Canberra CityNews September 8-14, 2011

Emotional rescue in casualty

By Freyla Ferguson

A NEW program in the Canberra Hospital’s emergency department will see volunteers providing emotional support to patients.

For 12 weeks, the Health Directorate has run a pilot program that included 28 volunteers who, in three-hour shifts, worked in the emergency department, as support to patients in the waiting room.

In total, 750 hours of volunteer time has been invested in the program, affecting about 3350 patients.

Hailed a success by Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher, the program will now be a permanent service offered by the hospital.

Mary-Anne Kitchen was one of the volunteers who took part in the pilot program.

“It’s just about being present in the waiting room,” she said.

“Appeasing people, delaying their fears and supporting them, whether it’s holding their hand, making them a cup of coffee or tea, or getting them a blanket or pillow.”

She said about 20 patients will come through the emergency department on a typical shift, with various different illnesses and injuries.

“Motor vehicle accidents, work injuries, people who can’t get into a GP or don’t have a GP,” she said.

Mary-Anne said the services really provide added support and care to what the emergency department already offers.

“It takes the edge off, people often suffer some anxiety,” she said.

“We provide a link between the doctors and nurses, and the patient.”

Health Directorate volunteer manager Amanda Mironow said people of all ages have taken part in the program.

“Some of our volunteers are younger people who are studying nursing, medicine, psychology and their reasoning is to look at the hospital system while they have a true passion to help,” she said.

Volunteers received 10 hours of corporate and volunteer orientation including an orientation with Health Directorate director-general Dr Peggy Brown and an orientation within the emergency department.

The orientation included mandatory training in

infection control, work place safety, fire and emergency, child protection and manual handling.

Amanda said the Health Directorate treats volunteer staff the same way as they would with permanent staff.

“We want people to feel like they are part of the group,” Amanda said.

“We are here to support volunteers and for volunteers to learn new skills for life.”

The program has attracted 18 new volunteers with two of the new volunteers, people who had experienced the service first-hand at the emergency department.

More information at www.health.act.gov.au

ABC television news in nightly rating drama

By Freyla Ferguson

THE ABC local television news bulletin, fronted by Virginia Haussegger, has lost almost half its average nightly viewers, according to a summary of the year’s ratings.

In advertising agency Grey Canberra’s published wrap-up of the year’s Regional TAM, 2011 survey numbers, the ABC News bulletin drops from an average nightly audience of 30,523 in 2010 to 16,096 in 2011.

WIN News remains the leader in Canberra’s local television news, this year attracting an average nightly audience of 36,911, a lift from last year’s 34,784.

Grey Canberra general manager Warren Apps said he was surprised by the dramatic drop in numbers for the local ABC bulletin.

“They were always a dominant force,” he said. “They’ve made no obvious change to the line-up and, in lots of ways the ABC have the kind of bulletin that has the most succinct line-up of local, national and international news.”

He said one of the possible reasons of a decline in ABC viewers was “strip programming” by commercial stations.

“Take ‘The Block’ as an example, it ran every night at 7.30pm, after the national news, local news and current affairs programing,” he said.

ABC Canberra news editor John Mulhall said there would be no dramatic changes to the ABC News bulletin in the New Year nor any changes to its presenters or reporting staff.

WIN was Canberra’s most-watched TV station at 27.4 per cent of the all viewing share, then Prime7, 23.8 per cent; ABC, 23.3 per cent; SC Ten, 19.1 per cent and SBS, 6.4 per cent.

Take a seat, pass the puck

CANBERRA’S top Aeron hockey team has won the Pan Asia Pacific championships in its debut performance on the world stage.

Aeron what? It’s a form of hockey played in more than 200 countries, from an office chair with a hockey stick.

The team from local building company Manteena, was the best of nine teams that competed in a local competition organised by Designcraft in Hume.

From Canberra, Manteena went on to win the national title and then the Pan Asia Pacific title in Hong Kong against the reigning champions from India.

Designcraft sales and marketing manager Halie Rubeni, who accompanied the team to Hong Kong, said: “The Manteena side were always talking strategy and took it very seriously.”

Halie says anything goes in the sport

It’s hockey, but you sit in an office chair, with a stick and chase a puck – and it’s deadly serious, as FREYLA FERGUSON discovers

of Aeron hockey.

“If it gets violent, players can get a yellow or red card,” she said.

“The only rule is you can’t hit above seat height.”

Aeron hockey is played by two teams of five on an indoor court measuring 12mx6m on a smooth, hard surface. In 1994, furniture manufacturers Herman Miller created the ergonomic Aeron chair that took the sport to the next level. Halie said the Canberra-run competition was such a success they hope to attract more teams to the local competition next year.

“Hopefully, next year it’s bigger and

better,” she said.

As part of winning the Pan Asia Pacific title, Designcraft awarded each member of the Manteena team with the iconic Eames lounge chair and ottoman, valued at $5500 each.

“We thought it would be a bit of fun,” Manteena project manager and team captain Peter Jamieson said.

“We didn’t realise it would be this serious.”

Peter says he hopes next year they can defend their title.

More information at www.hermanmillerasia.com/reach

Just too big to be true, can’t take my eyes off you...

Hot dogs and spies, MARK PARTON gets the Silly Season off to a good start...

EVERY time I drive lakeside on Morsehead Drive, I cannot take my eyes off the ever-growing ASIO headquarters.

What a monster of a building; it’s huge.

Now, maybe I’ve watched too much “Get Smart” and those “Bourne” movies with Matt Damon, but is there anyone else who’s a little worried about our spy agency being so visible? Aren’t they supposed to be in a secret location?

Rose rang my radio program to ask where the previous ASIO headquarters was located. I didn’t know, so I made something up.

I said that ASIO’s most recent location – cleverly disguised as Checkers Food Van on Chandler Street, Belconnen – had been abandoned after their cover was blown.

We all remember Checkers. An onlooker might believe that this was just a caravan cooking up chips and gravy, bacon and egg rolls, and cheesy hot dogs with lashings of barbecue sauce in the dead of night. But they’d be so wrong.

Sure, the guys in the van

were trained to know how much gravy to smother on the chips and exactly how to melt cheese on a hot dog, but the cooks were really trained killers and there was a trapdoor, by the chip fryer, that led to a tunnel straight down to the underground headquarters of ASIO. This is a true story!

They were waiting for the entry code phrase, which I can reveal right here, right now: “Can I have a hot dog, with cheese, bacon and a dollop of shaving cream please?”

Say those words at Checkers Food Van and the guy in the caravan will reply: “Would you like some wood shavings with that?”

And you have to say: “Will that cost me extra?”

He’ll say: “Nah, that’s on the house” – and then he’d open the back door for you.

I’m not sure where the ASIO HQ has moved to in this interim period between now and the opening of the new building, but you can guarantee there’ll be some passwords and secret code words involved. There may even be a secret handshake.

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

Independence of inspectors questioned

THE Master Builders Association of the ACT has questioned the independence of property reports.

In the ACT, sellers are required to have a property inspection before they list for sale. Potential buyers are then given copies of the report to consider.

“The reality is that a property inspection company is paid by the seller to prepare the report, and protect their interests not the buyer’s,” said Jerry Howard, the MBA’s deputy executive director.

“Most vendors want a report favouring their sale. It’s not necessarily an independent report.

“There are some good companies out there, but the industry is not legislated and not all inspectors are accredited or professionals with years of direct experience in the building industry.

“In the ACT, all you need is professional indemnity insurance to become an inspector – no other qualifications.”

Bruce Cohen, a qualified property inspector and MBA building consultant with more than 10 years’ experience, focuses on buyers.

“People are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars, so spending a few hundred dollars to get a qualified, experienced inspector to do an independent report before they buy is a wise investment,” he said.

“Buyers also need to take reports seriously, reading every word and getting the inspector to explain technical content.”

Recently, he dealt with a buyer who skimmed over the termite section of a report believing termites weren’t a problem in the ACT. The

buyer paid close to $1 million for the property and had since spent more than $50,000 getting rid of the termites.

Another buyer relied solely on a seller’s report and subsequently discovered a major roof problem that cost more than $10,000.

Bruce, who with his wife Sharlene operate Surety Property Reports, also reviews sellers’ reports to provide a second opinion.

“You get a second opinion when buying a second-hand car, why not with one of the biggest investments in your life?” he said.

Put down the polls, stand up, politicians!

JUST because issues do not show in the polls does not mean that they are not politically important.

Take the ACT Government’s handling of gay marriage as an example. Hardly anyone will change their vote on this issue. However, it is a difficult law reform issue and we do get the impression that Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and her team will stand up for what they believe.

Remember how cross many people were about John Howard and his cuts to the Canberra public service? The electorate was irritated with him, but recognised what he stood for and that he was trying to put Australia’s economic circumstances back on track.

Although his government was never going to win Canberra seats for the House of Representatives, the action did not cost him votes.

Our political parties need to make hard decisions. There is much more respect for standing up on an issue than for folding under pressure.

The irony is that this is the case even when we disagree with them.

I recall a series of incidents when door knocking the electorate.

Occasionally, a person would vigorously lambaste me for my stance on a particular issue. They would then conclude with a statement such as: “But the reason I am going to vote for you is that I know where you stand”.

As I walked away on one such occasion came the rejoinder, “but, for heaven’s sake, change your stance on illicit drugs,” even though they knew I would not.

It was not a key issue, not enough for them to change their vote. The then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backed down to the mining industry and the carbon tax and Labor wound up with a minority government. These were difficult issues.

However, all but a few of those who were really implacably opposed to the Labor approach would have voted for them anyway. Instead of losing a few votes, they put a huge chink in their armour of strength and credibility.

Polling provides another danger. The political parties are constantly polling! They see voter

politics

Michael Moore

sentiment changing on a weekly basis. When the mining industry was spending tens of millions of dollars on campaigns to persuade people that it would be the small superannuate who was going to lose their investment dollars, the polling was not looking good for the government.

However, polling does not show the long-term sentiment of voters. It really measures the gut reaction of the people at a given moment. This is really important when a government is close to an election, but is not an issue early-to-halfway through an electoral term.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard was rating poorly in the polling while she stood up for the carbon tax, pushed on with plain packaging of tobacco and delivered on health and hospital reform. However, now that the dust has settled and the fire and brimstone campaign of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is seen to be baseless, the polls are beginning to turn.

Scare campaigns are difficult to sustain once a decision has been made and people can see the reality. The accusations about the Prime Minister breaking promises on carbon tax will have much less traction with many voters when they do not feel the impact that Abbott was promising them.

In the ACT, while the Labor Government is not garnishing any support or losing many votes with regard to equality in recognition of gay couples, Gallagher is slowly building a reputation that she can play political hardball. She can be strong. However, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja and the Canberra Liberals have not played the same tough, negative game of their Federal counterparts. He has run a consistent and determined strategy arguing that they are simply working for the best outcomes for the people of the ACT.

Labor needs to show that they can be strongminded and determined on the one hand, but they also listen, and while taking on some moral concerns do not lose sight of basic issues from economic management to rates, roads and rubbish.

The advertising power of real people …with stories to tell

REAL people are featuring in a new marketing campaign, aimed at positioning ActewAGL as being a part of the community.

Paul Walshe, director of marketing and corporate affairs, says the campaign was developed in response to the rising cost of living, particularly electricity prices.

“We want to be part of the solution,” Paul says.

“We understand many people may be doing it tough and that’s why we want to highlight the fact that we give people  exible payment options, energy advice and are part of the community.”

The new marketing campaign features  ve real people who have agreed to share their stories and highlight the work of ActewAGL.

“We hope people can relate to their stories. We have had lots of positive feedback about the campaign so far from customers and staff and we’re very proud of it,” he says.

The advertising campaign has been running on television, radio and in the press since last month and will continue in the New Year. The campaign tagline is “for you” and is part of a brand refresh for the company.

“The ‘for you’ tagline is much more than just a few words underneath our logo – it represents a philosophy about how we interact with our customers,” says Ayesha Razzaq, general manager Retail ActewAGL.

“Delivering high customer-service levels and ensuring our customers have a positive experience is really important to us.

“One way we achieve this is by having our call centre staff personally answer the calls so our customers don’t have to navigate through any complicated voice recognition systems. We have also updated our website to provide our customers with more online functionality and to make it easier for our customers to access information about their ActewAGL services.

“Customers can also now communicate with us through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. And at the same time, we are also actively working on helping our customers use energy more ef ciently.

“Given this strong focus on our customers, it made sense to us to use our real customers in the  lming of our ads.”

Paul says the project started 12 months ago, when the team wanted to look at the whole brand direction for ActewAGL.

The team worked with local agencies Grey and Bearcage to produce the campaign.

A new logo, which was developed by Grey, features the three icons: water, electricity and gas. The icons date back to 2000, when the company became ActewAGL.

“It was important to keep that imagery,” he says.

During his 30 years working at ActewAGL, Paul says the brand refresh is one of the biggest changes the organisation has been through – second only to the formation of the ActewAGL joint venture in 2000.

“We’ve got more to do as an organisation, we’re always trying to do more,” he says.

BOB, who has worked at ActewAGL for 36 years, talks about how the organisation is a part of the community and has local interests at heart.

GEMMA is a new mum who is facing the pressures of the rising cost of living and helps draw attention to ActewAGL’s exible payment options.

YVONNE, who started the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group 25 years ago, highlights the work ActewAGL does supporting 150 local charities, schools, community groups and businesses.

TAIT, who is conscious of environmental issues and wants to reduce his impact on the environment, draws attention to ActewAGL’s Greenchoice energy program.

MICHAEL is a junior sport coach and has a strong sense of community. His story highlights ActewAGL’s support of more than 150 local community groups.

They’re the reason we do what we do.

They’re our customers. People just like you, with their own needs, priorities and concerns about the future. So if you want to know why ActewAGL is planning for the future and continuing to support many local groups and businesses, the answer is simple. We’re doing it for our community and for you.

Men who build trust with Meccano

By Libby Hill

STUDENTS are being taught the virtues of patience, persistence, punctuality and planning thanks to about 30 volunteer men with an interest in Meccano.

The Meccano Program, part of the School Volunteer Program ACT, is a way of engaging students who often experience difficulty interacting with others, who lack self-esteem and who may not be coping well. It’s managed by volunteer Bob Greeney.

“In 2005, I was approached to start a Meccano program to mentor young students who needed additional adult mentoring, which could be anything from discussion, to the application of thought, to patience and persistence,” he says.

The program operates in Macgregor, Latham, Mt Rogers, Macquarie, Evatt and North Ainslie primary schools and the volunteers mostly come from the Belconnen Rotary Club.

“We meet for coffee quite often – always after a session. It’s a way to have a chat and socialise, but also talk about students who might have been difficult,” he says.

“We can’t afford to miss a week, so we meet for coffee during the school holidays, too.”

Bob says he gets a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the growth and development of students.

“There’s an old story that says if you want somebody to do something, find a busy person. All of us volunteers are involved in other things and we set aside a couple of hours to do this,” he says.

“Among us are farmers, teachers, engineers, public servants and we’ve got people from all walks of life and there are things we can teach the kids.

“I’m an engineer so this sort of thing comes fairly naturally to me, but you don’t need any

special skills to teach Meccano.

“We always try to have 25 per cent more volunteers in the room than students to allow any of the volunteers to get away.”

Meccano, invented in 1901 in England by Frank Hornby, is a model construction system that enables the building of working models and mechanical devices through the use of re-usable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces.

The Meccano Men have more than 50 Meccano sets in the six schools.

“The students get a Mecanno set, which has been packed up and is ready to go, and they typically take eight weeks to finish a model and when they finish it we ask them if they’d like

to go to the school assembly and explain what they’ve built,” Bob says.

“When they finish they have to take it all apart and put it back in a box so they have to complete the exercise.

“They learn that not all adults are there to boss them around. They all learn how to read a diagram and how to follow instructions.”

Macquarie Primary School principal Wendy Cave says students benefit from the interaction with the Meccano Men.

“It’s a beautiful model of volunteering and we love it because it’s all about the community. We have members of the community coming in, but it’s also the community that is built among the children and the grown ups and the interactions between them,” she says.

Cheap shots threaten city property

Stop the penny pinching and fund the NCA, says CATHERINE CARTER

DESPITE Canberra’s original design being good enough to allow for many of the 21st century’s innovations, it still needs careful and detailed work to ensure it doesn’t fail to adapt to changing times or throw out the best of the Burley Griffins’ design in order to keep up with them.

This is why the National Capital Authority is so important.

But in recent years, the Federal Government has slashed its funding, limiting its ability to fulfil its legislative responsibilities and forcing the abandonment of some significant infrastructure projects and the loss of expert staff.

The Hawke Review found that funding cuts have indeed adversely affected the NCA’s ability to do its job and that more funding would be needed. Yet the Federal Government has now made further cuts. Earlier this month, the NCA found out that the Federal Government would not be exempting it from providing new efficiency dividends, and at the same time that $20 million of unscheduled, unanticipated work on Scrivener Dam is necessary. So the already cash-starved authority will have to shelve several more projects to pay for this work. If we want to move Canberra into the future, while retaining all the beauty of its original striking and evocative plan, we must move away from such destructive penny pinching and towards realistic funding for the things that matter.

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

Christmas Confidential With Lisa Ridgley

Graeme’s driving success

IT seems Shaw Vineyard Estate has experienced a bumper year. “CC’s” learnt the Murrumbateman winery has started exporting to China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. And word is Hong Kong’s next on the list.

Owner and winemaker Graeme Shaw’s told “CC” it’s been a busy year.

“I’ve had three trips throughout Asia this year, and it’s great to finally land these distributors,” he says.

“We sent seven wines to the world’s biggest wine show in Vienna and picked up four silvers and three gold.”

The vineyard has come a long way since Shaw first planted in ‘99. And while it’s been a busy year amongst the vines, there’s still been time for his second passion – motor racing.

“It’s a great outlet for me,” says Shaw. “I’ve been doing it since ’69 when the family car caught alight in a rally.”

“The great thing about owning a vineyard is that I can use sponsorship to get ahead in a race,” he jokes. “Anyone who lets me pass gets a case!”

Speaking of sponsorships, “CC” can reveal Shaw Vineyard Estate has just bought the naming rights for the NSW Production Touring Car Championships.

Troy ties a knot

IT’S official. Former Raiders’ prop Troy Simpson’s single days are over with his marriage to Rachel Herbert.

So this is Christmas....

WIN TV’s EllEN a M I dglE y I PREFER practical gifts so a Mixmaster is on the list this year.

I’ll be spending my first Christmas with my partner. His family has a beautiful home in Braidwood and I’ve been told to expect a Christmas tree that reaches the ceiling!

Prime TV’s Mad E la INE

CollI g N o N

FOR Christmas, I would like some good, old-fashioned family fun! And I’m secretly hoping I made Santa’s good list, I would love a new bike!

Christmas day is my favourite day of the year! Our extended family is very close (and very big) so it’s a great chance for all of us to catch up. Giant touch footy matches with at least 16-aside are pretty standard. And it will be the first Christmas with a baby in our immediate family, with the addition of my gorgeous nephew William. Can’t wait!

About 200 guests will be treated to a lavish reception at the National Gallery of Australia after a church ceremony at Saint Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest.

Former Raiders’ players Matt Gafa and Lincoln Withers, with Raiders’ prop Josh Miller as best man help make up the bridal party of four bridesmaids and four groomsmen.

Lee moves closer to home

CELEBRITY fitness trainer and television personality Lee Campbell has been spotted out and about in Canberra.

According to sources he was seen buying protein bars at Coles in Manuka recently.

“CC’s” been told Campbell has traded his fast-paced Sydney lifestyle to be closer to family in Canberra.

The former Sydney Swans player featured on Channel Nine’s reality TV shows “BIG – Extreme Makeover” and “Celebrity Overhaul” with Dr John Tickell. And he co-wrote the book “Get in Shape” with Ita Buttrose.

All you need is love...

WE know her as “the soup kitchen lady”; Stasia Dabrowski has been voluntarily running her local mobile soup kitchen for the homeless and the needy, for more than 30 years.

And a breath-taking painting was unveiled in her honour at a Lifeline event in Canberra recently.

Local artist Barbara van der Linden painted Stasia’s portrait for her upcoming exhibition

Prime TV’s da NIE l gI bso N

TO see a huge smile on everyone’s face as our son, who has cerebral palsy, rides his new bike! He is 10 and this will be his first time ever riding like everyone else!

In Canberra with my wife and extended family – eating, playing, laughing and riding bikes!

Trans aCT CE o I Va N s laVIC h

TO spend time with friends and family, a time to reflect on the year that was and all of the achievements and a thought for all those people less fortunate than us and how we can make a difference to them in 2012.

It will be Christmas in Sydney with my wife’s family. We have brought over two family members Svitlana and Max from Ukraine for a holiday, I think they will be blown away with what we have planned for them, they have a very tough time over there so we really want to spoil them. We have booked some tickets on a boat on Sydney Harbour to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve... the boat will be in the

“Faces of Canberra”.

There was barely a dry eye in the room as Stasia took to the podium to share a special message ahead of Christmas.

“Love one another... it only takes one minute a day to love somebody,” pleaded the 85-year-old.

“We can fix the problem... love is the only solution.”

Stasia was born in the southern mountains of Poland and migrated to Australia with her husband after World War II.

“I was forced to work carrying coal in buckets to heat homes... I was so young and all we had to eat was potato peelings,” she tells “CC”. “It was my grandmother who taught me to love everybody—even your enemy.”

Stasia was named Citizen of the Year in 1996, and was awarded the inaugural ACT Senior Australian of the Year in 1999.

Her son Mariusz Nurzynski assists on a daily

parade of lights, something I have never done before and on my bucket list, too.

Trans aCT Canberra Capitals captain J E ss bI bby I WOULD love a new iPod to put all my fav ‘80’s tunes on.

And Chrissy day will be with family in Mount Dandenong (Victoria) eating ginormous amounts of food!

Trans aCT Canberra Capitals coach Carr IE g raf COOKBOOKS and a bottle of Clonakilla Shiraz Voigner. Cooking Christmas lunch in Melbourne with family.

australian rugby Union chairman PETE r M Cg raT h I’VE truly been spoilt all year, so my needs are very simple this Christmas. The best present for me is to be at home with my family. My son Liam is home from university in NZ, so it will be great to all be together and enjoy the Christmas festivities. As for Christmas presents, not having to travel is the best present I can imagine. Socks and

basis and plans to continue the soup kitchen legacy long after Stasia is gone.

Pop goes dinner at Trev’s

LOCAL online restaurant and entertainment guide,

“OutinCanberra” has joined the numerous webbased sites offering daily deals and discounts.

“We want to be the local service promoting great local businesses with great offers for Canberrans,” says team member Phil Trenbath.

Called “OutinDeals”, it offers subscribers exclusive deals with savings on dining, nightlife, entertainment, beauty, health and fitness, and more.

A recent deal included a three-course meal for two people at Trev’s in Dickson. And it sold out in four days at just $37 a pop. Owner and chef Trevor McGrath cooked at the US embassy and was former PM Kevin Rudd’s personal chef at The Lodge.

hankies are always good. b rumbies coach Jak E Wh ITE FOR Christmas, I’d love to have my family together. In my Santa sack I wouldn’t mind some new dancing shoes.

d eputy Chief Minister

aN dr EW barr

A SAFE and happy day with family and friends... and the chance to share a nice bottle or two of Canberra District wine with them.

I’ll be acting Chief Minister over the Christmas/New Year period, so I will be in Canberra. Looking forward to an enjoyable lunch with the extended family and then catching up with friends over dinner. o pposition l eader Z E d sE s E l Ja THE greatest Christmas present I could ask for is spending a well-earned break with my loved ones.

I’ll be spending Christmas Day here in Canberra with my family and friends, followed by our traditional Boxing Day barbecue.

Unwrapping the rush on recycling all about Christmas

By Freyla Ferguson CARDBOARD packaging, wrapping

and glass from Christmas help fuel the annual recycling rush in Canberra.

ACT recycling agency NOWaste experiences an increase of about 10 per cent in recycling two weeks after Christmas, despite the mass exodus of Canberrans leaving the city for the summer break.

“One of our biggest issues is foil wrapping paper, people think it’s a plastic but it can’t be recycled,” says manager Chris Ware.

“Tinsel can’t be recycled, it’s not a foil, it’s a film plastic and we can’t recycle film plastics.

“Then, of course, we have all the Christmas left overs, which is also a big issue.”

He said the annual spike in recycling comes from residential homes and businesses.

“Generally, not only the recycling drop-off centres, but through the yellow-lid bins at residences,” he said.

“The big thing there is glass and cardboard packaging from Christmas presents.

“Obviously at this time, there is

increased consumption, and it’s good to see that Canberra people recycle more, but we do see about a 10 per cent increase than in normal weeks.”

Canberra is one of the top performers in recycling waste in the country, currently recycling 75 per cent of waste, but that figure could be better with less contamination in recycling bins and residents understanding exactly what they can and can’t recycle.

He said NOWaste frequently sees items that can’t be recycled thrown into recycling bins including drinking glasses, Christmas food leftovers, nappies, foil wrapping paper and tinsel.

One thing that people didn’t realise that they could recycle is aluminium trays and aluminium foil, despite them being used for cooking.

“People think if it’s got a little bit of food on it, it can’t be recycled, but

it definitely can,” he said.

Mr Ware said that if people want to learn more about recycling in Canberra they should attend one of the tours they offer at the Hume facility.

“We run tours of our materials recovery facility, so people can go out there and learn more about the process,” he said.

“I don’t think that there is anyone that goes out there that doesn’t come back saying ‘I didn’t realise that’.”

More information at www.tams. act.gov.au/live/Recycling_and_Waste

NOWaste recycling tips:

Don’t put recycling in plastic bags. Plastic bags and anything that goes inside a plastic bag goes into landfill. Empty containers of any food or liquid (but there is no need to rinse or wash them).

If you run out of room in your recycling bin, items can be taken to recycling centres in Belconnen, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong, which are open at all times.

Fit and frantic, it’s ‘LazyTown’

by arts editor

Helen Musa

THE international children’s television show “Christmas in LazyTown Live!” is coming to town in a 55-minute stage version.

Created by Icelandic writer and producer Magnus Scheving, this stage interpretation of the TV show, seen on ABC2 and around the world, is directed by Melbourne’s Garry Ginnivan.

Featuring an all-Australian cast performing acrobatics and comedy, it has a healthy life message for boys and girls under 10 years of age. Like their adult counterparts who enjoy good melodrama, the kids will be invited to cheer the hero and boo the villain in the certain knowledge that everything will turn out well.

If the images look like TV, they’re intended to. Stephanie, a buoyant eightyear-old with lolly-pink hair, is staying with her uncle, Mayor Meanswell in Lazytown, which is (as the name suggests) the laziest town in the universe.

It’s not the Grinch who almost steals Christmas this time, but the world’s laziest villain Robbie Rotten. Get the message? Stephanie and her gang of eccentric 21st-century friends Stingy, Pixel, Trixie and Ziggy are mentored by Sportacus, the terrifyingly super-fit superhero. This is not a show for the sedentary.

In Britain, “LazyTown” sold 450,000 seats, which is pretty good for a show with such a clean-living message – get out there, play, move, dance, sing, make new choices and feel really good about yourself.

Big tree at Fyshwick

FYSHWICK Fresh Food Markets has a new addition – a big, nine-metre Christmas Tree featuring thousands of LED lights. The $15,000 tree will be switched on every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Bah, humbug and goodbye poor, old Santa

TWO weeks ago a geography teacher named Leatrice Eng from Rockland County, New York was almost lynched (metaphorically) when she told a classroom of second graders that Santa didn’t exist. The students said they knew about the North Pole because that was where Santa lived, and Ms. Eng responded by saying that wasn’t true and it was their parents putting presents under the tree. There was outrage in the community and Ms. Eng has now apologised and called all the parents involved to make amends. Now before I comment on this fascinating situation, it is worth looking

It’s time to abandon the mythology and fess up about the old fella in the red suit, says NICK JENSEN

at a little history. The primary inspiration for Santa is Saint Nicholas of Myra (now in Turkey). He was famous for his generosity to the poor, particularly known for providing a dowry to three girls to get married so they would not have to go into prostitution. This tradition of gifts was carried through mostly Germanic and Dutch festivals under the name “Sinterklaas”, but was earlier in December and not associated with the

birth of Jesus. There was a particular transformation of this figure in 1931 by a graphic artist named Haddon Sundblom who worked for Coca-Cola at the time. He came up with the big man in red as a commercial strategy to sell more soft drink. Thus the modern commercial and consumerist Christmas was born, not in a manger, but in an office in Atlanta, Georgia.

What interesting questions these

two situations raise. Firstly, is it good to present a parental and cultural lie for the sake of false happiness? To be sure, a great number of children get joy from Santa, but would it really be detrimental if they knew it was their parents who were the ones blessing them instead of hope in a shallow corporate creation? I think that perhaps this could even strengthen the family, which is clearly in need at a time in the year with the highest rates of conflict and breakdown.

Secondly, is it right for a figure (in this case the geography teacher) to be publically shamed for telling a state -

ment of undisputed truth? Sure people have different beliefs around this time of year, but it would be difficult to find an adult who actually holds that Santa doesn’t exist. Therefore, if it is a clear lie that is exposed, is the individual to blame or is it the society that should examine the plank in its own eye? I think this point is particularly important as I close this article and risk the ire of parents all over Canberra. All I can say in my defence is bah, humbug and have a Merry Christmas remembering the reason for the season. Nick Jensen is the ACT director of the Australian Christian Lobby

Merry Christmas? Maybe or maybe not

To save or to spend in the national interest is the Christmas question testing DON AITKIN

HERE I am, a few days before Christmas, caught in a fearful dilemma. And I am not alone. Millions of Australians face the same question: should I spend any money this Christmas on presents, or should I keep saving?

It is a real problem. For most of the years since World War II, Australians have been in the red. We seemed to spend more than we earned, apparently assuming that next year we would be a little better off, and that our debt would be covered up.

And luck was with us. The economy grew. Australia was a success. We mortgaged ourselves to buy houses, bought cars on hire purchase, and saddled ourselves with personal debt. But we were right. Australia is now three times wealthier than it was in 1950, and the wealth has been widely shared.

Yes, there are still poor people, and there will always be poor people, because poverty is relative. But today’s poor are not as poor as the poor of 1950, and they are not by any means as poor as the poor of Somalia.

Australia increasingly became a kind of retail paradise. Australians were quick to explore every new widget, and make it our own. We bought thingatrons with our new credit cards, travelled to exotic places, and learned about vintages. We had the good life, and wise people wagged fingers at us about our insane levels of personal debt.

Worse, because we were so keen on debt, other, more savvy people, foreigners who saved,

were coming into our country and buying up big. They were acquiring cattle runs and other icons of Australian life like (gulp) Arnott’s Biscuits. Where would it all end?

Now the worry is exactly the opposite. In the last few years we Australians have begun to hang on to our money. Savings are rising rapidly. We aren’t travelling as much as we used to, not having expensive Christmas holidays, and not buying in the same generous fashion as we once did. And retailers are worried. There seem to be perpetual sales on everywhere. Some are calling for a ban on internet purchases, though they represent a tiny proportion of expenditure.

Is there any praise for us, we Australian savers at last responding to the call to be provident, to think of the future, and to postpone present gratification? Not a bit of it! Even Ministers of the Crown have urged us to spend, as though it is our national duty to divest ourselves of our dough.

What has happened? I think the shift has two causes. The first is that Australia escaped from the toils of the Global Financial Crisis, because we had little government debt, a relatively strong banking system and steady demand for our minerals. The second is that as individuals we are scared by the daily stories foreshadowing another disaster – this time the Government Debt Crisis.

Since we are generally in funds, so to speak, we are hanging on to them. Who knows what will happen, and what we will need to do? Perhaps we have had our fill of widgets for the moment. It is a hard call. If there is to be another financial

disaster, if Europe disintegrates, how will we protect ourselves and our families?

So here we are, or at least I am, pondering on the central existential question. How many Christmas presents do I buy – given the $5 I am

Wayne and those legs to die for!

By Helen Musa

“I’M a bit too old to dance,” singer Wayne Rogers is telling me, “I’m a trained dancer, but I wouldn’t call what I do dancing.”

We can take that with a grain of salt. Rogers, now 52, is the TV sensation who began dancing at age seven then moved on, in his 20s, through singing into cabaret and musicals. His costumes are said to outdo those of Danny La Rue. Billed as “Mr Entertainment”, who “shines like a beacon”, he is widely envied for having “legs to die for”. He’s not keen about being described as a drag queen star, though that’s how he’s been widely advertised.

“I strive to achieve that, so my performances don’t become cheap and nasty,” he says.

Rogers will be performing a pre-Christmas show at Teatro Vivaldi with young Canberra pianist

James Court and some “surprise guests”, though he’s not telling us

who they are.

Right now, after appearing as a

finalist in “Australia’s Got Talent” he finds himself the flavour of the season.

His first love is live theatre, “I like moving amongst the audience and talking to them,” he says.

Rogers is taking no chances with his audiences, giving them a variety of ballads, Christmas numbers and pop songs so that everybody will be happy.

His pièce de résistance will be the great drag classic, “I Who Have Nothing”, made famous by Shirley Bassey. “I haven’t chosen it because it’s a drag song, but because it’s the best of what I do.”

And the aim of the show?

“Having fun.”

“Christmas with Wayne Rogers”, Teatro Vivaldi, ANU Arts Centre, dinner and show from 7pm, December 19, 21, 22 and 23, bookings to 6257 2718.

Puss ‘n’ everything, it’s boots and all

“PuSS iN BooTS” (G)

Christmas arts cinema

WILL Davies’ story for this kind-of prequel to the “Shrek” films ignores no possible source of inspiration, be it Mother Goose and her book of nursery rhymes, classic fairy tales, the best traditions of Western movies, Zorro, James Bond (and not just the Pussy Galore references).

Among the few feline and children’s literature sources that the film doesn’t mine are Dick Whittington and, perhaps for copyright reasons, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”.

The law is pursuing the picaresque Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas) for various misdemeanours. In a run-down Mexican village, he establishes a fragile relationship with voluptuous Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), restores his friendship with Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianikis), saves the village from Goosey Goosey Gander’s determined search for her stolen baby, and more.

Villainous, ugly, meretricious Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) have done more than just go up the hill. They have a map that will lead them to the special place in the desert from which three magic beans, when planted, will grow beyond the clouds to the magic land

Dougal Macdonald

where Mother Goose has laid a trove of golden eggs. For Puss, Humpty and Kitty, the first task is to steal the map.

The convoluted plot needs no further summarising. Kids will enjoy its fantasy and action values and grown-ups won’t find much to cavil about. The animation is great. The 3D version, which I was happy not to see, is showing at selected cinemas. At all cinemas

MODEST folk, New Yorkers. They celebrate New Year’s Eve as if they had copyright on it. That’s the ambience of the film that Garry Marshall has confected around Times Square during the afternoon and evening of December 31, 2011.

Katherine Fugate’s screenplay assembles a parade of characters from across a broad spectrum of social and economic levels, about whom she tells stories that may or may not intersect as midnight approaches. To her credit, she works hard at skirting

around predictability until well into the final reel when the conjunctions are only a breath away from resolution.

The milk of human kindness flows freely through most of the film, in a Big Apple unblemished by drug abuse, AIDS, the deepest excesses of poverty, street violence, where partying is a smooth-functioning cultural diversion for all to enjoy and the relationship between restless youth and police force is smooth and congenial.

The film invites filmgoers to play two mental games. When out-takes begin to roll alongside the end credits, has its jigsaw puzzle structure formed a cohesive plot matching the sum of its parts? And how many actors can they identify playing characters with speaking parts? I won’t spoil the latter for you. It gave me a mixture of delight at seeing familiar faces and perplexity at seeing faces I recognised, but couldn’t quite name.

The film’s chief achievement is managing the logistic requirements for occupying a massive public space over an extended period, to stage a future event among the iconic landmarks of its streetscape. I wonder how it will all go on the actual night. The film invites local media to compare that reality with the film’s fantasy.

At all cinemas

books

Books with a local twist

Literary

editor ROBERT MACKLIN recommends some holiday reading...

I’M delighted to report that Canberra authors and our political scene feature prominently in this year’s recommended holiday reading.

Top of the list must be ANU Professor Bill Gammage’s fascinating revelations about the way our Aboriginal predecessors created and sustained the landscape and its bounty in “The Biggest Estate on Earth”. Indeed, be prepared for it to take out the first of the new history category in the Prime Minister’s literary awards next year.

Another contender – at least for design – might well be the beautifully produced “In Her Own Words”, the letters of Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of the early Governor of NSW compiled by Robin Walsh, of Macquarie University.

In the political arena, there are three clear leaders, Alex Mitchell’s “Come the Revolution”, a thoroughly engaging journalistic memoir with special emphasis on his time in the Canberra Press Gallery and particularly in the UK among the Trotskyites (including Vannesa and Corin Redgrave).

Then there’s Laurie Oakes’s “Inside Story”, which takes us from the days of Holt and McEwen to the downfall of Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull.

Another political author with strong Canberra connections is Nicholas Hasluck, son for the former Governor General whose fictional “Dismissal” was one of the very few in that genre to impress this year. Happily, another was our own Marion Halligan’s “Shooting The Fox”, a splendid collection of short stories for her devoted readership.

But the fictional offering that engaged me most urgently was Stephen King’s “11.22.63”, the extraordinarily ambitious tale of a time traveller determined to prevent the assassination of President Kennedy by Lee Harvey Oswald.

Much sharper and equally engaging is the reliable Ian Rankin’s “The Impossible Dead”, which starts small but then expands into a powerful police thriller. Military history is well represented by another Canberran, Peter Rees, whose new work, “Desert Boys”, tells the whole saga of Australians at war from Beersheba to Tobruk and El Alamein in 700 pages and on the way corrects some of the slapdash errors of other writers. Andrew James’s “Stan Bisset: Kokoda Wallaby” is a ripper read; and Rob Maylor’s “SAS Sniper”, which has now sold more than 40,000 copies in Australia, continues to find a growing readership. For the kids it’s hard to go past “The Happiest Little Refugee”, the adaptation of Anh Do’s bestselling “Happiest Refugee”, the first review of the year in the “CityNews” pages.

Looking forward to many more next year. Happy reading.

Christmas dining

Show and a (complete) meal

DECEMBER is Christmas at Teatro Vivaldi and the place is decorated from top to bottom, with “tis-the-season” baubles mixed in with a collection of fabulous theatre memorabilia from the West End, Broadway and further afield.

It all makes sense given Teatro Vivaldi’s passion for combining dinner and live entertainment – including cabaret and opera – throughout the year at its unique ANU Arts Centre location.

We settled in to a packed house to watch “Broadway Bard”, young jazz bandleader and singer Julian Kuo and lyricist Melvyn Morrow combining some of Broadway’s most famous tunes with some of Shakespeare’s most famous work. It lived up to its promise to be lively, fun and “Shakespeare with none of the boring bits”.

Pan-seared Tasmanian Salmon.

dining

Wendy Johnson

The Teatro Vivaldi evening shows are complete with entrees, mains and dessert (served at interval).

The orange, fennel, mint and almond salad (gluten free/vegetarian) was a light and fresh start, making me feel very healthy indeed. The platter of poached prawns, smoked salmon, calamari and more was a perfect option for those who worship seafood. And, for those who want a real kick-start to a meal, the grilled Spanish chorizo packed a punch with spice and married well with sauerkraut and rocket salad. The dish’s chilli panna cotta was a creative touch.

Four mains were on the menu, with something for everyone. After a light start, I went for a heartier main of herb-marinated sirloin served on top of fantastic roasted potatoes (which I had to become protective of once one of my friends discovered them and couldn’t resist sharing) with a rich, deep Shiraz and peppercorn jus.

The sesame-seed-coated salmon fillet was slightly overdone, but sat well with sweet potato mash and broccolini served with an interesting coriander, chilli and lemon butter sauce. The roasted vegetable stack looked lovely on the plate with minted-pea risotto. It is a dish for those who do not mind messing around with garlic.

We all loved the decadent desserts, including – to celebrate the season – Christmas plum pudding with brandy custard and fresh whipped cream and a smooth-as-silk

eggnog panna cotta with redcurrant coulis and nutmeg with white chocolate sauce (gluten free).

Still on for December at Teatro Vivaldi is “Divine Diva”, Wayne Rogers dinner and cabaret; a “White Christmas” Eve Dinner and, to hail in the New Year a “Las Vegas Extravaganza” (dinner and party).

Teatro Vivaldi is also open at lunch. ANU Arts Centre. Call 6257 2718.

When ‘Love’ can’t find its

THE standard of musical theatre in Canberra is excellent as highlighted by outstanding 2011 productions such as “Avenue Q” and “Blood Brothers”.

Sadly, this initial offering from the Canberra Opera Workshop fell short of those standards.

A wooden chorus, soldiers with an inability to march in step or perform even basic movements in unison, poor balance between singers and orchestra and virtually no understanding of characterisation just doesn’t cut it.

Cate Clelland is talented and experi -

oPeRA “elixir of Love” Canberra Opera Workshop. ANU Arts Centre, season closed. Reviewed by i an McLean

enced, but this production lacked even basic directorial guidance, while many of the cast often seemed to have little notion that they were required to actually act and sing in time with the orchestra.

On the positive side, the orchestra was excellent with fine clarity of sound and style interpretation.

balance

Tenor David Smith as Nemorino shone. He sang with passion, conviction and a genuine understanding of his role. He was ably supported by Christopher McNee, who displayed a deft comedic edge as the quack doctor, Dulcamara.

David Reedy should be admired for his determination to bring locally produced opera to the stage, but it needs to be good. If opera is to succeed, David would be well advised to extend his casting net so he might draw upon and utilise the experienced talent pool which exists within the musical theatre fraternity.

Christmas arts in the city

Three big cheers for everything art!

IT’S time to applaud triumphs on the arts scene...

f THE Capital Arts Patrons Organisation’s annual gala auction raised close to $60,000 towards CAPO’s program of financial assistance to artists through awards and fellowships.

f THE CAT Awards have announced more than 270 nominations for their mini-Oscars, to be held at Llewellyn Hall in February... and the Spanish Embassy has set up a new website to promote its culture and arts at www.spainculture.org.au

f DR Gene Sherman has been appointed as deputy chair of the National Portrait Gallery board, following her previous term as a board member. DR Sherman was director of Sherman Galleries for 21 years, and is the chair and executive director of Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, a Sherman family philanthropic enterprise. She is also a board member for the Bundanoon Trust, the Powerhouse Museum and National Gallery of Australia Foundation.

f MEANTIME, it’s art for arts sake at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, where a fine exhibition celebrates the work of desert artist Yulyurlu Lorna Fencer Napurrurla, until December 18.

f THE same goes for College Express 2011 exhibition, which has talented Year 11 and 12 students from seven colleges exploring the world through photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, textiles, and design technology. At Belconnen Arts Centre until December 23.

f EVERYTHING Nothing Projects has monochrome paintings by Louise Blyton, A.D.S. Donaldson, Craig Easton, Robert Jacks, John Nixon, David Sequeira and David Thomas at Level 1, Center Cinema Building until December 17, Saturday and Sunday, noon-5pm.

f SUSANNE Ilschner has a new exhibition space at a new restaurant and bar, Soju Girl, in the Melbourne Building, Civic, where established and emerging artists will be able to exhibit their art.

A world of dazzling glumness

THIS extraordinary ensemble of glum, pseudo-Balkan troubadours, have roamed the world for 10 years, and last week returned to where it all began, The Street Theatre, for a series of performances to celebrate, as they put it, “10 long years in the saddle”.

Now a finely-honed, worldclass act, they perform in a raffish spiegletent-inspired setting, complete with flashing red and blue lights, to deliver a slightly repulsive repertoire of dark, sensual songs, often morbid and creepy, but frequently hilarious. Their musicianship is dazzling and their musical arrangements inspired as they employ clarinet, accordion, guitar, violin, double bass and a variety of percussion and recorded sound effects, to create a quirky atmosphere of pulsating, repressed, gypsy sexuality.

While the incorrigibly vain, rich-voiced Mikelangelo, rightfully fronts most of the gallows-humour songs, often surprising unsuspecting patrons with quick forays into the audience, Rufino the Catalan Casanova, the Great Muldavio, Guido Libido and Little Ivan each has their moment in the spot-

MuSiC

“Ten Long Years in the Saddle”

Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen

The Street Theatre until December 11.

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

light to perform their unique repertoire of dark, self-penned songs, including the marvellous

“Formidable Marinade”, which closed the first act.

Despite some over-generous programming in the second act, which failed to recapture the momentum, or indeed, the polish, of the first, these performances provided a welcome opportunity to enjoy an accomplished and original local act which has achieved international acclaim and enviable longevity.

AND there are all those Christmas art sales:

Thirteen artists are exhibiting handmade objects in a Christmas exhibition and sale at Strathnairn Homestead Gallery in Holt, Friday to Sunday, until December 18. Bungendore Wood Works Gallery will be open on Friday nights until 9pm as well as seven days a week, until December 23.

Alexandra Freeman is selling her Polka Luka handcrafted resin jewellery at The Front Gallery & Café in Lyneham Shops until December 23.

The Canberra Glassworks has Christmas baubles, bird brooches, vases, goblets, teapots, bowls, platters and sculptures on sale until December 24.

Beaver Galleries’ popular Christmas exhibition runs seven days a week until December 24.

Laying the festive table

SET the scene this festive season with traditional decorations and a fully laid table.

“Quality china should be enjoyed all year round and can be dressed up for the season with splashes of colourful napery, candles and highlight accessories,” says Villeroy & Boch marketing manager Samantha Gould. “Invest-

ing in additional deco items, from hanging ornaments to grander Christmas displays, builds a family’s collection of heirloom pieces that can be handed down and treasured for years to come.”

Farmhouse Touch is the company’s new contemporary country tableware collection. Available in a white design, it co-ordinates with timber tables and the bright green and red colours that define the season.

Fencing for the sake of children

STATISTICS show that the family home is the most common place for children to be injured.

According to fencing expert Warren Smith, the most frustrating aspect of three common causes of childhood injury – toddlers falling into swimming pools, getting out on to driveways, or being mauled by dogs – is that, in most cases, they could be avoided by having the right fencing.

He says, at this time of year, it’s extremely important that pool owners check that their pool fences are secure and that the gates are not faulty.

“Hinges and locking mechanisms need to be in correct working order. It’s unbelievable the amount of pool fences we see that haven’t been maintained and can pose a serious

threat,” he says. “What’s the point of having a pool fence if a child can easily open the gate and gain access to the pool area?”

Driveways can be just as dangerous, he says, and parents should consider a fence and safety-gate to secure this area.

“There has been a terrible spate of accidents where children have been able to access a driveway and this has resulted in tragedy,” he says.

Another area of concern is dangerous dogs getting into or out of properties.

“Install no-dig fences and no-climb fences that will prevent even the most determined animal from getting into or out of your yard,” he says.

“Safety and security is what fencing is all about.”

More information at www.jimsfencing.net

O Christmas tree, your branches green delight us!

CHRISTMAS trees are a firm part of festive season decorations. While many people buy artificial trees, there is still a large demand for real trees. Traditionally conifers are used, in particular Picea abies, the Norwegian Spruce.

There are many stories attached to the first use of these trees at Christmas, real and mythical. The first use of conifers at Christmas originated in Germany about 1520 AD and the Christmas tree first appeared in Britain when Prince Albert of Saxony, husband of Queen Victoria, erected a decorated tree at Windsor Castle in 1841. From then on it rapidly gained in popularity. In the US alone, 35-40 million real Christmas trees are sold every year. Here we have an alternate tree with an Australian flavour, namely the Wollemi Pine. The Heritage Nursery at Yarralumla has a great range of Picea abies and Wollemi pines from 40cm-50cm high to super advanced 150cm-200cm.

THE word Christmas is from the Old English “Cristes Maesse” or Mass of Christ. Many traditions date back to pagan times and some were adopted by the early Christians to suit their case.

The other time-consuming activity is the sending of Christmas cards, which started in Victorian England, although Christmas letters were being sent.

In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, a businessman, asked artist John Calcott Horsely to print some cards for his clients. One thousand were printed in black and white and coloured in by hand.

Incidentally, Cole updated the postal system, perhaps to speed the delivery of his cards and the start of the Penny Post, the first postage stamps. Plants were features of many Christmas cards, more so than snow, Father Christmas and reindeer.

MISTLETOE, different to our environmental weed that grows on eucalypts, has been used since the Druids. Today the girls either

•

gardening

Cedric Bryant

stay close to the mistletoe hung from a high point in the room at this time of the year or stay well away, as a kiss under it symbolises acceptance and reconciliation.

Holly also features large at Christmas. It is said that holly, with its sharp edges, symbolises the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion with the red berries representing blood.

Ivy is still an important part of Christmas decorations as with holly epitomises in the carol “The Holly and the Ivy”.

WE slavishly follow the Americans in so many things, including the use of poinsettias with their brilliant red bracts as Christmas table decorations.

I would rather see some of our great Aussie flowers used with equally bright red flowers. Another alternative, if you have a Fejoa sellowiana or Pineapple Guava growing, the bright red flowers are absolutely stunning as the photo illustrates and is in flower at present.

In addition, they have delicious fruit plus they make a great hardy evergreen hedge with their grey-green leaves, a great gift suggestion. I can also imagine these flowers as a Christmas table centrepiece.

IF you are really stuck on ideas, a gift voucher from your local garden centre is perfect or a copy of the latest “2011 Canberra Garden” published by the Horticultural Society of Canberra.

Prepare the garden

BADEN Powell, of Boy Scouts’ fame, said “Be Prepared”. Excellent advice when it comes to gardening at this holiday time.

Is it going to be a scorcher while you are on holidays and find everything shrivelled on your return? There are many things you can do to help your garden survive:

Arrange for a reliable friend or neighbour to check on your garden (and house). If possible, make it easier for watering with outdoor pot plants

•

•

by moving them into one spot. Place a thick mulch around the top of outdoor pots to reduce evaporation. Lucerne hay or sugar cane straw are ideal.

If you have an automatic watering system, tell your garden carer all about it and have them check it regularly. Anything mechanical can fail!

DOUG Thompson, of Campbell, is the lucky winner of three of the gardening books I reviewed recently.

“Love Never Dies” family ticket winners

At

the Team Fitness Christmas party, Quality Inn, Dickson

At the Finnish Independence Day soiree,

At

MAKE a statement with a big, bright, bold watch.

Eye-catching sports watches are available in a huge range of bright colours, funky patterns and styles. It’s an easy way to add a fun, youthful look to any summer wardrobe. “CityNews” favourites are from Thomas Sabo and Jacques Lemans, but we couldn’t help but be taken back to the ‘90s with the revival of the Slap band varieties.

OPEN DAY

Pretty palettes for the party season

By Libby Hill

WHETHER it’s a gift for yourself or to spoil someone else, these pretty palettes are perfect for the party season.

A Little Laser

This season, Mecca Cosmetica has introduced two limited-edition Stila Palettes. With built in mirror and easy to follow face charts, they are almost foolproof.

“CityNews” likes the “Glitz and Glam” palette best for its beautiful neutral eye shadows, but others worth trying include “Wonderful in Waikiki” (warm golden tones) or “Living the Life in Laguna” (peach hues). They are $29 each.

Another beautiful palette range to hit the market is from the Napoleon Perdis Luxe Collection. Our favourite is Hollywood Bombshell, but “Desk to Dusk” and “Strike a Pose” are shimmery, sparkly and simply lovely. Each one holds four eye shadows, four blushes and four glosses. They are $69 each.

Become a nationally qualied massage therapist in as little as 12 weeks full time or longer for part time.

Enrol today – call Om Shanti College 6295 2323, and discover the amazing difference you can make to your

Think about a healthy brain

NEW research finds 85 per cent of all Australians suffer the effects of feeling “brain dead”, tired and low in energy at least once a week.

A quarter of all Aussies say they suffer from “brain drain” at least daily, prompting leading experts to develop tips to help us take charge of our brain health.

The research revealed we’re a nation of quick-fix junkies! The majority, 71 per cent, of Australians reach for stimulants such as coffee, chocolate or sugar-packed lollies when we feel “brain dead”, tired and stressed. The exact opposite of what we should be doing.

Dietitian Susie Burrell reviewed the findings and commented: “Nutrition is clearly not top-of-mind when it comes to ‘treating’ a tired brain. Australians need to understand that the brain and body are highly connected – what you do for one can benefit both.”

Yet mental fatigue remains a puzzle for most Australians. Only 12 per cent of people recognise that nutrients in food play a key role in helping them to stay alert and think clearly. In comparison, 50 per

cent are aware of the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep.

Mimma Mason, from Brain Resource said: “Nutrition plays a key role in helping our brains to perform well, including fighting off mental fatigue. In fact, research shows that we can change our brains and develop new cell connections by eating well, exercising our bodies, exercising our brains and reducing stress.”

Susie says: “When your brain is tired you can be irritable, forgetful, feel exhausted and vague. Helping your brain can be as simple as enjoying a family meal such as steak with three to four brightly coloured vegetables, which contain important brain nutrients and offer social stimulation.”

To help Australians get the best from their brains, Susie Burrell and Brain Resource have collaborated to develop some practical and scientifically sound tips to help Australians take charge of their brain and body health:

Feed your brain

Choose nutrient-rich foods, such as red meat, to ensure adequate levels of nutrients for optimal brain functioning including iron and zinc, B vitamins, omega3 and amino acids. Common symptoms

of iron deficiency include feeling tired, irritable and finding it hard to concentrate. Get the right mix of healthy fats each day from foods including oily fish, olive and sunflower oils, nuts and seeds, and eat plenty of fruit and brightly coloured vegetables every day.

Train your thinking

Your brain can change with training. Try new, challenging activities like learning a language or recipe, completing a crossword or sudoku. Train your feelings by focusing on what works for you rather than magnifying your weaknesses.

Get moving

Add periods of strength and intensity training (reaching 85 per cent of your maximum heart rate) to your regular exercise routine to increase blood flow and generate new brain cell connections.

De-stress and reset

Reset both your body and your brain throughout the day by taking two-minute breaks. Try “four-three-seven” – breathe in to the count of four, hold your breath and count to three and breathe out to the count of seven.

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar  – Apr 0)

December 19-25

Avoid being a rambunctious Ram! The New Moon and Pluto increase your tendency to be bossy and demanding, as you make unilateral decisions and ride roughshod over others. If you order loved ones around too much, everyone will end up with a bad case of indigestion on Christmas Day. Just remember – the highest form of control is knowing when to let go.

TAURUS (Apr  – May 0)

Bulls can too easily get stuck in a comfortable rut. But Jupiter and Uranus are activating a desire for freedom and change, so you’re in the mood to bust out of your usual routine. Be inspired by birthday great Benjamin Disraeli: “Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” Don’t plan too much for after Christmas – you’ll need time to recover from an overdose of merry mayhem.

GEMINI (May  – June )

Most Geminis are gregarious, so chances are you’ll overdo the Christmas cheer and Yuletide shenanigans. Pace yourself, especially when it comes to alcohol and parties. And don’t leave gift shopping to the last minute or you’ll just end up feeling tired and super-stressed. If you can avoid gossiping and jumping to conclusions, then you’ll have a cool Yule.

CANCER (June  – July )

Life’s hectic as you juggle home and work with Cancerian chutzpah. The New Moon lights up your partnership zone so close relationships are in the spotlight, and you’ll prefer deep connections to superficial chit-chat. The secret to a successful festive season? Don’t overdo things – whether it’s eating, drinking, partying or spending. Moderation is the key.

LEO (July  – Aug )

Lions are full of beans as Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus energise your sign. So you’re keen to party and participate in Yuletide revelry. Just make sure you’re pulling your weight when it comes to preparations and cleaning up, or you’ll be very unpopular by the end of the week. Keep focused, do your share of the work, and don’t rest on your lovely Leo laurels!

VIRGO (Aug  – Sept )

Virgos are usually very organised. But have you been so busy that you’ve left most of your shopping to the last minute? If you get moving, you’ll find the food and gifts you need without too many dramas. Sunday’s New Moon is in your celebration zone, so your mantra for Christmas Day is to let your hair down and have plenty of festive fun with family and friends.

LIBRA (Sept  – Oct )

You’re in the mood to overindulge in sweet foods and exotic alcoholic drinks mid-week. With the New Moon in your domestic zone, chances are you’ll be entertaining the hordes at home this Christmas. Your perfectionist streak is in overdrive, but try to delegate tasks and keep things simple. You don’t have to go over the top in order to have a great Christmas Day.

SCORPIO (Oct  – Nov )

Stressed Scorpios want everything to be 110 per cent this Christmas, as the New Moon hooks up with Pluto and your obsessive side takes over. Keep your Yuletide cool – and keep things in perspective! Your motto for the week is from Quentin Crisp (born on Dec 25, 1908): “Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities, but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov  – Dec )

As you hurtle into an emotionally-charged Christmas period, think carefully before you say or do anything controversial – especially with loved ones. Jupiter gives you a confidence boost on Friday, as you look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm. You have big plans and noble intentions for 2012, but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver.

CAPRICORN (Dec  – Jan 9)

Expect a hectic Christmas Day, as the New Moon and Pluto stir up your sign. It certainly won’t be boring! Resist the urge to be a right-old bossy-boots. Instead, plan ahead; share the jobs around; and don’t feel you have to organise and micro-manage everything (and everyone). Can Capricorns calm down and compromise this Christmas? Only time will tell.

AQUARIUS (Jan 0 – Feb )

With Venus vamping into your sign (from Dec 21-Jan 14), it’s time to utilise your unique Aquarian charms. Uranus shakes you up on Friday, so you’ll be at your temperamental best – and worst – in the lead-up to Christmas. Your excitability factor is set on high so try to calm down and chill out, otherwise you’ll end up with festive fatigue well before Christmas Day!

PISCES (Feb 9 – Mar 0)

Fish love the Christmas season, with its focus on fun, fantasy and festivity. But you tend to overdo the Yuletide celebrations, and can end up a sad and sorry sight by Boxing Day. So be a sensible soul and pace yourself Pisces. With the New Moon stimulating your hopes and wishes zone on Sunday, start writing down your goals and visualising your dreams for 2012.

general knowledge crossword

Across

1 Name the metallic element with the symbol Cu.

7 Which yachting cup was originally called the One Hundred Guinea Trophy?

8 Name the great-grandson of Noah.

9 The World Wide Web is available over which computer system?

10 What is an alternative term for dialects?

11 Name a person who follows the doctrine that pleasure is the highest good.

14 Which ball game is played by two teams of ten players using longhandled racquets?

18 To run naked over a cricket ground or the like, is to do what?

19 Name those kept in a state of readiness, as for an emergency.

21 What is a bowman also known as?

22 Name the system of pipes, etc, used for conveying water, waste, and the like.

23 What describes the items on a sports program?

Down

1 Which human being eats human flesh?

2 To which bird species does the budgerigar belong?

3 Name the crisp, pungent, edible roots of the plant "raphanus".

4 Which fasting season precedes Easter?

5 What is a millionth part of a metre?

6 Name an alternative term for manservants.

12 Name the art and training of a horse in obedience, deportment, etc.

13 What are large drinking cups?

15 Name the Australian composer (1904-86), best known for the ballet "Corroboree", Sir John ...

16 To give another designation is to do what?

17 What is an establishment set aside for the minding of babies or young children?

20 Name the compartment of a ship where prisoners are confined.

Schooling Decisions

Separated parents will usually consult about decisions with a long-term impact on children, including decisions about where they will go to school. If there is no agreement, parents may ask the Family Law Courts to make a decision.

Do I have to consult about all issues?

Separated parents do not have to consult about day-to-day issues like what a child will eat or wear. Those decisions are made by the parent who the child is with at the time.

Do I have to consult about schooling?

Without a Court Order, each parent has parental responsibility for a child. While either parent can make a decision about where the child goes to school, you could be criticised by a Court if you do not consult the other parent.

If there are Court Orders they may include an Order for “equal shared parental responsibility.” That Order creates a legal obligation on the parents to make decisions about “major long-term issues” jointly, to consult in relation to them, and to make a genuine effort to come to a joint decision. In some cases an Order will be made for one parent to have sole parental responsibility. In those cases that parent can make a schooling decision without consultation.

What if we cannot agree on where our child goes to school?

You can apply to the Court. The Court makes the decision based on what is in the child’s best interests.

Before making an Application to Court parents must usually have attempted family dispute resolution. There are exceptions to this requirement, including where the circumstances are urgent or where there is family violence.

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