Canberra CityNews October 27- November 2, 2011

Speed promise slows drivers

The Gungahlin Drive Extension continues still to frustrate drivers, reports FREYLA FERGUSON

A NINE-year-old commitment to residents of Kaleen and Aranda concerned about traffic noise is one of the reasons the doublelane Gungahlin Drive Extension speed limit has been set at 80km/h.

The GDE, which the Opposition reminds us has taken the ACT Government longer to construct than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was finally completed with double lanes in each direction, earlier this month.

However, since the recent opening, “CityNews” has received calls of complaint about the GDE’s speed limit of 80km/h.

There are only a few roads in the ACT that have speed limits of 100km/h. They include Tuggeranong Parkway, Monaro Highway, Federal Highway and Barton Highway. There are localised exceptions on all rural roads in the ACT, which have a default

INDEX

0ctober 27-November 2, 2011

Since 1993: Volume 17, Number 41

Arts&Entertainment 37-39

Body 41

Canberra Confidential 18

Cinema 38

Crossword 36

Dining 39

Home&Garden 42-44

Horoscope 36

Letters 10

News 5-16

Politics 8

Property 45-59

Social Scene 32-35

Sudoku 36

Women in Business 19-29

FRONT

speed limit of 100km/h.

But why not the GDE?

According to a TAMS spokesperson, there are three reasons why the speed limit of the GDE is set at 80km/h.

“During the consultation period in 2002/3 a commitment was given to residents of Kaleen and Aranda that the speed limit would be set at 80 km/h in response to concerns they had about traffic noise from the road,” he said.

“Glenloch Interchange’s proximity to the next interchange to the south – the Lakeside Interchange – requires that its speed limit be set at 80km/h to ensure safe traffic movements to and from Lady Denman Drive.

“And to ensure consistency of speed limits along the route. The speed limit is consistent from Gungahlin Drive north of the Barton Highway to past the

Lakeside Interchange.”

The Tuggeranong Parkway, where the GDE leads to, has a speed limit of 100km/h.

“The Tuggeranong Parkway has well-spaced interchanges,” the TAMS spokesperson said.

“Additionally, no commitment was made during consultation to set the speed limit at 80km/h.”

In Australia, there is a standard that covers speed limits considering the type of road, any roadside development and traffic characteristics including volumes and crashes.

In the ACT, RoadsACT is responsible for assessing speed limits on public roads.

The TAMS spokesperson said they will be monitoring car speeds along the GDE over the next few months.

ACT, NSW, Queensland, Victoria and SA all have speed limits of 100km/h (excluding freeways).

The NT and WA have speed limits up to 110km/ h, reflecting the long distances of uninterrupted traffic flow.

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School’s global fiesta

THE Lyons Early Childhood School, Tarraleah Crescent, Lyons, is holding a fundraising “Global Kitchen Fiesta”, 11am-3pm, Sunday, October 30. Co-hosted with the Woden Community Service, the fiesta celebrates the school and the region’s cultural diversity. There will be entertainment and market stalls including craft, jewellery, plants, bonsai, ice cream, coffee, wooden toys, cards and more.

Experience dragon boats

DRAGON boating club, the Canberra Griffins is holding a “come and try” day at Lotus Bay, Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club, Marina Place, Yarralumla, from 10.30am, Sunday, October 30. The club will supply a paddle, boat, accredited instructor and a crew. More information at www.canberragriffins.com.au.

Laurie for lunch

FORMER Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher, who has returned to Canberra in the role of Brumbies assistant coach, is the guest speaker at the annual ACTAADS Inc fundraising lunch at The Brassey Hotel, Barton, 12.30pm, Friday, November 4. This year ACTAADS has given $18,000 in grants to help Canberrans with a disability to develop skills that will increase their participation in the wider community. The three-course lunch, with drinks, is $75. Boookings to 6273 3766 or email conference@brassey. net.au

Peter wins the pass

THE winner of the gold pass to every movie at the Canberra International Film Festival is Peter Copeman, of Ainslie. The prize was supplied by festival sponsor TransACT. To the limit... 80km/h on the GDE is frustrating some drivers.

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

Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

Libby Hill, libby@citynews.com.au

Lisa Ridgley, lisa@citynews.com.au

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

Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086

Graphic designer: Louise Brooks

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

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

Contributing photographer: Andrew Finch

Helping blokes handle sickness

By Freyla Ferguson

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard’s first man Tim Mathieson has launched the Breast Cancer Network Australia’s new online support group for the partners of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

The PM made a surprise and brief appearance at the Lodge event, standing behind Mr Mathieson as he welcomed the crowd, many breast cancer sufferers, survivors and medical personnel.

“Thanks to the Prime Minister, who just turned up to keep an eye on me,” he said.

“Can’t get away with much these days, can I?”

Mr Mathieson, one of the Government’s men’s health ambassadors, said

in his speech that every day 38 Australian women hear those chilling words:

“You have breast cancer”.

“Life will never be the same again for them and their partners,” he said.

“The biggest part of the journey is helping breast cancer patients face and overcome their illness. It is always priority number one.

“But it’s not the whole story. We know that partners and family suffer, too. Of course, not all women have partners and not all partners are male and not all males are husbands. We have to be aware of every different situation.

“As the men’s health ambassador, I am particularly concerned that blokes don’t always handle it well when their partners get sick.

“Research has shown that partners often suffer equal levels of emotional stress compared with women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“They will often mask their feelings by appearing positive, appearing as though they are coping themselves so

Prime Minister Julia Gillard surprised her partner Tim Mathieson as he was hosting a breast cancer initiative announcement at the Lodge.

Photo by Silas Brown

as not to burden their partner. But the truth is often partners need help, too.”

The online group called Partner Sup -

port will connect others facing similar challenges.

Partner Support will not only provide peer support, but will assist with the development of future resources designed specifically for partners.

Mr Mathieson’s daughter Sherri and Scott Hopkins, a partner of a breast-cancer survivor, made emotional speeches about their personal experiences with the disease.

“There are men that feel they have to be the rock, they have to fix things when they are broken and this is just one thing men can’t fix,” BCNA founder and CEO Lyn Swinburne said at the launch.

“Our online social network is one of those ways we think that, at least, men will be able to speak to one another.

“I am really pleased to announce the establishment of BCNA Partner Support, which is a group for male partners on our online social network.”

More information at www.bcna.org.

au/network

social photos, Page 33

For fans of rock

THE Canberra Lapidary Club is holding its Spring Gemcraft and Mineral Show at Exhibition Park, 10am to 5pm, on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6. There will be 20 dealers offering mineral specimens, rough and cut gemstones, jewellery, fossils, opals, crystals, beads, beading supplies and lapidary equipment. Club members will also have their collections on display. Entry is $5, $8 family, $2 concessions.

Free forest films

THE International Forest Film Festival will run in the National Library of Australia theatre, 12.30pm-7.30pm, on November 2. Films include “The Queen of Trees” from Kenya and “Conflict Tiger” from Russia. Free event. Bookings to nla.eventbrite.com or 6262 1271.

Beware the privatisation of sport

WITH television companies and sponsors pouring more money than ever into sport, prepare yourself for a rocky ride if private ownership of sporting teams becomes commonplace in Australia.

So far, it has had a minor impact on sport in this part of the world, but the experiences of American sport should provide a guide to the pitfalls.

The NBA basketball season is yet to get underway with the billionaire owners and the millionaire players in dispute over the distribution of revenue resulting in a lockout, which has lasted more than 100 days. Both parties want a 53 per cent share, which is mathematically impossible.

American sport has these types of disputes all the time and it’s always over money. Baseball had its world series wiped out in 1994; the NFL had a pre-season lockout lasting 18 weeks in the lead-up to last season and the National Ice Hockey League cancelled the 2004-05 season alto -

TIM GAVEL has come to the conclusion that the answer to almost everything in sport is money.

gether after players sought a greater share of revenue.

Thankfully, in Australia sport hasn’t been affected by the threat of striking players. The closest we have come is the breakaway Super League, World Series Cricket and the emergence of professionalism in rugby union. In all cases, the situation came about as a result of players seeing the money coming into their sport was not being evenly distributed.

The private ownership of sporting teams hasn’t really taken off in Australia.

I am not a huge fan of private ownership, it usually starts with an immediate cash injection and plenty of bravado, but when business people realise that it’s hard to make money out of owning a sports team they usually lose interest and it goes pearshaped.

I am not saying it happens all the time, but it has happened: remember the Sydney Swans? Hopefully Nathan Tinkler has

more success with the Newcastle Knights and the Jets, while it can be argued that News Limited has kept the Melbourne Storm afloat.

It can also be argued that private owners will push harder for a greater return, which is likely to also impact on the nature of sport.

It is for that reason, I hope private ownership doesn’t become part of the landscape in Canberra sport because it is important for the existing teams to be community based, although there is the constant struggle to stay financially viable.

Despite the Raiders and the Brumbies having poor seasons, you would hope supporters see that they are an integral part of the community and for many of us, they add to the reason why we live in Canberra.

Getting behind our national teams, the Brumbies, the Raiders and the Capitals in particular, will help maintain their viability and help the overall stability of sport.

Tension as Labor bucks campaign cash changes

Money speaks! It may not buy a vote in Australia, but it certainly buys access and influence, says political writer MICHAEL MOORE

ELECTIONS should not be won or lost according to who can put most money into a party, a candidate or into persuasive advertising. The “electioneering arms race” is out of control and it is time to confront the issue.

The Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety, chaired by Liberal Vicki Dunne, has delivered a thorough and thoughtful analysis of the issues that confront the ACT.

“A Review of Campaign Financing Laws in the ACT” includes a dissenting report from Labor’s John Hargreaves, which assists in providing an insight into the tensions around this issue.

The report examines recent reforms in places such as the Republic of Ireland and Canada as well as NSW and Queensland, which have adopted measures to combat the disproportionate influence that financial contributions bring to the political arena.

The committee has adopted a sensible approach by creating, as its main focus, limitations on the amount of money that can be expended in a campaign.

It recommends: “That electoral expenditure by political parties, their candidates and their associated entities should be limited to $60,000 per nominated candidate within the capped expenditure period, which shall commence on January 1 in an election year and close at the end of polling day.”

It also suggested donations to political parties, candidates or third parties be limited to $7000 in any financial year.

There is an alternative suggestion for adequate funding. It is an increased taxpayers’ contribution at a level proportionally in line with 85 per cent of funding provided to Senators by the election after next.

It is never popular to use taxpayers’ money to support campaigning. However, it is the current practice across Australia and the level should be adjusted to take into account the other recommended restrictions. It is a small price to pay for an effective democratic system.

John Hargreaves in his dissenting report

raises the issue that “donation caps will create a preference for pressure groups over party politics as they will strongly encourage political groups to engage in independent third-party activity.” He suggests they “may favour issue politics over broader and more inclusive forms of politics.”

The committee recommends a cap of $30,000 on expenditure by third parties to address the issue. However, even if this cap is implemented, Hargreaves might be shown to be right and further restrictions will then need to be considered following the October 2012 election.

Such reports rarely escape a political stoush. The Greens are the recipient of the largest-ever political donation in Australian history.

The Liberal Party accepts donations from big tobacco (although Vicki Dunne seemed for some reason unable to confirm this on ABC radio following the release of the report). ACT Labor accepts very large sums of money from community clubs that earn the bulk of their revenue through gambling.

John Hargreaves expressed his partisan concern that the report is aimed at the Labor Party. He argued: “If these recommendations on donations are accepted, donations will be capped to the intended detriment of one party (Labor) and yet revenue from return on assets through, for example rental property, will not be capped, to the advantage of another (Liberal) party.” He is concerned in contrast that the revenue from rental property of the Liberal Party will not be affected.

For a long time Labor has been supported by gambling. It cannot be dressed up as donations from “a community club” in the way that John Hargreaves attempts. Labor does not want to lose the financial advantage it has always had in the ACT, but there are higher-order issues. The system needs reforming now, before it really gets out of hand and our democratic systems are further undermined.

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

This tranquil, pastoral scene of pen, cob and cygnets is not what it seems. These are innercity swans and snapper SILAS

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Why a republic is wrong

THE Queen’s visit was an opportunity for “The Canberra Times” to give an airing to the local republicans in opinion pieces and letters.

We were informed that the monarchy is “antidemocratic”. It is strange that the most stable and democratic countries in the world seem to be monarchies, in contrast to those run by erstwhile freedom and democracy fighters turned dictators, and the numerous republics whose stability depends on the army.

It is parliament, not the crown, which performs the democratic role in a monarchy. The members of parliament are often in such odium that many would wish the crown to have a stronger role in representing the people, for the sake of balance.

It is certainly arguable that Australia should have a resident monarch, but republicans do not seem to mind being told how to run this country by visiting unelected UN “invigilators”, or signing away sovereignty to international conventions, which less self-righteous nations decline to do.

A monarch shared with other countries is both economical and internationalist.

Presidents, where not self-appointed, come at huge cost in election campaigns, periods of instability and divisiveness. They usually carry partisan baggage. The big problem for republicans is telling us what sort of pig they’ve got in their poke. Because they can’t agree on this, they hope to nudge an undefined republic into being via plebiscites with feel-good weasel words.

Pam Lai, Holder

Stefaniak is right

I AGREE with Bill Stefaniak (“Ranting Moore is wrong”, CN, letters, October 13).

When Yasser Arafat knocked back Ehud Barak’s peace offering in 2000, which gave a Palestinian state 73 per cent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip (which would have given Palestinian sovereignty over 91 per cent or 94 per cent excluding Jerusalem), I gave up on my support for Palestinians.

They obviously did not want peace and were content to watch more innocent people die and be injured on both sides of the border. Arafat was Palestine’s version of Tony Abbott and the people should have replaced him with a leader who was willing to compromise if they truly wanted peace.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Gobsmacked by letter

I WAS gobsmacked to read Martin Miller’s letter “Cycle helmets just an excuse” (CN, October 13).

The fact that he does not wear a helmet when riding his children to school is a great example to be sending to his kids – not!

The last time I was in a car accident, the driver was killed – he was wearing a seat belt, I wasn’t.

But I have ever since, because I know I would rather take my chances wearing one than not. And, just like cycle helmets, it is the law.

A helmet may not save my life, but why would you take the risk and why would you set such a poor example for your children?

Richard Blundell, Duffy

No real arguments

IN the October 13 edition of “CityNews”, Robert Macklin (“Big reasons to step up to a Big Australia”) argues that small-minded elitists are the only supporters of a slowdown in population growth.

He says it is dangerous to “keep Australia small”. What rubbish! His article is full of generalised assertions that he uses to support a Big Australia. He says the arguments are compelling, but fails to cite one compelling argument.

At the recent Population Summit conference

in Melbourne, which I attended, nearly all speakers from a diverse background highlighted the costs of and losers from high population growth. Prominent and highly respected demographer Dr Katherine Betts put it very well in saying that the beneficiaries of high population growth and a Big Australia are relatively few and they benefit handsomely – property developers, home builders and manufacturers of major household consumer goods, for example.

By contrast, most citizens experience increased congestion, loss of biodiversity, more pollution, higher housing costs and higher taxes to fund the expanded infrastructure needed to service a bigger population.

Macklin should stick to writing good columns, like the one he wrote in an earlier edition, which vividly described the rip-offs in virtually all goods and services at our monopoly-owned airports.

colin Lyons, Weetangera

Jobs’ cancer alert

THE sad news that Apple founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs, has passed away shines a spotlight on a rare and little-understood type of cancer. It has long been reported in the media that Jobs suffered from pancreatic cancer (which commonly refers to adenocarcinoma), when in fact he had a form of neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas.

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are one of more than 100 rare forms of cancer that, taken together, make up 40 per cent of all cancers. A lack of knowledge and awareness about NETs, both within the medical profession and the wider public, means sufferers can go years before the disease is correctly identified. Some patients have lived with a form of NETs for up to seven years before being diagnosed.

Often this is because typical symptoms – diarrhoea, anxiety, asthma, irritable bowels – are assumed to be something else. The result is that by the time patients are correctly diagnosed, life expectancy is usually only three years. It is a cancer that warrants attention from the Australian media; there are currently 8000 known cases in Australia and another 2000 patients expected to be diagnosed this year (a number higher than ovarian cancer).

On behalf of the only Australian charity supporting NET patients and Australian research into NETs, I’d encourage Australians to take something positive from the passing of Jobs and ask their GP for a NETs screening if they recognise these symptoms – our aim is for the understanding of NET cancers to be on par with the current knowledge of MS and ovarian cancer in a decade.

Dr John Leyden, chairman, u nicorn Foundation, ns W

The thin blue line

CHEWY on the boot to drug liberalisers who say prohibition has no effect on drug use! The latest AFP annual report shows the volume of illegal drugs seized by federal agencies in the last financial year jumped by a huge 316 per cent.

Over five tonnes of drugs were intercepted domestically, up from 1.24 tonnes the previous year. Difficult to say how many lives have been saved by that huge seizure, but in contrast to methadone, no one will die as a result.

The Australian Crime Commission recently warned of an explosion in synthetic marijuana and other drugs, and a report from the University of NSW has revealed that more than half of injecting drug users in the ACT are using the drug ice!

Our Government’s pro-active contribution appears to be procrastination on the rejection of needles in our prison. Thank goodness for the thin blue line!

colliss

Parrett, Barton

I did but see her... the Queen and me

Eye to eye, smile to smile, DON AITKIN recalls a private moment shared with the Queen on the streets of Canberra.

HER Majesty is making what I am being assured is her 16th visit to our shores. Those of the doom-and-gloom persuasion say confidently that this will be her last.

That seems to me unkind. Why shouldn’t she make more visits? After all, we are always being told that Australia needs more tourists. And her mother lived to 101, so she could have another 20 years or so.

Where should we go to see her progress on the lake? Someone asked where I would be going, and I had no answer. It hadn’t occurred to me that my presence would be required. After all, I once had what amounted to a private, though rapid, experience with HM, and why would I want to supplant that?

I should point out that I am best described, in this context, as a “tepid republican” – someone who thinks that Australia might well be a republic, and that it will happen in due course, but that it is an issue well down on my list of current priorities.

My special experience happened quite a while ago. In fact, the other person involved, my daughter Lesley, who celebrated an important birthday milestone recently, was only 18 months

old at the time. It happened like this.

In 1963, the Queen came to Australia to open the Menzies Library at the ANU. That is my firm understanding, though she doubtless went elsewhere in our great country as well. As a student representative on the council of the university, I had a good seat at that event, and can report that HM wore a peach-coloured dress and possessed a fine set of ankles. The Duke told those wearing academic dress that they looked like “a lot of bloody cockatoos”, though I think he probably meant parrots.

The next day the royal pair went for a drive through the streets of Canberra, and I was on baby-minding duty in our university flat in Forrest. One of the streets on which the drive was to occur was ours, and I knew the time, so a few minutes before I gathered up Lesley from the floor where she was absent-mindedly chewing a book. She was into books at an early age.

“Let’s go and see the Queen,” I offered.

“Queen,” said Lesley, who was into repeating any word you said.

We went downstairs and out into the world, and on to the nature strip between our flat and Canberra Av-

enue. We were quite alone. No other denizen of the Forrest Flats had felt the same urge. Suddenly I saw what might well be the Rolls up near the Presbyterian Church. Someone walking a block away turned into the Hotel Wellington, completely ignoring the significance of the scene.

But Lesley and I were ready. I hoisted her on to my shoulders. Where were the cheering crowds? We were the only loyalists in sight.

“Here comes the Queen,” I said to my daughter. “You need to wave.”

“Wave,” said Lesley, but did nothing.

I did the only honourable thing.

Holding her firmly with my left arm, I held her right hand with mine, and as the royal car arrived we gave an enthusiastic joint wave.

Her Majesty smiled, and returned our salute. My memory is that the Duke looked impassive, but perhaps

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh step ashore at Commonwealth Park last week on their way to Floriade... just two of snapper Silas Brown’s beautiful collection of royal visit photographs at citynews.com.au

that is only how he seems to look most of the time.

I did but see her passing by, as our then Prime Minister had said at the time of the first visit, and that will be enough for me. Crowds now would only spoil the memory of what, after all, was a very private experience.

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

Want a revolution? See China

Europe is crumbling, America is racing to the political extremes and Russia is run by gangsters, but China is rising like a phoenix, writes ROBERT MACKLIN

IT’S the greatest peacetime revolution the world has ever known. And until you actually see it first hand, it’s impossible to appreciate its magnitude.

I urge every Canberran – every Australian – to do so as soon as possible. The experience will change your perception of the world and our economic future.

I speak, of course, of the transformation of China and for the last two weeks I’ve travelled in three of its southern provinces. Two of them – Guangxi and Guizhou – are among the least developed. The third, Guangdong, contains one of the industrial powerhouse cities, Guangzhou (formerly Canton) where this year a single manufacturing complex will produce two billion mobile phones. That’s one each for a quarter of the entire world’s population. And that’s just for starters.

It was my seventh visit to China in the last decade. The others were mostly to the major cities and the tourist attractions of the north. Each time I’d noted big changes, but nothing like this.

The German and Japanese “economic miracles” are almost laughable by comparison with what’s happening within our northern neighbour.

In one day, for example, I travelled along a new super highway for about four hours. It had been tunnelled through an entire mountain range; in the

valleys between the peaks its pylons stood up to 200 metres tall; the tunnels – more than 80 of them – varied in length up to seven kilometres. And the project – the size of four Snowy Mountain Schemes – was completed in only three years. But here’s the truly astonishing thing: the tunnels travelled only one way – a second parallel set took the traffic in the opposite direction.

Cities the size of Sydney have arisen virtually overnight.

Office and accommodation construction is everywhere. And the air of prosperity (like the atmosphere) is palpable, at least in the cities. The people – especially the women – are smartly dressed and increasingly confident and both sexes are unerringly friendly, especially to Australian visitors.

And it’s cheap as chips. We stayed in four-star hotels for a fortnight, ate fine Chinese food and enjoyed guided bus and boat travel, bought presents for the family and all for less than $4000 including the return flights from Canberra.

However, the real impact on our lives will be in the new balance of power in the world. China still has hundreds of millions of its own people to raise from grinding poverty to a decent standard of living; that will ensure its continued powerful growth, which will sustain our prosperity, especially in the

service industries and mining. And already they are outsourcing to Africa, raising living standards with employment in place of the west’s condescending aid budgets that merely maintained the status quo.

Meanwhile, Europe is crumbling, America is racing to the political extremes and Russia is run by gangsters. So Prime

Minister Gillard’s decision to appoint Ken Henry to devise our plan for an Asian century could hardly have come at a better time.

Footnote: Many thanks to all those many readers who responded with suggestions to combat tinnitus. I’ll give acupuncture a go and report back. robert@robertmacklin.com

Arts changes bring mixed responses

By arts editor Helen Musa

HOT upon our recent report that ACT ArtsAbility officer Caro Roach had won an award from the ACT Down Syndrome Association, comes news of the de-funding of the Community Arts Office in which she works.

The office, housed in the North Building, is home to a manager, the indigenous arts officer, the ArtsAbility officer and the multicultural arts officer.

In response to the Loxton review of the arts in Canberra, Arts Minister Joy Burch has proposed the transfer of the function of Community Arts Office to the Belconnen and Tuggeranong Arts Centres, two of the “arts hubs” recommended by Loxton.

The minister has asked that the scope of the community arts officers be expanded beyond the current single focus for specific community sectors to “a more holistic approach.”

The move has shocked those used to the current model, but drawn enthusiastic support from other arts workers, who say the old model of separate portfolios within the community arts is outmoded.

Manager Andy Heaney, who will leave the office in several weeks for a Commonwealth Government job, told “CityNews” the decision had been revealed in late September by the director of artsACT, David Whitney, who told Heaney the office would be closed at the end of this year.

“We lobbied like crazy,” Heaney said, “with the result that the jobs in the office have been guaranteed until December 31, 2012.”

The issue surfaced again last week when Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan raised the matter in the Legislative Assembly, arguing that the move “would impact significantly on access and equity in the arts, and on cultural development in Canberra.”

While Heaney said he had no problem with a change of location, he challenged Ms Burch’s view that good specialist arts workers can also work with the community at large, saying the new jobs would not be culturally “identified.”

He said the office had a solid track record of achievement, “keeping people connected, advocating between the complex needs of arts and health, language and cultural issues.”

Callers to “CityNews” have weighed in to the contrary, saying the officers have under-achieved and that their claims of success are exaggerated. As for the relocation out of Civic, which one caller charged would erode access, a spokesman for Ms Burch said, “people live in Tuggeranong and Belconnen, too.”

There’s a disconnect in draft plan

IN the light of the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell’s release of the ACT draft planning strategy, people have been rightly considering the practical suggestions on how to achieve a denser Canberra with less reliance on the car.

And they have been rightly looking at whether such changes will improve, spoil or have no effect on the character of our capital.

However, assuming the draft is accepted, the Government itself has put up a number of hurdles.

Corbell, has offered a glimpse of a possible future, one where many of us can walk

to our destinations, where the complete range of housing options are available and one which lowers the entire community’s environmental footprint.

But the Government, tasked with turning this glimpse into reality, has set up a range of taxes, fees and charges that act as a disincentive for those attempting to deliver the reality.

Add to that its over-reliance on land sales in the suburbs, the removal of barriers to

achieving the plan will have a drastic effect on Government revenue.

For any such plan to work, a whole-ofgovernment commitment is needed. Corbell said his team had linked it closely with the Transport for Canberra policy. Laudable, but there is still an inherent disconnect between revenue and planning, which must be resolved if this plan’s to succeed.

The Government’s heart might be in the right place with this draft, but the objectives of the revenue-collection arm of government clash with those of the planning arm, and they must be reconciled.

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

Humble Zed, the working-class hero

VALUES are such an integral part of who I am and what I stand for that to understand my values today you need to understand the values I was brought up with, and the lessons I have learnt on my journey.

I’m the son of immigrant parents. My family was neither wealthy nor privileged.

My parents raised six kids on one very modest income and, for that, I am eternally grateful. This meant that we didn’t have a lot, but we didn’t waste a lot, either. We made every decision, every activity and every achievement count.

Despite my parents’ tough circumstances, one of the great things about Canberra has always been that housing was not out of our reach.

For around twice my father’s modest annual income, my parents were able to get a perfectly acceptable house and land package in Wanniassa in 1982.

This, as well as being part of my family’s path to home ownership, gave me one of my abiding principles: I value the pride and prosperity of home ownership.

Last week, we found out that the average cost for a first home in Canberra is now more than $400,000. That’s gone up over $20,000 in the last 12 months alone.

An average house in Canberra is now well over half a million dollars. That’s a far cry from twice the average wage my parents could buy for – it’s closer to eight times an average income. Eight times the deposit, and eight times the mortgage.

I was lucky to study at one of the best universities in the world, the ANU. It was here that I developed another defining value: I value the rule of law and the lessons of the past.

My study and my work as a senior government lawyer taught me respect for the rule of law, and that many of the freedoms we enjoy are the fruits of centuries of careful thought and consideration.

BUT it has led me to another important principle: I value government as a tool to support the freedoms of individuals, not impose an ideology.

I have seen, this term, a raft of legislation that is not about curtailing the worst behaviours, but trying to enforce a preferred world view by making any “unapproved” conduct illegal.

Fireworks are banned, plastic bags are banned, shopping trolleys are regulated – the Greens even tried banning the sale of puppies, this is not the hallmark of a free society – it is using the law as a tool for social engineering, and it is not a position I or my party support.

Examples like this show to me a government that has completely lost its sense of what’s important.

Almost a year to the day from the next ACT election, Liberal Opposition Leader ZED SESELJA gave a personal speech at the National Press Club outlining his vision for Canberra and how his humble start in life influences it. This is an edited glimpse of his push to lead ‘the best local government in Australia’.

From my background of growing up in a single-income home with six kids, I learned the value of money and the importance of making wise spending decisions.

I value endeavour and enterprise. My family often took second jobs and friends and family members have all made their way in the world as self employed or in small business. To me, small business is a big deal.

Tens of thousands of Canberrans run a small business. Most are not wealthy.

We believe that their contribution should be valued, rather than them being seen as just another tax opportunity.

We respect people who go to work and pay their taxes by spending their money carefully.

We value families and understand the cost pressures which families face, so all of our decisions in Government will look to put downward pressure on taxes and charges.

FINALLY, we value integrity and competence, and I no longer see either in this government.

An analysis shows we are worse off now than when Labor took to power in almost every important aspect of governance.

Rates have increased by more than 100 per cent in many suburbs. Electricity has risen 75 per cent. Water is up 200 per cent. Taxation per capita is up 76 per cent in real terms. First homes now start at an average of over $400,000.

Our school teachers have become amongst the lowest paid in the country, and their ability to deal with this government has become so toxic that they have been on strike – twice.

Our hospital system has become the worst in the country on many measures; we have the lowest number of GPs per capita in the country; we have the lowest bulk billing rates in the country; we have the longest elective surgery waits in the country and some of the longest emergency departments waiting times in the country – and they’re getting worse.

But the mother of them all is that great swathe of congestion that has clogged Canberra for a decade: the Gungahlin Drive Extension.

This is a road that took longer to build than

the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and that ACT Labor – after 10 years and $200 million – went out and said was delivered early!

I’d like to suggest that we might just be able to do things better.

This is my vision for government – to be the best local government in Australia.

Being the best local government means concentrating on basics – delivering basic services and lowering cost of living. It means: realising that services are suffering and we need to do better in hospital waiting times, in GP services, in education, in roads; not trying to save the world out of the Legislative Assembly, but getting back to basics in the community; recognising cost of living is a real issue for many people and that housing affordability is at a genuine crisis point.

My plan starts with infrastructure reform. I determined very early on that one of the main reasons that infrastructure delivery was failing so spectacularly was because of the short-term thinking of the Government.

I therefore developed a comprehensive legislative solution with the Infrastructure Canberra Bill, which makes those structural changes through a more professional, forward thinking and independent approach. This gathered great support from organisations such as Engineers Australia and Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.

Infrastructure Canberra establishes an Independent Infrastructure Commissioner, backed by an industry expert board, to advise, develop and implement a long-term, holistic plan for infrastructure in the Territory.

THROUGH Infrastructure Canberra – a plan that has been on the books for over a year now – we could ensure that infrastructure delays don’t continue to hold back the supply of land.

This necessarily also involves multiple development fronts and getting the private sector to do more, rather than less as is the current direction of this government.

Finally, it involves tax reform to ease the mas-

sive taxation burden on first home buyers.

Recently it was reported that over 30 per cent – or $189,000 of an average home price – is taxes. Not all of these are local taxes, but a fair few of them are.

From now until the election you will continue to see more ideas come from the Canberra Liberals.

Our ideas will all be based around the very simple vision of being the best local government in Australia, and based on the core values that have formed my life and my political development.

Iam very proud of what my team has achieved over the past three years, but I will be even prouder when I can say that our core services are not just matching national averages, but leading the way; when ordinary Canberrans can once again afford to get in a house and stay in a house; when everyone can see a doctor they need and get the education they want; when the streets are safe and clean; when businesses are opening up instead of shutting down; when the government is once again a place of frank and fearless advice and when Canberra becomes the city it is capable of becoming, then I will have achieved my vision, and it will be built on my values.

Then we can all say that the best city in Australia has the best local government in Australia.

Early promises

SESELJA announced that, if elected, the Liberals will:

Provide a series of one-off grants to upgrade regional ovals and associated facilities.

Help sports clubs maintain affordable player registration fees by reducing the cost of ground training and match fees by 50 per cent.

Introduce Infrastructure Canberra to save the Territory millions in overruns and late deliveries.

Support and protect the public service with a genuinely independent Public Service Commissioner.

Introduce a system where all suppliers for contracts up to $1 million would be paid within 45 days.

Remove the penalties for paying car registration by instalments.

You can do it, say TV’s Josh and Jenna

Stars of the TV hit show ‘The Block’, Josh Denston and Jenna Whitehead, will be in Canberra to share some of their secrets at a design workshop at Springbank Rise

LIFE has de  nitely moved on for renovators and popular “The Block 2011” contestants Josh Denston and Jenna Whitehead.

Only days after the controversial auction  nale, which saw Josh propose to Jenna on national TV (she said, “yes!”) and three houses, including their own, passed in at auction – they embraced new-found fame and experience and launched their own interior design company, Bicker Design Co (named after their famous bickering on the TV show).

“What we’ve learnt from our experience on ‘The Block’ is you can pretty much do anything – nothing is too dif  cult,” Josh says.

Currently, they are in the thick of renovating another house, their property in the western suburbs of Melbourne, which they had only just gutted before being told they were selected for the television series.

“This house is a bigger project than what we had to do on ‘The Block’,” he says.

Josh, a plumber by trade who had worked in construction and was studying construction management, and Jenna, a hairdresser, may be

young (24 and 23 respectively) but they are no strangers to the renovation game.

They bought their  rst home in Albury, spending $30,000 to renovate it. They moved to Melbourne to take on their second property.

“We had never really renovated and styled a house,” Josh says of his “The Block” experience.

But that wasn’t an issue for the couple, he says they were soon “experimenting” with interior design and realised very quickly they both had a keen eye for it.

“We love experimenting with different styles,” he says.

After the program  nished, it was only natural for the couple to take advantage of “The Block” experience and follow their new-found passion for styling interiors.

“I’ve always liked plumbing, I love being out on the construction site with the boys,” he says.

“But with the new business, we work around life. We’ve made a lifestyle change.

“I used to start work really early and Jenna used to start work really late and we’d never see each other.

“Now we are working together.”

And as for the wedding?

“It’s planned for early next year,” he says. “But that’s all I can say for now.”

Josh and Jenna are coming to Canberra to host the “Styling Your New Space”, an interior design workshop at Springbank Rise.

The workshop is designed to assist potential purchasers and residents when decorating their home.

The celebrity couple will cover: colour schemes and basic colour psychology; how to execute an effective  oor plan; the process of choosing and purchasing your furniture; choosing timeless furniture; versatile furniture and styling tips; occasional furniture/furnishings design tips and placement; 10-minute makeover (how to de-clutter and re-arrange furniture); and upcoming and current trends.

“Styling Your New Space” interior design workshop with “The Block 2011” contestants Josh and Jenna at the Springbank Rise Living Options Display Village, Casey, at 11am and 1pm on Sunday, October 30. More information at Springbank Rise, sales and information centre on 1800 929 466 or email springbankrise@lendlease.com to reserve a VIP seat.

“The

Interior Design Sessions with Josh & Jenna 30 October 11am & 1pm sessions. Stock up on home styling tips from winning duo Josh and Jenna! They’ll share insider tricks oncreating beautiful spaces that work exactly how you want them to.

Email springbankrise@lendlease.com to reserve your seat.

PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY

Springbank Rise Living Options Display Village, Gungahlin. Visit springbankrise.com.au for more information.

Living Options Display Village Yeend Ave, Off Horse Park Drive Casey, ACT 2913

Canberra Confidential

Art by royal command

MANY of our national institutions were on-call, day and night, during the Queen’s visit.

“CC” hears that representatives from certain attractions were responsible for hand-picking works from their collections they thought might be of interest to Her Majesty.

According to sources, employees had to be available at a moment’s notice to head to Yarralumla at the Queen’s request. One got the nod to be at Government House pronto on Sunday, only to be stood down.

At the time of going to press, there were still many anxious curators with an ear to the phone around the cultural institutions.

Katy’s hat tricks

CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher looked relaxed as she was photographed wandering behatted through Floriade with Her Majesty. But “CC’s”

heard that, behind the scenes, things were a little different.

After a trial walk through Commonwealth Park two days before the Queen’s arrival, Gallagher decided it might be “nice” to wear a hat.

A call was made to Health Directorate employee and part-time milliner Rachel Henson, who managed to design and create Gallagher’s beautiful hat almost overnight, receiving the Chief’s head measurements via email. And she managed to match the colours and design by looking at the dress online!

Buddies take to hats

SPEAKING of hats, with racing season upon us and Melbourne Cup just days away, here’s a chance to snap up an interesting head design and help raise money for a good cause.

Canberra identities and pollies have been busy over the past few weeks designing and creating their own race-day hats, which are being auctioned off for local breast cancer charity Bosom Buddies.

The list includes the member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann; her predecessor Annette Ellis; ACT MLA Jeremy Hanson; ABC radio’s Alex Sloan; John Runko, CEO Independent Property Group and his wife Pauline, a Bosom Buddies ACT ambassador.

You’ll find their personally-designed hats online at www.allbids.com.au

All proceeds go to Bosom Buddies to help support breast cancer patients in the ACT and surrounding region. Bidding closes on Sunday, October 30.

Kulture Break back home

CONGRATULATIONS to the ACTEWAGL Kulture Break Dream Zone US-tour kids who have arrived home safely after a trip of a lifetime.

Four volunteers accompanied 21 at-risk kids on the tour, which was designed to encourage them to have faith in their abilities to achieve their dreams.

Francis Owusu, Kulture Break’s CEO, says the tour was an incredible experience for everyone involved.

“The idea was to encourage kids to dream... a lot of kids struggle these days to believe they can achieve things,” he says. “We created a space where they could believe things were possible and then tell that story to audiences through dance.”

The group lugged 52 suitcases weighing over 1,196kg and performed 20 shows in New York and LA over 14 days.

They appeared on US TV and took a workshop with Disney choreographer Heidi Jarret, who has worked with singers Seal and Christina Aguilera.

Cinders aims to sparkle

IT takes more than a glass slipper and some dancers to make the fairytale “Cinderella” come to life at Canberra Theatre Centre in mid-November.

Word has it that more than 80 costumes are worn during the West Australian Ballet’s version of this rags-to-riches tale and around 8000 Swarovski Crystals were used in their making, with 1000 encrusted on the Fairy Godmother’s

tutu alone. Not to mention the lace. This magical production features more than 200 metres of it delicately hand-sewn into many of the bodices and tutus.

And something you would never know... the newspaper read by Cinderella’s father on stage is an original French paper from June 8, 1936! “Cinderella”, November 15-19, Canberra Theatre Centre. Bookings to www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Holy smokes, Batman!

BATMAN St Brasserie looks like being the place to be seen this summer. “CC” hears that contractors have been working overtime ahead of its official launch, which is just weeks away.

Located in Gorman House, Batman St Brasserie is Sage Restaurant and the new Mint Garden Bar combined.

The Harrington boys have worked tirelessly on the project and the plan is for a VIP launch on Thursday, November 10, with the grand opening on Friday, November 11. The Friday event is expected to draw quite a crowd and “CC’s” been told priority may be given to Batman St Brasserie Facebook friends and database members.

See Wendy Johnson’s review of Mint Garden Bar, Page 39.

in the Thriving world material

Rebekah thriving in the material world

Rebekah Grif ths was 17 years old when she rst came to Canberra for a party, armed only with a bag of clothes and a return ticket to Adelaide.

THE owner of the successful eco-friendly business, Material Pleasures, which buys and sells recycled contemporary or recent-season designer items, has been in Canberra for almost 25 years.

“I had only been here for a week or two and had already found a local op shop and couldn’t help picking things up,” said Rebekah Grif  ths.

“Then, literally, within a few days of that, I had opened my stall at Gorman House markets at the age of 17 and have been here ever since.

“It’s grown from a piece of rope between two verandah posts, with an up-turned milk crate and bucket of pegs, to 13 staff and a shopfront and markets and as you see it today.”

Material Pleasures, now situated on 3 Barrier Street, Fyshwick, was established by Rebekah in March, 1987, as a market stall at Gorman House.

In September, 2009, she established the Fyshwick shop and workroom, where all her clothes are priced and prepared for the store.

More than 500 garments come through the business each week, ranging from designer labels including Lisa Ho, Chloé, Camilla, Nina Ricci to Cue, Country Road and Veronica Maine.

They not only source women’s fashion, but men’s fashion, children’s fashion, vintage items and jewellery.

“It’s about picking the cream of what each company and designer has done in each season,” she says.

When looking at a garment, Rebekah chooses

items on fabric  rst, followed by design and functionality.

Material Pleasures not only take pride in their friendly, professional service (they are also happy to help shoppers style out  ts to suit their body shape), but also adamant at getting each piece to the best condition it can be, with a full workshop out the back for cleaning and repairs.

“We are a really viable alternative to new shopping,” she says.

“Before you give your clothes away, run them past us we really have a strong following and we can  nd a good home for your clothes.

“The quality of the clothes that come through is amazing. The labels are amazing.”

When selling a garment to Material Pleasures, Rebekah offers 30 to 50 per cent of the price they will sell the garment at, with store prices ranging between $25 to $150 per piece.

Currently, she is putting a call out for garments in sizes 14 to 20.

“People who come in for the  rst time, say ‘I really had no idea – this is amazing’,” she says.

“We have written on the wall ‘Come in, you’ll be surprised’.

“If you don’t  nd anything on the  rst day, then come back. On average 500 pieces a week go through.

“The 14-to-18 range particularly popular, so it’s a good idea to keep regularly popping in to see what’s new.

“Seven out of 10 people walk out the door with something, even if they weren’t expecting to.

“We have all different people that can see the merit in our clothes.”

And to stay up-to-date on new items coming in store, Rebekah recommends shoppers sign up to the mailing list for the free newsletter that features new stock arrivals, change-of-season dates, sales and special events.

Material Pleasures, 3 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Open 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, call 6280 0825.

Material Pleasures at the Bus Depot Markets. Open 10am-4pm every Sunday, except two weekends post-Christmas Day. More information at www.materialpleasures.com.au

Pronto 14 Lonsdale Street, Braddon 6262 7710

Michelle Garnya

OWNER

MY passion in life is great coffee and even better food and my  ve beautiful children, but what mother would not say that?

It is for this reason that I have re entered the restaurant/ cafe scene. My aspiration is to create an atmosphere where my passion can be shared.

My career to date has been uncomplicated. However, I have been able to extract so much knowledge from my previous ownership of a petit cafe in Cooma and also from my three years’ working in the public sector, in management.

I live by the motto of leading by example and would never ask anyone to do what I am not prepared to do myself. I am creative and innovative and am not afraid to be different, my idealism for the future is to create a happy and playful team spirit where staff will want to come to work despite the fact that they may not be in their dream job.

michelle.garnya@cafeprontocanberra.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

12A Thesiger Court, Deakin 6283 5200 zoe.carroll@actchamber.com.au

Carroll

ZOE is the executive of  cer of the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Australian Industry & Defence Network (Canberra) and the Indigenous Business Chamber of Australia. She is responsible for the management of the chief executive’s of  ce and for secretariat services to the ACT chamber, AIDN and Indigenous Business Chamber boards. She is also responsible for the management of the very busy Chamber of  ce and its premises.

Zoe recently joined the ACT Chamber of Commerce, bringing with her a background in of  ce management gained through her experiences in the commercial construction industry and retail management roles.

She believes that building strong relationships is vital to the organisation’s success and she enjoys the challenges of her role at the chamber and her busy schedule. Maintaining her organisational skills is integral to staying on top of the game and creating a healthy life-work balance.

AS the marketing, events and communications of  cer at the ACT Chamber, Sarah is responsible for co-ordinating events, marketing activities and communications to chamber members. Sarah is also heavily involved in the chamber’s Young Business Network, which provides people who are young in age or in business experience with the opportunity to network, develop skills and make new friends.

As a typical Gen Y, Sarah is enthusiastic about social media and passionate about connecting, promoting and growing individuals and small business through the chamber’s various social media platforms. Sarah has recently introduced a new chamber membership bene  t, Chamber Member of the Month. This competition allows the winning organisation to promote its business free of charge through the chamber website, weekly e-newsletter and social media for a month.

“We have a great team at the chamber and I love the opportunities which are presented to me in my role, to grow and develop my skills.”

Achieve Corp Business Solutions Unit 1, 82 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston 1300 139217 business@achievecorp.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 6283 5291 louise.debusch@actchamber.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

12a Thesiger Court 6283 5232

jo.madsen@actchamber.com.au

Wanda Wojciechowska

SENIOR BUSINESS ACCOUNTANT

I HAVE a passion for helping people, being able to make a difference.

Growing up in Europe and then here in a multicultural environment has helped me to better understand and deal with people from all backgrounds. The most satisfying part of my work is being able to help people with their businesses, no matter how small or large, and help them with their accounting and taxation issues.

I am positive, enthusiastic and take pride in my work, and believe everyone is important. There is nothing better than seeing our clients walk away with a relieved smile.

Many would say it’s impossible to be so passionate about accountancy, but I am, and I believe in old-fashioned service through meeting clients face-to-face and maintaining that personal touch. My clients can pick up the phone at any time knowing that I am here to help.

I can help free up more of their valuable time to focus on activities that add value to their business, such as keeping their customers happy.

Louise De Busch

PARTNERSHIP BROKER

WORKING in the role of partnership broker for the past four months with ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry and previously 12 months in a similar role, based in Mount Isa, with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland, Louise has been instrumental in building strategic projects expanding nationally.

A strong background in developing community projects across education and training institutions, business and industry, community sectors, parent groups that support student engagement and improve education and transition outcomes, this passion continues from home-town, outback Mount Isa in Queensland, and living in Far North Queensland in Cairns for many years and having a passion for indigenous affairs working across community and government departments, her strategic and management skills have grown.

After completing FaHCSIA’s Indigenous Leadership Program 12 months ago, which was a stepping stone to shaping her vision, she is now completing a Diploma in Management. These skills will certainly add value to the broader community work across the region.

Jo Madsen

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

JO is responsible for membership development within the chamber. She prides herself on her communication and people skills and is focused on providing members with a key point of contact upon becoming a chamber member, being available to assist with any queries they may have.

Jo ensures she develops a long-lasting relationship with your business, which is crucial for a mutually bene  cial relationship.

“My role allows me to meet various local business owners daily.” she says.

“It is extremely satisfying to walk into a business and make them aware that we are able to provide advice on critical elements such as workplace relations, employment and education and the importance of networking and advertising. Canberra is a fantastic community, and we offer our members the same sense of community. I am extremely proud to be working for the chamber and I am rewarded daily knowing that we are making a difference by helping businesses to achieve their goals.”

& Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 6283 5200 jo.powell@actchamber.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

12a Thesiger Court Deakin 6283 5246 nola.shoring@actchamber.com.au

Jo Powell

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ADVISOR

JO Powell is the education and training advisor for the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She has been with the chamber since the start of 2010.

Jo has previously worked for several registered training organisations and an Australian Apprenticeship Centre. This experience has provided her with the knowledge and ability to offer guidance and recommendations to chamber members in regards to their vocational education and training issues.

An example of this is her skill in explaining the bene  ts to employers on engaging apprentices and trainees, and the up-skilling of their current workforce.

Jo has developed many mutually bene  cial relationships within the education and training arena. As such, she is able to collect information on issues within the VET sector and provide recommendations for future actions, initiatives and developments.

Sam Remmers

MARKETING, EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

SAM is the ACT Chamber’s marketing, events and communications director. Sam is also the executive of  cer of the Retail Traders Association ACT Region Inc and manages the Young Business Network and Women in Business Series.

“As my role continues to grow at the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am still thoroughly enjoying the challenges sometimes faced with working for a not-for-pro  t organisation”.

“I am passionate about the opportunities we are able to provide in order to connect, assist and grow businesses in the ACT and region”.

It’s been a busy time during the last 12 months; the chamber has conducted over 60 member events, including Business after Business, Women in Business Events, Young Business Network, Workplace Relations Training Seminars, special events, and information sessions and seminars.

The ACT Chamber continues to champion the case of business within the ACT and region and looks forward to assisting businesses to succeed in such challenging times.

Nola Shoring

PARTNERSHIP BROKER

NOLA joined the chamber in February 2010 as the education partnership broker having spent many years working in the ACT as a secondary science teacher, as a teacher of trainee teachers and in program management roles.

Nola has a passion for education and works with a range of partners to broker partnerships that support young people to remain engaged or to re-engage in education or training to realise their full potential.

As one of the baby boomers, Nola has had a varied career pathway that has involved working for the government, for industry and in the education sector.

Her broad experience enables her to effectively liaise with partners to develop education initiatives that meet the needs of young people and of the partners. Nola is keen to meet others who share her vision to enable a range of new intiatives that effectively engage the interest of students to be developed.

ANZ Mobile Lending Belconnen & Gungahlin 0400 131314 pedenk@anzmortgagesolutions.com

Kylie Peden

KYLIE is proud to have a great team of mortgage specialists behind her servicing the Belconnen and Gungahlin area, providing impeccable service to her clients.

Kylie was born in Canberra and has worked in banking for more than 20 years.

Kylie’s team of  ve mobile lenders have over 70 years’ of experience in the  nance industry – and they have assisted thousands of Canberra families to  nance their  rst homes over the years.

They understand that everyone’s circumstances differ, from those taking the  rst big step and buying their own home, to experienced investors seeking to extend their established portfolio.

Kylie and her team of mobile lenders will tailor a home loan to your individual needs and will come to visit at a time that is convenient to you.

REBECCA has recently joined the ANZ Mobile Lending team in Belconnen & Gungahlin. She has extensive banking experience having worked as a branch manager with ANZ before becoming a Mobile Lender.

If you are looking to purchase your  rst home, or if you are considering buying an investment property or re  nancing to obtain a better deal on your mortgage, Rebecca can come to you anytime, anywhere. Rebecca will tailor a banking solution to your unique individual needs.

Rebecca is passionate about real estate and property and offers exceptional customer service.

Donna Remkes

DONNA has been a valuable member of the ANZ Mobile Lending team at Canberra Southside & Weston Creek for the last two years. She brings extensive experience to the ANZ Mobile Lending team, having previously worked in the local community with ANZ as a branch manager.

Whether you’re buying a home, upgrading or renovating, Donna will come to you at a time and place that is convenient to you, anywhere, anytime.

Donna is a  rm believer in simple banking equals better banking and helps make applying for a home loan easy. So why wait? Call Donna now and she can assist you to  nd the right home loan that suits your needs.

ANZ Mobile Lending

Tania Vidovic

ANZ MOBILE LENDING MANAGER

WHEN meeting Tania you know you’re in good hands – Tania brings home loans to your door at a time and place that is suitable to you, anywhere, anytime. Tania and her team will discuss your banking needs and help  nd a home loan to suit you.

Born in Canberra and having worked in the real estate and  nance industries over the past 15 years, Tania has assisted many local residents realise their dream of home ownership. Whether you are a  rst home owner or an investor, Tania and her team will provide individual service second to none.

Tania takes pride in her business and is available to help you after hours and weekends.

Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy

3/53 Dundas Court Phillip 6285 4255 principal@abtaedu.com

Jennifer Dunlop

DOCTOR/MEDICAL DIRECTOR

DR Jennifer Dunlop set up the  rst female cosmetic physician practice in Canberra over a decade ago, and it is going from strength to strength.

At the Capital Cosmetic & Laser Clinic we aim to provide a highly professional and individually personal approach to rejuvenation of your appearance.

The medical and cosmetic procedures offered are non invasive and are designed for the busy working person to walk in, and walk out, with no down time.

We want you to enjoy the procedure as well as the result, so everything is provided for your comfort and well-being. Whether you need laser, muscle relaxants, dermal  llers, peels, microdermabrasion, skin lesions checked or leg veins treated, we aim to enhance your quality of life and help you enjoy the skin you’re in.

Clear Complexions Clinics 1/82 Thynne Street Bruce 6251 8889 info@clearcomplexions.com.au

Teresa Teixeira

OWNER / MANAGER

TERESA has worked as a beauty therapist in Canberra for 16 years.

In July 2006, she decided to open her own beauty salon at Cooleman Court, Weston, which now operates seven days’ a week.

Her mission is to provide a professional, personal and friendly service to all her clients.

On Saturday, August 13, at the black-tie Pevonia Botanica annual awards night, at Darling Harbour, Sydney, attended by more than 160 spa professionals from salons and spas throughout Australia and Oceania, Teresa was presented with an award for Urban Day Spa Performance Excellence. The annual awards night acknowledges Australia’s most outstanding spas and salons.

“I am proud and honoured, and would like to thank all my wonderful clients and staff for your support, I would not be where I am today without you,” she says.

Ping Gan

PRINCIPAL

MS. Ping Gan has been in the beauty industry for 16 years, and has been operating her own salons and lecturing in wellknown beauty colleges throughout Sydney.

Over the years, she has taught students from all around the world. In 2006, she published a revision workbook, which is designed to meet the industry’s highest standard requirements. This book is the only and very  rst of its kind in the world is written for beauty therapists to assist with ongoing learning.

Ms. Gan is the principal of Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy. The Academy offers wide ranges of training in beauty therapy, nail therapy and spa therapy.

“We have designed diploma courses, certi  cate courses and short courses, which cover all areas of beauty, which strictly comply with the national and international syllabus to ensure your training quality is guaranteed”, says Ms Gan.

Training at the Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy focuses on small groups with experienced and quali  ed trainers to ensure successful outcomes for students.

Suzie Hoitink

REGISTERED NURSE/FOUNDER

REGISTERED Nurse, Suzie Hoitink, founded the Clear Complexions Clinic in 2005 in response to her own problem skin. The clinics, staffed by nurses, are now across three sites with the newest clinic opening in Gungahlin.

“We are about achieving healthy skin for our clients. Healthy skin is beautiful skin,” says Suzie.

Clear Complexions has always been about empowering people and restoring their self con  dence. Suzie has travelled widely this year to bring the very latest and most effective technology into the clinics. In an industry where new developments happen quickly, the Clear Complexions Clinics is at the forefront.

A highlight this year has been being a keynote speaker at the Cosmetex Conference, where she presented two papers and was included on the panel of experts. Her involvement as a corporate partner with Lifeline Canberra has been personally rewarding for her.

To date, the nurses at the clinics have treated more than 11,000 of Canberra’s men, women and teenagers.

Stacey Rolfe OWNER

STACEY is a proud small business owner; she has made a successful career out of her passion, and counts herself lucky that she gets to do what she loves every day of the week.

In May this year, Stacey’s vision to open her own business became a reality with the launch of De  ning Features, expert skin clinic, in Deakin.

The business has grown signi  cantly from word-of-mouth referrals alone.

“By improving people’s skin, I see their self-con  dence improve which is very rewarding to me. I pride myself on making lasting relationships with my clients and I am committed to delivering ‘realistic and proven’ results. My eagerness to deliver the latest products and technologies within the beauty industry to my clients keeps me passionate about what I do,” she says..

De  ning Features offers a variety of treatments, from waxing and facials to more advanced treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, non-surgical facelift, tattoo removal, collagen induction therapy, cosmetic tattooing and spray tanning.

Kazar Slaven

Level 3 Engineering House

11 National Cct, Barton 6285 1310

mguilfoyle@kazarslaven.com.au

Drawcard Entertainment PO Box 5696 Hughes 0414 775137 info@drawcard.net.au www.drawcard.net.au

Melissa Guilfoyle

ACCOUNTANT

I have recently joined Kazar Slaven Charted Accountants and Insolvency Practitioners as an insolvency supervisor. With a career background in compliance, audit and assurance, along with a passion for forensic accounting and corporate governance, insolvency was a natural career choice.

After having completed an undergraduate degree in business and with several years of work experience in Government and Private Enterprise, I completed the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kazar Slaven provides me with work that satis es my interests and passions as well as providing me with a balanced approach to work so that I can ful  l my primary obligation – being a mother to my four-year-old daughter.

To quote former US president Teddy Roosevelt: “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

While having a career and being a mother is hard work, it is certainly work worth doing.

Tina Meir

FOUNDER/PRINCIPAL

TINA is the principal of Drawcard Entertainment, a boutique, talent booking agency. The agency was formed in 2005 to provide opportunities, resources and paid work for actors/extras, voiceover artists, musicians and entertainers based in the Canberra region.

Coming from a performance background, Tina understands the requirements of performers and her business acumen in customer service and sales ensures that she also understands the needs of clients.

Drawcard offers services in three key areas – casting, entertainment and representation. Drawcard predominantly books actors/extras for  lm, TV, commercials, corporate DVDs, voiceovers, role play or on-screen assignments, However, Drawcard also books entertainment for a range of events.

The agency is a great portal for actors who want to be considered for paid roles but don’t know where to start. Drawcard encourages actors of all ages, sizes, looks, backgrounds and experience. On occasion, non-speaking roles do not require previous experience. See Drawcard’s talented actors and entertainers on the website www.drawcard.net.au

Alina Molchanova

ALINA has completed a degree in political science and sociology, but she knew her dream job would be working in the recruitment industry.

Coincidentally, Alina crossed paths with Kate the owner of face2face Recruitment.

After several enthusiastic discussions, Kate could clearly see Alina’s passion for recruitment and employed her before another recruiter did.

Alina is genuinely interested in helping people to  nd the right job.

She knows from her own experience how important is it to enjoy going to work every day.

Meeting new people, getting to know their personality and interests, that is what makes Alina’s job so exciting for her.

Alina works in the Business Support division of face2face and covers the government and private sectors.

Kerri Dickman & Co 5/12 Joseland Street, Greenway 6296 3733

admin@dickmans.biz

face2face Recruitment

Suite 2,16 Bentham Street, Yarralumla 6163 7500

julie@f2frecruitment.com.au

Kerri Dickman

OWNER

KERRI’S accounting  rm specialises in business and individual taxpayers, ensuring compliance, while enabling clients to achieve the  nancial goals they have set.

Kerri says: “At Kerri Dickman & Co, we make the numbers easy.”

“Knowing they are claiming everything they can, that their affairs are structured correctly, and that they can relax if the Taxation Of ce audits them, is a comforting feeling for our clients.

“Our business clients also appreciate the time we spend working on their business; managing growth, improving pro  tability, easing the paperwork burden, and pro-actively addressing other aspects.”

Kerri also knows the economy is creating challenges for businesses. “We are helping our clients to manage these dif cult times. There’s a lot business owners can do to alleviate the stress. We love working with our clients to improve their businesses and create time for their families!”

Kerri has recently moved to Tuggeranong, behind Bunnings. She looks forward to seeing “old” and new clients in her new, purpose-built premises

Julie Collins

JULIE Collins is an of ce manager/recruitment consultant with face2face Recruitment.

Julie came to face2face with a strong administration background and, most recently, from the  tness industry. Health and  tness are important to Julie and her nickname in the of ce is “Commando”.

Julie recruits temporary staff for short-term assignments in of ce support for government and the private sector, as well as recruiting for scribing roles for the government procurement process.

“What I love about the recruitment industry is the fastpaced environment and the excitement in the of  ce when we place someone in a role – there are high  ves all round!” she says.

“It is really satisfying helping someone  nd their ideal job and getting that match for the employer who has no time to go through the process themselves of sourcing staff.

“At face2face Recruitment we have a great dynamic team that makes coming to work fun and exciting. We are continuing to develop and are looking forward to some exciting times ahead. Watch this space!”

AT face2face Recruitment Erin is the Senior ICT Recruitment Consultant.

Initially, Erin was one of the many candidates who had responded to a position advertised through face2face. However, during the interview, Kate (the owner of f2f) saw the makings of a talented recruitment consultant and quickly snapped her up.

Erin quickly learned about the dynamic nature of the recruitment industry, and found her niche placing ICT candidates into contract or permanent roles, in government and private sectors. Roles that she manages vary from testers and developers, to business analysts, project managers and security specialists.

Erin appreciates how daunting it is to secure a new job and is more than happy to provide advice on resumes or selection criteria. Erin is also happy to have a chat and discuss options for anyone looking for a change.

In this candidate-short market, Erin uses current technology to help source suitable candidates for a variety of roles, including social media and other online applications such as LinkedIn.

face2face Recruitment

Suite 2,16 Bentham Street, Yarralumla 6163 7500

natasha@f2frecruitment.com.au

Natasha Townsend

RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT

NATASHA loves people and talking almost as much as she loves shoes. For this reason Natasha started her career as an events co-ordinator for a small consulting  rm in Canberra. As the company grew, so did her role and before long Natasha was assisting in consulting jobs for various government organisations across Australia.

When she was ready for her next challenge Natasha came and saw Kate at face2face. They started chatting about numerous roles on offer before Kate suggested recruitment. Instantly, Natasha jumped at the opportunity; she couldn’t wait to start and since starting hasn’t looked back.

What really attracted Natasha to face2face were its core values. It was the way face2face treats all people as clients, not differentiating between clients and candidates and also the after-placement service face2face offer both clients.

Natasha was impressed with the lengths face2face goes to ensure long-term placements are made.

Natasha appreciates being part of such a vibrant, fun and hard-working team.

Lisa Simpson

LISA divides her time between Sydney and Canberra working as a dietitian. She works alongside some of Australia’s most recognised health professionals, and is the business manager and nutrition advisor for Channel 9 nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan.

Lisa is active in promoting optimal nutrition and has recently worked for InStyle magazine. Lisa worked as an educator for 10 years and is also a group  tness instructor at Fitness First Canberra City.

Fitness, education, energy and diet were the stimulus for naming her local nutrition clinic FEEDinc. Lisa opened her business this year in Kingston where she is able to see local clients on Thursdays and Fridays.

“It’s my aim to help clients achieve total wellness by helping them become  t, informed, energised and nourished. I believe in eating foods close to nature and being an active participant in life”. Lisa plans to build her media pro  le over the next few years to educate as many people as possible about health.

Hayley Burton

ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING MANAGER The

My passion for people and community assists me with my daily activities at The G, where we work closely with community groups, charity organisations and the local community to provide a friendly shopping experience for the Gungahlin community.

I have a background in design and have always worked with people in retail and advertising in my previous positions. I have worked in retail stores for large and small operators and draw on this experience to continually advise our valued customers of events, and promotions at The G.

I consider myself to be driven and passionate and aiming to complete my  rst full marathon in the US in January, 2013.

Silk Sisters, Boots for Broads and Fash’n’Treasure Cooleman Court , Brierly Street, Weston Creek 0421 555553 info@fashntreasure.com.au

Janice Bannerman

DESIGNER/DIRECTOR

JANICE has a great love of fashion and design and has been running Silk Sisters and Boots for Broads for the past  ve years. Boots for Broads is an internet-based, custom-made, boot business shipping boots throughout Australia, NZ and the US. Silk Sisters is an online and market business selling hand-made, fair-trade clothing in sizes 8 to 28.

Janice proudly designs the clothing herself to complement women of all shapes and sizes.

The passion for selling at local and interstate markets has lead Janice to purchase the much-loved Fash’n’Treasure Market.

This dynamic market is held on the  rst Saturday of each month at the Old Bus Depot Building, Kingston. The market showcases local and interstate designers, vintage clothing, local fashionistas as well as records and books.The next market is on November 5

Janice has a shopfront at Cooleman Court until the end of the year, where you can see her latest designs.

Julie Ford CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

“THIS is a family business that was established more then 40 years ago,” says a proud Julie. “As I grew up I was taught the value of money management and what you can achieve no matter the size of your base income.

“The most satisfying aspect of this profession is helping people realise their life’s goals, while making the journey easy.” Julie is a born-and-bred local and she and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters.

As a Certi  ed Financial Planner, she says that her ability to understand people’s needs and then devise the right strategy to help them is her greatest asset.

“Perhaps even more important than being able to devise a clever  nancial strategy, is to be able to explain it to clients in an easy-to-understand way.”

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston 6295 2844 gail@gailfreeman.com.au

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

GAIL Freeman embraces change and is always looking for ways to assist her clients improve their businesses and their total  nancial position.

She specialises in business advising, taxation and self-managed superannuation funds and has tailored her business so that her team can provide clients with a “one-stop shop” for all their  nancial needs.

Gail is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, a licensed LinkUp! consultant and a licensed Mindshop Facilitator. She is also an authorised representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd and has quali  cations in workplace training and various other business related  elds. She has been running Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd since 1987.

Gail is past president of the Rotary Club of Canberra South Inc and in her spare time enjoys being with her family and friends and her dogs Scruffy and Sophie.

Irene Hazilias

DIRECTOR

IT happened three years ago... one day I was working at Russell Of ces heading towards my 10-year anniversary in the public service, the next I was sitting in my parent’s basement agreeing to go into business with my brother, Michael. He had only gotten half way through showing me the software solution he had built that would assist businesses to manage their staff more ef  ciently when I said: “I’m in”.

I had always been passionate about organisational ef ciency so the chance to enhance productivity with the power of technology, coupled with the opportunity to help people en masse to run their businesses more effectively... well, I knew I had to be a part of that.

Being involved in HRMWEB continues to be an exciting and highly rewarding experience. Every day I’m lucky enough to work with people who are creative and innovative, run a business that works with cutting-edge technology and assist in making business owners’/managers’ lives easier.

Jindii EcoSpa

20 Jindabyne Street, Duffy

6257 8777

relax@jindii.com.au

www.jindii.com.au

Bianca Prichard

OWNER

A LIFELONG interest in health and wellbeing lead massage therapist Bianca Prichard to open her  rst spa, Floressence Day Spa, six years ago.

After enjoying success with Floressence, including winning New Spa of the Year and Spa Manager of the Year in the 2008 Li’Tya “Spirit of Spa” Awards, Bianca is now the owner and director of Jindii EcoSpa. Taking out the industry gong in 2010, Jindii EcoSpa has been awarded the prestigious ASpa (Australasian Spa Association) “Best Urban Day Spa” award.

Jindii is a new-concept day spa that is setting a precedent for healthier, “greener” practices. “Green is a desirable shade to be wearing: spa-goers can enjoy the spa experience while keeping to environmental principles. The two aren’t mutually exclusive,” she says.

“That’s the true spirit of spa: not pampering, but selfawareness and self-nurture. It’s what we’re all about.”

She hopes to set the example that you CAN make a difference if you simply choose to take action.

Interaction Consulting Group PO Box 6124 Mawson 6282 9111 icg@interactionconsulting.com.au

MPS Recruitment Unit 9, 141 Flemington Road Mitchell 6123 0500 recruitment@mpsolutions.com.au

MOTHER of two amazing children and inspired by an employer who she worked with in the maternity industry, Beck Daly had always wanted her own business.

“Little did I know it was not the easiest journey to undertake,” she says. At the age of 26, with the help of her husband, she opened a small maternity store in the south of Canberra.

“Without the support of the Canberra community and my friends, of course, the business would not have made it through the years of economic hard times,” she says.

“Small business means, the owner needs to wear many hats and you also need to  t in children, school activities, housework, cook, ‘husband time’ and ‘you time’.

“All these things can take a toll on you, so you need good strong people around you, a dairy and fantastic staff.

“Motherly Instincts is not just a shop to me, this is my life and everything revolves around it.”

Motherly Instincts has a fantastic range of maternity clothing and accessories.

Lesley Richards

MANAGING DIRECTOR

LESLEY was a career public servant for 20 years until 2000 when she took a punt and resigned to work as a management consultant at Interaction Consulting Group – and the gamble paid off.

After seven years she purchased the company and is now the managing director of this highly successful business. Her drive and business acumen were recently recognised when Interaction was selected by Telstra as the ACT Small Business of the Year.

Lesley’s business philosophy is to market by doing an excellent job and let the company’s reputation  nd new work.

She makes business decisions taking a holistic approach that considers  ve areas: staff, pro  t, clients, community and values – not just the traditional bottom line.

Lesley and her employees use their public-sector knowledge, skills and experience to work in partnership with government agencies in the areas of learning and development, team building and planning days, strategic advice on people management, executive coaching and leadership programs.

Amy Hewson CEO

I HAVE been working at MPS Recruitment since 2007. Initially as a security vetting of cer, I moved into a training consultant role and more recently I have been promoted to CEO.

My progression in the company has been an incredible learning and development curve and I have been given the opportunity to reach heights I wouldn’t have known possible without the leadership and coaching of my directors.

In this new role I have a shared vision of bringing con dence to our clients and candidates who have been disillusioned with the recruitment industry.

Our ethos “A fresh take on an old industry” is a passion that is delivered through honesty, integrity and a dedication for customer service by our recruitment team.

The challenges I face over the coming years is furthering my personal growth and company development, which is an exciting prospect. The satisfaction of placing the right person in the right role is why we do what we do.

SANDRA began work with SRC Solutions at its inception in 1997 and was instrumental in establishing the rehabilitation case-management arm of the business. Sandra has extensive management experience in many areas including OHS, return-to-work co-ordination, human resource management and business management.

Between 2006 and 2010 Sandra was general manager of SRC Solutions and contributed greatly to the company’s growth by developing and implementing quality assurance and compliance processes, ensuring their maintenance and improvement. Also successfully representing the company at business forums promoting SRC Solutions’ image and services. In 2010, Sandra decided to step back from this role to spend more time with her family, but remained in the capacity as manager of OHS and Training and continues to be the focal point in business and product development.

Innovative, skilled, vastly experienced and holding strong tertiary quali  cations, Sandra ensures SRC Solutions remains a step ahead in its implementation and service to its clients.

Kerry Byers

MANAGER, Return To Work Services

KERRY joined SRC Solutions, OHS and return-to-work specialists in 2007 and brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the return-to-work services arena after many years work in the public sector, where she provided injury management and OHS operational and strategic advice to managers and employees.

Results driven, with a focus on quality outcomes, and her strong commitment to customer service saw Kerry become the recipient of the ACT Work Cover Award for Best Individual Contribution to Safety in 2004.

Most recently, Kerry has become an accredited instructor in Mental Health First Aid and provides training to help employers and employees identify signs of mental stress. Kerry’s vast experience and tertiary quali  cations coupled with her excellent communication skills and understanding of the challenges faced by managers in meeting their injury management obligations ensures her clients receive the very best support and advice.

Kerry’s contribution to SRC Solutions is invaluable to its growing success.

Michelle Lumbaca

MICHELLE Lumbaca is determined to  ip the beauty industry upside down with her vision for Tan Wax Relax. In less than a year, Michelle has made a big impact and has secured her place in this very competitive industry.

“I want to bring the beauty industry into the 21st century... out with old-fashioned facials and old, brown towels and in with oxygen therapy and disposable eco-friendly towels,” she says.

“I want it to be a new and improved style of beauty with emphasis on hygiene, style and cutting-edge technology.

“With unique touches such as a skin bar in reception area, an LCD screen in the treatment rooms and iPod docking stations in the tanning rooms, are just a few of the differences you will expect in this modern day salon.”

With her contacts in Los Angeles, she has secured exclusive rights to the revolutionary tanning machine In  nity Sun, which is loved by stars such as Gisele Bundchen and Alyssa Milano.

Janie Lawson

JANIE has performed in theatre restaurants, corporate and cabaret shows since the mid ‘80s. Attracted to performance at an early age, she originally trained in ballroom and Latin American dancing, which she taught for many years and competed at professional level.

Vocally, she trained with the late Gery Scott in Canberra and at the Peggy Still School of Music in Atlanta, US.

She has a passion for musical theatre and has performed leading roles with companies in Australia and in the US. Notable performances include Charity Hope Valentine in “Sweet Charity”, for which she received a CAT Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Sally Bowles in “Cabaret”, Muzzy Van Hossmere in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, Demeter in “Cats”, Anita in “Westside Story” and Judy Garland in “Boy From Oz”.

Janie loves performing with The Stilettos as the trio continually evolves and also utilises choreography and costumes to create an act that not only sounds great, but looks fabulous as well.

Tender Agenda 0408 270839 sandra.m.michie@gmail.com website coming soon!

The Stilettos PO Box 5696 Hughes 0414 775137

info@drawcard.net.au www.thestilettos.com.au

The Stilettos PO Box 5696 Hughes 0414 775137 info@drawcard.net.au www.thestilettos.com.au

Sandra Michie

TENDER WRITER

SANDRA is passionate about helping small businesses grow their business by assisting them to write winning tenders.

“Small business operators are subject matter experts in their chosen  eld, but the idea of writing a tender is enough to give them heartburn” she said.

Many people are intimidated by the tendering process, but Sandra says that small business owners should not turn their back on tendering as a strategy for potential business growth.

“Every year the Australian Government spends around $43 billion on goods and services and this does not include the billions spent by State and Territory governments. They literally buy everything from A-Z and in between,” she says.

Sandra has been writing tenders for seven years and has recently written a book called “Successful Tender Writing”. The book explains the tender process, documentation and terminology in simple terms. It also contains examples of tender responses. Sandra’s book is being published by Thomson Reuters and will be available next month.

SALLY has been performing as a professional vocalist for more than 15 years.

Her strong and versatile vocal style ensures that a range of genres can be performed with ease. Sally is a consummate professional and her energy on stage is contagious and translates to the audience.

She has been a member of the Stilettos for a number of years and enjoys the wide repertoire of songs that the group performs.

The Stilettos’ repertoire is very diverse, the trio can perform a ballad or anthem at a ceremony in three-part harmony or can just as easily belt out an uptempo hit at a gala awards night. Sally particularly enjoys performing “The Andrews Sisters’ Wartime Theme Show” that the trio regularly performs, complete with Andrews Sisters’ costume and ‘40s-inspired hairstyles. The Stilettos have been  own interstate to perform at corporate events so being a member of The Stilettos, says Sally, de  nitely has its perks.

Tina Meir

TINA is the founding member of The Stilettos, a professional female vocal trio that performs locally and interstate for corporate events, parties, weddings, festivals and all occasions.

Tina has been performing professionally since landing her  rst job as a vocalist/entertainer at Tarzan’s Theatre Restaurant in 1992. Since then, she has performed in cabaret shows throughout clubs in Sydney and Canberra, in musical theatre productions, televised concerts and events, corporate events, with bands, vocal trios, acoustic duos, wedding ceremonies and the like.

Since moving back to Canberra from Sydney to raise her family with husband Rick, Tina formed The Stilettos with Sally Jackson and Janie Lawson to create a professional act that would cater to both the corporate and private sector.

The Stilettos repertoire is designed to suit a wide demographic and client requirements. In addition to The Stilettos, Tina also manages Drawcard Entertainment, a boutique talent booking agency for actors/extras, voice-over artists and other talented performers and acts.

The Teddy Bear Shop Shop DF13, Level 1, Canberra Centre 6257 6966 admin@theteddybearshop.com.au

TransACT Level 4, 470 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson 6161 8456 eve.jones@transact.com.au

Meg Cutler OWNER

I HAD always wanted to own a business and the opportunity arose to purchase The Teddy Bear Shop when the previous owner retired. The shop had been an institution in the ACT for nearly 30 years and has been bring pleasure to generations of many families, both from Canberra and around Australia. The Teddy Bear Shop is a destination shop for the Canberra Centre.

Recently, we went overseas to expand our range of bears. As a result we now import the top German and English collectible bears. We were also able to arrange for Charlie, from Charlie Bears, to come to Canberra to do her only signing anywhere in the world for 2011.

I continue to develop bear-making groups to enable bear lovers to increase their bear-making skills and the enjoyment they get out of creating their own works of art.

The most enjoyable part of the job is watching people get so much enjoyment out of something to hug.

Thumbelina Miniatures & Gifts

Ginninderra Village, Gold Creek O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls 6230 9599 trish@thumbelina.net.au

Eve Jones BRAND, MEDIA AND SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

EVE has recently returned to Canberra with her family following her earlier years here as a university student.

With more than 15 years’ of experience in marketing, branding and executive leadership roles, Eve is driven to deliver for TransACT’s customers and the local community.

TransACT is a strong partner of local communities and businesses, and proudly supports more than 50 community organisations.

“I enjoy working for a company that has such strong ties to Canberra and regional Victoria,” she says. “I strongly believe organisations have a responsibility to support their communities and TransACT’s sponsorship program is a great way to give back.”

As well as managing TransACT’s sponsorships, Eve is responsible for the company’s brand and public relations.

“The telecommunications industry is incredibly fast-paced and challenging. As a company we strive to be ahead of the curve and I enjoy breaking the news about our latest products to our customers,” she says.

Tahnee McGrath

BEAUTY THERAPIST/SALON MANAGER

I HAVE been managing Sibu Beauty for three years. Managing the salon allows me to pursue my passion on a daily basis.

I feel very lucky to be part of such a talented team where we are constantly learning from each other and developing wonderful relationships with our clients.

My role is to support and develop the girls as well as liaise with suppliers, organise promotions and create the ultimate pampering environment.

I think variety in my daily schedule is what I enjoy most.

Treatments that I really enjoy performing are facials, massage and gel nails. I think it is important for women to take time out of their busy schedules to tune out and relax and I enjoying being able to help with that. My vision at Sibu Beauty is to create an inviting and relaxing environment for both clients and staff and I am very lucky that my fabulous team help me to achieve this.

Tricia Moore

OWNER

THUMBELINA has just celebrated  ve years at Ginninderra Village, and is still enjoying being a treasure trove “where little is always loved”.

Tricia has tapped into the adage, “everything old is new again”. She hears time and again, ‘Gosh I used to have one of those as a child’, or ‘I haven’t seen that for years’. In today’s world of high technology, urgency for information and instant grati  cation, it is welcoming to think back to a simpler time.

The entire Lundby dolls’ house range, consisting of the Stockholm, Smaland and Gotland houses along with their accessories are also here.

Christmas preparations are in full swing, with exquisite treasures sourced from around the globe, including Scandinavia, Russia and Nepal. Santa’s Letterbox begins again on November 1. With a gold coin donation, every child whose fully addressed letter is posted at Thumbelina’s letterbox, will receive a hand-written reply in the post. All donations are given to the Smith Family Christmas Appeal.

Thumbelina is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Elissa Michele

BUSINESS OWNER

I HAVE owned Sibu Beauty for three years and it has been so rewarding and enjoyable, but also hard work. In addition to owning and working at the salon, I work full-time as a project manager for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The key to making this combination work is being super organised! I have a really good routine in place and various systems to ensure I don’t forget about things. My girls at the salon, particularly Tahnee the salon manager, are unbelievably fantastic, which helps enormously. And I have a very understanding and amazing partner who helps me, too!

I specialise in spray tanning and make-up and did my certi  cate in make-up with the Napoleon Perdis academy. Sibu Beauty is a wonderful place to work – we have fun, have very high customer service and treatment standards and love what we do. We do the little things that make people want to come back.

sibu.beauty@gmail.com

Lizzie Wagner Group PO Box 4444, Kingston 6299 8328 / 0412 098435 info@lizziewagner.com.au www.lizziewagner.com.au

Lizzie Wagner OWNER

LIZZIE Wagner celebrates 26 years in business in 2012. Locally known for her modelling, acting and performer management, placement, industry training and fashion events.

Internationally, Lizzie is a well-known and acclaimed keynote speaker, corporate trainer, author and presenter.

While continuing these services and remaining dedicated stylists and wardrobe co-ordinators, Lizzie’s group divide their time between national and international clients and locations, for large corporations and individuals.

Lizzie, a  nalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards and Lifetime Achieved awards, works with disabled people and travels yearly to NT, WA and other remote communities working on indigenous empowerment programs for women.

In 2010, Lizzie launched her all-natural, aromatherapy skincare line and the  rst in a series of books. This year, the group will expand into Asia and North America. Lizzie would like to thank her loyal clients over the past 26 years and appreciates the support from her local Canberrans, without which she could not be the outstanding achiever and identity she is today.

Web123

1800 932 123 (1800 WEB 123) natasha@web123.com.au

Natasha Vanzetti

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

NATASHA Vanzetti has a passion for small business and a zest for life. Having worked behind the scenes with her sister Bianca, who is a director of Web123, Natasha realised how much small business would bene  t from this new innovation.

After 15 years in the  nancial services industry, Natasha now works tirelessly to educate and further develop small businesses by helping them achieve online success without the expensive price tag and without feeling intimidated by the web.

Natasha says: “After launching in April 2010, our clients became raving fans and we made sure we took on board their feedback and listened to their needs, wants, fears and concerns about operating a small business in today’s competitive online environment.

“In February, we re-launched Web123, offering our clients 30 new products and services. Based on client feedback, we have truly delivered!”

Their website is at www.web123.com.au or email Natasha on natasha@web123.com.au

Women in Business supporters Material Pleasures

all about weddings

Make the most of the

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking – it’s one of the most exciting times in our lives, but getting there can be one of the most stressful!

“CityNews” talked to some of Canberra’s top wedding suppliers to get the word on making weddings simpler... and enjoyable

Importance of a special gown

GETTING married is one of the most exciting and memorable days in a girl’s life, says Enchanté store manager Elaine Coffey.

“It is important that the process of finding that special gown or gowns for yourself and your bridal party be a memorable experience also,” she says.

“We have the very latest in European designs, featuring exquisite beading, sequins and laces with fabulous trains, to very simple soft chiffons and satin gowns for less-formal occasions.”

“At present we have our spring sale on, so there are bargains galore to be had.

“Our range of bridesmaid, formal wear and accessories is second to none... it is a veritable Aladdin’s cave, with so many wonderful things to see and buy.

“We have 20 per cent off all shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories, this also includes flower-girl shoes.

“Mothers of the bride and of the groom are very important people and it is our joy to find

something stunning to suit their very special time.

“Our latest arrivals are beautiful Barbie Dolls dressed as brides. These are every little and big girl’s dream-come-true to own one. They are worth just calling in and having a look. They make a wonderful gift for the bride, and are priced from $150.

“There are many formals happening at the moment and up until December, so our range of formal wear, both long and short dresses, is extensive. Our sizes range from size 6 to 26.

“Then, of course, we have the racing season upon us with lots of great outfits for those as well as the fascinators and bags to match.

“Our Civic store, in City Walk, has a great range of formal wear and accessories, and is open every day, except for Sunday. Our larger Fyshwick shop, in Wollongong Street, is open seven days.”

More information call Enchanté Civic on 6262 5896 or Enchanté Fyshwick on 6280 9869.

advertising feature

big day moment

Lots of reception room at the Inn

THE Belconnen Premier Inn’s Oak Room, with floor-to-ceiling windows and 180-degree views over the tree tops of Benjamin Way, is a picturesque venue for any couple’s special day. The hotel offers affordable packages, which can be adjusted and fine-tuned to fit any budget. Its detailed and all-inclusive packages start from $105 per person, or they can tailor a personal package from a large variety of options.

Packages can include: three-course set menu; four-hour beverage package; arrival canapés downstairs in Benjamin’s bar; decorations (whether it be chair covers, with coloured sashes; a full-ceiling, eight-arm canopy; table runners and centrepieces; personalised menus

for each table; gift and cake table) and a dance floor.

The Belconnen Premier Inn also provides a bridal suite for the newlyweds and special, discounted rates for out-of-town guests.

All dietary requirements and children’s meals are happily catered for. The extensive facilities allow the hotel to turn a day of celebration into a weekend of festivities, including Friday night cocktails, Saturday reception and a Sunday Bon Voyage Breakfast.

The Belconnen Premier Inn, 110 Benjamin Way, Belconnen. Call 6253 2649, email functions@belconnenpremierinn.com or at www. belconnenpremierinn.com

A wedding with heritage and style

ESTABLISHED in 1927, The Brassey of Canberra is the city’s only heritage boutique style hotel.

Set in a hectare of gardens in Barton, on the fringe of the Parliamentary triangle, The Brassey is renowned for its wedding facilities. It offers the Barton Ballroom, enhanced by old-world charm for that special day, or a range of small, medium and large rooms, all with natural light.

The ballroom is a self contained function room with an adjoining bar and has a capacity of 140 guests, depending on the style of wedding.

Adjoining the ballroom is a tranquil private garden courtyard with arbor and water features to enhance any ceremony or reception. The hotel offers special wedding packages designed for a small informal gathering to the most elaborate formal occasion.

More information at 6273 3766 or 1800 659191 or email conference@brassey.net.au

The Brassey of Canberra... for weddings large or small.

The new excitement in flowers

KINGSTON Flowers and Gallery is one of Canberra’s newest and most exciting florists, says

manager Sok-Ho Chong.

“Our small and dedicated team strives to create an inviting and personal experience,” he says.

“Whether you are looking for flowers and plants to express your love, joy or sympathy, Kingston Flowers has it all. We source flowers from specialist local and interstate growers, and are proud of our partnerships in our pursuit to use only the freshest and highest-quality flowers.

“We offer delivery to any suburb in the ACT and regions, and free delivery to neighbouring suburbs, and offer interstate services with our strong network of local businesses.”

Kingston Flowers and Gallery, Shop 5, Kennedy Street. Call 6262 2626 of email info@kingstonflowers.com.au

At Save the Children’s 2011 Rights of the Child Lecture, National Library of Australia

At the Breast Cancer Network’s ‘Partner Support’ launch at the Lodge

At the Cranleigh School Art Show, Holt

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore Oct 31-Nov 6

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rams are a risqué lot (just think of amorous Aries like Casanova, Warren Beatty and Jayne Mansfield). With the Sun heating up your sex/money zone (until November 22) lust and loot are a volatile mix, so try to keep the bedroom and the boardroom separate. Don’t blow a fuse on Friday. Take a few deep breaths (before you say or do something that you later regret).

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Are you expecting too much from others? Neptune clouds your judgment early in the week, so avoid making important decisions. There’s a fine line between a beautiful dream and a disappointing illusion. On Thursday, the more adventurous you are, the better. Mars heats up emotions on Friday. If you are too slow-moving, you’ll be caught in the cross-fire.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Love is in the air, as Mercury and Venus activate your romance zone. Singles – you’re in the mood for some fabulous flirting, and sparks could fly with a lusty Libran or a fellow Gemini. Mercury moves into Sagittarius, which suits your style as it encourages thinking and acting with lightning speed. You’ve got some big ideas – but are they grounded in reality?

CANCER

(June 22 – July 22)

With gung-ho Mars in your cash zone (until November 11) you’re keen to make some fast money moves. But, if you make rash decisions, you could end up in hot water financially – and feeling very foolish. On the weekend the stars favour friendship, children, creativity, adventure and outdoor pursuits. So crawl out of your Crab cave and take on the world!

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Lions are self-sufficient souls, but have you got a problem that’s too hard to handle on your own? A little humility (and a lot of help from others) will see you zoom forward. With Jupiter in your career zone, make the most of the luck and support that comes your way. You’ve got a lot on your plate this weekend – but don’t bite off more than you can comfortably chew.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Virgos can become so obsessed with minor details that you lose sight of the bigger picture. Mercury is in Sagittarius (from November 2-January 8) which will help you take a broader view. Venus is also visiting your domestic zone, which highlights simple pleasures like relaxing in front of the TV, spending time with family and casual entertaining at home.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Singles – are you looking for love in all the wrong places? Attached Librans – have you placed your ‘perfect’ partner on a very high pedestal? This week, unrealistic expectations result in disappointment, whereas a mixture of romance and reality lead to relationship success. With three planets in your self-esteem zone, congratulate yourself on how far you have come.

SCORPIO (Oct 2 – Nov 21)

With Mars in your career zone (until November 11) expect some dramas at work, as emotions run high and egos are easily bruised. Don’t add fuel to the fire by being super stubborn. If you are an adaptable Scorpio (sounds like an oxymoron!) you’ll get through the week with less angst. “The hallmark of creative people is their mental flexibility.” (Roger von Oech)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Mercury and Venus move into your sign mid-week so you’ll be at your sociable and sexy best, as you charm the cynics and dazzle the doubters. You’re also in the mood for adventure and excitement, but don’t neglect minor details and major responsibilities in the process. Use your abundant energy and fiery enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 1)

Avoid being a carping critic Capricorn! You have many marvellous ideas but don’t become bogged down in the negatives. Friday favours positive thinking, as you appreciate the glass being half full (rather than half empty). It’s also time to explore new belief systems, as you communicate with a wide range of people. Helping others will benefit you in surprising ways.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Look for business opportunities and social connections online, as Mercury and Venus activate your telecommunications zone. And don’t be shy about broadcasting your innovative ideas to the world! Your quote for the week is from birthday boy Bill Gates (born on October 28): “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.”

PISCES (Feb 1 – Mar 20)

Having a positive attitude is great but make sure you’re not being a ‘Pollyanna Pisces’ as you put your head in the sand and avoid real problems in your life. Singles – Neptune is scrambling your antennae, so it will be difficult to differentiate between a dream date and a disappointing dud. Avoid making momentous decisions until you are thinking more clearly. Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Across 4 What is an alternative term for a bog or marsh?

7 Name a coarse cotton fabric of East Indian origin.

8 Name the capital of the Campania region in Italy.

9 What are the boards used by painters to mix colours?

11 What are small particles of wood produced in cutting timber?

13 Name the spouse of a reigning monarch.

15 What do we call one who instructs, especially as a profession?

17 A snag is more readily known as a what?

20 What is an edible snail called?

23 Name the small firework often used at Christmas.

24 Atmospheric agencies are known as what? 25 One who makes grinding noises whilst asleep does what? Down 1 In which country is Guantanamo Bay situated?

2 What is a less familiar term for an exit?

3 Name a formal document issued in connection with a judicial proceeding.

4 Name the society whose membership is restricted to those with an IQ in the top two percent.

5 Which other term is descriptive of "white water"?

6 What do we call clairvoyants?

9 Name an alternative term for trotters.

10 What are large pieces of landed property?

12 Which small tower is usually one forming part of a larger structure?

14 What is a connecting line drawn on a weather map?

16 Name a collusive syndicate, generally formed to regulate prices.

18 What is the fruit of the oak? 19 Name another term for units of inheritance.

22 Which term describes a profane expression?

all about the arts

Weaving magic as festival begins

By arts editor Helen Musa

YOU’D expect Simon Weaving, in his third year as director of the Canberra International Film Festival, to be full of weighty cinematic observations.

After all, the cover picture for his program comes from a Danish film called “Melancholia”. Then there’s “We Need to Talk about Kevin” featuring Tilda Swinton, in what Weaving calls “a melancholy moody piece”, and there’s Australian documentary maker Rob Nugent’s film about locusts, “Memoirs of a Plague”.

On the other hand, he’s also programmed in “Score”, a Canadian musical about hockey starring Olivia Newton John, the reviled NewtonJohn/ELO musical “Xanadu” and The Village People in “Can’t Stop the

Music”. And there’s a film where Brian Brown stars as an Englishman in a Norwegian film set in the Caribbean.

When I meet Weaving for an in-depth talk, I find that his mind has turned to turtles and teddies. Turtles and what? You may ask.

Well, yes, in this, the 15th festival, he’s decided we need some good children’s films, accessible, conveyed in English and carrying good messages.

It’s not as easy as you’d think, especially since many of the best kids’ films come from non-English-speaking countries.

Turtles and teddies to the rescue – the turtle movie is the first 3-D feature for the festival. “Sammy’s Adventures: the Secret Passage”, described by the promoter as “turtally wonderful” (oh, dear) and introduces a little turtle, Sammy, born in 1959 but living, Forrest Gump-like, through the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and further.

The film is a Belgian animation, but is voiced by English-speaking high-flyers, including Melanie Griffith

and John Hurt.

Then there’s “Kooky”, an environmentally-conscious film by Jan Sverak, who won an Academy Award for his film “Kolya”, using puppetry, animation and live action. A cute, if scruffy, teddy-bear struggles to get back home to his six-year-old owner after being thrown out with the rubbish. It’s dubbed in English.

This year, Weaving seems to have

changed his mind about the perils of programming sci-fi films. “Melancholia” is one such, and in “Attack the Block”, aliens make the mistake of landing on Earth in contemporary, broken Britain. You’d have to say it sounds like a lot of fun.

The festival runs until November 6 at Dendy and the Arc cinemas. More information at www.canberrafilmfestival.com.au

By Helen Musa LADYSMITH Black

Mambazo, one of the world’s most famous a cappella vocal groups, will soon be back in Canberra.

They’ve been mingling South African rhythms and Christian musical themes for the past 51 years and have performed for Nelson Mandela, the Queen and the Pope. As their American collaborator Paul Simon says: “It isn’t merely the grace and power of their dancing or the beauty of their singing that rivets the attention, but the sheer joy and love that emanates from their being.”

Albert Mazibuko, who joined his cousin Joseph Shabala in founding the group, is talking by phone from the town of Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa.

He’s made the journey to Australia many times before, but this time, the group has a mission – to spread the good word about its new CD “Songs from a Zulu Farm”.

“These are the songs we sang when we were growing up,” Mazibuko tells me.

“We went back to our childhood to see what life was like when we were kids.” And since they’re all boys at heart, masculine topics dominate. After all, as he says, from young men come “leaders of the nation, you develop being brave, being a winner with nothing to intimidate you.”

One of their songs, for instance, involves a stick – “that stick makes one very strong, it says, ‘I’m in control’. ”As for girls, “we are taught there is no life without them.”

Another song concerns swimming: “It’s quite funny when we’re singing about driving out creatures like snakes and only leaving the turtles behind.” continues page 36.

Fantasy time travelling with Woody Allen

WOODY Allen makes a fantasy time-travel visit to the City Of Light during three of its most notable cultural, intellectual and hedonist eras.

Gil writes episodes for network TV series, but he’d dearly love to finish his novel. He hopes the Parisian ambience will re-invigorate his muse but his fiancée Inez (Rachel Adams) and her parents are more concerned with sightseeing and shopping. Gil sets out to explore on his own and on the stroke of midnight, a black car draws up beside him and the occupants invite him to a party.

Some party, this one, its guests a choice collection of the creative high-flyers who chose Paris as their place to live and work in the culturallyturbulent years between the wars – Hemingway, Picasso, Cole Porter, Scott and Zelda, Bunuel, Dali. And Adriana, the gamine who leads Gil among the city’s night-life and its famous inhabitants in the 1920s, in the belle époque where they meet Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas and Gauguin, and even back to pre-revolutionary years.

Gil is Allen’s doppelganger, wide-eyed at the joyous splendour of the revolutionary cultural environment into which he has stumbled. Allen delivers pungent comment about how

cinema

Dougal Macdonald

Americans off their home turf amuse or distress their hosts in a story that deftly mixes quirky with iconoclastic. Owen Wilson is gently charming as Gil. As Adriana, Marion Cotillard is a total delight. And Paris is simply beautiful.

At Dendy

SINCE World War II there have been four major English-language productions of Alexandre Dumas’ rollicking adventure yarn. It presses many escapist buttons, ticks many boxes. And it provides a golden opportunity for an actress to chill our blood as Milady.

But in those four productions, she has been cast and played as a sex-symbol rather than as the epitome of selfish wickedness. Paul Anderson’s version offers Milla Jovovich as Milady. Nothing more need be said about this. The screenplay by Alex Litvak and Andrew Davies takes the view that its target audience is adolescent boys. The trio has conspired to

Ladysmith Black Mambazo... mingling South African rhythms and Christian musical themes for the past 51 years. from page 35.

One number is intended “to remove clouds in the sky if we need sunshine,” and several are about looking after livestock.

Ladysmith, “a very small town in South Africa where there wasn’t much to do”, gave its name to the group. Mazibuko remembers the first

time he went to town and saw cars and drank free soup that was “so delicious.”

As for politics, Mazibuko recalls how “controlled and frustrating” life was, where families were prevented from owning sufficient livestock to work their land.

“But singing encouraged our people to work together… When you sing you’re stimulating people’s minds,” he says.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Canberra Theatre, November 3, bookings to 6275 2700 or www. canberratheatrecentre.com.au

convert Dumas’ historical imagination into a 21st century fantasy influenced by the brain-curdling dumbness of TV series.

Its modern vocabulary and melding of early17th century military technology with that of our era do little honour to the original.

Silly more than stupid, the film’s offence against Dumas is not beyond redemption, however. Its makers don’t demand that people accept it solely on Dumas’ terms. They understood how a diet of moving images rich in contrivance defeating credibility has created a generation with cerebral obesity. This makes me sad. Having to watch it in 3D merely made me angry. And Faye Dunaway’s Milady in Richard Lester’s 1974 production will be hard to beat.

At Greater Union, Hoyts and Limelight

“CONTAGION” (M)

WITHOUT slime-covered, multi-toothed monsters threatening to extinguish all human life, Steven Soderbergh’s medical research thriller is as convincing a horror film as you might ever hope to find.

Scott Burns’ screenplay examines the science that mankind now deploys to confront pandemics that begin when an animal carrying a zoonose

makes contact with humans. We know that zoonoses – H1N1, Hendra, HIV, SARS – happen but few of us have a clear understanding of how they propagate or how science marshalls its best brains to defend us against them.

Soderbergh tells the story of this zoonose without haste, without miraculously-contrived discoveries (although in their own way, all scientific discoveries are miraculous.) Matt Damon plays a husband whose wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) becomes the first victim.

He happens to be genetically immune, an Everyman making perhaps the film’s most contrived demand on our credulity, but an important link in carrying the plot forward.

“Contagion” summarises the science rather than emblazons it in CG fakery – the micro-image of the bug appears in only one sequence. Instead, it focuses on people’s responses to the virus’ emotional, economic, political, hygiene and communal consequences, with admirable credibility and restraint heightening its impact.

The good guys win, inevitably. And when Jennifer Ehle exposes a shapely thigh to inject herself, her technique mirrors the one that won a real-life Nobel Prize for an Australian medico.

At all cinemas

Satire heads to the valley

arts in the city

Musa

CANBERRA’S Shortis and Simpson plan to out-Wharf the Wharfies with “Satire at Tuggers” in Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 27 and 28 at 8pm. Julia calls Tony “petal”, Tony’s in Nauru and Kevin clocks up frequent-flyer points. There will be a repeat performance at 109 Barnet Drive, Mount Fairy, at 8pm on October 29, with the show retitled “Satire in a Lounge Room”. Bookings to 6230 4868.

YASS Valley Shire’s Classic Yass weekend calls itself a “Celebration of Community” and has at least four things – the Celebration of Heritage Motoring and the Rotary Billy Cart Derby on November 5, the Arts Trail on November 5 and 6 and the Red Cross Open Gardens on November 6 at “Matong”, “Olwem” and “Casamarah”, with our own Cedric Bryant on hand. Information at www. classicyass.com

COOMA’S Barstars are a mob of renaissance men with talents in music and the visual arts. Together they will stage their first group art show in Canberra at the Yarralumla Gallery, with a music performance on October 30 at 3pm. Admission is free. Dave Twohill, a founding member of Mental As Anything and Gunther Gorman, a finalist in the 2011 Blake Prize and a member of Daddy Cool, join bush poet, musician, carver and stone mason Roger McCulloch and instrumentalist Mike Waddell.

FLINT in the Vines, at Shaw Vineyard Estate in Murrumbateman, has the “Cielo & Cello” high tea series on from 3pm-5pm, November 4, 11 and 18 featuring cellist and “CityNews” Artist of the Year, David Pereira, who will play while the audience sips wine and tea and munches cucumber sandwiches. Bookings to 6227 5144 or www. flintinthevines.net.au

ON October 29, noon until 8pm, Tuggeranong Arts Centre will celebrate its 13th Moon Festival with an oddly-spelt, fun event, “Divercity”. The focus is on diverse live music, modern and traditional dances, arts and craft activities, puppets, games and multi-ethnic food.

“FOUR Flat Whites In Italy” is the smash-hit Kiwi comedy by Roger Hall, (NZ’s David Williamson) coming to The Street Theatre, October 25-29, in the Ensemble Theatre’s production by Sandra Bates. Canberra favourite Henry Szeps and TV stars Mary Regan, Michael Ross and Sharon Flanagan feature, along with Sara Bovolenta and Adriano Cappelletta. Bookings to 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au

THE Hellenic Club in the City, in Moore Street, is throwing an “authentic Cuban party” on October 29 from 6pm, featuring “five legends of the Cuban music”. It’s all part of the big “Clave contra Clave” Latin band competition, which concludes on November 5 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavillion. Canberra’s Mi Tierra is one of the finalists.

GEORGE Huitker and his band Junk Sculpture are staging “Jungleland: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen” on November 5 at Teatro Vivaldi. Bookings to enquiries@vivaldirestaurant.com.au or 6257 2718.

ART Song Canberra presents “Of Sunshine and Dreams” on October 30 at Wesley Music Centre at 3pm. Louise Page and Phillipa Candy perform Turina’s “Cantos a Sevilla” and songs of Korngold, Keats and Alma Schindler-Mahler. Tickets only at the door.

CLASSICAL guitarist Bradley Kunda performs works by Villa-Lobos, Takemitsu and Tedesco Los Caprichos de Goya at Wesley Music Centre on November 2, 12.40pm to 1.20pm, $2 or papernote entry.

MELBOURNE country/folk singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne will perform on October 29 at 8pm in Gundaroo Colonial Inn and the Irish Club Weston at 2pm on October 30.

Come into the garden, do

dining

Wendy Johnson

THEY say the French started offering canapés to their guests in the 18th century and the tradition continues today, including some wonderful creations by chef Clement Chauvin at Canberra’s new Mint Garden Bar.

Recently, this sweet al fresco bar, which sits outside the award-winning Sage restaurant – same owners and operators – held a canapés and cocktails event ($60 a head for six of each), and will continue holding special events after their official launch in November. I like the idea of a bar that serves more than just fantastic drinks – to settle in and enjoy fantastic food at the same time is delightful.

Chef Chauvin is from France, where he worked in two-Michelin-star Pic and Nicolas La Bec. His food is exquisite and it’s no wonder Sage is up for a national award in Sydney for best European restaurant.

The scallop tartare with apple cloud and aged balsamic droplets (I told you, the food is exquisite) was so delicate and matched perfectly with the Batman Bellini, a sexy combination of sparkling wine, peach schnapps, peach nectar, rosewater and sugar mandarin. Where did Batman come from, you ask? Well, Mint Garden Bar and

Sage are on Batman Street in Braddon, at Gorman House Arts Centre.

Next came pork belly with cider jelly, pickled papaya and coriander with the Jack Rose cocktail (Calvados, lemon juice and grenadine) – another winning combination.

The soiree attracted a large crowd, with most booking last minute, so it was a hectic start and it took a bit for the pattern to settle in. And it meant that not all drinks and canapés were explained when served, a difficult task when “bam” you’re full and the crowd is in full swing.

Other canapés included a cucumber gaspachio and grapefruit caviar, rainbow trout, pea mousse, carrot granite, eucalyptus snow and potato glass, as well as two sweet items, my favourite being the Lapsang Souchong tea (famous for its smoky, drawn out flavour) and chocolate

Cheery Bill and his girl

“ME and My Girl” is a charming musical with no deep messages, but lots of funny one-liners, some double entendre and a delightfully catchy score.

The storyline revolves around a young Cockney barrow-boy, Bill Snibson, who inherits a title and a fortune, on the condition that he renounces his fiancée, Sally, to marry someone “more suitable”.

As Bill and Sally, Patrick McLoughlin and Ruth Albertson-Kill bring charm and pleasant singing voices to their roles. They receive enthusiastic support from the large cast,

MuSICAL ThEATRE

“Me and My Girl” Queanbeyan Players, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until November 5. Reviewed by Bill Stephens

which includes Peter Dark, wickedly funny as the bibulous Sir John Tremayne, Liz de Totth as the imperious Duchess of Dene, Gary Collinson as the nerdy Hon. Gerald Bolingbroke and, especially, Georgia Pike, whose performance as the gold-digger, Lady Jacqueline Carstone, is alone worth the price of admission.

tart with passionfruit gel, served with a Passionfruit Daquiri.

The Mint Garden Bar will be hosting other special food and drink events, with details being finalised now. Events may feature wine, cheese and preserved meats; suckling pig and boutique beers; and South American tapas and rum-based cocktails – easiest to become friends with “The Batman” and keep up-to-date on Facebook.

Permanent bar food will include baby calamari with lemon and fresh herbs from the chef’s own garden, mini hotdogs with house-made relish and mini wagyu burgers.

The idea of canapés and cocktails is fun, although you have to have enough canapés to soak up the alcohol.

The Mint Garden Bar has two outdoor marquees. Call 6249 6050.

BYS nail enamel in Going for Gold, $3.95. Make u p Store nail polish in Greta, $26. ORLY nail lacquer in ruby, $18.95. Maybelline NY colorama mini nail colour in urban orange, $5.95. BYS nail enamel in hot pink, $4.95. BYS scented nail enamel in bright green, $4.95.

Australis crackle colour in white crackle, $8.95.

scented nail enamel in light purple, $4.95.

nail colour in Today’s News, $7.95.

nail polish in Let loose (yellow), $15.96.

nail polish in Phase in (blue), $15.96.

Fashion colours at your fingertips

TURN your fingertips into a small canvas for fun and fashion with the latest nail colours. Nail polish is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to incorporate the latest trends into your look. Anything goes this summer from the brightest orange to subdued grey.

An easy nail art option can be achieved at home with new products that create a crackle effect. Australis Crackle Colour adds a new and exciting dimension to nail colour, simply add one coat over two completely dry coats of your favourite Australis Nail Colour for dramatic crackle effects.

See the great gardens of Yass

AS part of the Classic Yass festival, the Yass Red Cross is again hosting a special open garden day on Sunday, November 6, this year featuring three properties on the Yass River Road near Yass.

Also, on the weekend following the official Classic Yass weekend, Rupert Murdoch’s famous pastoral homestead Cavan, on the Murrumbidgee River, will be open.

“CityNews” gardening guru and former Yass resident Cedric Bryant is the wandering garden expert and will be at Matong from 10am-noon, at Olwem from noon-2pm and at Casamarah from 2pm-4pm. The public is invited to bring gardening questions and problems to Cedric.

All three gardens can be easily accessed either from the Yass Valley Way at the Barton Highway roundabout or via Murrumbateman.

The three gardens are: Matong, at 330 Yass River Road, is owned by Cameron and Elizabeth Crisp. Matong is an established garden with large expanses of lawns and trees. Stone walls and hedges mark the boundaries.

Olwem, at 533 Yass River

Road, is owned by Mr and Mrs Jim Cuthbertson. Olwem features four hectares of riverfront garden, natives, roses, with garden rooms and extensive orchard areas, growing olives, truffles and fruits.

Casamarah, at 1512 Yass River Road, is owned by Sam and Marie Polyak. Casamarah is more a cottage garden, with a large property of trees, natives and some roses.

The Yass Red Cross will have craft and produce stalls at Olwem and Casamarah featuring jewellery, plants, hats, clothing, wine, food, craft, chocolates etcetera.

There will also be fashion parades at Matong at 11am and Casamarah at 1.30pm. Refreshments of tea, coffee and sandwiches will be available at the Matong and Casamarah gardens.

Admission is $10 for all three gardens, payable at any front gate. Open 10am till 4pm.

A visit to Cavan

HISTORIAN and writer Cheryl Mongan will present a history of the Murdoch family’s famous pastoral homestead Cavan, located on the Murrumbidgee River near Yass.

Mrs Mongan will speak at two sessions, the first beginning at 10am, the second at 2pm. Guests will be given time following the talk to wander the grounds and ask further questions.

Numbers are strictly limited to 100 per session and tickets can only be obtained on a pre-booked/pre-paid arrangement. They will not be available at the venue. Admission is $25.

Bookings to the Sheep’s Back Boutique, Comur Street, Yass, or call 6227 1255.

Meanwhile in Burra...

THE Lions Club of Queanbeyan has organised the Burra Open Gardens for Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30.

The weekend features seven gardens that can readily be visited within a few hours depending on how much time you want to spend in each. The organisers recommend a rest for refreshments in the Burra Community Hall or in one of the gardens. All turn off points and gardens will be well sign posted over the weekend.

Profits from gate-takings are used by the Lions Club to support needy individuals in the local community and for other community projects or organisations. Tickets at $20 (concessions available) are on sale at all gardens. A ticket allows a visit to each garden and may be used over the two days, 10am-5pm.

The full program is at www.burra.org.au/opengardens/2011_brochure.pdf

Perennials keep keeping on

gardening

cedric Bryant

PERENNIALS are some of the hardiest plants in the garden, equally tolerating heat and cold.

They are easy to divide and provide an endless supply of plants to fill the gaps in the garden. And they provide a source of plants for the school or church fete. Many originate in the Mediterranean region, demonstrating their suitability for our climate here. Perennials include herbs that have been grown for medicinal as well as ornamental uses from time immemorial. An indication is the numerous perennials listed in Shakespeare’s plays.

Three perennials illustrated here are in flower in our garden. Firstly, Columbines (Aquilegia), of which this delightful perennial self-seeds so readily. Aquilegia is from the Latin aquila, for eagle, due to the petals resembling an eagle’s claws. However, the common name of Columbine is from the Latin columba, meaning dove.

Columbines are great for attracting butterflies into the garden. In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Ophelia hands out columbines after her father’s death along with other perennials.

Dianthus include Sweet Williams ( Dianthus barbatus), carnations and pinks. These were listed in the Englishman John Gerard’s plant catalogue of 1596. D. barbatus were included in Kate Middleton’s bridal bouquet in tribute to her groom, Prince William. This variety of Dianthus is a biennial that is planted one year and flowers the next.

Both carnations and pinks are perennial and will multiply and spread, lasting many years. One of the best known is the large range of Allwoodii Dianthus, bred by Allwood’s Nursery in the UK.

Started by three brothers in 1910, they crossed the original garden pink referred to as Old Fringed with the perpetual flowering carnation.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Scientific Committee named these new pinks officially as “Allwoodii” pinks, blooming from spring right through summer. All are highly fragrant.

By 1912 Allwood was winning gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show. PGA Nursery, of Victoria, has introduced a range of stunning new varieties this year.

I noticed they have recently arrived at the Heritage Nursery in Yarralumla, including Dianthus “Passion”, D. “Candyfloss”, D. “Slap ‘N Tickle”, D. “Sugar Plum”, D. “Rosebud” and D. “Cherry Sundae”. Planting each variety in groups of three, five or seven will be a real conversation stopper.

TO continue the theme of soft, pastel colours, I have planted Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum) in bold groups.

Chives are native to the cool regions of Europe and once again have been cultivated for hundreds of years.

Primarily a culinary herb, although not quite as strong as its cousin the onion. Chives also make a great border or edging plant. I have seen them planted as a border around rose gardens in the UK or bordering a path.

The purple flower globes are just coming into full flower in our garden. They can look most effective as a backdrop to dianthus with the fleshy leaves making a distinctive contrast to the rather severe silver-grey

dianthus leaves.

For a more comprehensive list of perennials to plant by season, click on Cedfacts “Perennials for Year Round Colour” at www. cedricbryant.com

THE Horticultural Society’s Rhododendron and Azalea Show will be held at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, from noon (after judging) to 5pm, on Saturday, October 29, and 11.30am-4pm on Sunday, October 30. In the afternoon Heather Pryor, of Iris Haven, will conduct a workshop on growing and showing. Plus there’s the usual huge plant stall. It’s a show not to be missed.

Time to get out in the garden

THE weather is at last warming up, no excuse not to get into the garden.

The snails are on the move. Multiguard Snail Bait is the animalfriendly one that does not kill blue tongue lizards.

The aphids are in plague proportions this year. I recommend a 100 per cent organic spray such as MultiCrop BugGuard.

Sow spinach, dill, rocket, coriander and parsley seeds directly into the garden.

Get your lawn back into shape with Multicrop’s 3-Way Lawn Rejuvenator. This feeds and thickens lawns, promotes root growth and improves water penetration. It is enriched with seaweed, humus and gypsum.

A steel fence, such as Colorbond’s “Tea Tree”, is lowmaintenance and requires a low level of cleaning.

The fashion in fencing

THE current look for fences is for a calm, serene and classic colour palette, says Jenelle Montgomerie, colour consultant for BlueScope Steel.

“This year, there is an emphasis on seasonal, neutral colours for fencing,” she says.

“A neutral colour for fencing can either mean a fencing colour which complements the other colours that surround it in the garden, or simply a neutral fencing colour that works within any colour scheme of any outdoor area.”

One of the features of fencing made from steel is the wide colour range and design options to suit any type of backyard, according to Jenelle.

“If the backyard consists of a lot of evergreen shrubs, consider fencing colours that will give a warm inviting backdrop to the garden,” she says.

When making the final colour selection for a fence, it is important to consider the other elements of the outdoor space, says Jenelle.

“Choose a fence colour which will blend with the colour of your home and also take the time to consider how the fence be affected by sunlight and shadows, whether it will be lit in the evening and if it will help to create the particular mood that you’re after,” she says.

“This will ensure you will have a great entertaining space all year round.”

Not only does a fence made from steel look great, it’s also low-maintenance and requires only a low level of cleaning.

A steel fence also offers protection and privacy with heights available up to 2.4 metres, particularly useful for backyards on a slope, and is designed to resist the elements so cannot be eaten by termites or borers.

Tuggeranong 0402 017 912 3BR I

Hodgkinson Tuggeranong 0413 453 489 3BR

BONNER

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0418 488 893 5BR C

Luton

McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0428 681 270 1BR J

Thynne St Dwyer Dunn 0412 620 009 1BR K

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McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0418 624 913 3BR I

25/6 Beazley Cr L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0412 281 735 3BR J Call Agent 23/24 Beazley Cr Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0412 726 025 3BR K

Agent 33 Burtt Cr L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0409 446 289 4BR A

Agent 5/92 Casey Cr Independent Civic 0412 815 463 3BR I

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Pl Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0406 866 007 4BR A

CASEY

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DOWNER

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FRANKLIN

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GREENWAY

GARRAN

HARRISON

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HOLDER

10:00-10:40

10:30-11:00

11:15-12:00

0406 866 007 4BR A

Buckley Cct Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0401 354 540 4BR B

Yaldwyn Pl Peter Blackshaw Woden 0410 121 601 3BR A

Withnell Cct McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0418 624 913 3BR A

12:00-12:45 10 Schlam Pl PRD Nationwide Inner North 0418 429 470 4BR G

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KINGSTON

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100%

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NORTH LYNEHAM

0418 463 872 1BR J

Call Agent 5/23 Mansfield Pl Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong 0412 726 025 3BR I Call Agent 4/71 Port Jackson Cct Capital First National 0408 408 603 2BR J

Agent 7/71 Port Jackson Cct EthicsRealEstate.com.au 0405 610 912 2BR J Call Agent 11/140 Port Jackson Cct Ray White Canberra 0420 635 415 2BR J

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QUEANBEYAN

Sat 10:00-10:45 8/17 Carinya St McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0413 503 312 3BR A

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Sat 10:30-11:00 86 Southbar Rd Go Gecko Queanbeyan 02 6299 4400 3BR J

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Sat 11:00-11:30 2/12 Nimmitabel St Maxwell & Co Real Estate 0416 182 379 2BR K

Sat 11:00-11:45 82 Stornaway Rd Maxwell & Co Real Estate 0416 182 379 3BR A

Sat 11:00-11:30 2 Taylor Pl Luton Properties 0427 214 337 5BR E

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Sat 12:00-12:45 7/74-78 Crest Park Pde Maxwell & Co Real Estate 0416 182 379 4BR A

Sat 12:00-12:45 3/122 Fergus Rd Maxwell & Co Real Estate 0416 182 379 3BR I Sat 12:00-12:45 5 Symonds St McGrath Belconnen/Gungahlin 0413 503 312 2BR A Sat 12:15-1:00 7/47-49 Booth St L.J. Hooker Queanbeyan 0415 735 777 2BR

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