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news Kingston turf war a victory for community

As Kingston traders rejoice at the return of grass to Green Square after a two-year battle with the bloody-minded TAMS bureaucracy, spokesman Pawl Cubbin says it’s more than a victory over the “box tickers”, it’s made the Government sit up and listen. LAURA EDWARDS reports

PAWL Cubbin may have won the war to bring grass back to Kingston’s Green Square, but it’s not a battle he and the Kingston Traders’ Committee hope to endure again anytime soon.

This week landscapers restored the grass to the square, removing the unpopular drought-resistant shrubs planted by Territory and Municipal Services in 2010 and ending an “exhausting” two-year long campaign

by the committee.

Mr Cubbin says the battle has taken “years” off his life, but believes it has given Canberrans a voice and sparked fresh debate over community ownership of public spaces.

“I thought it would just be about the grass but it’s become so much more than that, it’s made the ACT Government really sit up and listen,” Pawl says.

“They’ve realised people want more ownership of their spaces and they want the Government to assist them more to do that. It’s not necessarily a money thing, it’s about the Government being more innovative about how they can work with the community to enhance these public areas and get a bit more community spirit.”

Mr Cubbin believes there are “deep cultural issues” within TAMS and described their part in the saga as a “bureaucratic nightmare”.

“They’re incredibly risk-averse, and I’ve told them ways they can address that, perhaps having case workers to help them get ideas out, to build a bridge between the community and the box tickers, and to be on the com-

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Cover: Lucianne

Attard and Jovan

Pejic. Story Page

munity’s side to get things happening. As opposed to some guy like me banging my head on the wall.”

TAMS initially undertook landscaping works to the value of $145,000 to replace Green Square’s then-irrigated

grass with the drought-tolerant plants and shrubs, which were labelled “unsightly” and “unsafe” by the Traders’ Committee.

Last year the committee offered to pay for new raised grass beds and their

maintenance, but TAMS lost the letter.

Three months later, Liberal MLA Steve Doszpot was preparing to table in the Legislative Assembly a petition signed by 900 people calling for the return of grass to the square.

Territory and Municipal Services then found the missing letter and advised the Government to reject the offer from the Kingston business-owners, but Chief Minister Katy Gallagher dismissed the directorate’s advice.

The situation became more complicated when TAMS told the Kingston business owners to expect a $70,000 bill, with another $27,000 for landscaping, upfront payments for watering the grass and money for mending a Government-owned sprinkler system.

Mr Cubbin says he was “ready to back out” at that point, however fresh media publicity saw the directorate drop its financial demand.

Mr Cubbin says he was “blown away” by the attention the debacle received.

“I thought it would just involve the businesses, but it’s become much more of a community issue. It was about the public making a statement – they’ve got a voice now and the Government has got to listen,” he says.

“Would I do it all again knowing how long it would take? Yeah, I would. It helped bring an issue to the forefront, and I think it’s going to make Canberra a better place.”

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The Housing and Tenancy Services Officer is responsible for the effective and efficient property management of our diverse housing portfolio. This includes the day to day operations relating to contracting repairs and maintenance, lease preparation and the monitoring and tracking of rental income.

In addition to the above, we are looking for an individual who has exceptional interpersonal skills and a willingness to think outside the square to support our stakeholders and tenants.

Northside’s Housing Team work as ‘Friendly Landlords’ to ensure tenants are an active partner in the design and improvement of services and programs.

If this sounds like your type of team then we would love to hear from you. Please email hr@northside.asn.au or visit www.northside.asn.au for a copy of the position description and provide us with an EOI by the 10th February.

For enquiries about the position please contact Daniel Boggs on 02 6257 2255

Riding to help break the slavery cycle…

She only bought a bike a few months ago and isn’t wild about lycra, but next month Alanna Davis will ride 400-kilometres through Cambodia for a cause close to her heart. LAURA EDWARDS reports...

ALANNA Davis says she is a survivor of domestic abuse, and is using her experience to help stand up for women halfway across the world.

The Jerrabomberra resident will join 16 other women from around Australia in a 400-kilometre cycle challenge across Cambodia to raise money and awareness for women victimised by human trafficking and sex slavery in and across Cambodian borders.

The 10-day journey, organised by women’s networking group Business Chicks, will also include visits to local refuges and shelters.

Hundreds of thousands of women and young girls have been trafficked into slavery, sexual exploitation and prostitution in Cambodia, with the majority of victims between 12-17 years old.

Alanna says the statistics are “shocking”.

“It’s sad because for many of these families who are living in poverty, the lure of selling their daughter proves to be too much because it’s one less mouth to feed,” she says.

“Sometimes they don’t know they’re selling them to brothels, then once the girls are in the brothel they’re told they’ve got a huge debt to pay off and they can never leave. So it’s a vicious cycle and once they’re in it, they’re most likely in it till they die.”

Alanna, who is a practice manager at a local family law firm, has been training every day to prepare for the ride, slowly notching up kilometres and bracing herself for the “extreme heat.”

“I’ve never really been much of a cyclist, I only bought a bike two months ago, so for me it will be a challenge, but the whole time I will be thinking about these women – for me I get to go home again, they don’t,” she says.

So far Alanna has raised more than $5000 to go towards the Cambodian-based Acting for Women in Distressing Situations Foundation and the Somaly Mam Foundation, and needs just over $500 before she heads off on February 7.

The 33-year-old says she was inspired to take part in the ride after reading the autobiography of Somaly Mam, a Cambodian woman who, at just 14, was sold to a brothel but eventually escaped, setting up her own foundation to help others in her situation.

Another driving force was Alanna’s own experience –she has been in two abusive relationships, starting from when she was just 18.

“At that age you don’t know what to do… you’re just not sure whether it’s normal or not,” she says.

“It took me about 12 months to get out of that relation-

Alanna Davis… “The whole time I will be thinking about these women – for me I get to go home again, they don’t.”

ship, but luckily for me, I had family and friends to support me. For some of these women in third world countries, they have no-one.”

Alanna says she is eager to change perceptions that women who encounter domestic abuse are “weak”.

“I got through it, and I feel stronger now and more educated about the situation than ever before. I’m one of those people who wants to stand up for the minority.”

A networking fundraiser will be held to support Alanna’s efforts at As you like it café, Childers Street, Civic on Friday, January 31. Book tickets at trybooking.com/ECNF or visit wattsmccray.com.au/cx/people/alanna-davis to donate.

‘Frog’ makes a big noise for animals

By Stephen Easton

INDEPENDENT record seller Brian

“Frog” Harris loves animals –particularly his three pet frogs – so when he hosts a massive sale of second-hand vinyl, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and VHS videos this weekend, all the money will be handed over to the RSPCA.

“We’ve done this twice before, but this one is going to be the biggest,” says Brian, owner of Weston Creek’s Songland Records.

“We’ve asked the general public to donate any of their unwanted music and movies and it’s been really successful, just through word of mouth in the community. People really like to give their old collections away to someone who wants them, especially when the money goes to the animals.”

The second-hand sale is being held outside Songland between 9am and 5pm on Saturday and from 10am till 4pm on Sunday.

By midway through last week, more than 500 cassette tapes and over 2300 pieces of vinyl had already been donated along with CDs, DVDs and VHS video tapes.

“Frog” has already found some gems among the huge pile of pre-loved recordings, including a Beatles box set that sold last week for $250, getting the RSPCA fundraising off to a good start.

He says there are plenty of bargains among

the vinyl for collectors – or anyone looking to start a vinyl collection – as well as plenty of cassettes for those who, like himself, still enjoy listening to them in the car.

“We’ve got about 140-odd brand new copies of ‘Star Trek’ VHS videos here, and for ‘Star Trek’ fans that’s actually quite a big deal,” he adds.

“They were donated by a good mate, Larry Appley from 2CA, who’s a big ‘Star Trek’ fan and a huge animal fan as well.

“I’ll be organising a price for the whole lot and individual prices, but everything is going to be really cheap, anyway.

“We’ve got hundreds and hundreds of classical records; they’ll probably go for about 50c each, and all the non-classical albums for somewhere around a dollar each.”

Representatives from the RSPCA will also attend the sale, including some with fur and feathers.

“We’re going to have Gerald the cockatoo down here; he’s a bit of a character, and he lives at the RSPCA,” says Brian.

“We might also have a bunny and some cats, and there’ll be some people from the RSPCA too, so you can have a yarn to them about what they do and what their services are.”

The animal-loving “Frog” has three pet green tree frogs at home, who recently turned 14 on Australia Day.

“Their names are Bender, Hank and Banjo,” he explains. “I hand feed them, they sit and watch TV with me and they do their laps in the bathtub; they’re my children.”

Jovan gets Fix for the future

AS a fit and active young man, Jovan Pejic was shocked when, at 24, he was diagnosed with a stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma in his leg; a cancer which can be fatal but is rare among young people.

Facing months of radiotherapy, the Kingston-based accountant weighed up his options.

“It was a scary time – I knew I would probably have to go through the radiotherapy, but it shook me to the point where I wanted to do more for myself; so I started researching how a healthy diet could help,” Jovan, 27, says.

Jovan put his body through a complete health kick, starting with an all vegan diet – no meat, dairy products – and twice-a-day cold-pressed, vegetable-based juices.

Six weeks later, at a routine visit to the doctor, Jovan was told the tumour had shrunk by around 30-40 per cent. He was stunned.

“It was not what I was expecting at all, it was unbelievable,” he says.

“The doctor could neither confirm nor deny that the juices had helped… but even he was just as shocked and couldn’t really explain how it had happened given I hadn’t had any extra treatment at that stage.

“After that, I started my three months of radiotherapy and continued my diet, and the tumour completely disappeared.”

Now in remission, Jovan and his wife Lucianne Attard are launching a new cold-press juice company in Canberra, The Fix, with the hope that local cafes will jump on board.

“We’ll be using vegetables from local wholesalers and sell-

ing the juices to local cafes, with the option for pop-up stores and cheaper online bulk ordering for the community,” says public servant Lucianne, 27.

“Cold-pressed juicers are very different to other juicers – most juicers have a system with a spinning motion, so it means it’s much quicker to disintegrate the integrity of the juice and, on top of that, the spinning motion creates heat so you’re killing the enzymes as you do it.

“The beauty about this juice, is it’s a slow press, so the integrity of the juice is retained and the important nutrients are locked in.”

The juices, which will cost about $10 if bought in cafes, will come in six flavours; made up of 80 per cent vegetables and 20 per cent fruit ingredients.

The young couple plan to make the juices themselves from their newly purchased Fyshwick space, which will be open to the public to pick up bulk juice orders or “just hang out and try them,” says Jovan.

“We want to provide our community with accessible, affordable and freely available healthy juices,” says Lucianne.

“We realised it’s not just about how much exercise you do, it’s about what you’re putting in your body.

“According to public health websites, around 83 per cent of all premature deaths among people aged under 75 years are due to non-communicable diseases caused primarily by stress, poor eating habits, alcohol consumption and inactivity… so that’s a serious figure.”

She reiterates the couple’s daily juicing and strict vegan diets “aren’t for everyone” and

can be difficult to maintain everyday – “sometimes you go over to people’s houses and they’ll make something with dairy so you’ll break the diet, or you’re at work and pressed for time and the only available option for a snack is a piece of chocolate,” she says.

“We don’t want to impose our way of life on anyone, we just want to say it’s there if people are interested.”

Jovan says he is “ecstatic” he can now put his cancer scare behind him.

“For me, I’m so happy to have the chance to share that healthy lifestyle and move on with my life,” he says.

Jovan and Lucianne will launch The Fix juice at Steve “Commando” Willis’ training session, Reconciliation Place, Parkes from 9.30am until 4pm on February 22. Their website’s thejuicefix.com.au.

“CityNews” does not suggest coldpressed, vegetable-based juices are in themselves a cure for cancer.

Overeaters wanted!

ANU researcher Carmel Harrison is looking for women over 18 who are struggling with overeating to complete a 30-minute, anonymous and voluntary survey. All participants go in the draw to win one of three $100 gift vouchers (Amazon, Coles/Myer or iTunes). The link is bit.ly/1agLN4J or contact study@gmail.com

Buddhism course

FORMER Buddhist nun Mindah-Lee Kumar is conducting a seven-week introductory course in Buddhism and meditation at the Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra, Evatt, 6.30pm-8.30pm, on Monday nights from February 10. Specifically suited to beginners, the first part of each lesson will involve instruction and practise of Calm Abiding meditation. Topics to be covered include: the life of the Buddha, The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, karma and the differences between Buddhist schools. The cost is $110 and bookings to 6238 2088 or mail@sakya.com.au

Help with the GST grant

NEW Canberrans are urged to update their residential details with Medicare between now and March 2 for a chance to win $10,000.

Medicare data is used by the Commonwealth Government to allocate GST funding. Every year that a resident is not counted, the ACT forgoes more than $2500 in GST funding. To change an address go to humanservices.gov.au/medicare or call 132011.

Enter the competition at updateyouraddress.com.au

Auxiliary’s big cheque

THE Calvary Hospital auxiliary will present the hospital with a $100,000 cheque on February 3 for a birthing suite for the maternity section. Under president Daphne Ashley, the auxiliary raises money for projects and equipment for the hospital and this year’s activities include Trash and Treasure at Jamieson Centre (March 16 and August 31) and a Mother’s Day stall at the hospital on May 8 with the major fundraiser, a fashion parade at the Southern Cross Club on August 30.

The year begins for CWA

THE Canberra Branch of the Country Women’s Association will hold its first social meeting for the year at its clubrooms at 8 Barry Drive, Civic, 1pm, on Friday, February 7, beginning with an annual church service and followed by afternoon tea. Everyone is welcome. More information at 6255 5470.

Permaculture course

THE Canberra Environment Centre and Permaculture Canberra are running a six-month permaculture design certificate on Wednesday evenings from February 19. Instructor Martyn Noakes says permaculture concepts are based in sustainable resource usage and the building of resilient food systems that can also be applied to backyards. The cost is $650 and enrolments to ecoaction.com.au or 6248 0885.

letters

A neighbour, not a friend

CORRESPONDENTS to the daily paper, such as Doug Hynd on January 19, often say that Indonesia is a “friend” of Australia. In my view, based upon my International Relations studies at the ANU, Indonesia has never been a “friend” and never will be.

It has not acted in a friendly manner on issues such as people smugglers, East Timor and West Papua, nor has Australia acted like a friend in relation to spying on the Indonesian President and his wife.

Sure, we do have friendly relations from time to time, and there are personal friendships amongst business and government officials, but with widespread corruption, military interference and a variety of economic and political disagreements, we should never fall into the trap of regarding Indonesia as a “friend” when all it is is a neighbour with its own political and economic agenda.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Wrong again

“CANBERRA Times” Friday, January 24, and I quote: “Justin Bieber has been arrested for drink driving and drag racing.” Wrong again, “Canberra Times”. Justin Bieber was actually arrested for illegally street racing or simply being the knob he has become.

Michael Attwell, Dunlop

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Write to us

Open and closed case

IT’S Australia Day, the year after Canberra has celebrated its Centenary and encouraged tourists to come and spend their money. It’s a year in which Canberra has launched a new brand claiming “we’re ready”. Belluci’s Manuka is open and has chairs and tables set up in the areas facing Franklin Street and Furneaux Streets. Three of us want lunch so we go in to book on Furneaux (one table has a combo of sun and shade). There is no one sitting in this area and no reservation signs so we don’t see this as a problem. But, oh no, it is a problem. Staff tell us they’re “not allowed” to let people sit in this area. Why we ask? “Because it’s storage and not open for service.” Storage? What are you storing we ask? “Tables

and chairs.” We choose not to stay. Now, if a restaurant decides not to service an area why not a) refrain from setting up tables and chairs that make it look like you’re open, b) stack the tables in chairs in a corner to make it look like that section’s not open, c) put a rope across the area saying “closed”?

It is SOOOOO frustrating. And then, on the way home, I listen on the ABC about penalty rates and how so many retail businesses and restaurants were closed on Australia Day and how the Government thinks this needs “to be discussed” if Canberra is going to invite tourists to the nation’s capital. Here we have a restaurant that is open – well, kind of. “Bewildered”, Garran

‘Lost’ play’s novel story

By Helen Musa

“IT was the best of times, it was the worst of times”… what’s the bet most readers recognise that as the opening sentence in Charles Dickens’ 1859 novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”?

It is, after all, director Adam Spreadbury-Maher asserts, “the world’s most successful novel, having sold over 200 million copies.”

Spreadbury-Maher is the brilliant Canberran who trained in drama and voice at the ANU then went on to become one of London’s best-known directors and, in a very short time, an Olivier Award winner.

Clever Stephen Pike, programming manager at The Q, has lured Spreadbury-Maher back home for six weeks to direct the book’s stage adaptation, enjoy some time with his family and to relish the Australian summer.

After an unusual, longdistance casting process, he and Pike have come up with a mix of veteran and not-soveteran actors, with Calen Robinson heading up the cast as the doomed Sydney Carton and, cast against type, Hannah Ley as the bloodthirsty Madame Defarge.

Spreadbury-Maher is looking fit and trim for someone living the high life on the West End, telling me that he is in training for the Brighton Marathon.

Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher… a friend recently told him, “when you walk into a room you don’t have to throw a hand grenade, you know”.

“You have to play the game,” he says of life in London, but his Australian brashness does get him through doors. He sometimes feels left out of the old-school-tie network and the endless theatrical reminiscences about the good old ‘80s and ‘90s, but as a friend recently told him, “when you walk into a room you don’t have to throw a hand grenade, you know”. It’s good to be back – for a while. “Canberra, it’s my home,” he tells “CityNews”, “it’s so wonderful to be back in the old house [on Canberra Avenue]… my great-grandfather was a minister at St John’s, you know.”

But it would be idle to pretend that Spreadbury-Maher isn’t relishing life in London. He rubs shoulders with the famous and is a regular house guest with playwriting luminaries Arnold Wesker and Edward Bond.

As an Aussie director, he proudly boasts that he has staged Australian playwrights, citing Hannie Rayson, Louis Nowra, Jack Hibberd and our own Tommy Murphy and Duncan Ley.

How he got “A Tale of Two Cities” is a tale in itself. First written nearly 80 years ago, it was commissioned from the

novice playwright Terence Rattigan by John Gielgud, who wanted to play both the hero Sydney Carton and the arrogant Marquis de St Evrémonde.

To Rattigan’s chagrin, the play never got up, and although it’s had a few one-off showings and a school production, in professional stage terms it counts as a “new” work.

Spreadbury-Maher got wind of the script in 2011 and decided to give it a proper professional airing. Others were clawing for it, too, but he clung on and eventually his Australian tenacity saw him snare the performance rights.

Rattigan’s script creates dialogue from a novel strangely lacking in it, focusing on the more domestic stories of the Manettes, Defarges and St Evrémondes.

After a long editing process where he got it down from four to 2½ hours, he staged a pilot production at the famous East 15 Acting School, later putting it on professionally at his own King’s Head Theatre to impressive reviews.

“A Tale of Two Cities” at the Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, February 5-16, bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

Deek and Jon top local honours list

MARATHON running legend Robert DeCastella and former Chief Minister Jon Stanhope have been appointed Officers of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.

Other well-known locals honoured include University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker (AO), television journalist Paul Bongiorno (AM), former Liberal Opposition Leader Bill Stefaniak, Olympic gold-medal swimmer Alicia Coutts (OAM) and Paralympic gold-medal cyclist Sue Powell (OAM). Local awardees include:

AC

– COMPANION IN THE MILITARY DIVISION

Air Marshal Mark Donald BINSKIN AO, for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of Air Force and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

AO – OFFICER IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Robert Ian CAMPBELL PSM, Nicholls, for distinguished service to public administration through innovative policy development, reform and administration at the national level, particularly the provision of services for veterans and their families.

Robert de CASTELLA MBE, Mawson, for distinguished service to the community through programs promoting children’s health and fitness, as a supporter and mentor of young indigenous men and women, and to marathon running.

Emeritus Professor Ronald Charles DUNCAN Yarralumla, for distinguished service to international relations as a leading economist, and through innovative economic policy development to raise living standards in Papua New Guinea and Pacific Island nations.

Dr Susan Denise MEEK , for distinguished service to science, to the development and implementation of policy for science and research, particularly gene technology regulation, and through leadership roles with professional organisations.

Dr Sadanandan E K NAMBIAR , Hawker, for distinguished service to science, particularly in the field of sustainable productivity and management of forests, as a researcher and author, and as a role model for young scientists.

Professor Stephen John PARKER Bruce, for distinguished service to tertiary education through administrative, academic and representational roles, and as a leader in the growth and development of the University of Canberra.

The Honourable Jonathan Donald STANHOPE, Christmas Island, for distinguished service to the community of the ACT through leadership roles, to the advancement of human rights and social justice, and to economic development.

AO – MILITARY DIVISION

Rear Admiral Trevor Norman JONES AM CSC RAN, for distinguished service as Head Naval People and Reputation and Deputy Chief of Navy.

Air Vice-Marshal Gavin Neil DAVIES CSC, for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.

AM – MEMBER IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Paul Damian BONGIORNO for significant service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist, political commentator and editor.

Geoffrey Allan McPHERSON, Waramanga, for significant service to the multicultural community of the ACT through the provision of refugee assistance programs.

Dr Julia Catherine NEWTON-HOWES, Lyneham, For significant service to the international community through executive roles with aid organisations, and to women.

Dr Conall O’CONNELL , Watson, for significant service to public administration and governance, and to Australia’s agricultural, forestry and fisheries sectors.

David Harry SAVAGE Conder, for significant service to international relations through roles in development aid, human rights abuse and war crime investigations, and peacekeeping.

William George (Bill) STEFANIAK RFD, Macgregor, for significant

service to the community of the ACT through a range of elected, appointed and voluntary roles.

AM – MILITARY DIVISION

Col. Leonard Basil BRENNAN, for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of health support as Director Health, Headquarters Joint Operations Command; Director Army Health; and Senior Medical Officer, Combined Team Uruzgan.

Col. Natasha Anne FOX CSC for exceptional performance of duty as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper from June 2012 to January 2013.

Lt-Col Jason Mitchell LOGUE for exceptional service in the areas of Military Public Affairs and Information Operations for the Australian Defence Force, particularly as Senior Military Public Affairs Officer in Headquarters Joint Operations Command.

Col. Kevin Charles PACKHAM CSM for exceptional performance of duty in the field of Defence Logistics and as Director of Operations and Training Area Management.

Air Vice-Marshal Neil Campbell HART, for exceptional service as Commander Air Combat Group and Head Joint Capability Coordination Division.

OAM – MEDAL IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Alicia Jayne COUTTS, Macgregor, for service to sport as a gold medallist at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Kevin Charles CROKER, Wanniassa, for service to the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Albert GREEN, Charnwood, for service to athletes with a disability. Margaret Anne HEMMINGS, Waramanga, for service to the community of Chapman.

Rosanna Russell HINDMARSH, Red Hill, for service to the community of the ACT.

Rachel Ann HORE, Dickson, for service to the community through choral music.

Roslyn Mary JOSLIN, Mawson, for service to the community of the ACT. Cameron James KISS, Harrison, for service to the international community through a range of humanitarian assistance roles. Jill MADEW, Red Hill, for service to the community of Adaminaby. Bernadine MULHOLLAND, Chapman, for service to community health as a physiotherapist.

Bryan NYE, Manuka, for service to the rail transport industry, and to the business sector.

Dr Susan Jennifer POWELL Melba, for service to sport as a gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Catriona Bowen TONACIA Bungendore, NSW, for service to mental health through programs to address post-traumatic stress disorder. Susan Elizabeth WHELAN, Queanbeyan, NSW, for service to local government, and to the community of the Queanbeyan region.

OAM - MILITARY DIVISION

Commander Lewis Patrick GAHA RAN, for meritorious service as the Navy Reserve Career Manager, Elections Liaison Officer for the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq, Director of Navy Ministerial Coordination, and Director of Navy Reputation Management. WO1 Matthew John DINGLEY, for meritorious service to the Australian Army in a variety of personnel management and force structure modernisation roles.

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL

Local Australian Public Service recipients of the PSM include: David Edward BANHAM; Kim Louise CLARKE (deceased), late of Aranda; Tania Joy CONSTABLE, Hall; Tony Robert COOK; Rebecca Mary CROSS Hawker; Dr Rhondda Gay DICKSON, Yass Valley Shire, NSW; Dr Nicholas Gerrit HARTLAND, O’Connor; Ian Robert McKENZIE, Ainslie; Dr Anthony Joseph McLEOD Harrison; Susan Lee PAGE Monash; Dr Simon PELLING, Waramanga; Terance John PRICE, Franklin and Anthony James SLATYER, Red Hill.

Canberra Confidential

Glittering finale

IT started as a whisper: have you heard, the Fringe Festival (Civic Square, February 6-9) is having a burlesque artist, who ends her act by, ahem, defecating on stage. But Fringe director Jorian Gardner, was emphatic: “I have programmed nothing like that”. Well, that’s what he thought, later calling our cabaret snout to say that he’d just discovered Betty Grumble, pictured, one of the performers hired from Sydney, does a “glitter poo” act, but “it’s not real, it’s a joke”. CC could find no outrage on the internet around this artistic expression beyond her being famous for the “bodily fluids” in her act. But it is the Fringe.

MongrelACT?

“JOHNBOY”, the dynamo founder and nonstop blogger to the website RiotACT, says he was sacked over the phone in front of a bank teller who “offered me a credit-limit extension. Saint.”

In a much-commented farewell burst on the site, John Griffiths says: “Having started RiotACT in 2000, I’ve been informed my

services cannot be retained. A new buyer for the site is potentially in the wings and who knows what their plans will be?

“It’s been an exciting ride and who knows what the future will bring? (I’ve thought we were done before).

“In the meantime, serious job offers to johnboy73@gmail.com will be much appreciated.”

Griffiths has been the powerhouse and public face behind this quirky but popular website and it’s hard to see it surviving without his signature style.

Goodbye Gabby

THE rag trade isn’t what it used to be, if the roll call of closing frock shops in Manuka is any guide. First Echo went, then late last year toffy Millers closed the doors and now Gabby, on The Lawns, is closing with a sale after 40 years. The space is earmarked for the coffee shop next door.

Lots of waltzing

LOST amid the slew of Australia Day distractions was the revelation from the National Film and Sound Archive that there are 713 different recordings of “Waltzing Matilda”, from classic to country and big band to punk, and that Graham McDonald is the archive’s international expert on recordings of Australia’s unofficial national anthem. There’s a strange compilation of 30 versions of “Waltzing Matilda”, from Diana Trask to Andre Rieu to Harry Belafonte to The Bushwackers, at nfsa.gov.au/site_media/uploads/file/2014/01/21/30_matildas_final128k. mp3

Birthday girl goes ape

BIRTHDAY girl Megan Shain decided that after years of “receiving so many wonderful gifts each year I thought it would be nice to give something back for my 40th and get people to donate to my favourite charity rather than buying presents”. And that’s what she did, raising an impressive $2230 for the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project at her Big-Four-Oh knees up at the Ostani Bar, Hotel Realm.

‘Frog’ never forgets

THERE’s customer service and there’s customer service. The irrepressible “Frog” Harris, from Songland Music in Cooleman Court, took an enquiry on September 17, 2011, for a DVD copy of the then-unavailable series four of “Born and Bred”. He saw it was to be released in a few weeks, got in touch with the couple who said they still wanted it. “They were rather impressed and happy,” he says with uncharacteristic humility.

Love not war

OZ Fair Trade has come up with something thoroughly odd for Valentine’s Day: Vietnam War recycled bombshell pendant necklaces.

“Oz Fair Trade takes the atrocities of war and turns them into a peaceable response that empowers the rural poor in Laos,” is the promise. Pictured is a pendant necklace ($16) and also on offer in the bombshell collection

are spoons ($8 apiece), bottle openers ($12) and bangles ($10).

Wrong number...

WELCOME the telco nightmare that never ends, compliments of Telstra. About 18 months ago in a house move, an unwitting Canberra high school teacher discovered Telstra had connected a service she knew nothing about, hadn’t asked for and never used. Now, after months of hounding, Telstra has set the debt collection dogs on her. So far, she’s spent 30 (yes, thirty!) hours and still counting on the phone trying to get them to back off.

Bushed for verse

IT’S been a while since anyone from the Bush Capital has had a sniff of the annual Bronze Swagman Award for written bush verse, which is held annually in Winton, in outback Queensland.

Now in its 42nd year, award organisers are calling for entries.

The ACT has a distant history of success with Frank McMahon, of Ainslie, winning with “Hawthorn Pepper” in 1978. In the ‘90s June Foster, of Deakin, had “Cockatoo Clever” printed in the annual book. But there have been no Canberrans on the rostrum since Roy Wheeler, of Watson, scored runner-up in 1989 with “The Lost Steer”. Entries for next year’s prize close on April 30 and can be downloaded, while enjoying poems from past years, from bronzeswagman.info

They wouldn’t? They wood!

FROM the people who bring you hot cross buns on January 1, the Woollies servo at Epic is festooned with big bold signs offering “best burning” firewood. “Just what is needed when the temperature is 41C on the day I took this,” fumes our Watson snout. “If they are selling wood now what are they going to sell when winter comes?” Beachballs is our guess.

A prior story

HERE’S another reason not to buy “The Canberra Times”, the giveaway “Chronicle” now appears to be retreading stories from the daily. A recent one was “Times” reporter Sally Pryor ’s piece about the opening of a cafe exhibition at the National Museum, which ran in the weekly freesheet cleverly disguised under the byline of Sally Prior!

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Communal veggie garden 12,000L above ground water tank

Walk to Lonsdale St, Lyneham and O’Connor shops

Three ways to increase your earning potential!

A recent study conducted by Macquarie University has shown that 61.8% of women and 66.8% of men surveyed feel that their biggest source of worry and stress stems from concerns about the state of both their current work role, and the future of their career. With a rising unemployment rate, and a record 722,000 people presently out of work in Australia; quitting a stable job to search for a higher paying role is not an option for most workers. However, this doesn’t mean that steps can’t be taken to increase your earnings.

Ask for a raise

In a weakening economic climate, management teams tend to cut costs wherever possible and will be wary of increasing salaries, even when a raise is deserved. If you are finding it a struggle to get by on your wage or feel that your work entitles you to a pay rise; it is important to approach your supervisor about this issue

rather than allowing the feeling of being undervalued affect your work performance.

It is essential to prove to higher management that a raise is deserved; and presenting management with examples of your hard work and dedication to the company is vital. Mention positive performance reviews that you have received over your time at the company, and provide examples of instances in which you have gone above and beyond your job description. If a lack of qualifications is hindering your earning potential, it could be beneficial to research relevant courses and state that you are prepared to further your education if it is required.

Maintain professional growth

Undertaking professional development activities ensures that you maintain currency in your field and keep up to date with industry updates and relevant legislative

changes. Keeping up to date with information pertaining to your job role is crucial, not only for career and salary progression, but also in terms of ensuring job security. In these times of economic uncertainty, relevant qualifications and experience become key in retaining employment and progressing within your chosen industry.

Switch fields

If you feel that your hard work and expertise is not being properly recognized despite your best efforts, it may be worthwhile looking into moving to a position or company that is more aligned with your skills and abilities. While quitting your job straight away may not be an option, you may begin taking important steps, such as seeking the advice of professional to write a tailored résumé for the industry you are looking to enter, working on building your professional network,

or enrolling in qualifications necessary to advance your career or make you more employable in your chosen profession.

Here at HBA Learning Centres, we are passionate about job satisfaction, and believe that everyone deserves to be paid fairly for their expertise and diligence. Completing a Nationally Recognised course with HBA Learning Centres can not only protect your current job role, while also increasing your future employability; it also allows you to make professional connections, gain further confidence in your abilities, and increase your knowledge. Whether you are looking to increase your earning potential, or just want to secure your position, getting a qualification is invaluable.

By Alana Gundry Marketing Assistant, HBA Learning Centres

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / February 3-9, 2014

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rams love to rush full speed ahead but the current planetary aspects don’t encourage haste. If your actions are blocked, or a relationship has hit a brick wall, use it as an opportunity to re-group, re-plan and re-energise. You thrive on confrontation but pick your battles carefully because – in the short term –you’re unlikely to win. Compromise and a cool head will get you a lot further.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Are work or relationship challenges gradually wearing you down? This week, the more you resist, the more the problems will persist. It’s time to shed the dead wood in your life so you can move on. Your motto for the next seven days? Go with the flow and learn to let go! Thursday is the best day of the week to mix business with pleasure, as the stars boost your Bull confidence and charisma.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Take setbacks in your stride Twins … especially when Mercury goes into retrograde mode (from Friday through until March 1). Take the time to doublecheck all travel arrangements, and expect some frustrating problems with cars or computers over the next three weeks. Your adaptable approach will help you sail through annoying hitches and glitches that inevitably come along.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Flexibility is the key to a happy week. There’ll be opportunities to release old emotional baggage from the past. If you hold onto grudges, it will adversely affect your current relationships. Work on building bridges and nurturing loved ones. Thursday is the prime day of the week for Cancer cuddles, kisses and convivial conversation … before Saturn stymies displays of affection on Friday.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The life/work juggle is challenging, as you take on extra professional responsibilities or look for more satisfying employment. If you rearrange your priorities, then you’ll meet with less resistance. Leo rules the heart and you have so much love and joy to give. Your inspirational quote for the week is from Charles Dickens (born on February 7, 1812): “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

You can become so obsessed with minor details that you lose sight of the bigger picture. Mercury is now visiting Pisces, which helps you view things from a broader and more intuitive perspective. But Mercury also starts reversing through your love zone on Friday, so a romantic relationship may feel as if it’s going backwards. Patience is the key to managing any partnership problems.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Is money too tight to mention? Librans love luxury but now’s the time to hunker down, conserve your financial resources and eliminate the superfluous from your life. One way to boost your bank balance is by starting a small homebased business. Turn your passion into profit! On Thursday you’ll feel fabulously flirtatious as you bask in the glow of love, romance, friendship and popularity.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The secret to Scorpio success at the moment is learning to let go, as you keep what’s working in your life and discard what isn’t. Opportunities for growth will come from close friends and local contacts, as you sort out who really has your best interests at heart. With Mercury going retro on Friday it’s time to reboot relationships, freshen up friendships and restructure your routine.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Money problems that weren’t resolved in 2013 could resurface and demand to be addressed. Sweeping them under the carpet won’t solve anything. Now’s the time to bite the bullet and make some firm decisions, especially if joint finances are involved. On the weekend, a loved one tells you something in confidence but can a talkative Sagittarian be trusted to keep a secret?

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week you’ll worry about doing things 100% correctly but don’t expect others to share your passion for perfection. They’ll be too busy dealing with their own problems, peccadillos and obsessions! Expect some communication chaos over the weekend, as Mercury reverses through your talking, texting and tweeting zone. So make sure you send the right message to the right person!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Mercury starts reversing through your money zone on Friday so prepare for financial frustrations via money mix-ups; banking bungles, lost credit cards or forgotten pin numbers! You’re at your controversial best on Sunday, as you turn a few heads and ruffle a few feathers. Your motto for the week is from fellow Aquarian Bob Marley “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Being adaptable is what’s needed at the moment – and that is your Piscean specialty. One month into the New Year, take a long hard look at your aspirations for 2014. Do you need to tweak them to make them a more honest reflection of the real you? And don’t sell yourself short – with Neptune moving through your sign, it’s time to believe in yourself and aim for the stars!

Madeline Moore 2014

General knowledge crossword No. 439

Michaela Barlow Banerji

condition in which the personal coefficient standing behind the ego and its relation with self and world is suddenly absent. particular functions of ego-consciousness operate as before: associating, remembering, perceiving, feeling and thinking unimpaired. But one’s conviction of as a person and the sense of reality

Psychoanalyst

Michaela Barlow Banerji is the founding director of the Australian Institute of Psychoanalysis. She is a practising psychoanalyst.

1 Who was the Roman god of fire?

7 Name the actor whose roles included “Dirty Harry”

8 What do we call a report or account of something?

9 In which month was Pearl Harbour attacked?

10 Which colour lies between red and yellow in the spectrum?

11 Which term is descriptive of illicit affairs?

14 What is the common mineral iron oxide known as?

18 What is an outdoor military pageant?

19 Which national memorial is dedicated to those killed in war?

21 Who were the race of brutes in Gulliver’s Travels?

22 What do we call those who avoid traditional conventions of behaviour, dress, etc?

23 Name the members of the Conservative Party in Great Britain

1 Name an aromatised wine in which flavourings have been steeped

2 What are heaps of stones set up as landmarks, monuments, etc?

3 Name the capital of the Republic of India (3,5)

4 Which acronym designates the Australian Standard Industrial Classification?

5 Name the titles for Hindu religious teachers

6 To rule by right of authority is to do what?

12 Name a crystallised purple quartz used in jewellery

13 What do we call those who perform alone?

15 How many players comprise a soccer team?

16 When one takes as one’s own child, one does what?

17 What was the profession of Albrecht Durer?

20 Name another term for an air, or melody

She is an accredited teacher, journalist, lawyer and family dispute resolution practitioner.

Ms Banerji works in the tradition of Freud, Jung and Melanie Klein’s “Object Relations” school of analysis, but practically influenced most directly by the late James Hillman, author of “Revisioning Psychology”, in which he describes the condition of ‘depersonalisation’.

James Hillman describes depersonalisation as “a condition in which the personal coefficient standing behind the ego and its relation with self and world is suddenly absent. All particular functions of ego-consciousness operate as before: associating, remembering, perceiving, feeling and thinking are unimpaired. But one’s conviction of oneself as a person and the sense of reality of the world have departed. Everything and oneself become automatic, unreal, emptied out. The sense of ‘meness’ of emotional importance, has vanished, and now the world is as if behind glass, depth perspective no longer seems to function as near and far merge into flatland”.

These words of Hillman, so accurately describe the wilderness experience that we know as ‘depression’.

Psychoanalysis, either brief or lengthy, can assist. As the analyst guides the analysand to discover thoughts and images of the unconscious mind that give rise to such depersonalisation, the analysand, through such discovery, will evolve a strengthened sense of personal agency—the antithesis to the depressive condition.

Ms Banerji, consults in Bruce, and is available for private consultations with adults and children. If you would like to speak to her, you may reach her on 02 6253 2584

New year / new you

Now’s the right time for positive changes

A lot of New Year’s resolutions come down to leading a healthier lifestyle in one way or another. It’s easy to decide on positive change but, as we all know, the real challenge is to make it permanent, so “CityNews” spoke to a few experts for their tips on creating a new you in 2014.

Janet takes her clients Higher

JANET Fabbri, director of Higher Function, is a highly trained and experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist with more than 26 years experience, including 14 in the Canberra region.

Janet currently offers hydrotherapy in groups and individually, and has taught pilates in Canberra for the last nine years, always keeping up to date with the latest physiotherapy research and applying it professionally.

“Clinical pilates helps you to be your best physically and prevent further injury,” Janet says. “We can help you reach your goals and make clinical pilates a valuable part of your life.” She also offers a wide range of other physiotherapy services and offers sessions using the pilates and

gym equipment independently for only $10 each if bought in a pack of 10.

With experience in private practice, public hospitals and the Australian Army, Janet is skilled in treating injuries from sports and overuse, managing complex chronic pain, particularly in the back and neck areas, and helping people before or after surgery.

“All our clients can expect to be treated with respect and consideration,” she adds. “From your initial call to us, to completion, you can expect the team at Higher Function to be approachable, professional, supportive and determined to provide the best service to you.”

For more information call 6262 9664 or go to higherfunction.com.au

The transformation challenge

THE Body Transformation Challenge at Anytime Fitness in Civic offers an easy three-step way to improve your health and fitness in 2014.

Manager Danny Sciberras explains that the challenge begins – and ends – with a BioAge Assessment, a popular health measurement tool used on television show “The Biggest Loser”.

“Then we run through Matt O’Neill’s Metabolic Jumpstart program,” says Danny.

“Matt gets you to fill out a questionnaire based on your training goals and current eating plan, then he’ll write you a diet which is essentially designed to kick-start your metabolism.”

As seen on Channel Seven’s “Sunrise” and “The Morning Show”, O’Neill’s program includes a lot of online material such as seminars, a weekly newsletter and a

range of healthy recipes.

“The other benefit is it’s pretty flexible,” says Danny. “You don’t have to be locked in to doing a personal training session every week.

“You can do as much or as little personal training as you like, depending on your budget or time constraints, so you can tailor the program, to some degree.”

Body Transformation Challenge participants get all the benefits of membership including access to all 1821 Anytime Fitness branches around the world and if you’re not satisfied within the first four weeks, there’s a money-back guarantee.

More information at 6230 4555 or www.anytimefitness. com.au

The future of fitness

EVO Health Club at the Hotel Realm is open to the public and can introduce you to the future of fitness with advanced technology and personalised support.

Evo’s trainers assess each client’s current condition with an understanding of the different roles played by genes, metabolism, diet and motivation in how the body responds to training.

According to director Jason Barr, one of Evo’s major features is the cutting-edge Technogym Wellness Cloud, which uses a smart key and a simple interactive kiosk controlled by touchscreen.

“By inserting the smart key into the kiosk, members can access their training program, communicate with trainers and other members, and update their information,” Jason says.

The key can record years of progress automatically, including every step taken and exercises done on Technogym machines in the club, and sets daily goals based on the nature of your job.

Any non-Technogym exercises can be recorded on the key though a Wellness Cloud kiosk at the club or a personal computer, smartphone, tablet or smart television.

“Evo Health Club is also home to Kinesis system, which improves

balance, flexibility and strength, particularly around the body’s core, with four cable machines that use different points of contact and handles to challenge the body in all three planes of motion, making the exercise options endless,” adds Jason.

“There are very few of these in Australia and it forms a big part of our personal training offering, something we specialise in here at Evo.”

Members can also enjoy Evo’s 25-metre lap pool, sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy spa.

More information at 6162 0808 or www.evohealthclub.com.au

advertising feature

Soothing touch for muscles

ONE problem with increasing exercise is the danger of going too hard and burning out, or causing an old injury to flare up, but rest assured Emily Worsnop and Christine Webster from Corrective, Alternative and Relaxation Massage (CARM) stand ready to sooth sore muscles.

“Every client is different, so whether their aim is to run a marathon without pain, manage a chronic condition, or simply to de-stress,” says Emily, who founded CARM Therapies in 2002.

With more than 12 years’

clinical experience working with physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, pilates practitioners, personal trainers, as well as various sporting organisations, athletes and even politicians, Emily has gained valuable insight into the treatment and management of soft tissue injuries, muscular imbalances and chronic pain states.

More information at 6162 1800 or carmtherapies.com.au

Skills to follow through

WITH A strong background in the pilates method as well as expertise in movement therapy and remedial massage, Deb Carroll has the skills to help you follow through on that plan to be fitter and healthier in 2014, or recover from the pains and strains of increased exercise.

Deb offers group classes at her Belconnen studio, including Canberra’s original pilates circuit, as well as private movement lessons and various types of assistance with rehabilitation.

Some of the benefits of Deb’s

pilates-based movement therapy include improved posture, firm abdominal muscles, strength without bulk, flexibility, tone, graceful movement, improved breath control and reduced back pain.

With her solid background in pilates, Deb continues to educate herself in the latest research on “fascial fitness”, which is broadly concerned with the various types of fibrous connective tissue.

More information at 0414 865430 or debcarroll.com.au

Deb Carroll Movement Therapist

• PILATES • FASCIAL FITNESS • REHABILITATION

PERSONAL PROGRAMS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

• Rehabilitation prevention and recovery

• Management of existing pathology

• General conditioning

CLASSES: Term 1 Enrolling now – Wednesday

• 9.30am Mums recovery

• 10.30am Falls prevention, osteoporosis and arthritis management

For registration or more information contact Deb: Phone 0414 865 430 Email pilates.deb@live.com.au www.debcarroll.com.au

Shop 5 Scullin Arcade, Scullin Place, Belconnen 2614

A special course in fitness Toddler stirs Louise into action

CURVES Gungahlin member Louise Radloff says she had tried yoga, pilates and conventional gyms but was still overweight, and the issue was exacerbated by health problems that followed the birth of her son and caused pain in her feet, knees and back.

“One day I was at a playground with my one-year-old son and turned around to see him running down the path towards the road,” Louise says.

“I panicked and ran after him but he was too fast.

“I felt embarrassed, my knees hurt and I was out of breath. Luckily he stopped at the road, but after a few more occurrences, I realised I had to be able to out-run him. Being a big toddler, I also had to have the strength to lift him.”

She started the three-month “Complete” program in February, 2012.

“Being vegetarian and fructosefree threw up a few challenges, but I was in the right mindset and determined and it worked!” she says.

“When I finally made it to my goal weight my coach and I whooped with joy!

“Through loving and caring support from the Gungahlin Curves staff, Curves members and a supportive partner, I feel stronger,

Curves Jamison

Address: 8 Bowman St, Jamison ACT 2614

Phone: (02) 6251 1111

Curves Weston

Address: Brierly St, Coolemon Court Shopping Centre ACT 2611 Phone: (02) 6288 8333

Louise Radloff… “When I finally made it to my goal weight, my coach and I whooped with joy!”

happier and exercise now gives me energy.”

Curves gyms can be found at Gungahlin, O’Connor, Belconnen, Weston Creek, Monash and Queanbeyan.

More information at curves.com.au

ONE way to make sure you stick to your plans and not only get fit, but also stay that way, is by going right to the source and studying a course in fitness.

CIT offers courses ranging from Certificate III to Diploma, covering fitness as well as sport development, coaching and massage. Course co-ordinator for the Diploma of Fitness, Jerome Villegas, says the skills and knowledge taught in the courses are valuable personally as well as professionally.

“You’ll never need to pay a personal trainer again,” says Jerome. “Some of the benefits of becoming a personal trainer are you can be your own boss and work flexible hours, but you can also apply those skills for yourself, or friends and family, so a lot of different people

come for different reasons.”

The semester starts on February 10 with the Certificate III and IV taking a minimum of about nine weeks each, with flexible delivery available.

“We also have a public gym with members at CIT so our students are exposed to experience in the industry as a course requirement,” adds Jerome.

“They have practical application with general personal training clients, athletes and people with disabilities or chronic conditions as well, so they can implement what they learn, working with real clients under the supervision of the teachers.”

Curves Gungahlin

Address: 92 Phyllis Ashton Crt, Gungahlin ACT 2912 Phone: (02) 6255 5916

Curves Wanniassa

Address: 25 Sangster Pl, Wanniassa ACT 2903

Phone: (02) 6296 7415

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in Oscar clothing

“The Wolf of Wall Street” (MA) IN Martin Scorsese’s filmography ranging from the gangster viciousness of “Goodfellas” to the sweetly compassionate humanity of “Hugo”, “The Wolf of Wall Street” fits into no single category of styles and themes.

Some might consider it pure comedy with a sprinkle of chilli powder, charting the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) among the delights and dangers of acquiring more money than he could ever need by creating a brokerage firm that aggressively sells “penny” stock (opening at less that $1) offering a high-risk way for small investors to get into the stockmarket.

Some might consider it a perceptive sniff of the dirty linen of people seduced by louche lifestyles among the uber-wealthy wallowing in conspicuous consumption of fripperies, mind-altering drugs, frankly-depicted sexual shenanigans and the accretion, by financial manipulation of less investment-savvy clients, of personal wealth bases leading to indefensible power.

Others might think it a modern morality tale in which a bad guy has fun scaling a pinnacle of iniquity from which a good guy eventually dislodges him.

These three theme lines make for 179 marvellous and stimulating minutes (including long credits) of entertaining, beautifully crafted, unrestrained cinema that may well collect Academy Awards next month. In particular, to Scorsese for meticulous command of imagination and detail in every aspect of its creating and the self-confident courage to defy most of the remaining shibboleths of American mainstream cinema, and to DiCaprio for a spectacular performance.

At all cinemas

“12 Years A Slave” (MA)

FROM London-born director Steve McQueen comes a quasi-documentary dramatisation of Solomon Northup’s account of spending 12 years as a slave in America’s deep south.

In 1847, Solomon, free born in New York, with full US citizenship rights and a young family, was lured to Washington and kidnapped. McQueen and scriptwriter John Ridley have adapted his book with, if not complete verity, at least sufficient realism to show that the price in human misery that the US paid for the profits of slave-based agriculture will forever stain the country’s scutcheon.

London-born Chewitel Ejiofor convincingly delivers Solomon’s dignity, courage, intelligence and enduring optimism. London-born Benedict Cumberbatch plays

Dougal Macdonald cinema

slave-owner Ford whose compassion did not extend to refusing to sell Solomon to the brutal Epps (British actor Michael Fassbender) for whom slaves were chattels to be dealt with as he saw fit, including putting to death. Quvenzhané Wallis, who made such an impression in “Beasts of The Southern Wild”, plays Solomon’s daughter before the kidnapping.

Not only white males despised black slaves. Sarah Paulson plays Mrs Epps, as nastily-cunning a jealous bitch as you might hope to avoid.

This review is heavy on the ethnic origins of the film’s main players for a reason. I suspect that casting Americans in those major roles might have stuck a little in the American public craw. Brad Pitt plays a northerner of conscience who unlocks the door to Solomon’s freedom as well as one of the film’s producers.

At Palace Electric, Dendy, Capitol 6, Hoyts Belconnen and Limelight

“La Grande Bellezza” (The Great Beauty)

THE uncredited star of this thought-provoking meander among lifestyles of the rich and famous is the city of Rome, its buildings ancient and modern, places little changed over the centuries, cultural institutions rich with antiquities and modern art, delightful gardens.

I first saw the film when it opened the recent Italian Film Festival. This repeat viewing gave me more. It begins with beautiful people in an exuberant dance routine at Jep Gambardella’s 65th birthday party.

Having spent four decades chronicling their having gorged themselves on surfeits of physical, voyeuristic, gourmandising and erotic sensations to the point where the quest for fresh stimuli no longer satisfies, Jep (Toni Servilio) has come to understand the depression and cynicism which now permeates their cultural, political and intellectual lives, his as much as theirs.

“The Great Beauty” doesn’t clamour for the attention of a large mainstream audience needing escapist diversion, which is no reason why you should avoid it. It’s intelligent, direct and perceptive. It doesn’t need contrived saving graces. Indeed, if it had them, its impact would have been less pervasive.

At Palace Electric

Big role for petite soprano

Canberra soprano

For more information attend the information session on 4 February at CIT Bruce, 12-6pm visit cit.edu.au/fitness or phone (02) 6207 3188

Lorina Gore (pictured) has told “CityNews” of her big year coming up. Not only is she a headliner (for the third time) in Opera Australia’s free “Opera in the Domain” concert at twilight on February 1 in Sydney (all welcome), but she’ll soon be heading for Auckland and Wellington to play the tragic Violetta in “La Traviata”. It’s a big role for the petite soprano who started her singing career at Tarzan’s restaurant in Kippax.

BANDLEADER and composer Joe McEvilly tells us his jazz ensemble, Movement 9, has released its debut album “Wings” (accessible at movement9.com), inspired by the ANU School of Music protests.

McEvilly, now living and working in Melbourne says: “It’s great to see the school moving forward, thanks to people there who are intent on keeping the music scene in Canberra alive and thriving.” Really?

CSIRO invited the Artists’ Society of Canberra’s Abstract and Experimental Group to respond to images produced by CSIRO staff and telescopes far away from city lights.

“Capturing the Cosmos” will run at CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, until March 28. All artworks are for sale.

CARL Rafferty’s popular “Opera by Candlelight” series continues at Albert Hall with opera highlights, operetta and gypsy music. Polish soprano Aleksandra Wiwale will join baritone Peter Tregear (also director of ANU School of Music), tenors James Adams and Michael Johnson and regular soprano Kate Rafferty.

Friday and Saturday February 7 and 8 are BYO banquet nights, but Sunday, February 9, provides theatre-style seating with a buffet supper. Bookings to raffertycarl@internode.on.net or 0417 429899.

AUSTRALIAN born but US-based comedian Jim Jefferies is in town to perform in Daniel Sanguineti’s movie “Me and My Mates vs the Zombie Apocalypse”. He’ll play one show only at the Ainslie Football Club, 8pm, Sunday, February 2. Bookings to moshtix.com.au

THE first “Jazz at the Gods” concert of the year will feature the Jonathan Zwartz Septet. At The Gods, ANU Arts Centre, Tuesday February 4, Bookings to 6248 5538 or email thegodscafe@ gmail.com

THE newest term for Wayne Alford’s school, “African Culture”, kicks off on February 5 at the Baptist Church Hall, Kingston, with drumming and dance classes. Dancing is barefoot and drums can be hired. Bookings to africanculture.com.au

BILL CHAMBERS

you like to watch those old family videos once again, or listen to your favourite records on CD?

We can take your vinyl records or cassette tapes and put them onto CD and we transfer VHS tapes onto

THEATRE in a car? Sounds risky? That’s exactly what director (and “CityNews” theatre critic) Joe Woodward and artistic director of Fringe 2014, Jorian Gardner, have in mind – risk with a local flavour.

We caught up with Woodward recently in a Queanbeyan car park with his trusty but noisy Celica, the first vehicle in which he staged a “mythical” drama in a car for the old 2007 Multicultural Fringe in Civic Square.

Then he called it the “Celica of Existence” and it still exists, though sadly, he is thinking of hiring a more capacious vehicle for “Theatre in a Car 4”.

Yes, there’s a danger that the actors might outnumber the audience. Yes, if you don’t block the windows out, there’ll be interference from outside and, yes, it’s for a very select number. Woodward estimates that this year’s 10-minute show will be performed 12 times in an evening over three nights to a maximum audience of four at a time. You do the sums.

This year, instead of writing the script himself, Woodward is using “The Serpent’s Tale” adapted from a story by tormented Russian writer Leonard Andreyev by Walter Wykes.

The serpent is the driver, a ghostlike figure operating in what he calls “a mythical place” and the show will also involve voice-overs, dialogue to invisible characters and with audience members.

When he used two actors, it got a bit crowded

inside the car, so this year Woodward just has one, Lucy Matthews. Even though he wants us to be comfortable, he hopes audiences “won’t know what’s going to happen.”

That element of unpredictability is exactly the kind of experience Gardner has courted over his seven years of directing the Multicultural Fringe, this year styled “Fringe 2014”.

After four years away from the job when it was given, controversially, to the National Folk Festival and then to local entrepreneurs Nick Byrne and PJ Williams, he is determined to give the public something of the feel of his old Fringe, based on his trademark mix of comedy, burlesque and bands and presented with a mixture of glamour and sleaze.

Since last he directed the Fringe in 2009, Gardner says, “the pool of artists in the ACT has grown so much that nearly all of the talent is local”.

He is well aware that his festival will be enveloped by the larger Multicultural Festival, so for the first time he has programmed in “FringeKids,” a kind of “oasis” for parents who can bring the children into face painting, games and magic, away from the hurly-burly of the main Civic shindig and culminating in a kids’ street parade at 4pm on the Saturday.

The opening honours on February 6 will be performed by ACT Arts Minister Joy Burch and a bunch of singers, spoken word artists and comedians, but then at 8pm on the Fringe Main Stage in Civic Square, is what Gardner confidently predicts will be a ripper of a night, with the TV format variety show, “In Canberra Tonight”, starring ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, Canberra comedy duo Sparrow-folk, veteran ABC radio host Philip Clark and even Gardner’s former rival for the top job at the Fringe, comic actor Nick Byrne.

It’s impossible to list the whole line-up, but notable inclusions over the three days are “936 Steps”, a commission from composer Cameron Smith in which musicians will form a circle around Canberra’s city centre, “Territory”, a choose-your own adventure by ‘serious theatre’; the National Hecklers’ competition; an interactive live artwork at CMAG by Little Dove Theatre, and, most notably, “Die! Fringe! Burlesque!” a Gardner favourite.

As Gardner says, “It’s controversial. It’s bizarre. It’s sure to shock and scintillate”.

Fringe 2014, Civic Square, February 6-9, full details at multiculturalfestival.com.au/ fringe-festival/

Creating Sustainable Gardens

Give climbers the big chop

MANY climbing plants in your garden will possibly be getting completely out of hand.

How do you deal with them and when is the best time to deal with this rampant growth?

Wisteria is possibly one of the fastest climbers and now, in summer, is the time to prune.

On each long trailing stem counting from where it joins on to main stems count three leaf joints and chop. Do this all over the vine. You will also need to do this again in winter to a lesser degree. This will reward you with more stems and flowers next spring.

ASTERS, commonly known as Michaelmas daisies, are a long-lasting autumn perennial.

Some weeks ago I suggested reducing the growth of these and chrysanthemums by two thirds, even if flower buds were showing. This encourages more stems and more flowers. Believe it or not, it is again time to do some more cutting back. This time cut only about one third off and, yes, you will be cutting off lots of flower buds.

But fear not, in autumn this will result in a stunning, long-lasting display. Plus, when they have finished flowering – like all perennials – in winter you can simply dig up the clump and divide it to give you dozens of extra plants.

Cedric Bryant gardening

FAST becoming one of the all-time favourites for autumn flowers is Sedum “Autumn Joy” with its large fleshy leaves and big heads of pink flowers resembling broccoli. How can one have an autumn garden without chrysanthemums? As we all know, this is the traditional flower for Mother’s Day. If I had several garden pages in “CityNews”, I could bring you pictures of all these to brighten your day.

All my garden pages are online, so you can back track to previous editions by simply going to citynews.com.au and click on “home and garden”.

SOME folk positively dislike Anemone hupehensis or Japanese wind flowers, only because they multiply too fast. Once I was severely reprimanded by a reader, suggesting I had made an error in recommending this plant and expecting a correction the following week! Isn’t that what we expect of plants? If you have too many simply thin them out. For the back of the garden bed there is no flower more showy with both pink and white blooms.

WITH just a month to autumn, the bulb catalogues will be arriving from mail-order houses and there will be special offers in garden magazines. While I am sure mail-order plants and bulbs are of good quality, I still recommend buying from your local garden centres.

Most local garden centres have been around for a long time, surviving economic recession to drought, answering gardeners’ problems, from pests to failed plants. Buying on line means you have no idea of the quality of plants or even if they survive the mail etcetera. Bulbs are graded according to size and quality; how do you know the quality compared with visiting your local garden centre to be able to pick out the biggest and healthiest bulbs for a floral show for many years to come? My message is, support your local business and they will support you.

WHICH bird can sing all day from early morning to dusk with a beautiful melodious song and never repeat a tune? The blackbird. Then why do I receive emails asking how to get rid of these songsters? Its only crime is spreading mulch on to paths when looking for worms and other insects. Please no emails this year about getting rid of one of our favourite birds in the garden, thank you!

Jottings...

• Please keep both a bird bath and a large plant saucer at ground level full. The latter for geckos and blue tongue lizards.

• Do not overwater tomatoes every time you see the leaves wilt or you will end up with watery, tasteless toms.

• Cut helleborus leaves back to ground level. This allows for better development of flowers next winter.

• Spent hydrangea flowers can be trimmed, using dried flower heads for floral decoration.

• Deep water citrus trees out at the drip line, not by the trunk.

• For small trees, make an earthen bank round the tree or shrub to hold at least three buckets of water at the one time, depending on the size of the plant.

The Canberra region’s largest range of locally-grown plants – grown on site for local conditions.

ORCHID BOOK WINNER

Ms M. Alchin, of Downer, has won Cedric Bryant’s copy of the new book “The Allure of Orchids” by Mark A Clements.

Cedric thanks the many readers who entered for their interest and promises many more books in the months ahead!

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