Parents lose power to the ‘rainbow ideology’
NICK JENSEN
When nature takes a hand in your feet
HANNAH BOLAND
Puppy love comes shining through HEIKE HARNER
Shattering some drinking myths
RICHARD CALVER
New workout class promises to have you burning calories back on the couch!
Experience the glittering Stuart Devlin –The Designer with the Midas Touch exhibition with a guided tour.
Stuart Devlin AO is best known in Australia as the designer of our decimal coins, a springboard for an international career as an influential designer, goldsmith and silversmith.
Take a guided tour for a unique insight into the stories behind the dazzling objects of the exhibition. The 30 minute tours are $10 per person and are conducted by guides with specialist knowledge. Tours run weekdays at 11.00 am and 3.00 pm.
Book a tour now by visiting eventbrite.com.au and searching ‘Stuart Devlin’. Hurry, spaces are filling quickly! General admission free Royal Australian Mint, Canberra www.ramint.gov.au
By Danielle Nohra
WHILE most school leavers were heading to university or travelling, Canberra teenagers
Jannah Fahiz and Joanna Chalker were “aiming big” by organising The Earth Festival, a vegan-focused festival where funds will go to the rehabilitation of local wombats.
The now-19-year-olds are counting down the weeks until their year-long project comes to life on March 25 at Exhibition Park.
The idea came from a documentary called “Cowspiracy”. Jannah watched it last year with her mother and when it finished she had a new rage inside that needed to be let out, she says.
Since then, Jannah has put this anger into The Earth Festival.
“I’ve always wanted to organise a festival, but I knew I couldn’t do it alone. My thoughts went straight to Jo Chalker,” Jannah says.
Joanna left school early to begin an events diploma and Jannah says a reunion was the crazy thing the event needed.
Although the two girls were sometimes seen as too young to create their own festival, they weren’t without experience.
Skills from Joanna’s current course combined with Jannah’s experience running local concerts and events for Woden Youth Centre were enough to attract stall holders and sponsors from around the nation.
“When Jannah first contacted me to meet up to talk about all her crazy vegan ideas I thought I
would give it a chance,” Joanna says.
“We sat down for a couple of hours as she shared what she had envisioned the festival to be like.
“I elaborated on her ideas and brought in new ones. After a couple of weeks of putting all our ideas together, we created an exhibition
like no other.”
Joanna says the event’s purpose is for people to become aware of themselves, others, animals and the environment.
“The goal isn’t for people to come to the event and become vegan. It’s about learning about it
and then taking that information away and researching it,” she says.
“The lack of awareness in the community about how we are harming the environment and each other is disheartening.
“Many animals and humans suffer from the lifestyle choices most of us have.
“By making simple changes to our lifestyles such as food choices, water usage, waste management and solar power, and being passionate on our values, we will be able to help shape the future of this earth.”
One thing in particular that the organisers are hoping to change is the treatment of wombats in Australia.
Their aim is to raise $20,000 for the Sleepy Burrows charity in Gundaroo, a self-funded wombat sanctuary that rehabilitates injured and orphaned wombats.
“We think raising money for Sleepy Burrows is very important because wombats are slowly becoming extinct due to carelessness and change of environment,” Jannah says.
“As they are a native animal, there should be more awareness about them and their abilities.”
Joanna and Jannah don’t want common wombats, local to the ACT and NSW to become endangered in a similar way that northern hairy wombats in Queensland have.
Joanna says, overall, The Earth Festival will have all aspects of veganism; what you can put on your face, candles and more.
“There will also be activities, workshops and stalls,” she says.
Information at theearthfestival.org
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Cinema 18
Dining 20
Crossword 21
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Horoscopes 21
Letters 12
News 3-13
Politics 10
Socials 15
Wine 20
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affair.
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Barr is savvy enough to know that Parton will eventually lead the Libs and that Labor will finally have competitive opposition.
A ROLLERCOASTER of emotions was again set in train on Friday for the family and supporters of murdered Canberra woman Tara Costigan
Marc Rappel, Ms Costigan’s ex-partner, was imprisoned for a minimum of 26 years for the brutal murder of the mother of three in 2015. This week the family is involved in the second National Family Violence Summit –two days of intensive presentations, keynote addresses and panel discussions, which it initiated after Tara’s murder.
Keynote speaker is Emma Murphy who powerfully used social media to break the silence around her experience of domestic violence.
AUSTRAL-
IAN Christian Lobby CEO Lyle took a dim view of the rainbow flags fluttering about
Canberra for several days to celebrate legislation automatically recognising same-sex unions from overseas in the ACT.
Shelton argues the flags should not be flying from poles on public land, saying: ”If the government is going to make it open for political causes to have their flags flown, there has to be equal preference for all political causes”.
WHILE long gone from politics, former Labor MLA John Hargreaves returned briefly to cast what he claims is an authentic five o’clock shadow over the Assembly. Responding to the beard barbs exchanged by CM Andrew Barr and former Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson, Hargreaves proudly posted a pic of his own lush, grey growth taunting Hanson and Barr’s wispy efforts with: “That’s not a beard...etcetera.”
Hargreaves urged Canberrans to do likewise in a quest to separate “bumfluff” from the genuine article.
STILL on political fluff – Barr clearly sees
new MLA Mark Parton as a serious political threat.
Why else would the Labor leader take aim at the former radio man over an issue as trivial as an advertising campaign Parton did for Rolfe Honda before being elected to the Assembly?
Barr sniped that the car dealer would lose trade over its association with the Liberal MLA given Canberra was largely a Labor town.
dose of dorin
opposite sex.
Owner of the Maple Bar (upstairs from the Treehouse Bar) Mike Kadinski says he spotted the “old school” rule at a Sydney restaurant.
Mike says there is no rule which says men can’t approach women, but gentlemen who are admitted understand they must treat women with ultimate respect.
Another house rule is that nothing is on the house except for the roof.
HEARTWARMING tales of extreme generosity and practical guidance have emerged in the wake of the destructive fires that swept through the small farming community of Carwoola on February 17, with social media again proving an invaluable communications tool.
A Facebook group, which now has almost 900 members, was swamped with offers of help within hours of the disaster that wiped out more than 3000 hectares south-east of Queanbeyan.
One man offered his pink party bus to transport rescued pets and bales of hay.
Barr is savvy enough to know that Parton will eventually lead the Libs and that Labor will finally have competitive opposition.
Stephen Skehill, the Assembly’s ethics and integrity adviser, has ruled Parton did not breach any codes of conduct.
LEAVE your attitude at the door with your hat, mister. That’s one of the house rules of a new Canberra nightclub that offers female patrons more space and respect from the
FRUSTRATED local cyclists claim ACT drivers are still largely unwilling to give them more room and cite a lack of policing of the “Metres Matter” laws as a major contributor. Stats obtained by FOI reveal just two motorists have been fined and another three cautioned since late 2015.
Motorists must give cyclists a 1 to 1.5 metre (depending on speed zones) berth when overtaking.
By Kathryn Vukovljak
THE desire to start a giving circle to support local women and girls set philanthropist Lesley Harris on a new path a year ago, and in that time her venture, Act of Women Giving, has raised more that $13,000, donated its first grant and celebrated its first anniversary.
“Initially, I wondered if it was going to take off, but we’ve had steady progress and it’s definitely gaining momentum now,” Lesley says.
Lesley says that the Act of Women Giving is Canberra’s first giving circle, which brings women together to pool their funds and support local projects.
She left her public service job in June to focus on the circle that, so far, includes 26 women and one corporate sponsor, with everyone able to vote on where the funding goes.
“The idea is that it’s inclusive, democratic and transparent,” Lesley says.
“With donating to charity you often don’t really know where your money goes, but with the giving circle we all get a voice in deciding who to donate to, as well as regular feedback through
events and newsletters as to what is being achieved with the funding.”
The Act of Women Giving donated $9000 in September to Country to Canberra, an organisation that helps rural young women reach their potential, Lesley says.
“Hannah Wandel, who founded Country to Canberra, is now using the funds to develop leadership workshops for girls in rural high schools,” she says.
“We’ve also introduced a quarterly breakfast series to showcase women in the industry.
“It’s great to be giving the donors a sense of ownership, to know exactly where the money goes and to be so close to the local community.”
With a background in the community sector, Lesley says she got the bug for philanthropy and started studying fundraising and the strategies involved.
“It is a bit up and down, and progress
is slow, but I’ve started from scratch and I’ve only been in Canberra for a few years – people need to get to know me and trust what I’m doing,” she says.
“It takes persistence! I look at the wins I’m making and there’s definitely a gentle momentum.
“I’ve met some amazing women here in Canberra and they continue to inspire me, and seeing what people can do together is amazing, particularly the younger women, they’re dynamos! I feel like there must be something in the water here.”
Working on the giving circle has been rewarding personally, too. Lesley describes it as her perfect job, except without pay!
“It has required me to move out of my introverted comfort zone by putting myself and the vision out there,” she says.
Visit actofwomengiving.com.au for more information
THERE are some pretty funny natural occurrences in our world. Meerkats. Ear lobes. David Hasselhoff. I could make this an extremely long (and clearly dynamic) list.
Regardless of your stance on the evolution/intelligent design subject, it’s difficult to find natural things on this planet that don’t serve a purpose. Spiders (unfortunately) have an undisputed place in the food chain. Bindis are spikey for the sake of survival (and quite possibly for sibling entertainment). Scientists can even justify the existence of mosquitoes, albeit tenuously. But the one thing that has always flummoxed me when it comes to natural occurrences is the existence of my size 13 feet.
I have no idea why a 5’10” woman should have feet the size of the Queen Mary II. I know plenty of women my height or taller who balance just fine in a size 9-10. Yet there they are, dangling at the end of my legs like a pair of forlorn snowshoes in a hostile climate.
through snowy dales in dirt-poor postEdwardian England (yes, he was performing that skit long before Monty Python). But he never had to do it while sporting a pair of Clydesdale hoofs.
Yet perhaps the purpose of these podiatric monstrosities has been a lesson in endurance after all. Back in my early twenties, there was no internet. Well, technically there was, but it was the kind that beeped and crackled every time you logged on. It was no war-torn rural Britain to be sure, but stripes were earned with hours of my youth invested in shopping warehouse after warehouse, trying to find something that didn’t look like men’s shoes with heels glued on.
I endured countless pseudo-empathetic shopkeepers suggesting visits to the city’s transvestite boutiques; an option I would have happily considered if on the lookout for purple suede platforms with diamantes and pink feathers.
For years my Yorkshireman grandfather demanded the obligatory kudos that comes with trekking barefoot
Now, thanks to some enterprising visionaries and the invention of ADSL, times have changed for us female sasquatches. I love that I can order custom-made shoes online, complete with parking sensors. But the availability of jumbo-sized shoe-dressings does not negate my past trauma, or the 20 per cent, slab-foot surcharge at Pamela’s Pedicures. I guess it’s one of those feats of nature (pun totally intended) that may very well remain as a great-unanswered question of all time.
Hannah Boland is a comedian and writer based in the Southern Highlands. She will perform her show “The Best Medicine” at the Canberra Theatre Centre on March 18. Tickets and info at hannahboland.com.au
KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK meets the former bored young man who was inspired to go back to school and topped his college year
Hywel Davies says that as a bored, distracted 17-year-old he didn’t see the point in studying and dropped out of school in year 11 – but at 31 he decided to get his year 12 certificate and aced the year as dux.
Hywel did his year-long ACT year 12 certificate at the CIT Pathways College in Bruce in 2016, and achieved dux with an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 98.5. He has since been accepted to study dentistry at Charles Sturt University in Orange.
Having attended Canberra Grammar School as a teen, Hywel says he was expelled in year 10 for constantly being on detention, and though he went to a different school to finish year 10, he left in year 11.
“I dropped out because I knew it was pointless to be there the way I was doing it,” he says.
“I didn’t have any focus and was more interested in parties. I had no experience in real life and I thought school was unnecessary.
“I started a chef apprenticeship but I didn’t really like the cheffing life, so over the years I worked with builders, did tree surgery, gardening, property maintenance
and retail.”
Hywel says he had considered going back to school for a long time, but it was meeting his partner Candice du Tremolet de Lacheisserie and the birth of their son Elliot in 2015, that became the catalyst.
“After Elliot was born I decided I wanted to improve our lot in life, and year 12 was the logical first step,” he says.
“I had no idea I was going to do well. I wanted to do it because it opens up a lot of doors in the public service, defence and the police force. It’s a handy ticket to have.”
Hywel says he was happy to have achieved dux and such a high ATAR.
“I went in thinking, I might as well do as well as I can, and once I started getting good marks, it was rewarding. And the difference was, I was there because I wanted to be there.
“I was told early on that they thought I’d do pretty well, and there was an expectation of around 92 for my ATAR,” he says.
“But my actual result was a surprise to me, and it was a shock to be invited to an awards ceremony.”
Davies with partner Candice du Tremolet de Lacheisserie and their 18-month-old son Elliot... “I went in thinking, I might as well do as well as I can, and once I started getting good marks, it was rewarding.”
As a rebellious 17-year-old, Hywel says he didn’t want to study and felt he was only at school because other people told him it was the thing to do.
“As a teenager you like to be original, although dropping out of school isn’t a very original thing, you don’t see it that way,” he says.
“But once you see how the real
Does your business want to save money and be environmentally responsible?
world works it’s very different.”
Hywel says he chose dentistry to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“As a kid, I was interested in what he was doing so I’m looking forward to getting started and moving the family to Orange.
“It feels good to have something in front of me. I haven’t felt this optimistic for a long time.”
DR Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts and a highly sought-after international speaker and author, will present two seminars to Canberra parents this month. On Wednesday, March 8 at Daramalan College, 7pm8.30pm, he will be offering “Parenting Tools to Help Your Adolescent Thrive” and on Thursday, March 9, 7pm-8.30pm, at Canberra Grammar School, the subject is “Are Your Children Addicted to Technology?” The seminars are hosted by APFACTS, the peak non-government school parent voice for the ACT. Tickets are $25 and bookings via eventbrite.com
THE annual Wheels display, which attracts more than 800 vehicles from 75 affiliated clubs and invited clubs from around the region and interstate, will be held in the Treasury car park, off Commonwealth Avenue, 10am-3pm, on Sunday, March 12. This year the featured display will be the Ford Motor Company’s more than 100 years’ association in Australia. Entry is by gold-coin donation to Technical Aid to the Disabled.
STUART Anderson, the co-inventor of the revolutionary FLOW Hive, which raised the profile of beekeeping globally, will attend the ACT Beekeepers Association’s Beekeeping Field Day, at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, 10am4pm, on Saturday, March 4. The field day will feature expert presentations and hive demonstrations alongside stalls selling bee equipment.
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.
By Danielle Nohra
WHILE on a family holiday in Vietnam 11 years ago, Curtin woman Janice Bannerman had an idea.
It was an inspiration that would see her eventually open a clothes shop in Civic and, ultimately, employ 12 Vietnamese people under fair trade standards.
When Janice returned from Vietnam she told her close friend and neighbour Elizabeth Hall about the plan to begin Silk Sisters, a store that sells stylish and comfortable plus-sized clothes, while supporting and empowering women in Vietnam.
Elizabeth was eager to get involved and, with a passion for charity, she was an obvious choice for a business partner.
Now, with the Silk Sisters shop up and running for some time in Bailey’s Arcade, Janice says they’ve changed the lives directly of about 10 to 12 people who work for them.
“In Central Vietnam, Quang Nam Province, where I work, I have an in-country manager, Sa, who runs the business on the ground there,” she says.
“I design all the products, work with a cutter and have three full-time seamstresses.”
Janice says that these employees sew each piece of clothing by hand under fair trade working standards.
“I do the best of my ability to see the product from conception to show, and do the very best that I can to see that it’s fair trade,” she says
“We pay a good salary and our employees can take their children to work.
“Vietnam has a very strong family level and because of their cultural beliefs there’s lots of family holidays, too.”
Elizabeth, Janice and husband Chris have been involved in multiple charities in Vietnam, including Children’s Hope in Action where the Silk Sisters business supports the education of some disadvantaged kids every year.
For Janice, not only has the experience of Silk Sisters been rewarding, but through it she has gained an extended family and Sa, especially, has become like a fourth child.
“Sa has been to Australia twice to work with me. She knows the bodies of Silk Sisters’ customers,” Janice says.
“We work together but she is more than an employee, she’s more like a daughter.
“When I met her she was working in a tailor shop and taught herself English by talking to the tourists.”
As well as Sa and the women who make the clothes for Silk Sisters, there are also eight men working in a different location in Vietnam making “Broad Boots”.
“Silk Sisters’ boots and clothing are about comfort and style and feeling good in yourself,” says Janice.
“I’ve always been a bigger woman and I think because of that dressing well is more important.”
Silk Sisters. Bailey’s Arcade, Civic. Visit forbroads.com.au or call 6101 7406 or email help@forbroads.com.au
A TWO-day dragon boat festival, attracting corporate, community, local and regional sports crews, will be held at Grevillea Park, Lake Burley Griffin, on March 18-19. “We want people to experience the thrill of our sport and bring crews together in what is the ultimate team sport,” says host Dragon Boat ACT’s president Joe Murphy. More information from dbact.net/festival or call 0414 384474.
Prof Peter Bridgewater has been appointed the new chair of Landcare ACT, the territory’s peak body for land stewardship groups. Prof Bridgewater, who has had an extensive career in academia and biodiversity conservation in Australia and overseas, says: “I am really looking forward to becoming involved in Landcare in the ACT at a grass-roots level”.
DAVID Marr will be in conversation with journalist Laura Tingle on his new “Quarterly Essay: The White Queen. One Nation and the Politics of Race” over dinner at University House, Great Hall, ANU, 7pm, on Tuesday, March 28. Dinner tickets are $69 and bookings to anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.
THE Canberra Lapidary Club’s Annual Rock Swap will be held at Wagtail Way, Epic, 8.30am-5pm on the weekend of March 18-19. Dealers and rock enthusiasts will be selling jewellery, crystals, minerals, gemstones, opals, fossils and lapidary supplies. Entry is free.
• Experience Bruce Munro’s Art Installation ‘Field of Light’ at Uluru
• Experience a spectacular Red Centre sunrise
• Discover Aboriginal rock art at Uluru
• Learn about Uluru’s sacred sights
• Dine ‘Under a Desert Moon’ at Kings Canyon Resort
• Hike to the top of Kings Canyon for magnificent views
• Visit Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
Join us for a free talk by international speaker and full-time Christian Science healer, Phillip Hockley
Reader BILL MEANI, of Lyneham, is grumpy about the customer service he received from agencies when he moved into a new townhouse
This lecture explains how spiritual healing is available to everyone
Sunday 5 March at 2.00
THE article by columnist Chris Coleman (CN, February 9, “Home is where the internet is”) is a perfect example of how various agencies are happy to extort charges for services but when it actually comes to providing that service the customer is left stranded.
I moved into a new townhouse in Watson about a year ago. Watson is an established suburb in North Canberra. You would think that having the NBN, gas, electricity and water connected would be a simple exercise. Not so.
than six months for the correct address to be displayed on my invoices.
ActewAGL insisted that my address was the one used by the unidentified company engaged by the developer.
telephone is connected via the NBN. If you call “000” in an emergency using your NBN connected phone your address is given to the emergency services. In my case the address did not exist so the ambulance would not be able to locate my house.
The Reception Room of the Legislative Assembly ldg London Circuit, Canberra
sponsored by the Christian Science Church, Canberra christiansciencecanberra.com enquiries 6296 1102
YESTERDAYS in... tells tales of
Carly Whytcross
BHSc (Dermal Therapies)
Dermal Clinician and President of ASDC
Treatments
Skin conditions - acne, rosacea, pigmentation, scarring
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The problem first started with the developer who used the address that related to the undeveloped land to register the utilities.
design blogger Gina Ciancio…
They engaged the services of another company to install the water, gas and electricity meters.
They would not give me the name or contact details of this company.
ACT Revenue office was the worst offender of all. It was happy to collect $28,000 in stamp duty, but refused to acknowledge my correct address.
Also, someone has given Google my address. It is incorrect so now taxis and Uber can’t locate me!
Try talking to someone on a help desk located overseas and the matter gets worse.
It took numerous phone calls, emails and threats to not pay the rates before it changed my address.
“There’s bloggers working full time with a team behind them. I thought, there’s no way I’m going to win,” Gina says. “When I did, it was really exciting and I got non-stop messages of support and con- gratulations. “It was two years ago when I had just started the blog that I discovered a UK Amara award winner and I recall
“I wanted to
something for
When it came to connecting the services, ActewAGL and the NBN said my address does not exist.
I contacted the ACT address manager at City Services who was great and gave me a letter that confirmed my correct address.
I was helping friends and
but I didn’t know
was,” Gina says. “Me and my husband were at a planning stage of our
I had to take photographs of all the meters and show these to ActewAGL. The services were connected, but it took more
tional award last year. Gina says her father’s career and her mother’s creativity are influences that encouraged her to begin her now award- winning blog, Style Curator. “It’s such a crazy, rewarding and [a] mil- lion other amazing feelings all rolled into one to win the award,” Gina says. The UK Amara Interior Blog Awards celebrate and engage the most authoritative and well-respected bloggers in the vast inte- rior blogging industry, naming Style Cura- tor the “Best Australian Interior Blog”. But before winning, stylecurator.com.au was among 586 nominated blogs. Knowing these statistics and busy with her first child, Patrick, Gina didn’t attend the award ceremony in London.
and I thought, that’s what I want to do, I’ll start a blog about interior design.” So Gina began Style Curator with the theme of contemporary Australian styling, a space that shares Gina’s passion for interiors and home decor, tips and advice, DIYs and design news. Gina has
It took six months.
Now, the NBN was even worse. Negotiating between NBN Co and my ISP (TPG) was a nightmare.
Both had different addresses and neither would accept my correct address.
TPG refused to deliver the modem because my correct address was different to the address NBN had. It took many months to get this sorted.
Readers may not think this is a big issue, but if you have the NBN your
At The CAPS Clinic we have witnessed the close relationship between acne and lifestyle. If you su er from persistent acne it may surprise you to know that your lifestyle choices have a signi cant impact on your breakouts. These factors are namely genetics, diet, exercise, stress, skincare and makeup. Only when you understand and manage these factors will you begin to clear your acne and prevent future breakouts.
GENETICS
They just don’t care and they have no idea how things work in Australia.
Buying a new property should not be so stressful.
You pay a connection fee for electricity, gas and water, stamp duty for who knows what reason and connection fees for NBN, but you don’t actually get any service for your money.
Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated purely to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au
SUNDAY, 05 MARCH
DIET AND EXERCISE
CNC-09-FEB p6-7.indd 6 7/02/2017 2:55 PM
Genetics play a large role in acne. If both parents had acne, you’re likely to develop it too. Unfortunately, you cannot change your genetics however looking at your family history can give you some clues as to how it may develop, the severity and when it may clear. During puberty hormones increase which causes your oil glands to enlarge and produce more oil. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy, menopause and the use of the oral contraceptive pill can also a ect oil production.
SKINCARE AND MAKEUP
Acne isn’t caused from dirty skin and so that squeaky clean feeling you achieve through using harsh soaps and foaming products results in the production of more oil. The sulphates, alcohols and preservatives commonly found in most supermarket and over-the-counter products, tend to increase skin dehydration and trap dead skin cells, dirt and makeup in your pores.
The makeup you’re using could be making your acne signi cantly worse. Many formulations contain pore-clogging ingredients which block the follicles causing your pimples. We recommend that you avoid talc, arti cial dyes and fragrances, especially in your foundation, blushers and lipsticks. We also recommend the use of daily SPF protection.
STRESS
When we experience stress, our adrenal gland goes into overdrive producing more hormones and therefore more acne. To reduce your stress levels ensure you get a good night’s sleep, exercise regularly and even try meditation.
Heat, friction and sweating can exacerbate acne. We recommend cleansing after sport and exercise, and frequently cleaning your pillow cases, mobile phones, hats and similar items. Recent studies suggest that high-gylcemic foods and dairy products play a major role in the development of acne. We recommend reducing your intake of sugar, processed foods and dairy, and increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, good fats and protein.
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At The CAPS Clinic we can examine your skin and suggest a skincare and treatment plan to help you turn your acne around. We understand that treating your acne is not a one-size- ts-all approach. Our Dermal Clinicians can devise a personalised acne management plan which includes active skincare products and mineral makeup. We have made this journey easy for you by selecting products that we are con dent will treat your skin concerns, and when used in combination with your treatment will lead to long-lasting, healthy and clear skin.
MY children are now of the age where we have to start considering where to send them to school.
Often these decisions reflect a parent’s own background and experience. For me, I was a public schoolboy all the way. Torrens Primary, Melrose High and Canberra College. There are always challenges growing up but, overall, I received a stellar education in a healthy environment with outstanding teachers.
Therefore, I wouldn’t hesitate to have my children go through the same wonderful institution.
But there’s one factor holding us back and that is the new “Safe Schools” program that is being rolled out into Canberra public schools.
First launched in 2010 and offered to primary and high schools, its notional aim was to create “safe and more inclusive environments for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender-diverse students, staff and families”.
This aim seems a reasonable one and its advocates have been at pains to paint it as simply an “anti-bullying” program, but lately some serious problems have been uncovered.
Prof Patrick Parkinson, one of the top family law experts in the country, released a report in September that showed not only were the program’s statistics “unscientific”, but it presented contested theories on gender fluidity and sexual orientation as fact.
Not only that, but it encouraged transitional pathways from a boy to a girl (or girl to boy) without medical or psychological guidance, or even parental knowledge or consent.
There is clearly support needed for children struggling with identity and attractions, and bullying for any reason is unacceptable, but this particular program steps well over the line.
In addition to this damning report, a video emerged of the Safe Schools founders stating that the program was not about stopping bullying, but instead promoting sexual and gender diversity to children.
It also caught them gloating that “parents don’t have the power to shut this down”. This prompted people such as transgender activist and Order of Australia recipient Catherine McGregor to withdraw support from Safe Schools, referring to it as Trotskyist Queer Theory that “leads trans people into a blind alley”. Former Labor leader Mark Latham saw the danger as well, calling it a “Trojan horse” for indoctrination.
There is clearly support needed for children struggling with identity and attractions, and bullying for any reason is unacceptable, but this particular program steps well over the line. Prof Parkinson even went so far as to say that although the program may have benefits to some young people, it also had the potential to cause harm to others by encouraging them to experiment sexually and treat gender as fluid.
The Federal government became aware of these issues and put new guidelines in place removing some of the more extreme sexualised content and links, and making sure that parents have an option for their children to opt-out. It
left gender fluidity in but made clear it would not be funding the program again.
The NSW government also acted, deciding there was enough evidence of concern to call for an independent inquiry into the program. While the report unfortunately remains confidential, it has resulted in a statewide ban from teaching gender theory of affiliate programs in public classrooms.
So, in light of all this, what has the ACT decided to do about Safe Schools? Obviously taking into consideration the academic reports, various independent reviews and significant public and parental concern, it has decided to ignore all of this and fund the program out of Canberra parents’ pockets for an extra $100,000 per year.
It will, of course, rebrand it (in order to avoid the bad press of Safe Schools without removing the contentious content) and ensure that parents once again do not have the option of “opting-out”.
This is all part of the journey towards what is now being called the “rainbow ideology”. Primarily, it involves the deconstruction of gender, as well as a shift away from “heteronormativity”. You will have surely seen the
taxpayer-funded rainbow flags plastered across the city lately, signalling the government’s commitment to this ideology. All we are seeing is the next stage.
First is the removal of “male” and “female” from marriage, and now removing “boy” and “girl” from our education system. Soon the ACT may even follow the Victorian path and make the program compulsory in all ACT public schools, ultimately replacing Australian flags outside schools with rainbow ones.
So where does it leave our schooling decision with our own children? Well, unless there are significant changes to the program where gender fluidity teaching is dropped, where older boys are not using the same change rooms as my daughter and where parents are made fully aware of what is being taught and are able to opt out, then doubt arises entrusting my five-yearold to the ACT public education institution that I love. As parents we may not have the power, but we still have a choice.
Nick Jensen is the director of the Lachlan Macquarie Institute, which helps develop leaders in public policy (lmi.org.au).
sustainable home advice workshops
Understanding Solar
Tuesday 7 March 6pm – 8pm Dame Pattie Menzies House Dickson
March - June
Thursday 18 May 6pm – 8pm Gungahlin Library
DIY Draught Proofing
Wednesday 15 March 6pm – 8pm Weston Creek Community Centre
Wednesday 24 May 6pm – 8pm Belconnen Arts Centre
Actsmart about heating your home
Tuesday 4 April 6pm – 8pm Tuggeranong Library
Wednesday 14 June 6pm – 8pm Weston Creek Community Centre
Reducing energy bills and saving money is quick and easy.Borrow the DIY Home Energy Action Kit from any ACT library
For more information and bookings:
visit actsmart.act.gov.au email actsmartadvice@act.gov.au or phone 1300 141 777
All workshops are free with limited places available. Bookings are essential.
The Carbon Challenge is a fun way to become sustainable at home. Will you take the challenge? It’s FREE actsmart.act.gov.au
IN the early days of the ACT Legislative Assembly, then Health Minister, Wayne Berry led the push on anti-tobacco legislation and messaging. His leadership made the ACT the lead jurisdiction on tobacco policy.
The ACT remained a leader in tobacco policy through the Carnell and Stanhope governments. However, in recent years the ball has been dropped with the ACT the only jurisdiction to have not implemented tobacco-free areas at public-transport waiting areas. In tobacco terms, Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris can “make the ACT great again”.
She has demonstrated a renewed leadership in preventive health. Her discussion paper, “Smoke-Free ACT Public Transport Waiting Areas”, provides an opportunity for Canberrans to comment from now until World Health Day on April 7. This discussion paper puts the case for the ACT to catch up to other jurisdictions.
Some might be tempted to point out that the ACT has the lowest smoking rate of any jurisdiction in Australia. However, the National Health Performance Authority in October, 2013, pointed out that in Sydney North Shore and Beaches 94 per cent of people were non-smokers compared to 87 per cent of Canberrans. Perhaps this is a better comparison as smoking in rural and regional areas still remains higher than in the cities. On the latest figures, more than 90 per cent of Canberrans are non-smokers.
Smoking tobacco remains the cause of one of the most preventable chronic conditions causing lung and other cancers, cardiovascular and other illnesses.
Even those who characterise the proposal as “nanny state” will recognise that reduction in passive smoking is a protection of the personal liberties of others.
The same “nanny state” accusers regularly ignore that the community pays for the hospitalisation and other (very expensive) treatment for smokers for lung and other cancers as well as cardiovascular disease. Our personal freedoms ought not to discriminate against someone needing treatment for smoking any more than
Even those who characterise the proposal as ‘nanny state’ will recognise that reduction in passive smoking is a protection of the personal liberties of others.
against a motorbike rider. Even the statistical likelihood for the need for treatment is clear.
As the community will have to pay for the outcome, it is appropriate that our elected leaders set regulations in place to mitigate against the increase in shared community costs. There is the issue of personal responsibility. There is also an important government responsibility to ensure that the healthy choice is the easiest choice. The National Tobacco Strategy 2012-2018 recommends that “state and territory governments adopt policies that restrict smoking outdoors where people gather or move in close proximity, including bus stops and taxi ranks”. Minister Fitzharris is moving just before the expiration of the strategy.
A strong piece of legislation was enacted during the last Assembly allowing the Health Minister to simply declare these areas as smoke free. Fitzharris has the power to act (subject to the unlikely possibility of the declaration being disallowed by the Assembly). Consultation in late 2015 identified that only 9 per cent of people opposed this sort of measure. World Health Day will be a good day to make the declaration. It is time to follow Wayne Berry’s leadership and make the ACT the leading jurisdiction on fighting tobacco.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health. He is president of the World Federation of Public Health Associa tions.
By Danielle Nohra
THE owner of Ron’s Book Shop, Ron Robertson, stands almost hidden amongst thousands of stories with piles of books around the shop, forcing customers to squeeze in and out of aisles.
But with the rise of internet shopping and ebooks, there are fewer customers scouting for a good read these days, which means Ron’s own story may have an unhappy ending.
But it won’t be for the want of trying as the falling custom over recent years has forced the 70-year-old to tip into his superannuation from time to time to get by.
Ron’s not sure why fewer people are buying his books, but according to a paper written by the Australian Booksellers Association in response to a draft report on competition and policy, there is massive competition coming from Amazon and the Book Depository.
The 2014 response says these global online retailers often price books in an anticompetitive manner and usually offer free postage. Books are frequently sold at less than the Australian wholesale price.
Ron sells his books for half the price of a new book, plus a dollar. But even those costs are threatened by cheaper online prices.
Another issue, the association points out, is the high retail rents in Australia and how they seem to be affecting many bricksand-mortar bookstores such as Ron’s.
“I don’t think I’ve made a wage in five years,” Ron says. “And I haven’t had a holiday in seven years. I only take public holidays off.”
Ron’s worked in book sales all his life and, before owning his shop, he worked for the Australian Government Publishing Service.
“I sold books for the government, they trained me to be a bookseller,” Ron says.
“I retired at 47 and my wife was working for a little bookshop at the time so I worked a little there, too.”
In 1998, Ron and his wife Helen first opened Ron’s Book Shop in Jamison and then seven years ago moved the store to Hawker. After Helen passed away in 2014, Ron had to look after the store on his own, receiving a few hours of help a week from a friend.
Ron’s focus isn’t to make a lot of money, he just wants enough to pay the bills and continue to help the community.
“Seven years ago Hawker Primary School came to me to help them with books for the school fete,” Ron says.
“I went through all the books and priced them and got rid of the junk.
“Since then I’ve been supplying them with hundreds and hundreds of books.”
Ron says he donates books, helps with labelling, pricing and sorting, and then he buys them back during the school fete and sells them in his store.
“I have a rule. If people bring books in for me I don’t sell them, I donate them. It’d be like selling a present if I did,” Ron says.
Ron also donates books to the Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP), an independent charity that aims to foster a life-long love of learning, increase literacy rates and empower vulnerable children through the establishment of children’s libraries and the delivery of literacy programs in target communities across Papua New Guinea.
Helping the community and forming relationships is one of the main reasons Ron wants to keep his bookshop going.
“If I get a certain book in I’ll think: ‘I know who would love that and put it aside’,” Ron says.
Ron’s Book Shop. 3/72-74 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 6254 1448.
ARCHAEOLOGIST and author Dr Josephine Flood will speak on the cultural riches of ancient south-east Australia: from Cloggs Cave to Birrigai to Bogong Cave at a public lecture in the Friends of the Museum Meeting Room at the Australian National Museum, 6pm, on Wednesday, March 15. Entry is $2 (free for Canberra Archaeological Society members). More info at cas.asn.au
THE Franklyn B Paverty Band will provide the music for an Irish céili (a traditional Gaelic social dance) to mark St Patrick’s Day at the Folk Dance Canberra Hall, Hackett Community Centre, 114 Maitland Street from 7pm on Saturday, March 18. Hosted by Folk Dance Canberra, the evening will feature jigs, reels and slides. All dances will be called and no experience necessary. Tickets are $15.
Have you ever had a parenting moment when you’re just not sure what to do?
Have you ever looked at your children and wondered if they are actually physically attached to their devices?
These presentations are designed to help parents understand their children and provide proven and practical strategies for positive outcomes.
Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s most qualified parenting and wellbeing experts. He is a celebrated author, has a Ph.D. in Psychology and is well known expert in this field.
Topic: Parenting tools to help your adolescent thrive
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Venue: Daramalan College, Dickson
Tickets: $25
Ticket Link: helpyouradolescentthrive.eventbrite.com.au
Topic: Are your children addicted to technology?
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Venue: Canberra Grammar School, Red Hill
Tickets: $25
Ticket Link: aremychildrenaddictedtotechnology.eventbrite.com.au
Outstanding offering of antique French and Dutch furniture, great art collection (all European and Aboriginal art comes with certificates of authenticity).
EUROPEAN ART: by Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali and Giorgio de Chirico.
ABORIGINAL ART: by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle, Gloria Petyarre, Michael Nelson Jagamarra, Barbara Weir, Walala Tjapaltjarri, Barney Ellega, Sarrita King, Ngoia Pollard Napaltjarri, Mitjili Napurrula, Shirley Mbitjana, Margaret Scobie, Dinny Nolan Tjampitjinpa, Paddy Fordham, Barbara Reid Napangardi and others.
AUSTRALIAN ART: by John Glover, Frank Hodgkinson, Kevin Conner, Pro Hart, Bruno Leti, Michael Taylor, Norman Lindsay, Colin Parker, W.R.Lyons, John Vander, Wlindley, Art Van Ewijk, Gladstone Eyre, Norman Loyd, Elizabeth Maude Dangerfield, Norman Lindsay, Pro Hart and many others.
Collection of Bronze Figures, quality Wines and Ports, Garden Furniture, Persian Rugs, Vintage Named Women’s Clothing, Hats and Bags, large quantity of quality smalls and much more.
INSPECTION: from 9am morning of Auction
Full Details go to: johncooperauctioneer.com.au or phone John – 0417 777
IN referring to the light rail project (CN, February 16) columnist Jon Stanhope was correct in his observations. As he implied, the business case for Stage 1 was terribly flawed and not a sound basis of decision to proceed; it was a political decision, not an economic one. He is also correct to ask how the project will be paid for. It will undoubtedly be by extra rates and taxes or by additional government debt. Readers may recall that the “official” cost of the contract for Canberra Metro Stage 1 (Gungahlin-Civic) is $939 million. In fact, it will be at the very least $1.3 billion (June, 2016 prices) and that’s before any cost blowouts during construction.
This translates into a burden on every ACT taxpayer of about $550 or more per year for 20 years, irrespective of how it may be paid for. Every passenger using the tram will be subsidised by at least $11 a ride. Stage 2 to Woden has been promised, but will be even more uneconomic than Stage 1. Stage 2 could even be shelved and there is virtually zero chance of the network being extended past Stage 2. These are a few things to think about for those readers who voted for the tram, whether deliberately or indirectly in ignorance.
I THINK columnist Jon Stanhope is an ostrich with his head buried in the sand (CN, February 16, “What goes around, unhappily comes around”). The people on Nauru and Manus are neither innocent nor asylum seekers. They are simply economic migrants. They arrived here illegally for no other reason than to take advantage of the benefits afforded in Australia.
Refugees cease to be refugees the minute they land on safe soil. In the case of the boat people who came from Indonesia, they were on safe soil in Indonesia so ceased to be refugees (if they ever had been). They had plenty of opportunity to enter the legitimate refugee system but elected instead to bypass that system yet expect to be allowed to jump the queue and possibly even deny access for a refugee that
complied with the system.
They were committing a crime by coming here without approval, and given prisoners are incarcerated for years for committing crimes then why not these illegal economic migrants? Yes, there might be children with them, but the parents chose to come here illegally and to bring the children so putting those children in danger. It wasn’t Australia that did this – it was the parents.
If you remember, it was Labor that started the camps on Manus and Nauru after deliberately dismantling our then border protection and the current government is simply trying to sort out that mess.
In regard to ACT Labor winning the last election, is it surprising? Canberra is and always has been a Labor town because it is full of public servants who invariably vote
IT is important to correct the impression created by Ric Hingee’s letter (CN, February 21, “Give the ‘copter the chop”).
The helicopter patrols are essential to ensure the ACT has a safe and reliable electricity network. Safety is non-negotiable and this essential work is critical to minimise the risk of prolonged blackouts and fires.
We have inspected 1800km of powerlines and efficiently assessed the condition of the network using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) imaging technology. We achieved this in approximately 40 hours of initial flying time compared to the 12 months it would take to conduct ground inspections.
The cost of our helicopter patrols is 40 per cent cheaper than the total cost of inspecting assets on the ground, making helicopter the most efficient and cost effective way to conduct our essential inspections.
We are always monitoring developments in technology and we will be starting a trial of drones in March to inspect overhead infrastructure in some north Canberra suburbs. Residents in these areas will be notified. This trial will help us to assess the costs, reliability and risks to determine the best option to carry out the aerial survey in the future.
Clinton McAlister, ActewAGL branch manager Works Delivery
My husband and I visited Norfolk Island a couple of years ago and spoke to a number of people on both sides of the debate. The general consensus was, although they wanted to stay independent they knew they could not financially support themselves. We were told only a small proportion of the islanders voted to stay independent, but as always it is the vocal minority that makes the most noise and people like Jon Stanhope focus on those vocal minorities as a source of opportunity to self-aggrandise. Pauline Hanson won in various locations because people agree with her stance that no other party will voice.
Vi Evans, MacGregor
I TRUST the genuinely ill will soon get medicinal cannabis approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. However, it is useful for politicians and the community to keep track of the darker side of reported benefits in the US and other countries. For example, in July, 2012, the “Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry” revealed that in Denver, Colorado, where cannabis and medicinal cannabis are legal, 73.8 per cent of adolescents who were questioned about their medical marijuana use, admitted it wasn’t scripted for them, but to persons registered to use it, usually adults!
This traps first-time users without a medical need. Progressively in Australia, the anti-drug message in our youth culture is received as ‘you can take drugs anytime and anywhere and little will be done, other than assistance for you if things go pear shaped’.
The descent of society into the cesspool of ice and the new horror carfentanil, means police are at serious risk of death daily. If governments had any empathy for their plight they would quickly introduce a five per cent drug-risk loading on their salaries.
Colliss Parrett, Drug Advisory Council Australia, Barton
By Heike Hahner
SEVEN years ago, a friend of mine, then in her early seventies, unexpectedly lost her dog, the younger of the two she owned.
At the time some people advised Suzanne not to get another dog because of her age and especially not a puppy.
They reasoned the dog may outlive her and that a young pup was just too much for her to handle at her age.
Fortunately, she didn’t heed the advice and bought a seven-week-old Working Border Collie puppy.
Now, in 2017, her two cats and the older dog have since died and had she not taken the pup, she’d be alone. However, the young dog has grown into her faithful and happy companion. Better still, a couple of years ago a friend offered her another three-monthold pup, also a Working Border Collie, which she took. These days, having survived severe kidney issues, she is on dialysis. Many friends helped her during the nearly four months she was in hospital and she is now back taking her dogs to weekly training in Yass and trialling them all around NSW.
The two dogs, Ella and Nina, are her constant companions, her major focus for many social activities and keep her connected and engaged with a wide and interesting array of friends, family and acquaintances.
All animals and humans live in multi-species communities. Only in the last 100 years or so have humans removed themselves increasingly from living in the company of other animals.
Living without animals may be more hygienic, less
stressful, easier, cheaper or simply more convenient but it’s not normal.
Most humans naturally want to interact with and understand animals. Any doubts about that? Go and watch a petting zoo at a rural show. There are very few children who don’t like animals. More so, they want to touch, hold and interact with the feathered and furry animals on display.
Humans are very tactile; we like to touch and be touched. The desire for kind physical contact does not diminish with age, but the opportunities to do so do. Pets provide many people with the much-needed, unconditional companionship and non-judgemental affection that they should be receiving through family connections. Animals are great comforters and companions to humans. As we age we tend to lose more of our family and friends, pets, especially dogs, provide a wonderful connection with the rest of the community, not just because they get people to go for walks but they also provide a conversation starter and a light-hearted topic to discuss.
There is more acceptance now for pets in nursing homes and in hospitals. But we still have people denying themselves a dog or a cat because they fear the pet is going to outlive them or that they can’t travel if they have a pet.
As a community, I believe we should help people to have and to keep pets. Discuss your need for a pet with your family or friends to see if someone is happy to help mind the animal when you go travelling or if you are otherwise periodically unable to look after it. You may be surprised how many people are willing to help.
So far as I am concerned, our desire to want to live with animals is not a luxury but a basic human right.
Living without animals may be more hygienic, less stressful, easier, cheaper or simply more convenient but it’s not normal.
The new-to-Canberra workout class Orangetheory ticks all the boxes for a fun, resultsoriented workout – and even gets you burning calories once it’s all over and you’re safely back on the sofa, says Orangetheory studio manager Pauline Blackman.
“It’s an amazing workout that everyone would love,” says Pauline.
“You can work to your own fitness level – there could be elite athletes next to complete beginners in the class, because everyone’s goal is to complete the class in the way that’s best for them.”
Orangetheory Fitness will open in mid April with trial classes available from the first of the month on Gribble Street, Gungahlin, as the nationwide headquarters, and promises to bring a new way of exercising to Canberra.
Brought to Australia by master franchisor Richard Peil, who also brought in Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory has more than 500 studios worldwide.
“It’s a new brand here, although it’s very popular in the States and there are successful studios in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane so far,” Pauline says.
“Your workout is highly monitored, with your heart rate projected on a screen so you can see how hard you’re working – but it’s a very individual workout despite being in a class setting.
“You get the benefits of personal training with the motivation of being in a group.”
A combination of cardio and weights, using treadmills, rowing machines, suspension unit systems and free weights in a 60-minute class, Pauline describes the workout as high-intensity, low-impact interval training.
“It covers strength training, power and endurance all in one workout, so it’s very efficient and you get a lot done in that hour,” she says.
“The workout changes daily so your body never adapts, always changes, always achieves results.
“You also get the benefits of an experienced personal trainer, with the energy of a group workout to motivate you along. The music is fun, and the lights are dimmed and orange.
“I’ve done so many workouts in the past 10 years, but I wish I’d had access to this sooner! You very quickly see results. It’s difficult but you always have options and variations.”
The name Orangetheory comes from the focus on exercising within the
“orange zone”, says Pauline – which means staying above a certain percentage of your heart rate for at least a third of the hour-long workout.
And the best thing about working out in the orange zone is the “EPOC” that follows, she says.
“EPOC is a scientific term for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and after working out with the right level of intensity in the orange zone, you get the after effects of burning calories when your workout is over,”
Pauline says.
“As trainers, we can help to push you further or pull you back. Members burn an estimated 500 to 1000 calories in 60 minutes, and keep burning calories for up to 36 hours afterwards.
“You can clearly see the level everyone is working at and can modify what they’re doing accordingly.
“As a personal trainer, the heart rate monitors allow us to clearly see where everyone is working, so you’re accountable the whole time. It’s very motivating!”
Orangetheory Fitness, 10/10 Gribble Street, Gungahlin. Call 6210 5010 or email studioaus006@orangetheoryfitness.com.au for more information on prices and class timetables
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
between 10am and noon.
FOR a relaxing holiday with an abundance of native wildlife Merry Beach Caravan Resort is located on a beachfront in the coastal heart of the Murramarang National Park.
Merry Beach offers a wide range of chalet-style accommodation as well as powered and unpowered sites for campers and caravaners.
The chalets offer two or three bedrooms, bathroom(s), a fully equipped kitchen, dining table and lounge suite, linen and a veranda with a barbecue and outdoor setting.
The camping sites cater for open fires in a brazier or a similar above-ground fire pit.
Park management says, with a new playground and
a resort style pool, it is easy to see why many guests are more than happy to laze around the pool or beach and catch up on their rest and relaxation, or maybe even that long-ignored novel.
Popular activities at Merry Beach include swimming, surfing and rock fishing, visitors can also experience bushwalking trails in the Murramarang National Park.
Park management says the south coast boasts an average winter temperature of 18C, making it an ideal holiday destination for residents of Canberra all year round.
Merry Beach Caravan Resort. 46 Merry Beach Road, Kioloa, NSW. Call 4457 1065, email holiday@merrybeach. com.au or visit merrybeach.com.au
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
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.
SUMMER isn’t the only time for a relaxing getaway, in fact holidaying during any other season is usually cheaper says owner and manager of Lilli Pilli Sublime, Angela.
With April school holidays coming up families, couples and friends can escape Canberra and sit back, relax and take in the sounds of nature at the luxury beach house.
Situated only five minutes’ drive from the heart of Batemans Bay, Lilli Pilli Sublime is a spacious, single-level, four-bedroom luxury beach house that can accommodate eight people.
Everything has been thought of at Lilli Pilli Sublime, from its free wifi and Foxtel to full provision of linen and beach towels.
“It’s just a matter of packing the bags and heading down,” Angela says.
“We’re pet friendly, too, so you don’t have to leave your dog in a kennel or with your neighbour.”
Angela says there’s a local vet who runs a “doggy daycare” in case owners want to go on a day trip.
It’s also close to the Mogo Zoo, cafes, specialty stores, local beaches and bush tracks.
Angela says for families, the kids can be fully occupied with its rumpus room with games and snooker table, while parents can enjoy quiet time in the outdoor entertainment area.
“There’s a lot to do at Lilli Pilli Sublime, whatever the weather,” she says.
The property can cater to family members of all ages with a cot and baby items. Its entertaining area has a full outdoor kitchen.
It also has a DVD collection, library and a Nespresso coffee machine, and it’s also petfriendly on application for well-mannered pets.
Angela can also arrange romantic getaway packages, dining packages, beauty packages and can help organise other activities including fishing, golf, surf school and kayaking.
Email lillipillisublime@me.com, call 0412 800857 or visit lillipillisublime.com.au to find out more.
By Helen Musa
THE Alliance Française French Film Festival is the biggest festival of French films outside of France and one of the most intriguing.
And this year, as Philippe Platel, cultural consul at Sydney’s French Consulate, takes over the helm for the first time, there’s even an inadvertent Canberra twist, with two of the inclusions relating to the Palace of Versailles even as the National Gallery of Australia’s “Versailles” exhibition draws the crowds in.
In “Nannerl, the Sister of Mozart”, 14-year-old Nannerl, played by director René Féret’s daughter, Marie, is brilliant but in the shadow of her brother Wolfgang. But she is more lucky in love than her brother and finds both romance and respect through the Dauphin in pre-revolutionary France. And, yes, part of the film was shot at Versailles.
You’d expect that one to be the choice of the Canberra International Music Festival for its special night on March 29, but no, they’ve opted for Benoît Jacquot’s lavish “Farewell, My Queen”, set in Versailles on the eve of the Revolution as Marie Antoinette lavishes intimate attentions upon her personal reader, Sidonie, in a kind of last hurrah.
With nearly 50 films on show this year, Platel is happy to boast that, along with the usual suspects, 17 female directors will be represented and we will see the screen debuts of seven new filmmakers.
As well, he cites an almost Shakespearean list of styles – romance, adventure, comedy, historical tales, thrillers
and dramas, loosely divided into 10 sections
The event is presented around the country by the six main Alliances Françaises, with the Embassy of France hovering in the background.
The Canberra season kicks off with “The Odyssey”, in which Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson play the Cousteaus of deep-sea fame.
The 2017 line-up includes cinematic giants such as Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche and everyone’s favourites, Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu.
But it is the intriguing Isabelle Huppert who has been scoring most of the accolades for her roles in “Things to Come” and “Souvenir”, a romantic comedy where she plays a pâté factory worker hiding a secret past.
An unexpected angle on The Great War is seen in the animation, “Adama”, which shows 12-year-old Adama, whose older brother disappears from their West African village, setting off across Europe to look for him and ending up in the middle of the horrendous Battle of Verdun.
For cinematic buffs the biggest treat will be veteran writer-director Bertrand Tavernier’s “A Journey Through French Cinema”, in which he explores directing from the 1930s up to his own first feature in 1974, “The Clockmaker of St. Paul”.
Platel has not forgotten comedy, so the festival winds up on an hilarious note with writer-director Nadège Loiseau’s debut feature “A Bun in the Oven”, where a reluctant 49-year-old mother-to-be is played by French comedy star Karin Viard.
Alliance Française French Film Festival, March 9-April 4, Palace Electric Cinema, New Acton. Bookings to palacecinemas.com.au
By Dougal Macdonald
“T2 Trainspotting” (R)
DIRECTOR Danny Boyle’s filming of John Hodge’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel telling what those four Edinburgh tearaways are doing 20 years after the original ”Trainspotting” is not a lovely film.
But it’s cracking good cinema.
The screenplay is marvellous. The acting is masterly and masterful. The staging is an influential component of its human cast. The humour is a sharp, subtle mix of in-your-face and don’t-blink-in-case-you-miss-it. In an ancient city undergoing a desperately-needed renovation, the social commentary is poignant. The violence is uncompromising. The pathos is close to heartbreaking.
The rest, the sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine, self-destruction, overdosing on dodgy Viagra, gutter dialogue and other mortal dangers, coalesce into a story that pulls no punches and is told with wit, style and unrestrained cinematic power.
Ewan McGregor plays Mark, whom Simon (Jonny Lee Miller) begins by vowing to exterminate for appropriating funds of a crime committed 20 years earlier. In that endeavour, Simon’s going to have to hurry to beat prison escapee Begbie (Robert Carlyle). It’s all about money. Gangly, pathetic Spud (Ewen Bremner) is out of his depth in the company of those three villains whose ambitions exceed their ability to achieve them.
What’s wrong with it? Very little. For me, too few scenes involve the pint-sized bundle of acting dynamite Shirley Henderson playing Spud’s estranged wife Gail.
Can’t think of anything else. I was enjoying the rest too much!
At all cinemas
SENIORS at Roosevelt High are celebrating end-of-year day by trashing buildings and abusing staff.
In area superintendent Johnson and principal Tyler’s staff review, nobody knows who will or won’t get laid off to meet a shrinking budget.
The wife of English teacher Andy (Charlie Day) is about to give birth.
Muscle-man history teacher Strickland tolerates no nonsense from students and wields a baseball bat to make his position clear. In my view, he’s a good guy.
For reasons that some may support and others will abhor, Strickland challenges Andy to a fight in the schoolyard at 3pm. Nobody expects Andy will survive. The student body is agog to watch.
Every actor in a cast of second-rates is obliged to deploy a gutter vocabulary – no terrible sin, merely a rapidly-developing bore. The comedy is immature. The drama is feeble. The outcome is a gigantic cliché.
The intentions of a second-rate writer and a second-rate director in creating this unedifying picture of a morsel of the US education system are difficult to discern. Were they making a political statement about the system’s parlous condition?
Were they merely feeling a burgeoning wave of satire?
If this appeals to you, by all means go watch “Fist Fight”. But don’t say you’ve not been warned.
At Hoyts, Capitol 6 and Limelight
“Rings” (M)
THIS farrago of horror is apparently the third in a series based on a 1990s trilogy by Japanese author Koji Suzuki in which people die seven days after watching the images on a mysterious videotape. In a screenplay by tyro writers David Loucka and Jacob Estes and directed by tyro director F Javier Gutiérrez, those images are now on a computer file and available on the full panoply of digital devices. That’s a terrifying situation to contemplate, isn’t it? Fortunately, it’s only a movie, and a rather dull one at that.
Julia (Matilda Lutz) farewells Holt (Alex Roe) to university. It’s not Holt whom she’s screwing earlier in the movie. Suddenly it’s not him answering Julia’s nightly Skype call. It’s Skye (Aimee Teegarden) who blights Julia’s emotional comfort and showers her with vituperation.
Julia drives to the uni to discover what’s going on. Ere long, Skye’s dead and Julia and Holt head off to a village in Washington State where, 30 years previously, something nasty went on in the church.
Playing Burke, the blind man who runs the lodging house where Julia and Holt check in on arrival, Vincent D’Onofrio is the only actor exercising any weight in the whole amateurish mishmash. The plot drags on, with visits to the local graveyard, appearances of an ethereal little female figure dripping water wherever she goes and Julia’s uncovering of a chamber in the church basement, scratched into the walls of which is a rudimentary calendar that ends at 280 days. By now, where this film is going is apparent. There’s the obligatory confrontation between the heroine and the bad guy, staged with not all that much suspense. By this time, you might be forgiven for thinking: “Who cares?”
At Hoyts, Capitol 6 and Limelight
By Helen Musa
DANCER-choreographer and scholar
Stephanie Burridge is anxiously awaiting the proofs for her tenth book, but she’ll find time to fly into Canberra for a big dance summit.
“BOLD” is the brainchild of Canberra choreographer and dancer Liz Lea, who has assembled the might of Australian dance for a serious talk this month about the legacy of dance. Present in the long line-up of luminaries will be Meryl Tankard, David McAllister, Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, Sue Healey and, of course, Burridge, who will give the keynote address on the opening morning.
It will be held in national institutions including the NLA, the NPG, the NFSA and the NGA, where there will be two tours of the Ballet Russes collection and a talk called “Chateau of spectacle: the performing arts and Versailles”, with workshops at QL2 Dance.
Burridge is best known in Canberra for her direction of the Canberra Dance Theatre where, for many years, she treated patrons to a feast of human stories, cultural tradition and sheer beauty. Those were the days – “amazing performers dancing about deep personal issues –extraordinary,” she says.
As well as choreographing musicals such as “Anything Goes” on the side, Burridge took her place in a burgeoning arts scene while completing a BA at the ANU then a doctorate at the University of Kent.
These days Burridge lives and works in Singapore where, after she headed there in
Dancer-choreographer Stephanie Burridge… keynote speaker at the dance summit.
2001 to lecture at Lasalle College of the Arts, she met and married theatrical entrepreneur and former director of the Singapore Festival, Robert Liew. Plunging into the exciting world of Asian dance, she has made herself the expert on the terpsichorean arts of south-east Asia.
Burridge is the series editor for the Routledge’s “Celebrating Dance in Asia and the Pacific”, seven books featuring chapters by scholars and also local artists who talk about their creativity and philosophy. Now she’s into her second series for Routledge, “Dance, Access and Inclusion: Perspectives on Dance, Young People and Change”, with a focus on access to dance for people with special needs.
Serendipitously, we learn from Liz Lea, a group of seven senior Bollywood dancers are coming to the summit from the Singapore company “The
Golden Gals”, as well as dancers and their carers from the Singapore Down Syndrome Association. Burridge’s keynote address at “BOLD” is to be called “Cross-Threads and Pathways – Evolving Asian Contemporary Dance” and will focus on how people work with traditions across the region. But she is also reworking up a threeminute solo called “Fragile” that she also expects to perform at the “M1 Contact” dance festival when she gets back.
In her view, there are two major themes around the world of dance, mature-age dance and integrated dance, where “we see what bodies can do in time, agent space – it’s something I feel quite strongly about – to bring that here”.
“BOLD,” in Canberra, March 8-12”, bookings and all program details at theboldfestival.com
“CHICAGO” is the longest-running American musical ever to play the West End and now Canberra Philharmonic is testing its popularity with Canberra audiences, who have seen this show often. This time around as the merry murderesses are Vanessa Valois playing Roxie and Kelly Roberts playing Velma. At Erindale Theatre, March 9-25. Bookings to philo.org.au
DAMI Im is coming back to Canberra after her sell-out show last year. Her performance at Eurovision 2016 with “Sound of Silence” was viewed by more than 200 million people worldwide. Her encore show, “Yesterday Once More”, is at Canberra Theatre, 8pm, Saturday, March 11. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
CANBERRA Wind Symphony’s Pentabrass Masters are taking to the spaces of the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, amidst the paintings of Elisabeth Cummings, for a champagne recital called “Brass Sketches” featuring, among other things, “Cantina Band” by John Williams and “Promenade/ Baba Yaga/Great Gate” from “Pictures of an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky, with instrumentation by Dixon. It’s at Kingsley Street, Acton, March 9. Bookings to eventbrite.com.au
THE Friends of the Albert Hall in collaboration with the ANU Open
Chicago murderesses Roxie Hart (played by Vanessa Valois) and Velma Kelly (Kelly Roberts).
School of Music will host a free music concert at 6.30pm, on March 9, after the Friends’ AGM at 5.15pm. Co-ordinated by string teacher Lindy Reksten, it will showcase the rising stars of our classical music scene performing late nineteenth and early twentieth century music. Free, but bookings advisable to eventbrite.com
“FESTIVAL Muse”, billed as a long-weekend “Festival for the Brain and Belly” is Muse Café’s gambit to keep people in town during the Canberra Day weekend with curiosity, conversation, creativity, coffee, wine and canapés. The list of conversational celebs includes political journalists, writers, musicians and chefs. At Muse, East Hotel, Kingston, March 10-13. Bookings and details at musecanberra.com.au
“BURLESQUE Idol” is a competition that features rising cabaret performers competing for the crown of Burlesque Idol Australia 2017. The prize includes a year-long ambassadorship offering performance and promotion opportunities all over the world. At The Playhouse, 8pm, Saturday, March 11. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
WESLEY Music Centre’s next “Wednesday Lunchtime Live” recital will see Roland Peelman, from the Canberra International Music Festival, performing piano works by Schumann, Satie and Kate Moore under the title “Revolutionary Piano”. Wednesday, March 8, 12.40pm-1.20pm. No bookings required, entry by paper note or donation.
Join our classes and enjoy yourself in a fun and relaxed social environment at our studio in Isabella Plains
• Junior classes – Monday’s from 6.30pm
• Adult Beginner & Intermediate classes – Wednesday’s from 7.30pm
• Social Dancing
• Private Dancing Lessons – Individuals or Groups (perfect for wedding parties)
All Classes are now held at: Isabella Plains
dale_harris@bigpond.com
dalesballroomdancing.com.au
Principal: Dale Harris
IF Braddon developer Nik Bulum does anything in Canberra, he pushes boundaries and changes landscapes.
He also takes full advantage of development sites he has bought before development actually begins – as Nik has with the old Canberra City Bowls Club in Ainslie, which he will eventually transform into a new precinct.
In the meantime, the space has gone bonkers with a pop-up café and bar by the same name, an initiative with Brodburger owners Joelle Bao-Jaoude and Sascha Brodbeck.
Bonkers is quirky, playful – indeed, a bit crazy – and a throwback to the best of the ‘80s.
The menu is loaded with carbs and some dishes have kooky names such as “Schnit Face”, “Fries Out Loud Pizza” and the “Get Bonked Caesar”. Expect dishes such as meatballs, pizza, lasagne, steak, burgers and a classic bacon, lettuce and tomato.
I’ve been a couple of times and Bonkers can’t be accused of not loading up plates with grub. That includes the tower (and do think “tower”) of veggie nachos.
On my first visit, I was overwhelmed by my fish and chips – three massive pieces of fish and loads of thick, chunky chips dished up in a silver basket ($20).
The idea of emperor fish attracted me, as did the champagne batter, although two pieces were far too overcooked for my liking.
Be prepared if you order the big daddy hotdog ($28). We’re talkin’ a 30-centimetre dog loaded with coleslaw, bacon, cheese, onions and chips. It’s not for the faint hearted.
The jaffle bar is pretty cool. You choose three ingredients from an impressive line-up of 20-plus options ($8). A lovely lunch option if you don’t want to get stuffed.
And desserts? Banana fritter mixed with a banana split (moment on the lips, lifetime on the hips), chocolate sundae or waffles with the lot.
The operation at Bonkers is simple. Order and pay at the bar. Grab a seat and take it from there.
The structure of the old Bowls Club hasn’t really been altered, although the pokie machines and tired carpet have been ditched. The transformed décor primarily features odds ‘n’ sods furniture, chandeliers, tableware and cutlery – not much matches, but that’s part of the mischievous personality that is Bonkers.
One wall is loaded with vintage plates, some no doubt gathered from trips to op shops, and
you can write your own thoughts on them if you’re in the mood to entertain yourself. Or perhaps you’d prefer to pinpoint where you were born on the six-metre map of the world.
At certain times, Bonkers is set up so you can dine on the bowls lawn, on a picnic rug, enjoying the beautiful sunsets.
WHEN you catch up with a friend for the first time in a while, it’s good to have a celebratory bubbly.
We chose one of three sparkling wines on the list at Kri-Kri, a Greek restaurant in Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. It came with a give-away fancy closure designed by Georg Jensen. It was a non-vintage Hallmark cuvee produced by Heemskerk, a Tasmanian winery. The Hallmark is made from a blend of the traditional sparkling grape varieties, chardonnay and pinot noir. It is a pleasant, straw-coloured wine with a good clean acidic finish and a hint of citrus. The winery takes its name from the flagship of Abel Tasman.
The wine was poured into two small coupes, a glass that I hadn’t seen in use for a long time.
“Marie Antoinette’s breasts”, I said.
“What?” said the waitress and my friend at the same time, as if we were rehearsing a play, both of them giving me an arch look.
“Legend has it that Marie Antoinette had a champagne glass moulded in the shape of her left breast so that the court could toast her bountiful health.”
“Bit small,” said the waitress as she poured the wine.
“A perfect mouthful, maybe...”
But alas, on my return to Canberra, my research shows that legend it indeed was, although Marie Antoinette did have porcelain bowls for milk moulded from her breasts. This focus on the breast was an
The coupe glass is out of favour because it just doesn’t do justice to fizz. The large surface area of coupe glasses means the bubbles pop off far too quickly so the better choice is a flute.
attempt to get noblewomen to feed their babies naturally. These bowls are called Jatte Teton and come mounted on a goat-headed tripod stand.
And the coupe glass is out of favour because it just doesn’t do justice to fizz. The large surface area of coupe glasses means the bubbles pop off far too quickly so the better choice is a flute.
As we clinked glasses, toasting to a friendship of more than 40 years, another legend comes to mind.
“Do you know where that custom comes from, the clinking of glasses?
“Is this another legend?”
“Yes. I understand that the Medici family, you know Florence in the 1500s, were big into both wine drinking and poisoning their
enemies. They invented a colourless, tasteless poison that was added to wine.
“So, the legend goes that when a toast was made, the guests would stand in a circle and clink glasses sharing the wine by pouring some from their glass into their neighbour’s come poison or not.
“I think the related legend is that the Renaissance host would pour a little of the guest’s wine into his glass to show that there was no deathly intention.
“But if the guest wanted to show that he trusted the host he would just clink glasses with him.”
And, on further research, that seems to be incorrect as well.
Apparently, the custom of glass clinking just evolved from communal drinking. When communal drinking ended, the touching of glasses occurred so that we could maintain a connection with others. Just like ensuring we stay connected with old friends, really.
Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Singles – the search for your soul mate takes a temporary nose-dive, as Venus reverses through your sign. Expect to spend numerous nights at home, as potential dates cancel or it’s just hard to find anyone who remotely rings your bell. Use the time productively to catch up on personal projects that have been on the backburner. Attached Aries – is your partner annoying you or cramping your style? Stop obsessing about their perceived faults and focus on their positive qualities instead.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
It will be difficult to give and receive affection this week, as love planet Venus is in retrograde mode. Attached Taurus – you may be called on to deal with unresolved issues from the past, or your current relationship could be complicated by the re-emergence of a former lover. If you’re single, you could become involved in a complicated secret affair. Whatever happens, avoid making important long-term decisions about your romantic life until after Venus moves forwards on April 15.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Singles – gung-ho Geminis love to dive into the dating pool frequently, and often date two people at the same time. But (with Venus now retro) you need to be much more discriminating. Attached Twins – you’ll have to be extra patient (not one of your natural strengths) if you want to avoid a breakdown in communication between you and your partner. Two-way conversation and lots of listening are required, otherwise you’ll be at cross-purposes and misunderstandings are likely.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Are you attracted to a colleague, client or customer? Think twice before you make a move because (with Venus reversing through your career zone) love and work are a messy mix at the moment. There’s more chance of success if you delay any romantic developments until after April 15 (when Venus moves forwards again). Coupled Crabs – there could be extra pressure placed on the relationship when one (or both) of you experiences work-related problems.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Single Lions – with Venus now in retrograde motion (until April 15) it will be hard to get the romantic sparks firing between you and a potential partner. So don’t even try. When it comes to dating, take a long Cat nap instead! Attached Leo –have you been neglecting your lover? Stop being so preoccupied with your own individual needs and instead, start considering your partner’s desires. Without some extra TLC, your sweetheart may start looking for satisfaction elsewhere.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
Attached Virgo – with Venus reversing through your intimacy zone, don’t be too picky with your lover. Nothing kills passion like nagging! You’ll find praise and encouragement will get you a lot further than criticism. Single Virgo – you’re in a hurry to meet someone special but (with Venus retro) you may find it difficult to differentiate between a romantic charmer and a devious dreamer. So when it comes to dating, take your time and tread carefully.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
With love planet Venus (your ruling planet) reversing through your relationship zone, expect some romantic hiccups over the next few weeks. Attached Librans – you’ll have to work extra hard on fostering intimacy and maintaining a close connection with your partner. Otherwise silly arguments and stony silences are likely. Singles – true love has been temporarily delayed, so you’ll just have to be extra patient. Good things will (eventually) come to those who wait!
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
You’re super keen to find your soul mate but (with love planet Venus in retrograde mode) it’s not the ideal time to be searching and sampling. Plus, if your intuition tells you that a prospective date is not the real deal, then avoid them like the plague! If you are attached then you may experience problems (or separations) from your sweetheart due to work, health or financial issues. For some Scorpios –a pampered pet could cause friction between you and your partner.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Singles – with love planet Venus reversing through your romance zone, you’ll find it difficult to differentiate a dream date from a disappointing dud. So if you are dating – avoid making snap decisions and proceed with (uncustomary) caution. Attached Archers – it’s time to review, reboot and re-commit yourself to the partnership with plenty of passion and purpose. But if you are too bossy with your beloved, then you could find yourself temporarily travelling solo.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Are you looking for love? It will be almost impossible for any mere mortal to meet your super high expectations, as retrograde Venus puts you in ‘super-perfectionist’ mode. Just remember – ‘Perfection is a goal, not a destination’. If you live with your lover, strive to be extra patient as retro Venus causes havoc in your home zone for the next few weeks. Expect some arguments over domestic duties, or disagreements about a sensitive and complicated family matter.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Singles – with Venus reversing through your communication zone, be careful what you post, text, tweet and email. And be especially cautious about whom you reply to on online dating sites, otherwise you could pick someone who you would normally run a mile from! Attached Aquarians – are you having problems with your partner? There’s no substitute for sitting down and having a long chat with them. If you see things from their point of view, it will certainly help.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Love planet Venus is in retrograde mode until April 15. So the next few weeks is the time to review close relationships, revise personal values, and ask yourself some serious questions. Is your romantic partnership providing the love, romance and security you desperately crave? Is an old friendship out of step with your current value system? When Venus is reversing, you need to make some adjustments. Single Fish – expect a few frustrating hurdles along the road to finding a partner.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2017
Across
1 Name a simple bush bread. (6)
7 What describes honourably discharged, but retained on the rolls? (8)
8 To be arrested, is to be what? (6)
9 What is another term for an almanac? (8)
10 Name a very early policeman, Bow Street ... (6)
11 Who accompanies an aeroplane pilot in order to maintain reconnaissance? (8)
14 Lincoln is the capital of which US state? (8)
18 Which line of kings ruled in England from 1066 to 1154? (6)
19 Which particular fish is valued as a source of caviar? (8)
21 Name an alternative term for an Inuit. (6)
22 What is another name for a traveller? (8)
23 Which star is the brightest in the sky? (6)
Down
1 Name a military training college in the ACT. (8)
2 What was the former name of Beijing? (6)
3 Name an international philanthropic organisation. (3,5)
4 Name a small freshwater duck. (4)
5 Which is the main meal, taken either about noon, or in the evening? (6)
6 What do we call a deputy of a rector or vicar? (6)
12 What is another name for wrenches? (8)
13 Get togethers are also called what? (8)
15 In cricket, what are sundries known as? (6)
16 To make less dense, is to do what? (6)
17 What do we call a middleman, or agent? (6)
20 Which term describes a British nobleman? (4)
Lucia came by worried that she may have put too much money into her superannuation fund.
“I understand that there are some changes in superannuation this year, but it all seems so confusing. I need some help to get this sorted, Gail,” she said.
I noted that she had a pension from CSS and that from July 1 individuals are allowed only to have a total of $1.6 million in superannuation.
“So the question is: how is your CSS pension valued in relation to this $1.6 million cap?” I said.
“CSS is a defined-benefit fund that pays a lifetime pension. To value it, you need to know whether it is a taxed-defined benefit or an untaxed-defined benefit.
“I recommend that you contact CSS for confirmation of this. However, based on what you have told me, it appears that your pension is probably untaxed. I also understand that there will be a pension increase before July 1 so you will need to recalculate it at that date to confirm its exact value.
“To value your pension you take your pension at July 1 and multiply it by 16. In simple terms, if your pension is less than $100,000 at July 1, you will not exceed the $1.6 million cap.
“However, if you do exceed this cap depending on whether the pension is taxed or untaxed there are other taxation consequences.
“Your pension is currently $120,000 and you have been receiving an offset of 10 per cent of the value of the pension. From July 1 this offset will be limited to 10 per cent on $100,000.
“Currently, you are receiving a tax reduction of $12,000 but this will be reduced to $10,000 from 1 July. So your tax reduction will be $2000 less than in the current year.”
Lucia said she now understood about her CSS pension, but wanted to know what would happen with her self-managed fund.
“Your SMSF will not have any space within the cap and will simply become an accumulation fund going forward,” I advised her.
“The earnings will be taxed at 15 per cent, which is less than your current marginal tax rate of 39 per cent.
“I note you are currently salary sacrificing from your earnings and are probably aware that your current concessional cap is $35,000. In view of your overall tax and superannuation position, it would be advisable to maximise your salary sacrifice this year of $35,000. It will be to your benefit to have the maximum amount in your SMSF and only be paying 15 per cent tax rather than taking the money out of superannuation and having it in personal investments and paying 39 per cent tax on the earnings.
“This is quite a significant difference and we need to review your position very carefully before June 30 as this will be your last chance to contribute to superannuation.
“I recommend that we examine this further and put together a full strategy once you have had a chance to consider today’s discussions.”
Lucia said she would be back to finalise her super strategy once she’d obtained a bit more information.
If you need advice on your superannuation or any other tax-related matter, contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd
BACKING on to the stunning Pinnacle nature reserve and hidden away on the hillside, artist Felicity Green’s large, 2800sqm, sloping block is alive with insects, birds and butterflies.
A blend of natives and exotics, Felicity says her Hawker garden aims to be biodiverse for animals, providing shelter, food and habitat, while working alongside what is naturally there.
“The soil is tough and rocky, and we get kangaroos coming in for the native grasses, the acacias and poa at the back,” she says.
This unique garden will be open to the public for the first time through Open Gardens Canberra on the weekend of March 4-5.
The garden has different sections, with courtyards around the Pettit and Sevitt house, a saltwater billabong pool and a cottage garden with a combination of natives and perennials, including sage, salvias, David Austin roses, wisteria and crepe myrtle.
Words: Kathryn Vukovljak
Photos: Andrew Finch
“I love my flowers, and the cottage garden is my favourite place to sit with a cup of tea,” Felicity says.
“It’s buzzing with life; it’s not a dead garden.
“Watching the natural wildlife is something I really enjoy – we have 60 species of birds, mopoke owls that roost here, wasps, native bees, 15 species of butterfly and more species of ants in this garden than the whole of the UK!”
Having moved into the home 10 years ago, Felicity says she has replaced most of the garden over the years, taking the time to figure out what works.
“Much of the garden is in the front, with natives in the large space along the driveway,” she says.
“The garden gets drier and harder as you go further up the back, but I love that it has a sense of place here, that you feel you are in the bush capital and the best thing you can do is work with it.”
Fruit trees and a large veggie garden with raised beds in the back provide beans, tomatoes, strawberries, basil, zucchini, NZ spinach, lettuces, apricots, nectarines, plums and Nashi pears. The garden is watered by a 28,000-litre tank.
“I feel I’m a custodian here and I’m providing a habitat through diversity for so much life,” Felicity says. “I like being connected to nature, there’s a spirituality to it that gives life meaning.”
28 Marrakai Street, Hawker, open 10am-4pm, on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5. Admission $8; free to under-18s and Open Gardens Canberra members. It costs $25 to join Open Gardens Canberra and gain free entry to all open gardens until August 31.
More information at opengardenscanberra.org.au/join
Also open March 3-4:
• 18 Dutton Street, Dickson, and
• Charnwood Community Garden, off Lhotsky Street.
A serious decision then has to be made; which is the more valuable – the plant or the pot? A plastic pot can easily be cut away. Terracotta pots are relatively cheap and you may have to take the hammer to them!
THIS summer has been a swift learning curve for old-timers like me, gardening for half a century, right through to those new to gardening.
This is especially so if you have lots of plants in pots where the smaller the container, the faster the soil/potting mix dries out.
Go away for a weekend when the temperatures are in the high 30C to 40C and the chance of your potted plants surviving is almost nil.
Mixing water-saving crystals in these conditions may perhaps help the plant survive a few more days. The leaves on our lemon tree, planted in a large container 60 centimetres wide and equally deep, were decidedly flopped with just five days away without water. Now is the time to go for a walk around the garden to see where potted plants can be planted in the ground.
THE challenge will be getting the plants out of the container. A serious decision then has to be made; which is the more valuable – the plant or the pot? A plastic pot can easily be cut away. Terracotta pots are relatively cheap and you may have to take the hammer to them!
For expensive ceramic containers, especially if they taper in at the top, there is no easy solution. Using a long saw round the edge to cut through the roots from top to bottom might work. When removing the plant from the pot really soak the potting mix. Remember, if the plant has been in the container for years, it will be a mass of fibrous roots.
Once out of the pot, use the saw to trim off a quarter of these fine roots, including the bottom. After this summer I have reduced my container plants to half a dozen.
GARDEN centres around Australia celebrate Garden Releaf Day on Sunday, March 19. Established in 2014, Garden Releaf is an innovative program to help people understand the benefits of spending time in gardens surrounded by living plants, enjoying healthy produce to improve a person’s health and wellbeing.
Last year Garden Releaf raised more than $70,000 for the beyond blue foundation, which assists families or individuals who have been
affected by depression, suicide and anxiety. In Canberra, Yarralumla’s Heritage Nursery will join in the fundraising with special events for children and adults.
COINCIDENTALLY, March 19 is also National Blueberry Day, with garden centres focusing on blueberries for their outstanding health properties. The most important aspect is they have more antioxidants for fighting disease than almost any other fruit.
Blueberries are so easy to grow. If you can grow azaleas, rhododendrons and any other acid-loving plant, you can grow blueberries. As with all these plants they thrive in an acid soil with good drainage and love the full sun.
Don’t pick them before they are ripe as, unlike tomatoes, they will not continue to ripen after picking. Once the flowers set, water at least twice a week as, like almost all fruit, they are 80 per cent juice.
I AM often asked about woodlice, those tiny insects with grey, hard, tortoise-like shells. They are often considered as pests, but in fact woodlice are crustaceans and feed almost entirely on dead and decaying plant material. They are often found in wood heaps or the drier parts of a compost heap. It is very rare that they will eat fresh leaves. So, please, don’t use sprays to get rid of them.
SNAILS are on the move, chomping on the
emerging leaves of my polyanthus. I have always liked the comment of David Young, former ABC gardening presenter, suggesting the best way to deal with snails without using snail bait: put your foot on them and if you are squeamish, put shoes on first!
• Don’t replant pot plants into the garden until the end of March.
• Start seriously planting daffodil bulbs without delay.
• Gardens, like stores, need a regular stocktake. Time to get rid of the failures and maybe replace with plants out of pots. With the best will in the world, some plants in places just don’t survive.
• The Great Autumn Flower Show is on this weekend, March 4-5, at the Wesley Church Centre.
