It's hard labour sorting out prisons
MICHAEL MOORE
Return of the call from the card table
CHRIS COLEMAN
Winter's unsung, shivering heroes
SONYA FLADUN
The new way to prune roses
CEDRIC BRYANT
If you have experienced complications, you may have been fitted with a defective implant and could be entitled to compensation.
MEJ can assist you with a faulty joint replacement claim.
To find out more call specialist lawyer Rosemary Listing today.
Blistered but unbowed, 51-year-old Jane Hiatt has just run an astonishing seven marathons in seven days in seven different states! And not for the first time, either. She tells reporter DANIELLE NOHRA why...
RUNNING 42.2 kilometres every day for seven days, in seven different states became a mental game for Jane Hiatt, 51, who knew her body could finish it, even though her feet were covered in blisters.
Jane was attracted to the challenge of the Bravehearts 777 Marathon before she became attached to the cause, which raises awareness and funds to protect children against child sexual assault and support survivors and victims of this crime.
Jane recently completed the marathon for the second time and says she didn’t understand the enormity of it during her first marathon in 2013.
This year was different. She went into it more fit and mentally prepared than the last.
“I only started running seven years ago to connect with my husband,” she says.
“The kids were growing up fast. I could see there would a day when they’d leave and we’d go ‘what now?’”
Jane met her husband, Dave, marathon kayaking in the ‘80s while doing the Murray River Marathon so they were naturally drawn to challenges.
Decades later, after having four
children together and settling down in Calwell, they became inspired by a friend who completed ultra marathons and decided to enter a 100km marathon.
Two years in a row Jane made it to the 54-kilometre mark and then had the thought: “If I can’t do 100 kilometres in a day, I’ll do 297 kilometres over seven”.
But nothing prepared Jane for the agony of hopping on a plane and dealing with that pressure on her feet each night after finishing the daily 42.2 kilometres in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Kingscliff and the Gold Coast.
During the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, recovery time was fundamental for Jane, who even started running before the official start time so she would have time to wind down with a massage after each day.
Her quickest day was around five and a half hours and her longest was close to eight hours, which meant that she had to go straight to the airport without having a shower or getting changed.
The Bravehearts team of 26 raised around $260,000 between them, of which Jane contributed around $11,000.
“The main focus is raising awareness and the idea of putting yourself through
a journey or a challenge helps people to relate,” Jane says.
During Jane’s first Bravehearts marathon she met the wife of one of the runners who had come to support her husband.
“She was raped as a 13-year-old by her uncle and in between the marathon in 2013 and now he got out [of prison],” Jane says.
“So she went on to do the next marathon and it healed her.”
Another man was sexually abused by a family friend and another runner’s daughter committed suicide after she, too, was abused.
“There’s nothing you can do to change the past or undo the memories,” Jane says.
“Running the marathon is a way for me to say: ‘I love you and I’m here to care for you’.”
Bravehearts.org.au or call 1800 272831.
ANYONE suffering chronic pain is invited to attend a seminar entitled “Getting on Top of Pain”, a special event to mark the start of National Pain Week 2017. The seminar will be held at the Labor Club, Belconnen, 10am-3pm, on Friday, July 21. Speakers include Dr Romil Jain, clinical director of Canberra Hospital Pain Management Unit; Tom McHugh, psychologist, Capital Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic and Randolph Sparks, clinical psychologist. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and express their own ideas. Families and carers are welcome. Registrations to trybooking.com/292462 and enquiries to secretary@painsupportact.org.au
PARKINSON’S ACT is holding its Walk in the Park fundraiser starting at Rond Terrace, on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, and walking through Commonwealth Park from 11am on Sunday, August 27. Funds raised will provide support to people living with Parkinson’s and their families in the ACT and surrounding areas. There will be lucky draw prizes, a sausage sizzle, a coffee stand, face-painting, a dancing demonstration and an opportunity to buy paintings from our Painting with Parkinsons group. Register for the walk or donate everydayhero.com.au/event/actwitp17
Arts & Entertainment 19-21
Dining 21
Cinema 20
Crossword 23
Gardening 22
Horoscopes 23
Letters 8
News 3-9
Politics 6
Socials 12
Cover: Marathon runner Jane Hiatt. Story Page 3. Photo by Maddie McGuigan.
Well
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‘Diamond’
Nick Kyrgios’ late-night partying with two girls in London, hours after his exit from the prestigious tournament, may cause him more pain than the surgery.
AS THE world was being enchanted by the real-life “Rocky” tale of Jeff Horn taking the WBO welterweight crown from Manny Pacquiao, a Canberra professional boxer’s career was quietly climbing to new levels. Undefeated middleweight “Diamond” Dave Toussaint outpointed Shane Mosley Jr in an undercard bout at the Battle of Brisbane. The 26-year-old southpaw told ESPN: “I can’t wait to get back in the ring”. And on his Facebook page Toussaint promised “exciting times ahead” for his Canberra supporters.
WHILE Toussaint’s star brightens, the future and personal safety of another of our sport stars is under threat. Forced to retire early from Wimbledon due to injury, Nick has vowed to do “everything possible” to avoid the knife as an option to fix a chronic hip injury.
But Nick’s late-night partying with two girls in London, hours after his exit from the prestigious tournament, may cause him more pain than the surgery. The father of one of the girls, 18-year-old British player Chelsea Samways, reportedly wants to “knock out” the tennis bad boy.
THE paucity of detail in a statement announcing former chief police officer of ACT Policing, Roman Quaedvlieg – currently head of Australia’s Border Force – had taken sudden leave of absence, is frustrating some.
A statement from Justice Minister Michael Keenan confirmed the 52-year-old father of three “is on leave” and “a matter is under investigation by appropriate authorities” adding “there will be no further comment until that process is complete”.
TELEVISION is being credited for a healthy rise in the number of people tuned into Canberra ABC breakfast radio host Dan Bourchier. The Tennant Creek-raised journalist consolidated his #1 position (up
1.6 per cent to 19.3 per cent) in the latest GfK radio survey. Bourchier also anchors the ABC TV evening bulletin which insiders believe boosted his popularity. The major casualty of the survey was 2CC’s syndicated shock-jock Ray Hadley, down 2.4 per cent to a share of 5.8 per cent.
THE Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, an ongoing headache for the ACT government, is again in the headlines after revelations by a whistleblower drew condemnation from the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. The group says: “The allegations involve
dose of dorin
year, say they were told by the then nursing home manager that maggots “were good for wounds” due to the fact they “cleaned them out”. Hospital staff have complained to the Aged Care Commissioner.
DISTURBING statistics on our status within the illicit drug scene have been published. The number of cocaine seizures in Canberra has jumped by more than 500 per cent (from 11 to 68) in 2015-16. The ACT recorded the greatest increase in cocaine busts nationally, just ahead of NSW.
The figures are from the annual Illicit Drug Data Report published by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
what would amount to incredibly disturbing human rights abuses against the most vulnerable people in society, our children.”
They’re calling on the government to “weed out” such systematic abuses.
A SPOTLIGHT shone on the shortcomings in the nursing-home industry across the nation, shifted to the ACT after disturbing reports of a 77-year-old resident of Southern Cross Care at Garran, presenting at Canberra Hospital with maggot-infested wounds.
The family of the man, who died earlier this
A BATTLE is brewing among conservatives across the border in the Labor-held seat of Eden-Monaro. Seems the divisions within the Federal Coalition may spread to the one-time bellwether electorate and spark a three-cornered contest at the next election. Speculation has grown after Nationals’ leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce failed to douse talk of a Nat’s candidate contesting the NSW seat for the first time in 25 years.
THE phrase “all politics is local” may have been redefined recently when a Belconnen resident answered a dinner time phone call from the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk . The Premier’s “personal” robo call was to invite our randomly selected recipient to a Town Hall meeting in Brisbane next week.
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QUESTIONS over the management of Bimberi, the youth correction facility, raise a wide range of complex issues.
The NT’s Don Dale detention centre along with Barwon and Cleveland make the issue particularly sensitive. In the context of those revelations it is difficult in the ACT not to jump to similar conclusions and to sensationalise the issues.
Opposition Leader Alistair Coe has been strident in his demands for action and critical of the government response. This is the job of an opposition. He sees it as “a real failure of leadership” citing “a systemic and cultural problem”. However, the executive director of Child and Youth Protection Services, Dr Mark Collis, defends the facility. He argues that the issues raised were from a previous era and have been addressed. He emphasises the point by calling on anyone with further allegations to come forward.
As Mahatma Gandhi expounded: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members”.
Managing people who are incarcerated is one of the most difficult tasks in our community. On the one hand, there is a community expectation that people who are detained, for whatever reason, will abide by the rules and regulations of the facility. On the other hand the people incarcerated are there because they have flouted the law, ignored
Why is Denmark facing issues of how to close prisons at the same time as Australia seems hell bent on exponentially increasing the numbers of people in prison?
community standards and ignored the rules and regulations of the broader community.
The community expects correctional staff to keep control, ensure the punishment is carried out appropriately and that prisoners are rehabilitated to move safely back into the community. People outside the corrections community only think about the role of corrections officers when something goes wrong, such as a prisoner escape, allegations of misuse of power or a serious injury.
In 2011 I visited prisons in Europe at the behest of the ACT government to determine the most effective way of implementing a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) in the ACT. The initiative of now Senator Katy Gallagher has not been successful largely due to resistance from ACT correctional officers.
The irony for me is that corrections officers in every one of the prisons with NSP programs argued that the relationship with prisoners improved remarkably after the introduction even though warders had invariably opposed the introduction. This is why they had become strong supporters. One of the warders suggested to me that the
prisoners realised that the act of putting the health of those inside as the highest priority was a catalyst for the change. The following year I heard a similar story from prison authorities in Iran.
As part of managing concerns, Bimberi management has the ACT Human Rights Commission advising them on the most effective way to manage more difficult detainees. The commission is due to report later this year on some of the allegations including racist prods, and accusations of supply of alcohol and other drugs. These are allegations of great concern and need to be taken seriously.
The broader context also needs to be taken seriously by the community. It is time to ask why it is that a country such as Denmark can so effectively lower the percentage of people who are incarcerated? It’s facing issues of how to close prisons at the same time as Australia seems hell bent on exponentially increasing the numbers of people in prison. And this is despite
the average cost of close to a hundred thousand dollars per prisoner per year.
The reality is that hardening attitudes, debates over who can be toughest on crime, knee-jerk reactions that increase penalties to be seen to take action after every minor crisis and the increasing rate of disparity between the “haves” and the “have nots” all feed into a larger and larger prison population.
Better relationships fostered in an atmosphere of respect are an important key to better outcomes. This means mutual respect between prisoners and staff, respect for human rights and respect for the law in that the punishment is restricted to deprivation of liberty. Dr Collis has argued that huge progress has been made since the original 2011 allegations. Let’s hope the Human Rights Commission report verifies the claim.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legisla tive Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health
DR Marianne Jauncey, director of the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre; David McDonald, an interdisciplinary social scientist and policy analyst and Michael Moore, CEO of the Public Health Association will discuss prescription heroin as a rational approach to improving health and social outcomes at a free public seminar at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, London Circuit, Civic, 12.30pm-1.30pm on Thursday, July 27. There will be time for questions and discussion. Registrations to eventbrite.com.au
THE ladies of the Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club will be celebrating Christmas in July at their next meeting at the Town Centre Vikings club, Greenway, 6.30pm, on Wednesday, July 26. Dinner is $32 and visitors are welcome. Booking and inquiries to tuggeven@gmail.com or 62917716.
TRISH Keller will talk to the ladies of the Weston Creek VIEW Club about the National Arboretum at the club’s next lunchtime meeting at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, from 11.30, on Tuesday, August 1. Visitors and new members are welcome. Bookings to 6288 7625 by Thursday July 27.
By Danielle Nohra
OF the 700 children and young people living in out-of-home care
in Canberra, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up 26 per cent, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
But the crisis doesn’t stop there. It’s currently stretching across the whole of Australia says the Canberra regional manager of ACT Together, Rebecca Jeffrey.
There is an urgent need for Aboriginal carers but there is also a desperate need for any carers says Rebecca.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster carers are needed to build a child’s identity and connection to culture,” she says.
ACT Together helps connect children to their culture through the indigenous child placement principle, which outlines that children should be placed with their extended family first, a member of their community second, another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person third and with a nonindigenous carer as a last resort.
Carers Lynn Orcher and Shane Matini have a five, nine and 10-yearold in care with them as well as their own biological children.
Lynn is an Aboriginal woman who works with the Care and Support Team
at ACT Together and Shane is a Maori, and a big sports lover.
Both Shane and Lynn were from less-fortunate and poverty stricken towns, which became a driver for them to give children something different.
“Shane and I felt we were needed to be carers to give the children a predictable and stable environment to grow and be healthy,” Lynn says.
“We foster because we’ve seen the desperation in communities that is there, the entrenchment and the issues through family.
“We foster because we care. We do it because we enjoy it and it brings life to our home having children around.”
Indigenous culture plays a large
part in their own home and keeping the traditions alive is very important to them and their children.
“We keep that positive in their life, because it’s their identity and they need identities, especially in today’s world,” Shane says.
“If they can hold on to one thing, and that’s what they have, they can cherish that and move ahead in life.”
Lynn says that their home is filled with large, wooden-framed Aboriginal art and around the home the family uses “Aboriginal slang”.
“The kids pick up on that, and it’s all very much in jest that we do. We talk all day and every day about home, we return to country,” she says
“We also like to engage with the birth parents and the children’s case worker around learning their family history, genograms, life story work.
“It’s not just about Googling, it’s about taking the children back to where they’re from, working through their cultural plans with them to expand their education and knowledge so that when they leave care or when they leave us, they have a fairly wellgrounded sense of their culture and heritage and where they’re from.”
The 10-year-old girl in Lynn and Shane’s care came to them without a strong sense of her culture.
Recently during after-school-care she discovered an untapped talent in Aboriginal painting, which Lynn says gives her peace and adds to her identity.
Lynn says it’s moments such as watching her paint where the rewards of a carer far outweigh the challenges.
“We’ve had challenging behaviours that have come through our doors,” she says.
“Nothing that we haven’t seen too far from what our own children have been through over the years.
“They just want predictability and stability, and to know that there’s adults in their lives that they can depend and rely upon to keep them safe.”
Information about foster care via 1300 933678.
AN academy for digital creatives and an IT quality control service are among the 14 ACT finalists for this year’s Telstra Business Awards.
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, a finalist in the medium business category, educates and produces the next generation of 3D animators and digital creatives. In addition to courses, the academy has invested $5.4 million and given support to innovative technology start-ups through its incubator program. Informatech, a finalist in the new business category, delivers quality control as a critical element of modern IT projects.
The full list of the finalists is: New Business: Dex, Informatech, Ki Acupuncture Pty Ltd, Black Fire Restaurant, Mint Content.
Small Business: Capital Chemist Wanniassa, Tailored Accounts, Corporate Catering by Mr Cappuccino, Wholistic Financial Solutions.
Medium Business: Barton Private Hospital, Forward IT, ABS Façade, Rork Projects Pty Ltd, The Academy of Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
Winners will be announced at the National Gallery of Australia on Friday, July 21. The national winners will be announced in Sydney on Friday, August 25.
The Paris End is where you’ll find an eclectic mix of
Open Tues to Fri 10am - 5pm, and Saturdays 10am - 4pm Phone: 02 6262 3237 theparisendcanberra@gmail.com
ANDY Warhol’s cynical prediction that “in the future, everyone will be worldfamous for 15 minutes” may not have come true, but for a host of sportspeople around the country, they are a bit closer to it now than ever before.
Readers of a certain vintage may remember the days when local radio – and occasionally TV – stations provided live coverage of local sporting events. Not the national leagues, but the local games, featuring the people you might have shared a spot at the bar with during the week.
The past few years have seen a virtual explosion in the number of local sporting bodies that have worked out they can get exposure on the web.
events and it got to the point where I’d be doing one or two games a year as a favour for a local sports event for after-the-event DVDs.
WHAT a lot of rubbish columnist Michael Moore writes in claiming that banks have been ripping off ordinary Australians for years through outrageous interest rates and sneaky fees (“Crocodile tears amid banks’ greedy hypocrisy”, CN July 6).
There has been plenty of competition for years in Australia for many years now in both the bank and non-bank sector. Customers are free to choose between either. As for “outrageous interest rates on credit cards”, there is no need to pay a cent in interest if you pay off the balance within fairly generous interest-free limits. I have never paid a cent in interest on a credit card and I use them all the time. If you don’t want to ever pay any bank fees, use cash as many people do.
Canberra Kids Market is the place to find new and pre loved, handmade, clothing,toys, equipment, photographers, cupcakes, face painting, party planners to name but a few.
Huge
Unfortunately for local sports, the almost insatiable demands of the national codes for coverage from their broadcasters have made the old local broadcasts largely uneconomic, as well as logistically difficult.
It’s hard to broadcast suburban footy when the NRL or AFL provide games on four or five days a week on a regular basis, including blanket coverage on the weekends.
A lot of the big-name commentators you see on the TV these days cut their teeth calling country footy and, having done a bit of it in the past, there’s nothing quite like that to learn your craft.
A lot of suburban grounds don’t have big grandstands, so you could be working at a table on the sidelines or a commentary box about the size of a phone booth and situated in a less-than-ideal position to identify the players from.
I started working in radio at the tail end of regular local sports broadcasts, having harboured a desire since my very early days to be a football commentator. I reckon I did commentary on at least 30 different sports back in the day. It paid to be a jack-of-all-trades, especially as my career progressed.
Despite the shrinking number of opportunities to work at sporting events I managed to do enough through the ‘90s to work on a few AFL and NRL games and the odd appearance at some other sports.
Eventually though the supply of commentators outstripped the demand for
I figured the dream was over, but I didn’t count on the internet. The past few years have seen a virtual explosion in the number of local sporting bodies that have worked out they can get exposure on the web. It’s not at the point where sports are making megabucks from it, but it’s more common than you may think.
It’s a growing trend that was started by lower-profile sports but is now happening widely and for the players it’s opening doors across the country and overseas. Footballers are being spotted in online streamed games and being offered the chance to play in higher-level competitions. I know several Australian baseball players who have picked up contracts in the US.
And for a kid who – at the age of seven –said to his dad, an old radio man himself, “one day, I want to be a football commentator” it’s an opportunity to do it weekly, even if it has taken 40 years to get there.
Chris Coleman, presenter of “Canberra Live” weekdays on 2CC, is now regularly calling games for the Canberra Raiders Cup competition and the occasional NEAFL fixture.
$5 entry includes free workshops all day Contact Lilitu or Natasha for more information on 02 6241 0799 Saturday July 22nd 2017 • 10am-5pm
Royal Commissions rarely benefit anyone except lawyers and cost the taxpayer a fortune. All Michael Moore is doing is jumping on the Bill Shorten bandwagon, the perpetual whinger about the banks. They employ more than 30,000 Australians and pay very good dividends to between three and four million others. Perhaps Michael Moore is not one of them! He should stick to commenting on health matters; hopefully he knows more about that subject.
The salaries paid to their CEOs are another matter and very questionable, but to so savagely criticise the banks because they are very profitable is a very weak argument.
Colin Lyons, Weetangera
I THINK columnist Robert Macklin needs to seek anger management for his extreme response to Donald Trump’s “spurning the Paris Climate Change Accord” (“When the world put Trump to one side”, CN July 6). I agree we need to do something about our polluting of the atmosphere, but let us be realistic about this.
Firstly, every country has to participate and China is one of the worst for pollution yet Robert did not have a go at them. Unless every country participates it is a waste of time and I do not believe China will change. Secondly, contrary to popular opinion, the seas are not rising. The land is sinking in some places and if the seas were rising, we would see a difference all over the world, not just in certain places. We have not seen a rise in Sydney Harbour for instance or other coastal cities.
Vi Evans, via email
HUNDREDS of bridge players from interstate are expected when Canberra hosts the Australian National Championships over 12 days at Thoroughbred Park this month.
Organised by the Australian Bridge Federation, the national challenge moves annually around each state and territory.
And they’re still taking entries, says veteran player Brett Yeats, of Yarralumla.
Brett says it’s a game for players of all standards from novice to expert, so there will be events to suit any level.
Brett, 67, and his wife Jennifer, 66, will play as a pair at the event. He started playing after Jennifer encouraged him to try it 20 years ago.
“It’s never too late to learn the game.
“My wife and I have played against blind people, against a lady aged 101 and she did well.
“And against a quadriplegic. He had to indicate his bids and which card to play via a laser attached to his head and his assistant moved the cards.
“As the body ages and we get too old for golf or tennis we can still play bridge and keep the brain active.”
“I have had the pleasure of meeting people playing at clubs in Broken Hill, Auckland and Wellington amongst other places,” Brett says.
“There is passion and drama at the bridge tables which draws us back week after week, year after year.”
Australian Bridge Federation’s National Championships, Thoroughbred Park Function and Convention Centre, Randwick Road, Lyneham. July 15-27. Information via abfevents.com.au/ events/anc/2017/
IT’S freezing cold. The temperature is still minus five, the wind chill makes it feel like minus 10. It’s barely light with the sun just glimmering over the top of the hills. It’s Saturday morning and wouldn’t you like to stay in bed, tucked beneath a great weight of blankets with the electric blanket keeping the temperature just perfect?
But that’s not where thousands of Canberra parents and their kids are most Saturday mornings this winter – and, indeed, every winter.
No, we’re out and about, freezing our butts off as our kids play football, rugby, soccer, netball, swimming, hockey, horse riding, ice skating, dance and ballet, or whatever sport they love.
Sporting parents are the unsung heroes of winter. It’s not just the freezing mornings, the days that often start well before dawn and the countless hours spent on the sidelines, barracking, cheering, encouraging and offering support and sympathy when kids come off the field with knocks, bruises and sprains. It’s all the other things that parents and relatives do – volunteering to coach and referee, taxiing kids to venues and raising money with sausage sizzles.
And it’s not just Saturdays. It’s all the other nights spent helping training, match preparations, organising club finances, sitting through long committee meetings and
We should all quietly raise our cups of coffee or hot chocolate and say a quiet thank you for all that work and commitment that keeps our sporting
dealing with the complicated rules and massive red tape that accompanies every sporting code.
For many sports the financial costs are considerable with family budgets stretched to get kids the equipment and coaching they need and to travel to interstate competitions.
Of course, sometimes parents can go a bit too far – be it sledging from the sidelines or driving less-than-enthusiastic kids to persist with something they don’t want to do. There are a few parents who seem determined to live vicariously through their children’s sporting performance and that’s something that can bring its own perversity.
However, by and large, I see parents who love their children, who believe that sport brings great benefits in terms of fitness, skills, resilience, determination to achieve, and team spirit, and who do everything they can to help, support and encourage. Without committed parents and family members, sport would simply not exist. They are the foundation on which many of our kids’ fitness, social skills, growing self-confidence and sense of achievement rests. They are
nation going.
the often-unrecognised foundation for sporting industries worth hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars in Australia’s economy.
Behind every football champion, tennis great, winning jockey or breathtaking ballerina are parents and families who got up early on Saturday mornings, who passed on holidays to pay for training camps and interstate competitions, who kept their old car long after it could have been replaced in order to pay for equipment, coaches and opportunities to excel.
So as we stand around muddy fields and many other bitterly cold winter venues, we should all quietly raise our cups of coffee or hot chocolate and say a quiet thank you for all that work and commitment that keeps our sporting nation going.
SEVERAL months ago I took the time to examine my energy bills and discovered that I did not have access to a scheme that enabled me to control my energy usage to minimise cost as I was able to do years ago in the UK.
After numerous phone calls to my supplier, Origin Energy, and thereafter to AGL I was told that I might be able to purchase a one- or two-way meter, but before I did so, I needed to have an electrician come to my house to advise me. Since no one could explain why this was necessary or explain the steps involved in the process, I complained to the energy ombudsman, the ACAT.
After an exceptionally prompt investigation and thorough response, ACAT advised that I could purchase a two-way meter for a specific price, but still no one from the energy sector could tell me why an electrician had to come to my house to advise me beforehand. It
Smart electricity meters aren’t such a clever move if the frustrating experience of reader MJ Brown, of Yarralumla, is any guide.
was a catch-22. Why would I pay to have a call out if I found the meter and installation charges were too expensive, the estimated money I would save inadequate to justify the expenditure or the placement of the meter simply unsuitable because I live in a townhouse?
Now after even more reading and research, I realise I could have bought either a one- or two-way meter. Problem is that the installation of a two-way meter is a plus for burglars who can determine levels of usage and time their burglaries when the occupant is away (“Cyber crime warning over smart meters”, “Sydney Morning Herald”, April 2017).
And from reports to date, I have learned that it appears that money saved from the installation of a smart meter in NSW increases the
costs to consumers, but benefits the energy company (‘Flexible pricing plans costing additional $370 for electricity”, “SMH”, May 2017). Whoever would have guessed?
As for energy costs, I did a comparison of relevant rates for my type of usage in the ACT and found they were exactly the same irrespective of the provider. When I asked one provider to explain how the tariffs were the same, given that they were in “competition”, he told me the deciding factor for a consumer was the level of customer service provided. Too bad ACAT doesn’t supply energy.
Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated purely to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au
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CANBERRA is full of clever crafty types who put passion and personality into their unique creations. From stylish antique furniture and digital artwork to hands-on art classes and creating delicate glass jewellery, here’s a handy look at all things local and handmade.
Falling in love with chalk paint
STAGHEAD Australia is the ACT stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which is used in the shop and at its workshops, says owner Adrianna.
While travelling, Adrianna fell in love with how people were using the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and now she shares that love with her customers.
Staghead Australia teaches the various techniques that can be achieved with chalk paint at its workshops.
Adrianna says there are workshops where people can bring their own piece and upcycle it, there’s chair makeover and upholstery workshops as well as a decorators’ workshop.
“They’re loaded with tonnes of crafty decoration ideas using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint products,” she says.
“Everyone who comes to us, loves to have a break and escape their daily routines and they come to learn, create and socialise with others.
“We have anyone from doctors, nurses, police officers, flight attendants, day-to-day mums to professional interior designers and decorators coming to learn more about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and the possibilities through our workshops.
“We have a whole range of colours from pastels to bright colours and it doesn’t need primer or sanding.
“The paint can be used on almost any surface including chair material and steel.”
Staghead Australia, 4 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls. Call 6230 9665 or shop online via staghead.com.au
John’s crystal-etched mirrors on display
TORRENS artist and designer John Bradley is bringing his crystal-etched mirrors to the Old Bus Depot Markets on July 16.
Growing up with a father who was a commercial artist, John has been involved in art and design for as long as he can remember and has completed a course in graphic design at CIT.
“Crystal-etched glazing has long been used in signage and decoration,” John says.
“The same materials and techniques are used in office screen partitioning or in pubs and bars, clubs and churches.”
John enjoys the challenge of creating new designs and says people such as home decorators or business promotion visionaries can add them to a home or a workplace.
John Bradley Artwork. Call 6290 2664, 0423 223994 or visit jbarthouse.com.au
GLASS artist Margaret Mousa has spent years perfecting lightweight resin to make it look like glass.
She creates bangles, earrings, cufflinks, hair clips, studs and rings, and sells them online under her brand Asuom Mousa Designs.
As a Cairns resident, Margaret draws inspiration from its unique and vastly diverse landscape rich with natural beauty.
The rainforest, the reef and the outback inspire her the most and she reflects this in her bright and colourful work.
“There’s not much else the same. And it’s unique because of the selection of colours and how they’re put together,” she says.
“All the items are also very light and comfortable to wear.”
Margaret says she can custom-make items and often has people send in pictures of outfits so she can make jewellery that will match the colours.
Asuom Mousa Designs. Visit mousadesigns.com.au
Hands-on help with learning art
LAVENDER Art Studios offers a hands-on approach to teaching art to adults and young people.
Director Elita Mackay says this means the students have the opportunity to watch Greg Devenny-Mackay give a hands-on art demonstration.
“This type of hands-on teaching style is the way in which Greg brings flair to the art studio and the art student’s work,” she says.
“This hands-on way of teaching results in the manifesto outcome of very many pieces of artwork created at Lavender Art Studios.
“Greg confidently teaches art techniques that are both creative and intellectual, full of artistic aptitude and distinctive of the high standard of art that is continually brought forward each term at the art studio.”
Lavender Art Studios teaches various art mediums such as charcoal, pastel, oils, pencil and watercolour, which can be used for portraiture, still life and life drawing.
“Greg Devenny-Mackay’s hands-on demon -
stration and one-on-one support manifest in students accomplishing artistic results that they would not otherwise experience,” Elita says. Lavender Art Studios has about three weekly adult art classes as well as dynamic and vibrant weekly art classes for young people.
Lavender Art Studios, first floor, 42 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6292 3339 or visit lavenderartstudios.com.au or facebook.com/lavenderartstudios
cleaning for quilt emergencies
THERMA Quilts has urgent, same-day cleaning services so customers aren’t without their quilts in the cold winter weather, says owner Jennifer Kusa.
“If children or pets have an accident we can do same-day services at no extra charge,” she says.
“As long as we receive the quilts by 9.40am then they’ll be returned by 3pm.”
Therma Quilts specialises in making and servicing feather and down products from quilts to pillows, cushions and anything made from feather and down.
Using quality textiles, the seamstresses at Therma Quilts hand-make every item suited to the customer’s needs and provide a top-up service when quilts and pillows show signs of wear or loss of warmth and fluffiness.
“Servicing of feather and down products are essential for keeping them in optimal condition for comfort,” says owner Jennifer Kusa.
“Over time, this build-up dampens the down, which causes it to lose its thermal resistance. However, regular servicing of your quilts would ensure that your down is fresh, fluffy and keeps you nice and warm during winter.
“In addition, if your quilt is not warm enough or too warm, we are able to adjust it to your requirements.”
With its eco-friendly cleaning process, Therma Quilts services feather and down products including sleeping bags and down clothing as well as other textiles such as silk, polyester, cotton and wool quilt underlays.
Therma Quilts, 10-12 Kemble Court. Call 6241 6859 or visit thermaquilts.com.au
SPARKED by the Canberra cold and Jasmin Owen’s customers, mini cold and heat packs are now Jazminbell’s most-loved product, says owner and designer Jasmin Owen.
The brand Jazminbell was created after Jasmin finished her design degree at the Australian National University.
And it was while she was selling products at the markets during Canberra’s winter that the idea for cold and hot heat packs began.
“Because of this, I’ve been able to create a product that’s designed by my customers and created for them,” she says.
Jasmin uses rice in the packs, which seems fitting because her grandfather was one of the first to pioneer rice farming in Australia.
“There are a great number of benefits for using rice as an alternative to wheat, which are organic
ALMOST four years ago, while travelling,
Kendall Fayle had a dream that she would start an apron company called My Favourite Apron Company. And she did.
The former Canberran now spends her downtime making funky or vintage style aprons.
“I’m an adult speech pathologist so it’s a brilliant outlet,” she says.
“My mum taught me to sew when I was young, and I’m quite tall so I made a lot of my clothes.”
Kendall looks for funky, interesting and vintage buttons so that there are no two aprons that are the same.
grains that can hold hot or cold temperatures over a period of time,” she says.
“The rice also suits anyone with any wheat allergies.”
Jasmin loves to have trendy products and uses bright, funky colours to draw people in.
She says the cold and heat packs are wellknown for their therapeutic nature.
“We have also identified a wide range of lifestyle benefits for using these products including pregnancy, yoga, health, wellbeing, sport, comfort and relaxation.”
The packs can be used either hot (heated in the microwave) or cold (stored in the freezer) depending on the desire for use.
Jazminbell, Shop 13, Level 1, Garema Place. Email info@jazminbell.com or visit jazminbell.com
“I only use 100 per cent cotton and I like to use a heavy cotton so it’s durable and washes really well,” she says.
Kendall believes that an apron should be something that people wear time and time again.
“Painters like to use them, anyone who does ceramics, or craft and more recently people who work in childcare,” she says.
My Favourite Apron Company. Call Kendall on 0415 844317 or visit @myfavouriteaproncompanyhandmade on Facebook.
My Favourite Apron Company owner/designer Kendall Fayle.
NAMED after Sir Philip Fysh, a Tasmanian politician who assisted in bringing about Australia’s Federation, Fyshwick has been a suburb in Canberra since the ‘20s.
The suffix “wick”, from Old English, means “dwelling place” – and, by extension, “village” or “district”. Its streets are named after Australia’s industrial towns and regions.
These days it’s a busy commercial hub well known for the enormous range of different businesses that call Fyshwick home. Here are some of the leading ones...
MONARO Models and Hobbies supplies a face-to-face expert service on model aircrafts, radio-controlled cars, boats, planes, helicopters and drones.
Owner Terry Griffiths has been an aeromodelist since 1962 and invites customers to come and talk to someone who has experiences with the products.
“We do anything for the hobbyist who actually wants to do something with their hands and not sit at a computer,” he says.
“We stock all the leading brands of drones from photography through to racing.
“We’re open six days, we have easy accessible parking and bright, new premises, so come on down.”
Monaro Models and Hobbies, 1/57 Kembla Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 3623, email info@monaromodels. com.au or visit coltaylormodels.com.au
WHETHER it’s in the bathroom, laundry, main floor or kitchen Beaumont Tiles in Fyshwick helps people create their dreams, says its manager Marisa Koszta.
Marisa says the family-owned business has a bright retail area with displays of quality merchandise and customers can be guided by the strong team.
“We’re also a team of interior designers so we’re able to helps people fine-tune their ideas,” she says.
“We like to try and create a mindset in our customers that help them picture spaces by using our tools.”
Beaumont Tiles has “scan and play” tools available, which help show customers what items might look like.
“Scan and play” can be accessed from a home computer to help choose through Beaumont Tiles’ extensive range.
“It helps those customers who can’t really visualise that colour or that look and gives them a better overall feel,” she says.
“We help people pull a design together so it’s going to be the most effective lifestyle for them.”
Beaumont Tiles even goes beyond that
offering “the complete package”.
“We can link our customers with tradespeople, who are also our customers,” she says.
Beaumont Tiles, 32 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 1771 or visit beaumont-tiles.com.au
HANG Ups Framing and Christmas Emporium has undergone a transformation and moved the Christmas store into its own dedicated space.
Owner Mike Welch says they’ve taken over the downstairs area, so now two steps down from Hang Ups is a unique boutique Christmas shop.
“We are now able to display product in a more traditional manner,” he says.
“After attending trade shows in America, Germany and England we have been able to source more unique product.
“So now you can buy collectable Christmas decorations, German windmills, smokers and nutcrackers, as well as items for the table.”
Over the next few months the Christmas Emporium will be getting decorations from
TOYWORLD is a fourth-generation, family owned and operated store offering leading brands of toys and hobbies at competitive prices.
Situated in Fyshwick, Toyworld has provided quality service to Canberra since 1924 and offers one of the largest range of toys in the region.
Owner Geoffrey Morton, says: “Our point of difference to other stores is our personalised service.
“Customers can turn up, park right outside on the on-site parking and the knowledgeable staff know the products and will assist you in any way they can.
England and Europe such as German table linen, unique ornaments from de Carlini in Italy, Italian carved timber nativity sets from the suppliers to the Vatican, English-made tinsel, American tree scents, scented sachets and Christmas candles.
“We will again be selling the popular range of Christmas liquid hand soaps and soap bars, together with Christmas bon bons, tablecloths and napkins,” Mike says.
And to add to the transformation, Deb Schelberger has joined the team with more than 20 years of experience.
Hang Ups Framing and Christmas Emporium, 80-82 Kembla Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 0312 or email info@hangups.com.au
“We offer a great range of games, puzzles and soft toys, as well as early learning products and educational pre-school products for infants and older.”
Selected by its resident primary school teacher, Toyworld offers advice on the best range of products to suit a child’s learning style and development needs.
“We are a dedicated toy store with an all-year-round range. As one of the last of the family owned toy stores in Canberra, we offer that personal service and attention that customers appreciate,” Geoffrey says.
Toyworld, 5 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 7150 or visit toyworldact.com
AUTOGRAFIKA is a leading Canberra automotive wrap and paint protection specialist that offers vinyl wrapping, fleet signage, racing livery and paint protection films for all vehicles, makes and models. Its paint-protection films are a clear urethane film that helps protect vehicles against stone chips, bug damage, abrasion and weathering.
General manager Craig McConchie says it’s a great product that suits anyone who’s bought a new car or 4WD or even some older models, too.
“Protecting your investment is worthwhile for all new car buyers,” he says.
“If you put this film on your car, it adds to the value so it pays for itself.”
The Autografika team have recently become trained factory installers of Xpel protective films, which is a market leader in protective films for cars, Craig says.
“We also offer graphic design services for vehicle branding, which allows our customers access to a higher level of design than found at a typical signwriter,” he says.
“There are only a couple of businesses like ours in Canberra, we are the first to take a truly professional approach in this niche market.”
Visit autografika.com.au, call 6239 1627 or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
Lloyd with his sons Kyle, left, Matthew and Mitchell.
LONG-term, family-owned business, Lloyd’s Caravans is still in Fyshwick but it’s now on a different street, says owner Kerry Lloyd.
Lloyd’s Caravans has been in Canberra since the ‘60s and Kerry as well as his sons continue to carry on the family legacy.
Kerry says he’s glad to be carrying on his father’s legacy as well as working with his three sons – Mitchell who’s an auto electrician, Matthew, a panel beater and Kyle, a carpenter.
Lloyd’s Caravans provides services such as
caravan insurance repairs, modifications and servicing as well as services for trailers, camper vans, horse floats and motor homes.
“We’re all trained in the caravan industry trade and are the preferred repairers for all major insurance companies,” Kerry says.
“Caravans and motorhomes are evolving all the time and we’re evolving with them.”
Lloyd’s Caravans, 57 Tennant Street, Fyshwick. Call 0438 800652, email: caravanscanberra@gmail.com
SPECIALISING in everything Ford, Ford Spares Canberra has been a family-owned business in Fyshwick since the ‘80s.
Starting as a small wrecking yard, Ford Spares Canberra now provides services such as secondhand auto parts (genuine and aftermarket), vehicle servicing and part fitting.
“We will discuss what the customer might need and try and figure out the problem,” says co-owner Tracey O’Brien.
“As well as Ford parts, we get aftermarket parts for all other models.”
Tracey says Ford Spares Canberra can also install parts that they’ve sold.
“We’re affordable and honest, we have a good reputation and have lots of repeat customers,” she says.
“We also sell to the trade, so other workshops can come to us for parts.”
Ford Spares Canberra, 42 Maryborough Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6148 or visit fordsparescanberra.com.au
LOCALLY owned and managed Just Looking Furniture has been supplying quality Australian-made furniture in Canberra since 1975.
“We specialise in Australian-made furniture, which we customise to suit the customer,” says director Craig Kerkin.
Just Looking Furniture focuses on affordable dining, lounge and bedroom suites complemented by a wide selection of mirrors, prints, lamps and decorative items that complete the picture.
“Our interior design service can ensure your choice of furniture will suit your surrounds and provide many years of satisfaction,” Craig says.
Just Looking Furniture not only modifies furniture to fit a larger home, it also customises items for customers who downsize.
“Customer service is critical in this industry and our small team of dedicated people strive to meet the needs of all those who walk through our door,” he says.
Just Looking Furniture currently has some locally made sofas on sale, which can be delivered immediately.
Just Looking Furniture, 6 Collie Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6443 or visit justlookingfurniture.com.au
AFTER moving to Canberra from Brazil, Renato Viera opened up the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Canberra academy in Fyshwick last year.
“I knew that in Canberra there was no other Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Brazil,” he says. Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu has classes for children, fundamental classes for beginners and advanced classes.
“Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a very good sport to help people to get fit, lose weight and build a strong body,” Renato says.
“It also involves a lot of mental improvement, it gives to the students more confidence in themselves and self esteem. And it is the most efficient self-defence system.”
Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Canberra, 144 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 0410 473804 or visit ribeirojiujitsu.com
CANBERRA Academy of Dramatic Art will be graced with a special visit from musical theatre performer Rachel Cole who will be presenting a workshop on auditioning for musical theatre on August 5.
Rachel Cole is a professional performer who has featured in musicals such as “Wicked” and “Matilda”.
Managing director and co-founder of CADA Elizabeth Scott says this workshop is important at this time of year because a lot of students are finishing year 12 or tertiary music courses.
“Rachel is going to give people the practical skills to put their best foot forward in a musical theatre audition,” she says.
FRINGE Dentures, at the Epicentre in Fyshwick not only helps with dentures but also mouthguards and other services such as teeth cleaning.
Fringe Dentures understands transport can be difficult for some older patients, disabled patients or people and has a courtesy pick-up and drop-off service.
Leading the Fringe Denture team, Terry McHugh is a Canberra-based dental prosthetist and has more than 30 years’ experience.
Terry has travelled extensively to improve his knowledge in the field of dental prosthetics and is constantly in search of better methods and materials.
Tijana Kovac, one of CADA’s students.
The workshop is perfect for year 12 or adult students who want to audition for major musical theatre courses in educational institutions, for people interested in becoming a professional musical theatre performer or people who want to improve their skills to audition for musical theatre performances locally.
And for people interested in gaining more skills in musical theatre, CADA will be providing a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre next year.
“As part of that course we will be taking our students to London to train in the West End,” Elizabeth says.
Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art, 1/9 Lithgow Street, Fyshwick. Visit cada.net.au or call 1300 908905.
Fringe Dentures only employs fully qualified dental technicians who are also constantly learning new techniques and using new materials, keeping the company at the forefront.
Fringe Dentures, 3/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick. Email fringedentures@gmail.com, call 6239 2534 or visit fringedentures.com.au
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Open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm • Unit 3, 80-82 Kembla Street, Fyshwick
BACKHOUSE Legal is a dynamic law firm situated in Fyshwick, says practice manager Matia Pendergast.
Its principal, Angela Backhouse, purchased the firm in 2014 and it has since moved to a bigger and brighter location in Fyshwick and now in Bungendore and Braidwood, too.
“We are accessible to our clients and strive to be the leading commercial and property law firm in Canberra and surrounding areas,” Matia says.
“As a small business ourselves, our primary focus is on small business. “Unlike most law firms, we do not charge our clients based on the amount of time that it takes us to do the work.
“We recognise that time does not equate to value and we implemented a value-pricing model at the end of 2016.
Backhouse Legal provides an extensive range of services in the ACT and NSW for small businesses and individuals.
“With the experience of seven solicitors at Backhouse Legal and a great administrative team assisting our solicitors, we can assist with almost any legal matter including conveyancing and property law, all business or commercial transactions, litigation and debt recovery, insolvency, migration law and wills and estates,” Matia says.
Backhouse Legal, 3 Geelong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 8899 or visit backhouselegal.com.au
THE team at Solace Creations are passionate about energy-efficient and sustainable homes and are on a mission to double glaze Canberra.
Business owner Karen Porter says Solace Creations has the largest doubleglazing showroom in Canberra.
“I can’t understand why we have a code in place that says we must insulate our walls and ceiling, yet there is no rule to insulate windows or doors,” Karen says.
“Windows and doors make up about 30 per cent of our wall space and putting in a single piece of glass does not provide any insulation value.”
Solace Creations has won several awards over the last couple of years and is a locally run family business.
Karen says in investing in replacing windows customers will notice that their houses have more consistent temperatures, fewer draughts and a saving on heating and cooling bills.
Solace Creations works with a range of preferred suppliers from Melbourne along with a Canberra manufacturer and all its products are Australian-made and tested to the Australian Standard.
Karen says: “We can help you create solace in your home. And solace means comfort.”
Solace Creations, 17 Townsville Street, Fyshwick. Call 6260 1621 or visit solacecreations.com.au
WITH a love for collecting old things, Christine Lund opened Down Memory Lane 16 years ago.
Situated on Geelong Street, Down Memory Lane is a family owned and run collectables store that sells items such as jewellery, furniture, clothes and kitchenware.
“We stock everything from quality, modern-day, usable items, right down to 100-year-old antiques and anything in between,” Christine says.
“People come in looking for vintage cutlery, glassware and china for a special dinner party, wedding or birthday.
“There are so many one-off pieces, if someone is
RALLIMAX Wheel Repairs and Alignments are the people to see for specialised wheel repairs and precision wheel alignments for high-performance cars.
Its owner Bruce Bush has 38 years of experience and says Rallimax Wheel Repairs and Alignments meets the needs of customers whose cars require precise alignment settings.
He says they work on cars including Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, collectable cars and rally cars.
“A highly developed, state-of-the-art piece of machinery needs state-of-the-art procedures,” Bruce says.
“We’re a small team but a very precise team. Everything has to be 100 per cent focused on excellence.”
On top of wheel refurbishment and alignment, Rallimax also supplies competition tarmac rally tyres.
Rallimax, 1/184 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Visit facebook.com/rallimaxsport/ or call 6280 5967.
redecorating their house they can find a great shabbychic suitcase or trunk or the perfect lamp. Our store is an interior designer’s delight.”
Down Memory Lane also stocks a range of vintage clothing, which Christine says is in perfect quality, even outfits from the ‘60s.
And if people are downsizing or clearing out a deceased estate, Christine says she’s able to come and gather certain items rather than people throwing them out.
Down Memory Lane, 34 Geelong Street. Call 6228 1048 or visit downmemorylane.net.au
EX-GOVERNMENT Furniture has recently been getting regular deliveries of high-quality, designer furniture, says co-owner and manager James Fullerton.
“At the moment we’ve just had high-quality ergonomic chairs from various government departments come in,” he says.
James says they’re cheap for items with ridiculously good quality and because of that people have been buying them for their homes.
Other items that have been coming through are pieces of furniture such as chairs and pots in trendy bright greens, blues and oranges, which can be used as a feature to brighten up a room.
“At the moment a lot of laptop-size tables and desks are coming through, too,” he says.
“People are steering away from big clunky stuff and moving towards more active-based office spaces.”
James says they turn over furniture very quickly and stock changes weekly. He recommends customers follow the company’s website, Facebook page and Instagram to learn about the latest stock in store.
Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com or via facebook.com/ exgovfurniture/
By Helen Musa
IRISH singer Carmel Conway wears her cultural origins on her sleeve, but she’s got some surprises up that sleeve, too.
For she is not only a respected traditional singer in her native country who can turn on a version of “Danny Boy” that’ll knock your socks off, but she is a classicallytrained soprano who loves performing oratorios such as Handel’s “Messiah” and requiems by Faure and Brahms.
Conway, who originally hails from Limerick, first visited the ACT in 2015 to perform in a show called “The Haunted Celts”, produced by her multi-instrumentalist cousin Caroline McNicholas.
Returning in August last year to perform in a sequel called “Rising of the Goddess”, she made a quick decision to follow a romantic interest and settle here, dashed to Ireland and was back in Canberra again by September.
Now, with a new album recorded at Artsound FM under her belt, she’s planning to tour a new concert show to “Melbourne and places like that,” while exploring her interest in the classical realm.
She was bowled over by Toby Cole’s production of “The Vow” last year and has been introduced to the Canberra International Music Festival director, Roland Peelman.
Right now, she’s planning a Canberra showing of that concert, in which she’ll be supported by guitarist and Dubliner Johnny Reynolds, distinguished Canberra pianist and composer Michael Dooley and cousin
Caroline, who plays keyboard, flute and whistle.
The show will mix traditional favourites with original songs, including ones written by Dooley, Reynolds and herself. “I want to make it interesting for people,” she tells “CityNews”.
She says the concert, to be called “From Erin and Beyond”, will have an element of the ethereal but a contemporary feel as well.
“It will incorporate all genres of music composed by Irish people or people who are linked with Ireland,” she says.
Dooley for instance, has Irish blood in him, but it’s something he’s only recently been investigating and he had to take guidance from Conway and Reynolds on how to pronounce his own surname.
Growing up on a diet of music, Conway didn’t discover classical singing until she was in her 20s.
“When I had my voice trained I discovered there was another dimension, they gave me a very good technique making it possible for me to cross over between traditional and classical,” she says.
“Classical technique is bred into you, but in traditional singing you just have to let your voice flow, especially in Irish ballads, which are all about the emotion – I call it honest singing.”
So, what will be the high point of her concert? No prizes for guessing – it’ll be “Danny Boy”.
“I know it wasn’t composed by an Irishman and I know it’s loved to death,” she says, “but my interpretation is for personal reasons.”
“From Erin and Beyond”, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, 8pm, July 20. Bookings to premier.ticketek.com.au
By Helen Musa
GEORGE Orwell’s celebrated 1949 novel “1984” has once again shot to the top of the bestseller list in America thanks to Edward Snowden’s revelations of widespread surveillance and the adoption of the “Fake News” slogan by US President Donald Trump.
And in the process it’s given new life to expressions such as “Big Brother is watching you” and “Newspeak”.
“People are revisiting it all over the globe,” Ursula Mills tells “CityNews”.
Mills gets to play the “love interest”, Julia, to Tom Conroy’s Winston, in the coming West End staging of George Orwell’s celebrated 1949 novel.
Describing it as “a blokey story with a few women”, Mills says many people had hoped a stage adaptation might bring in more females, but they [the adapters] wanted to tell a more universal story, a cautionary tale – it’s still true to the book after all these years.”
“It is not the book on stage, but rather a re-telling of the thematic content of the book.”
“‘1984’ has always been relevant, but now we have ‘alternative facts,’ which is ‘doublethink’ in the book, we see Facebook tapping into our transport cards – it begins to seem as if we’ve always lived in a surveillance state,” she says.
This production has been unusually challenging for Mills. She, along with the rest of the Australian cast, were auditioned at the end of 2016 in Adelaide. It’s a West End production directed and adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, now re-staged by the State Theatre Company of SA under the associate direction of Corey McMahon, who went to
London last year to see a new cast “learn the play”. Julia in the book is a little bit different from the production, where everything is seen through the eyes of fellow “thoughtcriminal” Winston. “A lot of audience members hate her and, even after rehearsing, it has been hard to really understand the mindset of the character,” she reports, adding that it’s been “essential to remember that the audience needs to relate to the characters, otherwise the story is not relevant.”
But there are a few clues. Winston, for instance, wants to overthrow Big Brother, whereas Julia is a survivalist, a fanatic, but not to the point of wanting to overthrow the government.
“There are a lot of Julias walking around,” Mills asserts. “Julia is not a true terrorist, perhaps that’s her function, to be one of two competing philosophies.”
The first question Mills asked the director was, is there such a thing as love? After all, Julia sends Winston a note that reads, “I love you.”
“Good question,” McMahon replied. “If they’re living in a world so constrained that you can’t have sex for pleasure, you become so completely survivalist that your behaviour changes – how would you then understand what love is?”
They eventually worked out that the direct opposite of love is not hate, but fear.
“Because this is a replica of a production, like doing a musical, it’s been hard to create a character for myself, because I have to do the action of the Julias who came before me, it’s a tricky one to navigate.”
“1984”, Canberra Theatre, July 25-29. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
“Chicken People” (PG)
MOST people who keep chooks do so for the eggs. For their capacity to scratch a living from kitchen scraps. And when their ability to produce eggs is over, for the pot. Go to any agricultural show and you can see chooks competing for their owners’ fame and glory. Watch American TV journalist Nicole Lucas Haimes’ delightful documentary and you’ll discover how showing chooks is a competitive sport run on a national basis in the US (similar shenanigans go on in Oz). The cinema experience is agreeable. Its feathered lead actors are beautiful. Its human characters are what you’d expect of a bunch of folk whose lives rotate around not their professions but around their chook-showing hobby and its competitive compulsions.
Haimes’ treatment of those behaviours concentrates on Brian Caraker, a musical theatre performer from Branson, Missouri; Brian Knox, an engineer of high-performance race engines from New Hampshire and Shari McCollough, a recovered alcoholic, motherof-five from Crawford County, Indiana, whose menagerie includes rabbits and a llama.
The film shows them preparing for the 2015 National Poultry Show. In its own focused way, it’s a blast. The sex lives of chooks are on display and you might be forgiven for wondering how the heck some of those heavily feathered boys and girls manage to connect.
The film’s people are generally likeable. The show judges quietly go about evaluating compliance with published breed standards for 154 known varieties of chook, as well
as turkeys and ducks. For the film, which exhibitor was left standing at the end of the judging and went home with the trophy is less important than the camaraderie that marks the event.
The film doesn’t show to what end those pampered chooks come. After bathing, blow-drying, clipping and manicuring your best chums, the thought of eating them can be off-putting.
At Dendy
“Spider Man: Homecoming” (M)
THE screenplay by a coterie of nine writers for director Jon Watts is a promotion for an
American comic-book publisher’s fantasy products.
The principal characters include a rich bad guy (Michael Keaton) who wants to be richer by building weapons with impressive and impossible capabilities for sale to ambitious people who want to dominate the planet. Robert Downey Jr plays a good guy with pots of money, wise in the ways of villainy and how to combat it, who flies around in a steel suit. And there’s teenaged Peter Parker (young English actor Tom Holland) who as Spider Man at age 15 is discovering the demands of becoming a hero while still at high school when his
main concern should be how to ask a pretty girl to the class prom.
The film runs for 133 minutes. The acting is plebeian except for Michael Keaton skilfully wringing humour energy from a serious role. The gizmos and their deployments are the products of over-heated imaginations. The plot delivers characters and situations that are impossibly implausible, or implausibly impossible – take your pick; either way, they reflect the mindless pap on which kids, predominantly male, fed their imaginations before growing up, which in individual cases happens at an unpredictable age.
In short, a wildly escapist movie fantasy for adolescents of all ages.
At all cinemas
“It Comes at Night” (MA)
FOR his second feature, writer/director Trey Edward Shults sets an ensemble cast to confront a mysterious malign influence that makes a family wear gas masks outside their family forest home and repel all who intrude on their protective isolation.
It’s been billed as a horror film. But its story is not so much horror as horrid, with tensions and conflicts building slowly to a denouement that takes little resolution from what has preceded it.
Australian actor Joel Edgerton plays
Paul, living with Afro-American wife Sarah (Carmen Ejogo) and adolescent son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr). The film begins with Paul euthanising his father and incinerating the body. A stranger arrives and is made unwelcome. He spends the night tied to a tree with a sack over his head and a gag in his mouth. Next day, Paul and Travis free him and learn that he is desperate to find uncontaminated water.
Paul and Sarah bring Will (Christopher Abbott) and his wife and child to their house under strict conditions that Paul spells out. In time, Will decides to take his family back to where they previously lived, setting in motion a turmoil that grows into a disaster.
Anxieties within Travis’s persona and conflicts with his father form a significant part of the film. Travis has nightmares in which he contracts the sickness.
While engaging enough in a minor way, the film asks questions without answering them, thus detracting from its impact and asking us to set aside the breaches of credibility caused by lapses in its logistic values. But compared with other examples in its genre, it holds its own well enough.
At Palace Electric and Dendy
By Helen Musa
IT’S just over two years since “CityNews” first visited percussion guru Gary France at his newly established Groove Warehouse in Hume.
Now France and his composer wife Sandy are expanding their business, with a focus on adult classes.
Although it is the Groove Warehouse’s proud boast that it has pupils from kindergarten age to 60, Gary has noticed a strange phenomenon.
“This year, 59 and 60-year-olds have been coming out of the woodwork, not so much to learn drums as to learn rhythm,” he says. But he’s also noticed that many of them have time on their hands during the daylight hours.
During the current enrolment period, he and Sandy are making sure that there are “absolute beginners’ classes” available, great for community groups he thinks and, for the really dedicated, there’s a chance to learn to read music, too.
But the big news is that Sandy and Gary are introducing piano and keyboard classes to be run by Sandy.
“We are setting up a special keyboard studio and it’s a big
investment to have properly weighted keyboards,” he says. It will be matched by an online learning portal, “like a university,” Gary says. As a former head of the ANU School of Music, he should know all about that.
Gary’s sheer enthusiasm for everything in his suite of studios and shop which in 2015 we dubbed “a wonderland of drums” has not abated. To demonstrate that percussion manifests itself everywhere, he plays some windchimes,
seizes a rattle and whirls a piece of conduit pipe around to make a weird wind sound.
“We still believe in having fun,” Gary says. “Our approach is no-nonsense, but we leave nobody behind… and when you come in, you feel like you’re part of the family.”
The Groove Warehouse, 5/1 Sawmill Circuit, Hume, all information and enrolments to groovewarehouse.com.au
NEW restaurants continue popping up across Canberra faster than a chef can scramble an egg.
And some are closing just as fast. Then there are eateries that have fed us for decades, such as Kopi Tiam, now in its 19th year.
A family run business, Kopi Tiam has remained loyal to its original vision. Owner Abell Ong has had opportunities to expand but instead remains focused on preparing amazing cuisine and staying a manageable size to retain quality and control. It’s a recipe that has served this Chinese-Malay restaurant well and enabled it to survive in the chaos that is today’s hospitality industry.
I’ve been dining at Kopi Tiam for close to two decades and shared some dishes I dream about after each visit.
I love duck and often start with roast duck rice paper rolls ($15.90 for three). The duck is succulent and the chilli hoisin sauce a great combo of flavours.
Another all-time favourite is the crispy, boneless, Asian chicken with perky coriander salsa and salty soy dressing ($19.90). I’ve had this dish dozens of times. It’s never failed me.
In the colder weather, I’m drawn to the hearty and heart-warming
McGuigan
and has carefully curated a list that marries well with his style of cuisine. You can BYO but I say go for what Abell has on offer. There’s also a mini specials wine board. The wine list is one reason Kopi Tiam has won so many awards over the years.
Kopi Tiam has a decent sized outdoor eating area, with heaters and warm, colourful cozy blankets to wrap around your shoulders or knees to keep you toasty throughout winter. Inside, the restaurant’s mustard-yellow and burnt-orange walls regularly feature photography, including by Abell’s wife, Lorna Sim. The service at Kopi Tiam is efficient but never rushed. Although the staff are regularly flat out, they’re always friendly and knowledgeable.
Malayan beef rendang ($26.90), the meat slowly cooked in coconut milk and carefully balanced with herbs and spices. Each hour of cooking adds depth of flavour and the meat always falls off the fork. Back to duck… the twice-cooked, crispy duck with Asian greens, potato mash and ginger-plum sauce ($32.90) is a signature main in my
book. The meat’s always tender and the sauce always delightful.
Abell’s mum’s laksa is a winner. The recipe is a family secret and should be kept that way. What Kopi Tiam reveals is that the dish is prepared with creamy coconut curry, aromatic spices and bee hoon ($19.90 with chicken and $22.90 with seafood).
Abell enjoys and knows his wines
Kopi Tiam, 7 Furneaux Street, Manuka. Call 6239 4199. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Gluten-free and vegetarian options easily available.
THE only two Australians to graduate with doctorates from the Juilliard School in the last 10 years both came from Canberra. Now clarinettist Eloise Fisher and pianist Teddy Neeman will appear together at Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm, on Saturday, July 22, performing music by Jewish composers and a world premiere of “What Ensor Saw”, a work composed for Fisher and Neeman by Juilliard colleague Bretton Brown. Tickets at the door.
DAVID Walliams’ children’s book “Mr Stink” comes to life on stage for children 6-12, showing what happens when Chloe, just about the loneliest girl in the world, makes friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp. At The Playhouse, 6pm, Thursday, July 20, and 11am, Saturday, July 22. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
from Canberra & Adelaide”, but we’re pleased to see the names of Canberra artists Rose-Mary Faulkner, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan, Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello and Nicholas Doran Adams in the exhibition, backed by Berlin Glas e.V., Canberra Glassworks and Adelaide’s JamFactory.
TOBY Cole plans to stage “Esther”, Handel’s first English oratorio, in The Playhouse on October 28. He’s cooking up a trivia night/fundraiser for which one of the silent-auction items is a “Singing in the Kitchen” package – he’ll go to the house of the winning bidder, cook dinner for them and their friends, and get everyone singing.
“Baroque Challenge” at St John’s Reid, 7.30pm, on Friday, July 21. Bookings to trybooking.com
WE couldn’t be in Berlin to accept the invitation of the Benhadj & Djilali Galerie to the recent opening of “Made In Australia: emerging design
FOLK Dance Canberra and Canberra International Folk Dancing Association have veteran Dutch dance teacher André van de Plas coming from The Netherlands to conduct a full workshop here from July 23-24. We are pleased to hear that van de Plas believes the process of learning to dance should be fun at all levels. Details and bookings to folkdancecanberra.org.au
GEOFF Page is continuing his very popular venture “Poetry at the House”. The next reading will feature US poet Paul Kane, Canberra poet Melinda Smith and Queanbeyan poet Michael Thorley. At Fellows Bar, University House, 7.30pm, on Wednesday, July 19. All welcome.
THE Canberra Men’s Choir tells us it is returning to its “spiritual home”, the Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah, 7.30pm, on Monday, July 24, when it will host an open night where any man, irrespective of experience, can sing. Inquiries to 0407 909602 or just turn up.
Examples
By Cedric Bryant
WHERE the idea that roses had to be pruned at the end of August came from I do not know.
There is an accepted view that by then the worst frosts are over and new shoots will be unaffected. But a few years ago we received a minus 6C on November 6!
I changed my thoughts on rose pruning after visiting the Lady Dixon International Rose Gardens in Belfast and discussing with its gardeners the method and timing of pruning.
Covering more than 200 hectares with 40,000 roses, it is one of the great attractions of the city and Rose Week in July is not to be missed.
The gardeners told me that for years they pruned the roses using the tried and true method of sharp secateurs, removing dead wood, looking for outward facing buds etcetera.
It used to take weeks to prune this number, but these days they use hedge trimmers to shape them, as
one would any shrub. This means that while they don’t get perfect, prize-winning blooms, the number of blooms on each bush has increased enormously.
My rethink of the timing and method of pruning roses is also inspired by Charles Quest-Ritson, who wrote the Royal Horticultural Society’s “Encyclopedia of Roses”. It would be hard to find a more knowledgeable person on roses and their care. He says: “It does not matter when roses are pruned and even if you miss a season so what?”
And they certainly have plenty of frosts in Britain.
Following all this expert advice, I pruned my few bush roses last year in March and, with a mild autumn, the new growth started immediately. Rosa “Gertrude Jekyll” never looked so good in the spring and summer. My magnificent climbing Rosa “Zephirine Drouhin” gets pruned with electric hedge clippers whenever it gets out of hand. I can’t help showing off this rose again, but one cannot disagree with this picture.
But if you grow roses to win prizes at our Horticultural Society shows or like pruning the age-old method then ignore this alternative advice.
The society’s rose-pruning demonstrations will be held at the Trial Garden, corner of Purdie Street and Charles Weston Lane, Bruce, 1pm-3pm, on Saturday, July 15, and at 1 Spence Place, Hughes, 1pm to 3pm, on Sunday, July 16.
AS we look forward to the mass of spring blossom trees, let’s enjoy the many winter-flowering, perennial plants, none more so than hellebores.
Often referred to as the winter rose, they are no relation to roses except to their resemblance to oldfashioned, single-petalled roses. With modern breeding the variety of colours has increased substantially. One of my favourites is Helleborus “Anna’s Red”. Two others worth mentioning are H. “Cinderella”, with delightful double white flowers, and H. “Tutu”, aptly named for its huge pink blooms. When at the nursery, check out Bergenia cordifolia also known as elephant’s ears due to the size of its huge leaves. This is a real toughie from Siberia and will withstand frosts to minus 50C and yet still flowers in winter. Also look for Iris unguicularis or winter iris which will be in flower. If you can find the white variety with a hint of yellow, I. u. “Alba” snap it up.
• After pruning roses, spray with lime sulphur to prevent fungal problems.
• Prune wisteria, Virginia creeper, ornamental grape and other deciduous climbers.
• Now that the leaves have fallen off deciduous shrubs, it’s a good time to ensure ties left on aren’t cutting into or ring-barking stems.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
This week Uranus stirs up your reckless side, when you surprise (or even shock) others with an unpredictable move that comes right out of left field. But too much hot-headed hastiness could lead to an argument or accident so pace yourself. On Thursday, Mars moves into fellow fire sign Leo (until September 5) which boosts your independent, boisterous side… and your impulsive, bossy streak. The New Moon phase (on Sunday) is the time to be sporty, creative or just super social.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
With pleasure-planet Venus (your ruler) linking up with indulgent Jupiter, you’re in the mood for flirting, shopping and socialising as you channel your inner hedonist. Don’t overdo it though. And be careful you’re not viewing a person or situation through ridiculously rose-coloured glasses! Sunday’s New Moon is a magical time of beginnings and the promise of things to come. Family and home life are where you need to make some adjustments this week. The sooner the better.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
It’s a wonderful week to crank up your social media strategy, as you network in increasingly clever, creative and proactive ways. So get circulating and advertising in style! An impulsive comment could land you in hot water though, so think things through carefully before you post. The planets also shine a spotlight on money matters. Resist the urge to be flash with cash and careless with credit. If your finances are in a mess, then you need to develop some fiscal skills ASAP.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
You love to feel comfy, and sudden changes can catapult you into a state of catatonia. This week the planets shake up (and then pulverise) your Crab comfort zone –especially involving work matters or a personal project. Uranus urges you to banish boredom and take a smart calculated risk, as you shake things up via a professional pitch, a career detour or a new money-making venture. Sunday’s New Moon signals it’s time for a self-esteem boost or a financial reboot.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
This week some Cats will cause plenty of commotion behind the scenes; while others stir things up in a very public way. But is that really such a smart idea? Disruptive behaviour will just alienate you from others. By all means do your own thing, but don’t disregard the needs of family, friends and work colleagues in the process. With Mercury, Mars and the New Moon all lighting up your sign, do your best to channel your fiery energy into fabulous dreams and creative schemes.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
When Mercury (your ruling planet) links up with serious Saturn (midweek) you may veer off into Virgo worry-wart mode. But stressing about problems won’t help. Instead, roll your sleeves up, put your head down, and just get on with the tasks at hand. And if you make a mistake – then pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and start all over again. Be inspired by birthday great, entrepreneur Richard Branson: “Do not be embarrassed by your failures. Learn from them and start again.”
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
You pride yourself on your well-rounded personality but it will be difficult to balance head and heart this week. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! Loved ones or work colleagues will try to throw you off balance; scramble your sense of certainty; or press your emotional buttons. But it’s up to you to deflect their efforts with lashings of Libran style. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Nelson Mandela: “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
The more organised and strategic you are this week (professionally and financially) the more successful you’ll be. Looking for employment? Think outside the box and find creative ways to present yourself in an irresistible new light (that makes you stand out from the crowd). It’s also time to set ambitious professional goals and dream big dreams for the future. And don’t make them too safe and sensible Scorpio! Go for gold, as the New Moon encourages you to be brazenly bold.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
This week action-planet Mars charges into your adventure zone. But progress will be erratic as Mars motivates you to move forward, while Saturn cautions you to look before you leap! If you run around on auto-pilot, then you’re more likely to make thoughtless remarks and silly slip-ups. The weekend is wonderful for travel, camping and outdoor activities. You’ll be at your boisterous best as you lead the way, but avoid outstaying your welcome by being too bossy.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You’ll have trouble coping with any restrictions that are placed on you by loved ones, so close relationships are likely to be unpredictable. You’ll find the more you try to assert your authority and independence, the more woeful the week will be. But shake-ups needn’t necessarily lead to breakups! Just remember – you can’t be the boss all the time. Calm down and recalibrate Capricorn. If you are more consultative and democratic, then partnerships will gradually improve.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
You need to be cautious and mindful online as the Sun, Mars and Uranus throw a fiery hand grenade into the social media mix. Take extra care when driving too, as you’re more accident prone than usual. Single? Love is in the air on the weekend, when the New Moon revs up your relationship zone and a promising suitor steps into the dating spotlight. Attached? The planetary patterns encourage you to make a bold romantic gesture that knocks your partner off their feet.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
If you confuse fact with fantasy on Monday, then you could end up with a complicated mess on your hands. So do your best to keep your feet on the ground Pisces! Making a snap decision about a family matter (or joint finances) on Wednesday could turn out surprisingly well. But do you feel dismally disorganised? Is a lack of a daily routine letting you down? Perhaps it’s time to tune into the fiery energy of Sunday’s New Moon and try a more creative and proactive approach?
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2017
8 Which US State ends with three vowels? (6)
(8)
9 Which number is the square root of 361? (8)
10 What is an established procedure for a particular rite? (6)
11 Tim Berners-Lee is credited with partly inventing which computer interconnecting network in 1991? (8)
14 What do we call an oil-resistant synthetic rubber? (8)
18 Name one who delivers authoritative pronouncements. (6)
19 What is another term for a leaflet? (8)
21 Name the Greek geometrician whose principles of geometry are still widely used. (6)
22 Which disease is often caused by food poisoning? (8)
23 Which device detects a variable quantity, and converts it into a signal? (6)
Down
1 Name a renowned Queensland Tableland. (8)
2 What is an alternative word for a confederacy? (6)
3 Which term describes a through railway route? (4,4)
4 What is a prophetic sign? (4)
5 What do we call a public speaker, especially one of great eloquence? (6)
6 Name the coat of wool that covers a sheep. (6)
12 Which propositions are found in geometry? (8)
13 What is a Spanish bullfighter also called? (8)
15 Which person is responsible for the publication of a newspaper or the like? (6)
16 What, in the US, is a utility truck called? (6)
17 Name a form of quadrille marked by extravagant leaping and kicking. (6)
20 Which other expression describes a den? (4)
Gough Whitlam shaped the Australian nation, before that, the Australian nation shaped him. This exhibition tells the story of the man behind the legacy – the bright Canberra schoolboy obsessed with Greek mythology, the RAAF navigator braving hazardous skies at the height of the Pacific war, and a young father starting a family on the urban fringe.
On show at the National Archives of Australia Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Canberra ACT
23 June – 3 September 2017