151001 citynews

Every day seemed a ladies’ day in politics

The real problem is that autistic children are placed in regular classes without proper support for the teachers. Perhaps with all her portfolios Ms Burch has taken multitasking beyond its natural limits.

EVERY day was Ladies’ Day in the world of Federal – and even ACT – politics this last week. It began with a bang as Marise Payne – to the spontaneous applause of her colleagues – made her affirmation (rather than an oath) as Defence Minister. The carrot-topped, NSW Senator received the same enthusiastic welcome from the commentariat and, we’re told, the top brass at the Department.

It was a very big promotion, but she is fortunate in having the best departmental secretary in the country, Dennis Richardson , to guide her through the military and bureaucratic minefields.

NEXT came PM

Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement of the $100 million program to confront domestic violence. And while the funds are important to provide training to the front line cohort in the struggle, the PM himself must continue to give the lead from his “bully pulpit”. He started well with: “Real men don’t hit women” and calling such behaviour “unAustralian”; but it’s too deep-seated for mere sloganeering to provide a remedy.

CHANCES are we’ll see the policy in action when the US R&B singer Chris Brown is refused a visa because of his domestic violence record. Barring people from the country is rarely a good idea. And we don’t know the background to Brown’s five-year probation in 2009 for attacking his girlfriend Rihanna . But if the campaign requires it, then so be it. It’s not as though we’re banning his, um, music.

OUR own Simon Corbell got into the act with a Bill to tighten the law surrounding

domestic violence. Henceforth police records of interview will be admitted for these offences; victim protection will be expanded and interim domestic violence

ROBERT MACKLIN

orders will be extended until any criminal charges are dealt with. But when will the perpetrator – instead of the victim – be forced from the family home?

THEN up jumped former PM Tony Abbott’s eminence grise, Peta Credlin to claim she had been a victim of an anti-woman conspiracy. And after all she’d done to get

Tony elected, it just wasn’t fair. Mind you, that did involve the most vicious sustained attack on PM Julia Gillard imaginable. Honestly! So much for the Credlin cred.

ACT Education Minister Joy Burch also came under attack from the powerful autism lobby over her handling of the cage affair. In fact, the real problem is that autistic children are placed in regular classes without proper support for the teachers. Perhaps with all her portfolios Ms Burch has taken multi-tasking beyond its natural limits. But at least she doesn’t claim the criticism is some anti-woman plot.

WHILE all this was happening, poor Bill Shorten was announcing actual Labor policies and handling himself very well on “Q&A”. But with all the attention focused on Malcolm and the ladies, he would have had to set his pants on fire to get noticed. However, Canberrans will welcome his appointing Katy Gallagher to the front bench.

FINALLY, a charming by-play when the new Assistant Minister for Water, 52-year-old Anne Ruston , tried to read the oath without her glasses at the swearing-in ceremony. As she stumbled, G-G Sir Peter Cosgrove instantly rescued the damsel in distress with his own pair.

A knightly gesture, indeed.

robert@robertmacklin.com

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Brilliant idea gets Amalia to finals

By Kathryn Vukovljak

A DIAMOND ring where the stone can be viewed from all angles to maximise its brilliance has been nominated as a finalist in the Diamond Guild Australia Jewellery Awards 2015.

The Rockstar, worth $65,800, was designed by Amalia Stavreas, manager of Dimitries Jewellers in Westfield Woden, and Sydneybased jeweller Mike Levendi.

Amalia says the ring features a round, brilliant-cut, two-carat diamond set in an innovative “free motion” setting, which allows the diamond freedom of movement.

The concept for the setting was inspired by how they show customers a diamond in the shop, she says.

“We like our customers to really interact with the diamond they choose, so we take it out and encourage them to flip it around and look at the light refraction from every angle,” Amalia says.

“It got me thinking, if that’s the best way to showcase a diamond, what if we could find a way to harness that?”

The Rockstar is one of three

finalists in the awards, with the winner to be announced at a gala event in Sydney on October 18.

“The Solitaire category is known to be difficult, so Mike and I wanted to do something innovative,” she says.

Amalia says the diamond on the Rockstar rotates on its axis and can be viewed from a 360-degree angle thanks to the delicate setting, the mechanism in the base and the polished mirrored platform it sits on.

“The diamond actually moves, so it picks up more light and brilliance,” says Amalia.

“I didn’t want there to be a lot of metal in the ring, so that the diamond would appear to be floating in the simplicity of the reflection on the concave surface.”

Amalia trained as a physiotherapist, personal trainer and nutritionist in Sydney, but two years ago decided to return to the family business, which was started in Canberra in 1967 by her grandparents.

“Helping people as a physio gives me the same feeling as helping people choose the right piece of jewellery,” she says. “Clients leave feeling good and I feel I’ve helped them make a decision in an honest way.

Stavreas... “The diamond actually moves, so it picks up more light and brilliance.”

“I love the creativity of working here, and I get to draw! It’s nice to be back with the family, too, and to be able to combine high-end design with the homebody, family element of being in Canberra again.”

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PIAZZOLLA TANGO

Time to learn to suck it

Australian men need to understand that it’s never ever okay to hit a woman. Blokes need to find a backbone and more than anything else to find patience.

WITHIN moments of the Prime Minister’s domestic violence announcement last week, I was getting calls from radio listeners who weren’t on the same page as Mr Turnbull.

These people, men and women, believe that the push against domestic violence somehow discriminates against men. They’re wrong. We have women losing their lives at the hands of those close to them every week and it can’t continue.

The detractors tell me that there is a lot of domestic violence perpetrated against men

by women. They’re right… there are women who hit men and do other unacceptable things to the men in their lives, but the great difference is that men aren’t being killed by their partners.

What we saw last week was about saving women’s lives. We’ll never eradicate domestic violence in this country. As a nation, our response to the problem has to be much more than just giving the victims somewhere to hide and more than just locking people up for longer periods of time.

What I’d like to acknowledge is that there will be some collateral damage in all of this. In our efforts to protect vulnerable women, there will be some cases in which some men get the raw end of the deal in regards to court outcomes, police and AVO outcomes. That’s not fair, but I think they’ve just got to suck it up. We can’t accept the situation

as it exists at the moment. Australian men need to understand that it’s never ever okay to hit a woman. Blokes need to find a backbone and more than anything else to find patience. It’s a difficult thing for some, but we need to find the strength to turn the other cheek and just walk away. Sometimes that’s going to be desperately unfair and there will be occasions when men are taken advantage of, but that’s just the way it has to be. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong. When you’re sitting in

a jail cell trying to come to terms with just what you’ve done, who was wrong and who was right will be irrelevant. We spoke with some counsellors who continued to hammer home this point: “You can’t determine how somebody else responds to a situation. You have no control over whether your partner lashes out at you whether it be verbally or physically. The only thing you can control is what you do. And nothing can justify hitting a woman.”

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

Church book sale

SECONDHAND books covering fiction, non-fiction, cookery, gardening, manuals, children’s and magazines will be for sale at St Ninian’s Uniting Church book sale, 9am-1pm, on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. Morning tea and lunch will be available at the church on the corner of Mouat and Brigalow Streets, Lyneham.

Come dancing

FOLK Dance Canberra, which teaches the dances of many countries, holds classes for children and adults, catering for all levels from beginners to experienced dancers. Classes generally follow school terms. All welcome, no partner needed. For children’s classes call 0420 524412. Emails to folkdancecanberra@gmail.com or visit folkdancecanberra.org.au

Winning little winery

MURRUMBATEMAN winemakers Brian and Janet Johnson (pictured) were proudly amid the silverware at the NSW Small Winemakers Awards at Forbes. Their McKellar Ridge riesling won Top Gold and Best Riesling as well as Best White Wine from a Boutique Producer.

Civic may bloom again with Floriade

MOVING Floriade from Commonwealth Park to Glebe Park may provide an opportunity to reclaim some green space and reinvigorate Canberra’s city centre.

Glebe Park is a largely forgotten corner of Civic. But when the ABC flats are demolished and new apartments in Reid completed, Glebe Park will become the backyard for many new families.

As the city reorients itself, we are presented with new possibilities. For example, perhaps it’s time to give the carousel, loved by families since 1974, a new home and a new lease on life in Glebe Park.

Moving Floriade may also be a chance to rethink some parts of Garema Place and City Walk, which could be transformed to attract visitors into the city, providing a walkable link through to Glebe Park and Floriade.

Other pocket parks are needed to lure more people outdoors – with Floriade the perfect platform to make this happen.

Haig Park is another under-utilised city space that requires additional attention and investment to make it safe and accessible.

As Canberra becomes denser and more diverse, we need to invest in green spaces – and to think of our parks as outdoor community centres that enhance the liveliness and liveability of our city.

Thinking creatively about Floriade’s location could be an ingredient needed to build a flourishing city centre.

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

Chefs get a taste of success

GOLDEN ACT girls Amanda Polsen, 24, and Georgia Harrison, 22, outcooked the country’s best eight, junior-chef teams at the Sydney Showgrounds to win this year’s Golden Chef’s Hat Award.

It’s Australia’s longest-running culinary competition for young chefs, who have to create a three-course meal in four hours.

Apart from two silver medals, the dynamic duo scored a competition first by winning a gold-with-distinction medal (the highest awarded in the 50-year history of the competition) for a dessert that’s earned them a food safari to South Africa.

“It was great to connect with other chefs and we’re absolutely thrilled to have won,” says Georgia. “To cook live

in front of the public was really challenging, but an amazing experience.”

Amanda is an apprentice chef at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and Georgia Harrison an apprentice at the National Press Club.

That dessert… gold-with-distinction medal winner.

Free trade: work with Shorten

MICHAEL Moore hopes for changes under Prime Minister Turnbull (CN, October 17).

I hope the new consultative Prime Minister will work with Bill Shorten to improve the China Australia Free Trade Agreement. In desperation, a presidential-style PM accepted a deal that was important to saving his own job but hardly in Australia’s national interest. China will not remove restrictions on Australian exports of sugar, wheat, cotton, rice, maize, rapeseed (canola), other vegetable oils, fertilisers, wool tops, wood and paper. And why would Australia, fighting an ice epidemic, agree to a reduction in customs inspections on containers from China, a major manufacturer of chemicals used in drug labs?

Noel Baxendell, Macgregor

The fight to beat strokes

WITH Stroke Week coming to a close it is vital we remember strokes don’t just happen one week of the year. Every 10 minutes an Australian has a stroke. Every 10 minutes someone’s life changes forever.

Stroke is scarily common in Australia – it is a national health emergency. Last year alone Australians suffered 50,000 strokes. There are things we can all do to help protect ourselves, like being aware of and managing our blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet, stopping smoking and heavy drinking, and exercising.

Thanks to our incredible supporters we were able to spread this message far and wide this Stroke Week, reaching a record number of Australians. But our work doesn’t stop here – it is our mission to ensure everyone understands what a stroke is and what they can do to avoid having one.

It will take the combined efforts of the community, health professionals and government to achieve this mission. I know together we can fight stroke and win.

Slim chance of putting voters first

THE community and the voters can be put before the self-interest of political parties in the new era of Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten. It sounds like flying, purple pigs! But there just might be a slim chance.

Special Minister for State Mal Brough seemed to be the first of the Turnbull ministers to get himself in hot water.

However, his intention to seek changes to the Senate voting system might be a real opportunity to illustrate that politics has really changed. The problem is not as much the intentions of Brough but rather the fears of crossbench members who have benefitted by being elected through the work of Glen Druery, the preference whisperer.

Before Druery, working out how to stem the advantage going for major parties and move the advantage of preferences to favour the smaller or “micro-parties” no-one was making a fuss.

Suddenly, a problem has been recognised. Guess why? It no longer benefits the major parties. The system is now being manipulated in favour of the micro-parties.

The system does not need to provide advantage to any group. But neither should it disadvantage major, minor, micro parties or independents. And there is a way.

Turnbull’s Liberals and Shorten’s Labor now have the chance to demonstrate they can put the people before the politics. The same is true for the Greens, the micro-parties and the independents in the Senate. They must give away their current prerogative of dictating how their preferences will

Suddenly, a problem has been recognised. Guess why? It no longer benefits the major parties. The system is now being manipulated in favour of the micro-parties.

be distributed for voter-driven, optional preferential, above-the-line voting.

The principle is simple. Hand the preference distribution back to the voters.

Currently, 96.5 per cent of voters place their single vote above the line in a Senate election. Once the vote lands on the selected party it is the party that then determines how to distribute the preferences.

As the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Tony Smith, unanimously recommended in its “First Interim Report”, there should be “optional preferential voting” above the line.

No-one will hold their breath waiting for voters to get a simpler, fairer system. However, there is already cross-party agreement at the committee level.

Our politicians should not be persuaded by party apparatchiks that some modification or other will improve their chances. It is simple.

Placing preferential numbers across the line at the top of the ballot paper should simply deliver the below-the-line names in the order that the parties were identified.

This change would mean backdoor preference deals that favour particular parties, invariably without

the knowledge of the voters, will give way to voters determining the order of the political party or independents they prefer.

Within the ACT (and Tasmanian) Hare-Clark system there is one more level of sophistication. So that no particular candidate receives an advantage from the order in which the party has placed them, there is a randomly assigned order. This provides an incentive to vote below the line to really have an impact.

However, on the Senate ballot paper the 3.5 per cent of people who have voted below the line have done so in the brave knowledge that they might have to put consecutive numbers against more than a hundred candidates without making a mistake. A mistake means a paper discarded as invalid. It is a ridiculous situation that does not have to be the case.

The second change that Mal Brough should implement is to apply optional preferential voting below-the-line as well as above-theline.

The vote either above or below-the-line being optional means a person does not have to put a number against every candidate.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee rec-

ommended for below-the-line vote “partial optional preferential” seeking to have voters place a tick against at least six senators in a half-Senate election if they are voting below the line and 12 in a full Senate election. It is not a bad compromise.

The ideal, as applied in the ACT is to always recognise voter intention where at all possible – even if, for example, only three votes can be counted.

The last word belongs with ABC election analyst Antony Green who explained the political drivers to the Joint Parliamentary Committee: “The system, if changed, should advantage parties which campaign, not parties which arrange preference deals… I do not see why a party should get control over its preferences simply by putting its name on the ballot paper”.

Michael Moore was an independent member of

Birthday lunch

DALLAS Atkins will be entertaining the ladies of the Tuggeranong Day View’s 22nd birthday lunch meeting at the Vikings Town Centre Club, Athllon Drive, Greenway, from noon on Tuesday, October 20. The theme is black, red and white, tickets are $27 and RSVP to 6284 8804 or 6294 6769 by Thursday, October 15. All ladies and guests are welcome.

Happy Folk

THE National Folk Festival has been named Best Cultural, Arts and Music Event at the ACT in the Australian Event Awards. The announcement follows the Festival’s bronze award at the Australian Tourism Awards. The festival celebrates its 50th in 2016 and director Pam Merrigan says its longevity is due to its continually expanding the notion of folk without compromising the integrity of the event. It attracts crowds upward of 46,000 to Canberra every Easter and injects more than $5 million into the local economy.

More Smiles

QUEANBEYAN is the location for seven-day dental network Pacific Smiles’ 51st clinic. Regional manager Tanya Kissin says: “Toothaches and emergencies often don’t occur between the hours of 9-5, Monday to Friday. We pride ourselves on bringing patients flexible appointments availability. For those who are busy during the week we offer evening and weekend appointments.” Call 6284 4700.

Why are people turning from politicians?

The Liberal and Labor parties are increasingly being recognised for what they are.

Namely closed shops where factions and cliques dominate.

THE sacking of Prime Minister Tony Abbott by his Liberal Party colleagues has not generated the sense of shock, anger or even surprise that followed the despatching of Prime Ministers Rudd and Gillard.

The most common response is reported to be one of relief.

The people of Australia appear hardly to have missed a beat. The third first-term Prime Minister in five years has been rejected and replaced by party colleagues and, in the main, we, the people, with little more than a disparaging shake of the head and a mumble about what a hopeless rabble politicians are, get on with our lives.

Any analysis of community response to the latest Prime Ministerial sacking leads to some uncomfortable conclusions, especially for politicians and the main political parties and perhaps more importantly, the health of our democracy and the state of civil society in Australia.

Chief among these, which not even the most thick-skinned or narcissistic politician can avoid is the poor light in which politicians, political parties and governments in Australia are held.

The muted reaction also suggests, somewhat alarmingly, that people really don’t care who the Prime Minister is and don’t think it matters much whether the person they assumed would be Prime Minister when they voted continues in the role.

The more likely explanation, and the one I accept, is that Australians are currently so disenchanted by the quality of political leadership and of government that they increasingly disengage from politics and civil society. The current attitude is very much about wishing a pox on all their houses.

T he behaviour of our Federal politicians over the last three parliaments, including the games of musical chairs they have played, have clearly not generated much glory or praise.

The dysfunction, apparent incompetence and sense of chaos that characterised the last two Labor governments and this Liberal government have certainly played a singular part in poisoning the political well and eroding trust and respect for politicians and politics.

As someone who has belonged to the ALP in Canberra for almost 40 years (but the same applies I know to the Liberal Party) is: What is it about the current operations of the party system that is so alienating that the number of members of political parties has dropped through the floor and people interested in

politics are actively seeking to pursue their interest in ways that avoid joining a party?

The answer is clearly related to the behaviour and quality of our politicians. There is certainly an aversion to the ugly aspects of adversarial politics.

The name calling, the insults, the appearance of opposition for opposition’s sake and the, at times, immature behaviour of members of parliaments (particularly in question time) and the overweening sense of entitlement revealed by the recurrent travel scandals, is all a turn off for many people.

Having said that, I have in recent times lamented the cosy bi-

partisanship that has featured in debates on issues such as asylum seekers, immigration, so-called border protection, terrorism, national security and law and order and would appreciate it if our elected representatives showed a bit more backbone on these sorts of issues and were prepared to agitate for a position of principle. I sometimes wish for more adversity than is generated.

Prof George Williams, of the University of NSW, maintains a log of laws passed, in large measure through the collaboration of the Labor and Liberal parties, in Australia since the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, which either erode the rule of law, civil liberties and human rights or diminish democratic rights. The count

has reached 360 and is rising.

Many Canberrans, I suspect a clear majority, are offended not just that these sorts of laws are being passed but that all four of our Federal representatives, Labor and Liberal, support them. There is a growing feeling in an increasing section of the community that their views are not being represented. That they are voiceless.

By way of recent example, all four of the ACT’s representatives voted for the Border Force Act, which criminalises behaviour of professionals such as doctors, nurses and child-protection workers who speak publicly about the needs of asylum seekers, including children, in detention. I don’t think I know a single person in Canberra who thinks this law is justified or appropriate, yet all of our elected representatives voted for it.

Namely the decision to repeal the Norfolk Island Act and abolish the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.

I am stunned that in 2015 in Australia that our government, with the active support of all members of the parliament (including all territory representatives) trashed a most basic human right of an entire Australian community by removing their right to vote. It is not, of course, just the behaviour of our politicians that is turning people away from political parties. Both the Liberal and Labor parties are increasingly being recognised for what they are. Namely closed shops where factions and cliques dominate and control all important decision making, most particularly the pre-selection process and in which power is not shared with the membership.

Not to put too fine a point on it almost all appointments are made on the basis of who you know and where you rank in the faction. The parties are essentially indistinguishable in this regard. An honest debate about which organisation is the more ruthless, controlling and undemocratic of (say) the NSW ALP Sussex Street gang or the NSW Liberal Party Executive Committee would be a draw. As to the future, who knows? The bookies, it seems, have settled on Turnbull and there is talk that the ALP may now pay a price of as long as a decade in opposition for the shambles it created when last in government.

Another recent law that our four representatives supported is, I think, excluding laws related to the White Australia policy and the treatment of Aboriginal Australians as non-citizens, the most anti-democratic law passed since Federation.

A day in politics is of course a long time and the motto of any opposition is always, as it should be, “never say die”. So the ALP should not despair, at least not publicly. It could, for inspiration, look at the astounding victory against the predictions of all the pundits, and the odds, of the Brave Blossoms against the mighty Springboks in the Rugby World Cup. Unfortunately, there is a major difference between the Japanese Blossoms rugby team and an ALP parliamentary team. The Blossoms are selected on merit.

Jon Stanhope was Chief Minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only Chief Minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.

It’s safer to let the robot take you home

TRANSPORT in Canberra is a vexed and much debated issue with tempers flaring in the Assembly just last week on spending priorities.

But while the kids play on the train tracks there’s an Inter City Express bearing down on us all in the form of driverless cars.

Before you write this off as science fiction, bear in mind that large-scale driverless car trials have already been conducted in the US and Europe, and South Australia has begun limited trials.

With millions of kilometres driven, the jury is unequivocally in; the robots are much safer in control than us meat-bags.

Of the very few incidents they were involved in, humans driving other cars were invariably at fault.

Furthermore, this is early days. Every time a robot car is involved in a crash, the lessons learned can be rolled out to the whole fleet.

Sadly, many human drivers can’t or won’t learn from their accidents and in some tragic cases they never get the chance.

How quickly is this going to come? Well BMW recently bought Nokia’s mapping unit for $3.1 billion.

The maps are an essential part of selfdriving cars, but BMW could have replicated Nokia’s information for tens of millions over a few years.

What this tells us is that BMW doesn’t think it has years to spend; they’re willing to burn billions of dollars to get this cornerstone of the technology right now.

Combine an automotive industry desperate to sell another generation of cars (and to not be left behind by their competitors) with an insurance industry that will very soon be pricing the choice to control a vehicle very expensively and you’ve got a recipe for rapid change. Throw in governments

Combined with a mass-transit system driverless cars reduce the number of cars needed by 90 per cent.

desperate to get the cost of motor vehicle accidents out of their health systems and you can see it’s going to be a big honking deal.

So what impact will this bring?

In May, the OECD’s International Transport Forum released its modelling on the impact on cities of driverless cars.

The results are staggering. Combined with a mass-transit system, driverless cars reduce the number of cars needed by 90 per cent.

As for parking space; for a medium-sized European city (as used in their model), it would allow for the reallocation of 1.5 million square metres to other public uses.

What does this mean for the ACT?

Even with projected population growth there’s a looming holiday from road building.

Similarly, the ambulances and emergency departments won’t need expansion in the foreseeable future.

Fewer traffic police will be needed, although speed-camera revenue is going to plummet.

Parents will be able to pack children into self-driving vehicles freeing them from the tyranny of the school run, and the after-school, extra-curricular parental taxi runs.

There will also be an end to arguing about who’s going to drive to dinner with friends.

Sadly, we’ll no longer be able to use the excuse of not wanting to drive to avoid parties we really don’t want to go to.

(A precis of the OECD research is available at :http://oecdinsights.org/2015/05/13/the-sharingeconomy-how-shared-self-driving-cars-couldchange-city-traffic/)

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

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Big tips for Cup day

By Kate Meikle

ON October 18, the second annual Melbourne Cup Experience event will see up to 400 guests at Hotel Realm’s ballroom enjoying a cocktail event of fashion and racing-themed activities, all for a good cause.

Danielle Cleary, organiser of the event and owner of Danielle Cleary Events, promises the Melbourne Cup Experience will give guests everything they need to know to prepare for and enjoy the Melbourne Cup on November 3 – from showcasing the hottest trackside fashions, learning about the horses, to how to place a bet.

“In the lead up to Melbourne Cup, it’s all about preparedness. We start to ask each other ‘What are you going to wear? What bag? Which hat?’ This event will be a unique prelude to The Cup, combining fashion and racing knowledge,” says Danielle.

The theme of the event is “French Connection” – a nod to the two French horses that have won over the past five years and in recognition of the international importance that the Melbourne Cup has gained.

“I was born on a farm. My dad was a horse trainer and I have always had a love of horses and have been involved with every facet of the indus -

try,” says Danielle.

“Iconic Australian fashion house Perri Cutten and TAB come together with the finest Canberra businesses, to showcase and exhibit French cuisine, wares, entertainment and fashion.

In addition to the Perri Cutten fashion parade, Danielle has organised catering by Patissez, wine tasting, an equine art exhibition, as well as a presentation by leading local trainers, Joe Cleary and Nick Olive, who will share tales of past Melbourne Cups and give guests some early tips.

Malkara Special School will be the charity recipient of the event.

Malkara has provided more than 40 years of quality education for students with a significant intellectual disability and other associated impairments.

A percentage of the ticket sales, along with 100 per cent of the live and silent auctions will support the school.

“Funds raised from this event will go towards the development of a new, bespoke, all-abilities playground, as well as specialised equipment and resources for our students,” says Kylie Croke, Malkara principal.

Melbourne Cup Experience, Hotel Realm Ballroom, 2pm-5pm, October 18, Tickets available at danielleclearyevents.com

Fashion races to the fore at Thoroughbred Park – Page 14

Colouring in lines that must not be crossed

RECENTLY, I unearthed a wealth of unfinished projects – things I had started but never completed and some never started at all.

I always have the best of intentions and no shortage of ambition. I am a great one for buying lots of fabric to make all sorts of things, useful and decorative. I have enough balls of wool to clothe a regiment in every colour under the sun.

I have some lovely papers and hat boxes for decoupage, and no shortage of paints for the most ambitious of art projects.

I’ve got a big box of beads and wire, all ready for when I restart my attempts at jewellery making.

The computer’s hard drive is clogged with half-finished drafts of kids’ books and novels.

Having recently packed up and then unpacked our home, all these things have been looking accusingly at me, reminders of a persistent failure to complete holiday projects.

Every now and again, when I have some down time (usually January), I’m looking for something to keep me busy, something different, relaxing and a break from work and stress. But time is always short, especially when holiday are filled with activities with our kids.

Blink an eye and the holiday break is over and the year’s project is heading for a packing box, to be finished in that mythical state of being known as “when I have time”. However, this year I might try to pick up something I’ve already started, I’ve got my eye on something that might just be achievable.

Adult colouring is a new fad, but I think it’s got a lot going for it.

It can’t be too difficult. After all just about anyone can colour in – even me.

The patterns and pictures look pretty cool and there are plenty of ideas available free on the internet. Pencils don’t cost much, although I’d want to get some good ones because one needs to do things properly.

It’s something I can do with the kids, especially my girl who likes nothing better than colouring in, always very carefully and always between the lines.

It might not be ambitious, but I reckon it’s a good recipe for holiday relaxation. Pencils, a sharpener and an intricate butterfly pattern ought to keep me happy.

And who knows, I might just finish something.

Smarter Financial Solutions

Helping hand to a sound financial future

WITH a focus on providing a caring, individualised service for her clients, Lydia Teodorowych, wealth manager and CEO at Smarter Financial Solutions, believes that everyone deserves a helping hand when it comes to their financial future.

Formerly Yellow Brick Road, Lydia made the decision to trade as Smarter Financial Solutions and now the Queanbeyan company provides an Australia-wide service.

“The change is important because it is about working smarter not working harder,” says Lydia.

“I felt that I had sufficiently learned all that I could to put my own stamp on the business and to provide a wide scope of services to help a great variety of people with their financial needs.”

Predominantly a mortgage brokerage, financial advisory and wealth-creation business, Smarter Financial Solutions also provides a range of personal, commercial and business loans, as well as life, mortgage and home insurance.

“We are a one-stop-shop, we can help with bookkeeping, invoice scanning services, as well as providing deposit bonds and debtor finance, all with quick turnaround

times,” she says.

“We can help with budgeting, rewiring your mindset to embrace abundance and have cash products that perform well in the current financial climate. We remove the tedious tasks from your daily routine so you can get on with your life.

“Whether you’re an individual who wants to refinance your home, grow your wealth or if you are a business owner who wants to create a profitable lifestyle business, we will work with you to help you achieve the best possible results in a way that works with your budget, your goals and your comfort level. We provide solutions to mitigate your risks and present you with positive outcomes.

“We are based in beautiful downtown Queanbeyan not far from the river, but we also have clients that we regularly visit in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Thanks to the cloud and Skype, we can continue to look after clients all over Australia.”

With an ever-changing economic climate, Lydia understands the importance of seeking the correct advice and keeping up-to-date with a personal financial plan.

“I help people navigate through the ‘minefield’ that finance can be. Some people have no idea what they are doing, which stops them from taking the best direction appropriate for them,” says Lydia.

“We want to help our clients achieve a better financial future. We do this by talking to our clients and asking the appropriate questions to find out what they actually want from their business and their finances. We seek the best outcomes for our clients that will help them not just have good businesses and financial situations, but great ones.”

“Before creating a financial plan, it is important for clients to obtain the correct information suitable for their situation. In the past I have received inappropriate information and, with having this experience, I feel that I can empathise with others.

“When you do have a financial plan, you need to check it regularly and to tweak and balance it to suit economic changes, as well as any life changes.

“If you want to flourish in this economic environment, you need to keep an open mind because the circumstances are always changing. I don’t believe in the ‘survival of the fittest’, it is those that are open to change and those that can adapt who succeed in the long run.

“People make mistakes in life and I believe everyone should get a second chance to fulfil their financial goals.”

Smarter Financial Solutions, 251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6100 4012 or email enquiry@smarterfinancialsolutions.com.au

Smarter Financial Solutions is your one stop shop for matters relating to your personal financial situation. We are known for offering sound financial planning, coaching and advice on a comprehensive range of cash products. Smarter Financial Solutions provide all the services that are required for property purchases with access to 40 lenders, and affiliations with real estate agents, conveyancers,

accountants and in house mortgage brokerage. We are known for our caring and professional service and sound financial advice. We have a comprehensive range of cash products that perform well even in current economic conditions. To provide extra benefits to our clients we have acquired a secure invoice scanning service and financial literacy facilitation as well as money mindset workshops.

Endangered Heritage supplies archival quality boxing, document files and albums, tools and paper for family custodians, collectors and businesses. We offer professional and supportive advice on personal conservation projects covering textiles, paper photographs and books, oil paintings and objects.

Endangered Heritage has a range of pheromone pest traps for silverfish, carpet beetle, case and webbing moths and other insects.

Endangered Heritage provides storage treatments and boxing for quilts, woollens, leather and fur. Keep your valuables safe for next winter.

Endangered Heritage also provides services such as heritage & art collection management support, pest management and disaster support.

• Archival boxing, filing, albums and paper

• Specialty conservation tools and products

• Specialty artisan small hand tools and supplies

• Historic artisan pigments and ingredients

• Special interest gift baskets and certificates

• Heritage and art collection management & support

• Pest management and disaster support

spring cleaning Time for renewal

SPRING is here, a time for renewal, change and a big clean out!

Get ready for relaxing over the summer months by getting your jobs done now –pack away those winter woollies with care,

Beware the creepies

declutter your house and garden to free up your space and give yourself the time to enjoy listening to your favourite playlist, or whatever fun activity takes your fancy. Meet the people who are here to help...

Storage is in the air

SPRING is a busy time at Fyshwick Self Storage. With warmer temperatures, house sales, relocations and de-cluttering begins and along with it, the need for secure and convenient storage solutions.

“We have a wide range of different-sized storage options from small lockers to 70 square metres, but we find that our smaller-sized units are most popular this time of year, with people doing their spring clean or decluttering to prepare their house for sale,” says Fyshwick Self Storage manager, Paul Marshall.

“People downsizing to apartments can often lose their garage or toolshed in their new home. Our storage can act as a great replacement for them. We offer a secure, separate lock-up that they can access anytime of day or night at their leisure.”

Fyshwick Self Storage has been operating for eight years and prides itself on providing a high level of security, with an onsite resident manager, individual alarms on each unit and CCTV.

Fyshwick Self Storage, 64-68 Collie Street. Call 6162 0040 or go to fyshwickselfstorage.com.au

AN annual pack away of winter’s woollen clothes, fur coats and leather jackets can be a satisfying feeling, but Susan from Endangered Heritage warns to check and prevent your textiles from creepy crawlies who would love nothing more than to snack on your favourite clothing, mat or quilt!

“The wet weather this year has made it a bad one for insect activity,” says Susan.

“Check your clothing, family heirlooms and heritage items that you have packed away at least every six months for insects.”

The webbing moth and carpet beetle (which is carried by the bogong moth) are two culprits that Susan says cause real damage.

Endangered Heritage provides qualified professional conservation services for a wide range of objects – from art, antiques, family memorabilia to cultural heritage and sentimental items.

“We sell pheromone traps, which are a safe way of attracting and killing insects. Now is also the time to bring your furs to Endangered Heritage for our freezing, cleaning and insect treatment,” says Susan.

Endangered Heritage stocks a range of items for

spring cleaning such as clothing and storage covers, furniture and leather polishes, and waxes and Intercept, an anti corrosion product for metals.

“Come in and have a chat to us about preserving your artworks and sentimental items,” says Susan.

Endangered Heritage, Shop 3/17 Dundas Court, Phillip. Call 6162 0073 or visit endangeredheritage.com

Cleaning up is in the bag

FOR two years, stockist John Cobanov and his team at Aussie Skip Bags in the Canberra and Queanbeyan area have been helping to make decluttering a hassle-free experience with a user-friendly, simple and convenient alternative to standard skip bins.

The bright pink, canvas Skip Bags come in three sizes, and can be purchased from Bunnings at Belconnen, or easily online.

When empty, the bags, which come in a pouch, can be lifted by hand, and customers say that “it’s very easy to wheel a wheelbarrow right into it when filling it up,” says John.

There are no time limits or hire fees, so the bags can be filled with garden waste, building materials, and household waste and appliances at leisure, then collected by John when pick-up is requested.

The entire process can be completed online, and your bag will be delivered within 48 hours.

John says that their flexibility and ease of use means that they “are used for clean-up at fetes, at aged-care facilities, during construction and for garden and household waste. We’ll pick up everything.”

To order an Aussie Skip Bag or to have one collected, go to aussieskipbags.com.au

Start that spring garden project now

AFTER a winter of hibernation, now’s the time to venture back into the outdoors and give our gardens some special attention.

With a focus on sustainable and inspiring solutions that reflect an understanding of the unique characteristics that each landscape project brings, Amanda Evans, owner of Area Designs, says she loves the process of designing outdoor spaces and landscapes and this time of year is the perfect time to start creating your dream garden with her.

Since starting Area Design Consultants in 2006, Amanda has provided commercial landscape architecture, residential design, urban design and horticultural services to Canberra and the surrounding southern NSW region.

As an AILA-registered landscape architect and qualified horticulturalist whose family owned

one of Canberra’s oldest nursery businesses, Amanda is an experienced design teacher and is currently the immediate past president of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Having spent much of her life looking after the needs of local and regional gardeners and teaching design at the University of Canberra, Amanda brings her experience and passion for plants, design and positive outcomes to every project.

She says: “Along with the design service, the practice also offers a full horticulture consultancy service, which can range from providing a garden health check-up where we can offer advice on soil, site and plant issues to preparing a planting plan for an existing garden upgrade.

“With more than 20 years’ experience in the horticulture industry, and over 10 in the design industry, we choose our plants and materials

Summer time and the music is easy…

NOW is the time to get your home-music system prepared for a spring and summer of entertainment and relaxation that only a great sound system can provide, says Duratone Hi-Fi of Phillip owner, Fay Dunn.

“Even the finest of stereo systems require periodic care. We recommend that systems be inspected for deteriorated loudspeakers, especially the rubber surrounds of the speaker drivers, for damaged or corroded speaker cables, for out-of-adjustment turntables and worn styli,” says Fay.

“Our experienced staff can assess, repair and adjust your system.” With 40 years in the business of making music come to life, Duratone Hi-Fi’s team can bring their experience to help you establish, add to, move or upgrade your sound system.

“We will accept trade-ins on our wide range of top-quality equipment sourced for you from around the world should you wish to invest in a new stereo system,” says Fay.

Duratone Hi-FI, corner of Botany Street and Altree Court. Call 6282 1333 or visit duratone.com.au

Cleaners looking for franchisees

ELECTRODRY Carpet Dry Cleaning Canberra is part of a national carpet cleaning company that sees itself at the forefront of carpetcleaning technology, taking pride in delivering a professional service with superior processes reckoned to be the safest and most effective in the business.

Electrodry is looking to expand its franchises. The company says the success of its franchise system is based on exclusive territories, being a trusted industry name supported by on-going advertising and marketing programs, unique cleaning systems that deliver industry leading results and comprehensive training with ongoing technical and business support.

Electrodry Carpet Dry Cleaning is at electrodry.com.au

based on the principle that the design aesthetic and desired sustainability outcomes will be defined and enhanced by the careful understanding of site conditions and existing character of the spaces they are to inhabit.”

Area Designs, call 0409 318213 or email amanda@areadesign.net.au

the perfect accompaniment to your racing style Escala Shoes

KNOWN as “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup is the richest two-mile handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races but as Briony Young, sales and marketing manager at Thoroughbred Park says, it’s as much about the fashion as the horses.

The ACTTAB Melbourne Cup Race Day will be held on Tuesday, November 3. Gates open at 9.30am.

“It’s that time of year, people need to be thinking about their outfits!” she says.

“There is definitely a formula, it’s about how you put together your colours and your accessories, so you’re halfway there if you get that right.

“Then it’s the grooming and how you present yourself and create that whole polished look.”

In Fashions on the Field, Briony says they’re seeing more young people getting up on stage, having a go and learning about the process.

THE LAWNS MANUKA, 21 BOUGAINVILLE ST 02 6232 7666 ESCALASHOES.COM.AU

and how you put together the accessories. You need to show a flair for fashion, and that’s an individual thing.”

“Fashions on the Field is very regimented, and it’s great to see younger people taking that on board,” she says.

If you’re not sure what to wear, Briony suggests hitting up Google to have a look at the girls who compete in Fashions on the Field around the country.

“Check out what they’re wearing for ideas, and look at the Canberra Face of Racing,” she says.

“You have to pay attention to every detail, down to your manicure and having your hair styled to perfectly suit your millinery.

“But remember, the judges love to see a unique outfit – you can’t just get a dress from Cue and add a hat, the judges can tell.

“It’s not about spending big bucks, either; we had a girl who was wearing a Chanel dress one year and she expected to win because of that – but another girl won in Melbourne with a $15 dress.

“It’s about how it works on you,

Briony says that men have it a little easier, but they do need something more eye-catching than just a beautiful suit.

“It could be a lapel flower or a handkerchief, or the judges might even notice your watch – it’s about the right accessories, and being well-groomed and styled,” she says.

“Guys usually get up on stage and realise how much fun it is –and that the girls love them when they’re up there!”

All the usual rules apply – “kneelength skirts and dresses please, no over-exposure of skin and keep your whole presentation immaculate”.

One final thing to be aware of –don’t be too orange, warns Briony.

“A spray tan can look gorgeous, but keep it classy,” she says. “The Queen doesn’t like orange and neither do we!”

The ACTTAB Melbourne Cup Race Day, Thoroughbred Park, gates open at 9.30am, Tuesday, November 3.

Local racing from around 1pm. More information at thoroughbredpark. com.au/melbourne-cup

Step out with starring shoes

LET your shoes take a starring role in your Melbourne Cup outfit this year, and the new-season floral shoes will elevate and brighten a classic plaincoloured dress, says Gail Lubbock, owner of Escala Shoes in Manuka.

“Some ladies are wearing a dressy espadrille for the races, with a high wedge heel and slingback, it’s a very elegant look,” says Gail.

Gail suggests that heel height is an important factor to plan ahead for a long race day, with time spent standing on grass, a medium heel with a wider diameter might provide more comfort.

“Kitten heels are also a good alternative if you find wearing a stiletto heel difficult for race day,” says Gail.

“With a small one and a half inch heel height, a kitten heel is a smart option and looks fabulous with a shorter-length skirt.”

A clutch bag (with enough room for race-day essentials such as small binoculars) but also having a shoulder strap is a winning choice.

“After all, you will need both hands to cheer on your horse!” says Gail. And although no-one wants to think about rain on race day, planning for a downpour is practical, and Escala has a selection of classic and folding-style umbrellas in a range of colours.

Escala, Shop 1, The Lawns, 21 Bougainville Street, Manuka, call 6232 7666 or visit escala-shoes.com.au

Colourful race-day hats go a little bit lavish

LOCAL milliner, Christine Waring advises that this year’s race-day hats will celebrate spring with new touches such as lavish florals and history will be revisited with classic styles such as a ‘70s influence of broad-brims.

“We’ll see ‘boater’ styles, capturing the romantic whimsy of the French Impressionist era,” says Christine.

“We will see complementary small, boldly structured, sculptural hats well represented.”

Colours will remain bright this season, but white, black, silver and grey are again popular.

“Expect a range of pinks, from pale to hot to be everywhere, and pops of orange and red, with a sprinkling of navy and latte,” says Christine.

Bold and sculptural hats with feminine detail and lines will feature in Christine’s new collection.

“My signature glossy straw petals and flowers will continue, featuring

sculptured wire-work and textured braids.

“Those will rise from petite berets, vintage two-piece pillboxes and boaters, shallow crowns with wider brims, made from parisisal straw and textured braid straws,” says Christine.

Christine Waring Designer Millinery, call 6248 9302 or visit christinewaringmillinery.com.au

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safe work month advertising feature

Be safe and healthy because...

OCTOBER is National Safe Work Month. Employers and workers are encouraged to participate and raise awareness of work health and safety.

This year’s theme is “Be safe. Be healthy. Because…” and is deliberately openended to allow people to ponder the reasons why safety is important to them.

“CityNews” meets some of the champions in the community helping to make safety a number one priority every day of the year...

St

John’s

want to share a heart starter Help to stop slipping, tripping or falling

ST John Ambulance ACT’s vision is to “make first aid part of everyone’s lives”. It reaches 22,000 people each year through its training programs, many are provided free to community groups.

CEO Chris Ward says that St John Ambulance ACT has launched an initiative to give five defibrillator machines and training to Canberra businesses or community organisations. A defibrillator is a key piece of equipment to restart a heart in the case of sudden cardiac arrest.

“A defibrillator is the only way to revive someone with sudden cardiac arrest, and with every minute that

passes there is a 10 per cent less chance of survival, so early defibrillation is the key,” says Chris.

One fortunate survivor is 29-yearold Callan Fox, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a triathlon earlier this year. A St John Ambulance paramedic used the defibrillator to save his life.

“We hope that we can get this life-saving equipment all around Canberra, like fire extinguishers,” says Chris.

To apply for the defibrillator gifting program, visit stjohnact.com.au

Getting safe-savvy and a certificate

GET safe-savvy and gain a nationally recognised qualification in workplace health and safety with CIT’s Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety. On completion of this program, graduates will have gained the knowledge and skills to contribute to the implementation of a broad range of contemporary WHS issues. The program is suitable for people wanting to gain entry level WHS officer/advisor positions in organisations where occupational health and safety is part of their duties.

For experienced tradespeople who

have left formal schooling in year 10 or before, or feel it’s been a long time since they’ve studied, “Tradies in Transition” offers the chance to convert experience towards a workplace safety career.

Over a six-week introductory course, students will learn to use digital technology for routine WHS tasks, including saving and sending documents electronically from the project site.

More information or to enrol call 6207 3188 or visit cit.edu.au

OWNER Greg King says: “gripACTion is committed to providing services and products to help people stop slipping, tripping or falling.”

With a focus on safety, gripACTion aims to fix problems such as slippery floors and dangerous stairs in commercial and domestic environments.

“Trips and falls are big contributors to accidents and lawsuits, which can lead to a loss of income and production,” says Greg.

The company helps with slippery surfaces by providing advice on the appropriate surface treatment, providing products to improve the slippery surfaces and providing the “people power” in rectifying the slippery surfaces.

“We analyse and advise on what is the most appropriate solution for a slippery surface, whether it be a floor, stair, entrance or ramp surface,” says Greg.

“The non-slip products we offer are floor treatments, stair nosing, non-slip tape, safety mats and tactile indicators.”

Call 0402 353812 or visit gripaction.com.au

Looking to get off the tools and make the move into WHS?

Qualified workplace health and safety professionals are always in demand. Get started with CIT’s Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety (BSB41412).

CIT also offers an introductory six week Tradies in Transition WHS course to support you in your study. You can convert your work experience towards a workplace safety career.

Classes start 26 October and run from 5:30pm-7:30pm

For more information and to enrol, attend the information session on Monday 19 October, 5:30pm, Room B114, CIT Bruce, call (02) 6207 3188 or visit cit.edu.au

DEFIBRILLATOR GIVE AWAY

St John Ambulance ACT is pleased to announce the release of five public access defibrillator packages to be gifted to business / community organisations throughout the ACT. Approximately 30,000 lives are lost each year in Australia to sudden cardiac arrest. Every minute a defibrillator is not applied, a person’s chances of surviving drops by 10% so every second counts.

Five defibrillator packages, including the defibrillator and all the training required, valued at $4,000 are being gifted by St John to help us make first aid a part of everybody’s life. Your only obligation is to register the defibrillator on our public access defibrillation register and make it available to the public in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest nearby.

St John Ambulance ACT would like to encourage as many public and private businesses and community organisations to apply for one of these free, life saving defibrillator packages by completing the application form on our website stjohnact.com.au.

The closing date for applications is 30th October 2015. For more information, call Len Fiori on 6282 2399.

Social event of the week / annual Defence Widows Support Group lunch

TIM Sullivan is a man who loves history and particularly the stories of our involvement in wars.

Not just those of the soldiers, sailors and airmen but of the extended families, the connections, the minutiae and memorabilia that give a wider picture of the experiences often held in the “shoebox” in the back of a cupboard undiscovered until a death.

Many nodding heads at the annual Defence Widows Support Group lunch at the CIT Restaurant affirmed what Sullivan said about the importance of all aspects of creating the Australian War Memorial’s comprehensive approach to storytelling and the intent to put people first in their continuing collection. And what a formidable collection it is, with now in this digital era the need for a different approach to collecting and collating.

The big stuff is important, too, with a Bushmaster PMV used in Afghanistan and a Chinook – not the salmon but the helicopter – soon to take up residence at the AWM. For all the ladies who come together for this lunch from different organisations and affiliations such as Legacy’s BB – that’s baby boomers – the War Widows Guild, the RSL and TPI membership, the pleasure in the company of like-minded and supportive friends is an annual event always keenly anticipated and enjoyed.

SUNDAY ROAST

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

It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.

Be part of the conversation and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon.

scene / around canberra

At the UNICEF fashion fundraiser, Kingston

At the opening night of Circus Oz

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At The CAPS Clinic you can expect to be treated by the same quali ed and highly experienced Dermal Clinician throughout your My Genesis Hair Removal Treatment Program, ensuring a carefully managed and e ective treatment journey. We see many people who have been “passed around” by other clinics, which has compromised their results and con dence in hair removal programs. Our commitment to quality and continuity in our service is crucial to achieving the best results possible for our clients.

Canberra Confidential

The cupcakes cometh

LYDIA Aisabie runs a cupcake stall outside her family’s newsagency at Lanyon Marketplace, Conder, every year to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

She does it in memory of her grandmother Carole, who died from breast cancer in 1994 when Lydia was just four months old.

So, from 9am on Sunday, October 18, Conder’s cupcake queen will be back for the fifth consecutive year selling more than 500 cupcakes (which she bakes herself).

“I really enjoy baking and being creative with cupcakes so it’s a perfect way for me to help,” she says.

“At just $1 per cupcake it’s an affordable donation that can change lives.

“I will also be selling lolly bags and around 300 balloons, which will be on display around Lanyon Newsagency and the cupcake stall.

“Each year is more successful, raising over $1000 for this charity.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

BAH, humbug! It’s getting to look a bit too much like Christmas too soon. As CC chases this column’s deadline (in September), we wonder if the joy of Christmas is going to be a bit stretched by December 25.

CBD Ltd seems to have commissioned a Christmas illustration in Garema Place to usefully brighten one of the many unleased shop windows in Civic.

And spotted in a Woolworths store by an elf snout, who clearly worries unnaturally about managing the expectations of little, wide-eyed believers, is this early contribution to the festive season from Cadburys, a marshmallow Santa to get us through to Christmas Eve.

And while we are dispensing gratuitous Christmas advice,

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6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick Phone: 6280 4464 www.dreamdesignfurniture.com.au

maybe it’s time CBD Ltd dumped the dromedaries, that is cancel the camels at Christmas.

Civic needs more glamour than this one-humped wonder. And we should look no further than Sydney, where the city council has engaged glitzy Guy and Jules Sebastian as its Christmas ambassadors.

The Eurovision-finalist singer and his stylist wife are charged with encouraging visitors to the Emerald City over the festive season. How isn’t terribly clear yet.

“We love the buzz of our city and nothing beats twinkling lights, Christmas decorations and the huge tree in Martin Place – it puts you in a festive mood and we love the feeling!” they trilled. Another Santa marshmallow, anyone?

Goldy oldy

TO celebrate 10 years since Ickle Pickle Productions launched itself with “Goldilocks”, it’s bringing the show back to Belconnen Theatre this month and Jenny Lange will be wearing the original Goldilocks dress. Better still, they’re performing 10 shows, priced at $10 a ticket to mark the first-decade birthday. October 3 to 11, bookings to stagecenta.com or 6253 1454.

Bad park, baby

PERHAPS it was someone thinking about having a baby who parked in the mums-andbubs area of the underground Coles car park in Gungahlin.

But it caught the sharp eye of CC snout Steve McGrory who wondered how they’d get a baby seat into a two-seater convertible.

arts & entertainment Forecasting strong Winds

By Helen Musa

We

WIN TICKETS

TO the Russian National Ballet Theatre’s performance of “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty” at The Q, Thursday, October 29. Waiting to be won at…

THE Four Winds Music Festival will preview its Easter program with an open day at the outdoor amphitheatre known as “Nature’s Concert Hall”, Barragga Bay near Bermagui, on October 10.

At the Four Winds Open Day, artistic director Paul Dean and his team will provide a taster of what’s to come next year, washing it down with a day of live music, a guided tour of the Four Winds Native Species Arboretum, children’s activities and locally made food and refreshments.

Dean himself will perform, joined by the innovative Ensemble Offspring and the ANAM Brass Trio. There’ll be a local schoolchildren’s sing-a-long (part of the National Music Teacher Mentorship Program) and a showcase of the Windsong Pavilion’s live interactive capabilities with a surprise guest performing from Perth.

The new artistic team of Dean, executive producer Yarmila Alfonzetti, and creative producer Liena Lacey are taking an innovative leap into the future by concentrating on Australian artists and new music.

That’s not surprising. Dean, the clarinettist who now heads up the

Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne and who also founded the Southern Cross Soloists, the Bangalow Music Festival, the SunWater and Stanwell Winter Music School in Rockhampton, the Tutti International World Youth Music Festival in Beijing has, in his time, commissioned and premiered more than 100 new works.

Unsurprisingly, long-time Four Winds chair Sheena Boughen praises the “exhilarating and forceful energy” in the coming 18th festival’s programming, saying: “I think a festival should be about stretching an audience’s imagination.”

We won’t know the full line-up until October 10, but Dean definitely has the Navarra String Quartet and the exciting young British violinist Jack Liebeck coming from London.

And as well as hearing works by the usual suspects such as Schubert and Mendelssohn, audiences will be treated to the premiere performance of a new work by Aussie composer James Ledger.

“Our programming philosophy is all about setting up a reaction between each piece, between each ensemble, and between each person… that’s my hope,” he says.

Four Winds Open Day, Four Winds Road, Barragga Bay, 11am-4pm, Saturday, October 10. Free but registrations desirable to fourwinds.com.au

Taking tango to the world

By Helen Musa

THE haunting tangos of Astor Piazzolla have long ago taken the classical music world by storm and Canberrans are about to enjoy a concert in which the essence of his art is unfolded.

Argentine-Australian pianist Marcela Fiorillo, a noted exponent of Piazzolla’s music, is now based in Canberra. Before taking off on a regional tour to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, and a more extensive tour to Argentina, she will give a recital in which she traces the nature of the Nuevo Tango style he pioneered.

Trained in his native Argentina and France, Piazzolla returned to his home country to revolutionise the tango world, abandoning the rose-between-the-teeth, underworld nightclub format for the concert platform and bringing into tango elements of jazz, classical string music to create the so-called Nuevo Tango that is now known the world over.

“His passionate music takes us to places surrounded by the sound and images of Buenos Aires,” Fiorillo says.

Fiorillo has secured engagements at the UITM University Conservatory, just outside Kuala Lumpur, and in the Bangkok Cultural Centre, where she will perform in late October, also taking masterclasses and lecturing on what makes Piazzolla’s Nuevo Tango music so distinctive.

Significantly, she has secured sponsorship from the Argentine embassies in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

“It is all aimed at people who don’t know his music,” Fiorillo tells “CityNews”. She hopes to open the music up to a different generation and to the international music public. No wonder the ambassadors are so keen – for many people around the world, tango equals Argentina. In the opening part of the program, Fiorillo performs the works “Milonga del Angel” and “Muerte del Angel”, written for a play in which an angel descends to the non-angelic streets of Buenos Aires only to meet his death in a street fight.

She will follow with the autumn and winter movements from Piazzolla’s own “Four Seasons”, the work that put him on the classical map, and another celebrated work written at the time of his father’s death, “Parafrasis sobre Adios Nonino”. The second part of this sophisticated program ranges from the minimalist “Oblivion” to the almost racy “Buenos Aires, Zero Hour”, concluding with his mighty work “Tangata”, (tango-toccata) which owes something to Bach, jazz, classical and tango.

Fiorillo’s lecture, also to be heard in Canberra on October 1, traces the evolution of tango music, touching on Piazzolla’s struggles with his personal angels and demons to find the compositional language that made him famous.

Marcela Fiorillo lecture “Piazzolla and the New Tango”, ANU Manning Clark Theatre 2, 7pm, Thursday, October 1, free event.

“Piazzolla Tango” concert, Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music, Thursday, October 8. Bookings via iwannaticket.com.au or at the door.

By Helen Musa

MICHAEL Flatley won’t be here for it, but he has directed “Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games,” coming to the Canberra Theatre from October 6 to 11. The show uses ground-breaking new technology, including holographs, dancing robots, champion acrobats and 34 of the greatest Irish dancers in the world all performing to a new score composed by Gerard Fahy. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

LARRY Sitsky promises “a journey through time” as he performs Debussy, Paderewski and Beethoven at Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 12.40pm-1.20pm on October 7. Entry by paper note. No bookings required.

MENTAL as Anything is heading the Gundaroo Music Festival, 10am-10pm, Saturday, October 10. The event, featuring local bands and featured entertainers, is a fundraiser for research into Motor Neurone Disease.

NINA Stevenson and musical director Leonard Weiss are staging the musical play “Dorothy in Wonderland” for Pied Piper Productions. It shows what happens when Dorothy and her friends get blown off course. At Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, Launceston Street, Woden, October 2-9. Bookings via trybooking. com.au/isks

THE ANU Music Students Association is organising a school-wide festival at the beginning of October. “En Plein Air” is aimed at celebrating its more contemporary musical groups and ensembles, including Slow Turismo, Helena Pop, Kaleid, The Steptones and Duck Duck Ghost. In the ANU School of Music Courtyard, 4pm11pm, October 9. Entry $10/$15.

DAVID Pereira presents “Precious Sounds of Musical Precocity”, featuring young Sydney cellists, Ashleigh Chung, 14, and Benett Tsai, 12, who will perform alongside their parents, Joshua Tsai and Katherine Shin. Then Chris Latham will introduce lost compositions created by soldiers during World War I. At Ainslie Arts Centre, 2pm, Sunday, October 4. Tickets at the door or bookings via eventbrite.com.au

GEOFF Grey’s Canberra Wind Symphony will be “In Full Flight” playing compositions by James Barnes, Eric Whitacre, Philip Sparke, Derek Bourgeois and Percy Grainger at two concerts at Ainslie Arts Centre, Friday, October 9. The concerts are in support of beyondblue. Bookings to canberrawindsymphony.com.au/tickets

arts in the city cinema Dancing with robots

Fine drama along the road of shame

“London Road” (MA)

“LONDON Road” takes place in the Sussex town of Ipswich with five 2006 murders of women who sold sex along its footpaths. The media reaction spread throughout Britain, far beyond the shadow of the two gasometers towering above the road.

While it’s far from being mainstream cinema entertainment, I found it agreeable, challenging, humane, passionate, sympathetic. Its plot is not a plot, rather, an account of something that engaged and bothered a small community for months before good police work and scientific doggedness came up with a name that led to a conviction.

We never see the killer. We see police only during the initial response to the deaths. In a large cast, only two (Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy) are known well enough to recognise.

The residents wanted an end to sex workers soliciting kerb-crawling clients on London Road’s footpaths. They are not villains. The closing sequence is powerfully poignant as, from a platform on a gasometer looking down on residents celebrating with a street party and flower show, one of them watches the collapse of her livelihood.

At Palace Electric

“Diary of a Teenage Girl”

“DIARY of a Teenage Girl” explores a delicate topic that every girl experiences during that dangerous time when the challenge comes not merely from first menstruation, but from that wonderful whole-of-

“A JOURNEY of seduction, jealousy, lust and revenge” is how Dance Australia describes “Carmen Sweet”, choreographer Natalie Weir’s dance interpretation of Shchedrin’s Carmen suite, for Brisbane’s Expressions Dance Company. It’s coming to The Q – Queanbeyan, October 9-10. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

mind and whole-of-body collection of yearnings, stimuli and compulsions that form full-on sexuality.

Minnie (Bel Powley, giving an impressive performance) is 15. Her mother Charlotte (Kristen Wiig) and father have separated. Charlotte is in a sort of relationship with Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård).

There’s no other way to tell it. Novelist Phoebe Gloeckner has written Minnie as a child who won’t wait until she reaches the age at which adult lawmakers have decreed that she is mature enough to sexually engage. She’s ready now. And her choice of partner to launch her sexual life is Monroe.

“Diary of a Teenage Girl” is confronting, frank without being salacious. It’s sympathetic. Most of all, it’s credible.

At Palace Electric

“Sicario” (MA)

IN this vigorous actioner, the sere, barren US/Mexican border plays a major role alongside Uncle Sam’s awesome ability to deploy men and materiel in hard-ball contests with people whose infinitely corrupt power comes from supplying the US narcotics market.

Emily Blunt plays FBI agent Kate, trained to use weapons while complying with the full letter of Federal law. Senior Agent Matt has recruited her to join a special team to cross the border and rendition bad guys back to where US courts can deal with them. Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) whose special skill is ridding his home nation of such miscreants has his own reasons for hating the Mexican kingpin as Matt wants to capture.

The action depends on Blunt’s strong delivery of a very physically-demanding yet vulnerable character.

Josh Brolin has no problem dealing with the cynical, fully-focused Matt.

At all cinemas

16th CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE RIESLING

arts & entertainment / dining

Amazing tase of Cantonese

YOUR taste buds travel with joy through a true epicurean journey when you dine at award-winning Chairman & Yip. They really do.

I don’t get to this elegant restaurant often enough. I was delighted when friends booked for the Chairman’s Dinner Special (available until October 30).

This is one of the best “meal deals” in town, especially given the quality of the food, the relaxing ambience and the knowledgeable, attentive service.

Lot to learn and enjoy

The CIRC presents five opportunities for enthusiasts of Riesling to build their knowledge and enjoy tasting the world’s best Rieslings among leading experts from Australia, NZ and the US.

1. The Wine Intervention: “Can business be done smarter?” The seminar will focus on the emerging Chinese market for Australian wine, with presentations by a StarTrack small business specialist on how to utilise e-commerce to gain a foothold in the market and Graeme Shaw, chief winemaker from Shaw Vineyard Estate, on moving wine into China from a winemaker’s perspective.

Friday, October 16, 8 .30am-10.30am, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Hosted by StarTrack. Tickets $50*, bookings required.

2. Seminar on Riesling Excellence: Leading wine experts will tell of the latest developments in winemaking and the wine industry, with a focus on the Clare Valley wine region. The seminar will conclude with an interactive panel discussion.

Friday, October 16, 10.30am-12.30pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra (light lunch included). Convened by the National Wine & Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. Tickets $70*, bookings required.

3. Riesling Masterclass: Featuring internationally recognised Riesling experts who will guide participants through a range of Rieslings from around the world and across styles, some of which money cannot buy. Friday October, 16, 1pm-3pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Convenor Ken Helm, Helm Wines. Tickets $90*, bookings required.

*Book at the same time to attend two Seminars and the Masterclass for $195 or book at the same time for the Seminar on Riesling Excellence and the Masterclass for $150.

4. Awards Presentation and Celebration of Riesling: Taste the 2015 award-winning wines and others from a museum collection matched with food selected by the Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s executive chef.

Friday, October 16, 6.30pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. A limited number of tickets are available at $85, bookings required.

5. Riedel Trade & Consumer Tasting: Taste the entries for yourself. Tickets are $45 and include a souvenir Riedel tasting glass and a copy of the official CIRC results catalogue. Bookings are not required. A number of the judges from the 2015 judging panel will be on hand at the tasting to answer questions on Riesling.

Saturday, October 17, 11am-3pm, Albert Hall Canberra (trade representatives and exhibitors from 10am).

Bookings and enquiries for these events to info@rieslingchallenge. com or call 6286 7515. Booking forms at rieslingchallenge.com

SPONSORS

The special is $45 for five courses (food only) or $50 with a glass of house wine. This is amazing Cantonese cuisine.

The dinner was off to a smashing start with the calamari tossed with spicy salt and chilli. It’s one of those dishes you dream about, and crave.

The calamari was beautifully tender and balanced – not too salty or too spicy, but enough to make you want more, and then more.

The steamed pork dumplings with ginger and black rice vinegar were top-notch. Chairman & Yip

creates sui mai exceptionally well.

Next up was the Cape Grim eye fillet beef skewers with citrus and herbs. One sign of a great restaurant is the quality of its produce, and Chairman & Yip never compromises here. This beef is heralded as some of Australia’s finest and, once again, the

combination of flavours were superb. I would say the sesame-crusted salmon with cinnamon-infused soy dressing is a signature dish, and a stunning way to present this fish. The crusty coat protects the juicy interior and the soy dressing is light so as not to interfere with the more delicate taste of the salmon.

To top off the dinner special, we were served the Portuguese-spiced, grain-fed chicken with roasted paprika and chorizo. This was the only dish we didn’t salivate over. We couldn’t get our heads around the Portuguese influence or combination of flavours. Oh, well. Four out of five is a darn good score.

Since opening in 1992, The Chairman & Yip has won numerous awards and is a highly regarded institution in the capital. The wine list is stellar, as it is at all The Chairman Group restaurants. And the name? I’ve heard it’s the tale of a famous drag queen in Hong Kong named Madame Yip who had a relationship with The Chairman, an underground casino owner. You can take it from there…

The Chairman & Yip, 108 Bunda Street, Canberra. Call 6248 7109. The Chairman’s Dinner Special must be pre-booked – minimum of two and maximum of 20.

& Catering

Baileys Arcade Canberra City Ph: 02 6247 9464 www.tree83.com.au info@tree83.com.au

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Don’t get so caught up with the business of daily life and the plethora of routine chores that you lose sight of the big picture. By all means tackle the to-do list, but Jupiter urges you to expand your perspective; while Venus encourages you to smell the roses along the way. Communication starts to improve from Saturday onwards, when Mercury moves forwards in your relationship zone. So do all you can to smooth over problems and get things moving in a positive direction.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Spending time with children, work colleagues or friends is highlighted, but expect some confusing misunderstandings along the way. There’s also a hint of magic and mystery in the air, so make sure you stretch yourself in creative new directions. Serious Saturn stymies communication next weekend, as you feel emotionally disconnected from a loved one or they criticise you unfairly. If you are extra patient and understanding, then things will gradually calm down and turn around.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

If you expect professional projects and domestic matters to proceed at a cracking pace then you’ll be disappointed, especially mid-week. Everything will take much longer than expected, with plenty of frustrations and distracting detours along the way. On Saturday, Mercury (your ruling planet) finally moves forwards again. So activities involving communication, computers, commerce and travel should all improve as you gradually get your Gemini mojo back in spades!

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

This week favours communicating, connecting and conversing with others in creative ways – as long as you communicate clearly and concisely. If you don’t, then expect cross words, crossed wires and confusing mix-ups. And don’t be too black and white about relationship issues Crabs! There are many shades of grey at the moment, as you navigate your way through a changing romantic landscape or negotiate new parameters in a platonic or business partnership.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

There’s the potential for power struggles, especially with authority figures or work colleagues. You’ll find the more demanding and Diva-like your behaviour, the more difficult Tuesday and Wednesday will be. On the financial front be careful with money, as you’re inclined to make extravagant purchases for purely emotional reasons. And don’t let a friend talk you into buying something that you really can’t afford. By all means have fun but don’t break the bank!

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

By the end of the week the Moon, Venus, Mars and Jupiter will be visiting your sign. Which is great for all the Virgo-esque things you love to do – like planning, organising, analysing, sorting, studying, categorising and criticising. But don’t get so caught up in the detailed minutiae of daily life that you forget to savour each step and have fun along the way. Remember – as birthday great John Lennon sang: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Have you been feeling tongue-tied? With Mercury reversing through your sign (since September 18) it’s been difficult to communicate, especially with loved ones. Your ability to express what’s on your mind gradually returns, as Mercury moves forwards in your sign on Saturday. Saturn then squares Venus on Sunday, when a romance or friendship may appear to be unusually cool. It’s a temporary setback, so shake off the relationship blues and quickly move on.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The Sun links up with Pluto on Tuesday/Wednesday, which encourages your Scorpio temperamental streak and control-freak tendencies. You’ll find the more stubborn you are, the more challenging the week will be. Compulsive thinking is also a danger, as you obsess over a close relationship or work situation. The weekend stars are wonderful for networking with colleagues and participating in group activities, but expenses will be unusually high so plan accordingly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Early in the week there’s a very fine line between illusion and delusion (especially involving your job or home life) so be careful. Use your active imagination in positive, productive ways and don’t believe everything you hear. We all know Sagittarians are independent souls but don’t feel you have to accomplish everything on your own. The more you involve family, friends and colleagues in your aspirations and dreams for the future, the more likelihood they will come true.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Being a bossy, controlling Capricorn will get you nowhere fast this week. In order for your close relationships to blossom, you need to give loved ones plenty of personal space and room to shine. You’ll find praising others is also much more productive than criticism. On the weekend, you may feel temporarily discouraged, as long-term goals suddenly seem way out of reach. The gap between dreams and reality is wide but with plenty of patience you’ll eventually get there.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Avoid making important money moves on Wednesday, when Mars and Neptune scramble your financial antennae. Joint finances will be especially confusing so leave delicate discussions about fiscal matters for a more suitable time. On the weekend, romance is highlighted as love planet Venus moves forwards in your intimacy zone. Single Aquarians – can you distinguish between a soul mate connection and a dating disaster? Let your intuition be your guide.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Sensitive Pisceans often suffer from a lack of self-confidence. With Saturn visiting your public/reputation zone, it’s time to worry less about the way other people perceive you. Don’t allow others to define the way you feel about yourself! Learn to appreciate and develop your innate strengths, and then you can take your rightful place in the world around you. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

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

No. 520

A Fresh Approach by Dr Vass

30 minutes with Dr Vass:

Across

4 Name the floral emblem of NSW.

8 Who, in Greek mythology, was the goddess of agriculture, fertility and marriage?

9 Name a town and shire in Central Queensland, west of Blackwater.

10 Which US river flows from central Wyoming to the Yellowstone river in S Montana (3,4)?

11 What are areas set aside for the minding of youngsters for their parents?

12 Name a ball game for two players, played in a small walled court.

14 What is the rudimentary stage of anything?

18 Name a small signboard, especially that of a professional person.

21 What is a main division of a book?

22 Which term describes one who decides to opt out of conventional society?

23 Name another word for a type of calendar.

24 What, in computers, is the VDU?

Down

1 What do we call those things that we can eat?

2 Name the last letter of the Greek alphabet.

3 Moe, Larry, and Curly were known as the three what?

4 What is another name for a spanner?

5 What, in history, was an administrative officer of a town or district?

6 Which person instructs, as a profession?

7 What are the skins of animals?

13 Name a mythological animal with a single long horn.

15 What is a highly esteemed wise and saintly leader called in India?

16 Name an African two-toed, flightless bird.

17 What is the drink of the gods of classical mythology?

18 Which Biblical city, with nearby Gomorrah was destroyed by “brimstone and fire from the Lord”?

19 Name an alternative word for a disembodied spirit of a dead person.

20 What is the British pop singer, Gordon Sumner also known as?

We are often referred to as having a ‘unique approach’ at Dr Vass Hearing and I pride myself on running an independent practice. Being a Doctor of Audiology and running my own practice means I can offer the most professional and specialist advice, I have always believed the patient comes first.

I recently had a booth at the Hearing Awareness Week Expo. This was a great opportunity for me to talk with a diverse range of people who suffer from hearing issues. One of the things that stood out to me was the confusion that people experience, when trying to decide on the best solution for their hearing.

People are bombarded with information and choice. I believe choice is a good thing, but conflicting information can create a lot of confusion and this results in patients feeling unsure about their choice. The most helpful approach I believe is: to give everyone a complimentary 30 minute hearing health check.

I have found this 30 minutes can be the most valuable time spent with patients. I have people come to see me who already have hearing aids, they may not be from my clinic, but they just want a second opinion. Other people have been suffering hearing loss but are unsure of where to start. This 30 minutes is a great starting point.

What happens in this 30 minute appointment?

This 30 minute appointment is an opportunity to:

• Discuss your lifestyle and needs, ensuring you hearing devices are the best choice for your needs.

• Your expectations of your hearing device and any concerns that you have.

• Establish if you need a hearing test

• Cover any concerns or problems you may be experiencing. I have a patient-centred approach with my clients and this appointment gives me a chance to get to know what the best individual solution will be.

Who can take part and is there a cost?

This appointment is complimentary and available to everyone. You don’t need a referral, even if you already attend another hearing clinic, but would like a second option we welcome you to make an appointment. There is no obligation.

open garden

Cool and shady among the natives

GARDEN designer Janine Hunstone works outside a lot, so a cool, shady garden at her home was high on her list of priorities.

“When we moved in about 15 years ago, the back was all lawn, with one large tree stump and a couple of ornamental plums,” she says.

“It all had to come out and I tried to create a little shady oasis because I didn’t want to be in the sun.

“I planted eucalypts for dappled shade, then worked down from there. I love lots of little plants but there’s not a lot in the middle.”

Janine’s predominantly native garden in Duffy will be open for the first time on the weekend of October 3-4 as part of Open Gardens Canberra.

With pebbled pathways leading past hundreds of varie -

Words: Kathryn Vukovljak

Photos: Andrew Finch

ties of natives and a series of wooden decks that frame the house, Janine says she loves the small exotics bed, which features hellebores, daphne, osmanthus, Japanese maple and wild strawberry.

“The garden is pretty low maintenance now, but I spend a lot of time planting because I’m obsessed,” she says.

“I created all these lovely sitting areas, but I never sit outside. I’m always seeing something to do and I start pottering instead.”

Janine says she loves the relaxed feel of the garden; and that she can go out barefoot without sunscreen thanks to the canopy of eucalypts.

“I have a good selection of dwarf gums which are so

important for habitat,” she says.

“I love the bark and the open canopy they provide, with light still coming through.”

The garden is 95 per cent natives, as Janine says she finds them interesting and unusual, particularly the epacris and ferns in the front.

“Natives are not in your face, and I feel they encourage quiet time,” she says.

“I like that they’re not show ponies and that you really have to stop and look at them to see their beauty.”

7 Tinaroo Place, Duffy, open 10am-4pm, on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. Admission $8; free to under-18s and Open Gardens Canberra members. It costs $25 to join for free entry to all open gardens until August 31. More information at opengardenscanberra.org.au/join

What’s in a (complicated) name?

WHY do plants have such complicated names, often with Latin or Greek origins? Why not use common names?

Well, here’s one very good example; when we owned a nursery in Yass some years ago a lady asked for “snow in summer”, so I showed her the plant Cerastium tomentosum, a ground cover.

“Obviously, you don’t know your plants; ‘snow in summer’ is a large native shrub!” came the smart comment.

“Quite right,” I replied. “Now, if we look at the labels, you will note that two plants have the same common name, one is Cerastium tomentosum and the other is your native plant Melaleuca linariifolia.”

“Well, I didn’t know that,” she replied indignantly. Had the customer asked for the botanical name there would have been no confusion.

WITH new plant discoveries from all parts of the globe arriving in Europe, the botanical naming of plants started with Swiss botanist Casper Bauhin (1560-1624), who devised a system of giving all plants just two names.

It didn’t really take effect until Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) undertook the huge task of methodically classifying the whole living planet. His university studies in medicine included botany, as plants played an important part of healing

whole world of animal, vegetable and mineral and refined the universally accepted, dual-name system with his book “Species Plantarum”, published in 1753.

This is acknowledged as the starting point of all nomenclature (naming) in nature. Linnaeus’ research was so thorough that we continue to use most of his names to this day. Even new plant discoveries or new plants developed use the Linnaeus principle.

“WHEN we garden our movement reduces the free radicals, slowing the ageing process and reducing the risk of disease,” writes Dr William Bird, a GP and CEO of Intelligent Health of Reading, in the UK.

“Research has shown a link between contact with the soil, plants and nature and stress.

“When we garden our brains go

into a restful mode, allowing us to become more resilient to stress and reducing the risk of depression and anxiety. Being outdoors exposes our skin to vitamin D, which is not only good for our bones but also reduces the risk of heart disease, asthma and cancer. More of those at risk of disease should be encouraged to garden.”

More details of Intelligent Health at intelligenthealth.co.uk

Jottings…

• Many shrubs will have finished flowering and it’s an ideal time to prune the dead flowers. A rule of thumb is: reduce shrubs by one third and with native plants not to exceed this amount.

• Aphids love not only rosebuds but new growth on Japanese maples. Multicrop Long Life 20 Pyrethrum is an effective organic spray that will see them off for 20 days. If it rains, a follow-up application will be required.

• Don’t prune deciduous trees until the end of this month as the sap will pour out and the wound will not heal (callous over) quickly. Borers can gain easy access to wounds.

in the

NOT all plant names are Latin or Greek, but some recognise those who discovered the plants in the wild and introduced them to the western world. For example, Kalmia latifolia is named after Peter Kalm, a pupil of Linnaeus and latifolia meaning broad leafed; Syringa vulgaris, takes its name from syringa, in Greek meaning a tube, and vulgaris meaning common, and Pyrus salicifolia, the silver-leafed ornamental pear refers to the leaves as similar to the willow, whose botanical name is Salix