140828 citynews

When human rights go wrong

MICHAEL MOORE

The grief of living with Mr Fluffy

MARK PARTON

SPRINGfervour

Bronwyn’s world of gardens galore

Into the gutter with bullies and trolls

JOHN GRIFFITHS

The ‘baloney’ of growing roses CEDRIC BRYANT

AUGUST 28, 2014

30 SEPT–4 OCT

Spring brings bevy of open gardens

Kathryn Vukovljak reports

WITH spring in the air, it’s time to get back into the garden... yours or one of Bronwyn Blake’s.

Bronwyn is the NSW ACT regional liaison officer for Open Gardens Australia and it’s from this time of the year that proud householders across the region open their gardens to the public.

“Gardening is about learning, it’s good for the soul, and it keeps you very grounded and in touch with the weather, the soil and the seasons,” she says.

“You’re connected to it all in a way that’s so satisfying.”

This year grand estates, highly designed spaces and small boutique courtyards will be opening alongside productive veggie patches, rare species, natives and family friendly spaces.

“The lovely thing is, gardens are all so deeply personal,” Bronwyn says.

“There may be things that you love or feel challenged by, but visiting a garden always makes you come away with new ideas or ways to solve problems in your own garden.”

Two-thirds of the 38 ACT/NSW gardens for the 2014-15 season have never opened before, Bronwyn says, with the volunteer selectors unearthing more gems than ever.

The first garden to open locally will be Yeumville near Hall, on September 13-14, but the season kicks off with the special event “Natives on the South Coast” on August 30-31.

“People’s gardens are where they live, socialise, nurture family, entertain; it’s a beautiful thing,” Bronwyn says.

“Gardening is a form of creative expression, people are artistic in so many ways and it’s so important to be able to express your creativity.”

Bronwyn says there’s a garden open somewhere pretty much every weekend in the ACT or NSW for the whole season.

“We have a lot of new gardens, but even with ones that have been open before, there’s always something different to see.

“A garden is never finished – it’s a work in progress,” she says.

There are some really interesting garden journeys this season, Bronwyn says, with a well-known garden in Red Hill opening up for the first time since a radical overhaul.

“It was a beautiful garden as it was, and had been open to the public many times, but the new owner wanted it to reflect her preferences and make it her own – and it takes a lot of courage to

Taking care of business

CARA Hade, of All About Care, is the Canberra Women in Business group’s Business Woman of the Year, while Karen Porter, of Solace Creations Double Glazing, was highly commended. Emma Luscombe, of Antique Hair Salon, is Young Business Woman of the Year; Gillian Yeend, of Yeend and Associates Family Lawyers, won best new business and Fiona Keary’s Style Liberation was named Best New Business.

Racing women’s lunch

BREAST cancer support group Bosom Buddies is the beneficiary of the charity lunch hosted by Women in

Bronwyn Blake... “People’s gardens are where they live, socialise, nurture family, entertain; it’s a beautiful thing.” Photo by Gary Schafer

start over,” she says.

“They have taken out most of the plants that were there and completely changed the whole focus.”

Bronwyn says the best part about organising the open gardens is meeting each garden owner and hearing their stories.

“They’re always such good people, and they courageously share their gardens with the public, welcoming people into their private space, and with that comes a vulnerability that you have to respect.

“We choose gardens that are the best of their type, but they are all so different. There might be two gardens near each other on the same soil line that solve their issues in totally different ways.

“That’s what makes it so interesting.”

Win guide to gardens

“CityNews” has five copies of the “Open Gardens Australia Guide 2014-2015”, worth $19.95 each, to give away. Available through ABC shops, newsagents and bookstores, or online at opengarden.org.au. Enter at citynews.com.au/competitions

Cedric Bryant: Most rose-growing advice is ‘baloney’ – Page 23

Racing Canberra, at the Hellenic Club, Woden on Friday, September 5. Guest speaker is the National Museum’s head curator Dr Kirsten Wehner whose speech is titled “Racing ... to save the history of the horse in Australia”. Tickets from womeninracingcanberra@gmail.com

Yazidi relief appeal

MANNING Clark House and friends have launched a Yazidi Relief Fund for refugees in Iraq. Readers can donate to the Yazidi relief fund via the PayPal link at manningclark.org.au/ or by transferring donations directly to the Yazidi Relief Fund, bank account BSB 032729, Account 297511.

Since 1993: Volume 20, Number 32

Arts & Entertainment 19-21

Canberra Confidential 10

Cinema 20

Dining 21

Garden 22

Horoscope 23

Letters 8

News 3-8

Politics 6

Puzzles 23

Socials 11-13

contacts

Blake from Open Garden Australia. Photo Gary Schafer. Daffodils from Janine Florist. Story Page 3.

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The good, the bad and David Eastman

THE good, the bad and the ugly dominated our news this past week and, as usual, more of the latter, so let’s get them over first.

How come two thirds of us clever Canberrans are overweight and one in four are obese? In every other metric, from education to longevity, we lead the nation. seven days

Actually, it’s hard to know where the David Eastman saga fits in – good if he’s innocent, bad and ugly if he ain’t. Either way it’s been a judicial shemozzle, particularly given the comments from Judge Martin that he “probably” did murder Colin Winchester. Very difficult for him to fit back into the community with that hanging over his head – unless, of course, he’s cleared in a retrial.

NO such problem with the beheading of photo-journalist James Foley by the ISIS terrorists; that was surely as low as humanity could go. And such horrors must have a brutalising effect on everyone. It’s all too easy to follow the terrorists down that slippery slope to barbarism. Perhaps that’s the great challenge to the West – to defeat them without joining them in the moral gutter.

CERTAINLY the decision announced by PM Tony Abbott to stop welfare payments to Australians involved in “extremist conduct” raised practical (and tactical) concerns.

Victoria University professor Michele Grossman called it “a very, very risky strategy”. They were already somewhat alienated from society, she said, so, “if you deny people who need benefits, it draws them to seek alternative forms of support”. And the decision by some Muslim groups to boycott a meeting with the PM seemed to confirm her concerns.

CLIVE Palmer did nothing to raise the tone of debate with his churlish description of the Chinese as “mongrels” who “shoot their own people”. Palmer’s populist (porky) profile as a counterweight to the decidedly unpopular Budget measures shows signs of cracking. He and his PUP’s awful Jacqui Lambie are quickly losing their novelty value.

SPEAKING of fat people, how come

two thirds of us clever Canberrans are overweight and one in four are obese? In every other metric, from education to longevity, we lead the nation. And look at our political role models – Katy Gallagher and Jeremy Hanson are perfect examples of healthy, well proportioned figures.

Could it be that so many of our public servants are recumbent at their desks most of their working days? ACT Deputy Chief Health Officer Andrew Pengilley has a wonderful opportunity to trial a range of counter-measures. Perhaps there’s a case for those tall desks where everyone works standing up.

NICE to hear that the doctor’s home visit will be returning to our fair city. Truth is, a visit to the doctor’s surgery is not a great option. You’re thrown into the company of sick people in the waiting room and unless you have the

ROBERT MACKLIN

first appointment of the day, the wait can be interminable. Recently, after 20 minutes I asked the receptionist how long to go. “About an hour,” she said. I departed, never to return.

WONDERFUL news that Katy’s government is considering heating the water in the Lake’s West Basin so we can all go swimming there through winter. Now they just have to figure out how to heat the air above so we don’t all freeze as we get in and out. Should be no problem – pollies know all about hot air.

robertmacklin.com

Organic architecture and design is the philosophy at Chelsea, promoting harmony between the new and old world, through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated that the building, furnishings, and use of recycled bricks retain the old world charm of O’Connor, while progressing the essence of a modern home.

Chelsea is a slice of European terrace style living featuring SMEG kitchen appliances, Caroma bathroom fixtures, 2.7m high ceilings, courtyards and terraces and a shared vegetable garden for residents.

1

When human rights go wrong

DETENTION centres are not prisons according to the Minister for Immigration.

The matter came to a head when Scott Morrison appeared before Human Rights Commissioner, Prof Gillian Triggs, who used her own experience of visiting Australian prisons to raise the issue.

For Morrison, denying the characteristics of detention centres might be a salve to his own conscience – but they are prisons.

It is worse for refugees than for other Australian prisoners. When others go into prison in Australia they have some idea of why they are there and when the sentence will finish.

Indefinite incarceration must be one of the cruellest of punishments and the extent of mental health issues in refugee prisons should be little wonder.

An understanding of human rights is fundamental in dealing with asylum seekers. The right to seek asylum, as outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and the right to health, as outlined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights make this clear.

However, the approach of Labor and Liberal governments simply flies in the face of these conventions.

But political polling is so much more important. The government is particularly vulnerable on children in detention. And children are being held in detention centres for longer and longer.

It is worse for refugees than for other Australian prisoners. When others go into prison in Australia they have some idea of why they are there and when the sentence will finish.

Morrison told the Human Rights Commission that the average time a child spent in an Immigration Department detention facility as of July 31 was 349 days compared to July 31 last year when it was 115 days.

In an attempt to show compassion Morrison referred to his own children.

“As a parent of two young children, the emotional challenges of working in this policy portfolio are just as real and just as great as they would be for any other parent in my position,” he said.

“But sentiment cannot be indulged at the expense of effective policy that is saving lives and ending the chaos and tragedy that was occurring that many thought could never be turned around. And that is my duty.”

The number of Iranian children vastly outnumbers those from any other country with almost 300 of nearly 770 children in detention.

The approach our community has taken to boat people from Islamic and other non-Christian countries is in marked contrast to the compassionate

stance taken by the government in dealing with the Syrian Christians and the Christian refugees from the ASIL attacks in the North of Iraq.

In response to this crisis, the government announced it would “set aside” 4000 visas for refugees who are “most in need of resettlement”. It is unclear whether these are additional or taken from the 13,750 annual visa quota for refugees.

The Anglican Bishop for Canberra and Goulburn, Stuart Robinson, published an open letter calling on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to increase the government’s intake of refugees as a result of the religious violence.

Similar calls have been heard from Catholic and Anglican bishops in the UK and the US. The calls for protection of these people is understandable –they are from a similar creed.

Robinson starts with the Christian perspective: “The displacement of Christians from Mosul and other towns will greatly burden neighbouring centres struggling to meet the needs of

those displaced by earlier conflicts”.

Then he goes much further: “The prospect of another generation of children, women and men enduring years of insecurity in temporary camps is intolerable”.

It is already intolerable. The churches have spoken out about the current system of detention in the past. Right now it is intolerable to anyone who is respectful of human rights and it will remain so until we take a more compassionate approach.

The shame for all of us is that the dialogue in our country has been so much about protecting ourselves from the invading boat people when the truth is that Australia benefits enormously from the economic, social and cultural contribution that asylum seekers (most of whom are found to be genuine refugees) ultimately make to our society.

Choked on my toast

IF Michael Moore was an acupuncturist, I may support his wanting to flood the Alexander Maconochie Centre with needles, (“Time to grasp prison needles”, CN, July 24).

By being in prison they are already marginalised socially. Blood transmission through intravenous drug use is virtually the only way to get hep C, so what cockamamie thinking would ensure further marginalisation by giving them the very instruments to damage their health?

Mr Moore’s policy has supported

governments giving out about 600 million needles in the past 25 years to help stop the increase in hep C!

I choked on my toast upon reading Mr Moore’s unbelievable statement that the needle question is a health and human rights issue, not a moral one. If that is so, given the shocking history above we must immediately sack the health authorities and disband the human rights group! And God help us, please!

Colliss Parrett, Barton

Grief of living with Mr Fluffy

THE Mr Fluffy saga is a sad and sorry tale that’s a long way from being over.

Last week the Chief Minister announced that Mr Fluffy owners will be required to put a high-visibility tag inside their meter box to alert tradesmen to the potential danger.

It prompted another call from me on radio to publish a list of the affected houses and to end the speculation about which houses have Mr Fluffy but I was taken aback by a response I got.

Jason, not his real name, wrote from Kambah: “I am a Canberra Mr Fluffy house owner and feel compelled to express my views on what is happening to me and my family.

“People in the media like your good self have created hysteria about this whole affair that has resulted in the owners of these properties being cast as lepers in society with no course for redress.

“I was not even aware I lived in a fluffy house until a few months ago.

“I have already undertaken renovations over the last 10 or so years at now, seemingly, great risk to my family and those that worked with us. I feel terrible about that… I lay awake at night thinking what I have exposed my young family to.

“In addition, the Government is imposing other mandatory requirements for us to adhere to if people come anywhere near our houses to do work on them. Just for good measure why doesn’t Katy insist we report to the police every day to make sure we are all wearing our ‘Mr Fluffy Home Owners’ T-shirts just to make sure we are completely humiliated in society!”

His email hammered home the complexity of this problem and the effect it’s having on the lives of so many.

Jason’s house is the biggest asset he’s ever owned and he’s contemplating the prospect that it’s worthless through no fault of his own. We can’t let that happen. These people must be fairly compensated and it’s the Feds who are dragging the chain on it now.

I got another email from a local netball club looking for donations to help the family of one of its members who had also fallen victim to the Mr Fluffy saga and had to leave their home earlier this month.

Here’s some of what the email said:

“Asbestos fibres were found throughout their four wardrobes, linen press and heater intake. They literally walked out of their home with their two young girls aged 7 and 3-1/2 with only the clothes on their backs. They have lost everything.”

It shouldn’t be up to netball clubs to do this. All power to them, but where is the Federal government fixing what was a Federal government mistake?

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

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Bullying – The greatest form of entertainment in America. Let’s go bullying! Ya, sounds like fun!” – Urban Dictionary

BULLYING, like many awful things, is a terrible problem still with us because it is unbelievably complicated.

Talkback radio is full of out and out bullies, highly remunerated for treating people awfully. Furthermore, I’ll concede that some bloggers from time to time could be seen to be bullies.

either very young or quite elderly. What they have in common is a sense of powerlessness and exclusion.

Online they’re divorced from the immediate consequences of their actions, which makes it even more likely they’ll do something repugnant and regrettable. But for one moment in their sad, little lives they can reach out and have an effect on someone famous. Or beautiful.

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Recently we saw the hideous spectacle of Robin Williams’ daughter having fake autopsy pictures of her father tweeted at her in her hour of grief.

Here in Canberra, a very beautiful but occasionally fragile friend of mine made a habit of posting pictures of herself to the micro-blogging service Tumblr.

Suddenly they don’t feel so crushingly unimportant in a world that shows no other signs of caring about them.

To make matters worse, online there’s a niche for everyone from a pedophile to a railway enthusiast.

A little legion of trolls descended in the comments to tell her she was fat and ugly.

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You can almost see the funny side, someone seeking affirmation from the internet getting the exact opposite. It could make a cartoon, maybe even be in a comedian’s skit.

When she attempted self harm it stopped being funny at all. (She’s doing okay these days, I should stress).

The term bullying gets dreadfully misused.

A workplace dud (and let’s be honest, some in the workforce are not giving their best) getting counselled on how to improve performance cries “bully” and a diligent, hard-working manager can find themselves in a world of hurt.

Part of the problem is that real bullying is abuse and all too often those who have been abused feel somehow justified in meting it out to others.

So the little gangs of trolls get together on their message boards and give each other virtual high fives and validate behaviour that in the wider community would be met with revulsion.

Rather than fretting too much about this behaviour it’s probably better to think more about the causes.

People with meaningful relationships with a wide variety of people get a lot of sanity checks along the way.

“Hey check out these pictures I faked up and sent to Robin Williams’ daughter! She totally freaked! ”

“Whoooaa there buddy, how would you feel if that was your dad?”

“Oh, wow, I wish I’d thought more about that.”

It is oft remarked that people say things online they would never say to someone’s face. But this is not a new thing of the internet. The letters between Sir Thomas More and Martin Luther were as foul as any comment thread the internet has ever known.

Interestingly, the worst trolls on the internet are often

It would be nice if we could have societies with less unempowered and excluded people in them, which gets a bit tricky when our first reaction is to avoid the creeps and deprive them of influence.

At least we know that if Kyle Sandilands’ lifestyle catches up with him there will be no shortage of suitable replacements.

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Pompeii goes to water

ARCHAEOLOGIST Dr Duncan Keenan-Jones, of Macquarie University, will speak on “Supplying water to an unstable city – Pompeii before the eruption” at the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU campus, 8 pm, on Thursday, September 11. The talk is free, no bookings needed, and is hosted by the Friends of the ANU Classics Museum.

Seminar for job seekers

JOB Boot Camp’s “Managing Your Career in a Challenging Environment” seminar offers targeted support to those affected by downsizing. At the Theo Notaris Centre, Civic, 5.30pm-8.30pm, on Tuesday, September 9. The cost is $35. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/managing-your-career-ina-challenging-environment-tickets-12343518797

Canberra Confidential

Club gets a plug

LOCAL Labor Party secretary Elias Hallaj’s secret life is not the smoky backrooms of political intrigue. He’s a spare-time food blogger and has turned up on Fairfax’s The Vine website with an expanded list of his 10 favourite, affordable eats around Canberra. CC’s curiosity was piqued at selection number 10, “Schnitties and parmies”, where Comrade Hallaj writes: “My favourite version in the city is the $9.90 parmy lunch special at the City Labor Club (the chilli version with salad and chips is awesome).” That’s the club owned by his party, right?

No, no to ho ho

CC’s resisted the annual whinge about the traffic lights slowing peak hour traffic on Commonwealth Avenue for 10 weeks while the public events gnomes stage Floriade, but fair go!

With Father’s Day barely a twinkle still in many people’s eye, CC is mortified at the news that David Jones opened its “renowned” Christmas Shops, on Tuesday, August 26 – four months before the naughty and nice moment. With an announcement oddly headed “Spring at David Jones launches with some Christmas magic”, it goes on to explain that DJs’ stores will “begin to come to life with an exciting and festive offering in preparation for the holiday season”. They’re asleep the rest of the year?

Happy to be smashed!

CRASH-tested at a Sydney facility, ANCAP is bringing one of the safest cars they’ve tested to the Tuggeranong Hyperdome on September 4.

Rhianne Robson, communications manager at ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program), says they have to destroy four cars to get a rating.

“We drive them at 64kmh into a concrete block to simulate a head-on collision,” she says.

“The Forester is a great example

of how the strong structures and key safety features and technologies of five-star cars can save lives,” she says.

“This is for the greater good of the community so I love being involved –and my dad’s a panel beater so this is all pretty normal for me!”

ANCAP has just wrapped up a series of displays in conjunction with ACT Policing and the ACT Government as part of the ACT’s “Stop Pushing the Limits” speed awareness campaign.

Dorin does good

“CITYNEWS” cartoonist Paul Dorin’s painted jeans of actor Jonah Hill raised the third highest bid of $7500 at the Jeans for Genes mega fundraiser at Sydney’s swish Sofitel on Saturday night. ABC personality Adam Spencer was auctioneer for the night and managed to hook $12,000 for Keith Urban’s jeans, next came Jamie Oliver’s

Society loves Cedric

“CITYNEWS” gardening guru Cedric Bryant has been honoured with life membership of the Horticultural Society of Canberra as a mark of esteem for all he has done for the society and for Canberra horticulture.

Society president John Le Mesurier says our Cedric has been part of the society for around 40 years, “beginning when he ran a nursery in Yass and would turn up with his fuchsias to enter the competition at one or another of our four regular shows.”

“As the artist watching hands raising or slow-to-be-raised – and with the live auction of the jeans being the big event of the night – you are always nervous hoping your jeans do well,” says Dorin.

Dorin has been a 20-year supporter of the beneficiaries, the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

David off to Griffith

LIVEWIRE artist and all-round Canberra arts personality, David Sequeira, has been appointed as the new director of M16 Artspace in Griffith. He is the third director of the thriving arts hub, succeeding Joseph Falsone and Ren Pryor in the job.

Since then Cedric’s regularly opened his garden to society members, contributed advice and photos to The Canberra Gardener, worked at the society’s trial garden in Bruce and been a speaker at many information nights.

John’s hopeful Cedric will be at the Spring Bulb and Camellia Show at Wesley Centre, Forrest on the weekend of September 13-14.

Hello, sailors

CC can’t see the link, but so you know, shipmates, September 19 is Talk Like A Pirate Day, in aid of Childhood Cancer Support.

FILM festival openings are usually convivial occasions with like minded film buffs happy to discuss and recommend the latest celluloid attractions on the program.

The Israeli Film Festival was opened at Palace Electric by Brian Loughnane, federal director of the Liberal Party, with a small audience, a restrained sense of occasion and more security than the complex is ever likely to see for the Israeli ambassador, Shmuel Ben-Shmuel

Film can make a difference in a world of turmoil by bringing perspectives to the discussions, opinions and overwhelming sense of impotence we may feel. But I’m unsure the opening-night film, “Self Made”, will have a profound impact on world affairs, though it may make us groan in unison as the scenes of flatpacks and screws from the mighty emporium of all-you’ve-ever-wanted-tobuild-for-your-home create misery.

That aside, this black comedy is about an Israeli woman who can’t remember who she is after bumping her head when her bed collapses and a Palestinian who is reminded daily of her place, who somehow have a mystical moment that transposes their identities. Like those flatpacks we needed instructions.

The program continues until August 31.

by

Apprentice success to the power of two

FOR the first time in its 12-year history, the winner of the 2014 Award for Outstanding Graduating Apprentice was shared between two ACT WorldSkills gold medallists.

Bradley Monkhouse (Carpentry) and Gary Mills (Metals Engineering/ Light Manufacturing) were presented with the top award at the annual ACT Regional Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) ceremony at Thoroughbred Park.

“For the first time, we were unable to determine a single overall winner,” said Vince Ball, executive director CITC.

“The quality of apprentices this

year was outstanding with four ACT WorldSkills gold medallists competing for the overall Outstanding Apprentice Award.”

Bradley Monkhouse and Gary Mills were among 41 regional graduating apprentices presented with Individual Trades and Industry Encouragement Awards by the Minister for Education and Training, Joy Burch; the chair of the CITC, Bill Cleary and key industry event sponsors.

Mr Ball said the event, attended by more than 360 guests, provided an opportunity to share industry successes and reward outstanding performances by local graduating construction industry apprentices. It also highlighted the significant role the construction industry played in not only the local economy but

The ACT Regional Building & Construction Industry Training Council congratulates the finalists of the

Graduating Apprentice & Industry

Encouragement Awards

also its contribution to youth and the general community, something particularly important in today’s climate.

“The expected downturn in the industry will impact heavily on apprentices and we ask employers to ensure that they maintain their commitment to the employment and training of our construction industry apprentices,” he said.

“Our apprentices will continue to make a significant contribution to our community, particularly with the rectification of the asbestos situation in our region.”

The CITC developed the Asbestos Awareness Course, now mandatory for construction workers in the ACT, and was the peak training advisory body for the industry in the region, he said.

2014 Outstanding Apprentices Gary MILLS & Bradley MONKHOUSE

Bricklaying

Shaun CAMPBELL

Cabinet Making Joshua KELLY

Cadet Benjamin DUNLOP

Carpentry

Civil Construction

Bradley MONKHOUSE

Travis LUSCOMBE

Concreting Brett THOMS

Glass & Glazing

Indigenous (Carpentry)

Landscaping

James LAGUDI

Jordan ROWE

Jack WALLACE

Metals Engineering/Light Fabrication Gary MILLS

Meritorious Bantoon (James) JANTANOP

Meritorious Liam MUCKLE

Meritorious Bradley MUIR

Meritorious Joshua McFARLANE

Meritorious Joel NIELSEN

Meritorious

Michael TOT

Meritorious Sanota VONGPASEUTH

Meritorious Mark ZWICKERT

Painting and Decorating Michael LEWKOWICZ

Plumbing Ashley CRIVICI

Refrigeration Travis KELLY

Systems Electrician

Wall & Ceiling

GIBSON

Ways to spoil the best dads

Hold the hankies and socks… if you’re stuck around this time of year trying to find an appropriate way of saying “thanks” to dad on Father’s Day (Sunday, September 7), here’s some inspiration to make it a day he won’t forget.

Take dad to dinner

CELEBRATE all things dad by treating him to a lunch or dinner at the Canberra Labor Club, says Matt Michel, the club’s promotions and functions co-ordinator.

“We’re offering a free wine, beer or soft drink with every meal,” he says. On the menu will be chargrilled 500g T-bone steak with a fried egg, bacon, onion rings and a creamy mushroom sauce, pan-fried Atlantic salmon, chargrilled Scotch fillet, Malaysian-

style prawn and chicken laksa, or oven-baked chicken breast filled with spinach, cheese and pine nuts.

The Labor Club Group has four venues at Belconnen, Civic, Ginninderra (Charnwood) and Weston Creek (Stirling).

More information at laborclub.com.au or call 6251 5522 (Belconnen), 6230 0404 (Civic), 6258 8618 (Ginninderra) or 6288 5047 (Weston Creek).

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Centre of surprises

CANBERRA’S only outlet centre is offering some great deals for Father’s Day, says marketing manager Katey Johnstone. Canterbury has a two-for-one sale on polo shirts, with $70 for two, she says. There is also a Father’s Day sale on at Bohemia Crystal where, if you spend $150 on Bohemia products, you can receive a leather compendium for an extra $10. If you spend $200 on Bohemia products, the leather compendium will be provided free of charge.

The centre will also have a mystery shopper, who will surprise 20 shoppers by buying their items for them on the Father’s Day weekend September 6-7. “Canberra Outlet Centre also offers up to 70 per cent off across all factory and Homemaker Centre retailers,” Katey says. The Centre is joined by some of Australia’s top retailers, including Royal Doulton, Cue, Tony Bianco and Oxford, as well as the Homemaker Centre retailers.

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

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Father’s Day surprises Ways to spoil your dad

Doing it by the book

DAD will always appreciate a good book for Father’s Day, and Dymocks in the Tuggeranong Hyperdome has all the categories he’ll love, says Fiona Nicholls, manager of Dymocks.

“Our well-read team has hand-picked all the best books for dads, including crime, fiction, biographies, history, military, sport and travel,” she says.

Author Ray Warren will be in store on September 2 at 11am to sign copies of his memoir “The Voice: My Story” – so it’s the perfect time to pick up an author-signed copy in time for Father’s Day, Fiona says.

“Copies of James Halliday’s ‘Australian Wine Companion 2015’ are always anticipated by our customers,” she says.

“We’re offering a wine stopper as an exclusive gift with every purchase of this book while stocks last.”

“The Mandarin Code”, by journalists Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann, is a fictional story that is soaked in Canberra locales, she says. The second darkly satirical thriller from the authors of “The Marmalade Files” starts with a body pulled from the murky waters of Lake Burley Griffin. Fiona says that all Dymocks customers also have the opportunity to win every book in the catalogue.

Dymocks, Level 1, Shop 111-112, Tuggeranong Hyperdome, Anketell Street, Greenway. Call 6293 9055.

Race in to slot cars

IF your dad grew up with a Scalextric set, then Way2Fast in Fyshwick has Father’s Day sorted, says owner Stephen Bywater. With four different tracks available for hire, he says the venue is the perfect place to take the dad who still loves his racing cars.

“We have 1/32 scale electric motor driven car tracks, which are driven by a hand controller,” he says.

“Most adult blokes will have played with these as a kid, so it’s a real trip down memory lane.”

Stephen has run the venue for more than four years, and says that slot cars have been a passion

of his since he was a child.

“Kids will love bringing their dads here, we are happy for kids from five and up to have a go and it’s good fun for everyone,” he says.

Way2Fast is Canberra’s largest retailer for slot cars and spare parts from more than 20 manufacturers including Scalextric, SCX, Ninco, Revell, Slot it, Pioneer, NSR, Carrera, Parma, MJK and many more.

Way2Fast is open on weekends from 10am-5.30pm, and it costs $13 per person for half an hour.

Way2Fast, Unit 4/80, Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0424 453544.

Practical and personal treats

FATHER’S Day gifts are easy to find at Pepe’s Paperie, with a wide range of ideas available to suit any dad, says owner Pepe Ianniello.

There’s Gentlemen’s Hardware products, including shoeshine kits and bike repair kits, which are always practical and ensure dad has the right tools for the job.

“We also have Vespa products, inspirational books, and a lovely range of books for kids to buy their dads, with space for them to

colour in and create drawings to give as a gift,” says Pepe.

“We have wallets, pens and bags for men, and next month we will start selling watches, too.”

Pepe’s Paperie also has a huge range of greetings cards, as well as cute An April Idea gift tags and cards.

Pepe’s Paperie, Shop 26 Level 1, Canberra Centre, Civic. Call 6162 4448.

Canberra Outlet Centre will feature a ‘MYSTERY SHOPPER’ who will be present in the centre over the Father’s Day weekend during the 6TH AND 7TH OF SEPTEMBER

Another lucky selection of shoppers will be approached by our ‘MYSTERY SHOPPER’ and given a Canberra Outlet Centre goodie-bag full of exciting vouchers to be redeemed at selected retailers across the centre.

Give Dad just what he has always wanted! Hyperdome gift cards are accepted at over 200 specialty stores and available for purchase online or at the Customer Service Desk.

arts & entertainment

Down among the fairies

“CUPID is a knavish lad, thus to make females mad,” that troublemaker Puck asserts in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

These familiar lines sound just that bit funnier in the hands of the unforgettably distinctive actress Julie Forsyth, who takes on the role for Bell Shakespeare’s “The Dream”, premiering at the Canberra Playhouse shortly.

Forsyth tells “CityNews” that it’s not unusual to have women playing the role of Puck and how recently in London one production had him as a big bumbling old man, a far cry from the 1935 Mickey Rooney child-star version.

“I haven’t even thought of this character as anything but coming from myself... I am seeing fairyland as kind of non-gendered,” Forsyth says.

The text has been “somewhat reduced”, she says, to give focus to the three levels –the lovers, the Athenian mechanicals and

Turning opera into kids’ stuff

By arts editor Helen Musa

OPERA Australia will go to any lengths in the quest for new audiences. Proof? The company’s upcoming production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”.

Trimmed to size and cleverly reorchestrated by Andrew Greene, it’s been translated by director Michael Gow from a mythical masonic world into ancient and modern Egypt.

Posters abound showing performer Sam Roberts-Smith looking suspiciously like Indiana Jones and OA has invested in 1000 red feathers to give the young choristers who will join the production as it travels around regional Australia.

No wonder Alex Pringle, the children’s chorus master, says kids around the country have judged this “family-friendly” production to be “cool”.

the nighttime shadow world of the fairies. But as she explains, the fairies themselves have human traits such as jealousy, and there is an element of childishness in fairy king Oberon who sulks and wants revenge against his wife.

“As Puck, I’m the mischievous trickster, the person who weaves the magic, especially the love potion in the purple flower,” she says, noting however that it’s not all mischief. Oberon notices the plight of the human lovers and uses the magic for both good and evil – to humiliate Titania, but to make something good for the spurned girl Helen.

A sense of magic dominates the play and creates the comedy but also for Titania, she says, it creates something horrific.

“The fairies have a connection with nature and the sense of balance that is disturbed when they are at odds,” she says.

This is Forsyth’s second production with Bell and with director Peter Evans. She played the role of the nurse Oenone in Racine’s “Phèdre” and her last Shakespeare role was the nurse in “Romeo and Juliet” for the Sydney Theatre Company.

One of the pleasures of playing Puck, Forsyth says, is “the beautiful joy of a happy ending,” over which he/she presides with the words:

If we shadows have offended Think but this, and all is mended That you have but slumber’d here While these visions did appear.

Yet it tickles her that the fairies themselves can’t control what happens. “This play is so much about theatre, love and magic,” Forsyth says. “We see actors playing actors… we see the play within a play… the audience is acknowledged… it’s very magical, quite a joy.”

“The Dream”, The Playhouse, August 30-September 13, previews August 28-29, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

And they should know. In all but one venue the chorus is played by local children, chosen by the different theatre centres. Here

we’ll have the venerable Woden Valley Youth Choir, directed by Alpha Gregory.

Although originally from Albury, Pringle travelled to Canberra during year 12 to study violin, later spending two years at the School of Music.

An avid chorister, he “sort of fell into conducting” when a friend at Fort Street High talked him into it. Now he conducts a 90-strong choir as well as nine other ensembles, while occasionally playing in the orchestra of OA.

He has never done anything like his present job before.

“This is a complete new pilot program,” he says. Sure, Melbourne Opera has been using local children’s choruses for some years, but this is a first for Opera Australia.

Late last year Pringle got a call from the head of OA’s touring company (it used to be called OzOpera) Sandra Willis, a woman of “passionate intensity”, asking: “Can we do this?… if it’s possible, can you do it?” The rest is history.

Pringle tells “CityNews” he usually doesn’t stay on to see the show, but turns up about three days before the show, does two threehour rehearsals with the kids, makes up a stage layout using chairs and music stands as a makeshift set, then they’re ready.

“Michael Gow does it so that they feel like they are a genuine part of the show,” Pringle says.

They appear early in the opera and get to dress up as Egyptian spirit children and appear several times in each act, finally becoming bird children.

“Mozart is a perfect starting point for children, absolutely, and this is the perfect opera for them to do,” he says.

The plot has been cut down so there are two 55-minute halves and that makes it more accessible to the children, he says. Best of all, it’s in English.

“With only six hours rehearsing, what would it have been like to rehearse in German? Really tough,” he says.

“The Magic Flute”. Canberra Theatre, September 4-6. Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

On a stretch of Australian highway, two sisters run their family takeaway joint. Chiko Rolls and reminiscing are on the menu. In a unique combination of dance and drama,

“...warm, substantial and completely delicious. I recommend this play unreservedly” Australian Stage, Jodi McAlister

Winners of a ‘Nebraska’ DVD

WINNERS of the five “Nebraska” DVDs are Carmel Pedler, of Greenway; Mary Carver, Ainslie; Pam Glover, Gunning; Michael McKenna, Waniassa and Che Lee, Amaroo.

IGA ROOFTOP HOUSE

GALA DINNER!

The FIRST IGA ROOFTOP HOUSE GALA DINNER 2014

Return of the stupid Brit twits

“The Inbetweeners 2” (MA) IT takes a special kind of skill to confect and direct screenplays as unremittingly stupid, improbable, potty-mouthed, repetitively laboured, purportedly comedic yet so unfunny as both “Inbetweeners” and their 30 TV episode ancestors.

Damon Beesley could probably retire young to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle on the profits of four louche lads from the Midlands who in this film are backpacking in Australia blowing their student loans.

He populates the plot with Brit twits, in England’s green and pleasant land and here as backpackers or immigrant residents. His native Australian characters are written to be amusing, but reconstructed enough to reflect Aussie lifestyle and culture with a measure of fondness and respect.

Beesley’s film may go down a real treat on that little island off the French coast. Following brief visits to Sydney’s club scene and a culturallyacclimatised uncle, the four Pommie poltroons spend time at a backpackers hostel in Byron Bay and its water park before heading for Birdsville (the notion of a horse stud there draws a very long bow indeed).

Beesley delivers a gentle homily about the perils of inland travel for the inexperienced and ill-equipped but excludes dangerous and other wildlife from the film’s catalogue of hazards. Contrived situations endure long beyond their use-by moments, especially when trying to squeeze the last drop of comedy from body wastes.

Inbetweeners in Sydney… The screenplay’s follies make few demands on the cast.

The screenplay’s arrant follies make few demands on the cast. The dialogue is peppered with words that were once anathema but now may be heard in shopping malls spoken by girls wearing school uniform.

I had to see it. You don’t!

At Hoyts, Dendy, Capitol 6 and Limelight

“Freedom” (M)

TIMOTHY Chey’s screenplay draws on verifiable historical characters for Australian Peter Cousens’ directing debut.

In 1748, slave-ship master John Newton (Bernhard Forcher), after witnessing the abominable conditions for its human cargo, wrote the song

“Amazing Grace”.

Newton gave the bible his fiancée had given him to a slave child whose great-grandson Samuel Woodard (Cuba Gooding, also one of the film’s executive producers along with Cousens and Chey) carried it in 1856 during a hazardous journey along the underground railway that carried all too few slaves to freedom in Canada.

Much of this is verifiable fact. Much of the rest may be fiction blessed with an implied verity. The good guys are, naturally, mostly slaves. One of the exceptions is Thomas Garrett (Michael Goodwin) the Quaker who worked as a stationmaster on the railway for more than four decades.

The film makes no concessions in depicting the brutality of the bad guys. A mounted team led by noted tracker Plimpton (William Sadler) is never far behind Woodard’s family and Garrett.

The film offers spirituals sung with more polish than might have been the case when they were new. Some dramatic moments may have been embellished; others are technical in creating its environment. A careful eye might discern minor anachronisms. But none of these diminishes the film’s appeal to our goodwill.

At Palace Electric

DOUGAL MACDONALD

This unique IGA Rooftop House program is a program that is much needed by the wider community, a program that will prosper through community, business and government participation, a program that will eventually be supported nationally with an IGA Rooftop House built near every major or regional hospital.

As a new initiative of Rooftop Foundation – a not for profit charity – The IGA Rooftop House Project relies on fundraising, community partners and the generosity of business and the local community to meet the needs of providing house and support families of individuals from regional areas who are experiencing serious illnesses requiring hospital treatment where accommodation is not available or too expensive to house the entire family where required.

This years first ball promises to be an opportunity to raise funds for local people in our community who are doing it tough.

DATE: Friday 31st October, 2014

WHERE: Corinna Ballroom, Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip ACT 2606

TIME: 6.45pm for 7.30pm start

DRESS: Formal

PARKING: Open air parking directly opposite the Club COST: $120 per person, tables of 10. Includes a three course meal plus beer,

arts in the city

Awards keep dancers on their toes

EAGLE-eyed Neil Roach, at Ausdance ACT, has spotted a swag of Canberra-connected nominees in the coming 2014 Australia Dance Awards. As well as our own QL2 Dance, there’s Janet Karin, formerly principal of the National Capital Ballet School; WA’s Buzz Dance Theatre, directed by Canberran Cadi McCarthy and locals dancer Kathleen Lott, choreographer James Batchelor and dancer Jack Ziesing.

CANBERRA musician Judith Clingan, pictured, has been honoured with the Award for Excellence by an Individual at the Art Music Awards in Melbourne for her “So Good A Thing” festival, held at Albert Hall in December to mark her 50 years of music-making in Canberra.

CANBERRA filmmaker Sotiris Dounoukos’ FrenchAustralian short film “A Single Body” (Un Seul Corps) has been selected for the big Toronto International Film Festival in September. Screen Australia will send him there.

MUSIC lovers will be spoilt for choice on Sunday, August 31, when the Australian String Quartet will perform Haydn, Beethoven and Bartók masterworks, with former Canberrans, violinist Kristian Winther and violinist Stephen King, performing. At the NGA’s Gandel Hall at 2pm, bookings to asq.com.au

And in St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, at 2.30pm, Rowan Harvey Martin will conduct The Llewellyn Choir, organist Anthony Smith and soprano Greta Claringbold in “From Those Who Served”. Bookings to llewellynchoir.org.au

In Melba at 2pm the Brindabella Orchestra will perform works by Delibes, Gilbert & Sullivan, Beethoven, SaintSaens and other popular composers. Entry donation of $5 includes afternoon tea. In North Belconnen Uniting Church, Conley Drive, Melba, tickets at the door.

THE Albert Hall will be transformed for Monaro Folk Society’s Colonial Ball, “an evening of elegance, grace and glamour,” with music by the Heritage Band from Sydney. September 6, doors open 7.15pm, bookings by September 3 to mfs.org.au/wiki/index.php/Colonial_Ball. Readers can access the group discounted price by entering CityNews in the “comment” box for online sales.

IN the 2014 Poetry in Motion event from September 5-7, a carriage of poets will travel to Sydney by train while writing poetry. At Central they’ll read poems then join Sydney poets at Harold Park Hotel, Glebe, for dinner and a reading on the Saturday night. Bookings to fionamcilroy@bigpond.com or 0427 088149.

THE Australian National Eisteddfod’s 2014 piano competition will be held over the week of September 2-7 at the Austral Asia Church in Isaacs and the Wesley Music Centre in Forrest, with a new focus on works by Australian composers. There are 100 entrants and the total prize money is $3775. More information from nationaleisteddfod.org.au

CANBERRA science fiction writer David Scholes has written to tell us of his latest book, “Daughter of the High Lords and other Speculative Fiction Stories”, which was published last month and it – and his seven other books – are available on Amazon.

A taste of great barbecues

IF you’re thinking that Hopscotch, the latest happening eatery in Braddon, is named after the classic backyard kids’ game you’re wrong. The name is a fun combo of hops (beer) and scotch (whiskies, with more than 50 available).

Hopscotch is a cool concept. It’s massive inside, massive outside and the food revolves around a massive open wood fire in the kitchen. But how is Hopscotch going to regularly keep bums on its 350 seats?

On the food front, the menu celebrates barbecues of the world, cooked on an Argentinian parrilla (grill) that packs a punch with flavour. Dishes are inspired by Jamaica (jerk chicken), Korea (pork bulgogi), Argentina (brisket), America (burgers), Middle East (falafel) and more.

My advice, at least on your first visit, is to ignore the “usual suspects” unless you don’t like wood-fired food, but then why go

Hopscotch is a cool concept. It’s massive inside, massive outside and the food revolves around a massive open wood fire in the kitchen.

to Hopscotch? Chicken schnitzel or chicken parmigiana? Nope. It was slow-cooked brisket ($27) and jerk chicken ($27) for us.

My slow-cooked brisket fell off the bone. The menu promised a red chimichurri sauce. It looked more green to me, but that’s how I like it. Intense flavours? Tick. Lovely smoked eschallots? Tick. Soft maize? Tick.

The flavours of my friend’s jerk chicken were great and went well with the jalapeno and cheddar corn bread. The meat wasn’t cooked through, so the closer she got to the bone the more nervous she got. She didn’t finish it and shared some brisket instead. We pointed the problem out to staff who simply said they would let the kitchen know. Next time I won’t hesitate to try the chermoula chicken skewers ($26) or road-test how well Hopscotch does a rib-eye ($36 for 400 grams).

We were impressed by the boutique beers available and the wine list. Great varieties of whites and reds, with many not available through regular retail shops. We stayed away from desserts (too full), but thought the barbecue pineapple pavlova sounded interesting ($14).

At Hopscotch you order at the bar, grab a number and settle in. The booths, built from old church pews, look comfortable, high tables have stools (some with and some without backs) and there is a low bar bench.

The décor is as cool as the concept. You can’t miss Hopscotch from the street, especially the colourful, bold painting on the side wall featuring animals having a

wonderful time dining and socialising. The wallpaper inside is a montage of old black and white ads and the bright spots of colours here and there bring wood, brick, polished concrete and other elements to life.

In the mood for a casual meal that is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away? Hopscotch is your destination. Hopscotch Bar, 5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Call 6107 3030.

La Scala Italian Restaurant

Singers struggle to fill the hall

CLAUDIO Monteverdi’s 1607 opera, “L’Orfeo”, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, is the earliest opera still performed today.

School of Music chief, Peter Tregear, assembled considerable forces but with a minimalistic set.

The pièce de résistance was the digital visual display at the back of the stage. Designed by Andrew Quinn, this feature brought light and life to what otherwise would have been a rather dull piece of music.

Choreography underutilised the expansive stage. Lighting was subtle but sometimes out of kilter with actor positions. Costume design fitted the theme of the work beautifully.

Tenor, Nicholas Mulroy, gave a fine performance of Orfeo, a rather wimpish character, procrastinating as he did for a seemingly endless but superbly sung aria at the River Styx and then losing his love in a twinkling because

music

“L’Orfeo”

At Llewellyn Hall, August 21.

Reviewed by Clinton White

he couldn’t follow simple rules.

The vocal qualities of other soloists varied. Some had good operatic voices, while others just did not have the power to project. The result was an audience at times straining to hear while at others with their ears pinned back.

The orchestra acquitted itself well, featuring some interesting sounds of Monteverdi’s time. But, while taking care not to overshadow the singing, it sounded subdued and lacked sparkle.

The star of the performance was the chorus with some beautifully balanced and controlled singing that lifted the whole performance. Really a chamber opera, “L’Orfeo” would have enjoyed better success in a more intimate setting.

THE ALLAN KEY BULDING FUTURES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES INVITES YOU TO THE…

DIRECT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN GLASGOW

Join Tim and a distinguished panel of sporting personalities for a memorable annual lunch that helps support the dreams of people with disabilities.

BRASSEY HOTEL, BARTON from 12pm, Friday, SEPTEMBER 5

TICKETS: $75 (tables of 8, $575)

Bookings to Rose at info@brassey.net.au or to allankey.org 3rd

The ‘baloney’ of growing roses

I don’t spray my roses and most of my plants get mildew or black spot or both. Does it matter? Fungal diseases never killed a rose.

AS we go into spring with high expectations of a wonderful display of roses for the next few months, here are some new ideas on their care and attention.

My traditional advice and that of rose breeders is that now is the time to get on with pruning. However, in the article “Time to drop the myths about roses” in the English “Country Life” magazine, Charles Quest-Ritson says: “Almost all the traditional advice on how to grow roses is baloney”.

chemical industry”.

I definitely agree with that statement given my constant appeal to gardeners not to use chemical fertilisers and sprays.

On pruning, he says: “I do not prune at any particular time and only prune when I think they are getting too big, not flowering enough or need opening up.

“That’s the key to pruning, just think of them as another shrub.

Delights

Quest-Ritson is an authority on roses and author of the Royal Horticultural Society’s “Encyclopedia of Roses”.

He goes on to say: “Roses are wonderfully rewarding and easy to grow, but they have a reputation of being difficult. All that mumbo jumbo about pruning and earnest advice about pests and diseases –that is where the trouble begins.

“I don’t spray my roses and most of my plants get mildew or black spot or both. Does it matter? Fungal diseases never killed a rose. “Life is too short to spray and we are not here to underwrite the profits of the

“Take hybrid teas for example, I do dead-head them if I have the time and sometimes let them go for three or four years without a proper prune, whereupon they start flowering much earlier and produce many more flowers.

“I grow at least 1000 roses of every type and they don’t seem to suffer from my failure to apply the traditional rose wisdom of ‘pruning in late winter to within an inch of their life’.

The idea that roses are gross feeders dated back to the 19th century fashion for growing roses for exhibition… Roses are garden plants and I do not have the time to lug barrow loads of manure round

Creating Sustainable Gardens

Nursery and Landscaping

design and advice

• providing a value for money solution

Roses… “Among the easiest and most rewarding of all plants, but they don’t have to be constantly watered, dead-headed, pruned and sprayed – just simply enjoyed”.

the garden in winter. Roses respond to feeding, all shrubs do. I water them when I find time.

“So let’s abandon the myths; I know, I know, roses are among the easiest and most rewarding of all plants, but they don’t have to be constantly watered, dead-headed, pruned and sprayed – just simply enjoyed”.

I’m sure anyone growing roses to win prizes will strongly disagree. However, for the average gardener, I agree with all these sentiments.

AND on August 17 I recorded our first blowfly of the season, open to challenge of course.

Jottings...

• Plant peonies and dahlias.

• Start mulching all garden beds. I recommend Canberra Sand and Gravel’s Canberra Organic Mulch up to 75mm thick.

• Prune and feed sasanqu camellias to encourage flower buds for next season.

Doings…

• THE first of the Horticultural Society of Canberra’s flower shows are on September 13-14.

• The Orchid Society of Canberra’s annual spring show will be held at the Wesley Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest. 9am-5pm on Saturday, September 20 and noon-4pm, Sunday, September 21. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 concession, and children 14 years or under are free. Refreshments will be available.

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars – September 1-7, 2014

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rambunctious Rams approach life in a direct and straight forward way but all is not as it appears this week, so a more subtle approach is required. You’re keen to pursue personal projects but don’t neglect the needs of others, clear communication is the key. Venus shifts into your wellbeing zone so look after your health and choose an exercise program you enjoy, with plenty of variety.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

You’ll have to dig deeper if you want to decipher what’s really going on –especially when it comes to a child, teenager or friend. Make sure you focus on verified facts, rather than vague fantasies. If you have set ideas about the way the weekend should proceed, then the Aquarian Moon will turn your expectations upside down. So strive to be more flexible, and go with the flow.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Your daily job or routine chores may feel like one step forwards and two steps back. Saturn and Mars encourage you to persevere and keep your motivation levels high. As birthday great Lily Tomlin said: “The road to success is always under construction.” Venus visits your domestic zone (from September 6-30) so strive to make your home a haven of peace, love and domestic harmony!

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Trust is a big issue in a romantic or platonic relationship this week Crabs. Avoid the temptation to stew over perceived slights and hold onto grudges. Find room in your heart to forgive and forget. The Moon and Saturn are at odds on Sunday, which sets your frustration levels on high. If something’s not working, leave it for another day – and move on to a less complicated project.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Your recuperative powers are strong as you rejuvenate mind, body and spirit. Mid-week is the time to initiate professional projects and make financial decisions, as Pluto boosts your business acumen. With Jupiter in your sign, you’re ready to shine! Be inspired by birthday great Freddie Mercury: “I always knew I was a star. And now, the rest of the world seems to agree with me.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Car problems need to be attended to ASAP. Being a super-perfectionist is fraught with frustrations though, so try to take things in your stride. On the weekend, it will be hard for others to resist your voluptuous Virgo charms. So ask your partner for the moon and the stars, and they might just deliver. Looking for your soul mate? Send out the appropriate signals – and then go after them.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Mercury moves into your sign which is terrific for talking, texting and tweeting (but resist the urge to be indecisive). Money matters are on your mind as you weigh up the pros and cons of spending verses saving. Librans appreciate the finer things in life (you’re a happy hedonist) but, in the current economic climate, strive to reign in your love of luxury and learn to live on less.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

With mighty Mars moving through your sign (until September 14) it’s time to get some firm direction as you tackle projects with courage, confidence – and plenty of Scorpio chutzpah. Plus Pluto power boosts your ability to affect others deeply via a social media blitz; a local community project; or an international initiative. Don’t waste the opportunity to make a real difference.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Work and business get a welcome boost from the Sun/Pluto trine, as others sit up and listen to what you have to say. But don’t even think about cutting corners. If you are slap-dash and take short-cuts, it will only backfire and you’ll just end up having to do everything twice. If you are organised and focused, then you can move mountains and still have time for fun and games!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week many Capricorns will be given the chance to heal an old emotional wound or patch up a long-standing relationship problem, courtesy of the powerful Sun/Pluto trine. Accept the opportunity gratefully, with outstretched hands and an open heart. Don’t let false pride stop you from taking a massive leap forward when it comes to love, family, forgiveness and personal transformation.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Being cool and detached (your usual modus operandi) won’t work this week. With Jupiter jumping through your relationship zone, passion and enthusiasm are what’s required when it comes to romance. Singles – be proactive and go looking for love! You’ll feel at home this weekend, as the Moon moves through Aquarius and you mix with creative friends and bohemian colleagues.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

If you’re planning a business trip or heavenly holiday then don’t leave things until the last minute. Now is the time to do your homework, go through your itinerary and organise your paperwork. With Venus moving through your relationship zone (from September 6-30) aim to be more positive about partnerships Pisces. If things aren’t going well, a dash of diplomacy will help. Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

General

knowledge crossword No. 467

1 Which small keyboard instrument resembles the harpsichord? (6)

8 Name the collection of poems penned by Omar Khayyam (8)

9 What is an attendant, hired to carry a golfer’s clubs, etc? (6)

10 What is another term for arithmetical means? (8)

11 Which other word designates lariats? (6)

13 What do we call natives of Kampala? (8)

16 What are words formed from the initial letters of other words? (8)

19 In films, which people are used in mob scenes? (6)

22 Name a town in eastern central NSW, on the Hunter River (8)

24 What is a dissertation presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree? (6)

25 Name a kind of light, two-wheeled, open, one-seat carriage (8)

26 Which dish is served at dinner before the main course (6)

Sudoku hard No. 133

2 What is a public square in a city or town? (5)

3 What are knots or protuberances called? (5)

4 Which government department controls the public revenue? (8)

5 Name one of the woodwind instruments (4)

6 Who wrote the novel “The Shiralee”, D’Arcy ...? (6)

7 What is a large hollow in the earth? (6)

12 Name the pointed device attached to a rider’s boot heel for goading a horse onwards (4)

14 What do we call a person who is habitually away from home? (8)

15 Which gelatine-like product is used in soups? (4)

17 What are ancient linear units? (6)

18 When one is rowing a boat, one is doing what? (6)

20 What is a more common term for larceny? (5)

21 What do we call a remark spoken in an undertone? (5)

23 Name the Greek god of love (4)

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