Labor’s outrageous attack on planning
MICHAEL MOORE
The Fluffy question for Mr Barr
MARK PARTON
Ungovernable? You bet we are!
JOHN GRIFFITHS
So it’s goodbye to privacy
SONYA FLADUN
Perennials perennially hit the spot
CEDRIC BRYANT
www.nationalpatios.com.au
By Lorna Morris
JENNA Douros is happiest when she’s working on her health and fitness, and she wants others to embrace the lifestyle and have fun as well.
The Jerrabomberra personal trainer, who has also worked in the public service for 11 years, took the top prize for women against thousands at Australia’s top fitness competition, the F45 Playoffs, at Manly Beach this month.
In 30C heat, Jenna tackled the F45 “house of pain” that included 10 different stations going for a 10-minute, non-stop body burning test that had some of Australia’s strongest and fittest collapse with exhaustion.
Jenna says: “I love high-intensity interval training and getting my heart rate up, that’s why the F45 was the perfect goal for me.
“I was so excited to be the fittest woman there, I push myself to the absolute limit”.
One year ago, Jenna created “Lift into Life”, an online community of like-minded women who are dedicated to the pursuit of a strong mind and body. With about 30,000 women interacting from around the globe, Jenna posts workout videos, advice and encourages them to get involved in fitness.
“It’s really fantastic, everyone supports each other. I love to be able to help so many women all over the world, not just in Australia.
“I always wanted to help women especially. I don’t aim to make money from this, it is my passion that drives me” she says.
The 30-year-old says that she was always sporty and active as a child and her exercise background
was very cardio based. It wasn’t until her husband convinced her to train with him that she noticed quick results.
“My husband does strength training, highintensity interval training and lifts very heavy weights,” she says.
“After a week of training, I loved it and saw my body transform in months.”
Jenna also values the importance of a healthy diet along with regular exercise and says a diet of clean, healthy and frequent meals are essential in order to keep your metabolism going.
“I am only human so I like to treat myself on weekends, but I have a routine diet from Monday to Friday,” she says.
“I eat a lot of chicken, salmon, spinach and greens. I am addicted to fruit smoothies, too.
“These foods keep my metabolism going and because I exercise so often, I need to keep up my energy, it is very important”.
Jenna, who is training for the world titles in California in July also hopes to develop an online gym and she advises beginners to take it easy when starting out with high-intensity interval training.
“It is very much trial and error and finding a good balance,” she says.
“You don’t have to listen to other people, test out the waters and see how your body reacts. Just embrace it and have fun.
“Healthy living is my priority, I would love to live a long and healthy life and this helps me do that and be happy at the same time. I am in my element.”
For tips and inspiration follow Jenna on Facebook at Jenna Douros - Lift into Life or visit liftintolife.com
THE Abode Hotel in Woden will become a home away from home for families of patients receiving care at nearby Canberra Hospital with the donation of a two-bedroom family room that can accommodate up to four people for extended stays.
In a partnership with the Canberra Hospital Foundation, the managing director of Geocon and Abode Hotels, Nick Georgalis, has handed over the room to the foundation in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Health Minister Simon Corbell.
“There is arguably nothing more stressful than having a loved one in hospital and we look forward to welcoming many guests who unfortunately find themselves in this difficult position and hope to relieve some of that stress,” Mr Georgalis said.
“This is one way in which we can help our community by assisting those visiting loved ones who are sick and in hospital and away from home.”
The Canberra Hospital Foundation supports families that find themselves away from home while they support a loved one receiving treatment, including through providing accommodation.
Green Army round three applications is open now until March 17th 2015
Campbell Page/Skillset are an approved Service Provider through the Department of Environment under the Green Army Programme.
We currently service a wide range of community groups and Local Government throughout Queensland, New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory in a wide variety of Green Army Projects that include but are not limited to:
• Waterway work
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• Environmental control
Campbell Page/Skillset would like to hear from your community group about your community project ideas!
Our team of professionals have extensive experience in conservation and the environment as well as project management and can assist your group in drafting your project ideas and advise on the formal submission process.
To take advantage of our expertise, please contact one of our team members for further information:
Scott Moore, QLD – 0437 689 447
Troy Armstrong, NSW/ACT – 0458 721 961
John Fry, NSW/ACT – 0429 469 476
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by Ian Meikle, Level 1, 143 London Circuit, Canberra.
Both major parties voted themselves millions of our dollars and unlimited donations from influence pedlars, just so they could tell us what awful scoundrels their opponents are. seven days
WHEN Malcolm Fraser came to power all those years ago, his first mission, he said, was to get politics off the front page. The past week makes you wish it had never returned.
Here in the Legislative Assembly we had a very nasty debate about Education Minister Joy Burch who might have made the unforgiveable sin of helping her troubled son to get back on to the straight and narrow.
We had the Chief Minister Andrew Barr crowing about the $60 million the Feds were coughing up for the sale of our assets so he could spend it on the Northbourne tram that most of us think could be better deployed elsewhere.
We had the Heritage Council going in to bat for a monument to bad taste – Northbourne’s falling down Owen Flats – and Mr Barr’s angry response, fuelled no doubt by his vision for that light rail corridor.
And to cap it off, we had the prospect of both major parties wallowing in election cash like Scrooge McDuck They voted themselves millions of our dollars and unlimited donations from influence pedlars, just so they could tell us what awful scoundrels their opponents are.
THE feds were worse! They began the week amusingly enough with Malcolm Turnbull using “Q&A” as a job application for The Lodge. One couldn’t resist the vision of Tony Abbott searching madly for a baseball bat to demolish his TV set.
But it was all downhill from there.
The PM’s decision to link pleas for clemency for the Australian drug couriers facing the firing squad backfired. The Indonesians countered that “no one responds well to threats”, which seemed to seal their fate. In fact there never was much hope for a reprieve. Indonesia would then have been faced with irresistible pressure from France, Brazil, Nigeria, Britain, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Netherlands, India and South Africa, all of whom have drug runners on death row.
Health Minister Susan Ley rebadged
the GP co-payment as a “value signal”, which went down with the Senate cross-benchers like the proverbial lead balloon.
Then Treasurer Joe Hockey lectured us on the horrors of the “Intergenerational Report” showing how we’re dudding our descendants – this from a government that treats climate change science as “crap”.
And poor Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson had to apologise to his 20,000 staff for his niggardly wage offer!
HAPPILY, sport did make its return to the headlines with the hugely colourful World Cup cricket match at Manuka Oval. But even that was spoiled by the presence of betting cheats who had to be escorted from the ground. And surely it’s about time we built more
parking space for such occasions.
AMAZING news from a big travel-guide company that Brisbane now outranks Sydney among the “most beautiful” cities in the world. As a native of our northern capital, I would never have put “Brisbane” and “beautiful” in the same sentence. However, that was before it saw the river in a positive light – in earlier days people built their houses facing away from it. But even now, I reckon, Canberra would beat it hands down in the beauty stakes. Obviously, we weren’t included in the survey.
robert@robertmacklin.com
the sale, meet the stars!
the stars of Home and Away and Skyfire’s headline band, Masketta Fall!
March 13, 4pm – 5pm in Centre Court.
• Big blocks from 810m to 1242m
• Prices from $270,000 to $310,000
• Share our Village lifestyle while enjoying our urban amenities.
• No building time limits (secure your block now and build whenever you like)
• Walking distance to existing village shops
• Adjacent to the new village centre with a wide range of facilities including child care
• Established community with recreational facilities
• Open between 12 and 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
THE latest in a series of government announcements seems to sideline the intent of the ACT planning and leasehold systems by flagrantly by-passing normal planning practices.
The result is to allow short-term economic imperatives to outweigh the long-term interests of the ACT.
Who is Canberra’s planning minister? An invitation to meet the planners at Woden and Southlands to discuss development would suggest Mick Gentleman. However, announcements by the government about the University of Canberra, the light rail and heritage in Northbourne Avenue suggest that the traditional planning protections are being ripped from his hands.
Gentleman’s role is to keep in mind the long-term interests of the Territory. The challenge for him is whether he is allowed to get on with the job or be overridden by Cabinet or the Chief Minister.
On the one hand, the Minister is making an effort on broad consultation and involving the community as indicated in one of his press releases. On the other, in an outrageous attack on the Territory’s planning, leasehold and economic sustainability, the University of Canberra is being given a free hand by the ACT government to commercialise its land.
Are planning restrictions being lifted? What is being done to protect the leasehold system? Even a deserving organisation ought not to breach the broad community interest.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the University of Canberra Amendment Bill 2015, amongst other things, would allow the university to develop additional sources of income, for example from commercialising property and developing its campus.
In introducing the Bill, he indicated that this is just the start.
“This Bill will be the first in a suite of legislative amendments planned over the next six months to enable wider uses and greater development of the Bruce campus, including more commercial development of university property,” he said.
The lease of this gigantic parcel of land was not assigned to the university to develop. It was provided at very low cost for its use as a university.
Allowing the lease to be used for commercial purposes increases its value astronomically. Under our leasehold
What if the researchers conclude that there is no risk to residents… What the hell do we do then?”
asks MARK PARTON
WE all know that our government is proceeding with the Mr Fluffy buyback scheme and I acknowledge being one of the commentators fiercely urging it to take action. Around town are the fenced houses with big Xs painted on them ready to come down. Many Fluffy owners are happy with the scheme, pleased to move on. Many are not.
In an outrageous attack on the Territory’s planning leasehold and economic sustainability, UC is being given a free hand by the ACT government to commercialise its land.
system the increased value of the land belongs with the community – not with the University of Canberra.
This legislation also puts the planners on the back foot. The development is primarily in the financial interests of the university rather than fitting into the overarching intention of planning. If planners had determined the area was appropriate for development then less land should have been leased at to the university in the first place. The leftover leases could have then been sold at commercial rates.
It is not too late. If the planners have now determined that there is an increased need for development in the Bruce precinct, they do have the option of allowing development. However, the windfall gain belongs with the community as a whole. The difference in the value of a community lease should be calculated. It should then be compared to the value of the land as a commercial lease. The difference in value should go into consolidated revenue.
This type of abuse of the leasehold system is not new. Attempts to undermine it have been going on since before self-government. The 1980s Uniting Church development on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Barry Drive should have taught us to protect the community interest.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Canberra.
Fluffy owners Rod Calvert and wife Leslie have lived most of their lives in a cherished house on a double block at Farrer, building their home into what it is today; they love their gardens, their house and their chook yard. They never want to leave it. Kitty Read, at Hackett, is in a similar position. She’s lived most of her life in her Fluffy house. The children grew up there. They’ve all moved out and her husband has passed away. That house is her spiritual home. Kitty and the Calverts are in the last quarter of their lives. They’re willing to take the risk, if any, of living the rest of it in their homes.
The question I have for Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the government concerns the recently announced study into the risk of living in a Fluffy house.
It will be the first detailed longterm study into the risks of living in houses contaminated with Mr Fluffy asbestos. We’re spending more than $400,000 over two years with the ANU’s National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.
The team will also estimate exposure levels for former and current residents of Mr Fluffy properties and the risk of developing mesothelioma. What if, after two years, the researchers conclude that there is no risk to residents who lived in the Mr Fluffy homes?
What the hell do we do then? Do we go back to the Calverts and say: “So sorry, Rod and Leslie. So sorry for bulldozing all of your memories and building a bunch of units in their place.”
Perhaps we could acquire those units back, bulldoze them and build a replica house and gardens to move the Calverts back in!
In all seriousness, if we’re undertaking this study, does it not allow the government to give a “stay in proceedings” of two years for those older residents who don’t want to go?
How absurd will this whole scenario be if the study finds there is no risk.
Ungovernable – not capable of being governed, guided, or restrained”
– Merriam-Webster
WHEN one is a young man (and, sadly, it is most often men) of intelligence considered gifted by our education system, it is easy to assume that everyone else is wrong.
In a peer group of no more than a couple of hundred it is not entirely unusual to know more than everyone else.
And thus is born the mindset of the Young Liberal. A mindset then nurtured by the ghost of Winston Churchill who saved the world by being right when everyone else was wrong.
The problem being that all those bright young boys in Australian schools are not Winston Churchill circa 1940. They’re not the last flowering of a globe-spanning empire with years of experience in the real world, they have not been hardened in war and they have not been raised at the very height of a global aristocracy.
Winston was damn lucky to be Winston and his want-to-be imitators aren’t remotely close.
Which brings us to the alarmed masses of pundits and politicians wittering that Australia is in danger of becoming ungovernable.
Parties that lie about their policies at elections get turfed out the next time we get to vote. Somehow this is a failing of the electorate, we have been led to believe in recent weeks.
For a moment let us drop the slipper into Labor. The idea that one could massively overhaul education funding ala Gonski, move disability into a golden era and put every house on a continent into a government high-speed internet scheme, while engaged in countercyclical pump-priming and remotely balance the books was delusional.
But returning our attention to the Liberal Government (because they get the VIP jet flights right now), Tony Abbott was elected on a very specific and direct promise of not being Kevin or Julia and having no intention to mess with the rest of the Australian social contract. To then scrap billions of dollars in taxes on the big end of town (mining and carbon) and rock up on Budget night telling us that fiscal responsibility would entail gouging benefits from the most vulnerable in society is to go cruising for a bruising.
It’s not that you haven’t sold the message well. It’s not that we the people are too thick to get the message. The problem is that we understand exactly what you’re doing and we’re not having a bar of it.
Here in the ACT, local Liberals bellyache endlessly that the idiot voters of Canberra aren’t interested in their policies.
This forgets that the ACT has one of the highest average levels of education in the world. Market-tested slogans aren’t enough. We’d like peer-reviewed research from significant samples, thank you very much. It doesn’t matter how smart you were in high school, or even at Sydney Uni’s Law School. This teeming world of billions is a beast so complicated no human being can understand all of it.
The political class are complaining that an ever more connected and educated society is “not capable of being governed, guided, or restrained,” by them.
This could be the most exciting news we’ve ever had.
John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au
Engineers have a saying: “Better, faster, cheaper. Pick any two.” Government is about choices.
I USED to consider privacy was a basic human right, something essential and non-negotiable. That was before I became a parent.
Before children, going home and shutting the door at the end of the day meant peace, quiet and privacy. My husband and I could go off to our various spots to take time out and de-stress, something that seemed vital in our busy working lives. But all that came to an abrupt end with parenthood.
As a very anxious first-time mum, I never stopped worrying about our baby boy and couldn’t leave him alone for a minute. One consequence, among many, was the end of extended, relaxing showers.
Worried I wouldn’t hear his cries above the sound of the shower, I got into the habit of putting him into the pram and wheeling him into the bathroom.
By the time our daughter was born, some three and a bit years later, I was less anxious and quite happy to have a few minutes of peace under the calming stream of the shower. However, by that time, my very sociable three-year-old boy was mobile, hated to be on his own for any length of time, had no concept of privacy and a compulsion to open shut doors or bang on them until someone else did!
In the years that have followed privacy and personal space are concepts long forgotten with two happy, curious and very talkative children shadowing our every step around the house.
It’s a rare moment when one is alone. Even sitting on the loo brings no respite. Indeed, both children have long seen what should be a final refuge as a place where
they can get my undivided attention (be it through a closed door now) as they tell me what they did at school or whatever else is in their minds, sing me songs, recite haiku or get me to help them with their homework. Only late at night, when the kids are asleep, is there any true peace or real privacy. That’s the time for adult conversations and late-night viewing that can move to something other than the Disney Channel. Sadly, by then my husband and I are usually too tired to really enjoy those moments and usually just head off to bed.
For a while I’ve wondered if I need to draw a clear line in the sand to teach the kids about the importance of respecting other people’s space, especially mine!
However, recently I have noticed a slight turning of the tide. My son, now a rapidly growing tween, has suddenly discovered his own need for privacy. He locks the door to the bathroom and spends an inordinately long time in there much to the chagrin of his eight-yearold sister. He bans uninvited guests from his bedroom, puts up “do not enter” signs and asks people to respect his personal space, give him some “alone time” and “not disturb his calm”. I have assured him I get that, I really do...
By Tim Gavel
WHEN 16-year-old Lochie Hinds reached Dover after successfully completing the English Channel swim in 2012 he had been in the water for almost 12 1/2 hours and the water temperature was just 12C.
Most of us couldn’t even contemplate beginning such a swim and even those who train in the pool on a daily basis don’t understand the sheer challenge of this most difficult openwater swim.
In becoming the youngest Australian male to complete the world’s most prestigious openwater swim, Lochie sagely pointed out: “It’s a mind game, it’s all about beating yourself”.
In passing, he also mentioned that each swim costs about $25,000 to undertake given the support staff required.
This is what awaits 17-year-old Telopea Swim Club member, Ben Freeman, as he prepares for a crossing attempt in August. There is much to contemplate before attempting the 34km journey.
Much of it has to do with preparing your body for everything the Channel has in store.
Ben is anticipating the water temperature to be around 15C-16C, but as Lochie found out, it has the capacity to be much colder.
The sight of an ageless Des Renford completing many of his 19 successful crossings of the Channel covered in oil and fat to ward off the
cold water is indicative enough of the perils of competing in this gruelling open-water swim. With wetsuits banned, it is left to the individual to decide how to best combat the cold. By his own admission Ben says he will need to put on weight, which isn’t easy in heavy training. He is also contemplating training in Lake Burley Griffin in the winter; the mere thought of which is difficult to anticipate. There is also the possibility of training in the uncovered Phillip pool.
Hypothermia is a big problem for many Channel swimmers with the sheer cold accounting for the high failure rate. Beyond that, there’s the jellyfish, the tides and the weather to think about. But young Ben has prepared well and has competed in many open-water swims including, most recently, the Hong Kong Clean Half 15-kilometre extreme marathon swim. In this event he won the men’s solo event and his sister, Jemma, took out the women’s title.
The difference between Hong Kong and the English Channel, other than the obvious difference in distance, is that the Channel is a busy shipping lane. This single issue resulted in the French banning swimmers from crossing from Dover to Calais many years ago.
And as Lochie Hinds pointed out, once you have done the training it becomes a mind game. Good luck to Ben. Canberra will be supporting you along the way.
By Catherine Carter
IN less than a decade, a forgotten corner of Canberra’s CBD has become one of Australia’s most memorable new neighbourhoods. The transformation of NewActon from windswept to wonderful serves as a reminder that change can happen – and it can happen relatively quickly.
Urban renewal is vital to the future of Canberra’s economic and social wellbeing, which is why the ACT Government has made it a priority for 2015. Unfortunately, urban decay is fast becoming a feature of our city centre. The office vacancy rate across Canberra increased from 13.6 per cent to 15.4 per cent over the last six months making it the second highest
rate of any capital city and the highest office vacancy rate on record.
Urban renewal is our only option with public-sector projects such as a convention centre, football stadium and aquatic centre acting as incentives for further private-sector investment.
At the same time, many of our obsolete office buildings can be converted into new apartments, student accommodation or hotels – but we need the incentives and the policy settings to make this happen. Places such as NewActon show we can create memorable neighbourhoods – but we need more of them.
Catherine Carter is ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia.
By Lorna Morris
NATALIE Stirling is on the front line helping mistreated or unwanted greyhounds in Canberra.
The Bonner dental hygienist is a volunteer with Greyhound Rescue, a not-for-profit charity that re-homes greyhounds that have finished a career in racing or have failed to start one.
“Greyhounds tend to have a bad image, some people see them as aggressive but they are extremely friendly,” she says.
“They’re easy to look after, don’t take up much space and love snuggling up on the sofa.
“They usually race until they are two years old and if they are not making money any more they are euthanised. It’s a really big problem.
“The charity picks up the dogs from the pound and looks after them until they’re fostered and then re-homed” she says.
Established in 2009 by a Sydney couple who had worked in dog rescue for many years, Greyhound Rescue looks out for the misunderstood dogs
across NSW and the ACT.
According to Jane Duckworth’s book “Not Every Dog Has His Day”, 24,000 greyhounds are born annually in Australia, less than 13,000 are actually registered, meaning that almost 12,000 “go missing”.
There is a suspicion that
thousands of pups are being killed because they might fail to come up to racing standard.
Through its website, Greyhound Rescue says it has rehomed 200 greyhounds in the past five years, 70 of which were in Canberra.
Natalie, who has been a vol-
this is important because most racing greyhounds have lived their lives in small kennels.
“Before they can move to a new home, they need to get used to everyday home life. We have volunteers across Canberra who fundraise and foster greyhounds. If someone wants to adopt one, they fill in a form which gets sent to Sydney. A local volunteer will then perform a house check to see if they are suitable”.
Natalie helps to organise fundraising events such as market stalls, sausage sizzles and cake sales, and all proceeds go towards the charity for vet bills, food and anything else the greyhounds need before they are re-homed.
“I enjoy volunteer work and helping to raise money for the charity,” says Natalie.
IN A local first, health and fitness expert Lee Campbell has designed an obstacle course to challenge participants with up to 30 natural and man-made obstacles spread over 15km. He called the event “The Bravest” and a portion of the $150 registration fee will be donated to the charity partner, the Heart Foundation ACT. Open to people over the age of 16, it will be held at Stromlo Forest Park on Saturday, March 14. Registrations to thebravest.com.au
unteer for two years and was inspired by seeing a disturbing documentary showing the abuse of racing greyhounds, says: “Greyhound Rescue is an anti-racing charity, greyhounds shouldn’t be something to bet on. We are always looking for temporary fosterers,
“The market stalls have been the most successful because people get to meet the dogs, they are terribly affectionate and really love a human companion.
“That’s the main aim, promoting the greyhounds so they can find a new home.”
greyhoundrescue.com.au
By Lorna Morris
“THE man who listens to horses” is coming to Canberra in May.
Monty Roberts, the awardwinning trainer of championship horses and author, will talk about his non-violent training technique “Join-Up”.
The California-born trainer will present practical horsemanship seminars on how to communicate with horses.
Keith Lawrence, of Cardinal Events Management, says: “Through the language of Equus and the principles of ‘Join-Up’, Monty has shown millions of people how to create willing partnerships and establish a bond of communication, co-operation and trust with horses”.
“Join-Up” is a training technique that involves the trainer
making large movements and noises in a round pen in order to drive the horse away.
The trainer then gives the horse the option to flee or “Join-Up” and, through body language, will ask the horse to follow.
Monty developed this concept while tracking mustangs in Nevada as a young boy. He observed the herd behaviour of the horses and realised they used predictable body language to communicate with each other – a silent language known as Equus.
He discovered that mimicking this behaviour would be a more effective and humane training technique that creates a partnership between horse and human.
Roberts’ seminar, Canberra Equestrian Centre, May 2-3.
CANBERRAN Rachael Stevens has been named a finalist in the Youth Courage category of the 2015 National Youth Awards, which will be announced on April 16 in Brisbane. She was nominated for her courage in overcoming sexual abuse, anorexia and depression. Rachael has since become an author, writing a book about mental illness, and speaks to high school students and youth groups to promote selfesteem, healthy body image, and positive relationships. The awards are open to young Australians aged between 12 and 25. Winners receive a $2000 cash prize.
SUPPORT group NTA – East Indonesia Aid will hold a fundraising dinner in aid of the association’s income generation and food security; water and sanitation; and education projects in East Indonesia. It’s at the Hellenic Club, 6.30pm-9.30pm, on Friday, March 20. Bookings via the link nta.org.au
PIALLIGO Estate Smokehouse has won the top national award for its smoked salmon at the 2015 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show’s Summer Aquaculture Competition. It is the third consecutive year the Smokehouse has won the Champion Award. It also won two gold medals for its cold smoked salmon and a silver medal for its hot smoked salmon.
GEORGE Katheklakis, pictured, Principal of NDH Property Group, has replaced Jure Domazet as the president of the ACT Division of the Property Council of Australia. The vice-presidents this year are Col Alexander, CEO, CIC Australia and Mèdy Hassan, MD of Haus Holdings.
THE Fred Hollows story is one to make us proud. He was an ophthalmologist who made a difference on an international scale that is a continuing legacy to this man of vision whose foundation has restored vision to millions.
Sitting under the imposing G for George Bomber in the Anzac Hall exhibition space it was but a blink away from the perspex of the nose turret gunners space that gave researchers a beginning for the development of the intraocular lenses that are now manufactured in Nepal, Vietnam and Eritrea.
The perspex fragments in the eyes of injured gunners were not rejected by their bodies and the “how” of that research and development was just part of Gabi Hollows’ address to the 250 guests at the Friends of the Fred Hollows Foundation dinner enjoying this opportunity to update on the Foundation’s work and the myriads of good news stories the six million lenses – thus far – have engendered.
Judy Ingle, Canberra’s most dedicated stalwart of the organisation, has been to Vietnam to see the production of the lenses in the new facility in Da Nang and loves to tell of the Nepalese elders carried for days by families to the foundation’s facilities. Something simple, so profoundly beneficial.
Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only local weekend news and current affairs program.
It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.
Be part of the conversation and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon.
OH, no! What’s this? An unthinkable tiff between the ACT Government and reporters from the “Canberra Times”?
Unhappy reporter Tom McIlroy, sniffily tweeted that it was “strange” the Chief Minister and his deputy “hide press conference on asset sales from ‘Canberra Times’ reporters. What’s got their goat?”
Tom’s big call had CM Andrew Barr growling back: “An offsite event for the TVs. You got the media release with everyone else. Send through any questions you have.”
McIlroy: “We’ve sent through questions but it’s a shame we couldn’t ask them ourselves.”
Barr then (LOL) joked: “Are you asking questions for someone else then?”
Reporter Stephanie Anderson then sticks in her bib: “Odd. All media should get chance to question pollies, instead of getting standard response via press rep.”
Barr retorts: “You can always request an interview. ABC drive and other radio newsrooms have and I’ll be on air later this afternoon.”
McIlroy : “Thank you, we regularly do. We should also be alerted to media events.”
An arrogant step too far for Barr? He witheringly then tweets: “If they are ‘all in’ events then yes. Not every media event is ‘all in’. You don’t invite other media to your interviews.”
That flushed out former “CityNews” journalist Steven Easton, who from deep personal experience just couldn’t resist: “And after all those great EXCLUSIVES you’ve produced over the years together. Come on guys, work it out.” Don’t bother, Andrew. You have more media opportunities than feeding those ingrates from Fyshwick.
“CITYNEWS”
arts editor
Helen Musa was pleased enough to receive a “VIP invite” to the “silver year” launch by Tuggeranong Arts Centre of Tuggeranong Community Arts Association’s 25th year of operation.
Imagine her surprise when she rang Domenic Mico, pictured, founding TCA director and long-time agitator for the association, to ask if he’d be there as a special guest.
“No” was the answer.
The highlight of the evening is to be a presentation by Canberra historian David Headon and “a journey through the creative history of Tuggeranong in word, picture and movement”.
Given Headon’s collegiate association with the newish director of TCA, Rauny Worms, with whom he worked at the Canberra Centenary office, his star billing was unsurprising.
While Mico was still scratching his head, he did eventually receive a call from Headon seeking historical information. “I gave it to him,” Mico reports.
The do isn’t until March 13 if the TCA wanted to honour its past hero.
David Pembroke, pictured, principal of local government marketing agency, Contentgroup, certainly talks the talk when it comes to explaining things to his bureaucratic clientele.
To wit: “Content marketing is a strategic and measurable business process that relies on the curation, creation and distribution of valuable, relevant and consistent content to engage and inform a clearly defined audience – with the objective of driving a desired citizen or stakeholder action.” Simple, really.
“Leach among the runs for North Canberra Gungahlin,” is the unlikely heading leading the sports section on the faraway “Worcester News” website in the UK.
And why the interest in our northside cricket? The Northies have Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach among their number and his home-town paper credited him with helping “his side build a substantial total on the opening day of their Australian Capital Territory first grade match away to Weston Creek Molonglo.”
THE OzHarvest food van has returned. Its ACT manager Dave Burnet says: “With the support of the Snow Foundation, Canberra Airport and the Thyne Reid Foundation we’ve hit the road again. Our food collections are in the order of 4000 to 5000 kilos a week, and every kilo is delivered free to the 43 (and rising) charities we assist.”
OzHarvest, which recovers food from restaurants and supermarkets and distributes it to local charities, was lost to Canberra in 2012 after separating from local operator Communities@Work, which went on to replace it with its own Yellow Van.
HAS Kingston’s Belgian Beer Café poured its last pint? There’s a sign on the door saying it’s closed until further notice, but a dining snout says the café is closed for good.
THIS is what happens these days when the subject of “politicians” is brought up in a focus group. In an article in “The Monthly”, public affairs researcher Scott Steel says: “The two most popular expletives are ‘bastards’ and ‘dickheads’. Except for old ladies over 70 – they particularly like the word ‘mongrels’.”
FROM Robbo’s in Fyshwick: “The wonderful Caroline Buchanan swang by our dealership late yesterday afternoon…” Swang? Don’t they mean swunged?
A BILLION is popularly defined as a thousand million, which made the “Canberra Times” characterisation of ANU philanthropist Graham Tuckwell as a billionaire businessman dreadfully off the mark when, later in the report of his being feted by the uni for his generosity, he is described as having an estimated personal fortune of only $775 million.
Into the Garden of delight
Wendy Johnson
By Helen Musa
CHLOE Mandryk, at 26, is one of the youngest and brightest curators on the block.
After three past commissions from the Molonglo Group, she’s now festival curator for their annual multi-arts festival “Art, Not Apart”.
The spectacular one-day festival was initially based in the NewActon precinct, but will spread out this year as far as Westside where those shipping containers are taking new shape, to Acton Beach, the Nishi and to West Basin. And with 200 events scheduled, the numbers are expected to go through the roof.
Armed with the French philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy’s idea that art can show “connections we need for a connected society”, the organisers – Mandryk, producer Dave Caffery and the curatorial team of Jess Ausserlechner, Natalija Nikolic, Chenoeh Miller, Anna Wallace and Jai Tongbor are determined to prove that art does not stand apart from everything else in life.
“As a kind of pop-up festival we are site-responsive, so it’s good that we’re coming from different areas, because we can cover diverse practices… also, the mediums themselves criss-cross,” Mandryk tells “CityNews.”
In one such criss-crossing they’ll have contemporary vocalist Liam Budge performing while artists create an installation on the
spot. Then in a “distortion of reality” experience, Dax Liniere will give people mirror-like spectacles to wear while they walk through the NewActon garden maze.
It’s only a day-long festival, but Mandryk assures “CityNews” that it’s just the tip of the iceberg – “people picture ideas, we meet people, we expand the concepts and find the place, then there is the actual day with an audience”.
With plans for music, debate, installations, stalls, markets and debate, she’s sure there’s going to be plenty to keep the public interest going.
A collaboration with ANU School of Music should become “bigger and bigger” and there’ll be art talks using staff from the ANU School of Art.
Mandryk doesn’t want to choose favourites, but one exhibition in Penthouse 1601, on Kendall Lane, will link art and theories of mental health and psychology and is “a really nice fit”.
Then Melbourne artist George Rose is presenting an “inflatable installation”, while Canberra’s Blaide Lallemand, inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1966 “Inflatable Silver Clouds”, will have large silver, inflated, alphabet letters floating freely in the Nishi foyer.
“Say something with your art, say what your message is,” is the message Mandryk aspires to, “it’s not a scary being, it’s an inspiring thing.”
“Art, Not Apart”, Saturday March 14, full program at artnotapart.com
“The Importance of Being Earnest”
Directed by Judi Crane, At Theatre 3, until March 7. Reviewed by Len Power
DIRECTOR Judi Crane’s entertaining new production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”, the most well known of his string of comedies written in the 1890s, captures the spirit of the play very well.
To be successful, the play needs skilled performers who can present the intent of a line that often differs from what is actually being said. For the most part, the performers in this Canberra Rep production get it right.
Miles Thompson is outstanding as the young Algernon Moncrieff. His stylish playing never falters and his delivery of some of Wilde’s best lines is excellent.
Karen Vickery gives a strong performance as Lady Bracknell. She is formidable, as expected, but adds an unexpected playfulness to her character which works extremely well. Kayleigh Brewster gives a finely mannered performance as Gwendolyn and Jordan Best is almost unrecognisable in her delightfully funny performance as Miss Prism. The other players give nicely judged performances, although Michael Miller as the butler, Merriman, overplays to the point of caricature.
The play requires three settings and set designer Michael Sparks opted for simplicity with essentially the same set re-dressed for each scene.
By Helen Musa
“OUT of Silence” is an exhibition of photographs by the late Dutch-born Australian photographer Jan Dalman of French mime artist Marcel Marceau performing in Australia. The show is presented by family members Andreas Dalman and Elizabeth Cameron Dalman. It opens at the Alliance Française, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner, 7pm, on Thursday, February 26 (until Thursday, March 16). All welcome.
“SOMETIMES theatre needs to be more than simple,” says director Joe Woodward, whose production of the subversive Scottish play “The Mask of Lucy Raven’s Eyes” will run as a live streaming event at 8pm in Smith’s Alternative, Civic, on March 1 as part of his “Without a Voice” series. Bookings to shadowhousepits.com.au
IN a new project called “19 by 19”, counter-tenor Tobias Cole is aiming to get choirs into all 19 public high schools by 2019. Meanwhile, his youth choir Vocal Fry is presenting an interactive vocal workshop/concert, “The Sing! Song”, at the High Court, 1.30pm, on Sunday, March 1. It’s free but bookings are essential to hcourt.gov.au/about/concerts
THE Jugiong Writers’ Festival springs into action on March 6-7 with a celebration of reading and writing. There’ll be the Small Schools’ Day and Kids’ Zone activities for children and students under the age of 14, author talks, writing workshops, manuscript assessments, poetry
Does your little princess need a stage to shine on?
Come and try CALI-DANCE at Brindabella Calisthenics College! Your first class is FREE! We hold classes for all ages from 3 and up.
Cali-dance is an exciting combination of both sport and the performing arts. It promotes team work, self-confidence and friendship. Music, dance, acting, strength and flexibility are all incorporated to create dynamic performance work.
In 2014 our senior team (17 plus) were the Cali ACT Champions! Brindabella is a fun and successful club and we would love for you to join us!
For more information, check us out at brindabellacc.com.au or contact Donna Sullivan (BCC President) on 0416 010 810 Follow us on facebook.com/brindabellacc
readings, stalls and music. Author and former deputy PM Tim Fischer will open the event at 11am, Saturday, March 7 and Canberra author/journo Paul Daley will be in the line-up, details at jugiongwritersfestival.com
ANU School of Music jazz graduate and pianist Tate Sheridan is appearing in “Jazz in Concert” at The Gods as leader of a new trio with Thomas Botting (double bass) and Tim Firth (drums). The Gods Café/Bar is in the ANU Arts Centre and bookings are essential to 6248 5538. Light meals available at 6pm and “non-eating” seats for music at 7.30pm are available.
ON March 6 and 7 Shortis and Simpson mark the recent release of the cabinet documents of 1988 and 1989 by the National Archives in “Out of the Cabinet”, taking a satirical look at those years, when new Parliament House was opened, the Berlin Wall fell and Bob Hawke cried on national TV. At the Archives, 6.30pm and 8.30pm, March 6 and 7, bookings to premier.ticketek.com.au
THE Front Gallery is hosting a series of black and white photographs by Liam Denny until March 9. A relative newcomer to Canberra, Denny has taken time to travel around the city’s surrounding countryside to capture the richness and diversity that he finds, “even when the uniform monotony of the Hume Highway might tempt us to think otherwise”.
By Helen Musa
ARGENTINA comes to Fyshwick as Canberra Philharmonic Society prepares to hit the stage in March with the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical, “Evita”.
Ian Croker, probably Canberra’s best-known actor, in this case is the set designer and is in the final stage of his Argentinian recreation.
We meet at Philo’s headquarters in Collie Street, where Croker shows me the constructed set and sketches of the finish that will suggest worndown stucco and facades of the poverty-stricken world where the real Eva Duarte Peron lived before she became a political superstar and almost a saint.
For once Croker’s not acting in the show, so he’s been busy researching the era when Juan Domingo Peron and his wife entertained their compatriots in what was surely an act of political showbiz.
It’s all in a day’s work for Croker, who began painting and drawing at age three and has, he estimates, painted more than 500 sets.
He used to be famous in Goulburn, where he acted and built sets for the late John Spicer at Lieder Theatre
Ian
until Spicer lured him to help with “Pride and Prejudice” at Rep in 1986, working on the set for “Lola Montez” in 1988 and upstaging everyone at Theatre 3 as the MC in Jon Stephens’ 1989 production of “Cabaret”.
There, he joined veteran set designer Brian Sudding to help paint the set, commending a designing collaboration that has survived until now. Croker happily admits the influence of the much more experienced Sudding, who
taught him the value of making a three-dimensional model and how to save money by using recycling materials.
Looking back on a lifetime of set design, Croker notes that some directors practically ignore the designer, some call the designer in at the beginning as barb barnett did last year on “Equus” at Rep, and rare ones, like David Atfield, encourage directors to go “outside the box”.
As Croker investigated the
By Dougal Macdonald
“Jupiter Ascending” (M)
LET’S give thanks that Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), raised by her mum after thieves invaded their Moscow apartment and shot her dad, is nothing more than a creature of fantasy in this cosmic actioner written and directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski.
As a young adult, Jupiter and her mum clean apartments in New York. Then Wise (Channing Tatum) arrives on Earth to collect her and take her to a farm upstate en route to a faraway planet to fulfil her destiny – as queen of the universe where the Abrasax dynasty, nasty prince Balem (Eddie Redmayne) and pretty prince Titus (Douglas Booth), are competing for the throne.
Is this traditional rivalry between good and bad brothers? Or are they both rather bad? The film takes two hours to clarify that issue. On the side of the good guys is Wise’s former CO in the army, Stinger (Sean Bean). Balem has his eye on Earth, which is now ready for harvesting. A grim prospect!
Sci-fi movies, mostly short on science and long on fiction, long ago exhausted their ability to be fresh.
While “Jupiter Ascending” adheres to the same old good/ bad conflict theme, it’s refreshingly different in not having come from a comic strip. Nonetheless, it’s rather derivative from some of the pioneering outer-space movies – “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” in particular.
But its most agreeable aspect is its humour. I cannot tell if that’s deliberate or accidental. But two of the other four people at the screening found much hilarity to accompany mine.
“Jupiter Ascending” blazons its reported cost of $US176 million across the screen – production design, art direction, set decoration and special effects.
In ABC TV’s recent “Human Universe” series, Prof Brian Cox concluded that it’s improbable that conditions on other planets can sustain life. I’ll go with him on that one.
At all cinemas
“Rosewater” (M)
AMERICAN TV talk-show anchorman and comedian Jon Stewart has gone upscale to write and direct a challenging feature film based on real events.
The smell of rosewater combined with human sweat pervades Iranian mosques. Most of the film unfolds in Evin prison where Javadi (Kim Bodnia) interrogated Iranian/Canadian TV journalist Maziar Bahari (Gael Garcia Bernal) for 118 days to force him to confess to spying. Whenever Javadi entered Bahari’s cell, he brought the smell of rosewater.
For Australians in particular, the film’s mise-en-scene calls to mind Peter Greste’s confinement in Egypt. But Bahari’s incarceration, involving brutality, emotional and physical torture and threats against his family, was unsanctioned by any legal proceedings.
“Rosewater” is a cautionary tale made credible by its basis in Bahari’s book telling of his experiences. It doesn’t proselytise against Islam. But it shows how a country with a sectarian government can raise walls against democracy, thereby, in Islamic countries, depriving its citizens of basic cultural freedoms practiced in other countries.
In Fyshwick markets on Sunday, I often chat with an Iranian man who misses his motherland but does not regret leaving it. He has lent me a translation of the Quran because I have no understanding of what Islam is about. I consider it a political manifesto rather than a spiritual guide. That grieves me because of its restrictive influence on middle-eastern peoples for so many centuries. And it sharpened my awareness of the message “Rosewater” is sending.
At Palace Electric
background story he concluded that Eva Peron didn’t just control the populace, “she lulled them”. The show is, he believes, a romanticised version of the real story, so he kept his eye on TV programs and films that could provide visual inspiration.
Thanks to Philo’s capacious Fyshwick facilities, he was able to set the whole stage up outdoors and use a revolve that could change the scene from palace to bedroom to boardroom to street when necessary.
He hasn’t created a replica of the famous Casa Rosada (Pink House) of Buenos Aires, but has chosen worndown sandstone with a slightly burnt finish that should create the right atmosphere. With some pride, he shows me the cut-down carpet rolls he’s used for roof tiles – the uncut carpet rolls make fine pillars. Croker, who believes “nothing finishes a set off like paint”, laments the decline of scenic artistry and the increasing use of projected backdrops, saying: “It’s like watching a very large TV”.
All that remains now is the painting of the “Evita” set. “I always do that… that’s what I’m good at,” he says.
“Evita”, directed by Jim McMullen, at Erindale Theatre, March 5-21, bookings to philo.org.au/tickets/evita
By Helen Musa
AN all-rounder from the south coast who acts, designs sets and does the stage lighting for the Bay Theatre Players was announced as the ACTEWAGL and NSW Government Gold Cat winner at the glamorous 20th annual showbiz awards night at Llewellyn Hall.
Matt Burgess, who also shared top honours for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for playing Daddy Warbucks in “Annie”, runs IGA supermarkets by day. He has been known to turn up at work wearing make-up but also works with a group of local dads on sets.
Co-hosts, TV actor John Wood and musical identity Ian McLean, introduced the awardees and performers.
The full list of award winners is at citynews.com.au
WHEN I first visited the Sculpture Garden Restaurant after it was transformed into a summer pop-up café in conjunction with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Foundation, all the veggie plants surrounding the dining area were in their infancy, but looking mighty attractive. That was just before Christmas.
I next visited a couple of months later and the darling little plants had gone, well, berserk; the tomato plants were huge, the zucchini, capsicum, eggplant and cucumber all growing at lightning speed and bunches of herbs flourishing.
It’s absolutely fabulous to dine in a big garden and the restaurant has added to the food experience with the simple, but fun décor – baskets with gardening tools, tin water cans hanging from the ceiling, staff in jean shorts and bright red T-shirts, and rubber gardening boots scattered about.
The foundation started with Stephanie Alexander’s vision to make food education full of flavour and fun, and accessible to every Australian school with a primary curriculum. It’s a nutritious recipe for effective
food education and lots of adults could learn a thing or two about eating better, too.
At the Sculpture Garden Restaurant, which borders on the marsh pond at the National Gallery of Australia, the menu changes every fortnight, in celebration of what’s ripe and ready to go.
You won’t go wrong enjoying a bit of woodfired damper with olives and whipped olive oil as a starter. The rest of the menu features three mains, three sides and three choices of dessert (children’s lunch is also available). Two courses, including sides, $44; three courses, including sides, $55.
Mains include tender roast-beef rump with green mojo, delicate baked barramundi with caper beurre blanc and a hearty vegetarian shepherd’s pie with kipfler potato crust and house-made tomato chutney.
The sides are delicious and the Sculpture Garden Restaurant has put a lot of effort into creating inspiring options. The current menu stands up to this and features, for example, Kohlrabi, apple and mint slaw with lemon-scented yoghurt dressing and sautéed green veggies with toasted sesame and chili.
Desserts don’t disappoint. The rich (and decadent) chocolate mousse is served with roasted almond ice cream and espresso crumble. The lemon curd tart is accompanied with minted mascarpone and lemon biscotti and the poached stone fruit with crystallised ginger and almond cream.
The
Garden Restaurant closes for the season in late April or early May.
Open for breakfast on weekends, 8am-11am, and lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-3pm. Call 6240 6660.
6-25 march
u
glenbog@skymesh.com.au Like us on Facebook u
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PERENNIALS are still the best plants for filling in bare spots in a garden.
I know that I rave on about them, but there’s a range of flowers for every season, with the added plus they can be divided at no cost every couple of years.
On our nature strip in Watson the Sedum “Autumn Joy” is about to flower with its heads at present a pale green, looking much like broccoli.
Over the coming weeks they will change to a pale pink and gradually turn to a deep red and finally bronze.
The first frosts are the time to cut the flowers to ground level, which is when the plant can be divided with at least 10-15 baby plants from each clump.
Right at the start of winter delicate new shoots will start to appear, unaffected by even the severest frost. By spring they will be about 20cm-30cm tall.
ANOTHER popular perennial is Nepeta x faassenii or Catmint with one of the most popular varieties being Nepeta “Six Hills Giant”, a hardy perennial that thrives in full sun and dry soils. The purple and lilac flowers appear all summer and into early autumn.
The grey-green foliage provides interest when grown as a clump of three to five or as a garden border.
STARTING to appear, as if from nowhere, in our garden is the delicate-looking cyclamen, Cyclamen hederifolium (syn. C. Neapolitanum)
It’s the best-known and easiest to grow, and in autumn and winter has an abundance of pale pink flowers. They tend to spread by themselves with little or no attention.
As with all cyclamen, they originate in the
resemble variegated ivy leaves, hence the name hederifolium, hedera being the botanical name for ivy.
exposed to the full sun as in their native Spain and Portugal.
• A reminder the Great Autumn Dahlia Championships and Flower Show is at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit Forrest on the weekend of March 7-8. Full details at hsoc.org.au
I HAVE mentioned the possible move of Floriade from its present site. A suggestion from readers Louise and Gary is Eddison Park in Woden. It is a largely under-utilised area, close to the Woden Interchange and parking and is possibly close to the centre of Canberra. Plus it would not upset the nimbys in the suburbs. Worth thinking about, Mr Barr?
Italy, and are very
IT’S still not too late to divide tall, bearded iris. The rhizomes (also called creeping root stalks and root stocks) should be checked to ensure they are solid and healthy with any bad bits cut off. Trim the scraggly roots with sharp secateurs, although not too short. It has been said tall, bearded iris flowers best when planted facing north and south, with the leaves facing south. It is important the top of the rhizome is not covered with soil or even mulch. The top needs to be
• Autumn is the ideal time to move evergreen shrubs, if they are not too big. Trim off any damaged roots and water in with Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient to promote strong, new root growth.
• March is trimming time for conifers, but be careful not to cut into the old wood.
• It’s an ideal time to establish hedges and by planting in a trench rather than individual holes the roots will spread much faster. Camellia sasanqua “Hiryu” makes an attractive hedge, flowering all winter and attracting native birds.
• Obligation free first conference (no cost if you don’t proceed)
• Fixed price services available
• Follow our blog for the latest family law news
• Follow us on Facebook
Joanne Madeline Moore
your week in the stars – March 2-8, 2015
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Are you ready to rumble Rams? The Jupiter/Uranus trine sends a lucky opportunity your way but you’ll have to grab it via making a split-second decision which is your speciality! The spontaneous stars also increase your energy levels, boost your impulsive side and amp up your impatience. So watch your tendency to speed while driving, and don’t be too self-absorbed. If a loved one wants to talk, then drop everything and listen.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Resist the urge to coast along on your beautiful bovine behind this week Bulls. The stars encourage being unusually spontaneous, especially at home. Perhaps you could throw a surprise party or play gracious host to some unexpected guests? Strive to be extra sensitive to the needs of a highly-strung child or teenager, as the Full Moon triggers misunderstandings or emotional meltdowns. Aim to be a steadying influence.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
With Jupiter and Uranus spurring you on, it’s a terrific time to tap into your inner Gemini genius! Your mind’s buzzing with creative and innovative ideas as you talk, text, tweet, travel or study up a storm. Curiosity is high and you’re keen to broaden your mental horizons via communicating with colleagues, family and friends from home and away. Tweaking your social media strategy is a must, as you extend your influence far and wide.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
You’re inclined to become obsessed with other people’s business this week. But here’s the paradox Cancer, the more you try to control others or meddle in their private lives, the more out of control you’ll feel. Jupiter and Uranus encourage you to start concentrating on your own affairs, especially those of a financial nature. Lucky opportunities are hovering around, but are you canny enough to catch them Crabs?
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Jupiter is jumping through your sign, and this week it trines Uranus which makes for mega-luck and awesome opportunities. But are you bold and brave enough to recognise and capitalise on good fortune when it comes along? Confidence and plenty of Cat chutzpah is the rocket fuel that will propel you into exciting new territory – especially involving travel, international contacts, imports, exports, education, publishing or leisure.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
The Full Moon’s in Virgo, so your perfectionist streak swings into top gear. In your eyes it’s hard for you or anyone else to do things ‘properly’. If you’re smart you’ll lower your standards a little and realise that perfection is an illusion. Jupiter and Uranus awaken your detective talents. Wonderful opportunities are around but aren’t immediately obvious. They are hidden away, waiting for you to discover and develop them.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Romantic relationships get a welcome shot in the arm from the Jupiter/Uranus trine, so there’s never been a better time to fix a floundering marriage – or find a fabulous new love. Don’t look in the same old places, be adventurous. Got a problem that’s too big to handle on your own? Be proactive about enlisting the help, expertise and creativity of others. They are ready, willing and able to assist – all you have to do is ask.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
Your public life looks promising, as the Jupiter/Uranus trine revitalises your energy and enthusiasm for work projects, study or volunteer endeavours. But Pluto squares Venus mid-week, which draws out deep resentments, hidden obsessions or jealous behaviour. Then Pluto helps you convey a powerful message with extra passion and punch. So expect a random rollercoaster ride of extremes this week Scorpio!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Get set to embark on a rollicking magical carpet ride of good fortune and adventure, as Jupiter (your ruling planet) forms a fabulous trine with unconventional Uranus. Lady Luck is on your side as you throw caution to the wind and bravely grab good fortune when it comes along. So your motto for the moment is from fellow Sagittarian, Walt Disney: “All your dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Capricorns can get stuck in a rut, too cautious to try anything new. Jupiter and Uranus urge you to be more adventurous, as you venture outside your comfort zone. Do you feel torn between allowing a loved one more freedom, and holding them too close? You have to give them plenty of space, being possessive will only drive them away. Praise and encouragement will also get you much further than constant criticism.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
The Jupiter/Uranus trine helps you channel your unique talents and express yourself to the max! For inspiration, look to avant-garde Aquarians’ role models like Mozart, James Dean, Bob Marley and Yoko Ono. It’s also a wonderful week to exercise your brain cells and learn something new, and you could also get a lucky break via a surprise social media connection – or one of your posts could go viral. Singles – love is waiting online.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
When it comes to career, study or volunteer work, strive to make alterations that allow you to be more creative and independent. Perhaps you can change your professional routine, enrol in a different course or initiate a challenging new project? Finances are favoured, as the Jupiter/Uranus trine sweeps a problem away or sends a fabulous opportunity in your direction. Don’t be too cautious Fish –fortune favours the brave!
Across
4 Name one of Australia’s most outstanding swimmers, Grant ...?
8 Which native plant of the Mediterranean, is widely cultivated for its red and blue flowers?
9 Which sea lies to the north of Australia?
10 Name the English pirate who landed in N W Australia in 1688, William ...?
11 What are long vehement speeches, especially of denunciation?
12 Which mixture of cement with other materials is used to bind bricks?
14 What do we call tempests or their like?
18 Weipa is a Cape York town renowned for which mining?
21 What is a cold, dry, northerly wind common in Southern France?
22 Which item of clothing is worn by police officers, etc?
23 Which blue mineral is an ore of copper?
24 What are the chief outer garments worn by women?
Solution next week Down
1 What is the tympanic membrane more commonly known as?
2 Who took over from Bob Carr as premier of NSW, Morris ...?
3 Sucre is the legal capital of which S American republic?
4 Which other term is applicable to the fireside?
5 What is the position of the presiding officer also called?
6 Quito is the capital of which S American republic?
7 Name the terrestrial species of froglike amphibians
13 What, in poker, is a straight flush?
15 In Greek legend, who, when aided by Ariadne, slew the minotaur?
16 Who wrote Frankenstein, Mary ...?
17 What are subsidiary propositions introduced in proving some other propositions?
18 To be tied up, is to be what?
19 Which expression is descriptive of pictures, images, or other representations?
20 Name the smallest unit of weight in most imperial systems
Introducing Dr Jana Stevenson’s monthly column, a local practicing veterinarian in Canberra:
Have you ever booked an appointment with your vet without taking your pet? This may sound a bit odd to some of you, but I can only recommend it highly to anyone who is considering purchasing a new pet for their family. Rescue shelters are full of dogs and cats that didn’t quite ‘work out’!
Advice that will be given is in regards to matching up your lifestyle with the breed that would match it. With cat containment required in many suburbs of the ACT and more to follow, it’s wise to select cat breeds suited to indoor living. Knowledge about how medically robust a breed is, how exercise intense it may be and the type of grooming required is highly valuable in breed selection. Other advantages of meeting your veterinarian prior to owning your pet are: selecting the best, healthiest and most cost effective foods and parasite products, finding out about puppy pre-school classes and enrolling at the correct age and generally building up a comfortable rapport with the person who is going to be your other “child’s” doctor. Advice can also be given on how to recognise a good breeder, once you’ve decided on the breed of pet that’s best for you. Consideration should also be given to adopting mature pets. Personalities have been established, good or bad habits have formed – so you can decide if you can cope with those. Also, toilet training is complete and hopefully they’ve already had their major vet work done and you’ve rescued another unwanted pet.
Unfortunately, in over 20 years of being a vet, I’ve seen many sad outcomes resulting from owners not doing their homework or seeking out the wrong advice. From a Labrador puppy who had to undergo specialist elbow dysplasia surgery by the time he was only 10 months old (purchased from a breeder who didn’t screen the parents for this genetic fault), to the German Shepherd who broke his leg at the age of 2 due to osteoporosis because he had been supplemented with too much meat, to the Border Collie who became aggressive as he couldn’t handle inner city living, to the Moggie cat who consistently got stress cystitis as she wasn’t coping with indoor living… the stories are endless. I feel so strongly about this, that we offer a prepurchasing pet advisory service for free at our clinic. So if you haven’t done your homework yet and you’re unsure of what sort of pet to get, give our team a call.
