140403 citynews

The rising tide of ‘Me’ politics, MICHAEL MOORE

Making the most of emotions

SONYA FLADUN

‘Nymphomaniac’

DOUGAL MACDONALD Bedding down for winter

CEDRIC BRYANT

WIN the $3800 ultimate bushwalk Details, Page 13

Chartered Accountants

Hypno technique promises to relax the pain of labour

FOR many women, the words “giving birth” and “relaxing” hardly go hand in hand, but a Canberra woman believes the two can be synonymous thanks to a unique birthing practice.

Mother of two, Jamie Hocking, has recently launched a hypnobirthing program in Macgregor, where mums-to-be can learn relaxation techniques including visualisations, affirmations and deep breathing for each stage of labour – all of which aim to recondition the mind not to view birth as a “scary, excruciating” process.

Hypnobirthing practitioners believe by training clients to calm their body and mind to a state of self-hypnosis, it will reduce pain and discomfort during birth.

Jamie says she discovered hypnobirthing while pregnant with her first daughter, Josie, in the US.

“Everybody I knew was telling me horror stories about birth and I was just terrified,” Jamie says.

“When I started reading birthing books I found a paragraph about hypnotherapy and thought it could work because I really wanted to have a natural birth.

“During my birth at the hospital I didn’t take any drugs – the nurses thought I had been given an epidural, but it was really the techniques I had learnt. It was really a pain-free birth because I was releasing endorphins, which can be more powerful than morphine. It was intense at times, but nothing I found as unbearable in any way.”

Jamie says she was “so empowered” by the experience she decided to complete a hypnobirthing training course and launched the program in December after moving to Canberra. So far she has trained one family in a standard 12-hour course costing $550.

A relatively controversial treatment, hypnobirthing was founded in 1989 by New Hampshire hypnotherapist Marie Mongan.

The practice was made world-famous in June when the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was reportedly considering the technique for the birth of her first child.

Jamie says hypnobirthing has its share of sceptics, but it’s all about “trusting your body”.

“You have to have an open mind to do

this, certainly,” she says.

“People think it’s the TV and Hollywood version of hypnosis but really it’s just a state of relaxed concentration and focus.

Think about when you’re at work and you look at the clock and two hours have suddenly gone by because you’re so focused and concentrating on what you’re doing, it only felt like five minutes – that’s a state of hypnosis.”

Studies on the subject reveal mixed results; a 2004 research review found insufficient evidence to show that the technique is effective, while a 2012 study by “The Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing” found that, compared to general population figures, hypnosis and self-hypnosis during childbirth leads to decreased average length of labour, lower caesarean section rates, decreased use of pain relief medication such as gas and epidurals and increased ease and comfort

of labour and birth.

President of the ACT branch of the Australian College of Midwives, Rebekah Bowman, says hypnobirthing is becoming increasingly popular with the women she works with.

“From a midwife’s point of view, anything that will help women have a positive attitude towards birth, or will improve outcomes for birth for the postnatal period and also for the experience the women take away from the birth, is great – it’s about looking at birth positively,” she says.

“It’s also about reducing fear – when adrenaline is present the body’s built-in endorphins can’t do their work. Women labour faster when they’re not fearful.”

– Laura Edwards

More information on group courses at mindful-pregnancy.com

since 1993: volume 20, Number 12

Arts & Entertainment 19-21

Canberra Confidential 14

Cinema 2

Dining 21

garden 22

horoscope 23

12

City 10

3-12

8

23 socials 15-17

ONE of Canberra’s best-known digital journalists, John Griffiths, pictured, has been appointed editor of citynews.com.au

“CityNews” editor, Ian Meikle, welcomed the appointment saying : “John Griffiths has a masterful understanding of internet publishing , which he applies with professionalism and enormous good humour. I know readers will really enjoy the difference on our website under his leadership.” Griffiths was the founder of the RiotACT website which, he says, he started in late 2000 to win an argument with his girlfriend, “only to discover there are worse things in life than losing those sorts of arguments”.

“Having learnt a valuable, albeit painful and expensive, lesson in the perils of diluting founders’ equity, ending in its liquidation, I’m joining citynews.com.au full of enthusiasm for working with a bigger team,” he says. Contact him at john@citynews.com.au

contacts

CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au

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

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

senior advertising executive: Ernie Nichols, 0421 077999

Advertising sales executives: Graham Spencer, 6262 9100

Rebecca Dann, 0431 042087; Charlotte Hoy, 6262 9100

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Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601

Go home, stop giving us a bad name!

DON’T you sometimes wish our parliamentarians would take their business elsewhere and stop giving Canberra a bad name?

This week Attorney-General George Brandis seemed to be chasing a change of portfolio to Minister for Bigotry. His amendments to the racial vilification laws were so outrageous they even awakened Zed Seselja from his senatorial slumbers. “Too broad,” cried Zed.

Happily, the ACT Greens’ Shane Rattenbury, who beneath his many hats is Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, decided to propose our own law to keep us all pure in word (if not thought). Alas, it doesn’t apply to those blow-ins on The Hill.

PM Tony Abbott then trumped Gentleman George with his own corker: the return of knights and dames to our honours list. His fellow Parliamentarians – and most of the nation – didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Those of us with long memories recalled a similar situation in the mid-1960s when we were about to change to decimals and Prime Minister Robert Menzies wanted to call the new Australian currency ‘the Royal’. Australia erupted. Fortunately, his

Amendments to the racial vilification laws were so outrageous they even awakened Zed seselja from his senatorial slumbers.

Treasurer Harold Holt was able to persuade the dear old chap that the dollar was a little more preferable. No one in Abbott’s government, it seems, has the same intestinal fortitude. Arch republican Malcolm Turnbull folded like a punctured balloon.

WHAT a pity the departing Quentin Bryce, who so recently broke with the monarchists in publicly promoting an Australian head of state, should have blotted her republican copybook as she bade farewell. Seems you can take the girl out of Queensland but you can’t take Queensland out of the Dame.

OUR own glitterati didn’t exactly cover themselves with glory either with the “Four Corners” revelations of questionable dealings with a shady Indian antiques dealer. NGA director Ron Radford went missing while the brouhaha echoed around the Gallery walls. Ron, as we know, is leaving his post in

September (unless, of course, ill health or accumulated leave intervenes). But that has absolutely nothing to do with his acquisition of “The Dancing Shiva” from Indian conman Subhash Kaboor now awaiting trial in jail. No, seriously…

By week’s end a government “leak” strongly suggested Shiva would be dancing her way back to India even before Ron gets his skates on.

ANDREW Barr’s sudden discovery that “recession” was looming was equally unimpressive. Bleating is not an option, Andrew. Did you really not see the Abbott/Hockey steamroller coming?

NICE to see Telstra taking up the Civic employment slack with the 1000 work ers who will man (or woman) their new Mort Street operation. Add the recently announced free Wi-Fi in Civic and we really are wired for sound. Let’s hope they assign someone

ROBERT MACKLIN

to stop those scam artists calling endlessly for NAB account details. We have endured at least 150 of them. Goodness knows what America’s NSA electronic spy team made of our Australian scatology scorching the airwaves.

A SWEETER final note with a peek at Canberra Philo’s rehearsal at their newly renovated Fyshwick digs for their forthcoming production of “Cabaret”. Those Nazis certainly knew a thing or two about bigotry. The Philo will lay them in the aisles.

robertmacklin.com

CANBERRA’S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL TOWER HAS LANDED

These days the word icon is thrown around. It’s attached to anything a little bit different to the norm. But it’s a special word to be used with care.

We’re a city fast becoming a big city, certainly no longer a big country town. We’ve seen it happening in civic and we are starting to see it in the town centres. And Belconnen is literally transforming before our eyes.

But the pace has picked up in the last few years and it’s been nothing short of a revolution. And the revolution continues with Wayfarer.

The road to Wayfarer started with a big conversation about what people want from Canberra’s tallest residential tower.

With such a lofty vision, it was fitting that GEOCON tasked Cox Architecture to deliver on our ambition.

After all, Cox has been making big, bold, and beautiful statements around the world for more than 50 years. And we wanted this expertise at work on this landmark Canberra building.

Ronan Cox, Associate at Cox Architecture said, “Wayfarer represents a new way of living in Canberra. For so long Canberrans have been obsessed with living below the canopy and in the tree line. With Wayfarer, we have designed a building that changes that. Wayfarer, for me, evokes a certain way of living that we haven’t experienced yet.

Although Wayfarer is the city’s tallest apartment development, it has a lot more to offer than just height, including; the impressive façade, a grand entrance featuring six metre high ceilings, 235 sun drenched apartments, an infinity pool on levels 26 & 27, sky lounge entertainment area on level 25 and amazing views over Canberra. Wayfarer is a sophisticated building featuring brilliant inclusions

and is perfectly located close to Lake Ginninderra and the amenity of the booming town centre.

Views are a given at Wayfarer. The first 5 levels have been dedicated to car parking which is cleverly hidden within the façade. From level 6 upwards is where the magic begins; this podium level features a collection of beautifully appointed terraces with up to 160m2 of outdoor living, partially protected from the elements with pergolas. Apartments on levels 7 to 27 boast convenient sized balconies up to 35sqm in size and with uncompromised views.

Managing Director of GEOCON, Nick Georgalis said, “Wayfarer brings something very special to the Belconnen Town Centre. This iconic project will offer a unique living opportunity which has previously been unattainable in Canberra at this price. What I love about Wayfarer is the democratic design; everyone that purchases an apartment will have access to the infinity pool and sky lounge at the height of the building. These views are for everyone.”

And befitting an iconic building, Electrolux Ambassador Tetsuya Wakuda is truly an icon. Or, better said, a national treasure. His is a story of adversity, hard work, talent, and triumph.

Tetsuya and Wayfarer are a natural fit and both have a special place for Electrolux products. For Wayfarer, that special place is a ‘dream kitchen’ that will command the central living space of each apartment, with products that Tetsuya would have liked in his own kitchen as a first homebuyer.

Wayfarer is a new benchmark in Canberra living. A place where home is always first class.

LIFE AT WAYFARER APARTMENTS...

GRAND ENTRANCE

Your guests will be impressed from the moment they set foot at Wayfarer; the grand entrance sets the scene with six meter high ceilings.

PODIUM LEVEL

For those who love their outdoor space, the podium level 6 features semi-covered outdoor terraces of up to 160sqm.

SKY LOUNGE

Thought living in an apartment meant no big functions at your home? At Wayfarer you can host your guests in the sky lounge on level 25.

INFINITY POOL

Available to all residents, the infinity pool on levels 26 & 27 offers uncompromised views of Canberra.

DREAM KITCHENS

Every apartment at Wayfarer features a dream Electrolux kitchen, including induction cooktop, range hood, oven, compact combi oven, microwave and dishwasher.

TRUE ICONS

Electrolux Ambassador Tetsuya Wakuda is truly an icon and like Wayfarer, has a special place for Electrolux products.

DISPLAY SUITE OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 11AM - 4PM LOCATED AT THE CORNER EASTERN VALLEY WAY & AIKMAN DRIVE (ENTRANCE VIA MCDONALDS AND AMF CAR PARK)

Canberra’s Best Restaurant 2013 AHA Awards

about

‘me’, is this really what we want for Australia?

From primary students to professionals, you are invited to the FREE Locate14 Exhibition Open Day. Meet representatives from leading companies and attend speaker presentations.

• 40+ Exhibitors from leading spatial sciences and surveying companies, industry and research organisations

• Experience Google Glasses

• Presentations throughout the day from industry experts

• Visit the HERE vehicle

• Share your ideas on the Locate14 Conference Wonder Wall

• Network with key government, industry and business professionals

• Interested in a career in the industry? Visit the Destination Spatial stand for full information

EVERY cent is important. Down, down, down go our prices. Lowering taxes has become an imperative. Personal responsibility is the catchphrase. This is the new conservatism sweeping the world.

The American “Tea Party” provides the guiding light. Less government, less taxes, less regulation, less difference from mainstream middle-class values. Me, me, me! Is this really what we want for Australia?

The supermarket prices come down as farmers struggle. Small town economies plummet as less income for farmers means less spending at the local agricultural shops, hairdressers, supermarkets and bakeries. The banks pull out of towns, electronic systems take over and the banks centralise to major centres. Schools get smaller, less teachers. More jobs disappear. Towns die slowly.

Down, down, down go the prices in Canberra supermarkets. The prices go down, but at what cost? More savings are being made at the checkout. Shoppers are now their own checkout operators.

Who misses out? How often is it the full time jobs of the least educated, university students trying to support themselves through study or after-school students getting work experience and learning the importance of work for their income?

At the last ACT election the Canberra Liberals under Zed Seselja won eight out 17 seats in the Assembly.

The campaign that Zed ran could only be admired from a politicking perspective. Fear and uncertainty was created over rates. “Labor

The greatest consequence of ‘me politics’ is that the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest will widen even further.

+ Greens = Triple your rates” is the formula they released as their major plank to win the election. The campaign appealed to the selfishness in the electorate and took the Libs very close to success.

Tony Abbott followed suit. Despite the news just months from the election that Australia was one of only eight countries to retain a triple-A rating from all three major credit rating firms, the conservatives were able to persuade Australians that we were in dire financial strife. No doubt the mantra will be part of the justification for a draconian Budget to come down in May.

Just before the Federal election I wrote that one of Standard and Poor’s analysts, Craig Michaels, was reported to have identified that Australia’s financial status was “more contained” than was the case for other Triple-A countries.

Even with the weakening of the mining boom, Australia was managing extraordinarily well in international terms. Despite suddenly finding we have no money, the government is able to cut taxation on big business such as mining and is looking to the same for other businesses.

This “Tea Party” mantra means slashing and burning bureaucracies. With public servants being constantly hacked over the last few years, an acceleration in the cutting process can only result in such things as reduction in services, longer waiting times, slower turn around and less efficient government services.

Those with the wherewithal will find a way to manage. Those who do not have access to

MICHAEL MOORE

Really, George,

GO to a backyard barbecue in this town and start talking politics at your own risk.

Wherever you go in the suburbs, people have very, very strong views and they’re not afraid to express them.

I was at such a gathering in Calwell earlier in the year and I made the mistake of bringing up Federal politics. I’m of the belief that Tony Abbott and his crew are not doing such a bad job at running the country.

Malcolm and Giorgio disagreed… vehemently. Over Coopers Ale and Tasty Cheese Doritos we launched into an intriguing battle of opinions.

We started on asylum seeker policy and ended up discussing the performance of the AttorneyGeneral, Senator George Brandis.

electronic processing, accountants, lawyers, advisers or mentors will have the roughest time.

The greatest consequence of “me politics” is that the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest will widen even further.

The World Economic Forum rated inequality in income as one of the key risk factors in its ‘Global Risk 2013 Report’. The forum states on its website: “The report highlights wealth gaps (severe income disparity) followed by unsustainable government debt (chronic fiscal imbalances) as the top two most prevalent global risks”.

As we reflect on our politics and our actions it is time to consider what sort of society we really want for future generations.

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

that’s just not on!

I’ve got a bit of time for george. he could do with a sense of humour, but I admire the way that he’s getting in and getting things done.

I’ve got a bit of time for George. He could do with a sense of humour, but I admire the way that he’s getting in and getting things done. That’s what he was elected to do. This is what I told Mal and Giorgio. They questioned my mental capacity.

I defended my position and eventually Harro joined us and we were able to move to the safer ground of whether the Raiders would make the finals.

Some weeks after our get together, Brandis made his “bigot remarks” in the Senate. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing: “People do have the right to be bigots, you know”.

No sooner had the AG finished his tirade than my phone started ringing. It was Malcolm. “How’s your poster boy Brandis going now?” he asked.

I can’t support the Attorney-General’s com-

MARK PARTON

ments and I’m appalled that the chief lawmaker of the country thinks it’s appropriate to tell the nation that bigotry is okay in his book.

A bigot is defined as a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people, ideas, etcetera… a person who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group (such as a racial or religious group).

And that’s okay by Senator Brandis?

I’m not absolutely opposed to the changes in law, but this is not the way to sell them to the nation. You can’t outlaw bigotry any more than you can outlaw stupidity, but it certainly shouldn’t be accepted as normal behaviour.

There’s not many things that I support Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury on, but I’m glad that he’s having a go at changing the law in the ACT so that the Brandis amendments don’t apply to us. Australians need to know that our government doesn’t accept racial intolerance. That’s what Malcolm and I think, anyway. What are your thoughts?

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer at 2CC.

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Dancing in the raw...

HOW on earth do you describe the delicious abstraction of a truly contemporary piece of dance?

“Super sleek and sexy,” one critic drooled over guest choreographer Jacopo Godani’s “Raw Models”, part of the Sydney Dance Company’s triple-bill, “Interplay”, coming to the big stage of the Canberra Theatre in April.

But no, that’s not it, I find, when I talk to the Italian-born choreographer as he prepares to revive “Shared Frequencies”, originally created in 2011 after he met SDC’s director Rafael Bonachela at a contemporary

dance symposium in Venice.

It’s more that “we have these creative beings moving in a way that is unreal, sometimes moving super-fast and sometimes floating.”

“It’s not easy to describe work such as this,” Godani tells “CityNews”. “I try not to refer to anything… it’s based on the way the body and the mind connect, how our intellects can consent to drive the dance to the maximum of potential.”

Since 2011, there’s been a rollover of dancers in the Sydney Dance Company, so he’s been training a new generation in the work, never before seen in Canberra. “The focus is still the same,” he assures me, “and these are very focused dancers.”

That’s essential because, as he says: “It involves a sophisticated and complicated coordination of flight involving the human skeleton’s movement and it’s very eloquent, but I don’t know how to explain it.

“What you see could be from another dimension, but we try to dress it up as something theatrical, with the costumes and light.”

As well, his regular collaborators, the Munich-based experimental electro-acoustic group, 48nord, created the “Raw Models” score. “Working with

them is like a shot of adrenalin,” he says. “They really address perfectly the rhythm and the atmosphere needed – we have the beat and the power and the strength.”

Godani is no novice. Originally trained at the Centro Studi Danza in La Spezia, he made his professional debut in Paris, formed his own dance company in Brussels, then was from 1991 to 2000, a leading soloist with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt, where he also collaborated in creating the company’s signature pieces.

It’s hardly surprising then to learn that Godani has been proposed by the City of Dresden in Germany to become successor to William Forsythe as director of the world-famous Forsythe Company based in Frankfurt, with the possibility of taking up the job in autumn next year.

But Godani is far more cautious than the excited Sydney Dance Company, which has

announced it is a fait accompli, telling me: “It is one of the options for me to be artistic director, but this is still just a prospect to be evaluated by the states of Hesse and Saxony, as well as the cities of Dresden and Frankfurt… but I’m still very excited about it.”

He’s not allowed to comment, apart from saying its official that the founder, William Forsythe, is leaving, and that he is one of the potential directors who has been approached. It’s a highly political appointment, with politicians from four different entities to persuade he is capable of managing such a major company.

“I consider myself clever in my own field… I have my experience in the artistic and creative matters, but I wish I had more knowledge of the political world,” he sighs.

“Interplay,” Canberra Theatre, April 10-12, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Making the most of those emotions

I have to admit this emotional intelligence thing has something in it.

“ME and my brother are very emotionally compatible,” my seven-year-old girl announced the other day.

“How do you figure that? I asked, thinking about the fact that I seem to spend half my weekends breaking up their squabbles.

“I know this, I have emotional intelligence,” she said. “And we both yawn at the same time,” she added, as if that totally clinched the argument.

My girl has obviously picked up some of the language floating around modern child rearing. These days the importance of “emotional intelligence”, along with other concepts such as “resilience”, is in fashion across the packed shelves of self-help books intended to assist parents, as one recent text puts it, “build better children”.

Now, I have to admit I’ve never been big on embracing trends in child rearing. I tend to rely on tried and true over innovative and new. Still, I have to admit this emotional intelligence thing has something in it.

Teaching children how to express their emotions, deal with their feelings in positive and constructive ways, and understand the emotions and needs of others, strikes me as something that can only help them later in life.

The concept of emotional intelligence is all about understanding others’ viewpoints and feelings as well as being able to control your emotions – most people know that, right?

Not everyone. How many very smart people have you met who have really no idea how to relate to others and whose careers and lives have suffered because of this?

Having grown up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I’m familiar with the old dictum that children should be ‘‘seen and not heard”. Boys,

in particular, seemed to suffer because of a cultural constipation preventing them from expressing their emotions.

Today we are dealing with the consequences of the lack of emotional intelligence in new forms including cyberbullying. With new generations focusing on the screen more and more on electronic devices and social media, I wonder whether our social skills are becoming even more stilted. After all, Twitter and Facebook really aren’t places characterised by subtlety and sensitivity.

So, maybe a focus on emotional intelligence really is something that does need a big focus in modern child rearing, family life and in our national curriculum.

If more young people learnt to recognise and control their feelings, we could see a reduction in violence and binge drinking –problems often fuelled by poor impulse control or a desire to mask anxiety.

Teaching children to read others’ moods – recognising that a terse word or an unpleasant look might mean someone is having a bad day rather than being hostile – might also reduce conflict. Equipping kids with those emotional intelligence skills will help them have good relationships, and can only be a good thing.

SONYA FLADUN

there’s 3 bedroom homes with a 2 in front.

It’s hard to believe that you could be settling into your first home for less than $300,000. It’s like going back to the 20th century. But in a vibrant city with all the mod cons. And less than an hour’s commute to Canberra. And that’s not to mention the weekends where you will find yourself experiencing an entirely new feeling. In Goulburn, we call it relaxed.

goulburnaustralia.com.au

Maximise your health with private insurance

By Chris Grigsby, Head of Business Relationships, Defence Health

AUSTRALIA has a universal health care system that is the envy of the world.

The Australian health system operates with a combination of public and private service providers. Many services are either fully or partly funded by Medicare.

However, demand for public hospital care is increasing and waiting lists are growing. Since 2007, the average wait for elective care in a public hospital has grown by 61 per cent*. And most general treatment – such as dental and physiotherapy – receives no funding at all from Medicare.

This is where the private system helps to ease the pressure. If you have private hospital insurance, you can be treated when, where and by whom you choose. You’ll receive more timely treatment, have access to better facilities and have the ability to choose your doctor.

Private extras cover provides valuable benefits on general treatment such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, speech therapy and orthodontics. These costs can really add up without extras cover.

Do you have a Defence connection?

Defence Health was established 60 years ago and is now the largest health insurer for the families of ADF members, but not everyone can join Defence Health; access is available exclusively to the ADF and the Defence Community. This includes Defence public servants and Defence contractors as well as their extended families. You might be surprised to find your connection to the Defence Community.

To check if you are eligible to join Defence Health, call 1800 335425, visit defencehealth.com.au or join the online community at facebook.com/defencehealth

*Source: IPSOS 2013 Health Care and Insurance – Australia Report.

The long-awaited City Plan has been released. The City Plan sets a vision for future development in the city centre and a framework for how it could happen. The City Plan will help to determine development and growth, unlocking the potential of Canberra’s CBD and better integrating it with public transport, residential buildings, surrounding parklands and educational institutions. This is your opportunity to find out more about new residential, business and leisure opportunities and the future for our city centre.

briefly dose of dorin

Gem of a show

THE annual Canberra Rock Swap will be held at Wagtail Way, Exhibition Park, 8.30am-5pm, on the weekend of April 5-6. Entry is free and dealers and non-commercial rock enthusiasts will be selling a range of wares including jewellery, crystals, minerals, gemstones, opals, fossils and lapidary supplies. Family activities include sapphire sieving, gold panning, lucky dips and a sausage sizzle.

Spinning discs

THE National Film and Sound Archive’s free Vinyl Lounge returns, 2.30pm-3.30pm, on Sunday, April 6. Sound curators Thorsten Kaeding and Graham McDonald will spin their favourite disks and members of the public are invited to bring along their records and to play a favourite track.

Nursery birthday

THE Yarralumla Nursery will celebrate its centenary with an open day on Sunday, April 6. Recognised as the birthplace of the “garden city”, it is estimated that since its establishment in 1914, the nursery has propagated more than 50 million plants to help beautify Canberra’s landscape.

New course for walk

THE five-kilometre Canberra Walk to d’Feet Motor Neurone Disease will be in a new location, starting at the Patrick White Lawns, near Questacon, from 10am on Sunday 6 April. The course is suitable for walkers, runners, wheelchairs, strollers and dogs. The walkers will pay tribute to all Australians impacted by MND and raise funds for research, care and support to improve the lives of the 1900 Australians currently living with the fatal disease. More information or registrations to mndnsw.asn.au

SPEAKER. Ben Ponton

When: Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Where: Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Member: $80 Non Member: $125 All prices include GST

To register go to www.propertyoz.com.au/act or phone 6248 6902 by Friday, April 11.

letters

Post the ‘train-wreck’ interview

IN “Canberra Confidential” (March 20), ABC Canberra Morning host Genevieve Jacobs appeared to rely on “CityNews” readers not having heard the interview she did with legendary journalist John Pilger.

However, some of us did hear the interview, which was both live and lively.

Now, it’s a fair bet that Ms Jacobs would describe her own interviewing style as well-informed, professional and, almost certainly, feisty.

Yet when Mr Pilger displayed those same professional traits during the interview – traits developed during a lifetime of reporting from the world’s trouble spots, and rarely from a safe studio – Ms Jacobs condemned him as “patronising, arrogant and dismissive”.

She also smoothly avoided mentioning that she referred to “my producer” on air as the person who suggested the difficult interview. Pointing at your own staff when things get tricky is not a good look.

The ABC can let everyone make their own assessment of what went wrong in this taxpayer-funded interview, described by Ms Jacobs as a “train wreck”. I’ve asked station management to post the interview audio to the ABC website, in the normal way. If Ms Jacobs believes in transparency and openness, then she should likewise urge her managers to do that.

Marcus Vernon, Turner

Ban cage boxing

I ENDORSE Shane Rattenbury’s action to ban factory farming of animals in the ACT as a measure to reduce cruelty in the community, and as a way to send a message to other States who permit it.

In a similar way, as a counter measure to violence, I’d encourage the Legislative Assembly to ban “cage boxing” where men not only punch and kick each other “for sport”, but also continue to punch their opponent in the head while he is on the canvas.

This “sport” is currently banned in the NT and WA, but is permitted in other States.

It seems to me to be hypocritical for those State Premiers to talk about reducing violence in the community while at the same time permitting cage boxing. Surely this is something which both Labor and Liberals can agree on in the Assembly?

Bill Bowron, Farrer

Sorry for cruel comments

I READ the letter “Welcome to Canberra” (CN, March 27) with great sadness. Please do not judge Canberra residents by such cruel thoughtless comments.

I have lived here with my husband and children for 43 years and I am grateful for being able to raise and school my children in this great place. What I am most grateful for is that my children were

able to mix with, experience and learn from people from all over the world. Their race or colour of their skin did not matter, our family has been enriched by the experience. I am sorry the letter writer experienced such ignorance and hope his family will be as happy here as mine has been. Welcome to Canberra.

Tricia Simmons, Kambah

Smells rather than race?

I WONDER if the anonymous author of “Welcome to Canberra” (CN, letters, April 2), considered the possibility that “smells” referred to cooking odours from the particular cuisine, rather than to the person of that ethnicity.

Trish Saunders, via email

Accident waiting to happen

ANYONE looking at the mud slide that wiped out the town of Oso last week will note that the build up of soggy ground on bare hillside was blamed.

Now look at the Clyde Mountain; it is a steep slope, water pours down in streams and torrents on to the road when it rains. All the slides are post rain, it is a huge landslide waiting to happen.

It needs to be blown up at least 50 metres back from the road and replanted to hold the soil.

This road is a major accident waiting to happen. Patches and a flimsy barrier are a waste of time.

Chris Leopardi, via email

Don’t let the ‘weed’ genie out

I AM old enough to remember the 1960s’ “Marlboro Man” commercials, which were used in a tobacco advertising campaign to reflect cigarette smoking with the image of a healthy, rugged and manly smoking cowboy inviting viewers to come to Marlboro Country. This smoking pastime cost Eric Lawson, the third Marlboro Man to succumb to the smoking-related illness, lung cancer.

At that time I am sure there were many who did not see the harm in the smoking of tobacco, because they knew no better.

So I suggest that before condoning and encouraging the legalising of marijuana for the sake of increased revenue (“Grow up, legalise the weed”, CN, March 20) as columnist Mark Parton suggests, I would ask that he and other supporters of “legalising the weed” encourage further research and investigation before letting this “marijuana genie out of its bottle” and on to future generations.

Autumn on the Sapphire Coast / sponsored feature

‘There’s lots of friendly locals to help people, even if you’re just walking down the street.’

Head a little south for a lot more fun

ThE summer crowds have departed the sapphire Coast, but as locals and well-informed Canberrans know, that’s one reason autumn is such a great time to enjoy the “beautifully uncivilised” region slightly to the south of our more common coastal haunts.

The water’s still great for a swim, even first thing in the morning, and the weather’s just right for outdoor adventures, according to Sarah Chenhall from Sapphire Coast Tourism, an organisation that runs mainly on the hard work of local volunteers, keen to welcome visitors to their beautiful and sparsely populated corner of NSW.

“The accommodation is obviously cheaper than it is over summer, but at the same time, it’s still a really nice temperature if you want to go camping,” says Sarah, a keen scuba diver from Eden.

“The climate here is actually really agreeable for outdoor activities all year round, but of course it is cooling off a bit now, so it’s the best time to get active.”

The Sapphire Coast stretches from Bermagui to the Victorian border and along with Eden, it encompasses the towns of Bega, Bemboka, Brogo, Cobargo, Candelo, Merimbula, Pambula, Tathra, Wolumla, Wonboyn and Wyndham, each with its own unique character.

“There’s lots of friendly locals to help people, even if you’re just walking down the street,” says Sarah. “They’re such small towns that people who aren’t from around here stand out, and if you’ve got a confused, lost look on your face, there’ll be someone that’ll walk up and go: ‘Hey, can I give you a hand with anything?’”

The region is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine environment, owing to warm currents from the north mixing with nutrients from the Antarctic, and unique geographic features like Eden’s Twofold Bay, a safe harbour just north of Green Cape, which juts out into the sea and forms an obstacle for fish and birds travelling down the coast.

Of course the Sapphire Coast’s best known local produce is its top-notch seafood, which you can either catch yourself, or buy very soon after someone else does.

“We’ve got award-winning smoked seafoods and our mussels and oysters are just incredible; each estuary has its own different flavour,” says Sarah. “The mussels, for example, grow prolifically

around our estuaries and our bays, so if you’re a keen diver you can go and get your own oysters, mussels, fish; even crayfish and abalone. Spearfishing is really popular down here, too, because there’s heaps to catch and the water’s really clear.”

What is less well known is that the region is also full of high quality meat, vegetables, dairy products, wine (including the world’s only chilli wine), olive oil, sweets, and other foods from small-scale producers which is found in its cafes, restaurants, shops and open-air markets.

To get out on the water, every coastal town has a boat ramp, where motor boats are available for hire, and canoes and kayaks are now a very common sight, for good reason.

“We’ve got so many lagoons, lakes and estuaries to explore, and it can be really peaceful out there; in a lot of places you only have to paddle for a few minutes to be all by yourself,” says Sarah.

“With ocean kayaking, you can do half-day or full-day tours, so you can explore all the little caves, secluded beaches and rock pools, and we’ve got so many seals and dolphins and birds, that’s another really incredible experience.”

Accommodation on the Sapphire Coast runs the whole gamut from very affordable caravan parks in spectacular locations (there’s plenty of prime real estate to go around) to romantic bed-and-breakfastas and the finest hotels, or you can just take a backpack and go explore the pristine wilderness that earned the region a place on Australia’s list of 16 National Landscapes.

With more than 90km of professionally sculpted and maintained mountain bike trails in four locations, the region is a mecca for expert off-road riders and with two parks, a great place for beginners, too. The wilderness of the Sapphire Coast also beckons to those who love to move on foot.

“Most of our towns have short heritage walks and longer ones up to a couple of kilometres long, and it goes right up to the other end of the scale, like the Nadgee Wilderness Walk, which is about 50km long and goes through some very remote areas, so we can cater for everyone from someone who just wants a stroll before breakfast, to the really dedicated adventure hiker that likes going off the grid for a week at a time,” says Sarah.

“It’s so refreshing to get out into nature, and it’s only three hours away from Canberra so it’s really not that hard to get here.”

More information at sapphirecoast.com.au

surfing at Merimbula.

The best of both worlds: Win the Ultimate Nature Experience!

SAPPHIRE Coast Tourism is offering “CityNews” readers the chance to win a $3800 luxury bushwalking experience, which lets you take on the epic three-day Light to Light walk along a wild and isolated section of coastline in Ben Boyd National Park, without having to carry much or stay in a tent.

At the end of each day’s guided walk, you’ll be spirited away to a historic cottage at Green Cape Lighthouse to dine on fresh, local produce, soak up the panoramic views and spend the night, before you’re brought back to continue on the trail the next morning.

The medium-grade walk averages 10km a day, and connects Ben Boyd’s Tower, near Eden, to the isolated and rugged Green Cape promontory.

To enter, go to:

sapphirecoast.com.au/win-the-ultimate-natureexperience and answer the following question in 25 words or less:

Why do you need an ultimate nature escape?

Canberra Confidential

Famous five sent packing

CC wonders if the awfully famous Jamie Oliver would have got a seat at his own restaurant had he turned up the same night last week as celebrity weather man Steve Jacobs from WIN’s “Today Show”.

CC’s Civic snout was dining at Wagamama and saw Jacobs heading into Jamie’s Italian.

“We joked about how funny it would be if he was told he needed a booking, and lo, about a minute later he and his crew of four walked out looking lost,” she reports.

“He walks past again and wanders into Sammy’s where, of course, he’s rushed straight to a table.”

Steve was here for a live cross the next morning from the “Gold and the Incas” exhibition at the NGA.

Parking heaven

HOW we will miss these old ways as the rapacious Treasurer Andrew Barr inflicts new technology into the act of parking. As we go to press, this

week-old Manuka, short-term parking voucher is still yet to expire. Fabulous value for $1, it appears valid until 2.48pm on April 11. Which raises the question, if one can be fined for parking beyond the voucher’s time limit, is it possible to be fined for parking before the voucher had you parking at 2.08pm?

Large art, Small artist

PROUD sister Melinda Gonczarek emailed to identify the street artist responsible for the gigantic caricature of Ron Burgundy, the lead character in the “Anchorman” comedy movies, to be seen under the Ginninderra Drive Bridge, over Lake Ginninderra featured in CC on March 6.

“I am extremely biased... it’s my 19-yearold brother, James Small,” she purrs. “Biased or not, it can’t be denied he is a brilliant artist and for 19, perhaps Canberra’s ‘Banksy’.”

Stevie wrong

WHEN Bon Scott died in 1980, AC/ DC had only one name to replace him, the former Easybeats front man Stevie Wright . The band set up at a Sydney pub one afternoon for an audition, but Wright – who has had issues with self-abuse for decades –didn’t turn up and AC/DC moved on to conquor the world.

This was one of the many rock ‘n’ roll insights that veteran singer Russell Morris chattily shared with an intimate crowd of the curious faithful gathered to listen to the CD of his impending new album “Van Diemen’s Land” at the Southern Cross Club the other night. Morris, affable, articulate and authoritative, made some admissions himself, one of which was a love of reading science and history books.

Shame on you, Shane

A TROUBLED Macgregor resident wrote a letter (in an envelope) of complaint to TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury’s office. After a decent period of having received neither reply nor acknowledgement, he followed up with an enquiring email to be told that they don’t acknowledge letters, only emails to the Minister. CC thinks this is an uncharacteristic arrogance from the Minister for Ageing, given senior ratepayers are most likely to be the letter writers.

Getting the Dam spelling right

BOW-tied ArtsACT chief David Whitney must tremble every time a plaque is unveiled around the town.

There was the one that famously misspelt Arts Minister Joy Burch as “Birch”, then last week there was the grand unveiling of the Uruguayan sculpture at the Latin American Plaza.

The piece, by Hugo Morales, is constructed from discarded steel from the 1982 construction of Uruguay’s Palmar Dam.

Sharp-eyed “CityNews” arts editor Helen Musa looked closely at the rather smart, unveiled plaque and discovered the Palmar Dam, was spelt “Palmer”, as in Clive.

She cross-checked it then emailed Whitney, whose department manages public art around the town, who calmly replied: “The plaque was a temporary one and the real bronze is to be cast in the near future so all can be fully rectified.”

Needless to say, the temporary plaque had been winkled off by the following day.

Hmmms

“DEMAND for property in Ngunnawal has soared with the inner city suburb taking the title of this quarter’s hottest sellers’ suburb in the ACT.” Inner city suburb? Ngunnawal? You’d think realestate. com.au would know better.

DEVELOPMENT of the controversial Tralee housing estate has begun and amid the marketing blah-blah is this gem: “These first 30 family homes offered in stage 1 are located just a short walking distance from Tralee’s many proposed facilities.” For now, that means close to nothing.

BEAR uncaged… local, award-winning, media production house Bearcage has merged with a Sydney and Brisbane company and is now called Wildbear.

DRIVER goes through traffic management zone past two trained traffic controllers at a building site in Leichhardt Street, Kingston: First controller has to stop her while the second controller finishes texting on his mobile. On a second visit, the first controller again holds the driver back while the former texter this time finishes a conversation with a truck driver, his sign upside down as she passes by. She set out to alert the authorities before an accident occurred, but pretty well gave up after explanations to four indifferent Government departments.

Event of the week:

Embassy of Sweden reception

THERE’S a giant gap between discoveries in medical research and the reality of availability. And while every new development is trumpeted in the media with excitement and anticipation, the time between probability and reality is long and meticulous.

HMRI (Hunter Medical Research Institute) director, Prof Michael Nilsson, is Swedish and a friend of the ambassador, Sven-Olof Peterssen, so an “at home” reception at the residence was a welcome for his HMRI team who translate research into real health solutions with global collaborations but a patient-centred approach.

Joining the party, and admitting he’s never sold a car but does know about high-end technologies, was SAAB managing director Dean Rosenfield and his team. They’re about global security and defence. The reality was diplomacy and friendship enhancing business opportunities.

LYN MILLS

scene / around canberra

At Dragons Abreast 15th birthday dinner, New Acton At exhibition opening, Aarwun Gallery

Healing place with space to grow

hAWKER Place Physiotherapy has moved to the Playoust Building at hawker shops, with soaring ceilings, endless windows, beautiful wood panelling and a stunning mezzanine level that has been converted into a fully equipped Pilates studio.

The new premises are three and a half times bigger, giving the business the space to grow and expand, says owner Jennifer Kellett.

Jennifer established the business in 1991, offering treatment and management of all sport, work and recreation injuries, back and neck care and jaw pain etcetera. She now offers diagnostic ultrasound for pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscle assessment and clinical Pilates.

After 23 years at Birubi Chambers, Jennifer was feeling it might be time to wind down.

“But in September last year I decided to have a look at the vacant unit of the Playoust Building,” says Jennifer.

“It was a pivotal moment as I fell in love with the space immediately and could see so much potential.

“It completely re-energised me and renewed my commitment to my profession.

“With positive support from family (my daughter Shannon was the sounding board for all ideas) and friends, we commenced the fitout.

“My son Nathan helped to project manage, husband John helped set up the gym, son Cameron became our technical support and daughter-in-law Lizzie managed the business side of the transfer as well as co-ordinated

deliveries of equipment.

“We just love the new space.

“In our previous rooms we were quite closed in, but here there is a great connection with the outdoors and we can see the sky –it’s absolutely wonderful.”

The new rooms opened on January 6.

“The move has been a huge step forward for us. We have incredible new facilities, and new computer operating systems we can access from anywhere,” says Jennifer. “It really makes a difference to how we all work.”

Hawker Place Physiotherapy, Unit 1

Playoust Building, 108 Hawker Place, call 6255 2033. hawkerplacephysio.com.au

arts & entertainment

Director replaced by cast member

By helen Musa

CAST member and local comedy

actor Gordon Nicholson has become the third director in almost as many months of the “Broadway-style” musical, “Winging My Way to the Top”, after distinguished Sydney director Rodney Fisher withdrew at the weekend only weeks into the job.

Nicholson steps into the director’s role on a show that Fisher, one of Australia’s best-known professional directors, had described ahead of his resignation to “CityNews” as having ”dramaturgical problems” and that he had been rewriting some of the lyrics of the musical that has already attracted $34,452 of public money from ArtsACT.

Fisher’s departure follows that of the initial director, Stephen Pike, who stood down for health reasons. The show, written by Karen Strahan and Jill Walsh, is due to open for a fortnight season at The Q, Queanbeyan, on May 8.

As Fisher told “CityNews” after his resignation: “Unfortunately, with performance dates already announced, Karen and Jill have decided that a postponement would prove expensive (however advisable it may be). They plan instead to proceed with the show in its original state.

“Work on reshaping and strengthening the script had been progressing well but, in the end, sheer lack of time meant that an amicable parting of the ways became inevitable.”

Fisher’s departure comes in the wake of the withdrawal of one principal cast member and the original director. The show achieved only $4311 of its $30,000 crowd-funding target. The show has a budget of more than $120,000.

Fisher had previously told “CityNews” that while “writing songs for other people to sing” had been the forte of “the girls”, members of the cabaret group The Marvellous Mizdemeanours, their experience of theatre writing and production was negligible and that there were dramaturgical problems in the story of the three Diamond sisters making their way into showbiz that raised questions such as: “Who does this and why?”

He said he had recommended the introduction of a chorus and the excision of at least one main character.

While he was very busy writing a film script, he had agreed to direct the show because he was moved by the enthusiasm of Strahan and Walsh and wanted to help them achieve their dream. He said he now wished them “all good fortune in their endeavours”.

Sitsky, happy as Larry

GIRLS’ Grammar School piano teacher, Suzanne Hewitt, was first off the mark in a year marking the 80th birthday of Canberra’s most famous composer, Larry Sitsky, with a concert in which her talented pupils performed works written by him for young keyboard artists. Sitsky was on hand to assure them that unlike most composers, he was still very much alive. Hewitt was, onlookers said, “as happy as Larry.”

THAT unrepentant satirical duo, Shortis & Simpson, have a new show, “Open for Business”. (I wonder where they got that title?) “As the Age of Entitlement sinks slowly in the west”, they promise they’ll be singing of “repealing and concealing, boat-stopping and public service-lopping… and more.” At Teatro Vivaldi, April 12-13. Bookings to 6257 2718.

CONGRATULATIONS

to local glass artist Mel Douglas, who has carried off the acquisitive Tom Malone Prize in Perth, meaning that her winning work, “Camber”, pictured, will now become part of the State art collection at the Art Gallery of WA. The judges declared themselves “blown away” by her work.

THE Craft and Design Centre of CraftACT has announced its three artists-in-residence – Melbourne sculptor Annee Miron, Japanese wood artist Satoshi Fujinuma, and textile artist Sally Blake, who will participate in the 2014 program, “Bogs and Fens”. Blake and Miron will do their residencies during April at Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

“MIRROR Image – reflections on people and land” is a contemporary dance-theatre creation by Mirramu

helen Musa arts in the city

Dance Company, Dancecology (from Taiwan) and Jyh Shyong Wong of DPAC (Malaysia). At ANU Arts Centre, 8pm, April 4-6, bookings to canberrarep.org.au

MUSICA Viva has the Sitkovetsky Trio playing Smetana, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Vine on April 10 at Llewellyn Hall, but that’s not enough for them. They’re adding on a pre-concert demonstration of violin-making, Music in the Courtyard, a “Young @ Heart Activity” instrument-making session with Jim Sharrock, music from the Tribe Program at interval and a post-concert “meet the artists” session. Bookings to musicaviva.com.au

COMING to the stylish Embassy of Finland on April 7 is Finnish operatic baritone, Juha Kotilainen, accompanied by young pianist Joel Papinoja, performing works by Sibelius, Kuula and Rautavaara and others. A reception follows. Bookings to 6273 3800 or ewa. walczuk@formin.fi

THE free High Court’s Sunday music program continues apace at 1pm on April 6 with choral group, Andante Andante, presenting “The Harmonies of Abba” and Shenanigans Barbershop Quartet singing songs for a four-part a cappella.

THERE’S an arty side to the annual “Wine Harvest Festival”, April 5-6, with live jazz at Brindabella Hills Winery, craft markets at Tallagandra Hill, French harvest dishes at Yarrh Wines and art exhibitions at Barton Estate and Shaw Vineyard Estate. For access to a “passport,” visit canberrawines.com.au

By helen Musa

Two new Canberra-made plays are about to open in Civic.

“Warts and All” is not a pretty title for a play billed as a light comedy, I suggest to prize-winning Canberra playwright Bruce Hoogendoorn, but as he explains, “it’s about one family involved in airbrushing their history.

“The most famous plays of all time are about families – ‘Death of a Salesman’, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, ‘The Glass Menagerie’ and even ‘Hamlet’,” he says.

In this play, 17-year-old Simon has been sent to stay with his grandmother in Queensland after he becomes ill, and finds her in the middle of writing the family’s history, part of what the playwright calls “a real boom”.

Hoogendoorn is directing his own work and with his plays being now being performed as far away as Aberdeen, Scotland, he says he’s “developed a lot of confidence”.

His all-star cast includes the extraordinary Oliver Baudert playing an 80-year-old woman, as well as Rob De Fries, Will Huang, Helen VaughanRoberts, Adellene Fitzsimmons and Elaine Noon.

hoogendoorn.

The play, which has seen 13 drafts before this, focuses on older women characters, each trying to sort out the difference

between truth and selective truth.

“Yes, it’s a light comedy, but it’s got some emotional impact to it,” he says.

EMMA Gibson, too, is a notable playwright, not long back from New York’s La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, where one of her works was read.

When last we chatted, her play, “Widow Bird”, had been read at a conference in Stockholm, after which she holidayed in Denmark, sitting in a boat in Copenhagen harbour near the statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid and writing a play inspired by it.

“Johnny Castellano is MINE” is the result, and it will soon be seen in a professional production at The Street Theatre, staged by Canberra Youth Theatre director, Karla Conway. Gibson describes it as “a tale of obsessive love, about never wanting to let go” – that’s the little mermaid motif. There’ll be no spoilers from Gibson, but it’s told from the female point of view, with the exciting dance artist Alison Plevey playing the main character.

“I think every high school has a Johnny Castellano – charming, tragic and exotic… the very kind of boy that parents worry about their daughter meeting,” she says.

“Johnny Castellano is MINE”, The Street Theatre, until April 12, bookings to 6247 1223 or thestreet.org.au

“Warts and All,” The Courtyard Studio, until April 12, bookings to 6275 2700 and canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Easter @ St Peter’s Weston

Saturday April 12 2-5pm Easter story, egg making and decorating Maundy Thursday 8pm

Good Friday 9am Sunday • 8am and 10am www.stpetersweston.org.au Phone 02 6287 1193 Cnr Parkinson Street & Watling Place Weston. ‘connecting people to Jesus Christ who offers true hope purpose’and

MARGARET DIMOFF ART GALLERY

Unique works by Margaret Dimoff

• Visit one of the largest galleries in Canberra

• 7 large rooms of contemporary art

• Large affordable abstract canvases and painting under glass

• One - off original pieces for the home, or corporate setting

• Delivery is available • One week free trial in your home

Open Friday to Sunday 10-4pm or by appointment

0407 416 480

Corner of Hopetoun Circuit & 38 Grey Street, Deakin Email wmdimoff@bigpond.com www.margaretdimoffart.com.au

arts & entertainment

Unflinching verbal and visual frankness

“Nymphomaniac” (R)

FOUR stars for Lars von Trier’s massive (236 minutes) two-part film, screening in Canberra as one, which reflects its cinematic values less than its unabashed treatment of a topic that “polite” society tends to avoid discussing.

Women too often find awareness and appreciation of their sexuality diminished in a society that gives more attention to its male counterpart. While “Nymphomaniac” gives significant attention to male sexuality, men cannot be nymphomaniacs.

Seligman (Stellan Skarsgard) finds Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) lying bashed in an alleyway. In his flat, he tends to her injuries, gives her food and asks how she came to be there. So begins Joe’s eight-chapter warts-and-all account of her sexual life from eight years old when she and her chum B lock the bathroom door, take down their knickers, while otherwise fully clothed pour water over the tiles and slide around on them. Children need protection from sexual exploitation by adults, but their sexual identities will develop in their own time.

Von Trier stages the stations of Joe’s sexual life driven less by eroticism than unflinching verbal and visual frankness. A fine cast includes Uma Thurman as a mother abandoned by a husband (Hugo Speer) obsessed by Joe’s unrestrained randiness; Shia LaBeouf as an employer who pops into and out of Joe’s life with ultimately awful consequences; and Willem Dafoe as an employer who recognises Joe’s value as a debt collector.

For its ending, a well-written short story should return to its beginning. “Nymphomaniac” honours this canon. By all means commend it to friends, but don’t reveal what that involves.

At Palace Electric

Dougal Macdonald cinema

“Noah” (M)

“half of a Yellow sun” (M)

THE title of UK-based writer/director Biyi Bandele’s debut feature describes the Biafran flag.

In 1960, Nigeria became independent with borders not reflecting its ethnic composition. In 1966, coup and counter-coup led in May 1967 to secession of the eastern region as Biafra, which led to perhaps a million deaths from military and health causes.

Born around the demise of Biafra, Bandele has adapted a novel by academic Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie into a powerful, beautiful, credible film about the events leading to, during and after Biafra.

On independence, when Olanna (Thandie Newton) returns after receiving Harvard and Oxford degrees, she begins a relationship with revolutionary professor Odenigbo (Chewitel Ejiofor). Her twin Kainene (Anika Noni Rose), managing the family’s business interests, finds herself fascinated by British writer Richard (Joseph Mawle).

What happened nearly half a century ago in a corner of Africa about which most Australians probably know little becomes on screen a wonderful collection of themes, ideas, events, relationships and historical perspectives combined into a profound cinematic experience. The people are beautiful. The landscapes are breathtaking. The staging of events both joyous and grim is convincing.

Which all add up to a film worth seeing.

At Palace Electric and Capitol 6

MYTH? Legend? Fable? Allegory? Parable? The story of the flood and Noah’s building of the ark was oral tradition before men, endeavouring to explain what was then (and remains to some extent in our time) the inexplicable, wrote the Bible’s Old Testament.

To present the story to a 21st century audience inured to movies filled with fictional inventions and heroic, destructive, fanciful creativity unrelated to modern reality, Darren Aronofsky’s film goes further than Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, the first of its numerous predecessors to record it in writing. Have the length and verbosity of that last sentence bored you? Such boredom is as nothing by comparison with the film. The screenplay by Aronofsky and Ari Handel introduces elements desperate for recognition in the film’s search for novelty. When Tubal Cain (Ray Winston) and the tribes that follow him try to take possession of the unfinished ark, Noah’s allies beat them to a pulp. Who are those allies? A cohort of near-invincible rock creatures that down tools from helping Noah build the ark to smite the intruders hip, thigh and everything else.

The film is crammed with 21st century notions of what the ark and its cargo might have been. Many of them assume technologies that did not exist at the time the flood purports to have happened. Tubal Cain is known as the forefather of smithing. Even before he surprises Noah by his arrival, the film depicts metal artefacts.

Aronofsky’s dramatic fabrication of the story of Noah (Russell Crowe), his wife (Jennifer Connelly), his three sons and their women belongs in the same league as all those invaders from outer space. Creationists will blame the Creator for its assumptions that simply don’t withstand rational scrutiny, which science does on more reliable grounds.

At all cinemas

Careful snacks amid rum Credibility trips show

By Wendy Johnson

ThERE is a rum for everyone, they just don’t know it … yet.

That’s the motto of the relatively new The Rum Bar at Kingston Foreshore. I’m not a rum aficionado (unless in the Caribbean on a beach), but am impressed with the massive number of premium types available. I wonder if you waltzed up to the bar and asked any staff member for an explanation on, say, “the third rum” from the top of the list, whether they’d be able to provide a dissertation on same? Probably they would.

The pintxos menu is not extensive but carefully developed, with “snack dishes” ranging from $6 for a bowl of mixed olives to the heartier charcuterie board, a selection of seasonal cured meats, anchovies, olives, parfait and house-made poppy seed crackers for $22 (for two).

The Rum Bar isn’t a food destination, but a place that recognises the importance of putting something in your stomach when drinking, for physical support (to absorb alcohol) and for added pleasure.

I’ve been to The Rum Bar several times. On my last visit we were two and ordered three dishes to share. They came out in quick succession, which had an impact on our experience.

Our baked wheel of Brie, for example, which we expected to be a warm, oozy cheese fix, had cooled and hardened somewhat by the time we got to it. We loved the flavours with the cheese infused with rosemary, caramelised garlic and white wine and were impressed with the $9 price tag (very reasonable when you consider some pubs charge that, or more, for an ordinary bowl of hot chips).

The crispy calamari (gluten free and $9) was lightly coated in rice flour and fried. It too had cooled off by

the time we were able to finish it. A big tick for the zesty citrus aioli, though.

The rolled lamb backstrap ($18) was super… three pieces of goat’s cheese and herb-rolled meat topped with apricot and black plum compote and served with a minted pea puree. It looked lovely on the dark slate plate, but it was a challenge to cut the third piece in half to share.

My recommendation is that The Rum Bar specifies the number of pieces in a serve so customers who are sharing know what to expect.

We didn’t indulge in anything sweet, but thought the orange espresso crème brulee (only $7) sounded delightful.

The Rum Bar has a pianist playing on Wednesdays in the early evening. It’s cozy on the inside although some tables are small meaning managing several shared dishes and drinks is a challenge. Outside are two seating zones – one undercover and one further out closer to the water.

6/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore, call 0477 001399.

La Scala Italian Restaurant

Celebrating 25 years of excellence and welcomed as an accredited member restaurant to The Academy of Italian Cuisine for accurately displaying Italian culinary traditions and innovations.

Centre Cinema Building, Garema Place, Canberra City 6248 8338 www.lascala.net.au

CANBERRA Rep’s “Twelfth Night” had all the ingredients for a quality production.

Ed Wightman directed last year’s “The Book of Everything”, which was a standout in Rep’s 2013 season. The large and experienced cast are known for solid and believable performances in previous productions.

Yet this show lacked cohesion, had an uneven pace, some confusing design elements and frequent moments of a distracting lack of credibility.

Quentin Mitchell’s set design was stylish and sparse. However the costume design, which was supposed to reflect a 1930s aesthetic, was actually a mismatched array of day and nightwear that spanned several centuries.

A decision to replace Shakespeare’s original songs with old pop songs could have worked if jolly and comedic numbers

theatre

“Twelfth Night (or What You Will)” By William shakespeare, directed by Ed Wightman At Theatre 3 until April 12. Reviewed by simone Penkethman

were chosen. Instead, the sweet-voiced Tim Sekuless, as Feste the clown, repeatedly slowed the pace with numbers that were more torch-song than jovial ditty. There were some strong individual performances. Eleanor Garran’s Viola provided an integral evenness and credibility. Jerry Hearn’s Malvolio also made a genuine connection with the audience.

But comedy requires a sense of deep, human truth to be truly effective and that was generally lacking from this production.

Try delicious oysters direct from Australia’s Oyster Coast farms. Join cooking demonstrations by south coast’s ‘hatted’ chefs . Indulge in the Ultimate Oyster Experience. Great live music including Johnny G and the E-Types, play in the Ambrose Golf Classic and much more.

‘Bedding’ down for winter

AUTUMN is changeover time for annual plants, otherwise known as “bedding plants”.

The great display of petunias in baskets, which brightened our lives in Civic, has now gone. They were a great success and maybe we will see them replaced with winter plants such as the cheerful colours of pansies, with the pretty cat whiskers faces, and the stunning colours of violas.

A perfect example to brighten dull winter days is the new Oasis “Natural Beauty” range of pansies. Especially stunning are the new varieties of Pansy “Vivid”, which are due to arrive any day at local garden centres.

HOW soon the garden returns to colour (it takes about eight weeks from planting time to full flower) depends on how well you prepared the soil, feeding and watering.

Dig the soil over and, as it has most probably been feeding plants all summer, it will need a boost. Add certified organic Neutrog Seamungus – a combination of seaweed and chook poo – into the soil. Don’t overdo it; about a good handful per square metre combined with garden lime at the same rate. Work this into the soil about a week before planting. To encourage strong root growth, water the plants in with seaweed plant nutrient with my usual recommendation, “weakly, weekly”, ie a weak solution once a week.

I STILL get inquiries from readers confused about how deep to plant bulbs. Simply, plant the bulb with the same amount of soil over the top as the bulb is thick. As an example, daffodils are about 5cm thick, so plant the bulb with 5cm of soil over the top. This applies to all bulbs, so simple.

A

perfect example to brighten dull winter days is the new Oasis ‘Natural Beauty’ range of pansies.

Malus “g olden hornet” crabapple… the beauty with crabapples is they are virtually pest and disease free.

ONE of the other most common inquiries is:

“My daffodils have been in for many years and now I get hardly any flowers”. What’s happened is that over time the bulbs have gradually got deeper into the soil. Usually with a combination of leaves, mulch etcetera. By the time the bulb struggles through to the surface spring is over! Also there is the effect of shade from trees that possibly were quite small when planted but keep the bulbs in too much shade.

Dig up the bulbs now and replant them in a sunny place after improving the soil as described above. It is important not to put fertilisers into the planting holes of bulbs, this includes chemical or organic fertilisers and fresh manures.

CRABAPPLES are such marvellous trees, providing yummy fruit at this time. The fruit can range in colour from deep red to bright yellow

Oasis Pansy “spreading v iolet Wing’... great for ground cover with a spreading range to 60 centimetres.

and in a few weeks the trees will develop great autumn leaf colour. The beauty with crabapples is they are virtually pest and disease free, except perhaps for possums and parrots.

IT’S time to start replacing strawberries that may have been in the ground for three years or longer. Always buy “certified virus free” strawberries from your local garden centre rather than accepting plants from well-meaning friends. Never grown strawberries before? Help is at Cedfacts at cedricbryant.com

Jottings...

· Pieces of carpet thyme can be dug up from the big patch and replanted to fill gaps in the garden.

· Plant seedlings or sow seed of corn salad.

· Think daphnes and camellia sasanquas for winter colour.

· Keep rhododendrons and camellias well watered to ensure good bud formation.

· Move citrus in containers under cover to protect it from early frosts. Cover young citrus in the ground using four tomato stakes and hessian over the top and sides.

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars – April 7-13, 2014

ARIEs (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Many Rams feel ridiculously restless, as projects seem stalled at every turn. Retrograde Mars is doing a number on you, and forcing you to be patient … something that definitely doesn’t come naturally. Mercury moves through your sign (from April 8-23) so expect your inventive and imaginative side to blossom. But once again guard against being too impetuous and impulsive!

TAuRus (Apr 21 – May 20)

Your daily routine seems to be moving along at a slow snail’s pace but have faith that things are happening behind the scenes. When it comes to a friend or acquaintance, all is not as it seems so use your trusty Bull**** detector to separate fact from fiction. This week’s stars favour getting involved in charitable work with a global reach, or helping someone closer to home.

gEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

With Venus visiting your work zone, strive to patch up professional problems and deal with disagreements in a careful and considerate fashion. If you’re in line for a promotion, bonus, raise or new job, then dress to impress. And with Mercury moving into your friends and acquaintances zone (from April 8-23) perhaps it’s time to expand your peer group to include some fresh faces?

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Expect intense communication, as tricky aspects trigger emotional outbursts and power games. So strive to keep your emotions under control. With the Sun, Mercury and Uranus shaking up your career zone aim to be more creative, communicative and unconventional at work. Some singles will be drawn to a mysterious and romantic overseas suitor … but are they all they appear to be?

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The Sun and Mars are at odds so you’ll feel rushed and reckless, but being impulsive and careless will backfire badly this week Cats! Be extra careful when emailing, texting or tweeting, as it will be very easy to accidently send a message to the wrong person. So proceed with caution, plus do plenty of physical activity so you can channel your fiery energy in productive ways.

vIRgO (Aug 23 – sept 22)

Don’t ponder and stew over making decisions. Your ruling planet Mercury moves into Aries this week, which encourages you to think on your feet and then act with lightning speed! And do you want to attract more love and lust into your life? With Mercury (planet of communication) also shifting into your intimacy zone, the best form of foreplay is stimulating conversation.

LIBRA (sept 23 – Oct 23)

Work issues look complex and confusing this week, as colleagues offer you vague instructions or complicated directions. When in doubt, ask for clarification, and keep your Libran cool. Saturday’s Venus/Neptune hook up is fabulous for flirting, romantic candlelit dinners, creative partnerships and spiritual pursuits. You’ll also lose a few hours via some delicious daydreaming.

sCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Scorpios are awesome organisers, supreme strategists and marvellous managers. But this week, aim to be more collaborative, otherwise colleagues and loved ones may refuse to cooperate. It’s a wonderful weekend to get together with family, friends and acquaintances, as you share your dreams for the future and set goals together. Romance and creativity are also highlighted.

sAgITTARIus (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This week you’ll be easily bored, so make sure your timetable’s full of entertaining things to do. A situation with a friend or acquaintance is frustrating but hang in there Sagittarius! If you are patient, then things will gradually improve after Mars moves forwards on May 20. Home is a hive of activity on the weekend, as people come and go at a constant and confusing rate.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You’ll feel pulled in opposing directions, as conflicting demands unsettle your Capricorn cool. Things are constantly changing, so keep your schedule flexible. With Mercury in your home zone, the more you communicate with family members, the more connected you’ll feel. The work place is a bit of a minefield though, as you or colleagues become irritable about constant changes.

AQuARIus (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

This week favours fast thinking and plenty of lively discussions, as Mercury moves into your communication zone. Money matters look confusing though, as you underestimate the true cost of a current project and overestimate the ease at which you will be able to finance it. Avoid ‘comfort shopping’ Aquarius – buying expensive things you don’t need, to boost your spirits.

PIsCEs (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Pisceans are super romantic souls, but don’t end up being a martyr in love. If your partner isn’t treating you well, stand up for yourself. If they don’t change their behaviour, then show them the door. With Venus visiting your sign (until May 3) put aside time to express yourself creatively through writing, painting, photography, acting, singing, dancing or playing music.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

general knowledge crossword No. 448

Across

4 Which New Guard member disrupted the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, Francis ...(2,5)?

8 What do we call the judicial termination of a marriage?

9 Which term describes a non-professional person?

10 To rush about wildly, is to do what (3,4)?

11 Which word relates to the nature of fire?

12 What is a company of seven singers?

14 Which transparent bodies decompose light into their spectra?

18 In which ocean does Fiji lie

21 Name the arbitrator in football matches

22 To act as chairperson, is to do what?

23 What is otalgia more commonly known as?

24 To have dwelt somewhere for a considerable time, is to have done what? Down

1 What is a place where a person lives, or may be reached?

sudoku medium No.

124

Solution next week

2 Which chambers are used for baking?

3 What describes any mammal that includes humans, monkeys, apes, etc?

4 Name the Liberal politician who was Australia’s prime minister on three occasions, Alfred ...?

5 Which is the smallest unit of weight in most imperial systems?

6 What are spotted, leopard-like cats?

7 Name another term for beginners, or novices

13 What do we call ships that carry mail, passengers and goods regularly on a fixed route?

15 Name the Australian pioneer surgeon (1774-1833), William ...?

16 What is an alternative expression for globular masses?

17 What is a long speech, or piece of writing?

18 To bear an expense, is to pay the what?

19 Name a popular type of cooked egg

20 What is another term for an armistice?

Caroline came to see me concerned that she and her partner Kevin had the strategy for their self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) right.

I asked her to sumarise their salaries, superannuation fund balances, other assets, the investment strategy of the fund and their financial statements.

Caroline explained that she and Kevin were both aged 58 and planned to retire in about 10 years, were each on salaries of about $85,000 and had balances in the fund of about $180,000 each.

“We own our own home and have about $20,000 in the bank,” she said.

“We have ideas about how we can increase our wealth in the next 10 years until we retire.

“Now that the kids are grown up, we have sufficient income and we have heard that we can buy an investment property in our SMSF. We thought that it might be a good idea.”

I told Caroline that before I could even consider that idea, there were a few things I needed to know about their fund.

“Your investment strategy does not indicate that property is part of the strategy, nor does it indicate that you can borrow,” I advised her.

“So before we examine purchasing property in your SMSF, I would like to examine your current investments and administration of the fund.”

Caroline agreed, saying that she felt they needed more information to ensure that they knew they were doing things properly.

I asked her if they had done a risk assessment with their current adviser, but Caroline couldn’t recall.

“I need to perform a risk assessment for each of you,” I told her.

“This will determine whether your current investment strategy is suitable for your preferred risk level. I will then examine the assets currently in your fund and we can look at the property issue.”

Caroline said her superannuation fund trust deed had not been updated since it was set up 1998 and they were still using the original deed.

“There have been many legislative changes since 1998 and it is probable that the deed will need to be updated,” I advised her.

“This is an inexpensive process and it will ensure the trustees of the fund are investing as prescribed by the deed. We should also look at insurance as there are changes which might impact on you from July 1 and we should make sure that you have the right insurances in place and in the right entity. We can do this at your next appointment.”

Caroline said she was looking forward to that discussion and would make sure Kevin was at meeting.”

If you need advice about your SMSF contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman.