Stop yawning, it’s time to get serious
ROBERT MACKLIN
Punitive thinking turned on its head
MICHAEL MOORE
Bushranger Frank’s the daddy of them all!
NICHOLE OVERALL
Why are we listening to the wowsers?
JOHN GRIFFITHS
Why it’s time for 3am closing
MICHAEL THORN
Busting the many myths of milk
CLARE WOLSKI
Beauty bursts below the sea and above
IAN McLEAN
Fragrance of winter plants
CEDRIC BRYANT
By Kathryn Vukovljak
MARCHING girls are back with a difference, says coach and former marcher Alison Smith.
“I like the discipline, the respect for others and the focus it brings. It’s all about teamwork – you’re not an individual when you march,” she says.
The new DrillDance isn’t just marching – they incorporate artistic dance too, says Alison.
She says marching as a sport died off in the late 1980s, but in 2012 Marching Australia rebranded as DrillDance Australia. And in 2013 after a 16-year break, ACT Marching Girls reformed as Capital Spirit DrillDance, Canberra’s first DrillDance club.
“With DrillDance Australia the same concept is there – the elegant precision of the traditional marching routines with an emphasis on accuracy of movement, spacing and timing as well as the dignity and deportment of the sport,” says Alison.
“They practice for hours and hours to get it perfect.”
However, she says, DrillDance now incorporates thematic dance and prop drills, which involve a free choice interpretation of a story, theme, dance or pantomime – Alison’s team performs a Spanish bull dance as well as Lonnie Donegan’s “My Old Man’s A Dustman”.
“It’s fun and lighthearted, with echoes of marching,” she says. “It gives coaches and teams freedom in choosing music, formations, handheld and stage props and highlights of the routines.”
Alison coaches the Capital Spirit DrillDance Under 17s juniors team and says she loves the challenges of coaching. Other age groups are Under 8s, Under 12s and Masters (over 30) and the sport is open to males (since the 1990s) and females of all ages and fitness levels.
“If you’re not fit, you’ll get fit
More information at canberradrilldance.wix.com/capitalspirit, or drilldance.com.au. Email canberradrilldanceclub@outlook. com or call 0439 710988.
quickly!” she says. “Working with teens is fun and it makes it easier that my own daughters are the same age so I can relate to them.”
“We get to travel around NSW for competitions and our focus for the coming season will be competing nationally in April in the Australian Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.”
Marching started in NZ and was introduced to Australia in the 1940s, when a system of scoring was developed so that teams could compete against one another. It was most popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and Alison says she joined in 1985 and was hooked.
“Back when I started there was only really netball and marching as sports options for girls – nowadays, of course, they can choose from anything.”
DrillDance Under 17s team member Amy Smith, 15, says she loves the friendships she has formed with not only her teammates but other competitors from around the country.
“I see the lasting friendships my mother formed from her days as a marching girl and I know that the adventures I’m having with my teammates is creating some wonderful memories,” she says.
“I love how we work as a team and performing together in front of a
large crowd is very rewarding.
“With Facebook we all stay in touch across the country and we love being able to travel and meet up in person.”
& O’Dea Lawyers
When it matters, contact Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers.
CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au
Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au
Journalists: Kate Meikle, kate@citynews.com.au; Fryla Ferguson, freyla@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 advertising 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
It’s been ‘jobs and growth’ versus a plethora of policies from the Opposition with virtually no change whatever in people’s voting intentions. Except one: The Greens and independents have roared ahead.
TIME to get serious now that people are already voting in that Federal election which has bored the pants off us since PM Malcolm Turnbull headed to Yarralumla all those weeks ago. The double dissolution was vital, he told the G-G, to reinstate the ABCC as the building industry’s “cop on the beat”. And that was pretty much the last we heard of it. Since then it’s been “jobs and growth” versus a plethora of policies from the Opposition with virtually no change whatever in people’s voting intentions.
Except one: The Greens and independents have roared ahead.
According to the polls, the voters like Labor’s policies, but can’t wear Bill Shorten as Prime Minister; and they like
dose of dorin
Malcolm Turnbull as PM but not the right-wingers who seem to be dominating his policies. Little wonder that so many are parking their votes elsewhere. But will they actually cast them that way on July 2? We’ll see.
MEANTIME, there’s been a few diversions in the last seven days to keep us from dozing off. For instance:
TURNBULL publicly accepts the bleeding obvious that in 1788 there was a British “invasion” of the land we now call Australia (which they called New Holland). Bill Shorten supports a “treaty” with the Aboriginal people but then – “Let’s be very clear” – he prefers a “conversation” about it.
FORMER SAS operator, Lib MP Andrew Hastie, insists on wearing his military uniform in his campaign advertis-
ing and is sacked from the Reserves (and as the author of four books on the SAS, I can attest that the regiment itself deplores any association with politics). Then former Labor MP Mike Kelly, once an Army colonel, resigns from the Reserves for the same reason.
SHORTEN changes the subject and promises half a billion to help save the Great Barrier Reef. Turnbull doubles it from money already allocated to the Clean Energy Finance Corp. TURNBULL tries to chuck out a British Muslim preacher who says homosexuals deserve to die; but the cleric clears out before Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, whose department kindly gave him a visa, can get his hands on him. Shorten offers to give journalists access to Manus Island and Nauru.
LABOR promises to fix the mess Turnbull made fixing the mess he says Labor made of the NBN. And both promise lots of money to keep producing Australian steel that nobody else wants.
TURNBULL makes a “captain’s pick” to preference Labor ahead of the Greens in every House seat (thus saving Shorten’s leadership rivals Tony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek), while Labor puts the Libs ahead in a few three-cornered contests with the Nats.
FINALLY, Turnbull declares himself the winner in a speech to the WA faithful and Shorten reckons that was “arrogant”. Malcolm, arrogant? Perish the thought. And so we yawn our way to the polling booths. But compare it with some other overseas polls this last week – “Daffy” Donald Trump, for instance, and his obscenities over the latest US massacre in a gay nightclub; or the terrible shooting and stabbing of British MP Jo Cox while advocating the EU “Remain” case. You can’t help thinking that a boring election isn’t so bad after all.
robert@robertmacklin.com
If you know you can’t vote on Saturday 2 July, you can vote early.
It’s amazing how powerful a piece of paper can be on election day.
If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or over, you are required by law to vote. So, if you’re unable to make it to a polling place on election day, you can vote early at an early voting centre or apply for a postal vote.
You can vote early if you are at work on Saturday 2 July, or will be outside the electorate where you are enrolled. There are other reasons you can vote early – visit www.aec.gov.au/early to find out more.
Your vote will help shape Australia.
To learn more
www.aec.gov.au 13 23 26
WHEN we think of the often romanticised buccaneer of the bush Down Under, odds-on Ned Kelly and Ben Hall are front of mind.
However, the man who rivalled them both, upon whom the press of the day bestowed the dubious distinction of the “Father of Bushranging” on these fair shores, was even more enigmatic – and a local, to boot. He was born in Scotland in 1830. Or perhaps in Australia, just outside Queanbeyan, four years later.
His name was Francis Christie. Or maybe Clark. Or then again, Gardiner.
He died a pauper in a gunfight in 1882; although according to the “Sydney Morning Herald”, it could have been a bout of pneumonia in 1904 after having married into money.
And on June 15, 1862, he committed one of the highest-yielding crimes in our history when he robbed a gold escort near a hamlet called Eugowra in Central West NSW, netting a whopping 14,000 pounds worth of loot at a time most men were earning a pound a week. Much of this was eventually recovered by the authorities.
The life – and death – of the
outlaw who would eventually earn infamy as Frank Gardiner is one that over more than a century and a half has continued to be shrouded in mystery and conjecture. Whether or not he was Australian by birth, most of the earliest accounts agree that
young Francis grew up in these parts: the family initially settled at Boro, only a few kilometres beyond Bungendore.
It was also known he had kin living in Queanbeyan; yet another intriguing but also unsubstantiated story, that he holed up with his sister and niece in the town while on the run.
sentences, but Frank was also something of an escape artist and following the Eugowra job, he fled to Queensland where he was eventually tracked down in 1864.
After a sensational trial and an even more controversial release only 10 years into a 32-year sentence, the “handsome and athletic” Mr Gardiner disappeared to the US where reports variously detailed his alleged exploits, including his death on no less than three occasions.
Then, in 1910 (or ‘32 depending on the source), two American “geologists” visited Forbes with rumours quickly circulating they were Gardiner’s sons looking for his unclaimed gold.
Whether they were and whether they did, are more unanswered questions in this tantalising tale, but the area continues to attract treasure hunters, though to date, all have left as empty-handed as the police who initially sought out the loot.
only highwayman.
William Westwood, aka Jackey Jackey or the “Gentleman Bushranger”, staged his first hold-up here near Carwoola in 1840.
An Englishman, Westwood too, proved a Houdini in regularly escaping the clutches of the law. Most infamously, he tried to swim to freedom from Port Arthur, at which time some of his fellow escapees were said to have been eaten by sharks. Captured again, he was finally sent down to Norfolk Island and, on involvement in an uprising, was hanged in 1846. He was 26.
The earliest to roam this area remains a part of local folklore due to the outcrop allegedly named after him – despite the curiosity that it’s apparently misspelled.
Of Irish descent, John Tennant (with an “a”) took to a life of crime in the late 1820s, amongst other derring-do, robbing Lt JJ Moore’s holding Canberry. Various stories arose that he was either sent to Norfolk, dying a year after his release seven years later, or that he, too, met his end on the gallows. His apparent legacy though is said to have come about because while in the “bush under arms”, Tennant hid out at what is now Mount Tennent (with an “e”), behind Tharwa – and also buried his still undiscovered ill-gotten gains there.
And the reason for the different spelling? Well, your guess is as good as mine, but what’s a bushranging legend without a legend?
Horse and cattle stealing had earned him early
And while Gardiner may have been the big daddy of them all – he also set Ben Hall on the path to notoriety – he wasn’t this region’s
Nichole Overall is a Queanbeyan-based historian, author and journalist.
VIOLENCE in our streets fuelled by alcohol and the drug ice, random acts of terrorism and gang wars all create fuel for political debate.
They provide grist for the mill of law-and-order campaigns and create perceptions of which political party looks soft and which can tackle hard issues.
When ACT Minister for Women and Minister for Housing, Yvette Berry, announced a new program for perpetrators of domestic violence she turned punitive thinking on its head.
The risk is that her government will look soft on crime in an election year. A three-month sojourn to “Room4Change” sounds like a pretty soft option for a perpetrator.
However, recidivism rates across Australia indicate that conventional prisons have not been so effective at stopping such violence.
A few short years ago, in most cases, there was no punishment for perpetrators of domestic violence. The solution then transitioned to ensure arrest, put the culprits before the courts and have appropriate punishments meted out. For many cases this will remain an appropriate solution.
However, this is an extraordinarily complex area with many shades of grey. While many of the victims felt vulnerable and insecure, they
The risk is that Labor will look soft on crime in an election year. A three-month sojourn to ‘Room4Change’ sounds like a pretty soft option for a perpetrator.
are also dealing with circumstances where love and violence are mixed.
The multifarious nature of violence in the home is also much more difficult politically, which is why it was largely ignored by politicians other than to wring hands, show sympathy and agree that this sort of violence was particularly atrocious. The solution was to support media campaigns against family violence.
However, it is now impossible to ignore. Rosie Batty has provided the catalyst for action. She became the voice when her tragic story became so public. It was not just Rosie. The heartbreaking incident fell on the fertile ground of an active movement of people who had toiled for years with a commitment to stop the plague of domestic violence.
Police forces, community care, health and social workers struggled to rethink the way that they would deal with what has been framed “private” issues.
Until recently, other than advocate for campaigns and wear a white ribbon, only a small number
your
of politicians were prepared to stand up to be counted on the issue.
Not surprisingly, the perception of a strong political response required a tough criminal justice approach with higher penalties and more effective policing.
The announcement by Ms Berry introduces a fresh approach. She is prepared to force men from their homes, away from their wives and children, and into a residential program.
The real aim of the program is not about punishment. It is about stopping the behaviour.
She says that by removing the person at risk of committing violence and enrolling them in a three-month residential program, where they are supported to change their behaviour, lets the rest of the family stay safe at home.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service and Connections ACT have been the drivers of the
“Room4Change” program, which is not likely to be a cheap option for taxpayers.
From the $20 million “Family Safety” program of the ACT government, “Room4Change” is receiving funding of almost $1 million. However, current expenditure to incarcerate each person who has been detained or convicted is already costing taxpayers around $100,000 a year.
The rate of re-offending of traditional imprisonment should send a message that there must be a better way. The future challenge for governments, and particularly for their corrections ministers, will be to extend such a forward thinking and innovative approach to other offences.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.
CHRIS Kimball, CEO of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter, is the guest speaker at the Weston Creek VIEW Club’s lunch meeting, Southern Cross Club, Woden, 11.30am-2.30pm, on Tuesday, July 5. The two-course meal costs $28 and the club welcomes visitors and interested ladies. Call 6288 7625 by Thursday, June 30.
LOCAL financial and community services provider Service One has promoted CFO and deputy chief executive Matthew Smith to the role of CEO from July 4. He replaces Peter Carlin, who is retiring from the position after more than 20 years’ service to the organisation.
THE winter solstice is the theme for this month’s Monaro Folk Society’s bush dance at Canberra Baptist Church Hall, 11 Currie Crescent, Kingston, 8pm-11.30pm, on Saturday, June 25. Participants are encouraged to dress as a favourite winter character. No experience or partner necessary. All dances are taught, with calling by Claire Stoneman. Smoothsoled, flat shoes are recommended. Bring a plate to share for supper. More information at mfs.org.au
THE Council on the Ageing has partnered with ACT Health, Legal Aid ACT and the ACT Police Seniors Liaison Unit to provide free advice sessions to seniors on legal issues, planning for future healthcare decisions, personal or someone else’s safety, financial fraud, abuse, neglect or pressure. The private and confidential sessions are held at Hughes Community Centre, Wisdom Street. Appointments to 6282 3777 or email contact@cotaact.org.au
Actsmart offers a range of free programs for ACT businesses including:
• support to implement efficient recycling and waste management practices
• obligation free onsite energy and water assessments
• rebates of up to $5,000 (on a cost share basis) to upgrade inefficient equipment
More than 1000 ACT businesses have already signed up to Actsmart programs.
Creating jobs and growing the economy means that everyone will have more opportunities to get ahead.
Small business tax cuts and support for start-ups helps ensure that jobs will be available for all Australians who want a job.
Labor has policies that will slow our economy down and significantly increase debt. This will make life harder, not just for us, but for our children.
Support the Liberal team to ensure a secure economic future for all of us.
To find out more visit: www.letsgetahead.com.au
ONE in six adult Australians chooses to avoid milk and dairy foods, the majority without a medical diagnosis, leading to public health concerns for women in particular.
These are findings from a survey, undertaken by CSIRO and the University of Adelaide, that found the vast majority of avoiders (74 per cent) are making this choice to relieve adverse gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps, bloating or wind.
Far fewer participants cited not liking the taste or because they thought it’s fattening for not including dairy in their diets.
The study, published in this month’s “Public Health Nutrition” journal, also revealed that the decision to avoid some or all dairy foods is influenced by a range of sources from outside medical practice such as the internet, media, friends or alternative practitioners.
Dairy foods are especially important for women owing to the calcium content, and foods from the dairy and alternatives group are important throughout life to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
CSIRO’s Bella Yantcheva, behavioural scientist on the research team, says: “The scale of people restricting their diet without a medical reason is very concerning in terms of the public health implications, especially for women.
“It means there is potential for nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, or the risk that an underlying health condition could be going untreated,” she said.
However, the study revealed that more women are avoiding milk and dairy foods than men.
For women aged 19-50 years, the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend 2.5 serves of dairy or dairy alternatives a day (four serves over 50). Men aged 19 and 70 years should consume 2.5 serves a day (3.5 over 70). A serve is equal to 250mls of milk, two slices or 40g of cheese, or a 200g tub of yogurt.
If you’re active and you don’t drink a lot of milk, there’s no reason to avoid whole milk.
COWS’ milk is a surprisingly contentious topic and choosing which milk to buy or whether or not to drink cows’ milk is a very personal decision. There are a lot of misconceptions and half truths about milk, some of which I’d like to clear up.
Whole (full cream) milk is high in fat...
There’s a perception that whole milk is high in fat and calories. The name “full cream” gives that kind of impression.
But when we have a look at the nutritional composition of milk there is only 3.6 grams to 4 grams of fat per 100mL or, as some food advertisers might put it, 96 per cent fat free. When compared to other, more processed dairy products such as cream (35 per cent fat) and cheese (25 per cent fat) whole or “full cream” milk is actually quite low in fat.
So, which milk should you choose? Well, that depends on how much you drink and how active you are. If you
are sedentary most of the day and you drink a few milky coffees, swapping to light or skim milk can reduce your calorie intake and every little bit can help with maintaining a healthy weight.
But if you’re active and you don’t drink a lot of milk, there’s no reason to avoid whole milk.
Low fat/skim milk has added sugar...
This is a very common myth that people often read online. This belief has come about because, when you
compare the nutrition information of whole milk and skim milk, the quantity of sugar per 100mL is higher in the skim milk.
But there is a simple reason for this. When you take the fat out of whole milk to make skim milk, you take out some of the volume, eg 100mL of whole milk becomes 96mL of skim milk. So, to make up the removed volume, more skim milk is added. This means that because we have taken out the fat, there is more of all the other components of milk.
To further bust this myth, have a look at the ingredients list the next
time you pick up a skim milk. The only ingredient is skim milk. There is no added sugar.
A2 milk is better for you...
There are two main types of protein in milk; whey and casein. Casein protein then has two variations; A1 casein an A2 casein. All milk naturally contains A2 casein protein. Some breeds of dairy cows produce milk that contains whey and A2 casein, but no A1 casein.
There is a small amount of research to suggest that some people may experience fewer gastrointestinal symptoms when consuming milk that contains only the A2 variant of casein. This is the reasoning for having A2 milks available in the supermarket. However, there is no evidence to suggest that A1 casein is bad for your health or that it should be avoided for health reasons.
Coconut, almond, rice and oat “milks” are dietary substitutes for cows’ milk…
People choose not to drink cows’ milk for many different reasons. In
the process of avoiding dairy, many plant-based substitutes have been developed. Nut, coconut, oat and rice milks are great vegan alternatives for cows’ milk in recipes and in cooking, but they are not nutritionally equivalent and cannot be complete dietary substitutes for cows’ milk. Plant-based milks have a minimal protein content and they are low in calcium, unless they are fortified with added calcium.
The best substitute for cows’ milk, in terms of nutrition, is a calciumfortified soy milk. Soy milks contain a higher quality of proteins than other plant milks, which means that they have more essential amino acids. If you enjoy plant-based milks, that’s great! Just be conscious of meeting your protein and calcium needs from other food sources as well.
Clare Wolski is a practicing dietitian at The Healthy Eating Hub, call 6174 4663.
I’M not, by nature, a hateful man, but there’s a lot of things in society today that I don’t much like.
Ugg boots worn in public are an obvious place to start. Fluffy, highsided slippers are great around the house on a cold morning but when worn to the supermarket advertise a concerning lack of self-respect.
Canberra’s lead-footed legion of red-light runners have nearly brought me to grief on numerous occasions and, were I king, would be despatched with summary executions (to encourage the others, of course).
Political groups seeking to push their bandwagons along on the backs of every passing tragedy are hardly any better than those already mentioned.
Liberal Party politicians telling Canberrans that a vote for the Coalition is a vote for “job security” can only either be blithering idiots or assume that their audience are the
fools (possibly both of these things are true).
Journalists who take media releases from interest groups and report those groups’ survey findings as the will of the people may well be the worst of all of these.
Which brings me to the news that most Canberrans support bars turning off the beer taps at 3am and that two in five of us “believe Civic to be unsafe or very unsafe on a Saturday night”.
In terms of general preference, on a par with my views on ugg boots and red-light runners, I can get behind this sentiment.
In the long years since I left my 20s behind, the nights have been few and far between when I’ve wanted a drink in town after 3am. But really, so what?
Young adults have limited scope to turn up the music and crack open another beer at home, their parents take a dim view.
The nightclubs are their living rooms (sweaty, confusing living rooms perhaps, but that’s a matter of taste). For mum and dad to reach out for the light switch all the way from
their safe suburban homes strikes me as beyond unfair.
Health care workers, police, hospitality workers and transport drivers to name just a few are part of a world that doesn’t live the average Canberra suburban life of working 9-5.
Why should people who live on the other side of the clock be denied the pleasure of a quiet drink after work?
Why should the views of people who are almost never out on the town, for whatever reason, at 3am have any bearing at all on those who are?
Most people when they grow up realise that staying on the lash until the sun comes up is a staggering commitment of time and money, for a usually very limited return.
But why are we seeking to deny grown adults the right to make that decision for themselves? And denying the businesses that meet their demand the chance to make a reasonably honest dollar?
John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au
NOTHING good happens after midnight and certainly not after 3am, just ask any Canberra policeman, ambulance officer or hospital emergency department doctor.
Of course, the evidence goes beyond the anecdotal.
In the ACT, over four years we have witnessed a 32 per cent increase in the number of alcohol-related emergency department presentations, from 5084 in 2009-10 to 6702 in 2012-13.
And all the evidence shows that a very modest change to trading hours for pubs, clubs and bars will result in a significant reduction in alcohol harms.
That knowledge isn’t lost on Canberrans. New polling shows that a majority of Canberrans, almost two thirds (65.5 per cent) of residents, support the introduction of 3am last drinks.
This majority support is across all age demographics. The latest polling found that 50.2 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds favoured the measure, as did 69.9 per cent of 35 to 50-year-olds, 81.6 per cent of 51 to 65-year-olds, and 71.3 per cent of those aged over 65.
Significantly, those who support the modest reductions in trading hours, intended to address alcohol-related violence in the nation’s capital, outnumber those who oppose their introduction by three to one.
The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable that when you restrict trading hours alcohol harms decrease significantly.
First in Newcastle where the 2008 restrictions had a demonstrable impact on non-domestic violence and hospital emergency department presentations. And now in Sydney, which has seen a 20 per cent decrease in assaults, with assaults in Kings Cross down a staggering 45 per cent.
St Vincent’s Hospital reported a 25 per cent reduction in admissions to its ICU for seriously injured patients during high alcohol times.
Undeniably, the modest measures have saved lives and continue to do so.
The ACT ReachTel poll also found two in every five ACT residents believe Civic to be unsafe or very unsafe on a Saturday night, and the main reason given for feeling that way was people affected by alcohol.
It is abundantly clear that the local community want the ACT government to follow the example of NSW and Queensland and introduce 3am last drinks. Not because the ACT should slavishly follow the example of its bigger east coast neighbours, but because the governments of NSW and Queensland acted to put the health and safety of their citizens ahead of the financial self-interest of the alcohol industry.
It’s now time for the ACT Government to do the same.
Michael Thorn is the chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education
Level 5, 11 London Circuit, Canberra City
Phone: 6230 0199
Email: reception@mfamilylawyers.com.au www.mfamilylawyers.com.au
By Kathryn Vukovljak
WHEN you’re 98 you need a hobby, says Anne Sneap and, for her, knitting doubles as a pastime and a way to help others.
Anne’s work, from hats and scarves to pullovers and bears, was on display at the World Wide Knit in Public event arranged by the Knit and Knatter group of the Tuggeranong 55 Plus club.
“I started knitting when I was four with my mum, and I made a dishcloth, though it was probably more holes than knitting!” she says.
Anne says she has knitted on and off through her life but the hobby resurfaced during a 14week stay in hospital a few years ago.
“I needed a way to pass the time, so I started knitting again,” she says. “I made things that were sent to Africa, hats and bears mostly, and I also donated bears to Hawker Pathology and the Canberra Hospital.”
Anne, 98, has one daughter, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
“I enjoy knitting for the kids, but I also like to help others,” she says.
“It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you can still think of people other than yourself.”
MORE bleeding heart rubbish re Australia’s refugee responsibilities from columnist Michael Moore (CN, June 2).
The world would be better placed using its political resources to stabilise rogue nations so minorities were not persecuted thus creating refugee populations.
The longitudinal studies of Bob Birrell confirm the unemployment rates for some refugee cohorts after five years in Australia are well over 90 per cent. The annual refugee intakes are a long-term drain on the income support system, housing, education and health services.
The US has, what, 15 times the Australian population but takes just 2.5 times the number of refugees that Australia is taking this year. Per head of population, Australia does more for refugees than almost ALL the countries in this world.
Australia can no longer afford the largess the bleeding hearts want to commit to the refugee resettlement in Australia. We face 1.4 million in danger of homelessness in the next five years, we have 87 per cent of those over 70 living on an age pension alone and below the poverty line, we have massive unemployment when 40 per cent of jobs are anticipated to disappear due to the
laws
digital dislocation.
Alternatively, Australia can take on an increased refugee program to satisfy the conscience of the bleeding hearts who are unconcerned about the longterm economic realities of that policy, but it cannot simultaneously ask the government for Medicare and Gonski and disability services reforms et al.
The system provides refugees with their household goods package because they have arrived with nothing (fair enough) but there is no such package for a woman with children who needs to re-establish after leaving a domestic violence situation.
Refugees get more and better services and programs than disabled Australians. Think on that, Michael Moore and your ilk, the next time you see one of Canberra’s 1200 homeless sleeping in a park toilet in the winter.
In all my time in Asia meeting “enroute” refugees intending Australia as their destination, I seriously never met one who told me about their persecution in their country of origin, but they did all tell me about the welfare system they would enjoy on arrival.
Don Bach via email
ATTORNEY-General Simon Corbell’s proposed anticonsorting laws are totally discriminatory toward the alleged ACT outlaw motorcycle “gangs”, read “clubs”... or the Honda Goldwing or postie bike clubs for that matter. How is an attorney-general in total freefall, being
unceremoniously dumped by his own party faction, allowed to make decisions such as this with his farewell celebration just down the road.
Michael Attwell, Dunlop
MAYBE the ACT Budget can be summed up in the words of Winston Churchill in 1909: “Governments create nothing and have nothing to give but what they have first taken away.
You may put money into the pocket of one set of
Englishmen, but it will be the money you have taken from the pockets of another set of Englishmen, and the greater part will be spilled on the way”.
Cedric Bryant, Watson
WITH the region’s annual truffle festival in full swing, a Goulburn chef has stepped up to warn amateur truffle snufflers about what he calls “fool’s truffle”.
Steve Walker, head chef of 98 Chairs, says: “I have it all over my place. It looks like truffle, but it doesn’t smell good and it’s worthless.”
The “fake” fungus Pisolithus arrhizus is known in Europe as the Bohemian truffle and in Australia as horse-dung fungus.
Despite being inedible, horse-dung fungus can be mistaken for real truffle due to its similar size, shape and colour.
Apart from the difference in smell and taste, it grows above the ground while the soughtafter, black, winter truffle grows underground.
“THE very first time society tells us that one life is inherently more valuable than another is when we are taught to love our dog, but eat our bacon,” writes Canberra artist Shan Crosbie, whose exhibition “Pigs and Dogs” is at the Belconnen Arts Centre until July 17. “Pigs and dogs share a multitude of physical and emotional attributes. They are both omnivorous, highly sociable, and intelligent creatures who have the capacity to feel pain and fear, comfort and joy. Beware… The black, winter truffle, left, and the “fool’s truffle”, horse-dung fungus.
“In this exhibition, I have carefully drawn and painted these animals as the individuals that they are. Displayed side by side, I hope to present the pigs and dogs in these portraits as equally deserving of respect and empathy, and to highlight the injustice of seeing one as friend and the other as food.”
CHEEKY Liberal Alistair Coe is letterboxing the good burghers of light-railblessed Gungahlin with a postcard that helpfully sets out, in kilometres, how far the walk is to the planned town centre tram terminus ranging from four kilome -
tres in Casey to two clicks for Palmerston.
The Deputy Opposition Leader and aspiring member for the new seat of Yerrabi asks residents if they realised that 85 per cent of Gungahlin’s population doesn’t live within easy walking distance and that most users will still have to depend on cars, buses or bikes (ie why bother?).
OUR inner-south snout Daffodil is bemused by the long lengths of blue hose pipes tethered to fire hydrants snaking through parts of Deakin and Forrest. Her attention was piqued initially by a leaking hydrant wasting water in LaPerouse Street near Durville Crescent.
Icon Water says the hoses are there to maintain residential water supply while it replaces ageing underground pipes (they have 3200 kilometres of them), promising the new pipes will last “another 100 years to come” and the work will finish in September.
“No wonder our quarterly bill was $1500,” sniffs Deakin’s Daff. “I guess the old pipes do need upgrading.”
AUSTRALIAN ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson dutifully tweeted that he was engaged in: “Remembering the 375 sailors who died when HMAS Perth sank in the Sunda Strait protecting territory in 1942.”
But his excellency seems to have got carried away with his flag emojis because we reckon it was Java, in the Dutch East Indies, that we were protecting from a Japanese invasion during World War II. It wasn’t until late December, 1949, that the Indonesians gained independence from the Dutch. And that flag.
ONLY in Canberra: here’s something of a world first – the constructive defacing of a street sign. The bureaucrats who decide these things have the irritating habit of saving money on paint by abbreviating the word “Lane” to “La”. Our Man About Civic Lanes John Griffiths spotted that someone had sensibly used the empty space on the sign for the lane formerly known as Verity La to helpfully (and neatly) add the missing “ne”.
‘The Coalition will continue to provide a strong, stable government with a clear economic plan.’
SENATOR Zed Seselja says the choice at the July 2 Federal election has never been clearer.
“The Coalition will continue to provide a strong, stable government with a clear economic plan,” he says.
“Labor wants to increase taxes, bring in policies that decrease the value of your home while still increasing deficits and debt.
“They are going to spend far more than we can afford and it is going to be a burden that our children have to shoulder, and I simply don’t want that.”
Senator Seselja, who is seeking a second term as the ACT’s principal Liberal candidate, is optimistic about Canberra’s future under a Coalition government.
“What we have seen over the last three years is a real surge in the private sector in Canberra, we have some incredible businesses doing incredible things for local and international clients,” he says.
“The latest Budget confirms that the incentives we have already provided small businesses will continue, ensuring they have the right conditions to innovate, prosper and create new jobs.
“Alongside our small business incentives we are now seeing jobs growth in the public sector, jobs growth for contractors through departmental spending and jobs growth for the private sector showing that employment and confidence in the ACT is stronger than ever.
“Bureau of Statistics figures underpin this confidence with the latest unemployment rate at 3.8 per cent. This is the lowest in the country.”
Q: How would you characterise your transition from Territory politics to the Senate?
Senator Zed Seselja... “ I take nothing for granted and will continue to make the case to the people of the ACT that I am delivering for the local community.”
A: Representing the ACT as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly meant that I was able to come into the role of local Senator with a greater understanding of the issues Canberrans face on a day-to-day basis.
Having that grassroots understanding of the real issues has helped me focus on a number of key areas including our local town centres, roads and housing affordability.
Q: How has your being the Territory’s only direct parliamentary conduit to the Federal Government helped the ACT?
A: Certainly being a representative of the Federal Government has allowed me to have a greater voice and impact on policy decisions for not only the nation but right here in Canberra.
For example, the Coalition Government is the first to take into consideration local impacts on Canberra before making a decision regarding office accommodation for government departments.
The decision to take into account local impacts was a direct result of my work with the Finance Minister on behalf of the Belconnen community.
We know that Canberra was designed to have government departments located at town centres as a hub for local employment and small business, and we need to protect that.
Being the Senator for the ACT, gave me the opportunity to voice these concerns and I will continue to fight for local issues such as this and many others to ensure the ACT continues to prosper.
Q: What would you rate as your main achievements in your first term as a Senator?
A: I’m proud of what I have been able to deliver on some great outcomes for our city including, reforming planning processes, which opens up new areas for affordable housing in the ACT.
I have also helped deliver $76 million to clean up Canberra’s lakes and waterways with emphasis on Lake Tuggeranong, a record $5 million funding for black spots to make our roads safer and I fought to keep 2000 jobs in the Tuggeranong Town Centre and 4000 jobs in the Belconnen Town Centre.
Recently, I announced $1 million for design works for the widening of Monaro Highway, a road that services
many Tuggeranong suburbs and those commuting to and from Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra as well as new areas like Googong and Tralee.
On a national level, I’m particularly proud to have worked with colleagues from both sides of politics on adoption reform.
Almost 50,000 children and young people are currently in foster care while last year’s Adoptions Australia report showed that we had the lowest number of adoptions on record.
If we were to streamline the process across the nation, families could adopt these vulnerable children so they can finally be in stable environments. This is a task that all levels of government need to work on together so that adoption is a more viable pathway for children in need.
Q: The other three Federal representatives of the ACT from the other side of politics seem to be assured of reelection, yet holding the sole Liberal Senate spot is always a battle. How comfortable are you?
A: I take nothing for granted and will continue to make the case to the people of the ACT that I am delivering for the local community.
I think that Canberrans can be assured that I am working to address the issues that many people face every day. I was born and raised in Canberra and I’ve lived here my whole life. I want to see my hometown do well.
The Coalition is working to ensure that all Australians have a positive, prosperous future ahead of them.
To do that we have to have a strong economy where everyone can get ahead, that’s what the Coalition is fighting for, and it’s what I am fighting for as the local Senator. We need your support on July 2 to ensure economic stability.
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. At the opening of the ‘Hotdocs’ festival, New Acton
that
BEING a mum can be busy and demanding – and sometimes it’s hard to find the right advice, service or product when the need arises. This week “CityNews” has made things a little easier by compiling this handy guide to expert services, products, entertainment and activities for mums (and mums-to-be).
Quality pre-loved baby and kids goods
Great brands at bargain prices
Come join in the fun!
Saturday 23rd July
Saturday 3rd September
Saturday 19th November
Fitzroy Pavilion, Exhibition Park (EPIC) Flemington Road, Mitchell
9am to 12noon • $4 entry (kids free) New stallholders welcome • babykidsmarket.com.au 1300 554 476
THE Canberra Baby and Beyond Expo has everything you need for each stage of parenting, says director Veronika Cox.
Now in its third year, the two-day Expo offers the latest in products, services, support, advice and entertainment for families.
“Whether you’re expecting, have a newborn or toddler, there is a focus on each area,” Veronika says.
“We bring together different brands from around Australia from prenatal to preschool.
“And brands that are not readily available in Canberra. It’s the only chance in Canberra to access all these things in one place.”
As well as the 80 exhibitors, the expo will also include an appearance by Melbourne
• Our Specialist Maternity Physiotherapists have designed a program that is safe and sympathetic to the special exercise requirements of new mums
• Classes are designed to improve general fitness and to strengthen pelvic floor muscles all in a safe and supervised environment.
• The classes commence 6 weeks post–delivery (minimum) and run for 1 hour once a week for 6 weeks.
Come and join us, get fit, feel fabulous, energised and meet some new people.
For more information call 02 6281 8730 or email maternity.physio@calvarycare.org.au
baby sleep expert Sophie Acott from Happy Baby Sleep. There will also be a campaign on healthy eating that will run throughout the expo and will include appearances by nutritionist Kate Freeman, Lisa Donaldson of the Michelle Bridges Program, farmerscrops direct produce delivery and MEGA - the grassroots Canberra Mums Exercise Group.
“We’re really stepping up the entertainment this year with the official Peppa Pig show,” says Veronika.
“The first two years really focused on expectant mothers, but we’ve now added an element for older kids and toddlers.”
The Canberra Baby and Beyond Expo will be held on August 6-7 at Exhibition Park.
Visit canberrababyexpo.com.au
ISIS Fertility is where patients are not just a number and treatment is personalised, says manager Matthew Lesebvre.
The clinic offers a range of fertility services including In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), a donor program (sperm and egg), ovulation tracking, andrology, fertility preservation and genetic counselling.
“We’re the only locally owned clinic in Canberra with local doctors helping people in the ACT and bordering NSW areas,” Matthew says.
“Our staff enjoy their work and care for our patients.” Matthew says ISIS Fertility develops personalised, tailored treatments for their patients and, if possible, aims to improve couples’ or single women’s natural ability to conceive before exploring more expensive or invasive treatments.
Most recently the clinic has added assisted hatching and preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis to their list of services.
Preimplantation genetic screening is a selection method that allows an IVF scientist to detect which embryos contain the correct genetic information before the embryo transfer.
This increases the likelihood of selected embryos having the best chance of implantation and forming a healthy baby while reducing the risk of miscarriage.
ISIS Fertility has three full-time scientists, nursing staff, sonographers, doctors and genetic counsellors on staff. “What we do at the end of the day is help people have babies,” Matthew says.
Visit isisfertility.com.au or call 6175 9000.
One of our newest brands is Mini Rodini. It’s a unique Swedish label. The range is made from certified organic cotton and even some recycled materials. The designs are amazing and we LOVE it!
And Pretty Wild is a beautiful collection from Melbourne. It features classic dresses made from liberty fabrics with smocking & embroidery, knitwear made from the softest merino wool and raincoats lined in liberty prints. It’s so sweet!
We have a fantastic range of footwear. Just this week we’ve received the new Bobux range which was designed in collaboration with European designer Solène Roure. Shoes that look cool but are also good for kids feet.
EOFY Sale
A massive 40% off Clothing & selected footwear
Starts Friday June 24th for 2 weeks only
Mode 3
129/24, Lonsdale St, Braddon 02 6162 1272 www.lellow.com.au
Mon- Fri 9.30 - 5 Saturday 10 - 4 Sunday 10 - 3
the latest
FOR all the latest and trendiest threads for children, Lellow Kids is worth a look.
The Braddon boutique stocks clothing, shoes, toys and gifts for kids aged 0 to 14.
Its clothing range includes stock from Alphabet Soup, Minti, Munsterkids, Eeni meeni miini moh, Petit Bateau, Desigual, Alex and Ant, Littlehorn, Fred Bare and Jean Bourget.
“We have many brands you can’t find anywhere else in Canberra and love to offer great customer service,” says manager Jen Takiari.
“Our store is a bright and fun place to shop. There’s a small-kids’ corner to keep your little ones busy while you shop. We have a great shoe department and all staff are trained to measure and fit shoes correctly.”
For shoes, it stocks popular brands – including Bobux, Natives, Bergstein, Saltwater Sandals and Mini Melissas.
“We have a couple of new brands – Mini Rodini is a unique Swedish brand that has a strong ethical and sustainable belief,” Jen says.
“The range is made from organic cotton and recycled materials. We also have a beautiful range from
Providing exceptional care and support during your fertility journey
ISIS Fertility are the experts in helping singles and couples in Canberra and the surrounding region achieve their baby dream.
The friendly, caring team at ISIS Fertility provides personalised fertility treatment including Artificial Insemination, IVF, ICSI, Pre Genetic Screening, Pre Genetic Diagnosis, and Frozen Embryo Transfer. They take a holistic approach to fertility by providing recommendations to Doctors of Chinese Medicine, Naturopaths, Counsellors, Dietitians and health clubs for mental and physical wellbeing as part of your treatment.
If you have been trying to fall pregnant for 6-12 months, contact ISIS Fertility to find out how they can help.
ISIS Fertility now offers a walk-in clinic every Tuesday evening until 7pm.
PGS/PGD, International Open ID Donor Sperm now available.
Dr Nicole Sides | Dr Sim Hom Tam Suite 1, 9 Sydney Avenue, Barton ACT 2600
Melbourne called Pretty Wild.
“It features classic dresses made from Liberty prints, knits made from the softest merino wool and rain coats lined in Liberty fabrics.
“And last week we received the new Bobux range, which was designed in collaboration with European designer Solene Roure.” It also has toys from Moulin Roty Australia and Doudou Et Compagnie on its shelves.
“By shopping local and supporting small business you are assured great service,” Jen says. “We treat our customers as our friends.”
Lellow Kids, 129/24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, lellow.com.au or call 6162 1272.
OBSTETRICS, gynaecology and fertility practice Capital Women’s Health says it provides multidisciplinary care in an environment that is nurturing and family centred.
Situated in Deakin, its services include the management of infertility, general obstetrics and gynaecology, colposcopy, urodynamic study, cystoscopy and a women’s obstetric and gynaecological/obstetric ultrasound practice – the Canberra Fetal Assessment Centre.
“We are privileged to share the journey to parenthood with our patients,” they say.
Capital Women’s Health doctors include Dr Tween Low, whose specialty is the management of infertility, including IVF for preimplantation genetic diagnosis and fertility preservation. She also has an interest in management of endometriosis and endometriosisrelated infertility.
Dr Omar Gailani has extensive experience in obstetrics and gynaecology in remote rural and urban Australia and NZ. Dr Gailani cares for patient needs including high-risk obstetrics and all aspects of gynaecology including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
The Canberra Fetal Assessment Centre (CFAC) provides a complete and unique Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound service.
“Our experienced doctors and sonographers provide an expert service specialising in maternal and fetal medicine and women’s health,” they say.
“Our ultrasound studies are best practice and performed to the highest standards and are supported by informative and sensitive counselling.”
Its services include: dating scans; first trimester risk assessments and nuchal translucency screening (same-day result service); invasive prenatal testing (CVS and Amniocentesis); non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT); morphology scan; growth and doppler study; counselling; pelvic ultrasound including saline sonography and 3D imaging; and, HyCoSy procedure (Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography) – CFAC is the only ultrasound service in Canberra that offers the HyCoSy procedure.
Capital Women’s Health, 1/21 Napier Close, Deakin, cwhealth.com.au, email hello@cwhealth.com.au or call 6162 1649.
THE team of physiotherapists at Bub & Me Physiotherapy are all passionate about helping women in the perinatal period stay strong, well and injury free, says founder, co-owner and physiotherapist Natalie Myvalt.
“Classes are run by physiotherapists who understand the needs of the prenatal and postnatal body,” Natalie says.
“We can tailor exercises for women with pregnancy-related conditions such as pelvic girdle pain or back pain, as well as postnatal conditions such as prolapse or rectus diastasis.
“We are able to give advice on home exercise women can do to improve their condition and have the knowledge to refer a client on when appropriate.”
Bub & Me Physiotherapy offers three types of classes. The prenatal exercise classes involve Pilates, fitball exercises, weights and functional exercise and are run in a gym setting.
The prenatal aquatic classes use the gentle resistance of water to strengthen, tone and maintain fitness.
“Our postnatal exercise classes include both you and your baby so you can enjoy regaining strength and fitness, knowing your baby is close by, happy and safe,” Natalie says.
“All our classes address the pelvic floor and inner core.”
Natalie says due to popular demand Bub & Me Physiotherapy is starting prenatal and postnatal classes in Queanbeyan starting mid-July. She says they hope to offer classes in Tuggeranong and Yass by 2017. Visit bubandme.com.au, email bubandmephysiotherapy@gmail.com or call 0405 744076.
“WORDS express, gifts deliver” is the slogan of Beautiful Gifting, a store that provides unique, Australian-made gifts for all occasions.
The Queanbeyan store has gift ideas for everyone and its range includes French glassware, ceramics, keepsake greeting cards and pottery by Robert Gordon, the products are all unique.
Beautiful Gifting has a range of gifts for family and friends such as tea towels, candles, mugs, hand cream and diffusers, says owner Deborah Keenan.
“We also stock thick Russian colour pencils for kids, which are very popular,” she says.
Beautiful Gifting stocks themed and traditional “Babushka” dolls, handbags, glassware and cards made in Australia.
“We pride ourselves in offering as many Australian made gifts as we can,” says Deborah.
Beautiful Gifting, 84 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan, 0419 627210 or email beautifulgifting@gmail.com
Bub & Me Physiotherapy offers prenatal exercise classes, prenatal aquatic classes and postnatal ‘mums & bubs’ exercise classes. Engaging in a regular and tailored exercise program can assist you to stay strong, fit and well during your pregnancy and after the birth of your child.
All classes are $340 per term of 10 weeks. Part of this cost may be claimed through private health insurance under physiotherapy.
Class Timetable and Costs
Prenatal Aquatic Classes Wednesdays in Deakin 5-6pm & 6:15-7:15pm
Prenatal Exercise Classes Mon 6-7pm in Woden Tues 6:15-7:15pm in Belconnen
Postnatal Exercise Classes Wed 10-11am in Belconnen Thurs 10-11am in Chifley
Helping children 0-8 years who have difficulties with:
• Speech sounds
• Being understood by others
• Stuttering
• The use of language / expression
• Understanding language
• Early literacy development
Call 6154 6940 to book an appointment 10/21 Colbee Court, Phillip www.capitaltherapyservices.com.au
GYMBAROO Canberra is based on the philosophy that “movement is the key to learning”, says GymbaROO Canberra owner/ manager Kirstie Watson.
“We provide weekly classes that include unstructured time on equipment such as slides, swings, tunnels, trampolines, wedges, rolls and scooter boards, and structured mat time including finger development, vestibular movements, balancing and jumping, dancing, musical instruments and singing,” Kirstie says.
“Our mat time is tailored to the children’s neurological development and everything we do has been researched to show why it is a benefit.”
She says the program is specifically designed to develop essential motor skills in children.
Throughout the classes they provide information to parents and carers about the importance of early childhood development in health, learning and behaviour.
“Everything we do at GymbaROO has been thoroughly researched and developed
over 30 years to ensure our children develop the essential foundations for future learning,” she says.
“We are very proud of the results from a recent study –babies and children who have gone through the GymbaROO and BabyROO programs are showing outstanding educational outcomes, with 92 per cent scoring in bands 4, 5, 6+ in Grade 3 NAPLAN.”
Kirstie says her instructors are all mums, GymbaROO trained and qualified, who pride themselves on their classes’ friendly and welcoming environment.
“Throughout the year we offer informative talks that are free for our members,” she says.
“These presenters are chosen because they are qualified in their profession, and are aimed at families who may not normally have access to that information. These include talks by osteopaths, parenting programs and dealing with family stress.”
Visit gymbaroocanberra.com or call 0428 073607.
NATIONAL Capital Diagnostic Imaging says its focus on patient care and quality service delivery is what sets it apart from other imaging clinics.
“We offer a comprehensive range of imaging modalities, which means patients can have all their imaging needs taken care of within the one organisation,” says Lauren Venables, chief medical Imaging technologist at the Woden clinic.
NCDI’s comprehensive diagnostic imaging services are across three locations in Canberra. Its services include MRI, CT, X-ray, OPG, nuclear medicine, bone densitometry, ultrasound and interventional procedures.
Its full range of obstetrics scanning consists of dating ultrasounds (<12 week), nuchal translucency scanning and risk calculation (12-16 weeks) as well as morphology studies (20 weeks) and third trimester scans (>22 weeks).
“Our sonographers and doctors are very compassionate and all share a passion for high-quality scanning, attention to detail and making the scan as comfortable an experience possible, while still achieving the results we need,” says Samantha Dussin, deputy ultrasound modality manager, says.
“You are not simply a number, we take the time to explain and provide you with the best diagnostic scan possible.”
NDCI says that if and when possible, as there are a number of variables and technical factors, including baby’s age and position – they do offer non-diagnostic 4D images of baby as a keepsake and memory of baby’s first pictures at selected NCDI clinics.
“Our Woden and Tuggeranong clinics offer a walk in X-ray service, which is very convenient for busy mums,” Lauren says.
“We have radiologists on site with special interests and expertise in pediatric imaging. Our MRI service is open from 7am until 10pm Monday to Thursday and 8am until 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays which means parents may be able to avoid taking time off work to make appointments.”
Visit ncdi.com.au or call 6214 2222.
QUALITY pre-loved baby and children’s goods, plus some new items, will be up for grabs at next month’s Baby and Kids Market.
“We have heard from mums that the markets help them save money and not miss out on quality,” Baby and Kids Market director Cathie Wall says.
“The markets are run by mums for mums. It’s a fun day out where mums can go and have a coffee, go shopping and save money at the same time.”
Cathie says the intention of the market is to recycle and reuse quality goods that are too good to throw away.
“We’re the biggest market in Canberra of this kind and we’re astounded by the items that come through our door,” she says.
“Everything has to be good quality –we have quality control. If it’s not of the right standard we ask stallholders not to put it on the stall.
“We want to make sure it’s right for people.”
The next market, set for July 23 at the Fitzroy Pavilion, Exhibition Park (EPIC), Flemington Road, will also feature appearances from Peppa Pig and the Minions.
The market runs from 9am to noon and entry is $4, kids are free.
Cathie also runs the Fash ‘n’ Treasure Markets, which will be held at EPIC, 10am-3pm, on Saturday, June 25.
Visit facebook.com/babykidsmarketcanberra or babykidsmarket.com.au
Visit fashntreasure.com.au
A NEW exercise class for mums and bubs run by the Calvary John James Hospital has attracted more than 200 clients since its launch in 2015, going from one to four classes a week to keep up with demand.
According to the hospital, the classes are unique in that they are run by Calvary John James Hospital’s in-house specialist maternity physiotherapists.
The classes use Pilates mat work, free weights, theraband and Swiss ball exercises to help mums regain their shape and fitness.
“I initiated starting the classes to bring Calvary John James Hospital in line with what the public health system offers,” Calvary John James Hospital physiotherapist Jennifer Garrett said.
“We are the only Private Calvary hospital that offers these classes.”
Jennifer says the classes, which she runs with physiotherapist Liz Kilby, are open to all women, whether they had their babies in the private or public health systems.
Call the Maternity Unit at Calvary John James Hospital on 6281 8730 or email maternity.physio@ calvarycare.org.au
A “WAIT-and-see” approach is not always best when it comes to your child’s speech and language development, says Capital Therapy Services speech pathologist Janelle Joy.
“We encourage parents to seek advice from a speech pathologist if there are ever any concerns with their child’s speech or language development, as early intervention is extremely important,” Janelle says.
“We offer speech pathology assessment and therapy services for babies, toddlers and children up to the age of eight years.
“We work within an early intervention framework to support toddlers and young children who may be later than average in developing their language skills or speech sounds or who develop a stutter in the early years.
“It’s often hard for parents to know what to expect in regards to their child’s speech and language development, especially when speech and language grows so rapidly in the first three years of life.
“As a rough guide, children begin to use words around 12 months of age and by the age of two, toddlers should be able to say at least 50 words and be starting to combine these into two-word sentences that can be understood by others at least half of the time.”
Capital Therapy Services is owned by three local speech pathologists, each of whom have young children of their own.
“All our staff are experienced in working with young children, and understand the busy nature of children and families,” Janelle says.
“We aim to incorporate speech and language strategies into everyday activities to help parents continue to encourage speech and language growth at home with ease.
“Capital Therapy Services is a registered NDIS provider. All staff are members of Speech Pathology Australia and are Certified Practicing Speech Pathologists.”
Visit capitaltherapyservices.com.au or call 6154 6940.
IAN MCLEAN is transfixed by the peace and solitude of the pristine wilderness that is Indonesia’s Raja Ampat
IT may well be one of the final frontiers of unspoiled natural beauty, but getting to the paradise that is Raja Ampat takes a seven-hour Sydney to Jakarta haul, two lengthy internal flights and a two-hour speedboat ride.
Raja Ampat is a group of Indonesian islands to the west of Papua and, within minutes of dumping my bags at the Raja Ampat Dive Resort, I’m leaping off the jetty and snorkelling in the clearest-ever water above a magnificent reef.
The reef teems with fish of every colour, shape and size, all gliding gracefully over corals of the brightest yellow and purple imaginable, and the long journey is quickly forgotten as the warm water soothes sore muscles.
The four million-hectares of land and sea that make up Raja Ampat are home to almost 75 per cent of all marine species found on earth; there are 540 different coral types and more than 1500 species of fish living amongst the beautiful reefs.
Already well known to the diving communities, who enthusiastically explore vertical underwater walls and experience the thrill of drift
diving, it is just as fascinating a place for those who prefer to snorkel.
Besides the beauty beneath the sea, the thick rain forests are home to an abundance of birds and wildlife.
The icon of Papua, the Bird of Paradise, and its many family relatives, originate from Sawinggrai Village and the birds can freely be observed performing their dances in the wild.
From islands such as Arborek Island, where hand feeding fish is a natural thing, it is possible to explore amazing sights such as the Blue Water Mangrove where limestone towers, proliferated with corals, plunge deep into the water or the Manta Shanty, where graceful manta rays slide around a sandy sea bottom.
Unlike the party life of Bali, Raja Ampat offers a chance to explore a pristine wilderness in peace, solitude and quiet.
Villages on small islands welcome visitors and offer “homestay” accommodation – to live amongst the village – for as little as $A50 a day, including all meals.
The strong sense of family, community and culture in the villages shone through as children played
and sang infectious music with gusto and abandon.
Our party happened to visit Yenbula Island on a Sunday. After snorkelling its gorgeous reef, we walked through the village to be transfixed by the singing of children, warming up at Sunday school before joining the adults in a most beautiful church building on the high point of
the island.
The combination of mature and youthful voices was glorious. And what a harmonious culture of religious understanding as well with Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Muslim faiths living, working and practising their beliefs in perfect tolerance of each other.
Back to the Dive Resort, which I
think is probably at the upper end of accommodation options. Lodgings are reasonably comfortable cabins with a mosquito-net-covered bed and private shower and toilet.
Meals are taken in a communal and open dining area where the diving fraternity from around the world (young French, Swiss, Belgian and Spanish adventurers were present
during my visit) recount stories of the day over fresh food.
Breakfast had rice/noodles/ pancake and egg options, but I couldn’t resist a local, toasted, sweet bread/damper topped with the freshest, tiny bananas. Lunch and dinner featured locally caught fish, of course, mainly served whole with spices and rice, as well as a variety of chicken and green vegetable dishes. All meals are included in the daily room rate of about $120 a day.
A stay in Raja Ampat is not for those seeking a party holiday or anyone seeking luxury. Conditions, while primitive, are perfectly in keeping with the pristine, unspoiled nature of the surrounds.
It’s easy to be captured and captivated by the beauty of these islands, the simplicity of life and the caring, co-operative and sharing manner in which life is lived.
Travel information is widely available through the internet and the Tourism Ministry, via the Indonesian embassy in Canberra.
Ian
Raja
as a guest of the Indonesian Tourism Ministry.
By Helen Musa
THE local ballet drought is about to be broken with a visit to The Q from the Melbourne Ballet Company.
“Divenire”, the quadruple bill it’s bringing to town, is a work by choreographer Simon Hoy, inspired by the piano work of the same name by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi.
The title work is made up of three movements, “White Cloud”, “In Another Life”, and finally “Divenire”. It was inspired by the philosopher Heraclitus’s adage that “one cannot step twice into the same stream”.
As well, we will see “Lucidity”, premiered last year at the Hawthorn Arts Centre in Victoria and partly inspired by the music of Icelandic composer Olafur Arnalds. Within this ballet is the duet “From a Dream”, choreographed by Tim Podesta, best-known as the founder of the Dis/assemble Project, which sees him work with disabled and able dancers.
It’s not a work you’ll see on the show’s posters, but Hoy tells “CityNews” he’s keen for people outside Melbourne to experience some of the company’s newer works
so has adjusted the repertoire accordingly.
Third on the triple bill will be a classically-inspired work, “Illuminate”, danced “en pointe” by the company’s 10 artists and choreographed by former Nederlands Dans Theater artist Rani Luther to recorded music composed by Philip Glass.
Hoy, who trained at the Australian Ballet School, became resident choreographer of Melbourne Ballet Company after returning from a professional career with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York. He is now artistic director, joining founder Alisa Finney to create a company with a fresh look. In 2016 they’ll present three entirely new works, more than 30 performances, 50 masterclasses and a winter school. Hoy’s personal output is impressive – so far creating 17 new works for the company, as well as keeping up an international career, but he likes to collaborate, evident in the works we’ll be seeing in Queanbeyan that have been created by other choreographers.
“Divenire”, at The Q, Queanbeyan, July 8-9, bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.
MELBOURNE’S Hear My Eyes company is putting a contemporary spin on the in-house cinema organist with its audio-visual pairing of the film “Heartbeats (Les Amours Imaginaires)” by Cannes-awarded Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan with a live score, ‘80s analogue synth-pop, performed by Melbourne duo GL –Ella Thompson and Graeme Pogson. It’s all about falling in love. At The Street Theatre, June 30. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.
“CRASH Test Drama” has been going since 2012, a project where local short plays are given a semi-staged airing. Some of the writers are Angus Algie, Kirsty Budding, Harriet Elvin, Greg Gould, Mary Langdon, John Lombard, Nigel Palfreman and Kate Roediger, and the plays range from outlandish comedy to subtle political satire. “Best of Crash Test” at the Courtyard Studio, 7pm, June 25-26, bookings to canberratheatrecentre. com.au or 6275 2700.
essential to hcourt.gov.au/about/ concerts
CANBERRA City Band and the Strange Weather Gospel Choir will jointly stage the Canberra premiere of Eric Whitacre’s “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” featuring Frank Sinatra, Liberace, a big lizard and an army of Elvises as part of their American music concert. At the Tim Murray Theatre, Canberra Grammar School, 2pm, Sunday, June 26, bookings to eventbrite.com.au
DARRYL’S Den is a go-ahead community studio that provides services and activities to children and adults with disabilities that include art and craft, specialised massage, gym and Tai Chi. They’re holding an Open Day at 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt, from 2pm, on June 26. All welcome.
CARTOONIST, painter and more recently sculptor, Stephen Harrison, is about to teach a mysterious drawing and small sculpture-making course at the ANU’s Centre for Continuing Education called “Mythology and Gods in Drawing and Clay”. Followers of his recent work in Sculpture by the Sea, Sculpture in the Paddock and Sculpture in the Street will know of his focus on Shakespeare’s heroes, seen as Apocalyptic horsemen. Course details at anu.edu.au/cce/ vaacourses
DUO Vela, the flute and guitar ensemble of Marla Smith and Daniel Nistico, will perform and inform in an unusual classical music event at the High Court of Australia, 1.30pm, on Sunday, June 26. Free, but bookings
“THE Young Ones” concert features the youth choristers and solo musicians from All Saints’ Anglican Church on the organ and other instruments. They will be joined by pre-tertiary students from the ANU Open School of Music and a chamber group from Merici College. At the Church, 9-15 Cowper Street, Ainslie, 2.30pm, Sunday, June 26, followed by afternoon tea. Tickets at the door.
CANBERRA resident and former poetry editor of the journal “Overland”, John Leonard, has assembled the results of 30 years of poetry writing in “Think of the World: Collected Poems 1986-2016”, available at jleonard.net – 670 poems in all!
“Me Before You” (PG)
THIS sweet, weepie rom-com depends on money, lots of it.
Sustaining Will (Sam Claflin), paraplegic for two years but still mentally active, during the six months for which his wealthy oldies (Charles Dance and Janet McTeer) have engaged Lou (Emilia Clarke) to be his companion.
Lou’s not Will’s carer – his oldies also employ Nathan (Australian actor Stephen Peacocke) to do the heavy lifting and professional ministrations. But these three young adults make a compassionate and affectionate group delivering the screenplay by novelist Jojo Moyes for Thea Sharrock’s direction.
Before his accident, Will was a hot-shot investment broker. His parents understand full well the nature of his constant pain and his frustration at no longer being able to do what a fit young man enjoys doing.
When Lou, petite, pretty rather than beautiful, from a working-class family depending on her waitressing income, enters Will’s life, we can see where the plot is heading. Will’s prognosis is not favourable. Despite that, the film is joyous, even optimistic, even when it confronts the issue of euthanasia.
I’m not in the habit of saying that one film is better than another, but if you need a cinematic diversion to warm the cockles of your heart, “Me Before You” will very likely do the trick.
At all cinemas
“Warcraft: The Beginning” (M)
THERE are perceivable ambiguities in the title of English writer/director Duncan Jones’ fantasy about conflict between the Azeroths, clean-cut intelligent good guys, and really ugly and slowwitted bad guys whose monosyllabic appellation may be spelled in different ways – orcs, auks, awks, take your pick.
The dramatic formula is familiar. Only the costumes and props are different. And the threat of sequels is a bit scary!
After the ebb and flow of battle, the denouement is unresolved. Will peace be attainable in the lifetimes of the film’s combatants? (The same question confronted Neville Chamberlain on September 30, 1938. After six years of dreadful real-life war, the answer didn’t last long.)
The film’s designers make the handsome Azeroths look dignified in their armour, while the brutal, over-sized awks wear decorative stuff crafted from skins, bones, teeth, animal horn and fallen wood.
It’s reported that the genesis of “Warcraft: The Beginning” is an online game performed by live actors. None of the film’s players gives any notable kind of performance. But I did take pleasure from the Azeroth air force – gryphons, big, beautiful, versatile – and the giant dogs that carried auks into battle. It’s not all bad. But its 123 minutes are burdensome.
At Hoyts, Palace Electric, Dendy and Limelight
THIS sequel to “Finding Nemo” is bog-standard Disney/Pixar animation, with a target audience of small fry. Several early-adolescent girls in the row in front of me laughed with delight at passages that I didn’t find funny.
Writer/director Andrew Stanton’s film carefully avoids showing the reality of the fish-eats-fish world, little fish providing feed for bigger fish and so on up the food chain.
It’s okay to anthropomorphise living creatures in animated films. It’s not okay to step back from showing what being a living creature involves. Stanton’s film has no villain. The result is pablum that conveys an incomplete, biased and therefore dishonest message to children.
Dory is a blue tang with a memory span of about 10 seconds. The only thing she does remember is that she was separated from her parents in infancy. She desperately wants to reconnect with them. Together with her cousin Nemo (the little clownfish who became a movie star in 2003) she sets off on her quest. The ending is happy. The last quarter hour is unsupported by any truthful statement of what aquatic life is really about. Is that what you really want your kids to see?
At all cinemas
By Helen Musa
CANBERRA Opera’s new Puccini production is not grand opera by any means; in contrast to last year’s “La Bohème”, “Suor Angelica” (Sister Angelica) is just under an hour long.
The second in Puccini’s 1918 triptych, “Il Trittico”, the opera is set in a convent of vague location and order. Opening with a sketch of the cloistered life, it turns into proper operatic drama when the unyielding Princess, an aunt, visits Sister Angelica to remind her of her sinful past in which she gave birth to an illegitimate son, and more, to prise her inheritance from her.
Needless to say (it is opera after all) the good sister comes to a sticky end, but not before Puccini has lifted her to grace in a heavenly vision or miracle equalled only by that in Gounod’s Faust.
Director Steph McAlister sees the company as providing “a platform” for singers who are “still growing, still learning”. With singers ranging in age from 16 to 60, she says, they’ve also been raising their profile through pro bono and corporate gigs including two concerts at the NGA. Democratically, they’ve written a small men’s chorus into
the coming opera, though the basis is the female voice.
“Suor Angelica” looks like a perfect choice, though it presents challenges, I hear, as I meet the director, two of the singers and repetiteur Kathleen Loh at Charnwood Labor Club, where they are rehearsing.
“Puccini doesn’t tell us a great deal about the characters in this opera, and nothing about ‘the man’, so we’ve made up a backstory,” McAlister says, suggesting that Angelica might have been raped, abused or caught in the class system.
Janene Broere gets the “the old-bag mezzo role” of the heartless princess, initially written for a contralto. She gets one fabulous aria, “Nel silenzio” and Broere prefers to think of her as cold rather than evil.
The chosen venue, Wesley Uniting Church, turns out to be a good space for opera. Conveniently, it has one of Canberra’s best pipe organs that will join the small orchestra to be conducted by Lizzie Collier and, because of the ecclesiastical setting, an elaborate set is not needed.
“Suor Angelica”, Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, 8pm, July 15 and 22 and 3pm July 17 and 24. A supper or afternoon tea involving a short concert will follow each performance. Bookings to canberraopera.org.au
I FIRST reviewed Madame Woo’s in Kingston in January, 2004. Way back then I wrote: “Eating great food without paying a fortune for the privilege is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. And a smile is what you’ll get at Madam Woo of Kingston.”
It’s appropriate to start this review exactly the same way since Madam Woo still offers great value for money and tasty dishes, to boot.
Madam Woo still offers great value for money and tasty dishes, and with a major renovation just completed, it’s a sign this restaurant is here to stay.
What has changed is the interior, with a major renovation just completed. New furniture, new décor and a brighter, lighter space. A sign that this restaurant is here to stay.
It was tempting to go for one of the specials ($12.90) that included, the day we lunched, a beef brisket with rice or rice noodle soup, Mongolian chicken with rice and other dishes such as satay beef with noodles. Instead, we took our time wandering through the pages and pages of items on the main menu. It was challenging to choose.
In the end the Madam Woo coconut and lime chicken won over ($17.80) and, interestingly, it was one of the dishes I wrote about in 2004 (although I didn’t recall that at the time). It’s a medium hot dish made with yellow chilli paste created by the chef. The chicken breast was thinly sliced and not overcooked or dry. The coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves (lots of) and fresh chillies made for a fabulous dish that packed a punch on flavour ($17.80).
The basil and chilli tofu with vegetables was also super satisfying and filled us with our vitamins for the day. Even if you’re not a big tofu fan, give it a go.
Madam Woo also has the usual suspects on its menu – dumplings, soup starters, wok-tossed noodles, duck,
seafood and more.
On many occasions over the years I’ve indulged in the Prawn Tom Yum Soup ($7.80), a perfect balance of sweet and sour, served with juicy, plump prawns, spiked with chilli and refreshing coriander.
Madam Woo is also fiercely proud of its exotic and memorable laksa, which it claims is one of the best in Canberra.
My only thumbs down with Madam Woo’s is the wine list. It’s very limited and on our visit even more so with several of the whites and reds listed not available. There’s a red house wine for $22.80 a bottle. The whites include a Yellow Tail Semillon sauvignon blanc and a smattering of other labels at various price points. We opted to pay the $7 for corkage so we could enjoy a bottle of our own.
Eat in and take away.
Open Monday to Sunday, lunch and dinner (last order 9.30pm).
38 Giles Street, Kingston. Call 6239 6932.
Book Now
The Q - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre Call 6285 6290 or visit www.theq.net.au
Call 6285 6290 or visit www.theq.net.au Book Now
The Q - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
e Melbourne Ballet Company presents DIVENIRE
Adult $49
Concession $44 Groups 8+ $44
- Heraclitus
Choreographed by Simon Hoy to music by Italian composer Ludovico
“Everything changes and nothing remains still... and... you cannot step twice into the same stream.”
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
WINTER is a wonderful time for plants of stunning fragrance, especially daphne with Daphne odora and D. odora aureomarginata being possibly the most well-known in Australia.
In Korea, D. odora is known as “churihyang” – the thousand-mile scent.
While most people think daphne originates in China, Korea and the eastern Himalayas, actually more daphne originates in the Mediterranean region than the East.
We have a mere 20 varieties growing in our garden. Locally, I found nine varieties at the Heritage Nursery in Yarralumla; if other local garden centres have more, please let me know so that I can pass it on.
I found some of the more hard-to-get varieties at Merry Garth Gardens at Mt Wilson in the Blue Mountains, which specialises in daphne.
Daphne is easy to grow and is an undemanding plant. It loves acid and will reward you if you go to the extra trouble of preparing the soil, adding plenty of organic material worked well into the ground.
Daphne won’t tolerate wet feet so good drainage is essential, especially in periods of prolonged rain.
For heavy clay soils either plant the daphne on a raised mound or treat the soil with a liquid ground breaker, which gradually soaks deep into the soil and spreads sideways. Simply dig the hole and apply the ground breaker as per instruc-
tions. It is available from most garden centres.
IF growing daphne in containers you don’t need saucers, which inhibits drainage, can lead to root rot and, possibly, the death of the plant. Raise the container with pot feet or pieces of paver. But if you must, fill the saucer with pebbles and sit the container on top of the pebbles.
THE Mediterranean varieties, such as D. “Eternal Fragrance” or D. “Spring Pink”, do best in full sun or very light shade, although I find most daphne will tolerate full sun providing they are not subject to hot, desiccating winds. They don’t flower well in deep shade. There’s more to learn about these fragrant plants from “Daphnes – A Practical Guide for Gardeners” by Robin White (Timber Press, 2006), which is considered the bible of daphne growing. White’s knowledge of daphnes is unsurpassed with more than 200 varieties listed in his book.
WHEN mushrooms finish cropping what remains is an ideal compost for most flowering plants. In other words, perfect recycling for a product that would otherwise be disposed of as waste.
A three-year research program by the Victorian Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that mushroom compost contains all the nutrients needed for good plant growth, supplies the nutrients slowly and improves the structure of the soil. It conserves soil moisture, storing up to 70 per cent of its own weight in water.
• Prune silver birch and maples now while they are dormant.
• Continue to lift and divide perennials and leafy plants such as agapanthus.
• To force rhubarb for earlier and sweeter stems, cover the crowns with a black plastic pot, covering the holes on the base with tape to stop sunlight.
• Pinch out the tips of autumn-sown sweet peas.
• Before going to work, pour hot water on the ice of bird baths.
A word of warning: It has a pH of 6.9, due to the use of lime to neutralise the acidity of peat that’s used. The Australian Mushroom Growers Association does not recommend using mushroom compost for some native plants and all acid-loving plants such as camellias, rhododendrons, daphne and azaleas. Melt ice on bird baths with hot water.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Over the last two months, have you felt as if you’ve been walking through treacle, treading water… or even going backwards? Has your sexual mojo gone missing? Or has a major project backfired? Thank goodness your ruler Mars finally moves forwards (from Thursday onwards) and you’ll start to feel more positive, passionate and proactive about love, life and the Universe. For some lucky Rams – an unexpected gift or freebie comes your way, via a friend or family member.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
The pace picks up from Thursday onwards, when the planets stimulate your communication and relationship zones. So the latter part of the week is the time to socialise with family and friends as you participate in some stimulating conversations. Social media is also favoured and the more creative your approach, the more positive the response will be. But resist the temptation to be a possessive or bossy Bull on Friday. Try some soulful Zen detachment instead.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Attached Twins – are you taking your relationship responsibilities seriously? Saturn demands that you shape up or ship out. Some Twins will tentatively revisit an old romance – but do you really want to do that dance again? Mercury (your power planet) shifts into your cash zone from June 30 through until July 14. So it’s a terrific time to improve your financial literacy through study or via the mentorship of someone who is smart and savvy with money.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Are you running on empty? From Monday until Wednesday, strive to get the ratio right between being on top of things at work, while still having time to reflect and recharge your batteries. Balance is the key. The momentum picks up from Thursday onwards, when the planets help boost your energy and rev up your motivation. But relations with a loved one or work colleague could be problematic on Friday, particularly if you try to control an uncontrollable situation.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
A relationship with a family member is about to improve in leaps and bounds, as Mars finally zooms forwards in your domestic zone (from Thursday onwards). On the weekend, don your detective cap as you dig up a mystery, uncover a secret or research a topic that has always fascinated you. The super Sun/Neptune aspect also stimulates your imagination and increases your creative Cat juices. As Madonna (a fellow Leo) sings, it’s time to: “Express Yourself”!
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
Progress has been slow (particularly at school, college, work or online) but that will change when Mars moves forwards. There’s no substitute for being thoroughly prepared so make sure you are ready to pounce, from Thursday onwards. Relations with a child, teenager or friend may be strained on Friday though. The more you try to organise them, the worse things will be. They are looking for encouragement and solutions, rather than criticism – however ‘constructive’ it is.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Mars finally moves forwards in your money zone, but don’t spoil your future prospects by being rash with cash. Slow down and think carefully before you make an expensive purchase. Expect a fortuitous opportunity to appear out of the blue around Friday. But you must be proactive and grab it when it comes along, or it will promptly pass you by. The weekend is the perfect time to find a solution to a sensitive relationship issue – in a kind and compassionate way.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
Motivation planet Mars finally stops reversing through your sign. So Thursday onwards is the time to stop sulking (which is a Scorpio specialty) and start being proactive. Getting a complicated personal problem sorted out is a good place to start. Friday’s stars boost your magnetism – and your controlling streak. The more you try to manipulate others, the more difficult the day will be. The weekend is wonderful for social events, creative projects and international connections.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Saturn is reversing through your sign, which can make you feel as if you have the worries of the world on your shoulders. This week, take a step back and view your life from a more positive perspective. And Mars moves forwards in your volunteer zone. So think up some dynamic ways that you help those who are less fortunate – whether it’s locally, nationally or internationally. Be inspired by birthday great, Princess Diana: “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Most communication problems arise from a lack of meaningful connection. As the week progresses, the planets encourage you to talk through issues with a loved one. Then you’ll see the current situation from a much more balanced perspective. On the weekend, slow down and smell the roses! Take the time to look at things in a sensitive and compassionate way. It’s also a good idea to nurture your international contacts, as you spread your social net far and wide.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Have you been treading water at work? Action-planet Mars finally moves forwards in your career zone (from Thursday onwards) so professional and business opportunities are set to improve. And dealing with male colleagues, customers and clients in a dynamic way will lead to positive outcomes. If you’re having money problems then a creative approach could turn things around. Joint ventures are particularly favoured, as you boost cash flow with a more cooperative approach.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Your creativity and intuition are firing this week. If your inner voice tells you something (or someone) isn’t the real deal, then make sure you act on that information. Mars moves forwards (from Thursday onwards) which increases your motivation and activates your adventurous side. So it’s the perfect time for Pisceans to take plenty of positive action! Your motto for the moment is from deaf-blind author and activist Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2016 Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore
Across
1 Which local government areas are usually larger than municipalities?
7 Name the GPwho opened 24-hour medical clinics, best known for their glitzy decor, etc, Dr Geoffrey ...
8 Which evergreen tree, native to China and Japan, has a yellow plumlike fruit?
9 Which boxer leads with the right hand?
10 Which term describes those exemplified most markedly by Scandinavians and their decendants?
11 What are elevated fortifications with parapets built upon them?
14 What is the rate of work supplied by human exertion?
18 Which object is superstitiously worn to ward off evil?
19 Name the Australian science journalist and broadcaster, Robyn ...
21 Name the monetary unit of Israel.
22 That which inspires horror, is considered to be what?
23 Which mammals of the weasel family eject
a fetid fluid when attacked?
Down
1 Name the non-metallic element with the symbol Se.
2 Which periods, separated by rests, make up a boxing match?
3 What is a grubscrew also known as?
4 Lima is the capital of which S American republic?
5 Name a paroxysmal disorder of respiration, with laboured breathing, etc.
6 What is another name for a meal?
12 What are tracts of low, soft, wet ground?
13 Which instruments are used for blending foods, spreading plasters, etc?
15 What is a large enclosure in which birds are kept?
16 What is a young hen, less than one year old?
17 Which term describes a division of a government department?
20 Name the Hebrew prophet and author of the Old Testament book, bearing his name.
There are various circumstances where you may wish to consider a Financial Agreement. Perhaps you are embarking on a new relationship and wish to protect your assets. This can sometimes be particularly important where either you or your new partner have children from a previous relationship. You may also consider entering into a Financial Agreement after you have already separated, and want to use the Agreement to formalise a property settlement with your ex-partner. You can enter into a Financial Agreement during a relationship or marriage or after separation or Divorce.
A Financial Agreement can shield you from the costly impact of separation and give your family certainty and peace of mind. It can also assist you to end your relationship with dignity and limited conflict.
Should I consult a Lawyer to prepare a Financial
Yes. For a Financial Agreement to take effect, both parties to the Agreement must obtain independent legal advice. To ensure your document is enforceable you should discuss the terms of any proposed Financial Agreement with a Lawyer early in your negotiations.
The Lawyers at Yeend & Associates can help you consider what needs to be included in a Financial Agreement, assist you in reaching an agreement with your partner about the terms of the Agreement and ensure the Financial Agreement is enforceable.
It is important to ensure that any Financial Agreement you enter into is compliant with legislation and covers all outstanding issues arising from a separation. Yeend & Associates is a specialist Family Law firm and our experienced Solicitors can discuss with you the preparation of a Financial Agreement relevant to your individual circumstances.
For an initial obligation free appointment call 02 6154 5090.
If you require further information, contact our office on 02 6154 5090 or mail@yeendassociates.com.au for your initial no obligation appointment.
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.
