Well written, well read
Risky business as Bill turns back the left
The man with a chip… in his hand JOHN GRIFFITHS
It’s strawberry fields forever
CEDRIC BRYANT
The mindflip that sent the Merrymaker Sisters to a happier place (and sugar!)
Thursday to capture
atop Mount
at midnight
eerie and remarkable image.
dense fog blanketed Canberra but it was low lying,
under the height of Mount Ainslie, so it appeared as a dense, translucent blanket,” says Campbell. The Australian War Memorial is at the bottom and the lights of the Parliament House flagpole at top centre.
BROADCASTER and “CityNews” columnist Tim Gavel will host a distinguished panel of sporting personalities for The Allan Key’s fourth annual Sportslovers’ Lunch. The fundraising lunch will be held at the Hellenic Club in the City, on Friday, September 4. Tickets are $75 (tables of eight, $600). Local charity The Allan Key helps support the dreams of people with disabilities. Bookings to allankey.org
THE annual Canberra Craft & Quilt Fair will be held at Exhibition Park on the weekend of August 6-9. It will feature wearable art, embroidery, knitting, paper craft, textile art, vintage fashion and an array of quilts. There will be displays, workshops and craft products on offer.
THE annual Alzheimer’s Australia Memory Walk & Jog around Lake Burley Griffin will start from Lennox Gardens on Sunday, September 20. Participants can choose from a one-kilometre walk, the fivekilometre walk for fitness or the eight-kilometre competition run. The event raises funds and awareness for dementia. Registration and course details at memorywalk.com.au/act
index Since 1993: Volume 21, Number 27
& Entertainment 18-21
21
3-10
23
12-13
10
Cover: Merrymaker Sisters, Emma, left, and Carla Papas. Story Page 6.
by Andrew Finch.
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A new potential tax source has been uncovered by the ACT police repeatedly in the last few months – thousands of cannabis plants in so-called “grow houses”.
THE tax talkfest between PM Tony Abbott and the state and territory leaders was all very chummy, but awfully short on results.
Hardly surprising since Tony had ruled out changes to super and negative gearing before the event and the Labor lads and lady turned up their noses at a bigger GST.
The PM and Mike Baird persisted with the GST notion while Andrew Barr and others pushed for an increase in the Medicare levy, which at least was a progressive alternative.
But the event revealed an appalling narrowness of vision
on both sides. What about a financial transaction tax, a super-profits tax on the banks, or even (dare I say it) a carbon tax at a time when every year sees a new heat record.
IN fact, a new potential tax source has been uncovered by the ACT police repeatedly in the last few months – thousands of cannabis plants in so-called “grow houses” throughout the territory. Last week alone they seized thousands of dollars of hydroponic equipment in an exercise that has destroyed plants with a street value of $7 million. Why waste police resources when you can regulate the trade and help fill the coffers.
HOW about taxing defamation cases? This week Joe Hockey got stuck with a huge legal bill for his case against Fairfax in a worthless exercise that benefitted no one… except the lawyers. Joe didn’t need the money; he merely wanted to prove a point. So why not tax everyone involved the exact amount
awarded, and the entire legal bill? After all, “Je suis Charlie”.
AND what of political donations? They
dose of dorin
replayed that shark attack on surfer Mick Fanning, but every time we were glued to the screen. Pity we didn’t see the real hero, Mick’s young mate Julian Wilson who paddled his board towards him while the man-eater cruised below. Unfortunately, he was just out of shot, but he’s a credit to his sport and his country.
OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten could have had no illusions that his party conference would dampen the muttering surrounding his performance in the top job. Even before it opened, his rival Anthony Albanese had fired a shot across his bows over his “turn back the boats” announcement.
Obviously, he was trying to neutralise the issue before the next election. Instead, he gave the government the political fodder of a split in the party.
NICE to see Canberra’s aged-care workers are training to bring a little humour into the lives of their charges. Even those with dementia, we’re told, still enjoy a laugh.
should at least be taxed the highest marginal rate. Our own Lib leader, Jeremy Hanson, wrote to the Gambling and Racing Commission seeking an investigation into the possibility that the Labor Club received construction industry bribe money in its poker machines.
I DON’T know how often the TV channels
In fact, a couple of old blokes proved the point in Tuross where your columnist spent much of the week. Pat and Mick were collecting their morning paper at the newsagency. Pat: Why is it that people take an instant dislike to Bronwyn?
Mick: Saves time, mate.
robert@robertmacklin.com
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IT’S been exactly a year since “Merrymaker Sisters” Emma and Carla Papas quit their “boring” public service jobs and jumped into full-time blogging about healthy living.
Since then they’ve self-published their first, very pink, recipe book “Make It Merry”, and have plans to extend their online community through a new app, as well as holistic events and Merrymaker products in the coming months.
“It was a major mindflip for us, to realise that we didn’t need to have the security of a full-time job,” says Emma.
“We put these thoughts on ourselves, that we must have stability, must find a boyfriend and get married at a certain age. We had to break those thoughts because they are actually not real.
“We want to continue to reach more people and learn more about running an online business.
“We believe in positive thinking, and trying things out. Our mindset is, everything’s a risk or an opportunity!”
The perpetually happy sisters say they set themselves a series of goals, and the first one was to produce a hard-copy recipe book.
“We like recipe books so we just had to go for it,” says Carla. “It was a massive learning curve, finding a designer, a printer, getting costs, there were so many hurdles. But we couldn’t be more proud of the result.”
The book features more than 70 recipes for paleo smoothies, main meals, breakfasts and sweets, with an emphasis on what they call “bioindividuality” – finding what works for you.
For them, this has included a mission to drop even more sugar from their diets and their recipes, and they believe they have come up with the goods with a series of low-fructose ver-
sions of their popular sweet treats, including a low-fructose, salted-caramel slice.
“If you’re already used to eating this way, then the desserts still taste sweet, and many people prefer the less-sugary versions. It’s a transition!” says Carla.
Their journey started when Emma was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, and decided to try “paleo” after hearing about it repeatedly.
“We decided to give it a go and within a couple of weeks we were feeling amazing. Clear, shiny hair, no brain fog, and we lost a little weight,” says Emma.
“We used to have such a negative mindset around food, with guilt for eating something we shouldn’t.
“Paleo alleviated that stress and worry about food and calories. We felt more free.”
The sisters say they started out by sharing their new recipes on Instagram in 2012, which developed into their blog, The Merrymaker Sisters.
“After we went to America for a conference called PrimalCon, we just couldn’t come back to jobs that we hated,” says Emma.
“It seemed ironic that we weren’t living our message; which is follow your bliss. We had found our bliss but we weren’t living it. We were blogging in the mornings before work, and allowing so little time to get showered and dressed, it was ridiculous.”
The girls say they didn’t have a good work-life balance, and were lacking sleep.
“We realised that we were focused on hating our jobs, and it hit us that what you focus on grows,” says Carla.
“We started saying, imagine if the good stuff in our lives was the focus.
Ingredients:
FOR THE BASE
• 1 cup of your favourite nut
Imagine what we could achieve if our business was our focus.”
Carla said she did some rough figures and decided they would still be able to pay the bills.
“We didn’t really look too closely into it though! And it was scary,” says Emma.
“We just had this attitude of, let’s make this amazing thing happen, hustle a little and maintain our health along the way.
“Even now we sometimes ask ourselves, what are we doing? Then we reflect back on our journey in the past year and we have no regrets.
“Now our happiness is times a million.”
“Make It Merry”, $27.95 with free postage in Australia. It’s also available as an e-book for $14.95 from themerrymakersisters.com
Instructions:
(we used macadamias and almonds)
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 4 tbs. coconut oil
• Pinch of salt
FOR THE FILLING
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup ghee
(we use Primal Collective Ghee)
• 1/4 cup rice malt syrup
• 1 tsp. 100% vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
FOR THE ICING
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 3 tbs. raw cacao
• 1 tbs. rice malt syrup
Line a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8inch) baking tray with baking paper, or we like to use a silicone mould. In a blender or food processor (we use our Vitamix) place all of the base ingredients. Whiz until a smooth butter forms. Transfer this into the lined tin and spread out evenly, covering the entire base.
Place into the freezer.
On to the filling (don’t worry about rinsing your blender!).
Place all of the filling ingredients except, we said EXCEPT the rice malt syrup into the blender. Blend on medium speed until super smooth. Now add the rice malt syrup and blend on LOW SPEED until smooth. You do not want the filling to heat as the rice malt syrup will separate. Place the filling on top of the base and smooth out the top.
Place back into the freezer. Rinse the blender.
Now for the icing. Place all of the ingredients EXCEPT the rice malt syrup into your blender and blend on high until smooth. You don’t need to melt the coconut oil first as the friction from the blender will slowly melt it all together. Now add the rice malt syrup and blend on LOW SPEED until smooth.
Spread the icing on top of the filling and place into the fridge for about 30 minutes. Once set, slice and ENJOY! MERRYMAKER TIP – We suggest you slice and freeze separate pieces then thaw out when it’s time for low fructose salted caramel slice!
By Catherine Carter
IT’S time for Canberrans to embrace rather than fight urban renewal, says Dan Stewart.
“Canberra’s population is set to grow by 98 per cent in the next 45 years. In a city with fixed borders, there will come a time when greenfield development will no longer be an option,” the outgoing co-ordinator general of urban renewal and the deputy director of land development for the ACT government told a Propery Council lunch.
Urban renewal was an essential part of the future of our city, he said.
“We can expect to see new developments springing up across our borders – West Belconnen, Queanbeyan and Murrumbateman are just the start,” he said.
“But many people will want to live within the ACT, and urban renewal will help us to start building our city from the inside.”
Changing lifestyle preferences and an ageing population will also drive urban renewal. The proportion of Canberra citizens aged over 65 will grow from 11 per cent in 2012 to 22.5 per cent by 2060.
“We’re going to need to work hard to provide retirement living solutions – and that won’t come from pushing retirement living developments further and further into greenfield suburbs,” Stewart said.
Instead, he predicted we’d see multi-storey retirement living options emerge as downsizers become inner-city urbanites.
Pointing to projects such as City to the Lake and Capital City Metro, Stewart said these were “city-changing projects” that will breathe new life into our CBD – but they needed the community’s support.
Catherine Carter is ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia.
IN my 16 years in Canberra I would have driven to Sydney on at least 50 occasions. I know every bend on the highway. I know exactly where the petrol stops and the fast-food outlets are.
At any point on the way back I can tell you with some degree of accuracy how long before we hit Goulburn and what time we’ll get home.
Aside from a couple of little jaunts through Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale, I’d pretty much never been off the highway. Despite driving past the signs for Wingello, Bundanoon, Picton, Yerrinbool and Bargo a hundred times, I’d never set foot in those places.
That finally changed this month.
Luisa and I had a weekend escape to Picton.
We stayed in a gorgeous little bed and breakfast high on a hill with views of the rolling countryside. It was bliss.
It was wonderful to get away from pressures of work and home,
You may have an entitlement to a payment from a past superannuation policy you have long since forgotten. If you are unable to work because of a disability and whether acquired through illness, misfortune or other circumstance you may still be covered for a payout. Even if you have not worked for several years and are on a Centrelink pension you still may be entitled.
Case One
Because of an incident in 1996 David was no longer able to work. He later came to Carroll & O’Dea saying he had a super policy with a TPD component. We were able to help him and the TPD Insurer agreed to pay him an additional $59,173.33 being the total TPD policy.
Case Two
Because of an incident several years ago Sam was no longer able to work. Sam had not looked into his superannuation entitlements under a policy that he held. His total TPD entitlement was $214,000 which helped him carry on with his life.
Carroll & O’Dea
but almost as good to discover all of these little townships for the first time.
We went to the Sunday morning markets in Picton and met so many wonderful people. We bought some Argentinian delicacies, a tiramisu and some indoor plants. We had dozens of conversations with the innovative, creative stallholders. I want to go back to Picton markets soon.
After the markets we pushed back through Tahmoor and Bargo and then across to Mittagong and Bowral. We did the lookout at Bowral on a bluesky Sunday. Then off to Exeter and Bundanoon.
What a gorgeous little town is Bundanoon? Loved the little railway station and the quaint main street. We had bruschetta and scones at the Terrace (I know it sounds like a weird combo, but it worked for us).
We really do miss out on those little towns, but I couldn’t help but think how long the trip to Sydney must have taken back in the days before the freeway. It must have been a five-hour car trip from city to city.
These days we’re all about speed – broadband internet, instant bank transfers and email on your phone – aren’t we? In our rush to get as many things done in the shortest possible time, sometimes we miss out on some hidden gems along the way.
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information.
Emerging Aussie starlet Krystle McGill, Hollywood’s next “it” girl, was in town to say g’day
IT’S a long long way between the glitz of Hollywood Boulevard and the streets of New Acton, but Canberra could very well star in a new reality television series in the US and Europe.
Parliament House and the National Art Gallery along with the familiar sights of Manuka’s Bougainville Street, Kingston’s Kennedy Street and the winter beauty of Corin Forest are being scouted by producers and Hollywood’s newest star, 22-year-old Australian Krystle McGill.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, this young starlet originally from Sydney’s Northern Beaches and a regular Canberra visitor in her child-
hood, says the national capital is close to her heart and she’s keen to include it in her new show.
Who is Krystle? Well, according to Hollywood heavyweights such as Oliver Stone, Krystle is the next “it girl”, and has clearly impressed since taking her bubbly Aussie effervescence to the often mean streets of Beverly Hills. She is, according to star maker and agent Joey Sulfaro, a marketer’s dream in the vein of a Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian.
One minute with this strikingly beautiful Aussie is enough to see why her charm offensive is starting to pay dividends.
She’s had Hollywood’s biggest actors singing to her on the red carpet, some even taking her microphone, and asking all about her. Krystle says many of her best experiences so far include nights spent with the likes of Adam Sandler chatting away about life, Lionel Ritchie arriving at her party for an impromptu version of “Happy Birthday”, and drinking sessions with Jack Nicholson.
It wasn’t always party dresses and cocktails though. Krystle has worked in radio and newspapers, and has recently completed a masters in
journalism from the University of Sydney. Perhaps her meteoric rise has had much to do with being in the right place at the right time, and taking her opportunities. She is extremely well managed, and her “brand” has extended throughout the US and now into Europe.
There aren’t many Australian 22-year-olds who can claim to have their own fashion range. The fact she gets around with $10,000 donated handbags by some of the biggest names in the industry are testament she is the real deal.
Keen to ensure it’s not all glitz and glamour without appreciation, Krystle has ensured she is seen to be giving something back, with ambassadorships with the Bully Zero Foundation, Touch of Goodness Foundation and Make a Wish Australia.
It will be exciting to watch this young Australian’s rise in the toughest and most competitive of commercial worlds and with a television show in the works, a growing fan base, clothing range and great Aussie attitude to match, Krystle McGill is living it.
Krystle McGill was a guest on Marcus Paul’s “Canberra Live” show on 2CC
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.
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AN acquaintance of mine recently had a chip installed in his hand.
To his and my knowledge this makes him the first “Grinder” (they have websites) in Canberra, which makes the whole transhumanism project worth putting on the table.
The idea of transhumanism is that through technology we can become something better than we are.
In my friend’s case, let’s call him Bob because we get to some legal grey areas, the technology is a small, near-field communication (NFC) chip inserted into his hand.
He bought it from a website called “Dangerous Things”, which should be a bit of a clue.
The chip was inserted by a doctor friend of his (not in Canberra) who bulk-billed the procedure.
On one level it doesn’t do a whole lot more than the chip in your cat’s neck or the ones in most of the cards in your wallet or newer mobile phones.
But it is programmable, and he’s precociously clever, so he’s taught it some tricks.
For one, his front door has a special lock that can read chips, and open to ones with the right numbers on them. Bob doesn’t have to worry about locking himself out of the house any more.
It is perhaps ironic that the first use of transhuman technology in Canberra was roughly akin to a high-tech dog door that stops the neighbour’s cat getting into your pet’s food.
He’s also copied over his MyWay card data and
The idea of transhumanism is that through technology we can become something better than we are.
set it up so that when he gets on the bus he can just swipe his hand.
Should a ticket inspector ever get on the bus I have no idea how it would go down.
I asked ACTION about the legality of this and had this response:
“At this stage our current system does not support this type of card/chip emulation. If this changes in the future ACTION passengers will be informed of use and functionality.”
It turns out the system very much does support this, they just don’t know it yet.
Bob’s just started on the transhuman journey.
Around the world people are playing with Cochlear implants to create a persistent compass in their heads, if they’re pointing north the pitch changes in a low-level background noise.
They’re also embedding magnets in their fingertips. They claim this lets them sense radio waves. Possibly things like a security system making a back to base call. Remember that noise speakers used to make when you had an incoming text message to your phone? That’s the sort of thing they say they can feel.
To make matters worse, there’s no real medical supervision going on here. “Dangerous Things”
even points out that there’s no way to sterilise those fingertip magnets without making them dangerously brittle.
We’re mostly in the territory of teenagers piercing themselves and prison tattoos.
To date, I haven’t seen much functionality that can’t be equalled by putting on a watch or carrying a wallet.
Is it any different to the masses of piercings the cool kids choose to put in their faces and ears?
But it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s going on. Even though no ethics board is in charge and no government has legislated for it.
John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au
‘After the Nepalese earthquake we
THERE is no slowing down for Lachhu Thapa and Ben Richardson, owners of The Hungry Buddha in Curtin. Despite celebrating the fourth anniversary of the popular Nepalese restaurant this month, they are still hungry for more.
Now with a boutique cafe in Phillip called Wheat and Oats, a Nepalese touring company called Buddha Odyssey and various fundraising events for their foundation Reach for Nepal, Lachhu and Ben are really making their mark on Canberra.
Lachhu, who also works in the public service, says: “The past four years have been surreal and we haven’t stopped, the possibilities are endless.
“We have gone through so much and we want to change things for the better, each month is better than the last”.
From housemates to business partners, Lachhu and Ben’s decision to open The Hungry Buddha was a spontaneous one.
Ben says: “It was just one of those things that happened. It was all so fast, all of a sudden it went from just an idea to the opening day of the restaurant.
“It is something that you can always build on, an outlet to do what you want with it, it’s a form of creativity.
“The restaurant has really expanded our horizons, it has led to other paths and has allowed us to do what we want. It’s all about having the right attitude.”
Since the opening of Wheat and Oats in February, which offers quality drinks, breakfast and lunch seven days a week, the boys’ passion for hospitality is still as strong as ever.
“For years, Ben and I used to meet up at different cafes every Saturday morning for breakfast. We thought we could do much more in that scene than what Canberra had on offer at the time,” says Lachhu.
“At The Hungry Buddha, we have good staff and we treat them well. It’s the same with Wheat and Oats. Without delegating our staff, we wouldn’t have been able to branch out.”
After the events of the devastating earthquake in
Nepal this year, Lachhu and Ben knew they had to do something to help.
Lachhu, who moved from Nepal to Australia in 2002, says: “When I heard about the earthquake, I was ringing home non-stop to see if my family were safe. Luckily we were spared of any damage.
“We suddenly got a lot of emails from the community saying let’s do something to help. It has been overwhelming.”
Since the earthquake, Lachhu and Ben have organised various fundraising dinners for immediate relief around the Nepal villages, as well as raising money for Red Cross and World Vision. This led to the creation of their own
foundation, Reach for Nepal.
“I was already conducting trips to Nepal via the Buddha Odyssey. One day I thought of putting together a trip where you get to camp at the village that’s ruined, assist in the rebuilding of the school and also trek for a little bit,” says Lachhu.
“I then registered the foundation – Reach for Nepal (R=Rebuild, E=Educate, A=Assist, C=Children, H=Hope). I will be looking for ambassadors for the foundation to assist in raising funds and lead some of the adventure trips to Nepal for the foundation.”
To mark the fourth anniversary of The Hungry Buddha, Lachhu and Ben are hosting a fundraising dinner on
Friday, July 31.
All revenue collected from the restaurant on this night will go towards supporting porters and guides doing it tough as a result of the recent Nepal earthquakes. Ben says: “We want people to help out where they can and to just come for a normal Friday night to relax. We have grown a lot over the years and have made so many friends in the process, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
The Hungry Buddha, 44e Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6285 2425 or visit thehungrybuddha.com.au
BILL Shorten has laid bare one of the greatest political challenges facing political leaders and most politicians.
Sticking steadfastly to ideology and principle wins the hearts and minds of many – and certainly the committed party supporters.
Sticking to principle, on the other hand, may mean not getting elected with no possibility of bringing about other important changes.
The last federal election was fought on “stop the boats”. The policy appealed to Australian xenophobia and played to fearmongering. However, it also appealed to those who favoured an orderly
Tony Abbott’s almost obsessive support of the coal industry provides a much better high ground from which a renewed Labor can launch an electoral offensive.
control who arrives, clarifying their political backgrounds and assessing suitable skills appropriate for Australia’s nation building.
The debate swung the political pendulum to the right. In marked contrast to the approach taken by the late Malcolm Fraser, when he accepted the Vietnamese boat people, the Abbott government with Scott Morrison at the immigration helm made it clear that boat people would never successfully settle in Australia. They made the policy work.
Opposition Leader Shorten must get the boat people off the agenda if he is to have a real chance at winning the next election. Unfortunately for him, introducing a sympathetic and more humanitarian
approach (which the vast majority of Labor members would probably prefer) would largely increase the likelihood of losing the next election.
As a compromise, Shorten promised in his address to the Labor National Conference “to accept more refugees, and treat refugees more humanely”.
If Labor loses an election fought over boat people, the “stop the boats” policy will remain unchanged anyway. Therefore, maintaining the current Labor approach to this policy area is simply a daft quixotic tilt at windmills.
Windmills; clean-energy producing wind turbines and solar farms are a far better battleground for Labor.
It is critical for an opposition leader to strategically manipu-
Caricature of Bill Shorten by Paul Dorin. late the debate on to the arena of their own choice. Tony Abbott’s almost obsessive support of the coal industry, along with his enthusiasm for undermining support for clean, renewable energy provides a much better high ground from which a renewed Labor can launch an electoral offensive.
The contentious Shenhua coal mine is illustrative. The debate has been divisive for the federal cabinet and for the coalition backbench. The outspoken support by senior cabinet ministers for the coal industry has made long-time rural supporters question the direction of the party in a similar way to how leftish supporters are challenged by winding back refugee policy within the Labor movement.
Email:
Similarly, Barnaby Joyce’s blatant “not in my electoral backyard” illustrates the danger for the National Party.
Climate change is an issue that will unite Labor. Shorten can use the issue to illustrate that he has the long-term interest of the community at heart.
It provides him with the opportunity to look like a statesman in contrast to Abbott whose interest appears limited to the short-term economics of the electoral cycle. Labor can also expect to pick up some of the Greens’ supporters that they will otherwise lose over the change to refugee policy.
Risking his leadership to make a strategic move in preparation for the next election prepares the ground for Shorten to have a real chance at the role of prime minister. It is worth the risk – but he could wait no longer for the debate.
Shorten demonstrated in a previous era, as he played a kingpin role in changing former Labor prime ministers, that he is ultimately a pragmatist. He might eat some humble pie now by admitting the Liberal policy on the boats has worked – but he will also demonstrate political leadership as he significantly improves Labor’s chances at the next election.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.
WITH the closure this month of ACTSPORT, we need to consider how the tradition of the Sports Star of the Year and the Hall of Fame can remain great events in the ACT calendar.
These events need to continue to recognise and celebrate the local sports people who have excelled.
It’s a long way from 1983, when ACTSPORT started as an umbrella organisation.
The only semblance of professional sport came in the form of the Raiders, the Cannons and soccer’s Canberra City Arrows; the Capitals were still a year away and the Brumbies weren’t even a vision.
ACTSPORT, led by Harry Marr and Jim Roberts, filled a vital role in guiding kitchen-table sporting organisations through the emerging minefield of insurances, liability and other requirements that were becoming part and parcel of sport in Australia.
To a certain extent ACTSPORT became a victim of its own success because as sporting organisations became more professional they became increasingly less reliant on the services of ACTSPORT.
As such, the organisation struggled to find its identity and purpose and, to many, the demise of ACTSPORT came as no real surprise. It will now be up to the ACT government to ensure that the smaller sporting organisations that were reliant on ACTSPORT’s services don’t go under.
WHILE on the subject of great sporting teams and professionalism it is hard to go past the performance of the Gungahlin United men’s soccer team.
In its first year and under the presidency of Ricardo Alberto and a strong committee, the team has overcome pre-season issues to qualify in the final 32 of the FFA Cup, as the leading Canberra side in the knockout tournament. With off-field issues resolved, the results have followed. Gungahlin United provides a positive lesson to all sporting clubs.
WITH the Civic Olympic diving pool scheduled to be reopened this summer, the focus for the ACT government is to establish a permanent diving facility in Canberra.
The Civic Olympic Pool appears to be on borrowed time with the new Indoor Sports Stadium earmarked for the site. But where to put a diving facility? There are two options – the new pool at Molonglo or the aquatic centre to be established by the lake.
It’s to be hoped the next diving facility will be indoors because at the moment our best divers spend plenty of time on the Hume Highway during winter. The call is for more diving and less driving.
SHANNON Rollason, the former AIS head coach who guided Jodie Henry to Olympic gold, has attracted one of Australia’s leading 50-metre freestyle swimmers to his program at the Gungahlin Pool.
Matthew Abood has confirmed that he will move from Sydney to Canberra to train under Rollason in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics.
In a major boost to Canberra swimming, Abood says he is keen to participate in local events and there is also speculation that other big-name overseas swimmers are also looking at utilising Rollason’s experience. The involvement of these high-performing swimmers should influence our locals to bigger and better things.
SALLY McDonald emailed to echo the “CityNews” experience with iiNet’s sudden, new billing regime.
CC reported a fortnight ago (“Disconnecting you now…”) that our busy newspaper and a Kingston accountant had had their phone services arbitrarily crimped and cut when telco TransACT’s Perth-based owners decided to change its charging process without warning.
Sally’s friend Marietta was accused of not paying her bill and her mobile was summarily locked. It took her three hours on the phone to get TransACT to sort it.
And Sally was also accused of not having paid her bill. She had, she also had the receipt number to prove it and her bank verified payment had been made. But not good enough for Transact (they couldn’t find the receipt!).
“I had to go into my bank to have them print out a copy of the statement to send to iiNet,” patient Sally says.
“I was also asked if I would allow them to record my credit card number so if this problem arises again they can then use my card to pay and then, if they do find the payment, they will then credit me.
“I told them, no. Can you imagine the double ups if that was to occur? What a terrible system they must have.”
CHARITABLY attuned publican Peter Barclay has hosted the fourth annual “Grow a Winter Beard” competition with proceeds in aid of the Leukaemia Foundation.
The winner on the night at King O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Civic was Lenny Scott , who works at the Canberra City Hellenic Club. Lenny took home an engraved silver trophy, a signed copy of
Melbourne photographer Stan Barnett’s book “Men with Beards” and a dinner at King O’Malley’s.
The more than 20 entrants were judged by Barnett, Belle the beard expert at Martinos Barbers and Barclay with some help from the crowd.
You doing it again next year, Peter? “Absolutely.”
“JUST a quick observation that the power of the arts doesn’t always overcome human conflict,” writes John Brookes, of Kambah.
John had logged on to book tickets for the Israeli Film Festival Palace only to find that many of the screening times and dates clash directly with the Arab Film Festival that is showing across the road at National Film and Sound Archive’s Arc Cinema.
“Whilst there is a certain irony in this clash there is a serious point, too – surely, these two venues, both purveyors of world cinema, should and could have liaised on this to avoid a crossover?” he asks
“If the purpose of such festivals – as well as to entertain – is to promote greater understanding of and empathy for different cultures through the medium of film then both venues appear to have scored an own goal here.”
READER Carolyn Wilson wrote to say that her son is fortunate enough to attend a privileged school in Canberra and that she was always trying to find ways to teach him about giving to those less fortunate.
And she was full of praise for the school, Canberra Grammar, for its decision to apply all the Woolworths “Earn and Learn” points collected by the school when the program finishes on September 8 to less fortunate Aboriginal pre-schools in the Kempsey area.
have, the school’s spokesman told CC.
“With our donation, these centres will be able to benefit greatly from the huge influx of points the CGS families can accumulate,” he said.
GIVEN there’s barely a face in the world that doesn’t come with skin, CC was perplexed by the National Portrait Gallery’s latest promise of “Australian portraiture that shows a bit of skin”.
Apparently the impending exhibition “Bare: Degrees of undress”, comprising more than 90 portraits from the Gallery’s collection, investigates elements of nakedness, with personalities such as Dame Edna Everage, Germaine Greer, Megan Gale and Billy Slater.
Curator Penelope Grist defines “bareness” as being “not as extreme as nakedness and not as refined as nudity. Bareness emphasises something about a subject’s identity as well as reflecting society.” So now you know. The gallery will be in the buff from August 15 to November 15 and entry is free.
Some Grammar teachers have been working through the Gunawirra charity and had seen first hand the needs these centres and the children Germaine Greer, 1999.
ASK Paul West , from River Cottage Australia, what a truffle smells like and he’ll answer: “A truffle”.
It is alone on his scratch-and-sniff scale, where delving into the science of taste and smell distracts from the pleasure of the versatility of this fungi to enhance and improve the simplest of foods and create taste sensations with so many.
Janet Jeffs, of Ginger Catering, knows a good truffle when she sniffs one and can create truffle magic with her recipes, but when she invited talented local chefs John Leverink , from The Boat House and Podfood; Clement Chauvin, of Les Bistronomes and Ben Willis, of Aubergine, to join her in the kitchen at the National Arboretum to create the Truffle Festival gala dinner the first “sniff” of it and the dinner was sold out.
The Truffle Queen of Canberra is Sherry McArdle-English, whose overnight success with the French black truffle has taken 10 years, but she’s created a market and made Canberra the truffle capital. She was the MC for the dinner with answers to every question about truffles.
We provide you with specialist advice to meet your financial, business and superannuation needs
AS one of the most established suburbs in the inner-south, Kingston has undergone a transformation over the years.
Workshop, where art exhibitions and concerts are held, and the centuryold Powerhouse, which is now the Canberra Glassworks.
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A blend of high-rise units, boutique shops and cafes, Kingston has become a vibrant, affluent place that offers attractions such as the Old Bus Depot Markets and the adjoining Fitters’
Beyond the traditional shopping precinct, the foreshore area has become one of Canberra’s success stories with its vibrant lakefront promenade.
AT Travel Makers, owner Phil Dalley can help people create their own, unique holiday packages, giving travellers something different to the standard “brochure tours”.
Specialising in cruises and worldwide trips, Travel Makers also organises small group tours of up to 18 people, with popular destinations including Sri Lanka, Japan and Bhutan.
Phil says: “We go out to different countries to vet the
journey and then we escort a group on the trip, usually comprised of local people from Canberra and the surrounding regions.
“People come to us for the unique trips because sometimes it is something that people feel they cannot do themselves or they might feel uneasy about the destination. We organise everything, with accommodation, transport and most meals included.
Next year, Travel Makers is sending groups off on adventures to fascinating places such as Sri Lanka to take in the beautiful beaches, historical and religious sites, and Japan to see the sights of bustling Tokyo and the majestic Mt Fuji.
“We have also organised a trip to France and Spain for August next year where customers come with us on a 22-day trip to see the beautiful cities both countries have to offer,” says Phil.
“This is the first time we have organised the trip, we always try to do something different for our customers.”
Travel Makers is holding information nights on Wednesday, August 5, for the Sri Lanka trip and on Thursday, August 13, for the Bhutan trip.
Phil says: “A lot of our customers are regulars, so we really get to know them. When we go on the trip, the group goes as strangers and comes back as friends.”
Travel Makers, 21 Eastlake Parade.
Call 6223 2780 or visit travelmakers.com.au Enquiries at travmake@travelmakers.com.au
SHARING an office with Travel Makers is the Italian Travel Bureau, run by Michele Perrone, who uses his personal knowledge and contacts in his homeland to organise very special Italian experiences.
“We build some tours that are quite unique and different,” Michele says. “For example, we run a cycling tour and that is combined with learning Italian at the same time, and one for small groups to have organic cooking classes at a villa in Tuscany and do yoga on the same trip.
“You don’t have to be athletic for the cycling tour, it is very leisurely and is suitable for all ages, an electric bike is also available. We take our travellers to discover different Italian regions and secret places in Italy such as Marche, Abruzzo and Puglia.
The Italian Travel Bureau also offers a Unique Gastronomic Escorted Tour of Italy for September.
Fully escorted by owner Michele, participants will have the chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products, which are high-quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction”, for example, the extra virgin olive oil of the Trapani area, the Madonie Provola cheese or the wines of the Mount Etna vineyards.
“The slow-food movement lets you experience rare food and drink that cannot be found anywhere else, it is something totally different.” says Michele.
Michele travels to Italy numerous times in the year to discover the perfect destinations for small groups or
individuals to enjoy a unique experience.
He says: “I am very passionate about Italy and I want to share that with everyone. There are so many beautiful places to visit, that’s why I go back so often.”
Italian Travel Bureau, 21 Eastlake Parade. Call 6223 2780 or go to italianbureau.com.au
Local accountant with a big view of
THE highly-qualified team at Gail Freeman and Co Pty Ltd provides specialist advice to meet individual financial, business and superannuation needs.
With more than 35 years of experience as a chartered accountant, registered tax agent and financial planner, director Gail Freeman and her staff look after all aspects of financial affairs from tax, financial planning and investment advice to retirement planning, superannuation, self-managed superannuation funds and all aspects of business improvement.
Gail says: “As I am fully trained in different areas, I can advise and consult clients on consequences from different perspectives.
“All of our staff have accounting training as well, so anyone who answers the phone will have an understanding and can help in some way.”
Gail Freeman and Co Pty Ltd has provided Kingston and the surrounding regions with a “one-stop-shop”
CREATE your own home-awayfrom-home at the Manuka Park Serviced Apartments.
Conveniently located between Manuka and Kingston, the 40-apartment complex accommodates to a variety of guests, social and tour groups, corporate, government and business guests to families and wedding parties. With a passion for hospitality, new hotel manager, Joel Smith, has worked in hotels across the world and intends to create a homely feeling for his guests. He says: “I have been the hotel manager for two months and it’s been great so far. I have worked in hotels across Canberra, as well as Canada and America and I really enjoy what I do.
“We have employed new staff and renovated the rooms. A few of our guests travel to Canberra for corporate events and they stay here for months out of the year. We try to make it like home for them so they feel comfortable during their stay.” All apartments are fully selfcontained, with well-equipped kitchens, a laundry with washing machine and dryer, LCD TV with Foxtel channels, as well as a swimming pool, undercover parking and each apartment contains a private balcony or courtyard.
Manuka Park Serviced Apartments, 1 Oxley Street, Manuka. Call 6239 0000 or visit manukapark.com.au
service since 1987, offering advice to all types of clients.
“We offer a tailored service to suit people’s needs, whether they are small-business owners, investors or individuals, we can help,” says Gail.
“I love what I do and I find it very challenging. Legislation is constantly changing but I love that. I enjoy helping people sort out their lives if they are in difficult situations and need assistance with loans and other general financial advice.
“I can step in and say how a client can improve their business, how they can set up a budget, advise them on how they can afford a house or offer guidance on superannuation funds that will allow them to live comfortably in retirement.”
Gail Freeman and Co Pty Ltd, 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston. Call 6295 2844 or visit gailfreeman.com.au, email enquiries to info@gailfreeman.com.au
After 10 years in Fyshwick, Copiworld has relocated to, and is providing the highest
and
Dr Amanda McKeon
BDS (Syd) & Dr Alex Parragi
BDS (Syd) & Dr Anne Henchman
BDS Hons (Syd)
Unit 6, Kingston Manor, 10 Kennedy St, Kingston
Excellence in quality care
COPIWORLD is a family-run, reprographics business providing high-quality service and products to Kingston and the surrounding regions.
The business offers a large range of printing options in both full colour and black and white. These services include small and large format printing, copying and scanning, plan printing, binding and laminating.
Situated on Wentworth Avenue, Copiworld is a family run business which Mark Lawrie and his wife Julie have looked after for 10 years, with their children Jade and Travis running the store.
“Travis is very knowledgeable and the services we offer at Copiworld are IT intensive. We were the first printing company to go into word processing, to bring computers from overseas and also to change to digital processes for printing and photocopying”.
“Our customers range from architects, engineers, builders and lawyers to accountants, designers and consultants,” says Mark.
“They are very loyal and tend to come back
because of our quality products, reasonable prices, good service and up-to-date technology.”
Open Monday to Friday, Copiworld provides an instant, across-the-counter service for small jobs as well as an email or internet based service.
Mark says: “Jade is customer service oriented and runs the store very efficiently. Most people come into the store to drop off or collect their product but we can also receive their jobs electronically through a variety of systems and send them out by post or by courier.”
we can. We do what we do and we do it well.”
“The important thing to customers is that we provide a friendly service and try to help where
AS the most long-standing practice in Kingston, Drs Parragi and McKeon’s Dental Surgery offers quality, general preventative and cosmetic dentistry.
Located on Kennedy Street, Dr Amanda McKeon, Dr Alex Paraggi and Dr Anne Henchman are dedicated to providing the best possible dental care for all age groups.
“We understand that patients’ needs vary so the service is suited to the individual,” says Amanda.
“We are a well-known practice with a high level
of combined experience. Alex and I have been practising in Canberra for 30 years or more.
“We’ve been here for many years and people know who we are. We provide a professional experience and high-quality of care. We have built up a loyalty and respect, people know and trust us.”
Focusing on all aspects of dentistry, the practice provides general services such as evaluation, prevention, diagnosis and cosmetic services such as whitening, crowns, bridges and
restorative work.
Amanda says: “You need to look after your mouth and keep it healthy as you get older.
“We always do the right thing by our patients.
Sometimes there’s a line between what people want and expect to what is right for them.
“We sit down with the patients, discuss the options and try to come to an agreement.”
Dr Parragi and McKeon’s Dental Surgery, 6/10 Kennedy Street. Call 6295 6190.
After years of experience and research we have found that our clients want to experience the world first hand. With that in mind we have created Travel Makers Journeys, with group sizes of 12-20 travellers. Our tours are a reflection of the destination where you will experience all it has to offer. Travel Makers Journeys ensure you receive more personal attention and our expert Local Guides and Travel Makers Escorts give you the best of both worlds. On our Journeys you will be treated to our Three C’s – Culture, Cuisine and Comfort.
Join us to some of our favourite places in 2016, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, America/Canada, Burma, France & Spain to name a few. Travelling with our small groups means more than just a tour bus, it means laughter, friendship and independence.
If you would like to find out more please visit our website www.travelmakers.com.au or email us at travmake@travelmakers.com.au
A complete Tour to discover the beauty of Puglia with a visit to the evocative town of Matera. Designed exclusive for individual travellers, this tour will give you a total freedom as well a structured itinerary with many unique inclusions. Tour can depart any day of the week with a minimum of 2 adults.
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Email: info@italianbureau.com.au • www.italianbureau.com.au
“WE specialise in rescuing old pieces of Chinese furniture, preserving their charm and integrity while ensuring they fit modern Australian lifestyles,” says Hou Leong, owner of the Silk Road Gallery, Kingston.
Since 1993, the Canberra artist and his friendly staff have provided the region with practical, antique furniture to give homes a lift.
“Winter is the perfect time to give your home a fashion makeover. Try adding a splash of colour with a wall hanging, some flowers from your garden and simple but elegant ceramics,” says Hou.
“Decorative furniture can give you a double benefit, adding both a sense of the exotic and some
SPORTSTEC Clinic is a newly established physiotherapy practice in Kingston committed to treating and managing a variety of injuries, specialising in sports physiotherapy.
“We are different to normal physiotherapy clinics,” says Sarah Kelly, one of four, fully-qualified physiotherapists at the clinic.
practical storage space.”
With the philosophy “all homes deserve a treasure”, Hou and his team of skilled craftsmen and women rescue furniture that was hand made more than 100 years ago.
“We also have a lovely range of high-quality porcelain, bronzes, wooden sculptures, blanc de Chine and other decorative items, both antiques and modern reproductions,” he says.
“For architects and designers, we have spectacular architectural pieces, from huge city gates through to carved decorative posts and screens.”
The Silk Road Gallery, 19 Kennedy Street, Kingston. Call 6295 0192 or 0413 843308. Visit silkroadgallery.com.au
“Our practitioners specialise in different aspects, such as sports and dance physiotherapy, workplace and spinal injuries, post-motor vehicle accidents and chronic pain management. We also do Japanese acupuncture and have a massage therapist, psychologist and personal trainer available to help.”
The clinic, which is situated on Giles Street, has a fully equipped rehabilitation and performance gym, ballet room, Pilates studio and also offer hydrotherapy off-site. The combined experience of the
practitioners, who have performed in different sports at elite levels, has given them an understanding of the demands athletes face and the support they need.
Sarah says: “We treat a lot of athletes from Canberra and national teams. We work together to improve performance and to keep them on the field. “Sometimes their improvement is so successful, they become better than they were before the injury.
“With the general physiotherapy we deal with common complaints such as painful backs, sore necks or headaches, as well as chronic pain, we aim to manage the pain to improve lifestyle and happiness.”
Sportstec Clinic, 81/71 Giles Street. Call 6156 1308 or visit sportstecclinic.com.au Enquiries at admin@ sportstecclinic.com.au
A GROUP of Queensland women have completed a musical project documenting the emotional stories of the wives and widows of Australian soldiers.
Each song of “The Soldier’s Wife” focuses on a different story; tales of husbands killed in battle, of men returning home with PTSD and of children watching on.
One song is about dropping a toddler into the car, just a snippet of everyday life, but telling the story from one woman’s point of view.
I’m talking to Roz Pappalardo, veteran vocal Queensland teacher, singer and songwriter who is best known as part of the Queensland contemporary folk duo, Women in Docs. She’s familiar with Canberra from many a National Folk Festival.
In recent years she’s been especially busy, but when asked by her good friend and the creator of “The Soldier’s Wife”, Deb Suckling, to join the project she dropped everything.
“Deb knew that I had a strong history of working in the community with kids, in Arnhem Land with elders in indigenous communities, with women in detention centres and with young women in jail – I’d got a bit of a reputation for working around people who have a hidden story to tell,” she tells “CityNews” by phone from Brisbane.
Pappalardo believes that “song is a great healer and a great communicator that breaks down barriers” and testifies to the extraordinary age range of storytellers over the last year and a half. They’ve talked to a young woman with two kids and a traumatised husband and a young woman who lost a husband in a recent conflict. “Women didn’t think people would care about their stories, but they all interested me,” she says.
The format of the concert is casual, she says. One songwriter tells a story and presents a song and then introduces the next songwriter, but the finale has the whole group telling a single story together. She’s got two songs in the show. One, “Let the Chain Up”, came straight from her grandmother, who died last year.
“It tells the story of when my grandfather went to World War II and left her in a tiny village… her job was to watch the train and when the train came in to watch the troops – she would be looking for him every day,” she says.
“Another family tale, told by a woman from Chinchilla, tells the story of Giovanni, who jumped off a war boat heading for Africa just before the boat exploded.”
“The Soldier’s Wife”, at The Street Theatre, 7.30pm, August 6, bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.
By Helen Musa
“SOME of my best work has been with modern classics,” says Iain Sinclair, resident dramaturg for Playwriting Australia and director of the coming production at The Playhouse of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”.
Sinclair is something of an expert. He’s directed Lorca’s “Blood Wedding” and Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” for the Sydney Theatre Company, Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” at the new Eternity Theatre off Oxford Street, and an adaptation of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” at the Stables Theatre, not long after he arrived in Sydney from Canberra.
There’s a big payoff in directing classics, Sinclair tells me: “It teaches me the value of efficiency and plain honesty in an industry more and more enamoured with ironic bells and whistles”.
Dramatised for the stage by John Steinbeck himself from the celebrated novella, “Of Mice and Men”, is set in the Great Depression. The story focuses on two displaced migrant workers, George and Lennie, and their dream of one day owning their own piece of land.
To stage such a deceptively simple work as “Of Mice and Men” you need a special director and Canberrans already know Sinclair’s value. Happily raised in the Canberra theatre scene, Sinclair is quick to acknowledge the influences of his home town.
“I started my career in Canberra so it’s a wonderful thing to come back
with a show I’m so proud of,” Sinclair tells “CityNews”, reminiscing about the livewires he worked with, including directors such as John Spicer, Ralph Wilson and Carol Woodrow, contemporaries such as David Branson, David Atfield, Lucy Taylor and Jonathan Gavin, and his mates in Elbow Theatre.
“Of Mice and Men” also features another Canberran, John McNeil, who plays Carlson and, Sinclair reports, “we both often reminisce with great warmth of our days doing shows at Canberra Rep”.
But it’s a sad reality that most of our best and brightest still have to leave the ACT to have a career in theatre.
“It’s embarrassing that our national capital doesn’t have a national standard, full-time professional theatre company yet,” he laments.
“Of Mice and Men”, The Playhouse, August 6-8, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au
By Helen Musa
THE eminent war historian Charles Bean once said there had been almost no music at Gallipoli. Maybe so, maybe not, but surely no one disputes that music is a good way to commemorate the tragedy of war.
Now, in a long-awaited tour de force, the Anzac answer to Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” is about the take the stage when “The Gallipoli Symphony” enjoys its world premiere by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra in the Hagia Irene, the ancient Byzantine church in the precinct of the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, on August 4.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Michael Ronaldson, says that since being commissioned by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 2006, 11 composers from Australia, NZ and Turkey had worked to compose the individual movements that comprise the symphony, now played together for the first time.
Former director of the Canberra International Music Festival and 2013 “CityNews” Canberra Artist of the Year, Chris Latham, is behind the symphony, working with the department for the past decade in commissioning and conducting the work.
We caught up with Latham deep in his Downer kitchen-study last week as he prepared for the journey to Turkey, occasionally taking up his violin to demonstrate unfamiliar Turkish music.
Latham describes the venture as “the largest piece of cultural diplomacy ever undertaken by an Australian government department” and hopes the 72-minute symphony will become a “second legacy” after Britten, in lamenting all wars.
“Good on DVA for creating a piece of culture,” he says appreciatively.
The Istanbul performance will mark the
end of a marathon 10-year project that has seen him dashing between Australia, NZ and Turkey as composers from all three countries created, piece by piece, a musical evocation of Anzac.
Australians will first experience it, played by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on November 24.
“It could be called a war requiem,” Latham says, agreeing that the musical and visual journey that tells the story of the 1915 Gallipoli campaign is not a conventional symphony composed by one artist, but a mammoth collaboration. Sadly, one of the collaborators, Peter Sculthorpe, did not live to see the work performed.
“I was in my 30s when I began work on the symphony in 2005,” Latham reflects. At the back of his mind was not just Gallipoli but 9/11, and the story of Gallipoli has become “an enormous thing in our mythology, the Islamic world and the Christian world in co-existence – it had to be a people thing.”
He asked each composer to write an in-depth, but bite-sized movement to be part of the larger whole.
One of his collaborators, Des Power, contributed the text for the penultimate movement, made up of simple syllables that the Turkish musicians could respond to.
That was important to Latham, initially perplexed by the problem of knitting western music with the Turkish “makam” scales.
STARS of the film “Brassed Off!” and 16-time winner of the UK Brass in Concert Championships, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, is coming to Llewellyn Hall on Saturday, August 8. Its repertoire includes Glenn Miller numbers, music by Charlie Chaplin (yes) and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”. Bookings to 1300 795012 or ticketek.com.au
EXPERIMENTAL music guru Richard Johnson’s brainchild, the “SoundOut” festival, has been shortlisted for excellence in experimental music for the 2015 Art Music Awards, with the winners to be announced on August 11 at the City Recital Hall in Sydney. Johnson has been running the festival in Canberra for six years.
“INTERNECINE: The Vanished Musicians” is a “transmedia” exhibition marking the experiences of 96 musicians who fled World War II Germany to settle here, only to find themselves interned as enemy aliens. At Nishi Gallery, August 7-25, it sees local visual artists and international sound designers celebrating the modern refugee. Proceeds from sales go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, UNHCR and Refugee Advice & Casework Service.
ANTONIO Stradivari’s craftsmanship remains unsurpassed and about 650 of his instruments survive today. Salut! Baroque honours him through music by music by Vivaldi, Corelli, Albion, Valentino and Bertali in “The Master Luthier”, at Albert Hall, 7.30pm, on Friday, August 7. Tickets at the door.
“CLIMATA”, a sound project recorded entirely in James Turrell’s Skyspaces by Ireland-based Australian sound artist Robert Curgenven, will have a public viewing in “Within Without”, at the National Gallery’s Skyspace, August 5-7. The full version of “Climata” will be released on CD via Dragon’s Eye Recordings.
SHORT+SWEET Canberra presents more than 30 10-minute plays, directed and performed by Canberra theatre talent at the Courtyard Studio, August 4-15. This year boasts a record number of entries with 20 of the 30 plays written in the ACT. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
FRIENDS of Ireland will mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of poet WB Yeats with an afternoon of poetry and music hosted by Prof Ronan McDonald, director of the Global Irish Studies Centre at UNSW. At the National Library of Australia’s theatre, 3pm, Sunday, August 2, bookings to nla.gov.au/bookings/friends
Luckily, he found Omar Faruk Tekbilek, a contemporary Turkish composer familiar with Ottoman music.
“Let the two scales co-exist,” they decided.
Planning was essential but not easy, he found, with six musical perspectives, Ottoman, modern Turkish, Maori, Pakeha, indigenous Australian and immigrant Australian.
In the end, the movements were ordered by the story – “Gelibolu” by Tekbilek (2014); “He Poroporoaki”, the leaving of NZ, by Richard Nunns (2007); “The Voyage” by Graeme Koehne (2009); “Thoughts of Home” by Peter Sculthorpe (2008); “Landing” by Elena Kats-Chernin (2010); “The Invasion”
by Kamran Ince (2011); “God, Pity us Poor Soldiers” by Ross Harris (2012); “August offensive” by Andrew Schultz (2013); “Gallipoli: the Trenches are Empty Now” by Ross Harris (2015); “Hope of the Higher Heart” by Demir Demirkan (2006); “The Future” by Graeme Koehne with text by Des Power (2015) and “100 seconds for 100 years” by Latham (2015).
Back at the kitchen table, Latham is performing and conducting the symphony’s ending by himself – violin, orchestra, bells, kids singing “Salam, Salam – Peace, Peace. “It’ll be in the spirit of love,” he says, “it’ll be a supernova”.
“The Gallipoli Symphony” at QPAC, Brisbane, November 24, bookings to qpac.com.au
Michael Caton in the role of terminally ill taxi driver Max Bell… no less an acting lesson than the
in
“Last Cab To Darwin” (MA) EUTHANASIA was legal in the NT from 1995 until 1997 when the Commonwealth banned it.
Co-producer, writer and director Jeremy Sims’ film achieves significant verity in adapting Reg Cribb’s 2003 stage success about cab driver Max Bell’s response to terminal stomach cancer.
The film’s plot accompanies Broken Hill taxi driver Rex through Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta, Mataranka and Daly Waters with a diversion to a World War II RAAF airfield and, finally, Darwin.
Michael Caton’s portrayal of Rex is no less an acting lesson than the one Ian McKellen gives in “Mr Holmes”. As Polly, the Aboriginal woman whose house is opposite Rex’s, Ningali Lawford-Wolf is great. Mark Coles Smith is terrific as Rex’s uninvited companion Tilly, a young angst-ridden Aboriginal bundle of conflicting emotions whose performance of an Aboriginal butcher’s dance at the Daly Waters pub is high comedy in a film where comedy abounds.
Jacki Weaver is strong as pro-euthanasia Darwin
GP Nic Farmer and Emma Hamilton is the pretty backpacker who decides that her nursing qualifications are better applied to caring for Rex than pulling beer for the multitude.
The merits of “Last Cab To Darwin” aren’t diminished by a few details that don’t exactly reflect reality. Screenplay nuances, impressive performances, laconic Aussie humour, emotional strengths and unflinching observations of social issues combine to make not only a marvellous Australian film but also an important one. The affection and compassion embedded in its dramatic values will tug at your conscience, even your heartstrings. Remember to take tissues.
At Dendy and Palace Electric
“Self/Less” (M)
TO build a sci-fi thriller from this screenplay by Spanishborn brothers David and Alex Pastor, India-born California-educated director Tarsem Singh struggles manfully to keep a clear view of the main character’s identity. That’s not easy.
Terminally unwell billionaire Damian (Ben Kingsley wasted in such a short-lasting role) doesn’t care to be told that he can’t have what he wants.
Enter Albright (Matthew Goode) who has built a wondrous machine rather resembling a pair of MRI
scanners that rotate around the whole of the patient’s body. The dying patient lies in one. In the other lies a fit human into which the machines will transfer the dying man’s persona. What a wondrous invention for the wealthy to play with!
The cadaver that gets Damian has had military training. He’s gonna need it! Played by Ryan Reynolds, the donor spends the film fleeing from nasty guys who want to kill not only him but also his pre-procedure wife and daughter who take a while to realise that he’s less dead than thought.
Proletarians like these would not have shone brightly in Damian’s pre-op view of humanity. But Damian in the new body spends most of the film protecting them from annihilation. I don’t get it. Probably you won’t either.
“Self/Less” is unlikely to satisfy those who need their movies to make sense, no matter how preposterous their genre and dramatic environment. Filmgoers seeking befuddlement in a violent chase framework may find it worthwhile.
At Hoyts, Capitol 6, Dendy and Limelight
“13 Minutes” (MA)
“DOWNFALL”, Oliver Hirschbiegel’s 2004 telling of the final days of the Fuhrer-bunker as Russian forces approached through the rubble of Berlin, manifests his passion for telling it as it was, in that case the reminiscences of Hitler’s private secretary who survived.
On November 8, 1939, Hitler and his coterie of top Nazis were at the Munich Burgerbraukeller for the anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler left 13 minutes earlier than scheduled. A quite large bomb that Elser (Christian Friedel) had painstakingly built under the building went off on time.
Most of “13 Minutes” is Hirschbiegel’s recreation of the Gestapo’s interrogation of Elser. Hitler went quite spare over the failure of torture and other imaginative brutalities to persuade Elser to name his co-conspirators. Which was hardly surprising. Elser built and installed the bomb without anybody else knowing.
Hirschbiegel’s film lacks joy, humour or compassion. The only credible description for it is “bleak”.
At Palace Electric
THERE’S nothing more local than a restaurant called Locale, nor pizzas more authentic than those made by Italian pizzaiolos, such as the crew cooking up a storm seven nights a week in the open-concept kitchen at Locale.
Deakin shops is a hoppin’ with this latest venture, which oozes passion and stands true to its motto “Made with Love”.
Locale isn’t pretentious. The décor is modern yet warm, and the atmosphere intoxicating.
You don’t have to make your own fun here –the staff do it for you, including if you’re propped at the bar enjoying a drink and antipasti, dining in for a full meal or hanging about for takeaway pizza, which run out the door at marathon pace.
But don’t be fooled by the casual, friendly approach – this place is dead serious about topquality, affordable
The calamari fritti is some of the best I have had in a
Don’t be fooled by the casual, friendly approach – this place is dead serious about top-quality, affordable food.
long, long time ($17). No tough, chewy calamari here. It’s lightly coated with salt and pepper and is as tender as.
The arancini ($18) was also the best I’ve had in yonks. I had stopped ordering this dish in Canberra since so many places produce a gluey substance that they think is somehow pleasing.
Hand-made, wood-fired pizzas are front and centre at Locale, with around 15 varieties on offer (gluten-free quinoa base available, as are pastas, if that’s your preference). Pizzas range from $20 to $25.
The controlled chaos in the kitchen is mesmerising. Italians speaking Italian and hustling to flip dough (pure entertainment), add toppings, whip pizzas into the massive pizza oven, belt out the name of each as it’s ready, and place them on plates ready to be served quick sharp. These
pizzas are definitely not made by some kitchen hand who thinks tossing a few ingredients randomly on to pre-made dough makes for an amazing bite to eat.
You will NOT go wrong with the “Locale” pizza, with fior di latte, salami, gorgonzola and mascarpone. It is to die for.
Salad anyone? My recommendation is the stunning Insalata di radicchio ($22). Bold, bitter, beautiful purple leaves with roasted walnuts, fresh pear and creamy, gorgonzola. A perfect combination.
I rarely order dessert (not because I don’t adore them but because I’m usually – dare I admit it? – too full). But Locale put forth another recommendation; the Tortino al cioccolato (all desserts $14), Perugia chocolate warm pudding with salted-peanut gelato and caramel sauce. It’s sinful and there’s plenty to share. I want more!
Locale is the brainchild of Omar Muscat and Michael Nagy, who are now the duo behind Double Shot (just next door in Deakin) and Urban Pantry (new changes soon).
Locale. Shop 5, Deakin shops. Open dinner only, 5pm until late. Call 6162 2888.
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We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow
OF all the many varieties of berries, strawberries are the most popular and they are s-o-o-o easy to grow.
Right now is planting time and my advice is always to buy virus-free strawberries certified by the Department of Agriculture and not accept runners from well-meaning friends. Strawberries sold at garden centres are always virus free.
The earliest fruiting variety is Tioga with picking often starting in October. Although with late frosts affecting the flowers, I’d suggest this is not the best variety for Canberra.
Red Gauntlet is the all-time favourite and picking starts in
mid-November. A relative newly introduced variety is Hokowase, which is of Japanese origin, with its fruit sweet even before it is fully ripe. This is also an early fruiting variety that can suffer from late frosts (overcome by covering the plants at night).
When planting, dig in plenty of rich, organic matter from the compost heap or pulverised cow manure mixed with blood and bone fertiliser. Mound the soil into a ridge about 50cm wide and cover with black plastic.
The length of the mound will depend on the number of plants to be grown. Cut a cross through the plastic on the top of the ridge about 10cm long each way and plant the strawberry crowns about 20cm apart.
roots up to flowering time. Snails are the biggest problem and Multigard Slug and Snail Killer, which is said to be safer than other snail killers if you have pets, will take care of them. Nor will it kill blue tongue lizards and geckos. Mildew problems (for strawberries and, indeed, all plants) can be fixed by spraying a mixture of one part full cream milk mixed with eight parts water.
IT’S also time to start planting up containers for the spring floral display. It will take eight weeks from planting seedlings to full flowering. Planting now will ensure a floral display by the start of spring in September.
Although polyanthus, pansies, violas and primulas are technically winter flowering annuals, they will continue to flower well into the spring.
Water-in with, say, a seaweed plant nutrient and apply it every few weeks to encourage plenty of
Apply a liquid plant nutrient, such as a seaweed plant nutrient on a weekly, weakly application (ie a weak solution once a week). Alternatively, if you have been dividing perennials plant any excess into containers. The larger the container the less likelihood of it drying out and it’s best to keep the containers raised off the ground without saucers.
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for added interest.
Feed spring bulbs with a high potassium plant food to encourage flowering. Unless we receive no rain between now and flowering time cease watering bulbs now. Cut back hard ornamental grasses that have been left for winter interest.
Prune Buddleias (or Butterfly Bush) very hard down to one metre to encourage flowering. Take out any dead, diseased or damaged branches.
Start pruning roses even though the old advice was not to prune until the end of August/September. Don’t be afraid to really cut back hard to a metre or less if they have been neglected for some time.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
A teenager, friend or lover requires some guidance but avoid rushing in and messing up a sensitive situation. More patience is needed, if you want to help rather than hinder. Sometimes you just have to step back and let loved ones make their own mistakes in their own individual way. Mars (your ruling planet) moves into fiery Leo on the weekend (until September 25) so you’ll be keen to express yourself in increasingly creative and flamboyant ways.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Get set for a turbulent week as Venus (your ruling planet) hooks up with prosperity planet Jupiter, and then squares sombre Saturn. So a piece of good luck could fall into your lap, followed by the realisation that you’ll have to work very hard to maintain it. Extra cash could come your way – only to be gobbled up by overdue bills or unexpected expenses. Ce la vie! On the weekend, strive to be more proactive about a frustrating family problem.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
You start the week well with a novel idea or an ingenious plan, but the planets also stir up your restless Gemini nature and shorten your (already limited) attention span. Superficial chit-chat won’t be appreciated on Thursday so don’t skim over the surface when communicating with others. Take the time to dig a lot deeper. And with Venus reversing through your social media zone (until September 6) be extra careful when posting messages or dealing with online daters.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Many Cancers are (or were) creative entrepreneurs – like John D. Rockefeller, Richard Branson, Gisele Bundchen and Khloe Kardashian. This week, with so many planets in your money zone, all types of business projects are highlighted. Jupiter blesses financial forays, but retro Venus cautions you to resist the urge to overvalue things. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Andy Warhol: “Making money is art, and working is art and good business is the best art.”
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Lions love luxury and often charm their way out of doing menial chores. But with Venus reversing through Leo (until September 6) your Cat charisma may not work on others ATM – no matter how hard you try. So it would be better to just roll your sleeves up and do the routine jobs that need to be done – without complaining! Mighty Mars moves into your sign on the weekend (until September 25) so it’s the perfect time to get passionate about an ambitious new project.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
You love to help others and feel useful – especially this week. A friend or family member may be drawn to you for emotional comfort and practical support and you’re in the mood to listen, as you offer Virgo advice that is sensible and sensitive. Mercury (your ruling planet) moves into your sign on Friday (until August 27) when you’ll be at your clear, careful, logical best as you multi-task with fabulous flair. But resist the urge to criticise others and sweat the small stuff.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
With Venus in retro mode, life is difficult for many love-obsessed Librans ATM. Relationships are rocky and, if you’re single, your soul mate seems to be permanently delayed! So it’s important to have a goal or dream you’re aiming for – something that can transport you into a future that is bigger than just you. Be inspired by birthday great Barack Obama” “It’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realise your true potential.”
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
When it comes to professional matters, it’s a terrific time to broaden your knowledge base and update your skills. Contacts with work colleagues, clients or customers also prove beneficial, but make sure you do all the relevant checks before you commit to a new course of action. Strong feelings re-surface mid-week, as a loved one pushes your buttons and you over-react. Cool down Scorpio, otherwise you run the risk of turning a minor matter into a grand obsession.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
With Jupiter (your ruling planet) squaring Saturn, it will be a stop/start kind of week as projects proceed one step forward, and then two steps back. Be patient! If you are in it for the long run, you’ll gradually make satisfying progress. The stars could also send a travel opportunity or business break your way, but it’s not a free ride. You must be focused enough to recognise good luck when it comes along – and disciplined enough to turn it into a productive project.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Hey Capricorn – can you be extra diplomatic and oh-so discreet? You’ve been told something in strict confidence, so make sure you keep it to yourself. If you’ve got to make an important decision about something that’s troubling you, follow your intuition. From Saturday onwards, the more proactive you are about money, the better you’ll feel. A positive attitude clears the financial cobwebs, as you look for long-term solutions to short-term cash flow problems.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Dramas are likely at home or work, unless you are super adaptable and stay calm. A colleague or loved one is feeling emotionally unsettled, so don’t take negative comments too personally. If you are reckless with relationships, then you could find yourself with a fractious friend, or livid lover on your hands. When it comes to money matters, it’s a suitable time to increase your financial literacy via a course of study or the mentorship of someone with a good business brain.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Energy levels are fluctuating so pace yourself Pisces. With five planets in your wellbeing zone, focus on improving your health and fitness – but you must choose food options and exercise routines that are flexible and enjoyable. And do you wish there were more hours in the day so you can tackle the myriad of jobs that need to be done? From Saturday onwards, motivation planet Mars shakes you out of any complacency as you tackle the to-do list with renewed enthusiasm.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2015 Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore
1 What relates to flowers?
7 Which former US prison site was known as The Rock?
8 What is a communication in writing?
9 Which immature varieties of cucumber are used in pickling?
10 To breathe in, is to do what?
11 Which soldiers are stationed at a place, to keep guard?
14 What are terms applied to persons to express attributes?
18 The Roman symbol XII stands for which number?
19 Name the casino attendant who collects and pays the money at a gambling table.
21 What, in meteorology, is a line drawn on a weather map?
22 Name another term for a knock-back.
23 To withdraw one’s services, is to go out on what?
Down
1 What is the sac from which a hair grows?
2 The stems of which palm are used for wickerwork, canes, etc?
3 What is a generous bestowal of gifts?
4 Name a unit of land measurement, in the imperial system.
5 What do we call a person employed to tend a furnace?
6 Name a particular North American Indian.
12 What are the external openings of the nose?
13 Which NRL team won the grand final 11 times in a row from 1956 to 1966 inclusive (2,6)?
15 Name a politician who contributed much to Australian federation, Sir Henry ...
16 Which sign of the zodiac is represented by the Bull?
17 Name a fabric with a fine, raised finish.
20 What is a very small quantity of something?
Richard and Catherine needed to borrow $50,000 for a business machine and $10,000 for the changeover on a new car.
Their bank had told them they could borrow against their mortgage and the interest would be tax deductible. They came to see me to make sure that was the case.
“The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has made many statements on loans that are partly used for deductible purposes,” I told them.
“They all state that it is the purpose of borrowing that determines the deductibility of interest. As you know mortgage interest is normally not deductible.
“The interest on the $10,000 for the new car for Catherine would also be regarded as non-deductible. Whereas the interest on the $50,000 for the new machine would be deductible as it is being used for a tax-deductible purpose.
“You will have to apportion the interest on the loan to arrive at the amount that can be claimed as a tax deduction. If you make additional draw downs then you need to establish the purpose for each one, which determines the deductibility of that interest.
“The ATO also takes the view that any repayments you make on the loan also need to be apportioned. It is easier to have separate loans than to have one loan for multiple purposes, but it is not always possible.”
Richard said my advice was very helpful, but he also wanted to know about the virtues of paying off their mortgage.
“I am planning to retire in 10 years and I haven’t got much superannuation,” he said.
“The mortgage balance is about $150,000. We can afford to pay $5000 a month, which should clear it in six years. Is that a good idea?”
I replied that when interest rates were low, as they are at present, it’s generally better to increase your contributions to superannuation.
“When you retire is the time to pay off the mortgage, particularly when you only have limited superannuation,” I advised them. “Especially, as you need to increase both your superannuation balance and pay off the mortgage.
“Superannuation payments that you make up to $35,000 will be tax deductible so you will pay 15 per cent tax in the superannuation fund. This compares with the 39 per cent that you’ll pay on the money that you earn before you pay extra off the mortgage.
“Also the interest on the mortgage is 4 per cent, but you should earn at least 6 per cent in superannuation.
“So you are paying extra tax to have funds available to pay off the mortgage when you could be paying extra into superannuation. You are saving 4 per cent in mortgage interest, but you would not be earning 6 per cent plus in your superannuation fund.
“You can afford to pay $5000 off your mortgage, which is equivalent to earning more than $8000 before tax. So you should pay $35,000 to superannuation and Catherine should salary sacrifice approximately $30,000.
“If you both do this you’ll still have more disposable income that could be used to reduce the mortgage and you will also have more superannuation when you finally retire. If interest rates or anything else change we will need to review your strategy then.”
Richard said: “Thanks, Gail, I had no idea that paying off the mortgage could be a bad decision!”
If you need help with business and financial decisions contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd
