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TOP PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS CELEBRATED

The efforts of Canberra’s most inspiring and dynamic public school educators were recognised at the 2015 ACT Public Education Awards: Celebrating Excellence. Minister for Education and Training, Joy Burch MLA, announced the winners of the Awards at an event held at the National Gallery of Australia last week. “These Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in public education in the ACT and acknowledge the efforts of the wonderful people who work in our public schools,” Ms Burch said.

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Sarah Synnott

Isabella Plains Early Childhood School

EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR

Daryl Galic

Mount Rogers Primary School

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Heather Girdlestone Neville Bonner School

OUTSTANDING PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR

Anglicare

Southern Cross Early Childhood School

John was honoured for his outstanding contribution to research, teaching and learning relating to Indigenous perspectives in physical education and school sport. He has undertaken research in three ACT schools that has never been carried out before in the local or national context. Through his research John identified areas for improvement that will enhance outcomes for Indigenous students in ACT schools.

Bruce was honoured for his holistic view of education at Calwell High School linking theory, practice and vision to quality educational outcomes. His efforts at the school in building an engaging curriculum, quality approach to teaching and allowing students to have a say in their learning have produced ongoing positive results for students - not only in their time at school, but as successful adults in our society.

Leslie was recognised as an incredibly dedicated, innovative and hardworking Science teacher who makes extraordinary contributions to the development of students at the school, within the ACT and across the international landscape. A tireless advocate; Leslie’s enthusiasm and energy in ensuring science education remains a priority has inspired many others to learn about science.

Chris Kenna’s colleagues say he lives and breathes teaching. His efforts in making sure that respect, integrity, collaboration and innovation underpin every one of his interactions with staff, students, parents and the wider community were recognised in this year’s Awards. He is a highly respected English and History teacher and popular member of the Hawker College community and the wider secondary teaching community.

Ellie’s design and delivery of educational programs was the main reason she was nominated in this category. As an English and Advanced Skills Teacher at the College, Ellie’s drive and passion for her subject specialities has resulted in a series of curriculum classes and programs that are dynamic, engaged and creative. Students have been overwhelmingly supportive and positive in their responses to her efforts and contributions.

Mute Labor members let the conflicts fester

the labor Party has received more than $10 million through poker machines since the inauguration of the act assembly… on the floor of the legislative assembly no labor member has ever stood aside from a vote on poker machines.

THE Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption has exposed an unhealthy relationship between leaders in the union movement and the Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club.

The large sums of money that move between the two and then on to the Labor Party are at the very least entirely inappropriate and are certainly ethically questionable.

However, it is not just the Labor Party that is under scrutiny. Following in the footsteps of Bronwyn Bishop, albeit very lightly, is ACT Speaker Vicki Dunne.

Like the Federal Speaker, there is no indication that she has acted illegally. The difference is that her judgement call regarding her spouse accompanying her on an overseas trip was supported by the Ethics and Integrity Commissioner. The Federal Parliament needs a similar office. Like Bronwyn Bishop, the ACT Assembly Speaker has now established a review for better regulation of all third-party gifts and travel.

Mrs Dunne actually saved money on the trip by downgrading from business class to economy claiming the two airfares as part of a meeting paid for by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Had the trip been funded by the ACT taxpayer the rules would have been much clearer – no spouse travel. In her defence the ACT Speaker identified that “the rules of the CPA for the travel say that members who travel for more than four hours, should travel business class, but they can at their own discretion down-

grade that to economy class and take their spouse with them.”

The actions of Speaker Dunne pale into insignificance compared to the conflict of interest all elected members of the Labor Party have over poker machines.

This conflict was recognised earlier this year by former Chief Minister Jon Stanhope when his motion for the party to divest the Labor Clubs was resoundingly defeated at a sub-branch meeting. The Labor Party has received more than $10 million through poker machines since the inauguration of the ACT Assembly. Being elected with this support means receiving a significant personal advantage or benefit.

On the floor of the Legislative Assembly no Labor member has ever stood aside from a vote on poker machines. I wonder how many have asked the Ethics and Integrity Commissioner if they have a conflict of interest in all matters to do with poker machines and clubs. The review announced by the Speaker could also consider this question.

Alan Rosenthal writing in “Ethics and Political Practice” identified the problem of political conflict of interest as follows: “The

The community reaction to the Bronwyn Bishop case has illustrated there are now even higher standards of integrity expected of those in public life.

Pointing the finger at politicians has always been great political sport. Judges and senior

Superannuation Lump Sum Disability Payments

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.

public servants have also been under scrutiny as they are on the public purse. However, the Royal Commission makes it clear that public life goes well beyond politicians, public servants and the judiciary to include other prominent citizens such as senior unionists.

It will not be long before an expectation of integrity and ethical behaviour extends to include public scrutiny of prominent people in business.

In a 2010 submission by the Ombudsman into the ACT Public Sector Review conducted by Allan Hawke there was a call for a broad ranging ACT Integrity Commission.

Ombudsman Allan Asher suggested: “A standalone ACT Integrity Commission… could also be used to accommodate an expanded integrity regime in the ACT.

“This could include a specific anti-corruption function, as well as modelling best practice on the registration of lobbyists, and the provision of ethical advice to ACT public servants.”

The advice of the ACT Assembly Ethics and Integrity Commissioner provided an appropriate element of protection for the Speaker even though alternative advice had been provided by the Assembly Clerk. This same level of advice and protection should be much more broadly available than Assembly members. It should extend to public servants and to prominent public figures who would like to avail themselves of the service whether in unions, business or the non-government sector.

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

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 Carroll & O’Dea have been looking after worker’s rights since 1899, we have helped many clients, who can’t work, to access their entitlements to superannuation benefits.

18 00 271 92 0

www.codea.com.au

Diana Farah is ready to assist you in finding out what your rights are. Call Carroll & O’Dea today or visit our website for further information.

When pollies’ perks come home to roost

now the assembly’s “ethics and integrity adviser” has decided Dunne and two other pollies should accept a propaganda junket to taiwan.

THE vexed issue of politicians’ travel on the public purse reached into our own Legislative Assembly this week with Speaker Vicki Dunne’s decision to take her husband on an April trip to Malaysia in defiance of last year’s ban on spouses.

This is the same Vicki Dunne who, with Liberal colleague Giulia Jones, embarked on that notorious 2014 world survey of prostitutes produced exactly nothing. And she took her husband on that one, too.

Now the Assembly’s “ethics and integrity adviser” Stephen Skehill has decided she and two other pollies should accept a propaganda junket to Taiwan; but the bigger issue of all freebies from corporations and governments shouldn’t be too difficult, Stephen; a simple “no” would suffice.

NOR should Federal Opposition frontbencher Tony Burke have to think twice about repaying the $12,000 for his kids to join him for a holiday at Uluru. No one was more “outraged” at Bronwyn Bishop’s excesses than the holier-than-thou Labor MP. What’s good for the goose, Mr Burke…

PM Tony Abbott took lots of flak this week for his decision to reject the move by Aboriginal leaders to secure their own agreed position on a constitutional amendment before taking it to the wider Australian community.

dose of dorin

“It might produce something akin to a log of claims,” he said. And that could result in a “them-and-us” division in the lead up to a referendum.

While your columnist is not known as a special fan of the PM, it’s very hard to fault him on this one. Such a division would be a disaster. Truth is, it’s the whole

ROBERT MACKLIN

Problems Challenges

community that must take the issue forward, but this can only happen if we follow Canada’s lead with its current Truth and Reconciliation Commission. That will reveal the true horrors of the British occupation of Aboriginal lands and the devastation of an entire people… the stories we are never told in our school curricula.

HOWEVER, the PM’s announcement that SA

would get contracts to build billions of dollars worth of naval surface ships produced a horse laugh from defence observers. It confirmed the widely held view that Tony has given the nod to the Japanese as front runners to build the next generation of Australian submarines. The announcement was a pre-emptive prime ministerial strike to save Coalition seats in the election he’s desperate to call before the next Budget.

THOUGHTFUL call from ACT Lib Leader Jeremy Hanson for a special magistrate dedicated to a Family Violence Court. According to Jeremy, “it would ensure consistency of decision-making and accumulation of expertise”. Indeed, that specialised knowledge might well lead to new and innovative ways to deal with the social plague that disgraces our community.

ANGER is gathering on the southside as the new suburbs of Coombs, Wright and Stromlo make it almost impossible to find a parking spot at the Weston, Curtin and Mawson shopping centres. Full marks to the Government for the new road works, but multi-tasking seems beyond them.

SO, too, among our poor, wretched cricketers whose performance at Trent Bridge beggared belief. Perhaps they should stay there till they’ve mastered English conditions. Happy to have them back in, say, 2020… robert@robertmacklin.com

sport / canberra stadium

too cold, too expensive…

Why no one wants to go to Bruce

WHAT will it take to get fans back to Canberra Stadium?

That’s the question raised in an independent survey commissioned by the ACT Government into what fans want when they go to a sporting event at the stadium.

The Raiders and the Brumbies have both struggled to find a home crowd despite the fact that the Brumbies have made the finals for the past three years.

Some in the focus group, albeit a small sample, said the high costs associated with going to a sporting event stopped them attending. This is not just ticket prices; it’s food, drink and parking, too. Additionally, people going to the football want quality food, they are sick of just a pie and chips. Others said they had issues with night sport in winter. Some said it was too easy to stay home and watch it on television. There was a general consensus that people going to the football wanted a total entertainment package. Not content with a game of football, fans wanted to be entertained from the moment they get to the ground. It is expensive to stage major events and often what passes as entertainment for some annoys others.

The Brumbies have taken the progressive step of cutting the price of tickets at Canberra Stadium next season. It’s a move in the

the raiders and the brumbies have both struggled to find a home crowd despite the fact that the brumbies have made the finals for the past three years.

turn up, the revenue will be less and the Brumbies can’t afford to take too many hits to their bottom line.

The Brumbies’ biggest-drawing games are against NSW, Queensland and the Crusaders, and if they are played during daytime, it’s an added bonus.

The Brumbies’ request for afternoon matches next season seems to have fallen on deaf ears and, at this stage, they will play four Friday night games; three on Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon match in 2016.

There’s no reason why the Brumbies won’t be successful next season and with a winning team coupled with a reduction in ticket prices, will surely be enough to entice people back.

Words with strangers

by Kathryn Vukovljak

SAMANTHA Simpson’s days of having snail-mail penpals may be over, but now she’s hooked on Postcrossing – a website where people from around the world connect and send postcards to each other.

“As a kid I had penpals and it was always so exciting to get something in the post from a different country,” says Samantha.

Russia and Germany,” she says.

Samantha says she loves the cultural snippets she receives, from tales of giant Alaskan cabbages to the Russian villages that decorate their windows with delicately carved wood.

“I love to tell people about Canberra’s nature parks and the hills, but also try to relate it to their hobbies if possible,” she says.

A taste for literacy

THE Indigenous Literacy Foundation is hosting a wine, whisky and beer-tasting evening at King O’Malley’s, City Walk, Civic, 6pm-9pm, on Wednesday, August 26. The foundation, a not-for-profit organisation funded entirely by donations, provides books and other resources to indigenous children and families to improve literacy levels, especially among families in remote areas where English is their second or third language. Tickets are $30 and a silent auction of more than 30 items will be held. “Citynews” columnist and ABC broadcaster Tim Gavel will be the MC and Justine Clarke, ILF ambassador, author, actor and long-standing presenter of ABC TV’s “Play School” is the guest speaker.

Charity garage sale

A CHARITY garage sale, with proceeds to be used to fund projects that support sustainable development in poor communities, will be held at 5 O’Grady Place, Wanniassa, 8am-1pm, on Saturday, August 15. Organisers promise bargains including clothes for all ages, books, DVDs & CDs, kitchenware, bric-a-brac, nursery items and more. Donations to 0404 182494 or visit o2d.org

Specialist in music

entice people

It’s a gamble of people

The Raiders have tried forecourt entertainment to get people back to Canberra Stadium, but with the team struggling to win at home, it’s been a hard sell. The Raiders have more games in the middle of winter than the Brumbies making it harder to get people to games.

The survey also enhances the push for an indoor stadium with the weather, comfort and accessibility seen as reasons why people don’t go to Canberra Stadium.

TIM GAVEL

“It would be a lot of effort now, but Postcrossing is a lovely way to get snippets from other people’s lives.”

The idea of Postcrossing, started by Portuguese student Paulo Magalhães 10 years ago, is to connect people through postcards, regardless of location, age, gender, race or beliefs.

“You get a card back for every one you send, and you never know what you’re going to get, or where it will be from,” says Samantha.

And it’s a case of the more random the better, according to the Postcrossing website.

“I’ve had cards from people as young as 12 through to elderly people, and from all over the place including Japan, the US,

Mindful Wisdom

“It’s interesting though to get other countries’ views of Aussies; most people seem to reference our sense of humour.”

Southside resident Samantha started postcrossing in November and says she’s still quite new at it, receiving around two postcards a week. She says that so far she’s sent 74 cards and received 72, and has been part of several private swaps through the site, from Russian film posters to pocket letters and travelling notebooks.

“I’ve a busy life so it’s relaxing on the weekend to sit down with a cuppa or pop to a cafe and write my cards,” she says.

“I like the sharing, and it’s lovely to get something other than bills in the post.”

Visit postcrossing.com for more information

A course of 11 weekly evening sessions (2.0 hours each)

Mindfulness is at the heart of attention and knowledge, which arise as wisdom as they work together in the present moment.

CLASSICAL pianist Robert Schmidli will perform a benefit concert for L’Arche Genesaret at Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 3pm, on Sunday, August 16. L’Arche Genesaret provides community living for people with an intellectual disability in Canberra. Robert is a medical specialist in endocrinology and diabetes. The organisation’s major fundraiser, tickets are $25 (less with concessions) and available via trybooking.com/ICFP or at the door.

Greek austerity talk

GREEK Socialist Petros Constantinou, a councillor for Athens who has been part of the Greek workers’ struggles against austerity, will talk about the way forward for the fight against austerity in Greece at a public meeting hosted by socialist group Solidarity, Room G007, Moran Building, ANU, 5pm on August 19.

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This eleven-week course is for thoughtful people seeking to understand the nature of existence and the world in which we live.The course draws on the great philosophic ideas of East and West, which lead to mindful presence and effective action in work, study and every aspect of daily life. It is for all, regardless of education, age, race or religious beliefs. It will give you the tools to become more mindful, more connected and more alive.

Beginning 15 September, 6.30pm

General $225; Full-time Students $70 (Student ID needed)

Location Surveyor House, 27 Napier Close, Deakin Book online www.philosophyinpractice.net or phone 0414 325 366

*All prices valid until 7 September 2015. (The School of Philosophy is a not-for-profit organisation)

the voice / local hero letters

Canberra Amber’s voice still shines

amber nichols is the name on everyone’s lips in the capital again this week, or should that be the “voice” in everyone’s ears, as she escaped elimination from “ the Voice” at the weekend.

This beautiful 32-year-old mum and mum-to-be from Franklin has been singing her heart out on one of our most watched television shows this year and Sunday’s performance sealed her popularity with broader Australia.

Heavily pregnant with a baby due early next month, Amber confirmed she had been helped by coach Jessie J who had researched some singing tips for pregnant women.

“It’s a diaphragm issue for sure –there’s a lot of pressure there!” says Amber. Despite that, international superstar judge Ricky Martin rated her performance this week as “her best yet”.

“It’s just amazing, I can’t thank everyone enough,” she says.

To say she’s a little out of her comfort zone is an understatement.

Amber collapsed from nerves when auditioning at Christmas for “The Voice” producers. She says she forgot to breathe, giggled and admits it was the

most daunting, yet exciting thing she’s ever done.

Fast forward a few months and the phone call arrived asking her to be on the current series. There was just one slight issue. Amber was pregnant and feared producers wouldn’t want her.

“Wow! Our first ‘Voice’ baby!” was the reply, so this talented, softly-spoken Canberran need not have worried.

The nature of the program means at first the show’s judges can’t actually see the singers, as they are facing the audience. If they like what they hear in these so called “blind auditions” they can turn their chairs and then convince the singers to be on “their team”.

Amber takes up the story: “It was a pretty amazing experience turning four chairs. It still doesn’t really seem real.

“With the break between filming and air time you could almost convince yourself that it didn’t actually happen. People ask me what it’s like seeing yourself on TV and watching it back. Truly hideous if I’m being honest! “You know, when you see yourself on film and hear yourself talking on camera and you can’t reconcile what you are seeing and hearing to what it’s like in your head? Well times that by a million. It’s like watching a different person up there and the whole time thinking ‘What the hell is she doing?’ ‘Why is she wearing that tiny hat?’”

Amber chose UK singer Jessie J as her mentor and weeks later she is now in the final 12 of the competition, the second oldest, and the only contestant in her “condition”.

Yes, Amber’s due date is fast approaching, and bub number two for her family is due early September. This could make things a little tricky should

Amber progress to the grand final with the chance of winning a lucrative recording contract.

“It’s okay, I’m happy just to be here! And if I get that far we’ll just deal with it as it comes,” she says, in a tone which belies her inner anxieties. She’s compared singing on stage and live on television simultaneously in front of millions as “jumping out of a plane” – which she has also done. She’s also survived a near mugging in the UK in which, she says, her adrenaline rush is also comparable.

The 2013 ACT Pop Artist of the Year has always wanted a much larger audience for her music, and she’s now getting it.

Amber has had the privilege of singing for peacekeeping troops in East Timor along with charity performances for Relay For Life, Lifeline, Camp Quality and more. She also has an album out called “Oh My Lullaby” with original songs. Amber’s given a great deal to our Canberra community, so let’s all now give her our support, vote and help Amber live her dream, as she believes the best way to be a good role model to her baby son Charlie is not to give up.

To keep Amber in the competition, download the voting app at thevoice.com.au

Economy from now on?

WITH the public now aware of the largesse of the “entitlements” that federal and state politicians enjoy, it was refreshing to see that the ACT Speaker sought advice before converting her overseas business-class airline ticket into two economy-class tickets, so that her husband could accompany her at no extra cost to the ACT taxpayer.

I am also interested to see that Mrs Dunne was happy to travel economy. I would assume that this is now the yardstick for all ACT politicians, especially in view of the state of the ACT finances – the debt and deficits, with the addition of the Mr Fluffy costs, the proposed light rail and the new Convention Centre.

Dianne Anderson, Red Hill

Billing goes ‘pear shaped’

I WAS interested in the article “Sally struggles to be heard” (Canberra Confidential, CN, July 30).

After many loyal years of remaining with TransACT, everything for us has gone pear shaped since iiNet took over our telephone service and the subsequent billing for that service. For the past three months I have been unable to receive one accurate bill from them with my correct billing name, the proper amount to reflect the service received and any recognition that I was and still am entitled to a bundling discount.

MARCUS PAUL City running on empty

PORTOBELLO ROAD

emP t Y office buildings have an impact on canberra’s street level vibrancy –particularly in our cbD.

High office vacancy rates should be the concern of all Canberrans wanting Civic to be a dynamic destination.

While vacant office space in Canberra has decreased slightly over the last six months, our city still has the second highest vacancy rate in the country.

Vacancies in Canberra have decreased marginally from their record high of 15.4 per cent to 15.3 per cent over the last six months, according to figures released last week in the latest “Office Market Report”.

The Property Council of Australia’s report says this decline is due to a slight increase in demand as well as withdrawal of office stock from the market. But with a vacancy rate second only to Perth, we need a lot more office withdrawals to revive our CBD and town centres.

Vacancy rates for A and B-Grade stock have fallen, while C-Grade vacancy has risen to 18.7 per cent – the highest on record.

This statistic confirms what Canberrans see each day with their own eyes. Many of Canberra’s older buildings – particularly in Civic – are tired and in need of some TLC.

Marcus Paul is the drive announcer on 2CC, weekdays 3pm-6pm.

The challenge of renewing office stock is also one of Canberra’s great opportunities.

Converting old offices into apartments, hotels and retirement living developments can be a driver for positive economic, social and environmental outcomes.

But to achieve this, we need industry, government and the community working together.

On Thursday, September 10, the Property Council, Canberra CBD Limited and Canberra Business Chamber will host a “Civic forum” to examine the challenges facing Canberra’s CBD – including the office market vacancy – and how collective urban leadership can provide solutions. Every Canberran with an interest in the future of our city is welcome.

Registrations and information at propertyoz.com.au/act

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

I have spent hour after hour and spoken to lots of very pleasant billing people from all over the place, if not the world, without anyone being able to correct the on-going mess. I get things sorted each month only to discover that the next bill comes with the same inaccuracies and problems as the last one.

Having sorted the July bill, having paid the revised amount, having received a receipt number, having been given a task number to help resolve future problems, having been promised that things are now sorted and back to normal, I have again received a second July bill with the inaccuracies repeated once again. I have been told that the problems have arisen from the data having been migrated from TransACT to iiNet and that has been used to explain why cancelled and out-ofdate services that no longer exist have been re-activated and charged for once again.

Having got to the end of my tether I politely asked a few days ago if I could speak to a supervisor or someone who can resolve the ongoing problems. I was promised a call back when a supervisor “could be found”. That was days ago. I am still waiting to hear from them.

Jim Stoddard, Evatt

Safe cash, all without a card!

if you bank with a major bank, you might have noticed the teller machines lately have been offering “cardless cash”.

Last week I gave it a spin and the implications are interesting.

I’m with Commonwealth, so I’ll share what’s involved with them. ANZ, Westpac and St George all have their own take on it.

Before you get in the line for the machine, you fire up the bank’s app on your phone (or Apple Watch, should you be so blessed).

It asks how much money you want to take out.

It then produces an eight-digit number, and text messages a four digit one-time PIN. They’re good for 30 minutes. The app kindly counts down the time left, no pressure.

Provided with both these numbers a Commonwealth machine will spit out the desired amount

There are a few advantages of this. ATM skimmer kits are sadly available to members of the criminal fraternity and

email, on a sticky note) and the name of the right bank to use.

No need to trust your partner or kids with card and PIN to get some money out at the shops.

Dodgy friends will be able to hit you up for money in ways they could never dream of before. This might be of great benefit if you are a dodgy friend.

The criminal fraternity not engaged in card skimming are going to love it, although it should be noted the amounts are pretty limited, $500 a day maximum with Commonwealth.

The advantages for the big banks, of course, cannot be overstated.

while banks try to keep quiet on these matters, we understand it has happened here in Canberra.

Rather than presenting a possibly compromised machine with your card’s magnetic stripe, as well as your PIN, instead the scammer gets a code that has already been used for its one-time purpose.

Around the world cyber criminals have increasingly been targeting point-of-sale terminals. While I have argued in the past that there would be some social benefit to getting rid of cash, for the truly paranoid (and almost none of us are paranoid enough in this day and age) cardless cash is a considerable leap forward.

There are some interesting additional possibilities, though.

Cardless cash is a new way to send money.

You can give anyone you’re communicating with the 12 magic digits (over the phone, in an

Having invested in the bricks and mortar of bank branches, and the very expensive humans to occupy those premises, this is a compelling reason to be with a bank that offers a physical presence.

Between internet banking and paypass debit cards, it’s possible to go many moons without darkening the door of a bank branch, or even an ATM, something which must wake major bank executives in the night every now and then.

So it’s a good move by the big banks.

But if you’re withdrawing cash, I’d recommend going cardless.

It’s about the same amount of bother, but you don’t have to worry about securing your PIN.

Which just leaves the challenge of remembering it when you use it even less.

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

Big night in Sydney

HAPPY and proud, these four Canberra girls were part of the Opening Ceremony of the Netball World Cup at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

The girls, who play netball and attend dance and exercise classes at the Canberra Physical Culture Club, are Sophee Watson, 14; Maddy Watson, 13; Isabella Simon, 11 and Brianna Simon, 8. They had to apply and be accepted for the performance.

The quartet had different

roles and wore different costumes. Sophee was a battle dancer (part of a team that danced to Beyonce’s “Run the World”); Isabella was a flag bearer (carrying the International Netball Federation Flag); Maddy was a ‘60s netball player and danced to a jive song and Brianna was hero girl who walked in front of the teams and danced to Katy Perry’s “Roar” sung by Anja Nissen, winner of “The Voice” last year.

your

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all about Mitchell There’s much to discover in

suPPorteD by Gungahlin’s newer suburbs around it, mitchell has more to offer than ever before. “citynews” looks at some of the top businesses operating out of the northside’s commercial hub…

Security training to community expectations

FOUNDED in 2003, Australian Security Education & Consulting Pty Ltd (ASEC) is a Canberra-based Nationally Registered Training Organisation.

Located at 8A/160 Lysaght Street, ASEC has dedicated training rooms and mainly specialises in educating students in the security industry with such subjects as Certificate II & III in Security Operation, Certificate IV or Diploma in Security and Risk Management.

Marketing manager Norma Rees says: “Other popular courses are ‘Work Safely in the Construction Industry’ and ‘Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol’.

“Students can expect real live training and learn about walk-through and hand-held metal detectors, two-way radios, selfdefence and if required baton training and firearms training.

“They will learn about the laws for each section of the security industry, this is achieved by real-life scenarios, case studies and open-class discussion during the course.

“ASEC is the security trainer for many major security companies in the ACT and our goal is to develop first-class security professionals.

“When you next see a security staff member, approach them and ask them ‘where have you been trained?’ because at ASEC we do not support short courses, our aim is to train security staff to the community expectation.”

Australian Security Education & Consulting, 8A/160 Lysaght Street.

Call 6134 6631 or visit roverworks.com.au

Repairs for Italian cars

WITH more than 49 years’ experience in motor mechanics, Moro Motors offers servicing, maintenance and repairs to all makes of vehicles.

Since 1987, the family owned business has specialised in Italian models such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and more, as well as repairing all makes and models.

Centered around his love of Italian automobiles and a commitment to a high standard, owner Fernando Moro says: “I have been working in cars for up to 50 years and completed my apprenticeship in Italy.”

Open Monday to Saturday and based in Mitchell, Moro Motors has a team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals at hand.

The company says: “We understand the importance of utilising modern tools to ensure that repairing your car is a smooth and effortless process.

“Our team of experienced mechanics will professionally repair your vehicle to the highest standards.”

Moro Motors, 1/160 Lysaght Street, call 6241 4912.

Fitness with the emphasis on fun

WITH the motto, “If you’re having fun, we’re doing the right thing!”, CrossFit Canberra North is a familyowned, strength and conditioning gym that provides personal training and group-fitness classes catered to people of all fitness levels.

One of two gyms (the other’s at Fyshwick), CrossFit Canberra North is located at 5/78 Sandford Street and offers tailored classes incorporating a variety of functional movements in order to achieve a well-rounded and inclusive style of fitness.

Owner, Pat Dunn, says: “We take pride in the fact that we cater to all ends of the scale, from people who are brand new to fitness to athletes aiming to improve their performance.”

The crossfit classes are held from Monday to Saturday, morning to evening, varying each day, including Olympic lifting, running, rowing, gymnastics and more. Pat says: “Our group classes have a set amount of people, which means they are never overcrowded; this allows the qualified instructors to give criticism and pointers to help the participants.

“We are a very community-focused gym and the best thing about training is that everyone knows each other. It’s not all about being the strongest, it’s about making friends, having fun and getting fit and healthy.”

After 10 years in the army, Pat discovered the benefits of CrossFit and hasn’t looked back.

“When I stumbled upon CrossFit, I found that I became the fittest I have ever been, as well as the fastest,” he says.

“It is very time efficient with a variation of different things which make you good at all-round fitness. You can do a lot in an hour and never get bored.”

CrossFit Canberra North, 5/78 Sandford Street. Call 0402

blooming, busy Mitchell

More options for energy efficient living

GREEN Homes Australia is an energy efficient design and construction business that gives ACT residents more options when it comes to energy efficiency.

ACT residents can now own homes that are up to three times more efficient to run without the expensive price tag usually associated with green building.

Owned and operated by fatherand-daughter team, John and Elle Cobanov, Green Home Australia specialises in building comfortable, affordable and efficient new homes that can outperform the average new home by more than 60 per cent.

“By utilising the principles of efficient home design and green construction we deliver homes that are affordable to build and to run,” says John.

“We design homes from the ground up to suit each client’s block, climate, lifestyle and budget. This ensures that we make the most of every efficiency opportunity which results in lower energy bills.”

Elle Cobanov believes that all families would benefit from living in a home that uses less energy. She says: “Unfortunately, up until now, only the very wealthy could afford to build this way. Green Homes Australia is able to build energy saving homes for the same price as a standard home, making them much more accessible to everyday Australians.”

Green Homes Australia will have a stall at the upcoming Canberra Home and Leisure show at Exhibition Park, held on the weekend of October 23-25.

Green Homes Australia, call 1300 724661 or visit greenhomesaustralia.com.au

Mowers and more in store

FOR more than 25 years, the Mitchell Lawnmower Centre has provided the community with quality outdoor power equipment.

With the largest workshop in the ACT, the locally owned store offers a range of equipment including chainsaws, mowers, blowers and trimmers from such brands as Stihl, Toro, Honda and Kubota.

Manager, Tim Butler, says: “We have recently renovated the store and revamped everything from new counters to fresh paint on the walls, it has made quite a difference.

“As well as a large range of outdoor powered equipment, both battery and petrol, we

also have spare parts and accessories for everything we stock and sell.”

The mechanics at Mitchell Lawnmower Centre can service equipment to ensure it runs efficiently and fix it if it is broken.

“With a large showroom displaying a large array of equipment from whipper snippers to small tractors, our staff know how to use all the machines and are more than happy to give advice on which machine will suit your needs,” says Tim.

Mitchell Lawnmower Centre, 32 Sandford Street. Call 6241 4806 or visit mitchelllawn.com.au

Auto repairs at a fair price

GOOD work for a fair price is the aim of N and D Auto Services.

With more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, owner and managing director, Niall Robb, took over the Baillieu Court workshop in 2002, which also trades under Car Service Canberra, with the aim to maintain its great reputation.

He says: “I managed the workshop before I owned it and I wanted to continue the high standard of work. It has a great reputation in Canberra and I wanted to maintain that.

“Our philosophy is that by identifying and satisfying our customers’ needs we will be able to achieve our business and personal goals.

“We do this by offering high-quality workmanship with a high standard of personal service, delivered for a competitive price”.

With top-of-the-range equipment, the qualified and experienced team at N and D Auto Services offers general service and repairs, brake and clutch, 4WD service and repair, steering and suspension, log book service and more.

“Mitchell is one of Canberra’s biggest industrial areas in Canberra. We like dealing with people and we are really glad to be here,” says Niall.

N and D Auto Services, 7 Baillieu Court. Call 6241 3011, visit ndautoservices.repcoservice.net or carservicecanberra.com.au Enquiries at service@nanddauto.com.au

Store’s winning ways

THERE’S not much Capital Trophies and Sportswear can’t do when it comes to fulfilling trophy, corporate or clothing requirements.

Located at 7/101 Lysaght Street, the family-owned business has provided the community with reliable and quality service for 25 years, supplying sporting clubs, large corporations and community organisations.

Having provided up to 2000 participant trophies from some of the larger sporting clubs around the city, Capital Trophies and Sportswear covers the entire spectrum, from bespoke trophies using hardwood, crystal, glass or sterling silver through to sporting participant trophies made of resin for the under-7s.

Capital Trophies and Sportswear also offers screen printing and embroidery of a range of corporate, high-vis and sporting clothing and accessories. The staff can bring customer designs to life either as an embroidered logo or a screen print on a shirt.

“There is no job too big or too small,” the company says.

Capital Trophies and Sportswear, Shop 7/101 Lysaght Street. Call 6241 6448 or visit captrophysports.com.au

Aussie tiles CLEARANCE PRICES!*

Tile selection from all over the world

BEAUMONT Tiles is a local, family-owned business with its principals having been in the industry more than 35 years.

As the younger of the two Canberra outlets, the Mitchell store opened in 2011 under the management of Huw Jones, a qualified tiler who can help with advice on all aspects of the tile selection and installation process.

He says: “We have an extensive range of tapware, bathroomware, vanities, under-tile heating and accessories.

“As an independent franchise within the Beaumont Tiles group, we have access to Australia’s widest range of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles from all over the world.

Hot to trot for floor heating

SPECIALISING in floor-heating products and services, P.A.P. Heating Solutions has the experience and expertise to provide the floor-heating system for any application Australia wide.

From commercial to domestic buildings, the company offers a full design, quotation and installation service for in-slab heating and under-tile heating.

The company says: “No other heating system provides the all-round benefits of floor heating.

“It is efficient to install and run and is generally maintenance free as it doesn’t require cleaning or replacement of filters. Floor heating is absolutely silent and is also versatile, it can be incorporated into almost any building product.

“There are floor-heating systems perfect for carpeted, tiled and polished concrete floors and many timber floors.”

P.A.P. Heating Solutions is the Australian importers, distributors and designers for the premium quality ELEKTRA Heating Cables.

“These unique cables provide reliable and efficient heating solutions across a range of projects and applications,” says the company.

“From in-slab heating in houses and commercial buildings through to anti-frost systems to protect pipes, valves, gutters and cold room doors, these cables perform to the highest standards in terms of resistance, insulation and durability.”

P.A.P. Heating Solutions, 23 Winchcombe Court. Call 6242 9310 or visit papheatingsolutions.com.au

“Our buying team is constantly in the marketplace sourcing the latest materials and designs from Europe and Asia, we are also the nation’s largest supplier of locally manufactured tiles and all our first-quality tiles are covered by our 15-year guarantee.

“Our exclusive ‘Scan and Play’ system can be accessed from a home computer to make a choice from our extensive range of tiles in real room settings.

“These can be printed out and brought into the shop to see first hand, thus reducing the time taken in making a selection.”

Beaumont Tiles, 143 Lysaght Street. Call 6255 5534 or visit beaumont-tiles.com.au

Savvy way to get school uniforms sorted

ANYONE looking for a school uniform in the ACT should: “Come on, think Savvy!” says the staff at Savvy Schoolwear. With stores in Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan, as well as Mitchell, the Savvy staff pride themselves on being a one-stop-shop for school uniforms, with all the staff offering advice and service.

Retail manager Jeff Pollard says: “We invite everyone to check out our Mitchell store in Lysaght Street, just minutes from Gungahlin with free parking at the door and great coffee just next door when you have finished.”

Savvy Schoolwear specialises in just about everything in the way of uniforms for school, including school shirts, polos, shorts, trousers, tracksuits and trackpants, dresses and pinafores, polar fleeces, bags, ties, hats, jumpers, jackets and skirts, library bags, gloves and shoes.

“We service most of Canberra’s schools and maintain an excellent relationship with them. We cater to both summer and winter, so come and see one of our friendly and expert staff for your school uniform requirements now,” Jeff says.

Savvy Schoolwear, 5/83 Lysaght Street. Call 6162 1032 or visit savvyschoolwear.com.au

Feathers, down, quilts and pillows

THERMA Quilts is a family-run business that specialises in making and servicing feather and down products from quilts to pillows, cushions and anything made from feather and down.

Using quality textiles, the seamstresses at Therma Quilts hand-make every item suited to the customers’ needs and provide a top-up service when quilts and pillows show signs of wear or loss of warmth and fluffiness.

Owner Jennifer Kusa says: “During these winter months it has been very cold, so it’s important to maintain your feather and down products.

“If your quilt is not warm enough or too warm, we are able to adjust it to your requirements and the same for pillows and cushions, we can make them firmer or softer.

“Feather and down is a natural product and can last a lifetime, there is no need to throw away old quilts,

Mechanics with a passion for 4X4s

“IF you have a Range Rover or Land Rover, you’d be mad to take it anywhere else,” says Richard Orchard, owner of Roverworks, Canberra’s leading Land Rover, 4x4 and off-road specialist mechanic.

Providing automotive repairs, parts and maintenance, the highly qualified mechanic team specialises in Land Rover and Range Rover models, in addition to servicing other types of cars. Richard says: “If you have a problem with your car we can fix it, we can do anything and we can do it better and cheaper than anywhere else.

“There seems to be a prejudice towards 4x4 drivers and mechanics, but they are a fabulous vehicle and a lot of people love them. That’s our speciality, once you get good at something, that’s your point of difference.”

With a focus on staff development, Richard aims to provide quality customer service to suit the needs of all Roverworks customers.

He says: “There’s a great buddy feel in the workshop and a family feel when we work together.

“We focus on training and developing our staff through different jobs so they have the expertise to work on other models.”

Roverworks, 38 Hoskins Street. Call 6241 8777 or visit roverworks.com.au Enquiries at info@roverworks.com.au

pillows or cushions when you can rejuvenate and restore them.”

With their eco-friendly cleaning process, in which the feather and down are cleaned separately from the casing using a specialised eight-metre machine that steams and washes, Therma Quilts services feather and down products as well as silk, polyester, cotton and wool quilt underlays.

“Using our cleaning process, we can clean quilts, sleeping bags, down jackets and more before they are stored after winter,” says Jennifer.

“We offer an Australia-wide service where people can post their feather and down products for cleaning or rejuvenating. Our friendly staff are always happy to help!”

Therma Quilts, 10-12 Kemble Court. Call 6241 6859 or visit thermaquilts.com.au

Extended store offers all styles of tiles

FOR 30 years, Rivoland Tiles has supplied tiles of all styles and budgets to help create dream homes.

Situated on Darling Street, the newly extended Rivoland Tiles showroom is open six days a week and showcases an extensive range of tiles sourced from overseas.

General manager James Hibberson says: “Our Mitchell showroom has been newly renovated and extended to accommodate new displays of quality tiles.

“It is a great addition to the company and it has been very successful in providing service to that side of the region. It is an easier option for customers who don’t want to travel to our Queanbeyan showroom.

“Our comprehensive service provides a great knowledge of tiles, we have the latest products sourced from overseas. We are conscious of the ever-changing styles.”

Rivoland Tiles also provides fixing materials, tools and technical advice, whether it be for a project home, boutique development or a large-scale development.

Behind the showroom is a trade centre where customers, tilers and builders can buy associated products.

Rivoland Tiles, 55-57 Darling Street. Call 6241 1557 or visit rivoland.com.au

Roverworks is the Land Rover specialist of choice for repairs, service, parts and maintenance. Our mechanics specialise in Land Rover and Range Rover models, and to servicing of 4x4s, off-road and other car variants. Take advantage of our fixed price minor servicing. Call today: 6241 8777

CITC Outstanding Apprentice Awards

best graduating apprentice in the act and region

Winning ways of local apprentices produce carpenter recognised as the

tHis year’s annual construction industry training council (citc) awards celebrated some important firsts.

Not only did the awards take the total number of certificates presented to outstanding local apprentices to more than 500 over the past 13 years, but it was also the first time a female had won top cadet, as well as overall winner in the cabinet-making trade category.

Alahna Lewis (cadet), Paige McGann (cabinet maker) and 2015 Outstanding Apprentice Murray Armour (carpenter) received their awards at the lunchtime presentation at Thoroughbred Park.

ACT Education and Training Minister, Joy Burch, and the chair of the CITC, Bill Cleary, presented the award to the overall winner.

Also recognised were apprentices from trades often overlooked in the building and construction industry, with civil construction, roof tiling and concreting apprentices also receiving acknowledgement at the ceremony.

CITC’s executive director Vince Ball said: “Once again this major industry event provides a great opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding performances by local graduating construction industry apprentices.

“We’ve awarded over 450 outstanding apprentices and trainees as well as presented 55 Encouragement Awards since the inaugural awards in 2002. This is a major achievement.”

With 360 guests this year, the awards continue to be a key industry event.

“Industry really comes together for the awards to celebrate our future workers and recognise the contribution the construction industry plays in our local economy and community,” Mr Ball said.

“The CITC is committed to quality training and professional development for the construction industry and we encourage employers to maintain their commitment to the employment and training of our construction industry apprentices.”

Apprentices are nominated by a Registered Training Organisation, Group Training Organisation or their employer based on their effort on and off the job, personal development and their commitment to the industry. The finalists are recognised as the best graduating apprentices in the ACT and surrounding region.

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

2015 Graduating Apprentice & Industry Encouragement Awards

produce this year’s top results

Outstanding Apprentice for the year 2015 murray armour

Bricklaying Damian Ha ZelG roVe Cabinet Making Paige mcGann

Cadet

alahna le Wis

Carpentry

murray armour

Civil Construction bogdan PloHberG er

Civil Construction/Heavy Plant Mechanic Gary coHen

Concreting

brenton faYle

Glass & Glazing Kurt K ranitis

Indigenous (Carpentry) alexander Jolle Y

Landscaping

l achlan slater

Meritorious thomas launDess

Meritorious matthew WHite

Meritorious Patrick merritt

Metals Engineering/Light Fabrication

Zachary to DD

Metals Engineering/Heavy Fabrication charles mcK illoP

Painting and Decorating

matteo Di G iannicola

Plumbing bill reiD

Refrigeration

liam KenneDY

Roof Tiling

benjamin eisenacH

Systems Electrician christopher Jones

Wall & Ceiling Lining

anthony bell

Wall and Floor Tiling

brent camilleri

Woman in Non-Traditional Trade Paige mcGann

Canberra Confidential

Completely NAC-ered

WE have a depressing new acronym for the arboretum: NAC (National Arboretum Canberra), which popped up in Arts Minister Joy Burch’s announcement of two kinetic sculptures by Japanese artist Kozo nishino destined by November for the public artwork collection at NAC and visible to motorists traversing the busy Tuggeranong Parkway.

“Each artwork will be suspended in the air by a block colour tapered stand that will catch the attention of the approaching viewer and draw their eyes upward to the dancing sculptures silhouetted against the sky,” the minister opines. Not at 100kph, one hopes, Joy.

caleb campbell performs at the ainslie arts centre… “ brilliant,” says Helen musa.

Ivory tickling thrills Helen

“CITYNEWS” arts editor Helen Musa dutifully turned out to a performance the other evening at the Ainslie Arts Centre not expecting to have her socks blown off by a 15-year-old Lyneham High School composer/pianist, whom she describes as “brilliant”. High praise from Canberra’s arts doyenne, who was watching caleb

campbell help launch this year’s piano division of the Australian National Eisteddfod, August 17-21, with a lush, romantic work that won him the composition prize last year. “It was almost as exciting to discover that creativity runs in the family, for Caleb is the eldest son of a ‘CityNews’ favourite snapper, Andrew campbell,” she purred.

Blyth for Brindabella

Circus school rolls into town

FORMER Chamber of Commerce chief Andrew Blyth , pictured, as passionately extolling the virtues of cutting weekend penalty rates on the “CityNews Sunday Roast”, the weekly news and current affairs show on 2CC, when the left-field, last question loomed: was he standing for the Assembly at next year’s election? He hummed and he haaa-ed. “A quick yes or no will suffice,” the studio urged. But he couldn’t say yes and he couldn’t say no. Which, of course, by instantly mastering obfuscation is confirmation of his Liberal candidacy for Brindabella.

Somewhere on the Somme

IRREVERENT snout pierre the Lair spotted this in the Captain’s Choice tour advertised in the “Weekend Australian”. He says he hopes the visit to Villers-Bretonneux, if that’s where they’re going, is not meant to be an educational tour!

THE National Institute of Circus Arts will be in Canberra in October auditioning students prepared to run away to circus school next year in Melbourne.

The courses include the Bachelor of Circus Arts and the Certificates III and IV in Circus Arts. Applications are now open and close on September 14.

NICA offers Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts, which is a three-year university degree.

NICA graduates have established successful careers in Australia and internationally with acclaimed companies including Circus Oz, Circa, NoFit State Circus and Cirque du Soleil.

More information at nica.com.au or email info@nica.com.au

Sounds like fun

NATIONAL Film and Sound archivist Graham McDonald hosted a recording session with a difference at the NFSA’s “Friday with Friends” session. He demonstrated how it was done in the last century by recording local artists Doctor Stovepipe and a group from the Canberra City Band on to wax cylinders and lacquer discs.

We are not your regular accounting firm at Freewater Accountants. We don’t just prepare your tax return and send it back to you.

We “go the extra mile” by helping you form sound business strategies to help sustain your business growth into the future.

Our team of accountants are highly trained, specialising in all aspects of Australian taxation and retirement income; sharing this knowledge to small business owners and individuals who want to build their wealth for a stable financial future.

You still have time to take control of your future… Speak to one of our knowledgeable team.

scene / around canberra

Social event of the week / Opening of ‘Myth + Magic, Art of the Sepik River’, National Gallery

tHe opening of the australian national Gallery’s “myth + magic, art of the sepik river” is not so much a float down the river as an immersion in the art and artefacts of the villagers and the villages of an immense area that we really don’t know enough about.

And as it’s incumbent upon the director of the NGA to spruik the catalogue of the current exhibition, Gerard Vaughan did that with aplomb and I’ll happily endorse his effort as it’s a wonderful collection of photographs from early last century as well as a catalogue of the exhibition display.

Among the photographs is the most beautiful initiation body art of the “trapunto” needlework kind. For sewers, that’s the stuffing of small pockets between two fabric pieces to create a pattern. To explain the technique we had a rip-off-his-shirt moment from the director of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery, Dr Andrew Moutu, happy to show us his crocodile-patterned shoulder and back, and set a new benchmark for gallery directors.

Having lived in PNG and collected all manner of artefacts, to experience this exhibition is to again delve into the history and the unique art of the Sepik.

Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only

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.

India reaches for the stars

the irnss -1D joins three other satellites in orbit, the fourth in a planned seven satellite constellation, to provide india and its surrounding region an independent satellite navigation system.

WITH the successful launch of the fourth satellite IRNSS-1D, atop a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on March 28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, India has reached another milestone in its space program. The PSLV’s have made more launches than all of India’s other orbit-capable rockets combined.

The 1425kg IRNSS-1D satellite was injected to an elliptical orbit of 282.52km x 20,644 km and successfully separated from the PSLV fourth stage after the flight time of about 19 minutes 25 seconds. After injection, the solar panels of IRNSS1D were installed automatically as ISRO’s Master Control Facility took over the charge of the satellite. It will soon be positioned in the Geosynchronous orbit at 111.75 degree east longitude with 30.5 degree inclination.

IRNSS1D is fourth in the series of seven satellites comprising of the IRNSS space segment. Its antecedents – IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B and IRNSS-1C were launched by PSLV-C32, PSLV-C34 and PSLV-C26 in July 2013, April 2014 and October 2014 respectively. All the three satellites are completely functional in their designed orbital positions.

The navigational system will be a regional one targeted to South Asia and will provide tracking, navigation and mapping services. Having a life span of 10 years, the satellite is powered by two solar arrays and the mission costs about $A300 million.

Built around ISRP’s 1-1K satellite bus, the IRNSS spacecraft has a mass of 603kg and is loaded with 822kg of propellant for orbit-

raising and manoeuvring. The spacecraft is powered by a pair of solar arrays, capable of generating 1.5 KW of power, used to broadcast L5 and S band navigation signals. Each satellite carried C-band transponders and retro reflectors that can be used for range calibration to determine the spacecraft’s precise position in space.

The propulsion and control system of each IRNSS satellite consists of a liquid-fuelled apogee motor, which produces up to 440 newtons of thrust to raise the satellite into its operational orbit and 12 reaction control control thrusters for three-axis attitude control.

IRNSS-1D is expected to have an operational lifespan of 10 years.

The next satellite of this constellation, IRNSS-1E is all set to be launched in the coming months, thus completing the entire constellation of seven satellites.

t Wo solar Panels of irnss -1D

THE two solar panels of IRNSS-1D consist of Ultra Triple Junction solar cells that generate about 1660W electrical power.

Sun and star sensors along with gyroscopes offer orientation reference for the satellite.

Further, special thermal control schemes have been designed and implemented for critical elements such as atomic clocks. In addition, the ttitude and Orbit Control System of IRNSS-1D maintains the satellite’s orientation with the help of reaction wheels, magnetic torquers and thrusters.

The propulsion system consists of a Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) and thrusters. After it is injected into this preliminary orbit, the solar panels of IRNSS-1D are deployed automatically in quick succession and the Master Control Facility at Hassan takes control of the satellite, thereby performing the initial orbit raising manoeuvres consisting of one manoeuvre at perigee (nearest point to earth) and three at apogee (farthest point from earth). Further, for these manoeuvres, LAM of the satellite is used which finally places it in the circular geostationary orbit at the designated location.

by navdeep suri, indian High commissioner

tHis august 15, india celebrates its 68th independence Day, an occasion that will be celebrated with great passion and fervour within india and by indian communities around the globe.

It is my privilege to greet all Indian nationals and members of the vibrant Australian Indian community.

India’s relations with Australia have grown from strength to strength since the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2009. There has been a very significant growth in bilateral trade and investment. Indian companies have invested significantly, not just in the resources sector, but also in areas like IT and the manufacture of auto components, aircraft, tractors and even refining of vegetable oils. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that we are currently negotiating will also carry the potential to diversify and deepen our economic engagement.

The last year has truly been a watershed in our bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Mr Tony Abbott’s successful visit to India in September, 2014 set the tempo and the visit to Australia by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi in November created an entirely new dynamic, not just in developing a multi-faceted engagement but also in highlighting the strength of the Indian community in Australia.

Indeed, persons born in India are now the largest segment of new immigrants in Australia across all streams of planned migration to Australia. The 400,000-strong Indian community in Australia is acting as a bridge between the two countries and cultures. Almost every university in Australia has Indian-origin professors, while Indian doctors are well respected in the community for their professional competence. The same holds true in other sectors of the economy and underscores the capacity of the Indian community to emerge as a vibrant new driver that can qualitatively transform our bilateral relations in the future.

At the Indian High Commission in Canberra, it will be our endeavour to build upon the momentum generated by the back-to-back visits of our prime ministers, to realise the vision set out by our governments for a shared future and to build ever stronger strategic, economic and people to people relationships.

Don’t think twice, Joan’s coming through

JOAN Baez is nearly starving when she calls me from Luxembourg, where she’s on tour, but she’s endured worse.

“It’s awful, she says it’s the tiniest town and it’s Sunday here and there’s not a lot you can buy, even at the service station.”

We discuss the possibility of Burger King and McDonald’s for hungry tourists, but she’s not convinced.

“I’d rather not,” she tells me, just as you would expect from the legendary female folk-singer, environmental activist and humanitarian protester who’s been jailed for her beliefs more times than any other chanteuse one can think of.

Although a considerable recording artist, she’s still quintessentially a performer and she’ll be in Canberra on September 17, backed by her son Gabriel Harris on percussion and Dirk Powell on banjo, guitar, keyboards and fiddle.

Who can doubt that Baez will stir up memories with folk songs such as “Silver Dagger”; the song of the South, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”; the old union ballad, “Joe Hill” and, above all, “We Shall Overcome”, famously performed during Martin Luther King Jr’s march on Washington in 1963?

Several people here have asked me recently: “Who is Joan Baez?” They’re about

to find out, but it’s odd. Baez, after all, helped to bring the songs of Bob Dylan to prominence, outdoing him in his own songs, numbers such as “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, “How Many Roads”, “Blowin’ in The Wind” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”.

“This is fun,” Baez says as we talk our way around her life story. “I keep thinking I’m 35 or 36, but then I get to 8.30pm or 9pm and I feel like going to sleep.”

Luckily for “CityNews” it’s noon in fooddeprived Luxembourg when she calls and, besides, there are compensations.

“It’s delightful to be singing in Europe –there are so many young people here,” she tells me.

“More, I’ll bet, than there are in Australia and more than there are in LA.” In fact, she has noticed, the European public is entirely youthful.

“It’s as if they’re from high school, so I want to make myself as good as I can sound,” she says.

Baez, a confirmed true believer in all the good things, is still a ball of fire. In August, 2003, she joined Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle in the London Concert for a LandmineFree World; in 2005, she sang “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” at a protest against capital punishment; in 2006, she joined a “tree sit” in

a poor neighbourhood of Los Angeles and in 2008 she endorsed Barack Obama in the US presidential election, likening him to Dr King. Her profile has long been global, cutting across contemporary issues. In 2009, she reworked “We Shall Overcome” with Farsi lyrics in support of post-elections protests by

Iranians. In 2011 she was honoured by Amnesty International at its 50th Anniversary Annual General Meeting. Later that same year Baez sang “Joe Hill” for the protestors at Occupy Wall Street.

And it’s done her no harm at all.

“It’s good looking back over my life,

fighting for civil rights, protesting about Vietnam,” she says. It’s all fuel for her music and she still stands up for people whose voices are not being heard, though with the qualification: “I am less uncompromising than I used to be”.

Just because she’s 74, Baez is not about to give up singing.

“As long as my voice holds out, I’m not giving up,” she tells me.

“It’s very different from what it was in the ‘60s… Don’t forget the voice is an instrument, it’s subject to wear and tear.”

I tell her about how Dionne Warwick came to the Royal Theatre and sang “Walk on By” transposed to an octave lower.

“That’s what people like us do,” Baez replies, explaining that she has found a vocal specialist to help her cope with an ageing voice.

“I don’t have any high notes left anymore. It’s become a series of tricks in which you find something else, some emotion to take the place of the high notes.”

Canberrans need have no fear that Baez’s soaring voice will be any less thrilling than it has always been as she sings to us of pain, loss, and human aspirations.

“I can’t say I don’t enjoy it,” she says as she hangs up.

Joan Baez, Royal Theatre, Canberra, Thursday, September 17, bookings to ticketek.com.au or 132849.

city

THE unsinkable Domenic Mico is back in the industry he loves best – showbiz – as he directs a new musical coming up at Theatre 3 on August 21-22 about the entire history of Ireland. Written and composed by local Irish-born Caroline McNicholas, “The Haunted Celts” travels through Druid rituals, the arrival of Christianity, “transportation”, the 1916 Easter Rising and to contemporary Ireland. They’ve lured in top Irish singers Carmel Conway and Alice Gildea; the 2015 World Irish Dancing Champion, Conor Simpson; dancers from Kokoloco; members of Coro chamber choir; harpist An Si; fiddler Sandy Gibbney; pianist Mike Dooley and McNicholas’ own band, Night Potion. Bookings to canberrarep. org.au or 6257 1950.

THE National Capital Orchestra and its musical director, Leonard Weiss, have scored a coup with the impending performance by Canberra-raised pianist and recent Juilliard School doctoral graduate, Edward (“Teddy”) Neeman and his talented Indonesian-born wife Stephanie. Mussorgsky, Poulenc and Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, with Teddy as soloist, make up the program. At Llewellyn Hall, 3pm, Sunday, August 16, bookings via trybooking.com

WOTOPERA, managed by Artology (the brainchild of Wotif.com

founder and internet entrepreneur, Graeme Wood) has been running at four local region schools and they’ll come together at 7pm, Monday, August 17, in The Q, Queanbeyan, for a public performance. Students from Braidwood, Queanbeyan, Karabar and Campbell high schools have collaborated to produce their own stories, compose the music then design and paint the sets for their four individual works. All welcome, bookings to theq.net.au/ wotopera-canberra/

CANBERRA composer Sally Greenaway has no idea who submitted her name, but finds herself the recipient of the Merlyn Myer Fund composer commission for a residency at the Melbourne Recital Centre. “I am stunned that this opportunity has been granted to me, and it has changed my outlook considerably about philanthropy and private funding of the arts,” the amazed Greenaway reports.

“SO You Think You Can Drag” is an amateur drag competition, and a celebration of all things “non-gender conformist”. Designed to give competitors an opportunity to have a go at drag for the first time or provide a stage for aspiring queens or kings, the show’s creator is Canberra’s own Kirschbaum, who originally staged it as part of Corinbank Festival 2012, later taking it to Melbourne, where it has achieved cult status. At Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, August 15, bookings via trybooking.com

canberra-raised performer alison bell… “ there’s something about the structure that keeps it moving, like unravelling a mystery.”

Sex, lies and revelations

by arts editor Helen musa

BETRAYAL is an inevitable part of human relationships – that’s what Nobel laureate Harold Pinter seems to say, anyway.

Canberra-raised performer Alison Bell is at the eye of the storm in a play coming to town from the State Theatre Company of SA.

Although Pinter tried to deny it was based on real life, it actually was, as Bell tells me by phone from Adelaide. For “Betrayal,” written in 1978 and admired as one of Pinter’s masterworks, has been described by his former lover, BBC broadcaster Joan Bakewell, as “like a diary”.

The central female character of Emma, wife to Robert and lover to Jerry, falls to Bell (and let’s get it out of the way, she’s got nothing to do with John Bell).

Born in nearby Young, Bell moved with her family to Canberra as a six-year-old and studied at St Clare’s and later the ANU, from which she took out a law degree, all the while performing in plays at school, with Canberra Rep and with Free Rain Theatre in its earlier days. After law, she took out another degree at the Victorian College of Arts.

Bell’s career hasn’t looked back from there, with a line of genuinely interesting roles for the Sydney Theatre Company, the Melbourne Theatre Company and the State Theatre Company of SA and multiple awards to match.

“I feel like I’ve been especially lucky in terms of my material”, Bell says. Take her role in “As You Like It” at Belvoir Theatre in Sydney; “It was a real honour to have a crack at Rosalind”, she says.

“But candidly, Shakespearean comedy very often isn’t funny; you can’t get around that. The jokes no longer work unless you change them.”

As for her award-winning role of Hedda Gabler, the

Hamlet of the female acting world, she says: “Initially, I have to admit, it was intimidating.” But luckily the play was being directed by Geordie Brookman, who helped her focus “entirely selfishly” on her role. Lucky then that’s he’s directing “Betrayal”, because far from being a super-cerebral Pinter play, it tells the story in reverse, enacting the key events of the previous seven years.

“There’s a lot of emotional cowardice in the play and that kind of stuff is very universal,” she says.

“That’s why I think people call it ‘great’, it could, after all, have been just a soap opera.

“The really clever thing about this piece is that while the major subject is a seven-year affair, in every scene there are tiny betrayals… ones we’re all guilty of on a daily basis, little white lies and sometimes bigger ones, like lying to get out of a difficult situation.”

Bell thinks this will resonate with the audience, not the adultery.

“If people are honest, they’ll recognise moments in their own lives when they have not been quite honest,” she says.

From an actor’s point of view, does she play it straight?

“We did it once in chronological order, just to see what would happen. But in reality you have to kind of peel off layer after layer, as you go, that’s the challenge,” she says.

“There’s something about the structure that keeps it moving, like unravelling a mystery.

“I don’t think it’s a taxing confrontation, I hope it’s not, but I do think it requires openness to engage with the difficult emotional terrain. I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

Betrayal, The Playhouse, August 19-22 canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

arts & entertainment / cinema

Teasing ‘Trainwreck’ just runs out of steam

“ trainwreck” (ma)

THE title of Judd Apatow’s latest film is American jargon for an event causing emotional injury to the people involved. Amy Schumer, who wrote the screenplay and plays the principal character, has acquired a reputation in the US as a stand-up comedienne exposing her soul and her sex life.

Her screenplay here manifests a talent for observing humour in things that at first glance may not be humorous. Like used tampons, whether eating garlic influences the flavour of semen, that sort of out-of-left-field stuff that polite folk would never discuss (not half they don’t!), exposed with agreeable candour in a plot about a woman whose father convinced her when she was a kid that monogamy is unrealistic.

Amy, thirty-ish, writing for a “men’s” magazine, pleasant-looking rather than pretty, drinks alcohol copiously and takes many men in many beds, never her own. Then meeting sports doctor Aaron (Bill Hader) turns her life on its head. That could form a formulaic rom-com in which one-line gags flavoured with sexual frankness fall just short of qualifying for an X-rating. Alas, Ms Schumer’s talent for identifying and making good use of the comic power of her themes doesn’t extend to writing a sustained dramatic structure capable of supporting a 125-minute film.

“Trainwreck” is a bitty film that doesn’t interact with our emotions. Its exploration of contemporary New York life visits elements too numerous to list here that a more judicious editing before a foot of film got shot might have done better. That’s regrettable. Its examination of women’s sexuality would have served both genders better if it had explored beneath that topic’s surface. I wish I could have admired it more.

At all cinemas

“Doragon bôru Z: fukkatsu no ‘f’” (aka “Dragon ball Z: resurrection f”) (ctc)

THERE’VE been many lovely, amusing, stylish Japanese animated features and hopefully we’ll see more.

Born on TV in the 1980s, the hugely popular “Dragon Ball” franchise was something else entirely.

Tadayoshi Yamamuro’s 2015 feature is a colourful, noisy, energetic panoply of violent fantasy. A cumulative boredom wafted over

me as opposing factions met, noisily bashed each other up, met again, bashed… get the message? Then, re-entering the real world’s light as the closing credits rolled, wondering how on earth to write about it, I bumped into an epiphany.

As a five-year-old, watching “Dragon Ball” every morning on TV, she loved it to bits. Now, perhaps in her twenties, slightly built, quite attractive, wearing black pants and a Batman top, she asked me quite spontaneously, how had I enjoyed the film? I told her what I’m now telling you.

Five-year-olds may very well love Yamamuro’s film without understanding it or needing to. If you watched the TV series, it’ll likely give you a nostalgia rush. If you’re an adult of single-digit intellectual age, it may get through to you. If you’re not in any of those categories, I regret that I can’t provide any more-useful advice.

I saw the subtitled 2D version. The 3D version is dubbed for those who can’t read rapidly-changing subtitles.

At Dendy

“fantastic 4” (m)

In the title of young Josh Trank’s resurrection of a filmic notion based on an American cartoon

strip, “fantastic” is doing its proper job. In 2007, a 13-year-old kid builds a prototype teleportation machine. In 2014, at a high-school science exhibition, a developed version attracts the attention of Dr Storm who sees it as the hope of mankind’s future. Cut to a huge research and development institution where a test machine is built, involving Storm’s adopted children and a lemony, slightly older young bloke who has solved the problem of how to recover what has been teleported away. Kidz rule in the teleportation biz.

From that beginning develops a pot-boiler perversion of the notion of science that asks its audience to accept that its dramatic progress to planets unknown as a paradigm for humanity’s eventual future is exciting entertainment. More correctly, the film’s real purpose is to separate you from your admission money with a project of scant merit from every aspect. The acting is wooden. The plot lacks innovation. The images lack credibility.

At all cinemas

Latin festival of free films

by Helen musa

EXCITEMENT is mounting in our Latin American embassies as the 11th Latin American Film Festival prepares to take off at the NGA with 12 films screening this year.

Uruguayan ambassador Ricardo Varela, whose mission is co-ordinating this year’s event, is keen to stress the increasing con -

nection to Australia, pointing out that Australian actress Miranda Otto stars in the Brazilian film “Reaching for the Moon”, based on the real-life love affair between poet Elizabeth Bishop (Otto) and architect Lota de Macedo Soares (Gloria Pires).

In another connection, Dr Varela says, Australian director Andrew Tucker co-directs the doco “The Accordion’s Voyage”, the story of

Enquiries: 6161 1730 or 0473 430

Colombian accordion virtuoso Manuel Vega’s journey with his group to play with the Hohner accordion orchestra in Germany. Uruguay’s contribution is a comedy/thriller “Mr Kaplan,” where a Jewish immigrant seizes the chance to be a hero by unmasking and kidnapping an elderly German neighbour. Although most films deal with contemporary issues, it’s not entirely modern. Venezuela’s film, “Azu”, is a historical adventure set in 1780, when an African woman is forced into slavery and sold at an auction.

The 11th Latin American Film Festival, at James O Fairfax Theatre, NGA, August 20-September 1, 2.30pm and repeated 6.30pm daily. Tickets free. Limited numbers, no bookings required.

arts & entertainment / dining

Savoury side of a sweet sensation

Pâtissez is the talk of the town for its shakes which, no matter how much sugar your body can absorb, will make you shake.

Pâtissez has the most amazing selection of sweets in Manuka, no doubt about it. Your eyes pop wide open when you stand before the pastry cabinet.

Besides the cakes, éclairs and tarts, Pâtissez is the talk of the town for its shakes which, no matter how much sugar your body can absorb, will make you shake. They’re the most decadent I’ve seen in my 10 years reviewing food. Served in large mason jars, they’re loaded with syrup, topped with whipped cream and then, as if that’s not enough, another sweet element such as an entire piece of pecan pie. Everyone’s going nuts over the Nutella, salted caramel and pretzel shake.

Pâtissez has been packed since it swung open its doors several weeks ago. The first time I rocked up, I was told there was more than an hour’s wait.

The place is operated by the Petridis family and pastry chefs Ismael and Astrid Toorawa. When I first interviewed Gina and Anna Petridis, they had just lost their spot on “My Kitchen Rules” and were peeved at how they had been treated. But the feisty duo proclaimed they would transform the capital and build

a food empire. So I was looking forward to giving Pâtissez a go, but to road test their savoury options.

I chose the Cheeky ($19), slow-cooked beef cheeks with black-eyed beans, poached eggs, crusty bread and kale pesto. I was hankering for a hearty winter dish. It was served in a hot pot and was so hot (temperature wise) I couldn’t dig in right away. It was remarkably short on meat and, by the time it was safe to eat, the eggs were overcooked. And I wanted better depth of flavour.

The best choice of the day was “The Big Pat” although, as with the shakes, it’s a mammoth exercise to plough through everything heaped on the plate … eggs, bacon, potato rosti, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon jam (a Gina and Anna specialty) and crusty

bread ($21).

The “Get Pig’d” was pulled pork, poached eggs, hollandaise, wilted baby spinach and more of that bacon jam ($19). It was drowning in the sauce, which is such a shame.

We took home a slice of rainbow cake, which was pretty and pleasant.

The service was sad, although I respect things need ironing out with new places. Dish one arrived (no cutlery or serviette provided) after a l-o-o-ong wait. Dish two arrived 17 minutes later. Dish three arrived another four minutes after that. We had to return the water glasses. They were dirty.

Pâtissez, The Lawns, Bougainville Street, Manuka. Open seven days, 7am-4pm. Call 0423 637777. No bookings.

Going for a song, the Eisteddfod looms

by Helen musa anticiPation is mounting in canberra singing circles as the annual $11,000 australian choral challenge in the australian national eisteddfod looms at llewellyn Hall on saturday, august 22.

The adjudicators for the division, running over Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22, will be the head of the ANU School of Music, Peter Tregear, and the distinguished Sydney music educator, Elizabeth Scott.

At a recent launch in the Ainslie Arts Centre, the new choirs’ convenor, Danny Kozak, said the Eisteddfod demonstrated how important music was in the lives of our children as they strove for excellence.

After a performance by young pianist and composer, Caleb Campbell, choral director Greta Claringbould took up the baton to conduct young members of the Canberra Youth Choir in a trio of choral works, including the amusing 1920s song, “When I Take my Sugar to Tea”.

In Kozak’s view, elitism in music was not enough and growth should be as wide as it is high. To that end, this year’s choirs

division in the Eisteddfod will feature more under-12 choirs than before and a new ACT 18 years and under section, with prizemoney augmented by a donation from Dr JO Ward, of Sydney. All primary choirs will receive a certificate with either a gold or silver grading for their performance and there will be one first prize awarded for each section.

A committee member told “CityNews” that this year it was expected that the Choral Challenge would feature a more popular, entertaining style of choral music and there would be a special $1000 prize for the best performance of a multicultural piece, a work originally performed in a language other than English.

President of the Australian National Eisteddfod, Sylvia Tulloch, recalled how she competed in the Sydney Eisteddfod when she was young, confirming her commitment to the eisteddfod phenomenon by personally taking over convenorship of the speech and drama section this year.

Convenor of the piano division, which runs from August 17 to 21, Di Miley was also on hand for the launch.

Choirs Division, Friday and Saturday, August 21-22, Llewellyn Hall. Details at nationaleisteddfod.org.au

gardening

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The growing ways of wisteria

Wisterias can be pruned at this time by counting, from the base of each stem, three leaf nodes (joints) or where a smaller branch joins the larger or main branch.

This principle is applicable for most climbing plants including grapes.

It is fascinating that Wisteria sinensis, or Chinese wisteria, always grows anti-clockwise around supports and can grow anywhere from 18 to 30 metres.

This vigorous variety originated in a garden in Canton in 1816 and was unknown in the wild. With fragrant mauve or deep-lilac flowers, it is possibly the most popular.

Whereas the less-vigorous W. floribunda, or Japanese wisteria, with violet-blue flowers always grows clockwise around supports. No matter how hard anyone tries to make them grow the other way they always fail, though I’ve never known why. They grow to between 4 and 6 metres.

TRUFFLES, so popular with the French for hundreds of years, are catching on here with several large truffle plantations in the ACT.

Truffle spores are usually grown on the roots of oak trees and in France more than 400,000 oak trees are treated with the truffle spores each year. Anyone with a sufficiently large block, big enough to grow oak trees, is in a position to grow truffles.

Heritage Nursery has stocks of the right variety of oak trees already injected with truffle spores.

MORE on hanging gardens: apart from strong hooks, always use the best-quality potting mix available, such as the Debco brand, which costs about $12 a bag as opposed to the cheap $4 bags often sold in supermarkets. It will pay off in the end.

As potting mixes drain very quickly, it means frequent watering. One suggestion is to mix about a quarter with clay soil, retaining the moisture more effectively.

Whilst baskets can look pretty with just one variety of plant, as seen on light poles in Civic in summer, variety is the spice of life.

To give life to baskets think of a selection of plants that will flower over a longer period of time.

For strong summer colour in full sun, bedding begonia, lobelia, petunia, nasturtium, alyssum and chrysanthemum. Trail over the edge with ivy geranium.

For baskets in partial shade,

fuchsia, impatiens (busy Lizzie), dwarf ferns, gardenia radians (rock gardenia) and campanula are all ideal. Naturally, some plants, such as fuchsias, can only be planted up after the frosts.

Or try a herb basket with pennyroyal, marjoram, sage, thyme, parsley, chives and mint (which is always a problem when grown in the garden with its rampant habit, but growing it in a basket solves that problem!).

Jottings…

• Complete the pruning of rose bushes.

• Look for camellias and azaleas at garden centres while in flower to plant now.

• Finish pruning crepe myrtles now as they flower on new season’s wood.

• Watch for formation of buds on peach, apricot and nectarines. Once pink shows, spray with Bordeaux or Kocide to prevent brown rot. Don’t spray after flowers have opened as this will kill bees, which are important for pollination.

• When purchasing new plants, apply Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient while still in the pot before planting, follow up after planting to encourage new root growth.

celtic Woman Winners

Winners of the “citynews” double passes to see celtic Woman in concert at royal theatre on saturday, september 19 are: margaret brand, of Weetangera and rod Gilchrist, of chifley.

We thank everyone who entered.

Joanne madeline moore your week in the stars – august 17-23, 2015

aries (mar 21 – apr 20)

This week your need for speed is curtailed and everything seems to move at a snail’s pace. Creative projects are favoured as you seek out excitement and variety, and your patience will wear thin with routine tasks, pedantic people and frustrating family members. Restless Rams prefer a spontaneous approach but you’ll find some sort of daily routine will help you power through projects in a more productive and pleasant way. There’s room for both!

taurus (apr 21 – may 20)

Are you feeling hemmed in at home? This week’s stars favour clearing, decluttering, renovating or extending your present living space so it’s more open and spacious. Bulls need room to breathe! Relationships and extra responsibilities go hand in hand ATM and, if you try to escape from commitments, loved ones won’t be impressed. Family matters look complicated on Friday/Saturday, as everybody seems to fall short of the exceedingly high expectations of others.

Gemini (may 21 – June 21)

Are you feeling bored? It’s time to take up a challenging hobby or add an untapped creative talent to your repertoire. Success comes through exploring and participating in the world around you – in person and online. Wisdom for the week is from writer Dorothy Parker (born on August 22): “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” But, if you don’t explain yourself properly on the weekend, then expect communication difficulties.

cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Crabs can be susceptible to flattery – particularly ATM with Venus reversing through your self-esteem zone. Don’t be sweet-talked into doing something you don’t want to do – especially involving money. Friends and finances are a particularly messy mix so do all you can to keep the two separate. If you’re relying on others to support you on Friday and Saturday, you’ll be disappointed. They have their own problems to deal with, so you’ll just have to be self-sufficient instead.

leo (July 23 – aug 22)

Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Mae West: “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” But it can also lead to weight problems and financial fiascos, as you overdo overindulging, and common sense flies out the window. Take a chill pill Lions! Mighty Mars compels you to go at things like a Bull – or should that be a Lion – at a gate. But retrograde Venus cautions you to reassess people and situations before you jump in. An interesting juggle.

VirGo (aug 23 – sept 22)

Has your strict inner parent taken over? Don’t be too hard on yourself – or others. And don’t overdo the criticism no matter how ‘constructive’ it is. Striving for perfection will be fraught with frustrations this week, especially on Friday and Saturday, so relax and try to take things as they come. If you’re feeling worried or stressed then turn to a wise friend or mentor for some sensible advice and words of wisdom. But car problems do need to be attended to ASAP.

libra (sept 23 – oct 23)

Mid-week is the perfect time to spend with someone special; give your partner a surprise gift; be a culture vulture; go on a shopping spree; cook for family and friends or fall in love. But remember that Venus is still retrograde (until September 6) so prepare for a few bumps along the way. Proceed slowly and cautiously on Friday and Saturday – especially when it comes to money matters. Allow plenty of time to complete tasks, as there are likely to be frustrating delays.

scorPio (oct 24 – nov 21)

Are work worries on your mind? Or does a relationship with a colleague feel as if it’s going backwards? With plenty of patience and persistence, you can turn things around. Saturn is squaring the Sun this week and moving through your sign until September 18, so it’s the perfect time to redefine the persona you are presenting to the world. Be inspired by birthday great Coco Chanel: “How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.”

saGittarius (nov 22 – Dec 21)

Former friendships are favoured, so it’s a good time to re-connect with an old mate – especially one from another country or culture. Plus tap into your artistic side, as you touch base with the creative child within. But does the gap between your ambitious dreams and your daily reality seem to be incredibly wide at the moment? Progress is being made behind the scenes, so you need to slow down and be a super patient Sagittarian with a strategic plan.

caPricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Don’t dismiss – or criticise unusual new ways of doing things. If you jump out of a comfortable but complacent rut and into an innovative new groove – then you’ll find the solution to a pressing problem. On Friday and Saturday, tricky Sun/Saturn aspects increase impatience and irritability so steer clear of stressful situations and try to keep your Capricorn cool! A major goal or dream could also be put on hold temporarily. Once again, strive to be flexible.

aQuarius (Jan 20 – feb 18)

It’s time to crank up your social media strategy, as you network in increasingly creative and innovative ways. It’s not what you know, but who you know so get circulating and advertising in style! With Venus still reversing through your relationship zone, a close partnership will be problematic so avoid making any major moves or decisions until after September 6. On Friday or Saturday, don’t be surprised if an appointment is postponed or cancelled at the last moment.

Pisces (feb 19 – mar 20)

When it comes to health, work or finances, trying a totally different approach sees you head off in an exciting and unexpected new direction. But strive to be extra diplomatic with a fractious housemate or colleague who may unsettle you with a decision that seems to come out of the blue. And don’t feel you have to tackle a project completely on your own. There are plenty of people around you who are happy to help, all you have to do is sum up the courage to ask.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2015 Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

General knowledge crossword no. 513

across

1 What is a light, low-wheeled carriage?

8 Which colloquial term means “ below one’s dignity “ (5,3)?

9 What was the British rule in India called before independence (3,3)?

10 Name a term, descriptive of a native.

11 Name an important part of an internalcombustion engine.

12 What is another expression for Christmas?

13 Name one of Australia’s most prolific explorers, Charles ...

16 Name the Australian explorer who explored the NSW Blue Mountains and Bathurst districts, George ...

19 Which US city in Nevada is noted for easy and quick divorces?

21 What do we call a second means of support?

22 What were the titles of ancient Egyptian kings?

23 Which person is responsible for the content of a newspaper, magazine, or the like?

24 What are curled locks of hair?

sudoku hard no. 156

25 Stockholm is the capital of which European kingdom?

Down

2 What do we call a person who disbelieves the existence of God?

3 Name an apparatus for charging water with carbon dioxide, etc.

4 Which horse won the 1960 Melbourne Cup (2,4)?

5 To walk about aimlessly is to, colloquially, do what?

6 What are appendices to a book?

7 Which term implies a relationship to fire?

13 Who was the first US astronaut in space, Alan...

14 Kiev is the capital of which European republic?

15 Name the dark, viscous, uncrystallised syrup obtained in refining sugar.

17 Which modified virus is used for preventive inoculation?

18 What is another name for a nerve cell?

20 To dominate the thoughts is to do what?

Despite loss, Dennis can’t escape tax

WORRIED, Dennis came to see me confused about having to pay $4876 on his business’ annual Business Activity Statement when it was making a loss.

“Dennis, you will recall that last year you had the choice of paying an instalment nominated by the Australian Taxation Office or using your actual figures in the calculation of GST,” I reminded him.

“At that time, we discussed whether you should take the instalment option and agreed that, as you had been having a turbulent time financially, it provided you with some certainty, so you took this option.

“You were then certain as to your GST liability in each quarterly BAS and now, at the end of the year, would either have a shortfall to pay or you would have overpaid and would, in fact, get a refund when the annual BAS was lodged.”

“I have now finalised your accounts and note that you have made a loss. But in preparing the annual BAS, I also calculated there was a shortfall of GST paid. I can understand you thinking that because you have made a loss that there should not be a GST shortfall.

“GST is calculated on purchases and sales at the rate of 10 per cent on most items. So, if there is GST on every sale and every purchase, then a loss for income tax purposes would likely result in your having paid enough GST in your BAS’s. “However, there are some large items in the accounts which do not have GST, for example salaries and superannuation and some other items that have an input tax credit of less than 10 per cent.

“I always do a quick mental check to see if the final GST figure is within the ballpark. For example, as your sales are $500,000 then GST on sales is $50,000 and as your total expenses are $650,000, you need to subtract salaries and super of $300,000 which gives you $350,000 of sales with input tax credits of $35,000. So a rough estimate of your GST is $15,000 payable.”

“I note that you have paid $10,000 in instalments, so I would expect you to have to pay about $5000 for GST in your annual BAS. The actual figure is $4876, which seems to be about right. So even though you have made a loss, you still have some GST to pay at the end of the year.”

Unconsoled, but resigned to paying the tax, Dennis agreed there was a lot to digest, but felt he had a better understanding of the BAS and instalment system.

If you feel you need a better understanding of how BAS and GST work, please contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.