160324 citynews

ACT Labor in deep re-election bother MICHAEL MOORE

Reporting from Aunty’s ample bosom ROBERT MACKLIN

Eight months on and still in lurve JOHN GRIFFITHS

Kaleen kids at risk, but who cares? LETTERS

How Kelly Paterniti draws strength from her dream role

Trish shares painful new focus

By Bina Brown

TRISH Grice is used to being behind a camera rather than in the spotlight. But her recent re-diagnosis of breast cancer has the 58-year-old photographer wanting to spread the word that there is a lot more work that needs to be done to understand the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women.

“People think that when you have been diagnosed with breast cancer you can have an operation and maybe start chemo, and you will be okay. But 30 per cent of people diagnosed with breast cancer still die from it,” she says.

Trish was 53 when she was first diagnosed with two different sorts of breast cancer resulting in a mastectomy and 12 months of chemotherapy and other drugs.

Within a month of celebrating being cancer free for five years, she found a lump in the other breast. After a second operation in November, she has again started chemotherapy to stop the further spread of cancer cells.

A specialist in pet photography, for the past three years Trish has been a volunteer photographer for the Canberra Mother’s Day Classic; capturing the raw emotion of the event best known for families and friends to support breast cancer survivors and those who have lost loved ones to the disease.

“It is a hideous disease and we don’t understand what is causing it or how to cure it. The more money that is spent on research the more we will understand it,” says Trish.

The Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic is Australia’s largest breast cancer fundraiser involving more than 130,000 participants around the country, raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

For 2016 the MDC is setting participants a special challenge, which is to raise a collective $4 million.

“The more we raise, the faster a cure can be found – this year if every participant raises just $50, we’ll reach our target of $4 million to fund research,” says Mother’s Day Classic CEO Sharon Morris.

“Our support helps the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) with the ultimate goal of no more deaths from breast cancer. NBCF funds life-changing research including better diagnosis and treatment options and improved quality of life after treatment,” she says.

Morris says that unlike many charity events, 100 per cent of fundraising from the event goes straight to NBCF.

Overall, the Mother’s Day Classic community has raised $27.4 million and funded more than 30 projects, making it the largest fundraiser for breast cancer research in Australia.

“NBCF projects have been internationally recognised for their impact on health outcomes and quality of life for women with breast cancer. This research has outcomes which can be applied to all cancers, not just breast cancer,” says Morris.

The May 8, Canberra MDC starts from 7am at Rond Terrace, Commonwealth Park, for either a 5km run or walk or a 10km run around the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin. Register online at mdc.mothersdayclassic.com.au on the day.

Arts & Entertainment 27-30

Canberra Confidential 20

Cinema 28

Dining 30

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Horoscopes 35

Letters 16, 19

News 3-19

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politics / ACT election

Labor and unions on back foot

THE Liberals have struck the first sharp blow in their campaign to win government at the October election for the ACT Assembly.

In addition to the series of constant minor blows the ACT Liberals have inflicted to the body of the government, this is an uppercut directly to the chin. Andrew Barr’s government will reel with the impact.

The relentless pounding on the light rail should have the government worried.

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The issue is damaging in two ways. Firstly, a large expenditure appears to be focused on one part of the community – Gungahlin. Secondly, there is the perception that the project is the price that Labor paid for accepting Greens Party support for their government. The perception created is that Labor is not so much its own government as one that is at the behest of Shane Rattenbury.

The importance of long-term infrastructure projects over short term budget issues is lost in the political debate. No matter how regularly the government has held up its guard, no matter how often they have counter attacked, no matter how important this is to the future of Canberra – the attack from the Liberals has slowly sapped Labor’s strength.

Then comes the uppercut. Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson has launched a weighty blow by illustrating that the Barr government is not only dependent on the Greens – but is also acting at the behest of the unions.

Hanson saw his opportunity with the release of a Memorandum of Understand-

It will only take one more serious thump to make it nigh on impossible for the Barr government to recover enough to win the election

ing with UnionsACT which, amongst other things, states: “Prior to any contract being awarded: The list of tenderers for each contract will be provided to UnionsACT” and later “only providers/performers of works and services who meet the set criteria will be pre-qualified”.

No matter how much the government tries to block or downplay the impact of this release – it will be a serious problem for Barr’s election prospects.

The public perception is that unions are already on the nose. Preceding the Prime Minister’s threat of a double dissolution, the Federal Liberals under Tony Abbott have made sure they are punch-drunk. The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, under Commissioner John Dyson Heydon, has successfully exposed instances of corruption that, unfortunately, reflect badly on all unions. The flipside has not entered the general consciousness. If there are corrupt union officials – there must also be corrupt businessmen prepared to part with the money.

Big business was quick to come to the aid of the Liberals by introducing the corruption aspect. The executive director of Master Builders ACT, Kirk Coningham, started with soft punches:

your business want to save money and be environmentally responsible?

“Giving unions the right to veto contractors for ACT government work if they don’t comply with unions demands, as well as allowing unions to test whether potential contractors meet union requirements before tenders are let, makes a mockery of the competitive tendering process”.

He is right. However, the king punch came with Coningham levelling accusations of corruption to already vulnerable unions stating: “Now we see it is a three-way process that also involves a union tip off and pay off”.

Then Robyn Hendry, Canberra Business Chamber CEO, drew attention to poor government processes arguing: “Additional, unnecessary and undisclosed hurdles in the ACT government procurement process, such as review by a non-government entity, seem to add little to the process, while potentially compromising it”.

With the government struggling to remain on its feet, the Chief Minister argued on minor points such as whether this was a “secret deal” or not, how long

it had been in place and how rarely it had been invoked. He did raise valid concerns around occupational health and workplace safety. However, the fundamental issue is whether or not the government is in control.

Similarly, UnionsACT argued suggestions of power of veto was just “headline grabbing”. UnionsACT secretary Alex White denied the MoU gave unions any veto over government contracts.

“I know it’s a great headline, unions would love to have that power but we don’t,” he said.

“The MoU obliges the government to consult with us, and that is the extent of what it does.”

No matter what they argue, the Labor government and the unions are on the back foot on this one. The Liberal Opposition has them off balance and on the ropes. It will only take one more serious thump to make it nigh on impossible for the Barr government to recover enough to win the election.

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

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Are you looking for a change? are you capable of more?

Are you engaged and inspired?

Synergy may be the type of positive change you are seeking.

Synergy is always looking for people with skills, experience and the relevant qualifications in our four service line areas. Apply today!

Accountants with a creative eye on innovation

‘We are different in the market, and we wanted our new office space to reflect that’

WITH adult-size swings, artificial grass and a table tennis table in its new Barton offices, fun is high on the agenda for accounting and consulting firm Synergy.

But, more importantly, according to partner Mark Pattrick, the new office space aligns the corporate culture and values of the company with an innovative and collaborative environment for its staff.

“We are different in the market, and we wanted our new office space to reflect that – it’s a true representation of how Synergy is unique,” says Mark.

“We are bringing our brand to the office and our office to the brand.”

The company provides accounting, audit and management consulting services to Federal and Territory governments as well as commercial clients. Synergy is a competitive alternative to many of the international accounting and consulting firms and won a Telstra Business Award for Medium Enterprise in the ACT in July.

“Our motto is ‘It’s personal’ and for us that refers to how we look after our staff, our clients and the community. We wanted the new office to demonstrate that as well,” says Mark.

“It’s about giving our staff the freedom to be as successful as they are talented.”

The firm originally operated from a one-bedroom apartment in Civic with no meeting rooms and several people to a desk.

Established in 1999, Synergy is one of Canberra’s fastest growing and dynamic accounting and consultancy firms with 30 per cent a year growth. The company now employs 100 full-time staff.

“We have experienced rapid growth and an increasing market presence over the past few years. Now we’re now looking for staff across the board – people who are keen to try something different, and who want to be challenged and inspired,” says Mark.

“For us it’s about long-term relationships with our staff and clients, which allow us to attract and retain the best consultants.

“I like the energy of the firm. I like working with the people here and seeing them innovate and grow.

“We believe the key to success is supporting our people to be successful and giving them the autonomy they need to progress.”

‘We anticipate attracting more creative, talented consultants and continuing our growth’

Continuing focus is on growth

PARTNER Robert Kennedy says the new space shows why staff and clients appreciate Synergy’s unique approach to the traditional accounting and management consulting business.

“We have a casual but productive open-plan layout where your workspace is determined by your needs, not your position in the firm,” he says.

The office can accommodate more than 150 employees and provides hot-desk work stations, full wireless services, quiet rooms for personal calls, state-of-the-art internetenabled touch screens and write-on whiteboard walls in every meeting room.

There is also a staff breakout area with large-screen televisions, espresso coffee machines and personal lockers.

The office doesn’t have an official reception area, but a welcoming room instead where you can grab a coffee, ring a bell and be met by a member of the team. The space is also super colourful, with bold, bright graphics representing the company’s values throughout.

There are even two British-style phone booths for private mobile phone calls – complete with a Superman costume at the ready.

Each of the professional meeting rooms are fitted out with cutting-edge technology and were all uniquely named through an in-house naming competition. Staff can now choose from the Collaboratorium, Ideation, Synagetic, Synovation, Shhh 1 and Shhh 2 meeting rooms.

The opening of this ultra-modern, activity-based office represents a major milestone for Synergy, and has earned a space on their “timeline of achievements” wall.

“We take a vote when something significant happens, and decide whether it should go on the wall, which is only half full so far,” says Robert.

“Synergy is continuing to focus on recruitment with one of the design briefs for the office being to ensure that any potential new recruits leave the building not only hearing about how Synergy is different, but having experienced it as well.

Partner Robert Kennedy.

“With our reputation becoming more widely known and respected, we anticipate attracting more creative, talented consultants and continuing our growth over the coming years.”

‘We encourage our consultants to tell us what they’re good at and what they want to do’

Refreshing to work with

PARTNER Paulette Robinson says the new office, which was officially opened by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr last week at an event attended by more than 100 clients, has proven to be a wonderful environment to work in – a space where staff and clients feel welcomed and at home.

“The office space reflects what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” she says.

“Accounting is often seen as a boring profession, but no one here is like that and we want to bring that alternative to our clients.

“The feedback we have received from clients is that it’s refreshing to work with us as we don’t bring any preconceived ideas or pre-built solutions to the table. We listen to our clients and adapt to them.

“We have created an office that mirrors our approach to our work; it is professional, welcoming, fun, unique, innovative, bright, and energetic – all at the same time.

“The launch event was testament to that, with many clients happy to stay and chat – and have a go on the swings – until after 8.30pm. It was great to see that they felt so comfortable here.

“One of Syngergy’s values is personal growth and development, our consultants can be who they want to be.

“You’re not put in a box. You aren’t told ‘that’s what you’re here to do, keep on doing it’.

“We encourage our consultants to tell us what they’re good at and what they want to do because we believe that makes them more likely to be successful.”

Synergy Group, 15 National Circuit, Barton. Call 6260 7477 or visit synergygroup.net.au Partner Paulette Robinson.

At the Synergy office opening...

Nestled in Aunty’s ample bosom briefly

IT’S an odd feeling as we look across the Pacific to our great and powerful friend – part wonderment, part anxiety, but mixed with a dash of smug superiority.

Clearly, America is in a mess, its presidential election has become a nightmare; and of course it couldn’t happen here.

Or could it?

Superficially, our political systems are very different. Their president is directly elected while our prime minister is subject to dismissal by his (or her) own party or the House of Reps.

But in reality there’s not much between them in the exercise of power. A popular Australian prime minister probably has greater control over his country’s governance than an American president.

The real differences are in the methodology of the process, the most crucial being our compulsory voting versus America’s voluntary system. This means that in Australia the election battle is aimed at the great bulk of voters in the centre, while in the US it’s the enthusiasts at the edges who grab for the political tiller.

Add the massive cascade of money from US lobby groups, the power of the Christian evangelicals, the unbridled advocacy

A popular Australian prime minister probably has greater control over his country’s governance than an American president.

of media trumpeters such as Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, the gerrymander of “red” and “blue” states and rocketing income inequality and you have a recipe for the disaster that confronts our friend and ally today.

Its name is Donald Trump.

But wait; is this not the same system that gave us the inspiring Barack Obama eight years ago, and re-elected him four years later?

Well, yes, but that only proves the point – his candidacy activated a massive turnout of black American voters, enough to swing the “voluntary” election his way. And that produced a “blacklash” among the whites that threatens to carry Trump to the White House.

Happily, we don’t have the same fractured community. Our colonial slaves were called “convicts” and their descendants are indistin-

guishable from the rest. We don’t share a border with Mexico (or anyone else) and our multiculturalism is an object of pride.

However, we should not be too complacent. Our inherited racism still stalks the land; we, too, have galloping inequality; we’re not short of extremists in the Cor Bernardi mould; and in our elections too, money talks.

Happily, we do have a secret weapon. As the Fairfax papers depart from the newsagents’ shelves, as Murdoch’s rags scream their phony headlines and the shock jocks parade their unquenchable egos, that “sensible centre” around which we gather for the truth of the matter is increasingly our own ABC.

And it’s much more than that. As well as news and current affairs, its drama, its recent “Q&A”

ROBERT MACKLIN

on science, its heart-warming “Hatch, Match and Dispatch”, its “Keeping Australia Alive” series, to say nothing of its continuously fine cultural radio programing provides Australia with a wonderful antidote to the extremists.

Sure, it’s sometimes bland and boring, and so are our major political parties. But that’s where most of us live, and in these days of rage and hostility it’s not such a bad place to be. You can have your exciting Donald Trumps and your whacky Bernie Sanders; I, for one, would so much rather be nestled in Aunty’s ample bosom.

robert@robertmacklin.com

THE 3 EXCUSES YOU NEED TO GIVE YOUR SKIN A DRAMATIC BOOST

Focus on dementia

DEMENTIA, the second leading cause of death in Australia, is the subject of Alzheimer’s Australia’s “Your Brain Matters – A Guide to Healthy Hearts and Minds”, a free Alzheimer’s awareness seminar presented by the Tradies Club, Dickson, as part of its Community Awareness Program. Three new cases of dementia are diagnosed in the ACT each week, while about 25,000 people in Australia have Younger Onset Dementia – a diagnosis of dementia of people under the age of 65 and includes people as young as 30. The one-hour seminars, which will focus on Alzheimer’s risk reduction, raising awareness and how to include those suffering from dementia in our community, will be held at the club at 3pm and 6pm on Thursday, March 31. Bookings to 6162 5656.

Eddie to the rescue

HUGH Jackman’s new movie “Eddie the Eagle”, the true story of a young boy who makes up his mind to become an Olympian, is Woden Daybreak Rotary’s feature for its charity movie night at Limelight Cinemas, Tuggeranong, 6pm, on Wednesday, April 20. Proceeds will support drought-stricken farmers as well as people in the Canberra region with MS. Tickets are $25 and include a drink and either popcorn or an ice cream. Bookings via trybooking.com and more information at rotaryclubofwodendaybreak.com.

Talking drugs

AUTHORS of the book “The Drug Law Wars”, Marion and Brian McConnell, will be in conversation with journalist Graham Downie at Paperchain, Manuka, from 6pm on Thursday, April 7. Drinks and nibbles provided and books on sale. All welcome, RSVP to 6295 6723. Enquiries to 6169 7678.

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Depressing, dirty Jolimont is a disgrace

“I feel embarrassed and dismayed every time I go to the Jolimont Centre. It generally looks and smells filthy and grimy, like a giant public restroom,” says reader Mary, of Bruce.

THE Jolimont Centre bus terminal, in the CBD of Canberra, is a disgrace to our beautiful national capital.

I feel embarrassed and dismayed every time I go there. It generally looks and smells filthy and grimy, like a giant public restroom. It must be one of the most depressing spaces in the city, with bins overflowing, and rubbish and litter strewn about. Most anyone would find this unfriendly and unwelcoming. I am not talking about pot plants and flower beds – just some basic cleanliness and care especially as it is such a frequented space.

There is also a lack of adequate seating outside for people in the waiting area. If you wait indoors, you can’t see the buses approaching and leaving due to the reflection from the windows.

The public amenities leave a lot to be desired, they are mainly better suited to a developing country – seriously appalling.

Jolimont Centre is one of the gateways to Canberra, and for the many backpackers who travel by bus to our city via affordable means, not to mention the hundreds of commuters and a multitude of travellers who use the bus as an affordable, hassle-free way to access Sydney, especially to the airport – surely we all deserve better from the capital city of Australia? I know we spend money to bring people here, and when

Parking chaos at Jolimont Centre… Cars are frequently driving up to off-load passengers and people are walking behind buses trying to back out, says Mary.

they arrive, not much of a reception!

The interchange, as many of us know, is located at the back lot of the Novotel building – facing the carpark and industrial-size skip bins. The bus bays are basically in a car park with not too much room to manoeuvre. Cars are frequently driving up to off-load passengers and people are walking behind buses that are trying to back out of the tight parking bays – making this an

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Frog wants music

‘FROG’ Harris, of Songland Music, is inviting anyone with recorded music they have wearied of to drop their vinyl, tapes and CDs off to his Cooleman Court store now in support of his annual World Record Day charity sale on Saturday, April 16. All proceeds of the sale will again go to the ACT RSPCA.

Salute for centre

THE Canberra Theatre Centre has been honoured for providing more than 10 years of captioned performances and improving the accessibility of arts and entertainment for the deaf and hearing impaired community by Better Hearing Australia.

Pre-loved fashion sale

THE Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast’s premier event of the year, its Pre-Loved Fashion Sale of women’s designer and vintage clothing, will be held at the ATSI Centre at 245 Lady Denman Drive, Yarramundi Reach, 9am-3pm, on Saturday, April 2. A preview event the night before, 5.30pm-8pm, with wine and canapes, can be booked via eventbright. com.au and tickets are $20. All proceeds to Zonta’s projects of support for women in Canberra and around the world.

by Andrew Finch

inevitable accident waiting to happen. Who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this area? Is this a shared responsibility? Come on, Canberra.

Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated purely to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au

Churchers in Wamboin

“25 Years in Wamboin” is a retrospective exhibition of Roy and Betty Churcher’s life in art during their years living at Wamboin (1989-2015), curated by their son Paul. The exhibition encompasses paintings by Roy and a display of Betty’s original sketches for her final book “The Forgotten Notebook”. The intimate gallery space is behind the family vineyard at 67 Merino Vale Drive, Wamboin (off Norton Road). Opens 4pm on Easter Saturday, then daily, 10am4pm until April 3.

CityNews SHOW WINNERS

Winners of double tickets to “Ghost, the Musical” in Sydney are: Tara Galvin, of Monash and StephanieTurkich, of Fadden.

Winners of double tickets to see “Georgy Girl” in Sydney are: Greg Allan, of Belconnen and Lisa Hayes, of Yarralumla.

Eight months on, still in lurve

IN July I wrote about my flirtation with the Apple Watch and several readers wanted to know what I’d think months later. So now is the time to offer a longer view of the oft-maligned gadget.

Readers will no doubt be pleased to know that the watch has become a much loved and constant companion in my life.

After eight months of continuous use it’s showing no signs of wear and tear.

The basic function of a smartwatch is that you don’t need to take your phone out of your pocket as often.

On face value this can seem like a small thing but it has some relatively profound effects.

For a start, flashing my phone up less often means my battery life is considerably improved. I could realistically consider missing a nightly charge (albeit getting through the second day would be downright hairy).

It also means a lot less fiddling around with the phone, reducing the risk of dropping it, and less time totally consumed in the screen.

Being able to send texts from the wrist is a joy. Flick the wrist and say “hey Siri, text Dan I’ll be there in five” is a more useful feature than I had imagined.

One of the things I use the most, which I’d not expected to at all, is being able to control the music I’m listening to and even find out what song is playing without the whole palaver of pulling the

In the tech-pundit world, the watch has been described as a flop... but 11.6 million of the watches were sold in 2015, which for a new product category is something many would consider robust.

phone out and unlocking it.

The constant health monitoring is another unexpected bonus, albeit terrifyingly pavlovian. Having managed to walk out the door one morning without the watch on I wondered aloud “maybe I can just leave it at home?” before breaking into a run to get back indoors. I didn’t want to miss out on the logged exercise minutes.

It’s true a Fitbit can do that for half the price, but a Fitbit doesn’t do a tenth of the things.

It must be noted that in the Android side of the ecosystem there are now a range of really great smartwatches. LG, Samsung, Pebble, and Motorola are all making some drool-worthy units.

In the tech-pundit world, the watch has been described as a flop for failing to live up to the hype and not being seen on every wrist in the land.

But 11.6 million of the watches were sold in 2015, which for a new product category is something many would

consider robust.

Smartwatches will be, for the foreseeable future, accessories. They require you to have another item first. Obviously, the Apple Watch isn’t going to replace the iPhone.

But there’s a reason we went from carriage clocks to fob watches and thence to wrist watches when the clock-making technology finally allowed it.

Strapped to your wrist is a very useful place for technical data to be displayed. In an increasingly technical world it’s a godsend.

Whether I need to buy a new one next year is a whole other question.

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

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Lisa’s love of sharing women’s wisdom

Kathryn Vukovljak reports

SEEING her friends and colleagues surviving difficulties and going on to achieve success inspired Lisa LaMaitre to create a new way of connecting and supporting women in Canberra.

“I think women keep so much of their wisdom to themselves, and I want to tap into that and share it,” she says.

Lisa, who runs massage clinic Therapy Masters in Civic, says her project Canberra Wise Women came out of a desire to share the knowledge that comes from having been through challenges and come out the other side.

“I had worked with women in business for around 20 years, and I started to think, why just inspire businesswomen? Everyone needs inspiration,” she says.

Canberra Wise Women is a series of two-hour events that feature a guest interviewer and three local women sharing their stories.

Events so far have included interviews with Kelli Donovan, designer of eco label Pure Pod; Chrystina Stanford, CEO of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre; the Merrymaker sisters, Carla and Emma Papas, and powerlifter Elizabeth Craven.

The next event will be on Tuesday, April 5, with three more following in June, August and October. The April event will include interviews with Tigress yoga instructor Kelly Henderson and local entrepreneur Laurie McDonald.

Lisa says she experienced trauma when she

ran a business that was repeatedly targeted for crime, as well as experiencing a home burglary at around the same time.

She says the combination of these experiences from 2006-10 had a hugely damaging effect on her.

“It could take hours to report the crime and support our staff, and then it could be six to 12 months before it enters the justice system, by which time it’s out of your control,” she says.

“I was left with post-traumatic stress disorder, and many people who experience that stay in that place.

“But if you go through it, you can be healed and you find out who you are.”

Lisa says that in 2011 she started 18 months of counselling through Victim Support, ending up needing 20 sessions where most people have two.

“We all have these beliefs and mindsets that the world is a safe place and that we’re always taken care of,” she says.

“When you go through trauma, that veil is lifted and it doesn’t go back down. Things are not how they were and the only way forward is to accept that.”

Lisa says she’s learned to shed the things that don’t serve her.

“Now I value positivity and motivation. Healing took a long time and some days I still feel antsy.

“But this project is easy – this is the first thing I’ve done that’s just flowing.”

Tickets for the Tuesday, April 5 event (5pm-7pm at PwC in Barton) cost $55 and are available through Eventbrite by searching Canberra Wise Women. More information at facebook.com/ CanberraWiseWomen

Volunteers wanted...

STARLIGHT Children’s Foundation is calling for 2000 volunteers this Starlight Day, Friday, May 6, to help raise $1.3 million to support more than 33,000 seriously ill children and their families. Starlight relies solely on the community to deliver its Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight programs, which distract sick kids from hospitalisation through play and laughter. Information is at starlight.org.au

...and still wanted

SAFE Shelter, which provides overnight shelter for homeless men during winter in Canberra, is looking for volunteers to staff the shelters between April 26 and September 29. Volunteers must be at least 18, hold a Working with Vulnerable People card and be willing to spend a minimum of one night a month staffing a shelter. Volunteers sleep on the floor of the shelter, as do the guests. There will be the choice of weekly training courses. More details via email to safeshelteract@gmail.com

Monster garage sale

SOPHAN Kith Education Fund, a charity raising funds to build schools in remote areas of Cambodia, is holding a Monster Garage Sale at 10 Karawatha Place, O’Malley, from 8.30am on Sunday, April 10. Visit the charity at skef.org.au

Letting off steam

THE Canberra Railway Museum’s Easter Steam Extravaganza will be even bigger this month with family steam-train trips, miniature railway rides, carnival attractions and the Easter Bunny. Visitors can enter a time tunnel taking a ride in a train pulled by a classic steam loco built 113 years ago, which will depart the museum (near Kingston Foreshore) to Queanbeyan and return on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Easter. Proceeds help volunteers restore vintage carriages and locomotives. Bookings to canberrarailwaymuseum.org or call 6232 6405.

Kids at risk, who cares?

OUR family is writing to ask for help in solving an issue with the ACT government. They seem to have forgotten one of the schools in our suburb of Kaleen.

Three schools in our suburb have school crossings (Kaleen Primary, Kaleen High and St Michael’s), but there is no crossing at our school – Maribyrnong Primary in Alberga Street.

Apparently there are plans to move traffic lights on the main road near the school, but in the absence of a pedestrian island or crossing flags we witnessed our 10-year-old son narrowly avoiding being hit by a car as he was attempting to cross the street outside school on Friday afternoon.

Our school is taking in students from Bruce and will soon be taking in students from Lawson, yet our streets seem to have fallen off the TAMS map.

Traffic-calming measures have been installed in many other areas of our suburb in the last year, but our school precinct seems to have been ignored, despite community consultations, talks with TAMS and the police.

It seems somewhat risible that the ACT government expresses repeated concern over the rates of childhood obesity and urges us all to “Live Lighter”, but then fails to act in support of children being able to safely walk or ride to and from school.

We also note that local traders in the adjacent Gwydir Square shopping centre are petitioning for action on traffic issues in the shopping centre car park (and for the installation of public toilets promised in 2012).

We would be very grateful if “CityNews” could sup -

ply TAMS with a map of Kaleen that includes Alberga Street (the location of Maribyrnong Primary) and the Gwydir Square Shopping Centre.

We are writing as concerned parents and private citizens. The views expressed are ours alone. We are in no way intending to speak on behalf of the school or local traders.

Annette Healy and Bryce Gray, Kaleen

In defence of Donald

I DON’T think Donald Trump is as silly as many believe. A quick look reveals that his rambunctious behaviour and sayings are outside the field of political correctness. He’s saying what many people are thinking, but won’t say themselves. This deliberate tactic is serving him well and I believe he is astute enough to know that, if elected, he can play his trump card and ease back into the politically correct gridlock, as required.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

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DARAMALAN COLLEGE

OPEN EVENING

THURSDAY 31 MARCH 2016

5.00pm - 6.30pm

This will be followed by an Information Session in McCowage Hall for Year 7, 2017 students.

“DARA FOR A DAY” FOR YEAR 6 STUDENTS We offer all Year 6 students an opportunity to visit the College and

2 - 20 May 2016

Enrolments for Year 7, 2017 accepted Thursday 19 May 2016

11, 2017 Information Evening at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Enrolments direct: 6245 6348 Ph: 6245 6300 enrolments@daramalan.act.edu.au www.daramalan.act.edu.au

NDIS too important to

THE National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of those big, nation-changing, once-in-a-generation reforms of which all Australians should be proud.

Worryingly though, there now appear to be threats to its success.

At a recent meeting of the nation’s disability ministers, proposals were made that would give the Commonwealth Disability Minister more power by removing the need for governance and compliance issues to be agreed by all parties.

Under the proposal, the NDIS Act would be altered so that enacting changes in key areas, such as eligibility for the scheme or the content of individual plans, would only require “consultation” with states and territories rather than consensus.

Put simply, this proposal was a power grab by the Turnbull government designed to narrow the parameters of the scheme to cut costs. This is unacceptable.

States and territory governments of all persuasions shot this proposal down – but the intent of the Federal government has now been made clear.

Like Medicare before it, the NDIS promises a better life for those most needing support. It’s a visionary policy; the greatest progressive reform of 21st century Australia so far.

This relatively simple concept –that people with disability should be able to get tailored, individualised packages of government support to

As ACT Minister for Disability, I will fight any threat to the NDIS or to the services it will provide to thousands of Canberrans.

fund the choices, service and equipment that will help them lead a better life – is backed by a complex system of intergovernmental payments and supports.

As ACT Minister for Disability, I will fight any threat to the NDIS or to the services it will provide to thousands of Canberrans.

The ACT joined as a trial site in July 2014. The ACT government recognised early the immense benefit of this trial – a decision that has borne fruit across the capital, with thousands already transferred to the NDIS.

In fact, by September, we’ll be the first jurisdiction in Australia to fully transition to the NDIS with more than 5000 Canberrans benefitting from it. By 2019-20 the ACT government will commit an estimated $175 million to the scheme so eligible Canberrans can make the choices and take on the control they need to fundamentally improve their lives.

I’m proud to be Minister for Disability in an

CHRIS BOURKE

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

play games

ACT government so committed to the NDIS. I hear from organisations and individuals alike stories of the great freedoms and optimism this reform is giving people and their families.

People with disability in Australia are on the cusp of receiving the most meaningful improvement to government services in a generation or more. We should not be seeking to deny them that on the basis of an ideological attack or some tick-box on Scott Morrison’s clipboard.

The ACT government won’t support any move to give the Federal government more control over the operation of the NDIS. The NDIS is a revolutionary system of support for people with disability and simply too important to play games with.

Dr Chris Bourke is the ACT Minister for Disability.

letter

Unwell visitor says thanks

I RECENTLY had the misfortune to be taken ill at the start of a two-day trip to Canberra with my wife and found myself admitted as an emergency patient in Canberra Hospital where I spent four days.

I would like to record my gratitude, and that of my wife, to all of those who helped us during what was a very difficult time.

This includes the young ladies who immediately came to our aid when I collapsed in Macquarie Street close to the AFP headquarters and the policemen on duty outside the AFP who also assisted; the highly professional paramedics who attended to me and took me to hospital as well as the equally highly professional staff in the emergency department of the hospital and in Ward 8B where I spent most of my time.

My wife and I are regular visitors to Canberra but do not have any relatives or friends in the locality, so the supportive manner of all of those who helped us was especially appreciated.

Thank you all.

Harvey Sanders, Paddington, NSW

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.

A gift for living

If you’re aged 50-74 you’ll be sent a free bowel cancer screening kit. The kit is simple to use and can detect bowel cancer before any symptoms appear. Around 80 Australians die of bowel cancer every week, but if detected early, up to 90% of cases can be successfully treated. So be sure to complete and return your kit. It’s a gift that could save your life. If you’re over 74 talk to your GP. By 2020 people aged 50-74 will receive a kit every two years.

Canberra Confidential

Chinese go quackers

“IT seems a bit zany to have a French restaurant in Canberra take out the 2016 Top Choice Restaurant award for a Chinese competition but that’s what’s happened to Les Bistronomes,” writes bemused “CityNews” dining reviewer

Wendy Johnson

Wendy says it all came out of the blue for chef Clement Chauvin (pictured) and his team when they received a certificate at the Braddon restaurant congratulating them on the win.

The certificate was from lianorg.com.

Chef Chauvin’s guess is that the team won in part for their traditional duck a l’orange, which their Chinese guests adore. Also, this year, Les Bistronomes picked up a Good Food Guide chef’s hat.

Swinging Chief

ANDREW Barr must find himself officiating in all sorts of places, though possibly few as different as the new Barton offices of accounting and consulting firm Synergy, for which he clipped the ribbon the other day. Snapper Andrew Finch caught the Chief Minister gently trying out the indoor, adultsized swings on a floor of artifical grass. There’s more: amid what the company characterises as its “Google-esque” workspace are a couple of British-style phone booths and a table tennis table. They describe the new space as a true

representation of how the 17-year-old company is “unique”. Who said accounting couldn’t be fun?

Jason still spruiks

WAS that the back of a bus in London Circuit with newly minted Labor MLA for Ginninderra Jayson Hinder’s smiling dial plastered across it? Yup, there was the clearly not-quite-former legal eagle rolling by, larger-than-life and advertising the virtues of his law firm. While it probably predates his ascension to the Assembly, replacing Mary Porter, surely a quick call to Yerrabi running mate and TAMS Minister Meegan Fitzharris would get it fixed, Jason.

CAT causes confusion

JUDGES for Coralie Wood’s annual glittering Canberra Area Theatre Awards tirelessly prowl the region, fearlessly assessing performance art wherever it is played.

The judges stay in various motels all booked by the CAT Awards office.

In checking the recent account of a judge, who stayed at a Mittagong motel, it was noticed he had been charged for a double and not a single.

The CAT office sprang into action, called and was told the judge had been charged a single for himself and the extra was for a cat. A cat?

The animal-friendly motel had got confused with the CAT Awards booking. A refund followed a heartbeat later!

Poster boy

IS that Omar Musa (pictured) hanging out with Cate Blanchett? Not entirely, but the Queanbeyan author found himself treading the same boards at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music during his promo tour to support the US release of his novel “Here Come the Dogs”. He was invited to the cult series, “The Moth (True Stories Told Live) Radio Hour”, on stage with four US yarn spinners and performed his story – the final one of the night – to a packed audience. That was two days after a sell-out book reading at the Harvard bookstore in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Lilli Pilli Sublime is a destination unlike any other. We offer holiday accommodation in a spacious, delightfully decorated 4 bedroom house with rumpus/games room, and a Moroccan themed outdoor kitchen area with BBQ.

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items. We accept our guests well mannered dogs on application.

The LPS vibe is very much a tropical one with its hot and cold private outdoor shower. Its Bali inspired garden adds a touch of paradise and is pleasantly styled with Asian stone sculptures, fountains and bamboo. Guests can enjoy the many beaches in the area; Lilli Pilli Beach is just a 300 m walk. Take in the fresh ocean air and sounds of the wildlife.

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DCE IS TURNING 1 AND TO CELEBRATE WE’RE GOING TO THROW SOMEONE ELSE A PARTY.....A LAUNCH PARTY !

‘WIN A DCE LAUNCH PARTY’ COMPETITION

Danielle Cleary Events is an exciting ‘promotion through experience’ boutique event marketing, styling and management agency.

We are a dynamic, innovative and passionate team ready to showcase premier events and consumer engagement opportunities in Canberra.

DCE is passionate about promoting Canberra business with unique events not seen before in our city, so we’re looking for 3 new businesses to launch at our anniversary celebration, in these categories:

• Creative Services

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For more details please visit our page.

FCA’s

The beautiful Italians Auto Italia

ABOUT 15,000 people are expected to enjoy up to 300 beautiful Italian-manufactured cars, motorbikes and scooters from across the country on display on the lawns of Old Parliament House on Sunday, April 3.

Presented by the Italian Cars Association of ACT, the 31st Auto Italia Canberra is an annual celebration of Italian automotive design and excellence.

The president of Auto Italia Canberra, Tony Hanrahan, says: “The event has become extremely large with interest across the country and we understand that it is the biggest show of Italian machinery in the southern hemisphere.”

Tony remembers a lady once brought her 1973 classic, bright-red Fiat 500 to display all the way from Tasmania.

“She drove the car to Launceston, then brought it on the boat to Melbourne and drove it here,” he says.

“Over the past 30 years Auto Italia Canberra has grown in stature to the extent that people are planning their holidays around it to drive their cars for display!”

One of the cars to look out for this year is a Lamborghini Miura, an extremely rare and exotic classic car that is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The new hybrid engine La Ferrari – worth $1.5million – will also be on display and, with only three of these models in Australia, Tony says this car will be sure to draw a crowd.

“The event is free to the public, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors,” he says.

“There are very few events that people can get so close to these vehicles.”

Officially endorsed by the Italian Embassy, Tony says the event is also a celebration of Italian culture, with live music, food and drink.

“Each prize will be awarded personally by the Italian ambassador, which is a big thrill for the winners. It’s a great family day out,” he says.

Visit autoitaliacanberra.com

advertising feature

ready to make their marque

Gulson to showcase Alfa’s new Spider

GULSON is one of the major sponsors for Auto Italia Canberra and will be showcasing the new Alfa Romeo 4C Spider at the event.

Specialists in servicing European vehicles

LATIN Motors has provided mechanical repairs and servicing to the Canberra region since 1979.

The family-owned, long-established workshop specialises in European makes and models.

Owner Damian Jones says that its customers can feel comfortable knowing that they are dealing directly with the mechanic looking after their car.

“We always put our customers first, making sure they are notified and assured if there is any extra work found on their car,” he says.

“I did my apprenticeship in European cars and appreciate their fine engineering,” he says.

“The award is named after Ray because of his racing heritage,” says owner and Ray’s son, Graham Gulson.

“Our company has been the longest-serving business supporting

The car dealership, which has introduced generations of locals to the wonders of European cars since the 1960s, will also award the Ray Gulson Trophy to an exhibitor who demonstrates, through choice of vehicles, personality or presentation, a similar passion to their founder Ray Gulson.

Fernando loves fixing cars

WITH 50 years’ experience in motor mechanics, Moro Motors offers servicing, maintenance and repairs to all makes of vehicles.

The family-owned business specialises in Italian models such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and more.

Owner Fernando Moro says he is proud to be a silver sponsor for Auto Italia Canberra and looks forward to being there and talking to people and new customers

about his love of Italian cars. Fernando says he is also excited to be launching the new Moro Motors’ website.

Based in Mitchell, Moro Motors has a team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals and uses genuine parts to give customers a log-book service that ensures their car remains under warranty.

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

Auto Italia. The event brings together the best of the Italian motoring district. It is an opportunity to see vehicles seldom seen day to day in the life of Canberrans.”

Gulson Fiat and Alfa Romeo, 92 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick, call 6280 4440.

Damian says that Latin Motors is a supplier and installer of Torqit pedal and power modules that help eliminate lag, boost performance and fuel economy in diesel cars.

Latin Motors, 56 Townsville Street, Fyshwick, call 6280 5586 or visit latinmotors.com.au

Auto Italia / April 3 advertising feature

Chance to test drive a new Maserati Ghibli

THE Maserati Ghibli will be on show at Auto Italia and available for test drives the following day.

Ferrari Maserati Sydney will be displaying its latest range and conducting Ghibli and Quatroporte test drives in Canberra on Monday, April 4 (call 8577 8100 to book).

The Ghibli boasts an entire new range of engines that meet the new Euro6 emission standards and cut fuel consumption by up to 12 per cent, as well as new safety and luxury features fitted as standard.

“Despite the transformation the Ghibli has brought to Maserati in terms of sales, the Trident marque is not resting on its laurels,” says Glen Sealey, chief operating officer of Maserati Australia, NZ and South Africa.

“These changes for 2016 bring to the Ghibli new levels of emissions and fuel consumption allied to a range of comfort, safety and exclusiv ity features that will enable it to continue to build on its sales this year.”

In addition to the new range of engines for the Ghibli, new safety features include blind-spot monitoring, cross-path warning and auto-dipping door mirrors. Ease of use and convenience is enhanced with a poweroperated boot that may be operated remotely or at the wave of a foot, while the addition of the Siri Personal Assistant enables a new range of services and features to be operated by voice command through MTC telematics system.

The 2016 Maserati Ghibli continues to offer three engine choices. Both versions of the

new-generation EURO 6-compliant, three-litre, V6 Twin Turbo engine, with up to 12 per cent reduction in emissions and consumption and unchanged performance compared to EURO 5 engines and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, fitted for the first time with a start and stop function. With its power output of 410 hp the Ghibli S races to 100 kmh in five seconds and reaches a top speed of 285 kmh. The Ghibli delivers 330 hp, a top speed of 263 kmh and

6-compliant, three-litre, V6 engine has been exclusively developed for Maserati by VM Motori and this engine produces a best-in-its-class power output of 275 hp enabling it to reach 100 kmh in 6.3 seconds and continue to a top speed of 250 kmh. Fitted with the new engine range, the combined fuel consumption figure for the Ghibli S is 9.6 l/100 km, while for the 330 bhp Ghibli the combined fuel figure is 8.9 l/100 km.

combined dips to 5.9 l/100 km.

Visually the Ghibli’s design team has produced a saloon that emphasises its more dynamic driving characteristics through a more aggressive visual personality, yet still maintained discernible visual links with the Maserati family.

Book Ghibli and Quatroporte test drives, in Canberra, Monday, April 4 at 8577 8100.

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

People who make sense of the numbers

NATIONAL Management Consultants specialise in accounting and taxation services for individuals and small-tomedium businesses.

“We provide business and taxation advice and concentrate on these groups at competitive rates,” says managing director, Tony Hanrahan.

With eight accountants on staff, the team provides one-onone service based on its clients’ personal needs. They can also make home visits, says Tony.

“Some of our clients can feel daunted by their BAS or tax requirements. We give them the comfort of our professional support and because of our knowledge, a better tax return than they could do themselves,” says Tony.

National Management Consultants is a proud partner of Auto Italia Canberra, providing pro bono business support.

National Management Consultants, 7/39 London Circuit, Canberra, call 6262 9930.

arts & entertainment Kelly kisses Juliet goodbye

By Helen Musa

JULIET – she’s the stronger half of the world’s most famous star-cross’d lovers and to play her is the dream of every young actress and, sometimes, not-so-young actress.

Luckily for Bell Shakespeare Co’s Kelly Paterniti, who scored the role in the company’s upcoming production of “Romeo and Juliet”, she’s played it before in hometown Perth when she was much closer to the stated age of Juliet. For just as we know that Hamlet is precisely 30, so we know Juliet is just about to turn 14 and there’s no getting away from it, Paterniti is twice her age.

“I guess it’s the last time I’ll be able to do the part,” she concedes.

“It’s a really demanding role, she is so incredibly intelligent… I played her before when I was much closer to her age, but it’s different now; I’m more mature and I can throw myself into the emotion and the feeling.”

The disadvantage is that perhaps the role loses a bit of innocence “but, honestly, I don’t see how a 14-year-old could play this character,” she says.

Paterniti lays out her evidence. Juliet is more intellectual than Romeo, she’s the one who makes the decision to get married and where and when. Even in the scene where she has to deal with the impending banishment of Romeo, she is the more pragmatic one.

“She is so smart I can see why actors would want to play her… she starts out an obedient daughter and ends up a very brave wise young woman who makes her own decision to leave the family, to do what is right for her.”

Mind you, as parental rolemodels the Capulets are not up to much. The behaviour of mother

and father Capulet she describes as “quite appalling, especially the father, who seems to be a reasonable man and then in one swift moment completely banishes all of her hopes… I get the feeling that the adults in her life really let her down, but she is very mature in the way she handles it”.

Then there is Juliet’s exceptional bravery. Even though Friar Laurence is arguably a dodgy character, expert in secret poisons, she is

prepared to drink his potion to simulate death.

“They’re fabulous characters in this play,” she says as she considers that even the worst of them provide great opportunities for players.

Paterniti and her Romeo, Alex Williams, have been enjoying a dramatic change from the screen work that has hitherto dominated their careers, working with an ensemble of actors who do movement classes

every day to help them realise BSC director Peter Evans’ subtle mix of Elizabeth and Italian Renaissance – “Verona and all that,” as she says. But at the same time, she says “there is a contemporary feel – we want to fill out those beautiful costumes, not make them rule us”.

Bell Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, The Playhouse, April 1-9, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

A sharp ‘Eye’ to excitement

“Eye In The Sky” (M)

THE screenplay that Guy Hibbert crafted for Gavin Hood’s riveting military/political/techno-thriller of our time on our planet has virtues putting it streets ahead of the expensive trash, fertilised with outer-space monsters and flying vehicles that obey none of the proven laws of physics, with which “comic book” publishers Marvel or DC pollute cinema screens.

“Eye In the Sky” conforms with the dramatic unities of place and time and the 3C principles for managing military or law enforcement operations – command, co-ordination and communication.

Its plot unfolds with high-tech military communications hardware (I don’t know which items are in service or which, if any, exist only in Hibbert’s imagination), co-ordinating strategic and tactical analysis by British policy advisers whose decisions reach up to head-of-government level for approval and down to commanders of action-ready US and Kenyan military units.

The credible, exciting plot has fun highlighting bureaucratic duck-shoving of hard choices to higher levels for approval. The emotional conflicts can tug the heartstrings of every parent and amaze as a colonel orders a sergeant to make a collateral damage evaluation way above the latter’s pay grade.

One simple option. Will Kenyan ground units standing by in Nairobi to assault a building to capture people wanted to prosecute for terrorist crimes get the go from Britain’s COBRA committee? Or will a pilot at a desk at a Nevada air force base flying a UAV somewhere within missile range get the order to launch a missile and, if so, at which corner of that building?

Coming to the decision, and the cinematic skills deployed to bring it to the screen, are one reason for the four stars. The other is that the role of the COBRA chairman was Alan Rickman’s last, which gives the film an additional emotional dimension.

At Palace Electric, Dendy, from March 24

“The

Daughter” (M)

NOBODY would call the plays of Henrik Ibsen a bundle of laughs.

Writer/director Simon Stone’s directorial debut transfers Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck” (first performed in 1884) from Norway to Australia in our time. The relatively large list of characters gather in the home of patriarch Henry (Geoffrey Rush), who has decided to sell the family’s sawmill and marry his much younger housekeeper.

Henry’s son Christian (Paul Schneider) has come home after years of absence. Christian’s classmate friend Oliver (Ewen Leslie) has

married teacher Charlotte (Miranda Otto), the mother of teenaged Hedvig (Odessa Young). Other family members include Henry’s brother Walter (Sam Neill).

The film’s title relates to Hedvig, whose fumbling cavortings with Adam (Wilson Moore) have confused her sexuality’s development. Hedvig is a troubled spirit at the best of times, as well she might be, in a family in which long-past secrets are about to emerge.

If you want a serious film exploration of issues in family turmoil, that one probably offers a modicum of value. Transferring it to Australia hasn’t seriously harmed its dramatic qualities. If you want a film about a teenaged daughter trying to deal with family and adolescence in a constricted family environment, “The Daughter” somehow doesn’t hit as hard as does “Looking for Grace” in which Odessa Young made her feature-film debut.

And while Ibsen’s plays have spawned 241 films since “The Pillars Of Society” in 1911, however admirable they are, they still work best when you’re in the mood for them.

At Dendy, Event Cinemas and Palace Electric

“London Has Fallen” (MA)

TO tell a futuristic story (at last report, the city’s famous places are still undamaged) writer Creighton Rothenberger has given birth to a hero of impressive stature, US President’s protection

detail member Mike Banning (Gerard Butler).

Mike has typed his letter of resignation. But the British Prime Minister has unexpectedly died and world leaders are rushing to London for the funeral. Mike can forget about his close-to-parturition wife for the moment. President Asher (Aaron Eckhart) wants Mike to protect him on the trip.

Two years previously, the same UAV squadron that features in “Eye In The Sky” launched the missile that wiped out the tent in Pakistan where a known terrorist leader was at the wedding of the daughter of an armaments magnate. This man is filthy, some might even say stinkingly, rich. And patient. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

“London Has Fallen” erupts from the screen at a very high temperature. As an example of staging and filming calamities in real locations with real people, it does Najafi and Rothenberger credit. But in all that excitement, energy and escapist fun, with smoking wrecks and good and bad dead guys scattered all over London, credibility has no place in a fantasy actioner. Mike Banning is just too good to be credible.

“London Has Fallen” does credit to Iranianborn director Babak Najafi. I hope so. Some of the loveliest films I ever saw at Sydney Film Festivals were Iranian.

At Hoyts

Festival has plenty to Crowe about

AUSTRALIA’S “Young At Heart” film festival is a mix of premieres and classics, Q&As and live performances aimed at senior audiences. This year’s highlights include “Fathers and Daughters” with Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried and Jane Fonda and the biopic “The Man Who Knew Infinity”, starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons and Stephen Fry. Palace Electric, April 11-17, details at youngatheart.net.au

POLITICAL journo Laura Tingle is also a proud member of the Canberra Choral Society and has just taken over as publicist for the lively organisation directed by Toby Cole. She’s even dug up evidence of political skulduggery in the life of Elizabethan composer William Byrd, partly the subject of CCS’s next concert “From Byrd to Britten: 400 years of English choral music”, at Ainslie Arts Centre, Saturday, April 2 and 3pm, Sunday, April 3, bookings via trybooking.com

AS the National Folk Festival draws near, director Pam Merrigan’s thoughts are turning to fun, with a swinging ‘60s dress-up day on Easter Sunday, March 27, to mark the event’s 50th anniversary. Initially called The Port Phillip District Folk Music Festival, the “National,” began in 1967 and eventually came to roost in Canberra in 1993. All details at folkfestival.org.au

THE Hindu Festival of Colours, Holi Mela, is to be celebrated by the India Australia Association at Stage 88 from 11am on March 26. The entertainment includes belly dancing, Bollywood dance and a choreographed fashion parade. Entry is free and food, drink and most important, colours, will be available at nominal prices.

ARTIST Denise Moule and calligrapher Merran Hunter will be combining two genres in “The Art of Paint and Pen” at Sweet Copper, Gold Creek (the old Ginninderra

Schoolhouse) opening at 5pm, April 3, then running from April 7 to May 1.

CARL Rafferty is taking a moment from his operatic extravaganzas to present “Gershwin & Friends”, music by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, Leroy Anderson and more. Performed by Rafferty himself at the grand piano and a troupe of local vocalists and instrumentalists, at Bungendore Wood Works, Saturday, April 2.

Soprano Sarahlouise Owens.

“WEILL-ENCE & Weimar” is the quirky title chosen for a Lunchtime Live concert by soprano Sarahlouise Owens and pianist Colleen Rae-Gerrard. They’ll explore the music of Kurt Weill and his contemporaries and throw in “some Australian surprises” from Peter Casey and Calvin Bowman. Wesley Music Centre, from 12.40pm to 1.20pm, Wednesday, March 30. Entry by note, no bookings

James comes dancing home with new ‘Faces’

By Helen Musa

CHOREOGRAPHER James

Batchelor is one of our proudest exports – and he keeps coming back home.

A Melbourne Green Room and Canberra Critics Circle award winner, his original dance work is attracting attention wherever he goes, as far as England, France and Thailand. This year, he’s even travelled to the Antarctic in search of inspiration.

He’s been a dancer since age five, training with Quantum Leap at Gorman Arts Centre before completing a Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts. There he won the Joy Nicholls scholarship, Dr Phillip Law Travel scholarship, the Lionel Gell scholarship and the Friends of VCA Award, a Graduate Mentors Scholarship and an Australia Council Artstart grant. His home town also acknowledged his success with a Canberra Young Citizen of the Year award.

Characterised by one critic as “an artist to watch”, Batchelor largely divides his time between Melbourne and Canberra. He hardly stops to breathe. In 2014 he developed “Island”, a performance work combining dance, sound and architecture that was nominated for an Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance.

He has thrown his weight behind youth and community programs, too, leading a 10-week project in 2014 for disadvantaged youth in Melbourne and creating a new work, “Cinders”, with the Quantum Leap Youth Dance Ensemble in Canberra that later toured to Bangkok and Glasgow.

Then he was commissioned to make a new work for the inaugural Keir Choreographic Award, a work he expanded into a performance series called “Metasystems”, funded for development last year by ArtsACT, City of Melbourne and

the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, an unusual triumvirate.

This year Batchelor has been paying his dues to Canberra by participating in the Art Not Apart festival in New Acton recently and he’s planning a work for the You Are Here festival in mid-April.

But first, there’s his new work, “Faces”, a choreographic take on World War I. With a focus on the many Australians who were wounded and killed in the Great War, he uses photographs, maps and letters from the Western Front to create what he calls “a physical yet translucent world of overlapping images”.

Batchelor’s idea is to manipulate the bodies and objects to create a

sense of expanded, warped time as anonymous bodies and faces appear in and out of focus.

The idea is, he says, that we will be “reminded of the uncertainty of war and its immortal traces as we are left to contemplate a distant yet ever present memory and its place in the modern world”. It sounds abstract, but with Batchelor’s facility as a choreographic shape-changer, you just know it will be arresting and provocative.

“Faces,” by James Batchelor and collaborators, Canberra Theatre Courtyard Studio, April 6-10. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

dining Taste of Ethiopia down under

IT’S a small eatery tucked away at the Pearce shops, but well worth a visit if you’re hankering for a cuisine that doesn’t pop up just anywhere in the capital’s dining scene.

Ethiopia Down Under opened many moons ago serving food that is spicy but not hot. As the owners say: “Our food doesn’t burn and isn’t an endurance test.”

Like most national cuisines, Ethiopian food varies by region with this restaurant focusing on Tigray, the northernmost of the country’s nine regions.

We tucked into samosas (spinach and also lentil). They were a good but not a great start. I’ve definitely had better. However, the other dishes impressed.

well with the beef pieces. Berbere is a versatile ingredient used in many Ethiopian dishes and one, the owners say, that is flavoursome but not hot, hot, hot.

I could equally get addicted to the mild-tasting, spiced, yellow lentils, whipped up by the chef with onion, ginger, garlic and shallots ($15.90).

We scooped up our food with Injera bread. This is a soft crepe-style pancake with a lemony taste which comes from the fermentation process.

Ethiopia Down Under offers banquets and an interesting “feed me” option, which the restaurant also calls the “no-think” option. The staff ask about your food preferences and then order dishes to suit. You just sit back and relax.

6.30pm

9.30am • Good Friday Liturgy

Goat is big in Ethiopia and we loved what the chef prepared. The strips of tender, prime meat were pan-fried with spices, capsicum and tomato – a feast for the eyes and a delight for the taste buds ($22.90).

I could become addicted to the Bamia Wat ($17.90). Created with berbere spices, the okra was cooked to perfection and married

The restaurant isn’t strictly halal or kosher, but in line with the dietary preferences of Ethiopians, no pork or seafood is used in the kitchen. There’s loads of yummy vegan and vegetarian dishes and Ethiopia Down Under is a member of the NSW/ ACT Coeliac Society.

And with Ethiopia being the birthplace of coffee, the restaurant promises a good cup, hand roasting its fair-trade beans daily. It serves coffee the traditional way, in a traditional pot.

The décor is basic, with thick, clear plastic covers placed over embroidered tablecloths at each table. We weren’t fussed, preferring good food over a beautiful décor and ordinary food.

Our only comment about the overall experience was the service. It got off on the right start, but slowed until it ground to a halt. We waited a

considerable time to get the bill. Indeed, one of our party finally got up to ask for it and we also got up to pay it.

Engage with the Easter Story through a series of self-guided art installations. Come anytime between 7pm and 10.30pm. Free coffee and food Easter Sunday MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 9.30am to 11am Includes community morning tea

Sunday EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE 6pm to 7.30pm Picnic BBQ meal and Communion

After Easter CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED COURSE Investigative study of Jesus including his death and resurrection 7pm to 9pm – Thursdays from 31st of March to 12th May

BASC, which stands for “blinds, awnings, shutters and curtains” is locally owned and operated, specialising in supplying quality internal and external window furnishings for existing, renovated or new homes and businesses.

Located at its recently revamped showroom on Brookes Street, BASC’s Fiona McGarry says the showroom is open to the public and the displays are being constantly changed and updated.

“Our sales team has a combined experience of over 20 years,” says Fiona.

“We are competitive and affordable. We provide a free measure and quote on-site or you are welcome to come into our showroom to see the products and discuss your needs.”

BASC, 9/9 Brookes Street, visit bascact.com.au or call 6255 0055.

always lots to discover in Mitchell

TRAINING

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

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

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

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

“They will learn about the laws for each section of the security industry,

this is achieved by real-life scenarios, case studies and open-class discussion during the course.

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

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

Australian Security Education & Consulting, 8A/160 Lysaght Street. Call 6134 6631 or visit roverworks.com.au

PRINTING

D.R Print has been serving and satisfying customers in Canberra and across Australia with quality offset and digital printing for more than 18 years.

Offering a full range of document processing facilities, D.R Print bind, laminate, digital copy, design, publish and much more.

D.R Print can also create business cards, brochures, stationery and posters.

“Our advanced digital and offset printing equipment allows the team to meet or better price expectations and quality requirements on almost any size or type of job,” says D.R Print’s Derek Jiang.

“Our focus is quality, and our many satisfied customers are a measure of the experience and skill we bring to every job we do.”

D.R Print, 1/173 Flemington Road, visit drprint.net.au or call 6262 7780.

contacting us today!

TROPHIES/SPORTSWEAR

The winning ways with trophies

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

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

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

Capital Trophies and Sportswear also offers screen printing and embroidery of a range of corporate, high-vis and sporting clothing and accessories.

The staff can bring customer designs to life either

as an embroidered logo or a screen print on a shirt.

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

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

PHARMACY

Pharmacy on the front line of fighting flu

MITCHELL Discount Pharmacy offers a range of services including asthma management, med checks and pharmacist Mathew Asuo-Asabere and his team can keep prescriptions on file to manage repeats, says managing partner of the Discount Pharmacy Group Canberra, Luke Murray.

“We are open until 8pm every weeknight, which is convenient for people to access on their drive home,” says Luke.

“We also offer compounding services through our network, so customers can drop off and collect their prescriptions at Mitchell,” he says.

Naturopath and pharmacist Lisa Scholes is in store every Wednesday, providing consultations on the complementary side of health care, as well as ensuring it is safe to take with your medicines, says Luke. A new service the pharmacy is proud to provide is flu vaccination. Mathew is able to administer the flu vaccine without the need to go to a doctor or get a prescription. Customers are encouraged to “spread the word, not the flu” and get their flu vaccination in-store today.

Mitchell Discount Pharmacy, 141 Flemington Road, call 6241 1233.

QUILTS

All about quilts, pillows, cushions and more

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

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

“Servicing of feather and down products are essential for keeping them in optimal condition for comfort,” says owner Jennifer Kusa.

“With time and usage, body proteins and lipids (natural oils and perspiration) are absorbed on to quilt casings and into the feather and down inside.

“Over time, this build-up dampens the down which causes it to lose its thermal

resistance. However, regular servicing of your quilts would ensure that your down is fresh, fluffy and keeps you nice and warm during winter.

“In addition, if your quilt is not warm enough or too warm, we are able to adjust it to your requirements.”

With its eco-friendly cleaning process, Therma Quilts services feather and down products as well as silk, polyester, cotton and wool quilt underlays.

Therma Quilts now has a new range of fine Egyptian cotton fabrics all made in Germany. The Egyptian cottons are as light as 76 grams per square metre and the lightness combined with warmth makes for a luxuriously comfortable quilt.

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

CAR REPAIRS

Auto services with a record of success

N & D Auto Services has a proud 30year history of providing customers with the best in general auto repairs.

Niall Robb has owned the business since 2002 and has been working on cars since 1968.

“We have five qualified automotive tradesmen, one school-age apprentice and one adult trainee,” says Niall.

“We service and repair all cars, including tyres and wheel alignment. We have five diagnostic systems that talk to a wide range of cars’ computer software to understand and help fix problems,” he says.

“We are a Repco-authorised car service workshop and work to a very high standard of quality and ethics. Our mechanics are Repco Auto Tech trained to utilise the most modern car service methods in everyday work.”

Niall says N & D has been helping generations of family members over the years who keep coming back to them for their quality work and good customer service.

N & D Auto Services, 7 Baillieu Court, visit ndautoservices.repcoservice.net or call 6241 3011.

Flip-out fun comes to the northside

FLIP Out Trampoline Arena recently opened a new centre in Mitchell, in addition to the popular Flip Out based in Hume.

“We are excited to have opened a second centre on the northside, we are locally owned and cater to the whole family!” says owner, Rowena Hand.

Flip Out features a series of 80 trampolines joined together, giving adults, teens, kids and toddlers the chance to jump, spring, flip, twirl and tumble to their heart’s content, with two dedicated areas

Locally owned and operated, BASC is a company that specialise in supplying quality window furnishings for the ACT and surrounding regions.

Murray Johnson welcomed Julee Scott to the BASC team last July. Together they offer exceptional industry experience, competitive and affordable solutions and can assist with

for children under three and 10 years.

“Our biggest attraction is our foam pits, which are swimming pools filled with chunks of foam. People jump on the trampolines and launch themselves into the awesome foam pit,” says Rowena. Flip Out caters for kids parties of all ages and has a cafe on site serving baristamade coffee. Parents will also enjoy their time out while the kids “flip out”!

Flip Out Mitchell, 4/45 Dacre Street, call 6255 5533.

design and colour suggestions for all internal and external window furnishings.

Come and meet Murray and his professional team at the new and improved showroom, or book an in house quote.

Trading hours Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am – 12noon.

Brown, white and black. Very adorable new and ready to lay eggs in spring.

Huge range of

Daphne – Cyclamen – Easter Daisies.

Discover the advantage of being a Diggers Club member at the Heritage Nursery

Banks Street, Weston Park, Yarralumla • 6281 7373 heritagenursery.com.au /TheHeritageNursery

AUTUMN is the time for planting camellias.

When we had our Yass nursery, one customer expressed surprise we didn’t have a particular variety in stock. I politely explained that it was not possible to carry all varieties because, as the Camellia Society will verify, there are more than 38,000 named cultivars registered worldwide.

So, where to start in selecting from the plant’s huge range of colours and varieties?

Author Peter Valder, in his book “The Garden Plants of China”, says while many species of camellia occur in China, very few were brought into cultivation until recently.

There are exceptions such as Camellia sinensis, the tea camellia that has long been grown for its leaves.

In China, surprisingly, only a handful of indigenous species have been used as ornamental plants. Today we are all familiar with C. japonica, C. sasanqua, C. reticulata and C. williamsii.

C. japonica, with its large, glossy leaves and huge flowers, blooms in spring and needs filtered shade.

C. sasanqua is one of the hardiest, even in our summer sun. Unlike most camellias, this one is scented. As illustrated here in our garden, C. sasanqua “Hiryu” makes an ideal hedge for screening, in this case it’s more than two metres tall.

The added advantage is that it flowers in winter, which is important as it provides food for birds, especially honeyeaters, when most other plants, including native plants are dormant. Valder says that while cultivars of this type have

been introduced into Western gardens, it’s rare to see this variety in Chinese gardens.

He describes the flowers of C. reticulata as having the “sumptuousness and mystique of tree peonies and our debt to generations of Yunnanese gardeners who long ago developed these wonderful plants”, adding that “this variety of camellia has been recorded from the 11th century. From that time these Yunnan camellias were praised by poets for their longevity and the beauty of their flowers.”

At the Yufeng Lamasery, in Tibet, there is an example of this camellia’s longevity, reputed to be more than 500 years old and bearing at least 4000 flowers. It is said that during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, 50 years ago, a monk risked his life by keeping it secretly watered. Modern breeders have produced some wonderful C. reticulata including “Dr. Clifford Parkes”, an informal double with rich red flowers; “William Hertrich”, a large semi-double with light red blossoms and “Valley Knudsen”, a compact, show-stopping, semidouble with luminous pink blossoms.

MODERN breeding has produced an amazing colour variety of hellebores, which are starting to appear in garden centres now. They grow remarkably well in Canberra.

While hellebores prefer semi-shade, they will

often tolerate full sun in the morning, but need protection from the hot midday and westerly sun. They are great fillers and particularly like being under deciduous trees where they get the sun in early spring before the trees come into full leaf.

Quite a few weeks ago I recommended cutting the leaves to ground level. There’s still time to do this, but don’t delay. Some people have questioned this advice, but I have proved this approach over at least 30 years. A good example is H. “Anna’s Red”, of which 10 days ago there was bare ground and now the leaves are growing at five centimetres a day!

Jottings…

• Sow Flanders’ poppies now to celebrate Anzac Day.

• The white cedar caterpillar is a menace and gets into everything, including the home. Use Dipel, a biological spray non-toxic to humans, but you will need to spray several times as new larvae emerges.

• Core lawns any time now.

Professional advice from Paul Howard on 0412 483846.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Mental creativity is high with the potential for fabulous flashes of inspiration, but don’t blurt out something totally inappropriate. Hasty words can wound and if you don’t self-edit then you could end up with an argument on your hands. The weekend stars really spark up your fiery enthusiasm and joie de vivre. So your motto for the moment is from birthday great, Aries writer Emile Zola: “If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you. I came to live out loud.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Don’t pre-plan and organise the week too much Taurus. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of and situations can change at a moment’s notice so try your best to be a flexible and adaptable Bull. And do you have a personal problem that’s bothering you? Listen to the wise words of advice from a trusted mentor or close friend. If that doesn’t help, then tune into what your intuition is telling you. It will point you in the right direction.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Prepare for a wonderful week when you can dream big dreams and aspire to spectacularly ambitious schemes for the future – followed by lots of hard work and elbow grease. Your aspirations have a better chance of morphing into reality if you form joint ventures with like-minded souls. Lucky Venus blesses professional or volunteer projects and the more you utilise your negotiation skills, the more successful you’ll be. Don’t let hidden self-doubts hold you back though.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Are you operating on professional auto-pilot? When it comes to work, or looking for employment, don’t be afraid to throw out the rulebook and start anew. Fresh ideas and innovative thinking will take you far. But make sure you include your partner in your plans, otherwise they’ll feel left out of the big picture. Single Crabs – obsessing about a former lover won’t help your present situation. Pluto requires you to learn from your mistakes; let go of the past; and then move on.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Is the grass looking a lot greener elsewhere? Find innovative ways you can add more passion and pizzazz to your life, whether through a challenging hobby; a stimulating new course of study; or an exciting future trip. The planets activate your adventurous and ambitious side but slow down before you come a cropper Lions! Taskmaster Saturn encourages you to walk before you run; as you back up your enthusiastic ideas with a practical, step-by-step plan.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Wednesday’s stars boost your brain power and rev up your meticulous attention to detail. So it’s a great day to power through paperwork, do research, edit work and fine-tune important details. Whereas Thursday and Friday are the days to be much more spontaneous and experimental, as you pick up the pace. Virgos are natural-born critics. But this week you need to criticise less and encourage more as you support a child, teenager or friend through a tricky time.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

This week the planetary focus is firmly on close relationships, as you navigate your way through a romantic problem or a family fiasco. The best way to handle interpersonal issues? Take the time to talk things through in a sensible and sensitive way. And don’t forget to spread some Libran peace, love and happiness around! Inspiration for the week is from birthday great, Aries actress Doris Day: “I like joy: I want to be joyous… I like being happy. I want to make others happy.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

When it comes to professional matters, don’t obsess so much Scorpio! If a problem crops up this week, deal with it in a swift and sensible fashion and then move on. And avoid getting stuck in a stultifying rut. Aim to shake things up, as you bring more fun and spontaneity into your daily routine. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Warren Beatty: “You’ve achieved success in your field when you don’t know whether what you’re doing is work or play.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This week you’re keen to nurture old friendships – and attract exciting new acquaintances into your world. But avoid negative thinkers who’ll just bring you down. Instead, strive to surround yourself with positive people who encourage your talents and support your dreams for the future. And don’t be a flash-in-thepan! While you’re fabulous at starting projects, make sure your promises and good intentions can last the distance, so that you actually finish what you begin.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Steady Saturn (your ruling planet) forms a marvellous aspect with Mercury (planet of the mind) so it’s a wonderful week for serious thinking and concentrated mental work. But resist the temptation to be hyper-critical and fastidiously fussy. On Thursday and Friday, take the time to really listen to what a loved one has to say. Suddenly you’ll see a current situation from a totally fresh perspective, as you realise there are many more possibilities that you previously thought.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your wonderfully idiosyncratic mind is activated this week. So you’ll tread a fine line between having lightning flashes of inspiration, and making contrary and controversial comments – whether in person or online. Think before you speak! Words have the power to hurt or heal, so use them wisely. And, if you are on the receiving end of some critical comments, try not to take the situation too personally. The stars also promise plenty of phone calls, messages, emails, texts and tweets.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Hey Pisces – don’t sit around waiting for your professional fortunes to magically change. With practical, persistent Saturn moving slowly through your career zone, it’s time to stop procrastinating, roll up your sleeves, and get the job done – no matter how long it takes! And you won’t improve your financial situation by thinking small. Creative brainstorming and joint ventures will help you find novel ways to make money, but it won’t happen overnight. You must be patient.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2016 Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore

Across

1 Name the mythological ferryman who conveyed souls of the dead across the River Styx.

7 Which small alcoholic drink is often taken as an appetiser?

8 What is another name for hessian?

9 Name the orchestral composition that forms the prelude to an opera.

10 A tree, the sweet bay, is more readily known as the what?

11 What was the given name for Dickens’ Scrooge?

14 Name the river forming most of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina.

18 What is a harem attendant known as?

19 Which term is descriptive of mere nonsense?

21 Name a style of art, architecture and decoration of the 18th century.

22 Which type of drink is beer, or tea, etc?

23 Name the term implying that a miner is affected by silicosis.

Down

1 What are shoe menders less commonly called?

2 What are sovereigns also known as?

3 Name the French general who was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

4 Who, in Greek mythology, was the goddess of youth and spring?

5 Name a renowned Australian Aboriginal country singer, Jimmy ...

6 Who was the 14th president of the US, Franklin ...?

12 Which early king of England was referred to as the “Unready”?

13 Name a town in NSW, west of Windsor.

15 Name the positive poles of batteries.

16 Who is the second son of Elizabeth 2nd?

17 What are light meals also known as?

20 What is a standard quantity of 500 sheets of paper?

Wu is an independent builder and came to see me to explain a set of accounts he had been asked to sign but didn’t understand.

“You appear to have made a loss, is that right?” I asked him.

Wu replied he thought he was making and profit and hadn’t expected a loss.

“There are a couple of things in the accounts that require clarification,” I explained.

“Firstly, there are no creditors shown at June 30. Creditors are the suppliers to whom you owe money.

“Do you always pay immediately when you buy materials and are your subcontractors always paid up to date at the end of the year?”

Wu said he liked to pay for all materials when he bought them, but there were always amounts owing to subbies.

“Well the accounts show that you didn’t owe any money to subbies or for materials, so from what you say the accounts seem to be incorrect,” I said.

“One of the good things about being a small business and having a turnover of less than $2 million is that you can bring to account all the people to whom you owe money, but you don’t have to bring to account the money that people owe to you.”

I noticed that Wu’s work-in-progress was shown as being more than $250,000 last financial year.

“But it seems unusual to have such a large sum showing for work-in-progress and no creditors,” I said.

Wu said he always had problems working that out and had to ask an accountant for help with it.

“Ah, that’s why the accounts look unusual and may be wrong,” I told him.

“I agree that work-in-progress is hard to estimate. The dictionary defines it as ‘the work completed before payment was received’. It should be relatively easy to calculate amounts that have been billed for completed work but that you have not been paid for. “However, you also need to account for work that has been done and not billed. This is a little harder to calculate and is usually your best guess as to the percentage of completion of the project. I always look at the income billed and paid in July and August as this is often a good indicator of work-in-progress.

“The amount that is calculated is used to reduce the costs of materials and labour and is held as an asset in the balance sheet. This allows the income and expenses to be matched against each other more accurately.

“In the case of subbies, you similarly estimate how much work they have done and bring this to account as a creditor. As you can see, as a small builder this is not an exact science for you.” Wu was thankful for the advice and undertook to re-estimate the figures and get the accounts changed.

If you need information on your accounts or any other accounting or tax related matter contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd