160609 citynews

VOTING RULES

Make your vote count this federal election Saturday 2 July

At this year’s federal election, the way you vote for the Senate has changed and it’s important that you understand how to vote correctly.

On the large white Senate ballot paper, you can choose to vote either above or below the line.

If you choose to vote above the line, you now need to number at least 6 boxes. Put the number ‘1’ in the box for the party or group that is your first choice, a ‘2’ for your second choice and so on until you’ve numbered at least 6 boxes.

If you choose to vote below the line, you need to number at least 12 boxes, from 1 to 12, for individual candidates in the order of your choice.

Voting for the House of Representatives has not changed. On the green ballot paper, you need to number every box, starting with the number ‘1’ for your first choice, ‘2’ for your second choice and so on until you have numbered every box.

‘How to vote’ instructions will be clearly displayed on your ballot paper. Don’t worry if you make a mistake — just ask for another ballot paper. Your vote will help shape Australia.

Revealed: secrets of local success

By Kathryn Vukovljak

BUSINESS success comes down to a combination of integrity, tenacity and a passion for what you’re doing, says author Suzanne Kiraly.

For her new book, “Canberra Business Success Stories”, Suzanne says she interviewed more than 60 businesses that have been operating in Canberra for 10 years or more. They include Canberra Airport, the National Zoo and Aquarium and real estate star Peter Blackshaw.

She says the people she interviewed were all hard workers, and that much of their success came down to passion and drive.

“People tend to think you’re rich and greedy if you’re in business, but that’s not what I’ve seen at all,” she says.

“If you’re not passionate enough to ride the tough times, then why not get a job? So many businesses fail because they have an unrealistic view of what it takes.”

Suzanne says she was inspired to write the book in 2014 by Katy Gallagher, who had highlighted the importance of celebrating the thriving private sector in Canberra.

A light went on for Suzanne, and as a writer she says she knew she wanted to both celebrate business and also tell the real stories behind them.

Singer offers hope

“Let me tell you, those people who are surviving in business after more than 10 years have gained a lot of wisdom along the way.”

Suzanne says the book contains genuine personal stories of what it takes to survive, revive and thrive in business.

“It’s not just celebrating business, it’s also useful for people who are struggling or just starting out,” she says.

“At the beginning of a business, people are often all up in the sky, the world is their oyster and that’s because they don’t yet know the pitfalls that are ahead!

“For example, something I’ve learned is that partnerships rarely work, and that bitter partnership break-ups aren’t unusual.

“The business can take over your personal life and it’s not an easy balance to find.”

Suzanne says she plans to write a follow-up to the book, as there are so many more businesses she would like to profile.

“I see this as an ongoing project that’s honest and real, but also very positive.

“There is often so much negativity in the media, it’s good to have some positive stories.”

“I have lived this myself, having lost my home and husband through running my own business,” she says.

“Canberra Business Success Stories” is available though canberrabusinesssuccessstories.com

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

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

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

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

Photographer: Andrew Finch

Advertising manager: Greg Jones, 0419 418196

Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656

Advertising account executives: Kathy Leigh, 0400 293991; Liam Jones, 0400 092095

Sydney ad sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777

Production manager / graphic design: Janet Ewen

Graphic designer: Paulette Leo

Proof reader: Glenda Anderson

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

SINGER/songwriter Julie Kerr will launch her new album “Carry On” with a performance at a fundraiser for Send Hope Not Flowers, a charity group dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the toll of maternal mortality, especially in the developing world. It’s at the National Press Club, 6pm-8pm, on Friday, June 17. Tickets are $28 and all proceeds will go to fund projects on the ground in PNG. Bookings via npc.org.au

Brennan on refugees

FATHER Frank Brennan will argue for a more humane and workable solution to dealing with asylum seekers at a free community forum at All Saints Anglican Church, Cowper Street, Ainslie, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday, June 22. Brennan is a Jesuit priest, professor of law at the Australian Catholic University and adjunct professor at the ANU College of Law and the National Centre for Indigenous Studies.

Bold trivia night

FUNDRAISING group the Bold Bandannas are hosting a trivia night in aid of the Cancer Council ACT at the Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, 7.15pm, on Saturday, June 25. Tickets are $15 and tables can be booked on 6288 7752.

Scientist talks

THE RSPCA chief scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, will speak on “Australia’s Conflict of Values over Live Exports” at Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, 5.30pm-7.30pm on Thursday, June 23. The free “wine and cheese” talk will begin at 6pm and there will be an opportunity for questions. Bookings are essential to 0427 975500.

Budget blessed, the captain keeps on talking

SINCE the spectators at the great election race all seem to have nodded off, we turned our attention to the local contest where the Barr-Rattenbury government is pleading for another term at the helm of the good ship ACT.

Captain Barr spent most of the week on the PA spruiking the wonders of his Budget, which he assured us charted a course to peace and prosperity. Indeed, he said, at its “heart” would be a “cohesive, coordinated response to family violence”. No one could argue with that, except that he generally dealt with issues after the violence took place.

His answer to preventing it was “education, counselling and drug and alcohol treatment”. And that’s a very long row to hoe. He was on slightly firmer ground in boosting our links with Asia and the bonanza that visitors bring to the Budget’s Plimsoll line.

But no menShane Rattenbury’s 939-pound gorilla

Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson was barely seen or heard – obviously keeping his powder dry for a broadside from his Liberal gunship once Barr nails his colours to the mast.

in the stateroom: that money-hungry Gungahlin tram.

Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson was barely seen or heard – obviously keeping his powder dry for a broadside from his Liberal gunship once Barr nails his colours to the mast.

DESPITE the widespread lack of interest, PM Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison could barely contain themselves at the GDP’s annual growth rate of 3.1 per cent. They reckoned it was all due to their marvellous handling of the economy despite the fact that in parts of Queensland and WA it shrank by 2 per cent and in Sydney it grew by 5. Honestly, politicians have no shame.

IF you doubt it, consider Zed Seselja and Andrew Leigh who, we learned, claim $86 a day for just turning up to Parliament or committee meetings on top of their very substantial salaries. Bouquets to Gai Brodtmann and Katy Gallagher for declining the

“entitlement”. And as for those former (male) pollies, Labor’s Barry Cunningham, Tony Lamb and Barry Cohen, and Liberal John Moore appealing to the High Court for even more “entitlements”, they should be tarred, feathered and run out of town.

THE good news on the election front is the puncturing of “Daffy Donald” Trump’s presidential ambitions. Hillary Clinton raised the terrifying prospect of his finger on the nuclear button; and when combined with accusations of fraud from his collapsed Trump University, the big balloon started deflating like a busted bag of wind.

POWERFUL report from the Centre for Policy Development showing our school system “in decline”. Coincidentally, the ABC screened part one of a fascinating doco, “Revolution School” that once again revealed the key to improved results isn’t class size or flash computers but the interaction between teacher and pupil. Gee, who knew?

ROBERT MACKLIN

FORMER Queenslanders (like your columnist) savoured yet another State of Origin win. But next morning the game was hit with a police investigation into match-fixing at NSW club level. It was yet another blow to Rugby League, which really is yesterday’s game.

AND in nice counterpoint, Canberra’s

heritage activists might well have vetoed the Greater Western Sydney club’s proposed redevelopment of Manuka Oval and surrounds, but the team itself is doing brilliantly this year. Pity we can’t jump on that Aussie Rules bandwagon – it’s the footy of the future. robert@robertmacklin.com

Houses in Canberra are expensive and people are struggling to enter the housing market. I have successfully driven planning reform that will help make it easier for land in Tuggeranong and Belconnen to be released and developed. This will create more opportunities for affordable housing for everyone to get ahead.

To find out more visit: www.letsmoveahead.com.au

Can the Budget manipulators spin trust, too?

THERE was a time when Budgets were carefully protected, worked out in great confidentiality and announced on Budget night.

Public servants were guarded in what they said, information was protected right up until the time the Treasurer stood up to speak.

The only exception was that journalists were allowed into a locked area for a few hours before the release so they would have an opportunity to carefully examine the proposed expenditure.

A great delight for journalists was to find out a detail before Budget day. It was a coup that happened rarely. A Budget leak would lead a bulletin, make the front page of a newspaper and be picked up by other news outlets. A witch hunt would follow through the public service.

This changed in recent decades. Carefully orchestrated media plans now govern the release of the Budget. Only the façade of the secrecy, the lock-up and the announcement still remain.

Politics trumps process. This is even more pronounced in an election year. Having the community feeling good positive vibes about the Budget before the inevitable “we cannot afford it” profligacy call of the opposition. What else can an opposition do when many ordinary people are feeling like

With the debate over light rail so dominant, the Greens and Labor are seeking to do well enough in Yerrabi to counter losses in other areas and thus secure government for another term.

Christmas has come early?

Budgets determine where, when and how community money should be spent and how much and from whom it should be collected. However, it is also about the fairness of the distribution of the largess, setting our standards of living and ensuring the liveability of the city.

Last year, the lead Budget media release was “Better Health Services for Canberra”. This year, one of the key announcements made before the Budget was by Health Minister, Simon Corbell, letting us know that an additional $5.3 million of our taxpayers’ money would be spent on improving the hospital care within the emergency departments of our hospital system.

These funds over the next four years will include the employment of “six new trauma specialists and a nurse at the Canberra Hospital”. Health is invariably a key election priority.

Another early Budget announcement in health this year was an

investment of 54 new full time staff in hospital emergency. A recent Productivity Commission report found the ACT had the worst performance in the country.

It was telling that the local branch president of the AMA, Prof Steve Robson, urged the government to ensure funding of trauma services was not at the expense of “less glamorous areas of care”. “Less glamorous” equals less politically sensitive.

Greens Party Education Minister Shane Rattenbury also announced an additional $20 million into government schools in Gungahlin. He suggested the need followed an increase of 44.8 per cent in the Gungahlin population over the last five years along with a 66.8 per cent increase in school enrolments.

Gungahlin also happens to be a large part of the closely contested seat of Yerrabi.

With the debate over light rail so dominant in this election, the

Greens and Labor are seeking to enhance their chances to do well enough in this seat to counter losses in other areas and thus secure government for another term.

In the same electorate (which also extends to parts of Belconnen) Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris has announced an upgrade of nearly $10 million to Aikman Drive to improve access to Belconnen. She pointed out “with the development of Lawson, continued growth in Gungahlin and a new public hospital being built on the University of Canberra campus, this upgrade is well-timed and will improve connections in and out of Belconnen”.

These are just a few examples. With announcement after announcement the Liberals are forced on to the back foot. Shadow Treasurer Brendan Smyth responded with last election’s vote-winning formula: “Any suggestion that Andrew Barr will look to ease pressure on rates increases should be viewed with extreme scepticism.

“In an election year you would expect Andrew Barr to claim he’ll backtrack on the pain he’s inflicting

on residents”.

At least Smyth has examined the issue in more depth than was presented at last election.

Rather than relying just on rate cuts (which were a trade-off for other more complicated indirect taxes) he has targetted failure to deliver a trade-off.

“Remember the twisting and weaving in last year’s estimates hearings where Andrew Barr claimed he would abolish conveyances, then we were going to have the lowest rate, then he refused to give a firm date on its abolition at all,” he said.

This is an election-year Budget. The announcements are critical to government. On the other hand, Smyth has summed up the Opposition approach: “Andrew Barr is tripling rates and he cannot be trusted”.

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

Save up to 30% on running costs and claim a $500 eftpos gift card when you upgrade your natural gas heating system. Plus with a range of manufacturer incentives and finance options there is no better time to upgrade to a new more efficient system and make natural gas heating the life of the party.

Heartbreak finds a helping hand

BREAKING up is always hard to do – however, one woman believes that she has the tools to not only help Canberra women move on from a break up or divorce but rebuild their identity.

Joanne Fernance, a mum of two, is a break-up recovery coach who claims a break up provides the opportunity for growth.

Through her business Joanne Michelle, Fernance coaches women through the tough experience of a divorce or break up using a series of consultations focusing on the principles recover, rebuild and renew.

Fernance, a divorcee herself, launched her business in January and has had a positive response from Canberra women to her services.

“My client base at the moment are women who, after a couple of years, haven’t gotten to the next stage of their life, which is actually very common,” Fernance says.

“They aren’t sure where they want to be. They’re either divorced or going through a divorce.

“A lot of women take a little bit of time to adjust and are unsure of where they want to go and what they want to do and what’s their path.

“I am there to listen and to support them and come up with ideas and goals and visions and where they would like to be and get them motivated and get them moving in the right direction in a positive way.

“I’m not a psychotherapist, I am not a counsellor, I’m not a doctor or dietitian. In saying that, I do collaborative work with them.”

Break-up recovery coaching isn’t a common form of health coaching in Australia, however Fernance says it’s not uncommon overseas.

“No one in Canberra is doing it, which was part of my drive because there wasn’t that support,” she says.

“I still keep in contact with some of the women I completed my health coaching course with and they are like ‘wow, that’s so specific’.”

She says her client base is made up of the 35-plus age group who

“have been married for a long time”.

“It’s all very new and they’re unsure of what they’re supposed to do,” she says. “I was in that same situation.”

Fernance began her training in health coaching towards the end of her marriage.

“My marriage wasn’t in a great place so maybe I was looking to do something different and I wanted to do something positive,” she says.

“But then the marriage did break down and I continued to do the course and became qualified and I just found myself helping other people – friends and family.

“You know they’d say: ‘Wow, you’re doing a really great job. What are you doing? What’s your secret?’ and it really went from there. I didn’t really have a lot of support myself, the course supported me.

“I was about to launch my business, which was going to focus on women and families anyway, then I just felt there was a need for [break-up recovery coaching], a need for women to have a little bit of confidence and reassurance that they can move forward and it’s not that scary.

“We’ve all been through break ups and they’re not very nice. It’s just about knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is always a positive and negative.”

So, why not also help men?

“Everybody asks ‘why don’t you do men?’ My son also asks ‘why don’t you do men mum? Men go through the same issues’ and he’s got a good point,” she says.

“Maybe down the track it would be something I want to do but I feel like when you start a business and you’ve got a goal, a mission, a vision – it just seemed to be women. I want to help women move forward and move in a positive way.”

Fernance says her coaching is more about gaining self respect than helping women find their “one”.

“I’m not anti-male, I am not anti-

marriage. I haven’t been in a situation where I’ve been able to say:

‘You know what, get out there’,” she says.

“It’s more about them looking after themselves first and respecting themselves, which makes it easier for them to understand – ‘okay, now I am ready’.

“I’m not qualified in dating – all I can do is give them my experience and give them reassurance.”

And what about her? Has she found anyone since her own transformation?

“I’ve dated. I am not sure if I’m looking for ‘the one’ just yet,” she says.

“I am so busy with the kids and the business. I am definitely open to it, but I am not out there looking for the one.

“I’ve done a lot of the online dating, tested it out and seen what it

was all about and met some really nice people. But not yet.”

Next up for Fernance is the development of her own book based on the idea of “suddenly single; where to from here?”.

“I’ll be interviewing people, lawyers, therapists, doctors, sex therapists, I want to give everyone an overview of ‘okay, I am single, now what?’,” she says.

She says her ultimate vision for her business would be to grow internationally.

“I’d like to have online programs for women that would be easy, quick and can be done at their own pace if they don’t have the time to do face-to-face sessions,” she says.

“I want to be able to have this book that I can share with the world.”

More information at joannemichelle.com.au

Moore’s global role

MICHAEL Moore has been appointed president of the World Federation of Public Health Associations at the federation’s annual general meeting in Geneva.

A strange, wake-up moment

By John Griffiths

So the campaign limps on from shopping centre to shopping centre in the marginal seats. Babies are kissed, platitudes are mouthed, the three-word slogans are repeated.

ELECTIONS in Canberra are always a bit of a fizzer.

With the outcome utterly predictable (Labor in Fenner and Canberra, the Senate split between Labor and Liberal) we miss a lot of the froth and bubble that voters are treated to in the marginals.

Where are the neighbours laying out duelling sets of candidate posters on their lawns?

However, I did have a strange, wake-up moment listening to a politics podcast (don’t judge me), wherein the two respected press gallery reporters were judging the respective TV ads of the two campaigns. At the time I hadn’t seen one TV ad all campaign. Since then, I sort of sighted one. It was on the TV in the pub, but the sound was down. I think it was for Zed Seselja but, given it had no “Liberal” branding I could see, it was hard to tell.

A straw poll of friends and colleagues revealed I was not alone.

My TV watching revolves around sport on Foxtel, “Game of Thrones”, the ABC, and Netflix. Most people I know live similarly.

If there were to be a truly great game-changing political ad, I’d have to go seek it out on YouTube, which rather defeats the point of paid broadcast advertising.

Looking at the TV ratings on a regular basis it’s obvious that news, sport, and reality are the last bastions of broadcast television.

While “MasterKitchen” may be the most popular thing left on broadcast TV, there’s a much larger group of people who have no interest in the personal struggles of intolerable foodies.

The election is somewhat fought on social media, but so far the main sentiment changer has been that I now distrust and despise my Labor-leaning friends who are just far too shrill and hectoring.

Normally, I trust their opinions on a lot of issues but they’ll need to remove the puppeteer’s hand before I listen again.

The efforts of the politically partisan to reach out through the world of memes to “the youth” are invariably awful.

The Twitter feed @WoefulAuspol keeps a good collection if you’re new to the game and looking to dive in.

Let’s not spare the Liberals while we’re here. With an economy growing strongly and unemployment at historic lows, banging the “Jobs and Growth” drum seems a bit thick. If now is not the time to ask about other issues when will we?

So the campaign limps on from shopping centre to shopping centre in the marginal seats. Babies are kissed, platitudes are mouthed, the three-word slogans are repeated.

Moore is the Canberra-based CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia. In Switzerland he presented the “A Global Charter for the Public’s Health”, saying his presidency’s key goal was to encourage public health associations and nations to adopt and implement the charter, which “provides a comprehensive, clear and flexible framework that can be applied globally and within individual countries whether low, middle or high-income.”

The “A Global Charter for the Public’s Health” is available at wfpha.org

No contest of ideas, just narrow constituencies to be appealed to and shaved off, and commentary based on advertising no-one has actually seen, let alone cares about.

We are all, indeed, being taken for fools.

Turnbull will probably sneak back in. His party will blame him for the loss of seats, foolishly not realising that, under any other leader, they would have been buried.

Maybe one day we’ll be offered a bigger choice than between gangs of thugs wanting to share the spoils of victory. But it won’t be this time around.

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

Going cheerfully to the dogs

AMERICA continues to amaze me. I may have sounded a bit down on the place in last week’s missive, but that wasn’t my intention.

This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip and, largely, I am loving the place.

Take our arrival. It took about two minutes on the ground for Los Angeles to knock Australia’s multiculturalism into a hat. Before we’d cleared customs we’d dealt with white Americans, black Americans, Italian Americans, Puerto Ricans and a Filipino.

Then our shuttle driver was a Jamaican. Our hotel was managed by a Bangladeshi. I know there are some places in Australia with a bit of variety but this was all over LA. And in Las Vegas. It’s amazing.

ALONGSIDE these many cultures, there are dog people. Everywhere. Now you may think you’re a dog person, but I doubt your pooch is as pampered as a Yankee Doodle Poodle. You see, if you have a dog over here, you have to treat it as a member of the family. I’ve heard there’s something in their Constitution about it.

This extends right down to taking it on holiday with you. Anywhere. Even if you’re staying at a Las Vegas casino.

Waiting in the lift lobby, I was joined by a woman with a large-ish dog on a lead. Before my brain could say: “Wait, what?”, the lift doors opened. And duly revealed a man with an even larger

You

may think you’re a dog person, but I doubt your pooch is as pampered as a Yankee Doodle Poodle.

dog and lots of barking ensued. “It’s okay, I’ll catch the next one,” I muttered as the doors closed.

OTHER than the plethora of dogs, which were everywhere, Vegas was still more fun than I thought it was going to be. Sure, there are seemingly hundreds of casinos and these days they charge for everything, with the possible exception of air. The old reputation of cheap food and booze while you’re playing? Gone in most places.

But if you don’t gamble, or if you decide a couple of spins on the roulette wheel is more than enough for you, there are shows. Hundreds of them, and most of them quality.

And every casino has at least one gimmick. Ours had a zipline from the 50th floor of one tower to the roof of another tower which victims did at 30+ miles per hour… at a cost.

It also had indoor, glow-in-the-dark, KISS-themed mini-golf, which opened on the day we arrived. The staff I spoke to were thrilled about this because it meant there would finally be something for kids.

I asked one staff member why parents leaving kids in the car while playing at the casino hadn’t caught on like it did in Australia a few years ago. Surprisingly, that didn’t go over well.

The downtown part of Vegas, which is not the Strip, is undergoing a bit of a renaissance. The older casinos and hotels are renovating and offering more affordable options. There’s also a container village, and in Vegas, it works. It has an adult-sized treehouse in a play area, three levels of stores and eateries, and it’s located close to the city centre, within walking distance of other attractions.

Oh, it also has a gigantic flamethrowing, rock-music-playing praying mantis. That helps a bit, too.

Chris Coleman is the drive announcer on 2CC and chose to fly to the US with Qantas.

CHRIS COLEMAN

public toilets.

What vandals cost us

MANY “Grumpy” columns of recent months have been concerned with the state of our city – unkempt grass, weeds and scruffy neighbourhoods.

Now the ACT government has joined the “Grumpy” crusade, upset at recent vandalism of public assets after a string of fires were started in the public facilities at Yerrabi Pond and Tuggeranong town park and the play equipment at John Knight Park was repeatedly damaged.

Fleur Flanery, director of City Services says: “Vandalism prevents the community from enjoying our public facilities and is a burden on the ACT Government budget. It means resources need to be directed away from other important services.

“ACT Government playground inspectors estimate that 90 per cent of all repairs

undertaken at playgrounds are a result of vandalism. This equates to about $120,000 per year vandalism at Canberra playgrounds.

“It’s disappointing that despite the time and money put into providing quality public facilities the community can’t make use of them in full because of vandalism. Probably the most frustrating examples are when the destruction of the equipment is ‘planned’ and not just random acts.”

People who witness or are aware of vandalism should call 1800 333000 or report it to act.gov. au/fixmystreet

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

COMMUNITY FORUM

at All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie

Wednesday June 22nd, 7.30pm

Fr Frank Brennan SJ will be addressing the topic

Can we stop the boats decently?

The talk will be followed by question and answer time, and then by wine and cheese refreshments.

9-15 Cowper Street, Ainslie ACT

FAST NEWS FIRST

Hunger for recognition

By Mike Welsh

GOT a visit from Gordon Ramsay. I wasn’t home at the time, but Gordy left a handwritten, “sorry-I-missed-you” note attached to some election leaflets and a fridge magnet.

I’m not a friend of the famous foul-mouthed foodie. My caller was another Gordon Ramsay, the Labor candidate for Ginninderra at the next ACT election. There is a vast difference between candidate Gordon Ramsay who is being marketed as Our Gordon Ramsay and that other uncouth chef who brutally tongue lashes apprentice cooks on reality TV.

As a (Uniting Church) minister Our Gordon Ramsay would not endorse the lifestyle and language of Gordon Ramsay, the cook.

The Our Gordon Ramsay strategy is, I assume, a sorbet to enable the political palate to separate “Godly” Gordy from “Gourmet” Gordy, lest the stupid people of Ginninderra think they may actually be buttonholed by the Michelin-star Scot outside Hawker IGA/Woolies on a Saturday morning.

But it seems Our Gordy is trying to gain a bit of an edge by borrowing a bit of brand recognition and using some nifty foodie catchphrases in his advertising material.

I’m sure “Godly” Gordy is well aware of the old saying of “too many cook(s) puns spoil the broth,” but “Sharing a recipe for a stronger Canberra” and a pic featuring a stack of “Gourmet” Gordon’s cookbooks and a grinning “Godly” Gordon in what is meant to look like a commercial kitchen, is a bit too much for me to swallow.

To be fair though, “Godly” Gordon is not a complete “Nigella”. He’s obviously been masticating for some time over running for public office, building a strong public profile through helping the needy in the

Family Lawyers at their best

At Mazengarb Family Lawyers we want what is best for you and your family. It is our aim to resolve your legal matter amicably and without litigation. Contact us to understand your rights and talk about your options 6230 0199

Level 5, 11 London Circuit, Canberra City

Phone: 6230 0199

Email: reception@mfamilylawyers.com.au www.mfamilylawyers.com.au

Belconnen area.

If he’s successful, I hope they’ll get “Godly” Gordy a media adviser who’ll suggest he doesn’t plate up with the political soufflé “I am committed to building a city that is truly liveable for everyone” because when your party’s been in power for 16 years, the obvious question is: what have you been doing all that time? And this may give the electorate a case of indigestion. No appalling food puns were ignored in the writing of this article, but we did totally rule out the headline: “Pasta pollie gets his just desserts”!

Former radio personality Mike Welsh blogs at mikewelshpolitics.com

Trooping Colour

THE traditional, annual Trooping the Queen’s Colour by the Corps of Staff Cadets, together with the Band of the Royal Military College, will be reviewed by the chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin. The public is welcome to this free event but advised to bring along a folding chair and perhaps a warm blanket. Refreshments and facilities available. At Gallipoli Reach, Lake Burley Griffin foreshore, 10.15am, on Saturday, June 11.

Church book sale

SECONDHAND books for all occasions, that’s the promise of St Ninian’s sale of fiction and nonfiction, cookery, gardening, manuals and children’s book, magazines and records at the corner of Mouat and Brigalow Streets, Lyneham, 9am-1pm on June 17-18. Morning tea and lunch will be available. Scones are baked on the premises.

Fight for heritage

DR Dougald O’Reilly will speak on his work with Heritage Watch, the organisation he founded that combats the loss of heritage in Cambodia, at the Canberra Archaeological Society’s next public meeting at Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, ANU, 6pm, on Wednesday, June 22. Entry by goldcoin donation, free for CAS members. More information at cas.asn.au

‘You not only get the insurance, but a

Free smartwatch drives healthy discounts

THESE days people are becoming more and more concerned with their health and fitness.

Financial advisers Wybrow & Associates is offering an Australian first, a wellnessdriven, smartwatch-based insurance product called MLC On-Track.

“For over 25 years, we have always encouraged our clients to take out some level of insurance to protect themselves and their families’ futures,” says principal

Katrina Wybrow.

“But with this new program, you not only get the insurance, but – until July 31 – a free smartwatch, access to a wellness program that encourages you to be healthier and, if you reach the targets, up to 10 per cent off your insurance for the life of the policy.

“We rarely come across unique insurance offers, and this one really impressed us – it’s a definite step towards the future of insurance.

and/or superannuation over $3000 get a free Basis Peak Smartwatch and entry into a wellness program.

“If they achieve a set of health targets, they receive a discount on their policy.

We rarely come across unique insurance offers, and this one really impressed us – it’s a definite step towards the future of insurance.

“For instance, we buy car insurance or life and income protection insurance and we get quoted based on the type of lifestyle we fit into. The insurance company can never really know whether we drive as well as Mario Andretti or boast a body like Michelle Bridges.

“And so they quote based on generalisations and we end up with premiums perhaps a little more than some of us deserve to pay.

“But MLC insurance has found a unique way around this – employing smart technology to not only gauge how healthy its customers are, but to motivate them to get healthier.

“The program is simple. Customers who purchase income protection, life insurance

“The wellness program requires you to reach a total of 900 points within 160 days to achieve a 5 per cent discount. And if you do it again within another 160 days, you get an additional 5 per cent discount.”

Reaching 900 points can be achieved by taking little steps towards better health, such as:

• Sleeping 7-9 hours a day.

• Being active for an hour a day.

• Keeping the smartwatch on for at least 18 hours a day.

• Recording a resting heartbeat of less than 85 beats per minute.

Katrina says the wellness program utilises some of the latest smart fitness technology.

“In a world where we have been pigeonholed and generalised in the interest of catering to the masses, it will be interesting to see the changes brought about by

technologies that allow us to do more than claim our abilities,” she says. “Essentially, we’ll be able to demonstrate them.”

For more information about the wellness program and free Basis Peak Smartwatch, call Wybrow & Associates on 6162 4100 or visit advisersforlife.com.au (terms & conditions apply).

Track

What’s the Challenge?

Using your Basic Peak Smartwatch, simply reach a target of 900 points within 160 days to start receiving discounts on your insurance.

How Do I Reach 900 Points?

The

What do I need to do?

As Financial advisers for over 25 years, we know there is no better way to protect your future than to make sure you are covered by Income Protection and Life Insurance. Simply take out either policy to receive your FREE Smartwatch and participate in the On Track Wellness Program.

At Capon and Hubert Lawyers we ensure that your estate goes to family or friends of your choice. Having a valid and up-to-date Will can help reduce stress for your family and friends, limit administration costs, and lessen the possibility for dispute over your estate. We understand your situation is different and may require a unique specialist approach.

SOME of the best venues and providers in training and education are right on Canberra’s doorstep.

From management training to customised event packages, check out what’s on offer when looking to upskill or organise a corporate event.

Diploma that recognises experience

JCE Positive Outcomes is offering a traineeship program, funded by Skills Canberra, that offers successful participants a Diploma of Leadership and Management.

“This is really a gift for all those people out there with years of experience but no formal qualifications,” says Edward Nathan, managing director of JCE Positive Outcomes.

“Now is the time to consolidate all that experience and short courses into a nationally recognised qualification for professional development and career advancement.”

The registration fee is $350 and participants need to be over 18 years of age, be employed at least 15 hours a week, be an Australian citizen or PR and not have a higher qualification that is less than seven years old.

“And to top it, all participants receive a $300 incentive on full completion of the diploma,” says Edward.

“In effect, it will cost the participants who complete the qualification only $50.”

The program can be done fully on the job with the additional support of scheduled workshops with other participants, one on one mentoring, online and telephone support.

It is competency based and, as such, participants work at their own pace and can complete before the allocated nominal time of three years.

JCE Positive Outcomes is a local ACT Registered Training Organisation that has been in operation for 16 years, specialising in on the job delivery of a variety of qualifications within the management and hospitality disciplines.

JCE Positive Outcomes, call 6258 0033 or visit jcepositiveoutcomes.com.au

CANBERRA Rex Hotel, located in the heart of Canberra’s CBD on Northbourne Avenue, has recently been appointed 4.5 stars.

“The rebuild of the hotel’s accommodation and conference facilities is now complete and the Canberra Rex Hotel has been restored to its former glory,” Canberra Rex Hotel manager Jackie Gregory says.

“For your conferencing and event needs the Canberra Rex Hotel offers seven meeting rooms and two ballrooms all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, which can accommodate groups of five to 600.

“Late 2016, the hotel will be home to Canberra’s first rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic views of the city, it will provide a unique and exclusive retreat for members and guests.”

Jackie says the hotel is within walking distance of the national attractions as well as Braddon’s newly urbanised shopping and food scene.

The hotel boasts bespoke accommodation options with 149 serviced apartments, suites and hotel rooms including access to all hotel facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Canberra Rex Hotel, call 6248 5311 or visit canberrarexhotel.com.au

conferences and training

Meet at Canberra’s political hub

FROM forums and conferences to breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings, the National Press Club of Australia is one of Canberra’s leading meeting facilities.

National Press Club sales and marketing manager

Cathy Bryson says it’s hard to look past the Press Club’s location when looking for a venue.

“We’re the hub of the political sphere in Canberra,” Cathy says.

“We have a professional team, personalised service and great reviews of our food.

“Our team just hums and holding an event here will be an easy process.”

The National Press Club can cater to events as large as 280 people to as small as 10.

In what Cathy describes as a “state-of-the-art tel -

evision studio”, the club can customise food and beverage packages – from food, by multi-award winning executive chef Daren Tetley. Decorations and production and service procedures can also be customised.

Its state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems are also available for events of any size.

“We do offer packages, which can be found on our website,” Cathy says.

“But that’s just the start. We will work with clients to get what they want.”

The club is within walking distance to five hotels.

Visit npc.org.au or call functions sales manager Amy Eldridge on 6121 2199.

Calm, supportive learning environment

MANTRA Training and Development is a registered community adult education provider, based at Federation Square, Nicholls.

CEO and founder Donna Moulds has operated Mantra for nine years and is passionate about the positive, supportive and reassuring environment she has created to give students a traditional face-to-face learning experience, especially for those who have been out of the workforce a long time, have a disability or are nervous to start training.

“We provide a calm environment with lots of support from our trainers who work with students to identify their learning needs. Not everyone is suited to online learning,” says Donna.

Mantra offers training courses and traineeships in business, financial services, IT and workplace training and assessment.

“Our students tell us that we are their ‘Mantra family’ and I’m proud that so many of our students move on to

advertising feature

Getting young drivers road ready

HELP your child become the safest driver they can possibly be at the Road Ready Centre.

The Road Ready Centre, which has offices in Watson and Phillip, offers a range of community-based road safety courses all aimed at reducing the number and severity of road crashes on ACT roads.

One of those courses is the Road Ready Plus “P” Off course, which is offered to new drivers and motorcycle riders under the age of 26 who have held a provisional licence for at least six months.

complete further training courses or find full-time work.”

Mantra trainer and assessor Samantha Newman says Mantra offers more flexibility and support than the average training company.

“We will go above and beyond to help them get the job that they need,” Samantha says.

“Our work doesn’t stop on the weekend.”

Samantha says that if a student is unable to complete a course due to unforeseen circumstances they are able to come back and redo the course at a later date free of charge.

“For anyone looking for a new career – upskill,” says Samantha. “Complete a course that will help you to be happy with what you are doing.”

Mantra Training and Development, Shop 5, Federation Square, 2 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls. Call 1300 898872 or visit mantratraining.com.au

According to Stephen Lake, CEO of Ascent Training Services, which runs the Road Ready Centre program, it’s important for parents to send their children to the Road Ready Plus course to help them become safer on the road.

“P-platers are at such a high risk of being in road crashes and that’s the main motivation as to why parents should send their kids along to the course,” Stephen says.

“This course aims to reduce the trauma [caused by road crashes] to families and the community.”

On completion of the course, drivers will no longer have to display their P plates and their demerit points allowance will increase from four to eight points.

Stephen says the Road Ready Centre has a unique approach to road safety in that they concentrate less on how you handle a vehicle and more about educating young drivers on how lifestyle choices can affect the decisions they make on the road.

“Our courses are based on behaviour change psychology, which really gets people to look at their behaviour,” he says.

“We’re the only company in Australia that approaches road safety in that way.”

Visit getroadready.com.au or call 6162 5152 (north) or 6282 8990 (south).

If they are a new driver under the age of 26 and have held their ‘P’ Plates for 6 months or more… THEY QUALIFY TO TAKE THE ‘P’ OFF COURSE!

✔ Become a safer driver ✔ Get rid of their P Plates ✔ Increase their demerit points allowance BOOK TODAY Watson 6162 5152 Phillip 6282 8990

REX HOTEL at Conference & Events

Offering personalised and attentive service combined with flexible event spaces, suitable for groups of 5 to 500, and 4.5 star accommodation options.

The new Canberra Rex Hotel is the ultimate venue for your next conference or event.

*Mention this ad when booking to receive a complimentary 1 hour networking session with canapés and beverages for your delegates.

*Terms & Conditions Apply

The Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon. P ) 02 6248 5311 E ) events@canberrarexhotel.com.au canberrarexhotel.com.au

Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only local weekend news and current affairs program. It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.

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

WINNER

And a year's free fuel if is present at the draw. First Draw 8pm, Saturday 4 June 2016.

155 years of providing skilled legal advice

Baker Deane & Nutt Lawyers operates offices in both Queanbeyan and Canberra City. Our practice encompasses a broad range of areas including personal injury, property law and conveyancing, family law, criminal law, traffic offences, commercial law, and wills and estates, family provision claims and even migration law.

Traditionally, the primary focus of our Canberra City office has been personal injury litigation, however we have recently moved to larger premises and further expanded our focus to include conveyancing, wills and criminal law matters and so on, allowing us to better cater for our clients’ needs regardless of the legal issue with which they are faced.

Canberra Confidential

Iron man Hanson

JEREMY Hanson and wife Fleur turned up for an hour of good-humoured domestic interrogation on 2CC’s “CityNews Sunday Roast” program during which the amiable ACT Opposition Leader confessed to doing the family’s ironing – not just that easy flat stuff of shirts, but also Fleur’s “frilly bits”.

He also admitted to not being great shakes in the kitchen but, around the house and garden, diligently follows his wife’s direction, often via texted to-do lists.

And old army habits die hard, Jeremy also admitted to being passionate about wearing well-polished shoes.

Does he take his wife’s advice about political issues, too? Not always, he said. But there were times he wished he had, crediting public servant Fleur with keeping him “grounded”.

Mistress of Tease

THE reigning Miss Burlesque Australia, Bella de Jac , pictured, will be in Canberra for a cabaret performance at The Abbey on July 16. Apparently, Australia’s Mistress of Tease is “a darkly elegant whisper from the nihilistic 1930s, insidious and sensual”. She has performed in Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco and doubles as managing director of the Australian Burlesque Museum.

dose of dorin

Dodgy deals?

Master Builders’ CEO Kirk Coningham wasn’t holding back in a pre-ACT Budget grumble: “Will Canberra’s builders, civil contractors and subcontractors have the opportunity to grow their business in their home town?

Or will they spend each morning driving past reminders of our government’s dodgy deals with their union friends, on their way to build affordable quality homes in Googong, Murrumbateman, and beyond?”

Truffles go to the dogs

THE eighth Canberra Region Truffle Festival has 250 truffle-related events planned for the Canberra district all the way to August. The season gets underway on Sunday, June 19, with an invitation-only “Blessing of the Truffle Dogs” by an Anglican congregation from the Goulburn Mulwaree Parish.

Supported by the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the event at Tarago Truffles will see speciallytrained truffle hunting dogs from around the region gather at Tarago to be blessed and mark the start of the truffle season.

Head south for happiness...

GAI Brodtmann’s electorate of Canberra, which skirts a little north of the lake and all the south of the city, would appear to be a happier place than Andrew Leigh’s comparatively downcast northern safe seat of Fenner (nee Fraser).

That’s according to this week’s Australian Unity Wellbeing Index survey, which has examined life satisfaction across all 150 Federal seats ahead of the upcoming election.

Nationally, Mayo in the Adelaide Hills is the happiest kingdom of them all and Blaxland in Sydney’s west the glummest in the nation.

The seat of Canberra rated 17th and Fenner at heel-dragging 70th, where one can but hope the prospect of a northbound tram line will lift their ungrateful spirits.

The survey evaluates satisfaction with life across areas such as standard of living, health, achievement, personal relationships, safety, community connection and future security.

… but not with ‘Murrumbidgee’ Mick

HERE’S a glimpse of perhaps why “local” (and vulnerable) Brindabella member and Planning Minister Mick Gentleman is suddenly rethinking his trumpeted housing development plans on the Murrumbidgee River Corridor.

In an election year, the little people are rising up. There’s an email being circulated by the South East Tuggeranong Residents Association on behalf of its author Narrelle Kelly, who quite simply writes: “We are a bunch of average people. We are bird watchers, archery enthusiasts, property owners, mountain bikers and fisher folk. We are regular people fighting to keep something wonderful.

“What we have in common is that the Murrumbidgee River Corridor will be gone once Mick Gentleman, the ACT Minister for Planning, has his way and the proposed new suburb of Thompson is developed.

“It is a beautiful place that has at least six endangered species, lots of wildlife and as I use it, a lovely quiet place to sit and read a book by the river. But Mick Gentleman would happily see this area have 3500 housing ‘opportunities’.” Ouch!

Narrelle’s “average people” are organising a petition to place before the ACT Assembly. More from her on 0439 491997.

By Helen Musa

Making ‘HIStory’ with respect Fuller picture of Laurence

WHEN Michael Jackson impersonator Kenny Wizz retired in Las Vegas two years ago, Gold Coast entrepreneur Johnny van Grinsven, of Showtime Management Australia, searched the entire world until he found the artist Dantonio to play the role.

And when he went looking for a Whitney Houston singalike for the show currently touring in Germany, he auditioned 15,000 fantastic singers before he found just the right one.

Van Grinsven started 20 years ago performing in an Abba tribute show then about six years ago got into business himself. Now his list of tours includes “Beatlemania on

Entrepreneur Johnny van Grinsven… “We’re trying to show Michael in his heyday… we try and recreate him at the top of his game.”

Tour”, “Elvis: Direct from Las Vegas”, “Michael Jackson: History Show” and “Abba: Thank You for the Music”. His revamped the Michael Jackson “HIStory” show, coming to Canberra later this month, includes all Jackson’s greatest hits, updated costumes and sophisticated production elements.

The South African-born Dantonio will head up a band of musicians, choreographed dancers, 40 different costume changes and show involving more than $1 million worth of equipment and more than 1000 lighting cues.

Van Grinsven only specialises in artists who have “passed”. To him, tribute means “paying tribute and paying respect.”

“It must be like when Michael Jackson or Freddie Mercury were at the top, giving their best – it’s so specialised, but we seem to be leading the pack,” he says.

“It’s because we have very high standards.”

He says it will take until next year to get the next show, a David Bowie tribute, on stage.

“We’ve eventually got someone from the Czech Republic and we’ll be in rehearsal soon to go on in May next year,” he says.

So is there an unlimited supply of potential artists to respect?

“Well, no. You’ve got to find artists who have 20 to 30 hits that everybody would know – how many Santana numbers would you know?” he says.

Luckily with Bowie he found 28 good songs starting with “Ziggy Stardust”. The only other artist in his sights, though she’s well and truly

alive, is Tina Turner.

As for the show at hand: “We’re trying to show Michael in his heyday… we try and recreate him at the top of his game. We want you to imagine seeing Michael when he did the ‘HIStory’ tour in 1986.”

Some tribute performers, van Grinsven confides, can be “pains in the arse” because they think they’re real.

“A lot of Elvis impersonators live it all the day, they should get a life,” he

says adding that, happily, Dantonio understands that when his make-up comes off it’s time for reality.

“He is really good, when he’s finished he’s finished, he becomes Danny – he knows about paying respect to the artist.”

The Michael Jackson “HIStory” show, at The Playhouse, June 26, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

Wendy brings her quirky summer to winter

By Helen Musa

WHEN Wendy Macklin likens herself to untutored American folk artist

Grandma Moses, (“sort of”, she says) she is surely being a little disingenuous.

For the well-known Canberra junior school music specialist, composer, writer and, just recently, painter was never completely ignorant of the painterly arts.

“My mother was an artist, you know – landscapes, watercolours, she taught me a lot,” Wendy says, though in retrospect, much of her mum’s style seems “a bit wishy washy”. But life got in the way and, as she says: “It’s hard to be a painter when you’ve got kids and teenagers around.”

Wendy’s still teaching a bit, but when she became semi-retired and she and her husband, “CityNews” columnist and author Robert, found they were spending more time in their alternative house at Tuross Head

on the south coast, Wendy looked out the window to Coila Beach, saw the vision splendid of kite flying, cricketing and all the things ordinary people did – she said to herself: “I think I’ll try a little beach picture.”

She quickly found that she loved

the colours of the beach and went on to capture what she calls “one of the great joys of an Australian childhood, the beach holiday”.

Now, with a lovely spot upstairs set out with her painting equipment and 44 works ready for exhibiting,

Wendy says: “I’m pleased with my style now, it’s nothing like anybody else’s, it’s a quirky style with people and dogs.”

When family friends Weilian and Roger Carter, owners of Humble House Gallery in Fyshwick, popped around for dinner, Wendy gave them a Christmas calendar with one of her paintings on it and showed them some of her other work. To her astonishment, the prompt response was: “We’ve got a gallery, do you want an exhibition?”

“I was kind of discombobulated,” Wendy says, but she nonetheless set to work to prepare for her first solo exhibition.

It’s fairly daunting. The gallery is usually home to exquisite antique Chinese furniture, pottery and artworks, Wendy says. But looking on the bright side she guesses: “This winter their gallery will be filled with summer fun!”

“South Coast Summer” by Wendy Macklin, at Humble House Gallery, 93 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick, June 19 to July 17.

By Helen Musa

CANBERRA-educated actor

Laurence Fuller is living the life in Hollywood, having last weekend walked the red carpet of the TLC Chinese Theatre for Jonathan Cvack’s indie thriller-comedy “Road To The Well”, which premiered as part of the Dances With Films festival. Fuller plays a troubled and unconventional thinker who finds himself on a “strange and cerebral journey” into the California Sierra.

“CARRYING Everest” is a forthcoming independent documentary that explores the lives of the marginalised Kulung people of Eastern Nepal. Director Hallam Drury, of Dickson, invites Canberrans to a fundraiser that includes a traditional Nepalese banquet dinner, guest speakers from the film crew, a silent auction of Nepalese handicrafts and a raffle. At the Hungry Buddha Nepalese Restaurant, 44 Curtin Place, Curtin, Thursday, June 16. Bookings to carryingeverest.com/tickets

CONGRATULATIONS to local author Stephanie Owen Reeder, who has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council Awards Book of the Year Eve Pownall Award for “Lennie The Legend: Solo to Sydney by Pony” with NLA Publishing. The winners will be announced in Sydney on August 19 at the beginning of

QUEANBEYAN Art Society will hold its ninth Charity Art Show in City Walk, Civic, during Floriade and will, for the first time, be supporting a local charity – autism support group, the Ricky Stuart Foundation. QAS President Barry Cranston expects an average of 900 people a day viewing the artworks. Entries close on June 16, inquiries to 0439 392709.

FORMER Canberran Richard Moore is directing “Hot Docs”, a Canadian documentary festival showing local and international documentaries, at Palace Electric, NewActon, June 15June 26. We wonder what happens to the Canberra-founded festival “Stranger than Fiction”.

DIRECTOR Aarne Neeme is back in town to stage Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama/thriller “Witness for the Prosecution” for REP. There are great roles for Pat Gallagher as Sir Wilfred QC and Emma Wood as Romaine. At Theatre 3, June 16-July 2, bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

IN “The Beauties of Nature”, Warrani Chorale will present a concert of peaceful songs reflecting the beauty of the world around us. At Weston Creek Uniting Church, Parkinson Street, 10.30am-noon, on Wednesday, June 15. Entry by gold coin donation includes refreshments.

NEED MORE DRAMA IN YOUR LIFE? cinema

Become an actor

Join an acting course with Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art - and add a little drama to your life!

10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen

Apply now for full or part-time study! Next info session: June 18. Classes start July. Register online.

CUA40513 Certificate IV in Musical Theatre

Full and part-time study from 2017. Audition this year on July 23.

Acting 101

Fun and social leisure course for beginners. Enrol online.

Public Speaking 101

Terrified of public speaking? We can help! Weekend course, 9-10 July. Enrol online.

Explosive burst of drama with a money message

“Money Monster” (M) INFORMED purists may find fault with some of the technical elements of the TV studio in which much of this drama takes place.

Director Jodie Foster’s film has great suspense values, a simple plot complicated by the environment in which it unfolds, a message about those in high places making decisions adversely affecting financial bottom-feeders, the inability of the vox pop to influence an outcome and a reminder that there’s no interest like self interest.

George Clooney plays Lee, anchor-man for a daily program telling Joe and Mabel Average what their investments are doing in the market and why. Lee is evidence, if it were needed, of the real nature of TV. Whatever subject matter is going to air, TV is an entertainment medium. The bottomfeeders enjoy the glib style that has him wealthy.

Today, Kyle (Jack O’Connell) gets into the studio, straps an explosive vest on to Lee and demands that he explain why financial giant IBIS has lost $800 million overnight.

The conflict in “Money Monster” is simple. Its tensions are intense. The channel’s reactions are perplexed. The police take a doctrinaire approach. Program director Patty (Julia Roberts) without leaving her chair becomes the key to avoiding disaster. And the characters move deftly between drama and clever comedy.

CADA is a registered training organisation, RTO 40859

The entertainment values of “Money Monster” sit comfortably beside its message. Be careful about to whom you entrust your surplus funds to wax fat for your benefit. That bloke may have other

At all cinemas

THE proposition in writer/director Edoardo Maria Falcone’s film is that authoritarian Tommaso (Marco Giallini), appalled by his son Andrea’s (Enrico Oetiker) announcement of his intention to enter the priesthood and abandon the career as a cardiac surgeon that Tommaso plans for him, decides to confront the charismatic priest Don Pietro (Alessandro Gassman) about his influence over the young man. Falcone presents this serious issue as comedy. As such, it has been successful in Italy. Audiences at the Italian Film Festival in Australia lapped it up. Its humour overlies a somewhat more serious issue. The title implies the omnipotence of a deity. The plot examines both sides of that thesis and finds an agreeable equality that, after it comes to dramatic resolution, leaves us uncertain which of its conflicting paths the story was taking yet satisfied that either suits our personal view.

So see the film and take comfort from its comedy, its even-handedness about whether belief or scepticism provides the better explanation for the inexplicable and its optimism about choice in that regard. At its core, it’s an exploration of Tommaso discovering a humanity that will comfort those whose lives come within his ambit while leading us to laughter in the process.

At Palace Electric

Sally’s here, there, everywhere

By Helen Musa

ARIA Award winner, the Canberra born-and-bred pianist, musician Sally Whitwell is everywhere.

Earlier in the month she was in town co-directing (with Toby Cole) the premiere of her work “Treasure Chest”, the musical story of a Mother’s Day box of chocolates gift, for the Canberra International Music Festival.

Last year she toured China, Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia with the Gondwana Sydney Children’s Choir, also appearing at the International Federation of Choral Music World Choral Expo 2015 in Macau.

Recently, she was appointed music director of Sydney-based community chamber choir Coro Innominata.

Born and raised in Canberra, Whitwell studied piano with the late Janice Battison, then Ann Thompson and finally at the thenCanberra School of Music where she majored in bassoon studies with Richard McIntyre. Piano studies with Susanne Powell led to further

study in accompaniment at Sydney Conservatorium with David Miller.

These days, her choral and vocal ensemble compositions are performed by Juice vocal ensemble, Gondwana Choirs, VOX, Moorambilla Voices, Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, Luminescence and the Woden Valley Youth Choir.

Now the pianist/composer has been invited to “work her playful magic” at the Young Music Society Winter Music School in July.

She’ll be joined by local musicians

Jim Sharrock, who taught at the Society’s autumn school and early childhood specialist Kimberley

in exploring the “stories in the stars” through music for primary school students. This program runs during school hours, Monday to Friday.

Winter Music School “Stories in the Stars”, Belconnen Arts Centre, July 11-15, 9am-3.30pm daily. After-school care is also available. Bookings and inquiries to youngmusicsociety.org. au or 6251 8017.

Italian with a taste for food, fun and friends

IF you fancy eating like an Italian, chances are you’ll feel at home when dining at Civic’s Provini.

It opened in Garema Place as a formal, full-on restaurant, but the recipe wasn’t perfetto. So the team, including Frank Condi, who is Italian through and through, are working on evolving Provini into more of a “food, fun and friends” place; a place that is delighted when you pop by for a beer and pizza, or a cocktail and some share plates.

Expect more refinements over the coming weeks including a bar atmosphere combined with a nonnatype kitchen. Our gang headed to Provini for Sunday lunch. Only one of us had visited previously and she was a bit hesitant to return since her experience hadn’t been perfetto. She’s converted.

We grabbed a table on the balcony and got stuck into it. I was running late so my friends did the sensible thing, as they always do, and ordered something to share – something to get their tastebuds dancing. By the time I arrived, their tastebuds were in full swing. The pizza they had, btw, was the piccante ($23) – salami, n’duja (spreadable, spicy pork sausage), fior di latte and chilli oil. The pizza chef is from Italy so it’s no surprise the pizza was a ripper.

My fazzoletti was full of flavour ($26). The big

sheets of handmade pasta looked fabulous on the plate (fazzoletti comes from “handkerchiefs” in Italian). The smoked pancetta, roast capsicum sugo, chilli oil and basil all packed a punch.

My fear, when I heard an “evolution” was underway, was that this dish would be taken off the menu.

I’ve confirmed it’s staying. So, too, is nonna’s touch, although the young lads in the kitchen are adding their own modern take to some dishes.

The pappardelle ($28) was also full-on flavour, although my friend felt it just a tad sweet. This pasta was served with wood-fired pork and veal meatballs, tomato sugo and romano. Another friend, who has a mad love affair with chilli, thought the tagliatelle was spot on. A nice hit of spice, she reported, and the prawns, squid, clams, tomato and herbs got along just fine ($29).

Provini’s menu is divided into small plates, large plates, pizza and desserts. From the small plates came a satisfying calamari dish ($17) – the squid lightly fried and fresh with cucumber, basil, fennel and a bit of chilli.

Since sharing is so much part of Italian eating, Provini offers “piccolo” (five dishes for $50 a person) or “grande” (seven dishes for $65 a person).

I don’t often dive into desserts, but can’t wait to return to road test the tiramisu or cannoli, two of the “something sweet” offerings on the menu ($14).

Provini, 50 Bunda Street. Call 6154 9720. Open for lunch and dinner seven days.

The Allan Key provides small cash grants to people with a disability to enable them to pursue their sporting or recreational interests. Examples of the types of grants we support include to buy sporting equipment or pay for swimming lessons.

Our next round of grants opens on Wednesday 1st June and will close on 15th July 2016.

We are calling for application for grants up to a maximum of $1,000. The application form is available from our website: www.allankey.org

Leaping into lovely liliums

LILIUMS (or lilies) are great for fragrance and long flowering, and now’s the time to plant them.

There are more than 80 recorded species of liliums, mostly from the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

They offer a long flowering period and many are highly fragrant. The great beauty of lilies is their ease of growing, provided a few simple rules are followed.

The first requirement is excellent drainage. Depending on how well the soil has been prepared over the years, in existing gardens this usually won’t present a problem. However, in new gardens where, perhaps, builders have removed the top soil and left a bed of clay, it is a different matter.

The old idea was to dig in lots of gypsum to break down the clay, but these days the answer is to use a liquid soil treatment and ground breaker, which changes heavy clay and compacted soils into usable soil without the need for digging.

This improves water penetration and aeration by improving the soil structure. Liquid soil breakers are available from most garden centres and DIY stores. When planting, it’s also a good idea to add plenty of organic matter, which at this time of the year could be fallen leaves. I prefer to shred them with the mower and work them into the soil with cow manure.

If the ground is really bad it may be helpful to put a handful of washed river sand in the bottom

of the hole and plant on a raised mound.

Plant liliums in a bright, open, sunny spot.

If you have existing liliums in shade due to surrounding trees or shrubs, now’s the time to move them.

Bulbs should be planted to the same depth as the bulb is thick.

Also the queen of flowers, the peony, can be planted over the next few weeks using all the same planting suggestions as for liliums Nevertheless, these hints apply when planting all plants, whether bulbs, perennials or shrubs.

ROSES will arrive at garden centres soon and there are some exciting new varieties, which have been tested at the Rose Society’s trial gardens in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Given that the majority are intially bred overseas (mainly Europe), this process ensures they are suitable for Australian conditions. I will detail some of the new arrivals over coming columns.

Meanwhile, when buying roses look for plants that are not less than two years old, have good, thick stems and are sourced from local garden centres, where they are kept in ideal conditions, potted and in the open.

To be first to market, some supermarkets sell year-old roses with pencil-thin stems at giveaway prices. Often, these have been artificially defoli -

ated, sold packaged in plastic bags and kept in artificially lit, heated shops. New shoots will often be seen growing in these bags. Unfortunately, a couple of good frosts will mean the end of those newly purchased roses you thought were a bargain!

Jottings…

• Don’t worry about ants on citrus trees, they are just eating the honeydew from scale insects and are beneficial.

• For roses over two years with fungal problems, spray with Lime Sulphur once they have lost their leaves.

• Add a good handful of garden lime and a watering can of seaweed plant nutrient to every couple of barrows full of leaves on the compost heap.

• Grant Allen will discuss matching the right garden tool to the right job in a free talk at The Garden Plant Nursery, 148 Parkwood Road, Macgregor, 10.30am, on June 14. Bookings to 6254 6726. Worm farms and composting will feature at the next talk on June 21.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rams are feeling mighty curious, as Mercury moves into your travel and learning zone. So it’s a wonderful week to shake off the physical and mental cobwebs and get passionate about an exciting new trip, an online project or a local community connection. You’ll feel emotionally vulnerable on the weekend, but don’t make things worse by being mysteriously moody and playing power games. Instead, strive to differentiate between what is essential and what is superfluous.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Is a friend or acquaintance leading you up the primrose path to Taurean trouble? Keep a sensible head on your sturdy bovine shoulders this week. If you sit back and let others make decisions, then you’ll just feel paralysed and powerless. The Moon and retrograde Mars urge you to be more self-sufficient and patient in relationships. When it comes to joint financial matters, be extra cautious and conservative. Talk things over with a wide range of experts before you make a final decision.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

With Mercury (your patron planet) moving into Gemini (where it joins the Sun and Venus) your innate curiosity and versatility are firing so keep your mind well stimulated this week. Catching up with an artistic or bohemian friend will also get your creative juices flowing. But, as the week progresses, there may be some confusion between relationship responsibilities and work issues. So make sure you maintain strict boundaries between what is personal and what is professional.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Are you looking for a new job or applying for a promotion? Present yourself as someone who really stands out from the crowd. True inner confidence is the key. Friday should be fun and very social as Venus vamps into your sign, and you turn the old Crab charisma up a notch. But then you may receive a reality-check on the weekend, involving your day-to-day work or future aspirations. Perhaps it’s time to get the balance right between idealistic dreams and concrete reality?

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Cats are feeling stir-crazy! You’ll feel extra restless this week, as the planets activate your freedom-loving side. All types of exercise and outdoor activities are favoured as you channel energy into physical pursuits; go on a grand adventure; or connect with foreign friends from far away. Just make sure you nurture relationships with people who encourage your hopes and dreams for the future. But money matters are in a state of flux, so aim to be more financially independent.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

When it comes to a health issue or a domestic matter, don’t bury your head in the sand. No matter how difficult the reality is, it’s far better that you face it and then work out a sensible strategy. But a close relationship becomes very confusing on the weekend, when neither of you are sure where you stand. In order to sort things out, you’ll need to be practical, patient, compassionate and intuitive (a tricky combination). As birthday great Paul McCartney sings: “We can work it out …”

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

The week starts with a bang as the planets highlight romantic shenanigans and falling in love fast! It’s also a fabulous time to explore fresh horizons with exciting and entrepreneurial foreign friends. A loved one may hit you with some surprise news that initially shocks you but with subsequent reflection you’ll find it’s just what’s needed to blast you out of your comfort zone. The weekend will be stressful though, as tricky aspects diminish your usually diplomatic touch.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Ricochet out of your usual routine! This week’s stars are super for shaking up a dull domestic routine, as you find creative ways to make daily chores much more satisfying and enjoyable. Researching an unusual topic is also favoured. But money matters look complicated on the weekend, when extra expenses surface or cracks appear in a financial arrangement with a friend. If you can’t sort things out personally, then find someone professional who can.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Friendships are where all the fun is this week, as you catch up with an old acquaintance or find a fabulous new friend. And, if you have a dilemma that’s worrying you, talk it over with a trusted mate. You’ll find a problem shared is a problem halved! As birthday great Paul McCartney sings: “I get by with a little help from my friends …” But with Saturn squaring Neptune, expect a weekend of unsettling uncertainty. The less organised you are, the more confusing things will be.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Monday and Tuesday are fortunate for matters involving family, work, health or pets as a welcome surprise boosts your spirits. Love Planet Venus visits your relationship zone (from Friday until July 12) which is good news for committed couples and impatient singles. You also have much to gain from sharing creative ideas with a compatible friend or colleague. Strive to be clear and careful in the way you communicate on the weekend, otherwise you’ll be misunderstood.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Let the circus begin! Your bohemian side shines brightly on Monday and Tuesday, when the stars stimulate your endearingly eccentric side. Tap into the adventurous Aquarian you were born to be – and have fun charming others without even trying. But are you labouring under the illusion that your bank balance is more buoyant than it actually is? There’s a danger you’ll be misled, so take extra care and make sure your plans are financially realistic and sustainable.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Hey Pisces – are you feeling overwhelmed by work pressures, personal problems or relationship politics? This week you’re keen to escape stressful scenarios and daydream the hours away, as you retreat into your own private world – invitation only! But by the time the weekend rolls around, you may be brought down to earth by an unwelcome reality check, when Saturn demands you stop procrastinating, face facts, retrace your steps, and sort out a confusing situation.

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

General knowledge crossword No. 551

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love to travel, to explore, to experience the world, but I must admit, I hate packaging and unpacking. It is for this reason that I love to cruise, any sort of cruise. Whether it be a river cruise, an expedition cruise or one of the larger ocean cruises. Almost every day you can disembark to explore a new destination, but at the end of the day return to the ship to the same room as the night before.

Down

1 Name a plant with flowers which are usually very beautiful.

8 What is a large member of the pachyderm family?

9 Which musical note is equal in length to half a crotchet?

10 Not conforming to the rule, is to be what?

11 In legend, who was King Arthur’s venerable magician and seer?

13 What are large systems of stars, held together by gravitation?

16 Name a strainer for draining off liquids, especially in cooking.

19 Which term describes those who pay for food and lodgings at a hotel?

22 What is another term for a timetable?

24 What is a very learned person called?

25 What are flat, heated surfaces, on top of a stove, for cooking oatcakes, biscuits, etc?

26 Name a less familiar term for an exit.

2 What is a particular way taken for travel?

3 What is a small, mean dwelling house?

4 To be insane, is to be what?

5 Which bodily vessel conveys blood to the heart?

6 Name another term for the chest.

7 What do we call a person confined in a prison?

12 What is a cylindrical or rounded mass of something?

14 Which term is descriptive of a generous bestowal of gifts?

15 Which date in March was Caesar warned to beware?

17 What are the Academy Awards known as?

18 What is a list of matters to be brought before a committee?

20 What is a young eel called?

21 Which armoured combat vehicles move on caterpillar tracks?

23 To be displeasing in appearance, is to be what?

A while ago, I travelled by cruise ship around the islands of Hawaii and it was nothing less than magnificent. I was travelling with my family and because of the age variations, I was concerned that perhaps someone would not enjoy themselves, but this was not the case. The ship was unlike anything I had seen before; it was basically a city on the sea. There was so much to do that it was impossible to get bored. There were concerts, swimming pools with waterslides, shopping, a tennis court, a day spa, a movie theatre; we were all kept busy and happy.

Ocean cruises are not only an excellent option for families because of the great deals and inclusive rates offered but also a fantastic choice for a romantic getaway. Just imagine yourself standing on the deck, with the person you love, watching the sun set over the ocean with a glass of champagne in hand.

Top Tip: Cruise companies are constantly offering amazing discounts so why not consider a cruise for your next holiday?

The different styles of cruises all have their pros and cons so it is always about deciding what is best for you. The team at Active Travel have the knowledge and the experience to help you choose a cruise that will be your ideal adventure holiday!

VINNIES CEO SLEEPOUT!

The CEO Sleepout will be held at Questacon on Thursday 23rd June, where Vinnies are hoping to raise $450k to combat homelessness in the Canberra community.

To donate please visit: ceosleepout.org.au/team/ canberra-toyota

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is on again!

For Mirko Milic, CEO of Canberra Toyota, this will be his 5th sleep-out in a row during a chilly Canberra winter.

Mirko and Canberra Toyota have been major partners of Vinnies now for over 5 years and have supported the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, the annual Doorknock Appeal, Monster Warehouse Sales, the Night Patrol van and the Christmas Appeal. On top of that, a percentage of every car sold is donated to Vinnies to help them in curbing the homelessness problems in the ACT and Queanbeyan region.

Homelessness is a big problem and is something the St Vincent de Paul Society has been involved with worldwide since its inception in 1833. Surprisingly, in a city like Canberra, over 1700 people sleep rough each night. They take refuge in various city and park locations such as Mt Ainslie and often find temporary accommodation on other people’s couches throughout the suburbs.

This year’s CEO Sleepout will feature a team event, Mirko has asked his senior team and some of the CBR Brave players (sponsored by Canberra Toyota) to sleep out with him and in turn assist him raising even more money on behalf of Canberra Toyota. Mirko believes a collective effort should improve on the $12k he raised last year!