Greens lose high ground to Hanson
MICHAEL MOORE
Town centres lost to high-rise corridors
JOHN L SMITH
Where the mighty rivers meet
NICHOLE OVERALL
Young Bul’s walking tall
TIM GAVEL
Getting jack of the headphone debate
JOHN GRIFFITHS
Joe Cinque’s tragic story made it to the big screen
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Barr was doling out tablets in a pledge that will cost ratepayers
$17.2 million (or, allowing for school holidays, $107,500 a week) over four years.
VOTE buying? Not us, demurred Chief Minister Andrew Barr, clearly channelling Kevin Rudd’s desperate laptops-for-little-people, in announcing a Labor re-election incentive of giving every public high school and college student in the ACT a tablet device. Hot from his week of health largesse, topping out at a jaw-dropping $700 million of promises, Barr was on the education trail doling out the tablets in a pledge that will cost ratepayers $17.2 million (or, allowing for school holidays, $107,500 a week) over four years.
SHANE Rattenbury’s halo slipped a little with the uncomfortable revelation (a good get by “The Canberra Times”) that the Greens Leader owns two negatively geared investment properties, one of which sits on the light rail corridor.
Last year he bought into the Mayfair complex in Civic and the Astin Apartments, on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Ipima Street, Braddon.
The ACT cabinet minister says he has properly declared details of the investments, the purchases presented no direct conflicts of interest and were made on information already publicly available.
SUCH is my sheltered life, it took the head of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James, to reveal a (new, to me) longstanding Westminster tradition that “to keep the gun out of politics, you’ve got to keep politics out of the gun”.
He was commenting on Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson’s reprising his East Timor peacekeeping days (2000) and training time in Iraq (2007) in ACT election
advertising featuring happy snaps of dashing Lt-Col Hanson in army fatigues.
James said the key issue was whether the public could misconstrue political advertising as the military’s endorsement of a candidate.
ACT Liberal campaign director Daniel Clode was less tactful, saying of his fearless leader: “He’s not like one of these juvenile, ex-student-politician, ACT hacks who has no real life experience.” Can’t imagine who he’s thinking of.
POLITICAL veteran Richard Farmer has popped the Kettle on to his Canberra Community Voters party’s five-strong, full ticket in targetted Ginninderra. Former Goulburn mayor and latter-day Canberran Geoff Kettle has come from nowhere as CCV’s lead candidate in the cluttered field for the Belconnen electorate where, Farmer told me, he thinks his pro-club party had a “sporting chance” of wresting the fifth seat from vulnerable Labor.
DEPUTY Opposition Leader Alistair Coe says the Liberals will ditch Labor’s on-againoff-again City-to-the-Lake extravagance to focus on revitalising the CBD and possibly bringing cars back through the “ghost town” that is City Walk and Garema Place. He thinks Civic is stretched by developments to its north, east and west, and City-to-the-Lake takes the city too far south. He also wants to clip the wings of the omnipresent Land Development Agency, itself the subject of two pre-election inquiries.
THE fireys say they do, the bosses say they don’t and the Libs say they’ll get one. In a sop to the Firefighters Union, shadow emergency services minister Giulia Jones is promising, post election, a second Bronto aerial firefighting platform even though ACT Emergency Services Commissioner Dominic Lane couldn’t be any blunter: “Myself and the chief officer of ACT Fire and Rescue Mark Brown have been very clear before. We don’t need a second Bronto”. They really don’t want it, Giulia. Save the money and think of something awesome to promise public school kids. A new iPhone 7?
AND apparently unrelated to the election campaign is the news that gastroenteritis is running amok and outstripping the usual seasonal burst of influenza in Canberra. ACT emergency departments have seen 809 cases, nearly twice last year’s number.
Regular columnist Robert Macklin is on leave.
By Freyla Ferguson
IN 1987, Queanbeyan man Steven Tsakalos was fighting a rare, life-threatening infection and was placed in a medically-induced coma for two months.
What doctors didn’t know was that he could feel the pain from every procedure that was done to him and hear everything that was said about him.
“I remember not being able to breathe, struggling in the darkness, I could not speak and I could not tell the doctors they were hurting me,” Steven wrote in a journal.
“All I remember is pain and terrible, terrible fear. I could hear the doctors telling my mother ‘he is going to die’. I felt panic and I could not see because something was covering my eyes, I was crying in silence.”
The coma was the start of Steven’s suffering – in addition to the chronic physical conditions he suffered from, he was also plagued by mental illness, in particular post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was only diagnosed years after he developed an addiction to prescription medication.
Steven died in 2009 and if there’s one thing his mother Christina Tsakalos, of Queanbeyan, hopes her son’s tragic story can lead to, it’s that no other person go through the pain and suffering that he and his family had to endure for more than 20 years.
Christina, alongside author Sandra Russet-Silk, earlier this year launched the book: “Crying in Silence: The Tragic Story of Steven Tsakalos” at the National Library of Australia. Encouraged by doctors to share his incredible story, Steven and Christina kept journals documenting each step in the hope of eventually writing a book.
The published work is drawn from those journal entries and official documents that tracked Steven’s story starting from 1987 and his medical treatment in both NSW and the ACT through to his death.
and also back to full-time work in a physically demanding role. However after a workplace accident hindered his working capabilities, the trauma of his experience continued to haunt him.
According to Christina, after his initial illness Steven faced continuous rejection and judgement from many within the health system and the justice system due to the complexities of his health problems.
She says this also eventually led to his rejection from friends and family.
At least he isn’t suffering. But it has left me with a lot of suffering, a lot of guilt and pain.
After the ordeal of 1987, Steven believed he had his life back on track - marrying his long-time girlfriend in 1989, buying a home in Queanbeyan
“His vulnerability was so profound he became a target for people who exploited him for their own ends,” writes Russet-Silk in the book.
In 2006, he was accused of aggravated indecent assault which resulted in six months at the Goulburn maximum security jail, despite evidence proving otherwise. Steven always denied committing the offence and his name was eventually cleared after his death, however the damage to his reputation and health had already been done.
Christina says her son went from a sociable 21-year-old who loved life to a man who was in so much agony and pain that he was only a shadow of himself. She says he felt abandoned by the world and towards the end of his life he could barely walk.
She hopes his story will help educate not only the health and the justice systems but also the community as a whole about the complexities of mental illness.
“He may be at peace, but I am certainly not,” says Christina, who now also suffers from PTSD.
“Physical illness, mental illness and drug addiction – one follows the other and the two go hand-in-hand.
“I just hope no other parent has to go through this.”
Christina believes that if her son had received more support and understanding, even from friends and family, things could have gone differently for Steven.
“He had such a label on him,”
Steven Tsakalos… “All I remember is pain and terrible, terrible fear.”
Christina says. “He wanted to detox, he wanted to go to rehabilitation centres but most of all he wanted to be accepted.
“He often asked me: ‘Why can’t I go have a cup of coffee with someone, like everyone else’...
“I wasn’t able to say goodbye, he went alone.
“At least he isn’t suffering. But it has left me with a lot of suffering, a lot of guilt and pain.
“[Mental illness] not only affects the individual but the whole family. Mental illness is hardest to cope with.”
She said she has found some peace since the book has been published.
“I gave him a promise to try and write this book, right to the end he was carrying his papers around,” she says.
“He named his book ‘Crying in Silence’, but towards the end he said, ‘I think you can just call it Silence now’.”
“Crying in Silence: The Tragic Story of Steven Tsakalos” by Sandra Russet-Silk is available at the National Library of Australia book shop, visit bookshop.nla.gov.au, the University Co-op Bookshop at the University of Canberra and the Riverside Plaza Papershop. It is also available as an ebook on Amazon, iTunes and Kobo.
Cover: Maggie Naouri as Anu Singh in “Joe Cinque’s Consolation.” Story Page 21.
Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764, helen@citynews.com.au
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When they were finally making their minds up on the location of the capital, Queanbeyan had assumed a position as one of the wealthiest districts in the entire colony.
JUST three years ago, our magnificent national capital celebrated the impressive milestone of 100 years of existence.
Of course it’s not a competition, but three quarters of a century before Canberra was a twinkle in a politician’s eye, on the same floodplain that would eventually become the heart of our Commonwealth and just upstream from the point at which two mighty rivers meet, a township was proclaimed with a population of only a handful more than the quorum required for a House of Representatives’ sitting (30, if you were unsure).
It was September 28, 1838, and this week Queanbeyan marks 178 years of (to steal from Theodore Roosevelt) “the labor and the anguish, through which, in the days that have gone, our forefathers moved on to triumph”.
Considered the very edge of civilisation, to suggest times must have been tough is to risk being called Captain Obvious. Indeed, in the census of 1828 it was recorded that in the wider Police District (covering an area from Bungendore to Michelago) there
were 70 European men and only two women; perhaps unsurprisingly then that by the time the railway arrived in 1887, truly opening up the isolated area, the town had only grown to around 1000 brave souls.
Nonetheless, entrench themselves those early arrivals did and, by the turn of the century, just about when they were finally making their minds up on the location of the capital, Queanbeyan had assumed a position as one of the wealthiest districts in the entire colony.
In fact, so economically important was it to the State Government, while Premier George Reid was willing enough to give up Queanbeyan’s huge hinterland, having promised “the Federal Parliament the whole range of NSW to choose the best bit of it”, they were not prepared to give up the township itself as part of the new Federal Territory package.
Accordingly, Mr Burley Griffin was made to revise his plans, though poor old Oaks Estate, which continues to lay claim to Queanbeyan’s oldest surviving building – The Oaks Homestead, built in the year of the town’s proclamation – literally became, to be polite, the back end of the new Territory and the remnant of what
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used to belong to another jurisdiction.
While many prominent Queanbeyanites were responsible for the one-eyed lobbying that would see Canberra situated next door, including the man credited with saving Australia from economic ruin at the beginning of the 20th century, wheat experimentalist William Farrer, and the “Father of Canberra”, newspaperman and politician John Gale, what no doubt started
as a “cunning plan” that would bestow untold benefits for their hometown was initially less than promising.
Hardly a stranger to a struggle though (hence where “that” name really originated), Queanbeyan again took command of its fate and when finally the powers-that-be admitted the stuttering progress of the capital needed attention, it was the well-placed neighbour that picked up the slack.
Add to the heady mix the mind-boggling idea of Prohibition in the Territory, along with the fact that, according to Warren Denning in his 1954 book, spending leisure time in Queanbeyan was “as regular a routine to hundreds of Canberra people, as is a football match in Melbourne, or the races in Sydney”, plus the inception of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme, and Queanbeyan boomed.
Finally, late in the 1950s, the power balance changed and Canberra properly assumed its rightful place as Head of the Nation – and Queanbeyan continued on its own path, though now forever tied to the destiny of the capital, for better and for worse.
And so, 178 years on, Cinderella City is again adapting and transforming itself and, while having started life on somewhat tenuous foundations, it continues to remain steadfast and true to its original identity: independent, resilient and filled with character.
So happy birthday Queanbeyan – and you’re welcome, Canberra.
Nichole Overall is a Queanbeyan-based journalist and historian.
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.
Community advocate MAREA FATSEAS is grumpy that as soon as the election is over, it will be business as usual, with the interests of developers trumping the community.
THERE’S a disturbing deficit in the ACT and it’s not just financial. It’s also moral.
Of all the issues emerging in the Territory elections, this should concern us all. It’s “a trust deficit” – a deepening divide between voters and the political class. Sadly, many of us no longer trust politicians because they’re no longer listening. They prefer to rule rather than represent.
I am tired of our political leaders not taking our concerns seriously. I know that as soon as the election is over, it will be business as usual, with the interests of developers trumping the community.
It’s hard to know whom to trust. The annual returns of political donations lodged with the ACT Electoral Office reveal the Labor and Liberal parties are major beneficiaries of developer donations.
I have a track record of advocating for the community. As former president of the Yarralumla Residents Association, I led the successful community campaign against the massive residential development near the Canberra Brickworks. While pleased with the outcome, I suspect the massive development will be back on after the election.
Learning little from the Brickworks
experience, the government then revealed it was considering an unsolicited proposal for another massive development – the Great Wall of apartments around Manuka Oval. Cloaked in secrecy and with no consultation this was presented to residents as a fait accompli.
Residents’ concerns about the sheer scale of the proposal and its potentially devastating impacts on public space, traffic and heritage were swept aside.
Light rail is another example where the government wants to be taken on trust. There has been little examination of transport alternatives and the ACT auditor-general has raised concerns about the costing estimates of the first stage. Yet Labor has already announced stage two. Where is the business case? Calling a press conference and displaying the planned route between Civic and Woden is hardly a business case. The government says it will prepare the case after the elections. In other words, trust them – let’s build it and we will bill you later. Is the community seriously expected to cop this?
I am standing as an independent candidate in Kurrajong. I do not accept political donations from developers. My campaign is self-funded and run by volunteers. I will press for a ban on developer donations to candidates and political parties. I will also push for the appointment of an integrity commissioner. If our politicians are doing nothing wrong they have nothing to fear.
Marea Fatseas is standing as an independent candidate for Kurrajong in the ACT election on October 15.
IF ever there was an example of what Canberra as a community can do to improve the lives of others, it is the story of Sudanese refugee Bul Kuol.
Now 19, he arrived in Canberra as a refugee and has emerged as another success story of the ACT Academy of Sport program.
The role of the ACTAS is to nurture and provide support to athletes with potential, who fall short of securing national-based scholarships.
He may have been lost to sport had it not been for the academy. Kuol, who didn’t start playing basketball in Canberra until his teens, came on to the radar of talent scouts three years ago at a tournament in Sydney.
Brad Davidson, part of the coaching team at the Centre of Excellence at the AIS, saw Kuol play on that day and was surprised to find a talent as rich and raw as Kuol’s was from within his own home city of Canberra.
He knew Kuol had potential, but at that stage, the teenager wasn’t of the standard required for the AIS. But steps at a time, the ACT Acad
through the likes of Brendan Parnell, went over and above to ensure Kuol’s talent was maximised.
There were times when many thought, because of cultural differences, that he wasn’t coachable, but those who saw his talent persisted.
The ACTAS became the guiding force for a young man who had seen plenty as
Bul Kuol attracted interest from US colleges with the prospect of a scholarship, a far cry from his early days as a refugee in Canberra.
a refugee. It didn’t just provide coaching and sports science, it provided him with guidance in the life skills needed to succeed.
This year, Bul Kuol ended up starting for the Canberra Gunners in the SEABL competition in his first year at this level. He soon attracted interest from US colleges with the prospect of a scholarship, a far cry from his early days as a refugee in Canberra. There is still plenty of work to be done. Under normal circumstances it is a road much travelled by the academy as it has provided a pathway for many athletes to the American college system over the years. But this situation was ground breaking. There were study requirements, visas and passports to get him over the line to satisfy the strict American colleges, always on the lookout for new talent.
Lake Ginninderra College’s Steve Walding guided Bul through the academics while Pierre Johannessen, from an organisation known as the Big Bang Ballers, assisted with the immigration process. As they say: it takes a village... With the assistance of the ACTAS, Bul Kuol secured a scholarship with the California Baptist University. He has been there for two weeks and, while it’s still early days, it’s a new chapter in his life that wouldn’t have been possible without the likes of Davidson, Walding, Johannessen, Parnell and the ACT Academy of Sport.
IT is examples of successes like Kuol’s that make it imperative that the academy maintains its identity when it relocates its administration and gym to the AIS campus later this year. This is seen as a huge development for the ACTAS, which provides services to around 100 athletes including Paralympic gold medalist Katie Kelly, given the facilities and the support on offer at the AIS.
ACTAS is a valuable function of the ACT government and there have been assurances that its independence will be maintained despite being located in the heart of the AIS.
THE Greens failed to separate the wheat from the chaff when they walked out on the “first speech” of One Nation’s Pauline Hanson. They made a point, as did the Xenophon senators that joined them. However, they vacated the high moral ground by playing a part in undermining our democratic processes and principles.
A young neighbour knocked on the door of my home last week and presented our family with a gift as part of his family’s celebration of Eid al-Adha or the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice. It was a delightful gesture. Neighbourly. One that we appreciated very much. Within hours Pauline Hanson rose to her feet to slam these people as not fitting into our society.
No doubt that the lamb that was presented to us as a gift was halal. The same halal that the leader of One Nation wants banned. Looks the same. Tastes the same. The blessing makes about as much difference to a meal as it does to meals that are kosher or those eaten in the Christian tradition following grace.
A first speech, according to the 13th edition of “Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice”, states: “Special conventions of debate apply to the first speech of a new senator. It is expected that the Senate chamber will be well attended for a first speech, and that the new senator will be heard without interjec -
The One Nation Party had more than half a million votes. The ideas that they represent ought to be heard in the parliament. But also vigorously challenged.
tion or interruption”.
This is a far cry from the robust debate that will follow in the years to come. Through the first speech the community really gets to understand why an individual stood for election, how they perceive their role in the community and their agenda.
The One Nation Party had more than half a million votes. The ideas that they represent ought to be heard in the parliament. But also vigorously challenged. And this is the mistake made by the Greens. They do not have to be respectful of the concepts or ideas of another senator. They do have to be respectful of the right of any senator to present views.
In July 1996 Bob Brown took up his seat as the second senator elected for the Australian Greens. He had been a Tasmanian MLA and his colours were well nailed to the mast. It must have been a great temptation for some of the more conservative senators to walk out on him. They did not do so. Instead they attempted to challenge his ideas, to argue and even to have him (and his colleague Dee Margetts) marginalised.
Testing ideas in a parliament
is so much better than testing them by force of arms. It is in the marketplace of ideas that we should be testing racism and bigotry that confront us. We can do this most effectively by also looking at where there might be common ground.
“I can feel the Greens cringing … and squirming in their seats,” Hanson declared – before realising – “No, they have left”.
Hanson took the high moral ground that the Greens had vacated. She concluded her first speech with: “I look forward to working with each and every one of you, including the Greens, if you are prepared to see this country prosper rather than shut down.”
It is time to test her ideas.
“I call for stopping further Muslim immigration and banning the burqa,” she said. Muslims make up less than three per cent of the population. And for someone who wants to ban the burqa with a justification that it is not “a religious requirement” we ought to
be reminded of the Catholic nuns of a few decades ago. Why is it that there were no complaints about that even more restrictive dress code, paraded in the streets as a badge of belief?
It is always time to challenge the destructive ideology, xenophobia and half-truths. Evidence, facts and explanation of the impact on ordinary people when minorities are made scapegoats and divide our community. If we allow this attack on a minority group, let’s ask who will be next. Refugees are already in One Nation’s sights. Who next? Will it be Hindus as the women wear a sari, Sikhs and turbans, people with differentcoloured skin, Asians? Unfortunately, history tells us where it will end.
We can celebrate diversity in our community as my Muslim neighbours demonstrated. I was pleased that I was able to show some appreciation to them with the appropriate gesture of thanks… Eid mubarak
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001).
MENSLINK is hosting a “70’s Big Night Out” at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, on Friday, November 4. Participants are encouraged to dress in the ‘70s theme. Tickets are $200 and bookings to menslink.org.au
FLOWERS and art will be on display and available for sale at the All Saints “Floral Display & Art Exhibition” at Cowper Street, Ainslie, from Saturday, September 24 to September 26. More information at allsaintsainslie.org.au
THE Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club will be playing trivia for prizes at its next meeting at the Vikings Town Centre Club, Greenway, from 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 28. The club welcomes visitors and interested ladies. More information from 6291 7716 or email tuggeven@gmail.com
SOPRANO Georgia Connolly will entertain the Weston Creek VIEW Club’s next lunch meeting, from 11.30am, at the Southern Cross Club, Woden on Tuesday, October 4. The two-course meal is $28 and the club welcomes visitors and interested ladies. RSVP to 6288 7625 by Thursday, September 29.
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POSSIBLY the most white-hot raging controversy on the internet at the moment is Apple’s decision to excise the 3.5mm headphone jack from the new line of iPhones.
Never mind that the headphone jack design dates from 1878 (with the 3.5mm plug debuting in the 1950s, and the international implementation of the standard has since fragmented), forget that the hole in the phone makes them break when they get wet, ignore the lint-related problems with devices that live in pockets and handbags.
A whole bunch of self-described technology enthusiasts have heard that new devices won’t work exactly like their old devices and they are really, really upset.
Also ignore that there will be an adaptor!
The legion of know-all critics quickly point out that with headphones plugged into the lightning port (a combination data and power point) it won’t be possible to charge the phone while listening to music on headphones.
Some people might not consider it to be a human right to be entangled with a phone, a wired headset and a power cord plugged into the wall.
Personally, I’d view this as a situation to be avoided if possible, but the internet is full of angry people demanding the right to enjoy this obsolete technological embrace.
Bear in mind, there is even an adaptor that will allow for charging the phone while listening to earphones sporting an ancient 3.5mm plug.
Won’t anyone think, we are asked, of folk who have spent thousands of dollars on ultrahigh-end headphones?
If one were to think very long on the subject, one might think that the small number of people with the acute hearing needed to gain any benefit from thousand-dollar headphones are unlikely to enjoy listening to music files with lousy compression on a phone.
The intriguing possibility remains that the
EarPods were devices from a parallel universe. They were created by John Lumic. They could be used to read minds, control them, and add information into them (news or a daily joke, for example). They were also the alternate universe’s alternative to iPods, mobile phones and music players.
– tardis.wikia.com (EarPods is also the name of Apple’s latest headsets for use with iPhones)
tiny number of very vocal people getting so audibly angry about headphone connection options might not be Apple’s target market. It could even be that what they’re really angry about is that the biggest company in the world has designed a flagship product that explicitly says “your concerns are rubbish”.
One might almost wonder that there are bigger things to worry about, like how technology is going to replace large percentages of the workforce in the next few years and how are the new generation of long-term unemployed going to afford new iPhones?
Fortunately, with eerie prescience Doctor Who saw Apple’s replacement headphone “EarPods” coming in the 2006 episode “Rise of the Cybermen”.
Those “EarPods” eventually consumed their wearers who were “upgraded” into unfeeling machines.
Which is food for thought as the internet outrage machine fires up on yet another trivial distraction, while very real and really big changes to the nature of society bear down on us like an express train.
John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au
LIGHT rail is a billion-dollar public transport promotion for the Barr government’s vision for land use in Canberra.
The government intends to “invest in corridors” and “use light rail as demand driving infrastructure to help shape the way the city grows with higher density”.
Instead of each town being a major hub with substantial employment and services to the benefit of the majority of citizens, land use in Canberra is to be dominated by corridors lined with multi-storey buildings radiating from Civic.
Gungahlin is being treated as a dormitory for workers in Civic. A more sustainable plan would be to build the economy of the towns, thus reducing the number of out-of-town work trips, and leading to more manageable public and private transport demands.
If the government’s current plans prevail and the street-level tram line between Gungahlin and Civic is built, most of Gungahlin will be beyond the catchment area of the tram and commuters will still have to be served by bus to an interchange. This will be a worse service for many commuters than the current rapid bus service.
The government claims that the 2016 equivalent cost of the project is $939 million. This is based on an extreme discounting of future payments to the contractor. A 2016 cost of $1.3 billion is a more realistic estimate of the $1.78 billion, 20-year cost identified by the auditor-general.
The estimated net present value of revenue over the 20 years of operation of the tram line is $130 million. The patronage is estimated at 6.3 million passengers per annum, meaning that each trip will receive a $9.30 subsidy. The equivalent figures for ACTION in 2014-15 were 18 million trips, revenue of $26.7 million and expenditure of $144.5 million, resulting in a subsidy of $6.50 per trip.
Some people talk about the comfort of a tram, but twice as many people are seated on buses. Trams will have capacity for 207 passengers of whom only 66 will be seated. Bicycles will be carried inside the tram, reducing the capacity and comfort accordingly.
The peak-hour tram services will run at six-minute intervals, giving a service capacity of about 2000 passengers an hour with just 30 per cent seated. The capacity of the peak-hour bus services operating between all Gungahlin suburbs and the city already exceeds 2000 passengers per hour. Much more seating (over 60 per cent of capacity) is provided on buses and many of the services are direct express.
Gungahlin’s population is predicted to increase by 35,000 (over 2011 statistics) by 2031 and continue to increase. Similarly, the population in North Canberra is
Some people talk about the comfort of a tram, but twice as many people are seated on buses. Trams will have capacity for 207 passengers of whom only 66 will be seated.
predicted to increase so that there would be a doubling of commuters to Civic sometime in the 2030’s decade.
The government’s business case for light rail expects that the commencement service will be operating at full capacity of 2000 passengers per hour in 2021. Tram services cannot be increased sufficiently to carry the increase in commuters likely before the Canberra Metro contract expires in 2040 because it would ultimately require the operation of trams at two-minute intervals.
Increasing the size or frequency of street-level trams is fraught with many problems, especially because priority to trams causes delays and congestion to road traffic in the wider network. Moreover, street-level tram services inevitably get slower as population increases.
The tram route will contribute very little, if anything, to meeting journey-to-school requirements. The one kilometre walking distance to a tram stop that defines the catchment area would not be feasible for many aged, young or infirm people. People don’t want their exercise when they are in a hurry to get to work!
The government’s submission to Infrastructure Australia acknowledged that busways can be built at half the cost of light rail. If busways follow the parkways, then express services could avoid the delays due to road intersections and provide true rapid transit with high capacity. Busways are suited to the introduction of the automated fleets of the future.
The government wants to expand the GungahlinCivic light rail link into a network nearly seven times in length in order to reach the other towns. Scaling the present cost for the Gungahlin-Civic link of $1.3 billion yields a present cost of $9 billion, a waste of money that we cannot afford on a network that will be too slow and lack the capacity to serve Canberra in decades to come.
John L Smith is chairman, CanTheTram Inc. canthetram.org.au
TAXPAYERS will provide $15 million to fund advertising for both sides of the same-sex marriage debate should the Federal Government win support for a plebiscite. All this while Australian citizens go hungry, can’t afford adequate health services, the government is in disarray, blown out welfare payments and now the government is sponsoring its own plebiscite. Lord, give me strength!
How hard would it have been to print two squares and a “yes” and a “no” on the recent Federal election papers.
Michael Attwell, Dunlop
Voting 1 for Brooke and 2 to 5 for other Canberra Liberals in the order of your choice will ensure we stop Labor’s rate rises, stop the tram, fix the health system, invest in education and grow the economy.
Brooke has the knowledge and life experience to make the right choices for Canberra’s future, gained from her
• military service
• business experience
• public sector roles;
• and as a working mum.
all Canberrans • Authorised by Dan Clode for Brooke Curtin
THE clue to 17 across in your crossword No. 564 uses the term “affectionately” in respect of Sir Robert Menzies, when in fact the term “Pig Iron Bob” was used in a derogatory manner following his decision to allow scrap iron to be exported to Japan. I well remember the furore in the press about the decision.
Ken McPhan, Spence
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THE importance of the perinatal period can’t be underestimated, says Brigid Ryan and Kate Carnall, who run Brighter Beginnings Psychology and Wellbeing in Duffy.
The pair say that the response to their service, the first private practice to offer psychological services and support to families in the perinatal period in the ACT, has surpassed their expectations over the past six months since they opened, and that their books are full.
“Watching babies grow and knowing that you may have shifted a path for them is a really powerful thing,” says Kate.
Psychologists, and mums, Kate and Brigid support families before conception, through pregnancy and the first two years after having a baby, and say that this is a time when all other mental health issues can be magnified.
“Everything is going to come out when you have a baby, all the issues that might have gone unnoticed or been well managed before,” says Brigid.
“It’s so varied and can have longreaching effects, whether it’s relationship issues, loss, trauma or fertility problems or postnatal depression.
“And it’s not just about mums –dads need support as well.
“People have asked if we get bored just working in perinatal –no, quite the opposite, this is a part of people’s lives and we see a whole
range of issues. It all comes to the fore at this time, when it’s so significant to be supported because you’re bringing a child into the world.”
With a background in private practice, hospital services and
mental health, Kate and Brigid say that what happens in those first few years can shape a baby’s life.
“Years ago I would never have seen myself go down this path, but the longer I worked as a psychologist the more I realised that perinatal mental health is one of the most crucial,” says Brigid.
“It’s the earliest of interventions, and the most rewarding, beautiful work.”
Kate says that since becoming a mother herself she realised how amazing parenting is – and how challenging.
“How hard is it to be a parent?” she says. “And beautiful at the same time, but so many people have extra challenges on top.”
Kate says that by supporting the impact of parents’ mental health on the family, future generations will benefit.
“These kinds of problems at this time in someone’s life can affect more than just one person, and it repeats and repeats,” she says.
“This is why it’s an essential time to be involved.
“If we can shore up that relationship now, we are shoring up a future for that baby.”
Visit brighterbeginningspsychology. com.au
CANBERRAN Matt Napier, pictured, will entertain the Friends for Fred Hollows Canberra group’s annual fundraiser with stories of his recent walk across Southern Africa. The evening, at the Federal Golf Club, on Wednesday, October 12, includes a three-course dinner, wine, raffle and a silent auction with all proceeds supporting the Fred Hollows Foundation. Tickets are $80 and bookings to friendsforfredhollows@gmail.com or call 0404 182494.
DIANE Bray, from Common Ground, the low-cost, housing initiative for people who have experienced chronic homelessness, is the guest speaker at the next lunch meeting of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club at the Versatile Restaurant, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls, from 11.30am, on Wednesday, September 28. Two-course lunch is $35 and open to visitors and interested ladies. RSVP by noon, Monday, September 26.
COMMITTEE members, administrators, coaches, development officers, sport providers, officials, industry providers, government and non-government agencies and volunteers working in sport and recreation are invited to a Sport Development Forum at the Riverside Oval, Queanbeyan, 10am-3pm, on Saturday, October 15. The forum’s four sport-development workshops are “Running your Club – Sports Administration”, “Modern Sporting Club Management”, grant writing and social media and sports. Enquiries or enrolments to 131302 or visit sportandrecreation.nsw.gov.au/sdf
By Sonya Fladun
AFTER many years of being a one-car family we’re planning to expand our fleet.
It’s a big decision, but the day has come when the logistics of family life have overwhelmed our “old reliable”, an elderly “small people mover” that many friends regard as worthy of an auto museum.
It’s been about 18 years since my husband and I decided to live without two cars. Financially it made sense – we were both working in the same building and we saved petrol, registration, insurance etcetera. There were just the two of us, then number one child came along, then number two, but that didn’t change things much.
We traded in our tiny, economical sedan for a still economical “small people mover” and kept going with one vehicle. With the two kids at the same childcare centre, then the same schools and later pursuing the same sporting interests, it all remained manageable.
Aside from the savings, there were the benefits of feeling virtuous doing our bit for the environment, a sentiment that grew as we watched the unfolding automotive arms race of recent years in which everyone seems to have acquired ever larger 4WDs. With one car, we’ve been in the habit of travelling together and that’s meant more time to talk as we zig-zag across town. As the years have gone by the old car has become a “second home”, we listen to each other’s favourite music, play intensely competitive rounds of “green-car spotto” and mull over the day’s dramas.
The old car is a place full of memories but, sadly, “old reliable” has been starting to miss a few beats. At the same time, family life has become much more logistically challenging. We now have one child in school on the southside, the other is on the northside, while my spouse and I work some distance from both. So we have a challenging double drop off each morning, and pick up complications in the afternoons.
Sporting logistics have also become complicated, including the prospect of long drives to interstate competitions and championships.
So, we’re in the market for a new car and most days I’m besieged by salespeople calling me about their latest special deal and various offers to “sweeten the pot”.
“Old reliable” is to be retired to less onerous duties as a local runabout – chugging between home, the nearer school and shops. After 18 years we’ll be back to being a two-car family and mornings will see one parent and child head in one direction, and the other parent and another child head off in another.
Life moves on, and that’s good, but what I will miss a bit are all the times all of us have been crammed into “old faithful”, chatting away and singing along with the radio. That’s been the best thing with a one-car family.
‘We are very keen to build on the strength of our existing services to make access easier for those who live and work on the northside.’
Orthopaedics ACT surgeons, from left, Dr Gawel Kulisiewicz, Dr Nicholas Tsai and Dr Igor Policinski.
THREE of the surgeons at Orthopaedics ACT, the largest single group of orthopaedic surgeons in Canberra, will now be offering consulting services on the city’s northside, as the company expands to new rooms at Calvary Hospital.
Dr Igor Policinski, Dr Nicholas Tsai and Dr Gawel Kulisiewicz are running appointment-only consulting sessions at a purpose-built clinic at Calvary Hospital in Bruce, while still seeing patients in Orthopaedics ACT’s rooms at Woden Specialist Medical Centre on Corinna Street. Orthopaedics ACT also offers consulting in Young, NSW.
“The rooms at Corinna Street were built two years ago and we have now reached capacity,” says Dr Kulisiewicz. “The location at Calvary suits us in terms of meeting the demands of Canberra’s growing population. We are very keen to build on the strength of our existing services to make access easier for those who live and work on the northside.
“A key aspect of orthopaedics is the ability to help someone regain a quality of life by restoring their function for daily activities that they had previously lost. This is what we do and we are very proud of the work we do.”
Orthopaedics ACT offers the expertise of eight orthopaedic surgeons, specialising in hip, knee, foot, ankle, shoulder, hand, elbow, spine and trauma, say the surgeons.
It also provides a fast-track trauma/fracture clinic on Tuesdays for patients who don’t require transfer to emergency.
“We work with the whole body, from fingertips to toes,” says Dr Policinski.
“We provide anything from complex reconstructive surgery to trauma, crash injuries, joint replacement and microsurgery.”
Dr Tsai specialises in spine and upper and lower body; Dr Kulisiewicz specialises in hip, knee and foot, and Dr Policinski specialises in shoulder and hand, including microsurgery.
Other lower-body specialists at Orthopaedics ACT include Dr Damian Smith, Dr Phil Aubin, Professor Paul Smith and Dr Al Burns; with Dr Chris Roberts another upper-limb specialist.
“Our vision is to gradually grow the clinic at Calvary, and to provide our level of excellence there,” says Dr Kulisiewicz.
“Within a few months, depending on demand, we may see more of the group move out to consult at Calvary as well.
“We aim to expand our group of surgeons from eight in the future, growing organically and adding specialist surgeons as needed.
“We will all still work out of our rooms in Woden and plan to spend time in both locations, in order to provide our services across the city, and we will continue to operate out of Calvary Hospital, Canberra Private Hospital and Barton Private Hospital.”
As a group, Orthopaedics ACT believes that knowledge is power and is actively involved in educating and empowering its patients via the resources provided online, in handouts and a range of free patient information sessions.
“To ensure our patients receive the optimum level of care we always have an experienced nurse on-site who is able to assist patients, either pre or post surgery, with additional questions or any concerns they may have,” says the clinic.
“Our team of medical administrators is carefully recruited so that we offer both an experienced and caring team, who will support patients and their carers through the process of diagnosis, development of a treatment plan and implementation of the same.”
Orthopaedics ACT, Calvary Hospital, 40 Mary Porter Avenue, Bruce, or Woden Specialist Medical Centre, 90 Corinna St, Woden. Call 6221 9320. Visit orthoact.com.au
Dr Nicholas Tsai
Specialising in trauma, spine, hip and knee, Dr Tsai graduated from the University of Sydney and did his internship and residency in Westmead.
He worked as orthopaedic registrar at various hospitals in Sydney before joining the NSW Orthopaedic training scheme. After obtaining a fellowship with the Australasian College of Surgeons in 2009, he joined an AOSpine fellowship program in Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai. This provided extensive experience of management in degenerative cervical and lumbar conditions, as well as spinal trauma.
Dr Gawel Kulisiewicz
With a focus on lower limb, specifically hip, knee, foot, ankle and trauma, Dr Kulisiewicz graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998, then went on to work at the Canberra and Calvary Hospitals as an intern, resident and registrar.
After successfully completing his orthopaedic training and obtaining membership with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2008, he spent 18 months gaining further fellowship experience in hip, knee, ankle and foot surgery, including a foot and ankle fellowship in Sydney.
Dr Igor Policinski
Specialising in upper limbs, specifically microsurgery of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, Dr Policinski grew up in Canberra, completed his medical degree in Poland then returned to Canberra and worked at Canberra Hospital for six years.
After completing his Australian Accredited Orthopaedic Training, he and his family travelled to the US and Europe for two years so he could undertake specialist fellowships in upper limb. Following this, Dr Policinski returned to Canberra with a wealth of subspecialty orthopaedic experience.
IS irrepressible Labor aspirant Kim Fischer, fighting to be seen in the cluttered field jostling for a seat in Ginninderra, at odds with the law with her cheerful, vandal-free, electronic advertising hoarding sitting atop the Kingsley’s outlet, facing Luxon Street, Belconnen?
Looking through the ACT Planning & Land Authority’s “Signs General Code” of 2008, CC was drawn to the definition of Kim’s billboard as probably being Third Party Advertising Signage that, in part, defines it as being “for a
product, activity or event not sold or occurring on the land”. While a “Better Belconnen” is certainly laudable, it’s not arguably on the menu of the roasted-chicken shop below.
If, as the photo might suggest, it’s located on the first storey, ie above the ground floor, then the code says: “Content of the sign not permitted”.
Clearly, this is something Kim might like to have amended when she gets to the Assembly benches.
WELL, she did it! First prize for “CityNews” columnist Nichole Overall, who had her steely gaze firmly on winning this year’s Canberra Takes 2 charity singing competition in duet with Drew Ashley
The partners-in-song topped the fundraising with a head-and-shoulders $6524.25 slice of the evening’s $25,000 raised for SIDS and Kids at Queanbeyan’s Bicentennial Hall on September 10.
Purring fundraiser Trudy Taylor says: “I even had comments from people, who have been to all four CT2s, that the singing is getting better and better each year and that it was hard to pick the professionals from the amateurs in some cases.”
To which, in a moment of rare circumspection, Nichole replied: “I’m supremely confident the audience knew precisely who the amateur was!”
In 2013, husband and Queanbeyan mayor Tim Overall, in the guise of “Timmy Cash”, also won the award for highest funds raised, though the competitive Mrs O says we’re not to dwell on the $14k he raised (“He knows lots of people”).
HOW silly is the concept of four suits with scissors simultaneously slicing the opening ribbon at the new visitors’ centre and cafe at Mount Stromlo?
But there they were, lined up, armed and sporting expressions of varying degrees of bemusement, from left, John Lewis (president Canberra Southern Cross Club), left, Senator Zed Seselja, Prof. Matthew Colless (director, ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics) and ANU vicechancellor Prof Brian Schmidt
IN late July, CC gloomily reported the presence of this offensive graffiti daubed across the Mitchell end of Gungahlin Drive, at which time our northern snout said he’s been driving over the vulgarity for more than three weeks.
Using humour, we implored City Services to get off their bottoms and erase the offensive phrase. But no, the gnomes slumber on. We’ll try again in the hope that the “caretaker” bureaucrats have got more civic pride than the elected government to get this obscenity blacked over. Please.
CLIENTS in crisis need advice from lawyers with cool heads and experience to get them through their issues with dignity and justice. But where to turn for sound, expert legal advice?
Here “CityNews” showcases some of the most passionate and professional practitioners of Canberra, and their particular specialities.
Trusted team behind firm’s new look
BACKHOUSE Legal may have a new name and new location, but it’s still the same team that many know and trust, says principal Angela Backhouse.
Established in 1996, Backhouse Legal, formerly known as A Backhouse & Associates, has moved from Paragon Mall, Fyshwick, to its new office space at 3 Geelong Street, Fyshwick.
Angela says the premises are still as accessible as the old site and includes plenty of parking.
In addition to its services in matters of litigation, debt collec-
COMMITTED to outcomes that reduce conflict and damage to relationships wherever possible, Mazengarb Family Lawyers is backed with more than 30 years of experience in helping families across Canberra.
Mazengarb Family Lawyers can handle all matters that fall under the Family Law Act 1975, including parenting arrangements, relocation cases, property settlements, spouse maintenance, domestic violence and personal protection orders, and applications for divorce.
“Family law is a complex area of law to practice,” says associate Jessica Wolski. “This is not only because of the voluminous legislations, but also because of the emotional overlay that is involved. We emphasise the benefits of non-litigated options to our clients. As solicitors, we are bound to explore and offer those services.”
Jessica says the firm has started providing more services in growing areas in law, including gender
tion, insolvency, wills and estates, banking and finance, employment law, and property matters including conveyancing and commercial leasing, Backhouse Legal now has solicitors who are registered migration agents.
Through a collaboration with Hunt Migration, the firm can assist with business visas, family visas, skilled migration, employersponsored visas and student visas.
Backhouse Legal, 3 Geelong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 8899 or visit backhouselegal.com.au
dysphoria matters – where a child or young person who identifies with the opposite sex and seeks to transition to their preferred sex with the use of cross-sex hormone therapy before they have reached 18 years. The current law mandates that a child or young person must first make an application to the Family Court of Australia for authorisation in order to undertake this therapy.
“We are also responding to the court backlog and offering alternate dispute resolutions to meet the needs of our clients and assisting them in progressing their matter to a resolution,” she says.
“There is a strong success rate in mediating. Mediation is sought after as the alternate outcome, whereas litigation is not only out of the client’s control but slow.”
Mazengarb Lawyers, Level 5, 11 London Circuit, Civic. Call 6230 0199 or visit mfamilylawyers.com.au
Jessica Wolski has practiced Family Law exclusively since joining the Firm in 2013. She was made an Associate of the Firm in February 2016.
Jessica has since finished her studies in a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Practice. She is also due to complete her Masters of Applied Law (Family Law) in November 2016.
Jessica handles a range of matters including the division of property, parenting arrangements, applications for divorce and domestic violence and personal protection orders. She also has carriage of matters involving applications for medical procedures under the Family Law Act 1975 including gender dysphoria.
Mazengarb Family Lawyers are very delighted to have Jessica as part of our team.
At the opening of ‘Lines of Enquiry’ exhibition, ANCA Gallery, Dickson
Join an acting course with Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art – and add a little drama to your life!
10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen Full or part-time study. Audition/info session on November 20.
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Acting 101 Fun and social leisure course for beginners. Monday nights, October 10-November 28. Enrol online.
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.
NOW’S the time to get organised and make some fun-filled plans for the family these school holidays. Whether it’s getting physical with some tramp fun, getting away from it all on the south coast or being wowed at the circus – there’s plenty to see and do.
TREAT the entire family this school holidays to a getaway on the beautiful south coast at Lilli Pilli Sublime.
With the school break just around the corner, now’s the time to book this spacious, single-level, four-bedroom luxury beach house that can accommodate eight people.
Situated only five minutes’ drive from the heart of Batemans Bay, families can explore nearby Mogo Zoo, cafes and specialty stores, local beaches and bush tracks.
Owner Angela says Lilli Pilli
Lilli Pilli Sublime is a destination unlike any other. We offer holiday accommodation in a spacious, delightfully decorated 4 bedroom house with rumpus/games room, and a Moroccan themed outdoor kitchen area with BBQ.
LPS is nestled in the stunning surrounds of Lilli Pilli Beach Estate in an idyllic position overlooking natural bush land on the outskirts of Batemans Bay, NSW.
For families, couples, executives or anybody who needs to get away from it all, relax and wind down, LPS offers something special. We provide WiFi, Foxtel with all channels, playstation with games, Nespresso Coffee Machine, linen including beach towels and baby
Sublime is a great family holiday home at any time of the year.
“There are many times during the year to have a getaway with lots to do in the area or just take some down time and relax at Sublime,” she says.
“So why not take advantage of the lower rates in the off season?”
The property can cater to family members of all ages with a cot and baby items, a rumpus room with games and a snooker table, and an entertaining area with full outdoor kitchen.
It also has free wifi, free Foxtel (premium package includes sports), DVD collection, library and a Nespresso coffee machine. It’s also pet-friendly on application for well-mannered pets.
Angela also offers romantic getaway packages, dining packages, beauty packages and can help organise other activities including fishing, golf, surf school and kayaking.
Contact Lilli Pilli Sublime for special offers such as discounts for last-minute bookings.
Email lillipillisublime@me.com or call 0412 800857 to find out more.
items. We accept our guests well mannered dogs on application.
The LPS vibe is very much a tropical one with its hot and cold private outdoor shower. Its Bali inspired garden adds a touch of paradise and is pleasantly styled with Asian stone sculptures, fountains and bamboo.
Guests can enjoy the many beaches in the area; Lilli Pilli Beach is just a 300 m walk. Take in the fresh ocean air and sounds of the wildlife.
Luxury comfort and style - these are the three principles upon which the hosts have built the LPSublime experiences.
Time to jump,
MAKE it a fun family day out at Flip Out Trampoline Arena, which has centres in Hume and Mitchell.
It features a series of 80 trampolines joined together, giving adults, teens, kids and toddlers the chance to jump, spring, flip, twirl and tumble to their hearts’ content, with two dedicated areas for children under three and 10 years.
There is a school holiday bundle of an hour on the trampolines, grip socks, a slushy and a serve of mini donuts.
Rowena Hand, of Flip Out Mitchell, says a couple of hours at
Flip Out is also a great way for kids to do some physical activity and have fun while doing it.
“We’re open all long weekend,” she says. “Flip Out is a great place for the family to get together and do something fun.”
She says that it’s a great meeting place for play dates, too, as their cafe looks out at the trampolines – meaning parents take a break and catch up with friends while watching the kids.
“Our biggest attraction is our foam pits, which are swimming pools filled with chunks of foam.
BE transported to the Wild West by the spectacular talents of the Webers Circus.
“A Touch of Wild West” is the latest show out of the Webers Circus, which is owned and operated by Rudy and Natalie Weber.
According to Webers, the show will take you and your family on a wild west adventure.
People jump on the trampolines and launch themselves into the awesome foam pit,” says Rowena. Rowena says over the school holidays they will be running trials for their Little Ninja classes, which train kids in balance, co-ordination, agility and left and right motor receptors. Bookings are required.
Flip Out Mitchell, 4/45 Dacre St, call 6255 5533. Flip Out Hume, 30 Sawmill Circuit, call 6260 1991. Visit flipout.net.au
Fri 23 Sep 7:00pm
Sat 24 Sep 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Sun 25 Sep 11:00am & 3:00pm
Sat 1 Oct 3:00pm & 7:00pm Sun 2 Oct 11:00am & 3:00pm Mon 3 Oct 11:00am ONLY Wed 5 Oct 11:00am & 3:00pm
“So bring the family, bring your friends and enjoy a day out at the circus.”
The circus will come to the Queanbeyan Showgrounds, Kings Highway, on September 23-October 9.
Webers Circus: A Touch of Wild West, visit weberscircus.com or call 0448 247287.
“Webers Circus presents – with a touch of South American – a show packed with spectacular aerials, hilarious clowns, miniature show ponies, cute trick dogs, death defying wheel of death and much much more,” they say.
Mon 26 Sep 11:00am ONLY
Wed 28 Sep 11:00am & 3:00pm
Thur 29 Sep 11:00am ONLY Fri 30 Sep 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Thur 6 Oct 11:00am Fri 7 Oct 3:00pm & 7:00pm Sat 8 Oct 3:00pm & 7:00pm Sun 9 Oct 11:00am – LAST SHOW
VINTAGE is making a huge comeback this spring, with bright retro florals, shirt dresses and blouses set to be the hotly hunted items at the upcoming Three Sixty Fashion Market, says market director Mel O’Brien.
The Three Sixty Market is dedicated to sustainable fashion through recycling vintage, retro, handmade and pre-loved fashion and homewares, and holds four markets a year at the Fitters Workshop at the Kingston Foreshore.
Its spring market will be held on September 25 and will feature 40 stalls.
Mel says new traders include independent designer Monica the Label who will debut her plussize “range of cheeky and creative fashions which cater to the ladies with extra spice on their rack”.
“Life Interwoven is a new trader and social enterprise that follows fair-trade principles to produce stylish products in natural fibres and colours,” Mel says.
“They work with artisans, villagers and small entrepreneurs to create a range of ethical kitchen and home-ware products as well as decorative lifestyle products made using sustainable and traditional materials.
“All profits from Life Interwoven are returned to fund disadvantaged children in South-East Asia.”
Mel says other new stallholders include SolSmile, who specialise in handcrafted leather shoes, bags and wallets; Canberra-based designer INKFUZE, who will debut handprinted, one-off pieces; and EVYIE, who creates monochrome trans-seasonal pieces.
“Three Sixty Fashion Market provides a platform to support sustainable fashion and
sustainable social ideals,” she says.
“It’s really important to support these local avenues so we can continue to make small, purposeful steps towards sustaining our environment and creating a community with values.
“It’s a friendly, sociable event and we look forward to seeing the usual gorgeous faces and the fresh newbies for an awesome day of trade.”
She says their Revisit, Recycle, Repair Cafe will also make its debut.
“Here, we’ll be offering advice on how to care, preserve, repair and restore your cherished fashion pieces and we might even have a bit of a ‘stitch ‘n’ bitch’ if you bring along your gear,” Mel says.
Three Sixty Fashion Market, 10am-3pm, Sunday, September 25, at the Fitters Workshop, Kingston Foreshore. Visit threesixtyfm.com
DESIGNED from the inside out – the handbags created by Canberrabased handbag label Sash & Belle are all about being stylish, timeless and functional.
And the public will get a chance to take a first-look at its spring/summer collection of handbags at this coming Three Sixty Fashion Market.
“My inspiration comes from practicality,” says owner and designer Kristy McPhillips. “It’s about simplicity and function.”
Recently, Sash & Belle has
taken a new direction – focusing on sourcing higher-quality materials for its designs as well as releasing the Timeless Collection to wholesalers.
The label stocks a range of leather handbags, wallets and totes as well as faux-leather handbags, totes and clutches, many of which are solely designed by Kristy.
“Clothes and trends change so rapidly. I wanted to design something that was a timepiece, that would last a long time,” says Kristy.
Visit sash-belle.com.au
Vintage
RECYCLED fashion pop-up shop
Yellow Canary will be bringing out a new range of bright and colourful spring stock to this month’s Three Sixty Fashion Market.
Owner Bridget Perman says Yellow Canary is unique in that, as a young business owner, she knows what other young people want to wear.
“I also know how hard it can be to afford beautiful vintage pieces on a budget, I aim to keep all the items at an affordable price so that everyone can look great and wear sustainable fashion at the same time,” she says.
“My favourite eras are the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s for the crazy and colourful fashion of those times.” Bridget says what appeals to her about the Three Sixty Fashion Market is its stance on style and sustainability.
“We have such a huge amount of clothing in the world and I really don’t think we need more fast/ cheap fashion.”
Yellow Canary, find them on Facebook /yellowcanaryclothing or Instagram @yellowcanaryclothing.
FOR classic styling and vintage men’s suits and fashion
– Hummingbird Vintage has it covered.
Selling a range of clothing, homewares and furniture, Hummingbird Vintage stocks brands including Ralph Lauren and Pierre Cardin, handpicked by owners Anthony Bean and Rebekah Biggs.
“We specialise in menswear,” Anthony says. “Many vintage sellers tend to not specialise in menswear and not many have full suits, shoes and accessories.”
Hummingbird Vintage is a regular stallholder at the Three Sixty Fashion Market and has been attending the markets since its inception.
“We largely sell second-hand vintage clothing,” he says. “But we also stock higher-end, good-quality newer items that have a vintage feel.”
For the upcoming Three Sixty Fashion Market, he says they’ll be swinging with the season, with some spring fashion up for grabs.
Hummingbird Vintage, find them on Facebook or call 0417 994049.
BOWERBIRD Vintage will be bringing some of its latest new stock and, for the seasoned vintage bargain hunter, a rack of fabulous vintage/retro at an incredible price point, says owner Kim Iovannella.
“Plus lots of eclectic pieces with a few designer garments and accessories thrown in,” she says.
Bowerbird Vintage, which is based at the Southern Antiques Centre in Sydney, is an eclectic mix of handsourced vintage fashion and accessories for men and women. Its latest addition is a small collection of retro children’s clothing.
Kim says she has attended Three Sixty Fashion Market for years and thinks the team is a joy to work with.
“If I can’t assist a customer I will recommend/ suggest another vintage professional who hopefully can,” she says. “It’s all about sharing; sharing the love of vintage.”
Bowerbird Vintage, at the Southern Antiques Centre, 245 Princes Highway, Kogarah. Visit bowerbirdvintage. com.au, follow Bowerbird Vintage on FB or Instagram.
By Helen Musa
IN October, 1997, when the story broke that an ordinary young man had been killed in Dickson with a lethal dose of heroin by his brilliant law student girlfriend, everyone in Canberra had an opinion.
That young man was Joe Cinque and the girl was Anu Singh, who had studied how to bring it off at Chifley library then announced her intentions to friends at a now-notorious dinner party. And we could all point to the very house in which it had happened.
In a kind of Lindy Chamberlain-inreverse case, Singh was eventually found guilty of his manslaughter, not murder, because of diminished mental responsibility while her friend and apparent accomplice, Madhavi Rao, was acquitted.
“It’s so sensational, someone ought to make a movie about it,” the cry went out, and now, after a few modest attempts, someone has.
Author Helen Garner had dealt with the story in her searching non-fiction book “Joe Cinque’s Consolation” and now, in a film adaptation of that work, Canberraraised director Sotiris Dounoukos has co-written, co-produced (with Matt Reeder) and directed a major drama of the same name. It helps that, as he says: “This was my year of law school, so this story is very personal to me”.
“Joe Cinque’s Consolation” has already been seen at the Melbourne and Toronto film festivals and in a private screening in the Newcastle
Canberra-raised Sotiris Dounoukos… co-written, co-produced and directed “Joe Cinque’s Consolation”.
home of Cinque’s parents, who expressed relief that the portrayal of their son by actor Jerome Meyer was respectful.
The film, co-scripted by Matt Rubinstein with Dounoukos, follows Garner’s book in most ways but, as he says, “there are aspects of Helen’s book if you are a trained lawyer that you approach in a different way… my reaction to the judgement in the Singh case was not outrage but concerned curiosity”.
“Matt and I felt in adapting the work we couldn’t allow the audience to be confronted by a proxy character, Helen Garner, so we decided to place the audience in the position of Helen, to let people confront the facts of the story.”
“To create suspense and to raise the tension, the cinema becomes the courthouse, but it is not a courtroom drama – it’s more a boy-meets-girl story.”
Central to the film is the role of Anu Singh, played by rising star and Dounoukos’ fellow Victorian College of the Arts graduate, Maggie Naouri. He auditioned hundreds of people to get the right combination for Anu and Joe, but ended up casting from the very first batch he saw.
Casting Anu Singh, a brilliant law student on the edge of mental collapse, was a challenge.
“You have to cast people who have a comparable effect on the audience that Anu had on the people who followed her,” he says.
Naouri proved intelligent and charismatic so that “Anu comes across as being several steps ahead of most other people,” Dounoukos says.
Dounoukos considers himself a Canberra boy through and through. A product of Campbell High School and Dickson College, he graduated in arts/law from the ANU and from its legal workshop. At the ANU he studied philosophy, French, drama and cinema with Roger Hillman, Gino Moliterno and Geoff Borny. What times they were in Canberra, he says, “it was a special age… you’d wake up and there’d be Meryl Tankard”.
He spent four years in a law office in Melbourne before taking out a masters in film at the Victorian College of the Arts.
His genesis as a filmmaker came to fruition in Paris where he directed his film “A Single Body”, which would be named Best International Short Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“But all my close friends in Paris came from Canberra, including Antonio Gambale, who also went to Campbell High School and Dickson College and who did all the music for both ‘A Single Body’ and ‘Joe Cinque’,” he says.
All the while, he kept coming back home to his mum and family, nurturing the idea of making a major feature film set in Canberra. Helen Garner’s book proved the perfect vehicle, with a ripper of a story that was quintessentially Canberran.
Dounoukos praises his supporters,
THE inaugural “Ralph Indie” program is a new package of independently produced performance at Gorman Arts Centre, honouring the name of the late Canberra theatre giant Ralph Wilson. First up will be “Wiggle Room,” a contemporary dance and aerial acrobatics work by Alison Plevey and Solco Acro. Ralph Wilson Theatre, September 27-October 1. Bookings to agac.com.au
THE Q has Noni Hazlehurst in town soon with Daniel Keene’s play, “Mother”, directed by Matt Scholten. Christie (Hazlehurst) finds herself at the fringe of the world, homeless, ageing and living on the outskirts of suburbia. At Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Tuesday, September 27-Saturday, October 1. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.
THE Queer Screen Film Festival comes to Canberra for the first time this year, showing “Southwest of Salem” about four Latina lesbian women who were wrongly convicted of a gang rape and “Other People”, which played on the opening night of Sundance this year. At Arc Cinema, NFSA, 4pm and 6.30pm, October 1. Bookings to tix.queerscreen.org.au
“GOBSMACKED and kicked in the stomach once again” is how director of the avant-garde music festival “SoundOut”, Richard Johnson, describes himself at the news they’ve missed out on funding from Events ACT. The ART Music awards-winning event has run for seven years, but now the future is questionable.
ALEX Clark plays music by J S Bach, Mangore, Piazzolla, Albeniz and Montaña on classical guitar at Kangara Waters Retirement Village, 2 Joy Cummings Place,
By Helen Musa
Belconnen, 2.15pm, on Sunday, September 25. Bookings to trybooking.com or at the door.
ROBYN Mellor’s group of musicians, Polifemy, will join The Gentleman’s Agreement, Walking the Dog and Trumpet Club to perform compositions inspired by birds. Kookaburras and White-Throated Warblers will flock together with nightingales and cuckoos, in reality recorders, voices, brass and strings. At the High Court, 1.30pm, Sunday, September 25. Bookings essential to hcourt.gov.au
THE ANU School of Music’s “Rhythm & Blooms Festival” is a showcase of Canberra’s new and emerging musical talent, like the Hugo Lee Jazz Band, Betty Alto, Kaliede and Pocket Fox. At Floriade, September 27-October 7, noon to 1pm each weekday. Concerts are free.
THE Queanbeyan Art Society’s Spring Art Show for Charity will be opened in City Walk, Civic, at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 24, by Arts Minister Chris Bourke and Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council Administrator Tim Overall, with entertainment by the Sing Australia Choir. It runs until October 3.
OLIVER Goldsmith’s theatre classic, “She Stoops to Conquer”, is directed by Tony Turner in his fourth directorial role with Canberra REP. At Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton, September 23-October 8. Bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.
By Helen Musa
“EQUUS
HOMO” – Horse
Man or Man Horse. The very words might send a shiver up the spine of anyone familiar with ancient myths about man-animal hybrids or the Pale Horse ridden by the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse.
But to Canberra sculptor Stephen Harrison, who embraces those stories, the very idea of man and horse becoming one is grist to his artistic mill.
Soon, in a show that has resulted from his win in the Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s 2015 Exhibition Award, we’ll see the results of this vision.
Harrison has been busy for months pouring bronze after he was announced as a winner in AMP’s $1m “Tomorrow Makers 2015” project. That provided him with $10,000 to produce four sculptures of various sizes in bronze, a medium, he tells “CityNews”, that was “previously a bit unaffordable for me”.
When we caught up with him in full pouring mode, he paused to tell us that one of his “horse-men” bronzes had just been accepted in the 2017 Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe, Perth, the second time he’s been invited there, but the first
with a bronze.
His Tuggeranong show will be called “Equus Homo”. Yes it’s Latin, “a nod to sculptures of antiquity,” he says. There are many cultures, Harrison says, and not just Greek and Roman ones, that have the mythology of a hybrid human animal, the centaur being the horsiest of those. In recent years he’s been taking his exploration of the human element in horses to the limit and, in 2014 with his installation “The Three Horseman Conference”, he won YASSarts’ 2014 Sculpture in the Paddock.
“Barrel and Dagger (Macbeth)”, the unsettling sculpture of Shakespeare’s hero as a horse with knife in hoof that won him the Tuggeranong exhibition award last year, is one of several anthropomorphic sculptures referencing the Bard – another shows two Hamlet-horses sitting with skulls by them.
In the Tuggeranong exhibition, he’ll be combining sculpture and photographs. There will be white plaster sculptures, but some of the bronzes, too, will be ready.
As for the wild horses of Kosciuszko, he says: “On seeing those horses for the first time, the imagination starts.”
“Equus Homo”, by Stephen Harrison, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 6-29.
“Bridget
Jones’s Baby” (M)
TWELVE years ago, in the second film based on the life and misfortunes of Helen Fielding’s literary cash cow Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), Hugh Grant played caddish Daniel.
Keep Danny-boy in mind. Early in this sequel, a London newspaper shows his photo illustrating a story about his disappearance in a tropical jungle.
If I’ve so far used space telling you about a character who’s not in Sharon Maguire’s film, which opens with Bridget at age 43 employed to prompt Hard News Channel interviewers with hard questions to throw guests off message, please be patient and keep reading.
Writing the screenplay for Bridget III is a triumvirate comprising Fielding, Dan Mazer (whose CV includes several of Sacha Baron Cohen’s maddest movies) and Emma Thompson. Ah, Emma, a superb actress with the chops to lift the dullest movies whenever she’s in shot and an Oscar for her screenplay of “Sense And Sensibility”. In this limp saga-ette telling how Bridget got pregnant with no idea which of two studs she bonked in a six-day periodis the father, she’s written the best bits for herself playing the obstetrician.
The screenplay keeps us on tenterhooks wondering which of them, in a casual bonk, fired that naughty sperm into Bridget’s waiting ovum – Colin Firth as QC Mark or Patrick Dempsey as Jack, mathematician and designer of an algorithm that calculates whether two people suit each other in a relationship.
The journey from conception to parturition and eventual marriage shows Bridget as somebody more concerned to blame others for her solitary condition than to do
By Dougal Macdonald
anything about it.
After the wedding, there’s another front page story and pic. Daniel’s been found alive in the jungle. To me, this foresees a fourth Bridget movie. Help!
At all cinemas
“Spin Out” (M)
CANBERRA-born former Doug Anthony All-Star Tim Ferguson makes his grown-up movie directing debut with this satire on that rural Australian social phenomenon, the Bachelors’ and Spinsters’ Ball, co-written with Edwina Exton. This ball climaxes a day of boys and girls competing in souped-up utes for a trophy for the most spectacular and risky wheelies (although speeds are not high). Those sequences, artfully shot using drone-mounted cameras, soon become boring, despite the drivers’ undeniable skills.
The sun sinking in the west is the signal for the girls to put on frocks, some of the boys to put on dinner jackets and trophy-winner guarding the door big Mary (Melissa Bergland) to hand out free condoms. The shallow plot follows a bumpy romance between clean-cut Billy (Xavier Samuel) and pretty Lucy (Morgan Griffin). Sparrow (Travis Jeffery), Billy’s partner in the spin-out contest, is besotted with Mary. In a youth not without nights of drinking, dancing and desire, the institution called B&S did not cross my path. I cannot tell how authentically ”Spin Out” depicts it. But the B&S clichés that Ferguson and Exton have dredged up quickly lose their freshness and attraction. At Hoyts
THE Canberra International Riesling Challenge (CIRC) was created in Canberra to highlight the grape that defines white wine, Riesling.
Now in its 17th year, the CIRC, October 10-15, attracts competing wines from the major Rieslingproducing countries and regions around the world and is the most significant event of its type in the southern hemisphere, says Ken Helm, chairman of CIRC.
“The event is not just about judging wines, but the promotion of the Riesling styles to the consumer, winemakers and sommeliers through seminars, master classes, food matching and a massive consumer tasting,” he says.
“Two key features of this year’s challenge are the Seminar on Riesling Excellence (Innovations in Riesling) and the Riedel Riesling Masterclass (41 degrees and further South, Rieslings from Tasmania and New Zealand), both taking place on Friday, October 14.
“Through these events, participants will be guided through the world of Riesling to learn more about this unique variety. They are being held at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
Ken Helm.
“Judging will be held at the Albert Hall between Tuesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 13.
All the CIRC judging is conducted on a regional basis and is designed to promote and explore the regional differences that Riesling expresses.
“This year, judging will again be under the chairmanship of John Belsham, from NZ, assisted by Anne Krebiehl MW, a London-based German wine writer; Jim Trezise, from the US, and Australians Trent Mannell, Kerri Thompson, Greer Carland and Ralph Kyte-Powell.
“This year’s Riesling Challenge
has again attracted strong interest in the associate judging positions, demonstrating the popularity and success of the initiative introduced in 2008 as a way of training up-andcoming judges in the appreciation of the world of Rieslings,” says Ken.
hide their identity.
“Regions are only revealed in the results catalogue.
The CIRC presents four opportunities for enthusiasts of Riesling to build their knowledge and enjoy tasting the world’s best Rieslings among leading experts from Australia, NZ and the US.
1. Seminar on Riesling Excellence, Innovations in Riesling Leading wine experts will present and discuss Rieslings made in innovative styles; the development of the International Riesling Foundation taste scale, and the impact of terroir on Riesling
Friday, October 14, 10.30am-12.30pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra (light lunch included). Co-hosted by the CIRC and by the National Wine & Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.
Tickets $70*, bookings required
2. Riedel Riesling Masterclass, 41 degrees and further South Featuring internationally recognised Riesling experts who will guide participants through the Riesling regions of NZ and the Rieslingproducing areas of Tasmania. These Rieslings are all produced in areas where the cool climate is achieved by latitude with associated long summer-day length. The master class will present wines and discuss the key terroir aspects of soil and climate that contribute to the regional differences in the wines. The presenters are both highly respected Riesling producers and judges
Friday October, 14, 1pm-3pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Convenors John Belsham (New Zealand) and Greer Carland (Tasmania).
Tickets $90*, bookings required.
*Book at the same time for the Seminar on Riesling Excellence and the Riedel Riesling Masterclass for $150.
3. Awards Presentation and Celebration of Riesling Taste the 2016 award-winning wines and others from a museum collection matched with food selected by the Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s executive chef.
“Judging will be conducted against the internationally recognised 100-point judging system, which was initiated in 2012 and brings the CIRC into alignment with other major International wine events.
“If you drink Riesling you will be a better person”
–
Paul Grieco, New York restaurateur
“Judges are only given the vintage and the sugar levels of the wines. Regions with large numbers of entries in a particular class are broken up into small judging groups between the two panels to further
“We will judge 508 entries from eight countries, the second highest number of entries since the Challenge commenced, with record entry numbers from Australia and Austria and the highest numbers of entries from the US and Germany since 2009. It includes 22 entries from Canberra District wineries.”
Ken says the quality of Riesling has improved markedly over the last 16 years along with increased understanding of the wide range of Riesling styles. This is reflected in the growing popularity of Riesling by Australian consumers.
“Interestingly, the ‘2015 National Wine Grape Vintage Report’, from the Winemakers Federation of Australia, showed strong profitability in cooler-climate, wine-growing areas, which are key Riesling-growing areas,” he says.
“This is very encouraging and augers well for the future of Riesling.”
I n a break from tradition this year the CIRC had two launch events with a taste-off in Wellington NZ between Canberra District and Wellington District Rieslings as part of the Sister City celebrations in July, and the official launch of the CIRC at the Canberra Airport earlier in September.
More information at rieslingchallenge.com
Friday, October 14, 6.30pm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. A limited number of tickets are available at $85, bookings required.
4. Canberra International Riesling Challenge ActewAGL Trade & Consumer Tasting
Taste the entries for yourself. This is a unique opportunity to taste some of the best Rieslings the world has to offer. Many of these Rieslings are not easily obtained in Australia.
Tickets are $45 and include a souvenir Riedel tasting glass and a copy of the official CIRC results catalogue. Bookings are not required. A number of the judges from the 2016 judging panel will be on hand at the tasting to answer questions on Riesling
Saturday, October 15, 11am-3pm, Albert Hall Canberra (trade representatives and exhibitors from 10am).
Bookings and enquiries for these events to info@rieslingchallenge.com or call 6286 7515. Booking forms at rieslingchallenge.com
Peter Bell has pulled together some great wines, with an ever-changing selection of up to 18 memorable picks by the glass. You won’t find thin sauv blancs here.
IF you love a good drop of wine, with great food to match, head over to Avenue C, one of the uber-cool places to open in Campbell (around the corner from The Pedlar).
Peter Bell – a top-notch sommelier –has opened the place with wife Rachel and they’ve truly created something unique. We immediately embraced the idea and the execution.
Avenue C is a wine bar and shop combined, and has already become a fab local.
Peter has pulled together some great wines, with an ever-changing selection of up to 18 memorable picks by the glass. You won’t find thin sauv blancs here. Avenue C can promise this because it’s invested in the innovative Perlage preservation system, which ensures
champagne retains original flavours and sparkle, and in Coravin technology to preserve wines so you can then indulge in the best of the best at any time.
At Avenue C, wines available by the glass are displayed on a huge blackboard, with each resting on a small timber shelf, and details written in chalk beside them. They range from $10.
But what about the food? The menu is designed around grazing, and graze we did. All food is prepared in a small area behind the bar – there’s no kitchen per se.
The grilled haloumi with honey, lemon and oregano ($14) was refreshingly different, although the three, thin slices looked lost in the rather big bowl they were served in.
The generous slice of creamy chicken liver parfait ($18) was decadent. We had to order more toasted brioche so as not to waste even the smallest mouthful. I’d be automatically serving extra slices.
Rabbit terrine… “Don’t shy away if you don’t like rabbit. This is an interesting, not strong-tasting, dish,” says Wendy Johnson.
by Andrew Finch
By Richard Calver
IN 2015 my daughter was a waiter at 19. Through some strange synchronicity, I was a waiter/ barman at 19. But that was in 1972. I want to share some of the differences and similarities between now and then.
For a start we both had ponytails, which we tied up, too, as part of the service routine. But hair is now a distant memory for me; luckily not for her.
We adored the rabbit terrine, another generous slice ($19) and would have it again in a flash. Don’t shy away if you don’t like rabbit. This is an interesting, not strong-tasting, dish. Our lunch was topped off with warm zucchini salad with lemon and sea salt ($14).
We asked for wine-matching recommendations and fell in love with each glass, especially the Verget Au Fils Du Temps (“as time goes by”) – Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Chardonnay –
$11. Indeed, we both bought a bottle to take home.
The décor is nicely themed with framed maps of wonderful wine regions from around the world hanging on one wall, such as Cote du Rhone, and the bar area featuring sections of wood from wine crates spruced up with the names and seals of winemakers stamped into them.
We’ll be back to Avenue C, and soon. We look forward to sitting outside on the patio in the nice weather.
Avenue C, 55/65 Constitution Avenue, Campbell. Call 6247 5991.
SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER & SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER 10AM - 5PM
Indulge yourself with fine food matched with premium wines, enjoy local produce, win prizes and spend some relaxing time among the vines
From Page 21
private investors in Canberra, Sydney and elsewhere, Screen Australia and the ACT government, especially through Screen ACT’s CEO Monica Penders, who found them a production base in Watson.
The local crew, he says, were “fantastic perfectionists”. The cinematographer Simon Chapman has family in Canberra, the production designer Marisa Martin is a respected Canberra filmmaker, casting director Kirsty McGregor is from a famous Canberra theatre family and make-up designer Toni Ffrench, who lives here, is in hot demand internationally.
The locations are mainly North Canberra.
“Some of the key scenes are set in autumnal Canberra, raising the question, how can such terrible things happened in such a beautiful place?” he says.
It’s not all autumn – the real Joe died on a beautiful day in late spring. Cinematic cliché? Maybe, but as Dounoukos puts it: “We can show the light side and the dark, evil side of Canberra, too… people have free will to do the right thing or the wrong”.
“Unfortunately, many people will be saying: ‘Canberra is a weird place’.”
“Joe Cinque’s Consolation”, Palace Electric Canberra from October 13, bookings to palacecinemas.com.au
Secondly, my daughter was required to undertake a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course before she could commence work.
One of the things the RSA taught her was how to assess and monitor the intoxication levels of patrons and how, diplomatically, to refuse service. She also learned how to measure standard drinks and advise patrons.
In NZ in 1972 where I tended bar and served as a waiter in an up-market reception centre (weddings, parties and serious attitude) we didn’t have RSA. We had Vince. Vince was a large person. He was charming and always wore a dinner suit. But he was also very strong and could apply a headlock with amazing speed, marching drunken or misbehaving patrons to the door with rapidity. And we had shot glasses to measure out the spirits, sized glasses for the beer and a “how much would you like” attitude to pouring wine; patrons would often say, when you left room in the glass for the wine to breathe, “fill it up, mate”. The emphasis was on the customers monitoring their own intake: in my view, the RSA philosophy puts too much responsibility on those running the business and those they employ. There should be a greater emphasis on customers’ responsible consumption of alcohol.
The third difference is that my daughter completed a bar service course at the Canberra Institute of Technology. I was helped by an Irishman (not a joke!) who knew more about beverages than was good for him and an English book that cost $NZ1.95 which I still possess. It’s called “All You Need to Know About Drinks” and, thankfully for me, it lived up to its title. In 64 pages it encapsulated a great deal of helpful material about wine, beer, making cocktails and insights into appropriate glassware. The last two pages even deal with what to do about hangovers.
And the great part about keeping hold of the book was that I could share with my daughter the wisdom and whimsy that its pages contain. Everybody should know that part of the décor of the tomb of Ptah-Hotep, who died about 4000 BC, shows the harvesting and pressing of grapes.
But on the subject of wine, the advice in the book is still excellent. The philosophy that is encapsulated in its pages is what I hope my daughter will apply now that she is on a working holiday in Europe. The book says: “Wine is like music – describing it in words means very little. The experience of other people is not much help but, in fact, understanding it for yourself is quite easy.”
The aim is to try things for yourself and tell others why you like particular wines, having regard to your own tastes and preferences. You need to know what you like and why others may or may not. For example, when you are young you tend to prefer sweet drinks, which seem sickly and mouth-dredging when you are older.
And the final similarity rings those bells. In 1972, my drink of choice was a screwdriver. This is simply equal amounts of vodka and iced orange juice. It tasted good because of the orange juice. The drink of choice that my daughter brought home in a six pack – a “juicy watermelon” vodka cruiser. I tasted one on a cloudy day as I was cleaning out the cupboard in the corner where the wine is kept. It tasted of nostalgia.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Monday’s Sun/Jupiter link-up ignites your adventurous dare-devil side but slow and calm down – otherwise you’ll come a cropper! Your ruler Mars races into your reputation and career zone (from Tuesday until November 9) so expect to be in the public eye in some way. When it comes to work, a strategic approach (with a view to the long-term) is the smart way to go. Friday night’s Libran New Moon encourages you to be a gentle Lamb – rather than a rowdy Ram!
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Mars charges into your adventure zone on Tuesday so get your passport out of storage, and start planning your next overseas holiday, interstate getaway or weekend escapade. Friday night’s New Moon also provides a shot of adrenalin to tired old routines. Attached Bulls – magical moments in the moonlight are likely on Saturday night, when Venus and Neptune ratchet up the romantic vibes. Singles – be on the lookout for a suave suitor with a head full of schemes and a bag full of dreams.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Monday’s Sun/Jupiter connection increases your Gemini optimism, and decreases your already short attention span. So aim to be generous rather than garrulous; and spontaneous rather than slap-dash. Then the New Moon lights up your creativity zone which highlights self-expression, music, art, drama and entertainment. Friendships are also favoured, as you share fun activities together. But tread carefully with an unpredictable parent or a tearaway teenager.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
It’s a wonderful week to play Domestic Diva as you clean, de-clutter, and tweak the feng-shui in your home. Motivation is especially high on Monday, when you’re ready to tackle a pile of paperwork or a project that’s been on the backburner. But don’t get so carried away with good intentions that you neglect important details along the way. On the weekend is time to get talking with a disgruntled family member, as the New Moon encourages you to see things from their perspective.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
It’s time for listless Lions to get your mojo back as Jupiter gives you an energy boost; you tap into your personal power; and motivation is high. Making lucky connections via social media is particularly favoured. And vigorous physical exercise will also put you in a positive (and frisky) frame of mind. But is a relationship with a relative on rocky ground? If you tune into the harmonious vibes of Friday night’s New Moon, you’ll find calm cooperation will get you a lot further than fireworks!
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
A sensible and structured approach is the best way to make the most of this week’s positive stars. Mars moves into Capricorn, which suits work that requires a disciplined mind, good concentration and close attention to detail. Virgo heaven! So don’t waste the chance to get things done. The late week New Moon motivates you to build up your money muscles, and become more financially savvy. When it comes to joint finances, expect the unexpected – and prepare accordingly.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Stylish Librans have a passion for fashion. And this week’s New Moon (in your sign) is the perfect time for a hot new hairstyle, a marvellous makeup makeover or a creative wardrobe revamp. The weekend is wonderful for candlelit dinners, magical moonlight swims and romantic reveries. Your imagination also takes flight, as you dream big dreams for the future. Just remember to put plans into action. There’s a fine line between creative inspiration and wishful thinking!
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
Scorpio is an intense sign of extremes, and life can be exhausting as you hurtle from high drama to drama (and back again). With Venus visiting your sign (and connecting with spiritual Neptune) it’s the perfect week to bring more peace, harmony and happiness into your world. Moderation and balance are the keys. So your motto is from birthday great, Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
With taskmaster Saturn moving slowly through your sign, it may seem as if problems are meeting you around every corner. But with the Sun, Jupiter and the New Moon on your side this week – it’s time to make your goals and dreams for the future as big and beautiful as possible. If you do, then mistakes will just motivate you and challenges will spur you on. Be inspired by birthday great, writer Truman Capote: “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Mars marches into Capricorn on Tuesday (where it stays until November 9). So it’s time to be even more motivated and career-minded as you initiate ideas, launch projects and zoom ahead with extra energy and plenty of Capricorn chutzpah! But are you pursuing your professional dreams and getting the results you want at work? If not, then some subtle adjustments are needed, as the New Moon urges you to take action. The weekend favours communicating in creative ways.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
When it comes to your Aquarian aspirations, you’ll feel restless this week. The Sun and Jupiter boost your bravado, and encourage you to set ambitious goals for the future. Then your education/adventure zone is stimulated by the New Moon so expect a fresh cycle of study, travel or outdoor adventures over the next few months. Come the weekend, the focus is on money matters. You’ll find the more creatively and proactively you nurture your nest egg, the more it will gradually grow.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
This week’s stars are incredibly creative but don’t get carried away and blur the boundaries between fact and fantasy. The New Moon lights up your lust zone so, if you’re attached, you can look forward to a racy rendezvous with your beloved. Venus and Neptune activate your travel zone, so a flirtation with a sexy foreigner [in person or online] is likely for some singles. But can you distinguish between a soul mate connection and a dating disaster? Let your intuition be your guide.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2016 Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore
3 Name a renowned English prison.
7 What is a systematic contest of speakers in which two opposing points of view are advanced?
8 Name another term for red or reddish.
9 Who pioneered the scientific breeding of wheats resistant to rust, etc?
10 Which other expression means to vaccinate?
11 To run naked through a crowd is to do what?
14 What are bunks, allotted to travellers as sleeping spaces?
17 What is an alternative term for a bandage, or the like?
18 Name another word for a summerhouse.
19 The e-tag takes the place of money at which booth?
20 What do we call one who flees from one’s native land?
21 What are monkey wrenches also known as? Down
1 What, in computers, is one million binary digits?
2 Name a particular kind of lace.
3 Which crane-like device is used for lifting and moving heavy weights?
4 Name an Australian weekly newspaper published by the Communist Party.
5 What is another name for an ophthalmologist?
6 Name the US composer who was in partnership with Lorenz Hart, and later with Oscar Hammerstein.
11 When one raises the right hand to the side of the headgear, one does what?
12 What describes the insignia of any office or order?
13 Which substance, when injected into animal tissues, will stimulate the production of antibodies?
14 Name the pop group formed in the 1950s by the three Gibb brothers (3,4).
15 What, in mosses, is a rootlike filament by which the plant is attached to the substratum?
16 Who wrote Capricornia, Xavier ...?
JERRY called in saying he had heard there were changes to superannuation and wanted to know how they would affect his business.
I told him he was certainly correct about recent, announced changes to the original Federal Budget proposals but, at this stage, no legislation had been passed.
I said the plan now was that from July 1, 2017, there would be a $1.6 million transfer cap that could be transferred on retirement to a tax-free retirement account.
“This is the account from where your pension will be paid,” I said. “The pension will be tax free. Your superannuation balance is close to $1.6 million and if it does exceed the cap you have a couple of choices on retirement.
“The first is to transfer the excess back into a superannuation accumulation account. You will then pay 15 per cent tax on the earnings. Or you can choose to withdraw the excess from superannuation and pay normal tax.
“As individual tax rates are higher than 15 per cent leaving the money in superannuation may well be the best option for you. Once you have set up the transfer, if the value of the fund increases above the cap nothing further is required.”
Jerry felt that wasn’t as bad as he thought it might be, but wanted to know what happened to the idea of backdating $500,000.
“That’s been abolished, I’m afraid, Jerry,” I told him.
“That was the non-concessional contributions cap. Non-concessional contributions are those contributions that you make for which you do not receive a tax deduction. There will now not be a separate nonconcessional contributions retirement cap; $1.6 million is the total that you can have in tax-free superannuation at retirement.
“There will continue to be a non-concessional contributions cap, but from July 1, 2017, it will be reduced from $180,000 to $100,000. It will only be available to people who have a balance of less than $1.6 million in superannuation.
“So, if your superannuation balance is less than $1.6 million, you will be able to make non-concessional contributions.
“There is also a three-year bring forward, which means that in any three-year period you will be able to contribute $300,000. As you are close to your cap and staff are not, I suggest that we examine boosting their superannuation over the next few years.
“There is also a provision which will allow members with balances of less than $500,000 to roll over any unused concessional contributions caps for up to five years. So this should also enable Belinda to ramp up her superannuation in a tax-deductible way as her balance is currently quite low.”
I remembered that Jerry had also asked about his employee, David, who is 70.
“You will still be able to contribute to superannuation for him provided he satisfies the work test, that is he works more than 40 hours in any 30-day period. He can also make concessional contributions, but he will not be able to bring forward three years’ contributions.”
Jerry seemed very satisfied and appreciative as he left the office.
If you need advice on any superannuation or tax related matter contact the friendly team at Gail
COMPLETELY hidden from the road, Ursula Reid’s secret Queanbeyan garden backs on to the river and features a riverside walkway, a waterfall that runs from the top level to the bottom and several heritagelisted trees.
“A real point of difference with the garden is that you can’t see anything of it from the street, so you have to drive in to find out what’s here,” Ursula says.
Ursula is opening the garden to the public on the weekend of October 8-9 to honour her husband Keith, who passed away three years ago, and also to raise funds for the charity HOME in Queanbeyan.
It’s the second time she has opened the garden, and says the last event in 2014 was a success with around 500 people coming along and raising almost $3000 for HOME in Queanbeyan.
“It was tiring but I think it’s a good thing to do,” she says. “Since the last time, we have converted raised veggie beds into raised flower beds, which give a splash of colour, and added baby cyclamen which were Keith’s favourites.
“Hosting this event keeps Keith’s name out there and his memory alive.
“His spirit lives on in the garden we created together,
Words: Kathryn Vukovljak
Photos: Andrew Finch
and the memorial bench under the heritage-listed pepper tree is a wonderfully peaceful spot that he used to love.”
Ursula and Keith created the tranquil garden when they bought the property in 1999. Established from 2000, the garden was originally the site of a kitchen garden belonging to Benedict House when it was a convent, Ursula says.
“The block overlooks the riverside walkway, blending natives with ornamentals and this year the Geranium and Fuchsia Society will be displaying their plants in the propagation glasshouse for the weekend,” she says.
“We will also have glass artist Lisa Cahill selling her jewellery, live music on both days, with Stuart Warner on Saturday and Chrissie Shaw on Sunday.
“Kitchen Witchery will provide refreshments, and this year we will also be selling recipes of some of Keith’s favourite soups, with some available to sample.”
The Keith Reid Memorial Open Garden at 7A Thorpe Avenue, Queanbeyan, is open 10am-4pm on the weekend of October 8-9. Refreshments will be available. Entry $5 and proceeds will go to the charity HOME in Queanbeyan.
WHILE some gardeners love their lawns, irrespective of maintenance costs, others may be wondering what the alternatives to grass are.
It was a journey of discovery for me, too, that began at the start of the drought in 2003.
We all thought the dry was a one off and never imagined it would go on until 2008.
The dam levels dropped and severe water restrictions came into force with no lawn watering allowed.
I was appointed ActewAGL’s Water Ambassador and, with Simon Woolford, appeared in a series of fun but serious-messaged “Stop the Drop” ads on TV.
At that time, our front garden comprised two lawns; one was the nature strip and the other inside a curved hedge of photinia.
As the grass took on the familiar brown tinge of drought, I felt, as Water Ambassador, that I needed to set an example.
I looked at the alternatives and, for some time, was attracted by a Mediterranean look with hardy plants but was ultimately influenced by Olivier Filippi’s book “The Dry Gardening Handbook”, based on his dry garden in the south of France.
In a review of the book, I completely concurred with the accolades of gardeners and garden writers around the world that this book was groundbreaking and one of the best of its type.
It was the inspiration to eliminating our lawns at home and installing a Mediterranean garden, which is perfect for Canberra’s climate and our desire to use less water.
Three years later... a low-maintenance Mediterranean garden.
every aspect of dry-climate gardening from ground preparation to planting and irrigation. The extensive plant lists in both volumes are virtually all suitable for Canberra gardens.
Filippi recommends Lambley Nursery (lambley.com.au), of Victoria, for an excellent range of Mediterranean plants.
• Hopefully, the worst of the frosts are over and it should be safe to plant citrus trees.
• As the new shoots appear on fuchsia, trim off any dead branches and feed.
Filippi’s just-published follow-up, “Planting Design for Dry Gardens” (Filbert Press), is equally a winner and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Its sub-title sums the contents up: “Beautiful, resilient ground covers for terraces, paved areas, gravel and other alternatives to the lawn”.
Many of the listed plants will be familiar, such as thymes, Phyla nodiflora and Viola hederacea
In my library of garden books, I consider “Australian Native Plants” by Wrigley and Fagg to have no equal on native plants; then comes Filippi’s two books that, despite being written in France, are absolutely applicable to our climate covering
• If spring bulbs have finished flowering, you don’t have to wait until the foliage dies down. Cut back to ground level four weeks after flowering.
• Plant gladioli corms, a few each week over the next month. They take about 90-100 days to flower.
• Making your first garden? You’ll need “The Canberra Gardener”, published by the Horticultural Society of Canberra. Available from newsagents and bookshops.
Out goes the lawn and in goes the drip irrigation.
