141120 citynews

Folly that holds back the future

MARK PARTON

Heat still on horrors of a hotter world

ROBERT MACKLIN

Vlad gets a grip on shirtfronting

MICHAEL MOORE

Rick Astley’s back to make a splash

HELEN MUSA

Unloved fuschia lovely to grow

CEDRIC BRYANT

DISHING IT OUT

A decade on, dining critic WENDY JOHNSON tells us what she really thinks

c risp seclusion

unriv A lled proximity

Choir loses accent for New York

By Rebekah Spann

A CANBERRA Girls Grammar’s choir has been practising making its vowel sounds purer and less obviously Australian.

Why? The Gabriel Singers have been invited to New York to perform in “With Grace: The Music of Gwyneth Walker”, produced by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), on November 29.

“We are nervous about how our Australian accents might stand out when we are blended with a group of American choirs,” says director of music, Melinda Sawer.

“This is the first time that the

girls have been overseas together as a group and they are rapt that they are going to such an exciting city as New York, both for the musical opportunities they will experience while they are there, as well as the promise of shopping!

“All of us realise what a unique and special opportunity this is and as their conductor, I hope that this experience will be one of the defining moments of their education.”

The auditioned choir, which consists of 35 members, ranging from Years 9-12, was established in 2011 and “focuses on a range of musical styles from jazz and contemporary songs to a cappella Renaissance pieces,” says Melinda. As a result of being awarded

first place in the National Choral Eisteddfod at Llewellyn Hall in 2013, “the choir was approached by a representative of Distinguished Concerts International New York, and invited to attend the event in New York.

The choir will perform at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall to celebrate the work of American composer Gwyneth Walker.

DCINY is a creative producing entity that works with national and international artists and organisations to present full-scale choral masterworks, chamber music and instrumental performances. Its concerts often feature a particular composer, and Gwyneth Walker was chosen this

year “due to the way her music is very enjoyable and accessible to female choirs,” Melinda says.

The composer has written more than 300 compositions inspired by poetry, scriptures, hymns, ballads and folk tales.

Gwyneth Walker will be present as composer-in-residence.

The concert will also feature the Colorado Women’s Chorale, the Pennsylvania Nazareth Academy Chorale, St Mary’s College Women’s Choir from Indiana, Voca Lyrica from Michigan and the Williamsburg Women’s Chorus from Virginia, most of which are of university age, making the Gabriel Singers the youngest group to participate.

Folly that holds back the future

WHEN are we going to abandon this light rail folly and build something that pays for itself because it’s an embarrassment that as the national capital we can’t provide a serious convention centre?

Brisbane’s G20 has been and gone, and despite the OECD declaring us the best in the world, Canberra didn’t get a look in.

I had a long discussion with Robyn Hendry, from the Canberra Convention Bureau, who explained that even had we waved a magic wand and created a world-class convention centre, we still would have fallen way short. Why? Hotel accommodation. Not necessarily the number of rooms, rather we don’t have high-end suites at enough different places.

World leaders don’t tend to stay in the same hotel as other leaders. Robyn reported on all this stuff a few years ago for the ACT Government. Since then our high-end hotel capacity has improved, but there’s a long way to go.

“We need to induce more demand for this sort of accommodation,” Robyn told me. How do we do that ? By running more conferences.

How many conferences do you think we’ve knocked back in the last 12 months because we didn’t have the facilities? Robyn has said “no” to 89.

The average conference involves around 500 people and would go over two to four days. Do the sums as far as extra overnight stays in the capital.

All those in favour of a convention centre over a tram line say “aye” –and loudly.

MARK

PARTON

Arts & Entertainment 21-24

Cinema 24

Dining 23

Fitness 10

Garden 26

Horoscope 25

Letters 14-15

News 3-15

Politics 6

Puzzles 25

Socials 16-17

contacts

Cover: Wendy Johnson.

Les Bistronomes, Braddon, by Gary

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

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

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Photographers: Holly Treadaway and Andrew Finch

‘Voice in the Forest’ winners WINNERS of the “CityNews” double passes to see “Voices in the Forest” at the National Arboretum on November 30 are: Christine Stewart, of Spence, Christina Tregea, Queanbeyan, Daniella Kiley, Macgregor, Jonathon Turkich, Calwell and Margaret Milne, Bruce.

Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Civic 2601

Heat still on horrors of a hotter world

WHAT a week! And while most of the great events were played out on the world stage, Canberra did at least play a supporting role.

Top of the list was the Barack Obama-Xi Jinping climate change deal announced in Beijing giving hope at last that the horrors of a hotter world might just be avoided. It astonished PM Tony Abbott who had chatted with the US President only the day before. And he was quick to downplay its significance, suggesting that it “might happen in 16 years’ time”. His focus, he said, was on “what we’re doing now”; which is shovelling as much coal out of the ground and into the atmosphere as humanly possible in the shortest available time. Sad really.

TONY’S other preoccupation was the “shirtfront” of someone a Murdoch tabloid cleverly labelled “RASH PUTIN”. We were told by the PM’s staff that it actually did take place, but in a private meeting between the Russian strongman and the former Oxford boxing blue. Naturally we take them at their word, though it wasn’t exactly a “shirtfront” since Vlad the Rash seldom wears them. No doubt all is now sweetness

“Tony’s focus is on shovelling as much coal out of the ground and into the atmosphere as humanly possible in the shortest available time.

and light. But just in case, Rash ordered a flotilla of his Pacific fleet to stand off Brisbane as back-up.

NOTHING secret about that other confrontation – between Clive “Fat Albert” Palmer and the bantamweight bruiser from Burnie, Jacqui Lambie. The feisty Tasmanian senator seems more than happy to exit the PUP tent for a bit of independent living on the plush Senate benches. Her “conscience” votes apparently cover all government legislation until her military mates get the pay rise she thinks they deserve.

Fat Albert’s foray into Federal politics was always going to be a flash in the pan. The wonder is that his control of the balance of power lasted this long.

ON a more civilised note, what a breathtaking achievement to land that 100kg Rosetta spacecraft on a

comet 6.4 billion kilometres away at thousands of kph. It seems it bounced a couple of times after contact but finally settled in some soft “soil” and began sending back pictures. Canberra’s deep-space telescope at Tidbinbilla had a vital role to play and will no doubt share in the kudos.

SPEAKING of which, warmest congrats to our own astrophysicist, Brian Schmidt , and his team for their $3 million Breakthrough Prize for the discovery that the universe was expanding. And it gets better – Prof Schmidt is planning to donate part of his $250,000 share to the Academy of Science to encourage more women to take up science careers.

BACK on earth, there has to be a way to save the cafes in our national institutions. One after another, from the Film and Sound Archive to the NLA, they

ROBERT MACKLIN

have crashed in financial flames and closed their doors. What’s to be done? Clearly a task for one of Prof Schmidt’s very best people.

AND what of the recalcitrant Norfolk Islanders who this week protested their “independence” from Australia yet again, while pleading for another handout. The new Federal Minister, Jamie Briggs, says: “I have made a decision that something has got to change.”

Yes, Minister?

robert@robertmacklin.com

Create cosy at Chelsea

Chelsea boasts urban interiors with advanced design features for flexible living. Each apartment is oriented to take full advantage of close proximity to Canberra city, with terrace street access and close public transport. Thoughtful, considered design is prominent throughout Chelsea, and is reflected in the careful selection of quality materials.

With Chelsea’s advanced design features, take your apartment to the next level with decorative elements. You can add to your home to create interest, texture, and depth. Whether layers increase your physical comfort, please the eye, open unused areas of your apartment, there are plenty of reasons to style it up with artwork and decor, rugs, patterns, textiles or colour and texture.

Vlad gets a grip on shirtfronting

Political columnist MICHAEL MOORE ends his eighth year writing for “CityNews” with a little international shirtfronting…

“Good morning, I’m Tony Abbott”. “доброе утро (dobroe utro), I am Vladimir Putin – but you can call me Vlad!”

“Oh, please call me Tony!”

“Tell me, Tony, what is the meaning of this word being used so regularly in Australia – shirtfronting?”

“That word, oh, yes, it’s just a rhetorical term for a greeting. It means we have to have a hard discussion about one of our concerns”.

“And what concern is that, Tony?”

“Well, Vlad, I have information the missile that destroyed Malaysian Airlines MH17 over the Ukraine killing 298 people was of Russian origin. I really think you should offer an apology to the families who lost their loved ones. And I know that my friend Barack Obama would also like to see you apologise.”

“So Tony, that is shirtfronting! Although you haven’t shown me your evidence and I don’t know if it really was a Russian weapon, I think I could consider, just consider, the possibility of making an apology on one condition”.

“A condition, Vlad? It should be unconditional. What condition?”

“If I am to offer an apology for a Russian weapon being used to kill nearly 300 people on July 17, I assume you will help me to shirtfront Barack for the US weapons used to kill innocent women and children as well.

“On August 1 your western newspaper, ‘The Guardian’, reported 1400 killings of Palestinians by Israelis, all happening through the period of the MH17 disaster. Many, many of these people were killed by American weapons. Shall we shirtfront Obama together? Or do you think he might be quite happy to make an apology?”

“Barack Obama! Ask him to make an apology? The American President? For weapons used by the Israeli military? It is quite different from shooting down an airliner”.

“Tony, at the same time as that terrible disaster of MH17, close to fivefold the number of people were killed in Gaza. You haven’t argued that they were not killed by American weapons! I don’t think you’ve explained the difference”.

“Well, Vlad. I have made it very clear to Australians that we are not happy with the intent of Russia to take over the Ukraine. The Crimea has already been in your

sights and clearly you are making a move on Eastern Ukraine as well”.

“So, if I understand you correctly, Tony, you believe that people should not be able to vote. They should not be able to have self-determination! I grew up in the dictatorships of Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev. Are you suggesting a similar approach for the Ukraine? Look at the support from the overwhelming majority of people in the Crimea to reject Ukraine and come to Russia – 95.5 per cent. And now look at Donetsk and in Luhansk, Al Jazeera reports around 90 per cent of support for joining with Russia. Have you ever had that sort of support? Considering my background as head of the Federal Security Service it is interesting that I need to lecture you about democracy”.

“That’s not how the Western media is reporting it, you know that Vlad.”

“I know Tony and I really like the idea of the shirtfront. It is really just another word for what we used to do in the FSB.”

“No, no, it’s just rhetoric.”

“Either way, Tony, let’s start working together. Let’s go and shirtfront Barack”.

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

FOR many years, Canberra charity group The Allan Key (previously known as ACTAADS), has offered cash grants to local people or children with a disability to enable them to pursue sporting or recreational interests. This year’s round of grants is now open and will close on November 30,” says Allan Key chairman Jeff House, “and, for the first time, we are pleased to offer the Millennium Group Grant of up to $1000 aimed at applicants pursuing entrepreneurial interests.” Applications via the form at allankey.org

Hats-on party

IT’S Christmas party time at the Weston Creek View (Voice, Interest & Education of Women) Club’s lunch meeting at the Southern Cross Club Woden, from 11am on Tuesday, December 2. Guest are encouraged to wear Christmas hats. Ladies interested in joining in the fun should call 6281 3110 by Friday, November 28.

Botswanan concert

THE Strange Weather Gospel Choir, Zambezi Sounds and the Bakila Kubu Recorder Trio are presenting a Christmas concert, “It’s Raining on the Chobe,” in the Botswana High Commission, 7.30pm, on Saturday, November 29. The concert will raise money for the firefighters of Botswana who have an ongoing relationship with the NSW Rural Fire Service. Bookings to trybooking.com.

Free seniors’ concert

FREE tickets are now available for the NSW Government’s star-studded seniors’ Christmas concerts at The Q, Queanbeyan, 11am and 2pm, on Friday, November 28. The concert’s theme is “’Twas the month before Christmas.” Tickets are free at 6285 6290.

lowbrow Software barbarians at Microsoft’s Gates

OUTSIDE of very nerdy circles, it went largely unnoticed that a war for the future of humanity was waged in the late 1990s.

Microsoft, rampant on the desktop and in personal software, was making a play to run the internet’s servers and if they’d locked the whole stack up they would have been able to exclude new entrants to the internet.

Ranged against the richest man in the world was a rag-tag collection of deeply nerdy coders. Linus Torvalds, of Finland, was the most famous of them, but Canberrans such as Andrew Tridgell, Michael Still and Bob Edwards will have speaking parts if the movie is ever made.

The rebel alliance in this one came out victorious because they made powerful and flexible software very well – and gave it away for free.

They were inspired by the philosophies and lifetime struggle of an American called Richard Stallman, who has an amazing knack for saying things noone is happy about but are completely right. In essence, a biblical prophet for our times –and he looks the part.

In the great war with Microsoft the free Apache web server software proved to be decisive. Free, efficient, comparatively secure and, importantly, built to let its users modify and extend it as they chose, Apache triumphed over IIS, made by the biggest company in the world at the time.

Microsoft failed in its bid to own the internet, Bill Gates moved on to trying to make the world a better place, and the company was forced to start making good software rather than innovating in sharp business practice.

Which brings us to a problem we have today. Free stuff on the internet isn’t what it used it be.

Even back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s the free-software greybeards would intone “free as in freedom, not free as in beer”.

Last week a friend asked me if I wanted an invite to the new contender in social media

Freedom isn’t free It costs folks like you and me And if we don’t all chip in We’ll never pay that bill.”

–

“Team America – World Police”

networks. I thought about it.

I said: “I’m not comfortable any more giving my personal data to an organisation I don’t understand the business plan for.”

I hit this wall with free smartphone games a couple of years ago. When the iPhone first arrived there were some cracking free games made by enthusiasts for the love of it, like so many of the best things in life.

But then the bright sparks moved in and soon there were ads. Ads seemed a reasonable price to pay for a fun game. Then we had paying a couple of dollars for better in-game equipment. Reasonable if one likes the game, surely?

And then “Candy Crush Saga” came out. An exercise in pure mathematics charted against the weak points of the human mind it sucked in millions and convinced them to spend hundreds of dollars to get to the next level. It got me to spend more money than I could afford, it got my girlfriend and dozens of others I knew. One morning I realised that if the best thing anyone had to say at my funeral was I’d made level 300 in “Candy Crush” it wouldn’t have been much of a life.

These days I like paying for things. It’s a much simpler transaction. You make something good, I pay money for it, I enjoy the quality of your work.

Which does get me wondering about my relationship with Google.

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

JOHN GRIFFITHS

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

Sunday 23 November 10.30am

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Saturday 29 November 10.30am

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Sunday 30 November 10.30am

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• IAG & Baumatic “Studio Solari” appliances available

• Kitchens made to your specifications and colour choice – save money by installing yourself

• Tradesmen available to help

• Wardrobes – from boutique walk-ins to basic built-ins

• SOHO options – built in desks/workstations

• Filing solutions & storage units to keep your home office under control

• Full range of Blum, Grass & Hafele storage accessories and lighting

• Australian made to Australian Standards – not imported or mass produced

On the road to find out

WHEN I first began running six weeks ago, clad in enough lycra to shield the earth from a rogue meteor shower, fellow residents of the ‘hood were anxious and confused.

Who was she? Would she ever make it home?

The phantom, wheezing and spluttering running woman of south Canberra had arrived. Luckily, time marches on and, although the New York Marathon remains an elusive Facebook page to be glibly chortled at, I can now run two kilometres. That’s 2000 metres. In a row. Without ambulatory assistance.

For a person whose lower limbs apparently came without an instruction manual, I submit myself to 20 minutes of lactic-acid torture which, apparently, is not enough.

My mother, whose own personal fitness leaves me wondering what went wrong in the genetic distribution of lithe, muscular capabilities, informed me that, in the wonderful ‘80s, 20 minutes was the accepted norm for daily exercise and made my blood boil with intergenerational unfairness.

As everyone is well aware, we are now a nation of Very Large People and the antidote to this cellular disaster is no less than 30 minutes of exercise. A day. Not just on New Year’s Day. With the best

I can now run two kilometres. That’s 2000 metres. In a row. Without ambulatory assistance.

intentions, 20 minutes has inconveniently become 30 minutes. The term jog has become virtually redundant. If you are not going for “a run” then, please, just stay put on the couch. Your half-hearted enthusiasm is just not welcome around here. We don’t go swimming but instead go for “a swim”. A subtle change which denotes a much more serious activity is underway as opposed to a wholesome aerobic splash in a large puddle of infectious water. And please don’t get me started on what we can and can’t eat. I’m so confused that last night I fed the pet bunny a chicken, leek and sauvignon blanc tart with a side serve of gently coddled vegetables while the children went to bed slightly hysterical after a dinner of shredded kale and a thimble of pureed goji berries.

So it was, with relief, that I recently discovered the latest exercise fad is “moderation”. After years of self-flagellation and hyper analysis people have decided that, after all, they can’t really be bothered.

So, can I have my 10 minutes back please? Twenty minutes is all I can manage. And if anyone knows the nutritional content of paper please help me out. I did have quite a lot for breakfast and my stomach feels a little uncomfortable.

PIP CONOLLY

The place to ride a bicycle

WITH world-class cycling infrastructure, from bike paths and cycle lanes, mountain bike tracks and a stunning circuit around Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra is a great place to ride a bike.

It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that more than 87,000 Canberrans cycle in a typical week. In fact, with more than 15 per cent of us cycling regularly, we have almost double the number of cyclists than the national average.

The introduction of paid parking into the parliamentary triangle has encouraged more Canberrans to embrace pedal power as a fast and cheap commuting option.

While most networking events tend to be centred around food and alcohol, the Property Council’s recent Pedal Pursuit encourages fitness and everyone from the amateur to the ardent pedal pusher, individuals and teams, signed up for the 20 and 40-kilometre challenges.

But fitness is just one of the many benefits of riding a bike. Pedal Pursuit participant Jonathan DePuit, national process and innovation manager with Hindmarsh, loves the sense of camaraderie and community that comes with cycling.

“There are many cycling events around town to get people involved, as well as cycle clubs, cycle-friendly coffee shops and connection with other riders,” he says.

For Fiona Doherty, director of Rider Levett Bucknall, there’s no better way to admire Canberra’s built environment than from the seat of her bike. “Doing the cycle run around Lake Burley Griffin is always fabulous –it’s safe, off-road and perfect in every season.”

Pedal Pursuit participants… fitness is just one of the many benefits of riding a bike.

Caroline Whitelum, national marketing manager for CIC Australia, loves the “breathtakingly beautiful scenery” and the way “our suburbs butt up to bushland, which means that a mountain bike ride can commence within a few hundred metres of home.”

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

The Undercurrent Design Market

‘We love hosting Undercurrent as you get to support designer makers directly and celebrate uniquely

It’s back! Bigger, longer and better

AFTER five years, the Undercurrent Design Market at the National Portrait Gallery keeps getting bigger and better, this year featuring longer trading hours, more space and a record number of stallholders, says visionary organiser Richard Baz.

Undercurrent brings together creatively crafted homewares, jewellery, textiles and clothing, ceramics, stationary, ornaments and other distinctive, practical items made by artists and designers all over Australia.

Organised by The Curatoreum’s (formerly Portrait Gallery Store) owners Richard Baz and Melanie O’Hanlon, Undercurrent has built up a reputation as an event that makes shopping for unique and special Christmas gifts a lot easier.

Richard and Melanie have always been passionate supporters of local and national designers and makers, representing many artists’ work in their stores at the National Portrait Gallery and now the National Arboretum.

Providing a space where Canberra locals get to appreciate the talent we have here inspired them to organise and host the first Undercurrent Design Market in 2009. Since then the market has grown from 30 stallholders, to this year’s 54 stalls representing 73 makers.

“Every year since the inaugural market we have expanded the number of stallholders and space,” says Richard.

Selecting who gets a stall is never easy, he says, because inevitably, he has to turn some people down, but the process also allows him to make sure the range of offerings is diverse.

“I’m passionate about what we should be doing within museum spaces, and that’s celebrating Australian designed and made creative work,” he says, adding that the relationship between the Portrait Gallery and his store is one of mutual respect.

“With the wonderful support of the NPG we have negotiated more space and longer trading hours, now opening on the Saturday and, for the first time, Sunday of the November 29-30 weekend.

“We have artists from all around Australia, as far as Adelaide through to the mid-north coast of NSW, as well as a large contingent from Melbourne.”

In addition to the favourites that people expect to see at the market, there are quite a few new stallholders including more fashion labels, handmade shoes from a talented Melbourne cobbler and beautiful new locally made textiles.

“We also have a record number of local makers this year, with 27 individuals showcasing their wares,” he says.

“The variety of work ranges from jewellery, in resin, wood, glass and precious metals, through to textiles and clothing, homewares and stationary.

“Designer/makers work really hard and sometimes struggle to find ways to showcase their work, but the Undercurrent Design Market

gives artists the opportunity to sell their work direct to the public in a wonderful festive environment at the relaxed National Portrait Gallery.

“We encourage people to shop local and support the wonderful talent we have nationally. We love hosting Undercurrent and celebrating the uniqueness of Australian designer giftware.

“Perfectly timed four weeks before Christmas, Undercurrent is a great opportunity to snap up unique gifts and one-off treasures”.

Undercurrent Design Market, National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Barton, 10am-5pm, Saturday, November 29 and 10am-3pm, Sunday, November 30. More information at 6102 7170.

Australian designer giftware.’

than ever

Lebanon’s Independence Day Lebanon unites by holding hands across the world

LEBANON celebrates its 71st anniversary of becoming an independent nation with a national holiday on November 22.

In the capital city of Beirut, Independence Day is usually celebrated with grand parades, fireworks, music and dancing.

This year, celebrations of unity will be held to involve all of Lebanon’s diverse society in national events.

To commemorate the 71st anniversary of becoming an independent nation, Beirut is planning three events that will lead to United Hands For Lebanon.

• United Hands Across the Web is encouraging Lebanese people from all over the world to join hands on the web through Google Earth.

• “U” for United will see 2500 people attempt to break the world record for the largest human letter on Saturday, November 22.

• United Across Lebanon will involve 200,000 people in the form of a human chain, starting in Tripoli along the coast of Lebanon through to Tyre, on November

30. The Holding Hands campaign unites the Lebanese at large; people from coast to coast will come together to create a bond.

Underneath the administrative rule and political sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire from 1516 to 1918, the territory that is defined by the present-day boundaries came to be known as a state called “Grand Liban” (Greater Lebanon) in 1920.

and will close on November 30.

And this year, for the first time, we are pleased to offer the “Millennium Group” grant of up to $1000 aimed at applicants pursuing entrepreneurial interests. Please apply via the

After World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Lebanon and Syria were placed under direct French control by the League of Nations. Though a constitution adopted on May 25, 1926 established a democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government, the state remained under French Mandate until November 22 1943, when international pressure caused France to recognise Independent Lebanon.

About Lebanon:

• Lebanon is a small, largely mountainous country in the Middle East located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south with a narrow coastline along its western edge.

• The name Lebanon is derived from the semitic root (LBN) meaning white - a reference to the snow-capped Lebanon mountain.

• The population is 4,259,405.

• The country’s religious profile is Muslim 59.7 per cent, Christian 39 per cent, other 1.3 per cent.

In the grip of

COLUMNIST Sonya Fladun’s experience of “Running into airport turbulence” (CN November 13) will be familiar to many. Treating people as cattle is the inevitable result of “economic irrrationalism”, which treats everyone as a mere unit of production.

Firstly, manufactured products are sourced from cheap labour countries, destroying local jobs and skills. This is supposed to be efficient and good because modern information and service industries offer less arduous work. Except that computers can handle most of these transactions, so businesses cut costs even more by getting customers to do their own keyboard work.

This is how it works: In Medicare offices, airports, banks, etcetera, a person with an electronic clipboard (who could have been serving you) will direct you away from the counter whenever possible towards a terminal, ATM or website. The retail duopoly has that non-servant watching you while you put your own groceries through the checkout. Railway stations have no tellers when you need them. You must buy an electronic pass in a shop, but not

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economic irrationalism

at the station. The shopkeepers now serve that function. Buy a ticket for a performance, but only electronically, with a big mark-up.

The common factor in these transactions is that you work for nothing for a business.

The clip-board invigilators’ purpose is to put their fellow

workers out of a job. These are the disgraceful outcomes of putting profits for a relative few before socially valuable employment for the many, which should be the rational purpose of economic activity.

P. Edwards, Holder

The Danish way

A JOURNALIST friend in Denmark has told me of the changes in that country in the wake of the 2005 firebombing of the home of Rikke Hvilshoj, the then Danish Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration in the wake of the prophet cartoons.

Now, if you wish to become Danish, you must attend three years of language classes; pass a test on Denmark‘s history, culture, and a Danish language test; live in Denmark for seven years before applying for citizenship; demonstrate an intent to work and have a job waiting.

If you wish to bring a spouse into Denmark, you must both be over 24 years of age, and it is more difficult than ever to bring your family and friends to live with you. You will

not be allowed to build a mosque in Copenhagen. It was reported the Danes were upset because the Arab population, five per cent of the total population, were drawing 40 per cent of welfare payments. Is our integration working?

Colliss Parrett, Barton

Write to us

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

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Social event of the week / Opening night, ‘Scandalous Boy’, The Street Theatre

IT’S decades since the play “The Boys in the Band” caused a kerfuffle for the moral standards’ police in Canberra.

And I remember well the tut-tutting when a very large plaster copy of Michelangelo’s “David” arrived with much ceremony and no fig leaf at David Jones’ original Monaro Mall emporium for a promotion that had us talking about his attributes. We’ve come a long way, but Rome of 109-130 AD is making its presence felt in downtown Acton, and this history lesson is boldly laid bare for all to see.

The Street Theatre’s production of “Scandalous Boy” was written and directed by David Atfield . His imagining of the story of Emperor Hadrian and his lover, “the impossibly beautiful young man” Antinous, will no doubt have some patrons confronted, some non-plussed and most ambivalent about the soft-porn aspect of this mix of sex, love, lust and betrayal, inveigling us into the decadence with just the right amount of humour.

The premiere event was sponsored by Hang Ups Picture Framing’s, director Mike Welch , happily welcoming all to a project he had no hang ups about supporting.

Arts editor Helen Musa’s review of “Scandalous Boy” – Page 21

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By Helen Musa

HOW do you make a theatre piece about a suburb? Easy, say, installation artist Louise Morris and theatre director/writer Pip Buining – just engage with the locals.

In planning a site-specific “theatrical journey”, “Anthology”, Morris and Buining have set their sights on Westlake, the suburb once located in Stirling Park between the lake and the Mexican Embassy, now earmarked to be the Prime Minister’s new Lodge. They promise performance, installation, sound art, video, live music, song, dance and tea for Canberrans game enough to don their bushwalking gear and enjoy the experience.

Inspired by the self-published stories and prodigious photo-snapping of historian Ann Gugler, they honour a suburb which was from 1922-1965 home to 700 people, now almost totally erased.

Indeed, in an almost Monty Pythonesque twist, had it not been for the presence of the endangered Button Wrinklewort flower, the area might have been overtaken by developers long ago.

Buining has been burying herself in Gugler’s stories, from which she selected several focal tales, also inventing the character of Bob Rolland (played by “CityNews” reviewer Joe Woodward), the fictional great-nephew of HM Rolland, the SA architect of 61 temporary workers’ cottages built in 1923 and long since taken away on the backs of trucks.

“Bob” is a real estate developer, a natural antagonist to Gugler, who also appears as a character, played by Caroline O’Brien.

While working on the show, Buining says: “We found a strong narrative element that we didn’t anticipate… the two central characters Ann and Bob have a cathartic moment, it’s an emotional journey.”

Buining, a former director of Canberra Youth Theatre and the brains behind a nighttime theatrical venture into the National Library called “Retrieval”, has found tremendous support among ACT artists, not least from sound engineer Kimmo Vennonen and local band The Cashews, who have created a theme song, “Buying into the Dream”, written by Alison Procter.

“It’s the story of a little suburb that wants to be visible,” Buining says, “but that’s exactly what the Government didn’t want… the kids had to walk to State Circle to get buses to school and the houses were painted green to disappear into the environment… yet for 50 years people were born there, grew up there and died there.”

“Anthology: a theatrical journey through the vanished suburb of Westlake”, 6pm, Nov 26-29 & December 3-6. Ticketing and the performance will begin from the small car park at corner of Empire Circuit and Forster Crescent, Yarralumla. Bookings to anthology.net.au

When in Rome…

THERE’S an irony in the title of “Scandalous Boy”, for one of the points playwright/director David Atfield is making in his play about the perfectly-formed lover of the Emperor Hadrian is that in ancient Rome, the setting for this witty, sophisticated play, there was nothing scandalous in same-sex relationships so long as they conformed to a certain power pattern.

The text gives an imaginary life to the once-legendary Antinous, deified on his drowning at age 19. Presenting the story in an eclectic directorial style, Atfield mixes ancient and modern visual and auditory elements with contemporary language.

In choosing as narrator the talking statue of the deified Antinous, played with arch intimacy by Ethan Gibson, Atfield lessens the potential for developing his other characters. The advantage is that it places focus on the issues of mortality, power and love itself. Being a god, Antinous can take a swipe at puritanical Christianity.

Nicholas Eadie gives a powerful

theatre

“Scandalous Boy” By David

Atfield

At The Street Theatre, until November 23.

Reviewed by Helen Musa.

performance as the Emperor Hadrian in love for the first time and the other performers, Raoul Craemer, Emma Strand and James Hughes perform convincingly in a play where little is left to the imagination. The many nude scenes in this production are handled beautifully, with a wrestling scene conjuring up the figures on a Greek urn.

I would, however, question the necessity for an interval. Atfield takes too much time to construct a credible reason for Antinous’ early death. The denouement centres on Antinous’ fear he may been seen as a mere Greek paramour, a distinctly modern perception.

The clever script and the erotic scenes drew enthusiastic applause from a sympathetic audience.

Rick’s back to make a splash

By Helen Musa

WHEN you’ve had a hit as big as “Never Gonna Give You Up”, some would say you might as well quit while you’re ahead.

That’s pretty much what the English soloist superstar Rick Astley did, but not before he’d chalked up an estimated 40 million sales for that number and others such as “Whenever You Need Somebody”, “When I Fall In Love”, “Together Forever”, “She Wants to Dance With Me” and “Cry”. Astley is sitting in his study at home in London looking out the window when we chat by phone, and reflects that before a quite recent visit in 2012, he hadn’t been to Australia since 1991.

He astonished his fans by quitting showbiz from 1993 to 2008 and astonished them once more by returning, bigger and better than ever. And we’ll see him at Canberra Theatre later this month.

“The reason I gave up my career for a time was that I wanted to be a more normal dad,” he tells “CityNews”. “I still made money and I was very comfortable, but I wanted to take my daughter to school, and not everybody gets to do that.”

On retiring from the stage he built a home studio, became a producer and wrote songs. Then in 2008, Astley was offered a gig in Japan.

“‘No,’ I said, but my wife and daughter made me go… so I dusted off an old shoulder-padded suit and went for the retro sound, it was pure nostalgia, but I absolutely loved it,” he said.

“After that I said: ‘Right, I’m up for it if you’ve got some more interesting places to go to’.”

He sings the old songs and a few new ones, pleases the audience and, above all, pleases himself.

“I really like it,” but he hates long flights so drives whenever he can. He even plans to drive himself around Australia. “Last time I drove all the way to Brisbane.”

Rick Astley, Canberra Theatre, November 26, bookings to canberraticketing.com.au or 6275 2700.

The The Groo ve Academy PRESENTS

SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 8:30PM

Arnott Olssen & James Mack

cover

/ dining arts in the city

been accused of trying to ruin a family business and been called late at night by an irate restaurateur.”

Photo by Gary Schafer

The critic dishes it up

WENDY JOHNSON is the longest-serving columnist at ‘CityNews’ and, at 10 years, probably the most experienced dining reviewer in Canberra. On this auspicious anniversary, we inveigled her to tell us what she really thinks…

LET me put it on the table. I’ve eaten out around 550 times since my first “CityNews” review in 2004. That’s a humungous amount of wining and dining. Indeed, it’s one dress size (up, that is) and my face is fuller and rounder. And what about my poor taste buds? They must be exhausted.

For me, dining out is about the overall experience. A warm smile. A genuine greeting. Efficient delivery of menus and water and innovative, yummy food.

I have struck gold in many eateries revelling in the moments when the elements of a quality dining experience combined in perfect harmony.

I’ve also suffered through disasters. I’ve been the subject of a negative Twitter campaign, been accused of trying to ruin a family business and been called late at night by an irate restaurateur.

Those who dine with me sometimes say I’m not harsh enough. Sometimes they giggle at how I describe “the experience”. Mostly they say I’m “spot on”.

So what are my tips for a great dining experience, for those in the biz and for customers?

Don’t call diners “guys”, especially when addressing a table of females. “Hi guys. Howzitgoin?” Yuck. How about “Good afternoon”?

Don’t wrap up cutlery in a serviette as if it’s a newborn baby in a blanket, especially damp cutlery. Diners don’t enjoy peeling the serviettes off. They often rip and who wants a wet serviette anyway?

Don’t charge extra for credit cards without notifying in advance. “Oh, there’s a $2 surcharge for using your card. Is that okay?” This is hardly appropriate when the customer is at the till. What if it’s not okay? Is the meal free?

Don’t interrupt conversations for permission to remove a plate or glass from one diner, especially when another at the table has not finished their drink or meal. It’s so rude. The interruption is usually awkward and why can’t staff bloody well wait? Are they being paid to hover?

Be knowledgeable, sensible and mature when serving. When asked about a dish, no diner wants to

Hub buzz hits the inner south

EVER since the release of the Loxton Report in 2011, the phrase “arts hub” has become a “buzzword” around the local art scene. News is to hand that Artsound, Bilk Gallery, Canberra Glassworks, CCAS Manuka, GAD, M16 Artspace, Megalo Print Studio + Gallery and PhotoAccess have formed the “Inner South Arts Hub”. More of this in December.

MAESTRO of the Griffyn Ensemble, Michael Sollis, is off to north Sweden with astronomer Fred Watson to write a new show. Who can forget their collaboration on the “Southern Sky” concept a couple of years ago?

SHORTIS and Simpson are turning on a Christmas show called “We’ve Got Our Standards”. It’s full of, well, standards, given the usual S&S treatment, with “You Are My Sunshine” sung in a Turkish scale, for instance. At Teatro Vivaldi, Saturday, November 29, bookings to vivaldirestaurant. com.au or 6257 2718.

CONGRATULATIONS to Queanbeyan designers, Thylacine, who partnered with the WA Museum, Mental Media, Gibson Group and Illuminated Design on the National Anzac Centre in Albany harbour, recently opened by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and NZ PM John Key.

and Jacob Cordover will be playing compositions and arrangements by Weiss, Giuliani, Ravel, Edwards, Pixinguinha and Rodrigo in Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm, on November 29 (tickets at the door) and St Paul’s Anglican Parish Hall, Cooma, 3pm, on November 30 (tickets Cooma School of Music or at the door).

ANU staff, students and alumni are turning on an end-of-year celebration in the ANU School of Art precinct from 5pm-8pm on November 27 with the

Graduating Exhibition, live

and DJ sets from School of Music students and alumni, a bake-off and a chic lounge for ANU graduates.

hear: “Dunno, never eat here”. Trust me, this happens. And more than you think.

Pay attention when pouring wine. Diners aren’t impressed with irregular pours. And even less impressed when their glass is topped up before it’s empty and then only to the pouring mark. Grrr.

Don’t play music that’s more for staff than customers and music that’s so loud it’s impossible to think. Grrr.

Trendy looking chairs that make your butt numb in five seconds? Get rid of them.

And your website? Make sure it’s up-to-date and accurate. Warning. Sometimes menus and opening times posted are wrong. Sometimes the eatery in question has even shut down.

But let’s not make this a one-sided story.

What about bad customers, especially those who feel they can act however they want because they’re paying. You don’t have this right. You’re a guest in a public place and should behave accordingly.

So don’t snap your fingers or gesticulate wildly to signal staff. This is plebeian behaviour. Catch the eye of a staff member and ask them to come by when they have a minute. Much more gracious.

Don’t talk on your mobile phone at the top of your lungs, especially when staff are trying to take your order.

Had a bad day? Don’t take it out on staff. How are they supposed to know you’re in the mood to kill someone?

Refrain from eating all your meal before complaining you didn’t like it. Diplomatically state your concerns early or lap it up, pay the bill and move on.

Be understanding . Things go wrong in hospitality just like they do at the office or at home. Staff phone in sick. Fridges break down. Produce is delivered late. The kitchen gets slammed with too many orders all at once. Try to be patient when it’s obvious that slow service can’t be avoided.

So there. You have it. What I adore. What I detest (some of it, anyway).

Gotta run. My 551st review is due soon!

BELCONNEN Arts Centre’s lively creative program director, Jacque Schultze, is off to Sydney. We hear they’re looking for someone to fill her capacious shoes.

MARSDEN Art Group is going a bit wild at Watson Arts Centre for its annual exhibition, until November 30. This year they’ve invited guest artists Barak Zelig and Stephen Harrison to exhibit with the group in a show exploring the “Steampunk” art movement.

THE New York-based Australian Guitar Duo of former Canberran guitar superstars Rupert Boyd

La Scala Italian Restaurant

Thank you Canberra

We wish there was enough space on the page to truly express our heartfelt gratitude. After 26 years of presenting Italian Cuisine, we will be closing our doors for the last time at the end of December. Until then we will be bringing back some of our favourite dishes for an encore specials menu.

Thank you for being part of our family… Ciao

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

cinema

ANNUAL FINE ART AUCTION

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

STARTING 10:30AM DOORS OPEN 9AM

www.aarwungallery.com for catalogue

Viewing from Wednesday 19

Including works by:

BEN QUILTY | LEONARD LONG

NORMAN LINDSAY | JOHN OLSEN | WENDY SHARPE

PETER BROWNE | GORDON HANLEY

KEN KNIGHT | MAX MANNIX | GARY SHEAD

JOHN BRADLEY | ROBERT PENGILLEY

ROBERT DICKERSON | KEVIN BEST

CARLOS BARRIOS | JOSEPH FROST | TED LEWIS

GEOFF DYER | CHARLES BLACKMAN

FU HONG | JUDY WATSON NAPANGARDI

WARWICK FULLER | DAVID BROMLEY

PRO HART | DAVID BOYD

SHORTY JANGALA ROBERTSON | ADAM CULLEN

KYM HART | BETTY CLUB MITBIJANA

MITJILI NAPURULLA | GERARD MUSTAERS

GOLD CREEK . FEDERATION SQUARE

NICHOLLS . 6230 2055

By Helen Musa

THE 9th “Windows on Europe Film Festival” showcases 16 new films from the member states of the European Union, many to be seen in Australia for the first time.

Mathieu Ravier, the festival’s French-Australian programmer, has chosen to begin his “fabulous festival” unconventionally with a documentary, Johannes Holzhausen’s “The Great Museum”, described as “an elegant love letter to great art”.

A different kind of love is explored in the Spanish relationship drama “10,000 KM”, where Alex heads for Los Angeles pursuing her photography career, leaving Barcelona and her boyfriend Sergi 10,000 kilometres behind her.

Europe may be harmonious, but it’s still full of

visual variety, as we see in “Cathedrals of Culture”, 3D documentary portraits of buildings by filmmakers such as Wim Wenders, Robert Redford and Michael Madsen.

Feature films dominate as usual with glamour and reality coming face to face in the French comedy-drama “The Courtyard”, starring Catherine Deneuve and Gustave Kervern as eccentric social isolates.

But according to the ambassador of the European Union to Australia, Sem Fabrizi, the central theme this year will be youth, with young characters “asserting their identity in the face of tradition, change and modernity”.

There’s the surreal Romanian comedy “Domestic”, where children, adults and mostly animals try to get on together in an apartment block.

In Hungary’s “Land of Storms”, a young footballer returns home after quitting his promising football career in Germany and begins a relationship with a stonemason from a nearby town.

Ravier has programmed in a set of Scandinavian coming-of-age dramas from Sweden, Finland and Denmark, where the violent crime film “Northwest” is set.

In an impoverished multi-ethnic area of Copenhagen, 18-year-old Casper lives with his mum, carrying out small-time break-ins for Jamal, but when he moves on to work for Björn, revenge sets in.

“Windows On Europe Film Festival”, Dendy, November 24-30, bookings to dendy.com.au and program at eurofilmfest.com.au

Love and other bruises Joe strikes an old problem

“My

Old Lady” (M)

IN writer/director Israel Horovitz’s story, three characters confront events that happened before two of them were born, in the context of ownership of a Paris apartment subject to a viager.

What, I hear you ask, is a viager? It’s a gamble, authorised under law, on a seller’s life expectancy. To the buyer, it offers good but risky prospects. To the vendor, it brings rest-of-life financial security. The nearest Australian relative of a viager is a reverse mortgage.

Mathias (Kevin Kline) arrives in Paris from the US carrying a document from his estranged father vesting title to the apartment. But title isn’t vacant possession. At 92, showing no sign of imminent mortality, Mathilde (Maggie Smith) occupies it under a viager. Her middleaged spinster daughter Chloe (Kristin Scott Thomas) has never moved out.

The film combines subtle humour with acidic observations of Mathias wheeling and dealing to get his hands on the nine million euros that a developer is willing to pay. Mathilde’s history includes lovers and hard times. Who is Chloe’s sire? Who is Mathias’ mother?

Arriving at the necessary conclusions, with issues more or less neatly resolved, is an experience more pleasing for the audience than the characters. Smith, Kline and Scott Thomas make a formidable ensemble.

At Palace Electric, Capitol 6 and Dendy

“The Drop” (MA)

“THE Drop” is modern film noir that commands respect equally for form and content.

Tom Hardy plays Bob, a gentle fellow who tends his cousin Marv’s (James Gandolfini) Brooklyn bar, one of many at which racketeers drop off the night’s takings for safe-keeping before laundering.

Walking home one early morning, Bob discovers a puppy abandoned in the trash can outside the house where Nadia lives. Not her dog, it becomes a catalyst for a slowly developing relationship between two loners.

Attending Mass regularly but not taking communion,

DOUGAL

Bob’s carrying the burden of a past sin. The heavies try to manipulate his involvement in the money activities. Tensions develop. Marv gets in the plot over his head. The pace of the drama is unhurried. Its impact is compelling.

James Gandolfini’s last film is a fitting memorial to his acting chops.

At Palace Electric and Dendy

“Let’s Be Cops” (MA)

THE essence of comedy pits straight man against fall guy. Luke Greenfield’s film may be billed as comedy but a small audience representative of a range of age groups laughed little during the screening when I watched it.

Damon Wayans Jr. plays computer-game designer Justin, sharing an apartment with unemployed Ryan (Jake Johnson) in whose hands Justin is putty. To attend a class reunion that they understand to be a costume party, they dress as cops. Passers-by think they’re the real deal.

By accident the pair becomes involved in a crime caper involving drugs, arms trading and financial shenanigans.

Funny employs wit. Stupid doesn’t. Funny is sadly absent from “Let’s Be Cops”.

At Hoyts, Limelight and Dendy

puzzles page

Joanne Madeline Moore

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

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Love, friendship, learning, adventure and fun are all mixed together this week Aries. If you make the most of your natural charm, then you’ll be able to get what you want in the most wonderful ways. Don’t let your unbridled enthusiasm for a new project overtake your ability to knuckle down and get the job done. If you promise more than you can actually deliver, others will just end up feeling disappointed.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

It will be hard to run away from relationship issues this week and it will also be difficult to connect with loved ones, as Saturn stymies communication. So think things through, otherwise you may say something that you later regret. Attached Taureans – when it comes to a close relationship, are you pulling your weight? Single Bulls – look for love with someone older than you or more worldly-wise.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Early to mid-week looks restrictive and demanding, as Saturn piles the pressure on and you may worry about completing all your commitments in time. Come Friday you’re feeling much more buoyant, as Mercury (your ruling planet) moves into the energetic and enthusiastic sign of Sagittarius. Relations with loved ones are also set to improve – as long as you keep the lines of communication wide open.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Saying the first thing that’s on your mind is a recipe for trouble this week, especially when it comes to a child, teenager or friend. A strategic approach is the safe and sensible way to go. With Mercury moving through your job zone from November 28 until December 17, it’s time to communicate more clearly with work colleagues. If you are looking for a job, make sure you spread the word far and wide.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Be honest and direct when dealing with others this week Lions. If you waste time pussy-footing around, then you’ll just end up in a sea of Cat confusion. Have you caught the travel bug? With Jupiter journeying through your sign, your motto for the next eight months is from birthday great Mark Twain: “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Expect close relationships to be a minefield mid-week, as misread motives lead to irrational behaviour and silly misunderstandings. You’ll quickly pick up the flaws in other people’s plans but it would be wise to spend less time criticising and more time listening. Friday through to Sunday favours reading, writing, talking and travelling as you discover novel new ways to stimulate your marvellous Virgo mind.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Your creative efforts are appreciated in your local community, as you bring together a group of disparate people. Think things through carefully and consider your options before speaking your mind, otherwise you could end up with a misunderstanding on your hands. Strive to play the Libran peace-maker, but realise there are some problems that even your superior diplomatic skills can’t resolve.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Are you obsessed about a personal issue? Avoid being short-sighted Scorpio. A calm, considered approach with a view to the long term is the clever way to go. And with Saturn moving slowly through your sign, have the strength to be the authentic you. Don’t let others dictate who you should be! As birthday great Bruce Lee declared: “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Sagittarians are curious creatures and this week’s stars encourage you to be even more adventurous than usual. You’re also in the mood to shop up a storm, as you experiment with ways to improve your physical appearance. So it’s a terrific time to update your wardrobe, try a new haircut or purchase beauty products. Mercury moves into your sign on Friday, which increases your tendency to be a chatterbox.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your clever Capricorn mind is like a steel trap, as the Mercury/Saturn hook-up helps you power through projects and organise paperwork. Don’t miss the opportunity to get heaps done. With Mars marching through your sign, you’re in fast forward mode – there’s no turning back! But you may be surprised when a secret is revealed or you start to see a friend in a fascinating new light. Go with the changes.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Many Aquarians have experienced a financial disappointment over the last few months. But are you facing the facts, or putting a naïve Neptunian spin on what really happened? Make sure you get your head out of the sand and learn from your mistakes. The mid-week Venus/Uranus trine amps up your amorous Aquarian side, and encourages you to approach creative projects in unconventional ways.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Have you got a very high mountain to climb? Keep going Pisces! Don’t give up and throw in the towel half-way. Be inspired by the dogged determination of birthday great Winston Churchill: “Never never never quit.” It’s also time to utilise your poetic Piscean mind via imaginative ideas, creative brainstorming and delicious daydreaming. But make sure you draw a dividing line between fact and fantasy.

General

1 What is the physical universe known as?

8 What is a notice of the death of a person?

9 To be wicked is to be what?

10 Name the Tableland in the Great Dividing Range, west of Cairns

11 To keep in custody, is to do what?

13 What, in mathematics, is the operation inverse to multiplication?

16 What is used for plucking the strings of a guitar or the like?

19 Name another designation for a minister

22 Name a rather weedy herb of inland Australia, such as “fat hen”

24 Who was the Australian tennis player that won the US open in 1997 and 1998, Patrick ...?

25 What is a respite from impending punishment?

26 Name a children’s game in which participants ride up and down on the ends of a plank

2 Which colour is a shade of yellowish green?

3 Name a criminal society of Sicilians

4 Who was the Swedish naturalist that accompanied Cook to Australia in 1768, Daniel ...?

5 To be abounding in natural resources, is said to be what?

6 Which word describes insolence stemming from excessive pride?

7 What is a less familiar term for a creek or stream?

12 What is the weight of a vehicle without cargo, passengers, etc?

14 Which bats are erroneously reputed to suck blood?

15 In Greek mythology, who was regarded as the goddess of the rainbow?

17 What do we call one who plunders during war, etc?

18 What are small, shaped rolls of tobacco leaves, prepared for smoking?

20 Name another word for a shoulder firearm

21 What is the last letter of the Greek alphabet?

23 Which war took place 1899-1902?

FAMILY LAW IN CANBERRA

Creating Sustainable Gardens

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• growers of drought tolerant and frost resistant plants

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We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow

u

gardening Unloved, but lovely to grow

UNLIKE today, fuchsias were all the rage in the late ‘60s and ‘70s and, like the large fuchsia nurseries abounding in NSW and Victoria, I used to grow thousands of fuchsias with more than 350 varieties for sale in Narrabundah.

Despite growing well in Canberra, fuchsias are out of fashion with gardeners, which is a pity.

As the plant loses its leaves in late autumn, gardeners see just bare sticks and pull them out, assuming they are dead. Unless in a very sheltered position, they will lose their leaves but come spring, as in our garden at present, leaves appear as the days warm.

Fuchsias originate in central and South America and tolerate a wide variety of climates. The ideal position is morning sun until about 10am, followed by filtered shade (70 per cent shadecloth is ideal) the rest of the day. However, too much shade will produce long, leggy plants with few flowers.

Fuchsias need well-drained soil to which organic matter is added and mulched with organic material such as lucerne.

They are ideal for hanging gardens, but must never be allowed to dry out. A gentle shower with a fine-mist spray is beneficial on very hot days.

When first potted up or in the ground, apply Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient to promote root growth. When established, apply liquid Neutrog Seamungus (a combination of seaweed and chook poo) every couple of weeks from now until April.

APHIDS attacking flowers and veggies alike are the bane of every gardener. Here are a couple of certified organic products with one important feature in that there is no withholding period before applying and eating edible crops.

A READER has written querying the organic certification status of Neutrog’s Go-Go Juice. I had reported that it was certified, but my correspondent says the product is not certified according to either the company’s website or at the Australian Organic Certification website. I have written to the manufacturer for clarification. I always welcome readers’ comments and you can email me at cedricbryant@grapevine.com.au

Jottings...

• Check fruit trees for dead, diseased or damaged branches, which can affect ripening fruit by allowing access to fruit fly and other pests.

• With rising temperatures leave trimming of fine-leafed hedges such as Buxus or Box now until autumn. The sun will scorch the soft new growth at this time – and does it really matter if a few leaves are out of place?

• Grass right up to the trunk of fruit trees can reduce the crop by up to 40 per cent. If possible, mulch out to the drip line with Sand and Gravel’s Canberra Organic Mulch.

In spring, as the new shoots start appearing, prune out any dead stems. Pinching the ends off lanky growth will encourage more branches and flowers in the growing season.

The Geranium and Fuchsia Society Spring Display is at St James Church Hall, Curtin, 9.30pm-4pm, Saturday, November 22.

WITH sprinklers banned from 9am to 6pm, it’s good to water lawns in the cool of the evening, especially on days over 30C, when the evaporation rate can exceed 150-200mm.

If you notice sudden bare patches in the lawn at this time it may be lawn grubs, which kill grass by chewing the roots. Give the lawn a deep watering and then apply Multicrop Eco-Grub Go over the lawn twice to ensure you have covered all areas.

Multicrop Pyrethrum Long Life, made naturally from a variety of chrysanthemum, lasts up to 20 days and is effective against aphids, mites and a whole range of chewing/sucking insects, without killing the beneficial insects such as hover flies and ladybirds.

Organic Crop Protectants is an organisation pledged to promoting certified organic products under their “eco” label . Its Eco-Neem is a highly stable and effective product from extracts of the neem tree and will attack all the insects listed above.

DUE FOR COMPLETION APRIL 2015

• Spacious 2 bedroom apartment with entertainer’s balcony

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• Just minutes from the city, Belconnen and Woden town centres

• 25m lap pool and exercise circuit

• MIN EER 6.0

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• Walking and riding distance to Braddon, the city, New Acton and the Australian National University

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• 25m lap pool and exercise circuit

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