Canberra CityNews October 13-19, 2011

Federal fund snubs local aspiration

By Freyla Ferguson

THE ACT was the only State or Territory to miss out on a share of the $150m worth of Regional Development Australia Fund from the Federal Government.

Round one of the handouts,“to support the infrastructure needs and economic growth of Australia’s regions”, was announced recently, and of the 35 projects granted funding none were from the ACT.

Liberal ACT senator Gary Humphries says this funding knock-back confirms his view that Federal Labor takes Canberra for granted.

“They always have, and they always will,” he said.

“It shocks me that Geelong Football Club received a $10 million grant for a stadium upgrade, but the ACT was denied a grant to build low-cost accommodation for school visits to the national capital.

“What a disgrace. Frankly, I’m appalled that the Federal Government has the gall to send grants to every State and Territory but the ACT.”

The ACT application, from Territory Venues, was for a $5 million grant to contribute towards the building of a specialist 150-bed facility in Stromlo Forest Park.

The facility was to accommodate school groups visiting the ACT on educational tours and used for cyclists and others visiting Stromlo Forest Park and Canberra during school holidays and weekends.

National Capital Attractions Association vice president Mark Sarah said the NCAA, which had supplied a letter of support, had a vested interest in getting the application approved.

“It’s extremely disappointing that our jurisdiction missed out,” he said.

“With the awards listed by State, and the ACT missing, it was a glaring oversight.”

Mr Sarah said the building of accommodation at Mt Stromlo Park was the disparity needed to address the shortfall in student and event accommodation.

He said 160,000 students visited the ACT in 2010, which contributed to $100m for the ACT economy.

Other projects that received funding included: $7 million to Newcastle City Council towards the $21 million Newcastle Region Art Gallery Redevelopment and $4.79 million to Townsville City Council for the $5.29 million Magnetic Island Walkway Project – Nelly Bay to Arcadia – project.

Round two of the RDAF program will open next month, with another $150m of funding available.

A spokesman from economic development said the ACT Government would wait for the release of details for round two of the fund before determining which projects would go forward to the next round.

“The Government will assess its priorities after the release of round two details and in consideration of submissions from the various directorates,” he said.

Transact makes a short call

TRANSACT, the local sponsor of the national short-film festival Tropfest, is producing a gangster film with a twist to compete in next year’s event and other short-film festivals.

The film, directed by Canberra International Film Festival artistic chief Simon Weaving, was shot over two days in the basement of TransACT House, on Northbourne Avenue, Dickson and at a farm in Hall.

Called “Waiting for Robbo”, it stars a veritable

galaxy of Australian personalities – John Wood, Justin Rosniak, Lawrence Leung, Rhys Muldoon and Ian Crocker and the crew was drawn from local volunteers and students from CIT. Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, is a free, public, outdoor event held on the last Sunday of February, each year. Each year there is a theme for the films submitted, known as the Tropfest Signature Item, which for 2012 is “light bulb”.

Bell puts a word in for kids

By arts editor Helen Musa

THERE are many strings to director and theatre manager John Bell’s bow.

These days he gets to talk a lot, and on October 20, Bell will deliver the 2011 annual “Rights of the Child” lecture for Save the Children at the National Library of Australia.

The subject is one about which he feels passionately.

Naturally, children’s rights will be his main subject, rights expressed in UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, drafted in 1989 on the understanding that people under 18 years old need special care and protection.

He’ll be focusing on those parts of the convention that spell out that children everywhere have the right to participate fully in cultural and social life. Self-expression is the key to it, Bell says, and he’ll be asking: “What are our responsibilities?”

One of the great aspects of performance, he says, is the potential for encouraging young people.

“The idea of playing being frowned upon is a rather Victorian concept – now we know that play is an important means of self-expression,” he says.

The company that he founded, Bell Shakespeare, now programs in at least one session with indigenous communities in Australia every year.

“We can help confront many of the factors that lead young people in indigenous communities to close up, including the communal concept of ‘shame’,” Bell says.

INDEX

0ctober 13-19, 2011

Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 39

Arts&Entertainment 23-27

Body 28

Canberra Confidential 15 Cinema 24 Crossword 32 Dining 26

Gardening 31 Health&Fitness 29

32 Letters 8 News 2-14 Politics 11

33-48

Social Scene 16-19 Sudoku 32

By coincidence, the day before we spoke, the news came out of Bell Shakespeare’s 2012 season. He’s doing some exciting stuff in Sydney, notably the first professional production within living memory of John Webster’s “The Duchess of Malfi”.

Of particular relevance is that, for the first time in 22 years, Bell will be directing his daughter Lucy, who plays the lovely but illfated Duchess.

“It’s high time,” as he puts it. Bell’s other daughter Hilary is a playwright, best known for “Wolf Lullaby”, and while he confirms that “the two kids were practically born in a trunk… slept under the seats while we [Bell and his wife Anne Volska] rehearsed,” the

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experience “didn’t seem to have done them any harm.”

The two girls returned to the theatre professionally as adults, he believes, because they felt encouraged there, because they felt a sense of self-esteem.

On October 20, it’s those qualities about the theatre that he’ll relate in his lecture – “encouragement, self-esteem and socialising”. And John Bell is absolutely sure that his chosen art form has a role to play.

The 2011 Save the Children “Rights of the Child Lecture”, delivered by John Bell, National Library of Australia, 5.45pm for 6pm start, October 20. Entry is free.

Dance for cancer girl

A SPECIAL fundraising dinner dance in aid of a local five-year-old girl diagnosed with leukemia will be held at the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Woden, on Saturday October 29. The child fell ill suddenly in May and her family was stranded in Sydney for three months while she underwent treatment. She has to return to the Randwick Children’s Hospital every fortnight for continuing treatment. The funds are to be used to support the girl and her family during her recovery. Tickets are $100 each and include pre-dinner drinks, a three-course meal with beer, wine and soft drink. The night will include entertainment, raffles, prize draws, auction items and a lucky door prize. Book at 0403 713584.

See it, buy it

A CHARITY fashion parade from the ‘20s to today will be held at the House of Representatives Gardens at Old Parliament House, 10am-noon, on Saturday, October 29. All dresses and hats in the parade will be available for purchase through a silent auction. The proceeds will go to Frocktober, which raises money for and awareness of ovarian cancer research.

Research brain wave

FRUSTRATED at the low level of funding for brain cancer support and research, victim Renée Hindson is organising “Brain Wave”, a fundraising gala dinner and charity auction at National Press Club, National Circuit, Barton, on November 3. Proceeds from the event will be shared between the Cure for Life Foundation, and Brain Tumour Alliance Australia. Tickets from www.gliomaaction.com or 0439 994600.

Fabulous French fête

LA Grande Fête, an afternoon of multicultural fun, food and entertainment at Telopea Park School, Barton, will be held from 2.30pm-7pm, Saturday, November 5. Highlights will include the annual Canberra French Car Clubs display; RAAF hot-air balloon, the Raffle Extraordinaire (win two return airfares to Paris) and the Guignol puppet show. Entry is free. More information at www. telopeapnc.org.au

Political circus comes to town

By arts editor Helen Musa

SATIRIST in The Wharf Revue, Drew Forsythe, may joke that Canberra is the revue’s spiritual home, “where all our clowns actually originate from”, but at one level it’s no joke.

For the show’s annual pilgrimage to the heart of the nation has become one of the most keenly-pursued events on the Canberra calendar.

The team of Forsythe, Jonathan Biggins, Phil Scott and Amanda Bishop will soon be back in town performing “Debt Defying Acts!”, their take on the political and financial crises that beset Australia.

The message is clear when I chat to Bishop and Scott by phone – live politicians are much more entertaining than circus animals. “Our pollies are actors in a travelling show,” Bishop says, as she explains that The Wharf almost likes to find a theatrical vehicle for its political comment.

This is very much a human circus, although there is a wooden horse in the show, make of that what you will. Bishop promises a cast of familiar faces such as Kevin Rudd, Bob Brown, Bob Katter, Sarah Hanson-Young, Julia Gillard, Barry O’Farrell, Fred Nile… the list goes on.

In Canberra and NSW, they’ll be playing sport with Premier Barry O’Farrell’s standoff with the Shooters’ Party, but in Brisbane that mightn’t work, so while up north, they’ll switch their focus to Japanese whalers instead.

So who is her favourite character? “I love all of them – Wendy Deng is fun,” Bishop says, but then again, she gets to play Rebekah Brooks, Kristina Keneally and Julia Gillard – “they’re all so different”.

She agrees with comedian Max Gillies that the best satirical roles (like his Amanda Vanstone) require a touch of love – “you do have to get inside them and bring out the warmth, otherwise the humour doesn’t work.”

Phil Scott is the Mr Music of the show, but also one of the original creators. He doesn’t conceal his relish in playing Kevin Rudd – “I’m glad he’s hung around.”

As usual, Scott gets to perform a solo piece on the piano with some fast-talking patter. He believes that they’ve hit the right note with the revue.

Give peace a chance!

TIM GAVEL says the focus should be on the game, not the noisy pre-match entertainment

WHY, at this time of the year, does sport almost always become ambushed by show business? There is an exception to this, but I’ll get to that later.

In Australian sport there is a misconception that people going along to watch sport need to be entertained by more than the sport itself.

We had the debacle of Meatloaf at the AFL Grand Final, where the pain of the performance was etched on the faces of those watching – and the artist himself.

The NRL fared better with Kelly Clarkson and Eskimo Joe.

But is it really necessary?

It has got to the stage where some people actually remember sporting events more for the botched pre-match entertainment than the sport itself.

Entertainment at sporting events has been around for a while. In the 1980s and early 1990s Canberra’s male basketball team, the Cannons, had a band playing during games. There was also a large cannon firing balls into the crowd with the court announcer continuously yelling: “defence, defence, defence”.

At Canberra Stadium we have had people trying to catch high balls with milk crates. We now have mascot races and the like.

Then there is the eardrum-piercing music as the teams come on to the field followed by the ground announcers telling us when to cheer for our own team.

Surely, the time has come to say enough is enough. We have come to watch a sporting event not to get a headache.

If it is necessary to have pre-match entertainment why not some feel-good music? The sound of 60,000 people at Eden Park in Auckland singing along to a Van Morrison song piped through the speakers at the stadium before the Australia-Ireland World Cup game will live in my memory for a long time.

A positive I have observed at the World Cup is the absence of the pre-match entertainment.

“I can’t believe it, one and a half hours passed so fast,” an audience member told him recently.

“That’s because we don’t let anything go on for too long,” Scott says.

And inevitably, Rupert Murdoch appears as King Lear with dementia. “It’s all very Shakespearean,” Scott concludes.

The 2011 Wharf Revue, “Debt Defying Acts!”, The Playhouse, October 18-22. Bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Believe it or not, there is one sketch that’s not based on Australian politics. “What would the French Revolution have been like if everything was decided by focus groups and polls?” it asks.

There are no live stage performances; there is not a mascot relay in sight; and there are no ground announcers telling you when to cheer. Instead, there is a bit of music, usually including songs that are familiar, followed by the two teams coming out and singing the national anthem. Then a game of rugby follows. The focus is on the game and not on the pre-match entertainment. It’s a massive change from what we have had to experience.

UC gets busy on ‘real life’ research

Significant funding and renewed focus for research into ‘real-life’ problems, could see the University of Canberra develop into a leading research university to rival the ANU, FREYLA FERGUSON reports

THE University of Canberra is on track to double last year’s $8 worth of new research contracts.

Deputy vice-chancellor for research Prof Frances Shannon said the university had already signed $15 million of contracts so far this year, and hoped to develop the best and latest research on par with the ANU.

“Our educators in research need to be connected to the world community,” she said.

“We think with two universities in Canberra, we have to have a good research base.

“Certainly in Canberra having a second intensive research community is good for the economy and for the area.”

Prof Shannon said the university had gone through an academic renewal process, which saw the need for a research staff boost.

In the past 18 months, UC has employed about 120 new assistant professors, to be “the next generation of academics”.

expertise in environmental science, public policy, social and economic modelling, health and regional planning to protect the Murray Darling Basin”.

In June, a $1.4m competitive research grant from the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research was awarded to the university’s team of community development experts to work with other ACIAR-funded research projects aimed at developing dairy, mango and citrus production and marketing in Pakistan.

Prof Frances Shannon.

And also a number of experienced research leaders, including Prof Alan Duncan, who is now director at the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling and Prof Mark Evans, director of the Australia and NZ School of Governance.

“The university employed a lot of new people, both leaders and assistant professors, to not only teach but research,” she said.

“Management concentrated heavily on process and support mechanisms for applications and collaborative grants and how to position ourselves for academic success.”

In May, the first of the big grants was announced with $6.3m from the Federal Government for the university to set up the Collaborative Research Network to “bring together its

And more recently, $1.8m went towards research into the “best practice” in the delivery of primary health care to aged-care residents and was granted to the Centre for Research and Action in Public Health.

“Our focus is on real-life problems,” Prof Shannon said.

“What are the big problems facing the community, locally, nationally and internationally, and what are the informed solutions of these problems.”

Prof Shannon said the boost in research has also resulted in a boost in international students.

“We have had a growing number of international students, boosting particularly in the last couple of years,” she said.

In 2008, UC recorded 175 international students studying full-time equivalent.

In 2011, that number has grown to 310 international students.

She said the majority of international students came from South-East Asia and were interested in business and government.

Prof Shannon expects at least another two grants to be signed by the end of the year, worth $500,000 and $1m.

Canberra developed

The mice that roared for a new bank – and got one

By Freyla Ferguson

THE suburb of Curtin is only months away from seeing a Bendigo community bank open in its local shopping precinct, if pledges continue to come in from the community.

Recently, Molonglo Financial Services and the Curtin Community Bank Project steering committee launched their prospectus for the Curtin Community Bank Branch.

Already the project has attracted the support of almost 250 pledges, raising about $830,000.

Curtin Community Bank spokesperson Nick Tsoulias said the Curtin shops needed a bank to reinvigorate trade after big banks, including Commonwealth and Westpac, pulled out of the site.

“We just hope our project will be an inspiration to other parts of the ACT,” he said.

“It’s not impossible and it does take work but it can happen at the will of the people.

“It’s the community that has chosen to do this and we don’t want to see our retail on the decline, see our shopping centres desolate.

“We want to reinvigorate trade and local community.”

The community bank model runs like a

franchise with the community owning rights to operate a Bendigo Bank branch.

The community forms a public company limited by purchasing shares. All capital raised not only goes towards the construction of the branch, but back into the general running of the branch.

Once complete, the branch will employ six staff and will offer all the same services of a big bank, such as personal savings and investments; business solutions; commercial finance, leasing, financial planning; superannuation; internet and phone banking; and video conferencing.

This month the committee hopes to turn pledges into shareholdings with the goal of selling $750,000 worth of $1 shareholdings.

Curtin is not the first site for a community bank, with Bendigo community banks set up in Calwell and Wanniassa in 2002, joining 274 community banks around Australia.

Mr Tsoulias said he hopes that Curtin will see its own community bank by December with a completed branch by February.

More information at www.wodencb.com.au

the Wil to succeed

FREYLA FERGUSON talks to comedian Wil Anderson, whose short-lived career in journalism began (and ended) in Canberra...

WHEN Wil Anderson met up with Andrew Denton five years ago to discuss a new show about advertising, he had no idea how it would pan out.

Now, “The Gruen Transfer”, what Anderson describes as their “nerdy little show about advertising” reigns at the top of Canberra’s TV ratings.

“It’s as much a surprise to us that it’s doing so well,” he says.

Anderson returns to Canberra next month with his Helpmann Award-nominated show, “Man Vs Wil” (“I think it’s a better show than last year’s”).

Anderson is no stranger to Canberra, not only does he visit the capital as a regular spot on the comedy tour circuit, Canberra was once home to the comedian when he studied journalism at the University of Canberra.

Following university, he had a brief stint at

the Press Gallery in Parliament House with “The Financial Review”.

“I wrote a couple of stories,” he said.

“But I mainly ran around and got people coffees, made sure there was wine on Friday, organised cab charges.”

Anderson, who grew up on a farm in country Victoria, said he never really wanted a career in journalism, but had a keen interest in the media.

“I liked to pick apart the world and journalism seemed the best fit,” he said.

“But to be a good journalist, you need the passion to tell other people’s stories.

“I was always interested in telling my own story and sharing my perspective.”

Last year was an epic one for Anderson. Not only did his show “Wilful Misconduct” win a Helpmann Award, but his Australian and NZ shows were performed to sold-out crowds.

The accolades didn’t end there, the show was also nominated for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where he won the People’s Choice Award.

Wil Anderson in “Man Vs. Wil”, Canberra Theatre on Friday, November 11. Tickets at canberratheatrecentre.com.au

‘Ranting’ Moore is wrong

I MAKE it a habit these days to avoid public comment on local and national matters both because of my job and who wants to hear from an ex-politician anyway? But with Michael Moore lurching into international affairs, I cannot let my former colleague’s ill-informed rant about Israel and the US go unanswered (“Ally turns hypocite”, CN, August 29).

Firstly, there could have been peace in 2000 when Israel conceded 96 per cent of the Palestinian demands (including demands over Jerusalem and giving up the Golan Heights) only to see Yasser Arafat baulk at the last minute and torpedo the peace process.

You cannot have a lasting peace when little children in many parts of the Arab world are taught to hate Jews from an early age, when Iran denies the holocaust ever occurred and when extremist groups with a strong sway over any Palestinian government, backed by powerful states like Iran, will never recognise Israel’s right to exist and want to “drive the Jews into the sea”. Any peace has to be real and not onesided.

Mr Moore is also wrong over who is strong and who is weak – Israel is isolated. Even Turkey is now anti-Israeli. Israel has as much right to exist as a Jewish state as Arab states have the right to exist as Islamic states.

To use the UN as some shining light is disingenuous. Recent letters to “The Canberra Times” described how blatant anti-Semitism was tolerated at a UN anti-racial convention in

South Africa several years ago. The UN also did virtually nothing to stop ethnic “cleansing” in places like Rwanda and Bosnia in recent times. As an organisation, it is a past master at hypocrisy and double standards.

Thank God the US is still prepared to use its veto when it has to, and was and remains willing to intervene in Libya (although that was largely a French-led operation – and well done to them for getting involved).

Real peace in the Middle East will only come about when extremists in the Arab world accept that they can’t get rid of Israel, and the one thing I agree with Michael Moore on is the need for Israel to stop some of its more extremist elements building homes on what will clearly be Palestinian territory in any real peace settlement. I could stand corrected, but I was also under the impression that Arabs in Israel can vote and there are Arab members of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. I would challenge Michael Moore to list the Arab countries where Jews can vote (indeed where any Arab citizens can vote in free elections as well).

Finally to achieve real peace in the region, apart from both sides getting back to one-on-one negotiations and sorting it out themselves in a realistic way, the territorial integrity of Israel and her Arab neighbours may well need to be guaranteed by the US and possibly NATO or some similar grouping of states prepared to use military force to enforce any peace.

Bill stefaniak, Macgregor

Palestine doesn’t meet the rules

I DON’T mind columnists expressing opinions with which I don’t agree, but I would prefer them to not use objective untruths to support a position. Michael Moore’s column (CN, August 29) is a case in point.

The question of whether Palestine should achieve statehood at this time should be based not on whether they “get on” with their neighbours, but whether they actually meet the requirements to be a state.

The basic “rules” of what constitutes a state were set out in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States in 1933. That convention sets out the definition, rights and duties of statehood. Primarily, to be a state, the Convention states that the attributes of a viable state are a permanent population, a defined territory, government and capacity to enter into relations with the other states.

However, and most telling, it is fundamental that these conditions are limited by article 11, which forbids the use of military force to obtain

sovereignty. Palestine does not meet this criterion, given the barrage of rockets that are daily fired into the civilian – not military – population centres of Israel.

And, given the complete lack of agreement over the city of Jerusalem, it becomes hard to see how the second criterion is addressed satisfactorily.

I take exception to Moore stating that Israel finds “stumbling blocks” to peace. Israel has made offers and concessions – from offering 96 per cent of land sought to withdrawing from Gaza – but never once have the Palestinians even countered these offers with their own proposals. But Moore’s most serious fallacy is his piece on the right of Israel to exist. Firstly, the Palestinians have not offered such a concession. If the US uses its veto, I do not doubt that it will be for America’s own best interests, but in this case, it is also for a more just outcome to an unrealistic bid for nationhood.

athol Morris, o’connor

Cycle helmets just an excuse

ANYONE reading Libby Oakes-Ash’s article, “On ya bike, but carefully!” (CN, September 28) would make the assumption that riding a bike is a dangerous thing to do, when it is not.

The last time that I can remember falling off my bike was when I was about nine or 10, trying a jump that was set up at the end of a friend’s driveway with a plank raised on a couple of bricks. I grazed my leg and arm.

I have been riding a bike for some 38 years and the only risks I have taken was riding along the major arterial roads, riding in the shoulders (break down areas) that, in some areas, have now been renamed as “cycle lanes”. At those times, I did wear a helmet in the belief that if I was hit by a car or truck that a helmet would save my life. I continue to cycle for transport and not sport and I don’t wear a helmet when riding on the cycle paths and in residential streets. So when I ride my children to school or to the shops or bike ‘n’ ride I don’t wear a helmet, because it is safe to do so.

Helmets have been an excuse in this country

not to build adequate cycle infrastructure under the belief that in all situations a bicycle helmet will save your life.

Helmets are also an excuse for governments not to provide cycle proficiency training for school children, which is a mandatory test in the Netherlands for all students in the last year of primary school.

While there are cyclists that run red lights, there are just as many motor vehicle drivers that do the same. Cycle skills need to be taught in schools along with the road rules. The more people cycle the safer it becomes, but the Government also needs to invest in safer cycling infrastructure, one that protects the bike rider and not just by a painted line.

Martin

Miller, Chifley

Big reasons to step up to a Big Australia

ROBERT MACKLIN says it’s dangerous to think small when it comes to population

Here’s to a Big Australia; there is something rather sad about the movement led by the Greens and supported by some commentators and intellectuals to keep Australia small.

It is also dangerous.

The idea has been around for a while. Environmentalist Tim Flannery some years ago was calling for Australia to actually reduce its population.

But it came into clear focus in 2009 when Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister declared himself a true believer in a Big Australia.

The backlash from the elitist coterie was so rabid that he almost fell over himself retreating – indeed fleeing – from his sincerely held view. He even created a ministry of population designed to smother his critics with pabulum about “sustainability”, a word that should be expunged from the language. (The second law of thermodynamics renders it meaningless).

And sadly, his ignominious retreat not only gave heart to the small-minded elitists, it undermined those of us with a little more optimism and foresight about our country’s future and its capacity to influence events in the neighbourhood.

Julia Gillard, of course, walked away from the entire debate. But the simple fact is that it will not go away; and it’s time the Big Australia advocates were given a fair go.

This is a vast land, a continent, with the capacity to support five times its present population.

The elitists argue that we have neither the water nor the arable land to support such a population.

And while I am a passionate supporter of the Government’s action to reduce human-induced

climate change, I don’t accept the forecast that it’s going to mean lower rainfall.

On the contrary, all the indications are that the lucky country will once again hit the jackpot and the last two years of above-average rainfall will continue.

The tropics are gradually moving south and bringing tropical rain where it’s most needed.

And even if there are droughts, there’s a massive inland sea of fresh water continually refreshed in the artesian basin that we haven’t even touched yet. Increased population west of the divide brings more intensive farming and more food.

In any case, the development of GM foods is just beginning. World food shortage is an elitist myth.

The arguments for a big Australia are compelling. Economies of scale lower unit production costs.

They allow us to sustain our own cultural identity, to innovate and develop the products of our own inventive genius.

At the same time, the NBN will allow us to spread our population across the landscape instead of the present concentration in the crowded cities.

Size matters in international trade negotiations.

Better deals follow. Size permits us to project our own values and priorities into the international community, especially in our own region where our future resides.

And as America retreats into its shell, we need to be able to defend ourselves, mostly by extending the hand of friendship but also by keeping the wherewithal in our back pocket in case of bullying.

Only a big Australia can afford to fill that pocket with an effective deterrent.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Politicians: where do they come from?

WHERE did our politicians come from before they entered the Assembly?

“CityNews” put the question of their past, their present and their future to all 14 MLAs and got some fascinating answers.

Unsurprisingly, most come from the public service, unions and community services. One’s out of the Army, another a lawyer and only three have private sector experience at a senior level. But there was interestingly some student work experience including working in a T-shirt shop, stacking supermarket shelves and office cleaning.

Katy Gallagher, Chief Minister

What were you doing before politics?

I was working as a union organiser and before that I had worked in the community sector.

How has this helped?

John Hargreaves, Labor

Before politics?

I was a public servant for 29 years, serving in the Departments of Treasury, Education and Health, in the Commonwealth and the ACT, receiving the Long and Dedicated Service Award in 1994.

How has this helped?

I have used all the skills I learnt in my previous employment, particularly the ability to listen and work with others to solve problems.

Any plans for life after politics?

Not sure at all, but when the time comes I’m sure it will be interesting and hopefully a little calmer.

Andrew Barr, Deputy

Chief Minister

Before politics?

Sales, account management and media analysis.

How has this helped?

An understanding of how the media works.

After politics?

Most likely running a small business and some voluntary community work.

Simon Corbell, Labor

Before politics?

I was an adviser to thenMember for Fraser John Langmore.

How has this helped?

My knowledge of planning and environment policy, with a particular focus on the National Capital, as well as a commitment to social justice and human rights principles.

After politics?

I’m focused on delivering for Canberra as part of the Gallagher Labor Government, so I don’t have plans outside of the Assembly at this time.

Joy Burch, Labor

Before politics?

I was working as a nurse, managing a community service in Victoria, and recruiting and training health professionals for NT and rural areas.

How has this helped?

I have worked in health, education and childcare, areas that affect all of us.

After politics?

Since I started working as a nurse, I have served the community to make sure things can be made better. After politics I don’t see that changing, but maybe with time for looking after my garden and taking the dog for longer walks.

My previous professional service was in financial administration and I brought this expertise to my positions as a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and to the roles of minister in various portfolios

After politics?

I intend to immerse myself in my family, indulge my passion for the Collingwood Football Club, music and fishing, and most of all, travel.

Mary Porter, Labor

Before politics?

I was a nursing sister in Arnhem Land, NT. In Canberra, I was involved with Communities@Work, was CEO of Volunteering ACT and I have been a Red Cross volunteer since I was eight. How has this helped?

My time working in remote indigenous communities and the notfor-profit sector has given me the capacity to listen to people, appreciate their experiences and understand that we all approach our world from our own cultural experience.

After politics?

I am intending to run again for election in 2012. I will continue to work hard for my community, so that is what I continue to be focused on.

Zed Seselja, Opposition Leader

Before politics?

I was a lawyer and a policy officer. Before full-time work, I worked at Woolworths and in cleaning jobs and fast food during high school and university.

How has this helped?

A legal background certainly helps when it comes to legislation and argument.

After politics?

I have no plans for a life beyond politics at this stage. However, whenever the time comes, more time with family and friends will feature prominently.

Brendan Smyth, Deputy Opposition Leader

Before politics?

I ran the sales and distribution service and the National Library Shop, was the manager of the Questacon shop and worked in my family-owned Cooleman Court newsagency.

How has this helped?

The ability to listen to people, to serve them and to meet their needs.

After politics?

Jeremy Hanson, Liberal

Before politics?

I served for 22 years as an infantry officer in the Army. That service included the command of a unit in Iraq, and peacekeeping in East Timor. I also completed a master’s degree in management.

How has this helped?

The Army prepared me well for the combative nature of politics and taught me to stand my ground on matters of principle.

After politics?

Life after politics will include more time with my family and hopefully getting better at playing the guitar.

Vicki Dunne, Liberal

Before politics?

I was a Commonwealth public servant for about 17 years, in education and then in the policy area. I’ve also been a political adviser.

How has this helped?

I know how the bureaucracy works and I know how governments should work. I have high expectations about the quality of service that people should get from their government.

After politics?

I want to combine my love of travel with my commitment to democratic institutions. I want to work in useful ways in emerging democracies – perhaps as an election monitor.

Steve Doszpot, Liberal

Before politics?

I was ACT general manager of several international ICT companies.

How has this helped?

A better understanding of the interface between the bureaucracy and the commercial sector.

After politics?

I would like to resume a role similar to that before politics – to be an interface between government agencies, research institutions and the commercial sector. If we are talking 20 years time, I hope to be sipping Pina Coladas enjoying a wellearned rest with my wife and spending time with my grandchildren, in Canberra.

Alistair Coe, Liberal

Before politics?

I am going to distill whiskey and other spirits. Snowy River Scotch, McAuleys Irish Whiskey, Mount Buffalo Bourbon, Brindabella Brandy as well as having a go at developing an Australian liqueur to name a few.

I worked at the RSL as an adviser to the national secretary.

How has this helped?

My work demonstrated that while government has a very important role to play in the development of public policy, it is important that politicians look to the experience of advocacy groups, community organisations and businesses for knowledge and ideas about solving problems.

After politics?

Taking a holiday driving across America.

Meredith Hunter, Greens

Before politics?

My first job at uni was in a Tshirt shop. After that I worked in the community sector for 25 years. I was director of the Youth Coalition of the ACT.

How has this helped?

I participated on committees, boards and advisory groups. I was active in lobbying the ACT Government and MLAs on a range of matters and lodged submissions and gave evidence at Assembly inquiries.

After politics?

Not so fast... I’m really enjoying continuing my public service as the Member for Ginninderra and will definitely be seeking to stand again. When I do retire I look forward to filling my time with family, friends, volunteering and the occasional sleep-in!

Shane Rattenbury, Greens

Before politics?

Head of oceans campaign at Greenpeace International in Amsterdam, responsible for global co-ordination of Greenpeace’s work on fisheries, whaling and ocean pollution.

How has this helped?

My work as an environmental advocate taught me to be persistent and adaptable in pursuing a goal or outcome. I also learnt that ideas that are perceived as new or radical at the beginning often become mainstream very quickly.

After politics?

To be honest, it is not something I have contemplated too much, but I do know I don’t plan to be a politician for “life”, and will only stay as long as I feel I am continuing to make a contribution (and, of course, if people keep voting for me!).

Caroline Le Couteur, Greens

Before politics?

I was an executive director and IT manager of Australian Ethical Investment Limited, which is an ASX-listed company based in Canberra.

How has this helped?

I have found my business and boardroom experience useful for working in small groups that don’t always agree – such as the Assembly. And seeing the results of government regulations from the outside helps me make them in the Assembly.

Any plans for life after politics?

I’m hoping to get re-elected. But whether or not, I intend to keep working for social-justice outcomes and to help prevent climate change.

Amanda Bresnan, Greens

Before politics?

Acting director of Policy and Projects, Mental Health Council of Australia.

How has this helped?

It has given me a strong awareness and understanding of the need for cross-government policy and programs that don’t work in “silos”, as this isn’t how people work. We shouldn’t be making the person fit the system, but the system fit them.

After politics?

Working in an area related to human rights either here or overseas.

When the journalistic right to write is wrong!

Freedom of the press is not and should not be sacrosanct, says MICHAEL MOORE

MANY journalists love to think that a carte blanche freedom to write what they want is as fundamental to democracy as the right to vote. Bunkum!

First the Murdoch press in the UK and now columnist Andrew Bolt in Australia have demonstrated the reason why it is appropriate to have checks and balances to prevent misuse of power – just like every other part of our democracy.

“The public deserve to be protected against irresponsible journalism.”

This phrase, taken from the Privy Council, was most recently used by Federal Court judge Mordecai Bromberg in holding Bolt to account for his racist slurs on light-skinned Aboriginal people.

Some of the reasons provided in the summary to the extensive judgment included: “Fair-skinned Aboriginal people (or some of them) were likely, in all the circumstances, to have been offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated by the imputations; people should be free to fully identify with their race without fear of public disdain or loss of esteem for so identifying; and, is likely to be destructive of racial tolerance.” And he did not accept any excuse.

the Fairfax media pointing out that Bolt will probably launch an appeal and reflected on the likelihood of “spectacular rhetoric” from him.

The motivation of the plaintiffs was clear in seeking to redress a wrong.

They did not seek financial reward through a defamation case, but rather used the Racial Discrimination Act to achieve a clear statement demonstrating recognition of their rightful status and to ensure that someone such as Bolt was held to account.

The response of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community was swift and extensive.

The decision has come at a time when our community is making some progress in dealing with racial slurs and prejudice.

The comments came as Bromberg found the right-wing journalist and his publisher, Herald & Weekly Times, guilty of a serious breach of the Racial Discrimination Act.

There have been howls of protest from other journalists and columnists who (although often vigorously disagreeing with his sentiment) believe that the Act and the judgment go too far in curtailing freedom of speech.

Margaret Simmons, writing one of the alternative views published by the website Crikey, suggests that although this may be considered “bad journalism”, it should not be illegal.

She questions where the line should be drawn. It is an important issue at a time when accountability of the press is being questioned internationally. David Marr supported the decision in

The apology to the stolen generation, the federal parliament’s “welcome to country” by local identity Matilda House and the efforts at reconciliation are all put at risk with this sort of pitiful journalism.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) has used the opportunity effectively to call for support from all Australians, saying: “As we consider the issue of Constitutional recognition of the First Peoples we need to recognise and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity and celebrate, rather than denigrate, Australia’s indigenous past, present and future”.

Let’s hope that the Federal Government’s Inquiry (by former justice of the Federal Court of Australia, Ray Finkelstein QC, with the assistance of Dr Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Journalism at Canberra University) will also consider other issues such as invasion of privacy and concentration of the media.

We do need a free and open press for our democracy.

However, living in society means curtailing some of our freedoms for the good of the community and we will need to work hard to keep the balance right.

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

Melbourne Cup lunches

Colour and glamour at the Canberra track

FOR fashions on the field, entertainment and a seven-race program, Thoroughbred Park is a good place to celebrate Melbourne Cup day in Canberra.

The ACTTAB Melbourne Cup Race Day is one of the biggest social events of the year for racing fans, socialites and fashionistas.

Thoroughbred Park sales and marketing manager Briony Young enjoys the colour and glamour of the day.

“I love the way everyone dresses up! It’s a great day out,” Briony says.

Punters can watch the running of the

Hampers for the party

FOR office or private parties on Melbourne Cup Day, Connoisseur Catering is offering fresh hampers.

For $26 a person, delivered, the hamper includes fresh knot rolls and butter, a basket of roast lemon & thyme chicken pieces, garden salad and dressing with strawberries and sparkling wine, says function sales manager Anna Tampipi

“Connoisseur Catering has been in Canberra since 1989 and takes pride in producing successful and memorable events in the home or office,” Anna says.

“We understand that food creations are what brings the occasion and theme of any event to life.”

More information at www.connoisseur. com.au

Melbourne Cup on the big screen with all the atmosphere and excitement of local racing.

Briony says the races offer the perfect opportunity to network with clients, entertain guests or socialise with friends and work colleagues and although the function rooms sold out months ago, there are a limited number of marquees available.

The Myer Fashions on the Field will be run on the day with some great prizes and is the opportunity to frock up.

“Every year we see the fashions on the field competition grow with more and more entrants,” Briony says.

More information at www.thoroughbredpark. com.au

Something special

SITTING Ducks Catering can make a Melbourne Cup lunch something special.

“Chicken is a sentimental favourite on Melbourne Cup Day, but we can do something different, too,” says owner Herman Posthuma.

“We can do high-end canapes, lovely smoked duck or a whole salmon, which is also popular.”

Menus can be designed especially for your event or you can select from the range of menus Sitting Ducks chefs have developed.

“We can do full service or we can drop

off the food,” he says. “We can cater to all requirements.

“Our menus are seasonal and contemporary, innovative in taste, style and presentation and we can work with you to design one that will exceed your expectations.

“From a simple catering requirement to an extravagant celebration, from set-up to clean-up our professional team will look after you every step of the way.”

More information at www.sittingducks.com. au

Losing my mind in the daily tidal wave of data

ABOUT a year ago, I made a radical pledge. It came after several years of feeling less and less able to deal with the tidal wave of information coming at me: 3.6 zettabytes annually, which amounts to 100,000 words each day.

That’s a 350 per cent increase over people’s exposure in 1980.

I was drowning in data. So, like an electronic-age Dutch boy, I put my finger in the dyke. Each Monday, I resolved, I would spend the entire day offline.

I didn’t make this decision lightly. As a writer, I depend on the internet to find information, to communicate with friends and colleagues, and to refill the well of knowledge and ideas.

Yet the costs of constant access were becoming impossible to ignore. Sometimes I would go online to find one thing, then spend an hour or two reading about other interesting things, while completely forgetting what I had originally been looking for. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight. Sometimes I felt like I was losing my mind.

I was – I am – sane. But my brain – as “Future Shock” author Alvin Toffler wrote 40 years ago – was being forced to process information at a much higher volume than it is equipped to handle.

“What consequences this [cognitive overstimulation] may have for mental health in the echno-societies,” Toffler wrote ominously, “has yet to be determined.”

Living in the future that Toffler envisioned, I was starting to get a read on those consequences: The gnawing unease, the accelerating slide down a scree slope of trivia, the feeling that my mind was a balloon with a million tiny holes. Every time I turned on my computer, it was akin to opening a floodgate, when all I wanted was to sit and focus, taking in information clearly and steadily – like a drink from a cool mountain stream.

Inow know I am not alone. We are finding out that our brains did not evolve to be bombarded with ceaseless novelty and stimuli. Multi-tasking is not the wave of the future.

Scientists are starting to uncover the fallout. They are learning, for example, that those who attempt to perform two dif-

FRANK BURES discovers a radical way of surviving in the information age – spending a day a week offline!

ferent tasks simultaneously end up doing neither task well, and that multi-tasking “prevents people from getting a deeper understanding of information,” in the words of one researcher. One study shows a 10-point drop in IQ scores after constant distractions from e-mail, text messaging, and cell phones.

Some evidence also suggests that the perpetual navigation and endless choices that come with being online contribute to something called “ego depletion”, or the running down of our willpower. That would explain why I often emerged lethargic, unsatisfied, and oddly exhausted after a day of sitting at my desk, trying to decide which way to steer my digital rudder.

At the same time, researchers are finding that idleness, even daydreaming, is essential for the brain to process new information and integrate it into long-term memory, storing it where we can actually use it.

THE first Monday of my new life came around. I turned on my out-of-office response for my e-mail. I set a program I’d found called SelfControl, which lets you lock yourself out of specific websites and e-mail servers, for eight hours.

I took a breath. I hit start. There is a scene in “2001: A Space Odyssey” in which one of the astronauts is flying out into the void of space, trying to reinsert his air tube. That’s how it felt to me. Strange. Cold. Alone. Quiet. It was like finding myself on the moon, staring back at earth. I knew there was a lot going on down there. I knew there was a great party I was missing.

I longed to rejoin the digital throng. I knew there was some deathly important e-mail that needed addressing. I was sure someone would call, wondering why I hadn’t responded.

No one did. I sat down and finished a few small projects I’d been putting off. I thought through my week and made a list of things that needed to be done. I wrote e-mails to send later. I jotted down things to look up. I organised some research. I enjoyed the

sense of having some space in my head where there was room for new ideas.

I even had time to sit down and read a book.

BY the end of the day, I felt something that I hadn’t in a long time: A sense of accomplishment. And when I finally logged on to see what I had missed, I was surprised by the answer: Not much.

I began the next day refreshed. I whipped through my e-mails and got on with things, a little more in control.

The rest of the week had a linear coherence I hadn’t even realised I’d missed. I was starting to get my mind back.

The next week, my day offline was easier, and the week after that easier still. I tried not to be dogmatic about it.

Sometimes I would check my e-mail midday. Sometimes I would be offline Tuesday instead of Monday. But the principle was the same: At least one full day unplugged.

As time went on, I noticed my anxiety level going down, my energy coming up, my focus returning, and the false sense of urgency that the internet seems to foster disappearing. If the internet does change your brain, the good news is that you can still change it back.

NOW I spend part of every day – and sometimes several days at a time – offline. SelfControl the program has been gradually supplemented by selfcontrol the actual skill. I have started to understand that I can function efficiently in the information age after all. And when I see the tidal wave coming at me, instead of letting it wash over me, swamping my little boat, I think I’ve found a way to keep my hand on the tiller and enjoy the ride.

This article first appeared as “The Rotarian” column in “The District Chronicle”, the local newsletter of Rotary’s District 9710.

Frank Bures is a Minneapolis-based writer whose work has appeared in “Harper’s”, “Esquire”, and the “Los Angeles Times”.

Lorraine Burrows.

Stay out of the sun, warns skin victim

CANBERRA mother of five Lorraine Burrows has an important message for teens – get sun smart.

At 38-years-old, Lorraine was diagnosed with ocular melanoma (melanoma in the eye) and is now fighting for her life.

In 2002, after her eye was removed, Lorraine and her family believed the cancer was gone. That was until July this year when she was diagnosed with a secondary melanoma in the liver, an aftermath and progression of the original cancer.

Lorraine says one of the hardest parts of the whole cancer experience has been realising that she will miss out on so many of the milestones her children will experience in their lives.

Lorraine has been advocating sun protection for many years and when she was diagnosed with melanoma in 2002 she wrote to the Cancer Council at a time when the original SunSmart messages were evolving to include the wearing of sunglasses.

She says she was very encouraged to see the introduction of wrap-around sunglasses added to the SunSmart message. Lorraine’s cancer was caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and she wants her story to be a reminder to teens, that skin cancer is real, and it is also one of the few preventable cancers.

In Australia, close to a quarter of melanomas diagnosed in women are in those under 45 years of age. It is the third most common cancer in Canberra men and women. It is also the most common cancer in younger Australians.

According to the Cancer Council ACT, the majority of teenagers experience sunburn at least once over the summer period, with one in three having sunburn severe enough to blister.

For information on skin cancer prevention, sun protection or the SunSmart Program in the ACT contact the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 or visit us at www.actcancer.org

Canberra Confidential

Jones to face the Gallery

IF you ever wanted to see Alan Jones AO in action, here’s your chance.

The controversial broadcaster is set to take to the podium at the National Press Club on October 19.

Jones made headlines around the country when he addressed protesters at the Convoy of No Confidence on the lawns of Parliament House in August.

“Sydney Morning Herald” journalist Jacqueline Maley reported she was forced to leave out of fear for her safety after the controversial commentator turned on her when she asked if he was being paid to MC.

“People rounded on me and I began to feel very intimidated. A woman next to me began screaming abuse... all because I asked a question,” reported Maley.

“Confidential” has heard Maley will be attending the Jones event, which will give journos the chance to fire questions at the popular author and commentator.

Perhaps some will see it as an opportunity to give Jones a taste of his own medicine. Will Maley be the first to fire back at the Talkback King?

More information and bookings to www.npc. org.au

Mosely heads north

WORD has it Lisa Mosely is finishing up with WIN News at the end of the month. “Confidential” has heard she’s heading up north to be with beau in Darwin.

Apparently, Mosely’s been dating former

WIN journo James Glenday for about a year and couldn’t be happier.

The inaugural Peter Leonard Scholarship Winner (2009) launched her journalism career with WIN Canberra in January last year.

Mosley will join the team at the ABC in Darwin where her man apparently scored a cadetship. She will be missed.

Woden’s got talent

HE scored third place in “Australia’s Got Talent” and featured in the top 10 on “So You Think You Can Dance” and now he’s on his way to Canberra.

Timomatic is set to perform a one-off show at the Hellenic Club in Woden as part of the Woden Alive Festival.

The former Canberra boy has been unstoppable

since “AGT” and was recently confirmed the supporting act for Salt N Pepa’s Sydney shows at the Enmore Theatre.

But it doesn’t stop there. “Confidential” has heard Timomatic might be heading OS to see if he can cut it in the big smoke.

Catch Timomatic alongside popular Wodenbased dance group Kulture Break on November 4.

More details at www.wodenalive.org.au

‘Dolly’s’ cool reception

“DOLLY” magazine has been on location in Canberra shooting its most recent fashion spread around town, including Floriade and Cockington Green.

The popular teenage girls’ magazine’s Leda Ross told “Confidential” it took one model and a crew of eight to ensure the shoot was a success. But it wasn’t all roses. Apparently, it got so cold during the night shoot the team was forced to borrow jackets from locals.

“The Floriade people gave us all jackets to keep us warm, we were freezing, especially our model who was dressed in summer clothes,” says Leda.

“Everyone in Canberra is so lovely, people just aren’t like that in Sydney.”

The fashion spread will feature in the January edition, out first week of December.

Peek into the convict past

AUSTRALIA’S largest online family history resource, Ancestry.com.au has launched two new historical-record collections which offer a peek into daily life aboard Australia-bound English convict ships.

The collections are journals penned by ships’ medical officers who were required to keep a

record of all patients, treatments and outcomes during a sea voyage.

Dating back as far as 1815, some 43,000 records depict vivid and often gruesome details of “contemporary” treatments and medical practices, as well as stories of life aboard convict ships.

“Confidential” found one entry by James Hamilton, surgeon superintendent on board the convict ship Adamant. He noted his discovery of an effective form of punishment – “stopping their wine is a capital plan to make them pay attention to cleanliness and has more effect than putting them in irons – patients all better.”

I would never have coped!

Was one of your relatives on board a convict ship? Find out at www.ancestry.com.au

Recipes evoke nostalgia

THE word around Floriade is that visitors get quite nostalgic when they see the Australian War Memorial’s wartime recipe booklet (pictured).

It’s been evoking memories for many of their grandmothers’ cookbooks and kitchen sights, sounds and smells from childhood.

Grab a copy before Floriade comes to an end on October 16.

At the

wedding of Kate Meikle and James Anderson, The Domain, Sydney

FORMER Canberrans Kate Meikle and James Anderson married in Sydney on October 8.

At the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) At

a

Home Ideas Centre’s Sustainability Expo

22

Free expo explores green building ideas

THE HIA Home Ideas Centre is holding its inaugural Sustainability Expo on Saturday, October  . The Expo is free to the public and will showcase the latest in sustainable building initiatives as well as state of the art products.

Consumers can learn more about building products and services and find out everything there is to know about the principles of building an HIA GreenSmart home. This can be done by speaking to exhibitors at their displays

or consulting with one of HIA’s “ask an expert”.

In addition, consumers can attend the first Super Sustainability seminar presented by HIA GreenSmart Regional Partner, Today’s Homes and Lifestyle.

Representatives from James Hardie, Rheem Australia, Green Cladding and Rehau will also be in attendance to answer any questions.

All consumers need to do is complete a brochure request card and place their entry in the barrel during the Expo.

Entry is free to this major event which is open to the public and should not be missed by anyone interested in building a sustainable or “Green” home.

Builders get better at being ‘green’

ADVANCES have been made in building products that contribute to the “greening” of Australian homes.

Today’s new homes show that environmental responsibility, energy efficiency and healthy indoor living go hand-in-hand with comfort, convenience and great design.

HIA’s GreenSmart program encourages builders to achieve a higher level of environmentally friendly homes than is required by the code.

This also extends to environmentally friendly building practices.

HIA GreenSmart builders are specifically trained in the latest methods and materials to enable them to provide a product that is aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient and environmentally responsible.

Here is a small sampling of the latest materials, products and technologies that

professional home builders are working with today.

The structure:

Sustainable building products, such as plantation grown timber, are produced from renewable resources that are managed to last for future generations.

Steel framing – a recycled and recyclable material.

Insulation (in batts or loose) is made from an array of natural and recycled materials, from newspapers and waste glass to volcanic rock, steel slag, wool and cotton.

Insulated concrete forms such as “pods” are used to form structural beams in concrete slab floors which improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Windows now offer different technical characteristics such as energy-efficient glass and window frames and glazing that reduces the amount of heat gain and loss through the window. These windows can be used in the entire building or on the orientations that are most exposed to the elements.

Systems:

Integrated heating systems combine space heating and hot-water heating in one system.

Radiant floor heating (using either electric elements or hot water that is pumped through coils embedded in the floor) provides comfort and even heat distribution.

Homes &

Flexibility the key to builder’s success

BUILDER Brendan McCoullough, who takes a hands-on approach from the design stage to handing over the key, has seen his company, Today’s Homes & Lifestyle, grow to the multi-awardwinning business it is today.

He says the awards are a result of the company’s flexible approach to customers’ needs and budgets.

“We specialise in custom design, energy-efficient homes built from premium products, delivered by exceptional on-site supervision and communication, delivered on time without paying a premium,” says Brendan.

Today’s Homes & Lifestyle has been awarded HIA’s major award, the ACT and Southern NSW Professional Small to Medium Builder of the Year for the past three years and was the national winner in this category in 2009.

Other major HIA 2010 ACT and Southern NSW awards the company has won include:

Winner, Energy Efficient Home

Winner, Custom Built Home

$500,000 to $700,000

Solvent-free paints offer a healthier alternative. •

CFC-free air conditioning provides inside summer comfort without harming the environment.

Finishing touches

Choose from an abundance of environmentally responsible flooring options: Glazed ceramic tiles do not emit toxic fumes or support allergens or bacteria and can incorporate recycled glass in the production.

Natural stone such as granite and marble (also used for benchtops).

All-natural products such as linoleum, cork and bamboo.

Trims and mouldings for windows and doors are made from sawmill wood wastes such as medium density fibreboard.

Finalist, Custom Built Home up to $350,000

Finalist, Custom Built Home $350,000 to $500,000

Finalist, Display Home of the Year

Finalist, Custom Built Home of the Year

Today’s Homes & Lifestyle also holds a 2010 ACT Telstra Small Business award and was a finalist in the Social Responsibility category for demonstrated leadership and contribution to the environment, people, education and the community.

“Today’s Homes are truly proud of these achievements and recognise that these awards are a team effort and would not be possible without the dedication and support of our staff, subcontractors and suppliers,” says Brendan.

“Awards like these only drive us further in improving and managing our business services and systems.”

Visit the 2010 HIA ACT & Southern NSW award-winning display home, an HIA GreenSmart design, on the corner of Chance and Baratta Streets, Crace, Saturday to Wednesday, 11am to 5pm.

More information from the HIA Home Ideas Centre, 28 Collie Street, Fyshwick or at www.todayshomes.com.au. Contact peter@ todayshomes.com.au or call 0413 837966.

all about the arts

Andrew’s aliens come to life

By Kathryn Vukovljak

ALIEN invasions, body snatchers, an eccentric billionaire and a team of brilliant teenage fighters are all in the mix in “Resistance”, a new kids TV show created by Canberran producer/director Andrew Dillon.

The 26, 30-minute-episode series will cost $14 million – making it ABC Children’s TV’s biggest budget live-action series, he says.

Ngunnawal resident Andrew, who’s directed episodes of “Home And Away” and “Kerri-Anne”, and created the Inside Film Awards, says the idea for the show came from his science-fiction addiction.

“As a teenager, I was the head of the ‘Dr Who’ fan club, and I loved ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘Battle of the Planets’,” he says. “I have four kids and I felt that the things they were watching just weren’t as engaging as those when I was a kid.

“They’re very Disney-esque, and there’s a place for that, but it all seems to be about being liked, being popular, having a boyfriend or a girlfriend.

“I wanted to create the kind of show I grew up watching; something I could watch with them.

“I tried to weave in cameos of actors that parents would recognise, so that it might become a sort of guilty pleasure for them, too.”

One such cameo is actress Jane Badler, who played evil reptilian Visitor leader Diana in the TV series “V”.

“She scared the living hell out of me as a teenager, so I wanted to create a bad girl character based on her,” he says. “She plays the mum in the pilot, but in the TV show she’ll have a more engaging role.”

“Resistance” is about a group of kids who discover an alien threat that no one else is aware of, says Andrew.

“The have amazing technology and are trained by a young billionaire, and they try to expose the truth and save the world,” he says.

“I wanted it to appeal to boys and girls, there’s plenty of action for boys, but girls can relate, too. With three daughters, I definitely wanted there to be strong female characters in there.

“In fact, in the first episode it’s the girls who save the day. They step up and are equal to the

boys. One can’t function without the other.”

Although the pilot was shot in Canberra in 2008, the series will be shot in Adelaide in November, he says.

“The pilot has a very international feel, and most people don’t know it was filmed in Canberra until the last shot where you can see the Telstra Tower,” he says.

“Regrettably we can’t shoot the series here because we needed the sound stage in Adelaide, but we’ll be the first production to use the SA Film Corporation’s new facilities.”

The show is a co-production between Australia’s Persistence Productions and Canada’s Shaftesbury Films, and will be on ABC3 in late 2012.

“It will have been four years since we made the pilot, by the time it comes on air,” says Andrew.

“It’s been a long road, but a lot of fun.”

Teddy wins two prizes

By Helen Musa

CANBERRA pianist Edward (“Teddy”) Neeman carried off total prize money of $12,000 when he won the Best Australian Performer award and tied for second place with Russian pianist Rustam Muradov in the 2011 Southern Highlands International Piano Competition 2011 on the weekend.

The awards were presented by NSW Governor Marie Bashir and local political member Pru Goward.

First prize of $20,000 went to Chinese pianist Wai Yin Wong after a gruelling three-hour concerto play out between four performers at Clubbe Hall in Mittagong.

Supporting the performers were members of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, who hadn’t known which works by Saint-Saens, Chopin, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky they were to play until Wednesday last week.

“THE HUNTER” (M)

Eco thrills deep in the forest cinema

FOUR stars for this Tasmanian-grown ecothriller forgives little visual moments that, while their validity doesn’t withstand close examination, don’t diminish a beautiful, exciting, tense and involving film.

In a strong characterisation, Willem Dafoe stars as Martin, a reticent adventurer commissioned by a German firm to collect biological samples of a Tasmanian tiger for DNA study.

Yes, we know the thylacine became extinct last century. But film can go where it wishes and the notion of a surviving Tasmanian tiger offers high semiotic opportunity.

Martin, forbidden to tell anybody why he’s there, heads off into some spectacular wilderness to earn his fee. Unemployed forestry workers think he’s a greenie. The greenies protesting at the forest gate think the timber barons employ him.

Daniel Nettheim directs Alice Adamson’s adaptation of the novel by Julia Leigh with care, connection to the theme and concern for its message. Martin bases himself in a house at the end of a track where Lucy (Frances O’Connor) lies ill in the care of her two children (promising juveniles Morgana Davies and Finn Woodlock), who wait for their father’s return from a long absence. If Martin finds a thylocine he must kill it to fulfil his contract. Eventually he does. Euthanasing an old, starving, weak, lonely animal is merciful and justifiable. But that’s not the film’s denouement.

The film’s tensions are subtle and inexorable. The cast is good. The camera and sound crew who endured the difficulties of recording it merit praise for their artistry and endurance. For many, the film’s

Dougal Macdonald

fifth star will be the environment – beautiful, challenging, no place for neophytes in search of an improbability.

At Dendy and Greater Union

“REAL STEEL” (M)

AT some time in the future, Charlie (Hugh Jackman) is doing the country show circuit with a beat up truck, a crude survival sense and a dilapidated fighting robot. He owes money. He has little prospect of making any. The mother of his 11-year-old son Max (Dakota Goyo) whom Charlie has never seen has died and her sister wants to adopt him.

Max wants to spend six months on the circuit with Charlie. Max, a whiz at repairing bots, rescues one from a garbage dump, names it Atom and sets about refurbishing it.

The story works toward pitting Atom against some truly heavy metal. Director Shawn Levy uses CG, models and other visual fakery devices to lead us to a denouement that only a cynic would denigrate. Charlie is never far because of the prize money. Living on junk food and soft drink, father and son set about getting to know each other. That’s not easy, even though writer John Gatins has shaped the plot around some familiar relationship contrivances to energise it.

The screenplay is peppered with clichés lifted from films about parent and newlymet child learning to live with each other, confronting them with obstacles in prize contests augmented by wicked competitors.

Wizard with a classic touch

DIRECTORS Jon Garland and Kelda McManus have closely followed the classic MGM musical version of this timeless classic for this ambitious production.

All the familiar songs are included and even an additional song cut from the film.

Musical director Nicole Nunan has assembled an impressively large orchestra which does justice to the lush musical accompaniments, and a series of effective dance numbers, devised by Annette Sharpe, for the hordes of colourfully costumed munchkins, jitterbugs, flying monkeys, flowers and winkies, provide plenty of spectacle.

Sixteen-year-old Nicola Hall is quite simply enchanting as Dorothy. Nailing “Over the Rainbow” early in the show with her endearingly naïve interpretation, she charmingly captures Dorothy’s wide-eyed wonderment without being cloying, and is assertive without being arch.

Her three cohorts, Scarecrow

Once you set the bots in their true context, the plot has little novelty. But it has excellent predictability.

The bots are magnificent. The sight and sound of a packed stadium screaming at a pair of them wrecking each other is a novel experience. But unless you are betting on it, how can you get emotionally involved with a battery-powered, wireless-controlled assemblage of metal, wire, plastic, transistors and hydraulic fluid?

I approached “Real Steel” expecting a debacle. I was not disappointed, yet it was less dreadful than I feared, better than a complete no-brainer yet not so intelligent as to be uplifting.

At all cinemas

Funny ‘Song’ gets serious

“The

October 22

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

(Cameron Boxal), Tinman (Lachlan Ruffy) and Cowardly Lion (Cameron Elvin) each provide entertaining high-points. As the wickedest possible Witch of the West, BJ Anyos has great fun chewing up the scenery. Watch out for the adorable Lullaby League and the Lollipop Guild and of course the scene-stealing pooch, Toto. This a delightful show for children of all ages (you included) and no doubt, by the time you read this, the pacing will have picked up, and the opening night stage-management problems resulting in slow scene changes, missed sound and lighting cues, and too many stage-hands being caught by the spotlight, will have been ironed out.

“LOVE Song” provides an engaging and easy night’s entertainment. Performed with zest and clarity, Jordan Best’s direction ensures the work surprises and delights right through to the conclusion.

Kolvenbach’s play threads that line between the serious and the comedic. It develops from a funny exchange between an upwardly mobile couple exemplifying contemporary “cool”.

Jim Adamik and Jenna Roberts excelled and the comedy worked, while the more internal and surreal aspects tended towards cuteness. While this was probably Kolvenbach’s intention for a most-commercial play, it meant little was revealed of the internal world of the central character Beane.

Beautiful theatrics, through the use of scrim, gave us a fragmentary glimpse of the young man’s yearning for connection and love in a world that left him isolated and imploding.

The simple visual construction of these surreal scenes was contrasted with the more realistic depiction of the couple, who also were imploding until challenged by Beane’s behaviour.

The power of the production lies in its ability to seep into contemporary consciousness through a gentle and non-threatening way.

Debacle lives up to its name

DEBACLE describes itself as a place to enjoy “wines, ales and fine eats”.

The wine list is impressive. The ale list is impressive. As for the “fine eats” bit? Well, for us, dining at Debacle was just that – a debacle.

It’s a busy, noisy, noisy establishment, especially when a major sports event is playing on the big screen TV – not just because of the crowd size or the roars when someone scores, but because the design of the place hasn’t incorporated anything that can absorb sound.

Perched front and centre on Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Debacle has been around for some years now. There’s a specials board and snack sized dishes to share such as spicy Spanish chorizo ($10.90) and Spanish potato croquettes, with potato, thyme, smokey paprika and more ($10.90).

dining

Wendy Johnson

Many flock to Debacle for the pizzas and it was the pizza I was after. Sixteen different styles feature on the menu averaging at $13.50 for small, $20.50 for medium and up to $31.50 for large – all served on thicker crust, unless thin crust is what tickles your fancy. And I like the offer of gluten-free bases (medium only, and $2 extra) and pizza modification ($1.50 to $4 extra)

You order at the counter, located at the back of the establishment, grab a number and select a seat, either individual tables or communal tables. Lots of outdoor seating, too.

On my last visit some years ago, the pizza was excellent. Can’t say the same for this experience; I’ve enjoyed many tastier pizzas in town.

My El Pollo, which as its name suggests featured chicken, came dry, the cashews were soft and uninviting, there was a bit of feta and semi-dried tomatoes, the only ingredient with any taste. Not a great start.

We had better hopes for the Specialata, created with pepperoni, ham, roast veggies, tomato, mushroom, onion and olives. The onions were practically raw and at least two of us just picked them off. And the poor tomatoes looked like they may have been harvested before they’d had any chance to ripen. It’s a shame, since pizzas are works of wonder when the ingredients are up there with the best. As I say, it was a debacle. Debacle is laid back by design and it’s a great location, so I can see why it has a strong local following, but pizzas can be found all over Canberra and, for these prices, it’s easy to get one that is delizioso. Debacle, 30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Call 6247 1314.

Leaning on a lamp post at the Q

arts in the city

Helen Musa

QUEANBEYAN Players are staging the Cockney musical, “Me and My Girl” from October 21 to November 5 at the Q. It’s a nice, old-fashioned show with hits such as “Leaning on a Lamp Post” and “The Lambeth Walk”. Bookings to 6285 6290 or www.theq.net.au

CONGRATULATIONS to ACT Artsability Officer, Caro Roach, who was recently named winner of the Kate Louise Alderson Award by the ACT Down Syndrome Association for her contribution to the disability community through film and innovative programs.

POET Geoff Page brings a verse screenplay to life with Canberra actor Chrissie Shaw as Shirley in the romantic comedy “Lawrie and Shirley” at The Street Theatre, October 14-23. Bookings to 6247 1223.

CRANLEIGH School, Starke Street, Holt, is again staging its fabulous art show, where you can buy quality artworks to help the school provide programs for children with intellectual disabilities. The opening by Govenor General Quentin Bryce is at 7pm on October 21, then it runs on October 22,

10am-4 pm and October 23, 10am-1pm.

“THE Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the direction of the Marquis De Sade” is the longest play I know and Narrabundah College Theatre Arts will stage it from October 26 to November 5 at the Hawk Theatre. Peter Weiss’s play asks, does a genuine revolution come from the inside or outside? Bookings to 6205 6979.

BY coincidence, Daramalan Theatre Company’s new production, “Sacred Fire”,

uses the French Revolution to kick off an exploration of love within the historical context of idealism and tyranny. Robespierre, Marat, Pol Pot and Nuon Chea all get a look in. October 26-29. Bookings to 6245 6300.

HIGHWIRE Events are presenting the Australian premiere of “3 Skirts & a Mustache”. Featuring Elena Kirschbaum, Jane Schofield, and Melburnians Amy Nightingale-Olsen and Matt Anderson, there will be acrobatics, juggling, hula hooping, pyramids, hand balancing and tap dancing. It’s at Belconnen Community Theatre, 8pm, October 21-22. Tickets at the door.

“LOOKING for Aliens” is a concert marking Mental Health Week and features local writer, musician, comedian and storyteller and former psychiatric patient, Duncan Sargeant, with Jenny Sawer and Sophie Attridge. It’s at the Merry Muse, in the bowls club, 54 McCaughey Street, Turner, 7.30pm, October 21. Tickets at the door.

VETERAN Canberra

storyteller Brian Hungerford and lover of all things Iberian, has just launched “Different Waters 1588-2011”, “a fantastical entertainment” that looks at the interweaving cultures of Australia, Spain, Ireland and England. Inquiries to brilu@ grapevine.com.au Award winner... Caro Roach.

Canberra Theatre Centre’s ‘Collected Works’ season 2012 advertising feature

The best of the best head to Canberra

CANBERRA Theatre Centre’s Season 01 entitled “Collected Works” draws to Canberra some of the best national and international performing arts touring Australia next year.

Bookended by two productions from Belvoir, the season will open with the Australian classic “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” and will close with the romantic comedy “Private Lives”.

“It’s our artistic footprint,” CTC director Bruce Carmichael says. “Gill Hugonnet, our program manager, goes out and finds some really, really incredibly good work that our subscribers would enjoy.”

Also in the season is “Midsummer {a play with songs}” from internationally acclaimed Traverse Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare productions “Macbeth” and Moliere’s “The School for Wives”, Sydney Dance Company in “The Land of Yes and The Land of No”, Opera Australia’s Oz Opera in “Don Giovanni”, Big hART’s “Ngapartji Ngapartji (one)”, Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company in “Australia Day”, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s “Terrain”, Sasha Regan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”, The Wharf Revue and international sensations Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

To buy a season ticket, select four or more shows and get the best seats, save money, mingle with the stars and receive discounts at various restaurants and cultural institutions – all with flexibility.

Canberra Theatre Centre also offers a range of services that ensures their venues are accessible

to all. Services include live captioning, FM radioassisted hearing, audio description, tactile tours and wheelchair and mobility access.

Carers are also entitled to a free ticket when accompanying a paid Companion Card holder. All tickets to Season 2012 shows will be held exclusively for season ticket holders until Monday, January 16, when all tickets go on sale to the general public.

More information on Season 2012 “Collected Works” or any services CTC offers, phone Canberra Ticketing on 6275 2700 or visit canberratheatrecentre.com.au/season2012

Belvoir’s big double

BELVOIR returns to Canberra in 2012 with two classic performances – “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” and “Private Lives”.

The quintessential Australian classic, “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll”, written by Ray Lawler in 1955, is regarded as one of the most significant pieces of Australian theatre and one of the first plays to portray distinct Australian life and characters.

The play follows two cane cutters from Queensland, Barney and Roo, as they spend the summer for the seventeenth year at a house in Carlton.

The Belvoir production, directed by former Belvoir artistic director Neil Armfield, will include a cast headed by theatre royalty Robyn Nevin with Helen Thomson (“In the Next Room, or the vibrator play”).

Also coming to Canberra from Belvoir is Noël Coward’s “Private Lives” directed by relatively new artistic director for the company, Ralph Myers.

This year marks the second year that Myers is at the helm of Belvoir and “Private Lives” is his first time directing in the role.

“As a set designer, which I’ve spent now 10 or 11 years doing, I’ve worked with a lot of directors in a lot of rehearsal rooms and I’ve discovered that those directors who can leave their mind as open as possible and who can let the actors muck around with and play with the material as much as possible, create the best theatre,” he said.

“So that’s what we’ll be doing and who

knows what we’ll end up with, but I reckon it will be good.”

Starring in the piece is Toby Schmitz, one of Australia’s up and rising theatre stars, last seen in Canberra as Benedict in Bell Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”.

“He is a bon vivant, he’s a bit of a cad and he’s very, very funny, and that’s kind of exactly what you need,” Myers says of Schmitz.

“You need to have a kind of effortlessness and an ease and a charm and a wit that is kind of above the level of us mere mortals.”

“Summer of the Seventeenth Doll”, The Playhouse, March 14 to 17.

“Private Lives”, The Playhouse, November 21 to 24.

Comedy’s Scottish lilt

ALL the way from Scotland’s Traverse Theatre Company comes the romantic-comedy “Midsummer {a play with songs}”.

The play follows failing car salesman Bob and high-flying divorce lawyer Helena as their one night stand leads to a weekend of bridge burning, car chases, wedding bust-ups, bondage miscalculations and midnight trysts.

Written by one of the UK’s leading playwrights David Greig (who also directs) and Scottish singer/songwriter Gordon McIntyre, “Midsummer” premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and soon toured the world from London to Washington to Vancouver – all to sell-out crowds.

“Midsummer {a play with songs}”, The Playhouse, March 28-31.

When making-up is hard to do…

IF you’ve ever found yourself putting on mascara using the rear-view mirror, you’ll understand why interest is growing in cosmetics that can help us cut down on the time it takes to get made up in the morning. Wanting to cut down on making-up time is a strong trend, says Tony Baumann, head of Artistry at Mecca Cosmetica.

“We now find that most people have less time to apply make-up, and there is a clear trend in multi-tasking products,” says Tony. “With technology in cosmetics changing so rapidly, there are many products that you can use now for more than one function.”

These include lip and cheek stains, foundations such as Stila’s which has inbuilt primer and concealer, and easyto-apply brush-style concealer/highlighters.

“For the ultimate time saver, always use one product for lips and cheeks,” Tony says. “This not only saves you time, but if your lips and cheeks are in the same shade, you can play around with any other colour story on the eyes.

“The best make-up bags will have those go-to staple items that deliver. Then just add your seasonal colour items to keep it on-trend.”

Weight shock: the Gen X fatties

ALMOST half of generation X women are now overweight or obese, according to a new Heart Foundation survey.

The result of this is a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

The Heart Foundation surveyed more than 2500 women aged 30-44 about their height and weight, and found that 49 per cent of participants self-reported height and weight measurements that gave them a body mass index in the overweight or obese range.

The heart-health charity is so concerned by the findings that it is launching a new campaign, Mums United, to galvanise Australian families to take small, easy steps towards a healthier lifestyle and ultimately achieve a healthy weight.

“Tackling our expanding weight problem needs to be the country’s top priority, which is why we’re urging Australian families to get behind Mums United and work with us to create a healthier shaped Australia,” says Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.

“Everyone knows that it’s important to eat a balanced diet and be active, but many of us struggle to achieve this healthier lifestyle.

“Australians – and mums in particular – are constantly being

bombarded with information on how to be healthy, but so much of it gets dumped in the ‘too hard basket’ because it is complicated, confusing or contradictory.

“The reality is that small, easy changes really do add up to make a big difference to your family’s health – join Mums United

at heartfoundation.org.au/mumsunited and we will show you how.

“We know that women tend to worry more about their children, partner and parents than themselves, but actually one of the best ways for mums to improve their family’s health is to put themselves first and focus on

their own health.

“Visit heartfoundation.org.au/mumsunited for quick, low-cost healthy recipes and lots of other practical tips and tools to help you and your family take the first steps towards achieving and maintaining a healthy weight,” Dr Roberts says.

Women smokers more at risk

A NEW study has revealed that women smokers could be more at risk of heart disease than their male counterparts. The research, published in “The Lancet”, found the increased risk of developing heart disease because of smoking is 25 per cent higher for women compared to men. Chief medical adviser for the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Prof Jim Tatoulis, said: “Although the overall rate of smoking in Australia has been falling, and now 19 per cent of Australians are daily smokers, unfortunately the proportion of women that smoke is increasing.

“The highest number of smokers, both males and females are in the 20-to-49-year age group.”

Child pageants harm health

CHILD beauty pageants could potentially harm the mental health of contestants, according to a new study.

The Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists said such events sexualise children and are exploitative.

“Direct participation and competition for a beauty prize where infants and girls are objectified and judged against sexualised ideals can have significant mental health and developmental consequences that impact detrimentally on identity, self esteem, and body perception,” said Dr Nick Kowalenko, chair of the College’s Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Win the ultimate Canberra film festival gold pass valued at $1972 Entry at citynews.com.au/win. Prized sponsored by Transact

home Orange appeal

By Kathryn Vukovljak

IF you’re going to make a splash with this season’s interior trend for bright orange, go bold, says Christine MacLean, design services manager at Laura Ashley.

“Orange is not a timid colour, so if you want to incorporate it into your home it’s best to go for it,” she says. “Choose a sofa or chair upholstered in orange, and break it up with accessories from there.

“Or try a feature wall, either in solid orange or a beautiful wallpaper in orange shades with contrasting colours.

“Solid colour creates drama and impact, and you can break it up with patterned fabrics on cushions.”

Christine says that vibrant orange can still work if you’re a bit more cautious.

“Small accessories can add a hint of this energetic colour,” she says. “Go neutral with your main decor and furnishings, and add a hit of orange in a lampshade, cushions, or by adding a vase of orange tulips to the room.”

There are varying intensities of orange, says Christine, but this season’s shades are quite “full-on and out there”.

“It’s a pretty dominant look,” she says. “I think it will work for all seasons; it adds exhilaration, freshness and personality all year round.”

Verticale bookshelf in orange, $595, www. areodesigns.com.au

Great time to explore garden

gardening

cedric Bryant

THERE has never been a better time to visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, especially if you are a visitor to Canberra and have been taking in the gaudy delights of Floriade.

To balance that scene, the Botanic Gardens are the answer with just one example pictured here of the waratah Telopea “Canberry Gem”.

Just look at the exquisite make-up of the stunning flower of this shrub. I think NSW got the best end of the stick choosing the waratah as its State emblem out of all the State flora emblems. There are numerous varieties of waratahs growing in the gardens such as Telopea “Braidwood Brilliant” and T. speciossima x oreades

AT the other end of the scale to the bold and brassy waratahs is the delicate soft, white-tinged pink flowers of the Wax Flower, Philotheca, formerly known as Eriostemon, the most common being Eriostemon myoporoides

In our former nursery in Yass, we had this plant bordering the main path to the rose garden. I used to purposely brush my hand through the foliage when escorting customers through the garden. Invariably the instant comment was: “What is that remarkable fragrance?”

The next question that immediately followed was: “Have you got any of this plant in stock?”

It was one great Aussie plant that we just had to have in stock at all times for the fragrance of the foliage as well as the flowers.

Here is illustrated Philotheca “Bournda Beauty” bred by Bournda Plants, of Merimbula. Other wax flowers bred by this nursery, which incidentally supplies plants to most local garden centres, include Philotheca myoporoides “Winter Rouge”, P.m. “Moon Shadow” and P.m. “Flower Girl”. All these are rated as full sun, frost and salt tolerant, particularly important for those contemplating growing this super plant at the coast.

All grow to about 1.5m tall with a similar spread, although can be kept smaller if growing in a container with pruning immediately after flowering.

TO start your walk through the Botanic Gardens, call into the visitors’ centre to collect the “What is in flower this week” leaflet – it’s a must if you are looking to photograph particular plants in flower.

At the same time, see the Friends’ School Photographic Competition and view the gardens through a different perspective with outstanding photography from high school and college students.

ON Saturday, October 15, it is the 40th anniversary of the Black Mountain Wildflower Ramble.

Started by Nancy Burbidge, of ACT Flora fame, continued by botanist and eucalyptus specialist George Chippendale and now organised by the inimitable Jean Geue, the

Book winner

ramble starts at 9.30am to about noon from the Belconnen Way entrance, just off Caswell Drive turnoff (look for the balloons). Sunhats, stout shoes and water are the order of the day to reveal the many native plants growing on Black Mountain.

AND the 15th Bundanoon Village Ramble will be held on the weekend of October 22-23, 9.30am to 4.30pm on both days. This features nine beautiful, private gardens in the Southern Highlands plus numerous other activities in the village. Tickets are available in the Soldiers Memorial Hall. More details from Brenda Venton on 0412 762600 or www. bundanoongardenramble.org.au

For the native garden...

Lightly trim plants that have finished flowering, but not more than one third off at any one time.

Feed native plants with a plant food suitable for their requirements such as low or no phosphorus.

Mulch with Canberra Organic Mulch from Canberra Sand and Gravel, ideal for a bush garden.

Visit the Yarralumla Nursery for a super range of native plants together with expert advice on growing requirements.

Buy a copy of “Australian Plants for Canberra Region Gardens” from most bookshops or the Yarralumla Nursery.

To know more about native plants view the Australian Native Plant Society Canberra Region at www. nativeplants-canberra.asn.au

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore October 17-23

ARIES (Mar 1 – Apr 0)

You prefer to work on your own but it’s important to nurture partnerships and stabilize your support network this week. Joint ventures are favoured – as long as you are prepared to work hard. With Jupiter in your money zone, you’re feeling financially lucky but you’re also liable to overvalue things. Resist the temptation to be extravagant with cash and credit.

TAURUS (Apr 1 – May 0)

This week you’re in the mood for love, laughter, conversation and cozy companionship. Relationships are acting as a mirror, as you learn important lessons through interacting with others. Attached Bulls – it will be difficult to juggle your needs with those of your partner. Singles – sexual attraction is not enough. Be on the lookout for a lover who is also a friend.

GEMINI (May 1 – June 1)

Get ready for a schizophrenic kind of week, as Mercury [your ruler] makes positive and negative aspects. Optimism is high and there is the potential to do well, but don’t spoil potential success by being slap-dash and careless. Saturday is the day to broaden your mental horizons through creative communication, nifty networking, and sharing ideas with others.

CANCER

(June  – July )

Cautious Crabs – you need to be firm and down-to-earth when dealing with a fractious family member. Don’t waste time side-stepping around issues. If things start to resemble a soap opera, re-state your case clearly and calmly, and then move on. Buying things impulsively [or lending cash to unreliable people] will burn a hole in your budget this weekend.

LEO (July  – Aug )

If you want to be Top Cat, then you need to put 100% care and commitment into all your endeavours. Being impatient and cutting corners will only result in having to do everything twice. You’re bursting with a cacophony of creative ideas on the weekend, but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver – or scare others away by being cocky and over-confident.

VIRGO (Aug  – Sept )

Virgos have very high standards and are critical creatures [of yourself and others]. This week, your comments may be blown out of proportion, so think carefully before you make criticisms – no matter how ‘constructive’ they are. The Sun and Saturn are moving through your money zone, which shines a spotlight on flaws in your financial plan for the future.

LIBRA (Sept  – Oct )

Librans love a luxurious lifestyle but have you got the cold, hard cash to support your spontaneous spending sprees? Watch that your urge to splurge doesn’t get out of control, as Mercury, Venus and Jupiter move through your money zones. Neptune weaves a web of illusion on Saturday. Look at a romantic relationship realistically – and don’t confuse fact with fantasy.

SCORPIO (Oct  – Nov 1)

Sexy? Sultry? Seductive? You’re a Scorpio, so tick all the above. And, with expressive Mercury and charming Venus both visiting your sign, you’re even more flirtatious and charismatic than usual. But this week, add ‘secretive’ to the list too. Privacy is a top priority, and there are some scintillating secrets you don’t want to divulge now – or ever!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov  – Dec 1)

Mighty Mars boosts your appetite for action and adventure, so your motto for the week is from birthday great Sarah Bernhardt: “Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” You’re full of fiery enthusiasm about the future as you focus on the big picture – but don’t neglect the minutiae of daily life along the way.

CAPRICORN (Dec  – Jan 1)

With the Sun and Saturn charging through your career zone, the challenge is to lead others without being a bossy controlfreak! You’re keen to get ahead, but make sure you are kind and considerate to others along the way. Uranus urges you to shake things up on the home front as you move, renovate, redecorate – or welcome some unexpected house-guests.

AQUARIUS (Jan 0 – Feb 1)

It’s time to get creative on the job, as Mercury and Venus both stimulate your career zone. The more you communicate and cooperate with work colleagues, the better the week will be. The Moon and Mars hook up in your relationship zone on Saturday, so expect heated emotions – and some adventurous Aquarians are in for a wild romantic ride!

PISCES (Feb 1 – Mar 0)

Are you dreaming of heavenly holidays, foreign affairs and faraway places? It’s the perfect time to plan an adventure or vacation, as Mercury, Venus and Jupiter light up your travel zones. Romantic vibes are strong on the weekend, but don’t believe everything you hear. Singles – love is likely with someone from another country or culture. Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Across

4 What do we call one who resells sporting event tickets at exorbitant prices?

8 What is another name for a clique?

9 Which rare green variety of beryl is highly valued as a gem?

10 Name an alternative word for wattle trees.

11 What is a craftsperson also known as?

12 Name a more appropriate term for "playlunch".

14 Name a popular distilled spirit.

18 What do we call a woman engaged to be married?

21 Which newspaper is about one half the ordinary page size?

22 Name the breed of sheep, valued for their thick wool.

23 What is a flat-bottomed unpowered barge?

24 To make less severe is to do what?

Down

1 Quito is the capital of which S American republic?

2 What is another name for the ermine?

3 Which word describes apparitions, or visible spirits?

4 Name the up-and-down plank used for childrens' games.

5 A person who acts on behalf of another is called a what?

6 What are acts of expressing admiration?

7 Who was the French sculptor known for his portrayal of "The Thinker", Auguste ... ?

13 Name the cottages, common in alpine regions.

15 What do we call hard peppermint sweets having a striped pattern?

16 In nautical literature, where were miscreants hung?

17 In which kitchen appliance do we boil water?

18 Name the panel on which instruments, etc, are mounted, as in a motor car.

19 Beijing is the capital of which Asian republic?

20 Name the main trunk of the arterial system.

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Canberra Region Property Summary

CALWELL

CAMPBELL

Canberra Region Property Summary

CURTIN

LOOKING

FRANKLIN

GOWRIE

Canberra Region Property Summary

HARRISON

HUGHES

MACGREGOR

LATHAM

NARRABUNDAH

Canberra Region Property Summary

NICHOLLS

Canberra Region Property Summary

TORRENS

TURNER

WANNIASSA

YARRALUMLA