Canberra CityNews May 31, 2012

Options for bottoms in Budget boost

Next week’s ACT Budget has a big boost for the Canberra Theatre Centre. FREYLA FERGUSON previews

MORE than $3 million will be pumped into the Canberra Theatre Centre as part of the 2012-13 ACT Budget; funds that will go towards the refurbishment of The Playhouse and The Courtyard Studio.

About 200,000 patrons annually come through the doors of the Canberra Theatre Centre, which houses three theatres; Canberra Theatre, The Playhouse and The Courtyard Studio.

According to director Bruce Carmichael, the funds will primarily go towards patron comfort.

“We survey our patrons, and what they have told us was they want more comfortable seating and we told the Government and they gave us money,” Mr Carmichael said. “They listened to the people.”

Along with new seating for The Playhouse and The Courtyard Studio, funds have also been allocated to projects including the refurbishment of The Playhouse VIP room and Canberra Theatre green room, security cameras for the box office areas, disability access services, the improvement of backstage occupational health and safety, and air conditioning.

“There will also be some green initiatives,” Mr Carmichael said. “It

should reduce our carbon footprint because the efficiency of the chillers will mean that our bills go down and we’ll use less gas and less electricity.”

As well as new seating, The Courtyard Studio will also receive a facelift; including new lighting and new flooring.

“The benefits are not just for subscribers and general ticket holders,” Mr Carmichael said.

“Another great thing is for local performers and companies who use The Courtyard Studio. It’s a big win for local artists.”

Minister for Arts Joy Burch said the upgrade would ensure CTC remains the region’s premier performing arts venue – made more important by next year’s Centenary celebrations.

Mr Carmichael agrees; next year is expected to be CTC’s biggest year.

“It’s going to be a blockbuster year, 2013 is going to be an amazing year in Canberra not only because of what’s on offer here, but what’s on offer all over Canberra,” Mr Carmichael said.

Centenary productions already announced that what is to be staged at CTC includes, Sydney Theatre Company’s theatre take on Kate Grenville’s novel “The Secret River” and The Australian Ballet in “Parliament”.

index / contacts

Arts&Entertainment 17-19

Canberra Confidential 12

Cinema 18

Dining 19

Garden 20-21

News 3-7

Politics 4

Property 23-24

Puzzles 22

Social Scene 9-11

Sport 6

FRONT COVER: ACT Style’s

Jessica Adelan, story Page 5.

Photo by Silas Brown

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“Within Season 2013 there could be between 19 and 20 shows,” Mr Carmichael said.

“There will be a strong local content, strong local representation.”

Despite the multi-million dollar Budget commitment, Mr Carmichael said plans for a new theatre at CTC are not to be ruled out.

“We want to keep it bubbling along,” he said.

Since 1993: Volume 18, Number 19

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

Journalists:

Freyla Ferguson, freyla@citynews.com.au

Libby Hill, libby@citynews.com.au

Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

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

Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086

Graphic designer: Leonie Fox

Contributing photographer: Andrew Finch

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

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

“It’s not something that is going to happen overnight, it might not happen for 10 years.

“The Playhouse for instance was in the planning for probably 15 years before it was actually built.”

The last time the CTC received funding was part of the 2010-2011 ACT Budget, when it received $125,000 for essential works to heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

By Helen Musa

TO celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee year and the royal birthday, the traditional “Trooping the Colour” ceremony is to be held, not as usual in the parade ground at Duntroon, which is being refurbished, but at Gallipoli Reach, Rond Terrace, on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin.

The ceremony goes back into the history of the British monarchy during the 16th century, when it was necessary to identify regiments by escorting their colours through the troops each evening. Later it became a part of the guardmounting procedures by the Foot Guards of the British Army and a way for units to share duties on the king or queen’s birthday.

The commandant, staff and cadets of RMC, Lt-Col Ian McLean says, are particularly proud of the customs and traditions contained in this ceremony and look forward to this public display of their skills. He suggests that members of the public bring along a folding chair and a warm blanket to best enjoy the ceremony. Refreshments will be available and facilities provided.

“Trooping the Colour”, Rond Terrace, 10.15am, Saturday, June 9. Free admission.

news / politics

The murky world of pokies and pollies

WHO would have thought it possible that Federal politics could get even murkier?

Pokies legislation has ClubsACT in a lather. Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie is now back in the game and will reluctantly support the Government legislation as the best thing available for the moment.

It was only last year he was shafted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard when she sponsored Liberal Peter Slipper into the role of Speaker. And man of the moment, now Independent, Craig Thomson, is also caught up in the pokies debate.

When Wilkie entered the crossbenches in the House of Representatives at the last election he joined a growing movement of concern regarding the impact of pokies on the community.

Before this election, Senate Greens had lined up alongside independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who had

The recent compromise on poker machines makes Federal politics even murkier, says MICHAEL MOORE

spent years in the upper house of the SA parliament, specifically elected on an anti-pokies platform.

Xenophon and the Greens had the debate on the boil in the Senate. However, the unprecedented power of the cross-benches in the lower house provided Wilkie with an extraordinary opportunity to bring about significant reform in a system of pre-commitment so that problem gamblers would not be able to squander their money on a whim.

When Gillard reneged on her commitment to serious poker machine reform in favour of Peter Slipper, it was Craig Thomson who published an opinion in “The Daily Telegraph” celebrating a victory for the pubs and clubs stating: “The Prime Minister’s decision at the weekend was a victory for common sense. It was timely and

important.”

Thomson was calling for a voluntary system by the clubs rather than Wilkie’s approach.

Thomson may have considered it a sensible decision. However, this broken promise on the pokies reinforced the Opposition’s mantra that Gillard was not to be trusted. It is not surprising then that Wilkie went on to vote with the Opposition on suspending Thomson from parliament.

With the recent resurrection of the legislation and a Government compromise with Wilkie, the ACT Clubs, some of which have donated millions to ACT Labor, have come out fighting. But they sound desperate!

Jeff House, the chief executive of ClubsACT, even explained to Louise Maher on ABC radio that the Federal Parliament had “no constitutional

right” to interfere with the arrangement between the industry and the Government for an ACT pokies trial. Wrong!

He might have just been loose with language, but the reality is the ACT is a Territory and the Federal parliament has already exercised its rights to override the Territory’s powers with regard to other moral issues, such as voluntary euthanasia and gay marriage.

The Government needs the support of the Greens for successful passage through the Senate. Is it simply a cynical move to have the legislation fail in the upper house? With Wilkie’s support of the pre-commitment trial and the Greens insisting on bets limited to a one-dollar maximum, it does appear that the Government will never have to face the outcome of successful legislation.

On May 17, representatives from 63 of Victoria’s 79 councils, for example,

When memory forgets to work

Ever wandered into a room, only to wonder why you were there? Or were about to say something and forgot what it was? These are examples of how your working memory operates, says JO WHITHEAR

WORKING memory is not quite short-term memory, which deals more with automatic, everyday responses that require little thought, it’s the ability to hold a thought while the brain processes a more complex task.

Unlike short-term memory, working memory relies heavily on long-term memory retrieval. This subtle difference is the result of the latest research in human cognitive functions explaining why working-memory deficits have emerged as a major contributor to learning difficulties.

Working-memory difficulties affect our ability to think and learn. If you are unable to hold a thought for long enough to attend to the task, then ultimately you cannot complete it.

This is why children with poor working memory struggle to finish their school work. Many face this debilitating reality every day.

They may appear disorganised, lazy, dreamy, procrastinating. Many of these traits mirror a child with ADHD, so much so that researchers are now questioning if there is a difference between the two.

Until fairly recently, poor working memo -

ry was seen as unchangeable. You were born with it. However, studies show that working memory capacity can either be increased or made to work more efficiently – there is still some debate as to which one it is. Nonetheless, the evidence is unequivocal that learning is dependent on working memory.

Simple classroom and homework strategies to assist children with poor working memory include the use of a computer for written work, limiting verbal instructions (write a list on the board), chunking longer activities into smaller tasks, sticking to routines, having an easy cue to bring the child back to task, minimising distractions, but don’t forget to encourage and reinforce focused behaviour. And don’t make them stay in to finish their work.

Jo Whithear is a reading specialist and director of the Canberra Reading Clinic. There will be an information session on Cogmed, a computer-based program designed to improve working memory, at the Mort Street, Braddon clinic on Monday June 18, 10.30am and 12.30pm. Call 6251 6815.

overwhelmingly supported the onedollar notion as well as the reforms proposed in the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report on Gambling.

On the surface, trying and losing in the Senate does appear as a win for the Government. They will have tried to deliver their promise, but will be foiled in the Senate by recalcitrant Greens and never have to undermine their mates in the clubs industry.

However, at another level this approach will feed into the Opposition’s refrain about the extent to which the Prime Minister can be trusted. A genuine win would be for the Prime Minister to sit down with Wilkie, the Greens and Xenophon to nut out a compromise to bring about sensible reform of the pokie industry.

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

Fashion market moves

FASH ‘n’ Treasure fashion and accessories market is moving to the Fitzroy Pavilion in Exhibition Park, from June 2, says new owner Cathie Wall. The new venue will feature carpeted floors, heating, ATM and hot food and coffee on site. Cathie says the average Fash ’n’ Treasure features around 50 locals selling their wares at bargain prices. June’s market will be focused on winter fashion. Entry is $3. More information at fashntreasure.com.au

Tea for women’s health

ANYONE interested in peer support, women’s health and wellbeing, or mental health are invited to a morning tea to celebrate women’s peer support groups. Brindabella Women’s Group will be donating a quilt to the Women’s Centre for Health Matters who worked with them on the report “Peer support for women living with mental health issues: The views of ACT Women”. The morning tea will be held at Pearce Community Centre, Collett Place at 11.30am on June 13. More information at 6290 2166 or l.pound@wchm.org.au.

Tireless trio takes music to the town

IN all the fuss about the fate of the ANU’s School of Music, one could be forgiven for thinking it’s just a spat among the silvertails, says ROBERT MACKLIN, but it’s not...

THE new ANU vice-chancellor Ian Young is slashing the School of Music’s budget to save money; the head of the school, Prof Adrian Walter, has cleared out for greener pastorals in Hong Kong and the place is left in academic uproar; but to the rest of us it’s all pretty ho-hum.

Not so, Your Honour; the truth is very different.

Certainly, there can be questions about whether a university should fund a conservatorium-style operation with one-on-one teaching of elite performers. Frankly, I see nothing wrong with it. The ANU is (or should be) about the very best in all fields of relevant endeavour.

Music is queen of the arts, but it doesn’t exist until it’s performed and it’s awful if performed badly. So training for the elite musician is just an extension of musical composition and appreciation. That makes it entirely appropriate.

If our local philanthropists jump in to support this aspect, well and good. However, my fear is that Ian Young (and many Canberrans) don’t appreciate just how intrinsic the School of Music really is to the heart and soul of

our community.

I’m thinking particularly of the stunningly talented people who run the Music Education Program of the School, funded by an annual grant to the ANU from ArtsACT. The grant provides for a mere 2.6 people to take musical education to the community. Fortunately, there’s nothing “mere” about the three amazing musicians who do so: Susan West, Georgia Pike and Nicole Mengel.

Susan is not just a composer, pianist and singer, she’s one of those brilliant teachers who actually changes lives. Georgia is something else. She’s a magical singer and a wonderful actress. She could (and should) be starring on Broadway; instead, she devotes herself to spreading the love of singing and the joy of music – ably assisted by Nicole – to an ever-expanding circle of Canberrans.

Consider this: in the last 12 years this team has trained 1323 teachers and community members in the musical arts; and no fewer than 43,000 students in Canberra schools have benefited directly from their efforts.

They visit at least 22 schools each year for extended teacher support and

coaching. In the last five years they have taken music on 360 occasions to nursing homes and care facilities. As well, they work with adults with disabilities through the Belconnen Community Service, seniors through Probus and other groups, at-risk students during in-school programs,

special-needs children, indigenous communities, hospital patients, and migrant families to whom music becomes a welcoming bridge into their new community.

They just don’t stop. But they bring to the task a joy that lingers long after they’ve returned to their SoM head-

quarters.

So when the penny-pinching Prof Young makes his next assault on this fabulous resource, let’s make sure we’re waiting for him. In the words of that old sweet song, let’s keep Georgia on our minds.

robert@robertmacklin.com

At last, let there be lights!

With the ACT Budget expected to pour money into lights at Manuka Oval, TIM GAVEL asks if Canberra has room for expansion into more national sporting competitions

THE Federal Government has promised $2.5 million for lights at Manuka Oval as part of the ACT’s Centenary celebrations next year and my understanding is that this will be matched by a contribution of $2.85 million in the ACT Government’s Budget next week.

As a result, there will no doubt be renewed interest in the possibility of the ACT securing a team in cricket’s Big Bash 20/20 series.

Those advocating a team in Canberra were told earlier that one of the prerequisites is lighting suitable for television cameras at Manuka Oval.

But it is not just cricket pushing for lights, with the AFL increasingly moving to night time games.

Despite the Government funding pledges, there is still a consultation process with the residents of the inner-south keen to have input into lighting and proposed changes to Manuka Oval.

The Big Bash receives little or no Government funding for the running of its teams.

In Canberra there is a reliance on Government funding because of the small pool of major corporate backers.

The ACT Government currently puts money into 17 national league teams and the GWS Giants.

The Raiders, Brumbies and Giants have alternate funding mechanisms in place away from the national league team funding pro -

gram. Beyond GWS, the Raiders, the Brumbies and the Canberra Capitals receive the most funding with $120,000 each followed by the Canberra United Women’s Football team with $60,000. It then drops to $31,000 for the Canberra Cavalry Baseball team, the Canberra Strikers women’s hockey side, the Canberra Lakers and the Canberra Gunners men’s basketball team.

The next rung of recipients, on $24,000, includes the ACT Meteors, the ACT Comets, the Canberra Knights and the Canberra Darters. Teams receiving $10,000 a year are the ACT Diamonds women’s softball side, the Cockatoos men’s orienteering, the women’s Cockatoos, and the Canberra Heat men’s and women’s volleyball teams.

I am pointing out the amounts paid to these sports to emphasise how the money is already thinly spread throughout the existing national league teams.

With Big Bash expansion still some time away, the best course of action to begin with would be to attract one of the Sydney teams to play some games in Canberra.

Looking to the short-term though, new National League teams are unlikely in Canberra.

ACT Netball may look at hosting a game involving the Sydney Swifts in the Trans Tasman Netball League, but the chances of an A League team or an NBL side are almost nonexistent for the time being.

Style council looks to spring

By Freyla Ferguson

CANBERRA

fashionistas

unite! Stylists Jessica Adelan, Sofia Polak and Janette Lenk, with Thoroughbred Park marketing manager Briony Young, have formed ACT Style – a new fashion committee that aims to promote Canberra’s burgeoning fashion talent.

Jessica, an ANU law student and stylist, won this year’s Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes fashions on the field in the classic racewear category.

It was at the race meet where she and fellow stylists began forming the idea to create a special fashion event for Canberra.

And where she met the Italian ambassador Gianludovico de Martino di Montegiodano, who prompted the theme of the committee’s first event, “La Dolce Vita – Spring Fashion Showcase” at the Italian embassy, on June 14, which will also raise money for Vision Australia.

“Initially, I wanted to have a ball for Vision Australia at the Portrait Gallery, but the venue was too expensive, so when the

upcoming spring carnival “looks” worn by local models and dressed using items from local retailers from Westfield down to smaller boutiques such as vintage store, April’s Caravan.

It will also feature the work of local designers and milliners such as Angela Menz.

As part of the fundraiser, there will also be prizes up for grabs including Maggie Beer products and artwork by local artist Susan Clarke.

ambassador said it was okay to go to the residence, I thought: ‘Okay, we have a venue; we need a committee’,” she said.

“Briony has the links in terms of the racing community, Janette has the ties with Westfield and retailers and Sofia is really good at local talent and designers.

“I thought what a great committee, we can all bring something different and we all have this very common goal –we love Canberra fashion. And we just know how much talent is in this city.”

The event will showcase

Other items donated by local businesses include a macaron cake by Dream Cuisine Patisserie and vouchers from Griffin Day Spa.

The ambassador has also donated Italian red wine for the event.

She hopes that this is the first of many events organised by Style ACT – and she says, the bigger the committee gets, the better.

“La Dolce Vita – Spring Fashion Showcase”, Italian embassy, 7pm-9pm, June 14 in aid of Vision Australia. Seated tickets $60 and general tickets $50. More information at ldvcanberra.com

Canberra City Dentistry 1st birthday / advertising feature

‘Many people are anxious about visiting the dentist and there are ways to combat that anxiety’

Female dentists with the gentle touch

GOING to the dentist need not be an uncomfortable experience, according to Canberra City Dentistry’s Dr Vicky Pusnjak.

Dr Pusnjak and her husband Shane Lloyd have spent the past 12 months building up the practice to be inviting and comfortable for patients.

From the art on the walls to the comfortable, state-of-the-art dentist chair, there’s a conscious effort to make Canberra City Dentistry a pleasing place to be.

“Many people are anxious about visiting the dentist and there are ways to combat that anxiety,” Dr Pusnjak says.

Dr Pusnjak is one of two female dentists at Canberra City Dentistry.

“There’s a new wave of female dentists coming into the field, which is fantastic to see. We are more gentle and caring,” she says.

After buying an existing practice, Dr Pusnjak and Mr Lloyd opened Canberra City Dentistry

a year ago and are pleased to have so many patients become regulars.

“When people want to come back, you know you’re doing something right. We’ve been very happy with the way that it’s running,” Dr Pusnjak says.

As parents of three young boys, the couple thought that owning their own practice would be best for the family.

“It felt right at the time. I’ve been a dentist since 1995 and I’d come to the point where it became another milestone to achieve. Running my own practice so I could have flexible hours to balance family life and work commitments was important because I have a young family,” she says.

“It’s full on, I won’t deny it, but it’s a matter of juggling between the two-life commitments we have, and it’s paying off.”

Canberra City Dentistry is a family friendly practice catering for all general dental needs and is a preferred provider practice for private health funds including Medibank Private and Bupa. The practice has also pur-

chased an OPG machine, an X-ray unit, which means patients don’t need to go offsite for imaging.

Dr Pusnjak made the decision to be a dentist when she was in her first year of high school and says there have been quite a few changes in dentistry since she entered the field.

“Digital technology has been fantastic for dentistry. Digital x-rays machines emit very low doses of radiation compared with the old technology,” she says.

“We have intra-oral cameras so we can take photos in the patient’s mouth and put it on high-definition monitor screens to educate the patient to having more of an understanding about what they need – and why – in terms of treatment.

“Dentistry is evolving – who knows what the future holds, perhaps with stem-cell research, we could recreate teeth/new pulps?”

Canberra City Dentistry, Level 4, 28 University Avenue, Civic. Call 6162 0880 or canberracitydentistry.com.au

At Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Forrest Hotel At Camp Quality Supper Club after party, Public Bar

At Europe Day reception, Department of Foreign Affairs At the National Day of Argentina celebration, Albert Hall

At Rotary International President’s visit, Hellenic Club

At Lerida Estate’s 2009 Shiraz Viognier launch, the Hyatt

Canberra Confidential

Joe’s looking for the vibe

JOSEPH Cataldo, from popular coffee spot Bean in the City, is planning a new venture that is hoped will bring a Melbourne-vibe to Civic’s Melbourne Building.

His new cafe will be called Loading Dock and be situated in Odgers Lane behind Cataldo’s Hair Salon.

Odgers Lane and the Melbourne Building have been the subject of an ACT Government trial and there are ambitions to “create commercial opportunities that transform the lane from a waste storage area and return loading zone into a safe and interesting public place,” according to the Economic Development Directorate’s website.

“The mature trees, heritage setting and improved management practices are the fundamental elements around which the transformation will occur.”

Zoo puzzles the world

A PUZZLE originally created in the 19th century has been transformed by a Canberra company into a cool coffee lovers’ game and gone global across 155 outlets in 16 countries.

The sliding block puzzle – one of the oldest in the world – has been adapted by Canberra’s Zoo Advertising for internationally renowned artisan coffee company Caffe Ritazza.

Called “Summer Fun Slider”, the free puzzle is being played by thousands of people in Europe, North America, parts of

Asia and beyond on smart phones, mobile phones, iPads and other tablets.

Zoo’s managing director Clinton Hutchinson says the game has a leaderboard tracking scores of individual players against fastest times and least moves.

other travel locations. Customers scan a QR code to automatically load the game and play it to relieve boredom while waiting for transportation or while travelling.

The “Summer Fun Slider” can be played at www.cafferitazzasummerfun.com

Cloth nappy returns!

The project – rolled out with Mighty Media Group from Sydney – had an extremely tight timeline. Zoo’s team, including a dedicated interactive digital designer and two other developers, took less than a week to complete the digital puzzle, including design and testing.

Zoo’s interactive puzzle is causing a craze among commuters overseas who buy their coffee at any one of hundreds of Caffe Ritazza outlets in airports, train stations and

TO mark World Environment Day, on Tuesday, June 5, the Canberra Environment Centre is launching its “Wee Ones Cloth Nappy Display” for parents interested in using reusable nappies.

“Many people still associate cloth nappies with the old terry toweling squares of their own infant years, but for most people these are a thing of the past,” says project officer Sonya Tirtajaya . “Nappies today are colourful, easy to use, easy on your wallet, and easy on the environment.”

In Australia, 800 million disposable nappies end us as landfill each year and every disposable nappy ever dumped still exists

today as they take 500 years to break down. There’s also a free introductory workshop to modern cloth nappies from 10.30am to noon at the centre, corner of Lennox Crossing and Lawson Crescent, Acton.

Bookings to 6248 0885 or email projects@ ecoaction.com.au. More information at www. ecoaction.com.au.

Cork on for cancer

IT’S time to go dry – dry of booze, of course, for the annual Dry July fundraiser.

Registrations are now open to be part of a booze-free month to raise cash to help adults living with cancer.

Past Canberra participants include 2CC presenter Mike Welsh

The fundraiser will be officially launched by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher at the Canberra Hospital Foundation’s annual Black and White Ball on June 23.

Andrew Daddo will act as the master of ceremonies.

Money raised at the ball and by Canberra Dry July participants will go towards Capital Region Cancer Service.

And according to Canberra’s Dry July organisers, ACT Government directorates are being put to the challenge to compete against each other to raise the most money. Register at www.dryjuly.com/sign-up/ and more information on the ball from 6244 3542.

Editor gobsmacked

IT’S not often you catch an editor out, but Rotary caught ours a beauty.

There he was sitting at the Hellenic Club

dinner for 400 people celebrating the visit of Rotary international president Kalyan Banerjee when an announcement of gongs to non-Rotarians was made and pediatric surgeon Prof David Croaker, who provides his surgical skills free of charge to assist children brought to Australia for corrective surgery under Rotary’s Oceanic Medical Aid for Children program, is called to the stage to be awarded with the organisation’s coveted Paul Harris Fellowship. Next up, the Canberra Centenary’s creative director Robyn Archer for “providing invaluable support to the Canberra community”. Then, absolutely without warning, a gobsmacked Ian Meikle gets the call to receive his fellowship from President Banerjee for the “CityNews” coverage of allthings Rotary. “It was really a lovely surprise, I was thrilled and honoured, especially to get it from Rotary’s big kahuna,” Meikle told us. “My sponsors were the devious crew at the Canberra South club, bless ‘em!”

Italian National Day, June 2

When Italians everywhere celebrate their republic

FESTA della Repubblica (literally Festival of the Republic or, in English, Republic Day) is celebrated in Italy annually on June 2.

THE day commemorates the institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, in which the Italian people were called to the polls to decide on the form of government, following World War II and the fall of Fascism.

With 12,717,923 votes for a republic and 10,719,284 for the monarchy, the male descendants of the House of Savoy were sent into exile.

To commemorate it, a grand military parade is held in central Rome, presided over by the President of the Italian Republic in his role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister, formally known as the President of the Council of Ministers, and other high officers of state also attend.

In 1950, the parade was featured for the first time in the protocol of official celebrations. This provides for the ceremonial laying of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Vittoriano.

The ceremony continues in the afternoon with the opening of the gardens of the Quirinale Palace, seat of the President of the Republic, and with musical performances by the band ensembles of the Italian Army, Italian Navy, Italian Air Force, the “Arma dei Carabinieri”, State Police, the “Guardia di Finanza”, the Penitentiary Police Corps and the State Forestry Corps. Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II.

An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy’s defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed.

Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organised crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

Local day of celebration

IN Canberra, The Italian National Day will be celebrated with a free event, Festa della Repubblica (Festival of the Republic) at the Italian Cultural Centre in Forrest.

There will be a variety of food, wine and speciality stalls selling plants, craft, fashion and jewellery.

A representative of the Italian embassy, Alessandro Giovine, will officially open the festivities. Games, amusements, live music and choirs will be held and the day will end with a special opera concert starting at 6.30pm, presented by the ANU School of Music.

Entry is free with lucky door prizes.

Festa della Repubblica, Italian Cultural Centre, 80 Franklin Street, Forrest, 11am-4pm and 6.30pm9pm, Saturday, June 2.

Shaped like a boot

ITALY is a long peninsula shaped like a boot, surrounded on the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the east by the Adriatic. It is bounded by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia to the north. The Apennine Mountains form the peninsula’s backbone; the Alps form its northern boundary. The largest of its many northern lakes is Garda (370 sq km); the Po, its principal river, flows from the Alps on Italy’s western border and crosses the Lombard plain to the Adriatic Sea. Several islands form part of Italy; the largest are Sicily (25,708 sq km) and Sardinia (24,090 sq km).

Quick facts

President: Giorgio Napolitano (2006).

Prime Minister: Mario Monti (2011).

Land area: 294,019 sq km; total area: 301,230 sq km.

Population (2010 est.): 61,261,254; birth rate: 9.06/1000; life expectancy: 81.86

Capital and largest city (2009 est.): Rome, 3,357,000

Other large cities: Milan, 2,962,000; Naples, 2,270,000; Turin, 1,662,000; Palermo, 872,000.

Monetary unit: Euro (formerly lira)

Italian National Day, June 2

Let’s talk Dante Society

NAMED after the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321, author of the “Divine Comedy”) who is considered to be the father of the Italian language, the society was first established in Rome with the aim of promoting the language and culture of Italy.

Today there are 450 Dante Alighieri Society chapters throughout the world including, Dante Alighieri Canberra.

The society conducts formal courses and informal conversation evenings over three terms per year. It also organises regular cultural events on a range of topics with interesting and informative speakers.

Dante Society members can gain discounts when attending Italian language courses in Italy. They can also access a language and literature library, and keep up to date on its activities through its bilingual bi-monthly newsletter.

The Dante Society also has its own choir – Dante Musica Viva – that enthusiastically promotes Italian culture through song. In November 2010 it launched its first CD – “Nostalgia d’Italia”.

Dante Alighieri Society, Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Civic. Contact 6247 1884, dantecanberra@ozemail.com.au or dantealighiericanberra.org.au

Francesco’s home of traditional tastes

PASTICCERIA Francesco specialises in traditional Italian tortes, pastries, mignons, torrone and assorted biscotti for any function including, weddings, birthdays, engagements, christenings, anniversaries and any special event as well as a range of Australian cakes.

With 27 years of culinary experience, pastry chef Francesco Triunfo creates authentic, Italian cakes encapsulating the delicate flavours of Italy.

One of his signature dishes is cannoli, a

Sicilian pastry filled with fresh ricotta cheese, sugar, glazed citrus, cherries and small pieces of dark chocolate.

Other delicacies are Francesco’s white chocolate limoncello cake and Ferrero Rocher mud cake.

Francesco’s delicacies are made with fresh free range eggs, no preservatives and no premixes.

Contact 0437 911 085, pasticceriaf@optusnet. com.au, or www.pasticceriafrancesco.com.au

Where divine meets the distinctive

VERONA, Milano, Firenze, Lake Como, San E’lpidio a Mare, Venezia. Holiday destinations? Yes.

It is also where the divine meets the distinctive in design and production of beautiful products which happily find their way across the world to Escala Shoes.

The team at Escala is proud to showcase the beautifully designed and made shoes, bags and soft accessories from Italian designers and their factories.

“At Escala we strive for excellence in exceptional design and quality in the same way as do our factories – ‘handmade with love’ is their motto and we are always delighted to bring their distinctive, interesting and beautiful products to the women of Canberra and beyond,” says owner Gail Lubbock. Escala Shoes, 21 Bougainville Street, Manuka. Contact 6232 7666 or escala-shoes.com.au

Comites looks after Italians abroad

ITALIAN Australians all over the country are part of Comites; representative bodies for Italian communities living in Australia.

Comites members were first elected in Australia on March 26, 2004.

Each branch is made up of 12 members, who must be Italian citizens.

These members are complemented by appointed members chosen directly by the elected members from a shortlist of candidates presented by the local Italian associations and must be foreign citizens of Italian origin.

Comites members have a term of five years, and may be re-elected for an additional term.

The Comites responsibilities and functions include: promoting, in collaboration with relevant consular offices, initiatives in the areas of

Fernando’s happy cars

FERNANDO Moro is a perfectionist when it comes to working on cars, according to his wife Barbara.

The couple have been running their Mitchell-based mechanical servicing and repairs business Moro Motors since 1987.

“We specialise in Italian cars but will repair all makes and models,” Barbara says.

The small family business centres around Fernando’s love of Italian automobiles and his commitment to a high standard.

“Fernando doesn’t like it when cars aren’t happy,” Barbara says. Moro Motors, 1/160 Lysaght Street, Mitchell. Contact 6241 4912.

Franco’s home improvements

FRANCO Barilaro’s Vergola ACT has been serving the ACT & Southern NSW community for more than 30 years.

“We specialise in home improvements, concentrating on the award-winning Vergola Opening Roof System,” says Franco.

“We offer a quality and reliable product that you can count on. In addition, our friendly and professional staff are available to answer any questions you may have about our company and/or our services.

“Whether you need roofing or screening for domestic, commercial or industrial applications, we have what you need at prices you will appreciate.”

Showroom at 52 Kembla Street, Fyshwick. More information by e-mail to sales@vergola.com.au, call 6280 9809 or visit www.vergola.com.au

Nico loves Vespas

social-cultural life, social welfare and education, professional training, recreation, sport and leisure of the Italian community resident within a particular consular zone; opinions, proposals and suggestions for initiatives for the relevant consular office of benefit to the local Italian community; consultative functions in relation to requests for financial support from Italian welfare associations operating within a given consular zone; co-operating with local consular offices to safeguard the rights and interests of Italian migrant citizens in relation to local legislation as well as international and EC law; and advising Italian consular offices of any violations of conventions and international laws relating to Italian workers. Comites ACT, contact Mara at marajiju72@ hotmail.com or 0431 245 130.

“MY dear, old Vespa decided to stop and I found myself out in the middle of nowhere going nowhere, so I called Nico and he offered immediately to rescue me,” said one loyal client, waxing on the service of Nico Wright, of Motorini Scooters.

“Another time, it wouldn’t start and Nico had a battery on charge ready to go.

“He’s terrific. He lives and breathes (and sells) Vespas, I’ve tried the others, but I wouldn’t trust my beloved Francesca to anyone else but him and his mechanic Peter.”

Motorini Scooters, 10 Botany Street, Phillip, open from 9am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, call 6282 6882, email motorini@cyberone.com.au or visit www.motorini.scootersales.com.au

‘Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to see that it’s a little metropolis of its own here’

Salon with experience, style – and a buzz

WITH a combined 50 years experience in hairdressing, the mother/daughter duo at Enigma Style @ ANU believe they have the professional edge.

Tucked away on the leafy ANU Campus, the salon has a modern aesthetic with a friendly inviting vibe.

“We have a small team but that’s the way we like it,” says Shirley “It’s a high-end service salon and we believe in individual attention. Our clients who have discovered us are often taken back by our unique position on campus.

“Today`s uni student is a savvy client, we cater to them, along with the staff of ANU and CSIRO, and the government buildings that surround us.”

Shirley Treloar opened Enigma on the ANU campus nine years ago and has just welcomed her daughter Shannon on board at the salon.

Shannon is in her 16th year of hairdressing and has twice been recognised as Australian Colourist of the Year at the Hair Expo Awards.

“A cut without a colour is like a canvas without paint,” says Shannon.

“It’s nice and laid back here and really comfortable. Because mum’s been here for such a long time, she has a really good rapport with all the clients.

“I look forward to doing the same and creating my own niche.”

After 35 years in hairdressing, Shirley still thrives on working with clients.

“I like creating individual looks and the one-on-one time with my clients. I still get a buzz out of making clients happy and love it when they walk out of the salon with a smile on their faces,” Shirley says.

Shirley and Shannon are joined by hairdresser Shagufta who is also qualified in hair removal and beauty treatments.

“Shagufta is the waxing queen of ANU and she has a really good reputation here on campus,” says Shirley.

She has been with Enigma for five years and is trained in eyelash extensions, spray tans and threading.

Shagufta comes from Pakistan and grew up learning the practice of threading.

“Threading requires special technique and is different to waxing, but people who have it done always prefer it because the results last longer for thick hair,” says Shagufta Enigma is different to a regular salon, says Shirley and she emphasises that it’s a convenient location for workers in the thriving new City West precinct.

“We’re just a short stroll down University Avenue on to the campus,” she says.

“There are lots of eateries and coffee shops here on campus so if somebody comes here for a haircut they can pick up something for lunch as well.

“Even though we’re on the university campus, we’re not far away. I think visitors who haven’t been here before will be pleasantly surprised to see that it’s a little metropolis of its own here.”

The Enigma team is set to expand and Shirley is currently looking for a creative apprentice or part time senior stylist to join the team.

“At Enigma we are proud to endorse our own Enigma organic label hair care products,” Shirley says.

“Enigma organic label is 100 per cent manufactured In Australia.

“Our Enigma organic label incorporates highly active certified organic ingredients, giving you purity and luxury with highest professional function.”

Enigma Style is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am - 6pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 8pm. Open Saturdays 8am2pm by appointment only.

1st Floor Union Building, ANU Campus Acton. Phone 6247 4991, Email enigmahairdressing@grapevine.com.au or go to www. outincanberra.com.au/enigmastyleanuhairdressing

arts & entertainment

Wendy Johnson

Vinyl Room gets a spin

Hot rhythms for a cool festival

Helen Musa reports

MUSICIAN Nicky Bomba is an expert on Caribbean rhythms designed to warm people up in the snow.

Nowadays, the former conductor of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra lives in Freeburgh, at the base of Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps, and over the June long weekend, he’ll be heading across the border with his tropical sixpiece band Bustamento to be part of the 4th Perisher Snowy Mountains of Music Festival, billed as the only music festival in Australia in the snow.

“I live in two worlds, the Pacific islands and the mountains,” Bomba tells “CityNews”.

“We bring a little bit of the islands to the cold.”

But wherever he is, Bomba likes to be close to nature. The recent recipient of a Music Fellowship Award from the Australia Council, in performance, his aims are to “lift the vibrations… I like to see happy, smiling faces”.

He put that down to his Maltese ancestry and read a survey on the relative benefits of affluence versus happiness, which concluded that the happiest people in the world are the Maltese.

He believes it, relating how every weekend in his boyhood there would be a musical get-together at his dad’s place.

There won’t be anything heavy from Bustamento, influenced as it is by the backbeat of calypso, mento, early reggae and ska styles.

Some of their songs are favourites such as “Coconut Woman” and “Mañana”, and it’s the highly acoustic Jamaican mento sound that gives the name to the band, comprised of Bomba on vocals, guitars and percussion; Barry Deenick, double bass and vocals; Paul Coyle, trumpet and vocals; George Servanis, percussion and vocals; Michael Caruana, piano and Peter Mitchell, saxophone.

Bomba’s mental picture is of acoustic music around a pool in front of coconut palms, “keeping it simple, but keeping the attitude right”, he says. “Think palms, pools and pina coladas.”

The weekend Snowy Mountains festival, directed by Illawarra’s David de Santi, has established itself as one of the most unusual in the region. This year’s event will see more than 100 concerts across eight on-snow venues, with a kids’ stage and a competitive spokenword program.

Highlights are NZ reggae-soul performers The Black Seeds, more soul in Brendan Gallagher, folk/rock and new-agers Penny and the Mystics, Paul Mbenna and the Okapi Guitar Band, CJ Shaw and the Blow Ins, and Canberra’s own Fred Smith.

Bustamento will play at Smiggins Hotel, June 9.

Bookings and information at www.snowymountainsofmusic.com.au

Group salutes an original castrato superstar

ONE of music’s first superstars was Farinelli, the celebrated Italian castrato and one of the greatest singers in the history of opera. His amazing voice had women swooning throughout Europe. Now Salut! Baroque salutes Farinelli in “The Superstar”, with works by Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, Monteverdi, Charpentier and Boccherini. At Albert Hall, 7.30pm, June 8. Tickets at the door or by subscription www.baroque.com.au

“THE Music of Dissent”, 60 minutes of protest songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s will be at The Street Theatre, 7.30pm, on June 5, featuring Margaret O’Connor on vocals, keyboard, guitar and Graeme Adler on violin. Bookings to 6247 1223.

Helen Musa arts in the city

“ARGENTINE Music, Genres, Rhythms and Origins” will be presented by pianist Marcela Fiorillo at the ANU’s Manning Clark Theatre 2, 6.30pm, June 7, tickets at the door.

THE University of Canberra Chorale, under the baton of Andrew Koll, will present “a spine-tingling and spiritually uplifting evening of Bach” at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, 7.30pm, June 7 and 3pm, June 11. The pieces performed will include “Herr, gehe

nicht ins Gericht BWV 105” and the Mass in G Major BWV 236. The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra led by violinist Timothy Wickham. Bookings to 0401863652 or tickets at the door.

ART Song Canberra’s “Lovers Of Song” performance features three Canberra singers – sopranos Anna Greenwood, Kirsten Mann and mezzo-soprano Veronica Thwaites-Brown – singing, with piano interludes of Satie, Grieg and Schubert by Colin Forbes. At Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, June 3. Tickets at the door.

A VOYAGE into world cinema will be running on the last Tuesday of each month at the

Tuggeranong Arts Centre. It’s a chance to gain an insight into the culture and lives of people around the world and is organised with the diplomatic missions of Argentina, Cuba, Malta, Nigeria, South Africa and Spain. Next up on June 26 is “Pan Negro” from Spain, about a boy growing up in post-Civil War Spain whose father is charged with murder. Inquiries to 6293 1443.

IN “Iolanthe”, the latest offering by the Queanbeyan Players, W.S Gilbert had a shot at the British Parliament and the House of Peers.

The Players say it “is probably Sullivan’s finest score”, at the Q in Queanbeyan, June 8-23, bookings to www.theq.net.au

Ironies lead to ripper ending

theatre

“An Inspector Calls” Tempo Theatre, directed by Bill Kolentsis At Belconnen Community Centre. Until June 2.

Reviewed by Helen Musa

SHOULD we live as separate individuals taking care of our selfish needs, or are we part of a society built on mutual support?

You can tell where English playwright J.B. Priestley stood in his superbly-crafted suspense drama “An Inspector Calls”. If we fail to bear responsibility for others, the blood and fire of a Great War will be inevitable.

This is just one of the many ironies in the play, set exactly 100 years ago in 1912, before the year and in the year the Titanic sank.

Briefly, a comfortable family dinner party is interrupted by a mysterious inspector, who announces the suicide of a young girl. All are implicated. Director Bill Kolentsis holds the attention of the audience in a production which is well-cast, with Tempo newcomer Mark Bunnett as the intimidating Inspector Goole holding the action together.

The play could have run faster and more smoothly, especially in the opening scene that reveals the divisions in English Midlands society. A few lines were fluffed.

While all the characters are well studied, the two children Eric (Sean Flynn) and Sheila Birling (Clare Rankin) stand out from the sympathetic understanding of what the inspector seeks.

This is not a “chills and thrills” melodrama, but a carefully-wrought set of scenes, well-sustained by Tempo and with a ripper conclusion.

Off to see the Celtic Divas

Winners of the Celtic Divas prize pack are: Simon Shooks of Dunlop; Kate Gemmell, Lyneham and Jo Steel, Kambah.

arts & entertainment ‘Symphony’ hits the right note

Dougal Macdonald cinema

“The Curse of the Gothic Symphony” (G)

FOR 28 year s, Gary Thorpe, a Brisbane presenter for ABC Classic FM, nurtured a wish to hear Havergal Brian’s Gothic Symphony.

That was no trivial ambition. Brian spent from 1919 to 1927 composing it. Previously performed only four times, it requires 150 instrumental players, 600 choristers, four military bands and two children’s choirs.

The logistic issues needing resolution en route to the performance in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on December 22, 2010 evoked preparing for D-Day – smaller scale, similar complexity.

The film conveys excitement, urgency, conflict between the event’s proponents and the inexorable pressures of “not enough” – time, funding, people able to make a commitment while the idea was still gestating.

Did it work? Did it ever! I walked out ready to visit the ABC shop to get the CD of the performance. The film closes with a short excerpt of the music and it’s breathtaking, a reward for our anxiety as the film rolled that the project might never have got off the ground. It may never happen again.

I like to think that the roaring of the Brisbane mouse awoke the British lion to sweep the cobwebs from the symphony in the land of its birth in a July 2011 London Proms performance.

And this effervescent film tells the world how a scratch Brisbane team beat the BBC to it. Bravo!

At Greater Union

“Happy Happy” (M)

THE Norwegian title for this dramatic observation of families and relationships is “Sykt Lykkellig”. The English title has a French origin. It comes without advance promotion and you might be forgiven for expecting it to be a comedy or at least a little froth and bubble.

The rural house that Sygve (Henrik Rafealsen) and his delectable but barren wife Elisabeth (Maibritt Sarens) together with their adopted Ethiopean orphan son Noa (Ram Shihad Ebebi) have rented for Christmas stands opposite the house where Kaja (Agnes Kittelsen) and Eirik (Joachim Rafaelsen) live with their son Theodore (Oskar Brandso). The four adults are carrying emotional burdens. The film appoints Kaja as the central protagonist of a story in which love, jealousy, dishonesty, infidelity, anger, deception, manipulation and unkindness all occupy positions.

Despite that austere collection of attributes, the simplicity of its characters and their individual and intersecting behaviours make “Happy Happy” an engrossing film. Kaja is the standout, lacking overt strengths, the most emotionally vulnerable of the adults, a wife whom Eirik has not touched sexually for a year. Eirik is confused and depressed in several ways. His friendship with Sygve, despite Kaja’s infidelity, leads to an unexpected consequence.

Sygve also has issues arising from the strength of Elisabeth’s personality. She blames herself for her biological inadequacies and an affair which catalysed the move to the country.

On this dramatic framework director Anne Sewitsky has developed a gently-challenging film offering enough emotional variability to be

interesting, even rewarding.

At Greater Union

“Bel Ami” (M)

THE titles of foreign-language films of Guy de Maupassant’s novel imply that former army officer Georges seduced the wives of important men to scale the heights of social achievement in Paris in the 1890s.

Rachel Bennette’s screenplay for Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod’s filming uses three beautiful women of status to propel Georges upward in society, but I saw Clotilde (Christina Ricci), Madeleine (Uma Thurman) and Virginie (Kristen Scott Thomas) using him as a manipulable stud-muffin for soothing their erogenous zones after lunch while their husbands did man things like making money. These were wives whose sexuality was not demure, and rightly so.

The three actresses drive the film’s plot with skill and beauty. Madeleine’s husband (Phillip Glenister), who employs Georges to write for his paper, dies around the time Georges’s callow stupidity puts paid to his idyll with Clotilde, leaving him free to pursue and marry Madeleine (the political brain behind whatever copy Georges filed).

Virginie, married to press baron Rousset (Colm Meaney), chooses Georges for her first extramarital fling only to see him marry her daughter. By then, the establishment has the muddleheaded Georges firmly in its grasp, leaving him wondering how it happened...

This right and proper fate for Georges neatly matches Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him.

At Greater Union, Dendy and Hoyts Woden

dining

The Vinyl Room gets a spin

Wendy Johnson reviews

IT’S third time lucky with Manuka’s newest tapas and cocktail lounge, The Vinyl Room.

It opened a few weeks ago where the Julep and then Tulip lounges used to be. The space has been transformed and the fresh approach is a winner.

The street-level entrance to this upstairs venue is on Franklin Street, beside Public. If you get lost look up – a very bright blue neon sign points you in the right direction.

The bar area is now sensibly located at the back and new seating is at the front overlooking the happenings in Manuka. You settle very easily into comfy lounges and chairs, surrounded by wall art created by a local artist and groovy lighting, and listening to cool tunes. Also cool are the staff “uniforms” – designer shirts with fabulous colours and patterns (no standard grey, brown or black at this establishment).

Tapas starts at $6 for almonds roasted in thyme and orange salt, olives, and edamame, the Japanese-inspired young bean dish that is all the rage. You then enter the $15 zone with sensational seared rare beef on offer. The chef’s special Asian marinade is a recipe I would love to have. The cured salmon gets another big tick, layered with herbs, fennel, orange and capers. It melts in your mouth. Also available is a confit of grilled mushrooms served with feta and glazed balsamic, tasty prawn spring rolls and asparagus wrapped in salty prosciutto.

Vinyl pizzas are $20 (gluten-free base available) and we vouch for the BMW (initials of three staff). We asked for it with blue cheese, which added depth to the ricotta and mozzarella. The pizza is loaded with sundried tomato pesto, roma

tomatoes, mushrooms, prosciutto, sage, spinach and balsamic vinegar. It sounds complicated, but works well.

The cocktail list features 45 options with classics such as the Old Fashioned and Tom Collins as well as “new frontier” cocktails, including the Bazooka Bubblegum, Japanese Funk Stew and A Friend from Yonkers. And then there’s The Naked Italian, who I want to meet, created with mint, muddled lemon, Dolin dry vermouth and ginger beer.

Manager and part owner Wayne Meaker, who has been in hospitality for 15 years, is adjusting the wine list to include a local white (two local reds are already available), detailed descriptions

of varieties (it is not currently clear) and perhaps a couple more familiar labels. Whites by the glass start at $8, top off at $14 and average $10. Reds $8 to $18 and average $10.5.

Guest DJs are being planned and live jazz will start Thursday nights sometime in June. The décor is a work in progress with a major piece of art featuring the spines of dozens of vinyl LP covers – hence the name – due to be installed in a few weeks.

The Vinyl Room, Franklin Street, Manuka. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm to 4am.

Magnolia – it’s spring’s

ONE of the great floral wonders of spring is the magnolia. Almost all magnolias were introduced into the western world by early plant hunters in the late 19th and early 20th century from China and Japan.

Most are deciduous, although there are some evergreen varieties such as Magnolia grandiflora or Bull Bay from the southern US.

Many of the early plant hunters who introduced specimens into Britain grew them for trials in such botanic gardens as Kew in London. From these, an incredible amount of breeding took place for even better and more spectacular varieties.

Hillier’s “Manual of Trees and Shrubs”, considered by many as the bible of plant varieties, lists no less than 100. These are available from their nursery and can be viewed at the famous Hillier’s Arboretum in Hampshire, southern England. I highly recommend a visit for anyone with a passion for trees and shrubs. It is impossible to list even a fraction of the many magnolias available here, so I recommend a visit to your local garden centre.

Cedric Bryant gardening

The important thing to keep in mind is their ultimate size, for example, Magnolia stellata, illustrated here in our garden, grows two to three metres, but M. soulangiana varieties can grow to six metres.

Usually, I write about these in spring when they are in flower. Then I thought, well, roses are bought in winter when dormant, likewise why not flowering blossom trees? So why not plant magnolias now so they are established and will provide you with their first flowers next spring?

HERE are a few cultural notes on growing magnolias. Their requirements are not difficult to provide, needing a reasonable depth of good soil and drainage. Although, interestingly, they will tolerate heavy clay soils, which this area has in abundance.

Established magnolias require only a minimum of pruning. Young plants can be shaped, removing any weak or damaged branches. Long shoots can be tip-pruned at this time and will heal before the real winter sets in, rather than in early spring when the wounds can “bleed” sap profusely.

Big and bold... the only way to describe many magnolia flowers.

ONE may question that last sentence of “when winter sets in” with more than 15 frosts at the time of writing, depending on where you live. Despite the weekend’s downpour, we have also received very little rain. It is vitally important not to neglect winter watering.

Frosts draw the moisture from the ground and despite the abundance of rain earlier in the year, the ground in the root zone of plants close to the surface is rapidly drying out.

Dig a few holes in various places to check the moisture levels. In our garden, some areas are still quite moist and others very dry.

You may have not used your irrigation system for some time and possibly may not have drained the system. With all irrigation systems, it is important, preferably at the lowest point of the system, to have a drainage tap. Open the tap and flush out the system.

If you use a manual timer I suggest you remove this for the winter. Any water left in the timer, and the next good frost will shatter the plastic casing. Likewise, do not leave clip-on sprinklers or watering wands out overnight or they will suffer the same fate.

ON frosty mornings and warm, sunny days:

• Select Camellia sasanquas, now

great floral wonder

in flower at garden centres for winter colour.

• Keep Camellia sasanquas regularly watered in winter to prevent bud drop.

• Give all acid-loving plants, ie camellia, daphne, Pieris and rhodos a dose of Epsom salts if the leaves are turning yellow between green veins. A heaped tablespoonful to a watering can of water.

• Plant berry fruit now including raspberries, gooseberries and currants.

• Start winter pruning of apples and pears.

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / June 4 - 10

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

The Full Moon activates your adventure zone, but remember there is a fine line between being courageous and daring – and being impulsive and reckless. So avoid making a hasty move that you later regret. The sparks fly on Friday, as Mars fires up your libido (and shortens your patience). Saturday is super for communicating creatively with family and friends.

TAURUS

(Apr 21 – May 20)

Things are about to get hot and heavy at Casa Taurus, as the Full Moon invigorates your intimacy zone. But for single Bulls (with Venus still retrograding until June 28,) true love has been delayed, so you’ll have to be extra patient. Finances and friends are also a messy mix at the moment. Give yourself a special treat on the weekend, and remember to take baby steps.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Twins can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life that you neglect relationships. This week is the perfect time to channel your energy and enthusiasm into romantic and platonic partnerships, plus joint ventures. Mercury moves into Cancer (from June 7-26), so it’s the perfect time to combine creativity with compassion; and intellect with intuition.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Your already overloaded daily schedule is set to be revved up even more by this week’s Full Moon. If you pace yourself (and prioritise) then you’ll cruise through the week without getting too crabby. Mercury visits your sign (from June 7-26), so it’s time to show the world what a clever Crab you can be! Sunday is super for fantasising about your ideal future.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

This week’s fiery Full Moon falls in your drama zone, so those around you can expect some attention-grabbing antics from lively Leos, as you throw yourself into daily tasks with diva-like abandon. Avoid spontaneous spending sprees that see you getting deeper into debt. What looks like a divine deal now could end up being a financial fiasco further down the track.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

It’s time to do good domestic deeds and tackle pet projects around Villa Virgo, as the Full Moon focuses on home and family. The Moon and Neptune join up in your love zone on Sunday, so tap into your underdeveloped romantic side. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Judy Garland: “I can live without money but I cannot live without love.”

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Start making plans for the future – and dare to discuss your dreams with friends and colleagues, as you build a strong support system around you. Many love-starved Librans are ready to rush into a new romantic relationship but there are obstacles in your way. Slow down and be patient! Cupid is more likely to come calling after Venus moves forwards on June 28.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Financial and emotional security are highlighted, as the Full Moon spotlights your money/self-esteem zone. Accumulating cash and possessions will make you feel more secure on the outside, but true peace of mind can only come from within. Jupiter urges you to be more proactive about solving partnership problems. Don’t put your head in the sand Scorpio!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

With the Full Moon lighting up your sign, your positive traits are magnified – and so are your negative ones. Aim to be generous and gregarious (rather than bossy and belligerent). Attached Archers – it’s time to review and reassess your relationship. Some single Sagittarians will be drawn back to an old flame. But do you really want to go down that road again?

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Cool Capricorn – you could be the one to calm troubled waters, as those around you suffer from a dose of Full Moon Madness. Secrets and hidden motivations could also be revealed. Do you feel as if you’re in a regimented rut? Shake up your weekend routine and do something different. A revised exercise plan will put a spring in your step and a smile on your dial.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

It’s time to choose your companions wisely, as the Full Moon stimulates your peer group zone. Fair-weather friends will lead you astray, whereas true mates will fill your life with joy and abundance. With Neptune frequenting your finance zone, aim to be creative (rather than delusional) about money matters. On Saturday, encourage the artistic talents of a child or teenager.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

This week’s Full Moon energises your career zone, so make sure you plan your professional path with plenty of passion and pizazz. With Mercury moving through your creativity zone (from June 7-26), the next three weeks is the time to paint, draw, write, sing, act, play music or dance up a storm, as you express your plethora of Piscean talents to the max.

Across

1 Which Qld island is the largest sand island in the world?

8 Name the largest of the United Arab Emirates (3,5)

9 What was the first name of our first prime minister?

10 In which section of the military are the “footsloggers”?

11 What were velocipedes?

13 Which birds are usually identified with the kingfishers?

16 What is another term for personality?

19 What are the returns that one acquires from one’s work, etc?

22 Which items of bed coverings keep us warmer?

24 Name the author who wrote “1984”, George ...

25 Which large small-necked bottle is usually cased in wickerwork?

26 What are titles for some Hindu religious teachers? Down

2 To have a fresh, healthy red colour, is to appear what?

3 Which skeletal framework supports the face?

4 What are the crisp, pungent, edible roots of a particular plant?

5 Which war between Iraq and UN sanctioned forces took place in 1991?

6 What is a roughly built hut?

7 Name the town, west of Katoomba, postcode 2787

12 Havana is the capital of which republic?

14 What are illicit relationships?

15 Which US state is nicknamed the Buckeye State?

17 Name Australia’s very popular car

18 To have an unpleasant stale smell or taste is to be what?

20 In which NSW town did Japanese POW’s stage a breakout in 1944?

21 Which word element means “many”?

23 Name the Greek god of love