160929 citynews

Polling power to the people

MICHAEL MOORE

Wake up, this stuff matters

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Trains and votes and planes…

ROBERT MACKLIN

A wine to rhyme with ‘piano’

RICHARD CALVER

In search of a sense less common

CHRIS COLEMAN

Trains and votes and planes go for a cycle

The tram seems the one great issue dividing the parties; and it was not a good week for the light-rail advocates.

TRAVEL in its many and varied forms dominated the news cycle this past week as the local electoral office revealed 141 candidates (with men outnumbering women two to one) seeking our votes in next month’s ACT election.

CM Andrew Barr’s first international flight brought 240 visitors and home-comers from Singapore, then headed out under glowering skies to Wellington. Great for Canberra’s travellers but will the arrivals be as numerous as the departures? That’s the $64,000 question.

LIB Leader

Jeremy Hanson and deputy Alistair Coe promised to widen Northbourne Avenue

for a “rapid transit corridor” that would allow buses to zip down the road faster than the Barr-Rattenbury tram, “and at a fraction of the cost”.

Indeed, the tram seems the one great issue dividing the parties; and it was not a good week for the light-rail advocates.

Our own “CityNews” ran a devastating analysis by John L Smith, chairman of CanTheTram, who pointed out that the government was using it to subvert the Walter Griffin plan for decentralised major town centres providing jobs and services to the surrounding population. Instead, we’d have light rail “corridors” lined by multistorey buildings converging on Civic. That’s a very different Canberra from the one we know and love. Perhaps it’s the 21st century way, but well worth a vote before we head down that road (or corridor).

THE Greens want the best of both worlds. The Gungahlin tram was their idea, and now they’ve announced $132 million for more

dose of dorin

“clean energy” buses to connect it to the ACTION network and hang the expense.

MEANTIME, the newly-formed Forrest Residents Group protested against a $70 million hotel complex on the old Italo-Australian

ROBERT MACKLIN

Looking for that Perfect Gift?

Club on grounds that it’s not really suitable to their refined tastes. All part of Canberra’s evolution – the north all “get-up-and-go”, while the south cultivates its “heritage”.

OVERSEAS, PM Malcolm Turnbull made much of John Howard’s heritage in border protection by keeping out those pesky refugees from the wars he and his mates George W. Bush and Tony Blair visited

upon the Middle East. Malcolm then used it to savage Kevin Rudd and justify his refusal to nominate the former PM for UN Secretary-General. A ravaged-looking Rudd replied in kind… while Australia averted its eyes in embarrassment.

ACTING PM Barnaby Joyce pursued his personal political pork barrelling in moving the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority from Canberra to his own electorate in Armidale. He’s not only hiding the $272,000 cost benefit analysis, his department is now chasing office space for the Authority’s 175 public servants, hardly any of whom have agreed to move!

SPEAKING of shameless, Labor playing politics over the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite does no one any credit. They want Turnbull to defy his right wing and bring on a free vote in the House. Clever politics, or too clever by half? The ball’s in Turnbull’s court.

FINALLY, a thousand thanks to editor Ian Meikle for taking charge of “Seven Days” while we flaunted “Hamilton Hume” at writers’ festivals around the country and the book clocked up its fifth reprint. We’re back on the road shortly but this time will be taking the column along for the ride. Hey-ho, Silver! robert@robertmacklin.com

Beautiful Gifting

news / fashfest

Fashfest rolls out the red carpet

HIGH-end fashion show, Fashfest, is set to roll out the red carpet for its fourth year, having moved from chilly May to early spring to enable designers to launch spring/summer collections in time for the new season.

This year, the event has also changed its format, winding back to three nights but upping to six shows, two a night at the Canberra Convention Centre.

It will showcase not just local and independent designers, but interstate and overseas ones and, for the first time, include big-name labels retailing out of major shopping centres, such as Country Road, Cue and Saba.

“Local designers will always be in focus, but to keep the show growing, we need to expand our horizons, for guests who come every year who want to see new labels and designers and want to experience showcasing with new labels,” says Fashfest CEO Clint Hutchinson.

“Canberra only has a finite number of fashion designers.”

Fashfest 2016 is promising its biggest show with more than 40 designers launching new collections, including two from NZ – Melanie Child and A’au Elei – and one from Mumbai, Vitamin by Sonalika.

New local designers cover the full spectrum of fashion, from Naomi Peris

WHEN IT MATTERS

Bridal, whose gowns are handmade using French laces, intricate beadings and fine tailoring, to VFP, with designers Pollah Howe and Vincent Nguyen seeing fashion as an art form and creating exotic silhouettes, to ONTHEGO Sports that creates custom sportswear.

Many well-established Canberra designers are back, including Karen Lee, Sovata, Zilpah tart and Braddon Tailors. Several local designers who had a break from the event are re-appearing, including Edition, Hunter the Label and Pure Pod.

This year, Fashfest has attracted several regional labels, including Charly Thorn from Cooma. At just 17 years of age, Charly is the event’s youngest designer. One of her garments will be worn by former international supermodel Anneliese Seubert, who is originally from Cooma but who now calls Canberra home.

Beyond fashion, the event focuses on showcasing the work of Canberra musicians, filmmakers as well as hair and make-up artists. This year, a recordnumber of 25 DJs and live musicians will play original tunes. Each fashion show incorporates an original film, with six filmmakers having directed a film that promises to make guests think of Canberra in a new light.

Fashfest, September 29-October 3. Tickets, from $49, at fashfest.com.au

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

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Brian gets a distant

Freyla Ferguson reports

IN a remote dental clinic in the Indian Himalayas, dentist Tara McAndrew and husband Brian helped to improve the smiles of hundreds of children.

The couple spent two weeks working in one of the many clinics run by Global Dental Relief – a US-based charity whose mission is to bring free dental care to children throughout the world.

Brian, who works in the IT field, and had never done dental work before, became Tara’s dental assistant on the trip. She says that as a non-dental volunteer, they didn’t know what work Brian was expected to do.

“My husband learnt a lot and a lot more about dentistry,” she says.

“He now appreciates how stressful my job can get because it is very time specific.

“Although he says he not going to quit his job any time soon, he felt it was very rewarding. He saw that it can make such an impact on people – even a treatment that can simply make a smile nicer.”

Using volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants and non-dental volunteers, the charity delivers treatment and preventative care for children in schools, orphanages and remote villages in Nepal, India, Guatemala, Kenya

and Cambodia.

For the McAndrews, they headed to Ladakh, located on the Tibetan Plateau, surrounded by the Himalayan, Karakoram and Zanskar mountains. In Ladakh they were based in the small town of Leh – which sits at an altitude of 12,000ft.

The couple ended up treating hundreds of children, aged from six to 18-years-old, working six days straight, where Tara used a headlamp as a light.

In total, 558 patients were treated by six dentists, one hygienist, eight non-dental volunteers and two team leaders – adding up to about $215,000 worth of treatment for the community.

“We worked really hard to see as many people as we could, but still ensured we did good, quality work,” Tara says.

“What I heard from local people is that Leh is becoming increasingly popular with tourists.

“There’s been rapid change and it’s gone from being an isolated region to a lot of guest houses.

“The kids in that region are being exposed to a more Western diet.

“Going overseas and doing any charity work really helps you to immerse yourself in the culture, eat the local food and feel like you’re helping that community.”

Tara has previously done charity dental work in Vietnam with another charity. She wanted to stress to the children she was treating the importance of prevention.

“Most

“The

“Over

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.

For all Canberrans

Vote 1  Brooke Curtin Liberal for Kurrajong

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.

• Authorised by Dan Clode for Brooke Curtin

Power to the people

ACT voters have extraordinary power in the upcoming election. Thanks to Hare-Clark, voters can influence choice of both parties and individual candidates.

A sensible voter who understands the critical nature of preferences will have significant influence on who gets elected.

The vast majority of the 25 members who are elected will finally get there on preferences.

Although the ballot paper

A sensible voter who understands the critical nature of preferences will have significant influence on who gets elected.

will instruct you to number “at least one to five” on the ballot paper, the knowledgeable voter will continue voting.

Follow through numbering the ballot paper as far as possible – with one exception. Avoid putting a number against a candidate that you consider intolerable.

ACT legislation gives priority to recognising voter intention, which means that even if there is only one number on a ballot paper it will be valid and will go to that candidate.

However, that vote is likely to be wasted either in part or wholly.

The further a voter numbers the boxes, the more likely they will have a say in who gets elected. It is a complex

preferential, proportional representation system to understand in its entirety. However, it is not difficult to use.

There are 141 candidates registered for the October 15 election, more than ever before.

However, there are also now five, rather than three, electorates.

There are 24 candidates in Yerrabi, 27 in Kurrajong, 28 in Brindabella, 29 in Murrumbidgee and 33 in Ginninderra. It will not take too long to sequentially number all the individuals in preferential order in any of the electorates. As other candidates drop out, the chances improve for a candidate.

Not putting a number against a candidate who is

lowbrow This stuff really matters because…

philosophically or personally unacceptable avoids any chance of support. A candidate may remain in the race after a lead candidate (such as the Chief Minister or Opposition Leader) has an excess of votes beyond a quota distributed.

Secondly, other voters may have stopped voting early with the objectionable candidate remaining in the race while others are eliminated.

An undesirable candidate might eventually pick up the vote that has been cast by someone who really did not want to assist in their election.

The flipside is a voter who keeps placing numbers against as many candidates as possible is much more likely to have a stronger voice around who is elected.

Policy plays an incredibly important role in elections. However, under our system of preferential, proportional representation, Hare-Clark, being well-known is also a very important factor for someone hoping to get elected.

The electorate of Murrumbidgee is interesting with only two sitting MLAs. Both are Liberals – the well-known and popular Opposition Leader, Jeremy Hanson, and colleague Giulia Jones. Labor doesn’t have a sitting MLA as a candidate.

The best known, beyond sitting members, are former Greens MLA Caroline Le Cou-

teur and long-term Canberra identity Robbie Swan, who is standing for the Australian Sex Party. Labor’s Mark Kulasingham and Rebecca Cody are known – but not to the extent of the others.

These candidates have the advantage of being listed under a party name – bringing policy and identity together.

The electorate of Ginninderra has most candidates. There are eight independent candidates including Leigh Watson and Kim Huynh.

The major parties have sitting MLAs and the daughters of two MLAs from the first Assembly, Labor’s Yvette Berry MLA (daughter of Wayne Berry) and Liberal Denise Fisher (daughter of Trevor Kaine). Vicki Dunne MLA and Chris Bourke MLA are also contesting this seat.

The Greens Indra Esguerra has been a political staffer and will add interest to this electorate.

They will compete with smaller parties and lessknown candidates.

The ACT government will have a major influence on our lives – on education, health, rates, roads and amenity. Work out who is worth voting for in this election and keep numbering as far as possible.

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

AS another ACT election bears down remorselessly on a largely unsuspecting population it’s worth thinking about what’s at stake here.

Canberrans are not overly troubled by democracy. Every four years we get to elect some candidates who in turn take that vote as an endorsement of their entire agenda.

In Federal elections, there’s nothing to get excited about. Canberra will, come hell or high water, return two Labor members in the Reps and a Liberal and a Labor candidate in the Senate.

We generally have things pretty good in Canberra, so there’s not much a member of Parliament can offer us, particularly when the parties can take us for granted anyway.

But local politics? I realise most of you have slept through the issues for the last four years, but this stuff matters.

For a start your vote is going to be crucial to both the careers of something like a dozen aspirational politicians in each electorate. These poor buggers have spent the past four years going to a huge number of very boring meetings so you don’t have to.

Do you want an anti-corruption body turning over the rocks of Canberra’s political economy or do you think everything is fine under those rocks?

Those community council meetings you were invited to but couldn’t be bothered (don’t feel bad, I couldn’t be stuffed either)? Our aspirants were there. They’d read all the submissions and proposals, too.

Party sub-branch meetings? Dozens of them.

They’ve knocked on doors, stood in the rain outside shopping centres with their sad balloons and all for what?

Come election day the likes of you and I will judge them and, in most cases, find them undeserving of a numbered box.

What is at stake for you though is enormous.

Will we spend a huge amount of money on a light rail line? Will we spend a somewhat less huge amount to not build it?

Will we build a vast gambling den at the edge of Glebe Park if it can fund our football teams on the backs of problem gamblers?

Do you want rising rates to price you out of your homes to pay for our elected leaders to go to fabulous parties?

Are you happy to see the neighbourhood you grew up in torn down and rebuilt as

JOHN GRIFFITHS

high-rise developments enriching fasttalking men in shiny suits and housing people you’ll never meet?

Do you want an anti-corruption body turning over the rocks of Canberra’s political economy or do you think everything is fine under those rocks?

Do you want better public transport or better parking? How much are you willing or able to pay for that parking?

None of this is simple, and neither is figuring out who to vote for even if you really know what you want.

At least as important as knowing what you want is truly knowing what you’re willing to pay to get it. There are more than a few devils’ bargains in the electoral offerings this year.

As for independents. Some are well-meaning amateurs. Some are stooges for major parties. Some of them are being bank-rolled by corporate interests, which won’t become clear until after the election, if at all.

On the plus side even if you decide the cut of a party’s jib you can still choose which candidates to preference.

Choose wisely. The future very literally depends on it.

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

Can’t get to a polling place on 15 October?

If you can’t get to a polling place on ACT election day, 15 October, don’t worry. You can cast an early vote at a pre-poll voting centre.

Pre-poll voting centres will be open from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday 27 September each weekday (except the public holiday, Monday 3 October) and on Saturday 8 October; and from 9am to 8pm on Friday 14 October.

Belconnen: Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court

Canberra City: Pilgrim House, 69 Northbourne Avenu Eclipse House, 197 London Circuit

Gungahlin: Gungahlin Library, Hibberson St

Tuggeranong: Salvation Army Hall, Corner Anketell St and Reed St North

Woden/Phillip: Callam Offices, 58 Easty St

Or you can apply for a postal vote:

• online at www.elections.act.gov.au

• by calling Elections ACT on (02) 6205 0033

• by completing an application form available at any ACT Post Office, or ACT electoral office.

For more information, look for the Election Guide in your letterbox soon. Remember, voting is compulsory.

Are you ready to vote?

Griffins didn’t see the lights coming

WALTER and Marion Griffin designed Northbourne Avenue NOT to have traffic lights. The traffic lights that have been installed since 1965 have to spend extra time being red, simply to allow time for traffic to cross the wide median as it clears the intersection.

This reduces traffic flow, and causes a disproportionate increase in congestion delays. Pedestrians who make the 45-second walk across Northbourne Avenue have to spend up to three extra minutes waiting at pedestrian signals. This discourages walking and creates a commercial divide between east and west Civic.

If Walter and Marion had anticipated traffic signals, they would have avoided these problems by putting the road down the middle of Northbourne Avenue, and the parks along the sides. That would have the added bonus of making several hectares of public parkland accessible from sidewalk cafes.

None of Canberra’s major parties offers a vision that addresses this problem. Under the Liberal plan it will remain possible to give Northbourne Avenue a sensible layout. But by building light rail down the centre of Northbourne Avenue, Labor and the Greens will prevent this for another 40 years.

Leon Arundell, Downer

Walter not Burley

IN Nichole Overall’s column about Queanbeyan’s birthday (CN, September 22) a slight correction is required. She mentions Mr Burley Griffin, but it should be Mr Walter Griffin. It’s an easy mistake, given the lake is named after Burley Griffin. Perhaps there’s a follow up on the stuff up in using Griffin’s middle name instead of his first.

Ron Jenkins, via email

Use for election signs

WHILE it’s still far too early to plant tomatoes, it’s an ideal time to lay in stocks of tomato stakes, but I’m not quite sure what to do with the corflute, maybe for raised veggie beds? At least it would help reduce the (election) visual pollution that is a blot on the landscape at present!

Cedric Bryant, Watson

Upset by Dougal’s review

I VISITED Canberra last week and read your magazine in my hotel room and enjoyed it until I read the review for “Bridget Jones’s Baby” by Dougal Macdonald. I cannot believe that a reviewer would give away the ending of a movie and spoil it for everyone.

I saw the film last Monday and was crying with laughter it was so funny.

I think Dougal is not the sort of person to review a film like this as he is the only one who has given it a low rating.

Valerie Hobbs, via email

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601.

In search of a sense less common

We have signs telling us not to park like morons, but a media release reminding us to read the signs. Signs that more or less tell us not to park like morons.

AS a youngster, I lost count of the number of times my father said to me: “There’s nothing as uncommon as common sense” when I had – again – failed to apply the commonsense test to my own behaviour.

As I’ve aged, I think I make fewer such decisions; but I wonder at times if we have created a society where common sense isn’t merely uncommon, it should be on a UN Endangered Species list.

A media release from Floriade arrived on my desk last week. It was titled: “Floriade visitors reminded to park legally”.

My first thought was that there must have been a rash of people parking their cars in the flowerbeds, but further reading revealed a more mundane truth, although I had momentary hope of excitement when reading the second paragraph: “Parking illegally can be an inconvenience for others and in some cases puts motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in danger”.

DANGER, now you’re talking! My overactive imagination was off and running with thoughts of a legitimate Hollywood blockbuster storyline... tourists staring down illegally parked cars in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic flower show showdown. But no, the actual “reminder” part detailed the various places it is an offence to park – nature strips, footpaths, landscaped areas… all pretty vanilla stuff.

It also included the advice that: “Signs are in place advising motorists not to park on these areas” and a warning that parking inspectors will be on patrol.

So, we’ve reached the point where, as a society, we have signs telling us not to park like morons, but a media release reminding us to read the signs. Signs that more or less tell us not to park like morons.

Picnic for teddies

CHILDREN are invited to bring along their favourite teddies to the Hall Markets’ Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Sunday, October 2.

There will be entertainment, a giant teddy bear, games and prizes for the best dressed teddy and most unique teddy. The craft and home produce markets, located at the Hall Village Showground, are open 10am-3pm and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic starts at midday near the jumping castle.

At the time of writing, I am yet to visit this year’s Floriade; so I can’t comment on the quality of the signs, but as there are rules and regulations for such things, I assume they’re plentiful and pretty easy to read. They may even say something like (beware, difficult concept coming up): NO PARKING.

Regardless of the actual wording, I imagine they’re pretty brief reading. So what makes anyone think a person who can’t be bothered to read a sign consisting of a handful of words is going to be more inclined towards reading sentences and paragraphs going into considerably more detail?

It’s like when you’re driving in NSW and there’s a mobile speed camera ahead. They make the ACT’s massive white camera vans with the signs on top look decidedly camouflaged.

You get a warning 250 metres before you get to the camera. You get a secondary warning 50 metres short. And then, in case you’ve missed those, you pass another sign 50 metres after your speeding vehicle has been snapped telling you your speed has been checked. Yet people are still booked. In their thousands.

I know plenty of people who’ve been pinged by these.

“If only they’d warned me,” is by far their most common response.

Alas, poor common sense, I knew him briefly.

Chris Coleman is 2CC’s drive announcer

CHRIS COLEMAN

Entry is by gold-coin donation and all of the proceeds go to Hartley Lifecare, which provides accommodation, respite, community services and assisted technology to people with physical and complex disabilities living in the ACT and surrounding regions.

Caesar on film

TOM Stevenson, from the University of Queensland, will talk about “Julius Caesar in Film” at the next Friends of the ANU Classics Museum lecture. He will illustrate his talk with glimpses of Caesar films, including swordand-sandal epics of the 1950s and 60s, Asterix films and recent television series, to show how these films, which purport to present the ancient world, are promoting controversial political and social agendas in the present. It’s in Theatre 3, Manning Clark Centre, ANU, 6.30pm, on Thursday, October 6.

10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen Full or part-time study. Audition/info session on November 20.

CUA40513 Certificate IV in Musical Theatre Full and part-time study from 2017. See website for details.

Acting 101 Fun and social leisure course for beginners. Monday nights, October 10-November 28. Enrol online.

SHOWTIMES

Fri 23 Sep 7:00pm

Sat 24 Sep 3:00pm & 7:00pm

Sun 25 Sep 11:00am & 3:00pm

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 PHONE

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 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

Helping clients live life today whilst planning for tomorrow

THE directors of Up Wealth Management

– Mark Connell, Brett Billington and Aaron Hopkins – say their purpose is to help people live the life they want to live.

“It’s a real journey, because things get busy and people forget what it is that they really want to do”, says Mark.

“Which is where we come in – we partner with our clients to help them live today whilst planning for tomorrow.”

“We see it as important that we work together to make informed decisions, ensuring our clients are in control and that they experience peace of mind throughout the journey”. Founded in 2014, Up provides a personalised wealth management experience to affluent, high net wealth and high net income individuals and families within the ACT and NSW south coast regions.

Based in Kingston ACT and Batemans Bay NSW, Up Wealth Management is 100 per cent adviser owned and all three directors say they are passionate about providing consistency, growing a high-quality advice business and being the best they can be.

Services provided include retirement planning, superannuation, personal risk insurance, wealth creation, redundancy planning and estate planning.

Mark says that Up aims to help its clients flesh out their goals in life, while still enjoying their way along the path to reaching them.

“We really get to know our clients and it’s all about a long term focus for us”, Brett says.

“We want to hear about what they want to do, where they want to be, their dreams and aspirations, and then work out the best way for them to get there.

“We love to hear people’s stories. Clients often bring in photos of their holidays and it gives us a real buzz. We care”. Mark says Up Wealth Management prides itself on being

on the front foot with any information their clients need to know.

“We all truly believe that financial advice can make a difference to the lives of our clients,” he says.

“We keep it simple, we’re responsive and we make things relevant.

“People are living longer now, and for most people heading into retirement the greatest fear and the greatest risk is that they will outlive their capital in retirement.

“We wanted to start our own business and to be able to provide advice objectively, make our own decisions and be able to put our clients first from start to finish”.

“We know this is our business for the next 20 years, we’re all like-minded, with the same values and desire to see it through. Being a pioneer within the industry and continually investing in our people and brand is very important to us.

“We’re proud of where we are and we stand by our values of client focus, being ourselves, working hard and having fun”.

Aaron says that , as advisers, they genuinely enjoy talking to people and helping them in areas that they may not know about.

“It’s about creating relationships and working with people to find practical ways to help,” he says.

“It’s more than knowing their investments are okay, it’s the fact that every year circumstances change, and how we can respond to that”.

Brett says that with the right financial advice, people have a better chance of getting what they want in life.

The directors say the company is looking for new clients and has the capacity to continue growing.

“If you are looking for a new financial planning relationship and would like to speak with an adviser, then the team at Up would love to hear from you,” they say.

Up Wealth Management, 12/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston. Call 6295 7716.

• Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

• 8 days was from $3,195 now from $2,715*

• Set off on this historic pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago taking in the beautiful natural surrounds.

• Venice to Rome

• 10 days was from $5,595 now from $4,755*

• From the canals of Venice to the historic streets of Rome, Italy is constantly familiar and endlessly surprising.

• Reykjavik to Reykjavik

• 8 days was from $4,920 now from $4,182*

• Marvel at the spectacular dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis in the northern Sky

scene / around canberra

At Business After Business, Campbell

Canberra Confidential

Crisis, what crisis?

“NEVER waste a crisis,” is the ethos of veteran local winemaker Ken Helm. And never better illustrated than by his Murrumbateman winery’s riesling snaring three trophies at the 17th Australian Cool Climate Wine Show – Best of Show, Best White of Show and Best Riesling. A great way to celebrate the pioneer winery’s 40th vintage.

And the crisis? The devastating frost of October, 2014, wiped out 85 per cent of Helm’s estate grapes, which sent him searching for other cool-climate fruit in a district unaffected by the frost.

Justin Jarrett , a perfectionist viticulturist, had just the grapes on his vineyard, 700 metres above sea level, between Canowindra and Orange on the Central Tablelands.

From them Helm made his prizewinning Central Ranges (Orange) Riesling. And he hasn’t stopped buying the grapes since.

When pretty boys paraded

THE Araluen (population 300) sports day is back after a break of, oh, 30 years.

As our picture shows of the crowdstopping, late ‘70s men’s beauty pageant, it was a huge event for the little valley hamlet, 24kms out of Braidwood. In those days there was horse racing and the tug-of-war, and crowd-stopper from this year, the born-again organisers have invited axemen to compete with the lure of up to $5000 in prize money that they’ve scraped together

from the community and with the support of the Braidwood community bank.

This year there will be whip cracking, the tug-of-war, the nail drive, a dog-jumping challenge and a pie-eating competition. This year will also see the Inaugural Araluen Ute show and shine. There’s no suggestion that the pretty boys will be parading.

It will be at the recreation ground on Saturday, October 1. Entry is $12 a family.

Meegan sees red

BESUITED Deputy Opposition Leader Alistair Coe bounds the stairs to the 2CC studios for drive announcer Chris Coleman’s Great Public Transport Debate with Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris

Affable Al runs into breakfast announcer

Tim Shaw who jokingly offers to swap his “Tony Abbott Blue” tie for the shadow minister’s resplendent Labor-red tie.

Enter Meegan, who was straight on to it:

“Oh Alistair, you’re wearing a red tie!”

To which all eyes turned to her attractive blue scarf. Was that a red blush, minister?

Energy of experience

NATIONAL Trust council member Graham Carter was musing after the ACT council’s election heritage forum last week that, with 100 people in attendance – representing the National Trust, several of the Community Councils, most of the residents’ associations and other heritage/history bodies and individuals, particularly from the inner suburbs – that each of them would have at least 20 years’ knowledge and experience, which in total equates to about 2000 years.

“How can this energy and passion be harnessed more effectively?” Graham rather prosaically ponders.

“There was a great deal of discussion about ‘consultation’, but there seems to be a feeling that we need to move beyond that to another (more advanced?) paradigm, that is built on greater co-operation, trust and respect.”

Go west, young Brendan

LABOR candidate for the Weston Creek/Woden electorate of Murrumbidgee Brendan Long may have a PhD from Cambridge, but his sense of spelling “doesn’t inspire much confidence” writes CC snout Pierre the Lair.

Despite the benefit of a Marist and ANU education, our aspiring MLA seeks to represent the electoral interest of the good burghers of “Western Creek”, wherever that is (there’s one in Tasmania, if that’s any help Dr Long).

Quick, collect stamps

IS there an irony they’ve missed in this: Australia Post is calling on children to support October’s Stamp Collecting Month. Stamp collecting? This from an organisation that made “snail mail” a self-fulfilling prophecy as it actively pares back its delivery times (and stamps sold).

Though eerily prophetic also is that AP’s encouraging children to learn more about animal conservation through its new “Endangered Wildlife” stamp issue. But there’s no stamp in the series for the equally endangered Australia Post.

Melbourne Cup fashion advertising feature

It’s time to start planning that perfect Cup-day outfit

FLORAL prints from tiny patterns to oversized florals and a Spanish influence with lace and darker colours, are some of the key fashion trends expected at this year’s Melbourne Cup Race Day, says Briony Young, marketing manager of Thoroughbred Park.

Set for Tuesday, November 1, Melbourne Cup Race Day at Thoroughbred Park is one of the most hotly-anticipated events of the Canberra social calendar.

But it’s not all about the race that stops a nation; for fashionistas, planning an outfit starts now.

This year’s Fashions on the Field at Thorough -

bred Park includes two categories, Classic Men’s and Classic Women’s Racewear with prizes up for grabs including Antler luggage, gift cards and cash.

Briony says this season racegoers are opting for a classic and understated take on the traditional spring fashion trends.

“The sugary sweet pastel trend will be quite popular this year at the Spring Racing Carnival,” she says.

“Get ready to see soft pinks, lilacs, mint greens and baby blues in 1950s silhouettes.

“Once a fashion faux-pas, the clash of prints is becoming popular. The breaking of the rules and mixing patterns together for a brave feast of edgy, quirky and fun fashion.

“And monochrome: you can’t go wrong with the classic black and white. “Add a pop of colour or pattern and your effortless style will be on trend.

“There are some varying trends with millinery this spring including the bolero, but this spring it’s going to be all about height.

“This will transfer into autumn and the Black Opal Stakes as well.”

She says when it comes to planning a race-day outfit, it’s all about a “hero piece”.

“Generally, the rule of thumb is to choose the outfit first as the colour and style of your dress will then dictate what headwear you need,” she says.

“If your headwear is the showpiece, pare it back with a low-key dress, which would be easier to find, and appropriate colour shoes.

“Accessories can sometimes be the final statement to set off your whole outfit, so don’t be scared to move away from the black or nude and pick a colour from your palette.

“Dress like a lady and don’t wear something suitable for a night club or excessive skin. Race wear is ‘classic, sophisticated and polished’.”

Briony says the essential ingredient to spring racing is “less is more”.

“Lady-like dressing, modest silhouettes and

classic styles are key to successfully putting together your look,” she says.

“Hemlines should always be below the knee, headwear is a must even if it is a simple band, denim is not acceptable and always remember that less is more when we refer to skin!”

Briony says for men, obviously suits are the key.

“There have been a few moleskin pants making an appearance, but in keeping with classic tradition the suit is a must,” she says.

“You can ramp up your suit with accessories with a flower corsage or matching tie and pocket square. And, of course, you can’t go past a good hat!

“Show us your spring racewear fashion by tagging your pictures on instagram with #cupinthecap or #goracingact.”

Visit thoroughbredpark.com.au

When it comes to shoes, keep it low and simple, says Gail

PARED down simplicity is always best when considering your look for the Melbourne Cup, says Gail Lubbock, owner of luxury shoe shop Escala in Manuka.

“Shoes need to have sensible heels not towering stilettos,” she says.

Since 1999, Escala has sourced the newest, cutting-edge styles from the fashion capitals of Europe. It stocks the latest shoe creations from designers including Guglielmo Rotta, Antonio Barbato and Thierry Rabotin.

“Your race-day shoe cannot be too high. The heel needs to be a good diameter – shoes with a more blocky heel,” Gail says.

“Depending on what you wear, a platform heel with a slingback is also a good alternative.

“Espadrilles on a wedge can be quite dressy and can work in with outfits quite well. That sort of shoe is perfect with a linen dress.

“It’s all in the attention to detail.” She says for colour, red can make a nice statement but other tones to look out for are navy, cream, nude, grey and black.

Escala also stocks a range of hats and fascinators by award-winning milliner Cynthia Jones-Bryson.

“We’re great hat people,” she says. “Cynthia Jones-Bryson and her fabulous creations really add the wow factor.”

Gail says when it comes down to the bag, finding the perfect size is key. It needs to fit the race guide, glasses and all your essentials, plus a strap that sits well on your shoulder.

“The divine is in the detail,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be expensive, you just need to

have your outfit beautifully pressed and clean, and your shoes clean.

“And don’t have your hair floating around your face if you’re wearing a fascinator, pull your hair back away from your face.”

Melbourne Cup fashion advertising feature

WALK into Debbie Maree’s Fashion Boutique and walk out with your perfect Melbourne Cup look – from headwear through to shoes.

Nestled among the niche retailers on the Crawford Street lifestyle precinct in Queanbeyan, the boutique stocks clothing and accessories from some of the country’s best speciality labels.

Offering a diverse range of clothing in a classic and sophisticated style, its list of quality labels includes ELK, LD & Co, Pingpong and Joseph Ribkoff. The boutique’s latest offering is the NZ label Sills by leading fashion designer Caroline Sills.

The boutique also works with local milliners Robin Toohey and Sheridine Saunders. With their hats and

fascinators available in store or by customer request –with the help of boutique owner Debbie Maree and her team, you can truly create your own race-day look.

Debbie says there’s something for everyone at her boutique. For traditionalists, she says there’s a range of tailored, structured dresses, however for a more elegant, polished-look culottes or pants are a great alternative.

“We welcome you to come to our boutique and we can help you create your look with our diverse range –from casual wear to formal wear,” she says.

Debbie Maree’s Fashion Boutique, 234 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6299 3335.

AWESOME brows and luscious lashes are a must for this Melbourne Cup race day, says Deborah Olde, owner of Elements Face and Body.

The salon, which has a reputation for providing professional skincare and beauty services, specialises in eyebrows, facials, tans and exfoliation.

“Our Christian Brows – perfect brows in seconds is a semi-permanent brow make-up with stencils,” she says.

“A great purchase a week or so before the event to perfect your application skills.”

She also recommends a natural bronzed look using their “fabulous” fake tan is a must.

“A light application a day or two before the big day is perfect,” Deborah says.

“Keeping make-up simple and elegant while using complementing colours to match your outfit.

“Our tinted Fleur de Mer sunblock is perfect for that natural look along with our Inika, an all-natural and vegan make-up.

“Take a tissue to blot the skin throughout the day if it becomes shiny with the weather and a powder to

touch up.”

Elements Face and Body also offers a full suite of services including body treatments, waxing, IPL hair removal and nails. They also do ear piercings, remedial massage, which can be claimed on Medicare, and reiki. Free head-and-shoulder massages are provided with some treatments.

“At Elements Face and Beauty, I have sourced the products to suit the Queanbeyan and Canberra environment by tailoring the product lines to cater for the harsh, dry local weather and its effects on a healthy skincare regime,” she says.

As part of their range of products they stock eco-friendly, Australian-made brands including INIKA make-up and iKOU Skin and Body care.

And Deborah’s final piece of advice: “Be sun smart and have FUN. Have a fantastic day, ladies and gentlemen.”

Elements Face and Body, 9/251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6298 1226 or visit elementsfaceandbody.com.au

Swish

arts & entertainment

Richard Calver

Optimistic Toby gets a Handel on his new job

By Helen Musa

GEORGE Frideric Handel’s last oratorio “Jephtha” tells the tragic story of the biblical leader who swore an oath to sacrifice the first thing or person he sees if he returns victorious from a great battle. It is his own daughter.

“A powerful depiction of a desperate leader who makes a rash promise in order to win – an all-toofamiliar scenario in our modern political environment,” is how Canberra musical director Toby Cole sees the work.

Cole is about to restore an adaptation of Handel’s work with his production, “The Vow”.

The exquisite music helps unfold the tragedy, says Cole, in a way that is inspiring and affecting – and here’s the good thing, it’s all written in English, with an eloquent libretto by the Rev Thomas Morell.

“This means that Australian audiences will directly experience the characters’ thoughts and emotions as they are expressed,” says Cole, who believes that Handel’s English-language operas and oratorios are ripe for theatrical exploration and are as dramatic as anything in the popular romantic repertoire.

As he stands down from directing the Canberra Choral Society, he and local chorister Kelly Corner have formed a new theatre company called Handel in the Theatre.

They’ve successfully crowdfunded this debut production and scored ArtsACT project funding, too.

Cole faces the task of popularising Handel with enormous optimism, pointing to Australian director Barrie Kosky’s smash hit with his version of Handel’s “Saul”, coming to the Adelaide Festival next year, and to his own successes with semi-staged productions of Handel performed in The Playhouse.

As a young vocal student in England during 2001, Cole was stirred by the drama, the passion, and the superb fusion of the music and the words of that same “Saul” and, by engaging professional creative support, he is determined to bring works like it to life as operas, not just oratorios. He has engaged expert Handel conductor Brett Weymark; choreographer, designer Imogen Keen; lighting designer Cynthia Jolley-Rogers and choreographer Belynda Buck and a team of story layover singers.

“The Vow” involves a little tweaking of the Morell libretto, designed to produce a more inspiring and positive ending.

Tenor Andrew Goodwin will play Jephtha, soprano Jacqueline Porter his daughter Iphis, Canberra mezzosoprano Christina Wilson takes on the role of the mother, Storgè, while Christopher Richardson plays the antagonist Zebul and Sarahlouise Owens the angel. Cole directs and plays the part of Iphis’s beloved, Hamor.

Toby Cole’s boundless optimism is infectious as he embarks on a collaborative production where even the choristers from the CCS will be choreographed.

“The Vow”, Canberra Playhouse, October 8, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

MEET RUSSELL MORRIS

Meet music legend Russell (THE REAL THING) Morris at SONGLAND, Cooleman Court, midday Saturday October 8. Russell will be signing his latest CD “RED DIRT - RED HEART” (the 3rd release of his blues trilogy following “SHARKMOUTH” and “VAN DIEMEN’S LAND”).

Persian movies in the reel world

By Helen Musa

A HUGELY successful, contemporary film festival founded by a Canberraraised film director and ANU graduate is coming to town at last, in its 5th year of operation.

The Persian International Film Festival gives access to Iran’s sophisticated cinema as well as works by Persian-speaking filmmakers from the global diaspora, including Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Husband-and-wife team, director Amin Palangi and manager Sanaz Fotouhi, say the aim is partly to shift views and misconceptions in Australia and, to that end, the line-up of seven feature films, seven shorts and three documentaries includes Cannes debut prize-winner “Nahid” by Iranian female filmmaker Ida Panahandeh,

in which a young divorcee is thwarted in her intention to marry the man she loves.

Palangi and Fotouhi have secured as the opener Asghari Farhadi’s Cannes-winner “The Salesman”, in which a young Tehrani couple are forced to move into a new apartment where incidents linked to the previous tenant will dramatically change their lives.

By joining with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, they’ll also have Iranian director Majid Barzegar to talk after the screening of his recent films “A Very Ordinary Citizen” and “Parviz”.

The selected films focus on ordinary people in the here and now, but there is also a tribute to the late pioneer of Iranian “New Wave” cinema Abbas Kiarostami, who died in July, having made more than 40 films.

Amin Palangi is well-known as part of an all-artist family in Canberra, where he was

schooled. After completing a PhD in film studies from the ANU, he took out an MA in scriptwriting from AFTRS.

His debut feature documentary “Love Marriage in Kabul” was a finalist at the Walkley Awards and won a swag of other accolades, including the Audience Choice Award at Sydney Film Festival.

It is hardly surprising, then, that he has made highly original docos central to his festival, again focusing on ordinary people. In Moein Karimoddini’s film “Atlan”, a young man trains his favourite horse for a grand race in a northern Iranian province, but the horse has other ideas.

“Cinema Verité” is the name of Tehran’s documentary film festival. In this festival, whether factual or fictional, it’s all verité.

Persian Film Festival, September 30 to October 2. Program and bookings at persianfilmfestival.com

“A Wonderful megamix of hits from the 50’s to 90’s. Gorgeous harmonies, slick chorey, fun show!”

“A Wonderful megamix of hits from the 50’s to 90’s. Gorgeous harmonies, slick chorey, fun show!”

Jo Lister, Arts Director

Jo Lister, Arts Director

“It’s the Jersey Boys and more!”

“It’s the Jersey Boys and more!”

C

Snowden gets a forgiving gloss

“Snowden” (M)

A SCREENPLAY by director Oliver Stone, cowritten with Kieran Fitzgerald, wears this film’s heart on its sleeve and unashamedly asserts that its villain is not Edward Snowden, the IT whizz-kid now exiled in Russia after the nation that prides itself on being ruled by laws rather than by men has made him a fugitive for taking a view of cyber security at variance with the official position.

Its argument is that the true villain is the relationship between a military/industrial alliance and the National Security Agency which, in the interest of strengthening homeland security, has created IT systems that try to monitor everything. The thesis underlying that objective is that the NSA has unintentionally taken what rightly should be kept secret and made it easily accessible to bad guys. That should scare all those who by any reasonable measure see themselves as not bad guys.

To that last-mentioned category Snowden would vigorously claim to be a member in good standing. His actions were not for financial gain. Nor was he acting at the behest of a foreign power. What he made public might, in less scrupulous hands, have become publicly available!

As Snowden, Joseph Gordon-Levitt effectively

delivers that proposition. Shailene Woodley is decorative as his partner. Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage and Tom Wilkinson play characters telling the story by moving seamlessly between times and places. And, in the closing minutes, if you think you’re looking at Gordon-Levitt carrying the title role, look a little closer. It is, in fact, Edward Snowden playing himself, to my mind thereby rather firmly confirming the authenticity of what has gone before.

At all cinemas

“Storks” (PG)

“MOMMY, where did I come from?” There are two answers. One is the truth, whether embellished or not by references to birds and bees. The other is a lie. The stork didn’t bring a baby.

Writer/director Nicholas Stoller has chosen to make a film about a big fat lie. Is that what you want your kids to know before the inevitable onset of puberty tells them that you’ve been lying since they learned to ask questions? If you have no shame, go ahead. When they first ask the question, tell them that the stork brought them. Stoller pursues that falsehood in an animated film with few commendable qualities, from screenplay to technical values. It’s noisy, its voicing lacks style, its family values and portrayal of social customs exemplify American cultural hubris. The land of the free and home of the brave, with an obesity rate (33 per cent) higher than even Australia’s (26.8 per cent) and peanut paste contains molasses and sugar, compounds its campaign of random world cultural domination (the peanut paste reference is a personal bleat – I recently bought a jar and found it within spitting distance of disgusting!).

The sole recommendation I consider appropriate for “Storks” is that parents should deny it access to children of an age that might possibly believe that it tells the truth. It doesn’t. At all cinemas

Eliza

spans silly to sublime

BORN and bred in Canberra, dancer Eliza Sanders now lives and works in NZ. She’ll be here in two solo shows directed by brother Charles for the House of Sand theatre group. The shows, “Pedal” and “Castles”, are described as: “A hive of strangely interconnected questions and musings, from the silly to the sublime”. At QL2 theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, October 6-8. Bookings to houseofsand.org

IT’S certainly wonderful news that 82-year-old dancer and choreographer Elizabeth Cameron Dalman will soon tour Europe in a contemporary version of “Swan Lake” directed by MKD Dance director Michael Keegan-Dolan, who advertised on Facebook for “a powerful presence and ideally she should have long white hair”. But, oh, what a pity ABC News neglected to mention that she is currently “CityNews” Artist of the Year, preferring to cast back in history for her honours.

IN “The World Around Us”, three well-known Canberra artists, Eva Henry, Stuart Marshall and Isla Patterson are exhibiting watercolours, oils and pastels, landscapes, seascapes, people, plants and

Southwell Band and vocal group The Idea of North. Founded as the dream of Scott Windsor, who died last year after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease, the festival raises funds for specialised communication equipment. At Gundaroo Park, 70 Cork Street, 10am-10pm, on Saturday, October 8. All welcome. More information at gundaroomusicfestival.com.

flowers. At Ginninderra Schoolhouse Gallery, Gold Creek, Nicholls. Opening by Shane Breynard, 3pm, Sunday, October 2, all welcome. It runs until October 30.

“DANCE till you drop” is the motto for “Tango in the Spring”, featuring uninterrupted, highquality social dancing over four days on the long weekend – Friday night to Monday afternoon. At the Albert Hall, September 30 to October 3. All details and bookings to tangointhespring.org.au

THE Gundaroo Music Festival punches above its weight. Now in its fourth year, it will bring together many classy acts, not least Russell Morris, Mitch Anderson, James

MAKING its debut in Canberra, the Czech and Slovak Film Festival will showcase a range of classic and contemporary action and animated films. At the Arc Cinema, NFSA, Friday, October 7-9. Bookings to nfsa.gov.au

THE Sydney Consort will return with its ensemble presenting chamber, vocal and instrumental music from the French Baroque. “Concert Royale”, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 3pm, on Sunday, October 2. Bookings to trybooking.com

Tasty surprise behind the fence

IF you happen to be shopping in or near Woden Plaza and are craving a bit of tasty food but don’t want to eat in the centre, pop across the road to the yellow picket fence, which is home to Cibo Kitchen.

Cibo Kitchen dishes up modern Mediterranean cuisine, with influences from Italy, Greece and the Balkans. Gathering around the table with family and friends, eating food, exchanging conversation, laughing and loving, is so much part of the Mediterranean lifestyle. So it’s no surprise that dishes are designed to share.

I was on my little ol’ lonesome at lunch, and so sharing wasn’t an option. But it wasn’t a problem either, with the small plates a perfect portion for one.

The meze menu includes scallop and pancetta skewers on a grana padano rocket and pear salad ($19), semi-smoked pork sausage grilled with roasted peppers ($13) and barbecue prawns marinated with oregano, garlic, local olive oil and served with quinoa, red peppers, cucumber, whole olives and barrel aged feta ($19). Yum.

I was torn between the prawns and the salt and pepper squid. The squid won. It was some of the tastiest, most tender squid I’ve had in a long time and was served on top of a fresh

The restaurant wouldn’t be a ‘destination’ for me, but it would draw me back next time I’m in the area and a bit peckish.

tossed salad of onion, tomatoes, lettuce and other goodies. My only suggestion was that the dressing should be served in a side dish so diners have a choice on quantity. I found it a bit much and by the time I got to the bottom of the bowl my salad was drowning.

More substantial plates include a linguine with exotic mushrooms, black garlic, local olive oil and grana padano ($25). It’s a vegetarian dish – the restaurant excels at vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes. The red stuffed pepper sounded fun ($23) as did the wood-smoked pork eye fillet ($30).

You can also order from the “designed to

share” section, including what Cibo Kitchen calls the “Wog Board”, featuring Backa Gourmet cured meats from the Gold Coast, dips, burek, cheese, olives, pickled vegetables and bread (minimum of two people, $22 each).

I rarely have dessert when out, especially at lunch, but was promised that the “Nonna’s Tiramisu” was light so I gave it a go ($11). It was light and nothing short of excellent. Also on the dessert line-up is a crepe with salted-caramel sauce, toasted walnuts and cream ($11) and a light, soft European donut.

Cibo Kitchen has a lovely outdoor area –enclosed with that darling yellow picket fence –that gets great sun during the day. The restaurant wouldn’t be a “destination” for me, but it would draw me back next time I’m in the area and a bit peckish.

Cibo Kitchen, 98 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6162 0122.

A new word to rhyme with piano

I START with a confession. I’m a member of a wine club.

Not the AA, things haven’t gone that far yet (they do such good work) but a commercially based club that offers wine that is often well priced and novel.

They had an offer where 12 whites from McLaren Vale came with two bottles of a varietal that was completely new to me: Fiano.

The Coriole website tells me that this grape variety originates from the province of Avellino in the Campania region east of Naples. So my superb powers of deduction tell me that this is an Italian grape variety. Apparently, Fiano takes its name from the Latin vitis apiana, as the grapes were so sweet they proved to be irresistible to bees (“api”). Makes the api ‘appy yet produces a dry wine. And, of course, now poets have a word that rhymes with piano.

Anyway, I bought the dozen mixed whites from the McLaren Vale and received the two bottles of Fiano as a bonus. One of the varietals (that’s a wine made principally from the grape variety shown on the label) is made by Coriole Vineyards, a 2015 and a 2016 by a winery I hadn’t come across before, Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards.

The “special offer” (no steak knives) said that

Richard Calver WINE

the two bottles were worth $49. So that’s the first thing I checked. Two sites had the Coriole at $24. One site had the Oliver’s at $25 as did the winery’s order form for getting the wine direct by the bottle: it was cheaper if you bought six or more. So the representation was proven true. This is a good start, especially in the art of waging war on your taste buds. As Sun Tzu in “The Art of War” said: “Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment – that which they cannot anticipate.”

And so the next moment was one that three of my friends and I could rarely anticipate, a social invitation from me to taste these two bottles of wine, no cover charge, no contribution, except their opinions, required. There was even bread, cheese and spicy aubergine pickle to make it an occasion.

The friends were asked to just tell me if they liked the wine, if so why and which one of the two Fianos they preferred and why. We also

discussed whether we would buy the wine at the known-to-be-accurate prices. Opinion was equally divided: two of us preferred the Coriole with its lighter quality and a citrus finish, a hint of lime. The two who preferred the Coriole didn’t believe Fiano would be our wine of choice both preferring different wine varieties. There was more enthusiasm from the other two for both the Oliver’s brand and the grape variety generally. They both said the Oliver’s had more depth of flavour than the Coriole with a more viscous, mouth-filling taste. The comment from the oldest of the tasters was true to his age and attitude: “I’m an old fart and my taste buds are fading; this one is a better effort.”

Both the wines got added appeal when the swigging was accompanied by food. Both brands complemented the blue cheese and camembert by cutting through the fattiness. The cost of the Fiano was considered by the pro-Oliver drinkers to be good value for money and they would put their money where their mouths were to purchase some. And we looked at each other in amazement, not making judgements about how our tastes differed but reflecting on the remarkable diversity something as simple as trying a new grape variety can uncover.

Lots to learn and enjoy

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 Riesling-producing 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

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

SPONSORS

ROSES ROSES ROSES

The man who found fragrance

THE contribution of Englishman David Austin, one the world’s most famous rosarians, to growers worldwide cannot be underestimated.

Austin, who recently turned 90 years old, loved roses but found most modern versions had no real fragrance. So, in 1946, he cast a critical eye over roses being bred and noticed the ones with the most delicious fragrance were the “oldfashioned roses”, many of which had been grown for hundreds of years, mainly in the Middle East, purely for their fragrance.

However, the blooms didn’t last long whereas, with modern roses, the flowers lasted considerably longer.

So Austin experimented at his nursery at Albrighton, Wolverhampton, by crossing fragrant, old-fashioned roses with modern roses. This involved cross pollinating thousands of roses by hand, usually using a camel hair paint brush. It also meant breeding them in insect-free glasshouses, particularly avoiding bees, which could ruin the whole process.

Austin called this new breed “English Roses”, with the first release of Rosa “Constance Spry” in 1961. It was an instant success and since then, with tens of thousands of crosses, most coming to nothing, there are now more than 190 English Rose cultivars sold throughout the world.

Having won 21 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, Austin was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to horticulture with the citation “Great Rosarian of the World”. David Austin roses are readily available at most garden centres.

A WORD of warning when using manures: it’s advisable to incorporate manures into the compost heap or, if using them for the veggie garden,

work them into the soil well before planting. Basically, any manure is good for the garden, but...

• On trips to the country one may see manures sold by the bag, usually horse manure. Most horses are fed with hay and if using fresh horse manure you may end up with a great crop of oats!

• Those little pebbles of sheep manure can take a while to break down, often accompanied with a crop of stinging nettles.

• Chook manure is considered a hot manure, with a high ammonia content. When wet on a warm day, it can cause severe burning of plants with the release of ammonia gas.

Cow manure is the very best, as the animals chew the cud, regurgitating the grass through their system several times, totally destroying any weed seeds. The best story I heard was that lite milk comes from a different breed of cows than full cream milk!

THE blackbird may be nothing to look at, but it is the only bird I know that sings from dawn to dusk and never repeats a tune. Gardeners complain that the birds scratch in the garden, covering paths with mulch and old leaves, yet the humble blackbird is one of the best indicators of a healthy garden; if there are no blackbirds, it’s almost certain there are no worms in the garden. No worms means unhealthy plants; it is as simple as that.

SOME readers have asked about Dr. Kenneth Brown, who I quoted in my article “Falling

out of love with lawns” (CN, September 15). Dr Brown was, until retirement, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney where he lectured on environment management and was the director of Coastal Resources Management. As such, he was involved in looking at the causes of the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Rivers, particularly the association with the overuse of chemical fertilisers, especially in banana and sugarcane production.

Jottings...

• As the days warm, it’s always good to cover newly purchased plants with an old sheet to prevent them being scorched before getting home.

• Cut back and divide agapanthus. This can be hard and I use an old tomahawk for the job!

• Could any of the plants you have in pots be put in the garden to reduce summer watering chores?

• Don’t use bituminous type pruning paint when cutting back trees and shrubs. It can have a detrimental effect on the healing of the wound.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

It’s all about relationships this week Rams… of the romantic, platonic and business variety. Avoid the temptation to rush or play power games. If you try to convert others to your point of view (and do so in a hasty or forceful manner) then you’ll meet with resistance from all directions. Instead, use your energy in positive ways. If you connect with like-minded people and pursue compatible joint ventures, then it will be win-win for everyone. Co-operation is the clever way to go.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Don’t be too black and white about issues! There are many shades of grey, as you navigate your way through a changing personal or professional landscape. With Venus in your relationship zone, the quickest way to romantic heaven is to smoke the peace pipe with your partner. Singles – give superficial suitors a wide berth and look for someone with emotional substance. It’s a wonderful weekend to go camping or enjoy the great outdoors with your favourite four-legged friend.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Geminis are the social gadabouts of the zodiac but this week’s stars encourage you to slow down, calm down, compromise, listen and learn. Enjoy the company of family and friends but steer clear of tactless talk, garrulous gossip and ridiculous rumours. Mercury (your patron planet) is powering through your self-expression zone until October 24. So it’s the perfect time to tackle a creative project as you write, draw, dance, perform, paint, play music or sing up a storm.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Crabs can be cautious, but a rickety romantic relationship will only improve if you come out of your shell and get to work! If you are single, don’t settle for second best. Be patient and wait for a true soul mate connection. Avoid being cantankerous or confrontational on Friday and Saturday. Instead, focus on bringing more fun and happiness into your home. Draw inspiration from Desmond Tutu, who says: “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The week starts well when you have the motivation to clear up a problem with a loved one. But avoid being a bossy Lion (or a demanding Diva) on Friday and Saturday, when there’s a fine line between being passionately proactive and just plain pushy! In order for your relationships to blossom, you need to give others plenty of personal space and room to shine. When it comes to social media, don’t rush. Think things through carefully before you publish, post, text or tweet.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Tuesday and Wednesday are when your organisational skills and multi-tasking talents really excel. However, if you confuse important issues with trivial ones (and make mountains out of molehills) then it will be a long and exhausting week. Your ruler Mercury moves through Libra (from October 7-24) which encourages you to relax, re-charge, and bring some much-needed balance into your busy world. Some Virgos will receive welcome news via social media.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

With the Sun, Jupiter and then Mercury all moving through your sign, the buzz words for this week are creativity, confidence and communication. Don’t worry about what other people are wearing, doing or saying! It’s time to focus on your individual style, plans, talents and future. So your motto for the moment is from celebrated writer Gore Vidal (born on October 3, 1925), who says: “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

The mid-week Venus/Pluto connection encourages deep emotions, intense connections and plenty of passion. So make sure you get up-close-and-personal with someone special. But then the celestial energy shifts when Pluto (your power planet) squares the Sun on Friday and Saturday. Which boosts your temperamental streak and your control-freak tendencies. Smart Scorpios will settle down, maintain self-control, and transform an annoying negative into a pleasing positive.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The symbol for Sagittarius is the Archer – with his (or her) arrow aimed towards the future. But are you so busy rushing around that you’re neglecting what’s happening in the here and now? Or are you too busy worrying about the mistakes you might make further down the track? Slow down and have confidence that your decisions will turn out fine in the end. As birthday great Susan Sarandon says: “I take responsibility for the ups and downs of my life, and that is very liberating.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Seize the opportunity to wield your personal power in positive ways. You’re not bossy – you’re bold. And you’re not domineering – you’re dynamic! But don’t take criticism too seriously or narrow your focus too much. Saturn is asking you to be supremely practical. On Friday and Saturday you’ll be frustrated by some people’s lack of motivation, but it’s not the time to push buttons. Do your best to network with colleagues, connect with friends, and focus on positive solutions.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Aquarians love to lunge at life with adventurous abandon but this week will work best if you employ a more strategic approach. If you think things through (and do the research required) then projects will proceed in a slow and steady fashion that leads to future success. Consultation and attention to detail will certainly get you a lot further than being slap-dash (especially at work). And don’t let someone bulldoze you into doing something that you really don’t want to do.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The future depends on the goals you set yourself now. And don’t let others talk down your dreams, undermine your confidence, or amplify your shortcomings. With Saturn sauntering through your career zone, the road ahead is rocky and there’ll be detours along the way. So you need to rise to the challenge with relish. A practical plan will get you a lot further than Piscean passivity! Show others that you can handle extra responsibilities with style, substance, and a dazzling smile!

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

567

Recovery of Children

Across

1 To serve some purpose, is to be what?

8 Which term implies as a favour and not because of a legal obligation (2,6)?

9 Which fire-spouting monster is said to have been slain by St George?

10 Name the act of vandalism displayed by rubbish drawn on walls, etc.

11 What was one of the ten divisions in an ancient Roman legion?

12 Name a large food fish of New Zealand and southern Australian waters.

13 What is another term for pecuniary resources?

16 Name a thermoplastic product of extreme strength and elasticity.

19 What do we call a ship’s company?

21 Which day was once celebrated on May 24th?

22 Which telegraph line connected Darwin NT to Adelaide SA in 1872?

23 Name the alternative term for a subterranean crypt, or the like.

24 Name a small, lightly armed, fast warship.

25 What are assemblies of ecclesiastics called?

Down

2 Who was the miserly, ill-tempered character in the Dickens story, “A Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer ...?

3 Which instrument issues a warning signal to vessels in misty weather?

4 What is the linear magnitude of anything as measured from end to end?

5 Which mythical monster has the head and wings of an eagle, and the body of a lion?

6 Which term relates to the principles of morality?

7 Name the 4th president of the US, and a notable avenue in New York City.

13 Rabat is the capital of which kingdom in NW Africa?

14 Which mathematical art uses letters and symbols?

15 Name the small, light knife used in surgical operations.

17 Name a coastal town in central eastern Queensland, north-east of Rockhampton.

18 What is the unit of magnetic field strength?

20 Name another term for chocks or their like.

Imagine you arrive to pick up your children one afternoon, only to find a ‘for rent’ sign out the front of your ex-partner’s house. Or that you are waiting at the airport for your children to return from their overseas holiday, but nobody gets off the plane. All you have is an email from your ex informing you that they, and the children, now live in another country. These scenarios are not unique and there are things you can do if it happens to you.

My ex-partner has taken off with our kids and moved away. Is there anything I can do to bring them back?

If your ex-partner has moved away with your children, or is simply refusing to return them to you, you can make an application to the Family Law Courts for a recovery order.

A recovery order can authorise a person, such as a police officer, to find your child and bring them back to you. If you find yourself in this situation it is important to seek legal advice immediately. The longer you wait, the more settled your children will be in their new home and school and the harder it may be to bring them back.

I’m worried my ex-partner is planning to move overseas with my children. What can I do?

You can apply to the Family Law Courts to have your children’s names placed on the Family Law Watchlist, which is a system designed by the Australian Federal Police to prevent children from being removed from Australia. Remember that it is often easier to stop children before they leave than attempt to have them returned to Australia from overseas.

Is it too late if my children have already been taken overseas?

You should always ensure that you have comprehensive details of your children’s travel arrangements including contact details and travel itineraries. If your children have been taken overseas there are steps that you can take to try to have them returned to you. Those steps, and where they need to be undertaken, will depend a lot on where your children are located and the circumstances of the travel or relocation.

If your child has not returned after an overseas holiday you should seek advice from an experienced family lawyer as soon as possible.

Yeend & Associates Family Lawyers is a specialist Family Law Firm located in Gungahlin and Canberra City. Contact an experienced Family Lawyer on 02 6154 5090 for your initial no obligation consultation.