CityNews 190606

PERCHED ON THE ROOFTOP OF THE AWARD WINNING BURBURY HOTEL, OVERLOOKING THE CITY, LAKE AND LEAFY BARTON IS CANBERRA’S MOST EXCLUSIVE HIGH TEA.

Natasha’s nudge to managing money

By Kathryn VUKOVLJAK

ACCOUNTANT, financial planner and mortgage broker Natasha Janssens has written her book, “Wonder Woman’s Guide to Money”, to help busy women get to grips with their finances.

“I’ve been involved in financial education for years and I found that one of the main obstacles for women in paying attention to their money is the mental load and the never-ending to-do list,” she says.

“It prompted me to see if I could put together a practical and condensed guide for women who may not have time to do one of my courses.

“I also wanted to grab women’s attention and make them aware of the extent of the issue, and why we have to make a conscious effort to fix it.”

Mum-of-two Natasha founded her business Women With Cents in 2016 after her Facebook group Mummy Matters was inundated with questions about financial literacy from women across the country.

She says the book explores the beliefs that women create about money and provides strategies and tools to help them make a change.

“Women are generally not as involved

in household finances as men and one of the things that perpetuates this is lack of time,” she says.

“It’s the plight of the modern-day ‘wonder woman’, because we often have a career but we are still in charge of the house and the kids as well.

“We tend to feel that it is our respon sibility to do the laundry before things like looking at the super. But there’s no reason your partner can’t step up and take over some of the household chores.

“Delaying looking at our finances means that we lack the confidence around money as well and taps into the fear that, ‘I’m not going to make the right decision’.”

Natasha says the book has online resources, including a downloadable spreadsheet and a checklist for organis ing important documents.

It’s also practical and relatable, she says, with real stories from women about their experiences.

“There’s something for people of all stages, and it covers investing, superan nuation, mortgages and life insurance – I’ve tried to make it enjoyable to read as well as being helpful. It’s not your aver age financial book!

“It’s the nudge women need to take control and build financial independ ence.”

“Wonder Woman’s Guide to Money” is available in Dymocks Belconnen or any online bookstore. RRP $24.95.

Since 1993: Volume 25, Number 21

Arts & Entertainment 25-29

Canberra Matters 6

Cinema 27

Crossword 31

Dining 29

Gardening 30

Horoscopes 31

Letters 12

News 3-14

Politics 14

Socials 24

Cover: Claude Monet’s “On the Beach at Trouville”, 1870, oil on canvas, 38cm x 46cm, from the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Story Page 25.

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‘Times’ raises the white flag on free news

AFTER around 20 years “The Canberra Times” has raised the white flag on serving the national city with free news and announced it will start charging for its internet site this month.

According to managing editor John Paul Moloney: “The mission of ‘The Canberra Times’ is to serve the national city and we will be asking our audiences to join us as subscribers to support the journalism that matters for Canberra.”

“CityNews” editor Ian Meikle says: “There is plenty of ‘journalism that matters for Canberra’ in the city’s lively and highly competitive media scene and most of it remains publicly accessible at no cost.

“The days of ‘The Times’ being the sole source of quality journalism in this town are long gone.

“We recently relaunched citynews.com.au and the new, uncluttered format has attracted larger audiences, which is inspiring us to expand our editorial resources without burdening loyal readers with a paywall. The home of ‘Fast News First’ is still the home of ‘Fast News Free ’.”

Factionless and friendless, Labor spurns Leigh

SPARE a thought for recently reelected ALP member for Fenner Andrew Leigh .

Poor sod spent countless hours smiling on early morning TV and arguing on late night “Q&A”, building a national profile, only to find himself on the backbench.

The factionally unaligned Leigh was heading for a ministry in a Shorten government, but has been overlooked for a spot on Albo’s opposition team.

ANU economist Warwick McKibbin’s tweet: “When Andrew Leigh, the best economist in the parliament is not in the shadow ministry, you know something is wrong”, may test Leigh’s commitment to Labor’s cause. And the general consensus that Albo’s team is lined with “mediocrities”, would add to Leigh’s misery.

THE cruel dumping hasn’t dampened Leigh’s liking for a sledge, though. Leigh tweeted: “Since 2016, Labor has had a shadow minister for charities, now the Coalition has decided to copy the idea. Just two small downsides: 1. It’s an assistant minister. 2. It’s Zed Seselja . Perhaps they should be honest, and call him the assistant minister against charities?” Seselja fired back: “On the other hand, there appears to be little downside for the ALP in dumping you”. Ouch!!

FANS of angry-old-man-radio are pleased to learn Alan Jones remains on the wireless until at least his 80th birthday. AJ signed a

two-year contract with 2GB, which relays parts of his breakfast show to Canberra via 2CC. The shock jock’s stablemate Hadley should Jones “walk”, was quoted as being “comfortable” with the signing. Sources from inside the conservative bunker suggest Hadley is anything but.

RUGBY superstar David Pocock usually has plenty to say on issues dear to his heart but was more measured recently. As the sporting media gathered to hear his plans of enhancing his World Cup chances by quitting Super League and the Brumbies, Pocock virtually confirmed a post-rugby political career by impressively sidestepping the

inevitable question about his future.

The South African-born athlete, who came to the capital in 2013, said: “The Brumbies have given me a home for the last seven years. They’ve supported me through injury and given me the opportunity to work on my game and my leadership as part of an incredible group of men”.

CANBERRA AFL stalwart Aaron Bruce has reached a special milestone in his long career. The Canberra Demons’ skipper notched up 150 NEAFL games, becoming only the fourth player in the comp’s history to do so.

Rupert Murdoch may be spending more time at his Yass weekender after the announcement of a new news site dedicated to Canberra (the ‘burbs not the bubble). Murdoch, who started “The Australian” in Braddon in 1964 has launched the Canberra Star digital-only site that will focus on “connecting with local communities who are often seeking new ways to stay in touch with what’s happening on their doorstep”.

The activist also thanked fans and the city: “Canberra has well and truly become my home. Em and I love living here, being part of the community.”

THE shock 2017 announcement of Belconnen Myer’s closure has been reversed. After a “new lease arrangement” was reached between the retail giant and Scentre

AT nearby Hawker the pharmacy is now under the bright purple and orange banner of the Hawker Discount Drug Store, part of a chain spreading down the east coast and through the ACT. One local wag, showing his age, wanted to know if the drug store sold “ice-cream sodas” and if “Richie Cunningham and The Fonz would be dropping by”.

FRIGHTENING reports are emerging across social media of food, possibly laced with poison, being tossed into Canberra backyards. A Flynn dog owner warned owners to be vigilant after her dog returned home with dark chocolate in its mouth. And a Bonython resident reported finding a raw chicken stuffed with rat poison in her yard.

CANBERRA MATTERS

No punishment for felling trees on public land

FOR quite a few years there have been tensions between the Lyneham Community Association and the Brindabella Christian College.

The main focus here is not what the school corporation has been doing. Like all developers, they do what they do because they can.

The far more serious matter is how the ACT government deals with planning issues. Other community associations will be familiar with these problems.

You would expect that the local community would be informed when a private corporation (Brindabella Christian College) moved to take over a significant portion of a public oval. Not so when, in late 2014, the community discovered what was about to happen. The government’s response when questioned was that the community would benefit – what’s the problem?

What followed were angry meetings, the development application was withdrawn and reappeared in 2015. More meetings. One local member,

The corporate body that runs the Brindabella Christian College chopped down a swathe of significant trees and has not been punished for this misdemeanor. Good government?

Shane Rattenbury (Greens), took some convincing even though he attended the meetings. Later in 2015 he worked out that the community was right that public green spaces should not be handed over to a commercial entity for private use. Rocket science?

What sort of government thinks this was okay? Even more puzzling, who were the influencers behind the scenes? Why is the community voice treated as questionable and of lower priority than a commercial entity?

These puzzles remain unanswered to members of the Lyneham community, who formed the Lyneham Community Association in response to this attack on public open spaces.

But let’s go back further. The same school had built a large facility thanks to the Rudd government money for school buildings. They had built it on what was their car park (their land). So what to do for a car park? They were granted a lease to take over part

of the adjacent oval for another facility and ancillary car parking.

No sports facilities have ever appeared and when questioned on this recently, Minister Yvette Berry closed off the conversation because it was a matter between the corporation and government. Residents love that secret stuff between developers and government!

As for the car park, despite being told it was for public use, the corporation chained it off for private use. After a community effort this restriction was removed. Yes, it took community energy to get this private corporation to do what it was supposed to do and for the government to act. But still no sports facility and no more on this from Minister Berry.

Now to something more recent. In October, 2016, to make way for construction site offices, the same corporation had a line of significant trees removed. A few were on the corporation’s land, but most were on public land. After some community advocacy, the government tree officers agreed that this was not right. They offered to seek compensation

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from the corporation rather than apply the appropriate $90,000 fine.

Several years later, not much has happened. Letters to an ACT minister, Chris Steel in this case, have resulted in spin and gobbledygook!

It is this simple: The corporate body that runs the Brindabella Christian College chopped down a swathe of significant trees and has not been punished for this misdemeanor. Good government?

People continue to wonder what are the connections between such private entities and the ACT government that results in rules being put aside. There is nothing subtle here. These events are a blatant example of how this Labor/Greens government’s decision processes have been corrupted – by processes not visible to the public.

its efforts to combat these continual questionable decisions and actions by the Labor/Greens ACT government. The residents would much rather be putting energies into celebrating their wonderful neighbourhood. But annoying stuff involving developers and large corporations just keeps happening; they keep coveting their neighbour’s lands! Should we mention the realities of the commitment by this government to trees and open spaces – and therefore the climate?

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

Where a little money makes a big difference

By Danielle NOHRA

WHEN Sue Oliver made a one-off $200 donation to a Nepalese family about three years ago, she didn’t realise it would be enough to give them a long-term income.

“It was so easy and the money made such a big difference,” says Sue, 58, of McKellar.

“It went to a shaman and his wife. Their grandson was starting school and it meant they couldn’t be nomadic anymore.

“With the money they bought a buffalo, which goes and services the cows and now that family has an income.”

Sue donated the money through Hari Devkota, the founder of the nonprofit organisation High Himalayan Community Projects Nepal, and someone she met on one of her many trips to Nepal.

When Hari told Sue about the family, she was blown away by how so little could make so much of a difference and it got her thinking about what else she could do.

One thing she had been thinking about was what she could do to help women being trafficked.

“They don’t know exactly how many go, but they say about 10,000 are traf-

ficked each year and it all ends up as a bad story for the poor girls,” she says.

“Parents don’t know that’s what’s going to happen. They’re just prom ised money and jobs.

“There’s plenty of organisations that try and pick up the pieces but the problem in Nepal is that a lot of the villages won’t have these girls back because of what they’ve been doing.

“I wanted to empower these women and you empower women by helping them create an income.”

In 2017, through her work as a holis tic energy specialist, Sue began taking donations.

“I thought: ‘I wonder if there’s other people who would like to support the women?’,” she says.

She began asking people to sponsor the women and she ended up taking a group of eight others to Nepal for about two weeks at the end of March to see the change they’d made.

Each of the nine women donated about $200 and Sue says it was exciting to meet the recipients.

“They all received about $200 and have all gone on to create the business they wanted to create and are very happy with the change in their lives,” she says.

“One of the ladies now has a greenhouse and is growing tomatoes, potatoes and cabbages, another has created a tea shop, another bought goats, another wanted to fix up her

tea house, which she has done, so all in all I was very excited and happy to see how much had been achieved by sponsoring the ladies.

“They’ve all done amazing things. If somebody hadn’t given them a hand they wouldn’t have been able to.

“So much is in the hands of men in Nepal, so when you empower women, you can also change a lot of imbalances.

“They don’t need to be told what to do, they need

to make a choice about what they can

“It’s not about continuing to give them money but empowering them to get on with their lives properly.

“My whole idea is if you actively help women become more financially independent, then the whole trafficking problem in time will go away because there won’t be this desperate poorness everywhere.”

Sue hopes to go again next year and says people are more than welcome to come if they sponsor one of these

“I’m not a charity and I don’t want to be a charity, but I see how easy it is to make a difference and to make a difference to someone else’s life is awe -

MY CLUB

New champion speaks out for business

By Danielle NOHRA

A LOT of Canberrans (and the rest of the country) associate the ACT with public servants and the government, but these days twothirds of jobs in the territory are in the private sector, says Canberra Business Chamber’s new CEO Dr Michael Schaper.

“We’ve got around 27,000 privatesector businesses in the ACT,” he says. Michael, 54, of Barton, replaced CEO Robyn Hendry earlier this year after she finished her four-year term in September, and he’s using his new role to highlight how prominent the private sector is in the ACT.

“The decisions we make that affect the business community, actually affect us all,” he says.

Michael came to the Canberra Business Chamber after working as the deputy chairman of the ACCC for about 10 years. Before that he was the small business commissioner for the ACT between 2004 to 2006 and has also worked as a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Newcastle.

“Before my time in academia I spent some time running a community, small-business enterprise centre [in

Perth], helping people start, run or grow small businesses,” he says.

“I was almost like a GP for small businesses. The thing you realise when working with businesses is it’s not just about money but their livelihoods, their families, their hopes and dreams.

“Especially small businesses. It’s as much a personal thing as it is a busi ness.

“It’s not just about money, but the people who own and operate these businesses.

“Sometimes when you talk about issues that affect businesses, you’re actually talking about issues that af fect people.”

One of the reasons Michael took on the position as CEO is because he wants to help unite the business community, and he’s hoping to form connections between the government, the private sector and the universities in Canberra.

speaks for the whole business community,” he says.

“Historically, in Australia, we haven’t done a good job joining up the links between universities, governments and the private sector,” he says.

“A place like Canberra needs it because we’re an innovation economy. We have the environment to flourish.

We don’t have mining or agriculture, we have people, so we need these all to be joined up.”

Even though there’s a lot of industry specific organisations in Canberra, Michael believes the Canberra Busi-

“The Canberra Business Chamber is a voice for all businesses, regardless of what industry they’re in.”

But, as a member-based organisation, he says it’s the members that pay the subscriptions to fund the work.

“It’s hard because most businesses in Canberra are small businesses so they don’t have a lot of loose cash around,” he says.

“It’s the big companies in the town who have historically stepped in to make sure we can do this job. They do a really good job in support-

berra and the region, Michael says it’s important that the chamber continues to support and advocate for business.

“We need to ensure the sector continues to prosper and is ready to meet the rapidly changing global environment,” he says.

“We all have a role to play in promoting and advocating for Canberra and the region.

“A key component will be continuing to understand the needs of business and of our members, to assist their continued growth, and to advocate for Canberra as a great place to do business.”

Turning print into sound

JANE SHELLING likes to help out at the community radio station 1RPH Canberra

1RPH Canberra is a community radio reading service specifically for people with a print disability, but also popular with the general listening public. Listeners may include the vision impaired, people with another shortterm or permanent disability or difficulty with reading the English language. Some listeners may not have time to read or may just like listening to others read. Whatever the reason, 1RPH Canberra has provided its reading service since 1985, broadcasting across Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Junee helping keep communities connected and informed through radio. Broadcasting from the 1RPH studio on Barton Highway in Gungahlin, volunteer readers and administrative supporters work together to provide this service, which is part of a national RPH network. 1RPH Canberra is an independent, not-for-profit, community group open for membership. It also seeks volunteers, donations and sponsors. Find out more from our website or tune in to the station that turns print into sound.

“My Club” is a column aimed at giving publicity to clubs and organisations that might be looking for new members. Contributions of 250 words or less are welcome to editor@citynews.com.au

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OPINION LETTERS

The sorry record of a government that’s simply stopped caring

“THE Chief Minister needs to understand that it takes more to be a progressive government than painting rainbows on roundabouts.”

When I heard these words being uttered I was initially unsure how to react. The sentiment struck an immediate chord with me because it is unutterably true but at the same time made me feel a little uneasy.

My discomfort was not that the sentiment was unreasonable or uncalled for or even that it offended some unwritten rule about public discourse, for instance, in relation to political correctness.

Rather, I think it was regret that one group of people in the community, a majority of whom experience disadvantage and discrimination at a level far greater than any other, namely the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, look with envy at the recognition and respect being accorded another group that has been historically marginalised and discriminated against and without intending to do so, create the whiff of a suggestion that the recognition accorded to the other group is somehow not warranted.

The comment was made by a leader of the local Aboriginal community in a speech at the Sorry Day March on May 24. Sorry Day is a commemoration of the catastrophic harm done to thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families.

In the speech reference was made to the ongoing hurt, discrimination and disadvantage being experienced by Aboriginal people in Canberra and the frustration at the lack of progress or any sense of urgency or commitment by the ACT government to address the causes of disadvantage or to ameliorate its consequences.

It had not escaped the notice of the Aboriginal community that the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, was not present at the Sorry Day commemoration and had not issued a statement about its significance.

It had also not escaped the notice of the Aboriginal community that the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, was not present at the Sorry Day commemoration and had not issued a statement about its significance. There is also a commonly expressed view within the Aboriginal community that he almost never personally engages with them or evinces interest in their concerns.

There is clearly ample evidence of the dire situation of many Aboriginal people in Canberra. For example Canberra, scandalously, has on a relative basis, the highest number of Aboriginal children in out of home care in Australia, the highest number of Aboriginal girls under the age of 18 in youth detention in Australia and the highest number of Aboriginal men and women in prison in Australia and the situation is getting worse, not better.

The point being made by the speaker on Sorry Day was that a government that allows this sorry record and more, to persist year after year is not a progressive government.

If one accepts that hypothesis, and I do, it begs the question whether there are other examples of ACT government policies or practices, or lack of them, about which the same could be said. And I fear there are.

I was recently disturbed by the announcement by the Minister for Housing, Yvette Berry, that she has directed Housing ACT, which is increasingly operating as a giant real estate agency rather than a provider and manager of

social housing, to sell off another 700 public houses in the inner north and south and relocate the existing tenants in outer suburbs.

The occupants of these houses will be following the thousands of public-housing tenants who have already been forced to move away from the centre of the city so the government can leverage the value of the land they have been occupying. These are not the actions of a progressive government.

The ACT government has over the last six to seven years pursued a land-release policy that ignores the housing choice of a significant majority of residents, namely to own and to live in a detached house.

As the owner of effectively all developable land in the ACT the government is in the position of a monopolist when it comes to land supply and housing choice and has been ruthless in the exercise of its monopoly power.

As a direct result of policies implemented by the ACT government, Canberra has the highest rents in Australia and an affordability crisis almost entirely of its own making.

It is virtually impossible for a family with a gross household income of (say) under $110,000 and who cannot expect family support, to ever buy a detached house in Canberra. The government has effectively dictated that they must either live in a flat or leave the ACT. These are not the actions of

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a progressive government.

The government has over the last six years abandoned the funding formula for the ACT’s two public hospitals that provided adequate funds to meet the growth in demand from increasing population, ageing and new technologies.

This has resulted in an effective reduction in funding in that period of hundreds of millions of dollars. The impact of these cuts has fallen disproportionately on residents from lower-income quintiles. These are not the actions of a progressive government.

The government has in the implementation of taxation reform reneged on the undertaking that the reforms would be revenue neutral. It has ignored the recommendation to abolish land tax which has contributed to the rental crisis. It has also introduced a raft of flat charges, reneged on its commitment to not increase the flat component of general rates and has ignored recommendations regarding concessions to ameliorate the effect of the reforms on people on low to moderate incomes. These are not the actions of a progressive government.

The government has……. I am sure you get my drift.

Jon Stanhope was chief minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.

Enjoying comments that don’t toe the government line

IN the May 23 edition of “CityNews”, as in most editions, it was enjoyable to read comments that do not toe the Greens/Labor ACT government line.

I believe poor Mike Welsh is a fan of the toy train (light rail), but even he reported the opinion of the underwhelmed Sydney visitor. Perhaps I could send the Sydney visitor a photo I took before Northbourne Avenue was vandalised by the ACT government.

The Grumpy comment by reader John Griffin is also spoton. Why would we want Canberra to be “like all other cities”? Then there are the letters to the editor about the disastrous changes to the transport network and the replacement of trees by concrete throughout Canberra. I completely agree with all of those comments, although this was all known before the last ACT election and the dills of Canberra still voted for these vandals.

Paul Costigan is spot-on as usual – planning in Canberra is a mess.

Finally, the first thing I looked for in this post-election edition was Michael Moore’s congratulations to Zed Seselja on his re-election. I couldn’t find it.

Could you please pass on to Michael Moore that I put Zed first largely due to Mr Moore’s misguided logic in telling us to put him last. The 30-something per cent of people who did not support homosexual marriage are the same people who vote for Zed. Therefore, it was completely appropriate for him to vote the way they would have. Zed does not have to vote the way Michael would have just because Michael happened to be with the majority on that occasion.

Keep up the good work.

Neil Dunn, Fisher

Broken promises in the percentages

I DISPUTE columnist Jon Stanhope’s assertion (CN, May 30) that “the announcement that light rail stage two is to be deferred for at least seven years is certainly the single most significant broken election promise since self-government 30 years ago”.

I admit that there is some significance in changing a public transport route from vehicles that run on rubber tyres to vehicles that run on steel tyres.

What’s more important is the number of people who use public transport.

Labor’s 2012 election commitment “to increasing the public transport share of all work trips to 10.5 per cent by 2016 and 16 per cent by 2026” is much more important than any commitment to favour one form of public transport over another.

By 2016 the public transport share of work trips had grown only to 8.3 per cent. The government’s draft “Moving Canberra” strategy includes no estimate of when or how the government expects to reach the 10.5 per cent that it promised for 2016. Nor does it explain how the government might meet its 2026 commitment of 16 per cent. In fact, it completely omits both of these commitments.

Leon Arundell,

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POLITICS / prevention in health

Why won’t feds pay for prevention?

IT’S easy to parrot “prevention is better than cure”. The WA government recently committed to spending 5 per cent of its health budget on prevention.

Why not? There is a different story for the Federal government in stark contrast to the majority of OECD countries that spend more than 5 per cent. Spending on prevention federally has steadily declined over the last 10 years down to less than 2 per cent.

Prevention is both a health and an economic issue.

Obesity has rapidly become the biggest threat to health in Australia as smoking rates decline and unhealthy diets take their toll. Injury prevention, misuse of alcohol and immunisation rates are other key prevention issues. Keep in mind that the higher the proportion of unhealthy people in the community, the lower the productivity and the higher the long-term health bills borne by taxpayers.

Outcomes on prevention spending are usually a decade away. This was the case with smoking. Governments took a largely non-partisan approach to restrictions, regulation and campaigns on tobacco. However, there was a time delay before tobacco-related cancer, heart disease and other conditions reduced. The same may be expected with regard to issues such as healthy diet. Recent studies published in the “British Medical Journal”

The best lies always have some truth in them. Physical activity is incredibly important in good health. However, poor health is much, much more diet related for the vast majority of people who are overweight or obese.

demonstrate a direct link between ultra-processed food, weight gain and consequential disease and death.

Some sections of industry, notably the junk-food lobby, would have us believe that the real issue is lack of physical activity. So much time is spent sitting in front of screens.

The best lies always have some truth in them. Physical activity is incredibly important in good health. However, poor health is much, much more diet related for the vast majority of people who are overweight or obese.

There have been some non-partisan approaches to diet. The Health Star Rating System, for example, was introduced by Labor’s Catherine King and supported by successive coalition governments. Although there are some flaws that are being considered by a current review, this front-of-pack labelling system rates in many ways amongst the best in the world. Ideally, the system would use “added sugar” in the algorithm and be colour coded like the French “Nutri-score”.

A recent paper published in the “Australian New Zealand Journal of Public Health” (ANZJPH), by Alexan-

dra Jones from the George Institute for Global Health, found Australia’s Health Star Ratings are trusted by shoppers. However, the research illustrates the system appears on less than a third of eligible packaged foods.

A radical increase in their uptake is needed if the system is to be successful. Consistent with this research, returning Health Minister Greg Hunt should work towards making the system mandatory.

In another paper published in the journal, I was lead author providing an insight into how the Health Star Rating system was developed. It includes the manner in which public health professionals and consumer advocates negotiated with businesses. The paper identifies the steps taken to make the system as successful as possible and the compromises that were reached.

Regulation has an important place. Marketing of junk food to children,

which is simply out of control, ought to be reined in. A tax on sugary soft drinks should be adopted. There is an appropriate place for spending on vigorous media campaigns warning adults and their children of the dangers of over-indulgence in ultraprocessed foods and the importance of whole foods. Warning labels on junk food, as used in South America, could be adopted if the Health Stars do not deliver on their promise.

In October, ACT Health Minister, Meegan Fitzharris identified that the ACT had a smoking rate of less than 10 per cent, down from more than 30 per cent in the 1970s. Taking a multifaceted approach has been the key to success. Food policy cannot slavishly follow techniques to reduce smoking. However, there are plenty of lessons that can and should be used. A healthy nation is a productive nation. The people’s health should be a priority for the incoming government.

Michael Moore was on the committee that developed the Health Star Rating system.

BRIEFLY

Local Rotary club goes into space

THE Weston Creek Rotary Club is hosting a public forum on Australian space research, development and operations at Questacon, in Parkes, from 5.30pm on Friday, June 14.

Apart from audience and panel discussion there will be expert speakers from the Australian Space Agency, university and industry research leaders and developers, and space systems users. Tickets are $10 (under 13, $5) and bookable at trybooking. com/506780. All proceeds will be used towards sending a talented local science student to an overseas International Student Science Camp.

Winter woollies stall

CALVARY Public Hospital Auxiliary is holding a one-day Winter Woollies Stall offering hand-made scarves, rugs and jumpers at what they describe as “bargain prices”. It’ll be in the hospital foyer, 8am-4pm, on Thursday, June 13.

Books galore

BOOKS are the focus for the next sale at St Ninian’s Uniting Church and will feature fiction and non-fiction, cookery, gardening, manuals, children’s literature and magazines. And if the printed word doesn’t get you, the freshly baked scones will. It’s all happening 9am-1pm, Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, at the church hall, corner of Mouat and Brigalow Streets, Lyneham.

THE STATE OF THE ACT’s

BUDGET

AND ITS POLICY DIRECTIONS

This free IGPA Public Lecture will examine the state of the ACT’s Budget and its finances, as well as the implicit and explicit policy directions encapsulated in the Budget.

FREE ADVERTISING IN THE 2019-2021 ACT SENIORS CARD DIRECTORY

If you have a business that offers or would like to offer ACT Seniors Card holders a discount on goods or services you can list for free in the 2019-2021 ACT Seniors Card Directory.

The Directory is the go-to publication for seniors looking for goods, services and trades in the ACT.

The Directory will be printed in August and made available to the 65,000 Seniors Card holders in the ACT. Your business listing will also appear online at www.actseniorscard.org.au

The Business Participation Guide is available online www.actseniorscard.org.au or call COTA ACT 02 6282 3777 for more information.

Applications can be sent to seniorscard@cotaact.org.au

The closing dates for business applications for the hard copy of the Directory is 30 June 2019.

THE PANEL

JON STANHOPE AO, a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 1998 to 2011. He was the Territory’s Chief Minister from 2001 to and 2011, and also held the portfolios of Health, Attorney-General, Municipal Services, Economic Development and Treasury during his tenure. In addition to convening this seminar series, Jon is a regular commentator on the social, economic and public policy issues in the ACT, and a contributor to local media publications.

DR KHALID AHMED, served in the ACT Public Service for 19 years,with around 10 years as executive director of the Policy Coordination and Development Division in Treasury. Over that period, he had been involved with the analysis of medium to long-term fiscal policy issues, and development and implementation of major policy initiatives in the Territory. He was involved with the preparation of the Territory’s budget in a senior capacity for over a decade. Khalid now works in the private sector as an economic advisor and is involved in public policy and public sector reform.

DATE: Wednesday, June 12 TIME: 12.30pm-1.30pm

VENUE: Function Room, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Civic.

THIS EVENT IS FREE. PLEASE VISIT EVENTBRITE.COM.AU TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE

RAIDERS GUNGAHLIN

‘OUR PASSION IS CATERING FOR

Revamped club looks

THE new Raiders Gungahlin is open for business after a major renovation and extension, says general manager Craig Nadin.

The club’s extensive $18.5 million makeover is complete and, with large dedicated eating areas, roomy lounges and great outdoor spaces, there’s more for members and their guests to enjoy.

Having opened in April, 1999, Raiders Gungahlin is celebrating 20 years serving the Gungahlin community and with this significant investment in the club, Craig says they are looking forward to the next 20 years.

“The new space is appealing and welcoming, with plenty of low, comfortable furniture and a modern, lounge-style atmosphere,” he says.

Located close to the Marketplace, Raiders Gungahlin has created a relaxing, inviting environment and brings a vibrant feel to the town centre.

The classic club menu with awardwinning food is a huge drawcard for members and guests, says Craig.

“We cater for everyone and have lunch specials available every day. Most popular are our steak, schnitzel and seafood, and we have a fantastic kids’ menu to suit every taste,” Craig says.

Assistant manager Rachel Bielski says the club has listened to its clients over the years and made sure it has included extras such as a parents’ room and excellent disabled facilities.

“We also offer 165 car parks, both in our large undercover parking area with disabled access and on the upper deck with direct access inside,” she says.

“Our kids’ zone has a safe, enclosed play area surrounded by seating so parents don’t need to be far from where their kids are playing.”

The new, modern bar glows with LED lights and features unpasteurised Carlton Draught flowing fresh to the taps from copper tanks.

“The beer is completely fresh and is delivered from the brewery in a chilled tanker on the day of brewing, with the purpose built tanks refilled through a hose,” says Craig.

“We also have an extensive wine list including local wineries Shaw and

FOR THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE GUNGAHLIN COMMUNITY’

looks forward to a big, new future

Clonakilla, and 11 beers/ciders on tap.”

The large gaming room features more than 200 of the latest pokies and there are plenty of screens around the club to enjoy a variety of sport.

Supporting the community is a major focus of Raiders Gungahlin, says Craig.

“We sponsor several sporting groups within Gungahlin, including the Gungahlin Bulls junior and senior rugby league clubs, St Pats hockey club, north and south Gungahlin Raiders netball clubs, and we also provide 80 meals per week to the Red Cross Roadhouse service.

“Ultimately our passion is catering for the growing needs of the Gungahlin community.”

Gungahlin Raiders, 23 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin, open 9am-4am.

Membership is $2 a year, which includes entry to Raiders Weston and Raiders Belconnen. Call 6255 4111 or visit raidersgungahlin.com.au

Bob Hawke, the judge and ambition gone awry

WHEN in 1967 I sought to interview Bob Hawke for my thesis on Judge Alfred Foster of the then Arbitration Court, he was quite tetchy.

Hawke, the ACTU’s research officer curtly offered me only a short, half-hour time slot on a specific date. I meekly agreed to travel from Geelong to the Melbourne ACTU office for that limited appointment.

I discovered that the reason for his apparent annoyance at my request was that he had himself always planned to write the story of “this fascinating man” – Judge Foster.

However, as he said later in the preface that he wrote for my subsequent biography of Foster, events “not entirely beyond my control precluded that”.

Bob Hawke, as his former press secretary Barry Cassidy and others have noted, did not hold a grudge. In the event, he was generous with both his time and in lending me his brilliant but then unpublished Oxford University thesis on the role of the Australian Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration with special reference to the concept of a basic wage, which he had submitted in 1955.

By the 1950s Judge Foster was already a legend in Labor politics and in Australian industrial arbitration. He had been responsible for the

A state funeral for Bob Hawke, Australia’s 23rd prime minister, will be held at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, June 14. Here Canberra author CONSTANCE LARMOUR shares an insight into Hawke and an early mentor.

40-hour week decision in 1947 (reducing the standard hours of work from 44) and also for the staggering one pound rise in the Basic Wage Case of 1950.

While these decisions had earned him the approval of workers generally, his jailing of Communist union leaders during the prolonged 1949 coal strikes had caused much angst.

Hawke was appointed the ACTU advocate for the 1959 Basic Wage Case, and appeared before Judge Foster, Full Court President Judge Kirby and Judge Gallagher.

Hawke said that at first Foster complained at the appointment of an “unknown” to such a responsible job as presenting the unions’ case to the (by then) Arbitration Commission.

When Hawke’s style and the extent of his preparation became apparent, Foster changed his opinion. Hawke was able to present a depth of economic analysis not seen in earlier cases.

Foster asked many questions from the bench, giving Hawke the chance to explain more fully the economic implications of previously accepted and unquestioned assumptions.

A rapport developed between the new advocate and the senior judge to the extent, Hawke said, that it seemed as if there were two union advocates in court.

Subsequently, the judge and the advocate became firm friends. Hawke would visit Foster at his Sandringham home on Sunday mornings to sit and listen, over a few drinks, “to the thoughts and experience of a very great Australian”.

Hawke’s study of Foster may have enabled him to avoid some of the pitfalls in what could have been a remarkably similar career. In the preface to “Labor Judge”, Hawke, by then Prime Minister, said of Foster: “What I think intrigued me most about this extraordinarily gifted and complex man was the struggle he constantly waged within himself to stop frustration merging into bitterness.

lusioned and disappointed in his political ambitions would be quite an understatement.

Foster’s ambitions were again thwarted when, in 1956, Chief Judge Kelly died and Foster, as the senior judge, expected to be appointed as president of the Arbitration Commission. This position was awarded to Judge Kirby.

Although initially Foster’s junior, Kirby was considered to be a diplomat and conciliator, whereas Foster was often impatient, refused to compromise and had made important political enemies.

Hawke commented on the lasting effect this had on Foster, and perhaps on his judgments: “Once departed from the area of political opportunity, he felt deeply aggrieved that his distinguished career on the Arbitration Court was not rewarded with the presidency of the tribunal ahead of Richard Kirby towards whom he indeed came to feel great bitterness”.

Hawke’s close observation led him to conclude that Foster “would have liked to have done so much more, but it was important that the fight should go on for a better world.”

In his ascension to the leadership of the Labor Party and to the prime ministership, Hawke shared this commitment to improve social conditions. In working to deliver policies and outcomes which he believed were right rather than politically expedient, Hawke seemingly avoided the angst that plagued his mentor.

Constance Larmour is the author of “Labor Judge: The Life and Times of Judge Alfred William Foster” (Hale & Iremonger, 1985). Foster, who was born in 1886, died in November, 1962.

Upselling hearing loss: retail hearing aids

Recently, I was approached by a patient looking for a second opinion. The week prior she had been to a retail hearing aid store in her local shopping centre, hoping to get some advice regarding her hearing loss. As a pensioner, she should have been able to claim free hearing aids as part of the Australian Government’s hearing loss scheme under the Office of Hearing Services, but when she inquired about the program she was told by the salesperson that the governmentissued hearing aids were of poor quality and inadequate for her needs.

”We need to speak out and about what is going on in the hearing aid industry if we want change.”

– Dr Vass

The salesperson insisted what she needed was one of their more expensive hearing aids, priced at over $7,000 for a pair. Anxious about not being able to afford what seemed to be a necessity, she reached out to a friend who suggested she make an appointment with me for a second opinion.

After consulting with the patient and looking over her results, it became

clear to me that the assessment from the shopping centre was completely wrong. The patient had had surgery on one ear 20 years ago which had resulted in worse hearing loss in that ear and not the other. Yet the “hearing test” from the shopping centre showed that her hearing was equal in both ears. Was this because the tester was incompetent or the equipment was faulty? Or was it just an attempt to cover up a medical condition that would have required the patient to be seen by a doctor before hearing aids could even be considered for her? It is likely we’ll never know the answer, but any of the above explanations would be unacceptable.

We need to speak out and about what is going on in the hearing aid industry if we want change. Anyone who has a similar story can report it to the ACCC.

If you would like to have a complimentary second opinion with Dr Vass please phone 02 6282 2717 to make an appointment.

The little, rural village with lots to discover

SURROUNDED by open country, Hall is a small village to the north of Canberra that features historic buildings that existed before the establishment of the ACT.

Away from the chaos of a city, but still in close proximity, Hall Village (population 271 people at the 2016 census), attracts many outsiders and locals alike for its small-town, country feel.

In 1881 the NSW government surveyed the area where Hall sits today for an official village and chose a site on Halls Creek.

The new village was initially called Ginninderra in 1882, but after protests from local residents was renamed Hall, in honour of the first landholder in the area, Henry Hall.

In 1954 the main street of Hall (which had been part of the state highway system since 1935) was named the Barton Highway.

In 1980 the highway alignment was shifted to the west as part of a dual carriage upgrade, bypassing Hall completely.

Owners sweep new life into farm supplies

HALL Farm Supplies, formerly known as Canberra Rural Stockfeeds, has a new lease on life, according to its owners Anna and Jacqui.

They took over the shop in November and say they have since put in a lot of hard work, sweat and sweeping to give the big shed a revamp.

“The building was built in 1965 and has long been a great one-stop-shop for all your farming and rural needs,” Anna says.

And now, she says they’ve brought in a wide range of new stock, which is essential for small animals such as chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats and birds right through to large animal cows, sheep, alpacas and horses.

There’s also a large range of gardening essentials and tools and also fencing, irrigation, pumps, chemicals and oils.

More importantly, Anna says they’re all about listening to their customers and what they want.

“We are new and exciting yet we have continued running a business that has been in Hall for 40 years, we listen to what customers want and are happy to order in new products,” she says.

“We are conveniently located close to north side Canberra and are on the way home from work for the people that live out of town.”

Hall Farm Supplies, 1 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 6170 4278, email hallstockfeeds@gmail.com or @HallFarmSupplies on Facebook.

Cosy cafe’s sweet deal for all readers

THE family-run cafe, Daughters at Hall, is embracing the cold with its new winter menu and “fireplace” set up.

Owner Jenny Berron says there’s a lounge in front of the “fireplace” and blankets outside to keep people warm over winter.

And if that’s not cosy enough, Jenny says they’re offering a free sweet with every hot (or cold) beverage purchase for “CityNews” readers.

“We make all our cakes, slices and biscuits,” she says.

“We’re doing apple pies for winter, too.”

On the savoury side of the menu, Daughters at Hall has started a new partnership with At Sea, a fish place from Ulladulla.

“They bring the fish straight off the boat to us so we can do fish and chips, too,” she says.

“And, At Sea is coming once a month to the front of our place and selling their fresh produce.”

Moving away from food, Jenny says the community-based cafe also loves to support its staff and is currently selling macrame hangers, terrariums and earrings, which are handmade by three girls who work there.

“Plus, we make all our jams, relishes and chilli sauce, too!” she says.

Daughters at Hall, 5 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 6230 2457, visit halldaughters.com.au or follow @daughtersathall on Facebook.

Friendly country care for pets

PET owners can escape the concrete jungle of town with Hall Veterinary Surgery’s “friendly country care”, says head receptionist April Maney.

Established more than 30 years ago, the purpose-built hospital looks after all companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets.

With its tag line, “a passion for pets and their people”, April says pet owners can be guaranteed a friendly and easy service provided by the family run surgery.

“We’re very tailored, we’re not a one-size-fits-all practice. Instead, we recognise that every pet is unique,” she says.

“We provide anything from general healthcare to preventative care, as well as surgery diagnostics and dentistry.

“We run an in-house dental program for patients, entitling them to free six-monthly dental check ups and discounted Grade 1 Dental Scale and polish procedures.

“We want to reduce (and prevent) the amount of pets who suffer from a severely painful mouth,” she says.

“And our new sister practice, Vets at Amaroo, is proving very popular with our Gungahlin clients as they get to see the same staff and experience the same standards of care.”

But for those who want to escape the city, April says the peaceful village of Hall is a massive drawcard.

And, she says they offer behaviour and training advice there, too.

Hall Veterinary Surgery, 33 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 6230 2223, email reception@hallvet.com.au or visit hallvet.com.au

A true country town experience right here in the National Capital, just a short drive from the CBD! Daughters at Hall has the most amazing home baked cakes, slices and biscuits. New Winter Menu. Find yourself unwinding, de-stressing and enjoying a first class meal or freshly roasted Wagonga coffee.

ALL ABOUT HALL

Trudy’s happy to keep parcels safe

NO need to worry about being home to collect a parcel, thanks to Hall Village Post Office and Gift Store’s parcel collect service, says owner Trudy Mansfield.

“If you’re at work or away, we’ll happily keep it safe and sound until you pick it up,” she says.

“And because we’re open from 7.30am, people can pop in and collect the parcel on their way to work.”

Hall Village Post Office and Gift Store is also home to Beatrix and Bertram, an in-store and online store that sells women’s clothes and giftware. Trudy says one brand she stocks, with quite a big following, is called Binny from SA.

“We also stock cashmere jumpers from Arlington Milne and handbags from Elms and King,” she says.

“They’re all really good-quality, timeless, Australian-made pieces. They’re also lovely and elegant.” Trudy, who has been wearing some of these brands for about 10 years, absolutely loves them and says she still wears items she bought a decade ago.

But that’s not all that’s in store, and Trudy says they have some beautiful light gifts that people can easily post to family and friends.

With a love for her shop and a passion for being part of the Hall community, Trudy can’t wait to share the store’s friendly and excellent service with everyone who stops by.

Hall Village Post Office and Gift Store, 4 Victoria Street. Call 6230 2829, email hallvillagepostoffice@gmail. com or visit beatrixandbertram.com

Personal solutions for any surface

WHEN people choose Capital Asphalt, they’re supporting a local Canberra business which provides a friendly and personal service to all its customers, says operations manager Nathan Ellwood.

Capital Asphalt specialises in all flexible pavement solutions such as asphalt and bitumen spray seal for driveways, local roads and highways as well as profile milling to remove existing asphalt surfaces.

Nathan says the two main products they use are asphalt and bitumen, which are both road surfacing products that construct a durable trafficable surface.

“There is no job too big or small,” Nathan says.

“Capital Asphalt happily delivers both residential and commercial works.

Wine tastings with food to match

ABOUT three years ago, the owners of Capital Wines, Andrew and Marion McEwin, moved their cellar door to Hall.

Marion says visitors can taste their “amazing” range of wines and share a cheese plate or produce plate from 10.30am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday, as well as public holidays, including the upcoming Queen’s Birthday holiday on Monday, June 10.

“On the weekends you can savour four or five-course epicurean tastings of wines expertly matched with food,” Marion says. “This is a chance to discover how and why wine and food complement one another.”

Capital Wines is also excited about an upcoming event from Saturday, July 14 to Sunday, July 15, when it will be joining other wineries for “Hills of Hall”.

“The festival will feature music [so] you can sample the wines while enjoying musical interludes,” she says.

Capital Wines, 13 Gladstone Street, Hall. Call 6230 2022, email info@ capitalwines.com.au or visit capitalwines.com.au

“[And] we offer technical advice during the pricing period to ensure our customers get the best product for the job while being conscious of financial restrictions.”

Capital Asphalt Services, 4/8 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 0418 630542 or visit capitalasphalt.com.au

WARM HOMES

Hot news and

BRRR… it’s cold out there and winter has only just begun! With the prospect of three full months of cold nights and frosty mornings, now’s the time to invest in a warm home.

Here are some of Canberra’s experts dedicated to keeping homes warm.

Hot news about floor heating

SPECIALISING in floor-heating products and services, P.A.P. Heating Solutions has the experience and expertise to provide the floorheating system for any application Australia wide.

From commercial to domestic buildings, the company offers a full design, quotation and installation service for in-slab heating and under-tile heating.

The company says: “No other heating system provides the allround benefits of floor heating.

Beatrix

Bertram

“It is efficient to install and run and is generally maintenance free as it doesn’t require cleaning or replacement of filters. Floor heating is absolutely silent and is also versatile, it can be incorporated into almost any building product.

“There are floor-heating systems perfect for carpeted, tiled and polished concrete floors and many timber floors.”

P.A.P. Heating Solutions is the Australian importer, distributor and designer for the premium-quality ELEKTRA Heating Cables.

According to the company, the

ELEKTRA DM20 Twin In-Screed Heating Cable is an “in-floor heating cable” that is installed on top of an existing floor in a cement screed or self-levelling compound of about 6-8mm thick and can be installed under many different floor surfaces that radiate heat easily, such as tiles, slate, stone, low-pile carpet and some wooden floor panels.

“The ELEKTRA DM20 is a ‘quick response’ heating system and if the room has effective thermal insulation it may be used as the primary heating system,” they say.

“Especially popular in bathrooms and toilets where it provides warmth underfoot and keeps your towels and floors dry and free of mould.”

ELEKTRA DM20 is silent and invisible, has no ducts or vents, no maintenance or cleaning, is efficient and cost effective, and has individual room thermostat controls.

P.A.P. Heating Solutions, 23 Winchcombe Court, Mitchell. Call 6242 9310 or visit papheatingsolutions.com.au

of TwinGlaze, Melanie Hugg.

“Thirty per cent of your home’s wall space is windows and doors. By double glazing you will make your home much warmer in winter, cooler in summer and reduce noise,” she says.

TwinGlaze is a recently launched Canberra-based business and provides an affordable double glazing option that fits into your existing window frames,

windows, by removing the glass and leaving the frames in place, so the installation of new TwinGlaze windows is quick and easy.

“Our clients say they have had a reduction in their energy bills of up to 40 per cent! They say their home feels more quiet and comfortable,” says Melanie..

“We

“We

“Not

Mike

Fyshwick Home & Heating, 88 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 5522 or visit homeheating.com.au

SCENE / around canberra

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Sunrise’ to be seen for the first time in the south

COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

NOTHING could be better calculated to draw the crowds into the National Gallery of Australia than a major exhibition of Claude Monet’s art.

In a double-whammy, the next big show for our national collecting institution has at its centre the painting which gave its very name to the late 19th century Impressionist art movement – and it’s never been seen in the southern hemisphere before.

“Monet: Impression, Sunrise” (in French “Impression, Soleil levant”) which, after having been stolen in 1985 (it was recovered in 1990) rarely leaves the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, was first shown by Monet at an exhibition in Paris during April, 1874, and it is credited with inspiring the name of the Impressionist movement.

“Impression, Sunrise” was first shown in April, 1874, in Paris at an exhibition of more than 200 works by the group Painters, Sculptors, Engravers etc. Inc, which included himself, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir, Bazille and Sisley.

Monet is reputed to have said at the time: “They asked me for a title for the catalogue, it couldn’t really be taken for a view of Le Havre, and I said: ‘Put ‘Impression’.”

At the centre of the show, organised and curated by the NGA with the Musée Marmottan and Art Exhibitions Australia, are celebrated works, not least “Haystacks, Midday” and “The Pont de l’Europe, Saint-Lazare Station”.

Around half the paintings are by Monet himself, including several waterlily (Nymphéas) paintings, but they will be expanded with paintings by earlier artists such as JMW Turner and Richard Parkes Bonington, whose work influenced Monet.

According to the director of the NGA, Nick Mitzevich, whose fascination with art history is well-known: “Monet was a radical. We see him at a pivotal moment in his career, a period which redefined art”.

The works on show, he believes, “reveal the formative characteristics of Impressionism – depiction of light, purer colour and capturing the momentary view – by a new generation of artists who abandoned their studios for the world outside.

A case in point is “On the Beach at Trouville”, an everyday scene partly painted outdoors at a popular resort on the Normandy coast and probably featuring his wife Camille on the left and the wife of artist Eugene Boudin at the beach, with their parasols creating shadows. Critics have praised the bold strokes of white paint on the dresses.

The inclusion of work by Turner makes the point that Monet did not “invent” the Impressionists’ practices but rather learnt from his predecessors.

Berthe Morisot, the first woman to join the Impressionist movement, is represented in the show by “At the Ball”, 1875. Married to Manet’s brother Eugène, she knew Degas, Renoir, Monet and Pissarro and often exhibited work of her own at their exhibitions.

The inclusion of Morisot’s work is especially fascinating in light of the NGA’s announcement last month of a major new

campaign to recognise and celebrate our women artists. In May 2020, the gallery will unveil a major exhibition of Australian women artists across its gallery spaces with the idea of touring it throughout Australia in 2021 and will also exclusively show only female artists in the 20th century display of Australian art from May to October next year. Meantime, for the coming Monet

exhibition, the gallery has prepared a new exhibition space for the paintings, which have been sourced from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the Tate in London, and Australian and NZ collections.

“Monet: Impression, Sunrise”, National Gallery of Australia, June 7-September 1. Book at ticketek.com.au or at the NGA.

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MUSIC Cello concerto remembers much-loved Nelson Cooke

By Helen Musa

THE next concert in the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Llewellyn series looks like being a “Who’s Who” of musical talent, but there’s an intriguing local twist, too.

Conducted by Canberra-born Paul Kildea, now a world expert on Benjamin Britten, it will feature brothers Slava and Leonard Grigoryan performing a Roderigo concerto on guitar, while veteran cellist David Pereira will join 15-year-old prodigy Benett Tsai to play the world premiere of a concerto written by ANU husband-and-wife composing team, Kenneth and Kirsten Lampl.

It’s that concerto, “To the Memory of Nelson Cooke: an Elegy for Cello and Orchestra”, which has piqued our interest. Many Canberrans will remember the brilliant cellist Cooke, a found ing staff member of the Canberra School of Music and a teacher to generations of young instrumental hopefuls.

Born in Bellbird, NSW in 1919, Cooke saw active service in PNG and the Solomon Islands, then moved to London in 1949 to study with the great Spanish cellist Pablo Casals. He went on in the ‘50s and ‘60s to become the principal cellist of the Royal Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestras, the first Australian cellist to do so.

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founding the Riverina Summer School for Strings.

the school and the university.

“It was really inspiring learning about Australian artists and scientists at the ANU,” Kirsten says, while Kenneth tells how one of the remarkable personalities they “discovered” was the poet Judith Wright.

Having moved to Braidwood last year, they were chuffed to find that she was a local.

They got talking to cellist David Pereira, who had met Cooke in 1975 just before he went to the US to do advanced studies and to cellist John Painter who, like Lampl, was a former head of the School of Music.

From then the Lampls heard of the strong relationships established between Cooke and the many students he had influenced. They met Nicholas Milton, artistic director of the CSO, who asked them to send him some of their music.

“We thought it was an opportunity to do something, especially since 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Cooke’s birth,” Kenneth says.

Both composers emphasise that the cellists will be equal partners. Pereira, the 2010 “CityNews” Artist of the Year, is a familiar name to Canberra music-lovers, but Tsai, whom he has mentored, is known in Sydney as an up-andcoming star who, coincidentally, made his concert debut under the baton of Milton.

While technically a concerto, it’s just nine minutes long, so they have named it an “elegy”

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but they also describe it as “a one-movement concerto with full orchestra”.

The main melody, Kirsten says, came to them when they were composing an end-piece to the soundtrack for the locally-made film “The Furies”, soon to be released in cinemas. But as Kenneth explains, when composing for film one is restricted by having to match the melody to the character or a specific action.

“We thought it would be a great theme for a concerto,” he says. “It’s a kind of lamenting melody, suggesting loss and love.”

Unlike a lot of post-World War II compositions, they believ, this new work is tonal and melodic.

“You can hear the spirit of romantic music but it’s modern,” Kirsten says, while Kenneth adds that, like a popular song, it has verses and choruses.

He believes that traditional romantic music didn’t die, it just moved to Hollywood, noting that great film composers such as Erich Korngold and Max Steiner, who moved to the US, had been students of Gustav Mahler.

As a film composer once mentored by John Williams, he says: “We are classical composers of romantic music for the modern era.”

Canberra Symphony Orchestra, “Llewellyn Two”, Llewellyn Hall, June 19-20. Free pre-concert talk, 6.45pm. Book at cso.org.au

Elton’s not the man they think he

“Rocketman” (M)

I DIDN’T review “Bohemian Rhapsody” be cause I felt I mightn’t do justice to its musical environment (my radio station of choice is ABC Classic FM). When “Rocketman” came along, I set aside similar misgivings because what little I know about Elton John’s musical oeuvre made me curious.

I’m glad I made that decision. “Rocketman” delighted me for any number of reasons.

Director Dexter Fletcher, who was instru mental in (but uncredited for) completing “Bohemian Rhapsody” after credited director Bryan Singer was fired, certainly knows what makes a memorable movie about the rise of a rock star. Writer Lee Hall has a brief but impressive CV. And while “Rocketman” doesn’t labour the point, there can be no doubt that Elton John himself had a close connection with its making.

These, unseen, are three of the movie’s main pillars. The fourth is actor Taron Egerton playing the adult Reginald Dwight, a.k.a Sir Elton John, CBE. It’s a helluva delivery of the public and private lives of someone from a difficult early family background in an affluent town in north-east London.

The film moves relatively rapidly through Elton’s childhood, with a strict and difficult father (Steven Mackintosh) who left his mother (Bryce Dallas Howard) and doting grandmother (Gemma Jones) to raise the boy (Matthew IIlesley as a six-year-old) who needed only to hear a piece of music to play it on the piano into the adolescent (Kit Connor) who at 11 got a scholarship to the Royal

College of Music.

Early adulthood introduces Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Elton’s closest friend who wrote the words that Elton would set to music.

Early years in performance give way to the success from which the rest of his public life developed. What’s most difficult is not so much his coming out sexually (the film doesn’t mention his brief marriage) as the relationship with manager John Reid (Richard

Professional and experienced tutors

Margaret Hadfield, Julie-Anne Ure and Dennis Mortimer present a variety of classes every day of the week.

Madden) who was his lover. His problems with drugs and alcohol get an uncompromising going over.

These elements come to the screen with impressive candour served alongside musical

and dance sequences full of vigour and style. The total package is impressive cinema art, not just entertainment.

At all cinemas

“Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion” (PG)

MY Asterix books have gone to a stepdaughter in Melbourne. I miss them.

Their creators and the translators who rendered their satirical humour into English have all died, but the world-wide publishing phenomenon that they represent lives on.

“Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion” is the second movie that was not written by the original team of Goscinny (words) and Uderzo (illustrations). It shows.

The directors are Alexandre Astier and Louis Clichy. The writers and voice-over actors are not listed in the Englishlanguage IMDb page from which I normally harvest source material. Nor are the translators.

The English-language version of the film comes with a distinctly American accent and vocabulary.

So what’s it about? Well, while gathering the ingredients for the magic potion

from which Asterix gets his strength when the fighting starts, and into a cauldron of which the baby Obelix fell, thereby acquiring his size and strength, the Druid Getafix has a fall that injures his foot and, more importantly, makes him contemplate mortality. So off go Asterix, Obelix, Dogmatix and Getafix in search of a young Druid wise and skilful enough to be entrusted with the secret recipe for brewing the potion.

The search takes them through the customary meetings, mishaps and misdemeanors that the original books made favourites in 111 languages besides French.

The Asterix stories were never intended to be entertainment for children. Their translation into cinematic animation may go over the heads of littlies. Older-age children, many of whom will also be parents, wondering whether they or their offspring should see it must, as they always do, use the available information to make an informed choice.

At all cinemas

ART CLASSES LESSON SCHEDULE

Experienced in Margaret’s Classes MARGARET HADFIELD – Painting in All Mediums

URE – 4 SESSION COURSE – Beginners

MARGARET HADFIELD – Budget / Senior’s Class

DENNIS MORTIMER – Design/Visual Language

MARGARET HADFIELD – Painting in All Mediums

MARGARET HADFIELD – ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS CLASSES

MARGARET HADFIELD – Painting in All Mediums

– Materials supplied for both classes

When missing Nora comes home after 15 years

By Helen Musa

WHEN Nora Helmer exits the stage in Henrik Ibsen’s famous drama, “A Doll’s House”, the door slam is one of the loudest in history.

In 1879 when the play was first seen, it was unthinkable anywhere, not just in a strict Lutheran Norway, that a wife should walk out on her husband, even one as tedious as Torvald Helmer, and her actions resonated around the world, making Ibsen an international enfant terrible.

Now The Street Theatre is answering Canberra Rep, for which Aarne Neeme staged the original play early this year, with a production of US playwright Lucas Hnath’s play, “A Doll’s House, Part 2”.

Playgoers and readers have long been speculating on what happened to her after that door-slam and Hnath has come up with an answer. In his version, we are back at the Helmer house 15 years later, there’s a loud knock at the door and who should be there but Nora.

We won’t give out too many spoilers, but her traditionalist banker husband, here played by PJ Williams, is still scratching his head trying to work out what went wrong, while his children have been brought up by their nurse Anne-Marie (Camilla Blunden) and have a very different outlook on the world.

When we catch up with comedian Rachel Berger, who plays Nora, and Williams for

"It is impossible to take one’s eyes off the guests at this dinner party. A charming, relatable, hour long production".

QT ENTERTAINMENT

coffee at The Street, they’re busy grappling with the big ideas proposed by both Ibsen and Hnath – “sweeping up the crumbs of Ibsen,” one New York writer said.

“It’s something like forum theatre, a kind of sporting match,” Williams suggests.

In the battle between selfishness and righteousness, the characters are partly metaphors, but for the actors, it’s Lucas Hnath’s language and the cadence of his writing which are exquisite.

Proof of the text’s quality is that there are only two stage directions. Mind you, Ibsen’s door slam stage direction is second in fame only to Shakespeare’s “exit, pursued by a bear”, so should not be dismissed.

“The basics are in the original play,”

Berger says.

“But that was in 1879 and now its 1894. It’s a different era, Nora’s a very different person, times have changed.”

You can say that again. Director Caroline Stacey has been studying the history of Scandinavian divorce laws and this period of transition into a new era, which saw considerable ups and downs.

“There’s been a period reconsideration, there’s been a transition into no-fault divorce,” Berger says. “Think the 1960s, think Gloria Steinem.”

After a bit of arm-twisting, the actors are prepared to reveal that she’s come back to get Torvald to sign papers for a divorce, there are twists and turns, so The Street is promoting it as a kind of a thriller without a dead body – unless you consider the

marriage, that is.

Theatregoers will recall Torvald’s putdowns of Nora as he calls her, “my little squirrel” and “my little songbird”.

“The diminutive is a way of belittling people,” Williams says.

On the other hand, Berger suggests:

“People still call each other sweetheart and

Berger presumes that when last seen, Nora was in her 20s and now she’s 40-ish. As for Torvald, last seen when he was getting a promotion at the bank, Williams guesses he’s heading for his 60s now. He’s had to “keep the world turning” while maintaining some sort of dignity as a deserted husband, but he hasn’t moved on, although, “he’s wondered very much in his head for 15 years… Nora appears out of nowhere, who can say how he feels?”

To Berger one significant point about Nora is that while she’s aged and has achieved a measure of success as a writer of proto-feminist novels, she’s still not able to articulate the sense of having been a doll

“I don’t think she really knew what she did all those years ago,” Berger says.

“So this is the story of self-actualisation, it’s about choices and consequences.”

Those consequences are personified in the character of Nora’s daughter Emmy (Lily Constantine), who comes in late bringing a new current to the play. She’s one of the three children left behind with Torvald, now grown up and seemingly assured.

“Meeting her daughter after 15 years, Nora sees a lot of herself in her, but she doesn’t express her emotions the way you’d expect… but Emmy is a pain in the arse,” Berger says. “Gen Z.”

“A Doll’s House, Part 2”, The Street Theatre, June 14-23. Book at thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

ARTS IN THE CITY

The warped Eurovision rock ‘n’ roll cabaret ride

“EUROSMASH!” will see dysfunctional siblings Otto & Astrid pack the best and worst of Eurovision into one night of a warped rock ‘n’ roll cabaret ride. At The Courtyard Studio, June 12-13. Book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au

“MICHAEL has really outdone himself with the orchestral writing,” says pianist Andrew Rumsey of Canberra composer Michael Dooley’s “Piano Concerto No.1”, to be performed in premiere by the National Capital Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Weiss. Rumsey will play the work on a handcrafted, concert grand piano that has arrived in the country only this past month. At the Q, Queanbeyan, 3pm, Sunday, June 16. Book at theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

ALSO coming to The Q will be Queen –Bohemian Rhapsody Show”, Thomas Crane’s tribute to the late Freddie Mercury. There’ll be all the hits, including “We Will Rock You”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “We Are the Champions”. At The Q, Queanbeyan, Saturday, June 15. Book at theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

CHRISSIE Shaw and Alan Hicks’ show,

“Bijou – A Cabaret of Secrets and Seduc tion”, in a cosy Parisian bar, will return for two performances at Le Très Bon French Restaurant in Bungendore. Dinner and show on Saturday, June 15, and lunch and show on Sunday, June 16. Book at 6238 0662 or letresbon.com.au

DINING / republique bistro, batemans bay

Long live the Republique!

WHEN On the Pier closed at Batemans Bay to make room for the new bridge construction, it was a sad day. It was a “go to” place in the immediate area for an upmarket dining experience.

An owner dropped the hint that we had to try Republique Bistro and Bar on Orient Street. She promised we wouldn’t be disappointed. And so it was that after our first night, we landed at Republique the next night, too.

Republique is a small, cosy bistro/bar on Orient Street – a place that makes you feel at home. If you’re heading to the coast for the June long weekend be sure to book.

The lads in the kitchen are local boys who flew the coup to gain experience in reputable establishments in Australia and overseas and then returned to their special spot on the sea.

Republique takes full advantage of local and artisan produce. It’s an essential ingredient to the bistro’s success. We even briefly met a local couple who dine at Republique weekly (same table, same night). They had brought fresh limes for the kitchen, which were immediately transformed into a scrumptious, light and refreshing dessert.

The chicken pate is decadent – one of the best we’ve had. It’s smooth, creamy, rich (but not too rich) and highlighted with soused currants ($16). You must indulge.

The Kingfish tartare was

top to drip through, making for an unbelievable dish. And those shoe-string fries were addictive. We shared the dish – both nights.

The wine list is intriguing and carefully curated. The owners are hugely knowledgeable and don’t skip a beat with recommendations. French labels dominate – no surprise given the menu – but a small range of Australia’s finest are also available, including a gorgeous Nikkal Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley. Glasses start at $8 and bottles from $25.

Republique has wonderful service. It’s a family operated business and there’s lots of love about the place. It’s infectious. We will be back.

Republique, shop 3/1 Orient Street, Batemans Bay. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Call 4472 6575.

song and story, 6.15pm, Saturday, June 15, at Hawker College Theatre. Proceeds will be donated to Beryl Women’s Refuge and Domestic Violence Crisis Service, charities that help multicultural women in Canberra. Book at marss.org.au

BLOOMSDAY is a celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce, observed annually on June 16, the day his novel “Ulysses” takes place. This year a bevy of Molly Blooms and other assorted Dubliners will line up to read extracts and raise a glass to Joyce. Mollies will include Jenny Ongley-Houston, Jordan Best, Judi Wilkins, Liz Bradley and Micki Beckett. At Smith’s Alternative, Civic, 12.30pm, Sunday, June 16. Book at smithsalternative.com

cultures will

HELEN MUSA

Applications are now open for the 10197NAT Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen, Canberra’s professional acting course.

Start in July, study at our fullyequipped studios at Fyshwick, and explore acting technique for TV, film and theatre, how to audition, and how to break into the industry.

toni@twinstitchupholstery.com.au

Joy of a birch against a blue sky GARDENING

THERE are few more stunning sights than the golden yellow leaves of silver birch (Betula pendula) against a clear, blue sky.

I planted silver birch at just one metre tall when we purchased our home in Watson in 1991; now they’re a magnificent 15 metres tall made more beautiful by the smooth silver of the flaking bark off the trunk. Their cascade of small leaves fall on to the garden beds to remain, rotting down to enrich the soil.

The huge leaves from the nearby Magnolia soulangeana need extra help to break down. I shred them using either the mower or a combination blower/vac. with inbuilt shredder – although it’s still good exercise sweeping/raking leaves off paths and driveways where they can be a slippery hazard when wet.

WINTER has arrived, at least on the calendar, but the serious frosts have been late with the result bulbs seem to be popping up early. We still need substantial rain even though, seemingly, we have had some good showers.

The question is: do we need to water the garden in winter? At present, the answer is a definite yes.

But how do we decide? My advice is “dig an ‘ole” of at least 30

trouble but even after 25 millimetres of rain, due to the dryness, this may have penetrated only 10-15 centimetres into the soil, which isn’t deep enough to reach the roots of most plants, particularly trees and shrubs. Obviously, this test depends on how well soil is looked after.

Another good test is to push a 30cm screwdriver into the soil; does it go in easily? If not, it may indicate compacted soil and subsequently a watering problem.

IT’S time to give many perennials a serious haircut; that is crew cut to ground level. I started at one end of the main bed with Echinacea or cone flowers, next peony leaves, followed by Canterbury bells (Campanula persicifolia)

Then cutting back the penstemons, of which I left about 20 centimetres above the ground.

Sedum Autumn Joy has now finished flowering and the long stalks with the dried flower heads will have turned brown and can be used for dry-flower arrangements. If not for this purpose, then cut them to ground level or simply pull them out if they are still soft. The new light green shoots will be starting to appear and continue to grow through winter. This is also a good time to dig them up and divide to fill in gaps in the garden or give to friends.

If winter iris (Iris unguicularis) has finished flowering reduce those

Jottings...

• This is positively the last warning to remove all sprinklers and nozzles from hoses or severe overnight frosts will destroy them!

• Look for the great collection of winter-flowering hellebores now in garden centres such as Olivia’s joy, Sophie’s delight and Ruby daydream.

• It is not too late to divide hellebores in your garden, but do it now.

• To treat Curly Leaf in stone fruits such as peach, apricot and nectarine spray with organic Bordeaux or Kocide in June/July.

Then again 10 days later plus the ground under the tree.

• TREVOR Rogers will talk about growing cacti in Canberra at the next meeting of the Horticultural Society, 7.30pm, Monday, June 17 at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit,

PUZZLES PAGE

Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Get set for a frustrating week, as Saturn opposes Mars. Plus motivation levels will be low and you’ll feel as if you’re trying to move forwards with the handbrake on. You need to adjust the way you communicate with others, especially family members. The more patient and flexible you are, the better. There are also many rewards to be gained from becoming actively involved in a local community project. But be careful you don’t over-promise and then under-deliver.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Avoid staying on the same path for too long! This week Mars trines Neptune, which is fabulous for taking new ideas (which you discuss with others) and incorporating them into your hopes, dreams and wishes for the future. Destiny is around you and the more you combine the creative with the practical, the better the long-term outcome will be. There’ll be some stumbling blocks along the way though, so you must learn to be a patient and adaptable Bull.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

The Sun and Venus are visiting your sign which enhances your Gemini charisma… and you’ll need every drop of it! People will be restless and cranky, so power up your communication skills and turn the charm factor up to 10! And do you have to make an important financial decision? Saturn is delaying proceedings so be patient and wait for a more opportune time. The weekend is wonderful for creative projects, spiritual pursuits and destiny imbued dreams.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

With Mercury and Mars in your sign, you’re passionate about getting ahead. But the more you try to control and rush others, the more they will resist. So slow and steady wins the current race. When it comes to loved ones, you’ll find communication, consultation and active listening will get you a lot further than bossy behaviour. On the weekend, plan a romantic escape (with your partner) or a heavenly holiday (at your dream destination) for some time soon.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

The week commences in a confusing rush so slow down and get your bearings before you proceed. Convivial Cats – aim to get the balance right between socialising with others and spending some quality time on your own. Plus shine a spotlight on your hopes and dreams for the future. Are they an honest reflection of who you are right here and right now? If you have an ongoing problem that’s worrying you, look to a mature friend for some well-chosen words of advice.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

This week expect some confusion between relationship responsibilities and work issues. So do your best to maintain strict boundaries between what is personal and what is professional. A relationship with a child, teenager or friend also looks frustrating, as you seem to be heading in opposite directions. Try to find some common ground where you can meet each other halfway. Destiny is around on the weekend when you come up with an inspiring idea or meet someone special.

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

With Mercury, Mars and your destiny point all activating your career zone, you’re keen to power ahead and achieve more at work. But annoying delays, low motivation levels and tricky timelines are a problem at the moment, as you are diverted from professional responsibilities by a practical domestic matter or an emotional family situation. With plenty of patience and a dollop of diplomacy, you’ll manage to steer your way through a frustrating week.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Prepare for a rather challenging week, as circumstances or people frustrate your plans. When it comes to your aspirations for the future, don’t let others hijack your dreams. No matter how difficult things become or how long it takes, you need to be the captain of your own ship and the master of your own destiny! So your motto for the week is from fellow Scorpio, award-winning actress Tilda Swinton: “What is any life without the pursuit of a golden dream?”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Personal projects, business deals, financial matters and joint ventures are placed under the spotlight. You’re in a mad rush to get things done but Saturn is throwing a spanner in the works. So you must knuckle down, do your homework and read the fine print thoroughly first. Sagittarians prefer a speedy approach but you need to slow down as the devil is definitely in the fine details. If you are too hasty then you could end up heading off in a totally unsuitable direction.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Expect a relationship roadblock, when there is some conflict between what you want and what a loved one needs. With Saturn visiting your sign, you need to re-define the real you. Don’t try to model yourself on others… let your inner voice be your guide. It’s time to reveal the true talents buried deep within your psyche! Be inspired by birthday great, entertainer Judy Garland: “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

A work, health or humanitarian matter is very frustrating and you may feel as if you’re banging your head against a brick wall. The path you are on has some obstacles along the way but don’t give up. Aquarians love to change the world for the better. So keep going on your chosen trajectory, but at a slower and more measured pace. Be inspired by birthday great, Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Are you feeling overwhelmed by work pressures or relationship politics? You’re keen to escape stressful scenarios and daydream the hours away, as you retreat into your own private world. But this week you’ll be brought down to earth by an unwelcome reality check, as Mars and Saturn demand that you face facts and carefully sort out a confusing and frustrating situation. Then you‘ll have the energy and motivation to tackle a personal project or pursue a creative vision.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2019

Across

4 Name a French scene of a WWII evacuation of 330,000 British soldiers. (7)

8 Which colloquial term describes a goods train? (7)

9 To have accumulated something, is to have done what? (7)

10 To suffer from Mal de Mer is to be what? (3,4)

11 Name another term for perfume. (7)

12 Which passerine bird was introduced into Australia? (6)

14 What are pursuits made in order to find something? (6)

18 Who rode Might and Power, winning the 1997 Melbourne and Caulfield cups, Jim ...? (7)

21 Name an alternative word for the kneecap. (7)

22 What are medical centres where treatment of patients is given? (7)

23 Which word designates an instrument, vessel, or implement? (7)

24 What is a witty, ingenious, or pointed saying, tersely expressed? (7)

Down

1 To be in attendance, is to be what? (7)

2 What is an alternative name for an ermine? (5)

3 Name those persons with pale, milky skin that lacks pigmentation. (7)

4 What are male ducks? (6)

5 What do we call the slender parts of bottles? (5)

6 Which large tropical American lizards often have spiny projections on the head and neck? (7)

7 To pull a ship with the aid of an anchor, is to do what? (5)

13 Name the prolific Italian composer whose major operas include "The Barber of Seville", and "William Tell". (7)

15 What is an indefinite, very large number? (7)

16 Which sudden strong winds die away rapidly? (7)

17 What is hydrated calcium sulphate more commonly known as? (6)

18 Which term implies a long period of years? (5)

19 To be more chilly, is to be what? (5)

20 Which silica-based transparent substance is used in windows, etcetera? (5)

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Sole traders in tax office sights

Dion came to see me, curious to know if there was anything he needed to know to lodge his first tax return as a sole trader.

"Working as a sole trader mainly from home and your clients’ offices means that you don’t rent an office," I said. "So you are fair and square in the group that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is looking at.

"In updating its practice statement on claiming home office and electronic device expenses in January, the ATO revealed that the revenue loss on incorrect personal claims was greater than the revenue loss from multinationals.

"We are aware that ATO resources are being used to ensure that all claims are correct and the ATO is checking claims for accurate substantiation.”

Dion was startled that there was so much revenue being lost.

"If you think about it, things like phone claims and home office claims are hard to quantify," I told him.

"Looking at your home office claim, firstly you have to apportion the floor area of your home study against the floor area of the house. This is likely to be between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the floor area.

"Then you need to apportion your heating bills based on the usage of your home study. So, if you are in the study for 10 hours a week and the electricity is used for 60 hours a week and the annual electricity cost is $2400, the deduction would be $2400 / 6 x 10 per cent which I calculate to be $40.

"There is a simpler method which is that you keep a log for a month and use the ATO rate of 52 cents an hour. If you use the study for 10 hours a week and have four weeks leave, your claim would be 10 x .52 x 48 = $249.60. Your diary will suffice as a log and if you have the hours it is a simple claim. It also means that you won’t have capital gains tax issues when you sell your house, which you could have if you claim in any other way.”

I said that all claims that rely on apportionment, including a home study, phone, internet connection, iPad, laptop and anything else provided and used for private purposes requires that a log be kept for one month in the year so the basis for apportionment can be proved in the event of a tax audit.

"If you are claiming internet and laptop computers think carefully in your apportionment because if your two children use these a lot for their purposes and Jenny uses it, too, then you will be hard pressed to justify a claim of more than 25 per cent for that item unless the kids have their own laptops.”

Dion said was grateful for the advice saying: "I hadn’t realised quite how complex my record keeping needs to be for me to make these claims. Now I feel that I can present you with good records for all my claims.”

If you have any queries on your claims for your 2019 tax return or you need details of how to apportion your business and personal expenses contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 02 6295 2844.

Disclaimer

This column contains general advice, please do