151022 citynews

Civic doesn’t need saving by flowers

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Hitting the trails and the rails

MICHAEL MOORE

Netball to the rescue?

TIM GAVEL

Time to give a gazebo a go

CEDRIC BRYANT

Well written, well read

Love is in the air

CHERYL BARKER promises romance and lots of it for Voices in the Forest

Delivering leadership to midwives

Kathryn Vukovljak reports

TWELVE midwives from the South Pacific are visiting Canberra for two weeks for leadership training, says vocational training team chair Beth Woolley who has organised the program through Rotary.

There are four midwives from each of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji – visiting until October 31.

Beth says that the Rotary-funded project “Leadership Development for Midwives of South Pacific Countries” is based on needs identified through discussions with peak bodies responsible for the development of midwives and nurses in South Pacific countries.

“In the Pacific, midwives are perceived as not being leaders on any level, yet leadership capability affects how health services are delivered,” she says.

“We want to encourage, nurture and build on their skills and confidence when acting as a midwife to a birthing mother, as well as their role as a leader throughout the whole organisation.”

Beth says that the program, specially designed by the University of

Canberra and the Australian College of Midwives, will include leadership development workshops and lectures, as well as meeting with leaders within health-related organisations and government agencies, including the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Woden, the QE2 Family Centre and Calvary Hospital in Bruce.

Local members of the ACT branch of the ACM are providing one-on-one volunteer mentors, says Beth.

“The midwives will develop a personal plan for growth and experience the opportunity to work with a personal mentor to improve their growth as a midwifery leader,” she says.

“We want to develop the skills of leadership to help Pacific midwives lead and engage on all levels, and ultimately benefit birthing women and their babies.

“It’s about encouraging the midwives with what they have, boosting

their morale and their understanding of the role.”

Beth says the visit will include a sightseeing trip around Canberra and a weekend in Jindabyne to make a presentation at the Annual Rotary District 9710 conference.

“The plan is to provide further leadership programs over the next two years to at least another 24 midwives from other South Pacific countries,” she says.

Oh, happy event

ALL things “party” is the theme of “Oh Happy Day”, a free showcase of 30 event planners, wedding specialists, caterers, stylists, florists, photographers and designers at the National Portrait Gallery, 1pm-5pm, on Saturday, October 24. The inaugural event promises to be a one-stop-shop for anyone interested in planning a gathering, from a wedding or civil union to birthday parties, baby showers and family reunions. The first 1000 visitors will get a vendor guide.

Grant gives lecture

JOURNALIST Stan Grant will present the 2015 David Hunter Memorial Lecture “Countering Racism in the Media” at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, 15 Blackall Street, Barton, 6pm, on Thursday, October 29. Grant is a current affairs host, author and speaker, with Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri heritage. The annual David Hunter Memorial public lecture series is free, hosted by ANTaR ACT and open to the public.

Trivia with a view

OCTOBER is Ophthalmic Month and to raise funds for the St John Eye Hospital Group, St John Ambulance is holding a fundraising Ophthalmic Trivia Night, at the Hellenic Club, Woden, 6.30pm, on Friday, October 30. St John supports eye-health activities in Australian indigenous communities, Oecussi (Timor-Leste) as well as the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, says acting CEO Amanda Power. Entry to the trivia night is $50, which includes a two-course meal. Bookings by October 26 to 6295 3777 or email enquiries@stjohn.org.au

This year Remembrance Day marks the 97th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War. The ceremony will be attended by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

To book, email ticketing@awm.gov.au or phone (02) 6243 4227 Bookings close 30 October. Limited seating is available

10.30 am National Ceremony

Dr Jackie Huggins AM will deliver the Commemorative Address.

4.55

pm Last Post Ceremony

The eulogy for the Unknown Australian Soldier will be read at the ceremony, commemorating those Australians who lost their lives in war.

Attend the ceremony or watch it live on the Memorial’s website at www.awm.gov.au.

11-13

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

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

Journalists: Kate Meikle, kate@citynews.com.au; Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

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

Advertising manager: Greg Jones, 0419 418196

Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656

Advertising account executives: Utpal Kelovkar 0426 560200; Kathy Leigh 0400 293991

Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777

Production manager / graphic design: Janet Ewen

Graphic designer: Paulette Leo

Photographer: Andrew Finch

Proof reader: Glenda Anderson

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

Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au

Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601

seven days

There’s a track leading back…

TRANSPORTATION set the tone of the week’s news with Light Rail taking the lead as Chief Minister Andrew Barr put the weights on PM Malcolm Turnbull for a big contribution to the network.

Andrew was emboldened by the PM’s cash splash of $95 million for the Gold Coast tram and his declaration that public transport was back on the Feds’ agenda. What a change from his predecessor who seemingly thought his Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford was spelt quite differently.

AND to underline his commitment to the travelling future, Andrew’s public servants are tootling off on bikes (and helmets) to meetings around the city. The Justice and Community Safety Directorate this week became the latest to get with the program. Nice idea in theory; but until a separate cycling network is built there’s every prospect of tragedy on the roads. Cars and bikes just don’t mix.

AT least it should free up some parking spaces for the car-travelling public where we paid more than $11 million in fines last financial year. But it won’t affect the most critical areas near

Until a separate cycling network is built there’s every prospect of tragedy on the roads. Cars and bikes just don’t mix.

our big shopping centres. Weston, for example, is becoming impossible. And the suggested second Cotter Road will only make things worse.

ROADS even caused Opposition Leader Bill Shorten some headaches as the Trade Union Royal Commission heard of false invoices created by his AWU in a deal with the builders of Melbourne’s East-West freeway. The deal, it’s suggested, allowed builders Thiess-John Holland to deliver the project on “favourable industrial terms”. Chances are Shorten will be recalled to give his side of the story, the very last thing he needs as Turnbull takes a commanding lead in the prime ministerial popularity stakes.

FORMER PM John Howard returned to do a lap around his newly christened “Walk of Wonder” in the Parliamentary Triangle in the obligatory green and gold.

Amazing the way his image has been burnished till it fairly glows these days.

YET in far-off Afghanistan, where 41 of our finest lost their lives in the unwinnable war begun under his leadership, the Taliban have cut the main artery, Highway One in Baghlan Province, formerly a government stronghold. In the Charchina district of Uruzgan Province – the Australian area of operations – Afghan military forces hold only the government buildings in the district centre and are under constant siege by the insurgents.

ON a much happier note, our Wallabies thrilled their supporters with a stunning defensive effort against the Welsh that had them striding towards a finals berth. But come what may, the New World of the Southern Hemisphere will walk away with the World Cup.

ROBERT MACKLIN

FINALLY, while Floriade has been a magnificent attraction for the National Capital, the laurel for a truly unexpected success must go to the Arboretum.

And this is many years before its forests have grown to the point where it will be an arboreal wonderland for walking and electric-car tours. Much of the credit must go to the then Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and his cabinet who had the vision and the political courage to pursue it – during a drought! – though they would be long gone by the time it reached fruition.

robert@robertmacklin.com

lowbrow Civic doesn’t need saving by flowers

AND so they come, once again; people, who barely know Civic, with their big plans to take our favourite spaces away and turn them to their profit.

The latest is a half-baked plan to convert Glebe Park into a permanent Floriade facility with the commercial overflow trailing up City Walk.

Glebe Park is, apparently to those who don’t use it, out of the way and little utilised.

We’re also told City Walk and Garema Place are in urgent need of “saving”.

One wonders what planet these people are orbiting.

It’s true that in the heart of the bleak midwinter people often prefer to be indoors than braving the elements.

But for nine months of the year both spaces are, if not humming with activity, actually playing host to a lot of people at lunchtime and in the evening.

It’s certainly true there are many empty shopfronts in Civic these days. This is no doubt a concern to the owners of these properties but one can’t help wondering if lowering the rent they’re asking might fill things up pretty quickly.

The remarkable thing is how well the city’s heart has held up to the self-inflicted shocks of our so called city planners.

The transformations of Braddon, New Acton and Kingston Foreshore have sucked a vast amount of trade out of the area.

Throw in the vast, glittering Canberra Centre, just a block over with its handy parking and air-conditioning for good measure, consider the conglomeration of big-box retailers plonked willy nilly out at the airport and Civic is doing astonishingly well.

Finally, the open spaces of the city centre are managing, despite being haunted by the unregulated, high-pressure sales tactics of the charity muggers and the aggressive foulmouthed panhandling of the mentally ill.

If we’re serious about revitalising Civic there is therefore a lot of low-hanging fruit before we “save” it by fencing it off for months

There is a lot of low-hanging fruit before we ‘save’ Civic by fencing it off for months of the year to grow tulips for the amusement of geriatric interstate tourists.

of the year to grow tulips for the amusement of geriatric interstate tourists.

It’s as if the people pushing these plans seriously think we’re stupid.

But... “Whither Floriade?” you cry?

Apparently, the National Capital Authority has lost its patience with having chunks of Commonwealth Park converted into a low-rent retail park with a flowery fringe for months of the year.

Moving on from just why the ACT ratepayers need to pay for an event to fill hotel rooms (it appears it’s just something we have to do, no matter how much you might think this would be the responsibility of hoteliers), one casts one’s eye around the city.

If only there was a location owned by the ACT Government, with thrilling views, on a major transport route.

If only, from that location, the flower beds would be visible for miles around to bring joy to the hearts of everyone who paid for them and not just the officially numbered attendees.

If only that location already had horticultural infrastructure and a year-round staff already paid for by the ACT Government.

In short, wouldn’t it be nice if the ACT had an arboretum that could host Floriade?

Oh wait…

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

Sergio Meneses & Lisa Ramsay

OVER the past two years there has been a concerted push to attract A League and Big Bash teams to Canberra.

We have shown that Canberra is a great city to host major sporting events (despite lacking some largecrowd facilities) and we have a population that engages actively in many different sports.

One sport that has been largely overlooked is netball, which is surprising, given its level of support in Canberra.

Previously, international games involving the Australian team have sold out within an hour, demonstrating that there is clearly significant support for the sport in the ACT.

Canberra is the spiritual home of netball in Australia with the AIS being the team’s base for 30 years. Despite this connection, we can’t get a regular test nor a look-in as the base for a team in the Trans-Tasman Netball League.

The league is currently a 10-team competition with five from NZ and five from Australia. Canberra, Darwin and Hobart are the cities not represented. If there was to be an additional team in Australia, it would also require another from NZ to maintain the symmetry.

There is a strong argument as to why Canberra should be that next team from Australia.

The size of Canberra and the catchment area alone presents a compelling case. In NZ, teams are based in Hamilton and Invercargill. Both cities have population bases well below the ACT’s 380,000+ people.

In the end it comes down to profitability. Canberra needs to prove it’s no longer a graveyard for national league teams.

ACT Netball is developing a business case to have a team in every major competition and league in Australia by 2018 including the Trans-Tasman Netball League.

To ensure sustainability, ACT Netball would need to forge an alliance with an organisation such as the University of Canberra.

I have no doubt support would be there from spectators. Clearly, it is a popular sport in terms of participation in weekend competitions, providing a strong base for ACT Netball to pursue its case.

Raising sponsorship could be a challenge, but it is a market that hasn’t really been tested before.

Another aspect to this is a venue. The AIS Arena is regarded by many as too small to stage regular international games. Netball Australia has made it clear it needs a bigger venue to make it viable to play internationals here on a regular basis.

It raises an obvious question about the proposed indoor stadium in Civic. Apart from being the home for the Brumbies and the Raiders, could it also be reconfigured to host sports such as netball, basketball and tennis?

If so, it makes the indoor stadium an increasingly attractive option.

TIM GAVEL

Open day for art lovers

staff about the children’s/adult art classes, specialised art workshops and the other art-related services. More information at lavenderartstudios. com.au or call 6292 6339.

A look at libraries

SARAH Steed, from the ACT Library Service, will speak at the next lunch meeting of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club, at the Versatile Restaurant, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls, 11.30am, on October 28. Visitors and interested ladies are welcome to attend. RSVP to 6166 2874 before noon on Monday, October 26. Lunch is $30.

Bilingual picnic

THE ACT Bilingual Education Alliance is inviting families raising children in more than one language to a picnic at John Knight Park, by Lake Ginninderra, 11am-1pm, on Sunday, October 25. There will be free face painting and children’s activities in various languages. Bring a picnic and join in the celebration. All welcome. To register attendance or for more information email canberrabilingual@gmail.com

Pelvic floor advice

WOMEN of all ages are invited to attend a free pelvic floor workshop presented by the ACT Health Directorate. The workshop will cover issues relating to bladder and bowel control/incontinence; bladder and bowel prolapse and concerns pre/post gynaecological surgery. At the Tuggeranong Community Health Centre, 1pm-4pm, Tuesday, November 10. Bookings are essential to 6207 9977.

Marques in park

THE American Car Club is staging Marques in the Park at John Knight Park, Belconnen, on Sunday, November 8. A static motoring display, the free event has been running since 2003.

Salty tales

DR Tom Gavranic will speak on “Sodium and Your Health” at Skipsalt Canberra’s “Double Tick”, two-course lunch, a not-for-profit opportunity for CIT apprentice chefs to cook healthy and delicious meals. It’s at the Reid CIT Tourism and Hotel Management Centre from noon on Thursday, November 5. The cost is $25 and bookings to 6254 3129 by November 2.

Builders want a better go

THE property industry is the ACT’s second largest – behind the public sector – and accounts for 12.1 per cent of the territory’s economic activity, according to a new, landmark report.

Commissioned by the Property Council of Australia, the AEC Group’s report reveals that the property sector underpins economic growth, jobs, salaries and the tax base in the ACT.

The sector employs 26,000 people across the ACT and builds prosperity by paying $1.4 billion in wages and salaries each year.

One in nine people in the ACT draws income directly or indirectly from the property industry and 290,000 people have a stake in property through super funds. Nationally, the property industry employs 1.1 million people and makes the largest contribution to GDP of any single sector.

The report, “Economic Significance of the Property Industry to the Australian Economy”, says the property sector pays more tax than any other industry – $711 million, or 55 per cent of all territory taxes, fees, rates and charges.

This confirms that the ACT government needs to promote policy solutions that let the property industry grow the economy – for the benefit of all Canberrans.

Clearly, the continued over-reliance on property taxes, which continue to spiral upwards, hurts the property industry and every single Canberran, too.

At a time when the ACT economy is in transition, we need other industries to step up to create jobs and drive economic growth. The ACT government has relatively few ways to encourage growth in the economy, however changing tax settings is one of them.

Lowering the rates of selected taxes would deliver benefits across the entire local economy by generating greater business activity.

The numbers in the AEC report are big ones. With the right reforms, fairer taxes and better planning, they will get even bigger.

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

When a marriage or de facto relationship ends, there are a lot of emotions being felt by both parties and those around them. There can be feelings of guilt, relief, anger and despair. These are all a very important part of the grieving and recovery process. As well as dealing with these emotions there are often questions about when issues of children, property or divorce can be dealt with. Some of those answers are as follows:

DIVORCE: You must be separated for 12 months before you can make application for a divorce. It is possible to be separated from your spouse even though you lived some or all of that 12 month period under the same roof. You do not have to have any agreement about children or property before you divorce. The Court does, however, need to be satisfied that there are suitable arrangements in place for any children of the marriage prior to granting a Divorce order.

CHILDREN: Parents need to try and reach agreement about arrangements for their children. Family dispute mediation services are available through organisations such as Relationships Australia and the Conflict Resolution Service. If you cannot reach agreement you will be issued a certificate that permits you to commence Court proceedings. In urgent circumstances you may commence proceedings even though you do not have the certificate.

PROPERTY: Arrangements for property may be made immediately after separation. There is no need to wait for divorce. Both parties are required to provide full and frank financial disclosure to each other. If necessary and appropriate, court orders may be obtained for urgent property distributions and/or spousal maintenance.

Other issues you should address when you separate from your partner are your Will and the beneficiaries of any insurance policies or superannuation.

At Robinson + McGuinness we are committed to providing information and advice that will assist you to navigate through the sometimes difficult and fraught process of making decisions for you and your family following a relationship breakdown. We offer affordable rates and fixed fee options in some cases. To find out more please call us.

Campaigners hit the trails and the rails for attention

WAR imagery is well suited to democratic elections. A year out from the ACT election and approximately the same for the federal election the parties are already strategising for the attention of the voters.

The Canberra Liberals still believe light rail will deliver a victory in the ACT and their federal counterparts are depending on the softer and more centrist persona and policies of Malcolm Turnbull.

Some campaigns are based on policies designed to deliver a better society – however, that might be defined by different political perspectives. There will also be strategies that are designed to distract when the opposite side is gaining traction.

A third set of campaign strategies comes from influential players who try to embed their ideas into the strategies of one or more political parties. However, single-election strategies are often complicated by unexpected consequences.

Opposition to light rail for Canberra has been adopted as a major tactic of the ACT Liberals. This ploy did suffer a major blow when the light rail project received support from the then Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, with a $60 million boost as part of a deliberate and public support for this infrastructure. The Federal government strategy was for building new infrastructure by selling off older territory assets. The ACT government committed to sell off $400 million of its assets to win the Federal government support.

The older assets included public housing such as Currong and Bega Flats in Braddon and Reid, which were already in the pipeline at the time of the Abbott announcement. Other public housing that has been suggested include Stuart Flats and Strathgordon Court. The positive support that Labor received on infrastructure from the recently

Light rail might seem to be a great way to frame an election. However, past experience indicates that the vast majority of Canberrans will take a much more sophisticated approach in determining their vote.

deposed Prime Minister has now been countered by the election strategy of ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter.

In a joint press release the groups identified their goal as “ensuring Canberra’s 270,000 voters were urged to make housing and homelessness key issues in deciding the poll”.

ACTCOSS director Susan Helyar wrote: “Most of us know there simply isn’t enough housing within reach of ordinary Canberrans… or are concerned about the limited housing choices many people face.”

ACTCOSS and Shelter have launched early. The campaign, launched as “#MakeMyVoteForHousing” will operate through “online campaigning and initiating grassroots discussions with their local candidates”.

Many other groups will be lining up to ensure that their issue is on the agenda. One example on the opposite end of the political spectrum is the successful push by the development lobby to undermine the ACT’s leasehold system.

The Liberals have bought the development lobby line and have adopted a policy that effectively turns our leasehold system into freehold for developers, starting with a moratorium on lease variation charges for the first four-year term.

I was critical of Labor in a column in February for allowing the University of Canberra to develop a large section of land without paying to the government the increase in value for the land.

As land provided to the community for tertiary teaching purposes it

has a very low value. When used as commercial or residential land it has a much greater value. This additional value, or lease variation charge, belongs with the community not with the developer… even if it is a worthwhile institution.

How much more ludicrous is it to hand this sort of money to developers just because they have an influential voice within the Liberal Party? The announcement by Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson that he will scrap the lease variation charge for the town centres is a sop to the developers who know that light rail will enhance development opportunities along its full length – as it has done when introduced across the world.

A “Canberra Times” editorial has already panned the idea that removing the lease variation charge to “stimulate broad economic growth” simply “insults taxpayers’ intelligence”.

Light rail might seem to be a great way to frame an election. However, past experience indicates that the vast majority of Canberrans will take a much more sophisticated approach in determining their vote.

Michael Moore was an independent

Trams are about manure

MICHAEL MOORE is spot on regarding the Government’s call for innovation for everyone else but them (CN, Trams, the white elephant in the room”, October 8).

Electric trams go back to the early 1890s when Melbourne and Sydney were twice as dense as they are now and when you either had to walk or use a horse.

The streets must have been disgusting, at least car pollution doesn’t stick to your boots! It was so bad that Melbourne around 1900 would have had to remove about 500 tons of horse manure per day (along with the odd dead horse). Trams carried you along above the noxious streets, people thought trams were wonderful, very cutting edge technology at the time.

It was the manure problem that led to the take up of trams. At its peak there were 25 tram networks in Australia, all but two were superseded by faster and more convenient transport – cars and buses. We no longer have a horse manure problem so why adopt a solution designed to eliminate horse manure?

The current debate reminds me of an episode of “Yes, Minister” where Sir Humphrey was telling Bernard how to get the minister to accept the department’s option. Give the minister two options, one of which is unacceptable and he will always choose the other. Do not admit that there are more than two options, that is the key.

As in the article, overhead rapid transit systems avoid the problem of intersections, they overfly them, they are far cheaper than trams, avoid cutting down the trees along Northbourne and avoid the enormous expense of reinforcing or replacing the myriad services located in that median strip.

For short journeys autonomous cars will soon be available.

In the interim, more express buses will provide shorter commute times for far less cost than trams.

Arthur Davies, via email

Ill-mannered, ignorant cyclists

IN response to Sonya Fladun’s excellent column (“The ugly face of careless cycling”, CN October 15), I am a motorist, a cyclist, a pedestrian, and never have I met a more selfish, ill-mannered, arrogant, ignorant and just plain nasty group of people as I have in Canberra’s cyclists, even other cyclists are not safe from them. They deserve

every criticism that comes their way. Their attitude reminds me of an old joke. One day a cyclist from Melbourne died and went to heaven. He was met by St Peter, who agreed to show the cyclist around. “You’ll love it here. We have lots of cyclists. Over here we have the Melbourne cyclists, grouped by coffee style preference, and over there we have the Adelaide cyclists, the Brisbane cyclists are just over there, Sydney cyclists are here too, somewhere, and on it went until eventually they came to a brick wall. “What’s the wall for?” asked our cyclist. “That’s where we keep the cyclists from Canberra” said St Peter. Our cyclist was perplexed. “Why”? he asked. “Well” said St Peter, “Because they like to think they are the only ones here.”

Light the Night says thank you

I WOULD like to thank those who held a lantern and gave generously at the Canberra Light the Night, on Friday, October 9. Thanks to the incredible 1200 community members who participated by walking or donating, we have currently raised $36,500 and are on our way to reaching the goal of $1.5 million.

The Leukaemia Foundation is dedicated to the Mission to Care and Vision to Cure the 60,000 Australians currently living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders.

The funds will help provide those diagnosed and their families with practical support and also be invested in the country’s leading research programs.

On behalf of all those diagnosed and their families, I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the community and all those who volunteered their time to bring together a successful event.

Celebrate Melbourne Cup advertising feature

AS Melbourne Cup, on Tuesday, November 3, approaches, it’s good to be planning ahead to make the most of the occasion. Here’s the “CityNews” call of the card for catering, costumes, accommodation, ladies footwear and accessories.

In step with race-day style

LUXURY shoe shop, Escala in Manuka, has a 30-year track record of helping customers find the right shoes and accessories to make their Melbourne Cup outfit a memorable one. New-season floral shoes will elevate and brighten a classic, plain-coloured dress, says owner, Gail Lubbock.

“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. She 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.

‘Perfect choice’ for visitors

WITH 40 spacious one and two-bedroom, fully serviced apartments, Manuka Park Serviced Apartments is a perfect choice for people travelling into town for the race that stops the nation, says manager Joel Smith.

“We have fully serviced kitchens and laundry facilities in each apartment, which is convenient for corporate travellers and so handy for families,” he says.

“We are located just outside the Parliamentary Triangle and only a five-minute walk to Manuka and Kingston’s dining and shopping precincts.”

Manuka Park Serviced Apartments, corner of Manuka Circle and Oxley Street, Manuka, call 1800 688227 or visit manukapark.com.au

“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.

Catering for a big Cup celebration

CHRIS’S Patisserie and Bakehouse in Weston Creek offers a selection of cakes, pastries, specialty breads and drinks. Manager Chris Rajapakshe says that they are taking Melbourne Cup catering orders for office or home parties.

“We have party platters with assorted pastries, cakes, slices and macarons as well as sandwich platters, pies and quiches,” he says. “We take special orders on our cakes and we specialise in cheesecakes, butter cream and mousse cakes.”

Chris’s Patisserie & Bakehouse, 47 Brierly Street, Weston Creek. Call 6288 0587, 0418 104870 or visit chrispatisserie.com.au

“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 foldingstyle umbrellas in a range of colours.

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

Winning ways of dressing up

HAVE a laugh this Melbourne Cup Day by hiring a jockey or a horse costume for an office party or corporate event.

“Sometimes it’s restaurant staff dressing up for Melbourne Cup events, or people who want to hire a really crazy hat for the festivities,” says Sue Knight, owner of Sweet Apple Costume Hire.

“We have jockey costumes with a shirt, hat and trousers, in a variety of sizes and colours. We even have a two-person horse costume!”

Sweet Apple Costume Hire has operated in Canberra for almost 40 years, having been based in Manuka, Kingston and now Fyshwick for the past six years.

“We also have a large range of wigs and accessories, and a small range of costumes to buy.”

Sweet Apple Costume Hire, 79-81 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 9117.

Contact: 02 6239 0000 www.manukapark.com.au reservations@manukapark.com.au

Canberra Confidential

Dr Kelly gets a second opinion

ACT chief health officer Dr Paul Kelly’s announcement to scrap the restaurant “scores on doors” food hygiene ratings scheme has been soundly lampooned by former food-safety professor Doug Powell in his blog barfblog.com

“Canberra… has decided that public disclosure of restaurant inspection information is too silly to pursue. Toronto figured it out, so did LA and NYC, but not good enough for Canberra,” the Brisbanebased Dr Powell growled.

He dismisses Kelly’s explanation that there were a “range of reasons” behind the decision, but the government had decided there would be “better paths to follow to get the same outcome”, as “bullshit… especially when he [Dr Kelly] won’t explain what those alternative approaches are”.

“This is the sheep-town where 160 people got sick from salmonella linked to a raw-egg dish in 2013... where the largest bakery was fined $10,000 because they sucked at food safety,” Powell fumes.

“Canberra, you want to be known for having four Prime Ministers in five years, or you want to be leaders. Food safety is low-hanging fruit, get on with it… grow a pair.”

Washington? Where?

ANYONE wondering where America’s capital is look no further than this helpful word from Chief Minister Andrew Barr : “The ACT Government is looking to establish closer ties with Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America, as we continue to build Canberra’s presence on the global stage.”

Canberran with an eye for ‘Rock Stars’

CHOSEN from a field of 315 entries from across Australia, local snapper Craig Burns has won this year’s Geoscience Australia’s 2015 Top Geoshot photo competition, with this wonderfully colourful image of Hamersley Gorge in WA.

Craig’s photo highlighted this year’s theme, “Rock

Stars”, by capturing the folding and rock strata of WA’s iron ore country.

Geoscience Australia’s CEO Dr Chris Pigram says: “This competition aims to raise awareness of our geological heritage and encourages people to consider the importance of geology in our world.”

Up the workers!

CAPITAL Metro’s recent “Environmental Impact Statement Addendum Report” makes interesting reading with 40 of the 60 community and business representations (that is 67 per cent) objecting to the construction compound planned to swallow up an entire city car park for four years on London Circuit. The report soothingly confirms that this has been “refined” by the Capital Metro Authority to 50 per cent of the original proposal.

Wondering how they could manage this enormous slice of common sense?

“In order to accommodate the proposed reduction in area of the construction compound within the car park opposite the Melbourne Building, it is proposed to relocate construction worker parking to the existing Canberra Racecourse/EPIC overflow car park…”

That’s right, they were going to completely jeopardise Civic businesses to provide, presumably, free parking for construction workers. Really?

Really bad dad jokes

“ON my wedding day, my dad came up to me and said: ‘Your wedding is beautiful, even the cake is in tiers’,” says Carlie White, of NSW, to bag the nation’s best “dad joke” – and a barbecue prize.

The joke search was launched by TheGourmet.com.au and “Take 5” magazine.

The five runners-up were:

• What did the male lamb say to the lady lamb? Nice rack

• I asked my dad for his best dad joke and he said, “You”.

• What do you call a pig that does karate? A pork chop.

• How much does a hipster dad weigh? An Instagram.

• Last Christmas, we bought a fake Christmas tree, and the guy behind the counter asked: “Are you going to put it up yourself?” My dad replied: “Don’t be disgusting. I’m going to put it up in the living room.”

Qualified. Trained and highly experienced Dermal Clinicians perform all of our treatments.

Time. Our Lightsheer Duet laser treatments are performed in 25% of the time of pulsed light machines.

Comfort. No topical aesthetic is required and the treatment is very comfortable.

Effective. Lightsheer delivers the perfect wavelength for effective and efficient results.

Cost. Most patients achieve desired results in only 4-6 treatments, saving you money and time.

3 things clients all want to know about hair removal

How many treatments do I really need?

At The CAPS Clinic we nd, on average, just 4-6 treatments is su cient to obtain 70-80% reduction in the area being treated. The remaining 20 – 30% of hair is generally much lighter and ner in colour and you may choose to wax or shave these on occasion to manage them. Because you are losing the colour within the hair with each treatment, eventually the ‘target’ is lost and therefore the ability for further permanent reduction is limited.

“Our Dermal Clinicians are university quali ed to perform laser hair removal treatments.”

What kind of result can I expect?

While there is no 100% permanent hair removal treatment currently on the market, at The CAPS Clinic you can expect a permanent reduction of 70 - 80% of hair from the treated area. A combination of the best in technology, comprehensive training, and years of experience means you get better results in less treatments.

asking.

Who will perform my treatments?

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.

At the IGA East Row House fundraising gala dinner, Southern Cross Club, Woden

At the International Riesling Challenge, Albert Hall

At Women in Racing’s annual spring charity lunch, Hellenic Club, Woden

At the Melbourne Cup Experience, Barton

THE big, blow-up “Pink Lady” at the entrance to Gandel Hall, at the National Gallery of Australia, was a spectacular and potent symbol, and a perfect welcome for the inaugural Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Pink Lady Luncheon, which was a stunning success.

With the support of its event partner Konica Minolta, BCNA called on lots of local organisations to help with the lunch. This incredible network of volunteers was what convinced David Cooke , MD of Konica Minolta, to take the advice of his employees and put BCNA into the chosen group of NFP’s for their support priorities.

Guest speaker was Kathryn Fagg , a lady with formidable career achievements and a self-effacing attitude who happens to be a BCNA board member, Reserve Bank board member and a breast cancer survivor. Yes, they’re everywhere; monies raised will help to increase the survival rate.

SPRING is a perfect time to make an investment in fitness and if you’re making plans to tone up before the warm weather hits, you’re going to need a plan of action, says Fernwood Fitness.

Its top tips for getting in shape for summer are:

1. Set specific, measurable goals: Research shows goals that are specific, measurable and timely are the most motivating. So don’t just plan to tone up before summer; decide how you’re going to measure your success and set a date. For example, “I am going to reduce weight by X amount each week,” has a start and an end point, while the goal of “improving muscle tone” is undefined and hard to grasp.

2. Make an action plan: So you’ve got your goal, now you need an action plan. Write down all the steps you need to take to reach your goal. Are you going to go to the gym more often, eat smaller meals, or spend your lunch breaks running?

3. Schedule it in: Here’s the key to getting it done: schedule in your workouts. Make your time to exercise an important appointment in your diary – one that you can’t break, put off, or delay. Hint: Group fitness classes are great because they’re at a specific time.

4. Clean up your diet: If the goal is weight loss, remember: you can’t outrun a bad diet. So reduce your sugar consumption, be mindful of extra snacks you’re eating.

5. Make it fun! Surrounding yourself with likeminded people will motivate you to achieve your goals.

Starting on October 26, Fernwood has a six-week Summer Sculpt program for women, with complete online and in-club support, fun bootcamps and healthy meal plans.

More information at summersculpt.fernwoodfitness.com.au

Deb’s clients thrive on making the right moves

WITH a background in pilates, movement therapist

Deb Carroll has worked with clients for more than 20 years to provide personalised classes and rehabilitation programs to help people who don’t fit into the general fitness world, especially those who have injuries or chronic illnesses.

By focusing on her clients’ abilities, Deb gives private or small-group classes at her studio.

“I tap into what ability and movement they have and go from there,” says Deb.

“They may not get sweaty in my classes, but I teach them how to move their bodies in ways they are not used to and improve their mobility, strength and fitness.

“Firstly, I will review and teach my clients how to

breathe correctly, then we move into how to stabilise their pelvis and core.

“Shoulder stability is another important aspect as we so often hunch our shoulders, affecting our range of movement and creating tension in our backs and necks.”

Deb finds that her clients come to her after they have received physiotherapy for their injuries but need help getting back into their regular gym, sport or exercise.

“I want to help people live in their bodies as easily as possible,” she says.

More information from Deb on 0414 865430 or email wisdomofthemovingbody@gmail.com

Classes, boot camps and personal training

GLEBE Park Fitness is a private, boutique fitness centre, situated in the Crowne Plaza Hotel opposite Glebe Park.

Its central city location and free on-site parking provides members with the convenience to exercise before work, during their lunch break or after work.

There is a broad range of facilities and classes, including the signature boot camps in Glebe Park and down at the lake. The boot camps combine strength, cardio and flexibility training with an emphasis on teamwork and fun. Eleven boot camps are held each week.

Director Dee Buchanan recommends that anyone interested in getting fit this spring should kick-start it by investing in personal-training sessions.

“Personal training helps people establish their routine, and learn how to do the exercises properly,” she says.

“It helps increase their motivation, especially when they start to see results.”

Dee is pleased to offer a new members’ offer - join by November 1 and enjoy 50% off the first four weeks of boot camp classes.

Glebe Park Fitness’ 20-metre lap pool and sauna is also a drawcard, especially in summer.

Glebe Park Fitness, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1 Binara Street, Civic. Call 1300 553360 or visit glebeparkfitness.com.au

all about spring fitness advertising feature

High-intensity training for Erindale

F45 Training is the fitness phenomenon that has taken the world by storm and, according to F45 Training Philip owner Theo Drakakis, it is the most innovative, challenging and systemised team-training workout.

He says it is proven to be the best way to lose weight and maintain muscle mass.

“We specialise in high-intensity, interval training over a 45-minute class, which is perfect for the time-poor,” he says.

“People find it very addictive! We work out as a team, which helps people stay motivated.”

Two instructors are at every class to ensure participants are doing the exercises correctly, pushing themselves and being safe.

Theo says the exercises are changed every day and are designed to push the body by

natural, functional movements such as push-ups, chin-ups or burpees that give the body and core a total workout and reduce the risk of injury.

Justin Peade, Head Instructor says that the F45 experience is exciting, thrilling, fun and anyone can enjoy it, regardless of your fitness level.

“Anyone can give F45 a go, and I guarantee they will come back for more. We have a good mixture of fitness levels and love helping people achieve their goals. We are one big happy family!” he says.

F45 also offers nine-week body transformation challenges, with a nutrition plan and access to an online portal of information to keep people on track. “We find that people transform dramatically.

One member lost 11 kilograms in nine weeks,” says Theo.

Theo is excited to open F45 Training Erindale on November 14, which will be a dedicated studio of 180sqm, with a state-of-the-art sound system, lighting and air conditioning system. Plans are underway to expand to Weston and Tuggeranong.

F45 Training Philip, 1/68-70 Dundas Court, Phillip. Register for a one week trial at f45training.com.au/ phillip; for more information about the Erindale studio, visit f45training.com.au/erindale

Lisa walks the talk

MOTHER of three, Lisa Senger, knew she had to shake up her exercise routine and wanted to go to a women’s-only gym where she would feel comfortable.

She says it took a lot of courage to walk through the door at Gungahlin Curves in August last year, but since then, she hasn’t looked back!

“I lost 14kgs in six months and, to this point, I have lost a total of 35 kgs,” she says.

“As soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted by name. The staff knew my journey and story and were so supportive and motivational. When I lost a kilo or two, they would notice and make me feel good.”

Lisa says that Curves offers a nonjudgemental environment for women from all ages, walks of life, shapes and sizes. Its 30-minute circuit-style body basic classes incorporate all the major muscle groups with high intensity workouts of 30 seconds of using a machine, followed by a 30-second rest.

Lisa loved Curves so much that in May she joined the team as a casual staff member.

“So many mums say they don’t have the time for the gym, but I tell them that it’s really only two per cent of our day – you can fit it in!” says Lisa.

“We are real. We say there are no males, mirrors or make-up. We inspire and encourage each other. The Curves experience is fast, fun and effective.”

Curves is located at Gungahlin, Weston, Wanniassa and Belconnen. For information about the best Curves membership to suit you, and to find your nearest Curves, call 1300 287837 or visit curves.com.au

A

Strength-based

Equipment

Fitness

A

Personalised

Personalised

Welcoming

arts & entertainment Romance will fill the forest air Trilogy

By Helen Musa

WHEN soprano Cheryl Barker burst on to the Opera House stage in 1990 as Mimi in Baz Luhrmann’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” a whole generation of Australians understood opera for the first time.

With the handsome young tenor David Hobson opposite her as Rodolfo, ordinary punters poured in to weep and empathise with the romantic young couple in a production updated to 1957.

The rest is history but, by chance, on a cruise late last year Barker and Hobson sang “O Soave Fanciulla” from “La Bohème” – a whole 24 years after Luhrmann’s production.

Sponsor-founder of “Voices in the Forest” Bob Winnel and artistic director Chris Latham are hoping Barker will similarly put their event on the map in November after last year’s storm saw audiences dwindle to 4200 from the previous year’s 4800.

With the tenor Diego Torre and dramatic baritone José Carbó joining Barker outdoors at the Arboretum (in what Latham calls “this Stradivarius of an amphitheatre”), they can hardly go wrong.

Taking no chances, Latham has put together a program set around the theme of love and romance in “La Bohème”.

Good choice. Barker has sung in operas by everyone from Mozart to Heggie, but Puccini is her special favourite, having played all but four of Puccini’s heroines.

“Of all the Australian singers she is probably the most perfect voice for Puccini,” Latham enthuses, “that creamy quality in her voice seems to really suit his lines.”

Barker stresses that while the Luhrmann production put her on the map in Australia, her international career was of her own doing.

Barker is a thoroughly modern diva, and she’s all for updating Puccini, so long as it’s “true”.

Famously, she withdrew from Christopher Alden’s 2010 post-modern “Tosca” at the Opera House, objecting to his treatment of the text. “Puccini was very particular about the libretto, so I took a stand,” she says.

Opera singers, especially successful ones, often have complicated domestic lives. So while husband, baritone Peter Coleman Wright, is often in Belgium, Warsaw and London, she’s “kind of keeping the home fires burning”.

This year Barker is contenting herself with performing in Tasmania, in outdoor concerts like ours and at the Nagambie Festival in Victoria, saying: “It’s the first time since my career started that I haven’t been performing in opera, but I’m okay about it”.

In her estimate, Latham has hit the jackpot in choosing “Bohème” as the basis for his program, saying: “It’s accessible to everyone, it’s a short opera, so you’re not sitting

for hours bored rigid, it’s a great story with beautiful music and believable characters.”

They’ll be doing quite a substantial part of the opera, she tells “CityNews”, with arias and duets from Act I, “Muzetta’s Waltz” from Act II, the quartet from Act III and the tenor-baritone aria from Act IV. As well, there’s “a little bit of baroque and some light things – every style of music”.

It is Barker’s fond hope that many people will go to “Voices in the Forest” who would never go to the opera and be converted.

“And it’s not dumbed down at all,” she assures me.

“It’s not just the pot-boilers, there is an interesting repertoire, even for the diehards.”

“Voices in the Forest” at the National Arboretum, November 21, bookings to canberraticketing.com.au or 6275 2700.

Fresh ‘Hamlet’ blends comic with the tragic

BELL Shakespeare presents an intelligent, accessible and exciting “Hamlet” with direction, design and acting working in harmony to bring Shakespeare’s melodrama to a new generation.

The strength of Bell Shakespeare was demonstrated when Scott Sheridan, the understudy to Josh McConville’s “Hamlet”, walked seamlessly into the performance on opening night.

The moody atmosphere of Hamlet’s world was captured beautifully with a set and lighting design that was functional and beautiful. The ghost and grave scenes were particularly well formed.

theatre

“Hamlet”

By William Shakespeare, directed by Damien Ryan, Bell Shakespeare

At The Playhouse until October 24.

Reviewed by Joe Woodward

Each performer added depth and freshness to their roles. Philip Dodd’s Polonius and Gravedigger exploited the comic potential to the max in a way only a consummate actor can.

Doris Younane’s Gertrude provided ambiguous emotions filled with a heightened complexity that advanced the play into a contemporary reality. Her performance was a masterclass for every aspiring actress. There are so many positives that can be said about each actor’s contribution. However, it is the hand of the director that threads such noteworthy performances into a powerfully unified work. Blending the comic with the tragic and the sense of inevitability can be a tricky task. Ryan has masterfully integrated the play within a play. This can be risky and some of the choices could have gone bad. Ultimately they paid off with a freshness rarely experienced.

JUDITH Peterson, Ruth Pieloor and Nigel Palfreman are preparing the final production in their trilogy that began with “Blokes Don’t Talk” and “Couples Don’t Talk”. With Alex Penca at the grand piano,“Kids Don’t Talk” consists of eight little plays covering young people. It’s about kids, but there are “adult themes” so it is recommended for over 14s. At Teatro Vivaldi, 7pm, October 29-31. Bookings via trybooking.com or tickets at the door.

PAUL Payten, from the Veterans Film Festival, to run at the War Memorial on November 11, tells us that two Canberra films have been selected to screen. “The White Feather”, written and directed by Laurence de B Anderson and filmed around Kenmore, is a short drama featuring local actors, while “100 Years” is an original, filmed song by John and Elisabeth Dykstra of Canberra band The Berrys.

CANBERRA author Okai-Davies has a new book out under the title “Evidence of Nostalgia and Other Stories”, available from bookshops in Civic. “Through these stories I want to engage the Australian reader in a new conversation about the meaning of our African presence in Australian life,” Okai-Davies says.

BARBARA Baikie and Peter Fletcher will open their rural property near Hall for a three-course Nepalese dinner, traditional Nepali music and after-dinner music by The Here and Now – Rachael Thoms and Lachlan Coventry. Funds go to rebuilding Sundar Suryodaya Primary School near Kathmandu. “Diner en Rouge” (wear red), at “Terroux” in Wallaroo, Saturday, November 7. Bookings via trybooking.com

THE National Capital Orchestra Concert presents “Stories in Music”, music by Grieg, Rachmaninov and Dvorák conducted by Lizzy Collier, at Albert Hall, 3pm, Sunday, October 25, bookings via freewebs.com

LANDSCAPE artist Ted Lewis is leading a two-day masterclass, “Painting the Australian Bush”, at Aarwun Gallery, Gold Creek, 9am-5pm on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, bookings to 6230 2055. The fee includes lunch, tea and coffee and concluding wine and nibbles.

BACK from Aberdeen, Scotland, members of the Griffyn Ensemble Chris and Holly join Scottish guitarist Graham McLeod as The String Contingent, at Belconnen Arts Centre, on Saturday, October 31. Bookings via griffynensemble.com

Brisbane’s Shake & Stir company will perform “Wuthering Heights”.

Unfolding a big season

MAKING a theatre subscription season sound sexy can be an uphill battle even when you’re spoilt for choice, but the Canberra Theatre has given it their best shot with the newly-unveiled 2016 season, “Unfolding”.

There’s not much in the name, as “CityNews” discovered when talking to the theatre’s programming manager, Gill Hugonnet, but the sub-theme, “see something you haven’t seen”, is more to the point. This year the theatre is offering a whopping 20 productions. A few years ago it would have been just 11 or 12, but there’s so much good theatre around, Hugonnet says, “and we don’t want to miss opportunities”.

The usual suspects are still topping the bill, such as the Sydney Dance Company, Bell Shakespeare, Bangarra, Circa, Opera Australia and the Sydney and Queensland theatre companies, recognisable to audiences and “a sure bet”.

But as the season unfolds, we’ll also see surprises from newer, younger companies such as Merrigong Theatre Company, whose production of Alana Valentine’s new play, “Letters to Lindy”, is based on the National Library’s collection of 20,000 letters written to Lindy Chamberlain.

David Bates’ Famous Spiegeltent will pitch itself in Civic Square for circus, burlesque and speakeasy in “La Clique”. Yaron Lifschitz and his ensemble will present Saint Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals” Circa-style, boasting: “Our elephants have street cred”.

The big winners for 2016 will be serious dramalovers, with Bell’s new director Peter Evans directing “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello”, Brisbane’s clever Shake & Stir company performing Nick Skubij’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights”, Belvoir’s “The Glass Menagerie” with Pamela Rabe starring as Amanda and Sydney Theatre Company’s Pulitzer Prize-winner “Disgraced” touching on Islamophobia.

Andrew Bovell’s new play “Things I Know To Be True” will be performed by the State Theatre Company

Arts editor HELEN MUSA unfolds the Canberra Theatre Centre’s 2016 subscription season and discovers a big parade of theatrical offerings

of SA with the UK’s Frantic Assembly and Hannie Rayson’s sex and global-warming play “Extinction” will be played by Geelong’s Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre.

Dance is very much to the fore, as Sydney Dance Company brings Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman’s humorous piece, “Cacti”. There will also be the world premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s “Lux Tenebris” and Bangarra’s “our land people stories”, where Stephen Page adds new blood to the choreographic scene in works by himself, Daniel Riley, Jasmin Sheppard and Beau Dean Riley Smith.

For children, Christine Dunstan and Monkey Baa Theatre bring a 55-minute adaptation of May Gibbs’ “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie”, while a serendipitous arrangement sees “The Peasant Prince”, telling the life story of Li Cunxin (“Mao’s Last Dancer”), before the real-life Li’s lavish production of “The Nutcracker” with the Queensland Ballet comes later in the year.

Musical theatre of three different kinds will unfold, with “Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Dean for the same company that brought us “Sweet Charity”, Michael Gow’s Downton Abbey-style adaptation of “The Marriage of Figaro” for Opera Australia and “Country Song”, a feel-good musical about the late Jimmy Little, directed by Wesley Enoch for the Queensland Theatre Company.

And the notorious Wharf Revue? They’re hoping their 2016 September show here might coincide with a Federal election. You never know what could unfold.

“Unfolding”, Canberra Theatre 2016 subscription season, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

Strong cast in good ‘Company’ musical theatre

“Company”

By

Stephen Sondheim, directed by Jordan Best

At The Q, until October 24.

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

ALTHOUGH premiered in 1970, Stephen Sondheim’s angst-ridden, forensic examination of marriage and relationships still offers much to intrigue contemporary audiences and challenge the actors performing this work.

Everyman Theatre has picked up the challenge. Working with a strong cast of many of Canberra’s most experienced music theatre performers, director Jordan Best has made many bold directorial decisions, not all of which succeed.

The storyline revolves around pot-smoking, cocaine-sniffing voyeur Bobby, played with panache by Jarrad West. A group of his married friends, pre-occupied with the fact that he remains unmarried, hosts a surprise 35th birthday party for him. Through a series of revealing vignettes, the flaws in each of their marriages are exposed.

Sondheim’s carefully constructed songs work best with a “less is more” approach. Karen Vickery understands this, so that her brilliantly judged performance of “The Ladies Who Lunch” becomes a highlight. Similarly, Amy Dunham manages to bring surprising warmth to the usually fatuous character of the air hostess, April, for “Barcelona”.

Vanessa De Jager’s interpretation of Marta as an unsuccessful busker, imposed a subtext that distracted from the all-important lyrics of “Another Hundred People”.

Riley Bell, Philippa Murphy, Jerry Hearn and Tim Sekuless, as various of Bobby’s friends, all contribute strong performances.

Stephen Sondheim writes sophisticated musicals and if you are thinking of taking the children, be aware that the drug and sex scenes are uncommonly explicit.

Friendly, but feeling its way

MANUKA has a few, big hospitality spaces empty with Mecca Bah, Pheast and Francisco’s Mexican Cantina all closing. The good news is that the Francisco’s space in Manuka Village is once again occupied, this time with Delicia, which opened a couple of weeks ago.

Delicia bills itself as a “pan and grill and coffee lounge”. Our initial impression of the menu was positive and not just because we’d been for a long walk and were quite peckish (actually, bordering on starving). All dishes are reasonably priced for trendy Manuka and those seeking gluten-free dishes have lots to choose from.

We found several entrees enticing and shared the haloumi cheese ($14.90) and spice smoke chicken ($12). The cheese was super salty and the roasted capsicum punched above its weight with flavour. The Spanish onion was nicely sliced (not too thick) and the lemon vinaigrette light and refreshing. Not a bad start. The spice smoke chicken was lovely. Our fear that the “smoke” would overpower the tender chicken was unfounded.

Delicia’s mains are “from the fry”, including gourmet chicken schnitzel ($16.50); “from the grill”, including Black Angus steak ($20) and red currant lamb ($18.90); “from the pan”, including a chilli prawn pasta ($16.90) and chicken risotto ($15.90).

The wild Barramundi was the best dish of the day, and only $19. The fillet was pan fried in fresh herbs, served on a bed of leek and potato mash and perked up with salsa

verde – the flavours not too pronounced, but tasty enough.

From the grill, I ordered the trio of tiger prawns ($21) – three prawns marinated in thyme, garlic, lemon and then chargrilled (one very, very black). I ordered the dish partly for the celeriac slaw, which I found uninteresting and far too bland. One dish had to be returned. It was the wrong one anyway and the tuna presented was far too dry. It should never have emerged from the kitchen (note: Delicia quickly served another dish).

Delicia is in the middle of Manuka Village (you can’t see it from the street). The new owners haven’t adjusted the fitout in any major way. The wine-coloured bench furniture and art deco-type

lighting remain. Although in the middle of an arcade, a skylight brings in natural light during the day.

Delicia is still finding its feet. I hope the service improves quick sharp. I know it’s new, but obvious basics were missing such as the staff, while super friendly, not knowing the price of a special dish and not providing us with individual plates so we could share our entrees comfortably (we had to ask twice). There’s really no excuse given we landed for lunch quite late and were the only ones dining.

Delicia is BYO. Manuka Village (Furneaux Street), Manuka. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am until late. Call 6232 7232.

cinema

When the plot runs out of puff

“Crimson Peak” (MA)

AS I walked along the cinema concourse, an employee who knew I’d just seen writer/director Guillermo Del Toro’s film asked: “Was it dreadful?”

My mind still reeling from its collection of bloopers in screenplay and staging, I answered: “It wasn’t that good”.

The bloopers deserve no forgiveness. The writing exhibits a texture of beginning with a denouement to be reached through an assemblage of waypoints that titillate viewers, scare them, make the fate of the heroine uncertain and stimulate our anxiety for her welfare.

It begins early last century in Buffalo, NY, where Edith (Mia Wasikowska) is transcribing the manuscript of her newly-written novel on the new-fangled typewriter in the editorial room of her father’s newspaper. Handsome young Tom (Thomas Hiddleston), there to plead for a loan to build the steam-powered excavator to extract miraculous crimson sludge on his family’s derelict Yorkshire estate, walks direct to Edith and immediately praises her writing, without turning even a page of it.

“Legend” (MA)

MY apprehensions faded quite soon after this biopic of terrible twins Reggie and Ronald Kray began to roll across the screen. It’s more engaging than I expected.

From East End, working-class origins Reggie and Ronnie achieved wealth and social prominence in London in the 1960s by fair means or foul, predominantly the latter.

Their West End “clubs” catered to the recreational choices of the rich and famous.

Obstacles put in their way by competing “club” owners didn’t hinder their climb to notoriety. Scotland Yard’s campaign to shut them down took many years. The press loved their cheeky rejection of community standards. Violence was their recreation.

“The Walk” (PG)

FRENCH high-wire performer Philippe Petit decided that he wanted to cap his career by performing his act on a cable strung between the World Trade Centre’s twin towers, then under construction in New York.

The narrative simplicity, visual beauty and breathtaking special effects combine to tell how, after nightfall on August 6, 1974, Petit and a small crew of enthusiastic supporters smuggled the necessary equipment up 102 floors and strung the cable. As the sun rose and a mist came in masking him from sight until the last moment, Petit set off across the void.

Newlyweds Tom and Edith arrive at the estate to confront blood, murder, sex and ghoulish apparitions. But while the film’s imagination values try hard, the padding between the waypoints in the plot runs out of puff too soon to sustain us to the end.

At all cinemas

Writer/director Brian Helgeland’s film tells an intimate story of their lives, loves and families. Playing both brothers, Tom Hardy gives two impeccable performances. While some may quibble about whether “Legend” serves any useful social purpose, it’s entertaining in a monstrous sort of way.

At Palace Electric, Dendy, Hoyts Belconnen and Limelight

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a convincing portrayal of Petit’s skills and the tensions involved. Filming the walk involved creating quite miraculous special effects that take special significance as we remember that the location no longer exists. Petit’s determination is palpable but not flamboyant. He knew the risks, he took them, he survived and that was that. But what a “that” indeed! Vertiginous notwithstanding, it makes powerful, pleasant cinema for all ages.

At Palace Electric, Capitol 6 and Limelight.

Joanne Madeline

Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Joint ventures and relationship improvements are on the table but don’t spoil a potentially positive and productive week by being an impulsive Ram and putting your foot firmly in your mouth! Slow down and strive to think before you speak. Tuesday’s Full Moon fires up your spending gene but before you start splashing cash around – make sure you consult with your romantic or business partner, so you know you’re both on the same financial page.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

The week starts wonderfully well, as you enjoy the last lucky moments of the Venus/Jupiter conjunction. Good fortune or happy news comes courtesy of a child, teenager, friend, lover or via a creative project, favourite hobby or sporting endeavour. Then Tuesday’s Full Moon (in Taurus) emphasises your practical side, as an idea or project comes to fruition or a problem comes to a head. Make sure you handle things in a suitably sensible and stylish fashion.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Gung-ho Geminis are raring to go! But don’t let your enthusiasm for an exciting new project overtake your ability to knuckle down and get the job done. If you promise more than you can deliver, then others will just end up feeling disappointed. Whereas, if you pace yourself and listen to your inner voice, then you’ll have a stimulating and satisfying week. Be inspired by birthday great Bill Gates (born on October 28, 1955): “Often you have to rely on your intuition.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

If you’re having relationship problems, they won’t be resolved by curling up in your shell. Be courageous – no side-stepping Crabs! You’re often teary on a Full Moon but this one’s in earthy Taurus, so you’ll feel more emotionally grounded. It’s also a wonderful week to network with colleagues, as you fraternise with a fabulous new crowd. On the weekend your creativity and compassion are sparked, when you connect with your inner muse or help a friend in need.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

It’s the perfect week to throw embryonic dreams or fledgling projects into the spotlight, as the Full Moon fires up your reputation zone. Don’t worry if they’re not quite ready. Public scrutiny (as well as feedback from family and friends) will let you know if you’re on the right track. Then you can go back to the drawing board, where you can rework and re-imagine. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great John Keats: “Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Self-improvement is on the agenda! You’re keen to shop up a storm, as you find ways to improve your physical appearance. So it’s a terrific time to buy a new outfit, have a haircut or purchase beauty products. You’re also keen to travel or learn something new, as the Full Moon stimulates your adventure and study zone. But if you rush communication or neglect important details, it could lead to mix-ups about money or problems with a relative or neighbour.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

You’re in an uncharacteristic rush but do you know where you’re going? It’s not a good week to make important decisions, as your mind is racing. Wait until you’re feeling more settled and focused. Close relationships could also be confusing, as misread motives lead to irrational thinking. So it would be wise to spend less time talking and more time listening. Some Librans will experience the phenomenon of deja-vu, as you meet someone special or go somewhere ‘new’.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Stubborn Scorpios can too easily get stuck in a relationship time warp. If things aren’t going well in your love life, perhaps it’s time to keep what’s working and change what isn’t? The trick is knowing which is which! So this week’s challenge is to ride the winds of change, and keep things in perspective. Your mantra for the moment is from fellow Scorpio, singer/songwriter Neil Young: “As you go through life, you’ve got to see the valleys as well as the peaks.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your sunny Sagittarian side shines for all to see, especially when dealing with the public. Influential people are waiting to assist you so don’t be too proud to ask for help if you need it. And make sure you pace yourself. Rushing around won’t necessarily get you to the finishing line any faster! The Full Moon lights up your work zone, so you’re keen to be in charge. But are you being the boss, or just plain bossy? Strive to utilise your leadership skills in strategic ways.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Have you been feeling frustrated about the future? Does it seem as if your goals and dreams are permanently on hold? Things take a leap forward (courtesy of Venus/ Jupiter and the Full Moon) so make a wish and then make it happen. But strive to adjust the way you communicate this week Goats. One size definitely won’t fit everyone. Some sensitive people need to be handled with kid gloves, so do your best to avoid controversial topics and obvious no-go zones.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

This week’s stars stimulate your eccentric Aquarian side, your quicksilver mind, and your tendency to do things in unconventional ways. There’s no denying you have fabulously innovative ideas about your future direction, but thinking about something isn’t the same as actually doing it. You’ll find the more mentally erratic you are, the more unpredictable the week will be. So strive to get the balance right between being intellectually agile and just plain hyperactive!

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

What are your aspirations for the future? Are they ambitious enough? With some productive brainstorming and a practical plan, you can get your goals and dreams up and running again. You’ll feel surprisingly positive on the weekend when the Sun stimulates your confidence; Neptune boosts your creativity; and delicious daydreams whisk you away into fantasy land. It’s also time to take the initiative when communicating with others. No procrastinating Pisces!

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

523

George came into the office puzzled at having received a Division 293 assessment from the Australian Taxation Office and his wife Sybil also received an excess contributions tax assessment.

“I’ll deal with your problem first, George,” I said. “Division 293 is a recent part of the Income Tax Assessment Act, which results in 15 per cent tax being charged on superannuation contributions where the total of taxable income and superannuation paid exceed $300,000.

Across

1 The north-western NSW town of Brewarrina is on which river?

7 What do we call manufacture or trade, as a whole?

8 Which ocean lies west of Australia?

9 Name the physicist who formulated the theory of relativity, Albert ...

10 Which vessel is used for carrying water?

11 Name a particular type of coffee.

14 Which data is offered to a court, in proof of the facts at issue?

18 Name a spotted, leopard-like cat.

19 Which arachnid represents the eighth sign of the zodiac?

21 What is a microscopic, one-celled animal?

22 Which word expresses numbers?

23 Name the radio telephonic distress signal used by ships or aircraft.

Down

1 Name the third largest city in Australia.

2 Which distilled spirit is made from grain, such as barley, rye, etc?

3 Which number does the Roman numeral XIX stand for?

4 Name a far NSW south coast town on Twofold Bay.

5 Which African fly transmits sleeping sickness to human beings?

6 Name the priests of an ancient Celtic religion who celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge.

12 Which term describes the use of more words than are necessary?

13 What, as in a newspaper, is a notice of the death of a person?

15 Name a space entirely void of matter.

16 What are funeral songs called?

17 What is an indictable offence such as murder, burglary, etc, known as?

20 Baghdad is the capital of which Asian republic?

“The calculation is relatively straightforward if you are in an accumulation fund. However, when the contributions are made to a defined benefit fund, as in your case to CSS, it is more difficult to confirm the Division 293 tax.

“The Australian Taxation Office calculates the tax and if you want to confirm that it is correct then you need to know how much was paid to CSS on your behalf. I am happy to check the calculations for you and confirm their accuracy.” George agreed.

“Now, to Sybil’s excess contributions tax,” I said.

“Before June 30, 2013, which is the year for which Sybil has received the assessment, excess contributions tax was charged at 31.5 per cent on the excess contributions. Unfortunately, there can be a delay of a couple of years between the end of the year that the assessment relates to and receipt of the assessment.”

“Every taxpayer has two caps that apply to their superannuation contributions. The concessional cap is the cap on tax-deductible contributions and the non-concessional cap applies to personal contributions for which no tax deduction is available.

“I have looked at all the documents and it appears that Sybil made a concessional contribution of $25,000.

“However, this has not been shown in her tax return. She should have been provided with documentation showing that it was concessional and then it should have been shown in her tax return.

“In addition, she made a $150,000 non-concessional contribution. That is not required to be shown in her tax return. However, if the non-concessional cap is exceeded, excess contributions tax also applies at the rate of 46.5 per cent in the 2013 year.

“From what I can see Sybil was not given the correct paperwork and her tax return was incorrect. It should be easy to get copies of the correct documents from the superannuation fund and we can amend her income tax return for that year because we are within two years of her tax assessment being issued.

“This should have the effect of satisfying the requirements concerning the concessional cap and should reduce her excess contributions assessment. It is also likely that an employer paid some superannuation for Sybil, which will need to be included in the total.

A small amount of excess contributions tax may still apply.”

Grateful, George said he had no idea of this legislation and had been surprised by it given the couple had followed the advice of their investment adviser.

If you need help with any assessments or superannuation contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co

open garden

Braidwood opens six of its best

SIX gardens in Braidwood, including an organic vegetable farm and a grand, formal garden, will be open to the public on October 31 to November 1, as a fundraiser for the local community-run preschool.

Organiser Samara Zeitsch says the event is running again after success last year, with three new properties – 116 Wallace Street , Warrambucca Gardens and Wynlen House – joining Mona, 14 Solus Street and Bedervale.

The 15-year-old garden at 116 Wallace Street is peaceful and private, say the owners, with its juxtaposition of formal and informal planting, strong lines of box hedges and paths offset by mass plantings of less structured varieties.

They say they wanted to create straight lines and a “bit of formality” with the paths, steps and borders but “what happens in the background is a bit less controlled”.

Wynlen House SlowFood Farm is a 0.6-hectare small farm run by owners Bronwyn and Helen, who now garden full time according to permaculture techniques and raise geese, chickens, pigs, turkeys and lambs for the table.

They say they produce “simple, honest food of the highest quality” and estimate they’re about 80 per cent self-sufficient.

The eight-hectare Warrambucca Gardens is undergoing renovations by owner Richard Barker, who favours rare plants in the property’s nursery and 1.6 hectares of gardens.

Spring-fed Warrambucca Creek provides a constant and everchanging water feature that’s home to a resident platypus, says Richard. He says the garden is best viewed by meandering along the well-worn path with handmade

stone walls.

Rose Deo, owner of the grand Mona , which opened last year, says she bought the place two years ago mainly for the gardens and the stables.

“I like the cold climate and the changing seasons,” she says. “I also love the trees – there are so many beautiful old oak trees here; it’s a very old garden and it takes time to establish a place like this.”

Rose says she has a groundsman to help with maintaining the property, as well as a gardener friend who helps out once a week.

The property features a picturesque lake, stone Palladian-style bridge, poplar walk and an elm wood underplanted with bluebells, daffodils and jonquils.

“My favourite spot is probably the lake lawn, with views over Mount Gillamatong,” she says.

Also opening again this year is Cheryl Raper’s 0.8-hectare property at Solus Street , a manicured oasis of lawn and colourful garden beds, including the original 1840s bluestone cottage that was the old Mona manager’s cottage; and historic 2.8-hectare Bedervale, featuring contemporary sculptures created by the sister of owner Sonia Horan, providing a counterpoint to the historic colonial homestead and outbuildings.

Speakers over the weekend will include 666 ABC’s Graham Williams and landscape architect Michael Bligh.

There will also be face painting, pony rides, Devonshire tea, a sausage sizzle and guided tours of Wynlen House and Bedervale and its collection of National Trust-listed

and contents.

Braidwood Open Gardens, October 31-November 1, 10am-4pm both days, at a cost of $5 per garden. Under 18s are free. More information at braidwoodgardens.com.au

Time to give a gazebo a go

A free-standing gazebo can be a real feature in a garden.

It’s ideal for enjoying a summer evening with a glass of shiraz and cheese or a full-blown Sunday lunch. It’s also a great place for children to play out of the hot, summer sun.

More traditional gazebo styles (as pictured) can blend well with a cottage garden atmosphere. While the roof can be of simple bamboo, I would recommend it being weatherproof (Colorbond, western red shingles or a weatherproof masonite) for year-round use. The design can include timbers to train climbing plants to provide tantalising fragrances such as Trachelospermum jasminoides or Chinese Star Jasmine. Other suggestions could include clematis from the large-flowered variety putting on a great show in summer. This could be combined with the winter-flowering clematis, Clematis nepaulensis or C. cirrhosa Alternatively, combine the summer and winter varieties for year-round colour. I don’t recommend thorny climbing roses, with the exception of the magnificently fragrant Rosa “Zephirine Drouhin”, which is thornless.

To my knowledge, Murray Fleming, of Outdoor Structures in Queanbeyan, is the only gazebo builder in the district. Murray will build to your design or show you a multiplicity of designs, in addition to children’s cubby houses and play equipment.

ANOTHER important item in any garden is the shed. I see some wonderful examples of garden sheds and pictured is a home-made shed that blends perfectly with the garden.

Features worth considering are ensuring that the shed can be securely locked, include at least one window and lay an all-weather garden path linking the shed to the house.

Painting it to blend in with the house colours is a good idea or, to camouflage it, provide a screen of lattice with climbers or a flowering hedge rather than just an evergreen hedge. An example would be the surprisingly hardy Camellia sasanqua, of which I recommend two varieties, namely Camellia sasanqua “Hiryu” or C.s. “Plantation Pink”. Alternatively, have upright metal or wooden posts about two metres apart with horizontal wires spaced 30cm apart for climbing plants.

Jottings...

• Plant the fragrant ground cover

Gardenia radicans. A dwarf form of its big sister Gardenia Florida, with the same exquisite, fragrant, white flowers, growing to just 40cm high x 50cm wide. Ideal for pots or hanging gardens.

• Prune native plants after flowering, but no more off than a quarter at any one time.

• Remove any dead growth from azaleas and give a light trim.

• Dead leaves of bulbs can be cut to ground level six weeks after flowering is finished.

• The Horticultural Society Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show is an ideal show to see what can be grown in local gardens. It will be

held at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest from noon (after judging) to 5pm on Saturday, October 31, and 11.30am-3.45pm, on Sunday, November 1. A wellstocked plant stall and refreshments will be available.

“Simon O’Neill is the most complete Otello since Placido Domingo — his grandest passages are deeply stirring”. Michael Tanner, BBC Music Magazine

DINNER AFTER THE SHOW

Seated 2‐course dinner including  wine, $75 per head in addition to the  purchase of a concert ticket.