawrie Kupkee, O’Connor.

Portraits that centre on the self

VISUAL ART

“Beyond the Self”

National Portrait Gallery, until November 6.

Reviewed by Johnny Milner

THROUGHOUT the ages, portraiture has memorialised a person’s legacy, power, class and wealth.

From Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mona Lisa” to Andy Warhol’s “Marilyn Monroe”, portraits are centred on the self and often contain something profoundly revealing.

At the Portrait Gallery is “Beyond the Self”, a travelling exhibition of Asian works including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing and media compositions, all produced from the early 2000s to the present.

As the title may suggest, the exhibition transcends traditional notions of portraiture looking to the complexities surrounding identity and place in an increasingly modernised and globalised Asia.

Atul Bhalla’s work “I was not waving but drowning II” encapsulates a fascinating self-portrait composed of 14 sequential, frame-by-frame images. The shots narrate him sinking in and then out of a pool of water. His expressions and mannerisms are caught meticulously in the photography and are heightened by the reflection off the pool’s surface. Bhalla’s portrait explores environmental concerns such as the politics of water in i ndia, looking to its distribution as a commodity as opposed to a necessity.

Wearing traditional dress and situated on a chair inside a mosquito net, Javanese painter, Herra Pahlasari reconstructs one of the most iconic portraits of indonesian art, the “Di depan kelambu terbuka” (“Self portrait before the open mosquito net”). Although contemporised in form and style, her rendition explores some of the intriguing themes that so poignantly featured in the original.

Pahlasari leans forward awkwardly; her pose symbolises the restlessness of the woman and comments on the role of women in islamic society, a role that is rapidly changing in a modernised i ndonesia.

By its sheer breadth and diversity, “Beyond the Self” makes an important contribution to our understanding of art and portraiture in Asia.

The artists have cleverly positioned their works, combining past contentions such as the material body and inner subjectivity, with contemporary global and technological issues such as the transnational flow of images, capital and people.

“I was not waving but drowning II”, by Atul Bhalla.

Worlds of the West

VISUAL ART

“Out of the West”

National Gallery of Australia, until April 1.

Reviewed by Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak

THIS exhibition of curated work from the NGA collection can usefully be tackled in two visits, conveniently divided as it is between the ground floor Orde Poynton Gallery and the first floor Project Gallery. upstairs, are works from pre-settlement 1820s to the 1930s, many from The Wordsworth Collection, acquired by the NGA in 2010 and comprising important early prints, watercolours, objects, furniture and paintings.

The splendid “Panoramic View of King George Sound, part of the colony of Swan River 1834”, is a thrilling glimpse of the early Edenic cultural and ecological environs surrounding Albany.

Also here, is a fascinating collection of WA Goldfields jewellery, and some marvellous examples of caricatures exploring the founding of the West in less than complimentary terms.

Truly stunning are a fall of fabric, with a bold, modern print that repeats large, deep-red, globulous flowers, and a printed dress, both by the NZ-born artist Kathleen O’Connor, who lived in WA from the age of 15 to 30 and then in Paris, from where she frequently travelled home to Australia.

Downstairs is a collection of works from 1940 to the present day. There are some

fine prints, some arresting modernist paintings and some terrific sculpture. Among the latter is the monumental “Everyone No 1” (Rodney Glick, 2009), whose blonde-haired, blue-eyed, four-armed model celebrates an amusing, cross-cultural divinity.

The young at heart will delight in “A lot of bright ideas” (James Angus, 1994), where manipulated filaments within scores of incandescent light bulbs irregularly flash various tiny symbols, including kangaroos, miniature maps and ice creams.

Hypnotic time & space

VISUAL ART

“Beauty, Time and Space in the Eye of the Beholder”

Showing before all major film events at Arc Cinema.

Reviewed by Johnny Milner

CONCEIVED, captured and edited over a three-year period by Canberra-based artist Christopher Fulham, this is the first collection of video art to be commissioned by the national Film and s ound Archive.

The work is not concerned with narrative, but focuses on how one experiences time and space.

Caught up in the ebb and flow of life and immersed in their own thoughts, his subjects are oblivious to being filmed – camera position is of vital importance. The temporal and cyclic qualities of the films, combined with various forms of visual manipulation, such as time shift and symmetrical filtering, draw the viewer in measure-by-measure.

The hypnotic sound component on works such as “Taipei Central” and “Cottesloe Beach” feature the random tinkering of chimes; cyclic swelling of sine tones and bedding layers of obscure electronically manipulated noise. These sounds shift about occupying the full panorama of the Arc surround sound system. The synthesis of the visual and audio allows for endless combinations, patterns and moments of synchronisation.

it is somewhat unusual, if not perverse, that video art (an esoteric art form usually confined to intimate gallery settings) is presented before narrative-based feature films on one of Australia’s most high-end audiovisual systems.

Although Fulham’s work will undoubtedly perplex some of its viewers, its hypnotic and meditative qualities are a pleasant change from the bombardment of the loud and blatant advertisements that usually precede movie trailers.

Chorus on a fun cook’s tour

TOBIAS Cole’s energetic enthusiasm for choral singing is infectious; one can’t help but be swept up in his love of the art. such was the case in this concert, which involved audience participation, including a rather fun warm-up exercise.

In his first outing as the Canberra Choral s ociety’s new music director, Cole put together what he thought was the best-ever German and Austrian choral writing. He must have been a bit torn when it came to Handel; German-born, but a naturalised Brit when he wrote the oratorio “Saul”; the choir performed a generous extract.

Also featured were works by Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Schütz Praetorius, Carl Orff, Haydn and, of course, Mozart, including what for me was the best piece in the program, Mozart’s serene “Ave verum”. supporting the program was Kompactus, a dozen voices led by David Yardley. They sang

MUSIC

“The Best Choral Music Ever Written”

Canberra Choral Society St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, September 24. Review by Clinton White

from different positions around the church, but they really shone as the second choir in the “German Magnificat” of Heinrich Schütz. Cole achieved an impossible balance between Kompactus and the 70 or so voices of the Choral Society. Doing a fine job at the piano was Natalia Tkachenko. The voice of soprano Karen Fitz-Gibbon filled the church with beautiful tones in the solos, while the light baritone voice of soloist Daniel Brinsmead was delightful in “Saul”. Most choral concerts feature an entire oratorio or cantata. This one was a “cook’s tour” through 400 years of the choral repertoire. It was good fun!

‘Dismissal’, a political word that resounds in Canberra

NICHOLAS Hasluck has written a fascinating novel. “Dismissal” is a word that has a special resonance in Canberra and Canberra has a special resonance in the book.

BOOK REVIEW “Dismissal”

By Nicholas Hasluck, HarperCollins Reviewed by Robert Macklin

The reason is that nick knows Canberra very well indeed. He was born here and went to Canberra Grammar before studying law at the university of WA and then at Oxford. He was briefly an editorial assistant in Fleet street before returning to Perth and working as a barrister. He’s had a very distinguished legal career culminating in his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of WA in May 2000.

But he has returned here many times, not least when his father sir Paul was Governor-General.

“Dismissal” is a political novel set in and around the workings of the Federal Government. Such books are few and far between. i remember one in the ‘60s, a rattling yarn called “McCabe PM”; there was my own “The Paper Castle” in the ‘70s, but since then they have been very thin on the ground… not nearly enough to rate a genre of their own.

One of the problems is combining

actual political events and characters with fictional characters and a storyline that carries the reader along an imaginary path without violating his or her knowledge of actual events. My admiration is unbounded for the way nick has achieved a perfect blend in “Dismissal”.

He’s done it by telling the story – which runs from the Petrov Affair to the Whitlam dismissal by Sir John Kerr – from the viewpoint of bit players in the dramas. They add a new and thoroughly engaging dimension.

Flabby, unexciting thriller

cinema

Dougal Macdonald

“ABDUCTION” (PG)

is this flabby thriller the work of black American director John Singleton who two decades ago gave us that plangent drama of teenaged boyz in New York “Boyz N The Hood”? Sadly, it is.

nineteen-year-old nathan’s mom nonchalantly watches his father giving him heavy training in unarmed combat. One night, two heavies break in and shoot both parents, but not before n athan learns that he’s not who he believes himself to be.

With class-mate Karen from across the road, Nathan flees and starts trying to solve the puzzle. CIA agent Burton (Alfred Molina) joins the hunt as do the forces of nasty, led by Russian spy Kozlow (Michael nyqvist), both prepared to kill to acquire a coded list of persons of interest to intelligence agencies.

Playing psychologist Dr Bennett, who’s been counselling nathan, does not strain sigourney Weaver. Lily Collins’ main asset as Karen is a sweet face, evoking the teenaged Elizabeth Taylor. As Nathan, Taylor Lautner’s body may get impressionable young women all hot and sweaty but if he has other abilities, they aren’t apparent.

The film’s dramatic pinnacle is Nathan’s disposing of a Koslov henchman aboard an Amtrak train, trashing a pair of sleeper cabins in the process. While shawn Christensen’s screenplay may sprinkle lively moments through that flabby plot, its inventiveness lacks inventiveness. The revelations are unremarkable, the outcome is predictable and the resulting film is less exciting than it could have been.

At Dendy and Hoyts

A scene from “Fire in Babylon”.

THE last cricket match i watched live was Windies v PM’s Xi i don’t remember when, nor Clive Lloyd’s score. You could never call me a cricket tragic, but i enjoy watching the game. The highest score i ever made was nine, my boss once told me that if my captain ever handed me the ball, i should hand it back, but i once took a good catch in slips. And i ’m an unreconstructed Windies fan, especially Clive Lloyd.

stevan Riley’s entertaining documentary recounting the rise of the team from nothing to a 15-year, series-winning run is a compilation of archival newsreel, print and TV game material covering the last quarter of the 20th century and live recent interviews with some wonderful and articulate players.

You’d not call it great cinema art. It’s not even great documentary. But it’s full of fun and high nostalgia value. it explains how cricket interacts with West i ndies culture, politics and society.

The musical score mixes calypso, rap and enthusiasm for the team. it deals politely and without compromise with cricket’s influence on playing nations, the players’ courage in the lean years when wins were scarce, their determination to turn their game around and their cheeky rejoinder to the team from the former colonial power.

Bottom line? The film gave me pleasure and taught me a lot about the game. Couldn’t ask for more.

At Dendy

WRITER/ DIRECTOR Thomas Bezucha has feminised and updated Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper”. Chaperoned by step-sisters Emma and Meg, Grace travels to Paris as a high school graduation gift. Their guided-tour-from-hell leaves them behind at the Eiffel Tower.

The paparazzi are waiting outside a grand hotel for spoiled petulant British heiress Cornelia to check in for a charity auction, but she has sloped off alone to do

Selena Gomez is unimpressive as Grace/Cornelia.

whatever sloping-off heiresses do.

Grace is a dead ringer for Cornelia. Opportunity calls. Grace impersonates Cornelia and Emma and Meg share the goodies, including the boys. Predicting how this will pan out is not hard.

Only three elements of “Monte Carlo” (mostly filmed in Hungary) seemed authentic – Louis Armstrong’s recording of “La Vie En Rose”, Grace Kelly’s famous “breast or thigh” line from “To Catch a Thief” and the formidable bosom of Catherine Tate playing Cornelia’s aunt.

Selena Gomez is unimpressive as Grace/Cornelia. Katie Cassidy as Emma has her moments. Australian Luke Bracey as Riley, whom i envied when he scored with Meg (Leighton Meester) may have a Hollywood future.

At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight

London to a brick, these are mighty burgers dining

I DON’T often deconstruct a meal, but found myself doing just that at The London.

The place specialises in burgers and beer and is a favourite for those who love a massive meal for a few bucks.

Wendy Johnson

indeed, sometimes the burgers and beer are free, but more on that in a moment.

There are at least 20 types of burgers at The London ($12 to $16) – beef, lamb, chicken, steak and vegetarian – and if burgers ain’t your thing there are salads and a fish dish.

Here’s the deal with the free meal.

The London honours anyone who gobbles down two “London lot” burger meals, washing them down with a jug of beer — in just 30 minutes. The prize is your meal for free and a T-shirt, cap and a photo of your stuffed face on the wall. Well over 300 have taken the challenge, but only nine have won. The most amazing winner is a tiny young woman who wolfed her burgers and beer down in an impressive 16 minutes. Surely that’s a “Guinness

World Book of Records” candidate? And, grab this – she was challenged to go back a second time and did it again, but this time in 23 minutes (must have been an off day).

But back to our meal (five of us dined).

The Aussie lamb burger with egg, bacon and beetroot relish was a winner, with my friend reporting the next day she was still full. The Mexican chilli beef burger with melted swiss cheese, spicy tomato salsa and sour cream was only half eaten, but every mouthful enjoyed.

All burgers at The London have loads of “stuff” on them. If you don’t like an ingredient just ask to change your order. One friend did this with his Scotch fillet steak burger with caramelised onion and other “stuff”, swapping the smokey barbecue sauce for aioli. i thought he was a bit mad for not liking smokey barbecue sauce, but what can i say?

He didn’t speak much while eating,

so i assume the burger hit the spot. Another friend isn’t keen on pineapple and so substituted that for aioli on his grilled chicken burger with bacon and swiss cheese.

My rosemary lamb burger with roast capsicum, onion and horseradish cream came – as all the burgers do – on a big, bun with beer-battered fries. After giving it a go, i decided to deconstruct (but ever so delicately). i put most of the bun aside and concentrated on the yummy meat.

At The London, you order at the bar and find a seat surrounded by crazy, psychedelic silver, purple and black wallpaper. Beers are domestic and imported. The wine list isn’t really a “list”, but then it is a beer and burger joint. And i couldn’t have too many wines and look at that wallpaper anyway!

The London, 121 London Circuit. Open every day lunch and dinner. 6257 1986.

Beware Canberra’s evil queens

CANBERRA abounds in wicked, evil queens, with “The Snow Queen” at Theatre 3 and Ickle Pickle Productions’ “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” at Belconnen Theatre. it’s another panto by Canberra writer Peter McDonald, who depicts the seven dwarfs grumbling about the effect of a Great, Big Tax on their mining activities. Wicked Queen? Could McDonald and director Justin Watson be drawing a political parallel? October 5-15. Bookings to 6262 6977.

CENTREPIECE Theatre is back on stage, this time in The Q’s annual season, in John Kolvenbach’s play “Love Song”, part witty comedy and part romantic love story. Jordan Best directs an all-star cast of Jim Adamik, Sophie Benassi, Benjamin Crowley, Jenna Roberts and Tim Sekuless. October 5-15. Bookings to 6285 6290 or www.theq. net.au

sCuLPTOR Peter Corlett has planned to confound would-be vandals of Ben Chifley’s pipe in his Chifley/Curtin work, recently unveiled by PM Julia Gillard near the Archives. it seems male protuberances, such as pipes are favourite targets of vandals, so Corlett has produced several spares made of a tougher material than

arts in the city

Helen Musa

bronze and artsACT has stashed them away in its Civic offices.

TUGGERANONG Arts Centre, Ukelyptus and Firefly are staging the inaugural Canberra ukulele Festival of Fun, billed as “the biggest gathering of ukulele players ever”. That’s quite a claim. It’s on October 1 from 9.30am-5pm at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, bookings to 6293 1443 or tickets at the door.

CONGRATULATIONS to winners in the Canberra Potters’ s ociety Members’ Exhibition, at Watson Arts Centre until October 10. The premier prize, the Doug Alexander award, went to Maryke Henderson for her exhibit “Forest”, while other awards went to Moraig McKenna, Erin Kocaj, Zoë Slee, Ingrid Adler, Suzanne Oakman and Chris Harman. Merit awards were presented to Debra Boyd-Goggin, Sylvia Marris, Chris Harford, Chris Harman and Verney Burness. THE newish Canberra Concerto

DJUMBUNJI Press Printmaking Centre is in Cairns and its artists include Billy Missi, Brian Robinson and Joel Sam. You can see some of their beautiful works at n omad Art Gallery, Palmerston Lane, Manuka, until October 8.

The Gold Coast experience

Third time lucky striking gold on the coast

Sick of winter? So was FREYLA FERGUSON, who headed north with the mission to discover a different Gold Coast experience

i CONFESS! I love the Gold Coast. it wasn’t always so, because when it came to Queensland, i always preferred the sunshine Coast or the far north.

This was my third visit to the Goldie, so I was no stranger to Surfer’s Paradise, the theme parks, the babes, the shopping, the beach.

But this time around I wanted to discover a Gold Coast that I hadn’t experienced before.

Day one started at the Marina Mirage – one of the Gold Coast’s top spots for designer fashion and great food. To set the scene, Marina Mirage is right next to Palazzo Versace – so you can imagine the clientele.

Among the luxury yachts, is Jetski Safaris, owned and run by the Mitchell family and headed by Kurt.

On the day I went out on my “safari”, it was unusually choppy on the water.

After an extensive safety induction and a whip around the practice track, our 80km round-trip saw us travel through high-tide passages, mangroves and through to the flood plains to north stradbroke island.

There was a stop on the island’s pub for a quick, non-alcoholic drink before we headed back.

This was the first time I’d ridden a jetski. For good reason, it’s a water vehicle you need a licence to ride (it can reach 100kmh within five seconds). But luckily, Jetski Safaris has a special exemption on this.

staff are friendly, knowledgeable and definitely show you a good time.

For lunch, back at Marina Mirage, we head to Glass. Run by head chef David Pommier, this is fine dining that makes the most of the local produce and the views are spectacular.

Back at Surfer’s Paradise, I stayed at the Mantra Circle on Cavill in a onebedroom, ocean, spa apartment.

The views were amazing, and what’s best is you can enjoy them from your spa bath – perfect after a day on the water.

For dinner, we head to the recently refurbished (but not quite complete), QT Hotel

The hotel’s restaurant is Bazaar, a new (and gourmet) take on a traditional “marketplace”, where you can walk around, choose what you’d like to eat, how you would like it prepared and go back for seconds, thirds and may be even fourths!

There’s wood-fired pizzas, classic pot roasts, organic salad, cheeses, meats, fresh seafood and an Asian wok station.

There’s also a wall of mini deserts – heaven!

Day two begins with a bit of exploring. i head to Broadbeach, which one person described to me as the “upmarket Surfer’s Paradise”.

As i strolled through the new shopping and accommodation precinct, Oracle, i came across a new bar, cafe and gallery called Retrospect Galleries Retrospect Galleries is relatively new to the Gold Coast (its sister gallery is in Byron Bay), and sources a unique col -

lection of contemporary artwork from local and international artists.

i headed further south to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a not-for-profit organisation that recently received a heritage listing, making it one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the country.

it’s also attracted big names including surfing champion Kelly Slater.

At the sanctuary, not only did i enjoy a lovely lunch at the s anctuary Cafe (the lemon myrtle calamari is highly recommended!) but cuddled a koala (according to management, the only place in the world you can do that), visited the new animal hospital, saw a free flight-bird show – with birds including the black-breasted buzzard,

Continued Page 18.

The Gold Coast experience

Relax away from the bustle

JUST metres from the beach, Meriton Serviced Apartments Broadbeach, is a relaxing accommodation option away from the bustle of surfer’s Paradise.

The Meriton opened in Broadbeach only three years ago, ensuring that all its fully-equipped studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, are of the best quality.

And only minutes from entertainment and shopping precincts, it’s a good option for families and couples.

2669 Gold Coast Highway (corner of Elizabeth Avenue), Broadbeach. More information at www. staymsa.com.au

Best of both worlds

i F you can’t choose between accommodation in surfer’s Paradise or Broadbeach, look no further than Biarritz Apartments

Located midway between the two, Biarritz offers self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartments with options of superior, standard and basic, plus all the amenities including indoor, heated pool, sauna, gym and all from only 50 metres from the beach.

More information at www.biarritz.com.au

Beach on the doorstep

CLAIMING to have the “best view on the coast”, Gemini Court apartments has the beach literally on its doorstep.

Situated in Burleigh Heads, Gemini Court is the perfect, quiet getaway for families, that’s still close to Surfer’s Paradise, theme parks and Green Cauldron’s national park.

Featuring fully contained one-bedroom and twobedroom apartments, the Gemini Court apartments also include heated swimming pool, sauna, spa pool plus more.

More information at www.geminicourt.com.au

Continued from Page 17.

That night i checked into Kirra Surf Apartment i got the special tour of the building, including a visit to the threebedroom penthouse, which included a rooftop pool – amazing.

Every room at Kirra Surf Apartments has stunning ocean views with some residents claiming they saw whales in the ocean that morning.

There’s also barbecue facilities, gym, sauna and an outdoor-heated, horizonedge pool.

Dinner was at the multi-award-win -

ning Oskars on Burleigh at Burleigh Heads. This restaurant has unspoilt ocean views and specialises in seafood.

My final day began at 8am with a private stand-up paddle board lesson with three-time us paddle board champion Justin Mitchell.

Justin, who started his business JM Stand Up Paddle Company with his brother and paddle board champion Jamie Mitchell, was a great teacher, and got me standing and paddling around the Currumbin Creek inlet within 20 minutes.

We spent the remaining 40 minutes paddling and enjoying the water and the view.

i spent the rest of the day exploring the relaxing seaside towns of Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Currumbin and Coolangatta

s o many beautiful restau -

How to scream ‘sexy’

FOR a make-up look that screams “sexy”, nothing beats a smokey eye. Thanks to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, dark, kohlrimmed eyes are hotter than ever.

“CityNews” asked Estée Lauder’s premier make-up artist Jahi Ireland how to achieve a classic, simple smokey eye.

“For the ultimate smokey eye, try using a palette of sultry grey shades over traditional black hues,” Jahi says.

“Metallics are the hottest and most modern textures seen on the catwalks at the moment. For the quickest and easiest application, brush a strong shade of grey over the entire eyelid and stipple the colour into the lid to build intensity.

“Winged eyeliner is certainly a high trend. For a simple make-up artist finish, try the ‘winged’ look by brushing the liner from bottom of lash line upwards and outwards. This controls the direction of the winged effect and is generally mistake proof.

“Finish with three coats of a lash-building mascara and don’t forget the brows. Remember the fuller the brows, the better. Feather in brows with a pencil or matte eyeshadow to complete the look.”

Happiness is a fitted bra

A NEW study has shown that 85 per cent of Australian women are wearing the wrong bra size, prompting a call to review the Australian Standard Guidelines for bra sizing measurement systems.

Only eight per cent of women routinely use professional bra fitting services, according to an article published by sports Medicine Australia in the “Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport”. Women who fit themselves generally don’t have the skills necessary to choose a well-fitted bra, says Dr Deirdre McGhee, from NSW’s University of Wollongong. Because the majority of women don’t wear bras that fit correctly, their breasts are not adequately supported, no matter how good the bra itself, she says.

This can cause breast pain which many women find prevents them from participating in

exercise and other physical activity.

“Research has found that a correctly fitting, supportive bra can alleviate up to 85 per cent of pain symptoms, allowing women to exercise in greater comfort, possibly removing the need for breast reduction surgery,” Dr McGhee says.

“As only a small number of people use professional fitting services, all women need to be educated about bra-fitting criteria to improve their bra fit.

“They need to learn professional fitting criteria so they can tell if the cup, the band and the underwire fits.

“By women being able to fit their own bras correctly by themselves, this will assist with the promotion of physical activity and prevent the development or progression of musculoskeletal disorders associated with poor bra fit.”

This week, we’re loving...

NAPOLEON’S new mineral foundation is a “CityNews” favourite. This liquid mineral foundation creates a natural, semi-matte finish with sPF 15 protection. unlike other mineral make-ups, this product is not drying, but still provides good coverage. The formula is hypoallergenic, oil-free and available in six shades. Napoleon Perdis Advanced Mineral Makeup, $69.

inn OXA’s new Classic Colour lipstick range is inspired by beautiful, wearable everyday shades for a smooth, natural-looking pout. The formula is enriched with vitamin E to help leave lips feeling smooth and is available in 12 shades including deep strawberry, fig and guava.

Every handbag should have one of these classic shades to be applied for an instant pick-up. Innoxa Classic Colour Lipstick, $14.95.

iCOniC lip balm Carmex is always a favourite and its Click stick is the perfect little package to nourish lips with the added bonus of sPF 15. Carmex is a special blend of menthol and camphor in a soothing base of cocoa butter and waxes, famous for the Carmex tingle. We love that it’s not tested on animals and has been around since the 1930s. Apparently 138 Carmex lip balms are sold every minute worldwide. Carmex Click Stick with SPF 15, $4.99.

In praise of fabulous fuchsia

gardening

cedric Bryant

THE fuchsia plant has one of the most misspelt names in the plant kingdom, so often shown as “fuschia”.

i am constantly told that one cannot grow fuchsias in this district, whereas nothing is further from the truth; fuchsias occur naturally only in two parts of the world, Central and South America and NZ.

The missionary, Father Plumier, introduced them into the Western world in the 18th century.

Plumier was searching in s outh America for the quinine tree for medicinal purposes and was taken by the fuchsia. He named the fuchsia after Dr Leonard Fuchs (1501-1566), who held the chair of botany at Tubingen university, a botanical hero of Plumiers.

But why also NZ? It is believed the early explorers from Peru carried these on boats and borne out by the adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, who with his famous Kon Tiki balsa wood raft, proved the possibility of Peruvians arriving in NZ.

The uses of fuchsia fruit include wine, fuchsia fruit cake and a dessert sauce, all of which i have recipes.

In the ‘70s I used to grow and sell fuchsias when we lived in narrabundah. i know of folk who still have fuchsias growing in their

Win a book

i HAVE a super giveaway book this week, “The Modern Kitchen Garden” (Janelle McCulloch Capricorn Press, rrp $29.95). McCulloch is a well-known contributor to numerous garden magazines.

Although the title states “Modern”, this is a pictorial record of gardens over several hundred years. notwithstanding this, it illustrates kitchen garden ideas that have stood the test of time and are equally applicable to any modern kitchen garden. To enter, on the back of an envelope write the name of the most exotic vegetable you have ever grown or eaten, list your name, suburb and a contact

gardens purchased from me at that time.

People growing fuchsias for the first time see the leaves drop at the first frosts and think the plant is dead. They are no different to any other deciduous plant. A few warm days in spring and the new leaves soon start to appear. At this time, any obviously dead branches can be removed. They are excellent for hanging gardens mixed with bedding begonias, ivy geraniums or trailing lobelia.

The Geranium and Fuchsia Society meetings are a great place to learn more about fuchsias (contact Rex Daley, 6281 3213). For full details on growing fuchsias, refer to my Cedfacts Garden Information Sheet “Fuchsias for Fabulous Colour” at www. cedricbryant.com

ONE of the fun items at Floriade is the Lindemans Open Garden where, besides wine tasting, every Friday, s aturday and sunday and all long weekends, visitors can try their hand at potting up hanging baskets, with all the necessary items provided by Lindemans.

These go on the amazing basket tree for all to see and, at the end of each day, your floral basket can be taken home. This is a great idea to encourage children to have a go at gardening.

IT has been great meeting so many “CityNews” readers at my talks at The Victory Garden at Floriade. I will be giving further talks and demonstrations on s aturday,

number and send it to “Cedric’s Vegetables”, “CityNews”, GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Winners announced on October 13, entries close midday, Monday, October 10.

October 15, noon-2pm and on the final day of Floriade, Sunday, October 16, 1pm-2pm and 3pm-4pm. Make yourself known and you may receive a lucky prize.

STOP PRESS: The new Daphne “Eternal Fragrance”, which I highlighted in last week’s column, has been awarded the prestigious title of Best New Product in the 2011 Australian Business Awards.

In the sunny garden this week:

PA inT the inside of wooden barrels with bituminous paint such as Ormonoid, to preserve the timber. Plus, nail galvanised clouts under the steel bands to hold them in place. WHEN reading about fuchsias, also check my Cedfacts Garden Information Sheet “Brighten up your Veranda with Hanging Gardens”, which has suggestions on what to grow in baskets.

LINE hanging gardens with carpet underlay, the multi-coloured foam type with the plastic backing. Plastic goes on the inside and put in a few drainage holes. it is easy to make holes to place bedding plants around the sides of the basket. USE only the best-quality potting mix in all containers and baskets such as Debco Organic Mix.

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore October 3-9

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You start the week at a cracking pace, as Mars and Jupiter rev up your Ram motor (and increase your impatience). Slow down or you’ll blow a fuse! With four planets parading through your partnership zone, joint ventures are favoured. Be inspired by birthday great John Lennon: “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to improve your professional life this week. use your intuition to get on the same wavelength as workmates; put your imagination to practical use; plus find ways to make your work space more aesthetically pleasing. Creative inspiration is high so don’t be a bashful Bull! It’s time to make the most of your artistic talents.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Loose lips sink ships! With Mars in your communication zone, you’re in the mood to talk first and check details later, but skip over minor matters at your peril this week. With the Moon and Pluto pairing up in your research zone, focus on the facts – and avoid changing your mind every five minutes. Saturday favours romance, travel, adventure and creative projects.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Many Crabs are comfort eaters – and comfort spenders. When you feel emotionally vulnerable, you treat yourself to sweet food and impulse buys. But is that a good idea for your waistline and bank balance? With hasty Mars and impulsive Jupiter both stirring up your money zone this week, avoid the temptation to trash your budget and shop up a storm.

LEO (July 2 – Aug 22)

Have you fallen in love with a perfect angel? You’re idealising your partner, but try to love their human side as well (flaws and all). s ooner or later they’ll come tumbling down from the pedestal you’ve put them on, and that’s when the real relationship will begin. Single Lions – look for someone who you can really talk to. Communication is the key to lasting love.

VIRGO (Aug 2 – Sept 22)

Virgos are natural critics (some would say nit-pickers!) But it’s time to criticise less and encourage more, as you look for the best in others and celebrate small successes. With four planets moving through your money zone, you also need to be extra careful with cash and credit. Being thrifty is the new black, as you budget and economise in creative ways.

LIBRA (Sept 2 – Oct 2)

With four planets in your sign, it’s time to redefine your style. But don’t be too easily influenced by the opinions and approval of others. As birthday great Gore Vidal wrote: “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” Fabulous Venus/Neptune aspects highlight harmony, creativity and friendship in Libra land this weekend.

SCORPIO (Oct 2 – Nov 21)

Your investigative talents are on fire this week, as four planets stimulate your mystery zone. it’s the ideal time to dig up information on the family history – no secret is safe from a Scorpio super-sleuth! Venus vamps into your sign on Sunday (until November 2) so you’re in the mood to shimmer and shine socially, as you radiate charm and subtle sensuality.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This week you need to rein in your extravagant side, temper your indulgences, and learn the lessons of moderation and balance, especially at work. Mars and Jupiter are urging you to make hasty moves, but be careful you’re not just jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Try to walk the middle path. Too much of anything will only get you into trouble.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 1)

The spotlight is on your professional performance, as four planets charge through your career zone. Exciting opportunities are developing at work, so keep your eyes and ears open. if you combine a positive outlook with a solid work ethic, then you’ll be unstoppable. And the more creative you are, the more your bank balance will grow.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 1)

Aquarians are restless for adventure. Outdoor activities appeal, plus it’s the perfect time to plan your next holiday. The Moon’s in your sign on Thursday and Friday, when you’ll surprise others with your idiosyncratic ideas and madcap schemes. Singles – with proactive Mars in your partnership zone, don’t be shy about pursuing someone who you fancy.

PISCES (Feb 1 – Mar 20)

Are you confused about which path to follow in the future? Pay close attention to your nightly dreams. They are full of symbolic wisdom that will lead you in the right direction. Piscean painters, writers, musicians, photographers and performers will feel particularly inspired this weekend, as you tune into the magical muse within. Romance is also in the air.

Across

3 What is a State in which the head of government is elected, and is not a hereditary monarch?

7 Name a person thought to resemble the walking dead.

8 To discontinue meetings of parliament until the next session is to do what?

9 To which animal class do mice belong?

10 In which US state does Chicago lie?

11 Name the base unit of electric current.

14 What is an official enumeration of inhabitants, with details as to age, sex, etc?

17 What is a particular wound electrical conductor?

18 Which word is descriptive of disembodied spirits?

19 What is a native also known as?

20 Name another term for bailiffs. 21 What are cricket extras?

1 What is a word like another in sound and often in spelling, but different in meaning?

2 Which side of a coin bears the head, or principal design?

3 To which animal class do lizards belong?

4 Kiev is the capital of which European republic?

5 What are large bodies of armed soldiers?

6 To which types of food do cheddar and edam belong?

11 Name an informal word descriptive of Australians.

12 Which term is applicable to a knightly or heroic champion?

13 What could we call one who goes back on one's word?

14 Name an expression often applied to elderly fellows.

15 What, colloquially, do we call one who displays marked incompetence (2,5)?

16 Which term describes an indefinite and very large number?

Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0402 017 912 5BR C

Perrin Cct Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0402 017

Canberra Region Property Summary

CALWELL

CAMPBELL

Canberra Region Property Summary

CURTIN

DEAKIN

DICKSON

DOWNER

GIRALANG

FRANKLIN

GLENEAGLES

FRASER

HARRISON

Canberra Region Property Summary

JERRABOMBERRA

KINGSTON

MACGREGOR

Canberra Region Property Summary

MURRUMBATEMAN

NICHOLLS

NARRABUNDAH

NGUNNAWAL

Canberra Region Property Summary

TORRENS

TURNER

WANNIASSA

WARAMANGA