Infrastructure Support and Cloud Services for Business
BluePackets offer a range of support services and tailor our support agreements to suit your business. The broad skill set of our team means we can provide you with a total IT solution or complement your existing IT resources.
New chief wants to share the emergency load
By Danielle Nohra
WITH 30 years’ distinguished service to the Australian Army, Brig. Georgeina Whelan put her family first this year and swapped one uniform for another closer to home.
As director-general of the Garrison Health Operations, Joint Health Com mand for the Australian Department of Defence, she was named Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year in 2015.
At that time she was responsible for leading 54 military health facilities and 1800 staff across Australia, pro viding healthcare to 56,000 full-time and 15,000 part-time Australian De fence Force members.
But when her 17-year-old son had developed a significant and inoperable heart condition, she decided to move into a role where she could spend more time with her family and also contrib ute to the community.
As the first female, full-time chief officer of the ACTSES she hopes to make that contribution.
“There became a point in my career where the demand of service life exceeded my ability to be a parent,” she says.
“This is my way of making a contribution and also having a work-life balance.”
The ACTSES has eight full-time
staff and 300 volunteers, but Georgeina wants to see the volunteer numbers double in the next five years.
“People certainly understand and appreciate what we do, but I’m not sure they understand we generate 99 per cent from a volunteer force,” she says.
“I’d like to see it expand so that we share the load. The community is growing and the needs of the community are increasing.
“The volunteers are very reliable and very committed. But we have to be conscious that they’re volunteers,
so we can’t be over-reliant on them because a lot of them have families or
“Because of this we’re looking at developing a flexible volunteer model.”
One of the first things Georgeina is asking is: “How can we make the volunteers’ experience a more mean-
She wants ACTSES to continue offering a traditional pathway into volunteer work, but then have another option for people to go straight into an
She’s also keen to make training more accessible for indigenous and
“At the moment we’re exploring the idea of a school program, which will be a great experience for young people to give back to the community,” she says.
“We’re also looking at establishing corporate memberships so businesses can give back to the community, too.”
But, what’s always in the forefront for ACTSES is continuing to introduce preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of damage by educating the community and teaching it how to keep safe.
This includes education on flood and storm response, which is its traditional role, but Georgeina says ACTSES supports the ACT Rural Fire Service and the ACT State Emergency Service as well.
“We also do a fair bit of work with
the Australian Police Force and domestic policing, helping them in situations such as when people go missing,” she says.
And on top of all of that, Georgeina says they support charities such as the local charity Rise Above, which helps local cancer patients.
For people interested in giving back to the community and joining the ACTSES, Georgeina says its yearly intake is closing on December 31.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community, while establishing a network of friends and colleagues,” she says.
“And the qualifications learnt could be what helps someone stand out when applying for a job.”
The recruitment college consists of a 15-week training block where people come one night a week and a few weekends to learn basic training so they’re prepared for storms and storm damage to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“Canberra’s a really vibrant community. The people in it want to do, not just a good job, but a great job,” she says.
“I’m in awe of all the people who are holding down jobs, studying or are parents, and then volunteer on top of that.”
Volunteer intake information at esa.act.gov.au
Arts & Entertainment 30-33
Cinema 31
Dining 33
Crossword 35
Gardening 34
Horoscopes 35
Letters 8
News 3-11
Politics 8
Socials 12
Women in Business 13-22
Dancer Liz Lea… 2017 “CityNews” Artist of the Year. Photo by Lorna Sim. Story Page 30.
is taken by Ian Meikle, 9b/189 Flemington Road, Mitchell.
ACTSES chief Georgeina Whelan… “There became a point in my career where the demand of service life exceeded my ability to be a parent.” Photo by Danielle Nohra
For embattled Malcolm, it’s just more horribilis
AS Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s annus horribilis nears an end, 2018 is already looking to be just as horrible.
Adelaide teenager Ned Richards, who walked from his hometown to Canberra in February challenging Turnbull over his poor treatment of refugees, plans to return. And this time 13-year-old Ned is bringing other youngsters and some grandmothers.
Ned’s father Adam, who joined his son for February’s 1200-kilometre “Refugee Regatta”, says the 2018 walk – in February/ March – will begin from the steps of the Opera House in Sydney and finish at the Federal parliament.
THE pushing back of the final parliamentary sitting of the year by the Coalition has thrown the plans of many visitors into disarray. In particular the hundreds of school children making their scheduled trip to the capital will leave mostly disappointed. As exciting as Questacon and the Australian War Memorial are, witnessing your country’s leaders behaving like school children is a rare and entertaining treat.
YOU don’t see many Akubras in the hipster hub of Braddon. Especially now that the area has taken on a rainbow hue. As a group of LGBTQI volunteers applied the final coats of paint and glitter to a rainbow roundabout, “benched” Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce was spotted lurking nearby. Joyce, who is
opposed to same-sex marriage, obviously subscribes to the Young Farmers’ unofficial slogan: “You don’t have to be one to be one”.
NOT to be outdone on the multi-coloured pavement art concept, neighbouring Dickson has put its artistic side on display. Dickson shops now boast a 20-metre-long rainbow piano keyboard painted on the strip in front of Woolies.
IF ACT Labor Senator Katy Gallagher is superstitious she may be nervous about the “Q&A” curse. The senator – still under a dual-citizenship cloud – could join the list of 11 members who’ve already been forced to seek a High Court ruling on their eligibility to hold office. Nine of the list including Jacqui Lambie , Barnaby Joyce , Nick Xenophon , Malcolm Roberts , Fiona Nash and Scott Ludlam , all panellists on the ABC’s program have been punted. Katy
dose of dorin
was on “Q&A” in June, 2015.
CONFUSING messages and scary noises dominate the local real estate world. According to an ANU report the capital is over supplied with housing properties. And the CommSec’s “Home Size” trend report reveals that apartments in Canberra are the smallest (and getting smaller) in the nation. Meanwhile the city’s largest apartment developer Geocon has been forced to bring in experts to explain noises in apartments at its Wayfarer site in Belconnen. Residents of the complex say the banging noises in
the ceiling are loud enough to wake them at night. And on the “Canberra Notice Board” page on Facebook: “WANTED… any upcoming homes in the Campbell area or inner-south up to $1500 per week for rent”.
CANBERRANS in their thousands were drawn into the hype surrounding the opening of Australia’s 26th H&M store.
Thousands queued well before the Canberra Centre doors to the Swedish fashion retailer opened. Social media stepped up to the plate with Twitter swinging from the cynical “really excited about all the future landfill we can buy” to the blunt “An H & M just opened in Canberra and people are like vultures. I’ll come back when people have some self control”.
CANBERRANS are being asked to choose an official mammal mascot. Problem is the cutest are already taken. SA has the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, WA proudly displays the numbat and lucky old Queensland cuddles the koala. So it may just have to be the wide-mouthed territory tailgater (territorus tailgatus). A large, beige, impatient creature, the ‘gater is believed to have evolved in the Tuggeranong Valley after being displaced by construction of the Hyperdome. In recent years it has migrated north where it regularly terrorises motorists on the GDE!
Dickson’s artistic side on display.
Photo by Mike Welsh
NEWS / eight ball champions
THE ACT ladies’ eight ball team has beaten Queensland to become the Australian champions.
It’s the first time an ACT team or individual player has won an Australian title at the annual Australian Eight Ball Nationals competition, a tournament that began in 1984. The ladies’ events were added in 1992.
The winning ACT team includes captain Ann Moimoi, vice-captain, Penny Foudoulis, Nicole Welsh, Kylie Power, Lesieli O’Connor, Kathy Harmon, Cindy Blackmore and manager Melissa Chapelli.
The Nationals were held at the Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, this month and featured Australia’s finest pool players from around the country.
Team member Nicole Welsh was named as the Player of the Carnival for the ladies’ event. Nicole won 34 of the 42 frames she played, winning 80.95 per cent of her frames. She led all 56 ladies players in total wins and percentage. Nicole was also named, for the eighth time, in the Australian Ladies team to travel to next year’s Eight Ball World Championships in Blackpool, England.
Locals pocket the prize Smoky laps up a little lovin’
THREATENED-species researchers have had success using oldfashioned romance techniques – flowers and food – to help save a critically endangered species, the smoky mouse.
Six new litters of baby mice have been born at Australia’s only smoky mouse captive breeding facility, just outside Queanbeyan.
“Population numbers in the wild have dropped to critically low levels for this native mouse and there are now only two sites in NSW where smoky mice are known to occur – the Nullica area on the far south coast where fewer than
200 individuals remain, and Kosciuszko National Park,” said Dr Linda Broome, threatened species officer at the Office of Environment and Heritage.
The captive breeding program, which started in July last year, is designed to increase population numbers by breeding the smoky mouse in specially designed enclosures.
“Flowers, food and emulating the smoky mouse’s natural conditions in the wild are key in helping to encourage breeding in the enclosures,” said Dr Broome.
“We all know that food can be the gateway to someone’s heart and it certainly plays an important role for the smoky mouse.
“The captive breeding facility places the male mouse in one enclosure, and the female in another. The two enclosures are then connected to a third enclosure which is the mutual meeting area.
“Native flowers are put in the enclosures to encourage breeding and we also vary their diet of seeds and fruits to find out the ideal breeding weight. If the female mice are too heavy, they won’t breed. The mice are weighed every day during the breeding season to make sure they are at the ideal weight.
“We started the program with six adult smoky mice and are excited by the six litters that have been produced – with hopefully more to come,” said Dr Broome.
The winning ACT team… from left, Nicole Welsh, Kathy Harmon, Cindy Blackmore, Melissa Chapelli (manager), Ann Moimoi (captain), Lesieli O’Connor, Penny Foudoulis and Kylie Power. Photo by Mark Ferdinands
The critically endangered smoky mouse… six litters in Queanbeyan. Photo credit S Cohen
You know the old saying: ‘If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.’
This past year has seen the number of retail hearing providers in Canberra skyrocket. ‘Free hearing test’, ‘free hearing screening’, or ‘limited time offer’ are common advertising techniques used to draw you into store fronts, and you may even be familiar with cold-calling telemarketers asking about your hearing status. Prime targets are retirees and those reaching the average age of hearing loss, yet it’s easy for anyone to be drawn in by these offers.
I am amazed that this approach is growing, and I feel for the number of clients who fall into this trap.
– Dr Vass
Doctor of Audiology with over 35 years’ experience in the industry, I am amazed that this approach is growing, and I feel for the number of clients who fall into this trap. My practice receives phone calls weekly from people who didn’t realise what was happening or understand what they were signing. This approach reflects badly on my profession and I feel something needs to be done. In an unregulated industry it is important to speak up and keep exposing these providers.
So, why would these clinics offer you a free hearing screening? It’s simple: they need to sell their products. No matter the lure, the end goal is the same – sales.
As an independent professional and
As an advocate for the hearing industry I am offering complimentary second opinions. If you or a loved one has had a recent hearing test and you have a copy of your audiogram, please contact my office on (02) 6282 2717 to make an appointment. I am happy to look over your results and provide you with a highly qualified opinion, no strings attached.
There’s one very big scalp to go
By Michael Moore
THIS year’s citizenship saga started with a couple of cross-benchers and quickly spread to claim the scalps of ministers and even the Deputy Prime Minister. There is still one very senior member of the government with more than one citizenship that has yet to fall.
The Queen has multiple citizenships. Most would recognise that her prime loyalty is to Great Britain. She has the same divided loyalties as Fiona Nash, Jacqui Lambie and other previously elected members who have been disqualified because of their British citizenship. It does not stop there. Section 2 of the Constitution makes very clear that anything that referred originally to Queen Victoria – and now to Elizabeth Windsor – also applies to her “heirs and successors in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom”.
There is a great irony in the High Court finding that dual citizenship applies to those whose heritage is British, while at the same time, Section 61 of the same Constitution vests the Queen with “the executive power of the Commonwealth”. This power is, of course, “exercisable by the Governor-General as the Queen’s representative”.
The principle that has been reinforced by the High Court, of our
There is a great irony in the High Court finding that dual citizenship applies to those whose heritage is British, while at the same time, Section 61 of the same Constitution vests the Queen with ‘the executive power of the Commonwealth’.
MPs and senators rejecting other citizenships before standing for the Australian Parliament, is sound. It means that there is no divided loyalty. Nor is there a perception of divided loyalty. But what about our head of government?
The High Court has indirectly reinforced the discomfort of so many Australians by identifying a principle that underlies why Australia should be a republic. Even the second clause of the Constitution pinpoints the role of the UK.
Although our original governorsgeneral were selected from the British upper classes, for decades now the governors-general have been selected from Australian citizens. Although it is now worth noting that no-one has challenged any of them as dual citizens since they do not fall under Section 44(i) of the Constitution. Command of our armed forces is in the hands of a non-Australian. Even if we accept Queen Elizabeth as Queen of Australia, we must also recognise her divided loyalties re -
garding the armed forces. It is clear under Section 68 of the Constitution that the command of the Australian “naval and military forces” is in her hands – although it is “vested in the Governor-General”.
In practice, the command of our naval and military forces has been delegated to the Chief of the Armed Forces and has not caused a problem in Australia. However, it is also true to say that the dual-citizenship saga that has plagued the Federal Parliament over the last few months has not caused a problem until taken to the High Court for decision.
In both the case of Section 44(i) and in the case of the Queen, the issue of divided loyalty is a matter of principle. The High Court has sorted the matter of principle regarding members of the Federal parliament. It will be up to Australia as a nation to now reconsider the issue of whether or not we should have a person with divided loyalty as our sovereign and as the supreme commander of our armed forces.
All elected MPs and senators have sworn an oath or made an affirmation of allegiance to the Queen. They do so in a manner consistent with a schedule to the Constitution. This is also true of all elected members in states and territories, members of the armed forces and many others. The oath or affirmation includes allegiance to the Queen and “her heirs and successors according to law”.
It is the phrase “according to law” that is critical for those of us who take our word seriously. I have pledged such allegiance first on becoming a member of the Army Reserve (then known as the CMF), secondly on being commissioned as an officer and on the four occasions that I was elected. We need to change the law to allow an Australian head of state.
The Australian head of state should not have divided loyalty. When Australia eventually becomes a republic, the High Court position on Section 44(i) should be maintained. In the meantime, our most senior member of government remains, despite divided loyalty.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government. He has been political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.
Government needs shake up
COLUMNIST Michael Moore (CN, November 16) describes the rocky, hard place Canberrans find themselves in with our current political situation.
The ALP-Greens government complacency does indeed need a shake up. It is clear people are fed up with the current planning and development system. The ongoing discontent about the “tram”, the Manuka Oval, the Yarralumla Brickworks, waste-to-energy facility all show Canberrans’ unhappiness about how these decisions were made. Voters are looking for alternatives not only to the traditional parties, but beyond the party system as well.
The recent ACT government toe-in-the-water with participatory processes where citizens were selected to help make thorny policy decisions (Third Party Insurance Citizens’ Jury and the Carers’ Panel) shows Canberrans are eager to try new ways of helping make decisions. Perhaps more of this type of participation, used prudently, can help craft wiser decisions and soften voters’ hard place.
Peter Tait, O’Connor
Freedom for all
APPARENTLY columnist Michael Moore is free to criticise Senator Zed Seselja (CN, October 23), but he is vehement that Zed should not be free to ensure that Christians are able to express their views without retribution.
Zed, like all politicians, should pass legislation that provides for freedom of speech for everyone.
Rewa Bate, Coombs
ONE MAN’S CANBERRA
Tall storeys take their toll
The latest technological innovation is that you can surf the net or watch TV while exercising. I’ll leave it to you to imagine trying to check emails while climbing 100 simulated storeys.
YOU know that stage of life where you realise you should do more to improve your health? I go through it every few years and this time I have (again) joined a gym.
To be fair, it’s only about seven months since I stopped going. My membership had expired, I thought a little break wouldn’t hurt and, as I ride my bike to work several days a week, I’ll be okay, right?
Yeah, that was a mistake. First session back, and I discovered that while I hadn’t lost a great deal of strength, anything resembling endurance had disappeared over the horizon.
One of the things about joining a new gym is exploring what they have on offer. Over time gyms have expanded from offering weights, treadmills and stationary bikes to include a variety of machines, some of which look as though they were designed by someone with a hand in the Spanish Inquisition or the Salem Witch Trials.
So, after a few weeks of trying some of the familiarlooking items, I’ve decided to make a sustained effort on the stair climber. It’s exactly as the name suggests, but if you haven’t seen one, imagine a frame containing a small escalator, about six steps, that runs continually downwards. And you try to climb it. After a few “floors” (the machine helpfully tells you how many you’ve climbed), you start to feel the effects.
I know one of the common questions about exercising on gym machines is: “What about
the boredom?”
This is where the clever people who design these things have really come to the fore in recent years. They started with a basic data display showing the progress of your workout. This evolved to a screen that gave some more advanced details, such as calories burned, or even energy generated (“Congratulations, you made enough energy to power a lightbulb for 3 minutes and 17 seconds!”)
The latest technological innovation is that you can surf the net or watch TV while exercising. I’ll leave it to you to imagine trying to check emails while climbing 100 simulated storeys. I gave up after one attempt. Instead, I take the odd glance at the TV. And the TV can reveal some odd stuff about gym users given it stays on the channel the person before you used.
The other day, I was well into my workout when I flicked the TV on and was greeted by an array of glorious cakes and delicious delicacies. Yes, the previous tenant of the stair climber had been watching the Food Network! What kind of a person does that? To exercise with a selection of high-calorie treats on the display ahead of them? Even now I’m still a little lost as to what that may mean, but I have it down to two possibilities. Either the person before me was trying to remind themselves of what had made them decide to go to the gym in the first place or they had some sort of masochistic carrot-on-a-stick philosophy going. Either way, weird.
Now pardon me, I’m off to see if chasing a cyber cake will indeed help me burn a few more calories. Or power that lightbulb for an extra second…
Chris Coleman hosts “Canberra Live”, 3pm-6pm weekdays on 2CC.
CHRIS COLEMAN
Neil loves being away with the birds
By Kathryn Vukovljak
WHETHER it’s marvelling at the epic breeding journey of the Latham’s snipe or the joy of capturing a photograph of a letter-winged kite, author and ornithologist Neil Hermes says birdwatching first became a passion for him while at Hughes primary school in the early 1960s.
Neil has written “A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of the Australian High Country”, a com prehensive guide for beginners and experts, and says he’s never forgot ten the moment that sparked his lifelong passion for ornithology.
“For me it was a book in the library at primary school, which I borrowed several times, and on one particular day I was able to identify a bird from the book and link it to a bird in the wild by myself with no encouragement,” he says.
“And that was the moment which drove my hobbies, my studies at school and at uni, and then my work, and I feel lucky to have had that pas sion for so long and so consistently. I went straight into my first job with the NSW parks service as an orni thologist in 1978.”
Neil says the book covers the 322 bird species of the high country, including all common, rare and vagrant species, distribution maps, information on topography, climate, types of habitat and key birdwatch ing sites.
“The Canberra bird list is about 290 species, and the book covers the high country, plus about 20 or 30,” he says.
“More than likely those will be the rare birds that will turn up in Can berra itself over the next few years, and therefore the book has also cap tured everything that is likely to be seen in the future as well.”
He says the book will make birdwatching easier and more ac cessible, and that with so many wonderful images from a variety of enthusiastic local photographers
No problem, ask Rowena
ROWENA Stening is Australia’s top, female mathematics student.
The Canberra Girls Grammar School, year 12 student was one of 540,000 students to take part in the recent Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). She was awarded the Cheryl Praeger Medal for female excellence in mathematics in Australia. This award has placed her as the top female Year 12
The AMC is a problem-solving competition for all school-aged children, with students in more than 30 countries attempting to solve the same mathematical problems. The problems get tougher as students progress through each stage, thus challenging those most gifted. Australia ranked tenth out of 56 countries, beating the UK and the US and closely following Canada, Finland and NZ.
Next year, Rowena hopes to study Material Science at Oxford University in the UK, starting in October.
Christmas fair
CAKES, plants, books, craft, jams and preserves are up for grabs at the Canberra Aged Care Facility’s Christmas Fair at 48 Archibald Street, Lyneham, from 11am on Saturday, December 2.
Christmas stall
THE Bold Bandannas’ Relay for Life Team will be raising funds for cancer research by selling homemade preserves, pickles, chutneys, lemon butter, shortbread, Christmas puddings and cakes, plus a range of hand-sewn and knitted items, including children’s dress-up and dolls’ clothes, secondhand books and bric-a-brac at Fyshwick Markets, 8am-5pm, on the weekend of December 9-10. More information at
Neighbourly volunteers
NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch, a community crimeprevention program, is looking for volunteers for its new Kingston-Griffith area initiative. NHW connects neighbours to neighbours and strengthens neighbourhoods to create safe, connected and inclusive communities to assist in reducing local crime and to educate residents about personal and property security. Intending volunteers should email Kingston-Griffith@NHWACT.com.au
Photo by Kathryn Vukovljak
Neil Hermes’ photo of the elusive letter-winged kite that he’d wanted to see for 50 years.
Neil Hermes... “You see birds everywhere you go, whereas you’re not going to see a frog or a reptile so readily – structurally bird watching makes sense.”
Sex hysteria reveals rage among women
Perhaps it’s time to step back from the Twitter hothouse before relations between the sexes get so fraught that we don’t know whether we’re Arthur or Martha.
Harvey Weinstein has a lot to answer for.
First and foremost, he’s been a serial offender in pressing himself on vulnerable women and demanding sex for jobs in their very competitive profession. And there are accusations of rape that must go before the courts and could send him to jail. Few will shed a tear.
Then there are the other creeps in other professions whose sexual harassing has been brought to light in the “me-too” campaign and who have paid the price by being sacked and humiliated. No problem there.
The Don Burke accusations suggest there are plenty of offenders in Australia, too, who could – and should – be outed and shamed. And if they’ve committed crimes then, of course, they too should pay the price.
But then, it seems, a wave of hysteria has enveloped the twittersphere and accusations are flying everywhere. I was particularly struck by the British female journalist on the ABC’s “7.30” program who had lunch with the Defence Secretary Michael
Fallon (with a couple of glasses of wine) and when they returned to Parliament House, he attempted to “kiss me on the lips” in this public place. She reported him and he resigned.
Fallon is also accused of “repeatedly touching the leg” of another female journalist, so he probably deserved to be dobbed in. But there’s no suggestion that he was in a position of power over these ladies. In fact, one of them told him she’d “punch him in the face” if he didn’t let go of her knee… and that fixed him.
Perhaps the time has come to step back a little from the Twitter hothouse before relations between the sexes get so fraught that we don’t know whether we’re Arthur or Martha. We are, after all, part of the animal kingdom imbued (whether we like it or not) with the instinct to mate and to spread the seed.
Various groups within the species have different ways to regulate the process, from the restrictive Middle East to the “anything goes” attitudes of, say, San Francisco. But overwhelmingly, the males of our species compete
for favours and they use all kinds of stratagems to secure their goal. Some use their wealth; others their wit; still others work on their bodies. Each has his successes and failures, but in every case man is the pursuer.
The females on the other hand use their looks, their intelligence and their personalities to attract suitors and retain mates. And provided there’s mutual respect – which starts and finishes in the home – it seems to
work pretty well.
But the Weinstein hysteria has revealed a rage and a resentment among some women that seems to want the roles reversed. It’s part of a pattern that has seen some really good progress in sport, for example,
with women’s cricket and footy getting much more recognition (I’m a devotee of both). But in tennis, I reckon, it’s gone over the top when women are paid the same as men but only play three sets instead of five.
That said, it’s entirely possible that this role reversal could work. One of our distant relatives, the Bonobos have tried it and it seems to work well for them. Our system is more like the male-oriented chimpanzees’ and leaves much to be desired, particularly when the top chimp is Donald J Trump.
Meantime, perhaps we might learn from the Weinstein scandal that respect – and a sense of humour – are far preferable to what used to be called “the battle of the sexes”.
robert@robertmacklin.com
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.
Photos by MADDIE McGUIGAN
David and Deborah Jeppesen
Alpha Gregory, Coralie Wood, Helen Raymond and Charles Oliver
Beth Tully and Nigel McRae
Emma Dykes and Vasiliki Mihas
Rob Seabrook and John Snell
Rochard Caeser-Thwaytes, Sam Nielsen, Rachelle Warner and Fiona Southwell
Herbert Michaelis with Kay and Jim Gilchrist, Thea Huber and Shelby Dyer
Stan and Annie McChrystal with Meredythe and Michael Crane
David Harvey, Nicholas Jeffrey and Adam Gastineau
Simone Penkethman, Neil Doody and Amanda Biggs
Alex Hitch, Emily Appleton, Shane Devoy, Hannah Carey and Jim McMullen
Jarrad West, Karen Vickery and Jordan Best
Natalie Marcinkewycz and Samantha Seet Lindsay Gordon and James Head
Sarah Mason, Gabrielle Affleck, John Lombard and Len Power
Stephen Nano, Rachael Duncan, Helena Popovic and Ian McLean
Shane Hogan, Vilaisan Campbell, Lorna Sim and David Turbayne
Julie Dyson, Michelle Potter and Lauren Honcope
Katy and Ken Mutton, Deborah Clark and Waratah Lahy
Timoshenko Aslanides and Phillip Mackenzie
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
LAW FIRM LEADS THE WAY FOR SMALL BUSINESS
We service small businesses, we are a small business and we understand them, says lawyer ANGELA BACKHOUSE “ ”
Angela’s big passion for small business
AFTER watching her parents run small businesses in Araluen, a little country town near Braidwood, and now owning her own business, Angela Backhouse knows that obstacles can and do arise.
She started Backhouse Legal about four years ago with the belief that education about the law shouldn’t be limited to law students.
“There are so many small business owners who don’t have access to education about their legal obligations and advice about how best to set up and operate their business,” she says.
With this in mind, Angela has built a firm that offers affordable services for individuals, as well as small and medium businesses in the ACT and NSW.
Backhouse Legal specialises in areas such as residential property law and conveyancing, debt recovery and litigation, commercial law and wills and powers of attorney.
Backhouse Legal has also launched a new website, actconveyancing.com.au, which makes information readily available for home buyers and sellers.
“Our industry is changing quite rapidly, in terms of technology and we’re trying to be on the forefront,” Angela says.
Located on Geelong Street in Fyshwick, Backhouse Legal is situated among Canberra’s industrial small and medium businesses. It also has locations in Braidwood and Bungendore.
Passionate about her small business, just as much as she is about others, Angela regularly volunteers at the Legal Advice Clinic for Small Business in Canberra and was recently recognised for her hard work and
“We service small businesses, we are a small business and we understand them,” she says.
“I know the regulations and obstacles in the way for people running a business they’re passionate about.
to advice.
“I’m passionate about providing a cost-effective legal service because there’s a lot that individuals and businesses need in terms of legal advice, but they
often go without it, which leads to issues.”
AND when issues do arise, Backhouse Legal has Ashlee Berry, the leader of the litigation team, to work with clients to overcome them.
She has extensive experience and practices exclusively in commercial litigation, insolvency and debt recovery, often working with and acting for liquidators and accountants.
Ashlee says she focuses on providing sensible and commonsense advice for all clients.
After years of practising in small towns such as Forbes and Bathurst, Ashlee has a strong understanding and passion to help smaller businesses.
As part of her commitment to local businesses, Ashlee is the secretary of Canberra Women in Business and is also a member of the ARITA Young Professionals Committee in the ACT.
“I quite liked the idea of working in a smaller firm because you get to work directly with the clients, unlike other bigger firms,” Ashlee says.
And, she says, one thing that makes Backhouse Legal more accessible for smaller businesses is its pricing.
“The biggest complaint in the industry is legal costs and ‘bill shock’. We do not time record and only offer fixed prices, so that our clients have certainty about their legal costs from the beginning of the matter,”
With two strong leaders, Angela and Ashlee, as well as “the most impressive team they’ve ever worked with”, Backhouse Legal plans to keep helping small to medium businesses well into the future.
Backhouse Legal’s Senior Associate, Ashlee Berry, left, with the firm’s principal and 2017 Canberra Business Woman of the Year, Angela Backhouse.
Becky Carter OWNER
I genuinely love to travel so the ability to share this love with others is why I do what I do! There is something so rewarding about working with different people to design your perfect holiday. While I haven’t been everywhere yet, I have travelled extensively, allowing me to use my experience to make recommendations as well as sugges-
tions to improve your experience. What sets me and my team apart is we take the time to listen to our clients, to really hear what you are looking for and to find you products that are unique. People are often unsure of how to work with travel agents so this led us to coin the phrase:”Just bring us your ideas, your dates and your budget”. It’s that simple.
Nabila has been teaching French for 20 years, first in Algeria and since 2009 in Australia. After working for the ANU, she joined Alliance Française in 2010 where she has taught students from all ages and all levels. Since then, thanks to her limitless commitment, become their Product Development Manager. She has extensive experience in
tailored programs for government agencies, such as DFAT and Defence, engaging with or operating in French-speaking countries. She works closely with embassies and international organisations to develop tailor-made French courses for their employees and families, and to organise cross-cultural events to promote friendship between all cultures.
Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner 2612; afcanberra.com.au; 6257 6696; enquiries@afcanberra.com.au
Tania Lee West
SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Tania is Senior Account Director at CA Technologies, one of the world’s largest IT management software providers.
Tania’s role is to manage and facilitate all engagement in client accounts. She is responsible for strategy, its execution and ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction. Tania works in trusted partnerships with her clients
helping them deliver on their mission-critical business and digital transformation goals. For Tania, customer focus, integrity and trust are key pillars to her success and longstanding relationships that she has held for almost two decades.
“Clients want to know they can rely on you to deliver, to be honest and put their best interests forward,” she says.
CA Technologies, Dialogue Business Centre, 4 National Circuit, Barton 2604; ca.com/au; 6253 6210; tania.west@ca.com
Suzie Heath
BUSINESS OWNER
To make sure my customers feel super special, I dedicate my authentic commitment to going the extra mile to ensure they are genuinely happy. This strong client relationship is everything to me and making my customers feel at ease and cared for by providing that extra touch of personal service that is important to me.
Anaïs Garrigues
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Anaïs was appointed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July to be Alliance Française’s new Deputy Director. Following her experience in course coordination acquired during four years in Morocco, she is currently implementing a new program of French classes for the school with the help of her team of certified teachers.
She is a trained teacher and a certified tutor for other French teachers. She will especially help train her teachers in e-learning, her area of expertise. She strongly believes in her mission to spread French culture and language and she is looking forward to doing so in Australia.
Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner 2612; afcanberra.com.au; 6257 6696; enquiries@afcanberra.com.au
Ping Gan
PRINCIPAL
Ping Gan has been in the beauty industry for 21 years and has been operating her own salons and lecturing in well-known beauty colleges throughout Sydney. She has taught students from around the world and, in 2006, published a revision workbook for beauty therapists, designed to meet the industry’s highest standards.
Ms Gan is the principal of Aus-
tralasian Beauty Therapy Academy and holds an Advanced Diploma in Health Science and is an international CIDESCO examiner.
“We have designed diploma courses, certificate courses and short courses, which cover all areas of beauty that strictly comply with the national and international syllabus to ensure training quality is guaranteed,” she says.
After 20 years in the motor vehicle trade, it’s fantastic to be part of a company that evolves and actively trains staff, keeping true to Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy – continuous improvement. We have never been more guest-centric and I’m proud to champion the processes that delight our guests; exceeding their expectations to keep them coming back to us!
What I’d love to see is even more women advancing through the ranks into leadership roles within the industry. Working in the motor trade is both rewarding and challenging – never a dull moment! And, working at Canberra Toyota has given me plenty of opportunities including the chance to learn directly from the gurus at the Disney Institute of Guest Experience.
With my extensive background in health, nutrition and life coaching, I aim to empower both men and women to feel confident about themselves. I offer the very latest technology with TGA-approved Cool Sculpting Cryolipolysis. Clients pay 75 per cent less than the industry norm. It’s very popular and my secret weapon for transformation.
Canberra Weight Loss and Health Centre, 7 Hirschfeld Crescent, Macgregor 2615; 0410 485916; summerspecial@canberraweightlosscentre.com.au
Elise Apolloni
PHARMACIST & MANAGING PARTNER
As a credentialed diabetes educator and mental health advocate, Elise has a special interest in diabetes and mental health support and awareness. She is one of several pharmacists in our team that can conduct diabetes education sessions with a doctor’s referral, as well as offer mental health support and referral to local health services. Capital
Chemist Wanniassa is led by the team of Elise and Honor, and together their vision is to make a positive impact and support the health of our community. Elise was named the 2017 Telstra National Young Business Woman of the Year, 2017 Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year and 2017 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
As a home medicine review-accredited pharmacist, Honor has a special interest in quality use of medicines. She conducts home medicines reviews with a doctor’s referral, so she can visit your home and ensure your medicine regime is optimal to improve your health and life. Honor is also a qualified asthma educator. As a mother of three young girls, she has a special inter-
est in infant and children’s health. Capital Chemist Wanniassa has been a locally owned and operated community pharmacy, celebrating its 40th year of operation in 2018. In 2017 our pharmacy was named Telstra ACT Small Business of the Year, as well as Guild National Pharmacy of the Year for Professional Innovation, and Capital Chemist of the Year for 2016.
CEO Castaly Haddon joined Connexxion this year and says developing a relationship of trust with customers drives everything.
“We aim to become trusted, long-term partners and start by understanding our customer’s needs.
“From there we deliver quality, tailored software development projects, specialised IT people and support.
“We focus on building our own culture and team so they can deliver quality products and services. The two are symbiotic. Open communication is critical to maintaining trust, so we work closely with our clients.
“It satisfying to guide our customers through the process of business technology improvement and see long-term results.
Building relationships is what we do well at Curves Weston and, in turn, we develop a long-lasting trust factor with our members.
Trust is the expectancy of people that they can rely on our word. It is built through integrity and consistency in relationships. We work hard on gaining trust from all our members, we listen, we care and we work closely with
individuals to achieve their outcomes to get desired results.
Curves Weston, Cooleman Court Shopping Centre, Weston Creek 2611; curves.com.au/club/weston-506; 6288 8333; admin@curvesweston.com.au
Margaret Dimoff
GALLERY OWNER & ARTIST
I graduated from the ANU in ceramics and sculpture but now concentrate only on painting. I opened my own gallery four and half years ago – the largest contemporary gallery in the ACT. Before then, my work was displayed in 12 galleries in NSW and Victoria. My paintings have been sold to many parts of the world.
My gallery, on the corner of Grey Street and Hopetoun Circuit, is open Friday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery, 38 Grey Street, Deakin 2600; margaretdimoffart.com.au; 0407 416480; margaretdimoff@gmail.com
Emily Avery (nee Worsnop)
DIRECTOR
Emily did her first massage course in 1999, fell in love with the industry and has been providing remedial massage to the Canberra community ever since. Working with a variety of other allied health professionals over the years has helped Emily to hone her skills and knowledge of soft-tissue therapy, combined with a dedication to continu-
ing education and professional development.
Emily is constantly updating her skills to be able to provide the best possible treatments for her clients.
“The goal in our clinic is to help educate clients about their condition and empower them to take control of their health and wellbeing,” she says.
My passion as the owner of Curves Wanniassa, along with my staff, is to support and help women reach their goals, to give ladies that have never used a gym before confidence that they can exercise at their pace in a comfortable nonjudgemental environment.
I joined Curves in 2006. I was excited by the concept of the 30-minute workout with the hydraulic
equipment – a safe program for women with health concerns or injuries to help strengthen and rehabilitate, and a very effective workout for the fit individual looking for cardio and toning.
At Curves “we know women”, it’s not just a gym it’s a community with like minded women. After 11 years, a day doesn’t go by that I don’t enjoy what I do.
I have been in the fitness industry with Curves for about 10 years. I have a Certificate 4 in Fitness and a degree in Commerce, which have provided me with the skills to build one of the largest Curves in Australia. I am passionate about supporting women in their health and fitness journey and have, therefore, built a team of like-minded women to assist me
in coaching women from our local community.
I am continually updating my knowledge and skills through training and research.
Recently, one of our members, Toni, won the Curvette of the Year Award. Toni transformed her life by following our weight-management plan and working out regularly on our 30-minute circuit.
For 23 years I have been privileged to assist my clients in Canberra with finance for their homes and investments. I have assisted hundreds of purchasers with great lending products, structure and advice.
My clients are people I value and admire, making dear friends with many of them.
I believe trust is an energy that
transfers between people. It is put to the test when things go wrong or a challenge is being faced. Buying a home can include some tough challenges. My clients trust me to put my positive energy into achieving their outcomes. Having reliable and positive support helps give my clients the confidence to achieve great things financially.
I love working with the community to achieve their financial goals, whether that be their family home, investment property or even a new car.
With 30 years’ experience, I have a wealth of knowledge to ensure clients achieve the best possible outcome. I take each person’s individual circumstances to find a loan that has a great rate with the extra
features to suit their requirements. I recently won a prestigious Mentor of the Year award recognising my passion for developing women in the finance industry.
Dominion Finance is a team of dedicated women with knowledge and understanding to assist clients through the complicated and sometimes daunting world of buying a property.
WHAT started as a hobby has led to almost 50 years of business for me and the team at Duratone HiFi, which began in 1968 with my husband Charles.
Duratone supplies outstanding music systems to suit every budget. From compact, wireless,music-streaming devices, through to mainstream home audio products. We also have a
range of pre-loved equipment, catering for lovers of all things retro. There is even a room dedicated to a collection of more than 70,000 LP records.
Our staff’s age range is from 16 to over 80. Everyone has particular specialist knowledge and passions. This wealth of experience is passed on to our customers to help them make the right choices.
Duratone Hi Fi Pty Ltd, corner of Altree Court and Botany Street, Phillip, 2606; duratone.com.au; 6282 1333; sales@duratone.com.au
Elsa Gray-Murphy
DIRECTOR
Alex and I established Elliott Gray as we believe a consultative recruitment model leads to the best outcomes for employers and candidates.
We take the time to understand an employer’s workforce and culture, and our strength lies in then finding the best possible candidate match. As such, we go above and beyond to get to know our candi-
dates and make sure both employers and candidates are given a complete and accurate picture to ensure a mutually beneficial fit. Our combined total of over 20 years’ experience in Canberra means we understand the employment market. Providing true expertise, honesty and professionalism, we understand our role is to act as a consultant not a salesperson.
My business partner Stephanie Dent and I started 45 90 in October, 2016, with the aim of bringing a fresh approach to framing. Since opening the doors to our gallery and retail space in Kingston, 45 90 has thrived on turning our clients’ artworks, personal photo collections and memorabilia into truly beautiful and unique pieces that they are
proud to hang in their homes.
Our clients trust that we will care for their precious pieces and we return that trust by presenting their art in a way that will preserve it long into the future. We take great pride in our workmanship and our ability to combine new and traditional framing techniques, styles and trends.
I have been working in the finance industry for more than 16 years. With a background in financial planning, I bring a fresh approach and broad knowledge to my clients.
I have experience working with first home buyers, Investors, refinancing and SMSF lending. I am very passionate about this industry and enjoy the experience that comes with analysing a client’s
financial situation and finding a solution to their needs.
I am part of the Dominion Finance team; a vibrant office of female brokers who share my values and strong focus on customer service. I pride myself on building great relationships with my clients and am genuinely excited when their dream home or investment property has settled.
Elliott Gray is a Canberra-based recruitment consultancy focused on delivering the very best talent to clients across Canberra and the region. Founded by two of Canberra’s leading recruitment specialists, Elliott Gray offers a range of recruitment services. With extensive experience in government and the private sector, we understand what Canberra
employers are looking for and know how to meet those needs.
We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, responsiveness and results. We maintain open and frank lines of communication with clients and candidates at all times, and are committed to ensuring the right candidate-employer fit.
You will always know where you stand with Elliott Gray.
I help building company owners, engineers, civil contractors, tradesmen and technical services professionals to implement personal insurances that will provide the financial protection and security they and their families need.
I’m there when I’m needed most, co-ordinating income protection, life, trauma and
accidental injury claims so that full entitlements are received quickly. That’s my commitment.
Ford and Associates Pty Ltd, 25 Wakelin Circuit, Weston 2611; thefordgroup.com.au; 6288 3683; jford@iaa.net.au
Gail Freeman
DIRECTOR
Gail established her practice in Kingston 30 years ago. Over the years her business has changed due to client needs and the changing business environment. Gail has continued to gain new qualifications as required to be able to provide her clients with a one-stop shop for all their financial needs.
As a Chartered Accountant, financial planner, self-managed
superannuation fund specialist and tax agent, she is able to assist her clients with all their financial matters. Gail is passionate about seeing her clients reach their financial goals and streamlines her advice to their specific needs. She is an active community member and uses her expertise to assist a number of community organisations.
Bethany is a CPA and tax agent and has been helping the clients of Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd for more than 20 years. Passionate about helping her clients to achieve efficient and streamlined financial systems, Bethany is proficient with a number of computerised accounting packages and enjoys helping people to record their data in the
most meaningful manner.
Bethany provides the role of finance controller for a number of her clients and thrives on the variety of working in different environments throughout the week.
In her spare time, she spends time with family and friends, and gardening. She gives back to the community as a member of Rotary International.
My business practice is mainly about teaching how to actually paint in various mediums. I have a very successful “Absolute Beginners Class” that inspires people to give it a go. I teach adults, but we do have some talented young people. My own art is now on my online gallery and viewing by appointment. A new venture
is a online gallery for reloved art – artisticvisiongallery.com, which saves artworks from being disposed of.
Artistic Vision gallery rescues, rediscovers and highlights retro paintings for a new discerning audience at an affordable price.
Chloe practices exclusively in all areas of family law, including parenting and child-support matters, divorce, property divisions, family violence orders, adoption and surrogacy.
Prior to founding HCC Lawyers, Chloe worked for a number of respected law firms in Canberra and regional areas.
Growing up in rural NSW
instilled Chloe with a downto-earth attitude. She even continues to live on her own farm to this day. Chloe’s diverse background and clientorientated approach enable her to explain complicated legal matters in plain English, giving her clients the information they need to make the best decisions for their individual circumstances.
With an ambitious and creative mind, Jasmin has always dreamed of owning her own business. In 2011 she completed her Bachelor of Design Arts at ANU and, in 2012, founded a local brand that would continue to grow and become nationally recognised within the Australian industry. She says that Jazminbell features an extensive collection of
cold/heat packs, which are attracting quite a buzz not only because of their stylish nature, but they are also changing the way consumers feel when they buy, see and use cold/heat packs. They are wheat free, oil free, natural and completely designed and handmade in Canberra. Jasmin is excited about the future of the brand and its opportunities.
Danielle has been working at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd for more than a decade. Starting out as the administration officer, keyboard whiz Danielle quickly showed a desire to learn. On successful completion of her taxation course, Danielle moved from admin to preparing tax returns and then progressed to an accounting role.
Since then Danielle has undertaken specialised superannuation qualifications and has added accounting for SMSFs to her ever expanding role. In her spare time Danielle loves spending time with her family, friends and her puppy, Quincy. She enjoys relaxing weekends at the coast where she gets time to catch up on her reading.
Rebekah has been a practising Massage Therapist since 1996 and working for herself from 2003. Finding that owning your business was more satisfying than working for others, and also that professional room rental could be very costly; she decided to make it easier for herself and others in her situation.
Rebekah opened The Health
Works with a view to supporting small and micro businesses in the Health Industry. She created a professional and welcoming clinic, with affordable rental costs, flexible terms for therapists and four rooms set up for either counselling services or tablework, such as massage therapy or physiotherapy.
The Health Works is found above
The Paris End, in Mitchell.
The Health Works Canberra, Level 1, 1/56 Heffernan Street, Mitchell, 2911; Call 6262 3237; thehealthworkscanberra@gmail.com
Merrill Vellenoweth
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Trust is reinforced through good communication. It’s the glue that holds a project together.
Whether I’m designing and installing a stage set for a media event or refurbishing commercial premises, my clients trust me to not only deliver on time and on budget, but to come up with a truly memorable result. Clients put their reputation and
economic future in my hands, trusting me to deliver something really special. After 30 years, I am still creating a unique solution for each project.
I remain passionately committed to the creative process and the clients who commission it.
I created Kokoloco Dance Studio in 2004 after travelling and dancing in Mexico and wanting to share my love of Latin dance and culture. Since then the studio has grown into a community of passionate dancers from junior teams, all levels of adult classes to professional performers and inspiring teachers. We strive to provide the best possible tuition in a fun and
friendly atmosphere, and at the same time challenging, inspiring and encouraging everyone!
Apart from teaching almost all Latin dance style, we also offer bridal dance lessons, hens’ party lessons, run kids’ dance parties, stage make-up workshops and our own Latin shows and events. Join the fun now – you will love it; dance is for everybody!
Kokoloco Dance Studio, 28 Astrolabe Street, Red Hill 2603; kokoloco.com.au; 0421 798490; info@kokoloco.com.au
Gail Freeman & Co Pty
Arety Krikonis
OWNER
My clients know that when they come to me, my attention is solely focused on them, and I’ll go the extra mile to ensure they’re happy. Building a rapport with them allows me to develop strong client relationships. They are the secret to my success!
And as my client base has grown, my business has gone from strength to strength.
I started as a small tanning business from home. Now I am a specialist solely in spray tanning, eyelash enhancements and eyebrow sculpturing, while also providing a mobile tanning division (Canberra Mobile Spray Tans). The salon also focuses on organic, natural and vegan beauty products for tanning, make-up and skincare.
Dance for connecting. Archetypes are mirrors of ourselves. Kali, Green Tara, Cleopatra and Siva – they are examples of complex archetypes that symbolise realisation of our potential.
Internationally award-winning choreographer Padma Menon has worked all over the world teaching classes in embodying archetypes. Padma offers classes which
draw on her Indian cultural and dance lineage and her training in western dance. Her classes use Indian and western movement, reflection and guided improvisation.
Connecting with powerful archetypes through dance can help us find inner balance and discover strengths that empower us in our daily lives.
Melinda has had a passion for business management from her first job aged 14. Throughout her career, and as an owner of multiple small businesses, she has developed extensive business expertise. Melinda believes skills and knowledge are critical in building a thriving business. She launched the Moxxie Training Academy as an education platform to support
business owners to develop the knowledge and expertise they need to build, grow and manage a successful business.
“Our vision is to provide business clients with expert business training from beginning to end, with best practice expertise and clear implementable ideas that take them on their business journey to success,” she says.
Moxxie Training Academy, PO Box 809, Queanbeyan 2620; moxxietraining.com.au; 0412 348627; melinda@moxxietraining.com.au
Maria Edwards BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
A multi-award-winning real estate professional specialising in investment properties, Maria has been an industry leader for more than 10 years. She devotes her working life to achieving the financial goals of her clients through providing sound advice, practical assistance and creative solutions to management of their property portfolios. This commitment to excellence
has also made her the go-to person for financial advisers, accountants and even other agents for market appraisals and real estate solutions for their property clients creating a network of professionals with a common goal.
Her dedication to superior customer service sets the benchmark for property management services in the ACT.
Peter Blackshaw Woden & Weston Creek, 12/20 Curtin Place, Curtin 2605; peterblackshaw.com.au; 0414 601212; maria@pbwwc.com.au
Photo by George Serros
Lanette Gavran
DIRECTOR
In 2018, I will have taught people Pilates and wellness in Canberra for 22 years, it will also mark 14 years of teaching people in Canberra to instruct Pilates with a government-endorsed outcome – a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Wellness is one of the things I treasure and Joe Pilates created a system that promoted healthy liv-
ing that encompassed an exercise program to how to breathe, sleep and how best to bathe!
At Pilates Canberra you can trust that our instructors are the very best of Pilates instructors who are passionate about what they do for their clients. The instructors at Pilates Canberra work with their clients to help them use the Pilates philosophy to achieve their goals.
Having grown up in the motor industry with a strong passion for cars (some may say an obsession), I have a great understanding of what our clients are looking for.
I have raced cars with my family for many years and I bring a truly hands-on experience to the Porsche brand.
Felicia Darbyshire-Pirie OWNER
I have been in business for nearly 20 years, initially working for myself as a massage therapist, to the current day where I have owned a Pilates studio for nine years.
Most of my instructors have been with me since opening nine years ago, as have many of our clients.
I have built a strong community
based on knowledge and commitment in a caring and inclusive environment. I love working with people, I love teaching Pilates – and want to share that!
The Pilates Centre, 58 Colbee Court, Phillip 2606; pilatescentre.com.au; 6162 1793; felicia@pilatescentre.com.au
Renata Ryan OWNER
I am not your typical car dealer, I love cars and I love helping people experience the Porsche brand.
I am extremely passionate about Porsche and ensure that our customers receive the highest level of service. I also have a great deal of experience in automotive finance and work with clients to find the best finance solution for their Porsche ownership.
After being an HCF manager for 25 years, my husband and I decided to build a traditional Aussie slabhut cafe to complement our 1840 house. Sadly, my husband passed away from melanoma five years ago but luckily I have the help and support of my wonderful daughters and caring, reliable staff.
The Rollonin cafe has been open for nine years and doing really
well. We get customers from all over Australia and the world and I have been privileged to train and mentor my staff to look after each and every customer in both a professional and friendly manner. I trust and value my staff to look after the cafe even when on leave.
I feel you need to lead by example for the staff, as they trust your judgment.
A lifelong love affair with great fashion and a desire to make beautiful clothes accessible for all women had culminated in the Broads brand and Silk Sisters boutique. Speaking with fabulous women of all shapes and sizes every day continually drives us to source and design flattering and beautiful clothes they love
to wear. We have a strong passion for our customers and work incredibly hard to make sure we keep them well supplied with size-diverse clothing in great cuts and natural fibres. We know our women.
Trust is an important cornerstone to the success of my business. The trust that has been built with our clients is essential and enables us to have an ongoing relationship and share a commonality. Our wonderful clients seek our opinions when making decisions on their holidays and know they can trust us to provide ongoing support whilst they are travelling.
I trust my team to represent the values of Weston Cruise & Travel. This enhances the great connection with our clients who are great advocates for our agency placing their ongoing business with us and referring their family and friends to trust us with their travel experiences.
Natasha wears many hats. Proud mum of two, financial planner, accountant and mortgage broker.
After arriving in Australia as an 18-year-old refugee alone, Natasha learned first hand the complexities of navigating the Australian financial system and the challenges faced by Australian women. Her passion for education and helping others led her to start
Women with Cents – an awardwinning finance business dedicated to empowering Australian women through education. With more than 7000 members Australia-wide, Women with Cents offers services to suit every budget – from free financial education and affordable online courses, to one-on-one coaching, financial planning and mortgage broking.
Women with Cents, Suite 37 Kippax Fair, 48 Hardwick Crescent, Holt 2615; womenwithcents.com.au; 0402 098783; tash@womenwithcents.com.au
Karen Porter CEO
I am a firm believer that your home is the place to find solace. My business helps you to create solace in your home by providing well-insulated windows and doors. Windows and doors are often an afterthought and are not the first thing that you think of when you think of insulation. They are very important to the overall comfort of your home as they are an
insulation weakness if you single glaze them.
I have been helping people to have a more comfortable home since 2006 and I am passionate about energy efficient homes.
I have a wonderful team, suppliers and installers to help me with my mission to double glaze Canberra. Call us to find out more.
At 21, I had a vision of assisting people build better lives for themselves using my financial knowledge, which at that age was probably not much. Nonetheless, it was a vision called providing “wholistic financial solutions”. I then went on to study Accounting, Taxation, Financial Planning, Finance and Real Estate. My 20 years of study was
primarily as a result of my frustration with the whole financial advisory sector; there were no professionals looking after the “whole” of a client’s financial needs.
At Wholistic Financial Solutions we provide advice across all of a client’s financial needs including tax, financial planning, mortgages, super and property.
We offer a range of services such as personal and business taxation, business accounting and corporate services catering for individuals, companies, trusts and partnerships. No job is too small. We take care of the bookkeeping on and off site with expert set up and friendly support. We’ll take the time and hassle out of managing our clients’ books leaving them to
do the things they love to do. Always trying to make a difference by keeping up with a relaxed, personal, friendly and professional service while keeping up to date with the latest tax developments. Often meeting clients over a coffee, maintaining that personal touch by staying in touch. We pride ourselves by listening to our clients.
WWAccounting, PO Box 42, Red Hill 2603; wwaccounting.com.au; 0400 083938; wandaw@wwaccounting.com.au
OBITUARY / Steve Doszpot 1948-2017
By Ian Meikle
WHEN he rose to give his valedictory address to the ACT Assembly on October 24, Liberal Steve Doszpot prefaced it by saying it was “a speech that I wish I didn’t have to give”.
And here am I, a mate, barely a month later writing the story I dearly wish I didn’t have to write.
For the long-serving, much-loved MLA died last weekend in Clare Holland House after an agonising year living under the shadow of inoperable liver cancer. He was 69.
During a grim radio interview with Rod Henshaw and me on 2CC’s “CityNews Sunday Roast” program days after his emotional farewell to his Assembly colleagues (who were, to a person, generous in their praise of him), he did what he did so well so often and put himself last.
Fragile as he was, there was no anger, no self pity in fessing up, in short breaths on radio, that while he couldn’t be saved there needed to be more understanding, awareness and funding for the early diagnosis of liver cancer, the disease that was inexorably tightening its grip on his future with every passing day.
In his selfless speech to the Assembly he pledged to keep up his advocacy for so long as he could, “not only for the thousands of cancer sufferers in our community but also for their families, who are so important as hard-working carers providing love, support and hope”. While he was hopeful of another year to do it, it wasn’t to be. Four weeks later he was gone. He is to be afforded state funeral on Friday, December 1 for what Chief Minister Andrew Barr appropriately describes as “a mark of respect and recognition of his great contribution to the people of the ACT, both as a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and through many community and charitable organisations”.
He was one of the Assembly’s few authentic politicians. He looked and sounded like us because he was one of us. He wasn’t an apparatchik, a flack, a factional toady or opportunistic staffer from the professional political classes that beleaguer modern politics.
Over his nine Assembly years he represented three electorates – Brindabella, Molonglo and, most recently, Kurrajong. Before that he’d been in IT and business around Canberra for years. He’d held conspicuous roles in the administration of (sorry, Steve) soccer in the ACT through the sport’s highs and the lows. He’d been a radio and television sports broadcaster.
And throughout all that brought up two kids –Adam and Amy – with wife Maureen.
His love of people was forged in these community years, arming him with the passion to empathically hold down shadow ministries for Education, Sport and Recreation, Family and Community Services, Urban Services and Seniors.
He was also one of the few MLA’s with “snow on the roof” (grey hair) keeping a keen watching eye out for senior members of our community at risk of being marginalised by the effects of increasing rates on fixed-income constituents and seniors.
Over the past nine years, Steve Doszpot’s annual, trivia-quiz, charity nights raised about $230,000 for 10 local charities and individuals. Steve wrote all the questions and anyone unfamiliar with his lifelong passions for soccer and Beatles music were in for a long night.
In an interview at his home with me in October, Steve talked about his commitment to hope beyond a cure and the role his faith (“not very fashionable these days”) was having in assisting a positive attitude to his situation.
I asked what would he miss at leaving politics?
“I’ll miss community involvement. I like meeting people. I’ll miss not having the ability to influence legislation and I’ll miss not being able to complete some of the tasks,” he said, ruefully pointing to the dangerous dogs issue that he had fought hard to bring into public view over recent months.
His Hungarian heritage was never far below the Doszpot surface.
His father Istvan, wife Anna, mother-in-law Borbala Cziegler and three children Istvan (Steve), Anna and Gustav escaped the Communist regime of Hungary to arrive in Sydney as a refugee family in 1957 with nothing.
“My father was always reminding me as a young man that I, as the eldest child, would need to somehow thank Australia for the generosity shown to our family of refugees 60 years ago,” he told the Assembly.
“My father passed away 16 years prior to my election to this Assembly but I have always remembered his words, and one of my remaining tasks is to thank our Prime Minister, on behalf of our family.”
I think it’s we who should be thanking you, Steve, for your leadership as a citizen, sportsman and politician, and for your tireless love and unselfish contribution to our city and, through it, the country.
Chemist Kingston is saving over $4,000 per year in energy bills and feeling cool and comfortable with the help of Actsmart
Making energy-smart choices over the warmer months can have a big impact
By signing up to the Actsmart Business Energy and Water program, small businesses can receive: a FREE on-site energy and water assessment a FREE tailored action plan up to $5,000 to install more efficient equipment including heating and cooling equipment *Full terms and conditions available on the Actsmart website
A state funeral for Steve Doszpot will be held at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka, 10am, on Friday, December 1.
Don’t panic, there’s still time to
WITH the days slipping away and just over three weeks until Christmas, there’s no avoiding it, it’s time to get some serious shopping done.
In this special, seasonal feature, “CityNews” has sourced a variety of inspiring and different gift ideas to take away some of the stress from hunting for that perfect present…
Margaret’s art for the modern home
Christmas Market beats them all
CANBERRA Christmas Market is a feast of food, treats, toys, stocking fillers and gifts people won’t find in a shopping mall, says its founder Cathie Wall.
“If you are looking for something different for your Christmas decoration, snacks and food for the Christmas season, then you really should try the Christmas Market,” she says.
The Christmas Market has gifts from all over the world.
Cathie says local artists, craftspeople and food producers have also been hard at work producing quality items specially for the markets.
“We will have lots of new stalls and also all of the favourites from the last six years that the market has been running,” she says.
“In addition this year we will be having speciality
CANBERRA’s biggest commercial gallery, Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery in Deakin is the ideal place to get an art-lover a unique and affordable present this Christmas, says Margaret, who has been specialising in abstract works, mostly using acrylic on canvas or paper, for 20 years.
She started the Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery as a pop-up gallery for six months but six months turned into a year and she’s now been in Deakin for five!
•
Margaret’s work is particularly suited to large-scale canvases but she also works on smaller-scale pieces on paper, which are framed under glass.
Margaret says all her artworks are affordable and she can do commissioned works to tailor a room or a person’s tastes.
And what home best suits her paintings? Well, Margaret says: “If people have a modern house, then they need my work.”
Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery, 38 Grey Street, Deakin. Call 0407 416480, email margaretdimoff@gmail.com, visit Margaret Dimoff Art on Facebook or margaretdimoffart.com.au
• repairing,
food stalls and some of the best coffee carts in Canberra.”
And then, after the Christmas buzz fades and as the New Year arrives, the Canberra Fashion Market in February brings an opportunity for Canberrans to spruce up their wardrobe.
“Canberra Fashion Market has a huge range of fashion, some new, some pre-loved, some vintage and classic fashion,” Cathie says. The market will even have an in-house fashion stylist available to match fashion to an individual’s look.
Canberra Christmas Market, 9am-3pm, December 9-10, and Canberra Fashion Market, 10am-3pm, February 10. Both at the Fitzroy Pavilion, Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell. Call 0413 594207, email info@ canberramarkets.net.au or visit canberramarkets.net.au
‘Magic
and fun of a toy shop at Christmas’
TOYWORLD in Fyshwick has knowledgeable staff to point Christmas shoppers in the direction of some great gift ideas, says owner Geoffrey Morton.
Quality quilt is the gift that lasts a lifetime
WITH Canberra’s hot summer approaching, Therma Quilt’s Jennifer Kusa says giving a quality quilt to someone for Christmas is a gift that lasts a lifetime as well as the gift of a good night’s sleep.
Jennifer says customers had better get in quick before Therma Quilts closes for the break on December 19. It re-opens on January 9 continuing Therma Quilts’ fourth decade since Ukrainians Olga and Roman Mondzhovsky were the first to bring eiderdown to Canberra in the ‘80s.
“There was no business like it in Canberra, we completely introduced a new concept,” says Olga, who was born in Eastern Ukraine, and Roman, who was from Western Ukraine.
“Eiderdown wasn’t fashionable in Australia at the time but had been in Europe for a long time,” Olga says.
Olga describes eiderdown as a wonderful investment because it can be cleaned, recased and topped up, which means it’ll last a lifetime.
“Being a specialised toy and hobby store we are the magic and fun of a toy shop at Christmas,” Geoffrey says.
Geoffrey says one of the “hot” toys for Christmas is Lego, in particular the “Star Wars” range.
“Remote-control trucks and drones will be another popular range of products this year,” he says.
“We are also seeing strong demand for STEM products such as Meccano M.A.X., VEX robotics, and Lego Boost.”
Geoffrey says the “Christmas is Here” catalogue sale is on until December 10 and people can come into the store to grab a copy, which might help inspire some Christmas gift ideas.
“Customers can turn up, park right outside on the on-site parking,” he says.
“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.”
BOOK Passion’s owner Leisha Sutton has a knack for helping customers find books they’ll enjoy.
opportunity came to become the owner of Book Passion one year ago, she grabbed it and is now living her dream.
teacher and says she’s an expert on helping parents pick books to suit their children.
the importance of picking books to suit the children,” she says.
and I stress the importance of children being interested in what they’re reading, otherwise it doesn’t work.”
unique puzzles and activity books, but it also has a wide range of adult fiction, books about history, science, maths, books on war and academic books.
Leisha says if people are looking for a present to give to a loved reader this Christmas the Book Passion is the place to go.
“It’s a personalised service and I help customers pick books that will fit,” she says. Book Passion, Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, Shop 35, 1 Lathlain Street, Belconnen. Call 6251 0116 or visit bookpassion.com.au
TO celebrate Christmas My Favourite Apron Company’s owner and designer Kendall Fayle has created Christmasthemed aprons so people can look festive while cooking the turkey, pudding or shelling the prawns!
Kendall says these unique and unusual aprons are made of metallic fabrics and vintage, metallic buttons for bright details, but there are also aprons made out of traditional Christmas colours, too.
“They make great presents because they’re often something people wouldn’t buy for themselves, even though they’re really practical and functional gifts, especially for foodies,” she says.
“There’s also children’s aprons, which are fantastic for Christmas craft such as card making or tinsel making.”
And, if people are looking for presents that aren’t Christmas themed, Kendall says she has a variety of aprons with funky, interesting and vintage buttons so that there are no two aprons that are the same.
“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 Facebook @myfavouriteaproncompanyhandmade
DEBBIE Maree’s Fashion Boutique on Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, is a true boutique experience, and her edgy clothes will make a unique Christmas present, says owner Debbie Maree.
With casual wear through to occasion wear, Debbie has a diverse range of brands for women in their late twenties right through.
She describes the clothes as having an edgy twist and goes to lengths to find items that are
“It’s all selected by me to suit the customers we have and the anticipated new customer,” she says.
“We also like to support Australian labels, as well as some international brands.
DOWN Memory Lane has everything needed for Christmas, whether it’s a special gift, something festive for the table or something unique to wear, says owner Christine Lund.
Situated on Geelong Street, Fyshwick, 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, birthday or Christmas!
“There are so many one-off pieces, if someone is redecorating their house they can find a great shabby-chic suitcase or trunk or the perfect lamp. Our store is an interior designer’s delight.”
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, Fyshwick. Call 6228 1048 or visit downmemorylane.net.au
Book Passion’s owner Leisha Sutton.
For Trees, Ornaments and all things Christmas Open 7 days till Christmas
ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS GIVING
The department store for Christmas
CANBERRA’s dedicated Christmas store, Hang Ups Fram ing and Christmas Emporium, has everything needed for Christmas from decorations to the ACT’s largest selection of artificial Christmas trees, says owner Mike Welch.
And now, after a transformation earlier in the year Hang Ups Framing and Christmas Emporium has moved the Christmas store into its own, much bigger and much better space, two steps down from Hang Ups.
“If you look up the meaning for emporium, we are exactly that. We’re a department store for Christmas,” Mike says.
“We have train sets, beautiful floral picks and things as simple as Christmas table cloths.”
Mike says the items are hand-selected, quality products that people wouldn’t see anywhere else.
The store offers collectables such as Faberge-style eggs made in Ukraine, German windmills and unique ornaments and bon bons.
Hang Ups Framing and Christmas Emporium is open all year so it’s continuously getting in new decorations.
Hang Ups Framing and Christmas Emporium, 80-82 Kembla Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 0312 or email
Christmas, give them tickets to The Australian Tenors, says Australian Tenor Lorenzo Rositano.
Internationally known for thrilling audiences with their voices, The Australian Tenors will bring romance and excitement along with warmth and humour to its “Friends for Life” tour, which will stop at The Q, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, on February 24.
The Australian Tenors – Lorenzo Rositano, Murray Mayday, Matthew Reardon, David McKenzie and John Donohoe – have performed extensively as soloists with Opera Australia, Australian and International Symphonies and Philharmonic Orchestras and will now unite in this concert, backed by the Southern Cross Orchestra.
Lorenzo says the program is sensational with popular, classical arias from the best
known operas, traditional Neapolitan songs such as “Funiculi Funicular” and popular tenor tunes from the hit musical theatre productions “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”, “The Impossible Dream”, “Bring Him Home”, “This Is The Moment” and beautiful duets.
“The concert encapsulates the spirit, the beauty and vocal demand of the truly authentic tenor voice,” Lorenzo says.
And, he says, a performance from The Australian Tenors is never complete without the ever-popular songs such as “Waltzing Matilda”, “Australia My Country“ (Dorothea Mackellar poem) and “I Am Australian” among other favourites.
The Australian Tenors, with the Southern Cross Orchestra, “Friends for Life” tour. At The Q, Queanbeyan, 2pm, February 24. Book at theq.net.au or via 6285 6290.
Special occasion? Let us design and make your unique engagement or wedding ring exactly how you’d like it.
Need or desire a new piece of Jewellery?
We can design any piece of jewellery to your specifications and custom-make it in-house.
Complex repairs? Difficult repairs are not a problem –bring your repair in and we’ll discuss what can be done.
Feel like a change? We do remakes using your existing jewellery to give you an exciting one-of-a-kind creation.
WITH a new season of shows coming up in the New Year and a wide choice of interesting theatre, a gift voucher to The Q - the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre would suit anyone for Christmas, says artistic director Stephen Pike.
“It is a gift that can be redeemed at any time during the year and the memory of the experience may last a lifetime,” he says.
With a number of shows in 2018 about family relationships, Stephen says it’s a great opportunity to introduce family and friends to the theatre.
“The shows not only cover a wide age demographic but also have a very diverse subject matter,” he says.
“There is truly something for everyone who has an interest in live performance and many great shows for a first-time theatregoer.”
The Q offers drama, musicals, comedy, thrillers, music and children’s shows, in a combination of international, national and local productions, which cover new Australian works through to more traditional productions.
And, Stephen says there’s something to look forward to, a special 10th anniversary show written by popular satirists John Shortis and Moya Simpson.
“It will involve a lot of our local talent and include a song written especially for the event through a community workshop,” he says.
The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, at the rear of 251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6285 6290 or visit theq.net.au
Getting the right gifts for children
LITTLE Sprout is making it easier to get that special children’s Christmas present this year with its extended opening hours and staff who are dedicated to help choose that “right” gift, says owner Brooke Kearns.
The handcraft and platinum specialists
CLOVER Jewellery has an on-site jeweller and designer so people looking for a special present can get one uniquely made for Christmas, says on-site jeweller James Oh.
Clover Jewellery is a family-run business, which has been in Canberra for more than three years after it was in Japan for more than 25 years.
“Our experienced and friendly staff are able to help customers select the best, age-appropriate gift for children based on their interests and abilities,” Brooke says.
“We select toys, games and books that are not only fun, but also offer children an opportunity to learn.”
For people who are stuck on ideas Brooke and her team have plenty of ideas such as slime, which she says has been super popular with primary school children this year.
“We have some fabulous, slimy stocking stuffers, as well as some more educational and interactive science kits where children are able to make their own slime,” she says.
Little Sprout will be open seven days a week, until Christmas, with late-night shopping on Friday nights.
And, Brooke says, for a gold-coin donation to Little Sprout’s charity of the month, customers can have their gifts wrapped ready for Christmas.
Little Sprout, 47 Colbee Court. Call 6282 3684 or visit littlesprout.com.au
“We provide a range of high-end and unique handmade jewellery as well as fancy and beautiful silver jewellery,” James says.
“We have lots of samples for customers to try or they can bring in their own design and we can make it on-site by our fully qualified jeweller. We have wedding rings and engagement rings for customers to try on, too.
“We are a handcraft and platinum specialist and we offer a laser-engraving and lasersoldering service, you can put a message in the ring along with a birthstone. It makes it very special and one of a kind.”
Based in Manuka, Clover Jewellery makes custom and unique pieces and also offers a free quote for its design services.
Clover Jewellery, 2/16 Bougainville Street, Griffith. Call 6295 8545, email clover.j@hotmail.com or visit @cloverjewellerycanberra on Facebook.
Putting under the bonnet under the tree
EVEN though Goodyear Autocare Gungahlin has been under new ownership since July, it still has the management team delivering the same great customer service, says owner John Wojcicka.
As car enthusiasts and long-term customers of Goodyear Autocare Gungahlin and Paul Whyte Automotive, John and his wife couldn’t resist taking on such a well-established business.
Now, the team are working on getting cars in tip-top condition for the Christmas break, so customers can have a stress-free holiday.
And, John says, what better way to ensure the family is safe while travelling over the Christmas period than giving someone the Christmas gift of a car service.
“It will minimise the chance of a break down, which is the last thing anybody needs on their way to visit relatives,” he says.
Other ideas for Christmas presents could be a set of new tyres or a tyre upgrade, a wheel and tyre package. John says lots of tradesmen are personalising their utility vehicles with aftermarket wheel and tyre packages or a vehicle service voucher.
John says a lot of customers aren’t aware that Goodyear Autocare is the full vehicle maintenance and service package, not only tyres and wheels.
“We do all log-book servicing, brakes, suspension, essentially everything other than major mechanical works such as a full engine rebuild,” he says.
Goodyear Autocare Gungahlin, 1 O’Brien Place, Gungahlin. Call 6255 4955 or go to goodyearautocare.com.au
Ezra Bix as Jack and Rohana Hayes as Deborah in The Magnolia Tree.
Created by Phillip George, David Lowenstein & Peter Charles Morris. Originally produced Off-Broadway in New York City by Victoria Lang & P.P.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
COVER STORY
By Helen Musa
A CHARISMATIC and persuasive artist who singlehandedly talked our national institutions into supporting a significant dance summit this year has been named 2017 “Canberra CityNews” Artist of the Year.
Liz Lea was singled out by the Canberra Critics’ Circle judging panel for having “galvanised dance audiences in the ACT with her commitment to developing their expectations about what dance is,” receives a cheque for $1000 from “CityNews” and a fine porcelain artwork crafted by Canberra ceramic artist Tania Vrancic.
A tearful Lea said when contacted in Tasmania by “CityNews”, where she was completing a dance workshop and preparing to fly to Indonesia for the Festival Kampoeng Nusantara: “I am completely stunned, I feel very emotional, but this is a community effort, I wouldn’t have been able to do things if people hadn’t jumped behind me and said ‘let’s do it’.”
Lea, classically trained in Indian dance yet combining an interest in contemporary performance, had already established a formidable reputation in England and Europe before coming to Australia. She has been performing, researching and teaching in Canberra since 2000 and moved here permanently in 2010.
Creating a whirlwind of dance, she founded the DANscienCE Festival at CSIRO Discovery, where she was choreographerin-residence, directed Canberra Dance Theatre, set up the GOLD (Growing Old Disgracefully) over-55s dance company and
devised and staged kids’ dance/science shows such as “Flying Facts” and “Star Struck”.
Lea researched the nature of flight in birds and humans, then put it into dance, using the resources of Questacon, the National Library, Mount Stromlo Observatory, the National Film and Sound Archive, the National Gallery, the National Museum, the Canberra Theatre Centre and, above all, QL2 Dance.
“Doors began to open” she says, and all the stars aligned for her in ‘BOLD’, her festival of talk, workshops, performances and discoveries in March this year that celebrated the legacy of dance and attracted to Canberra leading dance figures such as choreographer Meryl Tankard and David McAllister from the Australian Ballet.
“BOLD”, the judges said, was entirely attributable to Lea’s driving energy and her knack for talking to the movers and shakers
in Canberra.
“I’ve been very, very busy since I’ve come to Canberra,” she says.
“And the dance artists here are quite extraordinary, with bucketloads of talent.”
She’s been working as a mentor for dancers with disabilities at Belconnen Arts Centre, creating cross-form works such as “Great Sport!” at the National Museum, dancing with Alison Plevey’s Australian Dance Party and preparing a new solo show
Boynes and Katy Mutton , movement artists Hannah Carey and Emily Appleton , actor Vanessa de Jager, film-makers Che Baker, Tim Maddocks and Sarah Mason , music venue owner Nigel McRae and musicians Sally Greenaway, Elise Walsh , Oriana Chorale , Rachael Duncan , Helena Popovic , Lyn Fuller and Thomas Lau
Full details of all arts awards at canberracriticscircle.blogspot.com
The faltering fame of poor Christopher Robin
“Goodbye Christopher Robin” (PG)
IT’S nearly a century since Daphne Milne (Margot Robbie) presented husband Alan (Domhnall Gleeson) with a son whom they called Christopher Robin (CR).
Today the books that Milne wrote about CR still float off booksellers’ shelves. Children adore their innocence and imagination. Their power to delight, their ability to occupy a corner of memory long after childhood has passed, are legend.
What is less legend are the consequences for CR (played by Will Tilston at age 8 and Alex Lawther at 18), hurled into fame long before he could cope with it. His father loved his only son perhaps to excess. His party-girl mother apparently gave higher priority to assuaging her husband’s memories of World War I battlefields than to caring for the emotional needs of a small boy.
The screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Simon Vaughan for Simon Curtis’ film purporting to tell the events and influences that shaped CR’s early life draws heavily from the poems and the two books telling about his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Roo, Kanga, Piglet and the rest. Those moments will draw responses from everybody who’s read Milne. When the film ventures into grown-up territory, unexpected intentions derail its veracity about the Milne family. CR’s nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald) tells him how the war had made everybody sad and the books gave hope again. In a very real sense, Olive
Milne wrote 52 poems never incorporated into the CR books (although CR is a character in several of them). The one titled “Politeness” reminds me in simple language that Milne did understand what fame was doing to a small boy. The film doesn’t acknowledge Alan’s awareness of fame’s effect that blighted the rest of CR’s life. On that ground, it is guilty of evading a sad verity.
At Dendy, Capitol 6, Palace Electric, Hoyts Belconnen and Limelight
CZECH director Jan Hrebejk’s film, set in 1983 at a Bratislava high school, begins with teacher Maria (Zuzana Mauréry) on her first day getting to know the students. What are your parents’ names? Where do they work? What seems like a genuine concern for student-teacher relationships shields a malignant intention. For Maria’s compiling a hard-copy data base on which to give her a comfortable life in
sundayROAST
Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only local weekend news and current affairs program.
It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.
Be part of the conversation and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon.
difficult times. She will trade good grades for students in return for free provision of scarce goods and services from parents. No favours?
Low marks. And don’t tell.
At parent meetings, she is a dab hand at manipulating outcomes. She’ll say one thing behind a closed door then go into the meeting to deny it and accuse the person concerned. For not only has she parents in the palm of her hand, she also has local party functionaries and their superiors in the capital on her side.
If this sounds grim – and to those enduring it in reality, it would have been – Petr Jarchovsky’s screenplay leavens the film’s reminiscence of a harder time with a mix of satire, courage and corruption.
Those dramatic ingredients work well together, especially when aided by a comely anti-heroine. Not until Mr Binder confronts her is there any glimmer of righteousness. And it’s going to take more than a parents’ meeting to intensify that glimmer into a bright glow. But we can still smile at what we have seen.
“Tulip Fever” (MA)
DEBORAH Moggach usually writes good screenplay. So does Tom Stoppard. They collaborated on “Tulip Fever” which director Justin Chadwick shot in 2014. The result lay on the shelf until released this year after a re-cut.
It’s 1634. In Amsterdam orphan Sophia (Alicia Vikander) hasn’t presented older wealthy husband of three years Cornelis (Christoph Waltz) with an heir. Frankly, Cornelis doesn’t delight her after lights out. But his heart’s in the right place. He engages good-looking, young artist Jan van Loos (Dane DeHaan) to paint a portrait of the couple. Jan’s a studmuffin to delight any neglected wife.
Amsterdam has a new craze. The tulip has arrived from the east. Everybody wants them in the garden. At the bulb exchange, any hithertounknown sport or colour creates a frenzy of bidding to have it. Sophia and Jan decide to play the market with insider information to raise the funds to run away. Neither husband nor lover has yet got Sophia pregnant. But kitchen maid Maria (Holliday Grainger) is. Fishmonger Willem (Jack O’Connell) got at her before leaving town. What better way to help Sophia to relieve domestic tensions with a babe she can call her own even if it’s not? Which she does, to Cornelis’ delight. Then Willem comes back.
Keeping track of this rowdy, confused babble, ameliorated by occasional visits to Mother Superior (Judi Dench) needs perseverance but no great intel lectual power. Indeed, it’s often good fun. At Palace Electric
Alan (Domhnall Gleeson) with Christopher Robin (Will Tilson) and Pooh in “Goodbye Christopher Robin”.
‘Detonate’ festival aims to go off with a bang
By Helen Musa
“DETONATE” is the name chosen for Belconnen Arts Centre’s coming celebration of the International Day of People with Disability and it suggests an incendiary approach to art-making, as experienced and emerging talents come together in the name of art.
A three-day, mini festival focused on “engaging and experimenting”, “Detonate” will feature a concert by musicians from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, “Peter and the Wolf” narrated by Duncan Driver with puppetry by Marianne Mettes, songs from blind artist Mpofu Namba and Canberra’s the Alchemy Chorus, and screenings of films including “This Machine Is Not Me, the IGNITE: Creatives story” and Meryl Tankard’s film “Michelle’s Story”, which traces the experience of her former leading dancer Michelle Ryan as she struggled with multiple sclerosis.
Although the centre has been at the forefront in the “arts and well-being” movement, its creative program officer Ann McMahon tells “CityNews” that the real aim is to: “Allow people to engage in something wonderful… treating them as patients is a mistake, we see it as a case of the arts lifting people’s spirits”.
A part of that aim will be a significant exhibition in the foyer of the centre where artists who have been working in its Alternative Arts Academy with Naomi Zouwer, Mariana del Castillo, Sean Davey and Barb Mickelson, will show the “many threads of their practice”.
Dance will be centrestage of the Day of People with Disability itself, Sunday, December 3. Artists
Katie Senior and Liz Lea will revive a production created through the centre’s “IGNITE: creatives” program that involved arts projects in dance, design, ceramics, photography, writing, and video where established creative artists worked with emerging artists with disabilities. Senior has been dancing and acting since age five and represents Australia as a Paralympic swimmer. She has choreographed and performed two solos, “All for One” and “In the Corner Where the Shadows Meet”. A 22-year-old with Down Syndrome, she had a lead role in Genevieve Clay’s film “Beautiful,” produced in Canberra.
Friendships like that between Senior and Lea have flourished the under centre’s “IGNITE: crea -
tives” and another creative program officer, Philip Piggin, points out that the idea is to “position artists with disabilities within the mainstream”. Whether for more senior dancers in the Gold team, or people living with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, the openness of programs to people of all abilities is important to the integrity of what they’re doing.
Creative program director at the centre, Monika McInerney is quite sure that “Detonate” will be “a weekend of inspiration.”
“Detonate,” at Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, December 1-3, program details at belconnenartscentre.com.au
Highlights include:
• Free community concert by Canberra Symphony Orchestra, 6pm, Friday, December 1.
• Mini-workshops in felting, fibrework, drawing and collage, artisan stalls, performances and films, 11am-4pm, Saturday, December 2.
• Open dance workshop, forum on dance and wellbeing, dance performances by CDTeens, The GOLDs, Canberra Dance Theatre, Vivacity, Off Beat Xtreme Stars, Dream Team and collaborators Liz Lea and Katie Senior, 11am to 4pm, Sunday, December 3.
The Art of Mulkun Wirrpanda and John Wolseley
Two artists, two completely different approaches, one abiding passion — to depict the natural bounty to be found in northern Australia.
EXHIBITION NOW OPEN On show until 18 February 2018
FREE ENTRY Donations welcome
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA, CANBERRA nma.gov.au/midawarr
Distant glimpses … 2017 (detail), by John Wolseley; National Museum of Australia. Darwirr, 2014 (detail), by Mulkun Wirrpanda; donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Wayne and Vicki McGeoch.
left, and Katie Senior.
Photo by Emma Dykes
DINING / the durham, kingston
Faithful, old friend has a new chef and menu
WE love chatting about new places opening in every nook and cranny in the capital. But what about the cafes, restaurants and bars that have been serving us faithfully for decades?
This year the Durham Castle Arms Village Inn (or just “The Durham”, as it’s so fondly called), in Green Square, Kingston, can stand on the rooftop and yell that it’s proud to have been serving beers and good pub grub to patrons for 25 strong years. Yup, 25 strong years. It’s celebrating with a new chef, a new menu and new specials to keep customers coming back for more.
With a spruced-up outdoor area and new tables nestled under glorious mature trees with views of the lawns of Green Square and plenty of sun, The Durham called out to us: “Attention, please. I’m a perfect spot for lunch”.
You can’t go wrong with the $10 express pub lunch options, which include a caesar salad, beer-battered barramundi, beef sausages, a burger and pasta. Also included is the classic crumbed-chicken schnitzel (served with gravy, of course), which was top-notch and you can select chips (they’re great) or creamy mash ($21.90). A friend I dine with regularly, who is a schnitty expert, was impressed.
The rest of us decided to splurge and upgrade to the $15 express lunch option. The 250-gram sirloin is excellent value. It was cooked just as ordered. It was tender, juicy and served with chips and a side slaw that wasn’t ghastly creamy. Then there was the crispy skin salmon fillet with Bearnaise sauce – a perfect size, perfectly cooked, and served atop a healthy bed of greens. Other great-value lunches for only $15 include southern fried chicken pieces with mash and gravy, chicken parmigiana and a Thai green curry.
ARTS IN THE CITY
With a spruced-up outdoor area and new tables nestled under glorious mature trees with views of the lawns of Green Square and plenty of sun, The Durham called out to us.
Weekly specials vary. The week we visited they ranged from $14 to $17.
Beer lovers are well taken care of. The Durham says they have the best selection of craft beer in Canberra –more than 50 bottles and 12 rotating taps.
Wine lovers are also well taken care of with a pretty good selection of reds and whites, including local varieties, at reasonable prices. The Xanadu “Exmoor” Chardonnay, from Margaret River, is a cool $45 a bottle and at a nearby location it’s $80 a bottle (one year younger). Glasses of wine are super reasonable – starting from $7 and topping off at $12 for whites.
Open seven days, with the kitchen not closing between lunch and dinner (a bonus), The Durham offers daily specials. On Saturdays you can feast on $16 ribs and swig down $15 jugs of pale ale.
Special events to keep customers amused include Tuesday trivia nights and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Durham, Green Square, Kingston. Call 6295 1769. Open seven days, noon until late.
Old, new and very ‘nestie’
CANBERRA songstresses Sparrow-Folk will be singing up a “Very Nestie Xmas” of songs new and old at The Street Theatre on December 7-8. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.
THE Song Company will be here with Australian and English carols, including the Coventry carol “Lully Lulla” and a smashing “Gloria in Excelsis” to finish. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, 7pm, Saturday, December 9. Bookings to songcompany.com.au
STRANGE Weather Gospel Choir will present a fundraising for SOS Villages, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” featuring African, gospel and contemporary songs under the direction of Daniel Bennett. At the Botswana high commission, 130 Denison Street, Deakin, 7.30pm, on December 6. Bookings to trybooking.com and strangeweather.org
FORMER star of Canberra musicals and heavy metal/hard-rock singer, Erica Bowron, will be back in town with her new band Red Sea to headline the “She Riff: Women of Metal” initiative showcasing women in music. At Transit Bar, 7 Akuna Street, Civic, 8pm, December 8. Tickets at the door.
Sparrow Folk… singing up a “Very Nestie Xmas” on December 7-8.
CANBERRA guitarist, vocalist, composer and songwriter Jess Green, also known as “Pheno”, is launching her debut, art-pop EP, “Dragon Year”, with sound designer Annie McKinnon’s installation “Habitual” also on show. At The Street Theatre, 8pm, December 9. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.
QUEANBEYAN Art Society has secured a deal allowing one of its artists to have art “splashed” on a Canberra Milk bottle. It will be unveiled at the Splash of Milk Art Award exhibition opening on December 3 at the society’s gallery under the Queanbeyan Bridge. JAZZ at the Village’s next concert will be a tribute to John Coltrane featuring John Mackey on sax, accompanied by three top Sydney musicians. Amazingly,
Coltrane died 50 years ago. At the ANU Pop-up Village, 7.30 pm, on Wednesday, December 6. Bookings to gpage40@bigpond.net.au
BRINDABELLA Orchestra will present its toe-tapping, final concert for the year, “Dances and Marches”, at the Queanbeyan Uniting Church, Rutledge Street, Queanbeyan, 2pm, on Sunday, December 3. Tickets at the door also include a program and afternoon tea.
THE Friends of the ANU Classics Museum are holding a fundraising talk, “Travellers’ Tales: The Paths Less Trod”, along with an end-ofyear function will be held in the conference room, AD Hope Building, then in the Classics Museum, 2pm4pm, Sunday, December 10. Entry by donation at the door. To assist catering, RSVP to rosjackson4@ gmail.com or 6288 3373.
GARDENING
Dianne’s a winner
THE UK’s Royal Horticultural Society has announced the winners of the 2017 RHS Photographic Competition. Attracting amateurs and professionals alike across the world this year saw 11,000 entries in nine categories from members. The winning entries were chosen for their ingenuity, creativity and technical fineness. The overall winner was Australian Dianne English, from NSW, with her entry “Spring”.
One of the principal judges commented: “The colours are beautiful, with the light illuminating the pale blue flowers perfectly. I love the way your eye is led from the sharply focused flowers at the front to the out-of-focus ones in the background. Exquisite.”
The plant is Veronica chamaedrys or Speedwell. Great to see an Australian take the top award.
Delights of being in the garden
By Cedric Bryant
THIS is a delightful time in the garden with a succession of flowering shrubs complementing the burst of colour from perennials.
I walked around our garden enjoying the fragrance of Daphne “Eternal Fragrance” as the D. ”Spring Pink” are just coming into flower. They are the last of the daphnes that have been giving me a succession of flowers since mid-winter. Admittedly, we have more than 20 varieties of daphne, many from the hottest parts of the Mediterranean.
Also from that part of the world is the Cistus or Rock Rose family (no relation to roses except for the resemblance of its blooms).
The picture is of Cistus “Nightfall” and, in another part of the garden, C. “Sunset” is coming into full flower. This was getting a bit woody so I cut it back hard in late spring, into the old wood and it has responded beautifully.
The white variety is Cistus “Gallipoli Rose”, which was found fairly recently in an old Victorian garden, reputedly growing from cuttings brought back by a World War I
Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient every two to three weeks in the growing season.
Chives make a colourful addition to a herb collection along with culinary salvias. Again, one herb to a pot. All herbs can be divided in early spring to pot up for the next fete plant stall.
Jottings…
THE Hebe family is huge with several hundred varieties listed by the Royal Horticultural Society, all native to NZ. It can be seen growing down the centre of Anzac Parade, representing the NZ part of Anzac with the eucalypts either side representing Australia.
PEOPLE new to gardening often start a herb garden, invariably planting a variety of mints. Very quickly they discover mints quickly get out of control and spread in weed-like proportions.
There are two ways of preventing this problem. Cut the bottom off of a plastic pot, preferably a minimum of 30cm across. Sink it in the ground with the wider part in the ground, leaving about 10cm above the ground. Plant the mint in organicenriched soil. The pot stops the roots spreading. Alternatively, plant in pots of a
Yates Garden Club, with more than 140,000 members, is a great source of garden information for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. It is free to join and each month subscribers receive a personalised email of garden advice. Join at yates.com.au/ garden-club
• Refrain from watering gladioli unless the weather is very dry and mulch with well-composted cow manure or lucerne hay.
• Deadhead perennials regularly to encourage more flowers
• Reduce the height of Michaelmas daisies and salvias by at least 50
Digger from the hills of Turkey.
Cistus “Nightfall”... responded beautifully to a hard prune.
Chives… a colorful addition for the herb garden.
PUZZLES PAGE
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Mercury is backtracking through your travel zone until December 23. So expect some misunderstandings involving cars, buses, trains, planes, commuting and/ or holiday plans. Wednesday and Thursday are fabulous for knuckling down and completing unfinished business. When it comes to lust or loot matters, prepare for a welcome boost courtesy of your power planet Mars. The more passionately proactive you are, the better the outcome will be. Creativity is also highlighted.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Time-poor Taurus – you’re keen to plunge into a personal project or joint financial matter ASAP but make sure you do your homework first. Otherwise there’ll be major mix-ups or delays over the next three weeks. Gung-ho Mars races into your romance zone on Saturday. So it’s time to bite the bullet and patch up a partnership problem. If you want the relationship to grow and develop in positive ways, then you’ll have to be the catalyst! Singles – you’ll have to be proactive.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Expect some communication chaos over the next three weeks, as mischievous Mercury (your patron planet) reverses through your relationship zone. An unresolved issue from the past could also be dredged up all over again. If you’ve been experiencing an energy slump, then get your body moving Gemini! With Mars marching into your wellbeing zone, be more proactive about improving your health and fitness via a more nutritious diet and a more dynamic exercise routine.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Mercury is now in retrograde mode until December 23. So it’s not a good time to start new projects or solve tricky problems. And expect disruptions or delays involving cars, computers or mobile phones. Over the next few weeks, you can look forward to a creativity surge, as Mars stimulates your fertile imagination. Mars also encourages you to be more social as you host a Christmas function or just party like a pro. So it’s time to crawl out of your Crab shell and express yourself!
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Even though communication planet Mercury is retro, strive to keep communication flowing with friends and colleagues. A flexible attitude and a diplomatic approach will help you cope with any frustrating disruptions over the next three weeks. Mars moves into your family zone, so expect some fiery Drama Queen moments in the lead-up to the festive season. And don’t let a persistent child, teenager or friend talk you into buying something you can’t afford or don’t need.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
With Mercury reversing through your home zone, expect some domestic dramas over the next three weeks. The more fussy and fastidious you are, the more annoying the problems will be. Try to relax and go with the (sometimes disrupted) flow. Mars moves into your communication zone on Saturday. So, when it comes to social media, think fast and be proactive. But with Mercury retro – constantly double-check that you are sending the right message to the right person!
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Be very careful what you put on social media over the next three weeks, as it will be easy for others to completely misinterpret your true meaning. And there’s the potential for a serious communication problem on Wednesday, when Saturn and retrograde Mercury pair up in your talking, texting and tweeting zone. So check (and re-check) before you post. It is a good week to revise and re-evaluate old learning, as you revisit the wise advice of a former teacher or mentor.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
With mighty Mars moving through your sign until January 26 – it’s time to become as motivated and proactive as possible. Capitalise on the extra energy surge while it lasts! But remember that Mercury is in retrograde motion until December 23. So some areas of your life, especially involving money matters, may appear to go backwards. Make sure you research and process financial information thoroughly, otherwise things could quickly become very confusing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
With Mercury reversing through your sign, expect some communication chaos over the next three weeks. The best way to handle hiccups and hassles? With plenty of patience and Sagittarian style. Action-planet Mars moves into your seclusion zone on Saturday. So it’s time to slow down and smell the roses. This week’s stars also focus on true friendship. As singer-songwriter (and birthday great) Jim Morrison observed: “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
It’s a suitable week to revise, research, reschedule and reboot as Mercury is now retrograde. Courageous Mars moves through your hopes and wishes zone from Saturday until January 26. So it’s important to dream a dream; turn it into a goal; and then make it happen. No procrastinating or complaining Capricorn! Your motto for the moment is from Walt Disney (who was born on December 5, 1901): “All your dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them.”
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
This week a long-cherished dream may need to be re-imagined and reworked so that it better suits your current situation. Rather than seeing it as a disappointing setback, smart Aquarians will perceive it as an exciting new challenge. On Sunday you’re keen to communicate about unconventional topics, as you share ideas with family and friends. But, with retrograde Mercury linking up with unpredictable Uranus, avoid blurting out something that’s totally inappropriate.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Over the next three weeks, retrograde Mercury could cause problems in your professional zone. So do your best to be clear and concise with colleagues, clients and/or customers. You’re full of fabulous ideas but quit procrastinating Pisces! The challenge is to follow through on commitments. If you make a promise – keep it. And if you set a goal – work hard to achieve it. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. With patience and persistence, you’ll get there in the long run.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2017
1 Which small keyboard instrument resembles the harpsichord? (6)
8 What is the literary name of Ireland? (8)
9 Which term describes the quality of a sound? (6)
10 Name a citrus tree, the rind of whose fruit yields a fragrant essential oil. (8)
11 Which intelligent dog is much used for tending sheep? (6)
12 What is a more familiar term for a cicatrix? (4)
13 Which trophy is played for by England and Australia in Test cricket? (5)
16 What do we call a slab of material fixed horizontally to a wall for supporting objects? (5)
19 Which monster is commonly represented as a hideous giant? (4)
21 Which term implies friendly companionship? (6)
22 Name the scale used for indicating wind velocity. (8)
23 What is another name for a weasel? (6)
24 The Australian bushranger, Andrew George Scott was known as Captain ... (8)
25 Which word, phrase, or verse, is intoned repetitively as a sacred Hindu formula? (6)
Down
2 What, broadly, are strychnine and arsenic known as? (7)
3 What are dark patches in the sky consisting of interstellar gases and dust? (7)
4 Which ancient ruined city on the Nile was the former capital of Egypt? (6)
5 What are the combinations of two or more businesses into a single enterprise? (7)
6 Name a particular damselfish. (7)
7 Name a large, powerful, short-haired dog. (7)
13 Montgomery is the capital of which US state? (7)
14 Which polygon has six angles and six sides? (7)
15 Name a light baked dish made fluffy with beaten egg whites, etc. (7)
17 Name an extremely renowned US actor, Gene ... (7)
18 What do we call one who acquires knowledge by study, instruction, etc? (7)
20 Which term describes respect or regard? (6)
Solution next edition
Choose an exceptional lifestyle
By the not-for-profit specialists in retirement living and seniors’ care, Goodwin.
Why would you consider living anywhere else?
· Generous floorplans
· No home maintenance
· Indoor and outdoor living
· Access to an exclusive Clubhouse
· No stamp duty
Secure parking
Adaptable to mobility needs
Home care available when needed
Close to shops & medical services.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER! UP TO $2,500 TO COVER YOUR MOVING COSTS
Relieves the pressure of moving. Use it for project management, styling to sell your home, gardening, waste removal, pack/ unpack and much more.