CityNews 190919

Meet the new Harry Potter people HELEN MUSA

Channelling my inner-Mufasa KATE MEIKLE

Vile abuse as the big men fly MIKE WELSH

NEWS / melanomas

Bitter gift of vigilance in Adrienne’s cancer fight

By Danielle NOHRA

ADRIENNE Hornby did everything right when it came to the five key rules of sun safety and yet at the beginning of the year, she was devastated to hear about the stage 1 melanoma on her forehead.

“My mum drilled into me the importance of sun protection from a young age,” says Adrienne, 32, of Coombs, who lost her mum to a stage 4 melanoma when she was 21.

“I always kept out of the sun, especially because of my fair skin.”

But all it takes is one mole, says Adrienne, who emphasised this when she spoke about the “deadliest cancer for young people” to teenagers from 10 Canberra high schools as part of a SunSafe program in Campbell last week.

Run by the Melanoma Institute Australia, the peer-to-peer SunSafe Student Ambassador Program teaches students about the importance of sun safety and early detection so they can take the messages back to their schools.

Melanoma is often seen as an older person’s disease but it’s the most common cancer for 15 to 39-year-olds – a

Arts & Entertainment 30-33

Canberra Matters 8

Cinema 32

Crossword 35

Dining 33

Gardening 34

Horoscopes 35

Letters 16

News 3-17

Politics 15

fact not many people understand or know, according to Melanoma Insti tute Australia CEO Matthew Browne.

Adrienne knows this statistic well, and even though she’s been vigilant her whole life, still developed a stage 1 melanoma.

While she was lucky to catch her melanoma early, she says her mum wasn’t, and was diagnosed with a stage 3 melanoma when Adrienne was six.

When Adrienne’s mum was younger she lived in the Cocos (Keeling) Is lands, off Perth, and in Cairns during a time where “baking” in the sun was a thing people did.

She was in her 40s when media started highlighting melanomas and saying what to look for and, with a mole on her knee, Adrienne’s mum went to about six different doctors, who all said it was fine until a special ist told her it was a melanoma.

It had spread from her knee to her hips and the lymphatic system, and even though it was cut out and she was in remission for years, it came back worse than before when Adrienne was 21.

“Surgeons went in and had a look and removed the tumour from her abdomen,” she says.

“She went on to recover and then when they went back in, it had grown four times the size and had seeded to other organs.”

eventually went to all of her organs,” says Adrienne, who was horrified to lose her mum so suddenly but says it gave her the ultimate gift of vigilance.

“Because of her, I applied all the sun-smart strategies when in the sun and maintained regular skin checks over the years and it ultimately saved my life,” she says.

Since 1993: Volume 25, Number 36

Socials 22-26 Cover: Willum Hollier-Smith, 11, in the title role of “Oliver!”. Photo: Holly Treadaway. Story Page 6.

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oured.

A seven-week pregnant Adrienne (after two years of IVF attempts) was shocked to discover she had a stage 1 melanoma.

She says it was a scary possibility to think it could be the same cancer her mum died from.

“There was no rationality in it. I

WHEN IT MATTERS

instantly thought, I watched someone die from it so it will happen to me,” she says.

“But because I noticed it so quickly, there’s a 92 per cent chance it will never recur. It can seed at any stage but family history doesn’t mean it will.”

Adrienne can’t get any scans until she’s had her baby but once he’s born she says she’ll get them to give her some peace of mind.

But until then Adrienne wants to raise awareness for others to get checked, too.

“I’m the most vigilant person when it comes to melanomas and this happened to me, so what about the people who aren’t?” she says.

And, the full-time primary school executive teacher, part-time health coach, says her experience has alerted her of the misinformation around vitamin D, which might affect someone’s chance of getting melanoma.

“For someone with fair skin, there’s no such thing as sensible sun exposure,” she says.

“I fell into the trap of the idea of sensible sun exposure.”

Adrienne says a lot of the advice is coming from podcasts or health experts from around the world where the sun isn’t as harsh as here.

“There is no global recommendation for sun exposure,” she says.

“[And] there’s others way to get vitamin D from diet and supplementation.”

SEVEN DAYS

Vile abuse from the sidelines as the big men fly

ON Canberra AFL Grand Final

day I watched “The Australian Dream”, the outstanding doco about footy crowds’ treatment of Swans star Adam Goodes

The Stan Grant -directed feature rightly confronts fans for our failure to call out abuse, in particular racist attacks on players.

Later in the day I was at Manuka Oval for the Ainslie versus Belconnen Division One decider (Ainslie won) where I witnessed vile abuse by young members and registered players of the Belconnen club.

Among the usual rubbish were highly personal comments relentlessly spewed across the boundary line.

I watch a lot of football and this was far worse than the sort of abuse that would see a patron quickly punted from the MCG. Yet despite security regularly wandering past the group nothing was done. Why not?

CANBERRA based blogger Richard Tuffin dares to go where many still fear to tread by calling into question Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Christian faith.

In a piece on the Independent Australia website headed: “The blatant hypocrisy of Scott Morrison’s Christian faith”, Tuffin rebukes the PM’s “public and loud proclamation of faith… without acknowledging the absolute and blatant hypocrisy that goes along with the way he leads his life and the manner in which he performs his role as PM.

“There’s also the fact that he lies – often

and wilfully – and the last time I checked, honesty was a big part of the Christian mantra”.

ABC journalist Francis Leach has scolded political columnist Michelle Grat -

tan and others in the profession over the casual use of the PM’s nickname. The ABC sports writer tweeted: “Can we journalists please stop referring to @ScottMorrison with his cartoon name ScoMo. It’s overly familiar and frankly unprofessional. He’s

not your mate. He’s the Prime Minister.”

SINCE the democracy caravan rolled back into town for the spring sitting there appears to have been some slippage of the ScoMo halo. I muted the Prime Minister’s chat with “7.30’s” Leigh Sales and it appeared the familiar smug smirk of the blokey, goofy, suburban dad had disappeared and a snarly, “let’s get serious” sneer had taken over.

PROVING yet again we are downright neighbourly here in the capital, showbiz Mr Niceguy Hugh Jackman was made to feel extra welcome when he dropped by recently. The “Boy From Oz” star and wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness were at Yarralumla to collect his Order of Oz from the Governor-General, David Hurley.

THE ANU has given itself an F for the way in which it handled the reporting of on-campus sexual violence.

The institution has admitted it was an error to cut deputy heads at Bruce Hall, Fenner Hall and Wright Hall. The move was met by a strong backlash from students who claim they had to report incidents of sexual violence to other students.

Pro vice-chancellor Tony Foley clumsily admitted at a forum: “We tried an experi -

ment about pastoral care and I don’t think there is anyone in this room who doesn’t think that experiment had not worked”.

MITCHELL may not have its own light rail stop but it is getting some competition at the petrol bowser. A “Coming Soon” sign has gone up a few hundred metres down Lysaght Street from Mitchell’s sole Caltex servo. Metro Petroleum and Car Wash is expected to bring a long overdue price war to the area when it opens.

THE capital could be joining the “big” club in a very big way. But none of your tacky bananas, bulls or merino rams for us. No, we are going big on batteries and technology. ACT Climate Change minister Shane Rattenbury put out a tender for construction of one of the nation’s biggest batteries, expected to surpass the capabilities of those already operational in Victoria and SA. The battery will be able to store energy to power 25,000 “typical homes” for two hours.

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Please sir, young Willum wants

By Helen MUSA

“ALL the songs are really fun to sing,” says 11-year-old Willum Hollier-Smith as he rushes in from a photo call with Holly Treadaway clutching a cypress pine begging bowl made by the Queanbeyan Men’s Shed.

He gets to play Oliver for Queanbeyan Players in the famous musical based on Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” and he couldn’t be happier, telling us, “I’ve got to be really good friends with the cast.”

Willum will turn 12 while he’s Oliver but he’s been studying singing since age 7, nowadays with Teresa Rayner.

But the theatre is less familiar to him, although he recently dressed up as “a muddled up Harry Potter” for Book Week at Forrest Primary School. Playing Oliver has given him a taste for it, and he’d love to perform more in musical theatre but not, he says, in movies.

He hasn’t yet had a chance to read “Oliver Twist” but has strong feelings about the characters and the numbers. His favourite songs are “I’d Do Anything for You,” and “Where Is Love?”

He likes Fagin at first, saying, “after all he’s given me a home.” As well, he feels very sad when Nancy gets killed and equally happy to be with the kindly Mr Brownlow. Emily Pogson, who has recently finished an intensive musical theatre course with Perform Australia, plays Nancy, a character she describes as “a gentle soul who wants to save the kids.”

Her tragedy is that she loves the violent Bill Sykes

and can’t leave him – something like the Stockholm Syndrome, where’s she’s attracted to her abuser, who gives her a sense of security. Unsurprisingly, her favourite song is “As Long as He Needs Me.”

“I love playing her,” she says, “Nancy’s a strong woman who’s drawn the short straw, but when she meets Oliver she feels so strongly that she wants him not to have the same life as hers that she sacrifices her life for him.”

“’Oliver!’ is not only popular but it’s up-to-date,” says cast member and Queanbeyan Players stalwart, Alison Newhouse, who play Oliver’s aunt, Mrs Bedwin.

“Of course, it’s a classical classic musical with all the great songs people know, but the other thing is that it shows different characters in different moods,” Newhouse says.

“The whole atmosphere changes whenever Bill Sykes is around, it happens in the song ‘Oom-Pah Pah’ when he suddenly walks in.

“The show is easy to follow, with lots of clear messages and fun, with songs like ‘Consider Yourself’ –above all, it’s heart-warming.”

The most beautiful song of all, in her view, is “Who Will Buy?”, which she describes as “surreal and beauti ful”.

“Domestic violence and homelessness are a problem and the musical helps make people realise those things are still around these days,” Newhouse adds.

With this in mind, the company is holding special fundraising shows on October 2 and October 4 for the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service and Raw Potential Canberra, as well as a low-cost 2pm matinee on October 3 during the school holidays, to encourage families to come.

“Oliver!”, The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, September 27- October 6. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

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CANBERRA MATTERS

There’s not much new in Malcolm’s ‘Utopia’ view

ON Wednesday, August 21, ABC TV commenced the fourth series of “Utopia”, starring Rob Sitch as Tony Woodford, the CEO of the fictional National Building Authority.

Government ministers look like puppets with strings pulled by bureaucrats.

On the same evening, the North Canberra Community Council (NCCC) hosted a presentation by Malcolm Snow, the real CEO of the City Renewal Authority, on the authority’s program for urban developments and infrastructure around Civic and north to Dickson.

“Utopia”, which aired for about 30 minutes, was amusingly painful given it portrays too accurately how things are done or not done in 21st century government bureaucracies – especially authorities set up for major infrastructure and urban development. The fictional staff spend most of their time dealing with frustrating distractions, political games, marketing spin and bureaucratic self-interest. Not much gets done.

At the NCCC presentation,

A couple of pesky residents mistook Malcolm Snow’s presentation for a democratic forum and insisted on questions when their areas of interest were quickly glossed over.

Malcolm Snow talked for about 50 minutes. For most of the time he talked at the 70 or so people present about the authority’s previously circulated plan.

For those who had already read the documents, there was not much new. It was not clear whether this was to be a forum for discussion. It was not. It was mainly an exercise in talking about published information.

Questions were discouraged. People were instructed to keep those till the end. Unfortunately, because the presentation was long, there was little time for questions.

However, a couple of pesky residents mistook the presentation for a democratic forum and insisted on questions when their areas of interest were quickly glossed over.

One was about the future of the Civic pool. Those who use it regularly may have this healthy option removed to be replaced by Andrew Barr’s pet infrastructure project (before he

departs), being a football stadium. Mr Snow was vague as if someone else was deciding this; not one for his authority. No real answers were offered.

The other was about what is happening to the residential area of Braddon, north of Haig Park. This is often overlooked in favour of comments about Braddon’s commercial precincts. Mr Snow seemed confused and said that the area mentioned was not within the authority’s planning precinct. It is.

The other gem was about West Basin proposals. The current “Utopian” spin has not changed despite all ecological, heritage and sensible reasons why it should not happen. As for the numerous groups and the hundreds of people who go to meetings to voice opposition to the West Basin new suburb development – what are they talking about?

According to Mr Snow, since 2002 there has been extensive consultations and support for residential developments on this lakeside site.

Those who have lived in Canberra through those times and were part of those debates, know that the NCA’s development blueprint, the

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October 2019

This year the ACT will be home to a remarkable array of over 35 Mental Health Month events which aim to maximize the wellbeing of individuals and the wider community and encourage people to live mindfully and seek help.

“Griffin Legacy”, was always a tool to overdevelop and do away with some of the attractive elements of this city. It seems that Mr Snow’s authority has adopted these alternative facts as their gospel to be delivered whether residents like it or not.

I have attended many forums and conferences where chief bureaucrats talk at those attending while limiting opportunities for useful debates. There are many authorities established by governments elsewhere that seem to have the function of going through the motions of doing stuff and launching plans while barbaric developments happen unchecked. Utopia is based on what we see happening – distraction, spin and loads of urban speak while the developers have fun.

Will this City Authority deliver

for residents? The jury remains out because after two years we have seen few measurable long-term outcomes.

Residents have a high level of personal interest in the infrastructure and urban developments in Canberra’s inner north and are desperate for good urban design and architecture that is respectful of our neighbourhoods and the city’s heritage. We do not need any more distractions such as pop-up experiments.

As they left, I suspect the bureaucrats said to themselves: “That went well, tick the box on another consultation.”

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

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH LAUNCH COMEDY NIGHT

1 October, 2019 - 7pm The Dickson Tradies www.mentalhealthmonthact.org/launchevent

Come along to the official launch of Mental Health Month in the ACT! Help us promote positive mental health, break down stigma associated with mental illness and be entertained by some of the best club comedians in Australia! Purchase tickets online.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING EXPO

10 October, 2019 - 11am - 2pm City Walk, Civic www.mentalhealthmonthact.org/expo

The integral Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo is a free public event bringing the ACT community together to celebrate positive mental health and learn more about the services available in the ACT. Join 80 local organisations in a fun market day atmosphere with interactive activities, sausage sizzle and live music.

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH AWARDS CEREMONY

29 October, 2019 - 3pm Bradman Room, Manuka Oval www.mentalhealthmonthact.org/awards

The Mental Health Month Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions individuals have made to improve the health and wellbeing of the ACT community. All are welcome to attend the official awards ceremony. Free but please RSVP online.

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.

Zero proof is in the pudding for future leader Alan

By Danielle NOHRA

IN an attempt to find a way around the boozy world of consulting, a Canberra couple built a business that empowers people at events through fun, non-alcoholic drinks.

It started as a hobby business in early 2018 – after the silly season – and has since taken off, allowing Christina DeLay, 29, and partner Alan Tse, 30, to move from their kitchen bench in Charnwood to a shared work space in Fyshwick.

It’s also raised the interest of the Canberra Business Chamber, which recently chose Alan for its future leaders program.

“I was super excited to be selected,” says Alan, head of business development and sales at Altina Drinks.

“They only select one person out of about 30 and I’m really new to business so I hope to learn from the experienced business leaders from a business point of view but also a boardroom perspective.”

Despite Alan’s degrees in economics and accounting, it’s the first time he and Christina have run a business of their own.

Before this, they were both run off their feet in consultancy jobs that involved long hours and numerous alcohol-centred events.

“It was great at the start but it was a lot harder to work the next day,” Alan says.

“We just got really sick both mental ly and physically and for us it wasn’t about drinking all the time.”

Christina, who is the CEO and head of product development at Altina Drinks, hatched the idea that they’d take a break from drinking.

“It wasn’t ‘Let’s go quit our day job and start a business’ – we said, ‘Let’s go find an alternative’,” Alan says.

“We tried alcohol-free wine, alcoholfree beer but it was too sugary.”

Alan and Christina became frus trated with having the boring options of either juice or soft drinks at events, so Christina, who has a PhD in plant biology, decided to go back to her train ing and create a drink that’s sugar-free and alcohol-free but also tastes great.

“We tried to achieve something that’s an alcohol-free alternative that tastes great, has complex flavours, looks great and makes you feel like you’re part of the party,” Alan says.

Christine uses ingredients such as organic rose petals, organic hibiscus and sweet orange and Alan says there’s no fermentation in the products.

So far, only one of their bottled, alcohol-free, chill-and-pour cocktails

Alan Tse and Christina DeLay… “We’re trying to challenge the notion of drinking by saying alcohol isn’t the only way to celebrate an occasion,” he says.

is available online and at about 10 shops in Canberra. It’s called Light Me Up and is based on native Australian flavours such as forestberry and wattleseed combined with apple and green tea. They also have more flavours in their pop-up bar including Espresso Yo Self, which combines a cold-brewed espresso with scorched orange, warm spices and chilli. Alan says they’re

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Holly Treadaway

looking at getting these bottled, too.

The pop-up bar was created so Alan and Christina could give people the option of an alcohol-free outlet at weddings, parties and corporate events.

The couple, who met at high school in Queensland before moving to Canberra about seven years ago, say Altina Drinks isn’t about demonising alcohol.

“We’re both not anti-alcohol,” Alan says. “What we’re saying is if you choose not to drink in a corporate setting, there’s no alternative besides juice and soft drink.

“People want to hold on to something that’s not just water and we saw a gap in the premium, alcohol-free

“Caterers always have the best craft beer, the best wine, the best alcohol list but alcohol-free drinks are always soft drink and juice.”

Alan says having a quality alcoholfree product is also beneficial for pregnant women, designated drivers, young people and those who don’t drink for religious reasons.

“We’re trying to challenge the notion of drinking by saying alcohol isn’t the only way to celebrate an occasion,”

“Every glass of Altina is one less glass of alcohol.”

And while Alan and Christina have created full-time jobs for themselves in just 18 months, Alan says the journey has been harder than expected, which is why he is excited to learn from experienced business leaders in the future leaders program over the next year.

“You can have a great product but people need to know about you before they buy it,” he says.

See altinadrinks.com

Great to channel my inner-Mufasa

THE “Lion King” has been a big help in our house. Not thanks to the recent Ooshies craze at Woolies as we now have hundreds of tiny, gold, plastic lions scattered around our home, but the “circle-of-life” theme has helped us navigate the whole awkward discussion about death with our fiveyear-old. Thank you, Disney!

I admit that I don’t find it easy to talk about death. Who does? When his 101-year-old great granny died last year, we decided to tell our son that when people are very old and turn 100, their bodies stop working, they fall asleep and die. Yes, it is very sad for those who love her, but she lives on in our hearts and memories.

Might not be getting a parenting award for that one, but it was the best non-religious explanation we could come up with at the time. I did wonder if we did the right thing when our son started asking everyone in our family our ages and working out how close to 100 we are!

After the Ooshies craze hit our house,

The ‘circle-of-life’ theme has helped us navigate the whole awkward discussion about death with our five-year-old. Thank you, Disney!

then came the information that all the preschooler’s friends have watched “Lion King” and please, mummy, could he see it, too? I remember watching the animated movie at the cinema as a tween so was unsure if it was appropriate for my five year old. He seemed to read my mind because he then reported to me that “the dad dies, I know that, mummy”.

So we decided to let him watch the animated movie. And, yes, spoiler alert, the dad, Mufasa, does die. I kept asking my boy if he was okay during the dramatic death scene, in a loose “Hamlet” narrative twist Mufasa is murdered by his brother. But the boy was alright about it. Phew.

The movie was worth watching from my perspective as it gave me some great material for the next death

discussion coming my way. In one scene Mufasa teaches his son, Simba, that everything he sees exists together in a delicate balance.

“As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope,” says Mufasa.

Young Simba replies: “But dad, don’t we eat the antelope?”

“Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life,” says Mufasa, wisely.

Disney parenting gold. When the question came up the other day about

us eating meat and animals dying, instead of stammering or gulping, I simply channelled my inner-Mufasa and couldn’t believe how the “circleof-life” speech rolled perfectly off my tongue. I felt like roaring!

My son’s favourite “Lion King” ooshie is the blue “spirit” Mufasa, sapphire coloured with speckles of silver it’s a very special part of the collection, representing the spirit of dead Mufasa.

In the absence of religious beliefs, I quite like the idea of being a spirit Mummy Mufasa when I die, glittering in the skies, looking down at my children. Although it’s still mercifully a long time until I’m 100!

Grants for Youth Week

APPLICATIONS for grants of up to $2000 to assist groups of young people aged 12-25 to organise events for other young people in the ACT for next year’s Youth Week are open. The 2020 ACT Youth Week will be held from March 27 to April 5. Applications close at midday, Monday, October 28. Apply via dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/ 2020ACTYouthWeek

Rush to be heard

STATION manager Jenni Rush will talk about the service 1RPH provides to print-handicapped listeners at the next monthly meeting of the Canberra South Branch of National Seniors Australia at the Weston Creek Labor Club, Teesdale Close, Stirling, from 10.30am on Wednesday, September 25. Non-members welcome. A contribution to morning tea is $3. More details from nsacanberrasouth@gmail.com

Raffle for RSPCA

MASONICARE has launched a raffle to raise funds for the RSPCA ACT shelter with a target of $25,000. The first and second prizes are for manpower (labour) to be provided by the members and associates of Freemasons NSW/ACT. The third prize is four “VIP experience” passes for “The Producers”. Tickets are available until September 30 at masonicare.org.au

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Dry argument if the water doesn’t come through

A PROPOSAL to expand the village of Sutton, to Canberra’s immediate north, by 64 dwellings or about 200 people has prompted the obvious question: “Where will they get their water?”

I had the same thought when I read just a few weeks ago about plans to triple the size of Bungendore. The 2016 census reports that Bungendore has a population of 4100 so the planned increase would take its population to more than 12,000.

Both Sutton and Bungendore currently rely on a combination of ground water and rain tanks. However, one can assume that population increases of the order proposed for Sutton and Bungendore would severely test the limits of those sources of water.

But the question is increasingly urgent in light of the ACT government’s land supply and planning policies that have rendered housing in Canberra less and less affordable for workingclass and lower-income households, and is causing an acceleration in

It is simply not credible that the ACT government would have entered into a contract to build 5500 houses in NSW before having ensured a secure supply of water to those houses.

the number of people from Canberra looking in NSW, across the border, for an affordable house.

However, it may be that the question of where the water could come from has already been answered and it is just that the ACT government is yet to take us into its confidence.

As we know, the ACT government has formalised plans to build 5500 houses on land in NSW as part of the Ginninderry housing development.

The first of 6500 dwellings in the overall Ginninderry development, which will when completed comprise a total of 12,000 dwellings and a population of more than 30,000 people, are currently under construction on the ACT side of the border.

A considered estimate of the value of the Ginninderry development to the ACT government is well in excess of $1 billion, assuming the NSW component proceeds.

Therefore, the ACT government

has, through the 60/40 joint venture arrangements which it entered into for both halves of the Ginninderry venture, a huge investment at stake that can only be fully realised if it receives NSW government planning approval for the 5500 houses proposed to be built in NSW.

It would be remarkable, in light of the extent of the ACT government’s exposure, if it had not, before formally entering into the Ginninderry jointventure agreement, resolved the question of where the water for the 5500 dwellings in NSW is to be sourced.

The obvious answer is that it would come from the same source as the water for existing dwellings in the ACT, namely our dams, including most pertinently, the Googong Dam.

The relevance of the Googong Dam is not only that it is located on a NSW waterway but that it is owned by the Commonwealth.

My understanding is that Commonwealth approval would be required before water from the Googong Dam could be supplied to the cross-border Ginninderry development.

As I have suggested above it is

Artist’s Impression

Googong Dam.

simply not credible that the ACT government would have entered into a contract to build 5500 houses in NSW before having ensured a secure supply of water to those houses. Albeit a little surprising that the ACT entered into that contract before securing planning approval from the NSW government for the development to proceed.

The point I am making is that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Imagine you were, say, the mayor of Palerang or Yass shires and the Commonwealth had agreed that the ACT government could access water from a dam the Commonwealth owned and controlled in NSW for 5500 houses to be built in the Yass Shire, surely you would expect equal treatment for housing that your constituents were also planning to build.

The politics here are pretty straightforward. The Premier of NSW

leads a Liberal/National Party government as does the Prime Minister (the dam owner). The local member of the State Parliament, John Barilaro, is the Deputy Premier of NSW and leader of the state’s National Party. The local member of the Federal seat, Mike Kelly, representing the ALP, has one of the narrowest electoral margins in Australia. If I was Mike, I’d volunteer to join John Barilaro on a working bee to personally lay a pipe from Googong Dam to Bungendore.

Can you really imagine any one of these politicians standing up to defend a decision to grant water from a Commonwealth dam to the ACT government for 5500 houses it wants to build in NSW while denying water from the same dam to residents of NSW who wanted to build 64 houses at Sutton?

I will, in any event, be surprised if the Premier of NSW does not make it a condition of the planning approval for the 5500 houses that the ACT government is hoping to build in the Yass shire that in addition to Bungendore and Sutton being supplied with water from Googong that the ACT agrees to link Murrumbateman and Yass to the ACT water system. If I were her, I would.

Jon Stanhope was chief minister from 2001 to 2011 from 1998. He is the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.

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POLITICS

Labor tops next year’s election cash splash

JUST over a year out from an election and the Labor Party coffers are looking much healthier than those of the Liberal Party or the Greens. However, the three incumbent parties completely outstrip any of the other political parties registered to run in the next election.

The 2018/19 Annual Returns have been released on the ACT Electoral Commission’s website and they make interesting reading for anyone following ACT politics.

The Labor Party has declared receipts of $1,204,159.05 in the 12-month period. Granted, a small percentage of this is “in-kind” donations such as space for a meeting. However, well over a million dollars has been amassed in the past year. This is in marked contrast to all other political parties. The reasons will become clear later.

The Liberal Party also has declared some “in-kind” donations. However, its receipts totalled close to half of Labor at $609,520.46. The Greens were running third with receipts totalling $450,187.74 and the Liberal Democrats declared less than $3000.

So where does the rest of the money come from?

Elections ACT pays $8 a vote to political parties achieving more than 4 per cent of the vote. This is up from $2 a vote in 2012. For the Labor Party in the ACT this funding amounted to $337,394.64.

In the case of the Liberals, in the return in 2018/19 the amount received was $246,728.35 and the Greens declared receipts from ACT Elections and the Federal Election Commission totalling $300,227.90 – of this, Elections ACT contribution was $44,859.70. An examination of the 2017/18 Annual Returns shows similar amounts from ACT Elections to each of the parties.

The biggest income for the Liberal Party, apart from Elections ACT, came through a declaration of $196,204.23 through LJ Hooker Commercial. The Liberals also had a wide range of smaller donors adding to the Party coffers. The MLAs contributed around $10,000 each with Alistair Coe donating just over $11,000.

Labor MLAs all make a donation of around $25,000 a year with the Chief Minister contributing close to $30,000. It is a similar story with the two Greens MLAs in the Assembly.

Most interesting in the Financial Returns are the “Associated Entities”. For the Labor Party these are the “1973 Foundation” and the Canberra Labor Club. These “entities” include Labor’s investment arm – which has the wherewithal to provide them with considerable income leading into next year’s election.

Labor MLAs all make a donation of around $25,000 a year with the Chief Minister contributing close to $30,000. It is a similar story with the two Greens MLAs in the Assembly.

The ACT Labor Party relies heavily on the “1973 Foundation Pty Ltd” with declarations of $331,527.00 for the 2018/19 returns (and $789,403.48 declared in 2017/18). The ACT Election financial returns also reveal Labor’s “1973 Foundation” received $724,957 from JB Were (Investment Income and Sales Proceeds combined) and from G8 Education (Rent) a declaration of the sum of $631,695.08.

Electoral returns are essential to our democracy as they do add transparency to the income of political parties.

At one end of the spectrum are those people who are donating less than $1000 (which does not have to be declared). There are also many personal donors who provide more than $1000 because they believe in the work and ethos of a political party.

Additionally, it is not hard to understand the commitment of MLAs to their party in recognition of the support they receive at election time. The 2018/19 declarations also reveal that the wife of one of the Federal Members donated $30,000 to the campaign.

In 2015 legislation was enacted that removed the previous cap on donations of $10,000 in a single financial year. ACT Elections points out “there is no longer a limit governing the amount that can be donated to a political entity in the ACT”.

It is also the case that there are no residential requirements placed on donations to ACT political parties and associated entities.

Funding of political parties is complex. However, it is also important that the community understands what is going on, who has influence and what they might hope to achieve. Next year is an election year for the ACT and the returns may be expected to be much more interesting.

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

FAST NEWS FREE

Now Leah’s ready to live life! I’ve

By Danielle NOHRA

AFTER staring an aggressive breast cancer in the face and coming out on the other side, Leah Yaxley now wants to help other women who are going through what she did.

“One in eight women get breast cancer and I want to be there for those women,” says Leah, 32, of Calwell, who was featured on the cover of “CityNews” on June 13.

In the story she spoke about her grade 3, triple positive invasive ductal cancer and since, after six chemotherapy treatments and a double mastectomy, has received some “phenomenal” news.

“The oncologist said: ‘Leah, I

don’t get to tell many people this but you’ve gone from a grade three to a grade zero’,” she says.

“I don’t think I’ve cried so much in my life. I made him tell me three more times.”

Leah, who went in for a double mastectomy in early August and had 21 lymph nodes from her left armpit removed, had expected to be told they were full of cancer.

“Thankfully, all the lymph nodes came back clear,” she says.

It was extremely lucky news, according to Leah, who says only about 10 per cent of women with HER2-positive breast cancer, see their lymph nodes clear from cancer.

“If it was in my lymph nodes I would have been looking at 28 rounds of radiation,” she says.

“I still have to go back to the oncologist every three weeks to get herceptin, which stops the HER2-positive from mutating into cancer.

“And I have five years of testing every three to six months until I get told I’m officially cancer free.”

But until then, Leah wants to help others with breast cancer and, as a qualified nurse, she wants to move from being a nurse in GP practice to becoming a breast-cancer support nurse.

“So many people I didn’t know banded together and supported me and now I want to pay it forward,” she says.

“I want to bring women positivity. I want them to know, you’re not alone and you will get through this. There is a light at the end of the tunnel if you just push through.

10am at Palmerston Primary School

5pm at the Fusion LifeCENTRE 85 Hoskins Street, Mitchell followed by a light supper

Happy Leah Yaxley… “I want to bring women positivity. I want them to know, you’re not alone and you will get through this.”

“It’s important to remind people this when they can’t lift their head off their pillow because of chemotherapy.”

Leah’s journey has also given her a new view on life and she’s determined to go out and enjoy it.

“Life is just so short and I’m not taking anything for granted now,” she says.

“Before, I used to always pre-make plans and was a bit OCD but now if I make it through the day, it’s an awesome day.

“I came out the other end and now I’m ready to live life.”

been bitten by dogs five times!

I WOULD like to put a contrary view to letter writer John Miller (“Violating dogs’ rights”, CN, September 12) and congratulate the rangers for enforcing our very sensible dog control legislation!

As someone who runs or walks most days in our nature reserves and parks I have been bitten at least five times by unleashed dogs (and harassed countless times) with the

common response being “he/she doesn’t usually bite people” or “he’s only a puppy” (as if that’s an excuse). On top of that I am tired of having to clean very smelly fresh dog poo off my shoes before I can even get into my home. Perhaps John might like to come over and do that very unpleasant task for me?

David Hobson, Spence

Still a place for home phones

IN relation to the article (“Disconnecting you now: goodbye home phones”, CN, September 12) about home phone connections halving since 2001, many may not know that they can still plug a corded style landline into an appropriate modem with the new NBN setup.

Further, too few appreciate the risks to health and well-being from radio-frequency (RF) radiation emitted by mobile phones and cordless DECT phones and other wireless devices.

The available research evidence suggests current risk factors are being incorrectly downplayed. More than ever, people who use phones for long periods at ear level need to change their habits. The at-risk group are those who do this for more than 30 minutes a day – a lot of people today, including some children and adolescents.

The risk for malignant brain tumours, for example, increases with cumulative hours of use and is particularly significant after 10

years of use.

Speakerphone use and texting is safer than a phone to the head. Where possible keep mobile phones away from the body, eg in a purse or bag, or on a mounted hands-free accessory in motor vehicles.

Women carrying mobile phones in their bras for long hours each day risk breast cancer. Men who keep mobile phones in their trouser pockets have significantly lower sperm counts and significantly impaired sperm motility, including DNA damage.

A web article on “Appleinsider” (August 23, 2019) reports that two days after a “Chicago Tribune” investigation found many mobile phones, including late-model iPhones, do not comply with radio frequency emissions standards. Apple and Samsung are being sued over alleged damages and problems related to RF exposure.

Murray May, Cook

More rebates on the renewables

MICHAEL Moore stated in his column “Democracy falters with cash in the bag” (CN, September 5) that government contributed more to coal mining than it does to renewable energy. This is factually incorrect.

It is well documented with government information, both state and Federal, that subsidies, rebates and other incentives

BRIEFLY

amounting to multi-billions of dollars are directed to renewable energy sources and by far exceed any dollar value outlay in support of coal mining.

Further, the tax revenue derived from coal mining by far exceeds the tax revenue obtained from renewable energy sources.

Eric

via email

Forum on Kingston precinct

THE Kingston Arts Precinct is the subject of a public forum on the Geocon proposal for the Kingston Foreshore.

Hosted by the Inner South Canberra Community Council and the Kingston and Barton Residents Group, the forum will consider heritage, consistency with past master plans, traffic and parking and public open space. At Eastlake Football Club, 3 Oxley Street, Griffith, 4pm-6pm, on Sunday, September 22.

Women in song

ABORIGINAL singer/songwriter Monica Moore will present her second “Phenomenal Women in Song” fundraising concert in support of White Ribbon at the Austrian-Australian Club, Mountevans Street, Mawson, 2pm-10pm, on Sunday, October 5. Monica says it will feature a selection of Canberra’s finest female vocalists and the eight-hour event will be held over two stages. There will be a special performance by Gabbi Bolt. Tickets are $20 cash at the door and all proceeds go to White Ribbon and a local women’s shelter.

ACT leads nation for wanting less plastic

CANBERRA tops the nation with 73 per cent of ACT shoppers wanting less plastic packaging in supermarkets compared with just 48 per cent of Victorians.

New data reveals that more than half the country is unhappy about wastage across supermarkets – particularly the overuse of plastic packaging and discarded imperfect produce.

Survey respondents were asked about plastic packaging across supermarkets: 53 per cent said there was too much plastic packaging and they wanted the practice stopped.

However, it seems more young people appreciate the convenience of plastic packaging. The survey revealed that the older the shopper, the more they wanted the overuse of plastic packaging to be stopped.

Sixty-three per cent of over-65s wanted less prolific plastic packaging across supermarkets, compared with 58 per cent of 55-64-year-olds, 52 per cent of 35-54s, 49 per cent of 25-34s and 39 per cent of 18-24s.

The survey of 1008 Australian adults was conducted for SAI Global, which audits food retailers and manufacturers to ensure they comply with food-industry regulations.

The survey also revealed that 39 per cent of Australians wanted retailers to stop rejecting produce for cosmetic reasons if it led to the produce being thrown away.

In this case, younger shoppers were more irked by this than older shoppers. Forty-three (43) per cent of 18-34-year-olds wanted supermarkets to stop, compared with 39 per cent of 35-54s, 37 per cent of 55-64s, and 35 per cent of over-65s.

And again, ACT residents felt the strongest about food wastage than residents in any other state: 60 per cent of ACT residents would like the practice stopped, compared with just 38 per cent of NSW residents.

Andrew Nash, food safety expert at SAI Global, says supermarkets use plastic for food safety purposes the shopper can’t always see.

“Plastic is effective in protecting high-risk foods, such as meat and dairy, from contamination through the millions of pathogens and micro-organisms in the environment,” he says.

“Plastic, particularly if it’s shrink-wrapped, also helps prevent food from oxidising and spoiling quickly, and it is a good protectant from chemicals in the atmosphere. Dozens of people are likely to handle our foods through the entire supply chain process – including other shoppers. Supermarkets need to reduce the risks of cross-contamination.

“Plastic also assists to reduce food wastage by providing an extra layer of protection. For example, English cucumbers have a particularly thin skin and the tight plastic wrapping helps them to last longer in the fridge by acting as an insulator to protect against cold injury and also slows dehydration and spoilage.”

Discounts galore, but you have to be old enough!

THIS year’s “Seniors Card Directory” has a more than 30 per cent increase in the number of discounts available to cardholders.

It offers more than 350 discounts on goods and services from businesses and organisations across the ACT and surrounds. The ACT government offers cardholders a discount on car registration as well as concessional travel on public transport.

The ACT Seniors Card is part of an Australia-wide initiative jointly supported by the ACT government and COTA ACT. There are more than 69,000 card holders on the Seniors Card

NO WORRIES HOME LOAN

database, and thousands of new cardholders are eligible each year.

“Over the past two years, we have distributed around 45,000 hard copies of the ACT Seniors Card Discount Directory, with thousands more seniors accessing the directory online,” COTA ACT CEO Jenny Mobbs said.

The directory is free and can be picked up from any Access Canberra Service Centre, ACT public library or the COTA ACT office in Hughes. It is also available at a range of community centres and events across the ACT and online at www. actseniorscard.org.au

CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS

Get planning for a merry end-of-year event

YES, it’s that time of year again. Christmas is only a few months away, so it’s time to plan your best Christmas… ever!

First step, book a fun and relaxing Christmas gathering for work colleagues, friends or family. Second, add to the environment.

During the highly comical stage show, he says there will be a magnificent three-course banquet, provided by costumed serving staff.

Dirty Dicks is a popular Christmas function option for groups, according to Matthew, but he says for people looking for a traditional German Christmas party, the Harmonie German Club can provide that, too.

“We have live entertainment every Friday night and are able to offer dinner and show packages to any of our shows,” says Matthew.

“We can offer a tailor made package to suit your needs.”

Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah. Call 6295 9853 or visit harmonieclub.com.au

Bookings come with free cocktails

EACH guest will receive a complimen tary sparkling cocktail for Christmas functions booked at the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Woden, Tuggera nong or Jamison location, says events and sales manager Orsi Jobbagy.

Orsi and the events team, including Lynda and Kym, are well experienced in creating memorable and enjoyable Christmas functions and can arrange events for 20 to 500 people, says Orsi.

“We have 10 different function rooms which can be decorated in a Christmas theme with festive centrepieces and bon bons,” she says.

“Our private dining room and Orion room at Woden have recently been refurbished with a great new colour scheme, carpets and curtains.”

Over at Yarralumla, Orsi says the picturesque Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Yacht Club is a great venue for events, too.

And, she says the MV Southern Cross boat is also available for charter for private functions.

Call the Canberra Southern Cross Club events team on 6283 7200, email events@cscc.com.au or visit cscc.com.au

her Bette Midler show in the US.

Whilst Catherine has been tottering in Bette’s shoes for a while now, her show has been revamped and is bigger, better and even more impressive, featuring a five-piece band and lots of Bette’s well-known songs, says Stephen. The Divine Miss Bette Christmas show will be held

and interesting way to relax and unwind during the week before Christmas,” he says.

The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6285 6290, email boxoffice@qprc.nsw.gov.au or visit theq.net.au

Get in early to book your Christmas Party at the Canberra Southern Cross Club and receive a complimentary sparkling cocktail for all of your guests on arrival.

Offer strictly limited to the first 25 bookings so don’t delay! Minimum of 30 people. Woden, Tuggeranong and Jamison venues only.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

IT’S THE PARTY OF THE SEASON AND EVERYONE IS INVITED!

Direct from her USA debut, Ca therine Alcorn returns to the Q as The Divine Miss Bette just in time for Christmas. Polish off your ornamental balls folks and spend this holiday season with Australia’s favourite chanteuse Catherine Alcorn in her fabulous homage to Bette Midler. The Divine Miss Bette is back, bigger and Bette-r than ever with a Christmas special guaranteed to warm the coldest of Christmas Nuts.

THE DIVINE MISS BETTE IS BACK AND SHE’S READY TO SLEIGH!

"Her show is uplifting and life affirming. A force to be reckoned with, bombarding us with irreverent humour and dazzling talent" — Canberra Critics Circle "Absolutely hilarious! There’s a knowing wink in her show — she’s not trying to fool us into thinking we’re watching the real Miss M, but a star in her own right playing a character." — Time Out Sydney

• Four level auditorium has seating for up to 120 people.

• Central location.

• There is in-house catering, or you can do it yourself.

• A wide range of beverages are available at our fully operational bar.

• Fully air-conditioned and heated for your comfort.

Contact: Rob on 6295 3554 235 Narrabundah Lane, Symonston www.canberragreyhound.com.au

CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS

Central location with bush views

CANBERRA Greyhound Racing Club is located on the corner of Narrabundah Lane and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston, which is a convenient and central location for a Christmas function, says chairman Alan Tutt.

“It is central to many of Canberra’s favourite night spots for those looking to party on into the night,” he says.

“We can offer in-house catering or you can do it yourself.”

The auditorium has four levels and seating for 120 people, with large glass windows overlooking attractive views and a bushland setting, he says.

With a wide range of beverages available at the bar, Alan says the functions area is fully air-conditioned and heated too.

Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, corner of Narrabundah Lane and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston. For event enquiries, call Rob on 6295 3554.

Inner south lounge offers diversity

IN Canberra’s inner south, EQ Cafe and Lounge accommodates an array of events, ranging from large Christmas functions to smaller intimate events, says owner Vim Soneri.

Whether it be a work Christmas party, a birthday party, corporate event or conference, Vim says they can cater for any function or occasion.

“We have a very good outdoor area and we can host over 200 people and customise their menu,” he says.

Vim says the diverse menu options include a buffet, a canape service and a three-course

sit-down dinner.

In the colder months, he says the heated outdoor area can provide comfort and warmth, and now in the warmer months, the deck becomes an open summer space.

But no matter when, or what the event, Vim says EQ Cafe and Lounge has every event covered.

EQ Cafe and Lounge, Equinox Business Park, 70 Kent Street, Deakin. Call 6161 1666 or email eqcafe@eqcafe.com.au or visit eqcafe.com.au

• Convenient parking

• Indoor & outdoor areas

• Large, versatile spaces

• Sit down or buffet options

• Cocktail parties and tapas

• Desserts from EQ’s own Bakehouse • Fully licensed • Cocktails & beers on tap • Extensive wine list

To view our function menus or find more information, please visit eqcafe.com.au For bookings or enquries, phone 6161 1666 or email eqcafe@eqcafe.com.au

Book quick for a plaza giveaway

WHEN people book a Christmas function of 50 or more people at Crowne Plaza before September 30, they’ll receive a gift voucher for overnight accommodation (for two) to give away at the event.

This year, meetings director Sarah Conron says they’ve created unique end-of-year events options to ease the stress of planning. For Christmas functions, she says Crowne Plaza is offering four different menus, including the festive buffet, the deluxe plated menu, the festive cocktail party and the Australian summer barbeque options, which features a smorgasbord of fresh summer salads, breads and dips, and a selection of gourmet items from the grill.

“Our festive offerings have a point of difference as we have taken into consideration all elements of an event, from festive theming options, lighting, audio/visual requirements and most importantly an extensive selection of food and beverage offerings,” Sarah says.

Crowne Plaza has six versatile function spaces on offer, with the ability to cater for up to 150 people for a cocktail event or about 90 for a sit-down event.

But no matter the size of event, Sarah says: “Crowne Plaza can host large corporate functions overlooking Glebe Park to intimate dinners within Redsalt Restaurant, and everything in between.”

Crowne Plaza, 1 Binari Street, Canberra. Call 6274 5500 or visit canberra.crowneplaza.com

Live music for an extra special event advertising feature

FOR a friendly, relaxed and fun Christmas function, the Austrian Australian Club at Mawson has a number of options to suit any group, says club manager Rob Bolin.

The club’s function spaces are available for hire, with a large-sized function room, which can accommodate about 200 people and has a big dance floor. There’s also the Bauernstube room, a rustic-styled room, suitable for about 50 people.

“It’s a lovely room and we can work with you on meal options including a set menu, buffet or banquet-style,” says Rob.

Head chef Kristoffer prides himself on serving quality, traditional Austrian cuisine, with some of the dishes based on recipes supplied by their long-standing Austrian members.

“We draw on the wealth of experience of our long-standing members to source some of their favourite Austrian recipes, just as they remember them,” says Rob.

The Austrian Australian Club is now running live music every Friday night in the function room, with bands performing blues, country, roots and jazz music.

Rob says that people could tie-in their Christmas group function with the Friday night entertainment to make their event extra special.

Austrian Australian Club, Heard Street, Mawson. Call 6286 5793, email mail@austrianclubcanberra.com or visit the Austrian Australian Club on Facebook.

SCENE / around canberra

At the Menslink business breakfast, Civic

SCENE / around canberra

At the Property Council’s 50th anniversary dinner, Barton

SCENE / around canberra

At the Craft ACT Members Exhibition, Civic

At the Independence of Mexico’s 209th anniversary,

EXPERTS OF CANBERRA

Canberra experts with a variety of skills to share

THERE’S no shortage of experts in Canberra. In every suburb, there’s businesses that have built years of experience and skills in their area of expertise.

Whether that be in finance, jewellery, travel or home improvements

“CityNews” speaks with a variety of experts, passionate about sharing their skills and services with the ACT region.

Jane helps small businesses thrive

SINCE opening 13 years ago Hadrill Account ing has established itself as being experts in helping small businesses thrive, says owner Jane Hadrill.

“Many of our clients have been with us for more than 10 years and the team has had the satisfaction of seeing businesses grow from just an idea on paper to a thriving, integral part of the Canberra community,” says Jane, who gives business owners the tools to make the right decisions.

Getting businesses organised is important, too, and Jane says the Hadrill Accounting team offers its clients essential services such as mid-year reviews, end of year tax planning and budgeting advice.

But it’s not all business for Jane and her team, who make a point of getting to know the clients well.

Whether that be getting her car serviced by a mechanic who’s her client or popping in to a client’s retail business, Jane loves to see them in action and witness their success first hand.

“It gives me a better understanding of how the business works and what could make it thrive,” she says.

“When I see the business in action, my clients become much more than just numbers on a page.”

For businesses that are starting out, Jane

CAPITAL Travel Manuka has serviced the travel needs of Canberrans for more than 32 years as an accredited boutique agency, says Lisa

Backed by a team of eight travel agents, Capital Travel Manuka shares more than 170 years’ experience between them, making them experts in planning the perfect holiday.

Lisa says the passionate staff has extensive knowledge of many destinations and products such as various cruises, tours and sights.

“This enables us to design and create unique travel experiences together with our clients,” she says.

Hadrill Accounting, 3/6 Dacre Street, Mitchell. Call 6154 7792 or visit hadrillaccounting.com.au

GET SMARTER ABOUT RUNNING YOUR SMALL BUSINESSS

It’s a 4 session course (Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm) run by Jane Hadrill. Learn how to maximise your tax deductions, interpret financial statements, create & utilse a budget, monthly reporting and cash flow management.

Start date Wednesday 16 October. Enrol now at citsolutions.edu.au Hadrill Accounting 3/6 Dacre St, Mitchell ACT 2911 www.hadrillaccounting.com.au

In partnership with Cruiseco, Capital Travel Manuka offers unique cruise and stay packages to clients as well as exclusive access to music cruises such as Bravo, Rock the Boat and Cruisin’ Country.

“We often have access to offers that may not be advertised and have good relationships with many travel providers which can sometimes lead to extra benefits for our clients,” says Lisa.

“We believe it is important to have interaction with our clients and get to know them and ensure that we build the right itinerary for that traveller.”

Capital Travel Manuka, 24 Bougainville Street, Manuka. Visit capitaltravel.com.au or call 6295 2733.

“We

EXPERTS OF CANBERRA

Specialists with unique network solutions

OPTICAL Solutions Australia, the largest independently Australian-owned company for network solutions and distribution, says it provides high quality products and an excellent service.

Through its Australia-wide network of fully-stocked warehouses, Optical Solutions Australia carries an extensive range of fibre optic solutions and copper structured solutions, network solutions, CCTV systems and test and measurement equipment.

It also stocks tools and supplies, intercom systems and a full range of communication cabinets.

While Optical Solutions Australia is the biggest in the market, the small ACT branch, of only three team members, says it offers a lot from the staff’s combined

Master jeweller creates one-off pieces

SPECIALISING in custom-made jewellery and laser engrav ing, Clover Jewellery’s master jeweller James Oh has 30 years’ experience in designing and creating beautiful jewellery, says Veronica Oh.

“If people are looking for an intricate and sophisticated design, James hand-makes jewellery with a speciality in styles seen in both Japan and Australia,” she says.

“This means that if the customers have a design or an idea that they’ve always wanted to put together or bring to life, we are able to do that and guide the customer through the designing process.

“When you are able to add a little bit of your own idea, design or message, it usually means that you are creating something that is unique and probably the only one in the world.”

For customers after ideas for gifts, Veronica says pearls often make stunning presents.

“They are elegant and classy and can suit almost every occasion,” she says.

knowledge and skills.

Account manager Evan Waugh says their strength lies in the extensive training of the team.

“We have more inhouse knowledge and training than others in the industry,” he says.

Covering a wide variety of areas such as electrical, communications and audio visual, Evan says it makes them network specialists and experts of fibre optic needs.

“We take pride in the fact that we service our customers with unique solutions,” he says.

Optical Solutions Australia, 22 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6162 4600 or visit opticalsolutions.com.au

“Whether they are earrings, a necklace or a set, their classic designs mean they are usually fail proof.”

She says jewellery pieces with birthstones are also popular with customers wanting to create a unique gift for someone special.

Clover Jewellery, Unit 2, 16 Bougainville Street, Griffith.

Creations pride themselves on offering a friendly and warm customer service when they deliver any range of double glazed windows, doors and skylights.

“We are not just focussed on double glazing and all the benefits it provides, we are also focussed on how to make your home more beautiful,” she says.

Solace Creations’ dedicated in-house installation team manage the professional installation of the new windows that are all Australian made and meet Australian standards.

Karen says Solace Creations has the largest double glazing showroom in Canberra and she recommends people visit them to see the products and speak to the team about a home consultation.

“We are the experts in the market. Why would you go anywhere else but Solace Creations?” says Karen.

Solace Creations, 17 Townsville Street, Fyshwick. Call 6260 1621 or visit solacecreations.com.au

Tax specialists do more than tax

WITH a specialisation in tax, the owner of ACT Tax Agents, Robert Ingle, says they do a lot more than tax alone.

“I consider what I do as akin to being a GP in the financial world,” Robert says.

“I have associations with different types of financial planners, mortgage brokers, general insurance experts [and can help with] income protection and salary packaging.

“I am also a fully licensed real estate agent with a relationship with LJ Hooker in Weston Creek.

“When a client comes into the office to do their tax, I ask a lot of questions about how they do their job or business to maximise their deductions.

“If they have a lot of debt, I recommend that they need income protection.

“If they receive too much interest, a financial planner can help them. Or they might be in a position to salary sacrifice and don’t know how to go about it. I help and guide a lot of people in this regard.”

Exercising to better health

EXERCISE is the most underutilised and highly effective treatment which makes a positive impact on both physical and mental health, says the owner of Canberra Rehabilitation Professionals, Lea McKaskill.

Which is why the registered exercise physiologists at Canberra Rehabilitation Professionals provide exercise therapy individually or in small groups, for the prevention and management of chronic disease, injury and disability.

“We pride ourselves on safe, effective exercise prescription in a non-intimidating environment in state of the art facilities in the Stellar Canberra building in Woden,” Lea says.

“We design, implement and monitor each program specific to the client’s fitness level, medical conditions, injuries and goals.”

Lea says that their exercise physiologists specialise in hydrotherapy, pre and post rehabilitation of all medical and orthopaedic surgeries, ante and post-natal fitness, cardiac rehabilitation as well as management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and metabolic disorders.

“We are specialists with many years of experience as preferred providers for Defence and DVA injured or unwell clientele,” she says.

“We are also passionate about the positive effects of using exercise as medicine and are proud to be affiliated with the national FearLess conversation on PTSD.”

Capital Rehabilitation Professionals, Stellar, Health and Wellness Building, 50 Launceston Street, Phillip. Call Lea on 0418 811156 or Hayley on 0421 759844 or visit capitalrehabprofessionals.com.au

If clients are behind with their tax lodgements, Robert says he helps take away their fear by processing the returns and negotiating with the ATO if need be.

“Above all I do not rush people.

ACT Tax Agents owner Robert Ingle.

I am here for my clients all year round,” he says.

ACT Tax Agents, 1a, 2-14 Hughes Place, Hughes. Call 6101 7823, email Robert at robert@acttaxagents.com

Supporting seniors with information

COUNCIL on the Ageing (COTA ACT) exists to protect, promote and advocate for the interests of older people in the ACT, says communications manager Catherine Adcock.

Located at the Hughes Community Centre, COTA does this through a range of ways such as providing a free drop in and information phone service to help seniors navigate a number of issues from transport to advice on the aged care system.

“We are able to advise people who are looking to get help to remain in their homes as well as provide information on downsizing and retirement villages,” says Catherine.

“We hold a lot of events throughout the year and hold regular information sessions on topics such as health and the aged care system.

“We recently held an information session about the rollout of NBN which was very popular.”

COTA produces a range of brochures and a directory of services on various topics to help seniors.

One service is its ACT seniors card discount directory, which is a biennial publication that lists hundreds of discounts on goods and services. About 45,000 copies are distributed across the ACT and the directory can also be accessed online.

Catherine recommends seniors sign up to the COTA e-newsletter or give the office a call to keep up with the latest information and events they can access.

More information at cotaact.org.au

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WENDY JOHNSON

Discovering another side to the Potter people

By Helen MUSA

MAGIC and witchcraft may be the driving forces behind the Melbourne hit success “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”, but it’s the human elements of the play that give it flesh and blood.

That at least is the view of Canberra-raised Lucy Goleby, who plays Ginny née Weasley, now Potter, in the

struggle with their relationships and this is a wonderful thing that theatre does best.”

But the thousands of Potter tragics packing in to the Princess have come more for the fun of hearing familiar names. When the name of Harry’s former classmate Neville Longbottom is mentioned, for instance, cries of recognition erupt around the auditorium.

So there’s a human story to this new play, but the rest is sheer magic. This is the third production in the world after London and New York and it’s based on the West End show, with illusion and magic created by leading British illusionist, Jamie Harrison.

Characters appear and disappear, stairways and walls are constantly on the move, an owl flies across

if they had the physical stamina to maintain six hours of acting a day – management prefers audiences to book in for back-to-back matinee and evening shows.

“There’s so much physical effort,” she says. “There are

70 crew and no one wants people getting sick, but it’s a great machine, ‘Harry Potter’ just rolls on.”

There’s no star system at work in this production. “People know these characters, that’s who they’re coming to see, they’re not coming because Helen Mirren is playing the Queen, they’re coming to see Harry and Ginny.”

Acting preparation for background was relatively easy.

“I’d read all the Harry Potter books before and I’ve read them a number of times again,” she says. “And there’s an official website at pottermore.com where you can find out what the issues are.”

It’s true, we found a full bio, relating that after being an accomplished Quidditch player Ginny becomes sports editor for the wizarding newspaper, “The Daily Prophet.”

These days Goleby gets up first thing in the morning, breakfasts and works the double-show, rarely seeing husband Rhys again until after midnight. But she reports a high level of job satisfaction, even if the prospect of performing in a show that could go on for many years was initially daunting.

“I’m used to short-term contracts but this is the opposite,” she says.

“Signing up for a job with a stable income was secure, but there was something strangely scary about it, too, but I have to say that I’m yet to be bored… every day there’s some kind of surprise, I stand in the wings and I watch the show – it’s amazing.”

“You really invest in this show; its special, it’s got magic, but it also deals with the domestic environment, too.”

Ginny, she says, is married to the greatest celebrity in the wizarding world and so there’s an element of what it means to be a celebrity couple, a fact that impacts negatively on the father and son relationship.

“As parents, often we don’t agree,” Goleby says as Ginny. “The weight of expectation falls on the son, so how as a mother do I alleviate that expectation?

“The wizarding world is wonderful because it’s so similar to ours, but with something added, a little bit of magic, but human relationships need human solutions.”

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”, Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Bookings at harrypottertheplay.com are now open until the end of May.

One night with the Royals in Downton Abbey

“Downton Abbey” (PG)

I ENVY the richly mellow baritone voice which Jim Carter puts to such admirable use as retired butler Carson, called to serve after a letter arrives from the Palace (which Palace? That Palace, silly) advising that His Maj and Her Maj, together with household staff, will break a northward journey with an overnight stop in Downton Abbey.

I admire the skill with which writer Julian Fellowes, using dialogue that pricks the story with precisely-planted wit and understanding of the ambitions and restraints imposed on every character in the film’s 122 minutes, lays out the dramatic, political, ceremonial, romantic, wellness, sexual identity and gastronomic issues that make the Crawley residence such a pleasure to visit in its big-screen debut.

The behaviours of the upstairs characters, the services of those who live and work below stairs, the pomposity of Royal household staff who without a by-yourleave assume control of all services down to providing the food for Royal meals, the panoply of Royal progress along streets filled with flag-waving loyal subjects and a Royal Ball, provide director Michael Engler with wonderful material to play with.

Fans of the TV series will relish meeting old friends whose behaviours will spark fond memories. One of them has just returned with an uncomfortable diagnosis from a London doctor. Another is forced to reveal hidden indiscretions (at those social levels, indiscretions are much more grave than

what you or I might call simply an unfortunate peccadillo).

It’s all good British fare, to which in this genre there are few if any equals.

At all cinemas

“Little Women” (PG)

MY mother was the only woman in our sixperson family. The many books in the house didn’t include Louisa May Alcott’s classic tale about a late-19th century family with four daughters. In later life, reading it seemed not to be necessary.

I watched this 112 minutes’ modernisation

of the story with a sort of mental tabula rasa free of expectations and found it an agreeable experience.

The film begins by introducing the sisters. At 13, Jo (Sarah Davenport as an adult) is a pain in the butt, obsessed with her self-perception as a writer of books and plays. Beth (Allie Jennings as an adult) and Meg (Melanie Stone ditto) are loyal middle sisters. Amy (Elise Claire Jones as a child, Taylor Murphy as an adult) feels dreadfully left out

because her sisters now wear brassieres. My affection for Amy lasted to the end of the film.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the film sticks to Ms Alcott’s narrative structure.

If you’ve read the book, you’ll know; if you haven’t, it doesn’t really matter. In her debut feature film, writer/director Clare Niederpruem flicks the action through the 16 years that follow our first meeting with the sisters on the way to a closing passage that made me feel sorry for the bloke who features in it.

Perhaps Jo is Ms Niederpruem writ large. She has written Jo’s character in a way I found annoying, as a freewheeling, free-thinking woman doing whatever and whoever she wished but in need of a reality check by a publisher rejecting her work. That way, Jo might have become a better person, or a disillusioned one. Instead, her writing mentor marries her. Roll closing credits.

At Capitol 6

“Freaks” (MA)

FOR their joint feature debut after what looks to have been undistinguished careers in short films and TV series, Canadians Zach Lipovski and Adam B Stein co-operated in writing and directing this sci-fi horror fantasy.

At age seven, Lexy Kolker played Chloe, living in a dilapidated house with Dad (Emile Hirsch) who on first meeting projects a strong sense of “methinks the father protecteth too much” (need a quotation to modify for any occasion? Ask Shakespeare). Dad persists in telling Chloe that her mom Mary (Amanda Crew) is dead (but we know she’s not). The doors are locked, the curtains are drawn, there are spaces in the house where Chloe is forbidden to go.

The Department of Homeland Security is trying to defeat an evil influence that’s causing victims to bleed from their eye sockets. In a blue ice-cream van, Mr Snowcone (Bruce Dern) tempts Chloe to evade Dad’s rules. And from then on, it’s an unbroken mixture of parental and official opposition to Chloe’s wishes to find what’s going on.

The violence, the mystery, the fantasy, combine to create an enigmatic outcome, par for the course in this genre. I came out concerned most for the long-term effect of Chloe’s very grown-up behaviour on Lexy Kolker, whose performance is mature beyond her years. And the film left me with a grudging admiration for Lipovski and Stein.

At Denby

ARTS IN THE CITY Country legend coming to town

AMERICAN singing legend Kris Kristofferson is coming to town accompanied by country music band, The Strangers. Creator of hits such as “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, he’s also a three-time Grammy winner, a Rhodes Scholar, and actor. At last count there were still tickets to his concert in Llewellyn Hall, 7.30pm, Wednesday, September 25. Book at ticketek.com.au

“AFTER the War”, music brought to Australia by more than four million immigrants between 1945 and 1985, will be performed by the Canberra Mandolin Orchestra, with massed mandolins, mandolas, mandocello, guitars and bass playing at Albert Hall, 2pm, Saturday, September 28. Book at eventbrite.com, call 0417 691404 or at the door.

“THE Champion”, set in the glossy world of professional, millionaire footballers, opens the Italian Film Festival at Palace Electric on September 24. Following the death of Bernardo Bertolucci in November, a highlight will be “1900”, the five-hour epic historical drama featuring actors such as Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu and Donald Sutherland, as well as Bertolucci’s political thriller “The Conformist”. The festival runs until October 17. Book at palacecinemas.com.au

THE José Carbó Trio – super-baritone José Carbó with classical guitarists Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi – will perform for Art Song Canberra in a concert titled “L’Heure Exquise” (The Exquisite Hour). At Wesley Uniting Church, 3pm, Sunday, September 22. Book at trybooking.com or cash tickets at the door.

THE tenth annual Come Alive Festival will be held a month earlier than usual in the Courtyard Studio of the Canberra Theatre Centre from September 24-27. Hosted by the National Library, it will see participating schools create theatre

FORM Studio and Gallery in Queanbeyan just days before an exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Kate and Keith Bender was to open. The gallery has given eight years of service to local artists and was known to have been struggling.

MUSICAL identity Mikel Simic (Mikelangelo to his fans) is Music NSW’s newly announced regional music officer for Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Bowral.

THEATRE

Crowd pleasers bring Rep back from the ‘Edge’

By Helen Musa Arts editor HELEN MUSA

pattern

DINING / le bon mélange

Gungahlin’s little piece of Europe

THEY say you eat first with your eyes… that the way food looks is one of the – if not the – first sensory criteria we use to decide what to eat.

This is a massive problem at Le Bon Mélange, a beautiful French Patisserie in Gungahlin, because you want to absolutely eat everything. And I mean absolutely everything.

The handmade pastries, petit gateaux, entremets, macarons, croissants, Danishes, tarts and handcrafted chocolates are all neatly lined in rows, looking oh-sopretty (and yummy). A rainbow of colours. A gorgeous array of shapes. A magnificent variety of flavours. How does one decide?

We eventually did, loving every bite.

The pear frangipane ($6.50) was delicate and not overly sweet. The almonds on top added a slightly crunchy element and made the dessert look exceptional.

Equally pretty was the vanilla bean Mille Feuille ($6.50) with a pattern dusted on top (icing sugar). The puff pastry was divine. Manu from “My Kitchen Rules” would approve.

Lemon lovers shouldn’t pass by the tart, packed with citrus flavour and featuring a decadent chocolate disk on top ($6.50). Pucker power extraordinaire.

Raspberry lovers will find themselves in heaven with the tart topped with ruby red, plump berries – nine on each tart to be precise ($8.50). If sweet isn’t your thing, don’t fret. You can enjoy scrumptious sausage rolls, savoury pastries, European-style sandwiches and specials on the blackboard which, on our visit, included a hot pumpkin soup ($14.90) no doubt served with a slice of artisan bread. Side salads

At Le Bon Mélange, a beautiful French Patisserie in Gungahlin, you absolutely want to eat everything. And I mean absolutely everything.

available also.

For drinks, Le Bon Mélange has a full range of Italian coffees, frappes, iced drinks, milk shakes, hot chocolates and divine teas. If you’re not keen on a bigger dessert, try one of the delightful individual mini tarts ($3).

Le Bon Mélange creates celebration cakes to order, caters for high teas and other functions.

The décor at Le Bon Mélange is as inviting as the food. Warm green tiles behind the front counter and a cosy atmosphere. You can dine inside or outside (smallish number of seats).

The vision of this special spot is to “offer a little piece of Europe in the heart of Gungahlin with a fresh take on old favourites, modern patisserie and wholesome food familiar to all”. How sweet is that?

Le Bon Mélange, Gungahlin Place and Bruning Street, Gungahlin. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am-5.30pm and Sunday, 8am to 4pm.

previews Canberra Rep’s new season, ‘From the Edge’, and discovers there’s to be a new name for Theatre 3.

“FROM the Edge” is the nominally edgy theme for Canberra Rep’s 2020 subscription season.

Promising “well-loved classics, confronting dramas, riotous mayhem, and laughter with thought-provoking, poignant and, at times, outrageous humour”, the company also announced that it’s renamed the venerable Theatre 3 (the third of Canberra Rep’s theatres after Riverside and The Playhouse) unexcitingly “Canberra Rep Theatre”.

But as for “edgy”, with crowd pleasers by Neil Simon and Alan Ayckbourn, a historical drama by Beatrix Christian and an ethical think-piece by John Patrick Shanley, much of the program in fact seems far from the edge.

Unless, that is, you count the perennially edgy “The Grapes of Wrath”, to be directed by Chris Baldock in Frank Galati’s adaptation of the classic Steinbeck novel of flight from the dust bowl of Oklahoma or Liz Bradley’s staging of the subversively outrageous farce, “What the Butler Saw” by Joe Orton, a reminder of English theatre’s greatest master of repartee since Oscar Wilde.

As for the rest, it’s classic Canberra Rep fare, reminding us of why the company, which has been going strong since 1932, delivers its loyal members a diet of sure-fire entreating plays with meaty roles for actors who do it for the sheer love of the art.

Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs”, for instance, through Eugene’s memoirs shows us how his family meets life’s challenges with pride, spirit and humour. But as this innocent era of Eugene’s life ends, it foreshadows a more mature one just beginning. Star actor Karen Vickery will make her directorial

Karen Vickery… making her directorial debut for Rep with “Brighton Beach Memoirs”.

debut for Rep with this one.

A favourite Rep director, ANU graduate and well-known Australian actor, Tony LlewellynJones, will be here to direct a play about a fictional governor in late 19th century NSW “The Governor’s Family” by Beatrix Christian, screenwriter of the film “Jindabyne”, television’s “White Collar Blue” and plays such as “ Blue Murder” and “Old Masters”.

“What the Butler Saw” – and Rep is banking on it – retains its capacity to shock more than 50 years after its 1969 premiere.

Ed Wightman, another ANU graduate-turned-professional actor and director, will be back to stage Shanley’s “Doubt, a Parable” in which a progressive parish priest teaching in a school faces up to the rigidly conservative nun who is principal. The play, Rep says, “promises to entertain as well as to make you think”.

And for the silly season, Jarrad West will direct Ayckbourn’s “Absurd Person Singular”. As Christmassy as plum pudding, it shows us three couples, three kitchens and three successive Christmas Eves, as all the secrets come out.

And what could be more entertaining than that?

Canberra Rep Season 2020, subscription bookings to canberrarep.org.au

PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF CANBERRA

STAMP & COIN FAIR

When: 28 September 2019

Time: 9.00am-3.00pm

Where: Canberra Baptist Church Hall

Address: 11 Currie Street, Kingston

Local and interstate dealers, who will be buying and selling stamps, coins and accessories. Free evaluations of collections, lucky door prize on offer. $2 entry fee. Any enquiries please call Tom: 0400 021 887 www.canberrastamps.org

Camellias grow their rewards GARDENING

THE camellia family is one of the most rewarding of ornamental plants.

We had Camellia sasanquas flowering all winter and, as they fade, flowers are appearing on the larger-leafed Camellia japonicas

The main difference in growing these beautiful plants in Canberra is the small-leafed sasanqua will grow happily in full sun but japonicas need some shade.

I have them growing on the south side of our home and a big plus for japonica is to be able to grow some magnificent white specimens, whereas the sasanqua’s white flowers easily brown off with frosts in our winters.

Camellias have a long history and while it is unclear if japonicas originated in Japan or China, they appeared in Chinese paintings from the 11th century and later as decorative motifs on porcelain.

It is claimed there are japonicas in China 10 metres tall and more than 600 years old.

Every time you sip a cup of tea, the leaves are from Camellia sinensis and while its origin is uncertain, tea drinking in China became popular in the 6th and 7th centuries. Sinensis is not widely grown as a garden ornamental mainly due to the insignificant white flowers, but makes a good conversation piece.

With camellia societies around the world, there are now more than 30,000 named cultivars and increasing all the time.

Despite the delicacy of the flowers, camellias are extremely hardy and resistant. They can be pruned really hard after flowering and will bounce back with new growth very quickly. For example, they can be reduced from three metres tall down to one metre with no ill effects.

One breeder of international significance was the late Prof Eben Gowrie Waterhouse with his garden “Eryldene” at Gordon in Sydney. He bred many new cultivars and his historic home and garden are open to the public. His fascinating story can be found at eryldene.org.au

repel tomato whiteflies. Limonene is naturally produced by marigolds, which repel whitefly without doing any harm to veggie plants or other beneficial insects.

This discovery is far less risky than using chemicals to achieve the same effect. Growing marigolds in the general garden besides the veggie patch provides nectar for bees essential for pollination.

IN the same magazine Alan Titchmarsh, for many years the very popular presenter of BBC TV’s “Gardener’s World”, writes on the increasing interest in growing Australian native plants in the UK. He is growing a Grevillea robusta in his glasshouse and I can only hope he has a very tall glasshouse. There is an ever expanding interest in our native plants also in Holland. I thought I would show you a plant label from the Intratuin Garden Centre at Halsteren in Holland.

ANOTHER word for pruning is stimulation, promoting new and increased growth for more flowers and, in the case of fruit trees and vines, more fruit. If you are pruning or taking remedial action on deciduous trees the rule is to never prune between now and October 21. This is when the sap is rising and will simply pour out, inhibit ing the healing of the wounds. This is particularly noticeable on silver birches.

I ALWAYS recommend planting marigolds around the veggie patch to keep insects away and now a report in “Country Life” magazine says researchers from Newcastle University in the UK have confirmed the scientific reason behind

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PUZZLES PAGE

Joanne Madeline Moore

Your week in the stars – September 23-29, 2019

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

It’s a terrific time to travel, teach, publish, study, nurture a close relationship, learn something new or share an adventure with someone special. Plus keep yourself mentally sharp and physically strong. Then you can bounce back from any stressful setbacks that come along (especially at work). As we celebrate the Equinox, do your best to get the ratio right between career commitments and relationship responsibilities. So your buzz word for the week is balance.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

The pace picks up as the planets motivate you to get moving and add a previously untapped talent to your Taurean repertoire. Finances are favoured and you’re also keen to pamper yourself in sumptuous style, reboot a work project or patch up a problem with a friend or colleague. Saturday night’s New Moon signals a welcome breakthrough involving a bad habit, a health issue or a special four-legged friend. With lucky Jupiter on your side, the sky’s the limit!

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

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

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

You’re keen to power ahead with a romantic relationship, a business partnership or a joint venture. But expect some challenges as Saturn seems to stymie every move you make. Don’t stress! Switch your settings to cruise control, as you review your approach and reassess your plans. The weekend is a wonderful time to exercise, hit the gym, play sport, participate in a Fun Run or enjoy bushwalking. As birthday great Olivia Newton-John sings: “Let’s Get Physical!”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

It’s a fabulous week to connect with family and friends from within your local community as you talk, text, tweet, publish, podcast or post up a storm. (Take extra care when communicating online though.) Others are expecting you to come up with some clever ideas and smart solutions so put on your thinking cap Cats! And don’t stick with outdated old ways of doing things. Be proactive about initiating exciting, adventurous and creative new strategies.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Mighty Mars is marching through your sign (until October 4) so it’s time to be bold and brave, as you tackle challenges with extra vim and vigour. Plus find creative ways to encourage more health, harmony and happiness at Villa Virgo. Catching up on domestic chores and caring for loved ones will leave you with a warm inner glow. Saturday night’s New Moon motivates you to start a savings plan, build up your money muscles and be more financially savvy.

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Stylish Librans have a passion for fashion. And this week’s New Moon (in your sign) is the perfect time for a hot new hairstyle, a makeup makeover or a creative wardrobe revamp. And with Venus and Mercury also visiting your sign, you need to tap into your inner beauty and zest for life. So your motto for the moment is from fellow Libran, legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt: “Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

You’re longing for some down time, as you make inner peace and contentment a major priority. But Thursday and Friday look very intense, as you stress and obsess about minor matters. If you find yourself feeling continually frazzled and unsettled then meditation, yoga or some other form of quiet contemplation will help you to calm down. Smart Scorpios will tap into the harmonious vibes of the New Moon, go with the celestial flow, and listen to the wise voice within.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

The planets activate your hopes and wishes zone, and they also boost your natural optimism and lucky nature. So aim to be generous rather than garrulous; and spontaneous rather than slap-dash. Plus dare to turn your abstract dreams into robust reality! Be inspired by real life Superman, birthday great Christopher Reeve: “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Saturn (your patron planet) hinders your progress, as a project stalls and you feel as if you’re going nowhere. The stars are testing your stamina and persistence, so don’t give up. The New Moon encourages you to tap into your bountiful reserves of inner strength as you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and set a positive new course (especially at work). So your mantra is from birthday great, writer F Scott Fitzgerald: “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

It’s time to roll up your sleeves, work hard, create your preferred future and follow your destiny. Don’t be dismayed by temporary setbacks and stressful delays along the way! And don’t be deterred by perceived mistakes you made in the past. The universe is testing your determination to stick to your desired course and keep the dream alive. Saturday night’s New Moon is the perfect time to set intentions and make wishes involving holidays, education or aspirations.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Prosperity planet Jupiter brings a lucky opportunity your way. So make sure you grab it with both hands and make the most of it. Then Saturday night’s New Moon lights up your lust and seduction zone. If you’re attached, you can look forward to a racy rendezvous with your sweetheart. Unhappily single? Don’t sit around hoping Cupid’s arrow will strike. You need to socialise and advertise (in person and online) and be proactive about finding your soul mate.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2019

General knowledge crossword No. 703

Across

1 Name some small imperial units of length. (6)

7 Which prize is awarded annually in the US for journalism, literature, and music? (8)

8 Who was one of the world’s most prolific child film actors, Shirley ...? (6)

9 Name a wool fabric of twill weave. (8)

10 What is a person who has special skill in some particular field? (6)

11 Which alternative term describes a backpack? (8)

14 What is an extremely delicate variety of gauze? (8)

18 Name the unit of electrical current. (6)

19 What do we call a periodic religious or other feast? (8)

21 Which term implies a relationship to the backbone? (6)

22 Name the breakfast dish that consists mainly of oatmeal. (8)

23 Which large merchant ship is especially one with a rich cargo? (6)

Down

1 Something certain to be accomplished, is said to be what? (2,3,3)

2 Which short stroke is used to connect the parts of a compound word? (6)

3 Name the band of colours produced when white light passes through a prism. (8)

4 Which word describes anything given as charity? (4)

5 Which expression in cricket is used for the end of a day’s play? (6)

6 What is another name for the decimal system? (6)

12 Which part of the South Pacific includes the waters of the Great Barrier Reef? (5,3)

13 Name the Australian novelist who wrote Schindler’s Ark, Tom ...? (8)

15 What is a spotted, leopard-like cat? (6)

16 What is the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, in exposing folly, etc? (6)

17 Which strip of spirally coiled wire recovers its shape after being bent, etc? (6)

20 Name the entire sacred scriptures of Hinduism. (4)

Sudoku hard No. 251

I HAD asked Lei to come into the office to explain how the new taxable payments reporting system would apply to her cleaning business. It's been in place in the building industry for a few years and from July 1 last year it was applied to other industries.

Lei said she generally paid her staff as employees but this year one claimed to be a subcontractor and was paid the way her accountant had requested.

“Lei, if you employ a subcontractor during the year then you have to complete a taxable payments annual report and lodge it with the Tax Office showing the name and other details of the subcontractor," I told her.

"Please tell me about the transactions so I can confirm that you have to report on this subcontractor.”

Lei said she paid the subcontractor a fixed amount for her work plus 9.5 per cent for the superannuation guarantee and then paid half her salary as salary sacrifice to her superannuation fund.

“This raises a couple of issues, Lei, the first is that you cannot salary sacrifice unless you are an employee," I said.

"So the salary sacrifice of itself suggests that this is an employer/ employee relationship. The superannuation guarantee payment is a little different in that it's possible that you may have to pay superannuation guarantee for a subcontractor as well as an employee but that is far less likely.

"The main issue here is the salary sacrifice. Did you advise the fund that these were salary sacrifice payments when you made them?”

Lei said: “Yes, I did.”

I said: “What you need to do is reclassify these subcontract payments as wages, issue her with an income statement, formerly called a payment summary, and amend your accounts to reflect this. Do you know if she has lodged her tax return, Lei?”

Lei said: "Yes, I think so."

I said: “In that case, she will also have to lodge an amended tax return to include this income in the correct fields. She will also have to declare the salary sacrifice as reportable employer superannuation contributions. "Going forward you will have to tax her on her earnings. She can still salary sacrifice 50 per cent to super.

"The superannuation you've paid, both for salary sacrifice and for the superannuation guarantee, cannot be claimed as a tax deduction in 2019 as they were both paid after the end of the financial year.

"However, they can be claimed in the year in which they are paid assuming that they are paid on time.”

Lei said she hadn't realised it would be so complicated.

"I just thought because her accountant had told her to do that, it would be okay,” she said.

I replied: “Yes, that's always difficult, but maybe she misunderstood what was said. Might I suggest that if someone proposes an unusual transaction to you again, please ring me and check that it's okay.

"You're lucky there's no harm done on this occasion and as you employed her as a casual late in the year we were able to fix it up.”

If you need any help with staff, subcontractors, salary sacrifice and tax contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.

Disclaimer

This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser.