151112 citynews

Well written, well read

Why Barr has to say no to the casino

MICHAEL MOORE

Uber delivers, despite smelly cars

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Michelle went too far after the Cup MARK PARTON

POWER POSITIVE of the

How positive people inspire JENNIE KELLETT

Fair’s fair, Malcolm, but what’s fair enough?

Possibly sensing the unfairness of being kicked out of office next October, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has suggested a slowdown in the shift from stamp duty to rates.

MESMERIC Malcolm Turnbull has declared that fairness would be central to his government’s decisions, especially the tax reform debate he and Treasurer Scott Morrison are setting in motion.

What’s fair in tax reform? Paying less, of course, and that’s never going to happen, which gave Opposition Leader Bill Shorten a welcome chance to be heard, saying Labor is “resolutely’’ opposed to touching the GST but committed to closing tax loopholes exploited by high- income earners.

And how does the PM define “fair”?

“We’ve got an egalitarian tradition and I think that the test of whether any set of measures is fair is going to be whether people look at that seems fair enough’,” he

MEANWHILE, the ACT Government is awash in tax receipts with a boost of $81 million (6 per cent), in the most recent financial year, thanks largely to what some think as the grinding far-from-fair hikes in rates. This year, rates rose an average 9 per cent making the average rise over four years 42 per cent.

But possibly sensing the unfairness of being kicked out of office next October, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has suggested a slowdown in the shift from stamp duty to rates this year.

ACT Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury thinks it’s unfair that inconsistent standards for motorcycle helmets mean riders can be breaking the law by crossing state borders (mercifully, not between the ACT and NSW).

Taking up the frustrations of riders at a meeting of state and territory transport and infrastructure ministers in Adelaide, he said some local standards had been updated to meet the latest European rules, but riders can’t buy helmets meeting the standards because of outdated Federal sale rules.

IAN MEIKLE

AND Shane may need a helmet of his own to counter the news that he and a group of fellow Greens lost a bid to shut down a defamation action over a failed attempt to expel environmental lobbyist Geoff Lazarus from the party.

Defence barrister Greg Stretton argued it was an abuse of process, unlikely to succeed and breached the proportionality principle in that the costs far exceeded any damages that could be won.

Despite the prospect of two weeks of court time and more than $500,000 in costs, associate justice David Mossop would have none of it and dismissed the application, saying that while the defence appeared strong,

the case wasn’t so hopeless or weak.

He also found the disproportion between the cost to defend and any remedy was more a poor reflection on the legal system than a reason to shut down the case.

PROBABLY not the best time of the year to be upsetting firefighters, but the announcement that former British fire chief Mark Jones has been appointed to reduce duplication and drive efficiency in the ambulance, fire and state emergency services has smoked out the United Firefighters Union, which has slammed the decision, saying what’s desperately needed is more skilled workers.

“We now have a dangerous development

where a toecutter from the UK has been announced as overseeing the strategic reform agenda,” harrumped Union secretary Greg McConville

But ESA Commissioner Dominic Lane assuringly said the reform is not about cutting firefighter numbers on the road.

NO surprise in the news that police will be targeting drunk and drugged drivers throughout the party months to January. However, during last month’s target of anti-social driving, plod was inundated with more than 300 reports of dangerous driving that included burnouts and road rage.

Acting Sergeant Clint Gordon said 15 anti-social drivers were slapped with traffic infringements last month.

“The information we’ve received from the public has helped us build a better picture of hot spots for this sort of driving behaviour,” he said. “The Cotter Road on weekends is a target area.”

AND the best story of the week defies the imagination of even Hollywood – Michelle Payne’s incredible Melbourne Cup win. It had everything, the first female jockey to win the race in its 155-year history; the winning mount Prince of Penzance strapped by her brother, Stevie, who has Down syndrome; beating odds of 100-1 and gloriously cocking a snoot at the racing establishment with the post-race comment: “Everyone else can get stuffed [who] think women aren’t good enough”. Fair enough.

Lack of funding leaves Sarah fighting for time

IN 1996, at 18, Sarah McGoram was diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) and given a year to live.

GIST is a rare disease for which there is no known cure, yet for almost 20 years she’s been beating the odds. Now the 37-year-old Canberra mum admits the fight is getting too close for comfort.

“One of my doctors, from 20 years ago, walked past me recently and was shocked to see me,” says Sarah.

“He looked at me, turned to his team of registrars and said: ‘This young lady has ridden the wave of medical research and is winning’. The race is getting closer than I’d like, but winning is the only option!

“For almost 20 years, my doctors and I have been fighting this disease. There have been 250 days in hospital, 40 blood transfusions, more than 60 CT scans, and six major operations. None of these treatments can cure the disease; they’ve simply been a fight against the symptoms while we wait for an effective drug to be developed.

“Over the past 10 years, a number of drugs have been able to slow the progression of the tumours, buying me time. I have been lucky in that these have been covered by Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, but the

drugs lose effectiveness over time.

“There are more drugs available but they won’t be funded, and Tom and I will need to meet the cost ourselves. To put this in perspective, the average cost of the drugs is $280 per day.”

This leaves Sarah and husband Tom looking for a way to privately raise $100,000 for ongoing treatment.

“We were both very hesitant about fundraising,” says Sarah.

“We were hesitant to burden people with our problem, or to ask for help –but we realised that to beat this we were going to need wider support.”

Sarah’s family has set up an online fundraiser that raised almost $50,000 in a single week and drew large support through a Facebook group called ‘Buy Time for Sarah’.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” says Sarah.

“It’s given us a fresh perspective on what might be possible and a muchneeded injection of hope”.

Support has come both through the local community in Canberra, and from NZ and the US where Sarah has family and friends.

But by far, Sarah’s biggest supporter is much closer to home; her son, George.

“He is a brave young boy,” says Sarah.

“When we talked to George about

my cancer last year he calmly replied: ‘Well cancer is bad, but it’s good that it’s a slow-growing cancer. Now the doctors just need to find a medicine to make it go away so you don’t have to keep cutting the tumours out. Once they do that then everything will be fine! Don’t you think, mummy – that sounds do-able’.

“At eight-years old, he got it in one. It is as simple as that. All we need is time for the doctors to develop a drug that makes the cancer go away.

“I have been fighting for 20 years and I will not stop. I have a wonderful marriage and a beautiful family. They give me hope and meaning and get me out of bed each day.

“We have all learned that you have to make your own meaning and not wait for it to find you. We live each week like it’s our last, because it could be.

“I’ve actively participated in every medical research clinical trial available in an effort to find a cure for GIST cancer.”

The “Buy Time for Sarah” campaign runs until December 31.

Donate online at youcaring.com/ buytimeforsarah/ or via an account set up for this fundraiser: Thomas & Sarah McGoram, Westpac, BSB 032729, account 212477.

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

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Physiotherapist Jennie Kellett. Story Page 12.

by Andrew Finch

Chasing

Why Barr needs to say no to casino gamble

Aquis should be denied access to poker machines. They took the gamble. You bet they knew the risks.

THE new Canberra Casino owners have taken a gamble. They should lose – and know what it feels like to lose.

Gambling is about carrot and stick. Hong Kong-based Aquis Entertainment purchased the Canberra Casino with a vision for a grand development.

This is the carrot.

If they win they will build two new hotels, including 100, five-star rooms. Additionally, they are prepared to build restaurants and high-end retail outlets.

The temptation for the government to accept the carrot is great, especially in an economic downturn. The promise includes creating “200 full-time new jobs and 420 ongoing jobs”. The development will be worth

They should lose.

In the ACT, poker-machine ownership is restricted to the not-for-profit sector. Assuming Aquis Entertainment did their homework, they would have known that the Canberra Casino is unique in Australia – it is a casino without poker machines.

Until now, governments have stood firm on the condition.

They should remain firm. Aquis should be denied access to poker machines. They took the gamble. You bet they knew the risks. Government should not be tempted. There is a simple reason – and this is the stick – the downsides simply outweigh the benefits.

Casino owners invariably argue that the high rollers coming to their casinos are the ones that bring tourism and big money into the community.

Nonsense! The evidence shows the opposite. Locals pay a totally disproportionate share. The burden is not distributed equitably. Problem gamblers contribute a staggering 40 per cent of the total money lost on poker machines.

Problem gamblers account for about one per cent of our population but lose about $8

billion a year, providing the lion’s share of gambling-venue profits.

This is why the industry so strongly resisted attempts by Julia Gillard’s government to introduce binding pre-commitment. Even regular gamblers, without a gambling problem, invariably plan their spending and restrict themselves to that commitment. Problem gamblers, by definition, are not able to manage such an approach.

The ACT Labor Party does have a conflict of interest on poker machine policy, being

Problems Challenges

heavily funded by Labor-affiliated clubs with poker machines.

Despite this conflict, Labor governments have restricted the number of poker machines in the ACT. The evidence is clear, the greater the poker machines, the greater the harm. The policy of restricting numbers of machines at least somewhat contains the harm.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has responded in what appears to be a sensible approach.

“We welcome their proposal... but we haven’t yet fully analysed all of the costs and benefits,” he said.

Forget it, Andrew. The benefits are exaggerated. We should learn from Tasmania where both Wrest Point and Launceston casinos started with no poker machines until the government reneged under the promise of great development opportunities, high rollers and a boost to the economy. It was a similar story in SA and the NT. The benefits never really materialised.

The costs are obvious and the evidence is clear: it is the most vulnerable in our community who will wear the costs.

In “The Conversation”, the myth of the high roller is exploded. Francis Markham, from the Australian National University, with Martin Young, from Southern Cross University, point out: “Pokies in casinos are even more harmful than those in smaller clubs and pubs.”

“All Australian casinos – bar Canberra – rely on local gamblers playing pokies.” They refer to this as “the local grind market”.

Aquis executive director Justin Fung has taken what appears to be a reasonable gamble. The odds appear to be with him. After all, other states and the NT folded under the sort of pressure he is leveraging. But it is a gamble and should be recognised as such. All members of the Legislative Assembly should respond with the same level of compassion that casinos have for problem gamblers. Well, Aquis, no poker machines. Too bad. Your choice. You gamble. You lose.

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

Uber delivers, despite the smelly cars

Those of us who have wondered why taxis in Canberra were so bad at least now have some sort of reason why.

AND so the great day has dawned and Uber has arrived in Canberra.

It’s agile, it’s disruptive, it’s modern.

Sad to say, having caught two Uber cars in the last week I can also say it’s somewhat smellier than catching a taxi.

That might be to do with the one driver continuously occupying the one vehicle and possibly to do with a bit of inexperience.

However, it is definitely the 30 per cent cheaper than a taxi we were promised.

Emerging from the kerfuffle was that taxi licence owners were a rentier class, pulling in tens of thousands of dollars a year from the actual operators without putting any work in at all.

Those of us who have wondered why taxis in Canberra were so bad at least now have some sort of reason why.

To be honest the Uber software is not dramatically better than using the “book and track” mobile website application Canberra Cabs has brought out.

The difference is about what you’d expect between a company (Uber) worth billions of dollars and a local company worth mere millions.

The local offering does 80 per cent of the job. But the extra sparkle and polish of the Uber app is evident.

For a start, it shows you where all the cars are in your vicinity in real time even before booking them.

Once a car has taken your ride there’s a second-by-second depiction of its journey to collect you.

Then there’s the joy of Uber taking care of the payments.

When your car pulls up at your destination it’s a simple matter of thanking the driver for their efforts and stepping out.

Moments later Uber emails you what they’ve determined your fare

to have been and asks you to rate your driver.

Perhaps not that much better than paywaving a card in a taxi, but much less friction.

One of the drivers I spoke to was pretty happy with it all and seemed to have been busy, making over $300 on a Saturday night.

At the same time, for my ride he’d spent 15 minutes getting to me, and nearly as long taking me to my destination for an $11 fare.

According to Google, Uber takes a dollar off the top and then 20 per cent, so half an hour’s work netted him $8 before tax and super.

The next day though, I tried something else. I jumped on the bus.

It’s true I’m lucky to have a bus that runs between my front door and the palatial offices of “CityNews”, but most inner-city residents who work in Civic share in this fortune.

The MyBus app informed me there was a bus coming in four minutes, I grabbed my bag and scooted out the door and waited about 60 seconds until the bus hove into view.

With a MyWay card the bus cost $2.91 and took roughly the same amount of time as the Uber car.

(It is worth noting the bus smelt significantly better than either of the Uber cars I took.)

So for a single person (I note that the equations for families or even couples are utterly different) the bus when convenient is, since the advent of Google maps and real-time bus tracking on nxtbus and MyBus, better still.

Which does have me thinking, and thinking deeply. As an Inner Northican I make most of my trips by bicycle. The car is mostly for a weekly big shop and the rare rainy day. But a car costs at the very minimum a couple of thousand dollars a year to run.

Let’s assume a $10 fare each way to do the weekly shopping. $20 a week, works out around a grand. That’s before we even start to think about the cost of parking. It might be time to sell the car before everyone else starts thinking the same thing.

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

Warmth brings out the worst in carp

By Kate Meikle

CARP are a major problem for ACT waterways and it’s time to keep a watch out for them, says Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch Facilitator, Woo O’Reilly.

“Carp feed on the bottom of the waterways, which creates cloudiness in the water, affecting water quality by stirring up the nutrients and they also compete with native fish,” she says.

Carp are prevalent in Lake Burley Griffin, Murrumbateman and Molonglo Rivers. Their breeding season has commenced with the rise in water temperature – 20°C is their optimal water temperature for breeding.

“One female carp can lay up to one million eggs each season,” says Woo. “They are obvious fish at this time of year, they can be seen splashing at the top of the water and depositing their jelly-like eggs on the edge of the water in the shallows and in vegetation.”

The team at Waterwatch is appealing to the public to help log carp sightings to give them a better understanding about where they are breeding to help inform their management of this pesky fish.

Carp Loves 20°C is the name of the new campaign by the ACT Environment and Planning Directorate.

“Log your sightings on the Feral Fish Scan website to help us put together a clearer picture of carp hot spots. It’s valuable information to know about carp’s movements to better control them,” says Woo.

Carp Loves 20°C will run until December 7. Visit feralfishscan.org.au to log a carp sighting and go into the draw to win a prize.

Vacancies - Domestic Violence Prevention Council

The ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate is calling for expressions of interest for appointment to three vacant positions on the Domestic Violence Prevention Council.

The Council, which was established under the Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986, has a number of functions including reducing the incidence of domestic violence offences in the ACT, improving collaboration between ACT Government agencies, and providing advice to the ACT Attorney-General on issues related to domestic violence. Further information about the work of the Council is available on the Council website at www.dvpc.org.au

Under the Act, the Council consists of the ACT Domestic Violence Project Coordinator and 12 other members, including at least six ‘community members’. The three vacant positions are for community members who must be familiar with, and capable of representing, the views and interests of the community on matters relating to domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Prevention Council meets monthly. In addition to these meetings, members are expected to undertake additional work out of session including reading, preparation for meetings, and participating in sub-committees. The ability of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council to effectively discharge its statutory functions is dependent on members’ capacities to contribute in this manner.

Members are not remunerated for their work on the Council. Reimbursement for Council members’ expenses may be available on request. Successful nominees will be asked to sign a declaration to abide by the ACT Government’s Code of Conduct for Committees.

Nominations for these positions should be submitted by close of business Friday 13 November 2015

Expressions of interest of up to 2 pages addressing the requirements of a community member, together with a curriculum vitae, can be emailed to HYPERLINK “mailto:dvpc@act.gov.au” dvpc@act.gov.au or mailed to:

The Secretariat,

ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council

ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate

GPO Box 158

Canberra ACT 2601.

Job secrets take Kate to the top

Kate Meikle reports

CANBERRA

recruiter

Kate Prior is topping off her company’s 10-year anniversary with a book that’s become a runaway hit on Amazon.

Principal of Yarralumla-based face2face, Kate recently launched her e-book, “Resume Success Secrets”, which has become an instant hit on Amazon, being the “number one” book in the job hunting and the business and investing Australia categories.

Kate is excited and proud of her book’s success, which covers practical help to get job seekers’ resumes to stand out from the pack.

“Over my career, I have placed 1500 people in jobs and would have interviewed thousands of job seekers. I was telling people the same messages over again about how to improve their resumes,” says Kate.

“I found a lot of great candidates were missing out because their resumes are letting them down.

“The book has easy steps, templates and tips on how to prepare a resume, references, as well as interview techniques.

“Time-poor employers spend only 60 seconds scanning each resume. I recommend that resumes are written in bullet points and are specifically tailored for the job.”

Kate also encourages job seekers to review the privacy settings on their social media profiles, as employers are having a look at candidate’s digital footprint.

And Kate’s take on the debate of including a photo or not?

“If well done and taken especially for that purpose, I think a photo can be advantageous to help employers get a real sense of who you are,” says Kate.

“But, please, no shots of guys proudly holding up a big fish or ladies dressed up in their evening gowns! Keep it professional.”

Kate reveals there are more books to come in the future covering topics such as interviews, mature age and graduate job seekers.

“Resume Success Secrets” is available at Amazon.com

Native

plant sale

THE final plant sale of the year in aid of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens will be held in the carpark, 8.30am-11am, on Saturday, November 14. The Growing Friends Spring Native Plant Sale provides Canberra gardeners the chance to buy plants for $3 and $5 that are produced from cuttings and seeds from within the Gardens – many of which are not commercially available from local nurseries. Plant list available at anbgfriends.org.au

Roses are red...

THE Horticultural Society’s Spring Flower Exhibition and Rose Show will be held at Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, after judging, noon-5pm, on Saturday, November 14, and 11am-3.45pm on Sunday, November 15. Entry by gold coin donation.

Fun of the twilight fair

CURTIN Primary School celebrates its 50th birthday with a Twilight Fair featuring carnival rides, live music, raffle, barbecue, games, books, plants and a white elephant stall. The fun’s at the school in Theodore Street, 5pm-8.30pm, Friday, November 13.

Disability seminar

CEREBRAL Palsy Alliance is running a free seminar open to parents or carers of children under six years of age living with a disability. Early childhood expert Cathy Otten will explore the benefits of early education and therapeutic services. It’s at Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Scullin, 6pm-7.30pm, Monday, November 17. Registration is essential at 6199 0600 or email ACTCPA@cerebralpalsy.org.au

Free needles spread infection

I READ with interest the comments by John Didlick, executive officer, Hepatitis ACT (letters, CN, October 22). Once again there was a suggestion for needles in the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

But Geoffrey Farrell, professor of hepatic medicine at the ANU, wrote earlier this year that “injection of contaminated blood by drug users is now virtually the only means of acquiring the virus [hep C]”, adding that “even those we successfully treat easily become reinfected because of continued drug-taking using unsafe practices.”

Approximately 250 million needles over the past 30 years have been distributed to the Australian community (Victoria alone issues about four million annually), numbers of hep C sufferers have risen from around 25,000 30 years ago to a staggering 230,000 (Hep C Council) today.

It is known that up to 28 per cent of needles are contaminated through shared use. So free needles are actually contributing disproportionately to the spread of the infection as evidenced by the increase in sufferers.

If two offenders can avoid the law for eight years, does anyone seriously believe addicted inmates will suddenly abide by the rules and not, at their convenience, multi-use?

drowning in Australia.

All types of people are drowning in rivers from young children to the elderly. What is most alarming is that almost three quarters of people who drowned in rivers, were close to their home and a majority were male.

So, why are so many drowning in our local rivers?

The flat, still surface of a river, gives a false sense of security. You can’t see ice-cold water, snags like tree branches or strong currents but they can be lethal.

Dangerous activities such as consuming alcohol, driving through floodwaters and not wearing a lifejacket are also adding to the alarming figures.

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia has launched a campaign to save lives on Australian rivers and is asking when enjoying our rivers to please remember to: always wear a lifejacket; avoid alcohol around water; never swim alone and learn lifesaving skills.

It’s simple – Respect the River.

More information at royallifesaving.com.au/respecttheriver

Justin Scarr, CEO, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia

Respect the rivers

Barton

Colliss Parrett, Drug Advisory Council Australia,

I WOULD like to highlight to your readers that 993 people have drowned in a river, creek or stream in the past 13 years. This makes rivers the leading location for

Write to us

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601.

Persian Rug & Art Collections

Australia remembers and chooses to forget

One hundred and thirty four German sailors were killed in the battle. Australia has chosen to neither maintain nor identify the location of the cemetery.

I HAVE just returned from Malayasia, including Sabah (Borneo). Robyn and I were keen to experience the diversity, culture and history of Malayasia, see the orangutans, pygmy elephants, sun bears and the other stunning fauna in Borneo.

In these troubled times, with so much strife in the world involving relations between Muslim and nonMuslim people, we found it reassuring, as guests in a majority Muslim nation, to be reminded in everything we did and saw each day, and in all our interactions with the people of Malayasia, of how much in common all of humanity has.

However, man’s inhumanity to man, specifically the treatment by the Japanese of Australian and British servicemen in the Sandakan POW Camp in Borneo and the associated death marches is my most enduring and vivid memory of our holiday.

Almost 2500 Australian and British prisoners of war, about 1700 of them Australian, were transferred by the Japanese to Sandakan after the fall of Singapore in 1942.

The men were put to work constructing an airstrip.

By late 1944 only 1900 prisoners were still alive. In January, 1945, the airstrip was destroyed by the advancing Allies and the Japanese commenced a series of forced marches, the “death marches” of prisoners from Sandakan to Ranau, a distance of 260 kilometres.

When Borneo was reoccupied at the end of the war, only six Australian prisoners of war remained alive.

It is generally accepted, without argument, that these events are the single worst atrocity ever suffered by Australian servicemen.

The site of the Sandakan POW Camp has been preserved. The Australian Government, to its great credit, has built a fitting and evocative memorial inside the camp in the area where the Australian barracks were located.

The road from the camp upon which the men set out on their journey to Ranau, and death, is still there.

It is a sacred and unutterably sad place.

I said a prayer for the men who died on the road and silently expressed the hope, which I did not feel, that their souls were at peace.

The power and significance of the Sandakan POW memorial is a reminder of how important it is, without distinction, to both not forget and to honour the sacrifice of all those who die in war.

By and large, this is something that Australia does well, but there is some inconsistency in our national response and some issues that warrant review.

Instances of this inconsistency, or perhaps more truthfully disinterest, can be found in the Australian ter-

ritories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

For example, North Keeling Island in the Cocos Islands is the site of the only World War I cemetery in Australia.

The cemetery is not marked or recorded.

It is completely overgrown by jungle.

It is a German War cemetery and it contains the bodies of sailors from the SS Emden, who perished in its battle with HMAS Sydney.

One hundred and thirty four German sailors were killed in the battle.

JON STANHOPE

Australia has chosen to neither maintain nor identify the location of the cemetery.

The treatment by the Commonwealth of the remains of the “unknown sailor” from HMAS Sydney, who was washed ashore on Christmas Island and buried there in 1942, after the ship was sunk by a German raider with the loss of all hands, has disturbed many of the residents of the island.

The body was disinterred by the Commonwealth in 2006 for the stated purpose of seeking a viable DNA sample for identification.

In what almost all Christmas Island residents regard as a massive breach of faith and a sacrilegious disregard for the soul of the sailor, his body was not returned to Christmas Island but

was reburied in 2008 in Geraldton. I am advised that the grave in the Geraldton cemetery is isolated, poorly identified and forlorn.

The people of Christmas Island took seriously their guardianship of the remains of the unknown sailor and of their obligation to honour and respect his memory.

They would like the Commonwealth to return the body to the place in which it had rested, for more than 60 years, in the heart of their community.

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.

Feisty Michelle went too far after Cup

I’m not

a big fan of

Mark Latham, but in regards to Michelle Payne and the Melbourne Cup, I’m with him.

THE whole town’s still talking about Michelle Payne and her amazing Melbourne Cup victory. And so it should.

Michelle is a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by blokes and people with obscene amounts of money. The whole country fell in love with this feisty little battler and her equally gorgeous brother Stevie. What a story!

Former Opposition Leader Mark Latham is being knocked from pillar to post for daring to suggest that Michelle might have been a little out of line with some of her post-race comments.

I’m not a big fan of Latham. I think he’s a buffoon, who now spends his life trying to shock and offend the nation, but in regards to Michelle and the Melbourne Cup, I’m with him.

All that Latham said on “The Verdict”, on the Nine Network, is that the rider shouldn’t have been so critical of those owners who wanted to take her off the horse.

The former Labor leader

said that those discussions should be kept private and I think he’s right.

If you own a racehorse, you pay money each week or each month for that horse’s upkeep and training. As such you have the right to question the efforts of any jockey who rides your horse.

I think owners should always seek the advice of their trainer, but they certainly have the right to say to the owner: “I didn’t like the ride. Can we get someone else to ride this horse?”

Owners ask those questions every day of the week and, despite what Michelle may believe, gender usually has nothing to do with it. If you think the jockey “murdered” your horse then you’ll make some noise about it and try to get someone else on it.

I pay tribute to Michelle Payne as the first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup. I pay tribute to her for her journey and for everything that she’s achieved. But I don’t think it was fair to so publicly bag the owners who dared to question her position on the horse.

Just because she perceives this to be about gender doesn’t mean that it is.

I had a conversation about this with one of the genuine female trailblazers in the local racing industry, the great Barbara Joseph. Barb does not agree with Michelle Payne that racing is a chauvinistic industry.

She continued to focus on the great female strides forward during the many years that she’s

been involved.

“These days when you turn up to track work here in Canberra, most of the riders are women anyway,” she said.

property

Designing a way to better health

WE Australians like to think of ourselves as active, outdoorsy types. But the data tells a different story.

Two thirds of us are overweight or obese and more than half of us live sedentary lifestyles with little or no physical activity.

Did you know that 10 per cent of all car trips in Australia are for journeys less than a kilometre? This is the equivalent of a 10-minute walk. Thirty per cent of all car trips are less than three kilometres. When it takes just 30 minutes of physical activity a day to make a difference to a person’s health and wellbeing, it’s easy to see how those car trips can quickly add up to a weight problem.

This looming healthcare crisis is, as the author of “Walkable City”, Jeff Speck, says, an “urban design problem”.

In fact, the Heart Foundation says our urban environment is so central to our lifestyles that our postcode has become a key determinant of our prospect for

Heading to

UK

MILLINER Cynthia Jones-Bryson has won a trip for two to London, accommodation and a shopping spree after winning the Oaks Day Millinery Award at the Melbourne spring racing carnival at Flemington. The winning headpiece, modelled by Alice Anderson, featured three coloured spiked balls atop of one another.

Going for a song

CANBERRA Harmony Chorus will sing at the last meeting of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club for the year at the Versatile Restaurant, Gold Creek Village, from 11.30am on Wednesday, November 25. Lunch is $30 and RSVPs to 6166 2874 before noon, Monday, November 23.

Christmas goodies

CANCER research supporters, the Bold Bandannas’ Relay for LIfe Team, will sell homemade preserves, pickles, chutneys, lemon butter, shortbread, Christmas puddings and cakes at the charity space of the Fyshwick Markets, 8am-5pm, on Sunday, November 22.

Tips from a farmer

LOCAL farmer Martyn Noakes will demonstrate different options to build a space-saving, vertical herb spiral and suggest what to plant at the Canberra Environment Centre, 6pm-8pm, on Tuesday, November 24. The cost is $20 and bookings via ecoaction.com.au

living a healthy life.

Canberra’s built environment industry understands it has a role to play in creating a healthy city. Good design and people-friendly spaces and places enhance liveability and promote active lifestyles by encouraging walking, cycling, public transport and active recreation. Parks and footpaths, bike lanes and landscaped walking trails can encourage us to get moving.

Each year the Property Council hosts the annual Pedal Pursuit. On Wednesday, November 11, hard hats and suits will make way for Lycra when teams tackle the 20km or 40km courses before returning to Stromlo Forest for a networking breakfast.

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

For more information about the review, please visit www.justice.act.gov.au/review/view/41/title/review-of-the-retirement-villages

‘We are often overwhelmed with applications from really great designers producing exceptional work’

The Undercurrent Design Market Market makes its mark with unique

THE Curatoreum started the Undercurrent Design Market six years ago when it was a single store, trading at the Portrait Gallery.

Run by husband-and-wife team Richard Baz and Melanie O’Hanlon, Undercurrent has become an anticipated annual event where Canberrans can meet and support a range of Australia’s unique designers.

“From its humble beginnings, Undercurrent has grown each consecutive year with 2015 spanning three days and offering the most variety of designers to date,” says Richard.

“The market begins at the National Portrait Gallery at 5pm, on Friday, November 27, with live music and a bar and continues over the weekend.

“This year’s cohort consists of more than 70 artists from varied disciplines across Australia.

“Choosing the final line-up has gotten harder each year as we are often overwhelmed with applications from really great designers producing exceptional work.”

Richard says the continuing success of Undercurrent is due largely to the quality of the designers, as well as the nature of local shoppers. “Canberrans know good design when they see it and appreciate the level of skill and time it takes to create unique items,” he says.

“I also think Canberrans are looking for something unique and they are interested in the provenance of their purchases.”

This year’s market is again timed to coincide with the frenzy of the Christmas trade. Melanie and Richard believe that everyone will be able to “find something unique” for their loved ones, while also supporting local artisans.

“We have included a wide range for men, women and children from jewellery, clothing, textiles, glassware and ceramics to stationary, leather goods and handmade footwear,” says Richard.

The couple have been passionately supporting Australian designers for many years and find it difficult to name their favourites.

“I can’t really name a favourite, as the offerings are all so diverse,” says Melanie.

“But like many Canberrans, I’m keen to see what new offerings some of our regular designers have for this year, as well as seeing first hand some of the work from the new additions.”

The couple says there will be many local artists represented again this year.

“This region is home to many internationally acclaimed glass artists, and returning again

are Annette Blair, with her refined approach to simplicity of form and colour, and Harriet Schwarzrock, whose work is collected by many astute Canberrans,” says Richard.

Another local Undercurrent regular is Alison Jackson, who trained in gold and silver at the ANU School of Art.

“Since then she has consistently made beautiful and precise jewellery and tableware,” says Richard.

“In addition to having a local following, Alison is making a name for herself nationally and overseas; her new tableware collection was endorsed by acclaimed chef and ‘Masterchef’ judge Gary Mehigan.

“Milk and Masuki, an indy kids fashion label, will be at the market again this year striking the new summer season of organic cotton clothing for kids.

“Behind the brand is a young couple with two children who were really dismayed with the coarse quality of kids’ clothing. As artists they started screen printing and sewing their designs into unique but durable outfits.

“With bold street style and artist-designed prints their designs inject a bit of cool into the organic baby and kids’ wear scene.

“For the shoe lovers out there, Undercurrent is pleased to welcome back Melbourne cobbler Catherine Casey.

“Her bespoke shoes are all handmade and

delicate yet durable one-offs that are truly amazing. Another anticipated regular will be Simon King from All the Kings Men, along with his handcrafted leather bags and satchels he offers locals the only opportunity to purchase their Duckfeet footwear in Canberra.”

Richard says that exciting new additions this year include Bula’bula Arts, which is flying in with some of its weaving and baskets, as well as a new range of production-ware from the indigenous community of Ramingining in Arnhem Land.

“Then, from the opposite end of Australia, Nanna Woo is bringing a beautiful range of handcrafted ‘eco-resin’ jewellery from Hobart,” he says.

A full list of stallholders is at The Curatoreum’s Facebook page. More information at 6210 7170

quality gifts

Jennie thrives on the power of the positive

PHYSIOTHERAPIST Jennie Kellett believes one of the secrets of success is being surrounded by people as committed as she is to providing the best quality care in Canberra.

What’s more, the founder of Hawker Place Physiotherapy & Pilates, credits her positive team for the long-term success of the business.

The booming practice is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“I have watched my current team grow with great pride. Positive people bounce off each other – they support and respect each other and help each other grow and reach their full potential,” she says.

“Our aim is to set the standard in physiotherapy and clinical Pilates services in Canberra.”

Over the years, Hawker Place Physiotherapy & Pilates has expanded and adapted according to demand from the community, says Jennie.

“Two years ago we moved into these premises and started running clinical Pilates classes, which have grown exponentially – we have increased classes since we started at the beginning of 2014 from 8 to 28 just to keep up with demand,” she says.

The practice includes four highly trained physiotherapists – senior physios Dr Angie Fearon (The Hip Physio), Dr Irmina Nahon (continence and pelvic pain), Dr Cherie Wells, who recently completed her doctorate in Pilates and Low Back Pain, physiotherapists and Pilates instructors Grant Sutherland and Julia McDonald.

“Angie, Irmina and Cherie all work in the physiotherapy department at UC, so we are fortunate to have them hold sessions at the practice,” Jennie says.

There’s also administrator Di Smith; practice manager Lizzie Kellett; receptionist Maria Koumalatsos; administrator Shannon Kellett; website administrator Cameron Kellett; casual receptionist Phoebe Partridge; physiotherapist Uta Mitchell; Ashley Wiley, who is trained in lymphoedema management and will complete Level 2 in 2016 and yoga teacher JoJo Azurin. Some are family members or have been with the team for more than 20 years, Jennie says.

With her 25th anniversary in private practice approaching, Jennie says she has reflected on what keeps her so motivated.

“It’s satisfying to wake up every morning eager to go to work and keen to learn more,” she says.

“There was a period a few years ago where I did consider retirement, but then the opportunity arose to move into larger premises and extend the scope of the practice to include clinical Pilates.

“It was such a huge step, but from the moment the idea was conceived I had the same vision and excitement about this project that I had when I first set up in the Hawker Medical Centre 25 years ago – I felt driven.

“I think a few people thought I was crazy, but my family

and close friends supported me 100 per cent.”

Jennie says that it had been many years since she completed her Pilates training through Dance Medicine Australia up to Level 3, but when she decided to expand she also completed Level 4 (the highest level) and then took on retraining through the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute over 18 months.

“It was much more comprehensive training and involved passing two written and practical exams to become accredited – at this stage of my career and life (I’m 60 this year) it was not a fun thing to do exams again,” she says.

“Two of my other physios, Grant Sutherland and Julia McDonald, have also recently completed their APPI training and passed all their exams. I feel this gives us a sense of authority in the area of clinical Pilates and is possibly the reason this side of the business has grown so much in such a short time.”

Jennie says she has a particular interest in promoting healthy bones, muscles and tendons in peri and postmenopausal women.

“Based on current research, I have developed an understanding of how these changes, while normal, can be minimised with appropriate exercise. It’s really important to stay up to date and current on new developments in physiotherapy and Pilates, I believe this is one of the reasons people trust us and keep coming back.”

In the past two years, Jennie says she and the team have attended many accredited courses that have kept them up to date with current research and best practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

“One of the skills I’ve developed through courses and private training this year has been in real-time ultrasound for the rehabilitation of muscles particularly around the upper thigh and the hip,” she says.

“I’ve found that when people can directly view the muscles they need to work on and how they ‘feel’, it can really improve their recovery.”

Jennie encourages an ethos of ongoing development and learning in the practice and even regularly hosts and teaches university students.

“We have had some wonderful students – full of vitality and enthusiasm, and it’s exciting to watch them develop skills and consolidate their knowledge in a practical nurturing environment,” she says.

Jennie believes that the reason clinical Pilates has become so popular is due to the small classes, the variety of exercise, the educational aspect, and the individual attention and feedback available at the practice.

“Pilates is such a great addition to the practice, it’s not just rewarding to help people get fit and feel good, it is also extremely rewarding watching friendship groups develop and seeing the encouragement participants give each other in class,” she says.

Hawker Place Physiotherapy & Pilates, Unit 1, Playoust Building, 108 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 6255 2033.

Successful women in business

Deborah Keenan

OWNER

Customer service is the number one priority for me.

It is all about making my customers feel at ease and giving them that extra touch of personal service hopefully making them feel special.

Offering something different away from the mainstream gives my customers uniqueness when purchasing a gift along with

good quality. Competing with Etrade means working hard at giving the best possible customer service you can so your customers feel happy about wanting to return to your store and that’s success!

Beautiful Gifting, 84 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan 2620; call 0419 627210; email beautifulgifting@gmail.com

Marlene Stolt

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT

Marlene is a management consultant with specific expertise in supporting large-scale transformation in public sector organisations.

A determined mind and the confidence that small but steady steps will give desired results are only some factors that have helped her achieve her career goals to date.

Marlene also finds that a focus on finding and maintaining the right balance between business and family has been critical to sustaining good career results while reaping rewards from all levels of life.

Callida Consulting, 17 Murray Crescent, Griffith 2603; callida.com.au, call 6162 3339; email marlene.stolt@callida.com.au

Nyka Tea DIRECTOR

Choose Properties is a client-centric property investment and education company.

Our success comes from understanding our clients’ personal situation and goals before we recommend the best strategy and property options. We do not recommend properties that we ourselves will not buy. We simplify all processes, assist and handhold our

clients through the entire property purchase process until our clients find suitable tenants.

We stand for integrity, honesty and tailor our solutions by finding the best properties for each individual client. We work with other professionals such as financial advisers, accountants, mortgage lenders to help make our clients’ property purchase as stress free as possible.

Rowland House, 6/10 Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600; call 1300 393 321; email nyka@chooseproperties.com.au; chooseproperties.com.au

STYLE & QUALITY

Kimberley Macdonald

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT

The secret to my success comes from the fact that I love what I do.

Enjoying what you do gives you the motivation to perform your best each and every day. Being motivated results in brilliant outcomes for you and your clients.

Callida Consulting, 17 Murray Crescent, Griffith 2603; callida.com.au; call 6162 3339; email info@callida.com.au

Annette Blair

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR / INDEPENDENT GLASSBLOWER

I’m passionate about making things with my hands and have been blowing glass for 15 years. I love the process, it’s hot, challenging and takes years of practice. I run my own business, which has many facets.

I make works for exhibition, tableware ranges, private commissions, work as a gaffer (creating objects in hot glass for other

artists and designers) and teach in Australia and the US. Examples of my work can be viewed at annetteblairglass.com.

I also recently joined the team at Canberra Glassworks, working with businesses, special events and the many skilled artists who use our facility to create anything from one-off commissions to trophies and corporate gifts.

11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston; canberraglassworks.com; call 6260 7005; email production@canberraglassworks.com

Jess Usback

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

SUCCESS doesn’t just come down to one thing, but definitely start by surrounding yourself with smart people and be humble enough to learn off them.

Then develop your team and give them the freedom to learn.

Create an atmosphere of innovation and positivity and let your employees thrive.

I also believe in giving back to the community that supports you. Give whatever you can, even if its simply your time, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, volunteering or on a bigger scale, kick-starting a grass roots campaign. This type of service will help to establish you within your community and pay off in the long run.

Energy Fitness, 90 Hardwick Crescent, Holt 2615; call 6254 8848 energyfitnesscentre.com.au; info@energyfitnesscentre.com.au

Escala have brought the very best of European style and quality to Canberra for over 30 years. Come and see our gorgeous collections and experience the friendly service.

Chartered Accountant

Kerrie Jarius

DIRECTOR

THE secret to success comes from a love of business and helping people by ensuring there is a win win for our customers and our staff.

I am passionate about helping business owners grow their business without the admin ruling their lives to the wee small hours of the morning. Life in small business is hectic enough without

having to worry about GST and all the other stuff that goes with that. I enjoy seeing the difference we can make to our customers professional and personal lives through providing accurate and up-to-date financials, support, and encouragement. When GST is a pain in the BAS call us!

Fax n Figures Bookkeeping, PO Box 1009, Queanbeyan 2620, faxnfigures.com.au, 6283 5666, info@faxnfigures.com.au

Gail Freeman

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

The secret to Gail’s success is having a number of strings to her bow. Gail is a Chartered Accountant, financial planner, taxation specialist, self-managed superannuation fund adviser as well as a trainer. This unique set of qualifications enables Gail to assist clients on many levels and provide thorough guidance in a onestop-shop setting.

Gail loves seemingly insurmountable challenges and relishes the success of her clients. She enjoys giving back to the community and has served on numerous not-for-profit boards. Gail has been instrumental in seeing many of them manage their finances more effectively, as well as providing financial education to the rest of the board.

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd, 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston 2604; gailfreeman.com.au; call 6295 2844; email gail@gailfreeman.com.au

Patty Giorgio

BUSINESS OWNER

GIORGIO’S Hair & Beauty Bar is celebrating nine years of excellence and continues to follow design and create new fashion hair trends by keeping up to date season to season.

We promote this fundamental principle with countless hours, total commitment and teamwork.

Through knowledge, advance

courses and the highest level of hair care products, my trusted staff are able to achieve stunning results for our clients.

We are now at a new location with a bigger salon including a beauty room.

We’re on a mission, for nothing succeeds like success… that’s my secret.

Giorgio’s Hair & Beauty Bar, Shop 8, Calwell Shopping Centre, Calwell 2905; call 6292 7839; pattyg2610@gmail.com

Becky Fleming

OWNER / DIRECTOR

I own Kokoloco Dance Studio, a company that teaches Latin and commercial dance to all ages and levels.

We run group classes, private lessons, teach bridal couples, create dance events, kids parties, hire professional dancers for weddings, functions and festivals, travel to teach and perform and more.

Julie Ford Dip FP, CFP

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

I help building company owners, engineers, civil contractors, tradesmen and technical services professionals to implement personal insurances that will provide the financial protection and security they, and their families need.

I’m there when I’m needed most, co-ordinating income protection, life, trauma and ac-

I’m very fortunate to have a passionate and talented team of instructors who help to share and inspire our love for dance in our students everyday. We all love dance, and to make a positive difference in people’s lives is the best reward and reason for doing what we do. Come and see for yourself!

Kokoloco Dance Studio, Level 1, 9-11 Dundas Court, Phillip 2606; kokoloco.com.au; call 6282 9666; email info@kokoloco.com.au

cidental injury claims so that full entitlements are received quickly. That’s my commitment.

Ford and Associates Pty Ltd, 54 Pridham Street, Farrer 2607; thefordgroup.com.au; call 6288 3683; email jford@iaa.net.au

Bethany Freeman-Chandler CPA

Bethany’s secret to her success comes from her passion for people and her desire to help.

One of her greatest skills is her ability to simplify even the most complex things. With 20 years working as an accountant, she has a lot of experience with many types of businesses.

Bethany spends most of her time working with clients in their

premises to help them simplify their systems while still remaining compliant with current reporting requirements.

Bethany is familiar with a number of computerised accounting packages and this knowledge helps her and her clients keep their data meaningful and accurate. Bethany loves assisting her clients to reach their goals.

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd, 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston, 2604 gailfreeman.com.au; call 6295 2844; bethany@gailfreeman.com.au

Myca Field

DIRECTOR

THE secret to my success stems from my upbringing – my parents taught me from an early age the importance of upholding the good name of the family, that being honest and reliable were the two most important characteristics a person could have. As years passed this flowed into my professional career, along-with my aspiration to provide excellent customer service while

showing loyalty and generosity to my colleagues and staff. Initially, I forged a career in real estate but withdrew from corporate life to have children. Subsequently, Toby and I opened the doors to our first used car dealership and here we are 23 years later. Today, we have two of our sons working alongside us and our business continues to go from strength to strength!

House of Cars, 11 Divine Court, Phillip 2606; houseofcars.com.au; call 1300 000462; myca@houseofcars.com.au

Arety Krikonis

OWNER / FOUNDER

The secret to my success is my clients!

Building a rapport with my clients has allowed me to develop strong client relationships. My clients know that when they come to me, my attention is solely focused on them, and I’ll go the extra mile to ensure they’re happy.

As my client base has grown,

my business has gone from strength to strength.

I started as a small tanning shop specialising in tans for sensitive and allergy skins, like mine.

I now provide a range of beauty services and organic, natural and vegan beauty products for tanning, skincare and make-up.

Luscious Glow – Spray Tanning Canberra, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Lachlan St, Macquarie 2614; spraytanningcanberra.com; 0431 796057

Merrill Vellenoweth

MANAGING DIRECTOR

My secret to surviving in business is to maintain a positive attitude, no matter what. Business, like life, is a mixture of ups and downs. It is essential to keep focused on the end goal.

My aim is to exceed the clients’ brief, delivering the “wow” factor. This ensures customer satisfaction and builds my reputation for innovative design solutions.

I treat everyone in a friendly respectful manner. Consideration for my suppliers and those I work with is paramount. A bit of old-fashioned courtesy is never out of place.

A good work ethic is essential. You need to put in the hours and deliver the projects on time. I love my business and maintain a passion for the creative process.

Merrill Design Australia Pty Ltd, PO Box 7, Fyshwick 2609; merrilldesign.com.au; call 0409 903797; merrilldesign@netspeed.com.au

Shelley Thomson

DIRECTOR

Silence is golden… and one of the simple secrets of Canberra business consultant Shelley Thomson’s success.

“People in business have incredible instincts for their niche, and often lose touch with it as the business grows, or sales plateau. I ask pertinent questions and let people talk.”

Retail therapy of a different

kind? Maybe, but it is a factor that has helped propel Shelley’s business, retail360, to one of Canberra’s leading retail businesscoaching companies. retail360 looks at each business as a customer might and focuses on improving the customer’s experience. This leads to more sales and a better bottom line. Now, that’s a secret worth sharing.

retail360, GPO Box 1354, Canberra 2601; retail360.com.au; call 0412 057116; email shelley@retail360.com.au

Rianna Macdougall

DIRECTOR

Passion has allowed me to develop my business while starting a family. A belief in my own capabilities, misguided or not, has allowed me to achieve things plenty of my friends have told me are a little optimistic.

I love to be challenged because I believe in myself and want to be proud of my achievements. I am pleased to have moved on from ri-

diculous hours, sleeping on a mattress right next to my computer, trying to get my first magazine issue out on time. That just isn’t possible now I have two toddlers hassling me for sandwiches. Now I focus on managing others’ talents to assist me in developing my cheerleading gym to provide the best possible program for happy and successful athletes.

Sirens Cheerleaders; Unit 1E, 5 Pelle Street, Mitchell 2911; 0419 366405; cheerleadersaustralia.com.au; rianna@cheerleadersaustralia.com.au

Michelle Driscoll

OWNER

THE secret to my success is the coming together of many things.

A great starting point is loving what I do and endeavouring to be the best therapist in my field.

In order to achieve this, I believe it is essential to be thoroughly trained and committed to ongoing professional development.

Working with such a powerful

modality as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy has contributed to my success. This is because of its non-invasive and gentle ability to resolve pain and trauma. I believe in creating a safe and supportive environment for my clients, and am rewarded with their trust and knowledge that I am committed to their health and wellbeing.

Michelle Driscoll, 49 Jardine Street, Kingston 2604, michelle-driscoll.com, 0411 281586, info@michelle-driscoll.com

Riana Janse van Rensburg

OWNER

Through my passion for the health and beauty industry from an early age and being brought up with a family who owned a pharmacy in South Africa, I undertook relevant training and qualifications to enter this profession.

In 1989 I started my first clinic, which has evolved and relocated from South Africa to Australia in 2010, where I now own and man-

age Riana’s Health and Skin Care Clinic. This has provided clients with a diverse range of services. As a result of these initiatives, my client base also increased through excellent word-of-mouth referrals.

In South Africa, in 2013, I took my passion further by achieving accreditation to train and teach for ITEC International and commenced my academy this year.

Riana’s Health and Skin Care Clinic, 111 Clive Steele Ave, Monash 2904, riana-centre.com.au, 6166 2265, ihcentre@gmail.com

Karen Porter CEO

The secret of my success comes from my ability to see what the market needs and how to fill it.

There is a real weakness in Canberra homes in terms of insulation and I am determined that I will be a driver in true energy efficient homes in Canberra.

I love forming relationships with my clients and seeing the value that I can add to their

homes and their comfort levels. The secret to surviving in business is to give the business everything that you have in the early years. Once the business is more mature, you can pull back a little and have some time out. All of your energy, drive and dedication needs to go into the business. Having a firm vision will also help so you can map your path.

Solace Creations Windows and Doors, 79 Dundas Court, Phillip 2606, solacecreations.com.au, 62601621, karen@solacecreations.com.au

Michelle Chant

PRINCIPAL & MASTER COACH

Increasingly we’re finding people are feeling dissatisfied with their lives. This ranges from losing their passion for life, to realising their identity is built around their business persona and they have no idea who they are without it.

The AuthenticallyYou Co. specialises in working with women who are committed to making

real change in their lives. We’re an alliance of certified coaches, kinesiologists and complementary therapists committed to opening our clients up to the inspiring possibilities for their life – to guide them in learning how to tune into their truth and live their lives from a space of grace and authenticity.

The AuthenticallyYou Co.; 180/142 Anketell Street, Gordon 2906; theauthenticallyyou.co; call 0402 504788; email michelle@theauthenticallyyou.co

Catherine Smith

PROPERTY ADVISOR & WEALTH COACH

The secret to my success is following my passion of helping people grow wealth. I have more than 20 years’ experience in all financial fields. I advise clients “wholistically”. That is, my team at Wholistic Financial Solutions and I advise clients across the whole of their financial needs including tax,

business, superannuation, financial planning, mortgages, insurances and property investing.

One key speciality is assisting clients buy property in a selfmanaged superannuation fund. For a free copy of my book, “Wealth through Property”, email catherine@wfscanberra.com.au

Wholistic Financial Solutions; Suite 1, 1st Floor, Dickson Chambers, Dickson 2602; wfscanberra.com.au; call 6162 4546; catherine@wfscanberra.com.au

Deb Long OWNER

The secret to my success is to listen to clients to understand what they like, need and want. This allows me to find the right holiday to suit them. This year I was recognised as the #1 Retail Agency & Consultant for Scenic and last year as #1 Cruise Consultant in Australia’.

I believe in old-fashioned

customer service. A downfall in the travel industry is mismatching clients to the wrong style of travel.

Our team has first-hand knowledge of many destinations, which allows us to guide clients to make the right choices for their travel arrangements. “Without a travel agent you’re on your own”.

Weston Cruise and Travel, Shop S002 Cooleman Court, Weston, ACT 2611; westoncruiseandtravel.com.au; call 6288 4400; admin@westoncruiseandtravel.com.au

Wanda Wojciechowska

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT / BUSINESS

IT is all about our clients. I think the secret of my success is being passionate about helping people, being able to help our clients: business owners, salary earners and potential business owners… big or small. To get the best results in a stressful situation and, hopefully, making their lives easier; take the stress out of tax and help them

OWNER

to comply with ever-changing legislation.

We try to look after the things clients don’t want to, leaving them to do the things they love to do. We do our best and always try to make a difference by keeping up with that old-fashioned service through meeting clients face-toface and maintaining the personal touch by staying in touch.

WW Acounting; PO Box 42, Red Hill 2603; wwaccounting.com.au; call 0400 083938; wandaw@wwaccounting.com.au

Clinical Hypnotherapy is a powerful addition to any healthcare regime for chronic physical pain. Whilst physical pain is the body’s early warning sign, chronic pain is a step further than the body needs for the maintenance of wellness. Chronic pain is a combination of the original injury pain and the emotional connection developed during the physical trauma. Clinical Hypnotherapy can provide you with an effective tool that gives you back control and empowers you to understand and maintain your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

scene / around canberra

Social event of the week / Mexico’s Day of the Dead

MEXICO’S Day of the Dead is not in the least bit ghoulish, but a day that combines the ancient indigenous beliefs with today’s Catholic Christian ones to honour the deceased.

And while it’s hot on the heels of Halloween, the Day of the Dead is about love not fear. It’s not scary, isn’t a cult and the magnificent altars created in villages and towns in Mexico are for offerings for relatives with their favourite food and drinks and decorations.

The Embassy of Mexico, for its Day of the Dead celebrations, had an altar of bright colours, marigolds, paper flowers, skulls of distinctive luminosity, and a couple of salt shapes for Australia with a kangaroo and a dog. Well, I think it was a dog.

The creator was Mexican artist Joaquin Garcia Quintana, who also created a white mural on the glass doors of the consular offices of the embassy, which he described as a collection of ephemera, while the most famous skeleton of this day, “La Catrina”, in her splendid hat and bejewelled outfit regaled the gathered audience with her beliefs and utterings.

We drank margaritas, ate Mexican food and finished with hot chocolate and Pan De Muertos. This tradition is one to adopt.

If you would prefer not to strip down in front of a technician then this is for you

Totally private 2 hour wash off solution

Green and violet bases ensuring the perfect tan each and every time

Tan only $35 Deluxe $55 Present this ad to recive $10off

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.

Dr Geoffrey Speldewinde and Dr Keith T Chan, specialist pain and rehabilitation physicians, along with our multidisciplinary team provide the highest level of service for:

• Chronic persistent pain

• Rehabilitation – reconditioning after injury, surgery and neurological conditions

• Medical Pain and Rehabilitation

Procedures such as blocks, neurotomy, discography, stimulators, Botulinum toxin injections all to the highest International Standards

• Diagnostic and therapeutic injections seen rapidly with GP referral

Canberra Confidential

Candidate with a cause

DEEPAK-Raj Gupta, a Labor preselection candidate for the new ACT outer-northern seat of Yerrabi and protege of former MLA and minister John Hargreaves, took a night out from campaigning to nip up the Hume to be awarded the national Community Service Excellence Award 2015 at the India Australia Business awards night in Sydney. He says he was gonged as recognition of his work in “promoting multicultural harmony, acceptance, mutual respect and understanding among the ACT’s diverse communities”.

“Winning the award will inspire me to work even harder for the multicultural communities in Canberra, including the sub-continental and wider ACT community,” Deepak-Raj vows. So will getting elected, CC muses.

Masters of the meeja

FORMER breakfast radio star and one-time Canberra Living Treasure Scott Masters has wasted no time getting back into the media saddle after his recent, untidy demise at FM104.7. Unphased by redundancy, he has launched Scott Masters Media, offering 24 years of media experience to help businesses grow their brands through commercial production, creative writing, voiceovers and, intriguingly, social media management. Intriguingly because at the time of writing, the betrothed one had but 18 followers on his own twitter account. Early days.

Look, it looks the same

“FIRST look inside Canberra IKEA store,” panted “The Canberra Times” with a parade of pictures that, unsurprisingly, confirmed that the first look looked like how all Ikea furniture stores look.

But public service reporter Phillip Thomson manfully pressed on with the puffery, predicting 15,000 will be gumming up Majura Park on opening day, November 16.

Reassuringly, Thomson reports that IKEA’s building in Canberra was made to withstand local conditions with thicker, insulated walls and the light streaming through the many windows apparently helps make it the most sustainable IKEA building in Australia. No, really.

Store manager Mark Mitchinson told us he’d spent 18 months preparing for opening day but recent months had been even more intense.

“It becomes very real now,” he said. “We turned on the ice-cream machine the other day.”

Show and tell

LOCAL historian Nicole Overall opened the 120th Queanbeyan Show last weekend. Humbled by her knowledge of local history, she says the show has been opened by prestigious

names that include first member for the seat of Eden-Monaro Sir Austin Chapman, the Lord Mayor of Sydney Patrick Stokes and even Prime Minister Joseph Lyons was in attendance in 1935. The show started in 1873, but paused over both the World Wars.

Wisely, in her ribbon-cutting moment she didn’t mention the story of the unfortunate son of the original owner of Jerrabomberra who got “squished” when a horse fell on his head at the show in 1877.

Small gesture

FEDERAL Member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann is dressing “small” in Parliament this week as part of her contribution to the Shop Small campaign.

“I’ll once again be wearing items I’ve bought from local fashion designers every day in Parliament, showing off the breadth of talent we have here in Canberra,” she says.

“As a former small-business owner, I know the importance of shopping local to support jobs, innovation and creativity in our community. And it reduces your carbon footprint.

“I’m calling on Canberrans to send a strong message of support to our local businesses this month.”

Time for tea?

A VISITOR to the penulitmate Floriade in Commonwealth Park, Malcolm Beazley, reports longing for a Devonshire Tea. He writes: “On our second attempt at one of the pop-up cafes, the young lady behind the counter apologised profusely and informed us that all they had was English Breakfast!”

Losing his head

LOOKS like the ACT Australian of the Year candidate for the big title in Jaunuary, equity advocate and former chief of army David Morrison, got the title by half a head, if the clumsy cropping on the Australia Day website is any guide. Lovely suit, though.

• Quality custom designed chairs, sofas and bedheads

• Re-upholstery of dining chairs, sofas, chairs and ottomans

• Window seat cushions, outdoor cushions and scatter cushions

• Upholstered wall panels for warmth, peace & quiet

• Free consultation with an experienced designer in store

• A local business that has been in Canberra for 30 years

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

Festival with strong designs on Canberra

By Helen Musa

IT’S smart, sexy and sizzling with ingenuity as more than 750 participants gear up for the second “DESIGN Canberra” – can this really be Canberra in 2015?

The answer is a resounding “yes” as Canberra’s architects, interior designers, industrial designers, landscape designers, fashion designers, jewellers, craftspeople and visual artists line up for the nine-day festival of creativity.

A beautiful bike leans against the wall in the Brickworks, a Hill’s Hoist nestles next to a striking contemporary house, a plane takes off from a bay in Canberra Airport and a comedian takes over the Shine Dome. They’re all tapping into the feverish creativity in the capital’s design community.

With pop-up events throughout the CBD, guided tours

of the architectural and cultural landscape, discussions on big ideas and bus tours to real studios and exhibitions, the idea is to connect with the general public. That at least is the hope of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre which has initiated and curated the event, much of which is free.

Manager Adelin Chin proudly boasts that “Design Canberra” has grown from four to nine days, saying: “It’s not hoity-toity stuff”.

One of her favourite parts is “Design Buzz”, where speakers address design-related themes in a casual atmosphere, over a drink. In one totally unlikely, unexpected session, Liz Forbat, professor of palliative care for Calvary Health Care and the Australian Catholic University, joins trans-disciplinary designer Leah Heiss to talk about the nexus of art, design and science in “living design”. Heiss is involved in new forms of hearing technologies, biosignal-sensing jewellery and emergency jewellery for times of crisis.

Cheers greet ‘Mikado’

THOUGH written in 1885, Gilbert and Sullivan’s quaint representation of Japan still contains much to charm and entertain a contemporary audience.

This new production by Queanbeyan Players eschews flashy theatrical effects and innovative staging, in favour of unobtrusive direction, careful attention to good diction and dialogue delivery and tuneful, accurate singing to allow Gilbert’s deliciously subversive libretto and Sullivan’s endlessly enchanting melodies to work their magic.

Director Judith Colquhoun has cast wisely and well. Her principals act with conviction, and the large chorus disarmingly wear their affection for the material proudly on their collective sleeves, as they earnestly execute Christina’s Philipp’s choreographed movement and accurately negotiate Sullivan’s lovely harmonies.

Lachlan McGinness and Alyssa Morse make an attractive pair as the young lovers, Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum, remaining steadfastly optimistic as they negotiate the many ridiculous barriers to their relationship. Matt Greenwood gives

musical theatre

“The Mikado” Directed by Jude Colquhoun. At The Q – Queanbeyan, until November 15. Reviewed by Bill Stephens

an assured comic performance as the ever-resourceful Ko-Ko, and Terry Johnson, perfectly cast as the dour Pooh-Bah, nailed his laughs with impressive accuracy.

Janene Broere actually makes the audience care about her formidable and funny Katisha, while Peter Smith as The Mikado, in one of his best performances to date, dominates whenever he is on stage. Tristan Foon (Pish-Tush), Anna Greenwood (PittiSing) and Theresa Buetre (Peep-Bo) all offer strong support.

While the evocative, minimalist setting provided an agreeable environment for the action, the curious lack of headwear for the male ensemble detracted from the otherwise colourful, impressionistic costumes. Although not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the first night audience who chortled and cheered throughout.

Kids are not sidelined. Industrial designer Tom Skeehan will host a workshop in design drawing for children aged 8 to 12 years in association with his solo exhibition at Craft ACT, extending their sketches by building simple objects with paper.

And there’s a celeb guest, comedian Tim “Rosso” Ross, who likes to turn Modernist buildings into temporary performance spaces as he will when he performs “Man about the House” in Roy Grounds’ Shine Dome on November 25.

Chin tells us about “Pavilion X”, a site-specific temporary design in Garema Place designed and built by University of Canberra students and a place where you can meet architects and designers to explore design ideas. A partnership between UC and the Australian Institute of Architects, it’s free and drop-ins are welcome.

Leading architects don their walking shoes for tours.

Canberra Airport’s Richard Phillips and Guida Moseley Brown Architects’ design principal, Hal Guida, will

lead a walking tour of their award-winning terminal. Cox Architecture’s Ronan Moss Cox will lead a tour of Westside Acton Park.

The Living Artists bus tours give Canberrans the chance to see the behind-the-scenes in artists’ workshops everywhere from M16 Artspace and the Canberra Glassworks to working studios such as The Hayshed in bucolic Pialligo, Harris Hobbs’ open studio in Deakin and F!NK + Co workshop in Queanbeyan, home to the famous “water jug”. Chin recommends the free closing event at Westside, from 6pm, on November 29 with free entertainment and the announcement of Designcraft’s $2500 Design+Craft Award.

“DESIGN Canberra”, November 21-29. Full program at designcanberrafestival.com.au or from Craft ACT, Craft and Design Centre, North Building, around the CBD and at key spots in town centres.

arts & entertainment cinema

Bridging the past and present

By Helen Musa

THE huge suspension bridge known as the Chain Bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest in Hungary has long been seen as a bridge between East and West but now, in a play coming to The Street Theatre, it takes on a new layer of meaning.

Australian playwright Tom Davis has written a play of epic dimensions called “The Chain Bridge”. His fourth stage work, it is the first to be produced by The Street, developed through The Street’s “Hive” and “First Seen” programs and it is the result of an effort to “write a play that I’d want to watch”.

The bridge is between present in the past, but according to actor Peter Cook, who plays the main character Imre, that “epic-ness” is set within the framework of an almost Chekhovian style dinner party in inner-city Melbourne.

Briefly, Imre has been working on a book for eight years about his own family story, getting information from his mother, Eva (Geraldine Turner) who lived through the

Hungarian Uprising of 1956, but he can’t finish the book because he doesn’t know what’s real and fears someone is hiding something.

History, in Imre’s words, “is just memory and empathy”. But as a writer, he must get to the truth. Over the course of a fairly bad dinner, he and his wife Sarah (Kate Hosking) prod at Eva and her Hungarian friends Joszef and Katalin (PJ Williams and Zsuzsi Soboslay) to arrive at the truth, but it’s not easy.

“Growing up without a father, Imre is torn between his wife and his mother,” Cook says.

In his view, the play is not about the past, but about how the children of immigrants are affected by their parents’ memories.

“The audience will hook into it, it’s about stories and how much we are connected to our family histories,” he says, adding that “everyone struggles with that in Australia, because we are an immigration and immigrant nation with lots of people who have fled wars”.

Playing the emotional life of a character like this is a challenge for the actor.

“You really have to play this character moment to moment,” he says. Luckily, there is some relief, as he and his fellow actors in fact get to play 23 characters across eight decades.

Turner and Peter Cook in “The Chain Bridge”.

Cook, for instance, slips in and out of the role of a German SS officer.

Street director Caroline Stacey, who’s directing, has engaged star creatives Imogen Keen, Kimmo Vennonen and Gillian Schwab to make it all happen. Cook’s been learning bits of Hungarian and how to tango. As well, he’s very comfortable in Canberra, as his sister and family live here and he’s

worked at the theatre before.

“It’s absolutely got my full attention. It’s all consuming, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – you couldn’t ask for a better gig as an actor,” Cook says.

“The Chain Bridge”, The Street Theatre, November 21-29, bookings to 6247 1223 or thestreet.org.au

When the council votes on love

“Freeheld” (M)

IN June, the US Supreme Court held that the Constitution guaranteed equal protection under US laws, in effect validating marriages between two people of the same sex.

A direct juridical line leads back from that ruling to the story of Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) for 23 years a police detective in Ocean County, New Jersey, concealing her sexual orientation for fear of jeopardising her promotion prospects, and her 19-years-younger partner Stacie Andree (Ellen Page), a motor mechanic untroubled by hers.

In Peter Sollett’s film, Ron Nyswaner’s screenplay follows the couple’s loving relationship until Laurel, a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. Under New Jersey law, they had been able to have their relationship formally recognised. Laurel asked the Ocean County Council to declare Stacie to be the beneficiary under her pension rights.

Five men owning freehold land in the county and thus qualified to be councillors, denied Laurel’s

Dougal Macdonald

application. In 150-odd years the council had never recorded a dissenting vote. The bulk of the film devolves to the campaign, started when a provocative headline in the local paper led Jewish gay activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) to mobilise a populist confrontation with a council influenced by tradition more than sound argument against its denial of Laurel’s application.

The two women’s relationship glows with the joy of sharing their lives like any other couple. “Freeheld” gets gently physical in the bedroom without becoming salacious and depicts its forensic and political issues with broad brush strokes. Julianne Moore and Ellen Page give fine performances. Even before things go pear shaped, the film is intensely emotional. By any measure, those are good reasons to see it.

At Dendy and Palace Electric

In a word, boring

“Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” (MA)

I CAN perceive no better explanation for this comedy/zombies mishmash that writers Carrie Lee Wilson and Emi Mochizuki have given to director Christopher Landon to play with, other than that presumably producers base funding decisions on reliable demographic data.

It’s a satire of the world’s oldest youth organisation, focused on a moribund three-person troop based in the high school of a small American town.

Ben, Carter and Augie each have their own reasons for being Scouts, none of which has real merit. The

“Now Add Honey” (M)

THIS family production (written by and starring Robyn Butler and directed by her husband Wayne Hope) is a sort of screwball family comedy.

Caroline (Butler) is at the airport to greet her sister Beth (Portia de Rossi) from Hollywood with the star of a kids’ TV series, her 16-year-old daughter Honey (Lucy Fry) and her entourage.

Honey is exploited by her producer, her director and, most of all, her mother. The screenplay asks us to see Honey as a mixture of spoiled brat and sad case. We spend most of the film waiting to see her get straightened out by good solid Aussie common sense.

But it’s not going to happen quickly or without inflicting a

adult leader is a teacher motivated by the power he exerts over the group, which we first meet when a recruiting drive produces no new converts.

It’s time for the end-of-year camp, while their schoolmates are partying at a secret location. By some unexplained phenomenon, the town’s adult population has become zombified.

Zombies run around town looking for live humans to recruit into their fraternity or sorority until Denise and the Scouts destroy them. It’s same-old same-old stuff, unjustified by rationale or reason. In a word, boring.

At Dendy

certain amount of pain on just about the whole extended family. The cops send Beth from the airport straight to rehab for having 500 Oxycontin tabs in her luggage. Caroline’s husband spends a lot of time at his office above a health shop run by a young woman who’s just a teensy bit pregnant. Caroline’s children resent Honey’s disrupting influence in their home. Caroline meets a dishy chef who knows a good thing when he sees her. Honey’s in a music video that teeters on the brink of soft porn. And freelance photographer Rick has booked Honey for what promises to be a set of very dodgy pix.

There’s not much that’s not to like in “Now Add Honey”. Nor much that commands admiration. It’s more than a potboiler, less than quality Australian cinema. Ambivalent just about sums it up.

At Palace Electric

Space, it’s really out there!

THERE wasn’t a lot of space at Space when I arrived, but it was a Saturday morning and the word is out that this is one hot eatery.

It didn’t matter that the place was pumping. I was greeted with a smile on entering and quickly seated.

Space is massive and if you love Ricardo’s in Jamison, you’ll be passionate about this new dining adventure in Woden. Rick De Marco is behind both and I watched him being hands-on the day I visited.

The overall space is divided into a large, openconcept kitchen area with no fewer than five staff zipping here, there and everywhere, whipping up dishes with lightning speed. You can sit at the “kitchen counter” and watch the goings on, which I reckon would be a blast.

The second serving zone is the coffee and sweets area and there were four staff working it on my visit.

This is where the delectable desserts guaranteed to make you drool are displayed. Peanut butter dome perhaps? Strawberry cheesecake, with blueberry brulée, pistachio sponge and raspberry jelly? A peppermint mousse with chocolate sponge, chocolate mousse, vanilla bean cream and mint jelly? Trust me, deciding is impossible. Lunch was being served, but so too was an

all-day breakfast and I was delighted to discover new and refreshing items on offer. Not “same, same” breakfast fare, so congrats to Space for being innovative (lots of gluten-free options).

I was super keen on the zucchini and haloumi fritters with poached eggs, feta, harissa yoghurt, beetroot hummus and corn couscous ($18.90).

Sadly, Space had already run out even though it wasn’t noon and the dish was part of the “allday” breakfast. I opted for the smoked salmon.

The salmon is smoked on site and was subtle and moist. The dish was a feast for the eyes and I quickly lost my sense of disappointment at having to make the switch ($18.90).

The salmon came with smashed avocado, a delightful coconut rosti, poached eggs (slightly underdone), with puffed grains, dukkah and a lime coconut dressing. See what I mean about

Many many happy returns around town

ARTS birthdays are rampant this season. Megalo Print Studio is already 35, Belconnen Community Service has just enjoyed its 40th, Strange Weather Gospel Choir marks its 20th on November 15, M16 Artspace will soon celebrate its 30th with the Drawing Prize and Beaver Galleries has its 40th in early December. Any more?

IMB Bank Sunset Cinema is back at the Australian National Botanic Gardens from November 13 to December 19 for four sessions a week, with a mix of blockbusters, dramas, thrillers and family films, live music, beanbags, food and a fully licensed bar. Bookings to sunsetcinema.com. au/canberra

CONGRATULATIONS to Wandy Horky, awarded The Decoration of Honour for Merit to Polish Culture last week for strengthening cultural ties between Poland and Australia through the promotion of Chopin and Polish music.

Freddie Mercury look-and-soundalike Thomas Crane… at The Q, November 20.

and string instruments from the viol family. Bookings via trybooking.com or tickets at the door.

THE National Portrait Gallery is calling for entries for the $25,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 until midnight, November 16, visit portrait.gov.au

dishes that don’t make you yawn?

I wouldn’t hesitate to return for the boysenberry hotcakes with blood-orange curd and other goodies ($17.90). Or the benedict, made with pulled pork, beetroot hollandaise, port crackling brioche crumble and pea purée.

The coffee was great; the staff efficient and the fit-out was industrial chic with road and directional signage forming part of the décor.

The question we often ask of places that have just opened is whether they will survive the burst of activity around being “new”, given how much Canberrans lurve to flock to places that have just opened. My bet is that Space is here to stay.

Space, Skypark, corner of Furzer and Worgan Streets, Woden. Breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday and later on Fridays. Call 6281 6668.

CANADIAN director Walter Learning loves Canberra, so is back at REP to direct “Don’t Dress for Dinner”, in which play Bernard plans to entertain his chic Parisian mistress for the weekend while his wife is away, but things go wrong. Perfect pre-Christmas fare. At Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton, November 20-December 5. Bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

US folklorist George Mann will be here with his tribute tour to legendary activist Joe Hill, the man who “never died”, as the song goes. At Woden Tradies, 7pm, November 19, tickets at the door.

THE Sydney Consort will be at Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, on Sunday, November 15, with “aristocratic” instruments such as the harpsichord

FREDDIE Mercury look-andsound-alike Thomas Crane will be in Queanbeyan with “Queen –Bohemian Rhapsody”, at The Q, 8pm on Friday, November 20. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

MEMBERS of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra join Canberra’s Louise Page and Phillipa Candy in performing “Movement”, works by Horace Keats, recognising Australian musicians Janet and Horace Keats whose portrait has been in the National Portrait Gallery for some years. At the NPG, 3pm, November 15. It’s a free concert and no bookings are required.

HELEN MUSA

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Harmonious home and garden

TIM and Shane Woodburn’s garden is designed around their solar-passive house, with low-lying shrubs around the large windows, deciduous eves and ferns to frame and soften the house in the front.

It’s not all about the house, though. The mainly native back garden provides plenty of interest and a relaxing environment, with a small creek trickling through a variety of Australian shrubs and perennials – “so many varieties I can’t count them all,” says Tim.

Tim has also created a small native grassland on the nature strip.

The predominantly native garden in O’Connor will be open to the public through Open Gardens Canberra on the weekend of November 21-22.

Photos: Andrew Finch

The house and the block are both wedgeshaped, says Tim, and the home is oriented so it’s cool in summer and warm in winter, with the paved area and paths located away from the house to avoid reflected heat.

“As you approach the back garden from the side of the house, the first thing you see is the large callistemon, a sea of red, which was deliberately planted so you can’t see the whole garden at once,” Tim says.

A small pond near the house with a variety of rushes, native lilies and grasses attracts wildlife to the garden, with bluebells, banksias, correas and eremophilas providing colour and texture.

Tim describes the paved pergola area of the

garden, draped in Chinese gooseberry vines, as a cave of vegetation.

“We sit out here a lot, and we find there is always something to admire,” says Tim.

“It’s secluded and private, and while there is always something in flower, we enjoy the foliage –there are so many interesting little leaves. A plant doesn’t have to flower to be marvellous, and I love the movement in the reeds and the sound of the water.

“I never stop admiring the garden.”

20 Mulga Street, O’Connor, open 10am-4pm, on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. 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

gardening Spring to glorious autumn

WE left Canberra in September, in early spring with little in flower (even at Floriade) and arrived in Holland 24 hours later, where the variety of deciduous autumn colours was stunning.

Another sharp difference is the massive formal tree-planting programs in towns and along the highways.

Unlike the couple of thousand new trees planted in Canberra, the Dutch plant tens of thousands of trees. When I mentioned the destruction of trees on Northbourne Avenue for our light rail project, I was reliably informed that such destruction would simply never be allowed in Holland.

There was a mass of flowers everywhere, in hanging gardens, window boxes and tiny gardens 30-40cm wide in front of houses along the footpath.

Almost every roundabout in England, Holland and France was planted with floral displays. On one large roundabout there were fountains and a rock garden.

These roundabout displays are sponsored by companies of every type of business, from car firms to real estate agents, who pay either landscape contractors or the local council to maintain them. There is great competition to create the best landscaped roundabout.

And all at no cost to the town councils.

Being away, we missed all the main spring bulb displays and many of the spring blossoms. However, when we arrived home the desolate bare trees and garden beds we left behind were replaced by trees in full leaf and all the glory of perennials.

Here are suggestions for perennials to plant now to complement the summer bulbs I mentioned recently.

It’s important to get them established before the heat of summer and a reminder to plant them in groups of say three, five or seven for maximum effect. Water in with Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient, which specifically promotes root growth.

Looking stunning right now include Lavandula “Princess”; the ground cover Convolvulus mauritanicus with its mass of bright blue flowers and Alstroemeria, which will flower from now until autumn.

Dianthus, in its many soft-pastel colours, combined with Armeria and Lychnis are looking particularly lovely.

All these plants can brighten up even a small unit balcony in containers, providing they get a few hours of sunshine each day.

anyone starting a new garden or renovating an older one.

Jottings...

• With a measly 26mm of rain in October, it looks like a hot, dry summer ahead. Which means it’s vital to mulch garden beds without delay. I recommend and only use Canberra Organic Mulch from Canberra Sand and Gravel.

• It is now fairly safe to plant out all those frost-tender veggies such as tomatoes, capsicums, eggplants etcetera.

• Roses are now in flower and it’s important to dead head the old flowers every few days to encourage new ones.

• Trim all evergreen winter/spring

THE excellent publication “Australian Plants for the Canberra Region and Other Cold Climate Areas” ($30) by the Canberra branch of the Australian Native Plant Society is now available at Canberra Sand and Gravel depots.

Shady street trees in Holland.

flowering shrubs that have finished flowering such as daphne, spiraea [may bush], viburnums and camellias

• Tie up climbing plants such as clematis and Trachelospermum (star jasmine).

A Fresh Approach by Dr Vass

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.

Dr William Vass

Suite14 John James Medical Centre

175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Phone: 02 62822717

Email: williamvass@bigpond.com

Website: www.hearingclinic.com.au

Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars – November 16-22, 2015

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Close relationships are highlighted, and you’ll find there’s much satisfaction to be gained from cosy conversations, joint ventures and shared interests. You’re always butting in with advice but don’t help others unless they ask you first. Your way is not necessarily the right way, and everyone has their unique approach to handling problems. An ambitious goal or aspiration has been put on hold but that’s okay. It gives you extra time to think things through and calibrate your plans.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

The Sun and Mercury pair up in your partnership zone so it’s time to get talking with loved ones; reconcile differences; and nip problems in the bud before they get any bigger. The more energy you pour into close personal relationships, the more they will blossom. Danger days are Friday and Saturday, when the Venus/Pluto square could stir the green-eyed monster within. Smart Bulls will replace jealousy with generosity, and possessive behaviour with lashings of love.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Tuesday and Wednesday are wonderful for talking about the numerous ideas that are buzzing around in your head. But avoid jumping to conclusions – communicate clearly and check the facts before you make firm commitments. Catching up with friends fires up your enthusiasm for future joint projects. Mercury encourages you to gather information before you make a decision; Venus urges you to nurture existing friendships; while Mars motivates you to kick-start a creative project.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

There’s one way to describe this week – it’s complicated! Creative projects and friendships are highlighted, but do your best to steer clear of power plays and mind games. When it comes to a close relationship, subterranean frustrations could bubble to the surface on Friday or Saturday, when Venus squares Pluto. Avoid the tendency to be physically clingy or emotionally manipulative. Remember there’s a big difference between loving someone and smothering them!

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

You love shining in the solo spotlight but the more you communicate and collaborate with family and friends, the better the week will be. It’s not all about you Leo! Take the time to tap into the exceptional creative talent that is around. But expect some intense interactions with others on Friday and Saturday, when Venus and Pluto trigger emotional outbursts and plenty of power games. You’ll find the more you try to control others, the more they will rebel and resist.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

If you can balance right brain creativity with left brain logic, then you’ll have a satisfying and productive week. You’re keen to communicate with a wide range of people, as your curiosity goes into overdrive. Others will sit up and take notice of your comments, so choose your conversation companions (and topics) wisely. A creative approach clears away the financial cobwebs and, the more proactive you are about increasing cash flow, the more money matters will improve.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Your natural charm is boosted as Venus and Mars both visit your sign. So it’s the perfect week for some playful flirting, as you call in a few old favours. But by the time Friday and Saturday come around – you may pay the price for procrastinating, and regret letting someone else make an important decision for you. So your motto for the moment is from fellow Libran, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Either you think –or else others have to think for you and take power from you.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The Sun/Mercury hook up is fabulous for study, research and self-reflection, as you get to know yourself even better. If you have a problem that’s bothering you, then tune into your inner wisdom for the answers you are looking for. Friday and Saturday’s stars increase your frustration levels though (and your control-freak tendencies). Resist the temptation to use subversive tactics to manipulate others. Remember – the highest form of control is knowing when to let go!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Don’t blame others for your (perceived) shortcomings. Saturn (the Teacher) is moving slowly through your sign until 2017 which can be challenging. The best way to use this transit/energy is to train yourself to be the person/persona you most want to be. There’s no denying it will take hard work, commitment and plenty of patience but it can be done! Inspiration for the week comes from birthday great, the writer George Eliot: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

It’s time to broaden your professional perspective; absorb important information from a colleague; or commit yourself to further study. There’s always more for a curious Capricorn to learn! But avoid aggravating workplace problems, and be careful that your business-like approach isn’t misinterpreted as cool indifference. You can present yourself professionally without losing the personal touch, as Venus encourages you to be more diplomatic and compassionate than usual.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Prepare for a busy week, as the stars accelerate your ability to connect with others, especially professionally. The Sun/Mercury conjunction on Tuesday and Wednesday boosts your confidence, creativity and communication skills. Looking for employment? Now’s the time for Aquarians to act! Then Mercury moves into your networking zone, so it’s a wonderful weekend to connect with family, friends and colleagues from far and wide – both in person and online.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

With Jupiter jumping through your relationship zone for the next 10 months, partnerships are favoured. But resist confusing others with long rambling Piscean explanations – strive to be more verbally precise! Partnerships and joint ventures are also highlighted, as you soak up the talent and enthusiasm around you. Neptune (your ruling planet) finally powers forwards on Thursday, so for some lucky Fish a personal project that’s been on the backburner finally gets the green light.

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

4 The Australian author, Joseph Furphy, was known as Tom who?

8 To which class of cold-blooded vertebrate does the turtle belong?

9 Name a S E Queensland town near Maroochydore.

10 Name the large lizards of tropical America.

11 Which term describes that which is the consequence of something?

12 Name a popular card game.

14 What is a heavy, napped, woollen cloth, used for coats?

18 What is a supplement to a will?

21 Which term describes a person trained in track and field events?

22 Name the Pacific republic formerly known as New Hebrides.

23 What is suitable as a duplicator?

24 Which other word describes the beach?

Down

1 What is a system of writing and printing, for the blind?

2 Which powerful narcotic is of great value in medicine, etc?

3 What do we call one who first settles a region?

4 Name the person who supervises the manners or morality of others.

5 In gambling, what is the maximum sum by which a bet may be raised at any one time?

6 Mount Tom Price is renowned for its deposits of which mineral (4,3)?

7 Name a twilled worsted fabric used for clothing.

13 What, in music, is an elaborate showy passage for a singer, usually near the end of an aria?

15 Name one of the greatest painters of the High Renaissance.

16 To be old, is to be what?

17 What, in grammar, is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate?

18 What are small recesses in the shoreline of seas, lakes or rivers?

19 Which tropical American carnivore is closely related to the raccoon?

20 Name a linear measurement in the imperial system, also known as a rod or a pole.

Gala welcome for new era of club awards

REVAMPED and renewed, after an 18-month break the ClubsACT annual awards returned as the Community and Service Awards at a gala dinner attended by more than 400 industry leaders and their staff at the Vikings Club, Erindale.

“The awards night name change from Awards For Excellence was part of a makeover that included new categories and were designed to better reflect the different types of club business, their staff and the contribution they make to the community,” says ClubsACT CEO Jeff House.

“In recent times, clubs have been operating under difficult conditions but the awards night was about recognising their strengths and the great things they do for the community time and time again.

“There were a range of new awards to recognise the evolution of clubs business.

“Many clubs are breaking the traditional club model, changing their food and beverage offers in addition to offering innovative social and recreational activities.

The awards presented included Best Sports Bar, Best Entertainment and Best Family Dining, while other awards recognised staff and included Best Apprentice Chef, and Outstanding Service Employee.

Clubs’ community contributions were also recognised in the Community Partnership and Community Hero Awards.

The winners were chosen following a nomination and assessment process that included anonymous site visits of each club and determined against a standardised criteria.

“A number of the new categories were hotly contested including Best Bar Presentation & Service and Best Customer Service with over 20 entrants in these categories,” says Jeff.

“The Club of the Year award was also changed to allow for community voting and was called the Your Canberra Clubs People’s Choice Award. This inaugural award received a massive 8683 votes with one lucky voter receiving a trip for two to Hamilton Island.

“Canberra’s favourite large club was awarded to the Hellenic Club of Canberra.

The medium club winner was Raiders Weston and the small club title was awarded to the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club.

“I commend all the winners. In a time when Canberra’s clubs have experienced some of the toughest trading conditions in their history they continue to deliver key services to the Canberra community.”

The awards were also attended by members of the ACT Legislative Assembly including Gaming and Racing Minister Joy Burch and Shadow Minister for Gaming and

Racing Brendan Smyth.

Former Chief of the Army, Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, was also in attendance through the clubs’ partnership with wounded returned

services organisation Soldier On.

“As a special mention, I want to recognise the generous support of Aristocrat, Tabcorp, Lion and Carlton & United

Breweries,” says Jeff. “These companies and our industry supporters are an integral part of making our industry night of nights possible.”

2015 ClubsACT Community and Service Awards

Quiet achievers step up to the plate

THE best service and cookery employees competed for the 2015 Community and Service Awards.

“The service experience is such an important part of business in an increasingly competitive hospitality and club sector,” says ClubsACT CEO Jeff House.

“Getting it right, consistently across the club, is key to ensuring your members want to keep coming back.

“Clubs understand they must have a great service culture. However, individuals who offer great service often go unrecognised and do not receive the credit they deserve.

“Our awards provide an opportunity to recognise these exceptional individuals.

“The Outstanding Service Employee award went to Dorelle MacDonald of the Hellenic Club of Woden.

“Dorelle has been a stalwart of the club for many years and was first employed by the club in 1987. She has a proven track record of great service, often working outside her role as café supervisor.

“Clubs are a very important meeting

place for seniors and Dorelle coordinates a number of seniors activities including organising entertainment, morning teas and a 500-plus Christmas party event. She is a worthy recipient of our Outstanding Service Award.”

A culinary competition was also held in the lead up to the awards called Chef’s Battle with clubs competing in the CIT Trade Skills and Vocational College kitchens.

“The competition, sponsored by CIT, is run to recognise the culinary skill and quality of food service available in ACT clubs,” says Jeff.

“Once again, there were delectable dishes produced, showcasing the talent working in Canberra’s clubs.

“Amongst strong competition the winners of Chef’s Battle were Anurag Gautam and Bradley Howden, of the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong, who took out this award for a second year.

“Runners-up were Daryl Harris and Jasmine Sawa, of the National Press Club, with Jasmine also recognised as the Best Apprentice Chef.

“I commend each of the winners and all the hard-working club staff whose efforts day after day are so important to the overall club experience.”

Nominees and winners

Best Café/Coffee Shop

Sponsored by 101 Web Technology

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Labor Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Jamison

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• City Labor Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

Winner: City Labor Club

Best Family Dining

Sponsored by Asahi

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Jamison

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• Ginninderra Labor Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, City

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• Raiders Belconnen

• Raiders Weston

• The Mawson Club

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

• Weston Creek Labor Club

Winner: The Mawson Club Citrus Café

Best Restaurant

Sponsored by TransACT

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• National Press Club

• Raiders Belconnen

• Raiders Weston

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

Winner: Canberra Southern Cross Yacht

Club Restaurant

A WINNING COMBINATION

The Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club is the winner of the 2015 best small Club in the ACT. We also won the prestigious best restaurant award.

Find out for yourself, upstairs at our Yacht Club restaurant, downstairs at Snapper by the Lake or in one of our three function rooms all with views of the Lake and surrounds.

The Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club. Great food, great service, great views. A winning combination.

2015 ClubsACT Community and Service Awards

The people decide top clubs

A WHOPPING 8683 votes

were cast in the search for Canberra’s favourite clubs.

The inaugural Your Canberra Clubs People’s Choice Awards were about giving Canberrans the opportunity to vote for their favourite club, says Jeff House, ClubsACT CEO.

“Canberra has been a club town since almost the very beginning of its history with some of our clubs almost as old as Canberra itself,” he says.

“All started from very humble beginnings and all have a special place in the life of our city.

“But regardless of their origin, every club is established to serve a purpose. Whether it be support for sport, ethnic communities or

political parties, all clubs, big or small, exist to support and enhance different elements of the Canberra community. And in that way they are unique and invaluable.

“While we know that over 200,000 Canberrans are members of clubs, we were staggered by the response, receiving more than 5000 votes online and the remaining votes coming from forms filled out in clubs.

“Three awards were presented in the People’s Choice with clubs categorised as small, medium and large with all 49 clubs in the ACT registering at least one vote for their club.

“The People’s Choice Large Club of the Year winner received an enormous 20 per cent of the overall

votes and was awarded to the Hellenic Club of Canberra.

“The medium-club winner was Raiders Weston and the small-club winner, the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club.

“A high commendation was also awarded to Gungahlin Lakes Golf & Community Club, which also acquired an impressive 14 per cent of the overall votes missing out in the large-club category.

“Voting participants also had a chance to win a trip for two to Hamilton Island valued at $4400 with the competition proudly supported by both Oatley Fine Wine Merchants and ‘Canberra CityNews’.

Canberra Southern Cross Club member Ernie Nichols won the prize.

Nominees and winners

Best Functions and Events

Sponsored by Canberra Elite

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, City

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• National Press Club

• Raiders Belconnen

• The Mawson Club

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

Winner: National Press Club

Best Entertainment

Sponsored by Canberra FM

• Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

• Hellenic Club Woden

• The Mawson Club

• Vikings Erindale

Winner: Hellenic Club Woden

Best Customer Service

Sponsored by ActewAGL

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Labor Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Jamison

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• City Labor Club

• Ginninderra Labor Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, City

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• Raiders Belconnen

• Raiders Weston

• The Mawson Club

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

• Weston Creek Labor Club

Winner: Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

Outstanding Service

Employee

Sponsored by ClubPlus

• Dorelle MacDonald, Hellenic Club Woden

• Guy Morgan, Ginninderra Labor Club

• Ian Whybrow, Weston Creek Labor Club

• Leah Eveille, City Labor Club

• Tina Nikolaou, Canberra Labor Club Belconnen

• Trish Reeves, Vikings Lanyon

Winner: Dorelle MacDonald Hellenic Club Woden

Best Sports Bar

Sponsored by Tabcorp

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Jamison

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

• Weston Creek Labor Club

Winner: Hellenic Club Woden

Highly Commended: Vikings Club Lanyon

Nominees and winners

Best Bar Presentation and Service

Sponsored by Lion

• Belconnen Magpies

• Belconnen Soccer Club, Hawker

• Belconnen Soccer Club, McKellar

• Canberra Irish Club

• Canberra Labor Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Jamison

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

• Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

• Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

• City Labor Club

• Ginninderra Labor Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, City

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• Raiders Club, Belconnen

• Raiders Club, Weston

• The Mawson Club

• The RUC

• Vikings Club, Chisholm

• Vikings Club, Erindale

• Vikings Club, Lanyon

• Vikings Town Centre

• Weston Creek Labor Club

Winner: Vikings Club Lanyon

Highly Commended: Weston Creek Labor Club

Best Wine List

Sponsored by Oatley Fine Wine Merchant s

• City Labor Club

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• The Mawson Club

• Vikings Town Centre

Winner: Hellenic Club Woden

Best Beer Selection

Sponsored by Carlton & United Breweries

• Canberra Labor Club

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club, Woden

• The Mawson Club

• Vikings Erindale

Winner: Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

Community Partnership Award

Sponsored by RSM

• Canberra Labor Club

• Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

• Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club

• Hellenic Club Woden

• Vikings Group

Winner: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

Community Hero Award

Sponsored by Meyer Vandenberg

• Canberra Labor Club

• Hellenic Club Woden

• Vikings Group

Winner: Canberra Labor Club

Your Canberra Clubs

People’s Choice Award

Small, Medium, Large Club of the Year.

Sponsored by Aristocrat Advertising sponsor, Canberra CityNews

Prize sponsor, Oatley Fine Wine Merchants

Winner (Small): Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club

Winner (Medium): Raiders, Weston

Winner (Large): Hellenic Club of Canberra

Highly Commended: Gungahlin Lakes Golf & Community Club

President’s Award

Winners: Denis Condon, Bob Garrett.