Canberra CityNews December 6

Seeing what humans can do for humans

A NEW photographic exhibition will give Canberrans the chance to see how their generosity helped one the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.

“The Horn of Africa Crisis: One Year On” reflects on the 2011 Horn of Africa Crisis, where widespread famine saw around 300,000 desperate Somali refugees flee to camps in Kenya and Ethiopia in search of assistance.

The exhibition will feature around 50 photographs, from the height of the crisis to the positive changes one year later, thanks to donations to the $5 million Horn of Africa Crisis Appeal by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

At the time, ACT residents donated around $200,000 towards the appeal.

National director of Australia for UNCHR, Naomi Steer, who was in Somalia in 2011 when famine was declared, says she couldn’t think of a better way to show people where their donations went than photographs.

“Last year, in Somalia, I met people in absolute despair who had seen all their crops fail, animals die and were watching their children face starvation,” she says.

“Thousands of people made the dangerous journey across the border seeking protection and support from UNHCR in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. They arrived with

nothing and the support provided by ACT donors helped give them food, water, shelter, and basic supplies.”

One of the photographers featured in the exhibition is 33-year-old Thomas Mukoya, a Nairobi-based Reuters photographer and an award-winning photojournalist who will attend the opening of the exhibition.

Thomas is no stranger to the challenges of covering humanitarian issues across the African continent.

He says it is important for a photographer to be able to empathise with their subjects.

“You have to be human, you have to feel the suffering these people are going through,” he says.

“You have to know how they are feeling. I was affected by this. I was feeling as if I’m with these people. I never went for counselling, but I had to do a lot of walking around, to normalise. Because day and night, every night in the camp, you think to yourself: ‘What am I going to see?’ More deaths? More suffering? More kids in hospital? Some of these kids, they don’t have the strength to chew.”

But he says while the exhibition can be confronting, it is also “extremely positive”.

“The exhibition is like day and night,” he says.

“You can see how the people have suffered and the resilience of people and the successes. People were dying. But at last, people can smile now. Last year people had to be carried on donkey carts because they weren’t strong enough to walk. This year they are stronger. Last year

we had so many clinics, with babies wrapped in foil just to keep them warm. This year, the clinics were shut down because the malnourishment was no more.

“This just shows what humans can do for humans.”

The promise of a better place

THE ACT Assembly promises a series of firsts that should work towards better governance for the people of Canberra.

The Speaker comes from the Opposition. The single Greens member is a Minister who, rather than being placed with the rest of the cabinet, sits on the cross-benches. The committee system should benefit considerably from an adequate number of Government backbenchers. The Opposition Leader, Zed Seselja, has confirmed his position despite failing to win government.

The tone in the Assembly at Question Time at the end of the first week of sitting was in marked contrast to the vitriolic Question Time being conducted simultaneously in the Federal Parliament.

While the Prime Minister was embroiled in venomous questioning about her personal conduct as a lawyer around two decades ago, the local Opposition were already challenging the Government on such issues as economics, tax reform, disabilities and the effectiveness of the Chief Minister in managing the health portfolio.

An effective start was illustrated by nine members of the Assembly contesting the right to raise an issue as a “Matter of Public Importance”. On the day, it was one of the newest

After its first week of sitting, the eighth ACT Assembly is shaping up to be innovative and interesting, says political columnist MICHAEL MOORE

members, Government backbencher Yvette Berry, who introduced discussion on “The importance of healthy lakes and waterways to the future of the ACT”.

The position of Speaker is fundamental to the good operation of our democracy. Vicki Dunne as Speaker is an excellent choice. She has demonstrated her capacity in committees, as a committee chair, as manager of Opposition business and has had wide experience in a range of positions as a shadow minister. She is in her fourth term as a member, but served as a ministerial adviser to a Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister before her election in 2001. The Deputy Speaker, Mary Porter would also have been very effective in this position. However, having a Speaker who will take the task seriously, make fair decisions but be so obviously at arm’s-length from the Government, is likely to enhance the tone and effectiveness of the parliament.

The agreement between Labor and the Greens, which returned Katy Gallagher as Chief Minister, does not go to the matter of where

Shane Rattenbury physically sits in the Assembly. That he sits on the cross-bench separated from the other ministers is also a first for the Assembly. This slight separation will make it even more obvious that, although he is a member of the Government, he is not a member of the Labor Party.

Managing an Opposition Speaker and a Greens minister will not be easy for Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher. However, she is adept at interpersonal relationships and her willingness to accept and work in this way also reflects the likelihood of an effective and accountable government. The agreement she has signed refreshes a long-term Government and sets out a blueprint covering taxation reform, homelessness, education, our environment, light rail and renewable energy. She is guaranteed her Budgets and the right to remain Chief Minister – except in terms of such things as “gross corruption”.

Meanwhile, the challenge for Seselja, will be to work out where he can get Rattenbury on side so that he can deliver on at least some of the

agenda of the Liberals. No doubt the relationship between Rattenbury and Gallagher will be tested over the next four years, but their agreement opens with a statement to “maintain a relationship characterised by mutual trust and respect”. If the cabinet can manage this aspiration, the other challenges will fall into place. Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.

Cormick stars in local ‘Phantom’

By arts editor Helen Musa

ONE of the best-known stars of musicals in Australia, Michael Cormick, will be playing the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mammoth “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Canberra Theatre in August.

We’ve been waiting for months for confirmation that local company, Free Rain Theatre, will go ahead with the show, ever since director Anne Somes won the bid for the amateur rights to stage this ambitious musical.

Cormick, one of our most admired popular tenors, has sung The Phantom in London, but has also been in professional productions in Australia of “Cats”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Sunset Boulevard” and “Beauty and the Beast”.

The glamorous female lead, Christine, will be taken by Julie Lea Goodwin, who catapulted to fame in 2007 playing Christine to Warlow’s Phantom and later Maria in the national tour of “West Side Story”.

As for the director, that will be former Young Wagga Citizen of the Year and CATS winner, Mark Grentell, a NIDA graduate and a rising star of the theatre.

The musical director will be “CityNews” music reviewer, Ian McLean, and the choreographer, Jacqui Richards.

The dates are August 9-18.

Sisters Sara, 13, and Lyndell, 9, Svoboda... “It makes me feel happy that I’m doing something good,” says Lyndell.

Sisters help out with a ponytail or two

WHEN Calwell sisters Sara and Lyndell Svoboda decided to chop off their long locks, just as many young girls do, they were initially only thinking about their new look.

But it didn’t take their mum Marg Hazell long to decide the girls could do something useful with the discarded ponytails and donate them to make wigs for cancer sufferers.

So the girls became part of the Beautiful Lengths program, which encourages women to grow, cut and donate their hair to be turned into real-hair wigs for women undergoing cancer treatment.

The idea started when haircare company Pantene did a study that showed 90 per cent of Australian women would be prepared to cut and donate their hair to help a friend with cancer.

In partnership with the charity Look Good… Feel Better – a free national community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients techniques to help restore their appearance during chemotherapy and radiotherapy – Pan-

index / contacts

Libby Hill reports

tene is funding the creation of real-hair wigs by helping women grow beautiful hair to donate to the program. These wigs will be distributed across Australia at no cost to cancer patients. Lyndell, 9, cut her hair after her big sister did and says she doesn’t miss her long ponytail at all.

“It makes me feel happy that I’m doing something good,” she says.

Sara, 13, agrees that it feels pretty good to help someone.

“I like my new haircut much better than my old one, so I’ll keep it short,” she says.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed before the age of 85. Many people are aware of the physical and emotional devastation caused by the disease, and over half of Australian women will either be affected by cancer themselves or have a female friend or family member who is affected by cancer.

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Cover: Henri de ToulouseLautrec “Queen of Pleasure” [“Reine de Joie”] 1892, brush, spatter and transferred screen colour lithograph, 138.4 x 93.0cm, NGA Canberra, purchased with the assistance of Mary Peabody, 2011.

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Almost here: why

The National Gallery’s highly-anticipated summer blockbuster – ‘ToulouseLautrec: Paris & the Moulin Rouge’ – is almost here. Arts editor HELEN MUSA previews what’s in store beyond the famous posters

HE’S been called “the quintessential chronicler of Paris.”

Yes, it’s Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, or around aristocratic circles, Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa and the National Gallery of Australia’s senior curator, Jane Kinsman, is almost wild with excitement

“Mademoiselle Eglantine’s troupe” [“La troupe de Mademoiselle Eglantine”] 1896, brush, spatter and crayon colour lithograph, 61.7 x 80.4cm, NGA Canberra, the Poynton Bequest 2012.

about the coming summer show of his work. Kinsman, the gallery’s expert on French art, has long been dwelling on the need for a big Lautrec exhibition, as it’s 21 years since the Queensland Art Gallery staged a Lautrec show.

It’s been worrying Kinsman that Lautrec is often exhibited for the popular showpieces only, “but not in a penetrating manner… Many people know nothing of his early work.”

She’ll be filling the gaps for us with some fabulous Lautrec posters, lithographs and drawings she’s been collecting for the gallery over several years. As well, the exhibition is backed up by more than 30 lending institutions and collections.

As a connoisseur of the art of painting, Kinsman will emphasise his eminence in that form.

“Among my key themes is the way Lautrec adopted a brighter palette and method of sketching, always seeing the human figure as paramount.” And, she stresses, though his congenital physical malformation is well-known, he was respected for his ideas about creating expressive characters. As well, in his simplification for posters and use of broad colour, “he moved into abstraction.”

Then there’s what Kinsman demurely describes as the “man about town” aspects of the

we’re going to be wild about Henri

life of Lautrec, explored in his paintings of extravagant men who could be described as “flaneurs” or dandies, the “boulevardiers” of late 19th-century Paris.

She promises “a rather nice reassembling,” of portraits of his friends and this exhibition brings together three such paintings that have never been shown together since 1891.

An inevitable focus in any Lautrec exhibition is the female model. He started off depicting a type very much as Edgar Degas had done with dancers, but he preferred the courtesan or street prostitute.

Kinsman believes that exactly like Degas, Lautrec’s types became individuals. Mind you, he was guilty of typecasting his early models such as the celebrated laundress figure, Carmen Gaudin, dismissed by him when she dyed her hair black.

As an outsider, he was most comfortable in Montmartre’s “houses of tolerance” – brothels tolerated, but not legalised. Some of his paintings of this milieu are quite naturalistic and a few, “rather sad”. The famous painting of prostitutes undergoing a medical check, to Kinsman reveals “a skewed system – the prostitutes were checked, but not the men who used them”.

The last section of her exhibition deals with his interest in popular culture and cabarets.

“Given his affliction, which meant that he was not physically able, this was his way of living an exciting life and in it, he found his subject matter,” she says.

This led to some of the finest posters in French art. They were used as advertisements, but as Georges Seurat turned the poster into a collectable item, as Kinsman notes, “Lautrec turned it into a masterpiece”.

And he wasn’t ashamed of his posters, including them in his shows. Friends such as the artist Aristide Bruant and the dancer Jane Avril recognised the importance of this new kind of self-publicity and commissioned him to do posters now regarded as great works of art.

Only early in his career did Lautrec paint scenes from his upper-crust family life, with horses, carriages and life on the estate. “All a bit suffocating,” as Kinsman says, though he adored his mother.

“I’ve always loved Lautrec,” Kinsman says. “He draws like an angel, he deals with society figures and the people around him, he is terrifically insightful as the capturer of personality and he’s a magician.”

“Toulouse-Lautrec: Paris & the Moulin Rouge” at the National Gallery of Australia, December 14-April 2, timed ticketing at 132849 or www.ticketek.com.au

“The toilette (Combing her hair)” [“La toilette (Celle qui se peigne)”] 1891, oil on cardboard, 58.0 x 46.0cm, The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Bequeathed by Frank Hindley Smith 1939.

“La Goulue at the Moulin Rouge” [“La Goulue entrant en Moulin Rouge”] 1891-92, oil on cardboard, 79.4 x 59.0cm, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, gift of Mrs David M. Levy

Compliant media? Tell

Robyn she’s

The talented creative director for our Centenary celebrations wasted half an hour of her life by standing before a crowd of journos and urging them to stop calling us names, says MARK PARTON

ROBYN Archer has told the dastardly media that they should stop having ‘’smart-arsed fun’’ at the expense of Canberra because it was undermining the national capital as a potent symbol of democracy.

Oh Robyn! I know that you have a tendency to be a little dramatic… that’s why we’re paying you the big bucks, but do you really think that a bit of sniggering from the States is undermining democracy?

The artistic director of the Canberra Centenary made a direct appeal to journalists to stop teasing us in the same way that you might appeal to bullies at school to stop calling you names. I think both approaches will have similar effect.

Saying “stop bagging Canberra!” is like trying to tell a Collingwood crowd to stop yelling nasty things at the umpire. Or asking Jeremy Hanson to stop making negative comments about the Canberra Hospital waiting lists.

When you move to Canberra, you have to concede that you’ll be putting up with some frosty, cold mornings, dozens of cyclists in your lane during peak hour and the rest of the country

dreamin’

slagging off at us on a regular basis.

Making fun of Canberra is a national pastime. Most of those who crucify our town do so on the basis of it being the location for Federal parliament and the perception that the weather is terrible. Many of the detractors have never even been here.

I like Canberra. I think the weather is stunning and I’m proud of the fact that the House of Parliament is in my town. I really don’t care what anyone across the border says about Canberra. I wouldn’t trade places with them for the world.

One of the things that makes Canberra the best city in Australia is our small-town feel. If everyone loved the place then they’d all want to move here and we’d lose that!

If it gives them pleasure interstate to bag Canberra, then I say: bag away.

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

Tough town to live in

By Catherine Carter

THE rate of homelessness in the ACT has increased 70 per cent in the last five years, according to the latest census data.

We now have the second-highest rate of homelessness in the country with almost 2000 Canberrans living in overcrowded conditions, in supported accommodation, on the streets, or “couch surfing” (living temporarily in someone else’s house).

The causes of homelessness are complex and the issue is exacerbated by a shortfall in affordable accommodation.

The most recent Australian Property Monitors’ reports state that Canberra is the third most expensive city in Australia. The median rent for a house here is $485 a week and the median house price is more than $556,000. Unable to buy a home and struggling to pay rent, many households turn to social housing for help – a service itself under severe pressure to meet demand.

The Territory Government has taken steps to create more affordable housing in Canberra including an annual target that 20 per cent of housing across all new estates must be affordable.

However, we must also think more creatively about how to improve affordability and increase the supply of homes. Investors should be given incentives to adapt vacant commercial spaces into residential rental properties, increasing the variety of housing options and easing the pressure on the rental market. Taxes on investment properties need to be reduced or waived to encourage people to offer homes for rent. And getting land out to the market ready to build on is critical if industry is to meet the current demand – not just in greenfields, but also on infill sites where new housing can integrate easily into the community and give residents access to existing services.

No one in Canberra should be missing out on secure and stable housing.

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

briefly

Free party

THERE’S a free, family Christmas party at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, 4pm-8pm, on Friday December 14. The party features “Santa’s Secret Science Show Off” show, the CSIRO slime workshops, the travelling Daleks and a Christmas treasure hunt. For the littlies there is face painting, art activities, and turtle and mice workshops.

Wrapped in goodwill

VISION Australia is seeking volunteers to wrap presents at Myer stores in Civic and Belconnen to raise money to support children and adults who are blind or have low vision. Wrapping will run from December 13-Christmas Eve. Register at visionaustralia.org/ myergiftwrap

Cherry tree carols

Margaret O’Çonnor and Graeme Adler will perform “Cherry Tree Carols” (the folk roots of Christmas music) at All Saints Church Ainslie, 3pm, Sunday, December 9 and 16. Entry to the hour-long presentation is $10.

Kamahl album winners

Winners of the 10 copies of the latest Kamahl album are Jan Candutti, Paul and Maryann Swift, Hilary Van Niekerk, Shanneene Symons, Betty Perkins, Debra Speldewinde, Cath Woods, Anthea Cornish, Barbara McCauley and Amanda Medcalf.

Putting ‘big ideas’ to work

Kathryn Vukovljak reports

THREE times a week after bootcamp, coffee at the National Library became the routine for local mums Cate Huntington, Lesley Anderson, Serina Cardone and Le-Anne Jakeman.

But the chatting always turned to the same thing.

“We wanted to go in a new direction with our lives, to start a business,” says Cate.

“We’re all creative and into sewing, so we kept on talking, over even more coffees, until we settled on creating homewares featuring our own original designs of Canberra icons.

“Then it was like, well let’s stop talking about it and go and do it!”

And do it they did, with designs and ideas happening at an amazing rate, says Cate.

“We showed each other our designs and it was incredible how we could all have such different ideas from the same brief,” she says.

“Which is how we ended up with so many different looks – road signs, cityscapes, hot-air balloons, national institutions and beautiful pattern repeats incorporating Telstra Tower and Parliament House.

“We love Canberra, we’ve all lived here for years and raised our families here.

“We feel qualified to immortalise the icons around town!”

The business became Gatbi, or Girls and Their Big Ideas. The girls do everything themselves, from creating the designs to choosing the fabric, screenprinting in Serina’s basement, painstakingly ironing the cushion covers, making the swing

tags, marketing and manning their stall at the Old Bus Depot Markets. They also print on to calico bags and tea towels.

“Our teenagers help us with the IT side of things and have shown us how to use the EFTPOS machine, but otherwise it’s all us,” says Cate.

“We are all trying to learn all the skills involved, so it’s taken us out of our com-

fort zones, which is great,” says Lesley. “It’s all about experimentation, and it’s lots of fun.”

“It’s also about taking back something for ourselves, too; getting our lives back, in a sense,” says Serina.

“It all happened quite quickly, having gone from talking about it in May, to starting sewing in July, and being ready for our first market in September, where we had so much positive feedback,” said Cate.

The girls say they don’t see themselves as cushion makers in the long term.

“We’re designers more than anything, but we decided on cushions as a good place to get us started,” says Cate.

“We’re not sure where we’ll end up going with the business, but we’re certainly not short of ideas!”

To stay up to date with the girls, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gatbi. Items are also sold at www.madeit.com.au/ gatbi

Finger up for technology

THE South African batsman was given out by the field umpire and then the off-field umpire overruled him. This is ridiculous.

The batsman was as out as out can be. Cricket is being ruined by silliness, namely technology.

New personal records are being built upon this silliness. All previous batting and bowling records are now doubtful because there could have been wrong decisions.

The off-field judgement in this case was more flawed than that of the field umpire as it was made on assumptions that the off-field umpire made about a single ball. The on-field umpire had already witnessed close-up, many balls from the bowler and the defensive manner of the batsman. His judgments were on firmer ground.

Players should NOT be allowed to appeal.

Cricket is NOT a democracy. It is a game with all the human faults that games have. If cricket has become a democracy, my vote is against using technology in Test cricket.

Greg O’Regan, via email

Ginger fan protests

AS a long-time ABC 666 listener, it’s very pleasing to see that the line-up has changed. Over the past five years the station has gradually sounded more tired and the dropping ratings seem to reflect this.

However, it seems ABC management has thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

On Sunday mornings I have been listening to Ginger Gorman present “The Emporium”. This is a fresh and interesting show which is intellectually challenging and exciting to listen to. It amazes and deeply saddens me that ABC 666 is going to scrap this show when it’s clearly one of the best things on the radio.

I have read that Ginger is to be replaced (hopefully just in the short term) by Melanie Tait. While Melanie seems like a pleasant person and is okay as an occasional fill-in host, her content is generally light and insubstantial and is often based around pop culture.

I understand Ginger is going to have a baby soon, but surely this is no reason to scrap her program? There must be other hosts capable of providing dynamic content while she is away.

Brian Nguyen, Belconnen

Is Macklin serious?

IS Robert Macklin serious with his latest rant? (“Our Poor Relations”, CN, November 29) When the Sydney media pick this up, the “anti-Canberra” brigade will have a field day.

Tim Hoskins, via email

How low is Labor?

AN extract from a “Canberra Times” article (December 1) referring to Andrew Leigh, Federal member for Fraser’s Gaza, Palestine, Israel proposition says: ‘’Leigh sees himself as a real player but that move showed how much of a novice he is.”

ACT Labor supporters had one choice at the last Federal election, vote for this man. Now ACT Labor says it has no-one to challenge him. Just how low has ACT Federal Labor stocks depreciated to?

Michael Attwell, Dunlop

gifts galore & more advertising feature

Ideas and inspiration for celebrating Christmas

Come on, it’s time to get that gift shopping done! With only a few weeks left, time’s running short to start or begin finalising your Christmas shopping! “CityNews” has done some of the legwork and found some great Christmas gift options...

Gallery with special gifts in store

NOT only does it boast a delightful range of books, but the Portrait Gallery Store is an Aladdin’s Cave of gifts to suit just about anyone.

Owner Richard Baz says there is always something unique in store from talented Australian designers.

“We have really nice pop jewellery starting at $30 going up to more high-end pieces for $400,” he says.

Richard is particularly excited about the new range of Angus and Celeste hanging planters, which range from $59 to $89.

“They are beautiful ceramic products that come from a young couple in Melbourne – it’s just a gorgeous Australian product,” he says.

Designs include the hanging jelly planters, which are inspired by elaborate jelly moulds from the 18th and 19th centuries.

National Portrait Gallery Store, Parkes, call 6102 7170.

portraitgallerystore. com.au Angus and Celeste hanging jelly planters...inspired by moulds from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Glassworks gets into the spirit

VISIT the Canberra Glassworks in the lead up to Christmas for inspiring and fun Christmas shopping.

Gather is the name of the Canberra Glassworks Gallery shop, where artworks, homewares and jewellery are available for purchase. The products at Gather are all handmade glass objects, some of which are only available from the Canberra Glassworks.

“Each year we have collectable Christmas baubles to purchase and this year we even have delicate Christmas stars for the tree from as little as $12,” says Ann Jakle, of the Canberra Glassworks.

On Wednesday, December 12, 5pm-7pm, the Glassworks is holding its Christmas Gather, a one-off evening shopping experience where all purchases will have a five per cent discount.

Canberra Glassworks will also have a stall at the Old Bus Depot Markets each weekend until December 23, where shoppers will be able to purchase handmade, glass Christmas decorations.

“Why not bring the family and make your own gifts?” says Ann.

The Canberra Glassworks offers several hands-on glass-making experiences.

In the “Off-the-Street” program, anyone over the age of 14 can work one-on-one with an artist in the Hotshop to create their own Christmas bauble, bird or paperweight and the kids can make kiln-formed decorations to hang on the family tree or give as a unique, handmade gift.

Christmas decorations making is now open to 5-8-year-olds.

“We are trialling this at the moment and it’s very exciting,” says Ann. “Also, the Christmas Gather will have artists making things in the Hotshop that are the same as their products for sale in Gather.”

If you just can’t decide, gift vouchers are available for products, glass experiences and classes.

11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, call 6260 7005. canberraglassworks.com

gifts galore / advertising feature

Special place for toys, clothes and inspiration

FOR children’s clothing, shoes, toys and decor, there’s no place more special than Braddon boutique Lellow, says owner Loretta Hatley.

With iconic toys such as Wheelie Bugs, Click Clack Cars, Seedling packs and Miniland anatomically correct baby dolls, there is a delight to suit any child.

Loretta says the Tiger Tribe balance bike is the perfect way to prepare your little one for their first push bike.

“Also known as a running bike, the wooden balance bike is designed to develop balance and co-ordination, while looking remarkably suave,” she says.

For the little princess, Tutu Du Monde has a range of tutus that are both wearable and practical,

Click Clack cars, priced from $12.95 to $19.95.

Christmas Day treat Dinner just got easier

TAKE the hard work out of Christmas dinner and have it all done for you at Rydges Lakeside.

Conference and sales executive Katie Dewar says “South Pole” and “North Pole” will be open for lunch,

Relaxed and revitalised

AT Cooleman Court Beauty Centre the aim is to offer a first-class experience that will leave you not only looking great, but feeling relaxed and revitalised.

“Beauty therapy is our passion and we are here to help you achieve the best results for your skin and body,” says founder and manager Teresa, who has worked as a beauty therapist in Canberra for more than 15 years.

“Our salon is a pleasant and relaxing sanctuary where you can escape from your busy life.

“Our professional therapists are all fully qualified and experienced, we are here to provide you with the best-possible range of beauty therapies. We will tailor your personal treatment regime to meet your needs and budget, and ensure you leave us feeling relaxed and revitalised.”

Shop 54, Upper Level, Cooleman Court Shopping Centre, call 6288 5522. ccbeautycentre. com.au

Tiger Tribe bike, $120.

insouciant and dreamy. Colours are dusty pastels, details of sequins, beads and feathers, applied by hand to cotton and tulle.

“Perfect for that special occasion or to simply dress up,” she says.

In the lead up to Christmas, Lellow is open Sundays from 11am3pm and is situated next to the new Lonsdale Street Traders. 3a/25 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, call 6248 5006. lellow.com.au

Globes – small, $34.95, medium, $54.95 and large, $189, from Lellow.

offering an extensive traditional Christmas menu.

“South Pole, on the first floor, will be a giant kids party celebrating all-things Christmas! Santa will also be making a guest appearance with gifts for the little ones, as well as elves and a jumping castle,” Katie says.

“North Pole, located on the 15th

floor, offers amazing views across Canberra city, Lake Burley Griffin and the Brindabella Mountains. On offer is a deluxe experience and we spend a lot of time preparing it.”

North Pole: $195 adults only

South Pole, $155 adults, children’s prices start from $50.

London Circuit, Civic, call 6247 6244.

gifts galore / advertising feature

Pampering to get through the silly season

THIS Christmas, it’s Bianca Prichard’s goal to get all her clients through the silly season relaxed and feeling well.

As the owner of Jindii Eco Spa, Bianca is offering a range of packages, treatments and gift ideas to help people treat themselves and loved ones to a little pampering.

Jindii is running a Christmas promotion – buy three, get one free – for anyone who buys three gift vouchers or gift packs, they can get a gift voucher of the same value for themselves.

“It’s the gift that gives back to

you,” Bianca says.

All gift vouchers purchased before midday on Christmas Eve are guaranteed to be delivered to the recipient in the ACT that same day.

“We have some great gifts as well, with perfect ‘Secret Santa’ presents starting from $26,” she says.

Jindii was designed and built to minimise its carbon footprint, and enforces strict sustainable practices in its daily operations. In addition to treatments using the Li’Tya range of organic spa products, Jindii offers lifestyle classes such as yoga and mindfulness workshops.

gifts galore & more

Darling’s vintage Christmas

DARLA Darling of the Darling Sisters says there are plenty of Christmas gift ideas at Darling Central.

“Our exclusive Darling Sisters range of undies are handmade for us in the US of high-quality cotton. Funny, comfortable – the perfect knickers to wear under your vintage-style frocks,” she says.

One of the best selling items at Darling Central is the sailor-style, wired headband, which come in a range of fabrics to match any outfit.

“The wire keeps the headband in place so even if you have short or fine hair it will always stay put. Good for hiding a multitude of hair disasters!”

For an iconic swimwear option, there is also a retro-yellow polka dot bikini in stock – perfect for escapes to the coast or lounging about at your local pool.

“This bikini will get you noticed,” Darla says.

For Christmas day, Darla has found the perfect frock called Winter Wonderland by Bernie Dexter.

“The dress is 100 per cent cotton with a delicious wintery scene – the perfect outfit for an ex-pat Brit girl like me who gets a bit nostalgic for a white Christmas,” she says.

Knickers, $32, from Darling Central.

With brands such as Bernie Dexter, Bettie Page, Unique Vintage, Miss CandyFloss and Esther Williams swimwear, there is a vintage style to suit any fashionista.

Darling Central, Gold Creek, open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-4pm. www.darlingcentral.com

Knickers, $32, from Darling Central.

A year of stars – the gift that keeps giving

FOR a Christmas gift that will last all year, why not give a theatre subscription?

The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre subscription season has just launched and program manager Stephen Pike has come up with a selection of 12 shows spread over the calendar year.

It includes a return season of the Frankie Valli spectacular, “Oh What A Night!” in January, a stage production of “Animal Farm” in March, a visit from one of the wickedest actresses in Australia, Amanda Muggleton, with “The Book Club” in October, and David Williamson’s “Dad Married Fury” in November, a play looking at that most sordid

of questions, the parental will. A lighter look at death comes in the form of Elizabeth Coleman’s “It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To)” in March.

Actor/playwright Annie Byron will give a new slant on internet relationships during September with “RU4ME”.

There’s musical theatre. Pike himself will direct the hit offBroadway musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” in April-May.

Soon after that he has the Edinburgh Fringe winner, The Australian Voices, performing “MOON”, an a capella choral-theatre piece.

In July, Lucy Maunder and James Millar will be here with “Noël and

Gertie”, choreographed by Nancye Hayes.

Natalie Weir and Expressions Dance Company will be in town during May with the dance take on “Romeo and Juliet”, “R&J”. And “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, directed by Jordan Best, with music by AFI Award-winning composer (and her dad) Peter Best, will run from July to August. In May-June, Shortis and Simpson are teaming up with John Romeril for “Prime Time”, a new original musical show about a favourite local subject – prime ministers. Call 6285 6290 or in person at the box office located in The Q building, rear of 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan.

/ advertising feature

Pamper sampler to the rescue

RECENTLY opened beauty studio

Zaija (pronounced “Zay-a”) offers a holistic range of services, from spray tans and hair to massages and facials. The City Walk studio, with an upbeat funky vibe, has gifts to pamper everyone. But if they can’t decide on what treatment to

choose, the Zaija Pamper Sampler provides the choice of any three from express manicure; express pedicure; shellac; express facial; head, shoulder, neck massage; Swedish massage; hair shampoo and blow dry or express make-up consult and trial.

Unique and handcrafted surprises

“ARE you looking for beautiful handcrafted, unique gifts?” asks Sara Hogwood of Canberra Potters’ Society.

“At this time of year there are many Christmas fairs, sales and exhibitions around town, but for the best selection of ceramic artworks, jewellery and functional items you just need to head out to Watson Arts Centre for the Christmas Gift Fair. It’s the place to stock up on original ceramic gifts for the festive season.”

The gift fair and Potters Place shop feature the work of selected professional and semi-professional

Normally valued up to $215, it’s currently priced at $99. Zaija has more Christmas gift ideas – for men and women – on its website.

Shop CG05/06 Canberra Centre, City Walk, Civic. More information at 6247 9462 or www.zaija.com.au

Canberra Potters’ Society members so there is an abundance of original gifts with purchases supporting local artists and craftspeople. Prices start at less than $10.

This year’s Gift Fair closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve. Trading hours are Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, plus Monday, December 24 from 10am to 2pm.

Aspinall Street, Watson, call 6241 1670. canberrapotters.com.au

Canberra Confidential

Young hearts run free

NEW member for Brindabella, Liberal Andrew Wall , pictured, was waxing with all due humility in a community newsletter about how honoured he was to be elected to the Assembly, blah, blah. Then he wrote: “I am currently the youngest member of the Assembly at 28. I hope to bring a youthful perspective to the debate.”

Hang on, how old is fellow Libster, second-termer and, until now, boy wonder Alistair Coe? He’s 28, too (born January 9, 1984). Turns out that Wall is correct, he’s five months, two weeks and six days younger than Coe. Not that this should give Wall the edge on youthful views – Giulia Jones is not exactly ancient at 32, and Liberal Leader Zed Seselja is 35. That’s nearly 24 per cent of the Assembly’s voices under 35.

Travellin’ man

FORMER Assembly Speaker Greg Cornwell has visited 114 countries (115 if he includes the Isle of Man, but he’s wavering on that one), which comfortably got him into the Travelers’ Century Club – an international club of almost 2000 people who have visited 100 or more countries.

“CC” caught up with him leaving the Travelmakers office in Civic after lining up an impending three new stamps for his crowded passport.

Though a proud TCC member, Cornwell is at odds with what the club loosely defines as a country. It includes not only sovereign states, but also certain territories, exclaves and island groups to give a total of 321 “countries”. The ex-politician will have none of it, arguing the number is 193 – or 194, should he deign to embrace the Manx nation.

Makes you go hmmm

1. THE ratepayers of Canberra are getting a little less Christmas – the much-loved municipal Christmas tree in Civic Square is shorter this year.

Fewer days on display that is. Last year it was lit on Friday, December 2 giving the town the benefit of 23 days to Christmas. This year, the lights are on from December 7, which means the bureaucratic tightwads are getting away with 18 days.

2. APROS of nothing, the most-searched female celebrities through Yahoo!7 this year are Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansson. In the males, Brad Pitt and John Travolta were the tops. Tennis stars were the most searched athletes, with Maria Sharapova , Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal all making the top 10 searched athletes.

Just can’t do it

THE chinless wonders at the incredibly shrinking Canberra daily paper just couldn’t bring themselves to acknowledge the “CityNews” contribution to supporting local arts.

In a page three story trumpeting Street Theatre director Caroline Stacey ’s much-deserved award as the “CityNews” Artist of the Year, they weren’t big enough to give us a mention.

And why? Because “The Canberra Times” shamefully left the award high and dry four years ago, citing budget constraints and welshing on the pitiful prize money of $500, despite the staggering cashflow and huge profits its Sydney-based owners take from our city. Small, proud and locally owned, we stepped in to help the Canberra Critics Circle keep it going and doubled the annual prizemoney.

And they wonder why our community is turning away from them.

Bond in Canberra

JAMES Bond was in Canberra last week. That’s right, actor Daniel Craig and his Bond girls broke their global swing promoting the new film “Skyfall” (four stars from “CityNews” reviewer Dougal Macdonald), to star at a soiree at the British High Commission was the serious whisper “CC” was given separately over restaurant tables by otherwise sensible people called David and Brian Alas, it wasn’t entirely true. British high commissioner and Bond tragic, Paul Madden, threw a red-carpet, cocktails-and-canapes do up at Westminster House. Entering guests were snapped beside his resplendent Jaguar, replated 007 courtesy of Richard Rolfe, and later spirited by bus to Manuka for a private screening of “Skyfall”.

Don’t cry for me...

WHEN is a town crier not a town crier? That’s a question that has beleaguered “CC” for a year now since an insistent Chief Minister Katy Gallagher phoned “CityNews” to disown town crier Alan Moyse, the subject of a cover 12 months ago and a man who clearly believes his coat, hat, bell and big mouth were officially blessed by Ms Gallagher. She says he took a commercial radio prank too seriously. He did, all the way to gaining membership to the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers. Blessed or not, Alan’s going to be barking for Canberra CBD Ltd’s upcoming (and innovative) “Christmas Carnival in the City”, which runs December 10-21.

Blink and you’ll miss it

HERE’S a statistically incredible picture of “CityNews” arts editor Helen Musa and the inimitable Peter Robinson, who co-hosted the Canberra Critics Circle awards night at CMAG. The revelation is not that they are sleeping standing up (that in itself would be a statistical achievement), but that snapper Silas Brown’s innocent social shot caught them blinking perfectly at the self-same nanosecond. Brown, a man not easily excited by statistics, broke under unrelenting questioning to admit that, of the five squillion social shots he’s taken in his career, this was one of a kind.

Christmas in Yarralumla Jingle bells down in the

YARRALUMLA is one of Canberra’s most desirable suburbs: it’s centrally located, close to the city and parliamentary triangle, and nestled near the lake in a picturesque part of town.

The suburb has a welcoming, village-like vibe that makes Christmas shopping a pleasure, thanks to an eclectic mix of family and small businesses that pride themselves on customer service...

Convenient and friendly

YVONNE Dourdoulakis believes the Yarralumla shopping centre is so important, not only because of the convenience it offers, but because of the friendly service that shoppers are guaranteed.

As the owner of the local IGA supermarket, the post office and florist, Yvonne and her family see familiar faces every day.

“The only thing I thought that was missing in Yarralumla was a florist and I believe every business in the shopping centre should complement each other. I thought a florist would do well here, so we opened one as part of the post office,” Yvonne says.

She says the unique mix of Yarralumla residents has helped shape her businesses.

“With all the embassies here, we really need to cater for the tastes of the world and so we stock a range of products in the supermarket that aren’t always easy to find elsewhere.”

As family run businesses, the post office, florist and supermarket won’t be going anywhere with Yvonne’s children planning to take over one day.

The family is kept particularly busy at this time of year, with

Christmas just around the corner, Yvonne says.

“The post office is frantic once December hits, every year we see more in the way of parcels, but there are a few less people sending cards. It is mostly elderly people who come in and buy 100 Christmas stamps these days,” she says.

The florist is also “full on” in the lead up to Christmas with people venturing to Christmas parties and often choosing to take flowers as a gift to the host, Yvonne says.

Call 6282 4122.

Happy tenants and landlords

CHRISTINA Knight is having her first Christmas in Yarralumla having based her business, Abode Asset Management, in Bentham Street, six months ago.

She says the area is perfect for her and her clients because of its central location and lovely cafe environment.

Abode Asset Management offers property management services suitable for new and experienced property investors.

“I believe in the potential of property as both a creative outlet for the owner, and as a wealthcreation vehicle,” she says.

“I love to walk into a property and imagine the changes that could add thousands of dollars in value.

“Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of my role as a property manager is matching tenants with their new home, and facilitating their move in a smooth and calm manner. My aim is to have happy tenants and landlords throughout the leasing process and into the tenancy.”

Christina has been investing in the Canberra property market for 16 years and says she is a strong advocate for the area and property investing.

Call 0412 734642.

welcoming village

The art of entertainment

PROMOTING local and Australian artists is a real passion for Brent and Elaine Richter, who have run the Yarralumla Gallery and Oaks Brasserie, at Weston Park Road, Yarralumla, for 15 years.

The gallery features pieces in a variety of media, from pottery to glass, jewellery to textiles, and has a major exhibition each month.

The gallery’s not just about art, though: it runs functions, from weddings to christenings to corporate Christmas parties, and is open to the public for coffee, cake and more.

“We have a lot of regular customers who love the outdoor feel and well established gardens,” says Elaine.

“We’re also quite close to the dog park and we are a dog-friendly venue.”

Call 6260 5253.

Sitting Ducks

SITTING Ducks Catering has been long established in Yarralumla and deservedly enjoys an excellent reputation as one of Canberra’s premier boutique caterers, says owner Herman Posthuma.

“Fresh, innovative and delicious are the modus operandi and whether it is a formal dinner, a cocktail party or a corporate function, the team at Sitting Ducks is there for you to make your function a memorable one this holiday season,” he says.

From the simple catering requirement to the extravagant indulgence, Herman says the professional team can create a memorable event, from set-up to clean-up.

Call 6282 1631.

Christmas in Yarralumla /

Christmas trees and more

YARRALUMLA’S Heritage Nursery is the place to go for unique gifts or to get the garden looking gorgeous this summer, according to manager Scott Burns.

Stocking all the gardening essentials from organic fertilisers to heirloom seeds, vegetables and fruit, there is also a full range of shade trees, blossom trees, shrubs and seasonal bloomers.

But it’s that special time of year and Scott says there’s nothing better than a real, potted Christmas tree, which can become part of the family and used

year after year.

“We have beautiful Wollemi Pines from a half metre in size up to two-and-a-half metres as well as other trees that make great Christmas trees,” Scott says.

Prices start from $35 up to $295 for a very large tree depending on the size.

“What I like about them, is they come potted so you simply move it out into a shady spot in the garden after Christmas and re-pot it later on and it will be bigger and better next year,” he says.

As well as Christmas trees, there is a large range of citrus trees, hydrangeas and beautiful glazed pots in all sizes, to put them in.

Call 6281 7373.

Meat and greet

YARRALUMLA is also the home to the best kebabs in town, according to Ugur Kocak, who owns Halal Turkish Pide and Yarralumla Meats.

The Novar Street spot is something of a Canberra institution, there is frequently a line out on to the street as people flock to order a

lunchtime kebab.

“Our kebabs are all made with fresh meat from the butcher next door, and homemade breads and pides made on the premises,” he says.

Yarralumla Meats offer fresh halal meats, aged beef, Christmas turkeys as well as smallgoods and groceries.

Call 6281 1991.

Taste of Burmese cuisine

SUKOTHAI restaurant is a family business in Bentham Street serving Burmese and Thai cuisine.

Homemade fish cakes, stir-fried chili lamb with mint leaves, roast duck curry with lychee and beef massaman are favourite Thai dishes among the regular customers, says Rose Win, whose family owns the business.

The new Burmese menu, which was introduced on December 1, features curries and stirfrys, which are different to Thai food.

“The curry dishes are similar to Indian dishes, but with less spice and a different way of cooking,” Rose says.

Phone 62811092.

At the CIT fashion design graduation ‘KINETIC Fashion Parade’, Belconnen

At the Moët Bar, Hyatt Hotel

At the Future Directions Christmas party, Barton

arts & entertainment

Celebratory season, right on Q Shakespeare to magical sounds

A LOOK at local theatre schedules for 2013 suggests there’s a centenary coming up, so jam packed are the programs.

Surely, it’s not the same across the border in Queanbeyan. But it is! That fair city is not a mere 100 years old, but 175 and with that in mind, Stephen Pike, programming director at The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, has come up with a formidable selection of 12 shows spread over the calendar year.

As usual, Pike has scored some notable coups. There’s a return this season of the Frankie Valli spectacular, “Oh What A Night!” in January, a stage production of “Animal Farm” in March, a visit from one of the wickedest actresses in Australia, Amanda Muggleton, with “The Book Club” in October, and David Williamson’s “Dad Married Fury” in November, a play looking at that most sordid of questions, the parental will. A lighter look at death comes in the form of

Helen Musa reports

Elizabeth Coleman’s “It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To)” in March. What a great title.

Less grim, but just as worrying, actor/playwright Annie Byron will give us a new slant on internet relationships during September with “RU4ME”. There’s musical theatre. Pike himself will direct the hit off-Broadway musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” in April-May. Soon after that, in a complete change of mood, he has the Edinburgh Fringe winner, The Australian Voices, performing “MOON”, an a capella choral-theatre piece. In July, two of the rising stars of Australian musicals, Lucy Maunder and James Millar will be here with “Noël and Gertie”. Local audiences love anything to do with Noel Coward and Nancye Hayes is choreographing that one. Pike obviously loves Shakespeare. He has Natalie Weir and Expressions Dance Company in town during May with the dance take on “Romeo and Juliet”,

“It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To)”... a lighter look at death.

“R&J”. And he’s talked Queanbeyan City Council into backing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, directed by Jordan Best, with music by AFI Award-winning composer (and her dad) Peter Best, to run from July to August.

Finally, just because you’re in

Delicate, light and emotional

THE music of Shostakovich invokes a strong and complex, physical and emotional response. Hope mingles with despair; the nimble and the sombre dance together. One softly played chord causes a palpable reaction of deep empathy.

“CityNews” arts editor, Helen Musa says: “Shostakovich is a composer who wears his social dislocation on his sleeve.”

Preludes and Fugues Op.87, his most significant piano work, was composed following a fall from grace. He experienced years of ostracism and criticism from the Stalinist regime of his native Russia.

Legge-Wilkinson’s performance was delicate and light, allowing the music to explore the keys of the piano and reveal the tactile nature of the instru -

music

Shostakovich: Preludes and Fugues Op.87 Canberra New Music Ensemble

Margaret Legge-Wilkinson, piano

At James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Sunday December 2, Reviewed by Simone Penkethman

ment. Bitterly up-beat passages evoked a coldly bright, modern world. Discombobulated treble and bass engaged in playful, Slavic conversation. Bold, epic chords stirred simultaneous feelings of anticipation and completion; elation and dread.

Simone Penkethman’s full review is at citynews.com.au

Queanbeyan it doesn’t mean you can escape politics. In May-June, Shortis and Simpson are teaming up with that old radical, playwright John Romeril, for “Prime Time”, a new original musical show about a favourite local subject – Prime Ministers.

A “BEAUTIFUL rarely heard sound of the all-male vocal ensemble”, to quote from the program note, complements some of Shakespeare’s text focusing on love.

The soundscape and stage sculpture is further assisted with the restrained and effective moving images on the backdrop.

The vocal effect is truly stunning. The voices blend so well that, in an age of digital enhancement, it was bliss to realise the power of human sound crafted through an ancient art form.

Shakespeare’s themes were secondary to the sheer magic of the sounds.

While the young actors made the most of their texts, it was difficult to

music/theatre

“The Polyphonic Bard” The Pocket Score Company and Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art Directed by Tamzin Nugent

The Street Theatre, season ended

Reviewed by Joe Woodward

match the intensity of the music ensemble. Their most effective moment was a robust fight scene from “Taming of The Shrew”.

“The Polyphonic Bard” was a novel way to present Shakespeare’s words with the singing. It was original and opened up new ways of theatrical exploration.

Joe Woodward’s full review is at citynews.com.au

Masterful, exciting and uplifting

Two hundred voices and a 50-strong orchestra gave a thrilling performance of “Creation”, Haydn’s epic masterpiece that tells the story of Genesis chapter 1 – the creation of Earth and Adam and Eve.

The Canberra Choral Society’s musical director, Tobias Cole, had prepared his forces well for guest conductor, Graham Abbott. Abbott is something of a specialist in “Creation” having conducted it several times. His direction was assured and assertive, but expressive and highly respectful

music

“Creation”

Canberra Choral Society

Llewellyn Hall, December 1

Reviewed by Clinton White

of the singers and musicians.

Despite the huge numbers in the choir, there was a beautiful balance of tone across the divisions, excellent pitch definition, even in the highest soprano notes, and masterful control of expression. Certainly there was plenty of power in the loud bits, but

the choir was able to get down to a whisper as well.

The three soloists, soprano Lorina Gore, tenor Christopher Saunders and bass Christopher Richardson were excellent choices. All delivered wonderfully engaging performances. This was an uplifting and exciting performance from the Canberra Choral Society. Tobias Cole certainly is stretching and extending them. And they are responding.

Clinton White’s full review is at citynews.com.au

Panto’s no place for ‘humourless gits’

“MOST definitely not for children… or humourless gits” is how Jim Adamik, David Clapham, Rachael Clapham, Andrew Holmes, Naomi Milthorpe, Erin Pugh, Stuart Roberts and Chris Zuber, describe their show, “Saucy Panto”, playing this month at Teatro Vivaldi. Written by Stuart Roberts and directed by David Clapham, it takes us into the world of pantomime with a dame, a fairy, a principal boy and so on. Bookings to 6257 2718 or enquiries@vivaldirestaurant. com.au

MARK Vaarwerk is known in jewellery circles as the “plastics man”, playing alchemist with all forms of found plastics and reclaimed polystyrene. The artist colours his works with rust from cars and trailers, cigarette filters, car brake light

covers – objectionable materials maybe, but a brilliant outcome. “Alchemy” by Mark Vaarwerk, at Bilk Gallery, Palmerston Lane, Manuka, until December 23.

“FINGERPRINTS in Order and Chaos” is a show of new work by Emerging Artist Support Scheme recipient Ashley Bauman, whose contemporary ceramic works were inspired by his recent visit to China for the Young Artist Biennale. Many objects have been created from materials and objects he collected there. At ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place, Dickson, December 5-16, noon5pm, Wednesday-Sunday

CANBERRA artist Annie Franklin lovingly records life around her in paintings suffused with colour and light. Nature is her chief subject in “Short Stories”, showing in Karen O’Clery’s Narek Galleries, Old Tanja Church, 1140 Bermagui Road, Tanja, 10.30am-5.30pm, Friday to Monday until December 31.

CANBERRA writer/entrepreneur Ellen Harvey is the founder of “drabbl.es”, a social micro-

storytelling website that allows users to post and share 100-word stories. “The idea of humans being story-tellers is cemented in history when cavemen told stories around fires,” she says. Visit http://drabbl.es/

“JOHNNY Cash: The Concert” is on a rollercoaster ride around the country and it’s our turn soon. The two-hour concert pays tribute to Cash and his music, ranging from his first release on the Sun label in 1955 to the song “Hurt”, released shortly before his death in 2003. It’s a celebration of what would have been his 80th birthday, with former Tamworth star Daniel Thompson, delivering the best of Cash and singer/songwriter, Alanna Cherote as his partner, June Carter. At The Playhouse, Friday, December 14, bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

arts & entertainment / reviews

Charlie on the sea of late adolescence

“The

Perks of Being a Wallflower”

(M)

STEPHEN Chbosky’s feature film directorial debut is a rather charming and mature semiautobiographical observation of a young man’s voyage on the sea of late adolescence, for which he developed his 1999 novel into a screenplay.

The film delivers a wellrounded assembly of, in no particular order, credibility, perceptiveness, identity, realities of the inescapable waypoints of adolescence, especially sexuality and drugs, mental unwellness and the blows sustained from emotional injuries. That collection may sound like a heavy burden for the filmgoer. `Tain’t necessarily so. Highschool freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) doesn’t fit the standard mould. He likes to read. He’s no athletic hero. He understands that he is on a learning curve that will be as steep as his hopes will permit. For much of his first weeks, he’s a loner. Slowly, a

Dougal Macdonald cinema

group of older kids from that year’s graduating class finds him companionable. He’s not pushing his luck, but neither is he rejecting it.

Straight adolescent boys have to learn to deal with one dominant issue. Charlie makes friends with Patrick (Ezra Miller) whose step-sister Sam (Emma Watson de-prettified for the role, but delectable) is determined to get accepted at the university of her choice. The three develop into a coalition that must deal with some uncomfortable issues. Patrick is wrestling with his sexuality. Charlie is unable to make the inevitable move on Sam.

The film makes no unreasonable demands on our readiness to find it good. It avoids cliché or condescension and resolves its most demanding issue in a blinkand-you’ll-miss-it moment. At all cinemas

When the marriage ends

“Celeste and Jesse Forever” (M)

AFTER six years of marriage, Jesse (Andy Samberg) and Celeste (Rashida Jones) have divorced but remain “best friends”, living in adjacent houses and sharing outof-office time. Which is easy for Jesse, who’s been unemployed for years, less so for Celeste, a high-flyer in a Los Angeles marketing consultancy.

Director Lee Toland Krieger’s film doesn’t rush to tell us where its yuppie pathway is taking us. Knowing that Rashida Jones also wrote the screenplay may help you understand the reason. As the story unfolds among parties, office politics, dates, friends gobsmacked by the divorce and its aftermath, we realise that she has

written a character for herself that sucks the narrative into Celeste’s aura and drains it of reasons for us to sympathise with her. Why should we care what happens to these two people, neither of whom has much to offer? The answer bespeaks Jones’s skill in designing a screenplay that deliberately confronts both those parameters and tells us to search our own souls less for explanation than simply for understanding of the film’s purpose. Jones merits admiration for how she has laid out characters, relationships, conflicts, tensions, satisfactions, concerns, frustrations and social statements, for us to make of them what we will and leave with not happy-ever-after feel-good, but a sense of cautious optimism.

At Dendy

Remembering Sixto

“Searching for Sugar Man” (M)

COMPARED with heavilypromoted, over-paid, selfindulged “celebrity” singers of contemporary popular music, Sixto Rodriguez is a failure. In the 1970s, he released two albums that got critical praise, but bombed in the stores.

That is, until, while apartheid still throve, he toured South Africa where he’s bigger than the Rolling Stones, selling albums and, since 1998, playing to SRO concerts at which much of documentarist Malik Bendjelloul’s film devotes its time. Cape Town record store owner Stephen Segerman and music journalist Craig Bartholomew-Strydom

Indian with a playful touch

Wendy Johnson dining

SO much about Bollywood Masala is delightfully playful, starting with its name.

Bollywood – a play on the Hollywood film industry and a term that represents vibrant, modern, “out there” India. And Masala – a term that represents the mixture of spices that feature so strongly in this amazing cuisine.

Bollywood Masala opened some years ago on Challis Street, Dickson, and, to the delight of many, has now opened in Kingston, which is undergoing a food revitalisation of sorts with other new restaurants recently opened such as China Plate and Me and Mrs Jones.

The décor, featuring stunning plum wallpaper at the front of the restaurant, is attractive and the staff

welcoming. I’ve been several times now and it never takes me long to settle in and feel comfortable.

Bollywood Masala’s playful nature carries through to its food offerings. No Indian restaurant would dare open without the familiar classics such as butter chicken and rogan josh, but Bollywood Masala’s menu includes some “to-die-for” regional dishes such as a homestyle spring chicken curry (on the bone for extra flavour) from Punjab in North India ($21.50), Goan barramundi fillets with whole spices in a tangy vinegar base from Goa on the west coast of India ($22.50) and a lamb or beef curry with a touch of coconut from Madras in south India ($19.50). It’s a very exciting adventure.

Other main attractions – by people’s choice, according to the menu – are equally exotic, including the stuffed squid ($22.50) and stuffed spatchcock cooked in the tandoor and served on a bed of saffron rice, dried fruit, paneer and a tangy gravy ($25.50).

I highly recommend the signature leg of lamb, marinated and pan-cooked in a thick, yoghurtbased sauce with a touch of rum. It is finished with special herbs (a Bollywood Masala secret) and

heavenly, home-ground spices. The lamb melts in your mouth ($25.50).

The Bakri Gosht is also mouth-watering and a definite must if you love goat curry ($21.50). And, back to the regional dishes, the king prawns cooked in tomato and onion with coconut milk and cashews from the Malabar Coast in south India ($22.50) are absolutely sensational.

Vegetarians are well taken care of with uncomplicated dishes such as the potatoes and cauliflower florets combo to more spicy options such as eggplant cooked in special pickle spices. Bollywood Masala digs deep into India’s food heritage and stays true to the “cooking methods of old” where possible. They make their own garam masala, paneer cheese and dahl and use real saffron. They also make a traditional Indian ice cream in house, a light finish to any meal. It’s no wonder Dickson has picked up several awards over the years. And my bet is Kingston will, too.

46 Giles Street, Kingston, call 6162 1113. Licensed and byo wine only. Open Tuesday to Friday lunch and Tuesday to Sunday dinner.

knew how big Rodriguez was in that country. They tracked him down and the film is the result.

Bendjelloul’s powerful film displays a man of profound talent and personal humility whose songs (he seldom performs other people’s compositions) vibrate with love and concern for humanity. He has lived in the same house in a down-at-heel Detroit suburb for more than four decades. For much of that time, the urban myth has been that he was dead.

The film doesn’t mention that Rodriguez has visited Australia, but apparently he has. The word is that he will return for the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival in March. At Capitol 6

... an old-fashioned plant in flower now.

Lots of deciduous delights

Cedric Bryant gardening

SEEING the old-fashioned Tamarisk tetrandra with its soft-pink flowers on long racemes in older gardens is a reminder to discuss deciduous shrubs.

In modern, instant gardening any plant that loses its leaves is almost eliminated. As one person said to me: “I do not want any dirty shrubs that lose their leaves that I have to clean up”. This is a sad reflection on gardening today.

Some deciduous plants will always be popular, the rose for example. Many of our best floral displays combined with wonderful fragrances are deciduous shrubs. One can have flowers from late

winter to late autumn followed by spectacular autumn leaf colours.

Tamarisk has been grown in southern Europe for more than a thousand years. It is extremely drought hardy and great for the salt-laden winds of the coast. The flowers appear on the new season’s wood, so winter is the ideal time for a good, hard prune.

Most folk are familiar with evergreen viburnums, especially Viburnum laurestinus, usually shortened to V. tinus, popular for hedges. But there is a whole world of deciduous viburnums to consider.

Hillier’s “Manual of Trees and Shrubs”, one of the bibles of the gardening world, lists an impressive 132 varieties and cultivars of deciduous and evergreen viburnums. I am going to mention just a few that are available at most garden centres, concentrating on those with the best fragrance.

Viburnum carlessii is a winner with its delicious fragrance in early spring. The clusters of white flowers opening from the pink buds, followed by black fruit. This was introduced into western gardens from Korea in 1902 and has been a firm favourite ever since.

V. x burkwoodii is a cross between V. carlessii and V. Utile. This has all the great properties of these two viburnums and was raised by the world-famous nurseries of Messrs. Burkwood and Skipwith in 1924. One cannot leave out V. opulus known as the “Guilder Rose”. As with most viburnums, it has white flowers similar in looks to a hydrangea. In autumn, the bright-red, translucent berries stay well into winter creating a special feature with rich, autumn leaf colour. Possibly one of the most well-known is V. “Sterile” or “Snowball” bush with its flowers resembling snowballs.

Other deciduous shrubs to consider include Cotinus coggygria or “Smoke Bush”, with the plume-like inflorescences turning smoky-grey in late summer. Look out for C. “Royal Purple” with rich, deep-purple leaves, appearing translucent in bright sunshine.

For the smaller garden Weigela florida is perfect with flowers, depending on the variety, from deep, rose pink to pale pink. This was introduced by the famous plant hunter Robert Fortune in 1845 from the East. It is widely grown in local gardens and is the parent of many fabulous hybrids.

VACCINIUM , or blueberry, is an underrated deciduous small shrub that originates from North America. Its berries have one of the highest contents of antioxidant properties. What I love about the blueberry, besides the fruit, is the wonderful display of autumn leaf colour. Why discuss some of these plants that may not be in garden centres at this time? Usually, they are promoted in winter, bare of leaves that do not give much clue to the flowers. I have done this deliberately as a garden should be a wonderful mixture of evergreen and deciduous shrubs to provide colour and interest all year. In this day and age the first place to turn to for more details is the web. If you are planting out a new garden do not fret, they may not be available, but do leave sufficient space for planting later.

WITH days getting hotter, a few reminders:

• It is two years since I used our drip system, two glorious years with regular rain. But all good things come to an end. Flush out the dripirrigation system. If you do not have a tap at the end of the line, then install one.

• Keep drip lines above the ground and under the mulch. Run the system for a while to check how many times you have put a fork through the line.

• Re-program the timer if on an automatic system.

Out there – and living it...

Stylish and shady

LUXAFLEX’S stylish, functional awnings come in five varieties and can be customised to suit any space, offering increased functionality and a modern look – as well as privacy, UV protection and insect resistance.

More information, contact 13 LUXAFLEX (13 58 92) or visit www. luxaflex.com.au

Relax in comfort

THE new Jasper Outdoor from King Furniture gives a fresh and contemporary twist to outdoor living. With the same flexibility as its indoor counterpart, the modular design easily positions into infinite settings to adapt to your outdoor space and personal taste. It’s also easy to clean and weather resistant. The galvanised, powder-coated steel frames ensure the sofa’s longevity and resilience to rust.

More information at www. kingfurniture.com.au

THIS LED light will transform a pool or spa into an eye-catching feature at night. It comes in a range of colours, including fixedcolour white or blue, for a serene and resort-like feel or multi-colour, which creates a magical, party atmosphere. Energy-efficient, the

lights last 50,000 hours and are extra-low voltage ensuring safety at all times.

For further information on the Evo2 pool lights, contact Zodiac on 1800 688552 or visit www.zodiac.com.au to find your nearest dealer.

Big plans for farewell to Chelsea

ALREADY preparing for the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show, Fleming’s Nurseries are teaming up with Melbourne landscape designer, Phillip Johnson, to create a spectacular Aussie garden display in the UK.

It will be the last time the Chelsea stalwarts attend the show, and they plan to go out with a bang, says Phillip, with an “ambitious landscape that serves to educate in the practices and possibilities of sustainable design, while showcasing Australia’s natural beauty on a global stage”.

Johnson said his vision for the “2013 Trailfinders Australian Garden” aims to challenge the ideas inherent in traditional design – looking to nature for inspiration in terms of aesthetics and function – the latter being increasingly important given ongoing extremes in climate.

For more information or regular updates, visit www.flemings.com.au

Make, bake, decorate

This makes 12 cake pops in less than 10 minutes, but the real fun is in decorating them. Keep it simple by dipping them in chocolate or sprinkles, or let your inner artist fly and create elaborate designs.

Kambrook Little Chefs Cake Pop maker costs $34.95 from kitchen retailers or visit www.kambrook.com.au

Bye bye birdy

We love these gorgeous retroinspired pieces by Norwegian designer Blafre. Beautifully made and the perfect size for little hands, the suitcase would make a great lunchbox or treasure box, and the stainless steel drink bottle will keep the contents cool on hot days and warm on cool days.

Put a lid on it

Looking like a lush leaf or mini ocean, these silicone shapes sit on top of cups or desserts to protect them from insects, or just distinguish your drink from everyone else’s. The lids are dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe. Each Lurch lid costs $5.95 from kitchenware retailers.

For kids in the kitchen

By Kathryn Vukovljak

Red birdy suitcase, and Red owl steel drink bottle, both by Blafre from Lark on www.larkstore.com.au.

Butterflies and bunnies and bears, oh my

These new Kilo Biscuit Cutters are spring loaded, so it’s easy to remove dough without breaking. Perfect as a sweet treat for afternoon tea, lunch boxes, parties and school fetes. The imprint on the dough is cute, too. Kilo cutter sets – rabbit, teddy, butterfly and chicken or strawberry, pineapple, snowflake and leaf – are available from leading kitchenware outlets for $14.95.

Measure for measure

Your mini cooks will love being entrusted with measuring ingredients with this brightly coloured kids’ set. The easy-to-identify shapes make learning to measure fun and easy. Spoons measure in 2.5ml, 5ml, 10ml and 20ml.Cup measures include 60ml, 80ml, 125ml and 250ml.

Tupperware Kids’ Kitchen measuring set, $23.90, Tupperware

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / December 10 - 16 Across

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

With mighty Mars charging through your career zone, you’re ambitious to be top dog – but don’t let your cocky Aries attitude put others offside. Pluto encourages you to reach your professional goals on a slow burn, with plenty of patience and persistence. The New Moon activates your adventure zone so plan a heavenly holiday (or weekend getaway) for some time soon.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

The fiery New Moon signals an exciting beginning involving either sex or money. Perhaps a passionate new lover, a rejuvenated relationship or the start of a financial partnership? With Venus visiting Sagittarius, blast out of your comfort zone and be more adventurous. Single Bulls – look for love with a lusty Libran, a sensual Scorpio or a charming Capricorn.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

With the New Moon (plus Mercury and Venus) lighting up your love zone, some Twins will move into an exciting new phase of a long-term relationship, while others will meet their future spouse. Friday’s fabulous Mercury/Uranus trine stimulates your brain cells, so it’s the perfect time to come up with innovative ideas and spontaneous solutions to partnership problems.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Thursday’s New Moon fires up your wellbeing zone, so the focus is on health and fitness over the Christmas season. You have a sweet tooth but don’t overindulge too much in festive food and drink, or you’ll be a super curvy Crab come the New Year. Friday through to Sunday will be frustrating days – unless you can calm down and master the gentle art of compromise.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Lively Lions – with four planets energising your entertainment zone, prepare for a plethora of Christmas parties. You’re in the mood for fun and frivolity with family and friends, so keep your dancing shoes well-polished – and why not organise a fabulous pre-Christmas function of your own? The weekend will work best if you focus on novel solutions to pressing problems.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Versatile Virgos love being busy and useful. The New Moon falls in your domestic zone so it’s the ideal week for cooking, cleaning, de-cluttering and DIY jobs, as you get home sweet home in ship-shape condition for Christmas celebrations. Friday’s fantastic Mercury/Uranus trine favours having stimulating conversations with a wide range of interesting people.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Saturn sends a reality check, as you realise some items on your shopping list are out of your budget. Even though it’s Christmas, smart Librans will focus on saving rather than spending. The New Moon, Mercury and Venus shake up your communication zone, so get talking with your nearest and dearest, as you share everything from gossip and good times to dramas and dreams.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The New Moon highlights flaws in your financial management. And, with extravagant Venus visiting your money zone (from December 16 – January 9) resist the urge to be extravagant with cash and careless with credit over the festive season. Moon/Pluto aspects are super intense on Friday night, but stewing over something (or someone) won’t improve the situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It’s all happening this week as the New Moon recharges your run-down batteries – plus Mercury and Venus move into your sign. So make sure you maximise your Sagittarian strengths and minimise your weaknesses. Time to be bold and beautiful – rather than blunt and bossy. Use your well-developed communication skills (and sense of humour) to keep others onside.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your detective skills are firing (and you’re keen to delve into a mystery or solve a problem), as the New Moon stimulates your talent for research. With mighty Mars marching through your sign it’s also time to be a confident Capricorn, as you initiate projects and take a few calculated risks. Be inspired by birthday great Emily Dickinson: “Fortune befriends the bold.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Expect to be your avant-garde best Aquarius, as the New Moon energises your eccentricity zone. Don’t let others define your persona or set your personal agenda. Give yourself (and those around you) the space to shine. Be inspired by anthropologist Margaret Mead (born on December 16): “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Have a long, hard think about professional adjustments and improvements you need to make in 2013, as the New Moon revs up your career zone. The more you communicate, cooperate and socialise with work colleagues, the more rewards you’ll reap. When it comes to love, make sure you can differentiate between a delicious daydream and a dangerous delusion.

1 What do we call a wild horse?

8 To disappear gradually is to do what?

9 Name a familiar word for the wattle tree

10 What is an alternative term for haphazardly?

11 Jerusalem is the capital of which Asian republic?

13 Which military units fight on foot?

16 Which item of photography makes prints bigger?

19 Name a state of suspended animation

22 What is a national memorial to those killed in war?

24 Name another term for dialects

25 What is any of a group of plasma proteins?

26 What are the deep gutteral sounds of a pig? Down

2 What are groups of persons connected by common descent?

3 Name a choice variety of coffee

4 What do we call an animal in the second year of its age?

5 What is the first appearance of daylight in the morning?

6 Which term is descriptive of widespread and high repute?

7 Which expression relates to the eye?

12 To move by turning over and over, is to do what?

14 What, in earlier times, was a quarter of a penny?

15 Which term describes one of a pair?

17 Name an implement used in sewing

18 What is a microscopic one-celled animal?

20 Name another word for farewell

21 What did Edmond Halley discover in 1682?

23 Which pointed instruments are used by leather workers?