140320 citynews

A most unusual ADOPTION

NICK JENSEN

Grow up and LEGALISE weed!

MARK PARTON

LOOK who’s praising St Patrick LYN MILLS

Sweet (pea) SUCCESS

CEDRIC BRYANT

What happens when robots go to school

Laura Edwards reports

ACT schools are breaking new ground by using pint-sized robots to spark students’ interest in maths and science.

Two walking, talking 60-centimetre humanoid robots, made by French firm Aldebaran, were acquired by a team of University of Canberra researchers last year to study human interaction and encourage interactive learning.

The robots, which connect to Wi-Fi, have an onboard multimedia system including four microphones for speech recognition and sound localisation, two speakers for conversion of text to speech, a sonar range finder for finding and avoiding objects

“Ardie”… “Everyone finds them cute and non-threatening, particularly for kids in primary schools – I haven’t met a student who hasn’t loved them.”

and two HD cameras for face detection and recognition.

Leading the team of researchers is associate professor in information technology and engineering Roland Goecke, who says the robots are currently visiting ten schools in the Canberra region through a new program run by the university, with students ranging from year 2 to year 11.

“The robots basically reiterate what’s happening in the curriculum already when schools sign up to the program; for younger students that could be understanding the measurements of distances or directions through various activities,” Roland says.

“As an example we will use masking tape and a ruler to set up a short course on the classroom floor, where students take turns to work out the sequence of steps, distances and turns that the robots have to follow on the course. I then enter all the students’ instructions on my laptop to program the information on to an interface, which directs the robots on where to go and how far, when to turn and when to stop. The children then watch the robots walk the course to see whether their measurements have been accurate.”

Roland believes the robots could lead to a greater interest in maths, science and technology.

“So far it’s been a very engaging piece of technology and, because the robots are smaller, everyone finds them cute and non-threatening, particularly for kids in primary schools – I haven’t met a student who hasn’t loved them,” he says.

“It makes students more eager to learn and they remember it for a long time.”

The battery-operated robots can also recognise faces and objects, have conversations in French and English, play hide-andseek, dance, and perform tai chi.

On falling, they say “ouch”, but shut down as they drop so nothing on their $15,000 kit breaks.

Roland says his team are particularly interested in using the robots to teach social skills to children with autism spectrum disorders in the future.

“Previous research has found that these children find it easier to interact with a robot than a human teacher,” he says.

“For example, aligning their attention with the people and objects around them is an important social skill. The robots would complement the human teacher, not replace them.”

Roland believes the robots could also be useful companions in retirement homes, in particular, for people with dementia.

“It’s something that has been explored, the idea of the robots being companions which can be programmed to do everything from getting your shoes from the cupboard to writing emails for people; in Australia, this research is still developing,” he says.

RIGHT: University of Canberra associate professor Roland Goecke and robot “Ardie” practise tai chi. Photos by Gary Schafer

OPEN DAY

Tuggeranong Community Health Centre

The expansion and refurbishment of the Tuggeranong Community Health Centre, on the corner of Anketell and Pitman Streets, is now complete. Before it receives its first clients, Canberrans are invited to take a look through the new centre during a community open day.

Everyone is welcome!

When: 12 noon to 3.00pm, Saturday, 22 March 2014

The community open day will also incorporate a chance to meet and talk with ACT Government Ministers during Community Cabinet from 12 noon to 1.00pm.

Arts & Entertainment 19-21

Canberra Confidential 14

Cinema 20

Dining 21

Garden 22

Horoscope 23

Letters 13

News 3-13

Politics 9

Puzzles 23

Socials 15-18

contacts

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seven days

Week that blew hot and cold, wet and dry

HOW good for the soul it’s been to hear that gentle patter of rain on the roof this week, especially after one of the hottest summers on record.

The excellent start to autumn ended our only mini-drought in the last three years. The place looks a picture. Makes you wonder if climate change might have winners as well as losers.

Not that extra rain in Canberra will make up for the terrible consequences of a warming planet, especially to our pockets, as Canberra’s own former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry noted in a powerful ABC interview.

NO-ONE can say we’re not doing our bit for the climate with the announcement of a 90 per cent target of renewable energy by 2020.

from a nearby solar array. And some people find wind turbines aesthetically offensive… the Don Quixotes of the 21st century.

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Henry and predecessor Bernie Fraser backed another of Canberra’s wise men, Ross Garnaut , in his calculations of Tony Abbott’s “direct action” plan: $3.4 billion the Government has set aside for the entire shooting match against $4-$5 billion each year if we’re to meet our agreed reduction target. That’s scary.

NO-ONE can say we’re not doing our bit for the climate with the announcement by Simon Corbell of a 90 per cent target of renewable energy in our fair city by 2020. But again, there are winners and losers. At least one poor soul, Ms Jennifer Howlett , has had the occasional evening tipple on her Royalla verandah ruined by the glare

SUNSHINE and showers for Tony Abbott this week with a smashing win in Tasmania and a swing in SA. But with the last few Adelaide votes to count it looks like Katy Gallagher will avoid becoming the senior elected Labor figure in the nation.

And now “The Financial Review’s” Laura Tingle has uncovered a ginger group of Joe Hockey agitators in the Parliament – shades of the Howard/ Costello and Hawke/Keating rivalry. Monday’s “March in March” on Parliament was directed mostly against Tony; and even our own ACT Liberal leader, Jeremy Hanson, saw which way the wind was blowing and decided to vote against a Party motion endorsing public service cuts – a treasured plank in the Abbott electoral platform.

SPEAKING of wind and weather, this week saw the publication of a fabulous book, “100 Canberra Houses” by Tim Reeves and Alan Roberts that shows how we’ve sheltered from them for the last 100 years.

It even contains pix of the 1918 Molonglo Internment Camp where 3500 German nationals were housed in the charge of Brig Reginald Spencer Browne, the Scott Morrison of his day. Compared with Manus and Nauru they were luxury!

A SAD farewell Friday to ABC and lat terly Parliamentary announcer, Ralph Bain, a gentle man in all senses. A few years ago the two of us devised a game show called “Cashino”, a combination of luck and general knowledge based on blackjack. We made a “pilot” at the ABC studios in which Ralph played the compere and my wife and eldest son contestants.

ROBERT MACKLIN

It would have worked brilliantly, except that Ralph’s patter was so hilarious we kept breaking the tension with gales of laughter. He called me from the hospital’s ICU a few hours before he signed off. It was an honour to know him.

robertmacklin.com

Heritage Recycled Timber THE CHARACTER & COLOUR OF

• Recycled floorboards & decking

• Re-milled flooring products from recycled timbers

• Joinery – timber bench tops and entry doors

• Furniture – custom built tables, bookcases and shelving

• Sawing, dressing & sanding services – to 1300mm wide

The Brickworks, end of Denman Street, Yarralumla PH: 6282 9900 E: hammer@thors.com.au www.thors.com.au

Thor’s Hammer uses timber recycled from demolition sites around Australia to make a range of beautiful architectural products. These include re-milled and salvaged floorboards, lining boards, durable hardwood decking and recycled posts and beams.

In our joinery we make kitchen bench tops, entry doors and tables from the recycled timbers. We build to last, using traditional joinery techniques combined with the best of modern environmrntally friendly glues and finishes.

As well as these fantastic examples, Thor’s can also supply the recycled timber and furniture to help make your home renovation extra special.

Ron Friesen | Partner

Family Law is complex and you need an experienced law firm to guide you.

But what you need most is someone to listen to you. To hear your story.

At Watts McCray, we understand that.

wattsmccray.com.au

news / cover story comment

Gabby sets the starry straight

LAURA EDWARDS meets a young author with the ethos: “Write what you know, but exaggerate the hell out of it.”

EACH year, Gabrielle Tozer is contacted by dozens of young graduates vying to land a spot in Australia’s competitive magazine industry.

The former Canberra girl, who has worked in editorial roles for glossy magazines such as “Dolly”, “Cosmopolitan” and “Girlfriend” for more than a decade, is a prime choice for well-versed advice, but says she often has to set the starry-eyed straight.

“I’m very upfront and tell them it’s not only a hard industry to crack into, it’s hard work once you’re there, and while the glossiness of it all is very appealing, there’s very long hours, not much pay and a lot of grunt behind it all,” she says.

Tozer’s seasoned insider knowledge provided the perfect premise for her debut, young adult fiction novel, “The Intern”, which follows university student Josie Browning in her quest to land a coveted columnist spot at fashion magazine “Sash”.

The book reveals the reality of the magazine industry along the way, from the highs of free beauty products and celebrity interviews to the lows of fetching coffee and working 10-hour days.

Tozer, who was born in Wagga Wagga but studied journalism at the University of Canberra, says while “The Intern” isn’t based on her own experiences, she wanted to bring elements of her personality to the page.

“Josie’s journey is quite similar to mine, a country girl wanting to make it in the big smoke,” she says.

in for years, but everyone has been so wonderful.”

“Writing about magazines and interning seemed like a natural choice for my debut novel… I’ve been working in this industry to some degree for more than a decade, so it was a classic case of write-what-you-know then exaggerate the hell out of it!

“I’ve also loved an underdog in books, movies and TV, so decided to make that my focus of the story, rather than the high-powered fashionistas that we always hear about – I wanted to create a relatable, down-toearth, dorky main character.”

The novel, which is published by HarperCollins and took Tozer about two years to write and edit while working full time, has been hailed by critics as a fresh, young adult alternative to “The Devil Wears Prada”.

“I decided to write a young adult book because there’s just something about that audience, I just love it, at that age there’s so much excitement and still so many questions, and they’re very dedicated readers,”

Tozer says.

“The feedback so far has been amazing – it’s a bit daunting putting

EXPERIENCE HISTORY IN THE MAKING....

something out to the world that you’ve put your heart and soul in for years, but everyone has been so wonderful.”

Unlike Josie, Tozer’s first internship job was a paid position at the University of Canberra’s magazine, “Monitor”.

She also wrote for Canberra’s “BMA” magazine before moving to Sydney for her first full-time gig, as a sub-editor for “DisneyGirl” magazine.

“I never had to go for the coffee run luckily, I was pretty much chained to my desk,” she laughs.

Tozer, 29, now lives in Sydney with her husband Jason, and is already midway through writing the sequel to “The Intern” while juggling a fulltime job as senior editor and copywriter for Hoyts.

“I’d love to continue to write young adult books, I have a lot of ideas going around in that genre so to continue my journey as an author… would just be a dream,” she says.

“The Intern” is available from most bookstores. Visit gabrielletozer.com for more information.

See an ancient NT Aboriginal Ceremony never performed outside of Kakadu or seen in public before.

This sacred Lorrkkon Ceremony features 30 dancers, singers and ceremonial elders and is the continuing journey of Big Bill Neidjie, affectionately known as The Kakadu Man. Join us in the Bunggul Ceremony.

Bring YOUR family and a picnic dinner. FREE ENTRY - all welcome For more information visit: www.aiatsis.gov.au/kakadu

Embryo offer leads to a ‘most unusual’ adoption

I AM fortunate enough to have an adopted child in our extended family. However, it is certainly one of the most unusual adoptions in Australian history.

Zoe, my niece, was adopted 14 months ago. The strange thing is she was only born six months ago. After my sister-in-law and her husband were married they devastatingly discovered that they were unable to procreate. They looked at a number of options for bringing up a child, and realised one option would be to adopt a child not yet born.

Through advertising in a magazine they made contact with a couple who had created little Zoe through IVF but were uncertain about bringing her into the world, and certainly didn’t want to take away her life.

The couple therefore were happy to donate Zoe, and my sister-in-law has recently become her very happy birth mother.

Due to the rise in IVF treatment, there are now thousands of babies at the embryo stage of life who are, to use the unfortunate term, “left over”.

Now, I have serious misgivings about some IVF treatment which treats children as commodities or property, especially when more embryos are created than parents are willing or able to care for.

However, sometimes these negative situations can provide an opportunity for immense good, as in Zoe’s case (whose name coincidentally means “life”). Not only has she now been given the security of a loving family, but also has avoided the potential trauma and feeling of rejection that many adopted children have to face.

This story is in no way meant to diminish the great need for legislative change in regard to children already in the world who need a stable mother and father.

Late last year there was attention drawn to the extremely low rates of adoption in the ACT, especially when compared to the number of children in out-of-home care.

In 2012, there were 566 ACT children in foster care situations, and only five

My niece, was adopted 14 months ago. The strange thing is she was born six months ago.

adoptions. This is one of the worst rates in the country.

From those I am aware of who seek adoption, either for couples wanting to adopt or for unexpected pregnancies, they find it extremely difficult with so many hoops to jump through that it acts as a deterrent. This is particularly tragic in cases where young women feel like there is no choice but abortion.

Making the adoption process easier and providing more resources for local adoption is an obvious and politically advantageous move, and will certainly provide more support for children who would otherwise have higher rates of mental health issues and incarceration. Whatever way someone considers adopting, it truly is the greatest gift we can give to a child.

More information about embryo adoption can be found at embryodonation.org.au Nick Jensen is a director of the ACT Australian Christian Lobby.

NICK JENSEN

5.30pm-7.30pm, Tuesday 25 March 2014

Reconciliation Place, Canberra (Between Questacon and the National Portrait Gallery)

SO, the other day, my 11-year-old asks me: “Dad, if cigarettes are so bad for you, how come they’re legal?”

I didn’t have a sensible answer other than to say: “They always have been”.

It got us to talking about drugs and about why alcohol is legal considering the many problems it causes… and then to marijuana. And the unanswerable question regarding the weed is this: If tobacco and alcohol are legal, why isn’t cannabis?

I’m not a smoker of anything, but in many circles, marijuana is a more socially acceptable drug than alcohol. Its use in Canberra is historic and widespread. If we’re going to get all progressive about same-sex unions and electricity generated by the wagging of dogs’ tails, why wouldn’t we just legalise the weed?

dose of dorin

Watch the ways of lobbyists

LOBBYISTS have always been an integral part of the democratic process. However, their techniques in recent years have become more and more sophisticated.

They have much greater influence than ordinary citizens and the way to best protect our democracy on this issue, like many others, is to ensure openness and transparency, and it is appropriate to consider the necessary actions to curb the power of non-elected purveyors of influence.

This is why Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, has proposed a register for lobbyists who attempt to influence any member of the Legislative Assembly.

Speaker, Vicki Dunne, who is responsible for the rights and responsibilities of Assembly members, has argued that a register of lobbyists should not extend beyond the ministers.

For all of the positive attributes of systems of openness and transparency, they invariably create red tape and increased bureaucratic processes with additional work and expense. This provides an excuse for those who argue that regulation already has too great a role in modern democracies. It is the crux upon which the Speaker’s argument rests.

There can be little doubt that a register for lobbyists is important for ministers. Ministers control the purse strings and are at the coalface of decision making which impacts on businesses.

Gallagher is right to seek a public register and code of conduct for lobbyists that identifies lobbying firms and their activities around who is being visited and the purpose. The sooner the better. After all, the ACT and the NT are the only jurisdictions without such a register. However, the other jurisdictions do restrict the register to ministers.

The resignation last month of Alastair Furnival, the chief of staff of the Federal Assistant Minister Fiona Nash, provided a demonstrative example of the need. Furnival had remained involved with a lobbying firm, Australian Public Affairs, a company that has worked for the alcohol and food industries, at the same time as he was making decisions and influencing his minister in ways that favoured those industries. This lobbyist was responsible for the demise of the website that made the “food star rating system” workable.

Out of the blue, his minister decided to cease funding a strong critic of current alcohol policies – the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia. The registration of Australian Public Affairs as a lobbying

It is appropriate to consider the necessary actions to curb the power of nonelected purveyors of influence.

firm on a number of jurisdictional registries played a key role in identifying these conflicts of interest.

The registers of lobbyists are for commercial lobbying firms. They are not used for people who advocate as part of community organisations that they represent. It is for those individuals and companies who sell their expertise in influencing governments on behalf of other companies, organisations or industries that seek to sway government for their commercial benefit.

Apart from one period since self-government, the ACT has had minority governments. The members who have not been appointed as ministers have had much more say in decisions than in most other parliaments. Lobbyists are aware of this and have no hesitation in approaching a range of members when they seek to have an issue addressed.

Planning has always been a controversial issue for the Assembly and provides a good example of why a lobbyist register should cover all members.

Decisions are made that not only impact on the community interest when new developments take place, but may also have bearing on the opportunities that one business has over another. These are decisions over which all members from time to time have some influence.

Undoubtedly, there are much stronger arguments for a lobbyist register for ministers and for other members. The perspective put by the Speaker does carry considerable weight. However, on balance, ought we not to err on the side of openness and transparency rather than on secrecy when attempts are being made to influence our elected members?

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

MICHAEL MOORE

Whenever I bring this up on my radio program, the detractors immediately ring and suggest that cannabis is the first step on the slippery slope to heroin and ice. And I say, well okay, if indeed that is the case, it’s extremely readily available now and perhaps somewhat more appealing because it’s illegal. I don’t believe that its use is going to increase because it’s legal and I know a lot of weed smokers who would never have dreamt of shooting up smack.

The detractors ring and talk about the behavioural problems associated with cannabis and I say, go and walk around Civic at 2am on a Saturday and report back on the behavioural problems associated with alcohol.

And then, typically (not that calls relating to drugs follow a pre-determined format), I start talking about the money.

Colorado is the first US State to legalise the weed and

If people are smoking the weed in every Canberra suburb anyway... why not stop wasting police resources and start getting some of the money back.

in January alone, it made $2.7 million from legal sales. At a time when we’re quintupling everyone’s rates and running out of money for more full-breasted hot-air balloons, why wouldn’t we just line up and get the drug money?

No, seriously? If people are smoking the weed in every Canberra suburb anyway, if there’s a roaring trade in marijuana anyway, why not stop wasting police resources and start getting some of the money back.

We’re not talking about cocaine. We’re not talking about heroin or ice.

Of course, one of the upsides of a legalisation of marijuana would be that those who use the drug for pain relief would be free to do so without the threat of some sort of conviction hanging over their heads.

Let’s grow up like Colorado, Washington, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay and the Netherlands and just legalise it!

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

MARK PARTON

Daring Declan promises a little cheek

AFTER searching for a new station manager for several months, community radio broadcaster 2XX FM has appointed an enthusiastic young Melbournite to the position. STEPHEN EASTON catches up with him.

DECLAN Kelly is full of energy, brimming with ideas and wears his passion for community radio on his sleeve.

“I’m not doing this job for the money,” he tells “CityNews”. “I’m doing it because I love radio and I wanted a cool challenge!”

In 2XX, he sees the potential to “pounce and become the cultural hub of Canberra” much like FBi in Sydney or Triple R in Melbourne.

“The best thing about Canberra is that it’s a city but it’s also sort of like a country town, and in country towns you see the community station take a really solid place inside that community,” Kelly says.

He is confident 2XX can outdo the existing local stations in terms of hyper-local content and snare more listeners by their being edgy, as is community radio’s prerogative.

“I think we need to be a little more daring. I always like to see a station who’s a little bit cheeky in what they do, so we’ll push the community to listen and hope the community pushes back a little bit.

“That said, we need to be involved with everything, too. You should be

coming to 2XX to listen to live music in Canberra, to know what’s happening in the arts scene or the multicultural scene; we should be that hub by engaging with those communities… and that’s what we will be doing.”

Kelly comes to 2XX from SYN, a youth station whose presenters are all under 26, where he landed a paid job as digital content manager after several years as a voluntary presenter, producer and programming manager.

“I’m considered ancient there,” says the 25-year-old, explaining that some SYN presenters are as young as 12.

While he clearly brings expertise in youth engagement, Kelly believes the key to a station with a “rich history” like 2XX is maintaining the diversity of its content.

“I do come from a very strong youth advocacy background and I still do some work for youth advocacy organisations, but I’m not telling the older people here to leave!”

Kelly first took to the air in the final year of a very unrelated master’s degree in microbiology, which was leading him into a sensible science career.

“It was my final year… I was literally just walking down the road, eating a calzone, and I walked by SYN,” he recalls. “Someone had told me about it before and I thought I should go in and have a look.”

With hindsight, he’s grateful he took the road less travelled and found his place in the world of community radio, which he describes as “a really deep well that most people don’t really see”.

“There’s the surface stuff, which is listening to a program that you really like, then you go in a bit deeper

and there’s the volunteers, then even deeper there’s the people running the station, and the board, and then there’s how those stations interact with each other, and all these different organisations – oh! and so many opportunities to learn, too.”

While very confident in his ability to manage 2XX’s content, Kelly confesses that the position’s financial responsibilities are a big challenge, but it’s one he’s looking forward to.

“Kudos to the board for thinking I’m the right person,” he says. “I hope I am.”

makes a start

THE Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Stuart Robinson has launched the construction of the

residential All Saints College, in the heritage precinct of the

All Saints Church at Ainslie. The college, which is expected to attract post-graduate students, has been formed to provide reasonable cost accommodation for 26 students attending tertiary institutions in Canberra and is expected to open in early December.

Judges wanted

THE annual Canberra Area Theatre Awards are auditioning judges. Applicants have to know something about theatre and, says founder Coralie Wood, while it’s hard work, it’s fun. Expressions of interest, until March 24, to cfw@ozemail.com.au

Barbecue gals

THE ladies of the Canberra Evening Branch of the CWA are hosting a fund-raising barbecue at Bunnings Fyshwick, 8.30am-4.30pm, Saturday, March 22, in support of three local charities.

View about buttons

JANICE Kershaw, who makes jewellery from buttons, is the lunchtime speaker at the Woden View Club’s next meeting at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, from 11am, on Tuesday, March 25. The cost is $24 and bookings to 62812022. Visitors and interested ladies are warmly welcome.

Space proposals

THE chic ANCA Gallery in Rosevear Street, Dickson, is accepting proposals for exhibitions in the first half of 2015. Proposals before March 27. Full details at anca.net.au/applications/gallery/

NOW OPEN

OPEN FOR BUSINESS CORNER

Offering unique fashion shopping, a select range of specitality retailers, amazing restaurants and cafes.

Too early for sprawl

I AGREE with Catherine Carter (CN, March 13) that high-density residential buildings should be built in the Canberra CBD and town centre areas, but why in the “city edge” when much of the CBD is still zero to four storeys?

It is much too early to sprawl the CBD into the residential areas of Braddon and Reid when there is so much potential to redevelop and revitalise the existing CBD. Why not redevelop Garema Place’s surroundings to high-rise?

Most residents in and around the ABC Flats site in Reid were happy with the original master plans for the area to be redeveloped to “RZ5 High Density Multi-Unit Residential Code”. The first proposal was a maximum of 10 storeys stepping down to three and public consultation recommended this be reduced to eight storeys (which was still two storeys higher than RZ5 allows).

ACTPLA responded to this consultation by not lowering but increasing the maximum height to 15 storeys stepping down to six storeys, by using a shocking planning mechanism called a Precinct Code that overrides all other planning codes.

There was no agreement at the recent DV308 ABC Flats hearings of the Legislative Assembly Planning and Environment Committee, with the Liberals wanting the RZ4/RZ5 planning code applied and Labor wanting the Precinct Code.

The ABC redevelopment eliminates three public playgrounds, five public mini-parks, two public barbecue facilities and 190 mature trees, replacing these with restricted access “rooftop gardens”. Would you send your child in an elevator to play on a rooftop garden?

How many people realise that all the beautiful trees on the eastern side of Cooyong Street are to be removed for hundreds of metres? Does Catherine know the Glebe Park playground will be in a winter morning solar shadow from this redevelopment?

Buildings need to be be “human scale” for comfortable living. Is Paris so bad?

Recent redevelopments in Canberra being built or planned to limits of six to eight storeys include along Northbourne Avenue, Constitution Avenue, the old Downer Primary site, the old CSIRO site, the old RSL HQ site, Construction House, the old Braddon Rugby Club site, the old Braddon commercial area revitalisation etcetera. All of these redevelopments are being built in sympathy with their existing neighbours. The surroundings of the ABC Flats site are Glebe Park, the Canberra Centre (four storeys), Argyle Square Apartments (three storeys), Gorman House (two storeys), Braddon detached houses (one storey) and St Patricks church (one storey).

We only want similar consideration. Surely RZ5 High Density Multi-Unit Residential is enough.

Chris Emery, Argyle Square Apartments, Reid

Who’d cross the road?

WHILE lobbyists are obliged to gild the lily, one can at least expect logic in their communications. Can Catherine Carter (CN, March 12) explain why anyone would wish to cross “a true ring road” to access the “potential” (but unlikely) “laneway restaurants and

Success when the government listens

HOWEVER liveable the city, ripples of an economic downturn are still being felt across Lake Burley Griffin and additional federal public sector job cuts threaten our fragile consumer confidence.

The impact on the construction sector is palpable. As the largest private sector employer in Canberra, the industry contributes around 10 per cent to the Territory GDP.

Last month kindred groups, including the Property Council, the Canberra Business Council and the Master Builders Association, presented the ACT government with a “call to action” paper recommending reforms to keep the economy strong.

They included the need to review property fees and charges and to foster a business environment supporting innovation, economic growth and investment.

The government has listened and the Chief Minister’s

recent announcement of an economic stimulus package for the Territory will provide welcome short-term relief.

The LVC system, a heavy fee applied when a property owner wants to convert an existing building or site that has stymied growth and investment, is to be restructured and commencement charges abolished altogether, including a waiver period for eligible businesses.

These changes will encourage confidence and economic certainty for the Territory.

Learn more at a forum about the ACT Government’s Property Stimulus Package at the National Museum of Australia on Thursday, March 27. Registrations to propertyoz. com.au/act/

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

‘The Butler’ DVDS waiting to be won at... CityNews.com.au

inviting urban spaces” in the proposed ABC development when Garema Place is shunned and moribund?

Elizabeth d’Abbs, via email

Significant for animals

I MUST admit to having a chuckle at Mark Parton’s article (“St Shane of the Imaginary Animals”, CN, March 6), which had a go at me and the Greens for passing laws to ban factory farming of “imaginary animals” in the ACT.

Mark said the legislation won’t make any difference and it’s akin to banning the trade in “unicorn horns”. On the contrary, it’s a significant moment for the ACT and the national animal welfare debate.

Unlike unicorns, chooks and pigs aren’t mythological creatures. There are liter-

ally millions of them living in factory farm conditions in Australia. As recently as 18 months ago, there were tens of thousands of cage hens farmed in the ACT. The facility has started refurbishing into a barn facility – not ideal, but better. We had nothing to prevent another cage farm from establishing, so the new laws have locked the door to cage hen farming in the ACT.

The situation is similar for intensive pig farming. It doesn’t happen here, but there’s always been a risk. Just across the border in NSW there are thousands of factory farmed pigs – the closest is in Murrumbateman. But again, our new laws have locked the door to this practice.

Our actions have made national and international news and I’ve already had enquiries from other jurisdictions who want

to use our laws as a model. Not all of our laws and policies need to be reactive. It’s sometimes important to take action against potential or emerging problems. So, Parto, let me know if you do uncover some cruel trade in “unicorn horns” in Australia. I’ll try to do something about it before it reaches our fair city. In the meantime, I hope Canberrans celebrate the positive change we’ve made.

Shane Rattenbury, ACT Greens Member for Molonglo and Minister for TAMS

Growing deficit of drugs

THE many-headed drug maintenance policy has again emerged from its lair-like Hydra. The various heads thrash around in our community – put needles in our prison; over-crowd Alexander Maconochie Centre; blame the guards; deliver drugs by footballs or tennis balls; blame the grog not the illegal drugs; easing of drug laws etcetera.

Recently, I read an article blunt and to the point. It commented on the narcotisation of cultures, the normalisation of exploitation and the violent intimidation into silence of the majority. These are a clarion call never to see drug use as a “human right” and fuelled with even more destructive power from legalisation.

Recently released statistics shocked NSW police (“Daily Telegraph”, January 6) revealing that, in that State, almost five times more people are being caught driving under the influence of illegal drugs than alcohol. The harms and costs to human health and family from drug use is a growing deficit no economy can sustain – including the ACT.

Colliss Parrett,

Barton

Canberra Confidential

Pilger deleted

NO audio has yet been posted – nor seems likely to be – on the ABC 666 website of the fiery interview with crusading journalist John Pilger on March 6, an unhappy encounter morning host Genevieve Jacobs tactfully describes as a “train wreck”.

Jacobs, “with open, good intentions”, phoned Pilger seeking his reaction to Australian of the Year Adam Goodes ’ suggestion that Pilger’s new film about Aboriginal living conditions, “Utopia”, should be “required viewing for every Australian”.

On air, Pilger wanted to know from Jacobs whether she had seen “Utopia” and, if not, how could she possibly conduct a proper interview with him?

“Many of our listeners have a strong interest in indigenous issues – I am part of the local ABC indigenous working group myself.

“But from almost the start of the interview, Mr Pilger spoke over the top of me constantly, was patronising, arrogant and dismissive – for no apparent reason I could discern, other than I had actual questions to ask him.

“He relentlessly questioned me about whether I’d seen the film, and I did defend myself by saying I hadn’t had access to the film and the decision on the story had been made that morning – as he very well knew, because the call had been made directly to him.

“The listeners were horrified – there was a deluge of texts from people who said how spectacular it was to watch him shooting himself in both feet at the same time, completely and wilfully misunderstanding the point of the interview. One listener rang in tears, another sent me flowers from her own garden the next day.

“I’ve had several emails and requests from him subsequently, asking why the story isn’t online and trying to needle me into a response, telling me he’ll be using the interview in his international lectures. I’ve deleted them.

“It was quite a salutary experience, and one I won’t be repeating.”

Little crowd appeal

FAMED Sydney director Rodney Fisher must be wondering what he’s walked into with the crowd funding for the imminent musical “Winging my Way to the Top” securing only $4311 of its $30,000 target.

The show, which has been awarded funding from artsACT ($34,452) and a CAPO grant of $4000 for set design, seems only to have about $43,000 of the $120,000 originally mooted to mount it at The Q, Queanbeyan, May 8-17.

For whom the road tolls?

WE know she was kidding, but at the opening (or is it closing?) of the Centenary time capsule and monument on City Hill the other day, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher told the assembled:

“[City Hill] is a lovely, lovely park and one of the wishes I hope comes true from having the Centenary Column and the time capsule here is that more people take their life in their hands and cross the road and come and enjoy this park.”

CC, which has no claim to understanding the dark arts

Local producers and performers Karen Strahan and Jill Walsh, who also wrote the book and libretto, describe the show as “just a little off Broadway”. A little off budget, too.

Wrestling with rubbish

READER David Bird, of Mulligans Flat, is fed up. He recently helped out in the Clean Up Australia Day and says his local road near Mulligans Flat Reserve was “perfect”.

Two days later, a resident from Forde (stupid enough to leave id in the rubbish!) dumped garbage there.

“We are continuously cleaning up after such illegal dumping activities – burnt out cars as well – and it seems incongruous with the activities to preserve Mulligans Flat,” bemoans Dave, who also worries about the impact these cross-border dumpings are having on nearby NSW residents.

Rewards for ramblers

of municipal planning, can’t help but think the siting of the Centenary middle-finger salute one of the town’s oddest, sitting adjacent to a busy Vernon Circle where accelerating vehicles whiz by barely metres away.

“In the future,” Katy opined, “there will be much better pedestrian access to City Hill so it won’t be quite as frightening to get across.” Hopefully, it comes before some curious child is skittled.

Guard rails now, please, Chief Minister.

now known as the Canberra Walking Festival, they are to be honoured during the closing ceremony of this year’s festival on Sunday, March 30.

The restless ramblers are to become only the second and third Australians to be awarded the big-deal medal of the international IML Walking Association after completing 75 of the association’s walks in Australia and around the world, a list that includes Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, NZ, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the US.

The Canberra Walking Festival, March 28-30. More information at aussiewalk.com.au

Smashing flight!

ONE of the fighter jets that roared around impressively over Lake Burley Griffin on the weekend must have been flying either too low or too fast, when it shattered a large glass ceiling panel at the Hotel Realm on Friday evening.

One of the astonished guests, Lauren Richardson, snapped this photo with her phone.

CALL security… “I wanted to run out of the crowd at the lunch today and give the Chief Minister a big hug.” That’s the effect Katy Gallagher’s city Wi-Fi announcement had on Civic PR spinner David Pembroke

TOO subtle for us, but it took a reader to point out “how appropriate that ‘CityNews’ gardening writer Cedric Bryant has ‘grapevine’ in his email address!”

POLITICAL spin?

Attorney

General Simon Corbell takes a ride on the wild side at the 40th birthday bash for the Civic merry go round. Meanwhile CC hears that the multi-portfolio

Simon was left seriously unhappy earlier this month when he found himself stuck outside the offices of one of the many directorates he oversees. Our insider says several staff members were left feeling guilty and more than a little embarrassed after not one of them managed to recognise their minister, who needed someone to escort him inside.

UP and coming young radio producer Sarah Bannerman is leaving 2CC in a couple of weeks to join radio legend Steve Price as his executive producer at Sydney’s 2GB. Bannerman initially worked with former drive show host Mike Welsh and more recently with his successor Luke Bona

HAPPY Canberra Day… Wilson Parking, underneath Palace Electric Cinema in New Acton, was charging hourly rates instead of the public holiday flat rate. CC’s cinematic snout was charged (net of the Palace’s 50 per cent patronage discount) $6 when it should have been $2.50. Undeterred, she took on the might of the national car park company and via three interstate phone calls and two emails was rewarded with a couple of parking passes but no offer of a refund.

HERE’S one for the diary… Australasian Bat Night, to be held in Commonwealth Park’s Regatta Point, from 6pm, on Sunday, April 16, with a barbecue and bat walk. Apparently, bats get bad press and this is the one night of the year in which the curious and the scared witless can ask questions from bat experts and see the creatures in action. More information at ausbats.org.au

scene / around canberra

Event of the week: St Patrick’s Day Reception, Irish Embassy

White

IT’S the day to find a smidgen of Irish blood in your family tree, profess your love for a chilled glass of Guinness and talk the blarney with all who gather for one of the city’s most pleasant celebrations of St Patrick’s Day, appropriately at home with Irish ambassador Noel White, his wife Nessa Delaney and their children. White is a perfect host with a clever wit and disarming

for SPD says “Irish Times”), ordinary folk and nobility alike.

This year’s event was an eclectic mix of Canberrans enjoying this rugby loving ambassador’s hospitality with Irish dancing and Irish music accompaniment.

The previous week he’d farewelled the Royals Rugby team off on a three-game adventure to Ireland and implored them to visit his brother, the local chemist in Carlow, after their game there for all those fixin’s footy players need. That will be a sight for the locals.

Stewart has created a trap in

He spoke of tourism; it’s up 20 per cent, sport of course, heritage and culture. Also of the many new settlers we’ve welcomed – guests Susan and Gary McGivern among them – and the influence of that Irish gene pool as we celebrate St Patrick’s Day joining the Global Greening by going green at Old Parliament House.

LYN MILLS

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How can we plan our suburbs for community wellbeing, prosperity and environmental quality?

Public Forum, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, Thursday 27 March 2014 Eastlake Football Club, 3 Oxley Street, Griffith

Speakers, followed by questions and discussion, will be:

• Barbara Norman, Foundation Chair, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Canberra, Chair of the ACT Government’s Climate Change Council

• Andrew McKenzie, Assistant Professor Landscape Architecture, University of Canberra

• Hamish Sinclair, ACT Board Director, Planning Institute of Australia

• Representative of ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate

For further information, visit www.isccc.org.au or phone Gary Kent on 0419 854 211

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arts & entertainment

Kenny thrills to being Michael Jackson

By Helen Musa

WHAT lies behind the facade of a man who earns his livelihood pretending to be someone else?

Not much, if you believe Las Vegas’ premier Michael Jackson impersonator, Kenny Wizz, who’s coming to Canberra soon.

“I don’t think there’s much to me,” he tells “CityNews”, “I don’t think I’m that interesting, I grew up like any normal person and did normal things.” Wizz says he shies away from thinking about himself, but he does concede that what he does for a living is “interesting.”

You can say that again. The self-effacing artist is known for slipping completely behind the persona of the “King of Pop”, with his extraordinary resemblance to the late Jackson matched by uncannily familiar hand gestures and hip movements.

“The type of job I do is not a normal job,” Wizz concedes. “You have to have a certain thought process to take someone like Michael Jackson on, I suppose that’s the interesting side, but there’s not much I can say that would be interesting to a lot of people… it’s something I’m not used to.”

So unused is he to talking about himself that he doesn’t even celebrate his own birthday, preferring to send his mother a bunch of roses each year on that occasion. “It’s her day, really,” as he says.

He admits to being in his 50th year and that figures, since he was around 20 at the time Michael Jackson released his sixth studio album, “Thriller”, in late 1982, thus changing the whole music video scene.

Wizz says he grew up in Los Angeles and was involved with music from a very early age. “At the time I was a teenager,” he says, “music was

in transition from disco to the more danceable music of the ‘80s.”

What was more, the MTV phenomenon had begun in 1981.

“Breakdancing was hot and that was our focus… To be part of the dance team was the thing for us.”

That’s why Jackson was so wonderful to the young Wizz.

“Any time you saw him dancing, you could look at that guy and not think he was a singer at all… he could have made it as a dancer, he was that captivating,” he says.

“Everybody was crazy about ‘Thriller’, even if they weren’t Michael Jackson fans, it was something that was so different… the music and video were incorporated with costumes, a story and a lot of dance.”

To Wizz it’s the sheer theatre of Michael Jackson’s art that he most admires.

“He was great at turning music videos into an event, everybody was sitting in front of the TV set to say they wanted to be part of that,” Wizz says.

In his own stage show of at least 20 of Jackson’s greatest hits, Wizz firmly rejects a tedious chronological approach, telling “CityNews”: “We wanted to break it up so that people don’t know what’s coming along next, that’s important in the theatre.”

He admits that Michael Jackson was a tragic character, and indeed, Wizz was so affected by Jackson’s death in June 2009 that he shut down his act for a time.

“But we don’t go into that in the show, though we want to touch base with Michael Jackson in celebration,” he says.

“We say to the audiences ‘you may have gotten a bit down, so we’re going to bring you back up’.”

“Michael Jackson HIStory II”, at The Playhouse, Tuesday, April 1, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Miranda’s ‘Casual’ approach

ACTRESS and writer Miranda O’Hare is the co-writer, co-producer and star character, Amanda, in a comedy web series called “The Casuals”, a soapie looking at the lives of struggling artists at their day job –a wine call centre.

A graduate of Canberra’s National Acting School, she’s completing a Bachelor of Communications in Writing at the University of Technology in Sydney.

The dangerous art of war

“The Monuments Men” (M)

I’VE read much about World War II including the small Allied (mainly Brit) units that went behind the Axis front line to administer well-deserved discomfort.

Some were later filmed after war’s end. To my memory, the film most respectful of narrative validity was “Ill Met By Moonlight”, the Powell/ Pressburger dramatisation about kidnapping the Wehrmacht commander on Crete, a cocking of British snoot, psy-war on a minor scale, a real thriller and fun to watch.

Another thriller was “The Train”, about resistance efforts to foil a German officer’s plan to despatch the Jeu De Palme museum’s collection to Germany.

That event gets passing mention in George Clooney’s film about how a small unit of art historians and conservators hopped the Allied front to find paintings, sculpture and objets d’art that the Nazis had stolen from private collections and homes.

Calling themselves the monuments men, photographed results of their work backgrounding the film’s end credits give Clooney’s film credibility. The film’s meat comes from a book by Robert Edsel, who in 2006 co-produced “The Rape Of Europa”, a doco interviewing some of the Germans actually involved.

Clooney’s screenplay adapting Edsel may play a little fast and loose with the monuments men’s daily fortunes, but nearly seven decades later, a little

Dougal Macdonald cinema

liberty with reality may be forgiven. They are all dead now.

So it’s a buddy movie. Clooney playing the CO gets to drive the captured kugelwagen. John Goodman is an academic enjoying the changed professional ambience. Matt Damon plays a restorer who for some reason alone of the group got commissioned. Cate Blanchett comes close to stealing the film as a mousy French woman who’s clandestinely been recording the stolen works and their destinations.

Structurally, the film is a bit bitty. Old soldiers are no longer on hand to advise film-makers about realism and its recreations of wartime scenes and events may dismay serious historians.

At all cinemas

“Need for Speed” (M)

WITH what of merit does first-time writer George Gatlin provide his audience enough to sustain their attention for 131 minutes?

In the hands of director Scott Waugh, after the first 20 or so minutes, little that’s new. The bulk of Waugh’s cinema CV lists frequently uncredited stunts in 41 films and TV episodes of little intellectual weight since 1988. One should not trivialise the profession of risking life and limb on camera to save the bacon of higher-priced, less agile, more fragile talent. But Waugh’s work has seldom been in films that

you’d want to watch for the comfort they offer to heart and mind. What he gets younger stuntmen to deliver in “Need For Speed” is polished and accomplished of its kind. But enough is enough, don’t you reckon?

Dramatically, it’s about fast cars and their inexorable attraction for young men whose testosterone needs no other mysterious way in which to perform its wonders!

The performance shop where Tobey (Aaron Paul) and his buddies tweak already obscenely-powerful engines to deliver yet more power is financially dead.

Street-racer mogul Dino (Dominic Cooper) offers Tobey the GT500 AC Cobra which Carroll Shelby left uncompleted as a keeper if it wins the next illegal but exciting muscle car contest promoted by lunatic-at-large Monarch (Michael Keaton).

Julia (Imogen Poots), savvier about muscle cars than any blonde chick

Games launch at arts battleground

By Helen Musa

CANBERRA International Music Festival director Chris Latham is game – he’s chosen the notorious Fitters’ Workshop for the 2014 festival launch, memorable not only for its fine acoustics, but for having been the subject of one of the most disgraceful rows in recent ACT arts history as vying visual arts and music personalities competed for its use.

“CRASH Test Drama Canberra”, the showcase for 10 new short plays, will be back at the Uni Pub, fourth floor, 17 London Circuit, Civic, on Monday, March 24. Here is how it works – to direct, you register at drama@crashtestdramacanberra.com.au and choose a play. At 6pm writers, actors and directors assemble and have a massive two hours to rehearse. At 8pm the audience arrives and later votes for the best.

has any right to be, strikes sparks from Tobey’s narrow-focused ego and over-inflated self-esteem.

These characters and the opportunities they offer for snarling beasts driven contrary to just about every traffic and public safety rule from New York to California to settle Tobey and Dino’s festering rivalry, form the bone and muscle of a film built chiefly to satisfy the hazard cravings of impressionable young minds.

Its best moments are high-speed off-road chases along the rim of the Grand Canyon and the California coast. Its emotional validity wouldn’t pull the skin from a rice pudding. Its credibility is strained. Its acknowledgement that the US does not build, nor has ever built, the world’s best-performing, best-handling muscle cars, is grudging at best. In a straight line, perhaps. But in the real world, nah, no way.

At Hoyts, Dendy and Limelight

THE Australian National Eisteddfod is holding its AGM at the Ainslie Arts Centre in Eloura Street at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 25. The Eisteddfod wants to encourage as many people as possible to attend this meeting.

“LEELA” is the Sanskrit word for “play”. Canberra Dance Theatre’s artist-in-residence, Jennifer White, is staging a bharatanatyam performance of that name, with music by the band Tapestries of Sound, and the participation of Gold, the over-55s’ dance ensemble. It’s at the CDT Studios, corner of Barry Drive and Kingsley Street, Civic, 7pm on Saturday, March 29. Tickets at the door.

HALL village’s annual outdoor twilight concert, “Roses of Picardy”, will bid farewell to Canberra Brass, which is off just after Easter to perform in France. Canberra mezzo soprano Diana Tulip will sing the title song, which is no coincidence, since the band’s director Viv Martin says it will be performing at World War I centenary commemorations. The free event is at the Hall School grounds, from 4.30pm, on March 23.

TOP-ranking artists from Canberra Glassworks have been busy creating unique glass interpretations of the winning entries by 11 local children for the “Snap 100 – A Kid’s Eye View” photo competition. The results in photography and glass are on display in the Engine Room, Canberra Glassworks until March 23.

Chefs to star in oyster festival

CHEFS from three of the south coast’s “hatted” restaurants will be the stars of April’s Narooma Oyster Festival.

Huw Jones, of Zanzibar, Merimbula; Josh Tyler, of Tyler’s Pantry, Mogo, and Dave Campbell, of Wharf Rd, Nowra, will demonstrate some of their signature dishes at the Festival’s Naturally Gourmet Fair on Saturday, April 5.

All three are one-hat winners in “The Sydney Morning Herald” 2014 Good Food Guide Awards.

“It’s wonderful to feature our region’s finest chefs at the Festival,” said Festival demonstration co-ordinator Debbie Pakis, teacher of Tourism Hospitality and Events at Moruya TAFE.

“They are passionate about their cooking and they’re also committed to sourcing fresh local produce directly from producers wherever they can, and bring a real south-coast flavour to their restaurants.”

Chef Campbell, excited about coming to his first Narooma Oyster Festival, says: “Access to fresh produce in the area it’s produced is the reason we’re not in Sydney.”

This will be chef Jones’ third Oyster Festival.

“It’s always fun and it’s good to interact with our customers on a different level and catch up with Festival regulars,” he says.

Josh Tyler is also very excited about featuring at the Festival. He not only sources locally grown produce, he forages along the coastline for native edible flora to include in his cooking.

Narooma Oyster Festival, April 5-6, more information at naroomaoysterfestival.com

arts & entertainment / dining review

New York times in Green Square

A NEW menu has been rolled out at Little Brooklyn, Green Square, Kingston, with many dishes celebrating the famous New York “street food” classics you can buy anywhere, any time in the Big Apple. This is fun food. Tasty food. Satisfying food.

Frank Condi, an owner of Little Brooklyn, says the name and menu were inspired by his trip last year to the US. And so you have the Brooklyn dog, the Brooklyn burger, the Reuben and more – sometimes with an Aussie twist and sometimes not.

Little Brooklyn is an American-type gastropub with various eating zones, massive bar, colourful chequered carpet, and big television screens. It doesn’t pretend to be anything but a casual place to hang out.

My two favourite dishes are the lamb and labneh salad ($18) and the Portobello mushroom burger ($18).

The salad is a nice option if you don’t want pub grub. It’s a lovely, simple dish of slow-cooked slices of lamb, super creamy honey Labneh, roasted beets and snow pea leaves. I’ve never made my own labneh (cheese created from yoghurt), but it’s on my bucket list (I know, it’s not a very exciting bucket list).

If you’re a Portobello mushroom fan this light vegetarian burger will satisfy. The mushrooms, mini steak size, are perked up with salsa verde,

peppery rocket, provolone cheese and intense oven-roasted tomato ($18).

I’ve also had the Brooklyn Reuben. This version is created with corned wagyu, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard ($18). It’s not my fave, but I can’t pinpoint why.

For sharing, dig into buffalo wings, corn on the cob with chipotle mayo and Tex Mex nachos. Sharing dishes range from $9 for crinkle-cut chips to $16 for pulled pork sliders (three mini burgers with bourbon barbecue sauce).

The large outdoor area facing Green Square has tall, rectangular, communal tables and a range of other seating. The beer garden facing Highgate Lane at the back is a cozy space. The main area inside is massive and super noisy when the place is full – sometimes uncomfortably so.

When inside, I prefer to settle in at one of the smaller tables positioned by the big sliding windows at the front. It’s a fun people-watching possie – you’re close to the action, but not in the thick of it.

Little Brooklyn has lots of tap beer and some decent wines. Cocktail lovers will have fun with the Bushwick Basher with tequila and Straight Outta Brooklyn with rye whiskey (all $16).

Groove to live music on Sundays, including on March 23 when Green Square hosts a picnic rug party to officially celebrate the recently planted grass (12.30pm-3.30pm). Little Brooklyn will host a fundraising barbecue to contribute to the re-planting.

Open seven days, call 6260 8150.

Technical issues mar a fun show

MORE “Sex in the City” than “The Sound of Music”, “The Witches of Eastwick” is a raunchy, adult musical about three unhappy divorcees who each become entangled with the same mysterious stranger in their quest for love.

Louiza Blomfield, Kelly Roberts and Vanessa de Jager are a formidable trio of leading ladies. Each offers superb singing and a strong characterisation. Their trios are especially impressive.

Jarrad West as the mysterious interloper impresses with a strong, committed performance, but needs to dig deeper into his own undoubted personal charm to make the boorish behaviour of his character palatable.

Michelle Klempke has great fun chewing up the scenery as the interfering town busybody. She gets great support from Dennis Bittisnich as her ineffectual husband.

Laura Dawson and Alexander Clubb are charming as the young lovers, while Georgia Foster playing the little girl steals the best laugh of the night with a surprise twist.

Good songs, very well sung by all the cast, arresting performances from the principals, big production numbers featuring energetic

musical theatre

“The Witches of Eastwick” ANU Arts Centre until March 29. Reviewed by Bill Stephens

dancing, some impressive scenic elements and Rose Shorney’s taut and terrific band, should have guaranteed first-night success. However, despite everyone’s valiant efforts, the huge technical challenges ultimately proved too much, with principal characters too often unlit at crucial moments, stage hands much too visible, unfocused direction and occasional moments that blurred the fine line between sophistication and tackiness. Recommended for adult audiences.

gardening Tips to sweet (pea) success

IN the northern hemisphere, St Patrick’s Day is traditionally the time to plant sweet peas.

And despite March being spring there and autumn here, these delightfully fragrant plants seem to do equally well planted in Canberra at this time.

Sweet peas like a well-prepared, deep-root run. One old-timer’s suggestion was to dig a trench 15cm deep, rather than individual holes, if transplanting seedlings. Fill the trench with a combination of manure and compost. Do not plant the seedlings in the trench, but alongside. The roots will quickly enter the trench and away they go. You will need mesh for the plant to cling to and climb.

If you’re sowing sweet pea seed, here’s an idea from Tom Goward, head gardener of Gravetye Manor in England, who says that as sweet peas like a long root run, try using cardboard tubes from discarded toilet rolls packed together vertically. Being biodegradable, the tubes can be placed in the ground once several sets of leaves appear. Fill about two thirds with premium potting mix and top up with seed-raising mix. Hold the

tubes together with string and place on a tray to stop the soil falling from the bottom. Cover the seeds with damp newspaper and keep in a warm place at about 15C.

To hasten germination, soak the seeds in warm water overnight before sowing. Keep the newspaper damp, but do not water until the first set of leaves appear. Then apply a weak solution of Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient to encourage root growth. Once two to three sets of leaves appear, plant with the tube into well-prepared soil.

LOOK for potted Cyclamen hederifolium, just coming into flower. These delightful miniature pink cyclamen pop up unexpectedly in gardens at this time.

I consider them as the true herald of autumn. The leaves have a beautiful marbled effect of different shades of green. They make a delightful living mulch for part of the year. Some people treat the larger potted cyclamen, now in massed displays at your local garden centre, as a gift and tend to throw them out when the flowering finishes. However, they can be planted in a semi-shady spot in the garden and will multiply each year.

Apple harvest festival

THE 24th Apple Day Harvest Celebration at Loriendale Apple Orchard, 16 Carrington Road via Hall, 1.30pm-5pm, on Saturday, March 29 features locally grown heritage and modern apples, pears and quinces, jams, relishes and chutney. There will be music and activities for children. More information at loriendale.com.au or call 6230 2557.

Book winner

MARY Murphy, of Kambah, is the winner of the book “Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates” by Leo J. Chance (Timber Press, 2012). Thanks to everyone for having a go at what was my most popular giveaway.

Jottings…

• Keep whippersnippers well away from tree trunks and shrubs. They can ring bark the plant causing death.

• Feed lawns now with Multicrop Lawn Rejuvenator. The threeway action helps break up clay, feeds the lawn and promotes root growth. Available as granular or hose on.

• Look out for snails after the recent rain. Multiguard Snail and Slug Killer is safer for pets, including blue tongue lizards. Recommended by Dr Harry Cooper, the TV vet.

• After rain, dig a small hole and see how far the moisture has penetrated. This may be only a few centimetres and you will need to turn on your drip irrigation.

CEDRIC BRYANT

puzzles page

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars – March 24-30, 2014

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You’re full of innovative Aries ideas … but Mars is in retrograde mode. So, just because you’ve thought of something [and talked about it enthusiastically and endlessly] doesn’t mean you’ve actually done it. Perhaps it’s time to plan a little more and pontificate a lot less? Venus and Mars boost your charm on the weekend, when the love factor is high for many romantic Rams.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Looking for work? With Venus in your career zone, make sure your outer appearance is as immaculate as your job resume! On Thursday, it’s time for tentative Taureans to charge out of your comfort zone and do something challenging, exciting and different. Take the rough with the smooth in relationships on the weekend, as those around you demand your attention.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Mercury is powering through your career zone until April 8. So, the more you communicate and network with work colleagues, the more progress you’ll make. Lucky opportunities are all around but you have to grab them, before they pass you by. Jupiter favours financial matters until July 16 – as long as you are careful with cash and responsible with credit.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Are you making the most of Jupiter being in Cancer? It only happens every 12 years so up until July 16 explore, experiment and be enthusiastic about the opportunities that are around you. On the weekend, use deft diplomacy to navigate your way through a domestic dispute. The more generous and forgiving you are with a family member, the more responsive they’ll be.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Regal Lions love to be Number One but putting others first is the secret to fabulous relationships ATM. Plus find genuine ways to compliment others on work that they do well. Attached Cats – be proactive about partnership problems, as you hold out the olive branch of peace. For some singles, love and travel are linked … so start planning your holiday itinerary ASAP!

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Give your Virgo mind a vigorous workout, as the stars stir your curiosity and stimulate your desire for updated information. On Thursday you’re keen to contact friends, in person and online. All types of research are recommended on Friday, as your eye for detail is boosted by the Mercury/Pluto connection. The perfect time to go through paperwork with a fine-toothed comb!

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Light-hearted Librans – this week you’ll relate to loved ones in a deeper way than usual, as you strip back the layers of politeness and get to the bottom of relationship issues. The weekend is wonderful for love and romance, as Venus boosts good vibes and general joie de vivre. But if you are longing for a calm and comfortable partnership be warned … the only certainty is change!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

It’s the perfect week to put on your detective cap as you dig up a mystery, uncover a secret or research a topic that has always intrigued you. And you won’t have the patience or predilection for superficial conversations. Instead, you’ll seek out meaningful connections and intense encounters, as powerful Pluto deepens your feelings and increases your Scorpio sensitivity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Get out and about in your local community, as you nurture relationships with neighbours, and make new connections further afield. Mercury/Jupiter aspects on Thursday promise a fun day, full of stimulating mental and physical activities. Communication is the buzz word on the weekend. You’re in the mood to talk, but be careful idle chatter doesn’t degenerate into hurtful gossip.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week your business side goes into overdrive. Others appreciate you being professional, but try to add the personal touch as well. People are looking for practical support and encouragement, rather than Capricorn criticism – however ‘constructive’ it is. If you’ve been neglecting a friend or family member, they may have exciting weekend plans that don’t include you!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

With vivacious Venus sashaying through your sign until April 6 you’re on your best behaviour, as you charm the cynics and flirt in fabulous style. Attached Aquarians – this weekend, Venus and Mars help you come up with a grand romantic gesture that sweeps your partner off their feet! Sick of being single? Love is waiting online, with someone from another country or culture.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

When it comes to travel or education, you’re keen to zoom ahead but there are delays or obstacles forcing you to slow down and tick all the boxes first. Thursday’s stars encourage you to let your hair down and indulge in life’s little luxuries – good food, good living and good loving. On the weekend a secret is revealed, a mystery is solved or you find something that’s been lost.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

Across

3 Which swinging device is found in a grandfather clock?

7 One who robs at sea is called a what?

8 What do we call one’s female offspring?

9 To be open and sincere, is to be what?

10 What is the angular distance north or south from the equator?

11 Which underground room is often used for storing wine?

14 Name an alternative term for an exit

17 What is a persistent pain in the lumbar region?

18 What is a dried sweet grape?

19 To be perfect, is to have what (2,6)?

20 Name the English novelist who wrote “1984”, George ...?

21 What is an edible N American turtle called?

Down

1 To which mollusc group does the oyster belong?

Sudoku medium No.

2 What is a good luck token given at the beginning of a new enterprise, etc?

3 Which term describes a door-to-door salesperson?

4 Making an excavation is performed by doing what?

5 The large leaves of which plant are much used for salad?

6 What, oddly, are collections of crows known as?

11 What do we call the main executive organ of Australian government?

12 Name the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star

13 Which sea lies between PNG, Indonesia and the northern coast of Australia?

14 Name the US essayist (1803-82), Ralph Waldo ...?

15 What are critical articles on literacy works, films, etc?

16 Which stories are published in many regular instalments?

FIVE years ago Lori and Tim bought a new house for $850,000 and borrowed $600,000 and now they’re worried about the mortgage.

“I am not sure that we can afford to stay here,” Lori said. Tim is a builder on a salary of $120,000 plus profits and Lori is a public servant on $100,000 plus $30,000 from the business. They have three secondary school age children.

They came to see me concerned about their mortgage and superannuation.

I checked their superannuation statements and confirmed that Tim had $200,000 in superannuation. Lori had $70,000 in the Public Service Superannuation Scheme and $70,000 in the company fund.

They are both aged 50 and I asked them at what age did they plan to retire?

They both said they intended to work until 70.

“That certainly will help build up your superannuation over the next few years so that you have sufficient to retire on. That can be done in a number of ways, but we will review that further when we have a formal strategy in place.

“However, I am concerned about your cash flow because of your mortgage,” I told them.

“I notice that you have not been able to save very much over the last five years since you moved to the new, bigger house and with three children at private schools, I can’t see that changing too much.

“How important is it for you to stay in the house?”

Lori replied that she wasn’t wedded to the house, but more concerned about the struggle to meet the mortgage each month.

“If you sell the house, you should net $1 million and then – after you have paid the mortgage which is now $500,000 – you will be left with $450,000 after costs, which will allow you to buy a new home and only need to borrow, say, about $350,000,” I advised.

“This will improve your cash flow and leave a surplus to reduce the mortgage and pay into superannuation.

“There is a strategy that involves paying the minimum on the mortgage and putting maximum into superannuation then paying off the mortgage when you retire. “If that appeals, I can prepare an illustration for you.”

Tim said he’d feel more comfortable reducing the mortgage now so they were able to own a home and then pay extra into superannuation.

“That’s a good strategy, too, Tim. My calculations show that you should be able to pay off the reduced mortgage in less than 10 years, which is when you can maximise your superannuation contributions giving you both sufficient in superannuation to meet your retirement needs.”

Lori said she was relieved to now be able to see the way forward.

If you need help with superannuation and investment matters contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.