141127 citynews

Bamboo bikes to start a journey

By Rebekah Spann

YOUNG homeless people with an interest in bicycles and starting their own business are the target for the Ethical Wheels social enterprise.

In a bid to create permanent solutions to homelessness in Canberra, the Ted Noffs Foundation has initiated the only bamboo bicycle production company in Australia called Ethical Wheels.

It will be set up as a co-operative, initially owned and operated by two individuals who have an interest in business and bicycles, and struggle with homelessness.

ACT senior manager of the Ted Noffs Foundation, Ronan O’Connor, believes that the co-operative has the potential to spread throughout the country.

Established in the 1970s, the

comfortable.

Ted Noffs Foundation offers comprehensive life-management programs and social enterprises to equip youth in need with the skills to better manage their own lives.

The bamboo frames will be imported from Ghana, where the Yonso Project employs young people and provides them with skills and experience, while the profits support a local primary school and a medical centre.

Once in Australia, the co-operative will build custom bamboo bicycles, to be called Grass Bicycles, which will be sold online.

Co-founder Greg Baines says the bikes, made from bamboo grass, are guaranteed for two years.

“They are stronger and lighter than equivalent metal bikes and are more comfortable,” says Greg. “It’s quite a unique experience.”

The first shipment of frames will arrive in a couple of weeks. They should be available for preorder in December and on sale in the New Year.

Ronan says the initiative is designed to tackle the role that mental illness plays in homelessness.

“When people suffer with mental illness, it can be hard for them to make a go of it, whereas using the co-operative model gets them to combine their strengths and creates a small supportive community for them,” he says.

“We are aiming to bring in experts in finance, marketing and bike building to teach them how to run their own business.”

More information from Ronan O’Connor on 6123 2401 or 0488 233851 or Greg Baines on 0481 528354 or email ethicalwheels@gmail.com

MONTHLY ANTIQUES, VINTAGE & COLLECTABLES

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UPCOMING AUCTIONS

Thursday 27 November 6.30pm

Fishing Equipment & General Goods

Saturday 29 November 10.30am

Catering, Hospitality & Restaurant Furniture

Sunday 30 November 10.30am

Antiques, Vintage & Collectables

Sunday 7 December 1pm

Fine Wine / General Auction

City centre that’s so easy to forget

TIMES Square in New York has its video screens, LED lights and swarms of people.

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is famous for its beautiful buildings and bullfighting. Nelson’s Column in London’s Trafalgar Square attracts legions of tourists, as does Venice’s Piazza San Marco, “the drawing room of Europe”.

All these world-famous city squares have one thing in common: they are memorable.

In comparison, Canberra’s city centre is a place of faded shop signs, scaffolding and slow foot traffic, empty offices and graffiti, car parks and peeling paint.

Don’t let anyone tell you that Civic is just another of Canberra’s many “town centres”. As the heart of our city, it should be the hub of our economic, social and cultural activities – as well as a great place to live.

Part of our challenge is the size of our CBD – at 1.6 hectares, it’s almost as big as the CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne.

Many of the most vibrant hotspots of our city centre – from ANU’s Exchange and New Acton in the City West to Lonsdale Street in the north – teeter on the edges of the CBD. The walk from the Canberra Centre to the lake is 1.6 kilometres – not something to be undertaken during a lunch break.

With so much activity going on in far-flung

Canberra’s city centre is a place of faded shop signs, scaffolding and slow foot traffic, empty offices and graffiti, car parks and peeling paint.

corners of the city, it should be no surprise that places such as Garema Place and City Walk are looking tired and in need of some TLC.

The Property Council, in partnership with Canberra CBD, is bringing together people with an interest in Civic to explore what we need to do to make our CBD memorable. By thinking outside the square we may just get a town square of which we can all be proud.

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

CATHERINE CARTER

Open Day: NDIA Braddon Office

Join us in celebrating International Day for People with Disability with an Open Day!

212 Northbourne Avenue BRADDON

Wednesday 3 December 2014 10:00am - 2:00pm

Come along to:

Open / Inspection times: weekdays 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm and from 8am on auction day

• Meet local NDIA staff and the ACT Trial Site Manager, Jillian Paull

• Receive information about the NDIS

• Participate in fun activities to celebrate the day

A BBQ and light refreshments will be available.

To RSVP or for accessibility assistance, email: actengagement@ndis.gov.au or call NDIS on 02 6146 8200.

Since 1993: Volume 20, Number 44

Arts & Entertainment 19-21

Cinema 20

Dining 21

Garden 22

Horoscope 23

Letters 9

News 3-9

Politics 6

Puzzles 23

Socials 10-11

Sport 9

Abbott’s Big Cuts Slice Bold Savings

CANBERRA is an ABC town. The rally outside Aunty’s Northbourne Avenue HQ and the turnout at Parliament House show just how much we care for the national broadcaster.

And PM Tony Abbott’s unequivocal declaration that there would be “no cuts to SBS or the ABC” will haunt him for as long as he occupies The Lodge.

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

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

Journalists: Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

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

Senior advertising executive: Ernie Nichols, 0421 077999

Advertising sales executives: Graham Spencer, 6262 9100; Rebecca Dann, 0431 042087; Charlotte Cuttle, 6262 9100

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Photographers: Holly Treadaway and Andrew Finch

Proof reader: Glenda Anderson

Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au

Malcolm Turnbull’s attempt to deflect the issue on the “7.30” program was sad to watch. Does he really think a $254 million reduction in ABC funding can be passed off as an “efficiency dividend”? Malcolm, a cut is a cut is a cut.

The SBS situation is worse. Not only have they taken a $25.2 million hit, they are compensating with ever more commercial breaks. The “First Contact” series confronting white Australians with the Aboriginal reality would have been even more riveting had the emotional spell not been broken every five minutes.

WE are also, it seems, a city of cricket fans. Fabulous turnout at Manuka oval for the day-nighter against the South Africans; and the ground looked a picture. Time for the ACT administrators to get a team into the 20-20 Big Bash!

THE week produced an embarrassment of riches in international leaders led by China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi, both of whom engaged the Parliament with thoughtful speeches.

The Chinese leader, it seems, included Tasmania on his itinerary to complete an ambition to visit every Australian state. Apparently he’s been coming here regularly during his rise to the top of the Chinese government. Who knew?

KATY Gallagher took the opportunity for a tete-a-tete with Mayor Anshun Wang of our (big) sister city Beijing. “There is a lot our two cities can learn from each other,” she said, not least in public transport. Now there’s an idea – the

dose of dorin

the summer period.”

But better roads are not a panacea. “Something just happens to people during this time,” he says. “They take risks and pass one or two cars [at a time] but only end up a few metres ahead when they reach the Bateman’s Bay turnoff.”

ON a happier note, warmest congrats to young Aboriginal achievers, Jordan Savage, just accepted into the ANU’s graduate medical degree program, and Kale Moore, of Queanbeyan, who won the Health Workers’ Association’s Young Warrior Award, as “the most helpful person you could imagine”. Nice one.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Chinese could build that tramline down Northbourne Avenue in a weekend with time left over to punch a tunnel through the Clyde Mountain to the coast!

SPEAKING of the coast, wonderful news that deaths and injuries from car crashes along the Princes Highway north of Jervis Bay have fallen by almost 90 per cent in the last five years mainly because of road improvements. However, the NRMA’s ACT director, Alan Evans, says: “This indicates that the safety of the Kings Highway could also be improved, especially during

ROBERT MACKLIN

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Mean Libs won’t give the doctor a fair go

IN heading for West Africa on a fact-finding mission Greens Senator Dr Richard Di Natale has exposed the mean-spirited nature of the Federal government. He has also exposed the level of hypocrisy in Australia’s response.

There was an opportunity lost when the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, denied consular assistance. She would not divert scarce Australian resources from the High Commission in Ghana. Within weeks she made a statement, as president of the UN Security Council (UNSC), on Ebola “which constitutes a threat to international peace and security”.

The UNSC, the World Health Organization and the secretary general of the UN have all been calling for a much stronger response to the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The UNSC presidential statement warned “complacency is our worst enemy” and encouraged airlines and shipping to maintain transport links with the Ebola-affected countries in West Africa. Only last month Immigration Minister Scott Morrison closed Australia’s border to people from Ebola-affected countries.

Dr Richard Di Natale is a public health physician who has worked in developing

It is not too late for Julie Bishop. The UNSC presidency has provided her with an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate that Australia is not mean spirited.

communities and countries. A government that was not hell bent on an oppositional approach, a government that genuinely wanted the parliament to work together (other than just when they needed the numbers), a government that really wanted to understand the African Ebola crisis would have immediately asked the senator to lead a delegation to report back to the minister, the government and the parliament. Inviting Liberal MP, Dr Andrew Laming, an ophthalmologist who has also worked in developing communities would also make sense.

Senator Di Natale has made it clear that he is not going to Liberia and Sierra Leone to work as a medical practitioner on treatment. That would be inappropriate. He is there to use his extensive knowledge and understanding with the assistance of the WHO “to get in there, speak to the people co-ordinating the response, find out what they need and come

back and start advocating for it”.

It is not that Australia has done nothing. Health Minister Peter Dutton along with Ms Bishop and Prime Minister Tony Abbott have committed $42 million in assistance in West Africa. Around half of the commitment supports Aspen Medical to staff a British-built hospital in Sierra Leone. However, Ms Bishop explained on behalf of the UNSC that the international community needed to do more, “we know how to beat Ebola. We owe it to the victims of this terrible disease – and to all of our citizens – to provide our full and unwavering support to overcome this threat”.

The Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association and the Australian Medical Association are some of the voices

telling the government for months that they have to get ahead of the disease. First, provide Australian troops and equipment and other logistical support for the people working in treatment on the front line. Second, deploy our Australian Medical Assistance Teams in West Africa. Third, directly assemble, train and support appropriately qualified health professionals and other skilled civilians who are ready and waiting to help.

The message has finally got through with Ms Bishop telling the UNSC “the briefings we have heard today confirm that we have started to pull together in this critical race to catch up and stop Ebola”.

Australia is squandering its opportunities on the world stage. Had John Howard been the Prime Minister with the G20 summit held in Australia there can be little doubt he would have used it astutely to lift his standing in domestic politics. As a result of his poor performance at the G20, Abbott dropped in

the polls.

It is not too late for Bishop. The UNSC presidency has provided her with an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate that Australia is not mean spirited, Australia does have an international perspective and to demonstrate to Australians and the world that we can take action when it is in the interest, not just of Australians, but the people of the world.

Michael Moore was ACT minister for health. He

How about we fix homelessness and health?

THE ACT Government is hell-bent on spending a billion dollars on light rail and a billion dollars on getting the Mr Fluffy homeowners out of the trouble they’re in over their unfortunate real estate investment decisions (even if many of them don’t appear to appreciate the staggeringly generous offer they’ve been given).

This opens up some interesting policy parameters and, as all three parties in the Assembly appear to speak for homeowners, alternative thinking is going to have to come from somewhere else.

If we’re still short of cash, then sacking every public servant with password access to an ACT Government social media account would bring significant savings while advancing the public good enormously.

Right up until the moment something or other convinced Simon Corbell to throw himself behind light rail he made very compelling arguments as to how bus rapid transit could deliver 80 per cent of the benefits for 20 per cent of the cost of a tram to Gungahlin.

Alrighty, that frees up $800 million for spending on other things.

How about we fix homelessness?

Increasingly, pilot programs around the world show that providing basic accommodation actually costs less than the law enforcement and health costs of leaving

people out on the street.

How many victims of domestic violence had stayed in that house because they didn’t have anywhere to take the kids and the dog?

The Liberals are willing to throw away our freedoms to forestall just one death in Australia at the hands of a terrorist, but in the order of 50 Australian women a year die through domestic violence.

Also of concern is how many young Canberrans posting on Facebook: “Anyone got a place I can stay tonight?” Not everyone who answers that call is a nice person.

JOHN GRIFFITHS

So if I was king we’d stack up the shipping containers and anyone who comes asking can have somewhere warm and dry, with a mattress and a lock on the door. No questions asked.

What do we lose? The homelessness cottage industry has to find some other good work. But as they have the best interests of the homeless at heart, one hopes that won’t be a problem.

Next up, health and mental health. An ACT Government co-payment for bulk-billing GPs and psychiatrists would be my plan. Keep bumping that up until we’re so full of health professionals there’s room for everyone.

Run an IT support unit so doctors can run an appointment system with the sophistication of, well, a free Google Calendar installation, which would be an immense improvement over the current medieval arrangements.

All this primary health and housing should free up a bit of room at the hospital while we’re at it.

If we’re still short of cash, then sacking every public servant with password access to an ACT Government social media account would bring significant savings while advancing the public good enormously.

John Griffiths is editor of citynews.com.au

briefly

Qwire singing

CANBERRA Gay and Lesbian Qwire’s “End of Year Concert” is at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 7.30pm, on Saturday, November 29. Tickets are $25 ($20 concession), plus booking fee, from canberraqwire.org.au

Christmas bazaar

THE fifth annual Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar at the Albert Hall, noon-4pm, on Sunday, November 30, offers shoppers lots of Scandinavian Christmas fare and gifts while presenting traditional Scandinavian entertainment such as folk dancing and singing, and snacks. Entry is by gold coin. More information at scandinavianaustralian.org.au

Free concert

THE Rotary Club of Canberra is staging its annual free seniors’ concert and afternoon tea at the Albert Hall, 2pm-4pm, Saturday, November 29. Transport is available, if needed. Bookings to 6282 3777.

mum in the city health

The stump that brings a smile

As we move into the Christmas season, spare a thought for all those people who selflessly bring a bit of cheer, whether it’s with a blaze of lights or just a funny old tree stump.

IT looks sort of freaky, but it makes us smile every time we go past.

It’s nothing more than a blackened, woebegone tree stump near the turn off from the Cotter Road on to the Tuggeranong Parkway.

But for years someone has been dressing it in a variety of attire to raise a laugh from passing motorists.

As seasons come and go, the stump’s clothing changes.

At the moment it’s a bit mixed with sun hat, a Carlton football singlet, a

tradie’s high-viz jacket, floral skirt and shopping bag.

But at other times it’s been rugged up with colourful scarves in winter, decorated for Halloween, and at Christmas it’s resplendent with white beard and red coat and hat.

My kids love it. “What’s the stump wearing now?”, is often their question as we turn north on to the parkway.

I’ve no idea who does it. Obviously a Carlton supporter, but I won’t hold that against them.

Someone from somewhere every now and again goes to the trouble to stop, perhaps in the dead of night, and dress up the stump in its latest attire.

It’s not a big thing, but it’s the sort of thing that should only be encouraged, doing something that brings some gentle amusement to us all. In the same spirit hundreds of Canberran households recently marked Halloween with all sorts of decorations, pumpkins and sweets for kids doing the “trick or treat” round of their neighbourhood.

Coeliac disease, an unhappy slice of life

Coeliac disease can develop at any age including in children, and even in people who previously tolerated gluten for years.

DESPITE the common symptoms of bloating, diarrhoea, weight loss or anaemia, most Australians with coeliac disease remain undiagnosed.

It is not unusual for patients to have non-bowel related symptoms including tiredness, hair and skin changes, arthritis or even no symptoms at all.

Coeliac disease is caused by immune cells in the gut reacting to the protein gluten, found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and other grains. In response to gluten, immune cells concentrate in the intestinal walls of affected patients and cause serious inflammation and damage.

While about 1.4 per cent of Australians have true coeliac disease, wheat allergy and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity affect up to 1 in 10 people.

SONYA FLADUN

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We provide laser-soldering services for jewellery as well as stainless steel spectacle frames and metal watch band repairs.

We also provide laser-engraving services to personalise jewellery pieces and watches.

Visit our store to see our full range of ready-made pieces, or to discuss your custom jewellery requirements.

And over the next month folk will be putting out their Christmas lights.

Sure, there can be an element of one upmanship as neighbours try to outdo each other with thousands of lights, animated deer and inflated Santas on roofs, but the main thing is that the lights do bring a lot of Christmas cheer, and especially wonder for our kids.

No one asks people to do it, and they get no benefit other than the occasional acknowledgment from passers-by.

But that’s not the point. It’s just about doing something that others might enjoy.

So as we move into the Christmas season, and it is getting close as my son frequently reminds me, spare a thought for all those people who selflessly bring a bit of cheer, whether it’s with a blaze of lights or just a funny old tree stump.

They all make our community just a bit more fun, and that’s really not a bad thing at all.

The risk of developing coeliac disease is inherited. However, since these genes are also common in people who don’t have coeliac disease, it suggests some additional environmental trigger is required.

People with a close family member who has coeliac disease have a 10 per cent chance of having the disease themselves.

Coeliac disease can develop at any age including in children, and even in people who previously tolerated gluten for years.

Around 90 per cent of people with coeliac disease in Australia will have antibodies to gluten protein detectable in blood tests. In addition, investigation by endoscopy is vital to diagnosis and assessment of disease progression.

Complications from untreated coeliac disease can be serious and include nutritional deficiencies, poor immune function and an increased risk of immune cancer such as lymphoma.

Most coeliac disease will be effectively treated by strictly eliminating all dietary sources of gluten, although it can take months for the symptoms to finally improve on a gluten-free diet.

Gluten can be hidden in packaged foods and sauces and seeing a dietician can be beneficial. The long-term outcome for people with coeliac disease is excellent with adequate disease management and careful monitoring.

Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition that is not well understood. It differs from coeliac disease in that patients have no detectable gluten-related antibodies and no inflammation in the intestine, although symptoms may still improve on a gluten-free diet. It is important that patients with suspected NCGS are adequately assessed for coeliac disease before commencing a glutenreduced diet as the monitoring and treatment of NCGS and coeliac disease is vastly different.

If you think you may have coeliac disease or NCGS, see your family doctor.

Dr Purnima Bhat is a gastroenterologist and a senior research fellow at the ANU Medical

The skill of scoring slowly and gently

By Tim Gavel

THE ACT needs to tread carefully as it negotiates the politics of cricket in Australia.

Not surprisingly, after successfully hosting the one-dayer between Australia and South Africa, there is optimism that more internationals should be played at Manuka.

The crowds are bigger in Canberra than is often the case in Perth and Hobart, but there is plenty of activity behind the scenes to ensure the WACA and Bellerive don’t miss out.

It is for that reason the ACT Government can’t appear to be over reaching into territory so ferociously guarded by rival cricket states.

Canberra should avoid giving the impression that it is predatory and end up with enemies that do all they can to block any moves the ACT makes in securing first-class cricket.

It has happened before.

The states were quite happy to have the Canberra Comets in the domestic one-day series until it became apparent that some involved in ACT cricket had a vision well beyond the Comets.

It is now history that the Comets were kicked out of the competition following a move by the states on the board of Cricket Australia amidst concerns that the ACT was eyeing off hosting international matches.

The make up of the board is different now, but let’s hope we don’t make the same mistake again as we look to be making progress in convincing Cricket Australia that we are worthy and capable of staging international cricket.

Cricket ACT and the ACT Government don’t need to publicly point out the crowd numbers at rival venues. It is there for all to see.

IT’S rare for a sportsperson to express concern about the development of their chosen sport.

Canberra softballer Clare Warwick, who has made the Australian team from the development programs in the ACT, from school level right through, knows what’s required to develop softballers into national players.

She spends some of her time in Italy playing professionally as well as turning out for the Australian team. While currently home, she has expressed concern about the drop off of numbers in the junior ranks in Canberra.

Is it simply the loss of funding and a reduction of resources,

such as development officers and high-performance programs after softball was omitted from the Olympics? Or is another reason the lack of volunteers willing to put time into developing players? Does softball need to change with the times and develop a 20/20 style competition?

Another issue is the lack of structured sport in Canberra primary schools, but this could be about to change with the advent of the PE Pulse program, which will effectively provide expert training for teachers in a range of sports. Sometimes all it takes a school to develop a high-class program is a teacher with a passion for a particular sport. The results can be extraordinary.

GUNGAHLIN, it seems, is the new epicentre of football in Canberra. With the Eagles already established in rugby union, next year the Gungahlin Football Club will play in the ACT men’s and women’s premier leagues in soccer. Also joining the throng will be the Gungahlin Jets Australian Rules team in the AFL Canberra competition.

Why so long, Katy?

WHY has it taken Katy Gallagher and her team so long to accept the major problems that have been obvious to most of us with regard to our poor hospital system?

The “nursing changes” she is now incorporating were normal and expected practices in the past. Nursing was a respected profession where they worked as a team, patients’ needs came first and it was not “someone else’s job” to provide certain care and assistance.

A Medcalf, via email

Well done, Catherine

I AM writing to congratulate Catherine Carter on her wonderful piece titled “Work that’s never done” (CN, November 13).

Tonight, while my husband was watching TV and Kim Kardashian came on, I made him turn it off so I could read Catherine’s article to my 10 and 12-year-old daughters.

The women Catherine wrote about are the kind of role models I want for my daughters not the vacuous, self-absorbed likes of Ms KK. Keep more real, inspirational, everyday, hardworking citizens (who just so happen to be top Canberra women) coming!

Bronwyn Stanbury, head of science, Marist College Canberra

Roman dates awry

SOME corrections need to be made to the reference to “Rome of 109-130 AD” (Lyn Mills’ social event of the week / “Scandalous Boy” opening night, CN, November 20).

Hadrian did not become Emperor until 117 AD. Until then Trajan was Emperor. Historical sources cite as Hadrian meeting Antinous in 123 or 124 AD. Hadrian sent him to Rome in 125 AD and started to have a serious sexual relationship with him in 128 AD. By then he was the Emperor’s favourite. He drowned in 130 AD.

So, if we want to have an accurate “history lesson” the period should be 123-130 AD.

Mark Goyne, via email

Cash grants to pursue a dream

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY

For many years, The Allan Key (previously known as ACTAADS) has offered cash grants to people with a disability to enable them to pursue sporting or recreational interests. This year’s round of grants are now open 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 formal application form available at allankey.org

GJ10989.indd 1 10/11/2014 11:52 am

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www.familylawincanberra.com.au

Event of the week / Children’s Medical Research Institute lunch

CARWOOLA on the road to Captain’s Flat is a magnificent property with a fascinating history and owners who treasure every aspect of it. They have worked for many years to restore and rebuild this Georgian-style homestead and old-growth garden; repairing, refurbishing and planting for the future. Opening the grounds to a caravanserai of eager and energetic ladies for the annual Children’s Medical Research Institute fundraising lunch may have been daunting for owners Rob Purves and Bronwyn Darlington but the expertise of the committee, learnt over many years from former committees, has refined the formula to an exact art.

So the cars came, the guests trod the newly mown paddock to the lush, cool garden and settled in with their chairs and tables before doing the rounds of the stalls selling Christmas goodies and decorations, jams, jellies, preserves and the distinctive CMRI paraphernalia before lining up for lunch. Accompanied by the famous lunch punch, a few bubbles and copious amounts of water, the most anticipated part of this lunch, the petit fours, were distributed to every corner of the garden before the mass exit.

Catherine Coles | Solicitor

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

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

At Watts McCray, we understand that.

What’s in store / Weston Creek advertising feature

By George, it’s all go at Weston Creek!

WESTON Creek was named in honour of Capt George Edward Weston, a former officer of the East India Company who arrived in Australia in 1829, and was superintendent of the Hyde Park Convict Barracks in Sydney.

In 1841, Weston was granted land that, by the 1960s, was established as a residential district as an offshoot of Canberra’s first satellite city in the adjacent Woden Valley.

Construction of Weston Creek’s eight suburbs started with Waramanga and Fisher in 1968, and was followed by Weston and Rivett in 1969, Duffy and Holder in 1970, and Chapman and Stirling in 1972. Each suburb has its own local shops, and they all share the larger district centre of Cooleman Court situated in Weston.

Each suburb is named after a notable Australian and the street names in each suburb follow a specific theme such as Australian rivers, native flowers, or names of surveyors.

Weston Creek, which is now home to more than 22,000 people, has developed a strong sense of community and is also home to many friendly traders and service providers. Here are some of the best…

COOLEMAN COURT

Curves has the ‘complete solution’

CELEBRATING 10 years in Weston Creek’s Cooleman Court, “Curves has really evolved over the last decade,” says owner Julie Griffin.

“It has grown from a women’s gym to a complete solution to weight loss.” The gym now has 600 active members in the Weston Creek community.

After being a Curves member for two years, Julie decided to purchase Curves in Cooleman Court “because I really believed in the concept.

“I got the same results, if not better results, in 30 minutes than an hour and a half at a regular gym.

“I’ve always been involved in health and fitness, and it just fitted nicely in my regime.”

Curves now offers a complete weight loss program that includes weekly one-on-one coaching, exercise, and a healthy eating plan that can be done online and is tailored to the individual’s own needs and family needs.

“Curves is not just a gym, it’s a place we can offer diet advice, coaching and exercise, surrounded by lots of happy people who do get results,” says Julie.

“It’s a really supportive little community.”

Curves, Brierly Street, T3, Cooleman Court Shopping Centre, Weston, 6288 8333.

INSIDE the southern entrance of the Cooleman Court shopping centre is the Cooleman Court Newsagency.

Shop owner Alison Medway says the store has diversified from its traditional product lines so much that it’s almost become a “general store.”

“We do a lot of giftware, especially at this time of year,” says Alison.

“We’ve got a huge range of Christmas stuff, as well as a really big variety of stationery and art supplies.”

The large newsagency also has a

free Gold Card rewards program that gives regular customers a chance to win weekly and monthly prizes including Scratchies, chocolates, manicures and massages.

“We always try and help out people if they’re looking for something specific… so we try to order what we can or offer something else,” says Alison.

“You can’t carry everything, but we’ve got a good ordering system so we can often get it in fairly quickly.”

Cooleman Court

OPENED in August 2013 by brothers Pat and Mario Marando, Home Grown Meats focuses on providing quality and local, sustainable and grass-fed meats.

The brothers have more than 25 years of butchering experience in Canberra, “and they love getting to know their customers, and caring for them,” says a shop spokesperson.

Home Grown Meat sells a huge range of grass-fed meat, free-range pork, fresh chicken, gourmet sau -

sages, deli meat and smallgoods, filo pastry pies and pet bones.

Special cuts of meat are available on request and, at this time of the year, Pat and Mario are taking Christmas orders.

“The customers are really nice, and the people of Weston Creek all have a respect and care for one another. It’s such a caring community.”

FAMILY focused and family run, Fisher Family Practice has been taking care of the Weston Creek area for eight years and is one of the largest privately owned practices in the Canberra area.

The practice, though present in many forms for a number of years, was taken on by Dr. Martin Liedvogel in 2006 and expanded.

“Fisher Family Practice has a strong focus on chronic disease management and preventative care,” says CEO Kylie Gibson.

“It has a team of nurses who have their own specialities, excellent

procedures for follow up, and quality patient care.”

The practice is also committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of general practice owners by hosting registrars and medical students and running programs for new GPs.

“We strive to ensure that our practice always runs smoothly and professionally, with highly trained reception and management staff,” says Kylie.

“Our nursing team has just won the 2014 ACT Nursing and Midwifery Private Team of the Year Award.”

in touch

ARALUEN Village in Fisher is one of only two retirement villages in Canberra that are unit titles, which allow residents to own their own property, says manager Jackie Hardy.

The units, which Jackie says are moderately priced, are “ideal for local people wishing to downsize, who want to retain their bonds with the Weston Creek community”.

“We have local village operators who are strongly involved in overseeing the management of the village.

With easy access to Tuggeranong, Woden, Cooleman Court and the hospital, and located within a modern landscaped complex surrounded by extensive parklands, Araluen Village has been offering residents a relaxed lifestyle with a wide range of services and facilities for more than 10 years.

The village, where residents can own a small pet, consists of 109 independent living units that have one, two or three bedrooms and a garage, and when needed “residents can remain here with the assistance of a care package,” says Jackie.

At Araluen Village, residents have access to ACAT, Centrelink, home care services, Home and Community Care, as well as a local pharmacist who picks up prescriptions and delivers them, public transport, a podiatrist and 24-hour, on-call assistance and security.

“We have a hairdresser, computer, craft and gardening groups, a heated pool and spa, a billiards room, library, chapel, bowling green, croquet lawn, a gym,

WESTON

workshop, a village shopping bus, and happy hour once a week – that’s very important!” says Jackie.

“It’s not a big village, more like a family community. Everybody looks after each other.”

Araluen Village, 177 Badimara Street, Fisher, 6288 9555.

Helping to ease the difficult journey

CARING, professional and committed to offering simple choices, dignified care and with an honest approach to funeral service, Toscan Dinn Funerals has been established in Weston Creek since 2005.

Director Peter Dinn is a qualified embalmer and has more than 24 years of funeral experience and serving Canberra families.

“It is an honour to be part of a local community and take care of families during their time of need,” he says.

“The information given to families by Toscan Dinn Funerals is always clear and simple to understand.

“The choices and options made available helps to ease the difficult journey that may be experienced fol-

lowing a loss. You can always talk to us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and no additional fees are charged to families who require assistance outside regular working hours.”

Toscan Dinn Funerals can offer pre-paid funeral plans where the individual wishes of the client are recorded and the cost of the funeral is set, providing a sound long-term financial investment.

The money is invested with Life Plan Australia in the name of the client and is only released after a death occurs. One funeral plan contract can be set up to cover two individuals. A funeral plan can be paid as a lump sum or may be paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months with no interest or administration fees

applying.

Toscan Dinn Funerals is a member of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, promoting excellence in funeral service.

Toscan Dinn Funerals, 10 Liardet Street, Weston. Call 6287 3466 or visit toscandinn.com.au

www.ptnorsestyle.com.au

or for

INITIALLY established in the local shopping centre, Back Bone BMX has moved to an old service station in Fisher and has been selling 100 per cent BMX products for more than nine years.

“I’ve ridden BMX since I was five years old,” says owner Rhys Williams, “and my whole life I wanted to walk into a store like Back Bone BMX, because parts and bikes were never easy to get and they mostly had to be ordered from the US. I wanted to change that and make it easier and accessible for other riders and new riders.”

As well as selling whole bikes, parts, bike accessories, clothing and protective wear, Back Bone BMX runs local and international jams and competitions, sponsors the ACT Government’s Ride or Walk to School initiative, and all staff members are coaches in that program.

“We really get a broad range of ages, from young kids who are learning, to the 12-21 age group, to dads who are getting back into the sport. It’s all about having fun,” says Rhys.

“All the brands we sell are rider-owned BMX companies. It’s really important to support those companies, to keep the money in the BMX industry.”

Having grown up in Weston Creek, Rhys says: “Canberra is the best place to ride BMX in Australia, I reckon. There’s a lot of open areas, and it has always had a huge cycling community. The store has quickly become the ‘backbone’ of the BMX community Australia wide.”

Back Bone BMX, 82 Kalgoorlie Crescent, Fisher, 6288 5186, backbonebmx.com.au, BackBoneBMX.facebook.com

infomation.

Weston Creek STIRLING

Village with a touch of home

PROVIDING a caring, safe, home-like atmosphere, Adria Village in Stirling has been delivering low and high-level aged care for more than 20 years.

Established in 1989 by the Croatian community of Canberra and Queanbeyan, Adria Village provides support and assistance to enable residents to live in a comfortable and secure environment, while encouraging individuality, independence, and active participation in a broad range of cultural, social and religious activities within the village.

The village contains low and high-level residential care for 42 residents, as well as 36 independent living villas in a landscaped environment with mature trees and gardens providing homelike and natural surroundings.

Although the villa residents have their own independent community room, “they often visit with the hostel residents,” says Iva. “They have high teas together, choirs come in to perform, and they also go on outings together.”

As well as organised social programs the village provides multilingual staff, bus services, regular Mass, an on-site chapel, a psychologist, podiatrist, chemist, hairdresser and pharmacist.

Adria Village also provides special care units for residents with dementia and any other special needs, and has two respite care rooms for short-term care by arrangement.

“Adria Village is located 500 metres from Cooleman Court, and bus services connect it to Woden, Civic, Belconnen and Tuggeranong town centres,” says Iva. “It’s close to everything!”

Adria Village, 89 Fremantle Drive, Stirling, adria.org.au, 6288 0198.

DUFFY

Offering the ‘best coffee in the world’

“PAPUA New Guinea is our nearest neighbour and has probably the best coffee in the world, so we wanted to set something up here with a focus on all the good things that are produced there,” says Theo Levantis, owner of Niugini Arabica in Duffy.

Opened two years ago by Theo and two other coowners, Niugini Arabica is a shopfront cafe that imports and roasts on site coffee beans direct from Papua New Guinean smallholders and village growers, as well as spices, chocolate, cocoa and art pieces.

“All three of us have links to Papua New Guinea and we saw the gap in the market here for PNG products.

People in Australia don’t realise how good their produce

is, so we wanted to give Papua New Guinea a bit of profile,” says Theo.

Niugini Arabica serves light lunches, cakes, cookies, toasted sandwiches and quiches, but the main focus is the coffee.

Having grown up in the area, Weston Creek “feels like home,” says Theo. “There is definitely a focus on being friendly and accessible in the cafe and the staff all have connections somehow. Some have come from Papua New Guinea, and all of us are friends. It helps the way the business works, and how we treat our customers.”

Niugini Arabica Shop 4, Duffy Place, Duffy, 6288 4740.

Established in 1994 by the Canberra and Queanbeyan Croatian community. Created by the many selfless volunteers in admin and construction.

Adria Village was named after the Adriatic sea where it is renowned for its unique landscapes, islands and history.

Adria Village has 36 independent living units and 42 low care, high care and dementia rooms incorporating 2 respite rooms with the very best of care provided by quality trained and caring nurses and care staff.

Come cali-dancing

THE Karilee Calisthenics club was established in 1979 so that the children of Weston Creek could experience the benefits of calisthenics, or cali-dance as it has become known.

Thirty five years later the Weston Creek-based club, that holds rehearsals in local halls, now includes more than 80 cali-dancers across five age groups and more than 10 coaches, and consistently achieves good results in their annual competitions, championships and eisteddfods, says Karilee president Malcolm Robertson.

“Calisthenics is a uniquely Australian sport that started in the goldfields and spread around Australia,” he says. “It became quite strong in Canberra in the ‘70s and ‘80s.”

In competition each calisthenics team must complete five core items: a march, routines with clubs and rods, aesthetics, free exercise, and a fancy item that usually includes singing and dancing.

Fit and healthy and out there

“I WANTED to work for myself and I feel like people can get more from working outdoors to improve their health and fitness levels,” says Laurence Cooke, of PT Norse Style personal training.

Laurence began the mobile personal training service on July 1 after completing a course in personal training.

Laurence meets clients where they are for one-onone and group sessions. He also runs boot camp twice a day, Monday to Friday.

“In the one-on-one sessions, you are there by yourself and nobody is judging you,” says Laurence.

With this range of different dance techniques

“calisthenics has it all,” says Malcolm.

“Calisthenics has the physical benefits of fitness, flexibility, strength, poise and co-ordination, the artistic benefits of appreciating music and rhythm, understanding form and line, and presenting themselves in a beautiful way, and the developmental benefits of working in a team, overcoming stage fright, and increasing confidence and self-esteem.”

The sport is not just for girls either. The club includes boys under 14 in its programs. “It’s a great sport for all ages,” says Malcolm, “there are dancers in their 40s still competing in cali-dance.”

The Karilee Calisthenics club is welcoming newcomers from Weston Creek to register for 2015.

Enquiries to 0408 627685 or karilee.com.au

“They are much more personal than being in a gym, where a lot of people find that they are intimidated by the machines.” More information at ptnorsestyle.com.au or call 0416 400183.

Cali-dance will keep her fit, is great for her development and creates friends for life.

Cali-dance is an artistic team sport that combines the art of dance with the skills of gymnastics and ballet and is performed competitively in theatres.

Canberra’s leading cali-dance club, Karilee Calisthenics, trains in Weston Creek and has vacancies for girls aged 3 to 12 years old to start in its Tinies, Sub Juniors and Juniors teams in 2015. Training starts in Term 1. New families in Coombs and Wright especially welcome!

more information and how to register check our website: www.karilee.com.au

Email karileepresident@gmail.com or ring 0408 627 685

arts & entertainment

Emerging sculptor takes top arts title

THE 2014 CityNews Artist of the Year award has been awarded to sculptor Kensuke Todo.

The 2011 Artist of the Year, Michael Le Grand, presented Todo with the $1000 prize and glass artist Matthew Curtis presented him with a glass sculpture at the ACT Arts Awards ceremony at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

Todo, a rising star on the sculpture scene, told “CityNews” he is “completely thrilled”.

“I have strong personal feelings towards this city. Canberra is where I first arrived in Australia, the city where I studied, where I have worked and where most of my friends are. I have been greatly supported by those friends along the way.

“Looking back at myself when I first came to Australia as an exchange student in 1999 who even didn’t know how to speak English or get around, it is hard to believe that the same person has been chosen for Artist of the Year.

“It is wonderful that my work is acknowledged in my home town here in Canberra.”

“Soft and solid” is how one curator described his steel sculptures, which range from elegant

abstract works to representations of escalators and the Japanese futon or cushion. His work brings face-to-face Japanese spirituality and Westernisation, seen in the sculptures and drawings of his 2014 exhibition “Kensuke Todo: A Survey” at the Drill Hall Gallery.

Born in Kyoto, Todo came to Canberra in 1999 later returning to complete his MA and settling in the ACT, where he is an active participant in the arts scene.

He is busy creating a new work for a show in Cowra, his work “Rest” was recently acquired by the ACT Legislative Assembly and a large abstract work by Todo can be seen outside the Commonwealth Club in Yarralumla.

The awards evening, hosted by the Canberra Critics’ Circle, also featured the Circle’s own arts awards and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s Peer Recognition award.

The 2014 Canberra Critics’ Circle awards went to: visual artists Nicci Haynes, Kensuke Todo, Janet DeBoos, Denise Higgins and Gary Smith, Helen Aitken Kuhnen, Katy Mutton, Annika Harding, and artists Caroline Huf, Ellis Hutch, Blaide Lallemand and Genevieve Swifte, of “Relative Constructions”; filmmakers Sotiris Dounoukos, the creators of the feature film “Galore”; dance artist James Batchelor, theatre artists Domenic Mico, The Street Theatre, Alison Plevey, Karla Conway and Emma Gibson; musical theatre artists Jenna Roberts, Jim McMullen, Steve Walsh and Hanna Ley; musicians Tate Sheridan, Beth Monzo and Ben Drysdale, Alan Hicks, Rowan Harvey Martin, Christopher Latham, Marcela Fiorillo, Larry Sitsky and Tobias Cole; writers Nigel Featherstone, John Clanchy, Omar Musa and “Biff” Ward

The 2014 MEAA Peer Recognition Award went to recently retired ACT branch secretary Michael White for his many years of work supporting the theatre profession.

In the ‘Spirit’ of a light, delicate touch

IN her debut production for REP, Kate Blackhurst takes on one of the most difficult plays in the standard English language repertoire.

Rippling with subtle wit that partly depends on outdated views about class, marriage and ethnicity, “Blithe Spirit” demands a light, delicate touch.

Peter Holland as the husband of two wives (one alive, one dead) brings that lightness to his part, but most of the other characters do not, with the result that the lengthy first half drags ever so slightly and fails to achieve many of the laughs.

The period setting allows a triumph for set designer Andrew Kay and costume designer Anna Senior, apart from a strange lapse that sees the ghostly wife Elvira (the more glamorous wife) dressed in questionable taste

“Blithe Spirit” By Noel Coward, directed by Kate Blackhurst.

At Theatre 3 until December 6. Reviewed by Helen Musa.

and wearing heavy ghostly make up that is entirely superfluous. Stealing all her scenes was Liz St Clair-Long as the weird medium, Madame Arcati, a delicious role of which she made the most.

Emma Wood as the rationalist wife Ruth gives a sharp, focused performance and the youngest member of the cast, Yanina Clifton, plays her role of the unwitting maid/medium with affecting ingenuousness.

The final moments of the play, when the set is quite literally trashed by two warring ghosts, is a coup for the technical team at REP and drew applause for the skill and the humour.

PULSE: Reflections on the body, incorporates the work of 27 Australian artists in an exhibition, a performance program, and a series of floor-talks and public conversations exploring shifts in our understanding of what it is to be human. Until Sun 22 February 2015

The ‘Competition’ heats up

By Helen Musa

PACKED with Canberra talent, the new feel-good, full-length musical, “The Competition”, is to be finally released publicly on December 11.

Finally, because for director and screenwriter Simon Weaving the process of getting together a full-length feature film has been tough.

Scripted in 2009, “The Competition” was shot in 2010 and has been in post-production since, with editor Douglas Kirk working on it two nights a week.

The charismatic Leah Baulch plays aspiring singer Steffie, Andrea Close plays a TV studio executive and comedian Jay Sullivan plays her much-bullied secretary.

Veteran actors Geoff Borny and Tony Turner play the TV show judges, while Jess Brent and Ian Croker play character roles – “you can’t make anything without Ian Croker,” Weaving says, referring to his earlier short film, “Waiting for Robbo”.

“We wanted to be able to make a film with likeable characters,” Weaving says.

“Too many Australian films are about people taking drugs and miserable lives.”

By contrast, “The Competition” is about a reality show that comes to a small town that is home to 52 bands.

It’s been shot in Gunning, where actor Max Cullen lives. “Max helped our location scouts with introductions after they drove through Gunning and noticed a hotel, motel, cafe, garage and hall all lined up for them,” Weaving says, explaining that most of the creatives commuted from Canberra.

Since Weaving arrived in Canberra with his family in 2006 he’s been noticing the amount of talent here, but you can’t make a film without good technical back up. So when he discovered that top cinematographer Richard Michalak had grown up here, he got going.

“Everyone on both sides of the cameras have come from the ACT,” Weaving says, citing musicians Owen Campbell, The Fuelers, Alchemist, Julia & the Deep Sea Sirens and Chanel Cole, a former “Australian Idol” contestant.

Using Canberra musicians and the skills of musical director and guitarist Greg Stott, they’ve had music “donated” to the film under a points

system that will see any dividends paid to those who participated.

Weaving is optimistic; a sales agent, House of Film, has been appointed and the movie has been submitted to the Berlinale’s “Generation” list for 2015. Dendy Cinemas has come on board with a gala opening and a public screening season. He says the wonderful thing is that “everybody who worked on this film has done it for the love of it”.

“The Competition”, Dendy Cinemas, public release December 11, gala screening 6.30pm in Cinema 2, December 3, bookings to dendy.com.au

Feisty Katniss goes back into battle

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” (M)

PITCHED at young adult audiences, the film of Suzanne Collins’ futurist political fantasy pseudo-science-fiction novel basically bored me in the same way as does listening to Tony Abbott and his coterie of ministers. That doesn’t deny that its plot, adapted by Collins and moulded into a screenplay by Peter Craig and Danny Strong, made me think about what underpins its actions and its adaptations of real-life historical events reflected in its writing.

but was reserving judgement until he saw Part 2, due out early next year, which he felt would clarify the issues he had perceived and perhaps surprise supporters of the book.

Watching President Coin addressing the multitude reminded me of Nazi propaganda minister Goebbels whose maxim was, tell a lie often enough and the people will eventually believe it is true.

I reserve judgement on whether I will see “Mockingjay 2”. Parents of under-15s have no such option. The M classification requires one of them to accompany their offspring to see both parts.

member is Genesis’ surviving of savage treatment from the bikie gang led by his brother whose son Mana (James Rolleston, admired for the title role in Robertson’s “Boy”) is approaching a birthday at which time tribal custom requires him to undergo a set of rituals.

Genesis gets the kids at the local school interested in chess. There’s a tournament in Auckland in six weeks. Preparation of the kids from scratch mingles with the conflict between the brothers about who should have guidance rights over Mana.

Three women from one of Australia’s most prominent artistic families exhibit together for the first time. Well loved for her expressive strokes, thick impasto palette and celebratory use of colour, artist Velia Newman is joined by her 12 year olddaughter Brittany and mother Anita for this very unique event.

Frances Lawrence’s direction deals competently enough with places, events and characters. The cast delivers what’s expected of them – often physically demanding but emotionally not all that deep. The locations in a land peopled by two warring political entities, one urban, the other distributed among rural communities, look as one might expect after a shattering war.

At all cinemas

“The Dark Horse” (M)

To join us for a summer evening of drinks and nibbles and a chance to meet the artists please RSVP by December 3.

Jennifer Lawrence once again plays Katniss Everdeen, the feisty heroine whom the coalition of rural communities perceives as a saviour fit to wear the mockingjay brooch as she leads revolutionaries into battle. Katniss accepts the gig not for any deep sense of patriotism but because she wants to rescue Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) languishing in the capital where President Snow (Donald Sutherland) has had his brain scrambled to persuade him to go on TV and exhort the revolutionaries to give up.

Katniss takes the gig at the behest of President Coin (Julianne Moore) on the advice of military adviser Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died a week before shooting on Mockingjay 2 was due to end).

I asked three youngsters how they felt about Mockingjay 1 and why. The two girls liked it because they enjoyed reading the book. The young man also enjoyed it

REMEMBER “Once Were Warriors” (1994)? Or “Boy” (2010)? When Kiwi filmmakers get their creative teeth into a tough topic, the result can be, often is, a shattering experience for filmgoers. Chess as a spectator sport ? You’d better believe it.

James Napier Robertson’s film begins with Genesis Potini walking aimlessly in the rain. Seeing a chessboard and pieces in a curio shop, he wanders in to satisfy his curiosity. And rapidly turns the pieces into a quick-fire game that might make us wonder about the intellectual handicaps burdening a man fresh out of a mental institution, needing daily medication. We may wonder but need not worry. Gentle giant Genesis is a whizz at shakh-mat (in Persian, “the king is dead”), in modern English checkmate, “you lose the game”.

Beside chess, the film’s other structural

A scruffy group of Maori kids arrives to compete against middle-class white players. The outcome of that is not predictable. Indeed, nor is anything else in the film. Robertson’s staging of it delivers a collection of tensions more than equalling those in films dealing with other, more physical, sports.

Genesis died in 2011. Maori actor Cliff Curtis plays him in a tour de force portrayal. The school chess club that he helped create still meets. Robertson’s film will immortalise him far beyond that.

At Palace Electric and Capitol 6

Snapper on the Lake... recently refurbished and renamed – and buzzing.

Super ‘chippie’ by the lake

THE sailboats were out. The seagulls were having fun. The kids were bopping about and the live music was great.

It was all happening on a very warm Saturday afternoon on the lawns of Snapper on the Lake, Canberra Yacht Club, Yarralumla.

This recently refurbished, renamed “fish and chippie” was buzzing, including to the tunes of Canberra’s cool Chicago Charlie.

The menu is dead simple. From the sea comes crumbed snapper and chips (only $12), fresh fish and chips ($12), calamari and chips ($10), crumbed prawn cutlets and chips ($10), and a fish burger and chips ($12). Note, you’re likely not to escape chips with meals but, then, this is a “chippie” place.

We were told no grilled fish

arts in the city

I’ll be back because Snapper is a super place to hang out on the weekend. The view is free, by the way.

is available (only batter or crumbed), which was a shame. You can, however, pop upstairs to the snack bar and order something from there.

If fish and chips aren’t your thing, Snapper has a chicken schnitzel burger (with chips, of course) for $12 and three salads – garden, Caesar and smoked chicken and avocado ($6 to $14). Kids are well taken care of with two meals, both at $8.

We opted to share the fish pack for two and a salad. Was it the best fish I’ve had in my life?

No, but it was agreeable and I’ll be back because Snapper is a super place to hang out on the weekend. The view is free, by the way.

Snapper is licensed with a few beers available ($4 to $7) and a sauv blanc and riesling for whites and a shiraz and pinot noir for reds (all $6 a glass, but not exactly top-of-the-line labels). One sparkling is available ($8 a glass). Again, if what’s

on hand doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can pop upstairs to the bar for a more extensive list of options.

A sweets selection, juices and ice creams are available. Also, Lonsdale Street Roasters has created an exclusive coffee blend for the Canberra Southern Cross Club kitchens called “The Griffin Blend”. My friend reported his cup was pretty darn good.

The free live music changes but is on Saturday, noon-3pm, and Sunday, 3pm-6pm. Chicago Charlie, by the way, has been a professional musician for the past 15 years. He relocated to the capital from Chicago six years ago and appears regularly in pubs, bars and clubs.

Snapper, open seven days, 8am-8pm. No reservations necessary. Canberra Yacht Club, call 6273 7177.

Mirth and fun at silly Dirty Dick’s

FOR silliness washed down with a pint of ale and a slab of roast beef, Dirty Dick’s is the place. Comedy sketches, witty songs, hysterical antics and interactive performance are part of the “medieval mirth”. At Erindale Vikings, 8 Ricardo Street, Wanniassa, 6.30pm to 10.30 pm, November 29 and December 6 and 13, bookings to 6121 2131.

PRUDENT poet and jazz-lover

Geoff Page is urging a visit to “Jazz in Concert at The Gods” at the ANU Arts Centre on Tuesday, December 2, featuring James Greening’s Magnificent Seven. Dinner at 6.30; music at 8pm, bookings to 6248 5538 or email thegodscafe@gmail.com

NINA Stevenson’s company

Pied Piper is staging a 50 minute pre-Christmas show performed by children aged 6-14 at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, Manuka, 10am, November 27; 6pm, November 28 and 3pm, November 29. Tickets, $5, at the door.

Helen Musa reports

WE told you: Artsound, Bilk Gallery, Canberra Glassworks, CCAS Manuka, GAD, M16 Artspace, Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, PhotoAccess and East Hotel – the Inner South Arts Hub – are turning on “Art After Dark” launch events on December 5 and December 6. Aside from Christmas drinks, there’ll be odd phenomena such as a drag queen performance by Queen of the Night at Bilk Gallery. Details at innersouthartshub.tumblr.com

THE National Film and Sound Archive is celebrating the International Day of People with Disability with a free film festival from 6pm on Wednesday, December 3. Each film has been made by or about people living with disability and the line-up includes docos, comedy and even horror. The event includes drinks, canapés and live entertainment, but

bookings are essential to nfsa.gov.au or 6248 2000.

CANBERRA artist Sharon Peoples has a collection of new machine embroideries in black thread, said to be typical of C19 Spanish lace, showing at Karen O’Clery’s Narek Galleries in the old church, 1140 Tathra Bermagui Road, Tanja, until January 5.

BRINDABELLA Orchestra, conducted by Rosalie Hannink, will be performing English folk songs by Vaughan Williams, Coriolan Overture by Beethoven, selections from Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 and light classical music in its final concert for 2014 in Queanbeyan Uniting Church, Rutledge Street, 2pm, on Sunday, November 30. Entry by donation of $5.

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

8338

Creating Sustainable Gardens

Glenbog Nursery and Landscaping

The Canberra region’s largest range of locally-grown plants – grown on site for local conditions.

• growers of drought tolerant and frost resistant plants

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NURSERY OPEN: 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm Weekends

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glenbog@skymesh.com.au Like us on Facebook

We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow

gardening The scary truth of passionfruit

IF your passionfruit vine is growing vigorously, has beautiful flowers yet produces no fruit, you are almost certainly growing an environmental weed that has the potential to take over not only your own garden but your neighbour’s as well.

It easily escapes from gardens bordering bushland through its suckering habit and it’s time the ACT government took action to include it on the environmental weeds list.

The most popular variety of passionfruit is Nellie Kelly, grown by Kelly’s Nursery in Victoria, and is considered the best variety for Canberra.

It is a grafted passionfruit on to wild passionfruit rootstock but if the grafted top part dies the wild rootstock will take over – and I mean take over – spreading rapidly through the garden and everywhere else!

The fruiting Nellie Kelly passionfruit has a large, glossy leaf, but the wild rootstock has (as illustrated here) a five-fingered dull green leaf. It may still have amazing flowers but these do not produce fruit.

Once the wild rootstock gets a hold it is almost impossible to eradi -

cate as hundreds of suckers spread easily to all parts of the garden. It can develop a trunk as thick as a human wrist and I have seen it grow to the top of gum trees.

Cutting the main stem and treating it with undiluted glyphosate will not stop subsequent suckers growing.

Jottings…

• Remove all winter crops in the veggie garden such as broad beans after harvesting.

• Hopefully there will be no more frosts, so get on with planting/ sowing silverbeet, sweet corn, cucumber and tomatoes.

TO win a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show in the UK is quite something. But for an Australian team, under Phillip Johnson, to win the Best in Show award last year was amazing. For the last few years

Fleming’s Nurseries, of Victoria, has sponsored aspiring garden design -

ers at the world’s greatest flower show, Chelsea, and have previously won gold medals.

Inevitably Phillip has become an international name in garden design and, unsurprisingly, his first book has followed. Titled “Connected” (Murdoch Books, rrp $59.95), it is an inspiration to all new garden designers or those who want to design their own garden.

“In this day and age we are becoming more and more detached from nature,” he writes.

“We’ve forgotten how healing it is to be surrounded by beauty. Connecting with the earth is one of the most invigorating and energising things you can do”.

His gardens range from small suburban gardens to large rural properties and this book, with great photography and watercolour drawings of plans, is one of the best on the subject I have seen.

• Unlike most other plants, when planting tomatoes, bury it halfway up the stem. Those tiny hairs will all put out roots for a stronger plant.

• Plant citrus trees either in the garden or in containers (hints at cedricbryant.com, click on ‘Cedfacts’).

• Lightly trim all evergreen shrubs after flowering. Not more than one third off at any time, particularly important with Australian plants.

• Continue to feed all plants with organic plant nutrients. Apply to the drip line and keep away from the trunk/stem of the plant.

• If you see evidence of pear and cherry tree slug, a nonchemical fix is to throw fine sand all over the tree. The slugs stick to the sand and fall off.

puzzles page

Joanne Madeline Moore

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

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Have you been feeling restricted? This week the winds of change sweep through your horoscope as Uranian energy gets things moving in a positive new direction. It’s time to be innovative and inventive, do your own thing in your highly individual way. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Bette Midler (born on December 1, 1945): “Things are constantly changing. Life is nothing but change.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Is your financial situation less than fabulous? Money matters get a welcome boost this week as Jupiter sends a lucky opportunity your way, and then the Full Moon consolidates it. There’s one catch though – Bulls can be very self-indulgent so avoid going on a spontaneous spending spree, as you’re liable to make decisions based purely on your emotions (which are fluctuating under the full moonbeams).

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Physical and mental energy is high, culminating in Saturday’s full moonbeams firing up your sign. The more you combine your creative talents (via partnerships and joint ventures) the more stimulating the week will be. Attached Twins - reboot a long-term relationship with a romantic rendezvous. Single Geminis –don’t sit around waiting for your soul mate to magically appear. Be proactive.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Don’t be too cautious. The Sun/Uranus trine encourages you to venture outside your Crab cave as you explore and experiment (especially at work). If you connect with like-minded souls, the sky’s the limit. Full Moon energy prompts you to behave in mysterious or secretive ways over the weekend. Issues from the past could arise, as you reminisce about an old relationship or tackle an unresolved issue.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

You long to be Top Cat, and are brimming over with confident plans and schemes. It’s a wonderful week to do something totally unexpected as Uranus unleashes the adventurous Lion within, and the Full Moon energises your eccentricity zone. So take a trip, explore, experiment and grab life enthusiastically with both paws! Think outside the box. The more unconventional you are, the more creative you’ll feel.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

The week starts slowly when you find yourself lost in a foggy and confusing landscape, and misunderstandings abound. Don’t worry Virgo! Give yourself permission to indulge in some delicious daydreams. By the time the weekend comes around, your marvellous mind is firing again as the Mercury/Uranus trine sparks curiosity and helps you come up with innovative ideas and conversation.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

It’s time to expand your world via travel, study, new friendships and international contacts. You’re keen to link up with like-minded people (especially via social media), for some lucky singles, love is waiting online. Librans prefer things to run efficiently and smoothly but there’s unpredictable Full Moon energy about on the weekend, so drop the perfectly planned schedule and take things as they come.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The Venus/Jupiter trine sends fabulous financial, professional or relationship opportunities your way. It’s time to boost your Scorpio self-esteem so you have the confidence to capitalise on these lucky breaks. The Full Moon focuses on the resources that you share with others. Whether it’s money, possessions, property or intimacy; joint endeavours need to be closely examined and reassessed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This week’s stars illuminate your inner teacher/mentor/coach. So don’t underestimate/undervalue your ability to encourage others to achieve their personal best. Your motto for the moment is from fellow Sagittarian (and birthday great) Walt Disney: “I think of myself as a little bee. I go from one area of the Studio to another and gather pollen and sort of stimulate everybody. I guess that’s the job I do”.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

The week starts well as Mars and Saturn help you power through projects with plenty of enthusiasm and a practical plan. Don’t waste a precious minute! The combination of energy and endurance is a winning double. But as the week progresses, avoid being uncharacteristically rash with cash and credit. Is it time to contribute your considerable Capricorn talents to a local group, club or organisation?

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Later in the week manic Mars charges into your sign (where it stays until January 12) so it’s time to be crazy brave, as you take a calculated risk on an ambitious personal project. Don’t try and do it all on your own though. The more you involve others (from family and friends to work colleagues and social media contacts) the more your embryonic plans will blossom and grow in exciting and unexpected ways!

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Artistic inspiration is high early in the week but don’t waste time daydreaming – turn creative ideas into a tangible form. Strive to be creative, compassionate and only slightly chaotic. But unless you concentrate closely, you’re likely to misconstrue what someone says. With Venus visiting your career zone (until December 10) show work colleagues plenty of kindness, generosity and support.

Across

4 What, in grammar, is a derived noun form of verbs?

7 One who gives attention with the ear, is a what?

8 Name the unit of electric current

9 What is a course of aggressive activities for some special purpose?

11 Name the Greek epic poem, ascribed to Homer

13 What is a hinged, movable flap of an aeroplane wing?

15 In which month does Labour Day take place in NSW, ACT, and SA?

17 Without beginning or end is considered what?

20 What is another term for a shipwrecked person?

23 Who was one of Cleopatra’s gentleman friends?

24 Which term describes gluttons or sybarites?

25 What are facial growths of hair?

Down

1 Name the capital of Peru

2 What is an extensive plain, especially one without trees?

3 One who is opposed to a particular practice, etc, is considered as what?

4 What is a colloquial expression for a thousand dollars?

5 What is a less familiar term for a meal?

6 That which relates to Norway is referred to as what?

9 Who wrote “For the Term of His Natural Life”, Marcus ...?

10 Which narrow boat is used on the Venetian canals?

12 Which other term is descriptive of that which occurs annually?

14 Who was the only swimmer to win gold in three successive Olympic Games, Dawn ...?

16 That which is impenetrable to light is said to be what?

18 To deal in something, is to do what?

19 Which imperial land measurements equal 160 perches?

21 Which part of the skeleton is the metacarpal bone?

22 Name an association of clubs dedicated to community service

“I have been offered $200,000 to $250,000,” she said.

“The business will become part of a group, I am told they are buying up businesses throughout Australia.

“They are paying high prices because they want the best possible businesses. They will take over employee entitlements and I will stay on part time for two years at a salary that will be determined based on the figures.”

I said: “Well, that does sound like a good offer, but I must give you some advice, particularly in relation to what has happened in other industries, including accounting, when people, often from overseas, come in and buy up lots of businesses in the same industry.

“Earlier this week I received some emails advising me that a certain group is buying up accounting practices. It seems that it is organised through a series of companies and is led by someone who was banned from operating in NZ.

“Not only that, but a former colleague of mine in another city sold his practice to that or a similar group. It was all very hushhush. Now some months later my colleague has not been paid the amount that was contracted because the group is having ‘cashflow’ problems.

“They just need to sell something so he can be paid, he has been told. His former clients are really upset and he is doing their work privately without access to their files. It is a mess.”

“Oh, dear,” Jade said. “I didn’t realise that something like that could happen.”

I advised her that when the final prices are agreed, her solicitor and I should meet to work out the best protection mechanisms for her.

“I would suggest that our due diligence should include confirming who the potential purchasers really are and to look at their structure.” I said.

“You need to confirm with your solicitor that the agreement is watertight and that your interests are clearly stated. You must be able to withdraw from the contract if it is not in your best interests.

“In order to ensure that you actually do get paid, I would recommend that you get the lion’s share of the sale price up front with only a small amount being held as retention and this should be held in the solicitor’s trust account and paid on completion in accordance with the solicitor’s calculations.

“This is so that you know the funds exist. If they cannot do this, I would recommend that you walk away from the purchase.”

Jade said: “Thank you so much, Gail. I hadn’t thought of this as a possibility. I will be back with the proposed contract.”

If you need help with any business matter, including taxation and selling your business, contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.

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