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HUGE JUMBO CROSSWORD

So, what was Bulgaria really like?

ROBERT MACKLIN When love gets violent

JOHN GRIFFITHS The art of reviving Civic JANE EASTHOPE

AUSTRALIA C elebrates

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Monday 25 January 2016

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Arts & Entertainment 16-17

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Lowbrow column 8

News 4 -15

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summer days

So, what was Bulgaria really like?

HONESTLY, it’s becoming a cult. If you’re not planning a trip to distant parts, booking passage or accommodations at one of those fancy, new Airbnbs, applying for visas or packing frantically, you’re not part of the congregation.

And if you don’t have a recent traveller’s tale you’re hardly worth talking to. Who wants to hear your views on global warming unless you’ve actually seen a fjord melting or an Antarctic ice shelf crumbling into the sea?

The airports are humming, the cruise ships are bursting at the seams and most everyone else is on the “grey nomad” trail.

In fact, I have an awful feeling that there’s no-one left in town to read these wistful meanderings. However, when they return they’ll tell us all the amazing things they’ve seen and done. Well, maybe.

“Travel really is broadening,” they’ll say, and not just in the beam from all that “wonderful food” on the ship to NZ or the boat up the Yangtze or down the Danube.

“Oh,” you enquire politely, “what sort of food did they serve?”

“Marvellous,” they say. “Prawns, oysters, the most delicious ham…”

You bite your tongue. “Australia,” you think, “has the best prawns and oysters in the world, and our ham isn’t bad either.”

You change the subject.

“So, what was Bulgaria really like?”

“Oh Bulgaria; very poor. Lots of rural poverty. Not nearly as interesting as Romania.”

“Gosh, what happened in Romania?”

“Well, they have supermarkets, cars…”

“I see. But we have…”

“We were only there a week!”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Montenegro was the place…the people.”

“Really? What were they like?”

“Horrible. Didn’t see a smile in the whole three days…”

“So have things settled down since the war… you know, Bosnia…?”

“They hate the Bosnians. Bosnia was just over the mountain. We saw it from the train.”

“Pretty country?”

“Mountains.”

“The Brindabellas…”

“More like parts of Switzerland, the foothills.

Gloria bought the most beautiful cardigan there. Made in China, of course, but we don’t get the same quality here.”

“Really?”

They crush you with a look. You try another tack: “How were the flights?” This is where the cult kicks in; there has to be some suffering among the initiates.

“Shocking. We up-graded to Premium, but in the next row we had a kid that screamed the whole way.”

“How awful.”

“Not really,” says the true believer, “I watched a really good movie. I just turned up the sound and the Premium

headphones are really good.”

“So otherwise it all went swimmingly?”

“Except for the connection at Dubai. Our plane was late and we had to run to catch the next flight to Frankfurt. Ollie burst into tears. He just sat down and refused to move.”

“How awful”

“Not really. They confiscated his whisky. They were going to charge him but Pam talked them out of it. They escorted her into an interrogation room. Took ages. She came out all flushed and giggly.”

“Good Lord. What happened?”

“Don’t ask. One of the joys of travel. But it was great to get home. Best country in the world.”

“Then why…”

Another pitying look.

“Next year El Salvador!” Of course. Or perhaps…Amen?

robert@robertmacklin.com

ROBERT MACKLIN

Persian Rug & Art Collections

Chris aims to lead the convoy

For a year, an inspired young man and his mum have been raising money with a charity goal in mind. KATE MEIKLE reports…

YOUNG truck driver and apprentice plumber Chris Barac and his mother, Joy, spent most of the past year raising funds with the goal of being the lead truck at the Convoy for Cancer Families event on January 31.

After participating in the convoy last year, which sees hundreds of trucks, buses and motorbikes convoy across the city raising funds to assist the ACT Cancer Support Group help local people with cancer, 24-year-old Chris was inspired to start his own fundraising mission to raise $5000.

Joy says that she and Chris steadily worked away at their goal over many months, asking their workplaces, friends and family to contribute. Joy organised fundraising events and raffles with her colleagues at the Therapeutic Goods Administration and with help from small businesses, it pushed them over the line to reach $5000 in November.

Joys says she was touched by the generosity of the community.

“A lot of work went into raising the money and asking businesses for donations for the raffles. It was a sometimes thankless job, but I told Chris that we had all year to do this – and we did it!” she says.

Joy says that Chris was thrilled to hear that his employers, Jomax Plumbing committed to donating half of what Chris raised, taking their total to over $7500.

“I am so proud of Chris,” says Joy.

“Deep down he is sensitive, always got your back and willing to help people,” she says.

Chris is hoping that his efforts as an individual fundraiser will qualify him to take the top position as lead truck in the convoy.

“A lot of big companies generously donate huge sums to be the lead truck, so I told Chris we may not get there, but we

might get to be in the top three,” says Joy.

The ACT Cancer Support Group says Chris’ terrific efforts have earned him a place in the “lead pack” of the top 10 trucks. He will proudly display the logos of the 52 companies that donated to his efforts on the side of his truck.

Convoy for Cancer Families, supporting ACT Cancer Support Group, January 31. The convoy will depart from Beard Industrial Estate, near Oaks Estate on the ACT/NSW border and travel to Exhibition Park. More information at convoyforcancerfamilies.webs.com

Simple way to cosmetic tattooing

COSMETIC tattooing is perfect for anyone with a lack of hair in their brows and lashes, uneven pale lips, poor eyesight, shaky hands, physically active or those with a busy lifestyle, says owner of Enhance Skin Care, Shiralee McGann.

“Imagine, you could have eyeliner that lasts five years or relieve the frustration of perfecting your eyebrows or lip liner every day. Think of what you could do with all that extra time!” says Shiralee.

The simple procedure is performed in a sterile environment with disposable instruments and topical anaesthetic. Shiralee McGann is a highly trained tattoo artist certified by the Australasian Association of Cosmetic Tattooing and Micropigmentation and has performed on average eight treatments each week since 2003.

“After a thorough consultation to determine the overall look you are wanting to achieve we mark out the design together before tattooing,” says Shiralee.

Enhance Skin Care, 40 Allara Street, Civic. Cosmetic tattoo images at enhanceskincare.com.au; call 6247 2100 for an appointment.

Tee time opens creative world for Jason

By Kathryn Vukovljak

LOCAL teacher Jason Tolmie wants to change the landscape of kids’ clothing, bringing together art, style and ethical manufacturing.

Jason, 35, has designed a range of kids’ T-shirts based on his own artwork, which he says he loves to make in his spare time.

“I’ve always enjoyed art and making art – I would rather be doing that than watching TV,” he says.

“I get ideas a lot and I like to get them out, and whether or not someone sees the result doesn’t matter.”

The idea to start a business came from Jason’s sister Lauren, who he says was “always hassling” him to put his designs on kids’ T-shirts.

“I started looking into it and the ethical side of manufacturing came into play – I knew wouldn’t feel happy doing it any other way,” he says.

“There’s a dirtiness in getting cheap garments, and not knowing how they were made. I was keen to do this in a socially responsible way.”

As such, all Foxtrot tees are ethically manufactured and made with organic cotton. Having funded the business with a Kickstarter campaign in May, Jason says he wanted to create the kind of clothes that kids would love to wear.

“Certain pieces of clothing stay with

you throughout your life, and can form the narrative of your childhood,” he says. “I can still picture myself wearing

my favourite ‘Here Comes Trouble’ T-shirt from my grandparents, and I’d love it if a Foxtrot Threads tee would mean the same thing to the kids who are wearing them now.”

Jason, who teaches psychology at Canberra College, says it was also important to him that his three “unique, playful” designs – “Foxbot and Robowolf”, “Manebow” and “Squid Ink” –were gender neutral.

“I’ve used unisex colours and I like to stay away from gender stereotypes,” he says.

“It’s hard with two daughters, aged four and two, who love Elsa, princesses and ballerinas, but I just try to talk to them about elements of these characters that are worth paying attention to, like Elsa has a good bond with her sister, and ballerinas are strong.”

Sydney-born Jason says it can be hard to balance spending time on the business with small children and a day job, but he says he’s happy with how it is at the moment.

“I can manage it in the evenings and it’s a nice little hobby,” he says.

“I really like that people like my art and I love the idea that there are kids around Australia who are wearing my T-shirts; kids in a Manebow,” he says.

“Once these designs are sold out, my plan is to release another three designs – I have mountains of artwork and new ideas.”

Visit foxtrotthreads.com for more infomation, or contact Jason via facebook.com/foxthreads

Charity begins at home

By Kate Meikle

LIFE-CHANGING trips to Nepal and Africa opened Matt and Wendy Napier’s eyes to the needs of people living in poverty in developing countries.

“We wanted to dedicate our lives to help those in need,” says Wendy.

“During a trip to Zimbabwe, we visited an orphanage that needed a $2000 loan to help set up a poultry business to support the school. We came home and started running garage sales to raise the funds they needed,” says Wendy.

Word of mouth spread and the garage sales, run out of their home garage at Wanniassa, became monthly events, selling a range of items such as kitchenwares, toys, books and clothing.

“We focus on sustainable projects that can stand on their own legs post our involvement,” says Wendy.

“The money raised is used to fund interest-free loans to schools and orphanages in developing countries.”

Wendy says that the garage sales are growing and the couple plans to expand into a shop.

The couple partnered with Opportunity To Do, a likeminded charity that provides the charity infrastructure that enables Matt and Wendy to focus on their passion while running their garden-maintenance business.

Having previously cycled and walked across Australia, in June Matt will walk from

Namibia, on the west coast of southern Africa to Mozambique on the east coast by late August.

The route will take him through the Kalahari Desert, Botswana and the northern part of South Africa – a total of 2250km, living only on $US1.25 each day in empathy with those who live below the poverty line every day in Africa, says Wendy.

The couple will travel with local guides and walk with soccer balls as a way to connect to locals as they pass by.

“It’s about being global citi-

zens. Not just thinking about us in Australia, as our actions impact people overseas. We need to be more conscious of what we do for the environment and our financial investments to understand who is making our cheap clothing. We can all think more broadly to help others, make society stronger and end extreme poverty,” says Wendy.

Walk to a Better World campaign, walktoabetterworld.com.

Charity Garage Sale Canberra can be found on Facebook.

summer buzz sponsored content

Art of understanding rugs

PERSIAN Rugs Canberra, located in Fyshwick, specialises in Persian and Oriental hand-woven rugs. Its stock of rugs covers almost every size, style and design as well as Persian handicrafts, artifacts and antiquities.

Owner Mohsin Bani says that he has been selling rugs for 20 years and opened the shop in August.

“Knowledge about rugs is vast and technical. It requires a great deal of knowledge about Persian history and culture to value and appreciate the artisanship of these rugs,” he says.

“There are mainly two categories of hand-woven

rugs – ones that are weaved in villages, and rugs that are made in organised workshops in cities.

“Tribal rugs are not pre-designed, basically the weaver designs it from his/her imagination. For this reason, most village-made rugs come with a slight imperfection.

“A Persian rug must have a flaw if it is to be deemed, according to an old proverb, perfectly imperfect and precisely imprecise,” he says.

Persian Rugs Canberra, shop 1, 24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick.

Lawyers looking for best outcome

MAZENGARB Lawyers values the importance of communication and rapport with a client in order to get the best outcome.

Situated on London Circuit, the family law firm comprises six solicitors who focus on negotiation, mediation and court proceedings as well as property settlement, parenting, domestic violence, protection matters of children, divorce and others.

Principal solicitor Geoffrey Mazengarb says: “We are acutely aware in domestic violence cases of the urgency and need to protect our clients. We work swiftly to obtain orders and balance the needs for

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short-term protection and the long-term impacts on children’s circumstances.

“We understand that it is a very stressful time for our clients and we deal with them in a way that acknowledges and reduces their stress.

“Part of my philosophy with dealing with clients is to remind them of where they want to be in six months’ time and help them gain perspective. We are always on their side,” he says.

Mazengarb Lawyers, 11 London Circuit, Civic. Call 6230 0199 or visit mfamilylawyers.com.au

Email: cw@dvcs.org.au (8am to 11pm daily)

lowbrow When love gets violent

CONGRATULATIONS to all the readers of this column on surviving the so-called festive season.

As we ponder our maxed-out credit cards, strained friendships, bulging waistlines and presents we’d never have bought for ourselves with our own money, we can at least give thanks for our continued existence.

Others were not so fortunate.

However, we can be thankful that in 2015 Australia started talking seriously about domestic violence.

Considering the injury toll is unknowable, and there were nearly 100 dead women in 2015, starting a conversation was no better than a good start.

Elements of society tried to do the things they do to help.

Legislators passed laws; choking is now an offence. Police promised to start investigating complaints.

The trouble with having public conversations on issues is that many of the voices in the conversation range from being downright wrong, to being mendacious but cloaked in fine-sounding intentions.

It doesn’t take long in these discussions for someone to start talking about the central importance of “keeping the family together”.

I would argue the opposite.

Long before tempers fray and things come to blows we should be trying to help people end their bad relationships and possibly guide them into help for mental health issues that plague their relationships.

Sadly, the reality in Australia today is that it’s very, very hard for a person on a single income to afford a place of their own. (Sure we’ve made property owners wealthy beyond their wildest imaginings, but that was always going to come with many costs.)

December statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) showed that three years after fleeing an abusive

Three years after fleeing an abusive relationship 40 per cent of women were still not in stable accommodation.

relationship 40 per cent of women were still not in stable accommodation.

Those are terrible odds. It shows just how awful domestic situations can get if anyone’s willing to subject themselves to a serious likelihood of being in unstable housing for long years on end.

Until reasonably recently, large chunks of society were set up to force us to stay in marriages.

Divorce carried significant stigma and, as recently as 50 years ago, Islamic countries had more progressive and pragmatic customs for divorce than Australia.

Now we mostly accept that if things aren’t working out it’s better for everyone involved, and for society as a whole, if a couple goes their separate ways.

But with such a change being relatively recent we desperately need to change the way society and its governments address couples breaking up and giving both parties the support they need to get their lives together. It will cost some money in the short term, but will save an enormous amount of treasure in the long term.

Police, ambulances, emergency rooms and courts cost us a lot more than emergency, medium-term housing needs to.

And that’s before we consider the loss of human potential piling up in the morgues.

John Griffiths is the on-line editor of citynews.com.au

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Taking a moment for mediation

CAPON & Hubert “cares about what people go through when dealing with legal issues and the emotional strain it can cause,” says director Rhonda Hubert.

Specialising in family matters, wills and estates and conveyancing, Capon & Hubert focuses on giving honest and expert advice at all times.

“We understand that being involved in legal affairs when you are not trained in them is stressful,” she says.

“We also focus on mediation, it is never easy with family matters and going to court costs money and emotional energy. Solicitors tend to contact us and we

facilitate a mediation, we sit with clients to work out the issue and walk them through their journey trying not to make it as horrendous as other people say it can be.

“With mediation at Capon & Hubert, people don’t pay anywhere near the amount of money and everything is legally binding without the stress of a court appearance.”

Capon & Hubert, level 1, 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 02 6286 1977 or visit chsol.com.au

Intimate Easter music festival

THE Four Winds 2016 Easter Festival is an intimate, fine-music festival showcasing world-renowned Australian and international musicians in Bermagui, NSW.

The 2016 line-up features a program of 25 per cent Australian compositions, with a premiere of a new work by James Ledger.

“I think a festival should be about stretching an audience’s imagination, giving them something that extracts a reaction, which gets them thinking in another way,” says artistic director, Paul Dean.

The 2016 Festival’s core two days, which take place

on the Easter weekend, will be presented in the exceptional outdoor Sound Shell “Nature’s Concert Hall” and in the new Windsong Pavilion at the Four Winds site in Barragga Bay.

The breadth of the Festival is greater than ever and features a chamber music series for the first time. There’s also a free, opening night concert on Good Friday, intimate house concerts in local homes and an after-dark program held in venues around Bermagui.

summer buzz letters

Tourists welcomed by Barr’s barmy ideas

MOVING the tourist centre to Regatta Point takes the cake! Chief Minister Andrew Barr states it’s easy access, plenty of parking etcetera. It must be a different Regatta Point to the one I know.

Have you ever tried finding parking there unless you arrive very early in the morning? As to access for those towing caravans or trailers, it is ludicrous.

Almost all towns that I know of, here and from my trips to Europe, the tourist bureau/visitors centre is at the entrance to the town/city. Two examples here are at Bathurst and Batemans Bay. Folk want to find out about the town and tourist attractions when they arrive. The existing site is ideal, just ask any tourist.

Travelling with a car, let alone towing a trailer or caravan right through the city and then negotiating the turn into Regatta Point can be a hazard for locals, let alone tourists. Can you imagine tourists trying to access the site during Floriade?

The surprising thing is the NCA has gone along with this hair-brained idea. It’s obvious that Mr Barr is hell-bent on getting rid of any building along Northbourne Avenue to be able to sell it to developers for more high rise office blocks; clear the tourist centre, heritage houses, you name it to make more money to carry out more barmy ideas, such as the container fiasco.

Cedric Bryant, Watson

Solar salute to ACT

CONGRATULATIONS to the ACT on becoming one of the first Australian regions to join an international network of cities and regions aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy. The move comes in the same week as some of the world’s leading brands, including the BMW Group and CocaCola, announced that they will also

source 100 per cent of their electricity from renewable energy such as solar.

Australian communities love solar and are to follow the shining example set by the ACT. You are showing our nation and the world that more renewable energy can create a clean, safe future for all of us – with the bonus of local jobs and investment.

The community is ready for a 100 per cent renewable future. Solar and

renewables are here now, ready for all levels of government to facilitate the clean energy future Australians want to see.

Claire O’Rourke, National Director, Solar Citizens

No escaping ice

I HAVE just finished reading five articles in the national press on the ice task force report, comprising 2270 words. The good news for users and their families is minimal. Almost daily we read of the health juggernaut wanting to free persons of whooping cough, measles, mental disorders, alcoholism, meningitis, golden staph, and the list goes on.

So the bad news is that in all those 2270 words the word “ice-free” or the phrase “freedom from ice” do not appear.

Colliss Parrett, Drug Advisory Council Australia, Barton

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

Walking with birds

A TRIP to the Canberra Walk-in Aviary at Gold Creek involves strolling through 1000 square metres of gardens filled with about 400 birds from more than 50 different species, natives and their beautiful cousins from overseas.

“It’s an interactive experience and it’s suitable for all ages; some of the birds will come and land on you, but others are more interested in having a taste of what you’ve got to offer!” says owner, Mick Logan.

Visitors can spend time in the colourful company of free-flying finches, doves, quail, pheasants and parrots, including cockatiels, budgerigars and every type of Australian lorikeet.

Mick says the crowd favourite is the big flock of rainbow lorikeets that flash around the spacious enclosure.

“We give you a small plate of apple and some of the birds will come and take the food from you,” Mick says.

Canberra Walk-in Aviary, unit 13, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls. Call 6230 2044 or go to canberrawalkinaviary.com.au

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The art of reviving Civic

MORE pop-up art and design installations and festivals would help revive the city centre.

Canberra is lucky to have such well-known and celebrated national treasures in the art world such as the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery.

Along with our galleries, Canberra’s existing public art and recent renaissance of innovation and creativity that’s gripping our city, art is a big part of what makes Civic so special.

We only need mention those sheep, for example – known to every local and never failing to get an odd look or two from our interstate and international visitors. Love them or hate them, they certainly turn heads, get tongues wagging and cameras and phones clicking. Research undertaken for us last year showed that Canberrans want more vibrancy and soul brought into

What better way to do this than by bringing more artistic and creative ventures to Civic and Braddon? More temporary

Art is a big part of what makes Civic so special... We only need mention those sheep, for example

Those sheep.. love or hate them, they turn heads.

exhibitions and installations, artistic festivals or other ideas, such as oversized public colouring-in “pages” on temporary walls, would creatively energise and inspire the whole community.

Why not bring more pop-up, temporary installations into Civic and Braddon to continue to drive the innovation and creativity boom.

Jane Easthope is the CEO of Canberra CBD Limited

JANE

EASTHOPE

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cover story / Australia Celebrates Live Barnsie tops new-look show

LEGENDARY Australian singer Jimmy Barnes is the star of this year’s newformat “Australia Celebrates Live” on Monday, January 25.

The annual Australia Day eve show is a free, family friendly concert held every year on the lawns at Parliament House and showcases the best home-grown musical talent while honouring the achievements of inspiring Australians.

National Australia Day Council CEO Jeremy Lasek says this year the awards and concert will be integrated into one show.

“We’ve got a big new stage, some of Australia’s greatest and hottest new performers and 32 of our most inspiring Australians all together in one big celebration,” he says.

Gates will open at 5pm.

Barnsie will interrupt his headlining regional Red Hot Summer Tour to perform in Canberra.

“This event is something special – it’s far more than a concert, it’s a national celebration and it’s a real honour to share the stage with the Australians of the Year and with Parliament House as a backdrop,” he says.

summer buzz

“It’s a great way to kick off Australia Day celebrations, a fantastic atmosphere and a really friendly, happy crowd of all ages – I’m really excited to be coming back to Canberra for this.”

Barnes will be joined by some of the best and freshest Australian talent including Samantha Jade, who has attracted international attention and a multiple album record deal in the US.

“The Australian of the Year Awards and Concert in Canberra is something new for me and I’m excited to be in the nation’s capital for such an important event. I’ve heard its always a terrific show, a great crowd and lots of fun,” she says.

Also on the bill is Nathaniel, whose long-awaited album “Yours” has just been released with a collection of soul, funk, R&B and pop tracks.

Cyrus Villanueva, fresh from the seventh season of “The X Factor”, will perform his single “Stone”.

PROGRAM

• 5pm-7pm, Live music performances

• 7pm-7:30pm, Roulettes display overhead

• 7:30pm-9pm, Australian of the Year Awards

– including special recognition of the 2015 Australians of the Year and announcement of the 2016 Australian of the Year, Senior Austral -

Where Rovers come first

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

Providing automotive repairs, parts and maintenance, the highly qualified mechanic team specialises in Land Rover and Range Rover models, in addition to servicing other types of cars.

Richard says: “If you have a problem with your car we can fix it, we can do anything and we can do it better and cheaper than anywhere else.

“Our minor service for a Land Rover is $395, which is cheap compared to what can go wrong if services and repairs aren’t maintained.

“We have all the equipment that speaks to your car and diagnoses problems and an extensive range of parts on hand.

“We enjoy looking after our customers and give them confidence by talking through our work and building a relationship of trust.” Roverworks, 38 Hoskins Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 8777 or visit roverworks. com.au. Enquiries at info@roverworks.com.au

ian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero

• 9pm-10:30pm, Live music performances

Organisers say the easiest way to get to and from the event is via public transport. ACTION will run special services. Plan your trip at action.act.gov.au

The awards will be broadcast on ABCTV, 7.30pm, Monday, January 25 and live at 7.30pm on News24.

More information on Australia Day at australiaday.org.au and Australian of the Year Awards at australianoftheyear.org.au

ACTIVE TRAVEL

The idea of a white Christmas is so romantic and for so many Australians is only a dream. Having grown up in Australia, to me Christmas means hot lazy days, pool parties and backyard barbeques. The simple idea of snow on Christmas Day seems a world away. With this said, I have been very lucky to experience a white Christmas while I was living abroad and it was one of my favourite experiences and one that I hope to have again and again.

In November I was offered the opportunity to travel to Scandinavia as it was gearing up for the festive season. I remember walking through the Christmas markets, children giggling, twinkle lights all around and the smell of ginger bread and spiced wine in the air, ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ played on repeat in my head. Looking back that is exactly what it was because while I must admit I love Christmas, standing there in the old town square of Tallinn with snowflakes all around me, all I could think was how magical it was. November was a little early for snow in the capitals like Stockholm and Helsinki but as I headed further north into Lapland ‘the true home of Santa Claus’ there was plenty and despite our ages we were required to make snow angels and have a snowball fight!

Scandinavia is a fantastic destination for anyone considering a white Christmas it offers so many activities for everyone of any age. From dog sleighs, to meeting Santa Claus in person, to staying overnight in a glass igloo to see the Northern Lights, you will never find yourself short of things to see and do.

Top Tip: Start planning early as this is a popular destination and does book out quickly.

Active Travel proudly works with destination specialists 50 Degrees North and airline carrier Finnair.

Contact our team today and let us create your dream Winter Wonderland Holiday for Christmas 2016.

Canberra Confidential

Success in any language

“MY theory is that if the teacher is enjoying what they’re doing, then it’s likely the students will.”

Says who? Says Canberra Grammar School teacher Sarah Payne, who has been awarded the ANU’s inaugural Patji-Dawes Award, a national award honouring outstanding language teachers.

Head of the school’s languages department, Sarah was a standout because she has embraced technology in her classroom.

“If it’s just the textbook lesson after lesson, they’ll switch off,” she says.

Ms Payne says she uses websites and online tools such as Language Perfect and GetKahoot.com to increase the fun in her classroom.

Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language at ANU, Prof Nick Evans, says the award is aimed at helping combat a decline in language studies in Australia.

“It’s a huge problem. Australia probably has the worst level of foreign language learning of any OECD country. We’re atrocious, and it’s going down,” he says.

Westpac’s Civic signage plugging a helicopter service of no help to the Canberra community.

A lotta chopper, but not much chop

WHAT has the Westpac Rescue Helicopter done for us, wondered citynews.com.au editor John Griffiths as he ambulated down Petrie Plaza past the enormously bewildering billboard outside the Westpac branch, loudly hailing the bank’s sponsorship of the helicopter service.

Well, the answer is nothing.

The bank doesn’t support the Canberra region’s much-admired Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter; it sponsors the Hunter Westpac choppers and the lifesaver chopper that operates out of Moruya for limited

periods each year.

SouthCare CEO Chris Kimball says his chopper is the primary aero-medical and rescue chopper for the south coast from Ulladulla to the Victorian border, handling 180 missions to the coast last year from medical traumas and road accidents through to emergency patient transfers and search and rescues. It also covers the ACT, Riverina and Snowy Mountains.

Which makes the bank’s Big Deal marketing billboard something of a waste of space in this community. Time they kicked the SouthCare tin.

Where the sun still shines...

FEAR not the future architects, accountants and salespeople, for recruiters Hays says their jobs are among the enviable professionals who do not need to “future-proof”’ their careers, such is the demand for their skills and experts in these fields are in such short supply.

According to the latest Hays “Quarterly Report” of skills in demand, experienced professionals working in accountancy support, financial planning, healthcare, insurance, legal firms and marketing are also in high demand and are not expected to see demand wane any time soon.

Sweet news with a deadly message

TONY Stubbs, pictured, CEO of the local outpost of the Heart Foundation, has got hold of a Swedish study that says drinking two or more glasses of soft drink a day heightened the risk of heart failure in men.

The study of 42,400 men found the habit was associated with a 23 per cent higher risk of developing heart failure.

“Males aged between 14 to 18 years are the highest consumers of sugary drinks in Australia, drinking an average of 16 teaspoons of sugar a day, however the average Australian is not far

behind, consuming an average of 13 teaspoons a day,” he says.

“Through the Heart Foundation’s LiveLighter campaign, we are encouraging Canberrans to avoid sugary drinks and choose water instead.”

Goodbye the buzz of tongues

WITH the nation’s pollies having decamped for the summer, “CityNews” arts editor Helen Musa , while researching poet and socialist Dame Mary Gilmore (she of the $10 note), pictured, for a couple of recent stories, came across Gilmore’s poem “Canberra in Recess”, published in the local daily and dated December 24, 1932, and extracted the following:

Where is the buzz of tongues, the slow Dull sound men make in talking low,

The rampant party-wheeler’s roar, the snap

Of some swift interjector’s scrap:

…All gone: the fly moves aimless on the air, The beetle climbs upon the stair,

The spider spins in the Speaker’s Chair.

Born-again mower

“I HAD Canberra’s mobile motor mower repairman, Tomas Golej, here today to give our mower its annual service,” writes Weston snout John Milne. “He has given it a new lease of life and cleaned it up well. I could recommend Tomas.” Thanks John. Tomas can be contacted at 0407 903892 or email mo-rep@hotmail.com

How determined Bethany became half

THE day accountant Bethany FreemanChandler realised her size-24 pants were too tight was the day she knew she had to do something about her weight.

“I kind-of went into a fear of if I keep getting bigger I’m not going to be able to buy any clothes,” she says. “And I didn’t know what I’d do then.”

Bethany, 39, says she weighed close to 130kg at the time, and now, five years on and following extensive surgery to remove excess skin, she weighs around 60kg – less than she did when she was 11.

“I’d always been big,” she says. “I wasn’t eating well or exercising. I lived off prepackaged or frozen foods, takeaway – anything that was quick and easy.

“I also wasn’t happy and I didn’t like myself, and I always knew I would make a change when I felt the time was right.”

Bethany says her first step was going to see a personal trainer, Mike at Mike’s Metabolic Madness, who was recommended to her by a friend.

“I knew that whatever I did to lose weight would have to be sustainable in the long term – and I’ve continued to see Mike to this day,” she says.

“I lost 8kg in the first eight months through exercise, because I didn’t settle to a consistent diet during that time.

“Mike gave me a lot of nutritional information, which I just didn’t know, like how different things impact your body or that you need to replenish your carbs and protein after exercising.”

After trying a few different eating programs and combining them with exercise, Bethany says that after two years she had lost 50kg.

“I always needed to alter and reassess as I went along, but essentially I stopped drinking diet drinks, moved away from processed food and cut back on gluten and sugar.

“I also rewarded myself for every 5kg I lost along the way – but never with food.”

But after losing the weight, instead of feeling better Bethany says she got sick.

“I felt angry because everyone said that if I lost weight I’d feel amazing, but I was sicker than I’d ever been in my life,” she says.

“My immune system was depleted, I caught everything that was going around, I had a random rash and no doctors could tell me what was going on.

“I started seeing Natasa Zaric, at Mura Pathway to Wellness, who explained that toxins are stored in fat cells, so when you lose weight, the fat cells collapse and the toxins run free in your body. If you’re still eating chemically laden food, the body can’t cope. She helped me with emotional support and remedies for detoxifying the body.

”It has been really important for me to find ways to support myself through all the physical changes.”

Using a combination of organic juices and a clean eating, paleo-style diet Bethany began to slowly feel better.

“I realised that the pesticides on my fruit and veg, and the quality of my meat make a significant difference to my wellbeing,” she says.

“It’s not the case for everyone, but for me it’s important and I think it’s about listening to your body and working out what it needs – that was a huge part of my journey.

her tummy, legs, arms and breasts, under Dr Alastair Taylor at the CAPS Clinic.

Dr Taylor says that for people who have lost a significant amount of weight, the only option is to remove a large amount of skin.

“We always start in the centre with the abdominoplasty, then after six months we will do the bilateral breast reduction and brachioplasty together,” he says.

“Then we will move to the lower body a few months after that and do the medial thigh lift.

Before losing the weight I didn’t like myself very much and didn’t value myself enough to care what I ate. It’s very different now. I eat well, I’m more active and I don’t have to park in the closest spot to the supermarket because walking isn’t such an effort now. I can fit in aeroplane seats and in chairs with arms.

“For me good quality, organic meat was important so now I always go to Griffith Butchery who use local suppliers and so I know where the meat is from and that it’s of good quality.

“As food was such an integral part of my weight loss, it’s been important for me to find places I can easily eat out, especially when I’ve not done prep work and have to buy lunch.

“Although I’m not 100 per cent paleo, I find that the foundations of paleo eating work well for me, so I go to the Paleo Café in Braddon a lot and it has safe food for me.”

The next step for Bethany was deciding to have the excess skin caused by weight loss surgically removed.

“I hadn’t really thought about the excess skin at the start, but it was an important step for me to accept that the loose skin was a reflection of what I’d achieved; a battle scar, so I wanted to make peace with that before surgery.”

After a year of keeping the weight off, Bethany was eligible for skin-removal surgery and underwent three separate operations on

“It was more about how it felt to me – I was incredibly self-conscious about my legs and the feel, look and sound of the skin there was distressing,” she says.

“I used to wear bike pants or tights all year round to bind them and keep the skin contained.

“This is the first summer that I’ve been comfortable without wearing extra layers to prevent my skin from rubbing.”

“With the increase in gastric sleeve surgery, it’s not uncommon to have requests for this type of surgery, but it depends on the body type how many surgeries will be required.”

Bethany says her surgeries were spaced out to allow time for healing, although she did initially want it all done at once.

“The first surgery, the tummy tuck, was the most daunting and nerve-wracking because I’d never had an operation before,” Bethany says.

“Recovery was tougher than I imagined, even though the CAPS clinic gave me all the information beforehand – somehow you don’t really take it in until you’re in that situation. It was hard to sit or stand up, and I was surprised at how tired I felt.

“However, it made a massive difference, not just aesthetically but I also found I didn’t have to keep rearranging my loose skin and felt so much more comfortable.”

Seven months later Bethany had excess skin removed from her arms and a breast lift.

“I had recovered well from the first surgery, so I was expecting this one to be the same, but I actually found it a harder recovery – you really use your arms a great deal and it was more painful,” she says.

“Adjusting to being back at work was tough and it had more of an impact on me.”

Bethany says the surgery she wanted the most was the loose skin removed from her legs, because it was so uncomfortable.

Bethany says she’s feeling proud of how far she’s come.

“I’m feeling more comfortable in my own skin and I’m happier,” she says.

“The scars don’t worry me at all and I prefer them to the loose skin. Before losing the weight I didn’t like myself very much and didn’t value myself enough to care what I ate. It’s very different now. I eat well, I’m more active and I don’t have to park in the closest spot to the supermarket because walking isn’t such an effort now. I can fit in aeroplane seats and in chairs with arms.

“One downside is that I feel the cold so much more – my GP explained that I’d lost 50kg of insulation so it wasn’t surprising. At least I can cope with summer now.”

Reactions to her dramatic change have been mixed, she says, with some friends not even mentioning her weight loss, others saying it’s hard because they can’t lose weight themselves and others being supportive throughout.

“The flip side to the people who have struggled with my weight loss has been the number of people who have told me I’ve inspired them, whether it be to get healthy, lose weight or just change something in their life,” she says.

“It’s been very humbling.”

And at a size 10-12, she has no issue finding clothes that fit.

“I like clothes now – things fit me properly, particularly with being more proportional,” she says.

“I do still battle with my weight and have to be conscious of the choices I’m making. My weight crept up through complacency postsurgery and I’m still in the process of getting back to where I want to be.

“I don’t believe in regrets though, as I think we all learn something and I believe this is the journey I was meant to have. This has taught me that I have strength and determination, and I’m capable of achieving a lot.”

At Paleo Café we serve only the freshest, seasonal produce prepared by our skilled chefs to create mouth-watering meals that will leave you feeling energised and fuelled to live. Our entire menu is Paleo and 100% gluten free. No marketing gimmicks, just good clean and nutritious food prepared and served with love.

Open for breakfast & lunch, coffees, smoothies and healthy treats 7 days a week.

44/38 Mort St Braddon www.facebook.com/paleocafecanberracity

feature

the woman she used to be

BEFORE:

Five years ago, Bethany at 130kg… “I kind-of went into a fear of if I keep getting bigger I’m not going to be able to buy any clothes,” she says. “And I didn’t know what I’d do then.”

AFTER:

Bethany Freeman-Chandler in her size-24 pants... “I do still battle with my weight and have to be conscious of the choices I’m making.”

Photo by Andrew Finch

Ideal for everybody, whether you’re more curvy, a beginner or have restricted mobility.

Call Innerji on 0412 993 371 to book your free class. www.innerji.com.au

Centre

Natasa Zaric is Mura's Naturopath & Biocybernetic medicine practitioner

Natasa will empower you with knowledge to better understand your health concerns and help you achieve long­lasting results.

You can make an appointment by calling 6255 0397 or on online at murapathway.com

The centre is located at 69B Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin ACT

Art prize with a ‘creepy’ side

By Helen Musa

WHEN the Waterhouse Prize burst on to the Australian art scene in 2002 it was regarded in snootier art circles as something of an interloper, although its combined prize pool totalling more than $100,000 attracted many fine artists.

The prize, with the full name of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, had as its central aim the highlighting of links between art, science and the natural world, and seemed to raise all over again the old conflict between art for art’s sake and art for society’s sake –never the twain should meet.

That’s all ancient history now and, 12 years down the track, so confident is the South Australian Museum, after whose first curator Frederick George Waterhouse the competition was named, that it’s changing its focus. This year’s show “Magnified: 12 years of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize Exhibition”, is transitional, as the Waterhouse goes biennial from 2016.

One of the highlights of the art calendar

in Adelaide and in Canberra, where it has travelled for 10 years to the National Archives of Australia, the Waterhouse is known for artworks reflecting themes in conservation, biology, evolution and climate change.

I caught up with the Archive’s Adelaidebased historian Sara King, who walked me through the show while explaining how the curators had decided to mount the showcase of front-runners in an exploratory way, backing the art with materials that open up the scientific issues associated with them.

Depictions of endangered species in works by two-time winner Michael McWilliams is matched by specimens of a bandicoot in a bottle and a Tasmanian tiger pelt.

Judith Brown’s “Flight of Fancy”, a colonialstyle cape made of natural grasses, is matched by samples of such grasses.

A beautiful depiction of a willow tree by James King is matched with material showing how the willow has become a noxious weed. And a tiny May Gibbs drawing helps illuminate consideration of the gum tree.

But it’s all not just theory. The many paintings of fish entered in the Waterhouse over the years, such as Matilda Michell’s “Fish”,

have been used by museum staff and fisheries experts to identify unfamiliar species.

These prize-winning works show an overall concern for dying species and the erosion of the landscape. One of the most poignant paintings is Chris Stubbs’ “Forgive them Mother”, a Christ-like portrait of the orangutan, while Carole King’s beautiful picture “High Tide, Wynnum” reveals, on closer inspection, to be heavily littered with rubbish. Silversmith Julie Blyfield’s “Scintilla” series comments on changes in sea levels through delicate silver “sea urchins”. John Nelson’s bronze sculpture “Foreign Policy” put ants in an entirely new light.

“We looked at each piece and decided to bring out what the art means in scientific terms,” Dr King said, explaining that they and the collaborating scientists, especially botanists and zoologists, preferred that to heavy text, which tends to turn off younger viewers.

Dr King is pretty sure that this unusual match of science and art will hit the spot with the many schoolchildren coming through the Waterhouse in the summer months, and the kids will just love the creepy specimens – “Kids like the gory stuff,” she says.

Adelaide-based historian Sara King… “We looked at each piece and decided to bring out what the art means in scientific terms.”

“Magnified: 12 years of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize”, National Archives of Australia, Parkes, daily until March 28. Free entry.

Festival will move ‘sound mountains’

By Helen Musa

THE “SoundOut” free improvisational, free jazz and experimental music festival is about as wild and weird as a music celebration can be.

Armed with a 2015 ART Music Award for Excellence in Experimental Music, its founder and director, the clarinet and sax player Richard Johnson, is busy preparing for the seventh festival late this month.

An “incredible bristling explorative sonic arts event” is how Johnson likes to think of it, intended to “uplift tired ears, explore the unknown, see within the fabric of sound, unravel the threads of normative musical praxis and question sonic hegemonies”.

Despite delays in funding, he’s engaged artists from Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the US and asked them to “move sound mountains”.

The January festival will see the RHRR trio from France with clarinettist Xavier Charles, vocalist Guylaine Cosseron and pianist Frederic Blondy, as well as Austrian vocalist Franziska Baumann and violinist Mia Zabelka. From Switzerland comes bass clarinettist Hans Koch in duo with electronic artist Thomas Peter and from Norway, trombonist Henrik Munkeby Nørstebø. In “19 hours over four sessions of extraordinary music”, there’ll also be German guitarist Hannes Buder, Dutch tenor saxophonist/ electronic artist Luc Houtkamp, and the US drummer/tenor sax instrumentalist Stephen Roach.

“The 2016 group of artists has never gathered before and never will again in the same configuration,” Johnson enthuses.

“SoundOut 2016” at the Ainslie Arts Centre Main Hall, Elouera Street, Braddon, Saturday, January 30, and Sunday, January 31, bookings to agac.com.au or tickets at the door. Crowdfunding at pozible. com/project/202952 and more information at isoundout.wix.com/ soundout2016

Johnson.

arts in the city

Flights of fancy as Emily crosses birds and planes

ONE of the big advantages of running an online art gallery, as local curator Jas Hugonnet does at hugonnet.com.au, is that you can introduce your clientele to the very newest in art. His latest exhibition is by Emily Valentine, whose “dogs” sculptures he has previously featured. Valentine collected feathers from dead birds (“no cruelty is involved,” Hugonnet assures us) and superimposed them over objects found in op shops to create new works that resemble a cross between a bird and an aeroplane.

TUGGERANONG Arts Centre is partnering with property developer Crafted Inc. to support the development of a young Canberra artist and the creation of more outdoor art in Tuggeranong. Intriguingly, the centre tells us the mentorship is “valued at tens of thousands of dollars”. Under the new deal, ANU School of Art honours graduate Sian Watson will be mentored by professional sculptor Geoff Farquhar Still, of Artillion workshop, to plan, develop and install an artwork at The Brindabella Residences.

SINGER-songwriter Josh Pyke is coming to town soon to perform and showcase his newest album, “But For All Those Shrinking Hearts”. He’ll be at the Playhouse on January 30, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com. au or 6275 2700.

HELEN MUSA

what’s on where

EXHIBITIONS

• THE National Gallery’s main attraction this summer is a collection of paintings of legendary Australian artist Tom Roberts. It will bring together Roberts’ most famous paintings such as “Shearing the Rams” (1888-90) and “A break away!” (1891) which are among the nation’s best known works of art. Tickets on sale until March 28.

• Free exhibitions at the National Gallery: “Behind the scenes: Tyler Graphics at work”, which features art from one of the most innovative print workshops of the 20th century, photographs and specially produced short films, reveals the processes of printmaking and the collaborative relationships between seven leading artists and Ken Tyler, master printer. “The world is beautiful: photographs from the collection” is an exhibition of photographs taken over the last 100 years from the NGA’s photography collection, including work by

Diane Arbus, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Max Dupain, Bill Henson, Robert Mapplethorpe, Man Ray and Cindy Sherman.

• “MAGNIFIED: 12 years of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize” is on at the National Archives. Enjoy prize-winning artworks exhibited alongside inspiring historical content from the collections of the National Archives of Australia and the SA Museum.

• NGA Contemporary, located at Queen Elizabeth Terrace, on the southern foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin is exhibiting “The last temptation: the art of Ken + Julia Yonetani”. This installation by internationally acclaimed artists is a provocative response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. The exhibition features chandeliers made from uranium glass, representing nuclear-powered nations and a nine-metre banquet table made entirely of salt.

jumbo puzzle solution

LOCAL DJ and music producer Ashley Feraude tells us that, as “Magnifik”, he has released his second full-length, 15-track album “The Gentleman of Disco” via iTunes,

Beatport and Spotify. The album comprises original works ranging from nu-disco, soul and hip hop through to synth pop and classic house. Best of all, it’s a celebration of

• THE National Portrait Gallery presents “Sideshow Alley: Infamy, the macabre & the portrait”. Featuring a selection of death masks, post-mortem drawings and other spooky and disquieting portraits, “Sideshow Alley” looks at the official, personal and commercial uses made of images of Australian convicts and criminals throughout the 19th century.

• “ENCOUNTERS: Revealing stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects from the British Museum” at the National Museum. It features rare, early Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects from the British Museum.

• OLD Parliament House is home to “Behind the Lines: The Year’s Best Political Cartoons”, which condenses a year of political highs and lows into 80 of the best cartoons of 2015.

FOR THE KIDS

• HOLIDAYS + art at NGA . In January, The National Gallery will have a special art activity running every day. There is no need to book – just drop in and staff can guide you to the kids’ art station.

• FAMILY tours. The National Gallery will run special family-friendly tours daily at 10.30am beginning on January 11.

• DESIGNED for children aged 5 to 12, Kspace is the National Museum’s new interactive adventure game for kids.

• DISCOVERY Space: Continuing culture – Children are invited to drop into the National Museum and engage in art and craft activities inspired by some of the objects in the museum’s “Encounters” exhibition.

• BETWEEN January 20-23, Canberra Theatre will present “Storytime Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty” Packed with dancing, tutus and Tchaikovsky music, this is a good first ballet experience for boys and girls aged three and up

SPORT

• AUSTRALIA vs. India: One Day International Cricket match will be hosted at Manuka Oval on January 20.

JIMMY Carr has been described as “the hardest-working man in comedy”. He’ll be at the Canberra Theatre, January 17, with his latest show, “Funny Business”. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

YES, I know it’s out of town, but give a thought to joining the crowds at Opera in the Domain in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, from 6pm on Saturday, January 23. I’ll be there as usual, to see our own soprano Lorina Gore in full flight. And it’s free.

WITH the next Canberra International Music Festival only four months away, organisers are suggesting it’s a good time to buy the Festival Pass, which offers entry to 22 ticketed concerts at the 2016 event. Bookings via trybooking.com

summer jumbo crossword

Ripening nettle tree berries… the trees are now on the government’s environmental weeds list.

Time to tidy up the roses

MID-January is the ideal time to not only dead-head roses, but to give them a good prune and tidy up.

Quoting advice in “The Canberra Gardener”, pruning at this time will usually provide an autumn floral show about 50 days later.

Always water at the base of roses, not the foliage and always in the morning.

Watering in the evening leaving the foliage wet combined with a warm night encourages mildew and black spot.

Some roses are more susceptible to mildew more than others, so an effective organic spray is one part full-cream milk (none of this Lite stuff) mixed with 5-9 litres of water.

Spray under the leaves as well as on top and on the ground under the rose, once again in the morning.

THE bane of my life in our Watson garden is the seedlings of Celtis australis or nettle tree, so called as the leaves resemble stinging nettles.

These seedlings are either carried in when the cockatoos eat the berries or seeds literally blown in from trees in Knox Street.

These extremely tough trees were planted as street trees all over the older suburbs. It took many years for our landscape planners to realise the error of their ways.

While these trees are now on the ACT government’s environmental weeds list, it is still almost impossible to get permission to have a single tree removed in one’s own backyard.

I pull up dozens every week. Once they get established they are very hard to get out. Once they grow to, say, 40mm-50mm the only way is to cut them close to the ground and use an old paintbrush and apply undiluted glyphosate on the cut immediately

AN ongoing menace, which is not on the weeds list, is wild passionfruit. It usually starts running amok when a Nellie Kelly passionfruit, which is grafted on to the wild rootstock passionfruit, dies and the wild rootstock takes over.

The leaves of the wild passionfruit are a dull grey and 3-5 fingered, whereas the Nellie Kelly is a large, glossy leaf.

The wild vine can grow as thick as my wrist and climb to the top of gum trees in a very short time.

To get rid of this is the same as above with undiluted glyphosate, the strongest you can buy. It’s no good trying to dig it out as it grows from the tiniest part left in the ground.

Jottings…

• When temperatures exceed 30C, it’s recommended that drip systems are turned on for two hours once a week; say, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Water follows water and it will penetrate to the root zone more effectively.

• Not sure if this is enough? Dig a hole not too close to the root zone of plants, but near the drip line to check if water has penetrated the roots.

• It’s still not too late to lift spring bulbs, such as daffodils, if they are in the wrong place, overcrowded or simply not doing well and possibly planted too deep?

• Water restrictions still apply, despite our new big dam. Sprinklers, especially lawn sprinklers, may not be used between 9am and 6pm. There is no restriction on drip systems, although it is best not to water in the heat of the day.