CityNews 180913

How age friendly is Andrew Barr?

PAUL COSTIGAN

Heather’s better than all the rest

NICHOLE OVERALL

Drought brings green shoots to Barnaby

MICHAEL MOORE

Tempranillo and what the heck?

RICHARD CALVER

Spring’s blossom starts to burst

CEDRIC BRYANT

Voice of youth

LUCY SUGERMAN takes up with the Canberra Youth Orchestra

The Kumars’ karma kitchen serves charity

By Danielle NOHRA

WHEN Sanjay and Sunita Kumar opened their Indian restaurant in Curtin two years ago, they introduced Canberra’s first karma kitchen.

cause being supported.

They’ve raised more than $10,000 for not-for-profits and charities such as Communities@Work, Curtin Primary School, RSPCA ACT, Hartley Lifecare, The Mill House Social Enterprise Ac celerator and White Nile Women.

“The first two karma kitchens we chose and from then on the word spread and people were approaching us,” Sunita says.

About three times a year they organise a no-price-tag dinner where diners can “pay as they wish” towards a charity or cause.

Opening the restaurant was a dream come true for the married couple, who started at the Westside Shipping Container Village before it was shut down and they moved to Curtin.

Inspired by an Indian man in America, six years ago, Sunita says they didn’t want to just serve quality and unique cuisines but they also wanted to give back to the community.

So when they opened Daana in its permanent home, they introduced the karma kitchen.

“It’s beautifully married to our core beliefs and our passions,” says Sunita, 45, of Kambah.

The charity nights usually consist of a three-course chef’s menu, where diners decide on the payment and Daana then donates a portion of the proceeds of the meals to the charity or

INDEX

Arts & Entertainment 23-25

Cinema 24

Crossword 27

Dining / Wine 25

Gardening 26

Horoscopes 27

Letters 8

News 3-11

Politics 8

“It just has to resonate with our core beliefs and that’s what it’s really about.

“It’s really about giving back to the community and this is our small way of giving back.”

The karma kitchens have also formed a community of volunteers who can give back, because, as Sunita says, it’s got to be sustainable so volun teers are an integral part.

“There are a lot of people in the community who rally together and get behind a cause,” she says.

Sunita describes the nights as fun and informal, where people can gather around at community tables and meet others who are passionate about a similar cause.

They’ve had a mix of payments and Sunita says most people are very generous, with the occasional person who pays $2.

“[But] we accept whatever they give us with gratitude,” she says.

The karma kitchen is really catching

on, and Sunita says there’s already one booked in for March, but coming up even sooner is their karma kitchen for Mercy Ships, which they plan on cooking a mix of Indian coastal cuisines.

It’ll be held on Tuesday, September 25, where there will be two sittings; one at 6pm and another at 8pm.

On the night, Canberra nurse Danniele Hunter will speak about her time volunteering with Mercy Ships,

Since 1993: Volume 24, Number 34

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Canberra nurse and Mercy Ships volunteer Danniele Hunter… speaking on the night.

which is a hospital ship that delivers free health-care services and aid to those without access in the developing world.

Danniele, 31, of Scullin, recently volunteered for two months in Cameroon, Africa, where she was confronted by people who had been suffering for a long time from medical conditions.

“A lot was simple things that if they were here in Australia they would

have had surgery a long time ago.

“It was amazing seeing how excited people were coming on to the ships because they knew they were getting their surgery. [And then after], I haven’t seen happiness like that here.”

Fifty per cent of proceeds will go to Mercy Ships at the next karma kitchen on September 26. Bookings to 5105 1048 or daana.com.au

SEVEN DAYS

Secrets on a bike, what could possibly go wrong?

AT any given time a courier motorcycle zipping around Canberra may have among its payload the highly sensitive details of our leading public servants.

A “Sydney Morning Herald” article highlighting frustrating delays associated with moving paperwork for security vetting has revealed sensitive information is often moved by private couriers.

At a hearing of the Public Accounts and Audit committee, Labor MP Julian Hill claimed “sensitive personal information of Australia’s most senior public servants – including sexual behaviour, financial, medical, drug and alcohol issues – is being whizzed around on motorcycles. For all we know, they may be using Deliveroo.”

IT would appear despite the digital age, little has changed in how highly sensitive information is transported between secure sites.

Almost a decade ago a parcel containing the medical details of 70 Canberrans was handed to me after being scooped up from the roadside near Canberra Airport.

A local pharmacy had paid a premium for a contractor to securely dispose of a batch of filled prescriptions but the sensitive information had been tossed on the back of an open truck with other rubbish.

DESPITE the recent spike in allegations of a toxic culture and rampant misogyny pervading politics, disqualified senator Katy Gallagher is preparing to re-enter the hostile fray. The former ACT Chief Minister, who lost her seat after the High Court found she failed to renounce her British citizenship before the 2016 election, says her nonadversarial approach has served her well. Ms Gallagher, who was

endorsed unopposed to the lead spot on the ALP Senate ticket told a local radio station she often resisted advice to “show her inner-political mongrel”.

THE much hyped Sky News on WIN has landed in Canberra. Through a groundbreaking deal with WINTV, the pay TV channel is now available free-to-air to 30 regional Australian markets. Non-subscribing news junkies had been primed for a tsunami of right-wing views with nighttime programs in particular promising to pack the strongest punch. Big hitters Andrew Bolt , Paul Murray, Alan Jones and Peta Credlin all feature prominently in most discussions about Sky News.

ANDREW Bolt issued a stern warning at the top of his “Bolt Report” after “warmly” welcoming regional viewers. The commentator said “viewing this show could change the way your mind works”. Bolt then gave the new audience an example of the fare regularly served up by delivering a withering slapdown of the ABC and the “left bias” of “The Drum” and “Insiders” in particular. Author John Birmingham’s description probably gives a clue as to the sentiment of Sky News critics: “Sky News after dark isn’t a news operation, it’s a digital Nuremberg Rally.”

AFTER the first month of a six-month trial of dockless bikes in Canberra, promoters are slightly concerned. Initially confident that Canberrans would embrace the bike-share concept wholeheartedly, AirBike chief executive Angus McDonald says the number of people using the service was lower than anticipated. So far there have been no reports of bikes ending up in lakes or parked in trees as has been the major problem for bike-share schemes in other cities, although where the bikes are docked after use is important.

A PHOTO taken by a Canberra public servant on a

Greek Islands holiday has won him a return trip to the idyllic destination.

Hobby photographer Brian Woolley took around 2000 shots during a recent stay on Mykonos and entered a Qatar Airlines social media competition. Woolley’s photo of the colourful backstreets of the island destination scored him return flights and three nights’ accommodation.

gold VIP drop by for a visit. Four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Christian College at Lyneham and spoke about her brilliant career, including winning gold at the Melbourne, Rome and Tokyo Olympic Games. Ms Fraser – who has grandchildren at the school – posed for selfies and signed autographs.

CANBERRA MATTERS / the age-friendly city?

WELL into last month’s Canberra Conversation lecture session that asked whether Canberra was age-friendly, someone asked – “Does Andrew Barr care?”

A murmur went through the audience. No one provided a response, so we were left wondering whether we already knew the answer.

The ACT government has a mixed record on caring for senior Canberrans. This was emphasised by the three speakers. They were clear that there are good programs and spoke positively about the government’s commitment to the elder abuse program, transport subsidies and other concessions. But they made it equally clear that there are gaps.

A concern is that programs are run within silos with little connection between them resulting in many seniors and carers having difficulty accessing timely assistance. There were stories about carers attempting to assist others, in one case an elderly father, through bureaucratic

The ACT government’s own statements on seniors, such as those in recent Budget papers, make it sound as though seniors are a different race that has to be dealt with reluctantly.

mazes and having to look out for decisions being made with little care as to whether they were appropriate.

Seniors are not an homogenous group – they are diverse in their activities, aspirations and their needs. Many elderly Canberrans have difficulties paying ever-increasing energy bills often resulting in them not having enough heating during the winter. Canberra has a serious homelessness problem – with many of these people being seniors. The stories told were a reminder that too often this happens in plain sight. How we deal with our seniors is a planning issue. While Canberra is being swamped with apartment towers, most are not suitable for seniors. We have more than half our suburbs listed as not age friendly. One would imagine if the government was facing up to its responsibilities on ageing, that we would be seeing more parklands being established, not the current trend of reducing community

spaces and reducing the precious urban forests. We would also not be seeing seniors being disadvantaged by the new bus arrangements.

There was a polite discussion around the culture within govern ment towards the ageing population. While the statistics have been around for ages pointing to the increased number of seniors in our community, it seems that our ACT government has not prepared for this and has not adopted these issues as a whole-ofgovernment priority.

The ACT government’s own statements on seniors, such as those in recent Budget papers, make it sound as though seniors are a different race that has to be dealt with reluctantly. Once upon a time these pesky seniors used to retire elsewhere (Gold Coast etcetera).

Now too many are very happy to stay where they are – in their homes in Canberra. The government states that it is working out how to connect these people into the Canberra community; this being strange, as most would have thought they were already a significant part of the local community.

seniors is already questioned given

The government’s attitude to

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

While Canberra is being swamped with apartment towers, most are not suitable for seniors. We have more than half our suburbs listed as not age friendly.

At 97, Don’s still in swing of competitive golf

By Danielle NOHRA

ISAACS man Don Bruce is the talk of Royal Canberra Golf Club.

He’s 97, goes for a walk every morning and continues to compete at the golf course three Saturdays a month.

“Quite clearly, at 97, he’s an absolute inspiration to everyone at the club,” says Peter Middleton, who is part of the “Don Bruce Team” with Wayne Mayo and John Cosgrove.

Peter, 65, of Stirling, became part of the “team” because he wanted to play in the last group on Saturdays and says they’ve all since become a great bunch of mates.

The three of them take it in turns dropping Don home and, if they have a win, they put the winnings into a nice bottle of red.

“We all aspire to stay as active as Don is,” he says.

Don was about 10 and living in Melbourne when his mother decided to switch from tennis to golf, so she bought herself some golf clubs and Don a wooden driver.

“Every opportunity she would take me with her and the pair of us

would play golf for a long while,”

Don says. “In the end I was hitting pretty good balls.”

So when he grew older, he became involved in some golfing clubs himself, including many around the world.

“About every big country that has a golf course, I’ve had a go of it,” he says.

Working as a diplomat, Don was sent to Washington twice and be came part of a golf club there.

He even ended up marrying a golfer, who he met on a family holi day with his parents in Point Lon sdale, Victoria, over the summer.

Her name was Pauline and after he “let the lovely lady win”, they waved farewell but stayed in con tact before marrying in 1950.

Together they had four children, all of whom are in Canberra except for one who lives in Hong Kong.

“I married a golfer, so she understands the language,” he says.

“It’s a great social thing and we teamed up together in a lot of competitions and had quite a bit of success together.”

But his proudest golfing moment remains that time in 2003 when he got a hole in one, which he says is a rare thing for golfers.

Now, as Don’s getting older, he says he’s very lucky to have a few friends who welcome him to play

three times a month.

“I’ve got my three colleagues and I’m very grateful,” he says.

The fourth Saturday competition is a stroke round and because (as Don says) he’s not hitting them very far anymore, he sits that one out.

“The other three days I have a whack and I’m not hitting them

anywhere like I used to but I man age to get around and have a good laugh,” he says.

But, Don says, he’s still a po tential championship golfer, and when asked what his secret is, he says it’s all about “keeping your eye on the ball”.

Which is what he plans on doing until his 100th.

PLEASE NOTE:

Drought brings green sprouts to Barnaby

BARNABY Joyce, the National Party’s Federal member for New England, has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s “special envoy” for drought assistance and recovery.

NEXT MARKET 7 APRIL

Although not officially a cabinet minister or parliamentary secretary, the idea of this role is as an advocate and adviser for drought relief.

Considering the depths to which the disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister has sunk in just a few months, Joyce seems happy to be on the path to his own recovery. He tweeted: “I am so excited about helping further with the drought. This is so important. Let’s combine all that knowledge for a better outcome”.

But all is not roses. Immediate action is required to assist farmers in dire straits. However, there is also a need to take a long-term view to drought-proof farms through supporting a regenerative approach to farming.

When he was Minister for Agriculture, Joyce sat on a report from the National Advocate for Soil, former Governor-General Michael Jeffery. The report, “Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation”, advised the government on how to restore and maintain the health of the Australian agricultural landscape.

This report has been presented to the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum and is under “active consideration”. Will the new Agricultural Minister, David Littleproud, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has made drought a priority, heed the advice and implement the recommendations?

Joyce preferred to take a myopic view as illustrated in his own opinion piece of July 2014 entitled “Australia will be high and dry if we don’t consider more dams”.

The evidence tells a different story. Water needs to be captured and absorbed into the soil rather than in dams where so much simply evaporates. But then, despite it being right in front of his nose, as a friend of the coal industry he doesn’t recognise the impact of climate change either.

However, some transparency provides an insight into Joyce’s motivation. Former Independent MP Tony Windsor, who lost the seat of New England to Joyce in 2013 and failed to wrest it from him in 2016, keeps a close eye on Barnaby and @tonyhwindsor tweeted recently: “Joyce’s ramblings on diverting

Considering the depths to which the disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister has sunk in just a few months, Joyce seems happy to be on the path to his own recovery.

water to grow lucerne has more to do with placating preselectors in New England than curing drought.

Local LNP chair Ian Coxhead, whose vote is critical to Joyce’s survival, happens to be an irrigated lucerne grower… all politics is local”.

The thread that followed Windsor’s tweet was most informative. It included a comment from Kerry Deayton (@deayton_kerry) expressing concern about the role played by Joyce and the huge cotton magnates and calling on the government to stop “stealing water from the Murray Darling for their cotton empires and all will be solved”. Such was the interest in transparency that Windsor’s tweet was liked and retweeted more than 2000 times.

Additionally, the critical issue of the political parties’ support for lack of transparency regarding donations to political parties should always form part of such discussions.

Just as the ACT has caved to community pressure for an Anti-Corruption and Integrity Commission, at the Federal level such a body is long overdue. In the words of former NSW auditor-general Tony Harris, regarding such bodies: “It would have been an obligation under the Act, any suspicion of wrongdoing or corruption would have to be referred to the ICAC.”

It is regrettable that so many of our hardworking politicians are dragged down by the lack of ethics, the want of integrity and the absence of decency of a small cohort of their colleagues.

However, it is time to establish a body that would do justice to the vast majority of members of our Federal parliament who are ethical, honest, dedicated and committed to the community good.

A magic wand for Paul

COLUMNIST Paul Costigan (“Bishop moves to checkmate his neighbours”, CN, August 30) will need to wave a magic wand if he expects the Anglican bishop to take his media advice and talk directly to his neighbours rather than through a planning consultant.

The fact is, there has been no Anglican bishop in CanberraGoulburn since May and there won’t be one until next year. The assistant bishop has also moved to Bendigo to become the Bishop of Bendigo. Soon-to-retire assistant bishop Trevor Edwards is a very caring man who has been doing a magnificent job as acting bishop in the face of a heavier workload. However, he is not Superman and must delegate as much as possible to the most qualified people which, in the case of the retirement village, is the planning consultant.

I agree that the choice of twostorey townhouses is not wise. As the retirees age many will no longer be able to handle stairs and will be forced to move into assisted living accommodation earlier than if they were living in a single storey townhouse.

Rewa Bate, Coombs

Where’s the vision thing?

THERE must be many long-term residents of Canberra who agree with Vi Evans (Letters, CN, August 30) and her call to be rid of the Barr government after their disastrous sell out to the developers. What, if any, is the government’s so-called vision for Canberra? The inner city is a mess with a cacophony of high-rise, cheap, cement block flats that would be happy in any eastern-block country. The lack of character, architectural eye-pleasing design, not to mention overcrowding, is clearly evident in Barr’s lacklustre and ruinous “development” of the bush capital. Time for a change in government for the ACT.

Gabriele Tonkin, via email

Local coffee that roasts the opposition

By Kathryn VUKOVLJAK

BEAN!ROASTERS has won so many awards in the past few years that the Fyshwick company can claim to be Australia’s most awarded coffee roaster for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Jamie says the name Bean!Roasters is a good fit, “it’s what we do.”

Sales manager Daniel Moscaritolo says Bean!Roasters wants to build on the reputation created by Jess’ family, who started CosmoreX in 1985.

“The market is so educated about coffee now that it’s about us setting our own trend but keeping up with what the young, key markets are do ing,” he says.

It is the roasting department of CosmoreX and Jess and Jamie Grant have taken over the family coffee business, producing a “new generation of coffee” with the awards to prove their success.

Jess’ grandfather Cosimo Sciannimanica started selling coffee in Australia in the 1960s, forming CosmoreX in 1985 with her parents Attilio and Anne Sciannimanica. The company supplies machines and other equipment to coffee shops.

“The funny thing is, mum and dad took over the business at the age we are now, and we have young kids just as they did then,” says Jess.

“I grew up in the family business, with dad roasting beans four days a week in his white overalls. You could never talk to him as he’d be down at the roaster, very focused. It was all manual then and he had to be with it all the time. Mum would be front of house.”

Daniel says the first major awards won by Bean!Roasters were in 2015/16 at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE).

“We changed the way we were doing things in terms of the green beans we were selecting, how we were roasting and how we were judging those cof fees. We implemented a full procure ment team of roasters.

“Eighteen months later we took out champion roaster at MICE in 2015/16 and then again in 2016/17. We were runner-up in 2018.”

In the past three years Bean!Roasters has also won gold and silver medals at the Sydney Royal Show, champion roaster at Royal Ho bart Fine Food, as well as awards at the Australian International Coffee Awards and the Golden Bean Awards among others.

“The roasting is programmed and automated for consistency through the Brambati machine Attilio brought in, which takes out human

Jamie and Jess Grant, left, with Daniel Moscaritolo... “I grew up in the family business, with dad roasting beans four days a week in his white overalls,” says Jess.

Photo by Kathryn Vukovljak

“It’s up to your roasting team to pull out that flavour to show what it can produce, so the awards demonstrate that our technology and our roasting

Bean!Roasters coffee is available online at beanroasters.com.au or instore at CosmoreX, 47 Kembla Street, Fyshwick.

Educating for life

PROF Margot Hillel, chair of the Australian Catholic University’s Academic Board will give the annual Australian National Museum of Education lecture. The title of her presentation is “Educating for Life: Readers and Role Models”. She will speak at the INSPIRE Centre (Building 25), University of Canberra, 5.30pm, Tuesday, September 18. Entry is $20 (payable in cash at the door) and refreshments will be served.

St John’s remembers

THE primate of Papua New Guinea, Archbishop Allan Migi will deliver the Dunrossil Lecture at the Friends of St John’s service at St John’s Anglican Church, Constitution Avenue, Reid, from 11.15am on Sunday, September 16. St Johns has a special relationship with PNG with one of its parishioners, Sr May Hayman, being martyred by the Japanese invaders 76 years ago this month. The Friends of St John’s invite anyone interested to attend the service – followed by a light luncheon.

Art with flowers

ARTWORK by local and district artists will be for sale at Ainslie’s All Saints Anglican Church’s annual Art Exhibition and Floral Display over the weekend of September 21-23. There will be floral demonstrations on Saturday, 10.30am and 2pm and historic church talks at 11.30am on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.

NSW Est. 1838

Sept 28 until Oct 14 qbn@qbncityofchampions.com.au 180Mementos.wixsite.com/qtown

Better than all the rest...

AUSTRALIA’S greatest sportsperson? While the first thought might be Bradman or Thorpie, it’s a “Queanbeyan girl” who can lay as much claim to that title.

Seventy-seven-year-old Heather McKay AO, MBE, has just been declared the #2 GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of female squash players in a fans’ poll conducted by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour.

The positioning is controversial given she’s the most successful player in the history of the game: 14 Austral ian amateur titles, 16 British Opens, the first Women’s World Champion, and 19 years undefeated in competitive squash.

Heather, who continues to live locally, was surprised to learn of the vote – and also the result, her competitive nature clearly undiminished.

“I’m very keen to hear who the #1 might be. It is disappointing, but such a poll is of course a totally different thing to official, traditional rankings,” she said.

“The #1 male player will inevitably be Jahangir Khan, with six World Opens and 10 British Open titles, and he was extraordinary.”

As it is, Heather’s sporting dominance wasn’t confined to the squash court.

Twice chosen for the Australian hockey team, squash commitments meant she was unavailable for selection. In addition, Heather would go on to become the world number one in both racquetball and Masters tennis.

Growing up a Blundell – a name most Canberrans recognise from a tiny stone cottage on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin – hers was a sporting life encouraged by good-natured family competi-

tion in almost anything where a ball was involved.

“It was a great place to grow up and sport was a huge part of our family’s life. Even my Aunt Lily, who if she were still alive would now be well over 100, played cricket and hockey against England!”

The young athlete shone early, excelling at tennis and hockey before going on to win her first squash titles with little formal coaching or instruction. Less than a year later she took out the NSW Country Junior and Women’s Championship.

By 1962 Heather had won her second Australian title and the “Wimbledon” of squash, the British Championships, were beckoning. Unsurprisingly, money was in short supply. A justifiably proud Queanbeyan rallied, raising funds with the NSW and Australian Women’s Squash Association to help the rising star on her way.

Going pro in the mid-1970s, with husband Brian, also an accomplished squash player, they moved to Canada to work at the Toronto Squash Club.

After achieving stats it’s suggested will never be beaten, at 38, Heather decided the game was up – although not her sporting contribution, turning to racquetball, a somewhat less-strenuous game with a shorter racquet and a larger, bouncier ball.

Almost immediately she became the American Ama-

teur Racquetball Champion going on to win the American Professionals three times and the Canadian Championship an extraordinary five times. In 1997 she was inducted into the US Racquetball Hall of Fame, an honour she describes as a “fantastic surprise”.

Eighties World Racquetball Champion Lynn Adams was most appreciative of her onetime opponent’s extraordinary skills: “Remembering that Heather was nearly 40 when she took up racquetball, she was probably the greatest woman player ever.”

The list of awards is long, among them: the 1967 ABC Sports Award, the Australian Sports Medal and she was among the first of a very select few to achieve “the most prestigious sporting honour that can be bestowed on an Australian”, elevated to a Legend of Australian Sport in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

The most personally significant award for the sports star was her induction into the renowned International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in New York in 2003.

“To be recognised throughout the world as one of the top women sports people internationally was indeed a pleasure,” she says modestly.

Heather suggests the reasons for her impressive results and longevity was a combination of “being very fit with good hand-eye co-ordination and very good genes,” but acknowl-

edges attaining such a level of achievement across so many sports is highly unusual.

“Squash, racquetball and tennis all involve a racquet but they are three very different sports and require an entirely different set of skills, so to pick up something new and come back to another after 30 years is quite something I suppose. I have always liked to challenge myself though,” she said.

A champion performer in four sporting arenas makes her entirely deserving of the praise offered by Peter Meares in his 2003 book on national sporting stars: “In spite of her staggering achievements, she is gracious and humble. She remains one of our most inspirational legends of Australian sport.”

In my, albeit biased, view, Heather McKay will always be the GOAT.

Items from Heather McKay’s career can be seen at the Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery, in The Q-One Indoor Sports Centre, Yass Road. Some of them also feature in Queanbeyan’s upcoming “180 Mementos | 180 Years” exhibition, September 28-October 14.

New leaders join ‘CityNews’ team

“CITYNEWS” owner and editor Ian Meikle is proud to announce the addition of new major shareholders to the Canberra-based media and publishing business.

“Significantly, in our 25th year, it is terrific news for the future of the paper and its emerging news website to be confirming the presence of two ambitious new board members keen to be engaged and add value across the business,” he said.

“I have been looking over recent months for partners who could add strategic value to carving out a continuing future for our print and digital publishing ambitions and these are those people; young, professional, focused and returning to Canberra with complementary business skills honed in demanding leadership roles in Sydney.”

Joining the board are James Anderson and his wife Kate Meikle, daughter of Ian Meikle and over recent years a writer and business contributor to “CityNews”.

Mr Anderson, who has been appointed the company’s managing director, has been working for the Westpac banking group for the past decade in sales and senior leadership roles. He holds a BA from the ANU and a masters in business and accounting from UTS. He began his career in sales and was recognised by the Australian Teleservices Association as the 2008 national teleprofessional of the year for extraordinary sales performance and leadership.

Ms Meikle, who will focus on digital,

custom publishing and marketing, holds a BA Arts (media) from UNSW and graduate diploma in communication management from UTS. She was director of communi cations at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation for nine years.

“We wanted to bring our corporate skills and passion for business back to expand the family business,” Ms Meikle said.

“We believe that quality, local journal ism plays a huge role in our community, which makes it important to invest in a trusted brand with integrity and purpose. And we believe that Canberrans feel the same.”

Mr Anderson recognises the contribu tion “CityNews” has made to the city and the community over its 25 years.

“Each week we provide an independent, diverse voice on matters that are important to Canberrans. We are especially proud of the paper’s integrity and professionalism,” he said.

“While digital is here to stay, we are seeing an advertising swing back to print media nationally.

“This company offers both those adver tising opportunities and at the core of our purpose will be working with clients to maximise their success with our growing audiences.

“Diversifying and building confidence in our brand will be a focus of our leader ship.”

james@citynews.com.au, kate@citynews.com.au

GRUMPY / Bonython’s not happy

Down with noisy drones!

I’VE just read the small article in the Mike Welsh column (“Seven Days”) re Minister Mick Gentleman and the drone trial in Bonython. It seems from this and other print articles, and on the web, that all Bonython residents are right behind the trial and everything is fine and dandy.

I assure you it is not – at a recent community meeting, the people present were all totally against it, with one lady breaking down in tears. A group has been formed by very unhappy residents who resent drones being flown over their houses and heads. Why?

These are large, noisy drones. You can hear them coming virtually from when they take off, zooming across the houses on the northern side of Bonython, over Stranger Pond and on to their deliveries. They sound like flying lawnmowers.

They are totally intrusive. Do people have to put up with drones flying over their houses? There is no real necessity for the drone deliveries, we do not live in the outback, we live minutes away from the shops.

They also carry cameras, recording their flights – at a Community Council meeting it was stated by the drone people that images were being sent back to California and stored. They are potentially dangerous – if they have a collision, perhaps with a large bird or another drone, they could seriously injure whoever is underneath.

FAST NEWS FIRST

Reader and local resident NEV SHEATHER says Bonython residents are getting restive about the noisy and intrusive drone trials delivering fast food and pharmaceuticals over their homes.

There has been no real consultation – the company apparently feels that putting leaflets in letterboxes is consultation.

There is no dedicated place to provide feedback on the trial, just the standard “contact us” options for Wing and for CASA.

Speaking of CASA, apparently the normal rules have been set aside for the trial, such as not flying drones over people. Will this carry on after the trial?

The government is not taking responsibility for feedback or anything else apparently – Mick Gentleman on his webpage has not provided another avenue for government feedback in a reply to a question I put to him on his Facebook page, it seems everyone involved is not interested in any negative feedback.

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

Buddies go back to ‘80s

TO mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bosom Buddies is staging its major fundraising event for the year, a “Pretty in Pink 1980s Prom Night” at St Clare’s College, Griffith, on Saturday, October 20. Event information and bookings via ticketebo.com.au/bosombuddies.

Inspiring Amanda

INSPIRING lawyer Amanda Heal, who will be accompanied by her guide dog, is the guest speaker at the next lunchtime meeting in Nicholls of the ladies of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club on Wednesday, September 26. Lunch costs $35 and bookings before September 23 to 6262 2556.

A Family affair

OLGA Srbovski, of The Smith Family, will address the ladies of the Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club at their monthly dinner meeting at the Town Centre Vikings club, Greenway, on September 26. Visitors and interested ladies welcome. Dinner costs $27 and bookings and enquiries to 6291 7716 or email tuggeven@ gmail.com

School walk saved

THE endangered ride and walk to school program has been saved after Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris committed more funds to its future. The minister’s action follows a call for help from Physical Activity Foundation CEO Lucille Bailie, who was asking the ACT government to urgently prioritise the ride and walk to school program, which is an effective preventative health measure.

Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only local weekend news and current affairs program.

It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.

Be part of the conversation and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon.

‘We know we put out

NOT only does Elite Meats in Kippax Fair have the “bestdressed butchers in Canberra” but it also has the best short cut bacon, says owner Wes Dempsey.

Using a secret recipe, Elite Meats’ short cut bacon recently went up against more than 100 products in Australian Pork’s annual Bacon Awards, where it came third nationally.

A “very proud” Wes says this prestigious award is a huge win for Elite Meats.

“Canberra is a big foodie town filled with people who have educated palates,” he says.

“There’s huge competition here and the fact that a small, local butcher shop can take on the big guys is massive.

“We know we put out good-quality products but it’s great to have the recognition.”

Wes, who started as a butcher “back home” in Dublin 20 years ago, didn’t come across the secret recipe until moving to Canberra and meeting his former business partner, James.

James and Wes had worked for many butchers and saw that a lot of them were doing the wrong thing, which is why they teamed up and bought Elite Meats in Kippax Fair more than five years ago.

“We were doing most of the work anyway, so we said we should do it for ourselves,” he says.

So they bought a “run-down” shop in

the dirty T-shirt brigade,” he says.

Wes has since bought James out and gained ownership of the very old and very secret recipe, which he has modified himself, through trial and error.

At the moment Elite Meats has seven different variations of bacon, which are all smoked, except for its Irish bacon.

Wes describes the winning bacon as having rich and deep flavours that stay in the mouth for longer. But, he says, he won’t be happy until his bacon comes first and will continue to make different variations until it is.

“All the pork we make our bacon from is 100 per cent Australian,” Wes says. And, as a big supporter of “paddock-to-

products but it’s great to have the recognition.’

Wes’ secrets of bacon success are not

sharing

go above and beyond.”

Wes says popular sellers at the moment (because of the cold weather) are beef cheeks, bacon, osso bucco and gravy beef.

“But there’s also been a big push for lamb to help the local farmers,” he says. The best way to help them is to buy Australian produce.”

And with butcher shops closing down all over Canberra, Wes says it’s also a great way to support a local butcher.

“Either use them or lose them,” he says.

Wes personally enjoys a cattleman’s cutlet, which is an extra-thick scotch fillet, on the bone, aged for 21 days.

Because it’s thick, Wes likes to cut a pocket in the middle and fill it with items such as garlic prawns, then he browns it and puts it in the oven.

Elite Meats also supplies gluten-free meats, raffle trays and dog logs and bones, which are preservative free.

But one of Elite Meats’ biggest attractions is its joke board, which is the reason he’s been called on to “The Project” TV show and was why the then prime minister Tony Abbott once visited the store.

“It used to be our specials board and no one would ever be bothered to look at it,” he says.

Then the ex-stand-up comedian in Wes put a joke on it, that mostly is a hit.

“It costs nothing to do a little bit more for people,” he says.

elitemeats.com.au

STARS OF STORAGE

Socks to sheds, everyone needs some storage

EVERYONE needs storage, whether it’s a drawer for socks or something larger such as a shed for decluttering or downsizing.

But whatever it is, Canberra’s home to many services offering options for onsite, in-the-home or backyard storage, as well as offsite storage.

This week “CityNews” sources some of the stars of Canberra’s best storage services and solutions.

ESTABLISHED in 1997, Leader Removals & Storage offers relocation services in Canberra and interstate, and containerised storage.

Located in Mitchell, Leader Removals & Storage gets to know its customers and what limitations, timelines and challenges they are facing so they can streamline the service to suit them, says business and

“We run a hands-on style of business where we take the time to get to know a customer’s needs, relocation parameters and what additional

“We provide options to assist whether it’s packing their boxes, organising cleaning, gardening, maintenance services to get their properties ready for handover or even helping get them properly set up

Fran says Leader Removals & Storage’s container-ready transport service allows customers the hassle of relocated items going into storage

“Goods are loaded into the container ready for transport to wherever

“Furniture is wrapped and protected and stored in a delivery ready state. “This saves the risk and extra cost that comes with unloading to a self-storage unit and reloading again to a truck for delivery.

“However, this option is only suitable if the customer does not require

Leader Removals & Storage, 50 Morisett Road, Mitchell. Call 6262 2466, email move@leaderremovals.com.au or visit leaderremovals.com.au

Garden sheds from go to whoa

“EVERYONE needs garden sheds and there’s not many Canberra businesses that actually put up little sheds,” says Courtney Durran, who started ACT Outdoor Structures with her dad, Colin, in 2011.

Colin had already been installing garden sheds for more than five years before the opportunity arose for him to start a family-run business with his daughter.

Together, Courtney says, they install sheds and sometimes even cubby houses across the region in materials such as colorbond, steel and timber.

“Everybody needs storage,” she says.

“You might have kids moving back home, a growing family or you might be downsizing.

“Everything you can think of – people do need storage.”

Courtney says they can even put sheds in car parks for people in apartments.

“We get a lot of calls from people who want a more secure, lockable storage space,” she says.

And no matter what the shed, whether it’s quite small, a corner shed or a larger two-storey shed, Courtney says they install it all from the concrete up.

“We’re a one-stop, local family business,” she says.

“We try to have a quick turn around from the time it’s ordered to the time it’s installed in the backyard.”

ACT Outdoor Structures. Call 6288 1498, 0452 474337, email 0ffice@canberra or

ACT’s industrial markets,” he says.

But, Andrew says Visy Boxes & More is more than just products.

“We listen and we learn. Because listening and

global footprint of the Visy network,” he says. Visy Boxes & More, 86 Yass Road, Queanbeyan. Call 6297 7211 or visit visyboxesandmore.com.au

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STARS OF STORAGE

Storage with peace of mind

COMING up to the bushfire season, Paul Marshall, the manager of Fyshwick Self Storage, says he gets a lot of customers storing sentimental items.

“It gives them some peace of mind, especially if they go away over the Christmas break and if they live in a high-risk area,” he says.

“But the bulk of the customers here use the spaces before moving or for downsizing.”

Fyshwick Self Storage has been offering the community secure storage spaces for about 11 years, says Paul, who lives on site and because it’s open 24-hours a day, he’s able to provide customers with after-hours support and an after-hours presence.

As for the storage spaces, Paul says there is a size for everyone, with anything from lockers to large storage spaces.

“We offer anything from small lockers, which are usually used by students who store small items like suitcases and small storage items,” he says.

“The size range goes right up to a 70-square-metre space, which is the equivalent of a four-car garage.

“People can utilise it for a minimum of a month or keep it going for as long as they need to.”

“Our centre here gives them the option to move their work equipment away from their home.

“It’s a good transition before establishing their own base somewhere else.”

Fyshwick Self Storage, 64-68 Collie Street, Fyshwick. Call 6162 0040 or visit fyshwickselfstorage.com.au

for the garage because you’re not opening a door that hits

Ex-Government Furniture also has similar styles in melamine, and James says there’s a variety of multi-storage

“We have some melamine and timber-veneer, indoor cupboards as well as buffets and hutches,” he says. week.”

And with weekly shipments of furniture, from the vintage to the modern, James says there’s always something interesting coming through the doors.

Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com

awarded Australasian Self Storage Facility of the Year at the Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) Industry Awards.

• Architecturally designed and awarded facility

• Over 900 separate storage spaces

• All storage spaces individually alarmed and monitored

• 24 Hour CCTV throughout facility

• Extremely competitive long term storage rates

• Fire detection and prevention systems that meet the most stringent requirements

• Resident Manager to enhance security and to provide an on-site presence after hours

• A Box Shop that sells a wide range of packing boxes and supplies

• Opened in August 2007

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THE EXPERTS OF MAWSON

Professionals who value good customer care

WITH a strong Antarctic focus, Mawson is not only named after the Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson, but its street names also illustrate an Antarctic exploration theme. Heard Street is one example and was inspired by “Heard Island”, a staging point for Australian Antarctic exploration and the site of a research station between 1948-55.

Part of Woden Valley, Mawson sits next to the suburbs of Phillip, O’Malley, Isaacs, Farrer, Torrens and Pearce. At its heart is a busy shopping precinct that offers a range of retail shops and cafes, from dental care to physiotherapy and more.

made-with-love food at the grand opening of its refurbished kitchen on September 15.

Cementing its home in Mawson in the early ‘70s, its head chef Sean Bell says the new kitchen will allow the club to deliver Austrian culture to the community for many more years to come.

After the opening by the Austrian ambassador, Bernhard Zimburg, Sean says the night will be filled with music, speeches and wonderful food.

“The food on the opening night will be a chef’s tasting night,” he says.

“We’re going for as much of a traditional style as possible.

“So we have things like pretzels, we have kasnocken – an Austrian noodle with cheese and caramelised onion – and steaks with mushroom, bacon and cream jager sauce.”

The food will be tasters of everything that will be on the club’s new menu as well as examples of the specials.

“We’ll start with hors d’oeuvres, then entrees, then mains and then finally desserts,” Sean says.

“It’s great food suited for the climate, designed to keep people warm and alive.”

And for people who love a crispy pork knuckle, Sean says it’s going to be their specialty on the new menu.

“We’re going to have pork knuckles in every night,

Hands-on help with hand problems

CANBERRA’s original hand specialists, Hands-On Physiotherapy, opened its doors 18 years ago and has since provided the community with high-quality hand, musculoskeletal and sports injury management services, says practice manager Liz Kell.

“The team at Hands-On have a wealth of experience in managing acute and chronic occupational, musculoskeletal and sporting injuries,” Liz says.

But, she says, they specialise in upperlimb treatment and management and can help with wrist and finger fractures, elbow fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint replacements, nerve injuries, postsurgical repair of bone, joint or soft tissue, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritic conditions.

“We fabricate static and dynamic splints for our clients

to help manage their conditions or as required by their treating surgeon,” she says.

“[And] we have experience with Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) in the management of phantom pain, chronic pain, CRPS and post trauma.”

Liz says all these services are delivered in a friendly environment, with staff who provide personalised attention to all needs.

“We listen, we care and we promise to stay with our clients on their whole journey,” she says.

“Our appointments are one on one for the entire treatment period.”

Hands-On Physiotherapy, 1/43 Mawson Place, Mawson. Call 6286 6467, email admin@hands-onphysiotherapy.com.au or visit hands-onphysiotherapy.com.au

THE EXPERTS OF MAWSON

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• Flu Vaccination

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• Home Medication Review

• In-Pharmacy Medicines

• Consultation with Diabetes Educator

• Hire & Sale of Home

• Health Care Equipment

• Home Delivery

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Pharmacy staff dedicated to staying ahead

IT’s important that compression stockings are fitted correctly, which is why Capital Chemist Southlands measures and fits all of its medical-grade compression stocking and arm sleeves to suit the customer, says managing partner Stacey Fuller.

“Everyone requires a different size depending on the shape of their leg or arm,” she says.

“On referral we measure multiple places on the leg or the arm for the right fit.

“We have multiple staff that have undergone additional training in this area so they can get the right garments for the right person.”

Stacey says the sleeves might be needed for people with DVT, swelling, pregnancy, and vascular issues, and can help prevent further issues such as more swelling and blood clots.

But no matter what service people need, Stacey

says the staff do their best to get the ultimate goal for every single patient.

“We try to help our patients as much as we can by staying ahead in every single way,” she says.

“As a store we make ourselves available and give patients the best care in conjunction with their doctors.

“Our dedicated pharmacists take the time to focus on individual customer needs in order to ensure quality use of medicines and provide whole-of-health solutions.

“We’re friendly and we like being at work and seeing new and regular customers.”

Capital Chemist Southlands, Shops 5-7, Mawson Place, Southlands Shopping Centre, Mawson. Call 6286 3644 or visit capitalchemist.com.au

Dentist offers comfort and care

FOR more than 25 years, Gleam Dentistry has been offering its dental services to the Mawson area.

Headed by principal dentist Dr Haifa Amin, who has more than 25 years in the dental industry, Gleam Dentistry is a small, family-oriented practice that prides itself on its personal, caring service.

Dr Amin’s daughter, Dr Dunia Khider, has since joined the team as an associate dentist after graduating from the University of Adelaide with honours.

Dr Khider says she’s dedicated to providing researchbacked treatment in a friendly and supportive manner.

“We treat everybody the way we would like to be treated if we were patients,” says practice manager Candice Jilek.

“We try to make patients as happy and comfortable as we can.”

Gleam offers a wide range of services in preventative cosmetic and general dentistry, including general cleans and examinations, restorations, extractions, crowns and bridges, root-canal treatment, veneers, tooth whitening, dentures and dental implants.

“We offer quite personal care and know our patients well,” Candice says.

“It’s just that extra bit of personal care.”

Free two-hour parking is also available on site.

Gleam Dentistry, Suite 4/43 Heard Street, Mawson. Visit gleamdentistry.com.au or call 6290 2299.

Karla’s

WITH a love for nature and creating artworks out of different flowers, the owner of Miss Muffet’s Flower Boutique, Kayla Patterson, is passionate about sharing these designs with the world.

Since she was little she always loved planting flowers with her dad, so when she started her floristry apprenticeship she was in absolute awe with what she could put together.

“I was so excited that I could create something so beautiful with a part of nature,” she says. Named after her daughter’s nickname, “Miss Muffet”, she opened Miss Muffet’s Flower Boutique almost three years ago.

Kayla provides arrangements for events such as weddings, funerals, award nights, birthdays and parties, and while she says her style is different from other florists, her main focus is her customers.

“Have you ever had a pretty ordinary day and you go to the shops and the person that serves you is incredibly nice and helpful, and because of that experience it has put a little boost in your day?” she says.

“That is what we aim for.”

Kayla says there’s a lot of options available, and while no flower in particular is “popular” she says her customers love bright and happy flowers.

“Our most common complaint is that they don’t know which one to pick as they are all so beautiful,” she says.

Miss Muffet’s Flower Boutique, Heard Street, Mawson. Call 6286 6195, email missmuffets@ outlook.com or visit @missmuffetsflowerboutique on Facebook.

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Kayla’s story...

I have always loved nature and everything about it since being a little girl. So, when I started my floristry apprenticeship I was in absolute awe and so excited that I could create something so beautiful with a part of nature, flowers. I would take them home just to watch them bloom and grow day after day into these amazing artworks originally created by earth. That feeling is one of the reasons why I wanted to start my business and share it with the world.

Monday-Thursday 8.30am-5.30pm • Friday- 8.30am-5pm Saturday 8.30am – 2.30pm • Sunday Closed 02 6286 6195

Heard Street, Mawson ACT

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lucy with strings attached

By Helen Musa

SINGER-songwriter and 2017

Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Lucy Sugerman is pink with excitement when she arrives for a “CityNews” photo-call at the Australian Academy of Science, but it’s not music that’s done it.

Sugerman, who turned 17 the day before, is thrilled to say that before meeting us, she mastered reverse parallel parking and passed her driving test, so she’s come to meet us in her own car.

Famous in Canberra as the youngest person ever to make it to the grand final of “The Voice Australia” and a familiar face at events such as Reconciliation Day, Australia Day and the National Folk Festival, she’s now a year 12 student at Saint Clare’s College and can meet us because they have every second Tuesday off to study.

It’s a busy year and studies must come first. Sugerman is always being told that maths and music go together, but although she loves the subject, especially trigonometry, she says music is her first love.

She was classically trained on the violin from a young age and says: “The only thing I really do apart from school is voice and guitar.”

But she’s a quick learner and increasing familiarity with the media allows her to chat about how it was watching “The Wiggles” that got her into music performance and how she once met her pop idol, Taylor Swift.

Now she’s facing one of her biggest challenges as she joins with Canberra Youth Orchestra’s director-conductor Leonard Weiss to learn the art of orchestration.

In late September she’ll perform with the orchestra pieces including David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”, which she performed on “The Voice”, and several of her own songs such as “Reach Daylight”, about refugees and “Believe”, an “angsty” break-up song. As well, she has orchestrated a new piece all by herself – it doesn’t have a title yet.

Weiss couldn’t be more pleased at this new direction for the orchestra, an idea inspired by a conversation with Stephanie Neeman, incoming director-manager of Music for Canberra, the orchestra’s hosting

ARTS IN THE CITY Ballet school showcase comes dancing into town

By Helen Musa

THE Australian Ballet School always takes its annual showcase by students to one other capital city. This year it’s Canberra’s turn and the program includes “Wolfgang Dance” and “Danza de la Vida”. At The Playhouse, 1.30pm and 7.30pm, September 22.

student Suzy arrives at a dance academy plagued by supernatural happenings. At Palace Cinemas.

Singer-songwriter Lucy Sugerman… “The only thing I really do apart from school is voice and guitar.”

to perform old classics,” Weiss says.

A movie-music tragic, Weiss has also programmed in song film scores by John Williams, including “Raiders March” from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and the main theme and “Imperial March” from “Star Wars”, unaltered from the original films.

Sugerman, too, has been drawn in and Weiss reports that she has a good ear for the colour, sound and lush romanticism of film music.

“Lucy is a rising star in Canberra and this is a perfect way to use an artist who can speak to a young audience, he says,” adding that as a trained musician she has many ideas to bring to the orchestrating table.

Peter Hislop

by email on a 2019 release with Universal Music.

Juggling school and music is never easy but her parents have been incredibly supportive. “Mum and dad come to every gig,” she says.

Now she’s facing her biggest challenge, performing in Llewellyn Hall, a very different experience from TV work and the first time, she tells “CityNews”, that she’s ever performed with a “real” orchestra.

Lucy Sugerman and Canberra Youth Orchestra, Llewellyn Hall, 7.30pm, Saturday, September 29. Bookings to premier.ticketek.com.au

WESTON Creek Community Centre turns 40 this year. President Maurice Sexton turned the first sod back in the late ‘70s and he’s still president today. He, centre manager Yung Tran and members of the community are organising a public birthday bash with entertainment and a barbecue at Cooleman Court, 10am-2pm, on Saturday, September 15. In the week preceding the festivities there will be free “come and try” classes in yoga, fitness, squash. All details at westoncccentre.org.au

“JURASSICA”, by Dan Giovannoni, is a play about family, migration, language, growing old and dinosaurs of the human variety, spoken in English and Italian. The play provides a contemporary perspective on the importance of family and what it is to be displaced. At The Q, Queanbeyan, September 19-22. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

THE October 7 finale to the Italian Film Festival will be a digital remastering of Dario Argento’s cult film “Suspiria”, the most famous Italian horror film of all time, in which ballet

JUST before Cate Clelland’s production of Paul Kauffman’s play “Shakespeare and His Mistress” opens at the ANU, Wesley Music Centre’s Wednesday Lunchtime Concert on September 19 will be “Shakespeare in Music”. Tenor Michael Smith, accompanied by Andrew Blanch on guitar and Lucas Allerton on piano, will perform songs with words from “Twelfth Night”, “As You Like It” and “The Tempest”, set to music by Quilter, Finzi, Byrd, Johnson and Wilson. At 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 12.40pm-1.20pm. No bookings required.

GOOD news for Claire Primrose, of FORM Studio and Gallery in Queanbeyan, that her paintings are being exhibited by Stanley Street Gallery on the final two days of the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair running at Carriageworks, Redfern, September 13-16.

SOPRANO Louise Page and conductor Leonard Weiss join Musica da Camera as the string orchestra joins the woodwinds to perform Mozart’s G minor symphony, and Page sings a string of opera arias by Gluck, Mozart, Handel and Purcell. At the Holy Covenant Anglican Church, Cook, 2.30pm, September 22. Bookings to musicadacamera.org.au or at the door.

THEATRE CINEMA

Wil, his mistress and lots to argue

By Helen Musa

INFORMATION about the real life of William Shakespeare is very sketchy but a new play written in Canberra has a go at filling in the details.

“Shakespeare and his Mistress“ by Paul Kauff man, puts forward the idea that the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets, far from being a literary construct, was a real woman, Emilia Bassano Lanier, London sophisticate, the first named female poet in the English language, proto-feminist and, until recent times, seriously overlooked.

Small matter that arguments about this theory still rage in academia.

“I don’t really care if it’s true,” says director Cate Clelland, engaged by Kauffman in November to bring his ideas to life.

The play, which involves four characters only –“really only one-third of a play,” Clelland says – is built around the idea that “Wil”, The Bard of Avon, had a muse or a significant “other” in his creative process just as he was about to go really big in the London theatre scene.

Constructed in straight narrative form, the play begins as Shakespeare, aged 28, is about to embark on “Romeo and Juliet”.

It’s billed as a play with music but it’s definitely not a musical, she says. Rather it is interspersed with original compositions by former “CityNews” Artist of the Year, David Pereira. When we catch up with Clelland and Kauffman, Pereira has already put pen to 25 pages of music, some of it in the traditional idiom, some new songs and one where Clelland didn’t like the earlier music.

As the title “Shakespeare and his Mistress” suggests, there is some sexual frisson in the play,

which dramatises a passionate series of encounters between Shakespeare and the 23-year-old lady with the Mediterranean good looks who had from age 18 been the mistress of Baron Henry Carey, first cousin of Elizabeth I.

Musical theatre notable David Pearson, who plays Wil, would prefer the play be called “Wil and Emilia” and Clelland likes “Emilia and Wil”, but Kauffman believes the word “mistress” will appeal to the public.

Canberra producer Kirsty Budding plays Emilia, the cosmopolitan who knew more about the court and Europe than Shakespeare and whose proficiency in languages might have helped make up the shortfall described by Ben Jonson when he claimed Shakespeare had “small Latin and less Greek”. Clelland doesn’t care much about this, but Kauff-

man does and has written several academic papers trying to explain how a boy from a backwater called Stratford-upon-Avon could have encompassed the historical, political and intellectual worlds of his age – he’ll deliver a prologue explaining the context.

The supporting actors are Brendan Kelly, playing the young Harry, Earl of Southampton, in whose house the play begins and Sarah Hull, who plays Emilia’s chaperone, Lady Margaret Clifford. The plot develops with encounters between the four protagonists and a rip-roaring row between Wil and Emilia when she finds out that he is married. Mind you, at that time she was also married, so Clelland has been talking to the cast about double standards.

By coincidence, a play called simply “Emilia”, commissioned by The Globe from playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, opened at The Globe Theatre in London last month and is still running there. That’s a very different take, a white-hot tribute to England’s neglected female poet, who, in the play, accuses the audience and the world of stripping her of her voice.

But “Shakespeare and his Mistress”, by contrast, is bursting with romance and suggestions of English history are helped by costumes loaned by the production’s dance instructors John and Aylwen GardinerGarden of “Earthly Delights,” who own a considerable collection of Renaissance costumes.

Clelland will stage the production in the ANU School of Music’s Big Band Room. She believes that the substance of the play could be considerably developed, but hopes this 80-minute iteration will leave audiences wondering what happens next.

They won’t have to wait long. Kauffman says he has six more plays on the go already.

“Shakespeare and his Mistress”, Big Band Room, ANU School of Music, 8pm, Fridays and Saturdays, September 21 to 29, bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6247 4222.

Portrait of a man few would care to meet

By Dougal Macdonald

“McQueen” (M)

THIS documentary mixes interviews and archive footage to tell about the life and achievements of an enfant terrible who bestrode the fashion world like an angry, self-focused colossus before ending it all on the eve of his mother’s funeral in February, 2010, from a combination of a self-administered cocaine overdose and a rope around his neck. If that strikes you as macabre, wait till you see his creations on screen.

Directors Ian Bonhõte and Peter Ettedgui (who also wrote the script) have paid scant attention to wearables in what their film shows of Alexander McQueen’s oeuvre.

The film makes only passing reference to the British designer’s output for the two fashion houses where he worked – Givenchy and Gucci – before establishing his own label. Its main focus is the spectacular showings of collections, theatrical experiences rather than a foray into the marketplace. Many of the garments look as though their proper place would be in museum displays of theatrical costumes. Certainly, most of them look uncomfortable and even impractical.

Is “McQueen” a film made to please the general audience? Perhaps not. Death, human skulls, blood and cruelty occur frequently. Live footage passages showing interviews with friends and family speak about a man whose life came to us only through exposure in upper-class media.

His powerfully novel visual creative initiatives were often tortured. The film does us a service by showing to all what on their day would have been available only to (very) well-heeled folk to whom invitations were sent and whose purses, or their partners’ wallets, were fat enough to pay the fare. Having heard of him, we move on to other matters more relevant in our lives.

The film delivers a portrait of a man whom few would care to meet and with whom we would share little.

At Palace Electric

PRIZE FIGHTER

Tempranillo and what the heck?

THE wine tour started where walkers from zee French side finish the Camino: in Santiago de Compostela.

The capital of Galicia in north-western Spain houses the cathedral, which is the spiritual gathering place of the pilgrims who have walked the Way of St James. The cathedral is the shrine of the apostle St James and dominates this city for both pilgrims and tourists.

The afternoon we arrived was cold and grey. The hotel room smelt of lavender detergent and vomit. We asked for another room but there was none at the inn. So, we went to a wine bar. The spiritual and soul-uplifting experiences promised by this city could wait until we got uplift in another way.

We discussed our quest in the lobby of the hotel and an American woman suggested A Taberna do Bispo as one of the best tapas places she had ever been to: whilst rueing her impertinence, we took up her suggestion, finding the place via Google Maps.

It was crowded and we sat at the bar near the beer dispensers. And we ordered two glasses of whatever the waiter thought fit. My instructions were: red please, not too expensive and typically Spanish. He poured two glasses of Rioja.

And here the need to judge left me like a foreign bride who now has her permanent residence. I didn’t ask to see the label or from which Rioja region it came. I didn’t ask the price (which was in the end entirely reasonable). I just sipped, nodded, gave the waiter a thumbs up and got stuck into a feast chosen from the dishes on display that included jamon Iberico (basically crusty bread and excellent ham), stuffed mushrooms, seafood salad and fried calamari.

man with curly hair and an amazing appetite. He and his wife were doing a tour of Spain on a motorbike and he was engaging and slightly soused.

“Yuh know, I really like saying some Spanish words, like the grape for the Rioja; you know, you make a long sound: temp a rrrrr nillo.”

This was considered hilarious by me and him, with his wife and my daughter looking perplexed. We took turns in elongating the word and at changing the drawn out rrrrs into a soft growl.

On holiday that terribly engrained idea that you must judge and value everything is more easily let go. In Canberra, no sooner do I taste a wine these days than I find myself pontificating to see whether or not it is “good” and whether and why I like it.

On holiday sitting at the bar at the Taberna do Bispo, I no longer felt that need. There is a proclivity that requires the beverage to be assessed and scored, evaluated and poked at; it’s the same with food. This often means you hardly have

or the food before you are presenting yourself and your friends with a verdict. If this constant judging is not proffered some look at you with the hint that you have failed or worse that you are dim witted or perhaps already inebriated. The suspension of judgement made the start of the holiday memorable.

When I returned to Canberra, I sought out a locally made tempranillo to perhaps evoke that wonderful evening and the light raspberry flavours and easy drinking that I recalled. The shop had a Mount Majura 2016 Tempranillo in stock. But it was $45 and I knew that I had leftovers for dinner waiting for me. How could I not judge that it was better leaving the wine on the shelf?

DINING / sandbar, batemans bay

David’s

By Wendy Johnson

daring adventure

WHEN David Tinker was a young thing in year 9, he began working in the “pizza department” at Starfish Deli in Batemans Bay.

He loved being in the kitchen but never dreamt he’d one day work for a 3 Michelin-star chef, Pierre Gagnaire, in central London. Or for French-Canadian celebrity chef Serge Dansereau at Bathers’ Pavilion in Sydney.

Now David has come full circle and is back at “The Bay” operating his own restaurant, Sandbar, which picked up an AGFG Hat in January 2018 for its phenomenal FrenchJapanese inspired cuisine.

On top of the renovated Quay Hotel (which has beautiful lawns adorned with pieces of art), Sandbar is a daring adventure. David and his Japanese wife, Tomoyo, who runs front of house, only offer a degustation for $115. Six courses are listed on the menu with a surprise seventh always thrown in at one point for good measure.

We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink in the lounge area overlooking the water before settling in for an amazing food experience. Quay Hotel is just across the road from the Marina.

Our first course was a Moonlight oyster, with cuttlefish, fennel and balls of honeydew sitting on refreshing cucumber sauce. It’s a true taste sensation and so artfully plated.

Next up was a delicate salmon confit with sea urchin from Montague Island. It came atop a crunchy brioche bottom and featured tangy finger lime and pink Australian “love apple”. It was covered in a parsnip foam, with pretty nasturtium delicately placed on top. Cutting through revealed a range of beautiful layers and textures.

The octopus course featured daikon, ginger wine-fermented strawberry, fresh peas, spring asparagus and lemon thyme. A stock, made from Kombu tea,

was poured over the dish from a Japanese-designed teapot at the table by Tomoyo. Could this dining experience get any better?

We all loved the barramundi with leek puree and adored the citrusy bright yellow Yuzu dotted around the plate.

The beef was wonderful and the blood-orange kosho, a Japanese condiment that will pretty much spice up anything, was intriguing.

Before dessert came a surprise parfait of tofu with rhubarb and crystallised black olive, featuring liquorice tones. What a wonderful combination of flavours.

The dessert looked so gorgeous on the plate, it was almost a crime to tamper with it. The white miso parfait with strawberry, Pernod, grains and yuzu confit a masterpiece.

The menu at Sandbar is designed around south-coast produce, with David using French techniques and Japanese inspiration.

The décor is contemporary and calm, with blond timber tables set with cloth napkins, beautiful glassware and stunning dinnerware.

We topped off the night with amazing sake (Sandbar has a great selection) and left dancing with delight.

ALL THE WEEK’S ARTS REVIEWS at

AS the days get longer and warmer, blossom trees are starting to burst in all their glory, none more so than the spectacular Magnolia stellata or Star Magnolia by our front door.

One of my favourite photos is the one here of a bud starting to shed its winter coat and break into full flower.

Our Michelia figo or Port Wine magnolia has thousands of small brown buds. While it wouldn’t be grown for its visual impact, when the buds open the gardener is rewarded with its subtle perfume.

As with daphne, take a few sprigs inside for a divine fragrance.

The plant can be kept to about 1.5 metres or, as in our garden now, three metres by three metres.

It’s important with all these trees and shrubs not

until a few weeks

the title “Let’s go gardening”. Since then I have written 1600 garden articles and, surprisingly, I am never short of a subject.

At that time I spoke about Fraxinus “Raywoodii” or Claret Ash and Fraxinus oxycarpa, the Desert Ash. Remember those distant days when gardens were large enough to accommodate large shade trees?

I also suggested at that time planting Osmanthus, still one of my favourites with Osmanthus “Heaven Sent”, growing in our garden. It can be kept at one metre tall by regular trimming for a low hedge or

suggests the pure white flowers have a lovely fragrance.

IN 1986 the daphne family was really small with Daphne odora the most common variety. Since then, mainly through Robin White and his specialist daphne nursery in England, there are now more than 200 varieties.

Whilst generally thought to have come from China, most come from the hot toe of Italy to the Piedmont north. We have a mere 20 varieties growing in our garden, purchased mainly from Merry Garth nursery in

Australia have promoted and supply retail nurseries with quite a number of these daphne, with Eternal Fragrance and Spring Pink being two I recommend.

Jottings...

• Roses will be in full bud with possibly some early flowers. Give them a boost with Neutrog Seamungus fertiliser, either as pellets or in liquid form.

• Fuchsias will show new signs of life after winter dormancy. Prune any dead branches and all new shoots to three to four shoots on each stem.

• Always insert stakes into the ground before planting dahlia tubers.

• Don’t even think about planting tomatoes yet.

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

This week’s restless stars boost your adventurous Aries side and your rambunctious nature. But, if you are too recklessly impulsive (especially on Tuesday and Wednesday) then you could find yourself involved in an argument, accident, financial fiasco or friendship drama. The Sun/Mercury connection (in sensible Virgo) encourages you to pace yourself and think things through before you proceed. So smart Rams will choose creative problem solving over feisty fireworks.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Are you stuck in a personal rut? This week’s stars shake up your comfort zone… which could make you feel very uncomfortable! Try to view any upset positively, as it forces you to view a current situation from a totally different perspective. Then you can step in and do something about it. Also, an ambitious project requires much more planning than you originally thought. That’s okay. Concentrate on enjoying the long and winding journey, rather than just focusing on the destination.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

You love to hear the sound of your own voice as you chat, converse and communicate. However, sometimes you can confuse talking about something with actually doing it! If you think things through and then act with passion and purpose, the next seven days will go well. But if you don’t walk your talk, then expect disruptions and chaos. Be inspired by singer-songwriter-musician (and birthday great) Bruce Springsteen: “Talk about a dream and then make it real.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

This week you can expect a fiery drama involving friends, groups or shared finances. If you are flexible and maintain your sense of humour, then it will soon settle down. On Thursday and Friday, Crabs will feel mighty curious as the Sun and Mercury link up in your travel, communication and neighbourhood zone. It’s a wonderful week to shake off the physical and mental cobwebs as you get passionate about an exciting new trip, an online project or a local community connection.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Electric excitement is in the air this week, as manic Mars does a fiery cosmic dance with unpredictable Uranus. So it’s time for proactive Cats to pounce! Just make sure you don’t get burned in the process (or get booked for driving too fast). Thursday and Friday are fabulous days to take a good long look at your financial situation. Can you do better? Perhaps you should educate yourself about money mattes or heed the advice of a fiscal professional? Remember – knowledge is power.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

This week the Sun and Mercury (your ruler) link up in your sign, which boosts concentration and sharpens your eye for hidden details. So it’s a terrific time to study, solve a puzzle, uncover a secret or find an item that’s been lost. Enjoy exploring options – and don’t worry if you make a mistake! Be inspired by birthday great, Virgo actress Sophia Loren: “It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.”

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Librans love things to run smoothly but there’s unpredictable planetary energy about this week. A relationship with a child, teenager, lover or friend is likely to veer off in a totally unexpected direction. Which could be wonderful or woeful, depending on the circumstances. Whatever happens, drop the perfectly planned schedule and just take things as they come. With Mercury and the Sun shifting into your sign on the weekend, it’s definitely time to be bold and beautiful!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Expect an emotional roller-coaster ride this week, as manic Mars and disruptive Uranus stir up problems in relationships and unpredictable moods at home. Or you may have to deal with a gob-smacking surprise that really rocks your Scorpio world! So avoid making any important long-term decisions until things have settled down. Thursday and Friday are fantastic days to network with colleagues, contribute your creative ideas to a class or shine within a group situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

The cosmic pace picks up on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Mars and Uranus turbo-charge your fast and fiery energy. Slow down and calm down Sagittarius! Especially when you’re dog walking, jogging, running, cycling and/or driving. Otherwise you could find yourself smack-bang in the middle of an argument or accident. Thursday and Friday are fabulous days to be creative and clever at work, as others sit up and take notice of what you’ve got to say.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Hey Capricorn… there’s no doubt you’ve faced a few serious problems since taskmaster Saturn shifted into your sign nine months ago. But these challenges will help you develop and mature in wise and wonderful ways. It will just take a degree of distance before you can see how far you have come! There will certainly be some surprising shenanigans this week. But the Sun and Mercury encourage you to keep things in perspective, as you adopt a practical and sensible long-term view.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

This week you’ll feel super impetuous, as your rash ruler Uranus squares impulsive Mars. Just remember there’s a fine line between being spontaneous and successful; and being hasty and foolhardy. So aim to be a calculated risk-taker, rather than a reckless rebel. (And take extra care when driving.) It is a good week to display your bohemian nature and express your eccentric views. But don’t expect everyone to appreciate your quirky, kooky and rather chaotic ways!

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Are you feeling overwhelmed by work pressures, personal problems or relationship politics? This week you’re keen to escape stressful scenarios and daydream the hours away, as you retreat into the private world of your active imagination. However, if you sit on the sidelines for too long, then you run the risk of being permanently sidelined! So, if something unexpected (and inconvenient) happens this week, perhaps it’s pushing you in a progressive and exciting new direction?

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2018

Across

3 What is the nickname for the Canterbury NRL team? (8)

7 Which term relates to more than one? (6)

8 What is a personification of the people of the USA? (5,3)

9 Which colour lies between red and yellow in the spectrum? (6)

10 That which is the most bare, desolate, and windswept is said to be the what? (8)

11 To convert into bone, is to do what? (6)

14 What is the common mineral, hydrated calcium sulfate, known as? (6)

17 Which form of education includes university, teachers college, etc? (8)

18 What is the next after the first in order, place, time, etc? (6)

19 Which term describes a native? (8)

20 To telephone someone, is to do what? (4,2)

21 When one persistently torments another, one does what? (8)

Down

1 What is the Australian National under-23 football team more commonly known as? (7)

2 What are the two main branches of the trachea? (7)

3 Name one of Gainsborough's most well-known portraits. (4,3)

4 What is another term for a cradlesong? (7)

5 What are particular edible marine bivalve molluscs? (7)

6 Which term describes a sign or indication of something? (7)

11 Name a large two-footed flightless bird, native to Africa. (7)

12 What is a harsh, grating, or creaking sound? (7)

13 What are arranged threads of hair falling over the brow? (7)

14 Which hot springs send up jets of water and steam into the air? (7)

15 Name the Italian composer whose works included La Boheme and Tosca, Giacomo ... (7)

16 Which metallic element is the basis of the atomic bomb? (7)

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

A uniform approach to tax deductions

Libby worked in a retail store over Christmas and came to see me because she was hearing differing stories about what she could and couldn’t claim as deductions in her tax return. For example, her boss told her that her laundry costs were deductible.

“You can, but not if they're street clothes," I told her.

"In order to be classed as uniform, claiminable clothes – for laundry or purchase – must either be occupation specific or be required to have a logo and you must be required to wear them at work. Without a logo you do not have a claim. You also can’t claim the laundry of your clothes.

“The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has done a lot of research and audits recently and has discovered that there have been many over-claims in the past for clothing and laundry.

"Under the law, you can claim up to $150 a year for laundry without substantiation. The ATO view is that people think they can claim $150 a year for washing work clothes whether or not they are required to wear them. This is not the case. You have to be able to substantiate any claim you make.

"So, firstly, you have to be required to wear a uniform and then you have to be required to wash it. The ATO even puts out a calculation method for claiming laundry costs. As you do not wear a uniform as defined you won't be able to claim a laundry deduction.”

Libby said that over the coming financial year she would be nursing and, in that situation, her employers would require her to buy a uniform and launder it. What about that situation?

“If your total expenses including laundry are less than $300 then, again, you don’t have to substantiate the expenses but you have to have spent the money, you can’t just claim $300 with no relevant expenditure," I advised her.

"However, you are likely to be claiming more than $300 so you will need to keep receipts to substantiate your claims. But remember, you can't claim shoes or black pants that you might wear to work and are not part of the uniform.”

“Amongst other items you can claim are your union and professional registration fees. However, if you pay a joining fee when you join a new association that fee is not deductible you can only claim the annual membership fee. You may also have some technical or professional journals that you can claim and, again, you will need to keep receipts. "You may also be able to claim travel between two work sites on the same day, but you cannot claim home-to-work travel.

"You don't need to keep a logbook if your claim is for less than 5000 kilometres, but you do need diary notes of your travel so you can prove that you needed to do the trips if asked. Libby left my office confident and prepared to do her tax returns for this year and next.

If you require any help on tax or superannuation contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.

Be inspired at The Link

In celebration of Sustainable House Day, Ginninderry’s awardwinning building - The Link - will play host to tours, talks and demonstrations that educate, inspire, and deliver the keys to sustainable living.

For new ways of reducing your bills and environmental footprint, while increasing your comfort level, come and check out sustainability in action at The Link.

Date: 16th September 2018

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Location: The Link @ Ginninderry 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt (turn right onto Studio Road)