160714 citynews

Why a tight election is terrific news

MICHAEL MOORE

Barr called me a liar; it was time to act

RICHARD FARMER

Shock win for dogs and decency

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Time to move sleepy shrubs

CEDRIC BRYANT

Kate builds Hope from her own dark journey

By Freyla Ferguson

REFORMED gambling addict Kate Seselja has walked a difficult journey – and believes she’s come out the better for it.

Kate, a married mum-of-six, was plagued by a poker-machine addiction.

For 15 years only her immediate family and close friends knew of her struggles with gambling until she found hope.

Now Kate speaks openly about addiction and has recently launched a not-for-profit organisation called The Hope Project, which aims to work collaboratively with existing services and organisations to educate workplaces, schools and community groups on sustainable, hopeful living. “My speaking openly about it completely debunks the whole stereotype around what the struggles look like because I certainly kept it camouflaged from people, apart from my immediate family and a few close friends, for 15 years,” Kate says.

Her struggle with gambling started when she was 17 – a habit she picked up in an attempt to spend time with a boyfriend. When she married years later and moved to Canberra she hoped it would mean a fresh start.

“When we were expecting our second child, we moved in with my in-laws and we were building a house and running our own business and that was all at 23 and the pressure just built up,” Kate says.

“One day when I was out sourcing some materials for the build and my mother-in-law had my son, I drove past a club and that thought just popped back in my head: ‘You’ve got all this

money sitting in your account to build the house – remember that time you put in $10 and won $1000? What if you did that again and again and again? And we can have the house built sooner.’

“Obviously that didn’t happen and I quickly burnt through about $30,000 and didn’t know where to go from there. I almost took my life at that point.”

It took several attempts at seeking help before she finally decided that enough was enough.

“I was putting my hand up to get help, time and time again and not getting the right help and feeling completely misunderstood,” she says.

It was when she started seeing a counsellor who really helped her restore her self-esteem that things started turning around.

“Joining a group helped me to have different voices and experiences that other people encountered. And hearing the truths about your own life through other people’s experiences is powerful,” she says.

“I subsequently ended up training to take over that group two years from that point in 2012.

“I thought I could still do more than this and reach more people and be that light and be that hope for people who have none or have given up hope.”

Since her recovery, Kate says her family is proud of what has come from her darkest moments.

“The children know I am different. They have been exposed to things that I wish that they hadn’t but I have to be okay with knowing that they have been exposed to incredible healing,” she says.

“Not just within myself but the restoration of my husband and our marriage and that they know, we’re human beings first and foremost and there’s nothing in life that they can’t overcome, if they are supported and loved through it rather than judged and shamed and stigmatised.”

Kate has already formed partnerships with Relationships Australia and Care Financial Services. She’s also making connections with Menslink and government departments.

The Hope Project’s current program is designed to equip people with skills and understanding to deal with stress and overwhelming and unsustainable environments. Using existing research, the program can be tailored to different audiences.

She said her organisation doesn’t work on a set-fee structure as she doesn’t want price to ever get in the way of people seeking help.

Visit thehopeprojectnow.com

Arts & Entertainment 18-21

WHEN IT MATTERS

It

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Victory at last for the battered and the bruised

Despite the doomsayers, it seems a wafer-thin majority can actually make for good, productive government.

AN avalanche of explanations, recriminations, mea culpas and self-congratulations descended on a long-suffering electorate as PM Malcolm Turnbull finally notched victory for a battered and bruised Coalition. Turnbull accepted “full responsibility”, whatever that might mean.

Despite the doomsayers, it seems a wafer-thin majority can actually make for good, productive government. Turnbull knows that he needs sensible centrists such as Cathy McGowan and Nick Xenophon to pass measures to shore up the economy and respond to grassroots concerns.

No doubt Standard and Poor’s warning that our AAA credit rating is now under threat will assist in marshalling his troops. And if he takes Labor’s policy options seriously and develops the kind of co-operation and compromise pursued by minority governments around the world, he will isolate and discredit the political aggressors at both ends of the spectrum. This includes bellicose Bill who is sounding very like the spurned Tony Abbott of 2010.

THE ACT poll also came into focus, but not in a good way for the Libs. The party might well have to bear the cost of Federal campaigning that pictured CM Andrew Barr alongside Shorten and urging voters not to “risk a Labor double whammy”. This is on top of an earlier AEC ruling that had already reduced their funding entitlement. But local leader Jeremy Hanson can now claim to have a direct line to his party brethren on The Hill. And he’ll be hoping against hope that Turnbull is so busy he’ll stay out of trams!

BARR pressed home his international airline initiative with a flashy visit to NZ for chats with Kiwi PM John Key and claims that direct flights to Wellington will add $45 million to the ACT economy annually. But since it also adds $44 million to the Kiwis’ treasury, does that mean it’s really only worth $1 million to Canberra? (only kidding).

WHILE there, he signed a “sister city” relationship with Wellington accompanied by the usual sibling shindig. It was oddly appropriate since Barr and Key look like peas from the same pod.

FASCINATING by-play in Labor’s leadership stakes. It’s now clear that Anthony Albanese is waiting in the wings for the right moment to strike. And Shorten knows it. He pointedly left him out of his fulsome “thank yous” on election night. Albo was equally careful in declining

ROBERT MACKLIN

to challenge Shorten – who garnered a record low Labor primary vote – “at this time”. Tanya Plibersek is also keeping her powder dry.

OVERSEAS, Hillary Clinton can hardly believe her luck as Daffy Donald deflates. Britain is now certain to have either Theresa May or Andrea Leadsom as its Prime Minister. Could Tanya be third leg in the female triumvirate?

BRITAIN’S Chilcot Report again exposed the appalling

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dose of dorin

of Iraq. John Howard was pictured as “the patsy from Down Under” and Paul Keating said he “should hang his head in shame”. It was a timely reminder that the man who Turnbull calls “the gold standard” and George Bush dubbed “the man of steel”, was one of only two Australian PMs to have lost his own seat. Oh, and Tony Blair accepted “full responsibility”. robert@robertmacklin.com

On a roll with breeding quolls

MULLIGANS Flat Woodland Sanctuary will soon be the only area on the mainland of Australia with families of Eastern Quoll running about in the bush.

Only months ago the species was relocated to the sanctuary from Tasmania and the Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre in Victoria, and already the females have started breeding – the first time in 80 years that they have done so in the Canberra region.

The project is a partnership between the ANU, the ACT government, CSIRO, James Cook University and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust.

ACT Parks and Conservation director

Daniel Iglesias said there were no expectations that the Eastern Quolls would start breeding this early.

“We were hopeful for this to happen,” he said. “For them to breed, the quolls needed to be happy in their new home and you can’t expect that to happen.

“We are so excited – this means this is the only place in mainland Australia where these animals will be running around in the bush.”

Iglesias said Mulligans Flat Woodland

Sanctuary was chosen to breed the Eastern Quolls due to its Yellow Box-Red Gum woodlands.

“We identified that these habitats were strongholds for the Eastern Quoll,” he said.

“This is the largest piece of this woodland probably in Australia. And it’s right on the doorstep of urban development,

which gives us the opportunity to invite people to be part of it.”

The successful breeding of the Eastern Quoll follows other successful introductions to the sanctuary, which includes the Eastern Bettong, the New Holland Mouse and the bush stone-curlew.

The bush stone-curlew has also bred this year.

Iglesias said that they were only just testing the boundaries of what could be possible in terms of conservation.

He said trustees were currently looking through a list of “targets” that could be introduced into the sanctuary, which includes animals and birds.

The Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary is surrounded by 11.5km of speciallydesigned fence that protects its inhabitants from introduced predators.

“As a native predator, quolls play an important role in the environment feeding on insects, birds and small mammals,” Iglesias said.

According to the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, once baby quolls are delivered to their den by their mum, they quickly mature and enter the breeding population for the next year.

It says by spring, the sanctuary may be defined by spotty Australian mammals dancing through the night.

To take a look at the Eastern Quolls in spring, book a twilight tour at bettongs.org

Why a tight election is terrific

AUSTRALIA is fortunate to have such a close election result.

In a timely piece of serendipity, the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has illustrated why accountable, minority government (or a minority in the Senate) is so much better than the alternative three-year dictatorship that is delivered by majority government and control of the Senate.

The Chilcot Report into the Iraq war provides a chilling insight into the actions of one man in taking a country to war, in providing a catalyst to lure other countries, such as Australia, to follow.

By taking unilateral action in throwing such strong British support behind the US, other countries were caught up in the “Coalition of the Willing”. They believed the constant (and incorrect) assertion that Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction”. Although only four countries had troops on the ground in Iraq, there was support from nations as widespread as Denmark, the Philippines, El Salvador, Italy and Korea.

Under John Howard, Australia joined our US, Poland and UK allies in what (along with the Vietnam War) is now perceived as one of the biggest mistakes of modern history.

Recently re-elected independent Tasmanian member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, even suggests that the 2005 Bali bombings and Lindt Café siege are part of the fallout from Australia’s involvement.

He argues it not only “turbocharged” Al Qaeda, it created the ingredients for the rise of Islamic State. At the time, Wilkie was pilloried

A Senate without a majority

can provide sensible review of government legislation and actions.

as a whistleblower for exposing the weakness of the intelligence on WMDs. He has finally been properly vindicated.

The then Leader of the Opposition, Simon Crean, was addressing the National Press Club explaining why Labor did not support the war when the first strikes against Iraq took place.

Crean argued on March 20, 2003, this was “a war we should not be in. A war to which 2000 of our fighting men and women were committed many months ago but we’re told about last Tuesday. A war to which we are one of only four countries prepared to join the US in putting troops on the ground, despite claims of a coalition of up to 30. A war which for the first time in our history, Australia has joined as an aggressor.”

Former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, as reported in “The Sydney Morning Herald”, pointed out Australia was “perhaps the most successful multicultural society in the world”, with the settlement of a large Muslim population, but “John Howard put the torch to that… now we live perpetually with the spectre of terrorism and racial strife, visited upon us by his prejudices and lack of judgement”.

And here’s the rub. With an Australian Parlia-

ment now comprising such a widespread range of views, a full review of such circumstances could be expected before going to war. The latest election has delivered parliamentarians who were born in places such as Egypt and Iran, there are more indigenous Australians and those whose origins reflect our widespread multicultural society. We have our Xenophon and our xenophobes. All views will be able to be expressed, tested and discussed in a free and open debate. We can expect to see an end to the arrogance of Abbott and Hockey arguing they had a mandate despite, for example, breaking promises about no cuts to education, health, the pension, the ABC and SBS. A minority government is an ideal way to ensure minority views are heard. A Senate without a majority can provide sensible review of government legislation and actions. The Australian people have elected wisely.

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

Forget Manuka, Bruce

THE Carnell government made a serious error of judgement when it spent $50m reducing the playing area of the Bruce Stadium – all for the hosting of a few second-rate soccer games at the time of the 2000 Olympics.

If it cost $20m to turn it back into an oval shape for cricket and Australian Rules Football it would be money well spent and save spoiling the character of the Manuka precinct.

Should the Canberra Liberals return to power at the end of the year, it would be incumbent on them to

rectify this blunder and spare us from this Manuka nonsense.

The amenities at the Manuka oval are third rate compared with the Bruce Stadium where there is plenty of parking, comfortable seating and the facility to host private suites.

As for spending half a billion dollars putting an oval in the middle of Parkes Way, that’s just plain nuts – as is forking out a billion dollars for a 12-kilometre tramway.

John Miller, Stirling

Lock up the liars

MICHAEL Moore’s column (“Trust the first casualty of scaremongering”, CN, June 30) is timely, indeed.

When a company makes a false claim in an ad it is prosecuted, as was the case recently for baby food. Why are there no consequences for politicians who deceive the whole of Australia and subvert the selection of our representatives?

I am sure that once one or two are prosecuted, preferably with a jail term, we will have far less lying and deception. Their morality may

not improve, but we will at least get more of the truth.

Too many politicians no longer care that we know they are deceptive, in their eyes we are ignorant dupes to be taken for granted. They know that unless one lives in a “swinging seat” we can do nothing about it. It’s time to think of ways to change that and make the system more responsive and honest.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” said Edmund Burke.

Arthur Davies, via email

Come and hear guest speaker Professor Allan Fels AO, chair of the National Mental Health Commission talk about his vision for better mental health services, followed by a Q & A session, moderated by the ABC’s Genevieve Jacobs.

When: 12.30 to 1.45 Tuesday 19 July 2016

Where: Main Hall, Hughes Community Centre, Wisdom Street Hughes, ACT Cost: $2 For further information please contact canberramentalhealthforum@hotmail.com or 62313153

Barr called me a liar; it was time to act

IT was the Chief Minister calling me a liar when he was in no position to know that really got my hackles up.

There was Andrew Barr sheltering behind the parliamentary privilege of the Legislative Assembly declaring that I had made up a version of a conversation with one of his staff. A chat where he was not present. But no ifs, buts or maybes about how he was assured by his staffer that I was not telling the truth. Just the bold assertion that I was.

Did Canberra really have a petulant man like that running the territory government?

Apparently so was the claim of many friends and strangers who spoke with me in the following days.

As a well-retired pensioner I had not really taken an interest in local politics for years before being asked to give some advice to clubs concerned about secret dealings between government and a newly foreign-owned casino.

Now I was being barraged with details of back-door dealings across the city. From trams, to the Brumbies and my old bowling club, to an out-of-town football club trying to muscle in and destroy the heritage aspects of Manuka, to paying over the odds for Glebe Park land and the creation of yet more ugliness at Dickson.

And there was a common thread

A final straw was being told that Chief Minister Andrew Barr had told a public meeting that he was not interested in the views of people over 40.

to grumblings like these and to complaints about the grab for money from increased rates and licence fees.

People were disenchanted and angry about the disregard for good governance principles by this Labor-Green alliance government. Someone “orta do” something about it.

Ought to indeed. And a final straw was being told that Chief Minister Andrew Barr had told a public meeting that he was not interested in the views of people over 40. Well this old bloke, aided and abetted by others of his age group, and encouraged by others half my age disgruntled by the cavalier planned destruction of live music venues in the city, decided to give it a go.

And so Canberra Community Voters is now going through the process of seeking registration under the ACT’s electoral legislation.

Ours will not be a traditional political party with policies on everything. The aim is simple – to

strive for a less rigid form of parliamentary democracy in the ACT where independent thinking by community minded representatives, and proper community consultation, is encouraged and respected.

We want a truly transparent and evidence based system of government in the ACT that puts an end to secret dealings in government and particularly in land development.

Our candidates will not be bound by rigid party discipline. They are encouraged to think and speak for themselves. To be true independents representing their community –united in the belief that Canberra needs honest, open and evidencebased government.

Any of our members elected to the Legislative Assembly will not be joining either of the major parties in a cosy embrace like the Greens rushed into with Labor. Whether Liberal or Labor forms government our aim will be the same – to end

secret back-door dealings by the usual suspects.

We will fight to establish an independent Commission to investigate corruption in government and to ensure the application of good governance principles including a commitment to probity, openness and transparency.

The Commission will decide on any application by government to limit the release of information on the grounds of commercial in confidence and to give overwhelming weight to the principle of the public’s right to know. And we want an end to the ridiculously high charges by government that make a mockery of “free” in freedom of information.

Richard Farmer is the convenor of the Canberra Community Voters Party. The new political party is in the process of seeking registration under the ACT’s electoral legislation and intends to compete in the October ACT election.

RICHARD FARMER

INFORmATION SESSION

Join Jamison Travel for an in-store information session!

There will be special guest presentations from Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways on the day, so if you’re planning a holiday or just want to know more about travelling, make sure you come along!

Saturday, 23 July 2016

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Please RSVP by Friday, 15 July. Places are limited, so be quick!

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Fels shares vision

PROF Allan Fels, chair of the national Mental Health Commission, will discuss his vision for mental health services at a lunchtime forum on mental health followed by a Q&A session at the Hughes Community Centre, 12.30pm-1.45pm, on Tuesday, July 19. Entry, $2. More information from canberramentalhealthforum@hotmail. com or 6231 3153.

Chronic health course

ANYONE with chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, depression and anxiety, is invited to a free course conducted by ACT Health. Sessions include symptom management of pain, fatigue and depression, physical activity and healthy eating. At Phillip Community Health Centre, Thursdays, July 21-August 25 or Gungahlin Community Health Centre, Tuesdays, July 26-August 30. Bookings to 6207 9977 or selfmanagement@act.gov.au

Brexit craic

NEWSPAPER columnist Paul Malone, who recently returned to his birthplace in Northern Ireland, will talk about the progress of reconciliation and the impact of Brexit on Ireland at a free Friends of Ireland Society event at the Canberra Irish Club, Weston, 1pm, on Wednesday, July 20. Enquiries to 6251 4838.

Warming lunch

THE CWA’s annual Winter Warming Lunch will be held at 8 Barry Drive, Civic, midday-2pm, Friday, July 22. Tickets, at $12, offer a variety of soups, cakes and slices, plus endless coffee and tea. The cake, craft and plant stalls open from 11am.

Shock win for dogs and decency

Last week saw a stunning, and largely unexpected, win for decency in NSW with a flow-on across the border into Canberra.

In February 2015 the ABC’s “Four Corners”, spearheaded by the formidable Caro Meldrum-Hanna, shone a light on the sadistic practice of live baiting in greyhound racing.

The spectacle of small fluffy animals being tortured to death to brutalise greyhounds, in the hope of getting them to run faster, was shocking.

The NSW government ordered an inquiry and, in the normal run of things, some recommendations were expected, some promises to try harder made with a wink and a nudge and the caravan would move on.

Instead, the inquiry looked deep into the abyss of greyhound racing and concluded that it was beyond redemption.

The Baird government, when asked to weigh a mountain of dead dogs and native wildlife against a multimillion dollar industry, surprised by

The Baird government, when asked to weigh a mountain of dead dogs and native wildlife against a multi-million dollar industry, surprised.

deciding to “take off and nuke the entire site from orbit” as Sigourney Weaver said in “Aliens”.

A few hours later, the ACT government announced the industry had no future here either.

Followers of these things watched the press conference with jaws agape. Normally there are mealy mouthed recommendations, these in turn must wait on even blander government responses many months later.

Usually there’s some sort of multi-agency steering committee to be established to monitor the issues going forward.

In the everyday run of things, by the time any machinery is in place to do anything, the original issue has been completely forgotten.

The system works this way because it is supposed to work this way.

Concern for the wellbeing of people, let alone dogs, doesn’t ordinarily get in the way of commerce.

The cynic might question whether this strong moral response doesn’t have

something to do with the fact that most people involved in the greyhound industry come from the wrong side of the tracks.

It’s an industry that thrives where land is cheap and it doesn’t take a lot of money up front to get into it (unlike, for example, horse racing).

But as a line in the sand, I’ll take it. As a precedent that cruelty will not be tolerated, even if it means that millions of dollars will be lost and large community facilities will be turned down, we can celebrate it.

I look forward to seeing this reasoning being applied to lots of other awful nooks of society where “it’s how we’ve always done it” remains the watchwords.

The bizarre thing in this saga is how unnecessary it has been. Dog racing is little more than a random-number generator for the gambling industry.

Nobody cares exactly how fast a dog goes around the track, as long as an order of finish can be presented in a timely manner.

JOHN GRIFFITHS

It’s not as if the dogs are competing to go to the greyhound Olympics.

Appallingly lax regulation in the

“It’s not as if the dogs are competing to go to the greyhound Olympics,” writes

industry has allowed internal competition for prizemoney to lead practitioners into sickening practices.

But as a society we’ve said we’re not putting up with it any more.

We’ve got a long way to go, but it’s a good step forward.

(Incidentally, there are going to be a lot of greyhounds needing homes, so if you possibly could take one, they make lovely lazy pets, get in touch with an organisation such as egreyhound.com.au)

John Griffiths is editor of citynews.com.au

Grumpy reader JOHN BONE reckons ACT drivers are the most aggressive, impatient, arrogant and the worst in the country.

STOP signs are installed for damn good reason! The word “stop” is quite simple and its meaning can’t be misconstrued. However, I continue to see drivers (every day) failing to obey these signs. I have witnessed cars, trucks, motorcycles, Action buses and even an L-plater (who was being supervised) all continuing straight through stop signs!

One hot spot is the Aranda exit flyover, another is the intersection of Redfern and Bowman Streets in Jamison, just to name a couple. Seriously, people, are you really in that much of a hurry?

My employment takes me all over and I have driven in all of our capital cities. From my experiences, I can honestly say that the drivers here in the ACT are the most aggressive, impatient, arrogant and simply the worst in the country!

Failing to obey posted speed limits, disregarding speed limits at roadworks, crossing over unbroken lines and tailgating; it’s no wonder the statistics for rear-end collisions in the ACT are the highest in the country!

And as for our up and coming motorists (L and Pplaters) who do you reckon is teaching them? No wonder the problem is just getting bigger and bigger.

Take a chill pill, Canberra and give yourselves an extra few minutes to get to where you’re going. Heaven knows it might just save yours or some innocent person’s life.

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

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Canberra Confidential

Movement at the stations

SISTER stations 2CC and 2CA have cheerfully stepped in as radio sponsors of the Cancer Support Group’s annual Convoy for Cancer Families, replacing a seemingly ill-fitting FM104.7.

In a carefully worded explanation, Cancer Support Group CEO Melissa Gardiner says being without a radio sponsor had been a worrying time.

“It seems 104.7 and our group were no longer a good fit given the changes the station had made,” she says, seemingly unable to explain what the changes were that had forced the FM station’s U-turn.

But upwards and onwards.

“We did some online research with our truck drivers and motorbike riders and the overwhelming response we received from our survey was that they listened to 2CC and 2CA when on the road,” she says.

So, off they went to see Michael Jones and Peter Davidson from Capital Radio’s 2CC and 2CA.

“I was nervous going in because I know how much radio support means to the Convoy,” she says.

“It couldn’t have been easier, Michael and Peter were very excited to be a part of the event and wanted to work on ways to maximise exposure for the Cancer Support Group.”

The group helps more than 900 families in the region.

The other news is that the event is moving to April and next year will be on Sunday, April 2, with the carnival again at Exhibition Park.

Dr Who What When

ARTS editor Helen Musa reports that Canberra teacher and devout “Whovian”

Timothy Kirsopp is displaying his entire “Dr Who” collection – everything from Daleks and the Tardis to images of the Doctors and their companions – in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Dr Who-related memorabilia.

“Bigger on the inside: Collecting Dr Who” is at CMAG, Civic Square, July 16-November 20.

Kids get their crossing

IN March, Kaleen parents Annette Healy and Bryce Gray approached “CityNews” worried the ACT government had forgotten the safety of children at Maribyrnong Primary in Alberga Street, which had no school crossing. They said they had witnessed their 10-year-old son narrowly avoiding being hit by a car as he was trying to cross the street outside school.

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

Happy ending alert: “A school crossing has now been installed… the flags went up on the last day of term 2, Friday, July 1,” writes Annette, blowing kisses to RoadsACT.

Blushmakingly, she also wrote: “I would like to sincerely thank ‘CityNews’ for your help, as I’m sure we never would have come this far without you.”

We’re happy to share the love though, they also spoke to TAMS and gave Andrew Barr a nudge on the ABC’s “Chief Minister Talkback” segment… “but it was your story that got the ball rolling.” Aw, shucks, Annette.

Nature is good for you

IT’S official: Tree hugging is good for your health. Ahead of its National Tree Day on Sunday, July 31, Planet Ark has published its “Adding Trees – A Prescription for Health, Happiness and Fulfilment” report that says nature has “overwhelmingly” been shown to reduce stress, with just 10 minutes’ spent outside in a natural environment resulting in a significant reduction in blood pressure and an improvement in mental health and wellbeing.

The report revealed that people who engage in daily outdoor activities report higher levels of wellbeing, with the research showing time in nature reduces a person’s chance of developing a range of

diseases, including diabetes by 43 per cent, cardiovascular disease and stroke by 37 per cent and depression by 25 per cent.

Tips by press release

A FORMER journo wanting to share a news tip tried calling “The Canberra Times” to give them first bite to be told by a receptionist that if he wanted a journalist to cover something he should email a media release. She refused to put the call through to the editorial department.

“Since when do journalists not take news tips via the phone?” our snout opined.

“Back in my day nothing made a journalist madder than being told to email questions through. And now they’re doing just that! How will they ever get any decent stories if they don’t talk to people?” We’ll leave it there.

A kiss is just a…

JUST in, the news that kissing is the key to a happy partnership, with those in a relationship (37 per cent), de facto (30 per cent) or married (29 per cent) all revealing they need at least one proper kiss a day to feel satisfied.

However, those in the throes of new lurve need three to four smackeroos a day to feel satisfied.

We missed International Kissing Day last week, but couldn’t resist sharing the latest pash stats.

And there’s this from kissing expert Katia

Loisel: “Numerous studies have shown that women place more importance on kissing than men and use kissing as a form of mate selection, and a way to initiate, maintain and evaluate the health of their relationship.”

Needless to say, bad breath is the number one “kiss-breaker” according to 68 per cent of the population, followed by too much saliva (24 per cent), and sloppy or noisy kissing (14 per cent).

White side of the law

BUILD it and they will come… the builder’s pristine white boards around the Vernon Circle side of the law courts’ redevelopment in Civic have been, as predicted, despoiled by a stretch of graffiti. It took the vulgarians a few weeks, mind, since CC tipped the prospect of mindless taggers on June 16. And what a wonderful welcome to the city it is.

At the AHA Hospitality Awards, Civic

At the opening of Julie Spencer’s ‘Painting the Town by Night’, Griffith

sundayROAST

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 Dalai Lama’s 81st birthday dinner, Press Club, Barton

At the National Association of Women in Construction Awards launch, Civic

or something a little more

a

Gift ideas with a special touch

LAVENDER Art Studios has developed a supported and professional environment for students of all ages attending its specialised art workshops.

The studio has been offering young people and adults art classes and creatively inspiring specialised art workshops for 18 years.

Elita Mackay, co-owner and operator says: “In every art class we encourage art students of all ages to create pictures, distinctive of the Lavender Art Studios proficiency; created with their own hands and made with a deep sense of love for art.”

Lavender Art Studios also offers art-related services such as discounted arts materials and discounted quality framing.

Lavender Art Studios, First Floor, 42 Townshend Street, Phillip. Visit lavenderartstudios.com.au and facebook. com/lavenderartstudios or call 6292 6339.

TAPPING into the culture of Canberra, artist Mick Ashby has captured what life’s really like in the capital through Leafy Sea Dragon Artwork.

Mick creates a range of prints, posters, tea towels, greeting cards and commissioned work through his own medium, which he calls digital lino – a style he developed using a tablet’s digital

Beautiful Gifting

QUEANBEYAN’S Beautiful Gifting store has a range of quality Australian items made by hand, including glassware, ceramics, keepsake greeting cards, accessories and baby items.

Owner Deborah Keenan says she stocks a range of items, including baby hats and gloves, knitted by Val Johnson out of locally-sourced, soft, warm and non-allergenic Alpaca wool.

Other handmade items she stocks include pottery by Robert Gordon Australia, which is handmade in Melbourne; and hand-poured candles and baby booties knitted in Queanbeyan. Beautiful Gifting also has some items handmade overseas including Russian-handmade babushka dolls and soft toys made in Peru.

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

pen and vector art techniques. The end product resembles a lino or block print style. He also uses watercolour and pencil in some of his work.

“My work is mostly an expression of everyday life,” Mick says.

Visit mickashley.com.au, email leafyseadragonartwork@gmail. com or call 6259 5539.

THERMAQUILTS services and sells its own range of standard quilts, pillows, cushions and travelling products made from feather and down.

“Our items are not factory massed produced, every item in our store is diligently and lovingly hand made,” says owner Jennifer Kusa.

“We also offer a post-purchase service to adjust, clean and re-case items, and we can tailor-make and customise items to individual requirements.”

That includes customisations to existing or new products, which generally involve particular fabrics, lengthening, shortening, special shapes (for example, hearts), stitch patterns and extra filling among other things that are not offered by department stores.

Visit thermaquilts.com.au or call 6241 6859.

EVERY piece of jewellery that Toni McIntyre makes at Love My Beads is a “pop of colour” she says.

Using predominantly resin, Toni also works with high-quality materials such as gemstones, pearls and glass to create bright, statement jewellery.

“I love bright colours and get a lot of inspiration from the colours in my garden,” she says.

“My necklaces are very popular because of their versatility, they are adjustable and can be worn as a collar or a longer length and any length in-between to suit any outfit.”

Love My Beads. Visit lovemybeads.com.au, enquiries to info@lovemybeads.com.au

FYSHWICK is a thriving hub of industry where just about everything under the sun is available, with speciality services and wholesalers sitting side by side with an acting academy and vintage boutiques. Here, “CityNews” showcases some of the suburb’s different businesses.

Wide choice in second-hand furniture

Recently under new management, ReVibe furniture emporium, formerly known as Aardvark Furniture Market, is a second-hand furniture market in Fyshwick that specialises in styles ranging from midcentury, modern contemporary, classic and carefully selected old-world pieces.

“ReVibe also offers a service to Canberrans to buy quality furniture from those relocating, downsizing, updating or managing their parents’ estate,” owner Alison Hunt says.

“Sometimes people just want a convenient and simple way to move on their favourite pieces without the hassle of selling online.”

ReVibe is committed to prompt and efficient delivery and say if you find it today you can have it at home today.

“We pride ourselves on discovering the best secondhand furniture Canberra has to offer,” Alison says.

“Our passion for design using second hand, reclaimed and upcycled interior pieces is matched only by our commitment to furniture ‘that won’t cost the earth’.”

Alison says their evolution as a business involves offering upcycled pieces, advice on interior design and workshops focusing on restoration, and making and designing original and unique interior pieces for the home.

“We also offer a great range of whitegoods, bedroom furniture and mattresses as well as a broad range of decorator items,” she says.

Visit revibe.furniture or find them on Facebook under Revibe.online.

Canberra’s kings of comms

SEDCOM Communications, a specialist business communications service provider, has been offering advice and solutions to the ACT and surrounding regions for more than 25 years.

The family-owned and operated business has been operating out of Fyshwick for the last 15 years and was started by Helmut Sedlmaier in 1991, with son Rene taking the reins in about 2007. It has three separate tiers – Sedcom Business Phone Centre, Sedcom VoIP Services and Please Hold Productions.

“We’re locally owned and we’re not tied to a major carrier, we provide unbiased advice and solutions,” Rene says.

“We’re a specialist phone communications provider. Our quality of service and efficiency mean we’re committed to exceeding expectations.

“We’re constantly educating our staff so we’re always up-to-date with the latest industry advancements.”

The Sedcom Business Phone Centre offers services and solutions including: business telephone systems, telephone and data cabling, headset solutions, conferencing solutions, telephone bill analysis and test and tag services.

Please Hold Productions’ services and solutions include; music-on-hold packages, message-on-hold production packages, professional voice prompts and music/messages on hold players and LIU.

Sedcom Communications’ latest venture

is its Sedcom VoIP Services and solutions, which include: VoIP Lines, H=hosted PABX systems, ADSL2, VDSL and fibre connections, NBN connections and fixed-line services (PSTN and ISDN2).

“Our highly trained workforce is second to none,” Rene says.

“Our staff are all well qualified in their areas of specialisation and have had extensive, wide varying experience in the fields in which we offer services.

“We’ve been together for a number of years –there’s camaraderie and we undertake extensive training to stay up-to-date with the latest technology.”

Visit www.sedcom.com.au or book an onsite appointment by calling 6283 1444 or emailing service@sedcom.com.au

Workwear centre offers the lot

FOR high-vis workwear, safety equipment and boots, Seears Workwear has the lot, says owner/manager Shane Seears.

“We’ve been based in Fyshwick for 14 years in the same spot, and it’s great because it’s the hub of business in Canberra,” he says.

Seears Workwear is family owned and operated, run by Pat Seears and his son Shane. In 2010, they won the Master Builders Supplier of the Year award.

The 1400 square-metre store sells clothing and safety gear for pretty much every kind of industry and worker, Shane says – from building labourers, chefs, blue and white-collar workers to hospitals, major companies, and government departments such as Defence.

“We also have a corporate section, where we provide a free measure-and-quote and free delivery service,” he says. “We offer a full embroidery and screen-printing service, too.”

Seears keeps a huge range of stock on the premises and sells online at seearsworkwear.com.au

Seears Workwear, 60 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 4111 or visit seearsworkwear.com.au

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Arts academy offers range of different experiences

CANBERRA Academy of Dramatic Art is a performance arts training provider that offers nationally recognised certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas in musical theatre and drama, and a range of performance short courses.

CADA, which started in 2009 by local actor-director James Scott and his wife, playwright Elizabeth Avery Scott, has been operating out of Fyshwick since 2013 and now supports up to 500 students a week.

Its courses range from children’s drama classes (from age four to 17) through to its newest offering, the Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen – a foundation professional acting course that explores movement, vocal development, stage and screen acting technique and industry skills.

“Our team is a very professional close-knit team of writers, producers, directors and actors,” says Elizabeth Avery Scott, managing director and co-founder.

“Many of our staff came to Canberra for their families, but actually have quite distinguished careers.

“A whole range of different experience has been brought together at CADA and passed on to our students.

They also put on productions including from James and Elizabeth’s own theatre company Honest Puck.

“Many students say: ‘I need to go to NIDA, WAAPA or VCA’ – but they’re certainly not getting short-changed here as we have that calibre of teaching on our courses.” CADA also offers short courses in public speaking, acting, script writing, movement and auditions.

“People do say: ‘why do you have an arts academy in Fyshwick?’ but it allows us to have a mini-theatre and good training spaces and it’s not too far from Kingston and Manuka,” she says.

Visit cada.net.au or call 1300 908905.

Mechanical help, seven days a week

ONE Stop Auto and Tyres in Fyshwick offers a single point of contact for vehicle maintenance – including manufacturer logbook servicing, fixed price servicing, mechanical repairs, tyres, wheels, batteries and ACT registration inspections.

Owner/manager Abdal Hijazi says One Stop also provides customers with peace of mind by providing a Repco-backed nationwide warranty.

“Being open seven days and next to our largest supplier (Repco) gives our customers the convenience and peace of mind that someone is open to assist them with

any repairs or maintenance they may need,” he says.

“We are located in the new buildings across the road from the Canberra Outlet Centre so our customers can go for a shop or catch up with friends for lunch across the road while their car is being serviced.”

Abdal says they are also the Fyshwick distributor for AJForce Batteries, which are designed and made in Europe and provide a minimum of two years’ warranty.

Visit onestopautotyres.repcoservice.net/, find them on Facebook or call 6280 6380.

Friendly furniture problem solvers

EX-GOVERNMENT Furniture has a wide range of desks, chairs, bookcases, filing cabinets plus other office items and has just started offering free furniture pick-up for business and government.

“Our customers have told us that they like our friendly service and the fact that we like to help them solve their problems, whether they end up buying from us or not,” says James Fullerton, co-owner manager of Ex-Government Furniture.

“We charge fair prices and are often able to source the best, no-nonsense quality furniture available, always with an eye for good quality, Australian-made stuff.”

James says its Yallourn Street location provides convenience for its customers.

“We are just off Canberra Avenue, making our showroom easy to get to as we’re close to the city and next

Antique store full of memories

TAKE a trip Down Memory Lane and find the unique and unusual items from the past.

Situated on Geelong Street, Down Memory Lane is a family owned and run collectables store that has been selling jewellery, furniture and everything in between for 17 years.

Owner Christine Lund says: “We specialise in secondhand antiques that are usable as well as beautiful and unique, from the early 1900s to around the 1970s.

“People come in looking for vintage cutlery, glassware and china for a special dinner party, wedding or birthday.

“There are so many one-off pieces, if someone is redecorating their house they can find a great shabby-chic suitcase or trunk or the perfect lamp. Our store is an interior designer’s delight.”

All sourced from Canberra, Down Memory Lane also stocks a range of vintage clothing and shoes, books and toys, cameras and radios as well as lamps and shades, linen and kitchenalia.

Christine says the store has recently undergone a renovation, which has made way for new stock.

“I have grown up with antiques, it’s in my blood. What most people like about the store is that you can’t get the items anywhere else,” she says.

Down Memory Lane, 34 Geelong Street. Call 6228 1048 or visit downmemorylane.net.au

James Fullerton and Taylor Radnell.

to the main roads going to industrial areas,” he says.

James says they turn over furniture very quickly and stock changes weekly. He recommends customers follow their website, Facebook page and Instagram to learn about the latest stock in store.

Visit exgovfurniture.com

Where wheels get precise attention

RALLIMAX Wheel Repairs and Alignments are the people to see for specialised wheel repairs and precision wheel alignments for high-performance cars.

Owner Bruce Bush says Rallimax Wheel Repairs and Alignments meets the needs of customers whose cars require precise alignment settings.

He says they work on cars including Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, collectable cars and rally cars.

“A highly developed, state-ofthe-art piece of machinery needs state-of-the-art procedures,” Bruce says.

“We’re a small team but a very precise team. Everything has to be 100 per cent focused on excellence.”

He says the closest business that offers a similar service would be in Sydney.

Bruce has 37 years of experience in the trade, while wheel alignment specialist Clint has 15 years of experience.

On top of wheel refurbishment and alignment, Rallimax also supplies competition tarmac rally tyres.

Visit facebook.com/rallimaxsport/ or call 6280 5967.

Secure, safe storage solutions

FOR a secure, flexible storage solution with personalised service, visit Yallourn Street Storage in Fyshwick.

This long-standing storage service offers a range of storage units for individuals, government departments and businesses. And due to its clientele, it has a tight security system and manned gate during business hours.

“We offer personal service and a variety of units that can change to suit your demands,” says Robert Thompson, Yallourn Street Storage’s warehouse manager.

“In some cases we can remove walls and join units together – due to our prefabrication system within some units.”

Leaders in wrap and paint protection

AUTOGRAFIKA is a leading Canberra automotive wrap and paint protection specialist that offers vinyl wrapping, fleet signage, racing livery and paint protection films for all vehicles, makes and models.

Autografika has been operating in Fyshwick since January 2015 and finds its convenient location has attracted a higher number of walk-in clients compared to its previous location.

“We pride ourselves on quality,” says Craig McConchie, general manager of Autografika.

“We also offer graphic design services for vehicle branding, which allows our customers access to a higher level of design than found at a typical signwriter.

“There are only a couple of businesses like ours in Canberra, we are the first to take a truly professional approach in this niche market.”

Its paint-protection films are a clear urethane film that helps protect vehicles against stone chips, bug damage, abrasion and weathering.

Craig says it’s a great product that suits anyone who’s bought a new car or 4WD. It can be also done to some older models, too.

Robert says their units vary in size from 3x2, 4x3 and 2x6 sizes, including some that are three metres in height allowing for taller items to be stored.

He says the units are vermin-free and dust-tight.

“At Yallourn Street Storage you deal with the principal or the direct owners,” Robert says.

“You get to see the same person every time.”

Yallourn Street Storage is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm and can be opened on weekends on request.

Call 6239 2126 or email

info@yallournstreetstorage.com.au

He says Autografika is looking at branding its own line of paint protection film, which is currently undergoing testing.

“We are a small team of three,” Craig says. “We are all highly trained in vehicle wrap and paint protection installation and are all qualified graphic designers.

“We are mountain bikers, skateboarders, snowboarders, motorsport fans, music lovers and family men.”

Visit autografika.com.au, call 6239 1627 or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

Sedcom

arts & entertainment

Gungahlin steps into the spotlight

By Helen Musa

THEATRE director and writer Julian Hobba doesn’t live in Gungahlin, but it’s obviously made a great impact on him.

Best-known in Canberra for his adaptation of Herman Melville’s story “Bartleby”, Hobba also dreamed up the temporary construction of a Greek Theatre in Civic Square late last year for his Aspen Island Theatre Company.

His new play, “The Slip Lane”, is an independent enterprise – and it’s set in Gungahlin.

“I was living with my dad on a winery past Hall and Gungahlin was my closest point of civilisation,” Hobba says. “I was struck by being in a place that had emerged within my living memory.”

That consideration of what he calls “these new suburbs, these new places we create” inspired him to write an entirely new play with a very contemporary theme.

For just as Tuggeranong was once our “nappy valley”, so Gungahlin and its new inhabitants, he perceives, “are invested one level with a sense of novelty and optimism”.

On the other hand, when he first went there, all he saw was Woolies in a paddock and his dad in a daggy tracksuit that surfaces in the costuming for “The Slip Lane”.

Flavour-of-the-year digital artist Danny Wild has created a floor-to-ceiling digital realisation of disturbingly familiar locations for the show, bound to get loyal Gungahlinites on edge.

“It’s not necessarily a pejorative look at Gungahlin, he tells “CityNews”.

“It’s a place that could exist on the fringe of any city where it feels like you could be anything you want.

“You might say it is a send-up of country towns, but when Jack Hibberd wrote ‘Dimboola’, people in the real town Dimboola loved it.”

He hopes it will be like that.

In “The Slip Lane”, two people, a woman and a man, have moved there with hopes of self-realisation, but find themselves hopeless and lonely.

Missy, played by Clare Moss, is a single mum with kids, back in Canberra after studying at Stanford. Matthew (Dene Kermond) is a bloke whose girlfriend went off with a hot air balloon operator. They meet in Access Canberra where he’s complaining about an intersection (the slip lane) and she’s in need of TAMS support to help identify a wild creature in the paddock opposite her.

He’s concerned for her safety, but his burgeoning ambitions in the motoring party get in the way and conflict sets in.

Hobba is both director and writer, a dangerous combination some may think.

“I just love working with actors taking on what’s been written, [even if by himself] conceiving it with a different mindset – I wouldn’t want to miss out on that,” he says.

“The Slip Lane”, The Street, July 28-31. Bookings to thestreet. org.au or 6247 1223.

Drill Hall gallery swings open its doors again

AT LAST, the ANU Drill Hall Gallery has re-opened. With a state-of-the-art climate control system, programmable LED lights and a purpose-built space for Sidney Nolan’s “Riverbend”, it kicks off with “The Streets of Papunya”, curated by Vivien Johnson. Extended opening hours are 10am-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

Helen Musa arts in the city

CONGRATULATIONS to local artist Sui Jackson, the first recipient of the new Glass and Science Residency that’s been developed in partnership between Canberra Glassworks and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. The culmination of the project will be a public talk and demonstration of his work as part of this year’s Glass and Science event for National Science Week, at Canberra Glassworks on August 12.

CANBERRA Youth Theatre is joining with members of Canberra Dance Theatre’s over-65 years “Gold” troupe in “The Verbatim Project”, which uses audio interviews, video footage, live commentary and headphone verbatim technique to ask: “Are these two age groups really that

distanced from each other?” At Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, July 21-24. Bookings to cytc.net

THE National Capital Orchestra will join the Canberra Choral Society to present Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”. Also on the program is Wagner’s prelude to “Lohengrin” plus “River Symphony”, a work by contemporary Australian composer and conductor Sean O’Boyle. At Llewellyn Hall, 7.30pm, July 23, bookings to ticketek.com.au or 132 849.

THE National Portrait Gallery and the St Vincent de Paul Society are asking the Canberra community to pick up their

treats are

tracks inspiring Aunty Agnes

By Helen Musa

TUGGERANONG Community Arts has been busy for months working on “Footprints on Our Land”, a documentary film centred on Ngunnawal elder Aunty Agnes Shea.

Made in collaboration with emerging indigenous filmmaker Nevanka McKeon, local cinematographers, Shea’s family and the ACT indigenous community, the film portrays Aunty Agnes, now aged 84, as a survivor, warrior and advocate for her people, who tirelessly performs welcome-to-country ceremonies across Canberra almost every day.

She is a major figure in the Reconciliation movement in the ACT, a member of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and a co-founder of the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm, to open this year.

Ranging from her life as a girl on Oak Hill and Hollywood missions in Yass to the present day, the film captures Aunty Agnes’ life as a survivor of racism, a mother and grandmother and a stalwart of her community.

knitting needles and crochet hooks to create warm winter scarves to assist people in need. Scarves donated will go to support the 2016 Vinnies Winter Appeal at the NPG’s Winter Festival on August 7. Just bring your creations along.

“BIJOU”, that musical/narrative show by Chrissie Shaw and Alan Hicks about life in the Parisian demi-monde, is heading for the Big Smoke so they’re using crowdfunding to hire a Sydney publicist and also to engage an Auslan interpreter for a performance for people with hearing loss. Contribute at loss.pozible.com/project/ bijou-to-sydney

Producer Pat Fiske, of Bower Bird Films, says she was instantly impressed with Aunty Agnes’ story.

“Despite the difficulties of her early life she is accepting, gracious and calm,” Fiske says.

“There is absolutely no bitterness there, she’s an inspiration for all.”

Tuggeranong Arts Centre produced the 38-minute film to recognise and celebrate indigenous culture in the ACT and particularly in Tuggeranong, where Aunty Agnes lives and where the Healing Farm will open this year.

A free public screening of “Footprints on Our Land”, Tuggeranong Arts Centre theatre, 7pm, on Friday, July 29. Free, but bookings essential to 6293 1443.

On a dark and stormy night

By Helen Musa

IN a textbook dramatic scenario, Hannie Rayson’s play “Extinction” begins on a dark and stormy night.

More specifically, it’s set on the road near Cape Otway on the south-west coast of Victoria where, she says: “It’s very bracing, very beautiful, it’s known as the shipwreck coast”.

Harry Jewell is driving to his parents in a “discombobulated” state of mind when things go bump in the night. He finds a rare tiger quoll, which he takes to a nearby wildlife centre. Together with environmentalist Piper Ross he attempts to save the life of the quoll, and what could be a better prelude to a night in bed?

Sexy and provocative in just the way Rayson likes, the plot thickens.

Harry puts $2 million on the table to fund a biodiversity project. He’s obviously one of the good guys, handsome too. Then Piper learns that he’s a mining executive bent on plundering the cape for coal.

Enough of the plot narration and down to the ideas behind it: should we get into bed with business – quite literally? Should we put money into saving creatures if we think they’re doomed? And what about the idealistic individuals who run the research institutions?

Rayson is one of our foremost playwrights, known for writing plays full of humour, but involving much to consider.

“Extinction” is based on ideas she got from a real-life place that becomes the conservation ecology centre in the play, though she is quick to note that there was no corruption there, where they were “all good sports”.

“Everyone is flawed in this play,” Rayson says.

“There are lots of questions to ask, but it’s not alienating.”

Playwright Hannie Rayson… “Everyone is flawed in this play.”

The coming production, a collaboration between the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and Red Stitch Actors Theatre, is a first east-coast outing for “Extinction”. Rayson has great hopes for a stimulating response in Canberra.

“There are intelligent people coming to the theatre, I just want to take people on an emotional journey, funny, engaging, a great story, intellectually nourishing – that’s my kind of art,” she says.

“Extinction”, The Playhouse, July 20-23. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

By Dougal Macdonald

BILL BAILEY

“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” (M) no stars SOME may consider that Jake Szymanski’s film, in which two brothers (played by Zac Efron and Adam DeVine) and the pair of scrubbers (played by Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza) whom they invite, without evaluation of suitability, to accompany them to their sister’s wedding in Hawaii, is blessed with a talented cast, attractive locations and a plot with a credible core.

“Mike

clever. Intelligent is sheer delight.

But no matter how those basics shape up, unless the situations wrapped around that credible core convince us that they too are credible and the characters have merit, the result is mush, rubbish, dross, a waste of time and ticket money.

Rebecca Miller wrote and directed this warmly intelligent comedy. Greta Gerwig plays Maggie, a secondary teacher in her mid-30s, so far unable to sustain a relationship.

soul to whom she can extend friendship’s hand.

The screenplay by Andrew Cohen and Brendan O’Brien deposits the film slap-bang on a pile of fresh cow-flop. Its implementation of a possibly amusing plot is stupid. Its characters behave stupidly, defy commonsense and refuse to learn from their mistakes. If that undiminished evaluation doesn’t warn you, by all means go and see it. The film overall is very not intelligent. At all cinemas

“Maggie’s Plan” (M)

COMEDY comes in several flavours. Stupid gets short shrift. Silly gets a better ride when it offers a mote of

The nesting urge has come upon her. She chooses to find a sperm donor and use the turkey baster to squirt it in without professional assistance. Doesn’t work. But it does bring her into contact with aspiring novelist John (Ethan Hawke) whose sperm delivery works just fine.

A few years later, John, divorced from fiercely intelligent academic Georgette (Julianne Moore giving the film’s top performance), has married Maggie who now shares parenting of their collective brood.

The rest of the film deals with those three people trying to straighten out their relationship. It’s not going to work along the traditional lines. For John, trying to write his novel is more important than finishing it. Maggie thinks it’s great work. Not so Georgette who has come back to loving John but in time finds in Maggie a lost

Canberra premiere of O’Boyle’s River Symphony

7.30PM, SATURDAY 23 JULY

Llewellyn Hall, ANU

Conductor—Leonard Weiss

Soloists—Susannah Lawergren, Tobias Cole, David Greco www.ticketek.com.au | 13 28 49

National Capital OrchestrA Musical Director Leonard Weiss

While comedic values don’t dominate the story, when they manifest themselves they are delightful. My favourite is when Georgette returns John’s manuscript that she has agreed to read. The film offers numerous other intelligent comic moments. All you need to do is wait for them.

At Palace Electric

“Goldstone” (MA)

THREE years ago, multi-function filmmaker Ivan Sen took actors Aaron Pedersen, Hugo Weaving, Jack Thompson and others to Winton to film the outback detective thriller “Mystery Road”. This time, Sen has taken Pedersen, again playing taciturn indigenous detective Jay Swan, back to outback Queensland’s hard country to locate a missing young Chinese woman. The story unfolds around a remote gold mining community where the only law enforcement is Josh (Alex Russell) who takes instant exception to Jay for refusing to take a breath test.

Mayor Maureen (Jacki Weaver) and mine manager (David Wenham) seem up to no good – well, they would have to be, wouldn’t they, if the story is to build up momentum.

The local Aboriginal community looks on the mine as its salvation. Maureen knows what Chinese madam Mrs Lao (Pei Pei Cheng) is involved in. Only Jimmy (David Gulpilil) knows anything about the missing girl. Jimmy walks out on the signing of an agreement between company and community, tells Jay what he knows and next day is found hanging from a gum tree branch. Josh reckons it’s a straight-forward suicide. We’re too smart to believe that, aren’t we?

The film’s best element is Sen’s elegant cinematography of the uninviting yet magnificent landscape, incorporating an impressive collection of visual moments that could never have been shot until drones became available as stable camera platforms. The shootout is marred by the good guys choosing to use those clever shotguns that never need reloading.

Palace Electric and Capitol 6

Sweet treats are made of this… drool away

WHEN flipping through “Sweets and Treats”, the first cookbook published by Canberra’s Sabrina Muscat, it’s hard not to drool at its stunning images.

It’s hard to imagine that such decadent treats have been created by a wholesome lifestyle advocate studying nutritional science. I mean, wouldn’t anyone dedicated to a healthy, natural and organic life turn a blind eye to treats?

Sabrina says you don’t need to spend a lifetime denying yourself. Her approach is to substitute the unhealthy ingredients traditionally used in sweets and treats and substitute them for healthy ingredients that taste just as good. And so the new cookbook includes 50 gluten-free, refined sugar and dairy free, vegan and vegetarian recipes.

But is the proof in the pudding? Hand on heart, the answer’s “yes” because I’ve indulged in several of Sabrina’s recipes, including the salted caramel and chocolate fudge slice, and the raw, vegan, triple-choc mint slice. My tastebuds danced the tango.

“I want to break the stigma surrounding vegan food,” says Sabrina. “It’s not boring or restrictive unless you make it that way. It actually tastes amazing.”

The recipes are divided into smoothies, desserts, cakes, bars and slices, as well as biscuits and bites. Planning is underway for two other cookbooks, one for savoury food and another for kids.

Many recipes are raw and so quick and easy to prepare. Sourcing the specified ingredients is key and makes all the difference. Some ingredients pop-up regularly, such as medjool dates.

“I love using medjool dates because they’re a great binding ingredient,” says Sabrina.

“They naturally sweeten and can help normalise the digestive function. They contain soluble and insoluble fibre, amino acids, and

I’ve indulged in several of Sabrina’s recipes, including the salted caramel and chocolate fudge slice, and the raw, vegan, triple-choc mint slice. My tastebuds danced the tango.

minerals like copper, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium phosphorous, iron, as well as B vitamins, vitamin K and vitamin A.”

Who would have thought?

Sabrina isn’t advocating that fans devour her treats all day long, seven days a week.

“We all know that eating healthy requires a holistic approach and that a healthy lifestyle requires lots of water, fresh fruit and vegetables, exercise and fresh air,” she says.

“But you don’t have to fear the odd healthy treat.”

Sabrina developed the recipes, testing them in her home kitchen over many months. Her son’s favourite recipe is the paleo berry

friands. Her husband’s is the peanut butter ice-cream cakes. And while Sabrina loves all her creations, she adores the smoothies and choc caramel and banana cake the most.

How sweet it is.

“Sweets and Treats” is on special for $15 through rawspirations.com

Time to move those sleepy shrubs

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WINTER is the ideal time to move dormant deciduous shrubs.

It might be they need moving because they’re overshadowed by trees and get insufficient sun for optimum flowering or perhaps a home extension is displacing a favourite shrub.

With deciduous plants it is unnecessary to save the soil around the roots when they are dug out, trimming any damaged, broken roots with clean, sharp secateurs to prevent possible soil diseases.

Plant in the new position as soon as possible so the roots don’t dry out, keeping the stem at the same level as it was in its original position.

Tread the soil to firm it around the stem, then make a soil bank around the plant to hold at least a bucket of water. This also eliminates any air pockets in the root zone.

Don’t add any chemical fertilisers in the hole as these can severely burn new roots as they develop. I advise watering in a seaweed plant nutrient that, as a liquid, will soak rapidly into the soil to the root zone.

Evergreen shrubs are best moved in early spring. Unlike deciduous shrubs, it is important to retain as much soil as possible around the roots.

When replanting either deciduous or evergreen shrubs, it is advisable to reduce some of the top growth to compensate for damage or reduction of roots.

PLANT growers seem to use plant labels as a marketing device rather than a source of accurate and useful information. At the worst, these labels are often just a pretty picture with a few words such as dig a hole, water well and feed. Often the correct Latin name is no longer used,

which makes it hard to research the plant accurately. Made-up, fancy names or common names are used to describe several completely different plants.

It’s wise to treat plant labels as a guide only, especially so when describing the size of a plant because the same plant from different growers can show considerable variations on the ultimate size.

Also a constant reader complaint is when garden centres put the sticky price label on top of the information.

Jottings…

• The Horticultural Society of Canberra will conduct a rose and fruit tree pruning demonstration at its garden on the corner of Battye and Purdie Streets, Bruce, 1pm-3pm, on Saturday, July 30.

• A rose-only pruning demonstration will be conducted at the Woodfield’s garden, 1 Spence Street, Hughes, 1pm-3pm, on Sunday, July 31.

• A layer of horticultural charcoal placed in the bottom of all plant containers provides drainage plus the added advantage of a natural soil sweetener.

• If you have Ceratostigma willmottianum or C. plumbaginoides, cut

the stems to ground level. This super plant tends to sucker so it’s a good time to lift them and use to fill bare spots around the garden.

• Divide chrysanthemums by taking rooted shoots from the outer edge of the plant. Pot up in a goodquality potting mix.

• Most deciduous shrubs can be hard pruned in winter while dormant as illustrated with a Buddleia or Butterfly Bush.

• I endeavour to discuss plants in this column that are available from local garden centres or that I know will grow here. However, if searching the internet please remember that many garden information websites are overseas with completely different growing conditions.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Resist the urge to be a bossy, brusque or rambunctious Ram. The Full Moon charges up your career zone so apply the brakes and think before you speak, especially at work. You could say the wrong thing and upset others. The main quality you need to cultivate is patience so your motto for the moment is “Good things come to those who wait.” If you have to speak in front of a group of people, then make sure you have something substantial and well-prepared to say.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Your communication and learning zones are activated by the Full Moon. So it’s a terrific time to exercise your Bullish brain as you talk, text, tweet, read, research, post, publish and converse as creatively as possible. You’ll feel motivated to tackle a big DIY project when the Sun joins Mercury and Venus in your domestic zone (from Friday onwards). But resist the urge to be super stubborn at home. Strive to be a considerate soul who takes housemates’ needs and views into consideration.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Stop gallivanting around in a fluster and instead, focus on stabilising a troubled relationship. With clear communication and deft diplomacy, you can get the partnership heading in a positive new direction. Heed the wise words of acclaimed writer Ernest Hemingway (born on July 21, 1899): “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” When it comes to a joint financial arrangement, make sure you understand your responsibilities and fulfil your commitments.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Get set for some relationship rumbles, as the Full Moon fires up a partnership problem that’s been brewing and stewing. Try to be more objective about the situation Crabs! If you become overemotional and unreasonable then it won’t help matters. And, if you are dealing with important financial or business matters this week, then a conservative approach will reap rewards. Protecting and stabilising current resources is preferable to taking a chance on risky new ventures.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Prepare to sparkle and shine, as the Sun joins Mercury and Venus in your sign! If you find yourself being drawn into a conflict with someone during the week, then use your gift of the gab (and considerable charm) to slide out of the situation with plenty of style and grace. When it comes to a specific problem with a child, teenager or close friend, there are no quick fixes. It’s a case of one step forwards and two steps backwards (or sideways) but you’ll eventually make progress.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Your private Virgo nature is emphasised on Tuesday and Wednesday. So make sure you connect with people who understand your particular peccadillos and need for privacy. But don’t let your perfectionist streak get in the way of trying new things. Jupiter encourages you to be adventurous; while Saturn urges you to keep going – even when the going gets tough. Be inspired by birthday great Richard Branson: “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.”

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Prepare for potential domestic dramas early in the week, when the full moonbeams light up your home zone. Librans love things to run efficiently but remember there’s manic Full Moon energy about, so drop the strict schedule and just take things as they come. Wednesday’s Venus/Saturn connection is a wonderful time to work on stabilising and improving a shaky relationship. Looking for lasting love? You may be attracted to someone who is much older and wiser than you.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Expect plenty of phone calls, emails, texts, tweets and snail mail, mostly to do with work or school. And strive to handle a perceived communication problem in a positive way. Saturn boosts your ambitious streak mid-week. You have a strategic plan and are keen to get ahead, but don’t trample over others on your climb to the top. With the Sun, Mercury and Venus all visiting your career zone, the three keys to Scorpio success at the moment are creativity, communication and charm.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Tuesday night’s Full Moon stimulates your money zone so it’s not a good week to go on a shopping spree, venture into the real estate market, plus buy or sell shares. You’re likely to make important financial decisions based purely on your emotions, which are fluctuating wildly under the full moonbeams. Communicating with acquaintances from other countries is favoured though, as you extend your circle of friends to include a creative and cosmopolitan new crowd.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week concentration is high and your attention to detail is even better than usual. So any work you do will be of an extremely high standard, as others sit up and notice your numerous talents. Coupled Capricorns – it’s a wonderful week to work on deepening the love and commitment between the two of you. With hard work and persistence, your relationship can last the distance. Singles – don’t accept second best. Be patient and wait for the right person to come along.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The focus is firmly on partnerships. The more energy and enthusiasm you put into supporting loved ones, the better the week will be. But don’t worry if you temporarily lose momentum, and question your goals and aspirations. The dreams you dream now will manifest later on (especially if they involve a relationship). You just need to be patient. Wise words for the week are from birthday great Richard Branson: “If you water flowers they flourish and if you praise people they flourish.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Dream big dreams, as the Full Moon urges you to draw up a wish-list of your goals for the future. On Tuesday or Wednesday you may feel the need to get something off your chest. But make sure you choose your confidante wisely. The planets also activate your wellbeing zone so take a close look at your diet and fitness. Don’t be a passive Piscean! Incorporating plenty of invigorating exercise and outdoor activities into your weekend routine is a positive place to start.

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

Across

4 Who was the star in “The Wizard of Oz”, Judy ...?

8 Name the Australian National Party politician and deputy PM 1996-99, Tim ...

9 Name the US essayist and poet (1803-82), Ralph Waldo ...

10 What is a more familiar term for otalgia?

11 Which celestial beings are often represented as beautiful winged children?

12 What is an emblem, token, or sign?

14 What designates the relative position of anything?

18 Which term in computer language is an abbreviation of formula translation?

21 Which statutory corporation was formerly named Telecom?

22 What is an altar attendant of minor rank?

23 Which archaic term describes clothing?

24 What is a level of command? Down

1 Which term designates one’s personal property?

2 What is the practice of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest?

3 Named the USA”Windy City”.

4 Pythagoras was a native of which European republic?

5 Historically, what was an administrative officer of a town or district?

6 What is another term for an onslaught?

7 What are sand hills called?

13 Name an Australian family of publishing and media proprietors.

15 Which newspaper is about one half the ordinary page size?

16 Which expression implies surreptitious procedure?

17 What is a resident member of the medical staff of a hospital called?

18 What is a portion of ignited gas or vapour?

19 Which expression relates to sovereignty?

20 Which term describes the upper regions of space?

No.

Monica was uncertain about her role as a trustee of her selfmanaged supperannuation fund and called by to double-check her obligations and responsibilities with me.

“Well, Monica, it is always a good idea to check that your fund’s documents are up to date and that you are doing everything in the best way that you can,” I reassured her.

“I always like to start with the trust deed. As you are a new client for me, I am not sure when your trust deed was last updated.”

Monica said she thought it was updated about five or six years ago.

“I would recommend that we get it checked and, if necessary, updated,” I told her. “Things change so fast in the superannuation area that it is always smart to get trust deeds updated regularly. I prefer to subscribe to a five-yearly update service so the deed is always kept up to date, this is not very expensive and I can arrange this for you.

“Before we do this, I should just check is a company the trustee of the fund or are you and Frank the trustees?”

Monica said they were, but asked was that not the best thing to do?

“I prefer to have a company as trustee for a couple of reasons,” I advised her.

“Firstly, administration is easier after death when a company is trustee. Secondly, if you ever receive any fines from the Australian Taxation Office, a company as trustee minimises the risk of multiple fines. It also means that if one of the members departs for overseas the administration is also easier. This change should be made before the trust deed is updated.” Monica was keen to adopt that approach and I undertook to do that for her.

“The next important thing is you should both have a binding death benefit beneficiary nomination (BDBN),” I said.

“These used to have to be renewed every three years, but now you can prepare a non-lapsing BDBN, which means that it will provide you with certainty into the future. I would highly recommend this for you.

“Another important issue is to ensure that your wills are up to date. Things change so it is important that your wills are reviewed regularly, especially if they are more than 10 years old.

“Lastly, I would recommend that you both set up an enduring power of attorney. The advantage of this is that if any member loses capacity their attorney takes their place as director of the trustee company and the fund still continues to function normally. This can really be important and is sometimes overlooked.”

Grateful and reassured, Monica left my office saying: “Thank you so much, Gail. I feel that I have a better understanding of my obligations as a trustee.”

If you require any information on self-managed superannuation funds contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd