140710 citynews

MICHAEL

SONYA

Time

TIM

BLUE MEANIE

CEDRIC

Strange beauty of the killer parasites

THERE has been a popular outbreak of parasites around Canberra over recent weeks as the Australian Society for Parasitology ramps up to National Science Week with a series of exhibitions and lectures around the city.

The society says parasites are normally thought of as disgusting and regarded as an aberration but, in fact, the parasitic way of life is the most common way of life on the planet.

They are the most ingenious and manipulative of all life forms and possess a strange beauty, as these photos, taken by scientists who study parasites, show.

They are a part of everyone’s life – they infect our pets, the meat and crops we eat, and us.

They also infect our marsupial wildlife and the fish in our oceans and reefs, sometimes with devastating consequences.

“Parasites are fascinating because of their intimate relationship to their host, which is a continual balance between life and death for both the host and parasite,” says Prof David Ferguson, parasitologist and electron microscopist, from Oxford University.

Parasites are usually defined as organisms that live in or on another organism (the hosts) and often causes them harm.

Well-known examples of parasites include tapeworms, roundworms, ticks and fleas. Human diseases such as malaria, bilharzia, elephantiasis and sleeping sickness are all caused by parasites.

By understanding the ways of parasites, scientists can find new ways to control malaria, human hookworms, schistosomes, and veterinary parasites.

If they are successful, the lives of millions of people will be saved, their crops and livestock will be more productive and the impact on reducing poverty in the Third World will be immense.

To get up close and personal with parasites, the CSIRO Discovery Centre, North Science Road, Acton, is exhibiting “Parasites in Focus”, weekdays, until August 1. Entry is free.

PARASITES have been affecting soldiers for centuries in times of war and peace and ANU scientist Dr Rowena Martin will describe some of the devastating effects caused by the malaria parasite with an address titled “Malaria in Wartime” at the Australian War Memorial Lecture Theatre, from 2pm on Sunday, August 17.

And look out for more parasites during National Science Week at “Science in ACTion”, which will run from August 15-17 at the Melville Hall, ANU.

More information at parasite.org.au/

1. This blue-faced louse (Campanulotes bidentatus) was found on a pigeon. The soft downy feathers of the pigeon provide a warm place for the lice to live and are also their source of food. Can you see the “two teeth” or mandibles these lice use to eat with?

2. Pediculus capitas (in pink) are parasitic lice that are often found in our hair. They live, eat blood, sleep, and lay their eggs close to our scalp so the heat from our head allows the egg to hatch in about a week. They live for just over a month.

3. There are at least five different species of lice found on pigeons. Pigeon lice have a flattened body and their claws are very different to those seen on human head lice. This lice is Campanulotes bidentatus.

4. Like fleas, lice live on, not in, their hosts and feed on blood in order to survive and make their eggs. This is a Pediculus humanis capitus or head louse.

Arts & Entertainment 27-29

Canberra Confidential 20

Cinema 28

Dining 29

Garden 30

Horoscope 31

Letters 6

News 3-11

Politics 9

Puzzles 31

Socials 14-15, 18-19

Sport 11

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•

Concentrating on the things that matter

ONE of the joys of living in Canberra is the sense of community that puts political differences aside to concentrate on the things that matter.

Successive governments from both sides of the aisle have kept that community spirit paramount.

Little wonder the OECD recently declared the ACT the best place to live in Australia, if not the world.

And this week we had a lot to celebrate. Nick Kyrgios’ fantastic performance at Wimbledon – and the family’s delight – really hit home. Nick is one of the new breed of Australian tennis champs – half Malaysian, half Greek and all Canberran. He and Bernard Tomic

Little wonder the OECD recently declared the ACT the best place to live in Australia, if not the world. And this week we had a lot to celebrate.

Hoads, Rosewalls, Newcombes and Hewitts. And what a happy coincidence that the new $27 million Lyneham sports centre will allow him to relocate his training from Melbourne while setting Canberra up for a Davis Cup tie.

CHIEF MINISTER Katy Gallagher’s decision to join Canberra’s Muslim community to break their fast on the fifth day of Ramadan was another nice example of community spirit. While the Middle East was exploding in the flames of sectarian hatred, Muslims originally from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey attended the event. You can’t get much more Canberran than that.

AND where else would you find a “Gentleman” as a Government Minister? Mick of the eponymous surname was elevated by Ms Gallagher this week with his portfolio Minister for Planning, Community Services, Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Children and

Young People and Minister for Ageing. Coincidentally his Tuggeranong electorate, via its community council, declared itself opposed to the light rail project. It said the tram line would impose an “excessive cost” on nappy valley while the benefits would be a long time coming. Surprise, surprise.

CANBERRA’S schools are among the recipients of Rolf Harris paintings. And after his precipitous fall from grace, most have removed them from the premises. Chapman Primary, for example, has sent theirs back to the ACT Education Department, the nominal owner, to dispose of as they think fit.

Harris is headed for five years nine months in the pokey – if he survives that long – but I suspect the enthusiasm they brought to his prosecution had much to do with the Brits not being able to make the disgusting Jimmy Saville pay for his crimes.

MAYBE our cold winters are another

ROBERT MACKLIN

factor in drawing us together. Lots of families introduced their kids to snow at Corin Forest, but it was not all joy and jingle bells; those twin tragedies of the seven-year-old buried in a snowfall and the snowboarder frozen to death were timely reminders of our human frailty.

GREAT to hear from Mesdames Giulia Jones and Vicki Dunne that they’ll reveal their plan to save Fyshwick’s scarlet women from their fate next month, despite sex worker Elena Jeffreys spurning their efforts. “Sex work is not a political hobby horse for bored politicians,” she cried. “And sex workers are not Dunne or Jones’ rescue project.”

And after they toured the world in their quest! Oh, the ingratitude!

robertmacklin.com

Catherine Coles | Solicitor

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.

mum in the city

The emerging little strangers in my nest

SOMETIMES I don’t recognise my kids; they are so unlike me or my husband that we both wonder where they really came from.

For one thing they are very sporty. They are both figure skaters and acrobats. They spin, jump, cartwheel and tumble with ease and apparently limitless energy. They are graceful, quite unlike their parents who, at their age, demonstrated a complete absence of poise or indeed any co-ordination at all.

With constant activity they are always ravenously hungry. However, apart from my son’s great love of hot dogs, they have little time for junk food. My daughter is most likely to ask for a turkey salad roll for lunch, maybe with some tabouli. Next week it will probably be cold chipolata sausages and a salad with cucumber and green olives. She absolutely loves sushi.

Many of their friends seem the same. They almost all play sport every weekend if not several nights a week. They do dance or drama.

Like us, their parents are constantly driving them from one venue to another. As far as I can see, they eat vastly more healthy things than I did as a kid.

Kids are also much more worldly wise than I was at their age. Many of them already have travelled widely. They are often very socially aware, very funny and of course total whizzes with technology. Computers, tablets and the wonders of the internet they take for granted. Many are very knowledgeable. They talk about the universities they want to go to even at age eight or 11. They have high expectations for themselves, and they work really hard.

I know that I may not be dealing with a nationally representative group, and many kids don’t

enjoy the advantages of many families in Canberra, but many of my kids’ friends really are a credit to themselves and their parents.

We live in a world in which families are constantly bombarded with messages about how parenting is tough, how parents are failing their kids and how we all need to do better – whether it’s giving our kids a perfect diet or ensuring that they excel at everything.

Most parents work, are time poor and struggle to keep up with everything. But a lot of us do devote every waking moment, directly or indirectly, to our kids, to their commitments, their friendships, education, health and happiness.

In my case, in the past couple of weeks, it’s involved everyone in our house getting up before 6 on bitter, cold Canberra mornings to get the kids to, of all places, the ice rink as they practise for performances at this year’s Skate in the City.

Sometimes it’s hard going, and we can always do better. But every now and again we ought to stop worrying, take a moment to enjoy our children’s achievements, successes and simple pleasures, and give ourselves a modest pat on the back for getting them there.

SONYA FLADUN

news

David loves the vintage look

By Kathryn Vukovljak

HIDDEN away in David Middleton’s garage in Weston Creek is a vast collection of vintage furniture and props, from giltedged picture frames and typewriters to wingback chairs, Chesterfield sofas and a collection of church pews.

David, who’s trained as a panel beater, restores and makes all the props himself, and hires them out for events and photoshoots.

“I love creating something beautiful out of damaged items that would otherwise be thrown,” he says.

David works as a function event co-ordinator, and says the idea for his hire business, A Vintage Look, came about when an event he was working on required vintage chairs.

“I couldn’t source anything locally through the hire industry, so I restored some old chairs that were damaged,” he says. “I built new back pads, reupholstered and re-stained them.

CREATIVE

hand-printed

“I had no experience in restoring furniture at the start. I learned quickly and read a lot.”

Since then, David says the business has expanded beyond all his expectations, and the garage is now bursting at the seams with vintage goodies.

He started by making more chairs – “at any event, people will need to sit down at some point, so chairs seemed like a good place to start” – and has progressed to making authentic-looking church pews from an old bed, as well as restoring genuine pews, building a trestle table out of an old door, restoring vintage bikes and making his own tandem bike from two discarded models.

“I also had some requests for giant letters, so I made a giant L-O-V-E out of MDF for photo booths or wedding and engagement photography,” he says.

“The next step will be moving to a showroom, because the garage can only take so much!”

More information at amemorableimpression. com/A-Vintage-Look---Function-Hire.html

letters

Cameras just a cash grab after all

SO, Mark Parton’s opinion piece (“Smile, for the broken camera”, CN, July 3) seems to confirm the notion that speed/red light cameras ARE just there as revenue raisers. And he supports this blatant cash grab as a viable source of income for the ACT Government.

And I thought they were there to punish drivers doing the wrong thing and assist in accident prevention.

If we educate drivers not to speed, not to run red lights etcetera, this income source will dwindle to nothing and make these cameras obsolete.

Better to invest the money on a physical traffic police presence as a deterrent. But what would I know?

Silly me.

Jeff Kealley, Yarralumla

Wrong on dogs

I’M frustrated and disappointed at the comments made by John Griffiths (“But when it comes to dogs…”, CN, July 3) saying that “the

surrendering of their dog to the RSPCA or Domestic Animal Services, [is] a death sentence on a short delay”. This statement, in particular for how it relates to the RSPCA, has no merit or facts.

RSPCA ACT sees almost 7000 animals each year with about 4500 being domesticated animals. I want to make it clear that we DO NOT euthanise animals for space here in the Canberra area.

We will put an animal to sleep for medical, behavioural or humane reasons though. As a result of our policies, we had a 93 per cent returning/rehoming rate for dogs and an 83.5 per cent rate for cats in 2013/14 for the animals in our care. With only 15 per cent of our total budget coming from government, uneducated statements like that made by Mr Griffiths do not achieve public support, and nor do they help us fund our mission to prevent cruelty to animals in the greater Canberra community.

If the unique comfort of natural gas heating is on your mind this winter, there’s never been a better time to connect or upgrade. ActewAGL’s hottest ever natural gas heater deal is on now, with up to $1,000 back on new natural gas heating systems and upgrades.

Plus, with a range of manufacturer incentives and finance options* across a wide range of gas heating appliances, you’ll save even more. It’s easy to see why natural gas is the natural choice.

FOR KIDS!

CRAZLOOM MAKE & TAKE

Among the best-case scenarios of the technological singularity is the earth’s biosphere being kept as a nature reserve with humanity, as we know it, preserved as pets.

When machine out-thinks man

“SINGULARITY – a term commonly used on ‘Star Trek’ to refer to anything the show’s crappy writers didn’t want to explain in the script.”

– Urban Dictionary

The technological singularity is something you need to start thinking about, even if you don’t want to.

It’s important in the same way that, 20 years ago, the nerds started muttering about connecting all the computers and next thing you know all the video stores have closed and the kids are listening to truly awful music.

The next step in that progression features, and not as the worst-case scenario, your own living vivisection to create a virtual simulation of yourself.

Possibly the worst-case scenario is the complete destruction of the earth and everything living on it.

Up among the best-case scenarios of the technological singularity is the earth’s biosphere being kept as a nature reserve with humanity, as we know it, preserved as pets.

You might think the discussion of this sort of thing would be the realm of politics, but no major party seems willing to address it because Julia Gillard’s home renovations in the 1980s are so much more important.

In the face of this resolute unwillingness, major companies such as Google are spending real money to bring it about.

So what the hell am I talking about? Well, Wikipedia has this much-fought-over definition:

“The technological singularity, or simply the singularity, is a hypothetical moment in time when artificial intelligence, human biological enhancement, or brain-computer interfaces will have progressed to the point of a greater-than-human intelligence, radically changing civilisation, and perhaps human nature.”

The experts think it could happen in the next five to 100 years, which gives some wiggle room but definitely makes it an issue to be thought about today.

The problem is that when it comes about, the machine intelligences, operating much more quickly than the rest of us in the slow meatspace we like to think

of as life, will keep getting further and further ahead and leaving us out of the game really, except as hopefully cute pets.

The big brains that have been thinking hard about it generally agree the machines at that point are going to want more computing power to run themselves, expanding their own world, which is bad news for everything else occupying the neighbourhood.

The nerds running the world’s major tech companies generally seem to think this will all be a positive development because, in part, they’ll be the owners of everything that matters post-singularity (computing power and algorithms), and in part because they got beaten up a lot in high school.

They’re already tearing up the economies of the world and remaking them to their own advantage while paying miniscule amounts of tax, but the next step would be considerably more drastic.

It’s something we all might want to start thinking about, and maybe see some political leadership on, if our parties want to have any relevance in the world.

If its any consolation there’s another growing school of political thought out there called Dark Mountaineers (after the Dark Mountain Manifesto, of course) that thinks the whole of society is going to collapse before any of this can happen.

We do have a political party (the Greens) that is engaged in this sort of thinking, but a lot of them think the complete collapse of society and the deaths of billions is a good idea, too!

John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au

JOHN GRIFFITHS

More bang, more pollies, more bucks

MORE ministers, a bigger parliament and more public money for each vote... none of that would have got through if the ACT had gone down the path of a Citizens’ Initiated Referenda, as debated in the first couple of Assemblies.

In the same week as the sixth minister was appointed, the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Amendments to the Electoral Act made a series of recommendations in its report “Voting Matters”. Ostensibly, the intention was to increase transparency, provide adequate representation, to cap expenditure and to limit the influence of external forces on the workings of government and the Assembly. All very admirable.

The appointment of Mick Gentleman as a minister with responsibility for Planning and Community Services will ease the load on some of the current ministers. However, it will leave a gaping hole in the ability of the Assembly to maintain viable committees. The committees have been one of the Assembly’s great strengths since the swearing in of the first Assembly in May, 1989.

The compromise is to increase the Assembly first to 25 members at the next election and then to 35 when our population reaches 425,000 people.

“Voting Matters” identifies that the ACT has one MLA for 15,129 enrolled voters. Victoria is next with less than a third of this ratio at one for 4330 voters. The NT has one elected member for 733 voters.

The role of Assembly committees does include exploring new ground, consulting with the community, reviewing legislation and questioning government decisions.

Without a spread of talent and enough members on each of these committees, the community can hardly expect adequate consideration, appropriate outcomes and realistic recommendations.

The role played by committees is even illustrated by this report. All Assembly members have been feeling the pressure of too few MLAs. The compromise has been found between Labor’s desire for five-member electorates and the preference of the Liberals and Greens for seven members in each. They are supported by people such as Prof George Williams, who argued in his submission to the committee: “It is long past time

that the ACT had a parliament of an appropriate size”.

However, Prof Williams also recognised the predictable response from some in the community when he stated: “Having more politicians tends to be innately unpopular, in part because of the extra cost. However, the costs of inefficient, or even bad, government are far higher. Not having the strongest possible team to run areas like health and education can, over the longer term, have an enormous multiplier effect across the whole community through less effective hospitals and schools”.

The report recommends limiting the amount that can be donated to individuals and parties and compensation through increasing public funding from $2 per vote to $8 in the hope of providing greater transparency and less corruption.

Unfortunately, the recommendations suggest allowing an anonymous donation of up to $1000 to be made on regular occasions up to twenty five times. There is no such thing as a free lunch and $25,000 buys a lot of lunches, and in anonymous donations is hardly a formula against corruption.

In a dissenting report the Greens’ Shane Rattenbury suggested total party expenditure be capped at $500,000, the cap on donations be halved to $5000 and the increase in public funding above $2 be done in the context of these two reforms. He is right. However, it ought to be noted that some of the comments ensure advantage to the Greens Party.

The committee made 15 major recommendations in its report “Voting Matters”. In considering the recommendations, it is now incumbent upon the government to follow this lead and look beyond its own political advantage by acting in the best interests of the community when the amendments to the Electoral Act are brought back to the Assembly for consideration and voting.

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

MICHAEL MOORE

Warm and woodsy, wine and vines

A RELAXED casual and inviting vibe is on offer at Lonsdale Street’s latest new restaurant, Vitis Eatery.

Located in the old Ostratos space in Braddon, Vitis is all about boutique beers, world wines and sharing amazing food, says Slovakian-born owner Lucia Kovacova.

“Vitis is the Latin word for grapevines, tying in with our main focus – the extensive wine list,” she says.

“The list will change regularly, but at the moment we have choices from all over the world, including Slovakian, South African, Italian, French, South American, Tasmanian and NZ wines, as well as local varieties from Murrumbateman.”

Craft beers, including Bridge Road

Brewers’ chestnut pilsner, 2brothers Kung Foo rice lager, Mikkeller Dark Harvest and Granny Smith cider are also a feature, and will change regularly, too.

“I’ve been dreaming about opening my own place my whole life,” says Lucia, who has worked in hospitality for 13 years.

“My partner Steve and I started looking for places about a year ago, and this is exactly what we had in mind. It’s good to be here in Braddon, with so many interesting places opening up all the time.”

Vitis’ quirky, warm, woodsy fitout was influenced by Steve’s work as a landscape architect, with real creeping grapevines, loose stones around the bar and the use of warm wood and chunky furniture creating an outdoors feel.

“I love being in gardens, and I wanted to bring a sense of the outdoors in,” he says.

“The black walls bring out the key wooden elements, like the sculptures on the walls and ceiling, and the rhinos and dragonflies that are dotted about.”

The food is standout too, says Lucia, and

very shareable.

“We find that people come in for a drink, then end up staying to sample the menu,” she says.

Head chef Jeff Lamshed trained at Ottoman Cuisine in Barton, and has lived and worked in the UK, Sydney and Melbourne, with stints at the intimate two-Michelinstarred Nathan Outlaw in Cornwall and the

fine dining restaurant Martin Wishart in Edinburgh under his belt.

“I was born and raised in Canberra, but after some years of travelling I decided to come home. It’s a good life here in Canberra,” he says.

Jeff says the menu is inspired by his travels through Europe.

“It’s reminiscent of Christmas lunches with

family; homely food that’s also a bit special,” he says.

“My mum is my biggest critic – I first made the scallops tartare for her at Christmas, and she said I should put it on the menu. That’s high praise indeed!”

Jeff says that while inspiration for a dish can come from anywhere, it’s about tweaking it and making it your own.

“There is a strong European, modern influence, with a touch of Australian... with maybe a Mediterranean lean, too!” he says. Vitis offers the same menu for lunch and dinner, and there are plans to introduce lunchtime and after-work specials.

Vitis Eatery, Unit 1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Call 6249 7078

It’s time to build, not bellyache

I AM compelled to write this column to offer a glimmer of hope to Canberra Raiders’ supporters who feel as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

In researching this column, I have spoken to people involved with clubs who have struggled only to emerge years later as a premiership force. I have gone back a couple of years to see where teams that are leading various competitions were in 2012.

The Panthers were 15th in 2012 in the NRL; Port Adelaide only won five games in 2012; while the NSW Waratahs finished 11th that year. All three were in the midst of rebuilding or at the start of that process. If nothing else, it indicates that with forward planning it is possible to build success. It is for this reason Ricky Stuart should be given time and space to rebuild the Raiders. By adding up all the games played by the five players who had been with the Raiders and are now with other clubs, Canberra has lost 571 games of top-level backline player experience since 2008, including four origin players. This is experience the club has lost and is now being utilised by other clubs. And the Raiders are now forced to recover from this loss of

With forward planning it is possible to build success. It is for this reason Ricky Stuart should be given time and space to rebuild the Raiders.

investment in players.

Todd Carney was the first to go after 71 games with the Raiders. He went on to play another 95 at the Roosters and the Sharks. Josh Dugan has now played more than 90 NRL games, Joel Monaghan played more than 150 first-grade matches at the Raiders and the Roosters, Blake Ferguson has played more than 100 NRL games and Sandor Earl played close to 50 NRL games.

It takes years to build a player physically and mentally into a consistent first grader. The loss of experience has meant that Jack Wighton, Anthony Milford, Brenko Lee and Matt Allwood have been thrust into first grade quicker than is probably desirable. Wighton and Milford have shown they can play at this level, but it takes time to be able to do this week in week out.

I think the Raiders need to be the club of choice for country players who don’t want to go to the bigger cities. The development system

that has worked in the past should be maintained and the Raiders need protection and support from the NRL if they are going to proceed down this path.

If the Raiders are going to spend money on developing players, the NRL must provide incentives to enable the team to keep them. The current system, whereby bigger clubs are able to cherry pick players the Raiders have developed, doesn’t create a level playing field.

Of the side that walked on to the field against the Wests Tigers, only two players were bought by the Raiders outside their development program: David Shillington, from the Roosters, and Brett White, from the Melbourne Storm. The rest have come from within the system locally and within South Logan, the Raiders’ feeder club in Queensland. It’s been well documented

TIM GAVEL

the Raiders have been in the market for players from outside the club to bolster the squad. While they have missed out on the likes of Michael Ennis, James Tedesco and Kevin Proctor, there will be new faces in the Raiders’ line-up next year. What is also needed as the Raiders re-build is for patience from supporters. Continually calling for the sacking of coaches and players does little to entice potential players to come to the club, and it does little to keep them here.

Sewing

sale

THERE will be a sale of sewing materials, yarns and haberdashery items as well as handmade winter woolies at St Ninian’s Uniting Church hall, Lyneham, 10am-3pm, on Saturday, July 19 in aid of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform. Enquiries to 6254 2961 or mcconnell@grapevine.net.au

Winter fun and games

THE Woden View Club’s next lunch meeting will be “A Winter Wonderland” with trivia, bingo and games in support of The Smith Family’s “Learning for Life” program. It’s at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, at 11.30am, Tuesday, July 22. Cost is $24 and interested ladies are welcome to call 62861009 before 5pm, July 16.

Talking cricket

NATIONAL cricket personalities Kerry O’Keeffe and Simon Katich will be speakers at the Eastlake Football Club’s annual business lunch on Friday, July 25. The lunch is the club’s main fundraising event and will include a number of auctions, the main item being a 2014 North Melbourne indigenous jumper signed by Daniel Wells, Lindsay Thomas, Glenn Archer and Jim Krakouer. Tickets, at $120, are available from 6228 0999 or email stephen.soulsby@eastlakefc.com.au

Correction

DANZON Dance Studio is participating in The Outback Crown American style ballroom dance competition, not hosting it, as reported in the July 3 edition. The competition is run by Social Dancing Australia.

AMAZING MONGOLIA

Mongolia’s National Day on July 11 is celebrated with the three-day Naadam Festival, which formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself an independent country.

JULY’S annual Naadam festival is described as the highlight of Mongolian life for locals and visitors alike, when the three sporting passions of Mongolians – horse racing, wrestling and archery – are played out over three days.

Naadam can be equated to the original Olympic Games of ancient Greece. It is a truly ancient tradition with its origins predating, perhaps by millennia, the rise of Genghis Khan in the early 13th century.

The biggest festival is held in Ulaanbaatar during the national holiday from July 11-13, in the capital’s national sports stadium.

The festival begins with a vibrant ceremony at Sukhbaatar Square, and is followed by a parade set to the traditional Mongolian music.

This is the only time when a country, known for its remarkable emptiness, experiences crowds and chaos. People dress in their finest deel, the traditional long colourful silken robe, the men adding the local touch of a cowboy hat and boots.

Other cities and towns across Mongolia

and those with significant Mongolian populations in China, have their own, smaller-scale Naadam celebrations.

It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony opened by the president of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar and features dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony, the competitions begin with a tournament of wrestling and archery in the stadium, while horse races take place outside the city.

Naadam (Mongolian for “games”) is the most widely watched festival among Mongols, and is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Now it formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

In 2010, the Naadam Festival was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

Wrestling

THE three games of Naadam start with wrestling where 512 or 1024 wrestlers meet in a single-elimination tournament that lasts

nine or 10 rounds.

Mongolian traditional wrestling is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet.

In 2011, Mongolia scored a “Guinness Book of Records” entry for the biggest event in national wrestling history and the first in the world when 6002 national wrestlers were involved in a single competition at the central stadium in Ulaanbaatar, which continued for nine days straight.

Many foreigners are confused by Mongolian wrestling and may find it boring or too long. On the contrary, locals see wrestling as the most interesting and entertaining Naadam sport. Every Mongolian understands and follows wrestling with a passion.

For tourists, it is impossible to wrestle competitively in the State Naadams.

The organiser of the wrestling tournaments is a non-government body, the Mongolian Wrestling Association, and it registers every wrestler so that the ranking of wrestlers for any significant tournament goes smoothly and without controversy. Any wrestler not in the ranking database cannot participate in important tournaments.

However, soum (county) Naadams are more relaxed allowing new wrestlers, young adults

and students to try wrestling. And some soums accept tourists to wrestle in their Naadam. The most tourist-friendly Naadam takes

The forests and pristine lakes offer fishing, birding, rafting and hiking adventures.

Horse racing

IF wrestling makes Mongolians passionate, horse racing makes them cry!

For this is the land of horse riders and horse lovers. By the end of this year, Mongolia is expected to have three million people and the same number of horses!

Horse racing is an important part of Naadam with spectators crying either over the horses that endured the long ordeal to reach the finish line or over the small children who overcome the hardships of the long race. They even cry over the last tired colt to trot across the line.

The Naadam horse racing is the most important race of the year and involves several hundred horses. The jockeys are aged between 12 and 15, mainly boys. A successful jockey can become a national hero, but it’s the horses that are almost deified.

The concept of the horse exists in every level of physical and spiritual being, according to Mongolian beliefs.

Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2km, Naadam horse racing is a cross-country event, with

races 15-30kms long.

The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for 16kms and seven-year-olds for 27kms.

Up to 1000 horses from any part of Mongolia can be chosen to participate.

Archery

MONGOLIAN archery is unique for having not only one target, but hundreds of beadrs, or surs on a huge wall. In this competition, men and women participate. It is played by 10 men/women teams which are given four arrows each; the team has to hit 33 surs.

Men fire their arrows from 75 metres away while women fire theirs from 65 metres. When the archer hits the target the judge says uuhai which means “hooray”. The winners of the contest are granted the titles of “national marksman” and “national markswoman”.

ANOTHER popular Naadam activity is the playing of games using shagai, sheep ankle bones, that serve as game pieces and tokens of both divination and friendship.

Welcome to a world of adventure

MONGOLIA is a unique travel destination where its millennia-old nomadic lifestyle co-exists with rapidly changing development throughout the country.

From the modern, culturally-rich city of Ulaanbaatar through its surrounding 1,564,116 square kilometres, Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 2.9 million people.

It is also the world’s second-largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan.

Much of its area is covered by steppe, with mountains to the north and west and the Gobi Desert to the south.

Its pasture land, that supports more than 50 million herd animals, has always been common domain, and the Mongolian constitution states that the pasture land shall never be privatised. Roaming freely from one corner of Mongolia to another has been a guaranteed freedom for herders and Mongolian people.

Travellers will experience elements of nomadic lifestyle where adventures and activities are dictated by the landscape.

Mountaineers and hikers find high glacier mountains in the west fascinating and enjoy the Kazak men’s trained eagles’ festivals. The forests and pristine lakes in the northern and northeastern parts of the country offer fishing, birding, rafting and hiking adventures.

Endless steppes in the east and the central parts of the country offer wildlife to watch, flowers and night-skies; the Gobi desert in the south offers a rich paleontological experience, bird watching and sand and wilderness adventures.

Getting to Mongolia

LYING in the heart of Asia, Mongolia is a landlocked country that can be reached either by air or by land.

Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the major international airport, located 14.7 kilometres southwest of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar.

Miat Mongolian, Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air, Eznis Airways, Aero Mongolia, Hunnu Air and Turkish Airlines serve Mongolia with direct flights from Germany, Russia, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China. Once you are in the country you can also fly to all the provincial capitals.

Land travellers can take a train or drive, ride and cycle through the two main land border crossings: Ereen and Zamiin-Uud on the ChineseMongolian border, and Naushki and Sukhbaatar, on the Russian-Mongolian border.

The legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, which is the longest (7925km) continuous rail line in the world links Ulaanbaatar with Moscow and Vladivostok in Russia, and Beijing, China. The journey from Ulaanbaatar to Moscow takes about five days and from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, about 32 hours.

From the Mongolian steppes to Lake Baikal’s remote shores, and to the Great Wall of China, you can start your adventure at any of these three completely different cultures.

E VENTS IN M ONGO lIA

National Competition of Horse Trainers

HELD in Uvs province, August 1-5, this is Mongolia’s version of a rodeo with contests including roping, riding, horse breaking, plus the contest of beautiful couples on horses and the horse beauty competition.

Organisers: Baruunbayan-Ulaan soum Authority, Tourism Association of Uvurkhangai province.

Tel: 976-70453766, 976-99452811, 976-99890518

Venue: Baruunturuun soum, Uvs province Website: uvs.gov.mn

Mongolia Bike Challenge 2014

HELD between August 30 and September 8, this is the fifth year of the international cyclo cross, which is called the “Mongolian Bike Challenge”. The Genco Tour Bureau sponsors the events in association with JSC and Orbera.

Organisers: Mongolia expeditions and tours LLC Tel: 976-11329279, 976-99096911

Venue: Cross the territories over Tuv and Khentii provinces

Website: mongoliabikechallenge.com

Email: info@mongolia-expeditions.com

The Golden Eagle Festival

Held between October 4 and 5, this is probably Mongolia’s most famous event after the Nadaam Festival. Since 1999, it has had the largest gathering of Kazakh eagle hunters.

Organisers: Nomadic Expeditions & Mongolian Berkut Association Tel: 976-11313396, 976-11320311, 976-50420001, 976-99429787

Venue: Chandmana Tolgoi, 8km east of Bugat soum, Bayan-Ulgii province.

Website: nomadicexpeditions.com

Email: mongolia@nomadicexpeditions.com; haynar_h@yahoo.com

Social event of the week / EY Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of

THERE’S a concrete bunker in the New Acton precinct that belies a warm interior, interesting aspect and great possibilities as a gallery space.

LYN MILLS

For one night it became the centre of a unique celebration as Glenn and Dr. Andrew Walker were inducted into the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame for Aspen Medical which began in a Canberra dining room just over 10 years ago and has become a world-leading provider of healthcare services in Australia and around the world.

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Global Hall of Fame recognises outstanding and innovative entrepreneurs and Aspen Medical epitomises that with diverse services such as on-base health care to the ADF to providing health professionals to indigenous communities in the NT.

Celebrating at the bunker bash, Glenn Amelda Keys showed off that subtle tan of a couple just back from sunnier climes; they’ve been cooking, walking and sunning in Tuscany with their family.

On the other hand, Dr Andrew seems to take everything in his stride. Congratulations.

Fame

Ramadan in Iranian culture

Iran’s special ways of

The Islamic month of fasting has special importance in Iran, say the writers of this feature prepared by the cultural section of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

IN Iranian public culture, which is closely associated with Islamic culture, Ramadan is given special importance.

Ramadan, this year from June 29 to July 27, is considered as the month to strengthen family bonds and thank the Almighty for His blessings. Gratitude, charity and spirituality are forms of worship.

Complete recitation of the Holy Quran is a Ramadan ceremony that used to be practised in mosques, Takaya (special indoor or outdoor places for observing occasional religious ceremonies) and houses.

CLEANLINESS CEREMONIES

INDIVIDUAL and social cleanliness is a major prerequisite for entrance into the month of Divine Blessing.

In the past, housecleaning (as they do for the New Year) is an important welcoming practice for the month of Ramadan. Cleanliness of public places such as Takaya and mosques is another practice.

“Fasting bathing” or taking a bath before the advent of Ramadan is an important tradition that is equal in importance with the “bath-taking of the New Year”.

Ramadan bathing has two significances: first, for physically being cleaned; second, it serves as the “religious ablution” for Ramadan.

Ramadan rites and rituals are rich and the advent of Ramadan – like Norouz or New Year – is the official and national festival for Iranians.

OTHER RITES AND RITUALS

FAMILY preparations and provisions for the advent of the month of Ramadan is another common tradition to welcome the advent of this Holy Month. Provision of the Ramadan food necessities is a tradition.

Another tradition that is common in Iran before the month of Ramadan is the “reconciliation ceremony”. Before the advent of Ramadan, family elders visit family members and spouses to reconcile all those displeased with each other because they believe God will not accept their worship and fasting if they remained displeased with one another.

“Visiting the patients collectively” and taking care of their material needs is another good ceremony.

“Fasting in advance” is a welcoming practice before the advent of Ramadan.

Persepolis, with the literal meaning “city of Persians”, was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC). Persepolis is situated 70km northeast of Shiraz in the Fars Province. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC.

celebrating Ramadan

RAMADAN AND IFTAR (FAST-BREAKING TIME)

IRANIANS often break their fast with a small portion of food at the time of sunset, following a proper meal after the Maghrib prayer.

They say some supplicants gently break the fast with a glass of warm water and some dates as it was the tradition of the prophet Mohammad and patiently they keep themselves from eating until they say the night prayers.

Just then, they start the bigger meal after a long period of fasting during which not even a drop of water has entered their mouths.

For those who are still at work or strangers in the city, the iftar is available at the workplace or at mosques after the prayer, especially in Qum and Mashhad.

Close to the time of breaking the fast, some people distribute food in small containers among the poorer families. In most neighbourhoods, there is a family or two sharing their meals with others for iftar. So It is quite likely that you’ll hear the doorbell just a few moments before the sunset and a neighbour will appear with a big bowl of hot Iranian thick soup called Ash or Shole Zard for you and wishes your Ramadan prayers be accepted in the presence of God.

Ramadan is one of the times to experience legendary Iranian hospitality, where it is a tradition to invite guests during Ramadan and at the time of breaking the fast. In Iranian culture, “the guest is God’s friend” after all!

CHILDRENS’ CHOICE

EVEN children who have not reached the age of puberty, but are interested in experiencing fasting, observe a kind of fast known as “Kalleh Gonjeshki” (literally, head of sparrow), meaning that they do not eat or drink until Dhuhr prayer time, then break their fast, and again observe a second fasting period until sunset.

The meal consumed before dawn is known as “Sahari”, which varies from family to family. Some prefer hot meals while others eat bread, jam, cheese, and eggs. Many families also consume dates and hot tea.

MOURNING CEREMONIES

THE holy month of Ramadan, in addition to its excellence and bliss, is a month of mourning, too.

The 19th day of Ramadan coincides with the injury of Imam Ali (AS) the first Infallible Imam of the Shia Muslims and the 21st of Ramadan is concurrent with his martyrdom.

During those three days (generally observed in two days at present) the cities, mosques, Takaya, etcetera are covered in black, bazaars and markets are closed and people attend mourning ceremonies in religious or public places and listen to elegies and passion-play verses.

AHYA (PENDING NIGHT AWAKE) CEREMONIES

THE descending of the Quran in Ramadan has added to the significance of this month. In Qadr Nights (three nights, the 19th, 21st and 23rd) special worshipping programs are observed.

CEREMONIES FOR FESTIVITY AND END OF RAMADAN

WHEN the second decade of Ramadan comes to an end and people observe Ahya ceremonies, they get ready for the end of the month of Ramadan.

People get ready to bid farewell to Ramadan by holding a fitr festival at the end of the fasting month, which is a public holiday in Iran, and people are expected to visit one another.

And with the festival, people return to their normal life and business with a handful of spiritual gains from the revered month of Ramadan.

Canberra Confidential

Julie Kerbel’s winning photo of her daughter.

There’s more to living than ‘life logging’

SYDNEY mum Julie Kerbel has won the national Canon Shine photography prize with a striking photo of her daughter and, unsurprisingly, shares the camera maker’s mantra of get your nose out of your mobile screen.

Encouraging Australians to go screenfree once a week to reconnect with the people we value most, she says: “I believe that photography has the ability to bring to life those natural, innocent and spontaneous everyday moments in a child’s life that cannot be staged.

All in perfect harmony with Canon’s consumer imaging director

What would Walter think?

CC is always wary of people who invoke Walter Burley Griffin to justify what they’re doing to the city. So it was no surprise to see on the Capital Metro’s shiny website a wonderful piece of hokum titled “Turning Griffin’s legacy into a reality” with the line: “Walter Burley Griffin had grand plans for rail in Canberra. We think he would give light rail the thumbs up!” We all agree they got the exclamation mark right.

Humility at work

OUR Liberal Senator got a warm tweet from a grateful constituent that said: “@ZedSeselja I have always enjoyed interacting with you in person, and I like your enthusiasm for constituent feedback, and your humility.” And with all the humility of a politician, Zed retweeted it.

John gets Rolfed

present he is learning how to speak like Rolf Harris, too,” says his agency rather optimistically.

There’s always Colonel Saunders, John.

Spot the news

CC super snout Pierre the lair bemoans that in some “Canberra Times” reports the real news is hidden in the small print. For instance, a story on the origin of language (28/6): “Further evidence for the gesture theory could be seen in the way blind people used sign language”.

Or this, (30/6): “Mr Gentleman, who parted with his wife in 1993….” To whom, or in exchange for what, Pierre ponders?

Sloppy lips

“Through my image I want to tell Australians: ‘Unplug your screens! Get up, get out and explore the world.’ There’s a whole world out there to be discovered and we are too busy with our heads down in devices to see it.”

AS Rolf Harris slops out at HM Prison Wandsworth, spare a thought for another victim of his demise.

Jason Mc lean who says the photo competition was in response to research “indicating that an overload of trivial ‘life logging’ photography was leaving many to search for greater authenticity and was actually diluting the power of images to make a difference in our lives.”

In other words, turn you phone off and take photos with a real camera.

It’s John Walsh, pictured, whose booking agency Fake Faces says is the only professional lookalike of Harris in the UK (though CC did find another guy called Colin).

Until last week’s conviction brought Rolf’s (and doubtless John’s) career to a shuddering halt, John had been appearing on television for the past five years and was always being asked for his autograph as Harris.

“John is available to draw cartoons, mix and mingle, play instruments and entertain your guests with his stuffed kangaroo puppets. At

WITH a heavy heart CC has to confess to not sharing the news that July 6 was International Kissing Day. To make amends, from Germany comes this “fun infographic to let people see if they’re a good or bad kisser”.

It rather uselessly describes the top five kissing no-nos from kissing expert Katia loisel

“In addition to leaving us feeling as though we’re walking on clouds, research has found that kissing promotes connection and relaxation, improves perceived relationship satisfaction and self-esteem, reduces stress and anxiety and boosts the immune system,” says Loisel.

And, in warning us off the sloppy kiss, she says: “It’s generally men that go for the full-on sloppy kiss because a big, wet, open-mouthed kiss releases testosterone. This can help women get in the mood… but don’t go for too much too soon.” You were warned, ladies.

Find it in Fyshwick advertising feature

For everything under the sun

Fyshwick is a thriving hub of industry where just about everything under the sun is available, with speciality shops and wholesalers sitting side by side with gyms, child care centres, cafes and more.

Here, “CityNews” takes a snapshot of this diverse business centre.

Comfortable home environments

CONSIDERING the impact on the environment is key for heating, cooling and lighting our homes, says Ben Potter, owner of Veetemp and Solatube.

“I see both businesses as very much working together, and creating the best solutions for a comfortable environment at home,” he says. Veetemp specialises in domestic and commercial heating and cooling installations, including ducted gas, reverse cycle and evaporative cooling, says Ben.

“We provide personal service, and all ductwork and components used for installations conform with the Australian standards,” he says. Ben also owns the local Solatube branch, which offers skylight systems that allow natural light

into the home, while blocking UV rays and heat.

He says the skylights are six-star energy rated.

“People say it’s like having the lights on all day, but it’s using natural light,” he says.

“Solatubes are installed within a couple of hours by qualified technicians, and can light a room of five metres by five metres with ease.

“We often find that when people come into the showroom for one thing, they end up getting both.

“Both businesses definitely go hand in hand!”

Veetemp and Solatube, 41-45 Tennant Street. Call 6280 9006.

Fyshwick is named after Sir Philip Fysh, a Tasmanian politician who assisted in bringing about Australia’s Federation. The suffix “wick”, from Old English, means “dwelling place” – and, by extension, “village” or “district”. Its streets are named after Australia’s industrial towns and regions.

Emerging world of top outlet shops

CANBERRA’S only outlet centre is located in the heart of Fyshwick on the corner of Newcastle Street and Canberra Avenue, says marketing manager Katey Johnstone.

Katey says that exciting new re-developments are currently taking place at Canberra Outlet Centre, as the centre transforms into Canberra’s one-stop retail destination.

“In the meantime, Canberra Outlet Centre still offers up to 70 per cent off across all factory and Homemaker Centre retailers,” she says. Canberra Outlet Centre is now joined by some of Australia’s top retailers, including Royal Doulton, Cue, Tony Bianco and Oxford, as well as the Homemaker Centre retailers, including Freedom Furniture, Howards Storage World, Snooze, Bose, Jimmy Possum, Adairs and JB Hi-Fi.

“There’s something for everyone, so the whole family can dine and shop ’til their heart’s content,” says Katey.

“Follow us on Facebook to stay updated with all retailer offers and centre promotions.”

Canberra Outlet Centre, 337 Canberra Avenue. Call 6112 6222 or visit canberraoutletcentre.com.au

Find it in Fyshwick

Enrolments open to new child-care centre

AT Artemis Early Learning, the focus will be on openended, play-based learning that focuses on children’s individual interests, strengths and needs, says director Rebecca Kelly.

The centre is due to open in October, but Rebecca is already taking enrolments and says child care in this area is in high demand.

“The convenient location near the Monaro Highway is ideal for those who work either at the airport or in Fyshwick,” she says.

“The demand is definitely there, as we’ve seen by the early enrolments,” she says.

Artemis will be a long-day care centre, operational for 120 children a day. Children aged from six weeks to school age can be enrolled.

There will be a full preschool program during the core hours of 9am-3pm, with children given the power

Where to get your workwear

FOR high-vis workwear, safety equipment and boots, Seears Workwear has the lot, says owner/ manager Shane Seears.

“We’ve been based in Fyshwick for 12 years in the same spot, and it’s great because it’s the hub of business in Canberra,” he says. Seears Workwear is family owned and operated, run by Pat Seears and his son Shane.

The 1400 square-metre store sells clothing and safety gear for pretty much every kind of industry and worker, Shane says – from building labourers, chefs, blue and white collar workers to hospitals, major companies, and government departments such as Defence.

“We also have a corporate section, where we provide a free measure and quote and free delivery service,” he says. “We offer a full embroidery and screen-printing service, too.”

Seears keeps a huge range of stock on the premises, and sells online at seearsworkwear.com.au, and through the store.

Seears Workwear, 60 Barrier Street. Call 6280 4111.

to make decisions regarding their play and social interactions.

Rebecca says there will be eight rooms; three baby rooms, three toddler rooms, one junior preschool and one preschool room, although this may vary depending on enrolments.

“Each room’s curriculum values the child as an active learner with their environment rather than a passive recipient,” she says. “To meet developmental objectives, the curriculum aims to focus on the child’s interests.

“We aim to provide an environment that’s happy, stimulating, educational, relaxed, nurturing and non-pressured.”

Artemis Early Learning, 11 Cessnock Street. Call 0419 162890.

Big leaps for all-hours gym

ANYTIME Fitness was the first to put a commercial gym in Fyshwick, says owner Billy Coombes, and it is still growing.

“We’re increasing our membership all the time, and we’re now expanding into the space next door,” he says. The new space will include a personal training area and space for small group fitness, he says.

“Every five years we completely refit the gyms, and that will be coming up next year for Fyshwick,” he says. “When that happens we plan to completely redo everything, and give the gym a fresh new look.”

With the flexibility of being able to work out whenever you like, Anytime Fitness suits anyone with a busy lifestyle who still wants to fit in a workout. Access to the clubs is protected by a state-of-the-art security system and can only be granted with the proper key.

There are remote monitored surveillance systems and personal safety devices if needed.

Anytime Fitness, Level 1, 47 Newcastle Street. Call 6280 6425.

At the front of fibre-optic solutions

THE Australian Fibre Optic Communications (AFC) Group designs, manufactures and integrates fibre-optic communication solutions, says Fyshwick branch manager John Coetzer.

“We offer leading-edge, quality products and our focus is on providing innovative and integrated solutions for a variety of applications, environments and industries,” he says.

Australian owned and operated since 1992, the AFC Group produces a wide range of customised solutions, says John.

“With nearly two decades of experience, we’ve got extensive technical knowledge and fibre optic expertise – crucial for getting the job done right.

“We service our customers through a national and international branch structure and are passionate about everything we do – from the products and integrated solutions we provide to caring for our customers, staff and suppliers.

“We work with a broad range of industries, from data centre to underground mines, to provide high-quality, innovative communication solutions.

“Our warehouses carry a large range of stock, but more importantly we provide professional local service and support. All this means we can quickly and efficiently deliver the fibre optic products and solutions you need, when you want them.”

Australian Fibre Optic Communications, Unit 3, 7 Beaconsfield Street. Call 6143 2300 or visit afcgroup.com.au

Anytime Fitness is the original 24hr Club in Fyshwick, and has recently expanded to take over the tenancy next door to meet our growth. We are adding a new Personal Training and Small group training room and expanding the original Club. This is in readiness for our major refit coming next year.

The refit will give our Members a brand new Club, over an even bigger space with even more new equipment.

Anytime Fyshwick has a fantastic community, with our members raising money for our favorite charities each year. We raised over $10,000 last year and are aiming to blow that out of the water this year.  Check out an inspirational story from one of our

Find

Fyshwick

Comfort food at the cafe

6162 4247 Open Mondays! Genge Street, (next door to Cream) FYSHWICK 6280 6049 Shop 2, 100 Barrier Street, (opposite Harvey Norman)

JERRABOMBERRA

6299 9002

Little Jerra Shops, Jerrabomberra Parkway, (next door to post office)

tgshairstudios.com.au | facebook.com/TGs-Hair-Studio

• Free consultation with an experienced designer in

• A local business that has been in Canberra for 30 years

6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick Phone: 6280 4464 www.dreamdesignfurniture.com.au

TRAINED chef David Lucas and his wife Danielle are at the helm of Cafe 102, on Gladstone Street.

Open for breakfast from 6am on weekdays and 7am on Saturdays, Cafe 102 has coffee, eggs all ways, big breakfasts and pastries available.

“We also offer lunchtime specials, and in the winter we have a focus on comfort food, like curries and beef stroganoff,” David says.

He trained at Hotel Kurrajong and was the executive chef at Canberra Stadium for 10 years.

He and Danielle opened Cafe 102 two and a half years ago.

“If you’ve been in over the past few years, thanks for the support, and if you haven’t, come down and see what we’re all about,” David says.

Cafe 102, 102 Gladstone Street. Call 6280 4327.

Top Ten take it to Broadway

By Helen Musa

IN talking to music co-ordinator and performer from the Ten Tenors, Paul Gelsumini, I learn a new adjective –“tenorial”.

“We’re not all top end, but everyone has tenorial qualities,” he tells “CityNews”. Well, maybe they’re not Carreras, Pavarotti or Domingo, but they’ve been knocking audiences dead for 15 years.

They’ve sung for Oprah, recorded the theme song for the film “The Jungle Book 2” and sold more than 3.5 million concert tickets across seven continents, not bad for a bunch of busking boys from Queensland Con.

Of course, a lot of water has passed under the bridge in that time and now, Gelsumini admits, none of the tenors is from the original cohort, though a few have been there for more than 10 years.

The sound remains true to the group’s essence, he says: “Ten Aussie blokes having fun on stage and loving music.”

It’s really a brotherhood, he tells me, predicting that audiences will “walk away with a big smile on their faces.”

Its members are Robert Barbaro, Cameron Barclay, Benjamin Clark, Keane Fletcher, Gelsumini, Sebastian Maclaine, Scott Muller, Joseph Naim, Jared Newall and Ben Stephens, with an average age of 26. Gelsumini’s day job is to keep the group up and running and to run auditions.

He says members get married or move on to careers in musical theatre, so right now they’re looking for someone new.

They prefer to tour with 11 tenors, he explains, “to minimise complications”. He himself started out as number 11.

Born into a big Italian family in Melbourne, Gelsumini studied for a bachelor of music at Monash then headed to Tuscany to study with a maestro, later performing at the big Puccini Festival. Back in Australia, he did a dancing course in South Melbourne, then got into the Tenors about four years ago.

The 10 different voices, he says, can “bring the light and shade” as well as “the power of 10 men singing in unison”.

The show they’re bringing to Canberra is the

US smash hit “Ten Tenors on Broadway”. It’s less operatic and more showbiz, with numbers such as “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”, “Over the Rainbow”, “Cheek to Cheek” and “The Boxer”.

But, he is quick to point out, they’re also doing “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera”, “I’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” and “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miz”.

“We are always trying to keep the tenorial sound as much as we can,” Gelsumini says.

“Ten Tenors on Broadway”, Canberra Theatre, July 17-19, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre. com.au

THAT unique festival of spontaneous theatre and comedy, “Improvention”, hits The Street Theatre on Saturday, July 19. This year’s highlights will be a fully improvised zombie musical, “Zombsical”, the grand finale of the laugh-a-minute Canberra Impro Challenge, and performances by international guests, David Razowsky, from the US, and Kiki Hohnen, from the Netherlands. “People just don’t imagine that genuine drama can be fully improvised at such a level,” says director Nick Byrne. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

CHILD Players ACT’s ninth production is a favourite – Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”, which was director BJ Anyos’s first Child Play production in 2005. The program provides 42 children, aged between 10 and 17, the chance to learn about theatre. The show’s at Belconnen Theatre (now theatre@bcs), July 1019. More information at childplayersact.com.au and bookings to 6257 1950 or canberrarep.org.au.

MIXED news that the livewire exhibitions and promotions co-ordinator at M16 Artspace, Emily Casey, is moving to the UK. Good for her, sad for us, as her three years with M16 has been full-on. Together with the Japanese Embassy, Casey has cooked up a fabulous season of art, “Japanese Encounter”, at M16, July 10-27. The exhibition features drawings, paintings and video works by 14 Japanese artists, including video works by Japan’s 2013 Venice Biennale artist, Koki Tanaka.

THE Drill Hall Gallery has “Araya Rasdjarmearnsook: Storytellers of

“Improvention”... back at the The Street Theatre on July 19.

the Town” by leading Thai artist Rasdjarmearnsook until August. Curated by John Clark and Clare Veal, the show includes video installations and photographic images that eerily highlight the uncertainty of meanings and messages. At Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Acton, until August 10.

ITALIAN guitarist Marco Mina’ will perform works by Niccollò Paganini and Mauro Giuliana at Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm, on July 17. Italy’s fight for independence is said to be audible within the works of these two composers. Bookings to trybooking.com/FFAC or tickets at the door.

QUEANBEYAN City Council has artist Margaret Hadfield judging its regional art awards. With a non-acquisitive award of $2000, a highly commended of $500 and a people’s choice of $500, it’s bound to be popular. Entries by July 30 for an August 5 opening. Entry forms at qcc.nsw.gov.au

Cars, fashion and music, the boys deliver

“Jersey Boys” (M)

THE reported cost for producer/director Clint Eastwood to convert the Broadway musical telling the story of the ‘50s-’60s pop quartet the Four Seasons into a 134-minute film, was $US40 million.

By and large it’s money well spent, much of it on affectionate and generally accurate reconstruction of period and place. Say what you may about Detroit’s gas-guzzling ill-handling monsters bedecked with automotive bling. The film’s images of them deliver nostalgic impacts coupled with engine rumbles to delight the ear.

Dress fashions for both sexes, women’s make-up styles and dance steps accurately reflect the period.

Musically it did little for me, but there’s

depended on Frankie Valli’s falsetto principal voice backed-up by the deeper voices of Tommy, Nick and Bob who joined the original trio and gave it words and music for most of its subsequent hits. The group collapsed when Frankie and Bob went independent and new musical styles arrived.

Eastwood’s direction provides flexibilities of location and time giving the story, adapted by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice from their Broadway version, with Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio as consultants reinforcing authenticity. The dramatic structure is credible. The moments of tension with drugs, mob involvement and marital crises don’t involve music. The bottom line was never far from the money.

At all cinemas

“Belle and Sebastian” (PG)

THE origin of this charming film was a 1965 French TV series about a boy, a Pyrenean mountain dog and the people of a remote village high in the French Alps near the Swiss border, elements which now get affectionate treatment from writer/director Nicholas Vanier whose filmography includes documentaries about cold-climate wildlife.

The men of the village have been scouring the mountains trying to find and kill the

beast which has been killing their sheep. Living with grandfather César (Tchéky Karyo), six-year-old Sebastian (Félix Bossuet), a child of remarkable courage and mountain country savvy, finds a big dog which fears humans after being mistreated in another village.

The story begins in August, 1943.

Stationed nearby, Wehrmacht Lieutenant Peter (Andreas Pietschmann) visits the village frequently, as much for the chance to see César’s lovely daughter Angelina (Margaux Chatelier) in the village bakery as

DOUGAL MACDONALD

to commandeer a regular supply of bread for his troops.

And up in the mountains, a small family of refugees awaits a guide to lead them to freedom across the border.

The film spends a goodly part of its time luxuriating among spectacular Alpine scenery. Its simple plot offers a variety of excitements – vertiginous heights, an avalanche, a snow bridge likely to collapse into a crevasse – that children will have no difficulty understanding. It’s one for every age to enjoy, with credibility not diminished by occasional dramatic contrivance.

At Dendy and Capitol 6

“Calvary” (MA)

IN an Irish village (played by Strandhill, Co. Sligo, between the sea and the butte called Knocknarea) Father James (a Brendan Gleeson performance worthy of highest peer acclaim in award contests) hears a terrifying confession.

Next Sunday, on the beach, he will kill Father James, a good and respected priest, to atone for five years of childhood sexual abuse from a bad priest now dead and all the other abuses of children by bad priests.

That’s a powerful prelude to writer/ director John Michael McDonagh’s comedic drama about the church and sin, of which the village has plenty. The butcher beats his unfaithful wife, the publican has an aggressive streak, the medico is a cynic, the local landowner hates himself and drinks to forget, the cop fancies rent boys. And on Friday night, somebody torches the church.

Father James’ deceased wife bore a winsome daughter. Fiona (Kelly Riley) visiting from Dublin has wrists bandaged from a suicide attempt.

Among these and other joyfuls, McDonagh has sprinkled a generous dose of comedy crafted with high skill. The parallel between Golgotha and the beach embraces Father James’ fate as fulfilment of his vocation. Patches of dissertation about faith and belief ask questions that need asking, whatever the Vatican’s view.

At Palace Electric and Capitol 6

Waving the French flag

By Helen Musa

AS Canberra Francophiles await the glories of Bastille Day 2014, the Wig & Pen and Canberra guitarist Matt Withers are cooking up a feast of music to mark the eve of France’s National Day.

Wig & Pen owners Lachie and Janie McOmish are committed to the aims of Canberra Versailles Association, of which Janie is secretary.

The McOmish’s French connection began many years ago when their 14-year-old daughter Elspeth, who now works for Unesco in Paris, won a Canberra Versailles scholarship.

“It’s become a tradition for a while now for the Wig & Pen to run fundraisers for scholarships,” Janie tells us as “CityNews” snapper Gary Schafer tastefully arranges a flag around the bar. “All our money goes to students.”

“We’ve had pedagogues, political scientists and pastry chefs on scholarship,” Janie says, but they’ve mostly focussed on raising funds for Canberra’s tertiary students to study in France, and have disbursed $50,000 in scholarships, including three last year to ANU School of Music students.

Bastille Eve is obviously an important date for the association and this year, there’s a nice touch.

Enter Withers, head of guitar at the University of Canberra. He’s been busy rearranging classics such as “Blue Moon” and “Over the Rainbow” for guitar and will be joined at the Wig & Pen fundraiser by fellow guitarists and students of Prof Tim Kain, Cal Henshaw, Steph Jones, Ciaran Edwards McKeown and Aleksei Vasutin.

Withers has been awarded one of the association’s John Wallis Travelling Fellowships, which will give him accommodation and a performance fee while in France. He’ll also receive some support from UC. He’ll leave at the end of September.

“I’m in discussion with the Versailles Conservatoire and I hope to present a concert and master class during my visit,” Withers says.

He’ll also be presenting his early Ph.D. research on “The Entrepreneurial Guitarist” and giving a master class at the Uppsala International Guitar Festival in October.

So what, we ask Janie, will regulars at the bar think of all this music-making? “People will love it,” she predicts.

Popular Parlour in full swing once more

The décor is eclectic, with many ‘seating zones’. Tip: some zones are more comfortable and conducive to eating than others, so choose carefully.

YOU feel the spirit when in the Parlour Wine Room – the spirit of the original establishment before it tragically went up in flames in June 2011.

But it’s 2014 and the Parlour Wine Room is in full swing once more, offering Spanish tapas, international, national and regional boutique wines and colourful cocktails created at the massive bar.

Set in the New Acton precinct, Parlour Wine Room’s menu is easy to manoeuvre. In the evening, you can enjoy oysters or tapas, including white anchovies ($6), pork crackle ($8) and marinated olives ($9). Or focus on sharing tapas plates, or hot tapas, including three-hour braised beef cheeks, baby onions and smoked potato foam ($42).

The menu isn’t as extensive during the day (fair enough) and ranges from $8.50 for a Croque Monsieur made with sexy Serrano jamón, Maffra cheddar (from Victoria) and aioli, to $16 for tapas plates.

Our party of four visited at lunch and were up for sharing the plates. At the Parlour Wine Room the dishes change with the seasons. We ordered the chorizo cassoulet with white beans and a 62C egg, a method some chefs says produces the perfect result.

The chorizo was spicy (although not overly so) and a bit tough. The rich and beautiful sauce cried out to be soaked up with fresh bread, however. We thought it a good idea for Parlour to automatically offer even a small basket of bread with the dish.

The chicken liver pate, with pomegranate gel and toasted brioche, was delish.

Wanting a bit of veg, we shared the braised green

beans with mint and garlic yoghurt. We agreed the tastes were confusing given what the menu stated (mint, garlic, yoghurt) and we weren’t prepared for the pucker power of the beans. They were surprisingly overly acidic and didn’t agree with us.

The décor is eclectic, with many “seating zones”. Tip: some zones are more comfortable and conducive to eating than others, so choose carefully.

Art deco is a strong influence and Edwardian-type pieces of furniture are scattered about. The big parlour chairs are no surprise, given the name of the place, and floral patterns are predominant. If you prefer, there is ample outdoor seating.

Service was friendly but slow, especially at the beginning of our visit when we wanted to settle in with a glass of wine.

Sangria jugs are available for $25 every day and on Tuesdays, two courses and a choice of house wine or beer is $30.

Open for lunch Thursday to Sunday, noon to 3pm. 16 Kendall Lane, New Acton 6257 7325.

WENDY JOHNSON

musical; theatre

“Legally Blonde – The Musical” At the ANU Arts Centre until July 27

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

OMG, you guys! What a triumph! Presented in Canberra so soon after the national tour, this challenging musical about a bright young woman with blonde hair and a penchant for pink, who enrols into Harvard to win the man of her dreams, receives an exuberant production by Free Rain Theatre.

Superbly cast and imaginatively staged by director Derek Walker, this high-energy production is a delight from start to finish.

As the delightful blonde Elle Wood, Mikayla Williams is real star material. Her singing, dancing and acting are exemplary and it is difficult to look at anyone else when she is on stage.

She receives great support from Dave Evans, excellent as Emmett, and Jenna Roberts, in an outstandingly comedic performance as the hairdresser, Paulette. Damon Grebert-Wade, as Warner, is a bit colourless, but reveals a fine singing voice.

Brian Kavanagh brings exactly the right authority to the sleazy lecturer, Callahan. Zack Drury steals all his

scenes as the guy with the box, and Vanessa de Jager, Laura Dawson and Kirrah Amosa excel as the vivacious Greek chorus.

Michelle Heine’s classy choreography is performed with confidence and panache, and the enthusiastic ensemble, outfitted in Fiona Leach’s excellent costumes, provides the

myriad of other characters who inhabit Steve and Susie Walsh’s multi-level, free-flowing set. Some unsolved sound-balance problems meant that Nicholas Griffin’s excellent band often swamped the singers on opening night. No doubt this will be corrected. Don’t miss this one.

Shogun Restaurant offers superb Japanese cuisine. Combing the Japanese classic favourite of SUKIYAKI, SHABU-SHABU, SUSHI, SASHIMI, TEMPURA ETC, and TEPPANYAKI.

6248 8888 1st Floor, Garema Centre, 70 Bunda Street, Canberra City www.shogunrestaurant.com.au

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

Creating Sustainable Gardens

Glenbog Nursery and Landscaping

• growers of drought tolerant and frost resistant plants

• new garden creations and garden makeovers

• sustainable garden design and advice

• providing a value for money solution

home & garden Winter joy of hardy hellebores

Nursery open 9am to 5pm Wed to Fri 10am to 4pm Weekends.

314 Plummers Rd, Burra NSW 2620 (20 minutes from Queanbeyan) Ph. 0402 024 204 – 0408 119 160

glenbog@skymesh.com.au

We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow.

FRUIT TREES

WINTER flowers are always in demand for colour in the garden and none more so than hellebores or “Winter Rose”.

Although no relation, the name is due to its resemblance to oldfashioned roses.

Hellebores have a huge range of pastel colours from soft pinks to purples. Plus they come in single flowers to semi-doubles and full doubles.

They grow best in well-drained soil and ideally planted under deciduous trees or shrubs for shade in summer.

The largest range I have seen in Canberra is at the Heritage Nursery in Yarralumla, where it is one of their winter specialities.

If you have older, scraggly specimens, it is not too late (although I recommend early autumn) to cut the old leaves to ground level. Apply a good organic fertiliser such as Healthy Earth and then mulch to about 50-75mm deep.

They are totally frost hardy and will multiply over the years or can be dug up and divided in spring. They are the ideal plant to combine with herbaceous peonies, often referred to as the “Queen of Flowers”, also now in stock at garden centres.

HERE’S a perfect recommendation for daphne “Eternal Fragrance” from the largest garden society in

the world, the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society, which says: “Tolerant of pruning, it can be used as a low hedge, a specimen plant or grown in a container.

“It is one of the best plant introductions in the last 10 years – described as the first ‘bombproof’ daphne. Sun or part shade with a temperature tolerance of -10c to + 40c”.

It is a hardy variety originating from a cross of two daphne from

Italy, and ideally suited to our hot summers. It is also available in a pink form, “Spring Pink”.

EUONYMUS japonicus was used extensively as a hedging plant in the early days of Canberra, when the government clipped your front hedge!

If you want a really dense, sturdy hedge 2m-3m it is worth considering. This evergreen shrub will withstand hard clipping. Its fluffy white flowers appear in late summer, followed by wonderfully coloured berries as seen here in a Chifley garden at this time.

Unlike other plants such as Pyracantha, birds do not eat the berries. Over the years it has lost popularity in favour of quickergrowing plants such as Pittosporum, but without the problems of that plant, which can become very scraggly in a short time. It is still readily available at most garden centres.

LAST week I said that quince trees had been grown for hundreds of years. In the “Life of William Dampier”, second discoverer of Australia, in 1704 he captured a Spanish ship off the coast of Panama. Instead of the expected gold, the cargo included bales of linen and wool plus 30 tons of quince marmalade.

DIARY date: The Horticultural Soci ety’s rose-pruning demonstrations will be held on Saturday, July 19, in the Woodfield’s garden at 1 Spence Place, Hughes, and

on Sunday, July 20 at the society’s demonstration garden, corner of Battye Street and Weston Lane, Bruce. This will also include fruit-tree pruning. Both run from 1pm to 4pm and all welcome. There is no charge.

Jottings…

• The sweet scented “Lily of the Valley” can be planted now under deciduous trees for summer shade.

• Prune gooseberries, red and white currants to keep an open-centred bush with 8-10 main branches. Prune last year’s growth of the main stems by half.

• Start pruning wisteria branches back to three nodes or leaf joints.

• Prune apples and pears to maintain an open centre of the tree.

• Do not prune or cut back evergreen shrubs during winter.

puzzles page

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars – July 14-20, 2014

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Over the next 13 months, many red-hot Rams will take up a new sport or hobby; start a hot romance; initiate a major creative project; go on a heavenly holiday; or welcome a new addition to the family. But Saturday’s Sun/Mars square could be a recipe for trouble, especially if you let your impulsive side take over. So calm down – and cool down before you blow a fuse.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Jupiter expands your domestic horizons. So over the next 13 months you could purchase real estate, move house, get a new housemate, or renovate so you extend your living space. Venus joins Mercury and the Sun in your communication zone on Saturday, so it’s a wonderful weekend to socialise with family and friends, plus participate in some stimulating conversations.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Jupiter jumps into your communication zone so your social media profile gets a boost over the coming year, as you mix and mingle; text and tweet; socialise and circulate to the max. It’s also a terrific time to make the most of your marvellous mind via studying, writing, teaching, travelling or learning another language. Your standing in the local community is also set to soar.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Have you been worrying about money matters? Jupiter journeys through your $$$ zone for the next 13 months, so make the most of the lucky financial opportunities that come your way. Venus vamps into your sign (from July 19 until August 12) so it’s time to improve your physical appearance via beauty treatments and some hot new clothes … plus call in a few old favours.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

With Jupiter moving into your sign (until August 2015) it’s time to be the creative and charismatic Cat you were born to be. Confidence is the rocket fuel that will take you places. Power struggles are likely on Saturday - unless you can let a loved one step in and be the boss (for a change). The more you try to impose your ideas on others, the more woeful the weekend will be.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Vigilant Virgos can be worry-warts and workaholics but the coming year is the time to slot some regular relaxation into your busy schedule so you have space to recuperate and regenerate. Saturday’s Mercury/Neptune trine boosts your intuition and imagination, and puts you in the mood to connect with the creative muse within, plus tune into the thoughts and feelings of others.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Laidback Libra – sitting back and letting others make decisions leaves you feeling paralysed and powerless. With Mars marching through your sign, strive to be more self-sufficient, dynamic and decisive. Friendships are favoured over the coming year. And your peer group is set to expand as you become involved with a group, club or organisation involving like-minded souls.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

OK Scorpio, we all know that Saturn is sauntering through your sign, and sending challenges and obstacles in your direction. Don’t use that as an excuse to sit around sulking though! Take on board the wise words of Nelson Mandela (born on July 18, 1918): “It is what we make of what we have – not what we are given – that separates one person from another.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Jupiter (your ruling planet) shifts into your travel zone mid-week, so foreign shores beckon over the coming year. It’s also a positive period for ventures involving law, education, publishing, international business, imports and exports. On Thursday you’re bursting with ideas and are keen to help, but don’t disappoint others by promising more than you can deliver.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Wealth planet Jupiter moves into your ‘money-from-others’ zone so over the next 13 months some lucky Capricorns will benefit from an inheritance, loan, financial partnership, divorce settlement, superannuation pay-out or bumper tax return. And with peacemaker Venus shifting into your partnership zone on the weekend, close relationships are set to improve.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Attached Aquarius – plan a romantic holiday with your partner for some time over the next 13 months. Singles – love is likely with someone from another country or culture. On Friday and Saturday you’re more accident prone than usual so pace yourself, especially when travelling. Sunday suits taking things at a quieter pace, as you surround yourself with family and friends.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

It’s a wonderful week to get the balance right between thinking and feeling, as you communicate your Piscean ideas in creative ways. Be inspired by birthday great Nelson Mandela: “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” But, if your inner voice tells you something – or someone – isn’t the real deal, then make sure you act on that information.

Across

4 Name a large fish found in warm sea

8 Which term describes a position from which there is no escape?

9 What is a figure having eight angles and eight sides?

10 What do we call one who struggles against heavy odds?

11 Which peoples inhabit Berlin?

12 Name a small, low-powered, electric carnival vehicle

14 Name the largest satellite of the planet Neptune

18 Which legendary monster is half man, half horse?

21 What is another expression for insatiable greed?

22 Tomato sauce is also known as what?

23 Name a Baltic republic

24 Name the Australian diplomat who was the president of the International Court 1964-67, Sir Percy ...?

Down

1 Which term describes a white horse with black patches?

2 Which expression relates to venomous ill will?

3 To separate so as to be alone, is to do what?

4 Which civilian Cross is given for outstanding heroism?

5 What is an aquatic, furred, carnivorous, musteline mammal?

6 Name an elaborate public spectacle

7 What are smooth surfaces, prepared for skating?

13 Which part of a kitchen is set aside for meals?

15 Name another term for a boat race

16 From which type of sack is a horse fed?

17 Which person deals in textiles and cloth goods?

18 What are sweet baked foods in loaf or layer form?

19 Name another term for a greenfly, or plant louse

20 In which furnaces are bricks baked?

JERRY came to see me worried about his business.

He provides computer staff to various businesses and government departments and had heard that the ACT Government will be charging 6.85 per cent payroll tax on these contracts in future.

“That’s correct, Jerry,” I told him. “In the ACT Budget this year it was announced that this change was to have commenced on July 1, but the Treasurer has since announced that the start has been deferred to October 1.

“It will be debated in the Assembly in August, so my advice relates to the change as shown in the Bill to be debated. It is possible that the legislation passed by the Assembly will differ from this.

“In the Budget, the Treasurer explained that the section of the Act that provides an exemption from payroll tax to employment agents will be repealed.

“This section exempts wages from payroll tax if they are paid by a genuine employer. It will no longer be available where a contractor employs themselves or joins with other unrelated contractors to create a payroll company.

“He also said ‘this provides a tax advantage to contractors who are not bona fide employers’.

“You employ four people direct from employment agencies, so as you – and several other small business owners – have told me it looks, at first glance, as if that part of the business will not be viable into the future as there will be no benefit working for you and the employees will probably contract direct to the employment agent.”

Jerry said that was what he feared.

I pressed on: “The Explanatory Statement states that where a contractor company has two or more people working on a contract one of whom is an employee of the business and the other is a director of the company then the payroll tax exemption will continue to apply.

“This may assist you where you and an employee both work on the same contract.”

Jerry said this was actually quite good because, in one of the contracts, he supplied a project management team that he was part of.

“As I recollect you also supply the services of two employees direct to an overseas software developer,” I said.

“While this will still be potentially subject to payroll tax, the tax will be levied on your total payroll and there is no employment agent. The threshold above which payroll tax is paid has increased to, $1,850,000, so you will still be below the threshold.”

Jerry said: “Thanks, Gail, that’s so much better than I expected. I was dreading that I’d have to pay payroll tax on everything, which I would have to pass on to the employees, which would have been an effective salary reduction of 6.85 per cent.”

I said: “Now we just need to see what happens in August, so we can confirm that the legislation is passed as currently proposed.”

If you need any information about payroll tax or any other tax related matter, contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.