130627 citynews

Canberra High School’s expedition students... “They reckon they sort of go away as young teenagers – a little

adults,” says teacher K J Shaw.

Photo by Brent McDonald

Students with rivers to cross

AS the rest of us rug up against the cold, 28 Canberra High School students are in northern Vietnam and Laos, at just about the hottest and wettest part of the year, taking on tough physical challenges and working on local development projects.

The teenagers are split between two teams of 13 and 15, each with two teachers and one professional expedition leader from the company World Challenge, which has organised character-building school expeditions since 1987.

“They reckon they sort of go away as young teenagers – a little bit clueless – and they come back as young adults,” says teacher K J Shaw, explaining how the program puts the students in the driving seat, as she ponders an important pre-trip briefing on everything from sleeping arrangements to emergency radio beacons and satellite phones.

“The students predominantly run the whole show,” she explains. “They run the budget, they organise the accommodation, the trans-

Stephen Easton reports

port, everything. The hardest job for us will be to sit on our hands and zip our lips, and let them make mistakes.”

As long as the 14 and 15-year-old students don’t make dangerous or extremely foolhardy decisions, she says, they live with the consequences.

“If it means that we have only ten bucks left for a day’s worth of food, for 20 people, that’s how it goes,” says Ms Shaw.

After jetting off last Friday, they should now be acclimatised and ready for the second phase of their month-long adventure – a week spent hiking through the wilderness with heavy backpacks.

“Our trek is six days through southern Laos,” says Conor Laenen, one of the teachers going along with the opposite team to Ms Shaw.

“I think the other team’s is shorter, but ours is through flatter country; theirs is through the mountains near Sa Pa [in northern Vietnam]. Even the acclimatisation phase is a small trek, so we’ve

got a three-day trek, then a couple of days off, then we’ve got a six-day trek.”

The students are excited, but still a little unsure of what lies ahead, despite 15 months of planning and fundraising for the development projects they will work on. Some worked part-time jobs to cover their own travel expenses.

“I’m reaaally excited!” says year 10 student Caitlin Bray, bursting with enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to be going; I’ve been counting down the days!”

According to Mr Laenen, the students decided as a group to focus on the development projects, ahead of the physical challenges or the final week of rest, relaxation and sightseeing.

“It’s true, we all want to go out there and help the kids because we’ve heard that it’s really fantastic,” says Caitlin. “I think kids are starting to realise more and more these days that we are really lucky that we live in Australia, and other kids aren’t as fortunate.”

Her fellow year 10 student Eloise Bannerman is also looking forward to helping out in the communities they are visiting, but hasn’t quite prepared for the hike

as much as she hoped.

“I’ve done a one-day trek before, but I haven’t done anything like this,” she says with some trepidation.

One team is contributing to an ongoing project in a small village, improving its water supply and sanitation, while the other group is helping with maintenance work on a school and residential buildings. Both are also spending time with young children, playing games and helping them with English.

“I’m hoping we’ll be constructing something,” says year 9 student Michael Turnbull, keen to use the skills he’s learnt in wood technology this year, but even more excited about getting off the beaten track.

“I reckon the best thing about this trip will be the physical challenge,” he says. “My group is going on a jungle trek and I’m thinking that’ll be pretty interesting, with lots of mosquitos, hopefully a couple of rivers, and maybe a waterfall if I’m lucky. It’s going to be a really good adventure.”

Canberra High School would like to thank all their supporters, especially the Rotary Club of Ginninderra.

I

started a joke that started...

MARK PARTON finds that some people take their humour very seriously

I GOT into a punch up last week in my own home, of all places, and it got a bit rough.

Minding my own business, scanning through my twitter feed, I saw something that made me laugh out loud; a silly little joke put out by @julesdelaard who is an anti-Gillard tweeter.

It said: “Did you hear about the fat, alcoholic transvestite? All he wanted to do was eat, drink and be Mary.”

Now, I reckon that’s funny!

I immediately retweeted, but the reaction knocked my socks off.

Canberra’s @trib came back at me in an instant and said: “In what possible universe is degradation of trans people okay? Not cool. You should be ashamed.”

I thought he must have been joking. He wasn’t and went on to remind me of the Defence sex scandal and particularly of Defence Chief Morrison’s response. I can’t really see the connection, can you?

He suggested that, as a “leader in this town”, I was showing an acceptance to intolerance.

For heaven’s sake! I was just giggling at a silly little play on words.

The online brawl escalated to include transgender activist Kate Doak, who I invited on to my radio program the morning after.

Sydney-based Kate describes herself as a freelance journalist, doco producer and, according to her bio, a “transgender and girly girl”.

She was a delight on air, but we disagreed with her suggesting that jokes “like that” can lead to suicide. Really? I would think you’d have to be in a pretty bad place to start with.

This nation was built upon humour and you can’t stop Australians from telling jokes; cancer patients joke about the disease, red-headed Prime Ministers joke about leadership challenges and, in our jails, “lifers” joke about tunnelling their way out.

While some jokes are harmful and offensive, I don’t think the “Mary” joke was. Why is it offensive that this transvestite wanted to be Mary?

We’ve covered the offence to the transgender community, but what about alcoholics and overweight people? They must be outraged!

Those “chicken crossing the road” gags surely suggest that chicken farmers are negligent for letting their chooks run loose. Police officers must be ropable about all of the donut jokes. Where will it end?

I want to put it out there that blonde jokes don’t offend me and neither do wing-nut gags, so go for your life. Please make me laugh, because life is far too short to go looking for people to blame for the frown on your face. (And I say that with all respect to the transgender community).

Mark Parton is breakfast announcer on 2CC.

Food Safety Supervisor Course

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Assessment of your environment, also available to assist with reaching high standards in food safety.

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Please contact Nicole at nicole@takeanote.com.au or 02 6248 0998 or 0412 697 545

New chief sees a new era

LAURA EDWARDS meets a man stepping into big shoes at the Chamber of Commerce

ONE of the more pressing items recently on the agenda of new Chamber of Commerce chief Andrew Blyth is a little unexpected.

Several bag hooks had broken at the southside school of his six-year-old twin daughters, Ava and Elisabeth – and, as a member of the school board, Blyth was the first point of call.

“School hooks breaking is actually a really big deal for kids when they’re that age, so I’m glad I could be of service,” Blyth laughs, speaking at his Macarthur home.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know the school and the parents well through being on the board, and I think that’s important, no matter how busy you are.”

The 42-year-old will have to fit in fixing school hooks with his new role at the Chamber of Commerce from July 1. He admits he’s got big shoes to fill, taking over from the late Chris Peters.

“I will certainly be working with the board to recognise the role that Chris made for the chamber and community here in Canberra,” he says.

“It’s a case of being respectful of the past, but equally excited for the future.”

One of his major commitments, he says, is to push the “important role” that Canberra’s 24,000 small businesses play in the local economy.

“There is a tendency to talk as if all jobs in this town are public service jobs – but it’s just not correct,” he says.

“We need to start future-proofing our economy today. I want to make sure the Government is aware of the small business community that exists in this town but also looking at those entrepreneurial opportunities where we do just as much to attract tourism, but just as much to attract business in Canberra.

“I know how hard it is for a business to stay afloat. For those 24,000 businesses, I’m in their corner.”

Born in Adelaide in 1971, Blyth attended Sacred Heart College in Somerton Park and later studied international relations off-campus with Deakin University.

It was while he was in Adelaide that he met his wife Anne. The couple moved to Canberra in 1999 when Blyth was offered a position as a policy adviser to Howard

Government minister Ian Macfarlane. He later acted as chief of staff to then–Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews and also served as chief executive of the Energy Networks Association.

Despite considering himself a Canberran, Blyth says he’s still a “diehard” Port Adelaide fan, and was the director of AFL Canberra up until last year.

“It runs in my family, Ava can kick a football better than most boys,” he says.

“We’re a very active family... I think it’s great what sport can do for the community.”

A highlight of the last year, Blyth says, was a six-month stint in Austin, Texas, as part of his Fulbright Professional Australia-US Alliance Studies Scholarship, which involved researching policy incentives for private sector investment.

“There was a similarity between Australians and Texans, being able to form friendships,” he says.

“I’m continuing the links I made today. Anne and I loved it and the girls really thrived at their elementary school. It was a very rewarding time.”

Blyth is currently the principal of Hartley Blyth and Associates, a boutique government relations firm established in 2011. He is also a part-time tutor with the University of NSW, Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

He says his role at Hartley Blyth and Associates will continue “bubbling along”, but will take a backseat to his Commerce duties.

“I think it’s a new century for Canberra, and it’s a new chamber,” he says.

“It’s Canberra 2.0, and equally, I think I’ve got the best job in Canberra.”

briefly cover story

Calling old students

TURNER School, one of the oldest in Canberra, its celebrating its 60th birthday this year and is looking to contact former staff, students and families to join in its celebratory ‘50s style Tea Party on Friday, August 8. There will be informal guided tours of the school, performances, presentations to past principals and the attendance of famous ex-Turner students. People wishing to attend and/or share memories should call 6205 6622 or email tnrp@turners.act.edu.au. Turner School currently has 560 students from pre-school to year 6.

Choirs deadline

THE closing date for entries to this year’s choirs section of the National Eisteddfod is July 12. The Eisteddfod will be staged at Llewellyn Hall, August 23-24. Syllabus details are available at nationaleisteddfod.org.au and enquiries to 0414 628007.

Hostels celebrate

ABORIGINAL Hostels Limited will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala luncheon during NAIDOC week on Friday, July 12 at the National Convention Centre. Guest artists include emerging singer-songwriter Thelma Plum and The Belle Flowers from Queensland’s Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets from Ticketek.

When ‘what

Arts editor HELEN MUSA previews a fantasy experience capable of catapulting the worst of sceptics into a world of fantasy

“WHAT the hell was that?” exclaimed the man sitting next to me as a 30-second theatrical snowstorm blasted the stage of the Theatre Royal in Sydney to the sounds of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”.

What indeed? Actually, it was the finale of the celebrated Russian clown phenomenon, “Slava’s Snowshow”, and theatre staff were enjoying the prospect of two weeks without vacuuming the floors, since the paper snow is allowed to build up throughout the season.

It’ll be more of the same when the company arrives at Canberra Theatre in early July.

Slava Polunin, frequently praised as “the best clown in the world”, was enjoying the fruits of his labours back at home in St Petersburg while his company got on with the job.

Created in 1993, his show has played to audiences in more than 30 countries,

combining traditional and contemporary clowning, low-tech yet astonishing visual effects and the knack of connecting with audiences to take the art of clowning out of circus and into the theatrical milieu.

A fantasy experience capable of catapulting the worst of sceptics into a world of fantasy, it has clowns singing age-old songs to tiny concertinas as they’re engulfed by bubbles, clowns moving so slowly that you slow down too and a clown making love to a hatstand. Later the auditorium is entrapped in spider-webs and assaulted with balloons – nobody wants to go home. In Sydney, I chat with Robert Saralp, one of the two chief clowns, dressed respectively in yellow and green, alternating night by night. A Moscow-trained actor who hails from the Circassian region by the Black Sea, he makes a throat-cutting gesture –

the hell...’ says it all

“Imagine doing the same thing eight shows a week!”

Slava hired him 15 years ago and he’s worked his way to the top through the hierarchy of clowning, an art form he says is “emotionally more than stressful”.

Clowning, stressful? Saralp explains that you can’t hide behind your character in the normal way, yet the minimal-

ism and “the characteristics of the play itself” help balance that stress.

There are joyous moments too, moments that reveal how clowns engage with people.

Touring to Singapore in 2000, Saralp and the clowns gave a young Singaporean man the microphone to propose to his girlfriend onstage. In 2012, a man arrived backstage with his

wife, two children and a photograph, to ask if any of the same clowns were still in the show.

“I said: ‘Yes, and I recognise you as well’,” Saralp replied.

Only a consummate actor has a memory like that.

“Slava’s Snowshow”, Canberra Theatre, July 3-7, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Acupuncture and Its Many Uses politics Spin’s the thing in health

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese holistic therapy used to prevent and treat conditions by inserting fine needles in specific points on the skin. At its core is the notion that energy known as Qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through pathways or meridians in the body. Each meridian corresponds to a different part or parts of the body that govern particular functions. If an imbalance occurs then the insertion of needles at specific points will help restore Qi balance and encourage the body to heal itself.

A more scientific explanation is that acupuncture needles stimulate specific nerve pathways to create an effective response to release natural chemicals and hormones to muscles, the spinal cord and the brain. The correct release will keep your body in balance and working well.

Although acupuncture has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, micro acupuncture is a more recent biographic concept. It is based on ideas from ancient and modern eastern medicine and western medicine. It was discovered that one part of the body has healing points that correspond to other parts of the body much like reflexology. Practitioners can heal specific problems by inserting very fine needles in points in only one part of the body. Each different body part is used to treat different conditions. Below are some examples of where specific micro acupuncture therapy is more effective than general acupuncture therapy.

Ear - sleep problems, nervous conditions, intellectual disability and addictions.

Scalp – central nervous system issues.

Nose - help immune system problems such as colds and flus.

Abdomen – weight loss, chronic fatigue, menstrual and fertility problems.

Spine – motor neuron issues, child growth and development and enhancement of general wellbeing.

Hand – mental health issues such as dementia and Alzheimer diseases and acute pain management.

Foot – circulation, improved heart performance, kidneys and gynecology issues.

The Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Canberra’s leading and largest TCM practice has clinics located in Woden, Belconnen and Civic. Founded by Dr. Wang and his brother Dr Haidong Wang in 1999, the practice specialises in the use of acupuncture and micro acupuncture to prevent and treat conditions. Traditional acupuncture is used first to diagnose and treat general problems. It also gets the body ready for micro acupuncture treatment should a more specific specialist treatment be needed. Combined, these two forms of acupuncture can achieve great results and are very safe.

Capital Health Centre combines traditional treatment with modern management and is staffed by experienced and registered TCM practitioners. Other TCM treatments offered include herbal medicine, Chinese massage and other methods that help release energy and toxins with the purpose of increasing resilience against illness and aiding the body in its recovery.

Further information about the practice is available at www. capitalchinesemedicine.com.au or feel free to contact us on 6282 8898.

Kind regards from the team at the Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Civic, Woden & Belconnen

ARE they all lying? Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson blasts the ACT Government for a failing hospital system the very same day the Chief Minister and Federal Minister for Health announce how Canberra leads the nation.

Hospital statistics provide an excellent insight into political spin. From the same set of performance measures, Canberra is both the best and the worst in the country!

The prime role of the Opposition is to keep the Government accountable. It should not be surprising then that Hanson trawls through the figures for the areas of worst performance. It should also be unsurprising that Chief Minister Katy Gallagher will present the best news from the same figures.

In mid-June the Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek announced the second quarter (for the financial year) results on “Hospital Performance, Quality and Safety Measures”.

She identified that the ACT was the only jurisdiction to reach all the targets on elective surgery waiting lists. The Chief Minister did not even need to blow her own trumpet. Hanson has been berating the Government for years over the extended waiting times for elective surgery at the Canberra and Calvary hospitals. But now they are the top performers in the country.

However, the bad news story came in the same set of statistics. Hanson moved the focus from elective surgery to emergency department waiting times claiming the “worst in the country”.

Michael Moore comments

The combined Calvary and Canberra Hospital emergency departments had achieved success in only one of five categories.

In category 5 are non-urgent patients, who may have had symptoms for up to a week. The national target is to see at least 70 per cent of these patients within three hours. In the second six months of last year 77 per cent of the patients were treated within the expected time. Category three and four patients, those considered urgent or semi-urgent, provide a significant challenge for the hospital sector. In category four they might have mild bleeding or an object in the eye and in category three, severe illness, a head injury or a fracture. This is where the Opposition can have a heyday.

Category three targets require treatment to start for 75 per cent of patients within half an hour and 70 per cent of category four patients to be seen within an hour. The combined Canberra and Calvary hospitals barely make half way, seeing just 41 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

Category two patients are in an emergency situation and need to be seen within 10 minutes.

Emergency departments are expected to see 80 per cent of these patients within the 10 minutes. In Canberra, they have been more successful than in the less-severe categories achieving 68 per cent – a 12 per cent shortfall.

The most urgent of cases are the life-threatening ones that are likely to arrive by ambulance. These patients should be seen immediately. The ACT hospitals achieved 99 per cent out of 100 per cent in

this category in the last six months of last year and in the last three months, emergency departments saw all such patients immediately. Another success story!

While the Government will be looking at the improvements, the Opposition will want to know what happened, on the rare occasions, when category one patients were not seen immediately.

Our health and hospital system, which costs $1.3 billion a year, is at the very top of world standards, but the Opposition will look at which hospitals in Australia outperform the ACT ones. The political challenge will be whether the Government or Opposition is more successful in getting their spin into the public domain.

Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health. He is a member of the ACT Local Hospital Network Council.

Roadside memorials

SUSAN Welsh, a Charles Sturt University social work researcher who is exploring the meaning and role that roadside memorials play in the grieving process, is looking to interview people associated with these memorials. She is primarily researching memorials placed within the Shoalhaven Local Government Area – Berry to Durras, to Kangaroo Valley, but is interested to talk to potential participants from outside this area. Email swelsh@csu. edu.au for more information.

Barracking Tigers

RICHMOND Tigers supporters are invited to watch the game against North Melbourne with club legends Dale “The Flea” Weightman and Jim Jess, on the big screen at the Civic Hellenic Club from 1.30pm, Saturday, July 6. The Capital Tigers, the official Richmond supporters group for the ACT region, is hosting the family friendly event. More information at capitaltigers.com.au

Special speaker

HELEN Taylor, the Housing Options Advisor for COTA, is the guest speaker at the July 3 meeting of the CWA’s

letters

Three

months to go

MICHAEL Moore asks, “How low can politics go?” (CN, June 20). He then proceeds to discuss the Federal political scene as if there are only two options: Labor or Liberal.

At this year’s elections there will be many options for Canberra voters other than the two useless parties. Simply voting for an independent or small party ahead of the blue-tied career politicians will help return representative democracy to Australia.

Perhaps Moore can extend himself beyond the comfortable rut of two-party politics, and resort to commenting on actual policies, rather than the lack thereof: what policies do the various contenders have? Are they single-policy platforms? Who seems to have the nouse to run a Government? Only three months to go, Michael!

Alex Satrapa, Isabella Plains

Moore misses the point

MICHAEL Moore’s article (CN, May 30) drawing comparisons between the Ford job losses to be experienced in Geelong and the APS job losses in Canberra missed a few important points.

Ford’s failures are multiple (and not all of their own making) yet the Gillard Government throws taxpayer millions at a doomed enterprise. This, according to Moore, is “good politics to be seen to support the workers”.

Forgive my cynicism, but when an ex-politician talks about “good politics” and being “seen” to be doing something, the application of sound, commonsense economic policy smacks of being secondary to the party-political imperative of retaining power by going through the motions.

According to the polling, many Victorian Federal seats are described as marginal, and this region of Victoria is in that category. Could this be “good politics”, perhaps?

In Moore’s attempted comparison of the Ford situation with the impending cuts to the public service, he says that Canberra should be treated to government assistance in a similar manner proportionate to that of Geelong. Interesting.

However, there are fundamental differences in the situations and, in my view, his comparisons are at best tenuous.

The Gillard Government increased the so-called “efficiency dividend” to, in part, assist in attaining what is now a finally admitted unattainable surplus.

The increased dividend has had at least a partial knock-on effect (in my experience) of reducing APS staffing numbers.

Moore acknowledges that some 2500 APS jobs were cut last year

(“without a whimper”), although he fails to ask or answer the question: why?

There are two reasons: Canberra’s House of Representatives electorates are safe Labor and will not budge even if every public servant living in Canberra electorates was sacked, I’d suggest. And the issue is low profile nationally and, if discovered or announced as “prudent financial management”, will be lauded by the broader populace. But the Gillard Government has created a fire-sale of redundancies due to financial distress as we lead up to the end of the financial year and, I bet, that the vast bulk of redundancies so far meted out (and what may occur if Tony Abbott is elected) are in Canberra. Many APS staff employed outside Canberra are in servicebased roles, (eg Department of Human Services programs, Defence etcetera) and would be unlikely to be declared redundant if there was any risk of a diminution of service in an electorate ( … heaven forbid!). Presumably, under Moore’s model, this would be “good politics”.

However, I agree with Moore’s view that there is a perception that the Australian community values the Geelong jobs as being of greater importance than the commitment and service provided by the APS. This again makes for an easy target, and “good politics” in the broader community, apparently. The APS is on a hiding to nothing.

Moore’s article asks some basic questions, but ends up being neither insightful nor objective. He says little and provides nothing other than a series of complaints.

David Hannaford (an ex public servant), Rivett

Ignoring patient refugees

I WHOLLY agree with Colliss Parrett’s well-written response (letters, CN June 13) to Patricia Saunders regarding the Federal Government’s policy towards asylum seekers.

Saunders may be well-meaning, but she, like so many others, tend to ignore all those who sit patiently in UN refugee camps for many years to be processed in an orderly fashion.

If she, like myself, took the trouble to actually host some of these families under the kind of procedures outlined by Parrett, then she might be more sympathetic towards them in comparison with those who pay large sums of money to circumvent the UN refugee system.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Oakton teams get up close and effective

A RECENT restructure inside the Canberra office of nationwide consulting firm Oakton brings complementary services closer together, so the company can provide more cohesive guidance to Canberra’s many public sector organisations.

“We’ve taken two teams that operated fairly separately, and brought them much closer together so we can provide a better service to our clients,” says Tom Hughes, who was recently promoted to a new position overseeing both the the Financial Management Consulting team and the Assurance and Risk Management team, which he used to lead.

“One major advantage of engaging us here at Oakton is we work across multiple government agencies for a start, so we can give our clients insights into how things are done elsewhere,” explains Tom.

“We’ve also got access to a wide range of people in our different teams here, with backgrounds in all sorts of disciplines. Regardless of what the function of the agency is, we look at what they do, why they do it, how they’re doing it and how can they do it better.”

With decades of local experience working inside all sorts of public sector organisations and the resources of a national firm to draw on, Oakton’s Canberra office is well placed to keep all the cogs of the ACT and Commonwealth Governments turning smoothly.

Chartered accountant Gina Ma has been with the firm for 11 years, and recently moved up into Tom’s former position leading the Assurance and Risk Management team, which provides internal auditing services, including fraud control.

“Sometimes people know they have an area with a problem, but they’re not quite sure what the problem is and they may not not know how to fix it, so they want someone independent to come in and help,” she says.

“We look at their goals, what they are doing at the moment, and why they’re not meeting those goals. Is it because they don’t have enough staff to do the work, or they’ve got the wrong type of people doing the work? Or maybe they just don’t have the particular tools they need. What exactly is it that’s wrong, and how can we fix it?”

Although her team is adept at fixing big problems and making sure they aren’t repeated, she says it’s

Oakton’s senior team in Canberra, from left, Tom Hughes, Paul Meiklejohn and Gina Ma... “We work across multiple government agencies for a start, so we can give our clients insights into how things are done elsewhere,” says Tom.

preferable to act preventatively, which means giving clients the information and analysis they need to know with certainty that everything is running well.

“Nothing ever runs perfectly; you can always look for improvement and even if you think you’re running well, how do you actually know that?” says Tom.

“We confirm that things really are working well, so senior management can feel comfortable that they’re not just being told that something’s okay, it really is okay.”

TO head up the Financial Management Consulting group, Oakton has brought in Paul Meiklejohn, who brings a wealth of experience from a career spent optimising

public sector processes with “big four” accounting firms, in Canberra and abroad.

“I enjoy the challenge of operating in a difficult market, and working with a team of highly talented people who know what they’re doing,” says Paul, of why he found the position at Oakton attractive.

“They’ve been in the market a long time and they’ve built strong personal relationships. They’re very well regarded, Tom and Gina in particular.”

The new structure will allow the two teams to work together more closely, while still maintaining independence within their respective roles.

“It’s quite a complementary business model, where Gina’s team can go in and identify the problems and

we’re there to help them develop solutions, and if there’s an ICT solution required, we have that expertise on hand, too,” says Paul. “It’s a one-stop shop.”

He names “efficiency and effectiveness” as the biggest issue for the public service, and says Oakton is perfectly resourced to help its executives achieve the most they can with the taxpayer’s dollar.

“They’re looking for fresh ideas, innovation and better ways of doing things, but also an idea of how well have they gone in the past and how can they go better in the future, and we’re set up to provide all of that. It’s a very unique business,” says Paul.

“We have about 1100 people nationally and in India, so we can tap into areas that some of our competitors in Canberra can’t, and we have the ICT business as well. We also have people in interstate locations who are more focused on the private sector market, and have often developed solutions that are also relevant to our clients in government agencies.”

GINA Ma says working in the public sector means facing up to a range of unique challenges that can derail operations if not handled with skill and specialist expertise.

“When you’re in a government agency, you’re often pulled in different directions by different pressures,” she says.

“You often have several objectives that you’re trying to meet, not one, and you’ve got to work for a whole lot of masters, so there can be whole lot of tensions.

“Government agencies have to wear a lot of hats and they’re in a very complicated environment, so it’s often easy for them to lose their way.”

She points out that external consultants such as Oakton can quickly cut through the complexities of organisational culture to identify the key issues and if need be, deliver the hard messages.

“It’s often easier to hear that from an external person than from a person who works in the agency,” she says.

“You often have to say to very senior people that something’s failed, and there are times when people who are working on the ground all know that things are not working, but it doesn’t quite get filtered up.

“One of the biggest things we bring to the party, I think, is that we can really give them a feeling of what is happening on the ground.”

on joining the European Union (EU).

Julie, Julian and staff congratulate the Croatian community on joining the EU and Statehood Day. Restaurant Closed 29 June to 6 August

We will be celebrating this major milestone in Croatia. See you all when we get back!

Celebrating the past and the future

THIS year Croatia proudly celebrates two important events that profoundly mark contemporary Croatian history and the present.

One is the 22nd anniversary of Croatian National Day on June 25 and the other is Croatian Accession to the European Union on July 1.

The first event, which marks the proclamation of Croatian independence, has been a foundation for the modern-day democratic Republic of Croatia, while the second is to underpin further progress of Croatia and its citizens in the union of European nations.

And while these two events are somehow distant with one being placed in its history and the other well in the present, the link between the two is stronger than one would expect.

On June 25, 1991 the Croatian Parliament adopted the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Sover-

Croatia has much to celebrate this year, says Croatian ambassador VICENCIJE BIUK

eign and Independent Republic of Croatia which was a dream come true for generations of Croatians both in Croatia and in the diaspora.

The large Croatian community in Australia was among those who strongly supported Croatian independence, acting as an advocate for international recognition of Croatia by Australia. However, the road to freedom and democracy was rough and long.

When we celebrate our National Day we also express gratitude to all who took part in the creation of independent Croatia, in its defence and liberation, as well as to all who have advocated the establishment and promotion of democracy and have given their contribution to the development of modern Croatia in any other way.

Today we can proudly state that

New impetus to friendship

CROATIA’S membership in the European Union would also give a new impetus to bilateral relations between Croatia and Australia, said Croatian ambassador Vicencije Biuk.

“Croatian membership in the EU is an opportunity for Croatia and Australia to intensify political dialogue but even more to enhance so far modest economic and commercial links,” he said.

“Business with Croatia now means access to the EU market of 500 million consumers and new opportunities for Australian investments in Croatia.

“These opportunities include the shipping sector, infrastructure and sectors relating to tourism.

“On a people-to-people level, Croatia will become more attractive for Australians, especially those of Croatian origin.”

the Republic of Croatia is a unique example of a country that very quickly transformed from a receiver of international assistance, during its exposure to aggression, to one that has become an important subject of international relations on the European and global level, participating in 12 operations mandated by the UN, EU and NATO.

This progress of Croatia has been rightly recognised by our European partners who are welcoming Croatian accession to the European Union on July 1.

Our EU membership is an acknowledgment that Croatia, which has culturally, historically and geographically always belonged to Europe, has also become a place where all EU citizens can enjoy political freedoms and share values of democracy, rule of law and

respect for human rights.

It is a guarantee that the European peace project, that has attained long-term prosperity for EU nations after World War II, will now bring long-term stability to the region of southern-eastern Europe.

Croatia’s Accession to the EU is the first successful story from the region on its way to prosperity and we hope that there will be many more to follow.

Finally, I wish to extend to all citizens of the Republic of Croatia in Australia, NZ and Oceania my sincere congratulations on the occasion of Croatian National Day, inviting them to join in the celebration of this important day.

As we also celebrate the Croatian Accession to the EU we can look forward together with our European and Australian partners to new opportunities that this membership brings for our citizens, businesses and community as a whole.

Unspoiled Croatia expects tourism to boom

CROATIA’S return to the European family on July 1 is expected to bring a boost to Croatian tourism.

Despite the global economic uncertainties, last year

Croatia saw an increase of 4 per cent in tourist overnight stays and 3.3 per cent growth in overall tourist arrivals.

One of its biggest attractions is the unspoiled natural

and living environment – the beautiful beaches and islands, an oasis of untouched nature and quality accommodation.

Australians are among those who have discovered the beauties of Croatia and their visits have been constantly increasing in the last decade, reaching 100,000 in 2012.

Canberra Confidential

Turfed out, again

FOR the second successive year, the heroic “CityNews” photographer has been escorted from Parliament House while trying to take harmless social snaps at the entrance to the Press Gallery’s Mid-Winter Ball in the Great Hall. The diminutive Andrew Finch, as nice a man as God put breath into, despite the protestations of the organisers who had sanctioned his presence, was ejected and embarrassed again by the security droogs (”bored little powerless nobodies who pop a uniform on and think they have become someone,” sniffed one influential bystander to CC).

This ugly, strident approach to decent people will doubtless start putting doubt in the mind of potential hirers, who would have to be having second thoughts about this kind of PR nightmare.

Street busking

THE Street Theatre is doing some end-of-year busking, looking for donations before June 30. In a “we run a tight ship” note from artistic director Caroline Stacey, she says: “Our government funding currently makes up 45 per cent of our total revenue and donations enable us to: invest in new work creation; produce and present original and diverse work; innovate in cultural programming; develop ACT artists and arts workers; and build the capacity of the organisation.” Interestingly, The Street enjoys a long-standing, tax-deductible status akin to a charity.

Turned right off

WHAT the... Ever careful, CC was puttering along Jerrabomberra Avenue by the Capital Golf Course in Narrabundah the other day to be startled by this road sign. What did it mean? Returning later, we discover it is one of a series of three mischievous look-alike road signs on the fenceline of the golf club trying to invoke visits to its pro shop.

Filipino classifieds

WHILE “The Canberra Times” pontificates on the effects of public service job losses on families in the town, CC can’t help but wonder how the paper lives with the hypocrisy of off-

shoring its classified advertising to a phone room in Manila, presumably at the expense of local jobs. Already, the accounts have gone to Sydney and the circulation, as the numbers tell, to hell in a handbasket.

Back to the ‘burbs

ANOTHER popular Braddon restaurant is attracting brickbats for its aggressive attitude to service with a group of friends in their 50s “and certainly not rowdy”, writes reader Les Hegedus, having “unpleasant experiences” and being told to “f... off and get back to the suburbs”. Les says his pals blame the arrogance of the manager.

“I doubt that the owner will do anything because I suspect that the manager concerned is a family member,” he says.

“My wife and I will continue eating there as long as we don’t have an unpleasant experience.”

Grey matter

INSENSITIVE mail from the government, Part 2: Complaining to Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, a reader says that “some technical chap in the Tree Protection directorate” sent an incomprehensible letter to her nonagenarian mother whose purpose, she writes, “was cryptic, irrelevant and printed on the palest grey type (must be the corporate style). I could barely read this letter and my eyes are okay. Plain English has totally bypassed the tree people.”

John chases Jimi

SO, ArtSound FM’s John Rogers is in the Red Lion pub in the UK Lincolnshire town of Spalding and notices a framed copy of a local concert from May 1967 with a startling lineup of rock talent that included the emerging Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Pink Floyd, The Move and local support band, Sounds Force Five. On an outside wall of the pub is a plaque that says:

“Jimi slept here”.

Curious, he set out to learn more of the Barbecue 67 mega-rock concert (at a pound a ticket) and in the process interviewed a couple of Sounds Force Five musos (one lives in Brisbane) and an audience member. He punctuated the interviews with music from the time, creating a program for ArtSound’s “Kaleidoscope” show in May.

Lincolnshire community radio station Tulip FM was impressed enough to broadcast John’s work on June 28.

Hmmms

GOT to give it to Labor MLA Joy Burch for again taking part in the Vinnies CEO sleepout. And Liberal Senate aspirant Zed Seselja was back, too. Making his debut as Opposition Leader in a sleeping bag was dashing Jeremy Hanson. CANBERRA and Region’s Multiple Birth Association’s Amelia Haddock signs off rather insecurely as “current CARMBA President”. Is Kevin Rudd running against her, too?

AS our paid-parker stumped resentfully around the car, squatting nose-in, in defiance of the no-stopping signage in Aldi’s loading bay in Civic late the other afternoon, who should emerge from the Canberra Centre, hop in and bunk off untroubled by parking fees but a former Canberran of the Year.

BIG Greek night at a Braddon restaurant smashed more than plates when a bouzouki-inspired patron moved to dancing on a table that gave up under his exuberance. Unperturbed, he sprung from the wreckage and kept dancing.

IF YOU’RE FACING A CRIMIMAL MATTER, ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT REPRESENTATION.

2013 ACT Architecture Awards, National Arboretum

Vinnies CEO sleepout, Civic Square

Rotary Club of Canberra South’s 40th birthday, Southern Cross Club, Woden

arts & entertainment / reviews

Epic look at a shameful story

Arts editor HELEN MUSA previews the world premiere in Canberra of Big hART’s latest production

THE world premiere of Big hART’s “Hipbone Sticking Out” is bound to be huge, an epic story set against images from the controversial and unique rock art gallery on the Burrup/Murujuga Peninsula in WA.

The biggest and most hard-hitting of the three plays in a trilogy preceded by “Namatjira” and “Ngapartji Ngapartji”, it’s had the director of the show, Scott Rankin, on the move around the continent.

A few months ago I dropped in on Rankin, his creative team and a cross-generational team of artists from WA’s Pilbara coast during a residency at the Canberra Theatre and last saw him and his collaborator, Lex Marinos, hunched over the bare bones of a script.

Now it’s fully fleshed-out and Rankin can hardly conceal his excitement.

The back story is one of the most shameful in our history. At the centre is John Pat, whose death at age 16 in a WA police cell in 1983 led to The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Big hART (Big Heart, Big Art) fans will see charismatic actor Trevor Jamieson playing Pat, with the permission of his family. Members of Pat’s family, including his mum, Mavis, will be onstage.

Rankin and the community of Roebourne, where the tragedy occurred, tell a mighty story putting Pilbara at the centre, not the periphery of the world.

The doomed Pat finds himself travelling through time beginning, as locals say, “at a time when the world was soft”, meeting Greco/Roman gods, experiencing 1602, when Europeans “discovered” the WA coast, following the spice routes of the Dutch East India Company and returning to the mining boom of today.

Describing it as “a very transcultural work”, Rankin proudly lists his cast members by their cultural origins – Trevor Jamieson (Pitjantjatjara), Derik Lynch (Yankunytjatjara), Simon Gleeson (Scotland), Natalie O’Donnell (UK) and Jada Alberts (Yanyuwa/Larrakia/ Netherlands) and, my favourite designation, Marinos (Greece/Wagga Wagga).

It’s a “slow-burner” project that’s seen workshops in Roebourne, Canberra, Tasmania and Sydney. Because of the distances and the time, he says, it requires “the same sort of budget as Opera Australia”. Happily, it’s been funded by Woodside-operated Pluto LNG through its conservation agreement with the Australian

A long walk to nowhere

Dougal Macdonald cinema

“Satellite Boy” (PG)

AFTER a praiseworthy career with TV series, Catriona McKenzie’s first venture on the big screen, as writer, producer, and director, is an agreeable little film that she could have delivered better.

Government.

Rankin urges us all to visit Big hART’s website (bighart.org) to follow the larger Yijala Yala Project, which has also seen young people record the stories digitally.

The songs, everything from Britney Spears to ancient Pilbara songs, are “made by six amazing voices and the set itself, which is a great percussive instrument”. As well, there are hidden microphones all over the stage.

“The set is alive,” he says.

Big hART’s “Hipbone Sticking Out”, The Playhouse, July 3-6, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Lorina brings Broadway

ONE of this column’s favourite Canberra girls-made-good, soprano and 2012 Dame Joan Sutherland Scholarship-winner Lorina Gore, will be back in town on July 6 as the star of the already sold-out ACTEW Grand Gala, “Bernstein on Broadway”. Expect showbiz.

CONGRATULATIONS to local playwright Jim McGrath, one of only three Australians to win a $50,000 Creative Australia grant from the Australia Council. It’s for “Heart of a Dog”, a comic adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novella of the same name, with music by Marc Robertson, to be staged at The Street next year.

ODDLY, the director of the Art Gallery of NSW and former Canberran, Michael Brand, has chosen an expensive new acquisition for the gallery to celebrate his own appointment there. Still, his choice is fun – a work by American pop artist Ed Ruscha.

THE 10th Arab Film Festival Australia is almost upon us and, as usual, promises to be exciting and absolutely up-to-date, including a feature-length film made by a female Saudi director. At the Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, July 4 to 7, bookings to 6248 2000. More information at arabfilmfestival.com.au

CANBERRA Academy of Music and Related Arts co-directors, Colin Forbes and Patricia Whitbread, are presenting Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at St Philip’s Church in O’Connor at 7.30pm on July 4, 6, 11 and 13 with an impressive line-up, including Peter Laurence as the Don, Chris McNee as Masetto, and Katie Erland and Tanuja Doss sharing Donna Anna. Bookings to camra.asn.au

Helen Musa arts editor

ART Song Canberra’s next concert in the Wesley Music Centre is at 3pm on Sunday, June 30. “The Poet’s Love” will be sung by baritone Michael Lampard with Anthony Smith as accompanist. Tickets only at the door.

THE National Capital Orchestra conducted by Max McBride will be performing the Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Bruch, at The Q, Queanbeyan, 3pm, Sunday, June 30. Bookings 6285 6290.

THE Harrison Art Show and Harrison Student Art Show are back again at the school from June 28-30, open separately to adult and student artists. Supported by Aarwun Gallery, it features, among others, the “My Gungahlin Art Prize,” worth $200, for interpretations of the Gungahlin region. Opening night is Friday, June 28 from 7pm, tickets $10.

THE TV show “Mrs Brown’s Boys” took Australia by storm, so it’s no surprise that the stage version coming to the AIS in late March has completely sold out. Fear not, but hurry – a luxury coach has been organised to the show in Sydney on March 1. Bookings to 0418 249658.

SOUTH Coast artist Margaret Dimoff has taken over the old Solander Gallery at 38 Grey Street, Deakin, on a temporary basis operating Friday-Sunday, 9am-4.30pm. Originally designed by the late architect Bob Warren, the building will, sadly, soon come under the wrecker’s hammer.

Young Aboriginal Cameron Wallaby plays Pete, on the cusp of adolescence, living with his grandfather Jagamarra (David Gulpilil) after his mother went to the city to study hospitality so she and Pete might open a restaurant. White fellas are about to use Pete’s piece of country to park mining machinery. Pete decides to go to the city to find his mum. His best mate Kalmain (Joseph Pedley) reckons that city life will be better than in a remote mining village. Most of the film is the boys’ journey. They walk a lot but get nowhere. Kalmain comes close to dying of thirst on a claypan. And he saves Pete from drowning when they find a stream.

The screenplay could have dealt more vigorously with issues facing Aboriginal people living across the demarcation between white fella urban life and indigenous ways. It needs a full measure of audience forgiveness to sustain what McKenzie intended to be a useful fable of crosscultural issues in our time.

At Capitol 6

“Despicable Me 2” (PG)

HAVE I missed something? Where’s despicable in this lightweight animation?

Not Gru (voiced by Steve Carell). Now he runs a jam and jelly factory and cars for three little girls. Anti-Villain League chief Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) recruits him to help pursue and deal with the wicked maker of a purple monster serum that’s threatening the world.

Agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig) joins forces with Gru to operate the Bake My Day cake shop in the mall. They get support of a kind from a herd of Minions. The owner of a Salsa restaurant and the proprietor of a wig shop are among the suspects. It’s zany, vigorous, funny and unburdened with realism or social significance. Kids will love it. Does that include you?

At Hoyts, Dendy, Capitol 6 and Limelight

“World War Z” (M)

ZOMBIE movies have zero credibility. Generically they have scant variation. A bunch of the undead feed from those not yet reduced to that condition.

In “World War Z”, directed by Marc Forster, from a novel by Max Brooks, adapted by a writing team led by Matthew Michael Carnahan, zombie recruitment is spreading globally from an unknown origin.

Today it’s arriving in downtown Philadelphia where Brad Pitt, playing a retired UN peacekeeping troubleshooter, makes a vehicular charge through gridlock to get picked up by a helicopter and taken to an offshore naval ship from which, in exchange for protecting his wife and kids, he accepts a gig to seek a cure for zombieism.

In South Korea, the scientist accompanying him gets bitten. In Israel, he has to perform a field amputation of the left hand of an attractive sabra before the zombie venom envelops her.

Armed with a theory that might lead not to a cure but to a prophylaxis, his next flight is to Wales where he survives an airliner crash to reach a WHO research center where supplies of the necessary nostrum are held in the wing already occupied by zombified staff.

The film’s reputed budget is $US170 million. Whether the zombie genre has a big-enough fan base to recover that is a moot point. The fan base of Brad Pitt, who co-produced it, may save it financially. Artistic salvation? Improbable.

At Hoyts, Dendy, Capitol 6 and Limelight

arts & entertainment

Putting pub into Public

CANBERRA’S hospitality scene is moving as fast as a high-speed train. It’s impossible to stay on track. Bars, pubs, lounges, coffee places, bakeries, restaurants, cafes, even a place plonked in a loading zone.

Recent openings include Treehouse, Loft at Duxton and Autolyse. Next up will be A.Baker, Barcode, Sup Espresso Bar and Mini Bar, as well as places transforming the Kingston Foreshore, including C Dine Bar, Morks and Lonsdale Street Roasters (third location). Whew.

So, is this intense competition healthy or unhealthy? Is it survival of the fittest?

Some places pay no attention. They stick to their routines and formulas, even when they’re not working, and then die a slow death. Others embrace the speed with which Canberra is travelling and their position as part of a wider hospitality community. This is the case with not one, not two, but the three establishments located super close to one another in Manuka’s Flinders Way and Franklin Street area. Public Manuka’s Pub graces the corner. Next door is Polit Bar and across the street The Alchemy Bar. Three establishments. Three personalities.

Polit Bar promises to be a discreet cocktail lounge where you can relax and have a quiet chat. The Alchemy Bar (former Minque) has a full restaurant and operates as a true bar pumping it up at night. And Public Manuka’s Pub has recently renovated, to become a true local, friendly pub through and through.

Public Manuka’s Pub listened to client feedback and again adjusted operations and reconfigured to create “one venue”. It has cleverly introduced new “zones”, in which customers can gather, installed new hooks for ladies’ bags and some new seating. It has made a remarkable difference.

The new menu features even more pub items, with specials almost every night.

Sharing dishes include super tasty five spice chicken, fried golden crispy and served with green chilli soy ($12), sensational osso bucco Fajitas that I am addicted to ($15) and delightful king prawns wrapped in crisp egg noodles ($16).

Pub favourites include burgers (most $19), fish and chips ($20) and chicken schnitzel ($22). Mains include a pulled beef cheek pappardelle – a super winter dish ($25) – and a New Orleans-inspired Jambalaya. Pizzas sit around $20 and I can vouch for the shantung duck version. I’ve not yet indulged but I hear the peanut butter baklava, with dark chocolate gelato and caramel sauce sends dessert lovers straight to heaven.

A new drink menu has been introduced, with a sparkling, white and red at $7 a glass and averaging $9 a glass. Down, down. Prices are down. Manuka is a changing. But it’s not just Manuka. It’s Canberra. And it’s great for those who love their food and drink. It’s great for hospitality in general. I’ll toast to that.

‘Jazz Garters’ hits the mark

THERE’S something new in the fourth edition of Canberra Rep’s “Jazz Garters” – an underlying theme! Cate Clelland, the director, wisely uses the Canberra Centenary to bind this production together.

There is some fine singing from the large cast in the group numbers, most notably in “Be My Friend”. Ian Croker and the company performed an entertaining “Too Darn Hot”, by Cole Porter and Pamela Jansson, Bronte Forrester and Evan Kirby gave us a strong “Getting Married Today”, the fiendish Stephen Sondheim tongue-twister. Amongst the solo numbers, Janelle McMenamin was a standout as “The Girl In 14G”, mixing opera and jazz apparently effortlessly. Dick Goldberg was delightful performing “I’ve Never Seen a Straight Banana” and then topping that later in the show with the hysterical “Model of a Labor Politician”.

musical theatre

“Jazz Garters”

Canberra Repertory, Theatre 3, until July 6.

Reviewed by Len Power

Kirby’s fine voice was displayed in his thoughtful version of “Lost in the Wilderness” by Stephen Schwartz. The band, led by James Court, played the large variety of music very well. The set, designed by Andrew Kay, works well for the large numbers, but some of the solos staged towards the back of the set lost impact as a result.

Cate Clelland’s direction keeps the show running smoothly at a fine pace. “Jazz Garters” has always been fun, but it is the Canberra Centenary focus that makes this one a standout.

garden Flowers, flowers everywhere

FOUR seasons in 45 days! I have just arrived back from an overseas holiday to see family in Holland and gardens everywhere.

So how did I manage the four seasons in such a short time? Leaving here towards the end of April, the leaves were just changing into their wonderful autumn mantle of rich colours.

Arriving in Holland it was mid-spring with the emerging green leaves, spring blossoms and stunning floral displays, especially the mind-blowing show of tulips at the annual show at the Keukenhof Gardens.

Then on to England, through France to Italy in June for their start of summer before returning home for winter

FOR a moment, forget winter and let me transport you to Holland (the flower house of Europe), starting with the world’s largest and most beautiful flower garden and the showcase for Dutch floriculture, the Keukenhof Gardens, south-east of Amsterdam.

It features more than seven million daffodil, tulip and hyacinth bulbs in full bloom over a period of eight weeks provided by 85 bulb growers.

In that time, more than 800,000 garden lovers visit the gardens with more than 75 per cent coming from overseas.

The name Keukenhof originally described the herb or kitchen garden of the 15th century Teylingen Castle, owned by Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria. At that time the surrounding area was wild scrub land and dunes.

The flower show started in 1949 when, as Holland recovered from the ravages of World War II, a group of bulb growers decided to brighten people’s lives with an open-air exhibition of spring flowers in the park of the Keukenhof estate.

This year the theme was “United Kingdom –Land of Great Gardens”. The UK is an important trading partner with the Netherlands, in terms of flower exports and tourism. What’s more Keukenhof itself was originally designed, surprisingly, as an English landscape garden. The main

feature was an impressive floral mosaic of Big Ben and the Tower Bridge.

WHERE do all the bulbs from Holland go? Exports alone are worth a staggering 681 euros ($A953 million) with the UK accounting for $A64 million, Germany $A105 million, France $A42 million, Russia $A42 million, China $A59 million, Japan $A42 million and the US $A154 million. Every town has flower stalls as does, seemingly, every main street in Holland, with the flowers being purchased through the famous Dutch auctions.

Then there are their huge – and I mean huge – garden centres. For example, at Halsteren, a delightful country town of 13,000 in south Holland where our daughter Yvette lives, the Intratuin Garden Centre sells Australian boronias with the label in the shape of Australia or 200-year-old olive trees and every variety of plant in between. I am a frequent visitor to this centre – by no means Holland’s largest – and still cannot get over its size. One time I counted 500 shopping trolleys at the entrance and commented to a salesperson this was a lot of trolleys. “See the space next to the trolleys,” the salesperson replied. “That’s where another 500 sit that are already in circulation within the garden centre”.

The total area of the centre is six hectares (15 acres) with 800 parking places, one million loyal customers a year with annual sales of more than $A28 million. That is big by anyone’s imagination and is just one of many such garden centres all over Holland; the Dutch love their flowers.

This is just a glimpse at the flower industry in the world’s largest producer of flowers and, indeed, one of the world’s largest producers of trees and shrubs, but that is another story.

Back to cold Canberra winter gardens next week.

Our studio is open Thursday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm at Rodney’s Plants Plus in Pialligo. For bookings and enquiries visit the studio, email info@canberragardens.com.au or call Dinah Meagher on 0422 628 190.

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / July 1-7

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Reckless behaviour could land you in hot water this week so tread carefully Rams. You’re keen to get things moving but don’t be in such a rush that you start an argument or cause an accident. You have the power to affect others deeply this weekend – positively or negatively, depending on how you use it. Aim to be dynamic and courageous, rather than bossy and insensitive.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Loved ones are demanding and family members will be more defensive than usual, so tread carefully Taurus. With peace-maker Venus visiting your domestic zone, you’ll find the patience within to handle any relationship rumbles. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great the Dalai Lama: “A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Geminis are fabulous at formulating ideas and talking about future plans. But with dynamic Mars moving through your sign for a couple more weeks (until July 13), it really is time to be passionately proactive and walk your talk. This week, actions speak way louder than words! The weekend is wonderful for socialising and pursuing your favourite hobby.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

The Sun/Pluto opposition exacerbates an existing partnership problem. Don’t take things too personally... the more defensive you are, the more difficult the week will be. On the weekend the Moon, Mars and Neptune activate your humanitarian zone, so it’s time to help others. Be inspired by birthday great Princess Diana: “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

You’re inclined to go to extremes this week and a stubborn attitude will lead to a fraction too much friction. There’s more to a current situation than meets the eye, so resist the temptation to jump to conclusions. Discretion and moderation are what’s needed at the moment. Socialising with colleagues brings many benefits, so put on your networking hat and schmooze in style.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

The stars favour networking with a wide range of friends and acquaintances. If you have to speak up in a group, choose your words wisely, as there are many conflicting opinions to consider. Other people’s motives will be a mystery on Friday, so don’t even try to work out where they are coming from. Keep positive about the future as you set ambitious goals and dream big dreams.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Money matters look messy, especially if you are behind with paying bills. You need to work out a weekly budget (and then stick to it). The more disciplined you are, the more manageable your finances will be. Business and work matters are favoured this weekend, as you rub shoulders with influential people. Don’t be a wall-flower Libra... speak up and promote your talents.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Scorpios love drama, and there’ll be plenty of it this week as your usual routine is shaken up by an argument or disagreement. You’re keen to persuade others but don’t add fuel to the fire by using manipulation to achieve your aims. Saturday favours joint ventures and having serious conversations with loved ones, whereas Sunday is super for sport, travel and outdoor adventures.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Is it fabulous to be outrageously frank? And is honesty always the best policy? This week you’re in the mood to rock the boat and be even more open and honest than usual. But is everyone ready for your special brand of Sagittarian truth serum? You have a lot on your plate but if you multi-task, you’ll get things done in half the time. Give loved ones plenty of practical support.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Get off the comfy couch Capricorn! With dynamic Mars charging through your wellbeing zone for two more weeks, hurry up and incorporate more exercise into your daily routine. How about joining a local gym or sporting club? At work, take the stairs rather than the lift, or walk to the local shops rather than drive. On the weekend, take the time to listen closely to others.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Aquarians can only toe the line for so long. Expect the unexpected this week, as the Sun and Uranus stir up your restless (and reckless) side. You’ll balk at restrictions being placed on you by others but resist the urge to be a disruptive influence. Aim to be smart and selective as you fulfill your basic responsibilities... then go off and do something exciting or eccentric.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

This week’s stars encourage impulse shopping and making hasty financial decisions, but if you over-extend yourself, you’ll pay the real price further down the track. So before you buy, stop and think: “Do I really need this?” Plus find ways to cheer yourself up that don’t involve shopping. If you are travelling, be prepared for plenty of hiccups and hassles along the way. Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2011

Across

1 What do we call one who judges with severity?

8 Name the sounding of a bugle early in the morning to awaken soldiers

9 Which oddly-spelt word relates to being gracefully slender?

10 What is the leading position in any field?

11 Which US state is separated from that country by Canada?

13 What, broadly, were Buzz Aldren and Neil Armstrong?

16 Name the matter which settles to the bottom of a liquid

19 Which other term is descriptive of the supernatural?

22 What do we call a repugnance for something?

24 What is an inhabitant of a northern US state known as?

25 Name a less readily known term for the middle ear

26 Name the monetary unit of Israel Down

2 The works of which composer include

“Bolero”, Maurice...?

3 When one cultivates the soil, one does what?

4 What is a deep cleft in the ice of a glacier?

5 Which receptacle is used for baking or heating?

6 What is a written symbol other than a letter?

7 Who wrote “For the Term of His Natural Life”, Marcus...?

12 The aqueous solutions of which substance turns litmus indicators red?

14 What are words opposed in meaning to other words?

15 In computers, what is a range of optional procedures presented to an operator?

17 What are diplomatic agents called?

18 To intrude suddenly is to do what?

20 Which light narrow boat is propelled by one or more paddles?

21 What is a lord, entitled to allegiance and service?

23 Name an alternative term for electrically charged atoms

Does your business have the financial blues this winter?

Time for a financial health check!

We all know the importance of keeping warm and healthy during the colder months, but are you giving the same attention to your business during times of nancial stress?

For many businesses, it can be di cult to nd the time to re ect on the nancial health and long term viability of your organisation whilst also keeping on top of day to day operations. Long term issues are often sidelined in the hope that they go away or things will eventually pick up. Unfortunately, this can be a risky strategy for both you and your business.

A combination of factors, often triggered by one-o and unforseen events can ultimately result in business failure. Subsequent, ongoing trading, especially when not accompanied by a clear restructuring plan, can not only result in further deterioration of the business but also expose the directors to personal liability.

A quick nancial health check can help keep your business on track or provide you with an understanding of exit options during times of adversity caused by events such as:

• Refinancing / funding uncertainty;

• Loss of key contracts;

• Loss of key personnel;

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• Ongoing trading losses;

• Costly legal claims;

• Other one-off costs.

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So, if you feel your business could do with a Review, Refocus or Rebuild this winter, please give one of our friendly sta a call for an obligation free consultation.

Abode – The Apartment Hotel is committed to providing quality accommodation in the nation’s capital. This year, we are pulling a rabbit out of the hat and growing the group’s offering with the opening of Abode Woden in August.

On target to be Australia’s first Green Star and NABERS rated hotel, Abode Woden will be the smart choice for the savvy visitor.

Cleverly positioned in the true heart of Canberra, just minutes to the CBD and Parliamentary Triangle, these modern, serviced apartments bring together the comforts of home and the convenience of a vibrant retail and business district.

Offering 151 rooms and set across nine floors, Abode Woden transforms a 70s commercial building into stylish accommodation featuring a new restaurant and conference facilities. To make it your Abode, get in touch.