CityNews 180726

Prison needles still too hard for Labor

MICHAEL MOORE

Do we need a civic square?

PAUL COSTIGAN

Cheerfully going to pot (plants)

CEDRIC BRYANT

Unhappy on the street of yappy dogs GRUMPY

YOUNG MOVES |

Fitted furniture created just for you

Quantum Leap celebrates 20 years of dancing… and leaping!

Happy Birthday!

Visit the zoo during our bir thday month and go into a weekly draw for platinum memberships, tours and other great prizes.

Join our 'par ty in the viewing park' ever y weekend with face painting, meet and greets with our mascots and fun keeper talks.

See our Facebook page for more information and a program of events

Go on a Special Z oo Bir thday Tour, available ever y day at 11.30am during our birthday month – including weekends and ever y day during school holidays – for only $10 for adults & $5 for kids, plus zo o entr y.

(B ook online or at the gate)

Par ticipate in our kids colouring competition to win membership, or choose to go on a Family Tour toget her!

Sign up for a zoo membership during the month of July to win a night at Jamala Wildlife Lodge OR book a room at Jamala to win a platinum membership.

Apprentice Peggy can’t get enough of carpentry

By Danielle NOHRA

ONLY 10 per cent of women Australia-wide are working in a trade as an apprentice and Peggy Stacey, a first-year apprentice in Canberra, wonders why more women aren’t giving it a crack.

eration and air conditioning mechanic trade, she says her mum was probably the most worried.

But, she says, there’s really not much of a difference between what she does as opposed to one of the guys on site.

Except for when it comes to lifting but she says she gives that a good try, too.

“They make you get in there and have a crack,” she says.

There are times though when she’s on a new site and people will question her capability.

Builders, after recently receiving an ACT government grant, is launching a “Master Builders ACT Women in Trades Program” to attract more women into trades.

Commercial director of Master Build ers Association Liz Nair says there are a number of key researched barriers that are impacting women selecting a trade as a first-choice career option.

Peggy, 18, of Yass, who works at Master Builders, even drives about 10 hours a week to work in carpentry because she enjoys it so much.

And says her desire to become a carpenter stems from her dream of building her own house one day and being self reliant.

So far, she hasn’t come across any other women tradies on site, which was the same even back in high school when she was the only woman to do woodwork.

“I liked the craftsmanship, getting artistic with it and seeing the finished product,” she says.

But even though the passion was there, Peggy was still “warned” about working on a construction site as a woman.

“They warn you about the harassment you’ll probably get and that guys don’t like having girls on site,” she says.

“But it’s really not like that at all.”

Even though Peggy comes from a family of “fridgies”, who work in the refrig-

“Everyone’s like, ‘can she do this? Does she know what she’s doing?’,” she says.

“Had a few people ask, ‘are you sure you know what you’re doing?’”

Aside from that, Peggy would say the stereotype about women in trade is “bullshit”.

“Don’t listen to it, just have a crack, get in there and give it a go,” she says.

“I love this job, it’s so much fun and it’s never the same, it’s always different.

“We start from the ground up, so you see everything happen.

“It feels good to be able to see the finishing touches.”

As for Peggy’s dream house, she says she’ll build it when she’s fully qualified. But she’d also like to do a foreman’s course and a dual-trade course in plumbing so she can build her own empire and own her own business one day.

And, to help make sure more women like Peggy give a trade a fair go, Master

“This involves access to: tools of trade and training at a younger age, connec tions with employers and building sup portive networks,” she says.

Currently, Liz says, national data re ports only 10 per cent of apprentices are females.

“My aim for this program and out comes that may follow, is to increase this to 20 per cent over the next three years,” she says.

Liz says the program, which is a fourweek pre-apprenticeship program, is designed to provide an experience that will enable a more informed decision for participants.

“The program consists of formal train ing, site work experience, guest presen tations from employers and structured mentoring and coaching sessions from leading ladies of the industry embedded throughout,” she says.

MBA Women in Trades free information session, MBA Fyshwick, 1 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick, August 1. Register at eventbrite.com.au probably get… but it’s really not like that at all.”

Arts & Entertainment 23-25

Cinema 24

Crossword 27

Dining 25

Gardening 26

Horoscopes 27

Letters 14

News 3-14

Politics 13

Socials 15

WHEN IT MATTERS

CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au

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

Journalists: Kate Meikle, kate@citynews.com.au; Danielle Nohra, danielle@citynews.com.au; Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au

Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764, helen@citynews.com.au

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Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656

Advertising account executives: Liam Jones, 0400 092095; Damien Klemke, 0439 139001; Emily Lester, 0406 412462

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Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au

NEW DENTAL CLINIC

Independent Disabled Tenpin Bowlers ACT

Indian Seniors Wellbeing Group (ISWG)

INDIANS BASEBALL

Inner North Netball Club

Inner South Community Council

Inner Wheel Belconnen

Isabella Gardens Retirement Village

Jamison Probus Club

JDRF – Juvenile Diabetes Research

Foundation

Jindabyne Fishing Classic

Joyelle Calisthenics Club

Kalamias Association

Kaleen Fishing Club

Kaleen Mens Shed

Kama Scout Group

Kambah Pony Club

Kangara Waters

Kangara Waters Residents Committee

Karilee Calisthenics

Karinya House

Karpathian Progressive Association

Kathie Griffiths

Khaamburra Netball

Kids in Care Charity

Kids in Care Over Christmas Appeal

Kingsford Smith School

Kingswim

Kippax Probus – Games Group

Kippax Toastmasters

Knitted Knockers Australia, Canberra

Branch

Koomarri

Kytherian Brotherhood of Canberra

Lake Tuggeranong Probus Club

Lake Tuggeranong Rowing Club

Land Rover Club of the ACT

Lanyon High School P&C

Lanyon Little Athletics Club

Lanyon United Football Club

L’Arche Genesaret

Latham Primary School

Legacy

Legacy (Laurel) Ladies

Leukaemia Foundation ACT

Lifeline Canberra

Lincoln

Lions Club Canberra Valley

Little Athletics ACT

Logosdor

Lone Fathers Association

Louisa Domestic Violence Service

Lung Foundation

Lung Life

Lynham High School

Lyons Early Childhood School

Lyons Early Childhood School P&C

Macgregor Primary School

Macgregor Primary School P&C

Macquiare Probus

Mahjong Group – Tuesday Day Group

Majura Probus

Make a Wish Foundation of Australia

Malkara P&C

Malkara Specialist School

Manuka Childcare Centre

Maribyrnong Primary School

Maribyrnong School

Marist College Canberra

Marist College Cricket Club

Marist College Walkathon

Marist Rugby Club

Marymead

Matildas CLC Eightball Team

Mayoral Appeal Fund – Tathra Emergency

McGuire Programme Support Group

Melanoma Patients Australia

Melrose High School

Men of League

Men’s Shed

Menslink

Mental Health Foundation

MG Car Club

Michelago Spring Fair

Migrant & Refugee Settlement Services

Miles Franklin Primary School

Military Christian Fellowship

Ministry of the Newly Married

Monaro Toastmasters

Monash Primary School

Mounties Football

Movember

MS Australia

Multiple Sclerosis

Mum’s Exercise Group Australia

Murrumbidgee Broomball Club

Murumbidgee Football Club

MX5 Club

Mytilenian Association

Namadgi School

Namadgi Sports Flyers Club

National Capital Equestrian Club

National Centre for Childrens Literature

National Council of Women of Australia

ACT Inc

National Parks Association of NSW

National Rugby League Limited

National Seniors Canberra

National Service and Combined Forces

National Sheepdog Trials Association

NationsHeart Christian Community

Naval Officers Club ACT Division

Netball ACT

Ni Bonchi Judo Club

Nordek Waterpolo

North Canberra Bears

North Canberra Futsal

North Canberra Gungahlin Athletics Club

North Canberra Gungahlin Cricket Club

North Canberra Laurel Club

North Canberra Netball Association

North Canberra Probus

North Gungahlin Raiders Netball

North Uni Owls

North Woden Tennis Club

Northern Phoenix Touch Football Club

Norths Basketball Club

Northside Coffee and Chat

Northside Darts

Novaglade Sports Club

NRL Raiders

NTA East Indonesia Aid

Nurses in Action

Nutrition Australia

O’Connor Cooperative School

Olympia Judo Club

OMNIA

Oncology Massage Limited

Open Gardens Australia

Open Gardens Canberra

Orange Sky Laundry

Owls Rugby Club

OzHarvest Canberra

Paige Rosemund

Pain Revolution

Pallaconian Association

Palliative Care ACT

Palmerston Primary School

Pan Pacific Southeast Asian Womens

Association – PPSEAWA ACT

Pancare Foundation

PANDSI

Panthers Volleyball Club

Para Table Tennis National Championships

Parkinson ACT

Past Presidents Bowls Association

Pedal Power

People with Disabilities

Peter Morton Academy of Judo

Peugot Association

PFLAG

Philanthropize

Philippine Cultural Society

Phoenix Players

Pigeonhole Theatre

Pines Tennis Club

Print Handicapped Radio of ACT Inc.

Probus Association Canberra & District

Probus Club of Tuggeranong

Probus Gold Creek

Probus Gungahlin

Probus Ngunnawal

QEII Family Centre

Queanbeyan Pipes & Drums

Queanbeyan Tigers Australian Football

Club

Queanbeyan Tigers Junior Football Club

Queanbeyan Whites Rugby Union

Radford College

Radio 1 RPH (Print Handicapped Radio)

Raiders Weston Social Golfers

Rainbow Toastmasters

Rascal Inc

Rebels Baseball Club

Red Cross

Red Cross Migration Support Programs

Red Cross Roadhouse Program

Red Frogs Canberra

Red Hill School P&C

Red Nose ACT

Relationships Australia

Renault Owners Club of Canberra

Retired ACT Transport Employees

Retired RAAF Officers Association

Retirement Village Residents

Ricky Stuart Foundation

Rivers Rural Fire Service

Rolls Royce Owners Club

Ronald McDonald House Canberra

Rostrum Club Woden

Rotary ACT

Rotary Belconnen

Rotary Canberra Sunrise

Rotary Club of Canberra

Rotary Club of Tuggeranong

Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak

Rotary Exchange Group District 9710

Roundabout Canberra

Royal Australian Navy

Royal Australian Navy Communications

Branch

Royal Institute of Deaf & Blind Children

Royal Life Saving – ACT

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Royals Rugby

RSI and Overuse Injury Association

RSL Australia – Hellenic Sub Branch

RSL Day Club

RSL Gungahlin Sub Branch

RSPCA ACT

Sacred Heart Primary School

Saints Peter and Paul Primary School

Salvation Army

Samian Association

Samoan Church

Sarah Johnston

SCA Community Fundraising

Scandinavian Australian Association

School Chaplaincy ACT

School Sport Australia

SCOA

Scottish Australian Heritage Council

Scrabble Club

Scripture Union ACT

Serra Club

Shakespeare by the Lakes

Sharing Places

Sids & Kids

Singalong Group

Singalong w Sue

Sleep Apnoea Association

Snowy Hydro Southcare

Social Dabblers

Social Dance Group

Social Link Incorporated

Solace ACT Inc

Soldier On

SONY Camp – Canberra Grammar School

Soroptimist International (Canberra)

South Canberra Bridge Group –

Wednesday Nights

South Canberra Mens Shed

South Gippsland Schools Music Program

South Gungahlin Raiders Netball

South Tuggeranong Athletics Club

South Tuggeranong Knights Rugby League

Football Club

South Tuggeranong Softball Association

Southern Cross Darts

Southern Cross Social Dance Club

Southern District Motorsports Association

Southern Tablelands 4WD

Spanish Carers

Special Kids Christmas Party

Special Olympics Australia

Special Olympics Committee

Spiral Group

St Andrews Church

St Anthonys Primary School

St Basils Home for the Aged

St Benedicts Primary School

St Christopher’s Cathedral

St Clare of Assisi Primary School Fete

St Demetrios Philoptochos

St Edmunds College

St Francis of Assisi Primary School

St John Ambulance ACT

St John the Apostle Primary

St John Vianney’s Primary School

St Johns Care

St Joseph’s School Fete O’Connor

St Jude’s Primary School

St Mary Church Calwell

St Michael’s Primary School

St Monica’s Primary School

St Nicholas Greek-Australian Pre School & Childcare Centre

St Nicholas Greek Afternoon School

St Patricks Hockey

St Patricks Junior Hockey Club

St Patricks Parish School

St Pauls Anglicare

St Thomas Aquinas Primary

St Thomas the Apostle School

St Vincent De Paul Night Patrol

St Vincent De Paul Society

St Vincent’s Primary School

Standard Chinese School of Australia

Starlight Foundation

STC Pumas Cricket Club

Sth Canberra Gymnastics Club

Stirling Neighbourhood Watch

Stock Sports

Sts Peter & Paul Primary School

Submarines Association Aust

Swans Supporters Group

Swimming ACT

Swiss Choir

Table Tennis ACT

Tara Costigan Foundation

Taylor Primary P&C

Taylor Primary School

TEA

Technical Aid to the Disabled ACT

(TADACT)

Tennis Seniors ACT

The Cancer Support Group ACT Eden

Monaro

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance

The Combined Probus Club of Cooleman

The Cuban Friendship Society

The Fly program

The Harmonics German Band

The School Volunteer Program ACT

The Valley Bridge Club

Theodore Preschool P&C

Theodore Primary School

TIF Toastmasters

Tigers Football Club

Toastmasters – Bruce

Toastmasters Australia

Torana Nationals

Torrens Primary School

Torrens Primary School P&C

Touch Football ACT

Tour de Cure

Traditional Boat Squadron

Transplant Australia

Travel Club

Travelling Bowlers

Treehouse in the Park Childcare

Triathlon ACT

Trinity Christian School

Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club

Tuggeranong Archery Club

Tuggeranong Buffaloes JRLFC

Tuggeranong Chess Club

Tuggeranong Dog Training Club

Tuggeranong Eagles Baseball

Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club

Tuggeranong Junior Rugby Union Club

Tuggeranong Lions Club

Tuggeranong Lions Junior AFL Club

Tuggeranong Netball Association

Tuggeranong Southern Cross Basketball Club

Tuggeranong Tornadoes Gridiron

Tuggeranong Ukulele Group

Tuggeranong United Football Club

Tuggeranong Valley Band

Tuggeranong Valley Cricket Club

Tuggeranong Valley Rugby League

Football Club

Tuggeranong Valley Seniors Citizens Club

Tuggeranong Valley Womens Bowling Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Badminton Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Baseball Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Basketball Club

Tuggeranong Vikings BMX Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Cycling Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Hockey Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Lawn Bowls Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Masters Swimming Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Touch Club Inc

Tuggeranong Vikings Triathlon Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo Club

Tuggeranong Vikings Womens Hockey Club

Turner Primary

U3A

U3A – All that’s Jazz

U3A CHAUCER

U3A COMMITTEE

U3A – Core

U3A Current Affairs

U3A Films Group

U3A FRENCH

U3A French Conversation Group

U3A Japanese and Tango courses

U3A JAZZ

U3A Latin Monday reading group

U3A Mah Jong Group

U3A – Recorder Rondo

UC Firebirds

UC Glizzlies

UC Hockey Club

University of the Third Age

Untouchable Futsal

Valley Bridge Club

Valley Dragons

Valley Dragons Masters

Valley Vikings Squash Club

ValleyFM

Variety Bash

Veterans MC Club

Vibrant Colours

Vietnam Veterans Federation ACT

VIEW Clubs of Australia

Vikings Fishing Club

Vikings Social Golf Club

Vikings Social Tennis Club

Volunteering ACT Wanniassa

Pococks share their passion for mass protest

ON the rugby paddock, the Brumbies’ David Pocock risks life and limb but when teamed with wife Emma the pair becomes a passionate ecological protest force prepared to put their bodies on the line to save the planet.

The Pococks were guests of the Australia Institute’s monthly Politics in the Pub at the ANU arguing non-violent, mass civil disobedience on a large scale is the only way to highlight a range of environmental issues the couple is concerned will ruin the planet for future generations.

THE ugly face of ageism featured large in Paul Walshe’s retirement from ActewAGL. The 57-year-old, go-to man confessed that

he was deemed “past it” by some in the company. Walshe’s comments, after serving the company for almost 37 years, further underscore the short-sighted contemporary approach of eschewing those who “have a few kilometres on the clock”.

If there is a better connected and more capable corporate communicator in Canberra than Paul Walshe it would be rare.

If this leeching of valuable life experience and battle-hardened expertise continues, those who make decisions which impact all society will be doing so with the advice and “wisdom” of a 27-year-old armed with little more than a university degree.

WE Canberrans are a couth, cultured and caring mob and it is for that reason, apparently, that a six-month trial of a dockless bikeshare operation will succeed where other jurisdictions have spectacularly failed. Airbike launched 200 pushies in a five-kilometre radius covering the city, the Parliamentary Triangle and the ANU. National Capital Authority chief executive Sally Barnes welcomed the trial and is “optimistic users will respect the cultural and symbolic significance of these areas by parking responsibly using existing, designated parking”.

FORMER SKYNews presenter Greg Thompson spent two and a half years cutting his TV teeth as an energetic and ambitious sports editor with WINTV Canberra. Thompson, “GT” to his fans, has resigned after “pulling a Nollsie” (singer Shannon Noll recently abused an audience member who threw a beer can at the stage). The 30-year-

dose of dorin

old, who left Canberra in 2013, was filmed abusing the audience at a Sydney fundraiser he was compering. While Noll’s meltdown cost him the “prestigious” gig at the Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo, he will survive. Thompson’s TV career may take longer to relaunch.

ACT Housing minister Yvette Berry recently boasted Canberra was doing “such a good job” at providing for the homeless that “more and more people are coming to the city” due to the “positive message” we are transmitting to those “who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or who are experiencing homelessness”. Recent

statistics from independent community body ACT Shelter, revealing Canberra’s worsening state of homelessness, would suggest that Ms Berry is most certainly doing a good job... impersonating flexible White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders

THE announcement that former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was booked for the 2018 Canberra Writers Festival

achieved its obvious aim of creating controversy. Despite the stunt, this year’s event does have plenty of quality writers and talkers on the bill. Official headliner Matthew Reilly is joined by Kathy Lette, Gideon Haigh and Morris Gleitzman. One session, guaranteed to sell out is Irvine Welsh, author of a batch of gritty books including “Trainspotting”, in conversation with “Mr Conversation” Richard Fidler

A BACKGROUND in the rough house of trade unions may be a useful apprenticeship to politics but Canberra lobbyist Kel Watt is experiencing the harsh reality that a smear campaign against him is most likely from within his own party. Given Watt’s relentless campaign to prevent the Barr government’s banning of the local greyhound industry, it’s a good bet the long-time ALP member is on the money.

Watt, who is seeking pre-selection for the Federal seat of Canberra, told the ABC: “When you’re a threat to somebody else’s political ambitions or someone’s political agenda these sorts of horrible decisions… to try and take you out can be made.”

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/ winning photographer

Family snapper walks tall among his peers

By Danielle NOHRA

AFTER recently becoming the first family portrait photographer to win overall at the AIPP ACT awards, Jeremy Byrnes is hoping it’ll shine a light on the innovative and creative potential in his genre.

While Jeremy has won his category before in NSW and the ACT, this was the first time he, or any other fam ily portrait photographer, took out the AIPP ACT Professional Photographer of the Year.

And he says he owes a lot of it to his wife, business partner, and the woman he moved to Canberra to be with, Katie Kolenberg, who is also known for claiming state and national awards for her family portrait photography.

“When I met Katie it was the right time,” he says.

“I didn’t have any friends or family in Sydney and felt like I was floating around in this big empty shell.

“It was like a bomb of lightning that woke me up and reinvigorated my love for photography.”

They met on the dance floor at an industry event late one night and discovered they had all these mutual friends.

At the time, Jeremy was running a family portrait business in Sydney

while Katie, a single mother who was inspired after taking photos of her son, Toby, was running one in Canberra called Heartstory.

“It took us a few years to come together and be working in the same city together,” Katie says.

“In 2014 we officially merged our businesses and it’s been ‘go, go, go’ since.”

The decision to merge businesses was an easy one for them and as Jeremy says, (long story short) they fell in love.

But, they say their “ideas and creativity matched up” too.

Now Katie, 42, and Jeremy, 45, live together in Crace with Toby, 11, and 4-month-old August, and work together in their studio in Belconnen.

Their colleagues often joke and say:

“Who’s going to win next time?”

But, Katie says they’re not in competition.

“How can we be?” she says.

“We have the same goals, we’re best mates, we’re husband and wife.

“People say they couldn’t imagine working with their partner but I couldn’t imagine not working with him.

“If you work on your own as a creative, you don’t have anyone to bounce ideas off but we have constant support

for each other.

“When it comes to all of the awards we have, there’s no way either of us would have done as well without each other.

“We’re too good a team.”

And, as for Jeremy’s recent big win, he seems pretty chuffed to have the validation and so does Katie.

“It’s the first time that a family photographer has ever won in the ACT overall,” she says.

“Family photography has always been looked down on, so for Jeremy to win that, it’s not only validating for his skills but also for the genre.

“It’s a massive win for all family

photographers.”

Jeremy will head to nationals in August, and feels it’s within their reach to see them winning the overall national award one day.

“My aim is to push the boundaries of what people preconceive of our genre of work.”

Katie says the difference with their work is they get to know the family, so they can capture the real personality and emotions.

“We don’t want to just take a photo. We want to create art,” she says.

Jeremy’s winning photos are at stateawards.aipp.com.au/act

AUSTRALIAN BEARD & BEER DAY

Saturday August 4th

Doors open at 11am

Celebrate Australian Beard & Beer Day @ King O’Malley’s

• Live entertainment from 1pm

• Great Prizes to be won!

• Special Beard Beer on tap!

• Soul Cartel Food Truck!

Bring the family for face painting, outdoor games, giant chess... and more!

$500

CASH PRIZE FOR THE BEST BEARD

CANBERRA MATTERS / arts centres

But seriously, do we really need a civic square?

CIVIC Square or an arts centre in your neighbourhood?

Several decades ago I commented that the then government had spent a million dollars to turn Civic Square from a grey Stalinist square to another grey Stalinist square. Not much was achieved. In the decades that followed there has been more expenditures to deliver today a very boring space surrounded by a mix of not-so-good architecture.

Last month the City Urban Authority announced that a design team is to develop a plan for the future of Civic Square and the surrounding cultural precinct. According to the authority’s website, “the plan will focus on improving connectivity and increasing the overall cultural offering for the precinct, including public realm improvements, early interventions, pop-up opportunities and flexible and adaptable spaces that can serve a wide variety of community needs throughout the year.”

Exciting stuff with all sorts of vibrancy

The government spent a million dollars to turn Civic Square from a grey Stalinist square to another grey Stalinist square.

promised. Can’t wait!

I suggest that the Canberra Museum and Gallery should be elsewhere in a specially built building, with more useable spaces and much easier access by locals and tourists. But seriously, do we really need a civic square? This need to revamp Civic Square may be important to politicians but to most what happens on this site would be irrelevant.

Melbourne spent decades debating the future of its City Square on Swanston Street. Last time I saw the site it had been demolished to make way for a railway station.

This push for a revamp is a distraction from the more pressing urban issues around Civic and ignores the cultural needs of the rest of the city.

While the former National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) did well in allowing for community sites (now being squandered by this government), it did not deliver arts facilities in the town centres. Most

arts facilities have been the result of time-consuming advocacy – not because ACT governments had a plan to deliver arts complexes to established and new major centres. Governments continue to lack the awareness of the community benefits that flow from having access to local arts activities offered through a local arts complex. We rarely see ACT arts ministers who passionately appreciate the arts. I think Bill Wood (MLA from 1989-2004) may have been the last.

Central Belconnen has recently moved to having a reasonable arts centre with the upgrades to the Belconnen Arts Centre (big tick to whoever won that). Tuggeranong has its arts centre but it is small given the population of Tuggeranong. By now Gungahlin, West Belconnen, Weston, Woden, South Canberra and Dickson should all have been resourced with arts centres.

For comparison, in 2000 the Sutherland Shire in the south of Sydney opened Hazelhurst, a fabulous arts centre. Just after it opened, I asked the then director if there had been a champion on the local council. Yes, there was. A dedicated team

Introducing our NEW Remedial Massage Therapist Caitlin O’Neill

Caitlin is joining CARM Therapies Remedial Massage Team and will be in the clinic for treatments on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with after work times available. She will also soon to be offering appointments on Saturdays.

researched the needs, toured other arts centre, worked out the best options, identified sources of funds and came up with this fantastic model. Hazelhurst is much loved and is always busy. For anyone who wants to know what should be repeated across Canberra at least six times, visit Hazelhurst and tour the facilities. You will be jealous. Instead of all the attention and money constantly being focused on Civic Square and inner-city facilities, it is time to look to having a range of arts facilities throughout the city. This is exactly what Woden has been seeking for over a decade now – and still there are no such facilities being

planned (do we still do planning?). We need a champion. We need to elect politicians who get the arts, know what benefits of participating in the arts do for locals and are prepared to not take no for an answer. Too optimistic? In the interim wouldn’t it be wonderful to see some planning for suburban art complexes. Why not start with one in Woden – and maybe another on the Dickson Parklands.

Paul Costigan is an independent commentator and consultant on the visual arts, photography, urban design, environmental issues and everyday life matters.

GRUMPY / barking dogs

Unhappy on Yappy

WHY do people buy yappy little dogs, then leave them at home all day to annoy stayat-home neighbours while they head off to work, social outings and other commitments?

Why can’t they get a decent-sized dog, one that is intelligent enough to recognise folks next door or just down the street as being non-threatening and part of the local environment?

In our small suburban street there are only 18 houses, very few children, and yet there are some 12 or 13 dogs! Most of them yap at every passer-by, any strange noise, the postie, birds, planes, any other dogs yapping in the vicinity and any other unidentifiable sounds. Even when the owners are at home they just ignore the

Street

Yappy dogs are a source of profound grumpiness for Curtin reader M McGREGOR

noise their dog is making.

Most of the dogs are rarely seen being taken for a walk (except for one well-behaved, non-yappy Labrador) and they are obviously bored out of their stupid little minds.

Contacting the Dog Control Rangers (6207 2424) is futile. They recently visited one home in our street where the dog sounded as if it was being continually mistreated.

After a talking to, what did the owners do? They bought a second dog – a yappy little mutt – as company for their other dog!

And only last weekend a man walked two dogs,

off-leash, along our street, allowing them to stroll through neighbours’ front yards at will. When I pointed out that our street was not an “off-leash” area he said that he had every right to walk his dogs “off leash” wherever he wanted to. (They were NOT care dogs or assistance dogs).

What’s wrong with the mentality of these dog owners?

Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au

Archive races against time to save the past

By Danielle Nohra

THE clock is ticking, and fast, before the National Archives of Australia loses not only up to 200,000 video and audio files but part of Australia’s identity.

“Imagine how you would be if you lose your memories,” says the National Archives of Australia’s directorgeneral, David Fricker.

“How sad is it when you see someone who’s had a rich and diverse life suffer dementia?

“What a personal tragedy!

“Imagine that on a national scale.”

The NAA has about seven years to digitise its audio and video files before some are lost for good, losing with them, as David says, part of Australia’s memory.

“The international consensus is that by 2025 any audio visual material, which is still on magnetic tape, will be unreadable,” he says.

“And that’s because the technology won’t be available to replay it and the old technology that we still have won’t be maintained because of lack of parts and people skilled in maintaining it will be retired or they would have passed away.”

And finally, David says the magnetic tape itself will deteriorate.

Paper documents will remain safe in the NAA building 1000 years from

now, but what is of critical concern is the audio and visual files.

“Preserving paper documents is relatively easy because we can still look at them and read them,” he says.

“The real challenge is magnetic media such as audio and video files that won’t last forever, so we need to get the content off them.”

Photographic negatives also need special treatment and media such as CDs and Blu-ray will deteriorate.

“Right now the technology of choice is to digitise it all,” he says.

“We want to rescue that material into digital format to carry that information through to future generations of technology.”

The NAA, which is best described as the memory of the nation, collects and preserves Australian government records that reflect the country’s history and identity.

It has more than four million items.

“[But] we are going to lose some of Australia’s memories, which are stored on magnetic tape,” David says.

“It would be a tragedy because most significant parts of the 20th century have been captured on and recorded on magnetic media.

“We have recorded our cultural identity and the idea we would lose that is a real tragedy.”

David says losing part of Australia’s identity could make the country less competent about who it is and it could change its resilient, inclusive and har-

monious society.

“Australia, as a middle power in the world, will have less competence as it moves into its future,” he says.

“We need to prioritise Australia’s cultural prosperity at the same level that we prioritise our economic prosperity.

“Because you can be the richest nation in the world, with full employment and expensive cars, but if you have no national identity, then you have nothing to live for.”

One example of files in danger are videos and audio recordings of indigenous culture and the sounds of indigenous languages.

David says these files capture the performance of ceremonies, music,

dress and indigenous traditions.

“It’s only relatively recently that Australia has woken up to the immense value of that part of our heritage,” he says.

“And it’s unbearable to think that that part of our culture will be lost. We need to take action.”

Currently NAA is making “massive” investments in its digital capability to give itself the technology it needs to save these files.

“We’re looking at better ways of engaging the Australian public with our collection to make sure all Australians appreciate the values of our collection and have a way of engaging with it,” David says.

“We’re working hard across government to make sure in today’s digital world that records are being secured.

“Because in the digital world, digital data can disappear quicker than it’s created.

“The estimated cost of digitising just the remaining video tapes in our collection is around $14 million; and we would need to complete the work by 2025, ie $2 million per year over a seven-year period.

“This is beyond our current budget, so we certainly will be looking for additional sources of funds in the coming years, including from non-government sources if possible.”

David says the National Archives also needs to work very hard to promote itself as a public interest and make it as easy as possible for every Australian to access its files.

Then, he says, people can interpret for themselves the authenticity of records in the archives, which constitute the memory of the nation.

“We need better online channels as well as public space (which includes its own building) in the nation’s capital to really showcase the nation’s memory,” he says.

“Every society needs an authentic, reliable knowledge of its own past so then it can make a balanced and informed decision of its future.”

More information on the NAA at naa.gov.au

POLITICS / needles in prison Needles still hard for Labor

THE ACT can run a successful trial of pill testing at a music festival but has failed in another setting to introduce a more significant harm-reduction measure.

Sickness and death associated with the spread of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is more dire than the consequences of pill popping at a music festival.

Needle-and-syringe programs (NSP) have been operating in Australia for more than 30 years. Many evaluations identify how they reduce blood-borne infections such as HIV and HCV. The concentration of HCV in the ACT is in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) – the ACT prison. From there it has the potential to spread into the broader community.

Former chief minister Katy Gallagher recognised the responsibility of government to prevent the spread of any disease and in 2011 announced her intention for the AMC to have an NSP. She understood that around a third of males entering prison and more than half of females were HCV positive and was keen to take action.

The World Health Organization states: “All prisoners have the right to receive health care, including preventive measures, equivalent to that available in the community without discrimination” (WHO 1993). While Australian jurisdictions use health measures such as NSPs in the general community it is appropriate that they be available to prisoners.

Seven years after Gallagher raised the issue, during the week leading to World Hepatitis Day on July 28, it is appropriate to revisit the concept. Unfortunately, progress in Canberra has been stymied by the prison officers’ union. A group of NGOs led by the Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League invited me to deliver the World Hepatitis Day Oration providing an opportunity to put this issue back on the table.

THE GADFLY

It is entirely inappropriate that the prison officers should be the ones making decisions about the spread of disease.

The government of Jon Stanhope wanted an NSP. Gallagher and others recognised that there was already an unregulated NSP operating in the AMC. It was operated by prisoners sharing needles and with a high risk of spreading disease. The Labor Party took its policy on introduction of an NSP in the prison to an election and gained a mandate to implement. As then CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia in 2011, I reported to the government on how to implement the policy.

The first step in the report, Balancing Access and Safety, was the most important. It sought a change to legislation to ensure there was a requirement for an NSP under law. The recommendation stated: “The ACT Corrections Management Act 2007 be amended to require the establishment of a needle-and-syringe program at the AMC”.

Mandating the establishment of such a service was designed to make clear to corrections officers that this was the law.

Corrections officers have one of the hardest jobs in our community and in the overwhelming majority of cases deliver effectively and to the best of their ability. However, it seems to me that it is important to clarify what is legal behaviour and what is not. They work hard, and they should continue to do so, even though

they are not very successful in keeping contraband out of the prison. There were 59 syringes seized in 2016-17, begging the question about how many remained in circulation.

However, just as police in the broader community pursue drug crimes, also just touching the tip of the iceberg, they do accept the role of harm-reduction techniques such as pill testing and NSP. It is entirely inappropriate that the prison officers should be the ones making decisions about the spread of disease. The NSP needs to be legislated – knowing that prison officers will respect the law.

Some argue that the most appropriate course is treatment for people who are HCV positive. Of course, they should be treated and some are. Already more than $7 million has been spent on treatment of HCV individuals within the AMC. With reinfection being a real possibility through a constant turnover of prisoners, this is not enough. Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.

As a community it is important to treat those who carry this virus. However, it is also important that we take every action possible to prevent the spread of disease.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell govern ment. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.

Behind the billions, the hungry

I WAS waiting for a taxi outside an Adelaide hotel when a tall, relatively well dressed, young man approached and said: “Excuse me, could you spare me some small change?”

Well, of course I could but I was so taken aback that I said: “No” and he turned away. It’s been on my conscience ever since.

When I told Zeru, my Ethiopian taxi driver about the encounter he said Adelaide had many people begging and sleeping rough. And when I mentioned it on Facebook, friends from around the country responded with similar stories.

But here’s the thing: I was in Adelaide to attend the launch of the third of our three new Air Warfare Destroyers that together cost some $9.2 billion. Moreover, they’re the forerunner of a planned “continuous naval shipbuilding plan” announced by PM Malcolm Turnbull, to cost some $95 billion over the next decade and a bit.

Zeru couldn’t get over it. “Oh, Mr Robert,” he cried, “ninety billions of dollars! Just think what we could do with all that money… billions, you say, not millions… billions…oh, Mr Robert.”

“Watch the road, Zeru.”

The program incorporates the $56 billion for 12 new submarines, $35 billion for nine new frigates and about $4 billion for 12 offshore patrol

boats. Then to service and maintain them for their 30-year life cycle will cost the usual three times the initial build. So in 2018 dollars we’re talking roughly $380 billion. And that’s provided we don’t have a war that requires them to be replaced if the worst happens.

Now, I don’t have a problem with that kind of spending. In fact, the way global warming is accelerating I think we’ll need every last warship to deter the millions of climate-change refugees who would otherwise be making for our coastline.

But for the next few days I couldn’t help thinking about those homeless people in our cities and what just a fraction of that money would do to house and feed them.

Then, as these things do, it faded from the mind as other domestic events crowded in. But then I happened to catch the national treasure, Jennie Brockie, on her SBS “Insight” program talking with a room full of Australians – mostly women – really doing it tough. Indeed, many of them were actually going hungry in the weekly quest to put food on the table for their kids. Good, decent women who had fallen on hard

times, whose hearts were as big as the Ritz but were breaking under the endless strain.

Then the lady from Foodbank told the audience that no fewer than 3.6 million Australians needed their help. And still “hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren go hungry in Australia each year”. That, my friends, in a country as rich as ours, is a damned disgrace. And I haven’t heard a squeak about it from any politician from any party at any level of government – local, state or federal. That’s worse.

I still think the spending on our naval defences is fully justified. It’s the first duty of government to keep its people safe; and a combination of good diplomacy backed by firm deterrents is the sensible way to go. But at the same time, no rich country that lets its kids go hungry is worth a tuppenny damn. I really thought we were better than that.

robert@ robertmacklin.com

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LETTERS Choir story raises questions

THE article, “New choir plans to empower girls through music” (CN July 5), does concern me, so I hope the choir replies.

Nicole Muir, CEO of the hosting organisation, the Australian School of Performing Arts, says she “admits to a feminist agenda”, but appears not to have researched what feminism is all about. The girls perform mostly in pink or magenta.

The article also claims that “the girls are taught how to smile and … are coached in costume and make-up”. This is the opposite of feminist. All babies learn to

Plastic surprise

MY wife did some shopping at Coles at the Belconnen Mall and when she got home she found all this plastic stuff in one of her bags. It all ended up in the rubbish bin!

Fred Wolf, Evatt

smile at around six months; so teaching females to smile (usually at males) is not necessary and even anti-feminist, as smiling becomes an act to placate and entertain. Teaching make-up benefits the cosmetics industry, but simply teaches girls to paint themselves rather than learn to read music or otherwise hone their skills. Why can’t girls wear neutral colours, not

An angle on speed cameras

I READ with interest the article on speed cameras (CN, July 19). It is very obvious to anyone with any knowledge of basic geometry that the acuter the angle a speed recording is obtained the more inaccurate it is.

If you put your thinking cap on you will discover that taking a speed recording over the hypotenuse of a rapidly shortening angle guarantees inaccuracy.

In Victoria, on some main roads they mount the cameras on an overpass so that they can take a head-on reading. However they are still recording over a vertical hypotenuse and still the closer to the camera the motorist is the more inaccurate the reading will be. In Victoria, from memory, there have been at least two infringements sent out for speeds beyond the car’s

capacity. After an appeal they were quashed. I brought these points up when I received a speeding ticket. I was let off with a nice note from the issuing officer wishing me safe driving. I assumed from this that I was on the right track.

To repeat myself, the wider the angle and the closer the reading is taken to the device the more inaccurate the reading is.

In short, if you take a reading from the opposite side of a six-lane highway full of speeding cars it will be significantly out. Adding injury to that fact are the high penalties charged for even being five kilometres over the limit.

Howard Carew, Isaacs

Trees have heritage value

I REFER to the article by Cedric Bryant (CN, July 12) on tree removal on Commonwealth Avenue for stage 2 of the light rail development. I support his views and would further his comment.

I have reviewed the draft documentation released outlining the stage two route. Within the report there is a statement “around 36 trees will be removed from the median along Commonwealth Avenue. However, these trees are in decline so not an issue to remove them”.

As reported in the above-mentioned article these trees should be considered as a heritage value and worthy of retention.

I would like to point out that the trees are to be removed to allow the construction of the light rail in the median and its footprint requirements and not health issues. I would further outline that due to the impact of rail construction there will be insufficient room to plant trees legally.

I wonder why alternative locations for the rail were ever considered.

A further note, the proposed light rail runs along Kings Avenue median requiring removal of 20 more Cedrus spp. that also should be considered as an impact on heritage values of the road.

Have the designers of the light rail no responsibility to Canberra’s history?

John Easthope, Urban Planning, Hawker

Mess of the inner south

MANUKA and Kingston have rapidly become a metallic mess with wall-to-wall cars, separated only by roadworks, building signs and speed warnings.

A number of things contribute to the mess; the absence of accurate early planning for the two suburbs concerned and too much money going to the tram (the present planning of which I have been told will blow out to $1.15 billion).

Parking is like a rugby scrum. Yes, there is a carpark, but repeatedly I have seen 80-100 vacant places advertised at most times of the day, and again I am told that in a climate of tight wages and overall incomes people can’t afford parking charges. This

puts an unbearable burden on streets such as Franklin and Furneaux Streets with another three or four wellplaced disabled parking spots needed urgently.

It can be well argued that these two suburbs could be the showplace of Canberra, especially because of their proximity to the new and old Parliament Houses, Telopea Park, Manuka Oval and the swimming pool and Lake Burley Griffin.

At present, too many empty shops and dilapidated buildings detract from the natural beauty of the area. Urgent surgery is needed.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

SCENE / around canberra

COME DANCING

Developing dance down through the centuries

DANCE has been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations.

Archaeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 30,000-year-old Bhimbetka rock shelters paintings in India and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures from c. 3300 BC.

One of the earliest structured uses of dance is believed to have been in the performance and in the telling of myths. It was also sometimes used to show feelings for one of the opposite gender.

Today, dance is described as a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement.

QL2 teaches dancers to be creative

“PROFESSIONAL, age-appropriate and fun” – QL2 Dance is all about showing its students what it’s like to be in the dance world, says general manager Mary Kendall.

“We don’t have class, per se, we have training and then we put on shows with professional choreography, lighting and music,” she says.

“And we let the kids always be part of the process. Every single choreography is between the children and the choreographer.”

This movement has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a particular culture.

2018 DANCE TRAINING PROGRAMS

INTRODUCTORY: 1½ HOUR/WEEK (AGES 8-12)

A new, fun and lively entry-level program. In a single class we give an itroduction to QL2 with a mix of styles, creative work and body training.

LICENCE TO MOVE: 1 HOUR/WEEK. (AGES 8-12)

Provides an itroduction to QL2 for boys, prior to joining mixed classes.

JUNIOR A: 2x1 HOUR CLASSES/WEEK. AGES 8-12

Fundamental training for younger dancers, designed for boys and girls who are keen to dance.

JUNIOR B (BOYS): 2x1 HOUR CLASSES/WEEK. AGES 8-12

Fundamental training for younger boys, with 2 classes including the boys-only ‘Licence to Move’.

INTERMEDIATE: 3½- 4¾ HOUR CLASSES/WEEK. AGES 11-16

Designed for dancers with some contemporary dance experience, or excellence in other movement disciplines. Designed to build skills, strenght, fitness and choreographic awareness.

INTERPLUS: 5 OR 6¼ HOUR CLASSES/WEEK. AGES 13-16

An intermediate program with a faster progression, designed for dancers with strong contemporary experience or excellence in other movement disciplines, who might aspire to a career in dance. Designed to enhance and extend skills, strenght, fitness and choreographic knowledge.

SENIOR: 5¾ OR 7 HOURS CLASSES/WEEK. AGES 14-20

A challenging program for odler dancers in or auditioning for our projects.

PRE-TERTIARY PROGRAM: 8½ HOURS/WEEK. AGES 14-20

A more challeging and complete program with a faster progression, designed for committed dancers aiming to audition for full time dance training or university courses.

QL2.org.au

Mary says one of the things the children say is they learn how to be creative because it’s not just about teaching them how to move but also how to feel and create.

“Some of our alumni have gone to do great things, all around the world,” she says.

QL2 Dance has four major projects such as the ‘Quantum Leap’ ensemble, which is their major six-month project for the senior dancers.

“They produce a full length contemporary dance work, with a complete full team of professionals,” Mary says.

This project culminates with a performance season in The Playhouse and this year, in August, “Two Zero” will be its 20th show since opening in 1999.

Quantum Leap artists work with a mentor but take the lead in creating a new, contemporary, short dance work.

The project “Chaos” is for dancers aged eight to 16, who explore and recreate their own world through dance, with a group of professional choreographers.

And, “On Course” is where students from national and international tertiary dance courses come together and create dance works in the QL2 theatre.

QL2 Dance, Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon. Call 6247 3103, email info@QL2.org.au or visit ql2.org.au

celebration of two decades of

Dance’s

ensemble, looking into the past and the future through the individual and the collective journeys. 20 years ago the first Quantum Leap ensemble was brought together - to learn, to create, to perform. They are now all over the world, many doing great things in dance, and many others taking that unique experience into other things.

Nakiesha Rodger Nanthikarn Kaewkird

Nasim Patel Natalie Cursio Nathan Anderson Nathan Greig Nathan Rutups Natsuko Yonezawa Nattanich (Mieng) Natthabom (Lookgeaw) Navinda Vadtanakovint (Lordfai) Nerida Matthaei Nicholas Ng Nichole Welch Nick Henderson Nick Mena Nikka Bola Ongwipha (Neer) Mutaphat Oonagh Slater Otto Kosok Paddy Quiggin Pascal Daantos Berry Patrice Smith Patricia Hayes Cavanagh Patrick Weir Pattaranid (Nid)

Bookings: 02 62752700 CANBERRATHEATRECENTRE.COM.AU

Two Zero: Thursday 9 - 11 August 2018

Opening: Thursday 9 August 2018 7.00pm

KINGSTON & MANUKA

The prestige and history of the inner-south

THE prestigious, inner-south centres of Kingston and Manuka are rich in the history and early days of Canberra.

Kingston Cameron Kingston, the former Premier of SA and minister in the first Australian Commonwealth government, is one of the oldest and one of the most densely populated suburbs.

It has undergone enormous transformation over the years and now features a blend of high-rise units, boutique shops and cafes.

Kingston is a vibrant, affluent place that offers attractions such as the Old Bus Depot Markets and the adjoining Fitters’ Workshop, where art exhibitions and concerts are held and the century-old Power house, which is now the Canberra Glassworks.

Beyond the traditional shopping precinct, the foreshore area on Lake Burley Griffin has become one of Canberra’s success stories.

Adjacent to Kingston is Manuka, which was originally named after Manuka Circle, the street that forms the northern boundary of the precinct.

Manuka Circle was on Walter Burley Griffin’s initial plan for Canberra and the NZ tea tree “Leptospermum scoparium” inspired its name.

When Griffin drew up his plans in 1912, there was still some optimism that NZ might join the Federation of Australia.

On December 12, 1925, the first business lease was let, making it one of Canberra’s oldest shopping precincts, which today is alive with vibrant restaurants, cafes and bars and a raft of professional services.

Food, drink and literature

WITH a vision for a meeting place where culture, literature, music, food and wine can be shared in a sophisticated but relaxed environment, Dan Sanderson alongside his business partner and husband Paul Eldon opened Muse in 2015.

Their inspiration for Muse, which is nestled between Kingston and Manuka in the stylish East Hotel, was largely drawn from where they had met about 14 years ago, Beijing.

“One of our inspirations for Muse, the inspiration for Muse in fact, is The Bookworm in Beijing, a restaurant, bar, library and bookshop with a regular literary program and annual literary festival,” Dan says.

“While we enjoyed what Canberra had to offer in terms of cultural offerings and food and beverage venues, we felt there was a gap in the market.”

So together they used their creativity to weave together a place where food, wine and literary programs could meet.

The food, which Dan says overall is contemporary Australian, starts with a classic breakfast fare “with a twist”, then, for lunch, there’s healthy, simple, quality meals and for dinner, French bistro-inspired food.

As for the atmosphere, he says it’s exceptional, teamed with valuefor-money food and drinks, an award-winning wine list, and a literary program.

Or in other words, “sophisticated, relaxed [and] bubbly”.

Muse, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston. Call 6178 0024 or visit musecanberra.com.au

Boutique valuers know their town

BASED in Griffith, Egan National Valuers has been offering consistent independent valuations and property services since 1971.

Managing valuer Carolyn Mowbray says their in-depth knowledge of the Canberra property market, combined with the volume of residential and commercial valuations they carry out, enables them to maintain the most up to date evidence in the Canberra and Queanbeyan area.

Carolyn, who started in commercial and residential real estate in the early ‘80s before moving into property evaluations in 1997, brings with her a great depth of experience.

“It helps you understand the market pressure and what people see as adding value to a property,” she says.

Carolyn specialises in valuing a variety of properties throughout the ACT such as commercial, retail, industrial, commercial office valuations, change of use and development applications.

And between herself and valuer Nicolas Lesle they specialise in mortgage security, stamp duty, pre-purchase and family law valuations, multi-unit developments, englobo land and rental reviews.

And, because Egan National Valuers is only small, Carolyn says the boutique agency is able to see a lot of local clients.

“We enjoy being able to interact with local clients and develop relationships with them,” she says.

Egan National Valuers, 27 Murray Crescent, Griffith. Call 6232 7555, email canberra@eganvaluers.com.au or visit eganvaluers.com.au/act

Handcraft and platinum specialists

CLOVER Jewellery has an on-site jeweller and designer so anyone looking for something uniquely beautiful can have it tailor-made, says jeweller James Oh.

Clover Jewellery is a family-run business that has been in Canberra for more than three years after it was in Japan for more than 25 years.

“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 laser-soldering 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.

KINGSTON & MANUKA

Wonderland for children’s clothing and gifts

NESTLED into its new home on Bougainville Street, Wolfie is a magical wonderland for children’s clothing and gifts, says owner Nana Tzanetos.

“Once you step into Wolfie, you won’t want to leave,” she says.

“There is a sense of warmth and intimacy that makes your experience very comfortable.

“Whether you are on a mission to buy a gift, update your children’s wardrobe, or you simply want to pop in for a chat, there really is ‘something for everyone’ at Wolfie.”

Nana, who is a mother of three children aged 3, 5 and 10, took over Wolfie about a year ago because she loved its good-quality clothes, which are different from the mainstream brands often seen in Canberra.

She says Wolfie has clothes for children from newborns through to 16 year olds.

“We are always sourcing toys that are made from good-quality products and are built to last,” she says.

Wolfie, Shop 2/19 Bougainville Street, Griffith. Call 6239 6038 or visit wearwolfie.com.au or facebook/wearwolfie

Mail, printing, boxes etcetera

WHY go to multiple places, when Mail Boxes Etc can provide services such as printing services, courier services and virtual office services, all in the one place, says franchisee Arthur Gray.

“The one-stop-shop”, as Arthur calls it, uses the latest digital printing technology to print any size of any item such as documents, posters, flyers, business cards and architectural drawings, and any scale of print run.

And, it conveniently provides packing and courier services, which Arthur says is great for customers who need to send items to multiple countries, or for locals who are based overseas.

In the past they’ve even done magazine print and distribution to multiple countries around the world.

As for locals based overseas, Arthur says: “the mail comes in and we either open and scan it and send it straight away, or we run a service where one of our suppliers whips it off to them.”

“You always get the best deal when you use MBE to find couriers in Canberra,” he says.

This includes providing them with information on subjects such as schooling and giving them the “local knowledge”.

“We have

and

inspection,” she says. And this extends to helping with services such as

refunds and gardening.

for the

Tanning to bring out the best

FAUX Tanning in Kingston has been providing elite spray tanning to Canberra and its surrounds for 15 years, says owner Jasmin Moore.

“Kingston itself is a wonderful community of people but at the same time it’s a great central location to the whole of Canberra,” she says.

“We have secure parking for clients and we’re in Andrew Arcade so it’s a little more discrete.”

Not just an add-on service, Jasmin says they’re accredited and qualified spray tan technicians who are big believers that spray tans bring out people’s happy endorphins and boost their confidence.

“We do think spray tanning is an important accessory for day-to-day life and for events and occasions,” she says.

“We have more than 25 brands of solution, which offers clients an extensive range to choose from.

“We also focus on teaching our clients about pre-tan prep and post-tan care.”

But most importantly, Faux Tanning specialises in tans (“It’s all we do,” says Jasmin), which is why they will deliver the best tan possible in a non-judgemental space.

“We believe that everybody deserves to look and feel

“And we offer incentive schemes, VIP programs and there’s packages also available.”

Faux Tanning Studio, Shop 7, Andrew Arcade, 42 Giles Street, Kingston. Email fauxtanningstudio@ gmail.com or call 0424 190260.

RIGHT in between Manuka and Kingston, Manuka Park Serviced Apartments is only a three-minute walk from almost 100 well-known, high-quality restaurants and award-winning cafes, says hotel manager Joel Smith.

With an underground, secure parking, guests can leave their car and walk into either Kingston or Manuka for the duration of their time.

“We’re also directly across from Manuka Oval, about 50 metres, if guests want to watch a game,” he says.

Manuka Park Serviced Apartments calls itself a home away from home, with all its apartments fully self-contained. The apartments each feature a well-equipped kitchen, a laundry with

Grand approach to fitness and health

MANUKA’s boutique fitness club, Fitness Grand was established in 2004 to service the inner-south Canberra region, says its director Ben Mayes.

Made up of an experienced team of trainers, Ben says Fitness Grand, which is open 24/7, offers holistic services such as functional training, nutrition and massage.

With a background in science and corrective performance Ben is able to educate his clients while providing them with functional training that’s safe and effective.

“We customise people’s programs to suit their needs, which could be something as generic as weight loss or general conditioning,” he says.

“Or we can specialise in something specific like rehabilitation or sports performance.”

Ben says people have the option to work with a dedicated trainer, do their own thing, or join in on the classes such as WAT bike, which is a group ride on the number one indoor bike, as well as Zumba classes, FG Boxfit and functional fitness and express circuits.

“We also have massage and nutrition services, giving that one-stop-shop feel, where we can manage people in different areas, whether it’s soft-tissue therapy or nutrition,” he says.

“Nutrition is very important in getting results such as weight loss.”

Fitness Grand, Level 1, 40-42 Franklin Street, Manuka. Call 6260 8883, email info@ fitnessgrand.com.au or visit fitnessgrand.com.au

washing machine and dryer, LCD TV with Foxtel channels, free wifi, as well as a swimming pool, undercover parking and each apartment contains a private balcony or courtyard.

“It has everything people need to stay from one night to a month,” Joel says.

A few of our guests travel to Canberra for corporate events and they stay here for months out of the year. We try to make it like home for them so they feel comfortable during their stay.

“And it’s a quiet complex, which is different to other hotels on main drives.”

Manuka Park Serviced Apartments, 1 Oxley Street, Manuka. Call 6239 0000 or visit manukapark.com.au

KINGSTON & MANUKA

Framers love being embraced by the community

COMING up to two years since 45 90 Framing & Gallery opened in Kingston, its co-owners Stephanie Dente and Elizabeth Lean are super appreciative about being embraced by the community and look forward to providing artistic framing services into the future.

“We’re artistic picture framers, so we care a great deal about artworks and preserving artworks,” says Stephanie.

“And we want to make sure that it’s looking its absolute best so we have lots of creative options to achieve that.”

With more than several years in the framing industry and a background in art, both Stephanie and Elizabeth use their experience, creativity and knowledge to turn photos, prints, paintings and more into stunning showpieces.

“We’re not afraid to use different colours and styles such as ornate and gold frames and bright colours,” Stephanie says.

“We really want to enhance the piece and showcase it for what it is.

“We want to make people fall back in love with their artwork.”

Different from other framing stores, Stephanie and Elizabeth are happy to come up with different options to best suit a person’s needs or suit their vision.

New to 45 90 Framing & Gallery is a range of upcycled, vintage and retro furniture made by local designer Pink Flamingo Interiors.

Stephanie says the furniture brightens up the space, complements the artwork and is available to the customers.

45 90 Framing & Gallery, 28 Giles Street, Kingston. Call 5105 1383, email info@4590.com.au or visit 4590.com.au

CAPITAL Chemist Kingston is excited to have moved into a new and bigger space on Jardine Street in Green Square, says managing partner

Sandra Ferrington.

Now next to a health centre, Sandra says not only are they part of this “health hub” but they’ve also made some changes so Capital Chemist’s pharmacists and pharmacy assistants have more time for their customers.

“We’ve put in an automated dispensing robot and by doing that we have made our pharma -

cists more accessible, so people can come and get advice,” she says.

“The robot hasn’t replaced anyone’s jobs but has created more time that pharmacists and pharmacy assistants can spend with customers.

“And, three new private consulting areas will allow people to speak with pharmacists away from the busyness of the shop.”

Capital Chemist Kingston will still provide services such as pre-work health checks, sleep apnoea screenings, weight loss programs, tests

for high cholesterol, diabetes and anaemia as well as vaccinations for the flu and whooping cough.

Sandra reassures customers there’s parking in the new location but says while Kingston is still under development, they’re happy to help out and do home delivery.

Capital Chemist Kingston, 62 Jardine Street, Green Square, Kingston. Call 6295 9146 or visit capitalchemist.com.au

KINGSTON & MANUKA

Confident tax agents do it right

AT the time, Gail Freeman was the first accountant to settle into Kingston, establishing Gail Freeman & Co on Leichhardt Street in 1987.

She was drawn to the area because of the ambiance and has since watched it grow as her and her team continue to give specialist advice on financial, business and superannuation needs.

Always keeping up to date with the changing needs of clients, technology and legislation, Gail says this year the tax office has a lot more information.

“They have details of so many things and they’re using their technology to make sure that people are claiming right,” she says.

“They’ve indicated certain things such as laundry has a $150 maximum.

“And if you’re working in an office you’re unlikely to need protective gear.”

Gail says Gail Freeman & Co has a lot of experience and knows how to ask the right questions to make sure the tax returns they lodge are correct.

“We’re confident what we do is of the highest quality, whether it be a single tax return or complex accounting for a business,” she says.

Superannuation has also had some huge changes over the last few years and Gail, as a SMSF advisor, can assist people and make sure they’re getting the best out of their super fund.

Gail Freeman & Co, 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston. Call 6295 2844, email info@gailfreeman.com.au or visit gailfreeman.com.au

The dentists people trust

Hons (Syd) & Dr Rami Hussain BDS (Adelaide)

AS the longest-standing practice in Kingston, the team at Maven Dental Kingston offers quality general, preventative and cosmetic dentistry.

Located on Kennedy Street, Dr Alex Parragi, Dr Anne Henchman and Dr Rami Hussain are dedicated to providing the best possible dental care for all age groups.

“We understand that pa tients’ needs vary, so the service is suited to the individual,” Alex says.

“We are a well-known practice with a high level of combined experience and have been practising in Canberra for 30 years or more.

you get older,” Alex says.

“We always do the right thing by our patients. We sit down with the patients, discuss the options and decide on the best treatment for them.”

“We’ve been here for many years and people know who we are. We provide a professional experience and

Dental

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Quantum celebrates two decades of dance

COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

ALREADY rejoicing at the news that Quantum Leap’s production “This Poisoned Sea” has been shortlisted for an Australian Dance Award, its umbrella organisation, QL2 Dance, is preparing to celebrate 20 years of a wonderful adventure into dance.

Artistic director and founder of both QL2 and Quantum Leap, Ruth Osborne, and assistant director/choreographer, Steve Gow, are cooking up a performance called, well, “Two Zero”. While Osborne has been off at the World Dance Congress in Adelaide with a crack team of 10 hoofers, meeting dancers from 29 countries, Gow has been equally busy in Canberra with another crack team, jollying them along, enticing them into leaps and bounds for the camera, but all the while counting them into the highly disciplined moves for which the Leapers have become known.

It’s not strictly a dance school, but with performance projects for dancers aged 8-26, choreographic development workshops and residencies, QL2 Dance aims to building a deep understanding of dance.

The auditioned youth dance ensemble, the Quantum Leapers, have danced in Jamaica, Thailand, Singapore and Scotland, to say nothing of Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and regional centres.

In “Two Zero” there’ll be three new works choreographed by QL2 alumni Sara Black, Steve Gow and Eliza Sanders, two pieces remounted by choreographers Alison Plevey, Dean Cross and alumnus Daniel Riley from past performances, a re-imagined past dance from 2006 and a new work from Osborne herself.

Gow is himself a Quantum Leap alumnus, who studied at QL2 from 2002 to 2006, then moved interstate into the world of hip-hop dance, becoming a grand finalist on “Australia’s Got Talent” in 2011 with dance crew, Instant Bun and

winning a swag of first prizes in breakdancing contests around the world in “an amazing dance career”, says Osborne.

In her absence, Gow keeps a watchful eye over the whole developing work. Each segment, he tells “CityNews,” will have its own theme and, rather than exploring the darker emotions that have informed past works such as “This Poisoned Sea” (the environment) or “Reckless Valour” (war), this time the aim will be “to reach out to Quantum alumni”.

It’s obvious that Gow keeps a pleasant but tight rein on his dancers as he counts the beats, but he says: “In teaching style I’m not super-strict, there needs to be light-heartedness and we don’t want the dancers to have a negative experience”.

After all, many make their lifelong friends through QL2, “it becomes a bit like family and it’s an amazing platform, no matter what direction life takes.”

Talking to Osborne by phone to Adelaide, the sense of excitement is palpable.

Originally trained as a dancer from age eight at the famous Bodenwieser Dance Centre in Sydney, she found “it was all about creativity and the development of the individual, very much a case of the artist being nurtured as a person, not just as a dancer”.

Osborne went on to establish the Contemporary Dance Centre in Perth, and became artistic director of STEPS Youth Dance Company for 10

years before moving to the Australian Choreo graphic Centre in Canberra as manager of youth dance practice in 1999 and that’s how the 20 years is calculated. When the Choreographic Centre lost Australia Council funding in 2007, artsACT still wanted to fund a youth program and QL2 became the core organisation.

To her, the biggest plus is that so many of her dancers have gone out into professional training then come back to create work with Quantum Leapers.

Bangarra Dance Theatre dancer Daniel Riley is a case in point. He’ll be released by the Sydney com pany to come here for two days to join his colleague, the artist-dancer (and QL2 board member) Dean Cross to put the finishing touches to the recreation of an earlier work created with the Leapers.

Then there’s Eliza Sanders, still young but stepping up as an independent choreographer, and Sara Black, who won a Helpmann award and danced with Chunky Move in Melbourne.

“It’s wonderful to have all the dancers back, bringing their knowledge and thinking about what they learnt when they were in Quantum Leap,” she says. “It’s a kind of magic circle.”

“Two Zero”, Quantum Leap, The Playhouse, August 9-11. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

Tommy’s home for a couple of shows

By Helen Musa

“YOU have to be relaxed,” worldfamous, fingerpicking guitarist

Tommy Emmanuel advises “CityNews” when we speak to him by phone to Nashville, Tennessee.

Emmanuel has for many years divided his time between the capital of country music and the UK, where he lives with his two daughters, seeing London as a convenient jump-off point for his European commitments.

On a rare visit to his native Australia during early August he’ll perform only in Canberra and Nowra, saying: “I felt like getting outside the big cities this time”.

At 63 he’s still going strong, but news of the recent deaths of his sister Virginia and brother Phil, with whom he had performed at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, hit him “like a ton of lead” and he swears he’ll look after himself, saying, “at least I’ve never touched a cigarette in my life”.

A consummate guitarist known for his fingering and his percussive techniques, he is also totally at ease talking about his life‘s work, pausing to advise me never to go out drinking with José Feliciano, as if this were likely to happen.

Like Feliciano, he plays only by ear and learnt

“Light my Fire” off by heart when he was a boy, later playing duo guitar with him at a Hilton hotel gig in Australia.

As a young man, Emmanuel also wrote to his greatest hero, Chet Atkins in Nashville, and was eventually rewarded with an invitation to “drop in”, which was the beginning of a long, working relationship.

When “CityNews” spoke to Emmanuel he was heading to the Annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention. After that he’ll fly to Australia via Hawaii, where he has eight gigs, but swears he’ll spend time on the beach.

“I’m always relaxed. I’ve always been relaxed. I never strain or push too hard, I’ve always got to be in control and when I’m playing I’m also listening carefully to my sound – that comes with

time and experience,” he says.

When Emmanuel comes to Canberra he’ll be bringing with him from Nashville former US National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Richard Smith.

“He’s actually a Pom but amazing,” says Emmanuel.“

“He plays everything from Scott Joplin rags to Chet Atkins with such a sense of command.”

The pair will play rarely-heard Atkins numbers in duo; “unless you come to Nashville you’ll never hear them”.

The highlight of the Canberra and Nowra concerts will be a tribute to his late brother Phil and sister Virginia in the form of a song he’s written, called “Sail Away”.

It came to him after he found out about Phil’s death from his distraught young brother.

“I’d been performing and got the call in the wee, small hours,” he says.

Initially stunned, Emmanuel eventually got to sleep, but woke early and saw the whole thing from a different perspective.

“I had watched them struggle through life, so there was some sense of relief that the struggle was over and I thought, ‘Sail Away’.”

Tommy Emmanuel at Canberra Theatre, 7.30pm, Thursday, August 2, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

ARTS IN THE CITY CINEMA

Revenge served cleverly cold

By Dougal MACDONALD

“See You Up There” (MA)

BATTLE-weary troops on both sides in trenches await commencement of the Armistice at 11am on November 11, 1918. Writer/director Albert Dupontel’s film adapting a novel by Pierre Lemaitre begins two days earlier. Battle gives Lieut D’AulnayPradelle (Laurent Lafitte) a strong buzz. He tells the company of French infantry, which he leads, that Headquarters has ordered them to attack. In the ensuing bloodbath, Privates Maillard (Albert Dupontel) and Pericourt (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart) find themselves in a horrifying situation. A sniper’s bullet has destroyed Pericourt’s lower mandible. Worse, there is evidence that two other French soldiers have been shot from behind while facing the front and that Pradelle was the shooter.

A year later, Maillard learns that Pericourt has recovered but is condemned to wear a mask and unable to speak. Before the war, Pericourt was showing promise as an artist. The pair decides to turn that talent into a scam that will discredit Pradelle.

And that, embellished with domestic politics arising from the relationship that Maillard builds with Pericourt’s father (Niels Arestrup), a man of culture, wealth and local influence, is the principal thread of the film’s drama.

Early in the film, a police enquiry into the scam gives Maillard a hard time. As the film progresses, that is easily dis-remembered. After exploring events since that day of

battle, the film revisits that enquiry to deliver an envoi that ties up the loose ends very neatly. There’s much to commend about “See You Up There”. Its creation of the period – costumes, locations, streetscapes and transport – is handsome. Its thesis is credible. It epitomises two familiar aphorisms. Revenge is a dish best served cold. And, oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive. It combines those with a commendable credibility and a mordant comedic thread. Those four stars are serious.

At Dendy

“Jill Bilcock: Dancing the Invisible” (M)

THIS delectable documentary, describing the creative role and techniques of the editor in filmmaking and honouring Australian editor Jill Bilcock, is a journey among 34 dramatic features and five miscellaneous others that she has edited, beginning in 1984 with “Strikebound”.

Offering a tantalising reminder of

bygone and beloved films – stories, characters, players – it’s a movie enthusiast’s delight, a sampler combining award-wining and workaday films and people to ring nostalgia bells and explain her creative contribution to their impact.

It’s not a Film School lecture in Editing 101 – nor would you want it to be. In selecting the examples that it illustrates, you may notice omissions. Who, apart from me, remembers “Lillian’s Story” (1996) which I recall for Toni Collette in particular among a slew of Australian acting aristocracy?

Got a favourite Australian film? If it has creative and artistic merit, chances are that Jill edited it. Not all of them are Australian. For her filmography, go to that indispensable movie-fans’ resource, the IMDb. Her reputation is international.

As well as writing and directing the film about Jill Bilcock, Axel Grigor also edited it.

At Dendy

“The Equalizer 2” (MA)

I’M prepared to take a punt and

guess that there are more TV series sired by feature movies than vice versa. “The Equalizer” is in the vice versa group, conceived for TV in 1958 when it starred Edward Woodward, euthanised there as late as 2014.

The first “Equalizer” feature movie, released in that same year, starred Denzel Washington, just like this sequel. Antoine Fuqua directed both movies and Richard Wenk and Michael Sloan wrote both.

“The Equalizer 2” is an actioner built rather like a series episode, scarcely surprising since Sloan has been writing the “Equalizer” franchise since it was a baby (Wenk didn’t come on board until the first feature movie).

Playing main character Robert McCall, two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington in his 63rd year isn’t stretched in either acting or action departments. McCall has retired from clandestine do-gooding and now drives a Washington DC taxi. The world is over-populated by nasties so soon he’s unwillingly back in action to eradicate a few. It’s routine actioner stuff, not too urgently paced and perhaps somewhat the better on that account, with agreeable tensions and conflicts that for those involved would be less than comfortable if they weren’t in a movie!

The climactic sequence, McCall alone against the bad guys in the middle of a savage storm battering the New England coast, is rather spectacular. There’s a lot of shooting before things get sorted out. Narratively ho hum, meteorologically extravagant. I bet the National Rifle Association endorses it.

At Capitol 6, Hoyts, Dendy and Limelight

Shakespeare, ninjas, swords and zombies

By Helen Musa

“THE Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark,” an irreverent riff on “Hamlet” by comedy duo The Listies, involving Shakespeare, ninjas, sword fights, bodily fluids and zombies, will be at The Playhouse, 6.30pm, August 3 and 10.30am & 2.30pm, August 4. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre. com.au or 6275 2700.

LEADING contemporary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s installation “Namako” will feature as the inaugural ephemeral architecture project to launch November’s DESIGN Canberra Festival. Kuma designed Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the 2020 Games and the huge new work will be installed on Aspen Island.

“STRONGER Than Fiction” is the fabulous title of the coming Canberra documentary festival curated by Deborah Kingsland. It’s full of films about feisty kids, adults and cute puppies created by insightful directors. Palace Electric, August 2-5. Bookings to palacecinemas.com.au

THE Turner Brown Band, a collaboration between Australian slide guitarist and music producer Dom Turner and Ohio’s Sacred Steel

lap-slide guitar and vocalist Nikki D Brown will visit Tuggeranong Arts Centre Theatre at 7.30pm, August 3. Bookings to trybooking.com

NEXT up in M16’s “Confident Collecting” series is “Porcelain Power and Portraits”, where ceramic sculptors Julie Bartholomew and Patsy Hely will tell how the ceramics world is being turned on its head. M16Artspace, Blaxland Street, Griffith, 6pm-8pm, Monday, July 30. The final session on August 6 will see weavers Valerie Kirk, Jennifer Robertson and Ruby Berry explore the textile world. Bookings to m16artspace.com.au

MEZZO-soprano Bronwyn Riley and pianist Colin Forbes will celebrate life and love with songs by Schumann, l’Estrange, Kosma, Trenet and Louiguy at Kangara Waters’ Cooinda Hall, 2 Joy Cummings Place, Belconnen, 2.15pm on Sunday, July 29. Tickets at the door.

THE Indonesian embassy is hosting two performances of the Wayang Kulit shadow play “Bima in the Forest of Marta” at the National Gallery on July 29, but they’ve booked out well ahead of time. Time perhaps for a larger venue?

In Limbo… and loving it

By Helen Musa

SUSPENDED between the heaven of theatre studies and the hell of getting a job on the stage, a bunch of talented, young Canberrans have formed their own appropriately named company – Limbo Theatre.

They’re nothing if not ambitious and will kick off in early August with a production of Italian Nobel Laureate Dario Fo’s hilarious yet ferociously satirical play, “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”.

A rumbustious farce, the 1970 play was based on real-life events surrounding Italian railwayman and anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli, who fell – or was thrown – to his death from the fourth floor window of a Milan police station in 1969. But the characters in the play are fictional, with Inspector Francesco Bertozzo pitted against “the Maniac” who leaves the audience to decide on the ending.

“CityNews” caught up in Civic for a chat with three of the Limbo livewires, Nick Steain, Hayden Splitt and Damon Baudin, who describe themselves as “seriously silly”.

They’re all graduates or current students of the Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art in Fyshwick, whose performance wing, Honest Puck, has given them rehearsal and performance space and other industry support and advice.

“We’re thrilled to see them hit the boards,” says Honest Puck producer and director of CADA, Elizabeth Avery Scott.

The idea for the company came in a flash when Steain was studying “Accidental Death” at CADA and thought: “This is such a fantastic play, it’s dramatic, it’s funny and it deals with important issues.”

“The misuse of power is always a relevant subject,” Splitt says, as they reflect on their appreciation of the “fantastic language” used by the celebrated Italian playwright, who won the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature.

“It’s a period piece but it’s timeless, and the events in the play could happen anywhere,” Splitt adds.

“The play resonated with the group,” Steain says.

DINING / farmers daughter, yarralumla

Daughter has a fresh take on food

Farmers Daughter has recently been revitalised under new ownership, offering a fresh take on food accompanied by the same relaxed atmosphere and comfy, quirky décor.

IT’S cozy, it’s charming and it’s a destination for coffee lovers. Farm ers Daughter at Yarralumla shops swung its doors open in 2011.

“And it fits in with how we see ourselves as a company – comedic, but with a serious undertone. We keep the energy, it’s fast paced, but we don’t forget to ask questions.”

“Accidental Death” is familiar to Canberra audiences. In the 1990s Domenic Mico staged it along with other Fo plays at TAU Theatre, in 2005 Peter Wilkins staged it under the title “Cops and Ladders” and in 2015 Nicki Dudgeon directed it at Narrabundah College in a production full of the commedia dell’arte touches so loved by Fo.

“One of the things I love about it is the element of clowning, almost slapstick comedy,” says Baudin.

“There’s a lot of physical comedy relating to spatial awareness.”

Limbo quickly found themselves a willing director in CADA teacher Clare Moss, who had taught the play to Steain – “she’s just a font of knowledge about theatre and philosophical movements like existentialism,” he says.

Splitt and Baudin have already graduated with the advanced acting diploma from CADA and have been getting plum roles with companies such as REP and Everyman Theatre. They’ve also auditioned and been engaged for a new professional ensemble being directed by Karla Conway at The Street.

“Accidental Death of an Anarchist”, CADA Theatre, 11 Whyalla Street, Fyshwick, 7.30pm, August 1-4, bookings to stagecenta.com

It’s recently been revitalised under new ownership, offering a fresh take on food accompanied by the same relaxed atmosphere and comfy, quirky décor.

Farmers Daughter has doubled in size since my last visit, with two separate spaces facing each other across an arcade. The bright-yellow bentwood chairs and the rustic communal tables with wooden tops and legs made from old sewing machines remain. In each space, pretty plants in small white pots hang on wire frames forming lovely feature walls. What has changed is the food. It’s been taken up several notches and is more sophisticated (not overly so). It was breakfast time and a friend and I wondered how the new menu would kickstart our day.

The eggs, perfectly cooked for my lik ing (I don’t like them too hard or too runny), arrived with salty, tasty pulled ham hock, apple and potato hash, apple cider hollandaise and crackling dust ($18.50). It was sensational and is no doubt a real draw card.

The menu at Farmers Daughter isn’t large but it’s been carefully designed. Other dishes that caught our eye included the pan-fried wild mushrooms. It’s served with port and balsamic onions, blue cheese and a walnut and basic crunch ($18). I wouldn’t hesitate to order the pumpkin and chickpea fritters either,

with beetroot hummus (always a taste sensation when prepared well), pepita, mint labneh, coriander, pumpkin chips and sumac salt ($19). Yummy treats, showcased near the cash register, include a white chocolate raspberry coffee cake ($4.50). Coffee is from Lonsdale Street Roasters. One shot is full bodied so let staff know if you want weaker coffee or hotter (Farmers serves coffee at 65 degrees).

The outdoor area had attracted several families on our visit, gathering around white wooden tables and settled in on yellow plastic chairs. A blackboard sign perched near the front door advertised pie and roll specials, which sounded delish.

Daughter,

Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm.

My friend rarely orders prawns for brekkie but the Vietnamese omelette caught his eye ($19). He was delighted with the result. The omelette was loaded with plump prawns, fresh herbs (including the mint and coriander combo Vietnam is so famous for), bean sprouts for added crunch and spices. It was served with a tangy chilli jam in a small white dish. While the balsamic and basil tomato ordered as a side was tasty, we felt it was a bit rich at $4 for half a tomato.

I get tired of ordering Eggs Benedict at cafes, feeling it’s often too “same-same”. However, at Farmers Daughter this dish (gluten free) has a real point of difference.

Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm,

GARDENING

Cheerfully going to pot (plants)

THE popularity of indoor plants waxes and wanes with an upsurge in popularity at present.

Not only here, but quoting from “The Garden”, the journal of the UK Royal Horticultural Society: “For the first time in 20 years, house plants are in vogue again.

“The result is a big increase in sales of house plants with some retailers reporting a 40 per cent jump in the last 12 months”.

In Canberra, I believe the increase in popularity is due to the massive increase in units being built, often with a small or no balcony at all.

Interestingly, in Germany the average number of indoor plants per household is 64, in Holland 58 and in Australia five!

Indoor plants can bring the outdoors into the home, acting like a filter, taking in stale air through the leaves and leaving fresh oxygen. They are equally important in the office besides being a barrier or screen between desks.

In units, house plants can offer a connection with nature and are easy to maintain.

The range of indoor plants is

extensive, mostly they are from tropical regions.

So let’s look at the basics on how to care for an indoor garden:

Light and temperature are vital elements for maintaining good growth and appearance. Some indoor plants will tolerate extremely poor light while others must have excellent light to survive. Simply, the darker the leaf the lower level of light they require, whereas variegated leaves need a high level of good light. All indoor plants need to be kept out of draughts such as in winter near windows or in summer and winter from heater ducts.

Watering; 80 per cent of indoor plants are killed from overwatering. Excessive moisture turns the potting mix sour and roots to rot, usually caused with the plant sitting in a saucerful of water. Always empty the saucer immediately after watering. Alternatively, fill the saucer with small pebbles and place the pot on top of the pebbles. This way the roots of the plant are not sitting in water. Most overwatering actually occurs in winter. In a non-centrally heated home, water the plants about every 7-10 days. With winter central heating and in summer, water about every 4-5 days.

Feeding; regular feeding of indoor plants is vital. They can’t use naturally occurring plant nutrients from the ground like outdoor plants. This

is one of the most neglected aspects of indoor plants. In winter, keep feeding to a minimum. In spring and summer feed regularly once every 3-4 weeks. Use a certified organic liquid plant food such as Maxicrop Plant Nutrient or Neutrog Seamungus, both are seaweed based fertilisers. Always make sure the potting mix is moist before applying or preferably fertilise immediately after watering.

Repotting; indoor plants can quickly become root-bound. This results in very little potting mix left to sustain the plants and fertilisers. Repot in the spring using only premium-grade, certified organic indoor plant potting mix. Repot only into the next size pot. Potting into too large a pot may cause the mix to sour before the roots have developed. Plants such as cactus and succulents require a very open mix. Adding washed coarse river sand or fine grit is beneficial.

Pests and diseases; dust on leaves actually stops plants breathing. Regularly wipe leaves with a damp sponge, not commercial, oil-based plant wipes. There are not many problems with indoor plants, but if you are unsure take some leaves in a bag to your local garden centre for advice. Most common pests such as mites, aphids or scale can be solved with Multicrop certified organic EcoPest.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You’re feeling rather impatient, as projects seem to stall at every turn. Retrograde Mars and retrograde Mercury are doing a number on you. Plus Uranus throws a hand grenade into the mix, so you’re set for a frustrating, disruptive and unpredictable week. Avoid having a hot-headed Aries melt-down! The current celestial cocktail is forcing you to slow down… something that definitely doesn’t come naturally. Smart Rams will spend time reviewing, revising and recalibrating.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

This week, with Mars and Mercury both in retrograde mode, don’t take anything for granted. If you want to minimise work and family problems, then check and double-check everything. Uranus unsettles you on Wednesday or Thursday, when a personal or professional matter encounters obstacles and then takes off in a totally unexpected direction. Keep your cool! You’re also keen to help someone in need but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

With Mercury (your ruling planet) and Mars both in retrograde mode, delays and disruptions will unsettle your usually genial Gemini demeanour. You’ll find circumstances are constantly evolving, so keep your schedule flexible and your mind open to sudden changes. It is a suitable time to research and plan a future holiday or revise written work (rather than take a trip or launch a brand new project). The buzz words for this week? Adapt, amend, review and redo.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Crabs are feeling frustrated and crabby! Mercury and Mars continue reversing through your self-esteem and money zones. Plus Uranus throws a spanner into a financial venture or a close relationship that feels like it’s going backwards. So it will take oodles of self-belief, positive self-talk, financial discipline, patience and persistence to keep things on track. Later in the week there’ll be an opportunity to heal a recurring issue involving lust, loot or work. So grab it with both hands.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Prepare for a somewhat schizophrenic week! The Sun (your patron planet) is moving through Leo, so you’ll feel like powering ahead with all sorts of creative projects. But Mercury is also reversing through your sign, and retro Mars is squaring Uranus. So rushing ahead with impulsive impetuosity could backfire badly. In order to reduce stress levels and the likelihood of making mistakes, enthusiasm must be balanced with caution, and fiery haste tempered with plenty of patience.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Does your daily routine seem to be moving along at a super-slow snail’s pace? Or are you lacking your usual Virgo vim, verve, mojo and motivation? Be patient and have faith that promising things are developing behind the scenes. Mercury and Mars are both retrograde, so it’s time to retreat and reflect. Your motto for the week is from birthday great, singer-songwriter-musician-dancer Kate Bush: “There’s an awful lot you can learn about yourself when you’re alone.”

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Many Librans have trouble making decisions. You want to please everyone, which of course is impossible! So you can end up sitting on the fence, watching other people make important decisions for you. Which means you then place your destiny in the hands of others. This week, consider your choices carefully – and then make a firm decision. Heed the wise words of birthday great, writer J. K. Rowling: “It’s our choices… that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

With Mars and Mercury both retrograde, strive to manage misunderstandings and patch up problems in a cooperative fashion. You’re very focused on professional projects but don’t put all your eggs in the one work basket. Make sure you diversify your interests, experiment with creative ideas and keep your options open. With Jupiter in your sign, you need to think big. As birthday great Martha Stewart observes: “Without an open mind, you can never be a great success.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

The retro Mars/Uranus square revs up your restless (and reckless) side and triggers your tendency to become distracted. So be extra careful when walking near traffic, driving, cycling or jogging. And have you been contemplating doing some sort of humanitarian, community or volunteer work? It’s a good time to tap into your compassionate side as you get involved in a charitable cause with a global reach, or lend a helping hand to someone in your local neighbourhood.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Capricorns are usually awesome organisers. But with Mars and Mercury both retrograde, your managerial mojo may have (temporarily) deserted you, as your confidence takes a nose-dive. Don’t waste energy feeling frustrated. Put aside time to recharge your rundown batteries and reboot your self-belief. And don’t do everything by the book. Try to have some fun along the way. But finances and friends are an unpredictable mix, so strive to keep the two separate.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Aquarians are feeling restricted and reckless! The retro Mars/Uranus square (on Wednesday and Thursday) increases your impulsive and unpredictable side, and makes you more accident-prone than usual. So steer clear of distractions and stop rushing. Plus avoid the tantalising temptation to rock the relationship boat (especially with family members). Perhaps it’s time to backtrack and heal a relationship rift, as you build bridges with a loved one and let bygones be bygones?

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

This week’s unsettled stars imbue you with a feeling of intense urgency but gradual, structured modifications are what’s needed at the moment. With Mercury reversing through your work zone, it’s definitely not a good time to apply for a job, pitch your boss for a promotion or launch a big new business project. It would be much better to direct your Piscean energy towards creative, spiritual or humanitarian pursuits that don’t involve short and stressful deadlines.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2018

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