CityNews 200213

Authority burns millions on distracting residents

PAUL COSTIGAN

Political hell is paved with good intentions

MICHAEL MOORE

The combo cafe with lots in store

WENDY JOHNSON

INFINITE ENERGY

How MARITZA TEIN built a business by putting people first

Don’t let your family end up in a financial scrapyard.

NEWS / art appeal for bushfire victims

Robert calls for art, this time it’s personal

By Kathryn VUKOVLJAK

GALLERY owner Robert Stephens

collected more than 400 artworks to give to victims of the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2010.

He’s rallying the art community again to gather works to give to victims of the recent fires, but this time he knows first hand what it’s like to be affected.

Owner of Aarwun Gallery in Gold Creek, art dealer Robert lost cattle and sheds on his rural property at Tumbarumba in the recent Ourie bushfire.

“I’m a victim myself, I had my farm burnt out and I was there. I know exactly what it’s like on the fire front,” he says.

“I defended my house alone. You get into an adrenaline rush and keep going, but two or three days later is when it mentally gets the better of you, it’s the trauma, you don’t hear much about what happens afterwards.

“I know what people are going through, and the losses they’re experiencing.”

Robert says artists and art collectors have been incredibly generous, with “thousands of dollars worth” of paintings and sculptures already donated.

The works include art by Archibald prizewinner John Olsen, Wendy Sharpe, Norman Lindsay, Ebony Bennett, Fiona

Cotton, Ken Knight, Jim van Geet, Gor don Hanley, Ted Lewis, Frank Miles, Ve lia Newman, Bernard Ollis, Margarita Georgiadis, Mark Waller, Roger Beale, Carlos Barrios, US artist Kurt Her rmann, Korean artists Min-Woo Bang and Lee Eun-Mi, and Canberra artists Sandra House, Graham Charlton, Kylie Fogarty and Sharon Rynehart.

As some of the paintings are so valu able, Robert says the gallery will hold a twilight auction on March 13, and will then evenly distribute the money they raise as gift cards.

The balance of paintings will be dis tributed direct to the communities when homes have been rebuilt.

“The artists and collectors’ contribu tions are beyond generous,” he says.

“For example, Min-Woo Bang has donated every painting of his we have at the gallery.

“We are receiving amazing works – sculptures, indigenous art, still life, wildlife, abstract. It goes to show the generosity.”

Robert is working with three other galleries where donations are accepted: Morpeth Gallery in the Hunter Valley, Myrtleford Gallery in Victoria, and Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina, which have already gathered hundreds of paintings between them.

me, but from my point of view I’m personally involved this time,” he says.

give you a painting.

“It’s a healing process, and that’s what this is all about.”

Trivia night for vulnerable pets

THE Rainbow Paws Program and Pets in the Park are jointly holding a fundraising trivia quiz night with all profits going to support the pets of vulnerable Canberrans including the homeless, the elderly, the isolated and those experiencing mental health issues. Questions will be based around the three decades (‘80s-’00s). At the Raiders Club Holt, from 7.30pm, on Saturday, February 22. Tickets via stickytickets.com.au

Stall aids research

RELAY for Life Team, the Bold Bandannas, will hold a charity stall to raise funds for cancer research, prevention and support services at the Belconnen Fruit & Veg Markets, 8am-5pm, on the weekend of February 15-16. There will be trash ‘n’ treasure, homemade preserves, pickles, chutney, lemon butter, sugar-reduced preserves and a range of hand-sewn items.

Speaker gives it a go

He says the artworks can replace those lost in the fires and help create new traditions.

“Many people are far worse off than

“With the Victorian fires, we donated paintings which were much appreciated. People could put them on the wall and it’s a good feeling. It’s something. A feeling that someone is looking after you.

“Not all memories are good about fires but at least someone’s thought to

Since 1993: Volume 26, Number 6

Auction at Aarwun Gallery, 11 Federation Square, Gold Creek, Friday, March 13 at 6.30pm. Donations gratefully accepted until then. Viewings available during the week prior. Call 6230 2055 or email aarwuncanberra@bigpond.com

CAROLINE Odgers from GIVIT will talk to the ladies of the Gungahlin Day View Club about her organisation’s recovery work with the NSW bushfires at the club’s next lunch meeting in Nicholls, 11.30am, on Wednesday, February 26. A restaurant lunch will cost $35 and visitors are welcome. RSVP to 0458 012402 or 6230 2892 before 9pm, Sunday, February 22.

Arts & Entertainment 26-29

Cinema 27

Canberra Matters 10

Crossword 30

Dining & Wine 29

Gardening 31

Horoscopes 30

News 3-22

Letters 22

Politics 12 Marc paddles from depression to a new challenge. Story Page 6.

Mitchell.

WHEN IT MATTERS

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Accounts: accounts@citynews.com.au

SEVEN DAYS

Cloth-eared Chris finally hears the bus anger

PEOPLE power has prevailed.

Transport Minister Chris Steel and his obstinate bureaucracy have yielded to months of complaint and announced an increase in weekday, weekend and school bus services.

Laughingly describing it as listening to “issues raised” by commuters, the hitherto cloth-eared Chris announced nine changes to the maligned bus network including increased weekend services on Saturdays and better connections during weekdays. Nothing changes until late April, but it’s amazing how effective people power is in an election year.

Opposition transport spokesperson Candice Burch didn’t miss a beat in accusing the minister of simply fixing problems that the ACT government created in the first place.

“The minister cannot even bring himself to apologise to Canberrans about the chaos and disrespect he has been responsible for,” she sniffed.

THE fire is now being controlled but one imagines ESA commissioner Georgeina Whelan was seeing red when Parkes Way was unhappily drenched with 2500 litres of fire retardant from one of her planes; possibly the former brigadier’s only blemish in a faultless summer of fighting the elements.

The aircraft, working on the Orroral Valley Fire, apparently hit by turbulence dumped

This year it hit 243!

I KNOW there’s a word for it, but Graham Catt seems to have been handed a special kind of sandwich when Canberra Business Chamber CEO Michael Schaper set off for six months of enlightenment from a course in Singapore.

tion, tourism and hospitality sectors…” We will all pay for this.

“SEVEN Days” loves irony. The Chief Minister pops out a limp press release promising that “Canberrans are set to benefit from the ACT government’s push for more competition in the local petrol market.”

“Canberrans decide where to buy petrol and keep retailers honest”. What, the locals are dishonest as well as expensive?

Anyway, enough soap box, the irony is that in that press release a concerned Andrew Barr says he’s encouraging new operators in “to help drive petrol prices down and ease cost of living pressure on Canberra households”

And In this very edition Gary Petherbridge, president of the Owners Corporation Network ACT, says rates this year will rise 8 per cent and 11 per cent for units.

A compassionate leader concerned about the cost-of-living increases would worry less about spinning the small-change petrol savings and really help community battlers by moderating the rate increases. It is election year.

its (they say) harmless load on the car park at Rond Terrace and Anzac Parade at Rond Pond.

To the ESA’s credit, they fessed up and even sent a mea-culpa snap of the pinked terrace steps. In fact, the agency has been exemplary in keeping the community apprised of disasters (smoke, fire, hail, leaking planes) all summer long.

The numbers tell the story: over the four Januarys, starting at 2016, the ESA’s public news and alert tally was 47, 54, 27 and 44.

In a message to members the acting top Catt says local businesses battling the effects of fires, smoke and hail want to rebuild and recover. But he hears that tourism and hospitality operators are shouldering losses (some more than $500,000) with the downturn in visitor numbers to Canberra hotels and attractions as high as 50 per cent.

“With the fire season still with us, we now also need to consider the implications of the Novel Coronavirus, particularly in the educa -

What’s he done? Nothing much beyond writing to petrol retailers in NSW imploring them to come and screw his own ratepaying, family owned servos and writing to the NSW government to let the ACT piggyback its digital price watch to let

SCHOOL’S back and of interest to taxpayers comes the news from Education Minister Yvette Berry that for the third year the government is providing years 7-12 with what she calls a “free” Chrome book (laptop-style computer). To date, we’ve provided 20,000 of the “free” devices.

NEWS / mental health Marc paddles from depression to new challenge

WHEN Marc Nieuwenhuys set out on a solo kayak expedition paddling the Murray River to beat depression, he never imagined his journey would save other people’s lives, too.

During his 107-day journey late last year, the Canberra handyman says he learnt a lot about himself, broke free of his depression and inspired thousands of conversations about mental health along the way.

“People were desperate to talk… and everyone I spoke to had a story,” he said.

The 43-year-old paddled alone on his kayak through three states, past 37 towns, taking more than 2.5 million paddle strokes.

The epic 2409-kilometre voyage, along Australia’s longest river began in Bringenbrong, NSW, and finished at the mouth of the river in Goolwa, SA in December.

Nieuwenhuys blogged and tracked his entire journey. His Facebook page, “Talking About a Lonely Journey”, has 24,000 followers and people from all over the world are joining the conversation.

“Someone emailed me and said: ‘I didn’t commit suicide last week… you are inspiring me to move forward’,” he said.

“I’m just a dude who paddled down

the river talking about mental health and starting conversations. It’s not clinical, it’s not judgemental, I’m not offering advice, I was just talking about my mental health.”

And it’s these conversations that kept him going.

“It was 44 degrees, there was a 40 km/h head wind and I paddled past a boat and a guy called out: ‘Are you mental… what are you doing?’,” he said.

“He invited me on board, gave me a beer, cooked me fish for dinner and we had a chat. He showed me the scar around his neck where he tried to hang himself and he survived. He now lives an incredible life on the water.

“Eight people every day in Aus tralia commit suicide. You don’t hear about that, we are not talking enough, we are not sharing and not talking.”

Nieuwenhuys, who battled with depression for eight years, described his depression as “another version of himself” that wanted him to be “sad” and “lonely”.

“I was at the bottom of a horrible hole and I needed to do something about it. I knew I was suffering from depression, but I didn’t have any tools to try and fix it or learn how to deal with it,” he said.

“The more people I talked to along the way, the stronger I became. The more I shared my story, the more I encouraged others to also start talking.

“This journey has completely changed my life. I’m a different human being to what I was.”

Nieuwenhuys plans to continue his journey spreading messages about mental health and breaking down the

“I bought a house boat in Goolwa and I’m refurbishing it and converting it into a place for people to come aboard and talk, and I’ll do the trip again down the Murray in reverse,”

“The boat needs a lot of work, but it floats, and it runs, and it will be the perfect platform for people to come have a cuppa and chat.”

Affectionately known as the “Mental Health Ship”, Nieuwenhuys says it will act as a “port of call” for people wanting to access mental health ser-

“People don’t know about the support that’s out there… and there’s heaps of support available,” he said.

“I spoke to a mum on my journey who was beside herself, in tears for her son, who’s in need of support and they are waiting weeks to get someone

“There are more than 37 towns along the way, so we will research every single town before we arrive and find out everything mental health related… If there’s a Vinnies, Salvo’s, Mental Health support group, doctors, Men’s Shed… we will find them and let people know about them.”

stigma around depression.

He’s writing a book about his journey and wants to keep engaging with people about depression, especially those living along the Murray-Darling Basin communities.

Nieuwenhuys hopes to raise $25,000 for the ‘Mental Health Ship’ through a crowd fundraising page at indiegogo. com/projects/building-the-mentalhealth-ship#

The Aerie at Narrabundah Information and Downsizing Morning Tea

Tuesday 25 February 10.30am – 11.30am East Hotel – Canberra Avenue, Griffith

You are invited to a free information and downsizing morning tea hosted by The Aerie at Narrabundah. Stages 2 and 3 floor plans now available. Learn all about Over 55 living and how you can buy into The Aerie, the newest retirement living village in Narrabundah.

Speakers include

Lyn Chambers – Sales Manager at The Aerie at Narrabundah.

Robert Peaker – Peter Blackshaw Real Estate – Hear about the current market in Canberra and the process to sell your home.

Amy Kennedy – Downsizer and declutterer professional. Learn how to get your home downsized and ready to sell.

RSVP by Thursday 20 February to Charissa on 0438 254 043 or email charissa.chappelow@lendlease.com

RATES

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OPINION / ACT prison education

How Shane fudged around an inconvenient truth

ANOTHER year, another raft of reports from the Productivity Commission about government services.

The ROGS, as they are benignly known, are greeted each January with trepidation by all state and territory governments.

The ROGS are little more than sets of tables, but what they do that renders them so fearful is allow an almost instant comparison of each state and territory’s performance in almost every aspect of government service delivery with not only every other state and territory government but also with its own performance in each year of the last decade or so.

Adding to the menace the ROGS present to a faltering government, the Productivity Commission takes what I have always thought a somewhat malicious delight in drip feeding the reports out over a couple of weeks thus both encouraging journalists to actually read each report as well as inhibiting a government’s chances of successfully burying the reports by, say, re-announcing

Most damning is that an Aboriginal person in the ACT is 18.9 times more likely to go to prison than a non-Aboriginal person. Surely, the Minister should have commented on that.

plans to build a new football stadium.

Ministers and their loyal departments work hard to emphasise the positives and ignore the negatives. It has, of course, always been thus.

The ACT government response to this year’s ROGS report on justice is a classic of the genre. The response came in the form of a joint press release from the three responsible ministers: Police Minister Mick Gentleman, Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay and Corrections Minister Shane Rattenbury.

The press release, dated January 29, referred to a number of highlights from the ROGS.

Following is an example, a claim made by Mr Rattenbury about the allegedly Australian-leading education and training programs at the AMC. I have also included an extract from the report tabled before Christmas by Mr Neil McAllister, the ACT Inspector of Corrections in which he

provides his assessment of the very same data on education referenced by Mr Rattenbury but comes to a strikingly different conclusion.

Minister for Corrections, Rattenbury

“The ACT remains the strongest perform ing jurisdiction for participation in detainee education and training. The ACT continues to be a leader in detainee education and training and is committed to support ing skill development to help detainees transition or return to the workforce and community.”

Inspector of Cor rectional Services

Neil McAllister November 2019, “Report of a Review of the AMC”:

Australia. While the data is impressive it should be noted that ROGS reports on enrolments rather than completions.

“In 2018/19, 108 detainees received 129 education awards. Of these 129 awards only six were for the completion of a certificate level course. The other 123 awards were statements of attainment for completing some subjects or undertaking short, non-accredited courses.”

“The ACT has consistently recorded the highest proportion of eligible prisoners engaged in training and education in

“On its face, this data looks dread-

“There are systemic factors that impact on the delivery of education at the AMC… Including: Detainees cherry picking bits of courses and then dropping out; Unscheduled lock-ins that can result in non-attendance at class Detainees’ difficulties in attending class due to the requirement to move under staff escort

Detainees’ difficulties completing take-home work books as a result of being in doubled up cells for at least 16 hours a day.”

Mr McAllister further reported that in a survey he conducted of detainee views on education and training in the AMC that 77 per cent of detainees said that the education programs on offer did not meet their needs.

Mr McAllister quoted a male detainee who summarised the views of detainees in the following words:

“Most detainees are so disheartened by the education offering that in our area less than a dozen (of around 35) attend education once a week. Of those half go to art class to paint. This is not accredited, and none of the current group are indigenous or selling any work. A few are attending barista or IT classes…”

The inspector added: “We will continue to be told that what is on offer is wide ranging and adequate. But not only is it discouraging to the detainees while they are in prison (‘there’s nothing to do’) and fails to provide them a sense of self-worth or progress – it is my firm opinion that on the whole prisoners are walking out the gate with the same lack of employable skills as they had when they came in.”

I can’t quite decide who to believe. Can you?

I should add the most damning outcome revealed in the ROGS corrective services report is that the ACT has the highest age standardised ratio of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison in Australia and the second highest crude ratio of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison with an Aboriginal person in the ACT 18.9 times more likely to go to prison than a nonAboriginal person.

Surely, the Minister should have commented on that.

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CANBERRA MATTERS / City Renewal Authority

Authority burns millions on distracting residents

IN centuries past when a colonial power arrived somewhere foreign (to them), they presumed that they knew how to improve the local culture and commenced with handing around beads and trinkets.

In Canberra’s inner north, the City Renewal Authority decided that areas across the Dickson shops were run down (because of government neglect) and that they knew how to “Make Dickson Great Again”.

Instead of trinkets, we were delivered temporary pop-ups and all manner of colourful stuff, most of which was quietly ignored by locals.

Expensive seating was installed along Woolley Street (rarely used), some play things popped up complete with colourful pool noodles (being regularly stolen) and wooden benches with umbrellas beside them lined the western side of the street (now removed).

Then there was that arch (pictured). Not exactly reflective of the heritage of the area but someone knew

Much to the growing dismay of ratepayers, the City Renewal Authority continues to burn millions on pop-ups and other distractions in Civic, Braddon and more recently Dickson.

better. It will not win any engineering or road safety awards. It has now disappeared so you have lost any opportunity for a selfie.

In front of the Dickson Pool, another ship of officials arrived unannounced to rejuvenate the pool’s forecourt. To the surprise of those that live here, this was the top priority.

Most would agree it needed a makeover (more government neglect), but what we ended up with is questionable. It was definitely not the priority development that people have been looking for.

With all of the above, community involvement has been exaggerated in the subsequent promotions. That’s the way of colonial authorities. But wait, there’s more.

A remarkable set of numbers surfaced at the end of 2019 thanks to the sleuthing of the leader of the Dickson Residents Group, Jane Goffman. The

figures published on her website, Dicksonia Magnificia, set out in detail the extraordinary amount the City Renewal Authority spent on their urban experiments, pop-up thingys and a few events for their Woolley Street project (China Town).

She also published the expenditure for the temporary changes and the moving of established trees to the area in front of the Dickson pool.

So much money has been spent on something that will largely not last and has had questionable community engagement. The total for the Woolley Street temporary stuff was $1.18 mil lion and for the pool forecourt about $270,000. These are very expensive trinkets.

That arch... Not exactly reflective of the heritage of the area but someone knew better. Photo: Paul Costigan

really want. Nobody knows just what it achieves (besides trying to distract

Much to the growing dismay of ratepayers, this expensive agency continues to burn millions on pop-ups

Braddon and more recently Dickson. community, cultural and arts needs identified by community groups are largely sidelined. This government

At this point I need to repeat what I will be saying till evidence points to a change. While all this misalignment of priorities and this dubious expendiis the result of an out-of-touch ACT Labor/Greens government, there’s little information in circulation that a government led by the ACT Liberals

Now, if you are a resident of Woden or Molonglo, you will know that the provision of community cultural facilities has not exactly matched community expectations.

In the case of the Woden Valley Community Council, they presented a well-argued and researched case for the provision of a multi-sports facility and for community and arts facilities

– and for some green spaces.

Mid-last year there was a slap in the face by Minister Yvette Berry at a meeting when challenged over the urgent need for multi-sports facilities. She bluntly said a big fat “NO” – not government policy – nothing to offer.

The City Renewal Authority continues as the authority we did not

As we head to the 2020 ACT elections, we need to call out that the established political parties and too many of their bureaucratic hierarchies have lost the will and means to be relevant to the things that matter to Canberra’s residents. It’s definitely time for change.

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

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POLITICS When hell is paved with good intentions

The ACT government has begun the election year with some strident examples of improving life for Canberrans. However, voters should keep in mind that the way to (political) hell is paved with good intentions.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr introduced initiatives “focused on saving money for drivers in the ACT”. The first foray is to reduce the slug that Canberrans take with petrol prices and to reduce the costs of our third-party injury insurance scheme.

Both examples are fraught with challenges. Third party insurance, according to the Chief Minister, can be adjusted so that “Canberrans will receive fairer, faster and more comprehensive support if they are injured in a motor vehicle accident through the ACT’s new Motor Accident Injuries Scheme”. This is the promised legislation that took effect at the start of February.

The Chief Minister explained that the savings to locals will be just less than $200 on motor vehicle insurance renewals.

Premiums set by private insurance companies,

Now there is a fire crisis. A crisis. Time to react. Intense media and social pressure has woken Scott Morrison from his somnambulistic stupor on this issue. He has reacted to the fires scorching Australia.

he explained, have been as high as $644. The new Motor Accident Injuries Scheme will mean the average passenger vehicle premiums will be $458.

By introducing what the government describes as a “community rated” scheme they are attempting to provide a more equitable and a more affordable system, especially by reducing the premiums for younger and older drivers.

A number of representative lawyer groups consider government hopes for the scheme simply gilding the lily.

Amber Wang, the ACT president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, pointed out that the savings on premiums for some would be “as low as $14”. She went further arguing that the threshold for a common law case is now set at 90 per cent impairment.

The current system is specifically designed to reduce litigation and the legal costs associated with vehicle-related injury. It is, therefore, not surprising that legal associations are concerned

with the new legislation. It does have an impact on the projected incomes of the legal profession. However, that does not invalidate their arguments.

Under the new scheme payments for up to five years will be much easier. However, the downside is, according to Ms Wang, that “compensation for all should not come at the cost of those who were injured through no fault of their own”. These have been the type of people who have fared well under the previous system. However, it is these same people who have pushed the costs, and consequently, the premiums much higher.

For those very seriously injured, the legislation does allow common-law compensation provided there is 90 per cent impairment. Who decides? There are many examples of citizen frustration with ACT government decision making. However, one of the concerns raised by president of the ACT Law Society, Chris Donohue, is that the decisions regarding their ability to receive income replacement as well as treatment and care will be arbitrarily determined at the discretion of insurance companies.

Of course, all administrative decisions are able to be challenged. However, the bar has been set very high for people, who through no fault of their own, are seriously injured and deserve significant compensation. They will have to do so without legal representation before the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal if they wish to dispute an insurer’s decision. It is hardly equitable for an injured person to have to argue against an experienced representative of an insurance company.

The second election sweetener mentioned is the Barr government’s intention to reduce petrol prices for Canberrans should be welcomed. The approach has been tried before and provided only a temporary reprieve. The goal is to introduce more competition and let the market force prices down. In December Mr Barr “wrote to independent retailers that operate in NSW to encourage them to enter the ACT market”. He pointed out that some new retailers were already operating and he is encouraging even more to do so.

The government will also monitor fuel prices and attempt to deliver this information to motorists in “real time”.

In an election year it should not be surprising that a government that has been in power for nearly two decades is intent on finding ways to illustrate they care about Canberrans. Delivering on that intent may well be another issue.

Fryar to Legal Aid

FORMER ACT Magistrate Karen Fryar is the new president of the Legal Aid Commission. She replaces former ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, who Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said had served the Commission and the community with distinction throughout his tenure as president.

Talking restoration

JUDY and Rod Roberts will be talking to the ladies of the Weston Creek VIEW Club about the restoration of Allwood Cottage at the club’s next lunch meeting at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, on Tuesday, March 3. Lunch costs $30 and visitors are welcome. RSVP to Barbara on 6286 4626 by 5pm, Thursday, February 27.

Pension seminar

THE Department of Human Services is presenting a free financial information seminar titled “Age Pension and Your Choices” at the Garratt Street Centre, 23 Garratt Street, Wanniassa, 7pm-9pm, Tuesday, March 3. Topics will include income and assets tests, deeming investments, concession issues and tax issues, and retirement choices. Register at eventbrite.com. au (search for Wanniassa), email garrattstcentre@gmail.com or call 0402 007551.

NEWS Madeleine treks the hard road to build resilience

By Danielle NOHRA

WHEN Spence’s Madeleine Taylor was chosen to speak in front of a large crowd at a global YMCA forum in London, she decided to talk about how her life crumbled before her eyes at the age of 19 and then again in her 20s.

Madeleine, 31, who was the only representative chosen from the ACT (out of 48 people nationally), didn’t choose to tell these stories to get sympathy, instead she wanted to highlight the importance of resilience – something she’s built on in the past 12 years.

The event, YMCA175, celebrated 175 years since YMCA began and it also created a platform to address social challenges and empower young people, which is another reason why Madeleine, who is a chief risk officer for YMCA Canberra, decided to talk about the hard times she’s experienced and how she’s overcome them.

“When I was younger, my life plan was to be in the army but I ended up getting medically discharged from ADFA,” says Madeleine who was discharged after she hurt her knee playing rugby.

“It changed my future and I had to

find a new passion. It was hard be cause I had done army cadets, gone to every ADFA open day and a lot of my family are in the army, so it was very entrenched in my life.”

When Madeleine couldn’t continue her dream in the army she looked towards her grandparents who have owned and managed lots of small busi nesses over the years.

“I moved my passion from the army to business,” says Madeleine who moved to Brisbane where she finished her business degree.

After her degree, things were look ing up and she gained experience working in procurement for big busi nesses.

“Then I was volunteering for CIPS Australasia, organising events and they offered me a job in Melbourne offering training events across the country,” she says.

Madeleine quickly moved into a sen ior position with the company before she was offered a dream job.

“I was offered a job in Singapore where I would sell and run training in Asia but that fell through, three weeks before I was going to go,” she says.

But the bad news didn’t stop there.

Madeleine’s long-term partner told her a day before she was about to head to the UK for training that he no longer wanted to come; she had lost her dream job, had nowhere to live and her dog (also her best friend) died.

a novella about it which landed on the top 20 bestseller list on Amazon in the categories it was published in.”

Determined to still work in Asia, she landed an even better job in Hong Kong, where she worked for a year before returning to Canberra, ready to start a family.

end of the world at the time, it’s not.

“It’s not the end of the world, nothing is the end of the world and the sun will come up tomorrow,” she says.

For that reason, she thought resilience would be a good topic to talk about.

“You can’t really teach someone resilience but you can help them build

it in themselves,” she says.

One way Madeleine says people can build resilience is through mindfulness, which looks different for every-

“It might be writing or playing an instrument or drawing,” she says.

“But one of the absolute critical things when it comes to resilience is

“Hopefully you have family and friends and if you do, you have to be vulnerable to say you need help.

“I was really lucky to have an amazing family and friends around me.”

Planning is also important, according to Madeleine, who says that when things fall through it’s good to plan another way to get the outcome people

“Can you get the job you want in another country?” she says.

“If you’re willing to put in the hard work, generally you can resolve it.

“And with hard work and luck, hopefully people get their break when they’re facing a difficult time.”

At YMCA Canberra, Madeleine says they believe in the power of inspired young people.

But, she says, young people can’t fight for the change they want if they don’t have their basic needs met first.

“At the Y, if we can give young people skills such as resilience, then we can empower them and help them have this impact,” she says.

COTA ACT / STRENGTH FOR LIFE advertising feature

‘Even

if the participant is inactive or not active enough, this program caters for everyone.’

The strong benefits of training later in life

COUNCIL on the Ageing ACT (COTA ACT) has launched Strength for Life, an evidence-based strength training program to help keep adults over the age of 50 years, independent for longer, says Strength for Life coordinator Diane Percy.

The first of the Strength for Life classes in the ACT will be held at the Hughes Community Centre. The aim of the program is to help older people improve their strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and coordination, while socialising with like-minded people in their local community, Diane says.

“It’s never too late, and you’re never too old,” she says.

“Statistics show that not enough older adults are regularly strength training.

“The benefits are huge, such as improving balance, strength and coordination, which in turn can help to reduce the risk of falling or reduce the severity of a fall if it does happen.

“It can help to improve lower body strength for better balance and may also help in the management of stable chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and also manage lower back pain.”

Strength for Life is designed to help people over the age of 50 years, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 40

years, to improve their strength and physical fitness, Diane says.

She says other benefits of strength training are the potential to improve posture and mobility, and the opportunity to meet other people and remain socially connected with the community.

COTA has received funding from Sport Australia, under the Better Ageing Grant, to expand the Strength for Life program nation ally and to introduce the program for the first time to ACT, NSW and Tasmania.

The program, established in WA, SA and Victoria since the early 2000s, will roll out to other locations in Canberra over the coming months so that it can be accessible to everyone.

Diane says COTA ACT has had a lot of interest from potential new providers of the program across Canberra, including fitness centres, community organisations, retirement villages and physiotherapy clinics. Greenway Views’ new LDK seniors living village in Greenway will be the first to offer Strength for Life classes to their residents and community members, from March 2020.

“COTA ACT is delivering a Strength for Life instructor training workshop on the weekend of February 29 and March 1 at CIT in Bruce,” Diane says.

“We are welcoming up to 15 registrations from qualified and experienced personal trainers, exercise physiologists and physiotherapists.”

Diane says the classes will be affordable,

LIVE LONGER, LIVE STRONGER

For enquiries regarding classes or becoming a Strength for Life Provider/Instructor and training dates

Call Diane Percy – Strength for Life Coordinator, COTA ACT on 6282 3777

email dpercy@cotaact.org.au or strengthforlife@cotaact.org.au

levels of ability, she says.

“The focus of Strength for Life is for people over the age of 50 years who may be less active or not active at all, and who may be looking for a place where they can exercise safely, and that the exercises are appropriate for their individual goals,” Diane says.

The program offers two tiers for participants, Tier 1 classes are delivered by exercise physiologists or physiotherapists, for participants who may be at higher risk due to particular health issues, and Tier 2 classes are delivered by accredited personal trainers.

An initial assessment is conducted prior to starting the program and an individu -

a group-based warm up, then each participant will be doing their own personalised program with supervision from their instructor.

“And just as important, it will be fun,” Diane says.

“It’s a social environment, with some instructors using background music and the personality of the instructor shining through. We know that when people enjoy the sessions, they are more likely to stick with it.”

Even if people are physically active through walking, cycling, golfing, gardening or dancing, Diane says strength training is the base for being able to continue all these activities each day.

For older adults, Diane recommends that strength-training activities should include exercises for all the major muscle groups, at least twice weekly, to achieve health benefits.

Before starting the classes, participants will need to fill out an enrolment form which includes a pre-exercise medical questionnaire. Some participants may need a medical referral before starting (forms available on request). They will also attend a 45-minute assessment and program design session prior to attending their first class.

“It can happen that we become less active as we age,” Diane says.

“We want to grow the Strength for Life program in the ACT, to be able to give those people who are inactive or not active enough, that stepping stone to exercising on a regular basis.

“The Strength for Life program also focuses on social inclusion, so we are encouraging future providers to consider organising a coffee or tea catch-up after class, because we know that it’s nice to finish off the class with a chat.”

The first Strength for Life classes will be held at the Hughes Community Centre, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes, 1.15pm, Mondays and Fridays, and 3pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays. At this location, classes cost $8 for COTA ACT members and $10 for non-members. The individual 45-minute assessment is $45.

For more information, call 6282 3777 or email strengthforlife@cotaact.org.au

‘Keeping in touch with our clients and having a strong, personal relationship and rapport

Maritza’s recruitment team always puts the personal

FOR more than 21 years, Maritza Tein’s passion for people has enabled her to build Infinite Consulting’s reputation for serving Canberra’s information and computer technology recruitment needs, with a personal touch.

“When we started the business we prided ourselves on being a customer centric, ethical, ‘open book’ company,” says director and owner Maritza.

As the business grew, Maritza says they invested further into the business’ growth and today, the leadership of the business is with Maritza and her team of recruitment experts.

Maritza says her loyal and experienced team has been the key to Infinite’s success.

“You need a team around you that has an excellent understanding of the needs of our clients and customers and is well connected with the government and the commercial landscape,” she says.

“Infinite is a key supplier on the majority of federal government panels and a preferred supplier of a number of significant commercial customers. We also service nationally and have people in other states.”

Recently, Maritza says, customers have been looking to Infinite for expert consultation in areas such as cloud migration, machine learning, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

She says the team follows global trends, all the while remaining Canberra-based and focused on the local community.

Infinite Consulting has always been located

conveniently on Northbourne Avenue in Braddon.

With a background in business and customer service, Venezuelan-born Maritza came to Canberra with her family in 1990, making it their home.

She says she developed considerable business acumen while running various property related businesses as a young woman with her husband as well as helping her family run their businesses.

“Personalised customer service is so important in any business – keeping in touch with our clients and having a strong, personal relationship and rapport with them is essential,” she says.

Maritza says she enjoys hosting social events and networking events for clients during the year as well as giving back to the community through charitable support for causes such as the Canberra City Lions Club’s “World Festival of Magic”, which helps children with special needs.

Managing consultant Jeff Melmoth, who has been with the company for eight years, man ages the sales team and works with clients and candidates.

He says helping guide new candidates on their journey is a rewarding aspect of the job.

He also says the Canberra recruitment system is unique in terms of lengthy security clearances and assessments for certain roles and managing the expectations of both parties is important.

But, he says the Infinite team is well experienced in guiding candidates and clients through the process.

“We are always looking for a solution and work ing for everyone’s best interests,” he says.

Infinite also provides a full payroll service includ ing salary packaging and novated leasing.

Canberra’s Finest

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• One stop recruitment provider with full payroll services and salary packaging available

NEWS / workplace safety

Close calls drive changes to the culture of safety

By Danielle NOHRA

AFTER witnessing multiple workplace accidents and personally experiencing too many close calls themselves, Steven Moore and Geoff Kalsbeek decided to band together to change the culture of safety in the building industry.

“On August 4, 2016, there was a fatal accident on a construction project in the Canberra region,” says Steven, 53, of Queanbeyan.

“Less than two months later on October 27, a 16-year-old apprentice fell seven metres on another project in the local area.

“These incidents had a profound effect on our team, so much so that we decided we were going to do something about it.”

The two men started SiteSafe360 to develop a strategy to change what they perceive are the flaws in the safety culture of the construction workplace and to create an app on workplace safety. This month they hosted a free “CBR Workplace Safety Forum”.

“Stuff that’s happening today, shouldn’t be happening,” says Geoff, 54, of Jerrabomberra, who, as a steel

fixer and business owner, has seen a number of incidents over his 34 years in the industry.

“I’ve seen a couple of really serious incidents over the last four years and it has an effect on the guys.”

Geoff even had to bring in someone to provide his workers with psychological help after one particular incident.

“To see these guys break down in tears affected me more than I thought it would.”

Steve, who met Geoff in the late ‘80s when he started to work for him as a steel fixer before transitioning into a managerial position in the oil, gas and mining industry in WA, says they want to teach young kids how to

identify hazards.

“[When I came back to Canberra] there seemed to be a lot more corners being cut in here and Sydney, and buildings were going up fast. I’ve never seen anything being built so fast, it’s out of control,” he says.

While Steve says the construction industry in Canberra is very efficient, he doesn’t want the need for quick timelines to take away from the safety of workers.

“Your risks go up when there’s multiple trades working on top of each other,” he says.

“You’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head. For the seasoned professional, they’re used to it but the young

fellas just don’t know what they’re looking for.

“Every incident has a hazard associated with it. We focus on minimising the hazard on any site.

“If we can make everybody aware of the hazards then we’re going to minimise the incidents.”

A lot of incidents occur when there’s a lack of knowledge, according to Steve, who says some workers are worried about reporting things to their boss because they think they might get in trouble.

“I’ve seen my guys turn around and do something they shouldn’t do. The reason they usually do it is because they think it’s helping me out.”

But Geoff says employees need to understand that only makes things worse.

There are also unregulated trades that Geoff and Steve say aren’t backed with the same comprehensive safety training that some of the “high-end” trades are.

“We want to make everybody a safety advocate,” Geoff says.

“We just want to get it into everybody’s heads that the safest way is the best way.”

They’re calling on workers to not take shortcuts, not push their limits and not to take on anything they can’t handle.

It’s also about leaders, managers and owners, in any industry, to not ask workers to do anything they can’t and to make sure staff are trained in what they’re supposed to be doing, too.

“It’s the simple things like making sure they put their hard hat on or their goggles,” Geoff says.

“When I was younger, I used the grinder and got a spark in my eye. The young fellas shouldn’t be learning the hard way, they should be learning from our experience.

“They might think they’re saving a couple of seconds but they don’t understand the implications of not following a safety protocol.

“We’re aware that accidents do happen, some accidents are unavoidable, but we want to minimise them as much as possible.”

THE GADFLY / hell, fire and the PM

Glimmerings in the sci-fi movie smoke

IT’S been a hellish summer; and it’s not over yet.

That fire-breathing monster of our own making is still blasting the landscape, even to the ramparts of the national capital. And its mad rampaging can be seen all over our south coast playground.

Hail wrecked 15,000 Canberra cars. The mega-duststorms are rising in the west and carrying the precious topsoil away. And the smoke haze that chokes our lungs and robs the elderly of weeks or months of their hoped-for lifespan, persists and persists and persists.

But even as we struggle to cope with what until yesterday seemed like a sci-fi movie, there are some bright glimmerings in the mist.

The much-despised media, for instance, has restored its reputation, warning and showing us the fires that threatened. The ABC alone used its amazing network of stringers throughout the towns and villages to bring us the stories as they were happening.

Suddenly there was a sense that ‘we’re all in this together’, that the very idea of being Australian and literally under fire from the monster made us one.

Mostly, it seemed, they were bright, articulate young women who arose from nowhere to do their on-camera reports with barely a note or a cue card to assist. The magnificent Philip Williams, not long from unravelling the tangled skein of Brexit while standing before 10 Downing Street, was just as brilliantly professional in the crowded refuge of coastal Bega or beside the embarrassed fumblings of Scott Morrison among the reluctant hand shakers. So, too, the brotherly Hamish Macdonald in shattered Mogo. So, too, Liv Casben holidaying at her Nelligen family home, reporting as the flames roared nearer. So, too, the world’s best

newsreader Juanita Phillips, back from leave to meet the crisis; and the afternoon anchors such as Karina Carvalho handling a myriad of incoming reports from the firegrounds with perfect calm and competence.

Those behind the scenes who were organising the crews, the transport, the accommodation, the co-ordination with officialdom and the on-camera novices, deserve the thanks of a grateful nation. For without their tireless work, all the rest would never have reached us.

We waved off the pilots as they flew their water-bombing missions. And we listened, rapt, to Shane Fitzsimmons, the NSW RFS commissioner with his round, compassionate face that never smiles but has become part of an

Australian story that, one suspects, is only just beginning.

Suddenly there was a sense that “we’re all in this together”, that the very idea of being Australian and literally under fire from the monster made us one.

So when the Prime Minister returned – reluctantly, it seemed – from his Hawaiian holiday, his missteps were magnified in the public mind. He was suddenly an interloper in “our” struggle. And when he donned his baseball cap and played the “Daggy Dad” that he thought had won him the election, it got our backs up even further.

Little wonder his PR advisers dragged him back to Kirribilli and clad him in a suit in a vain attempt to restore his lost authority. It might have worked, but for the awful Bridget McKenzie who had scammed the $100 million sports grants. Worse, it wasn’t just bungling Bridget, but Morrison and his Cabinet mates who also had their fingers stuck in that little tar baby. And Bridget knew it!

Oh dear, what to do?

“Wait – look over there!” they cried. “We’re rescuing Aussies from the naughty Chinese and their coronavirus…”

You have to wonder – is that honestly what they think of us?

robert@robertmacklin.com

ANU home to refugee koalas

KOALAS displaced and injured by Australia’s bushfire crisis are being cared for and housed temporarily at the ANU. Researcher Dr Karen Ford, who is an expert in koala nutrition, says: “We have 11 koalas at ANU that have come in from the various fire grounds in the region. They just keep arriving.

“There is nowhere else that has the facilities to hold these animals or this many at the moment. There are a couple with burn injuries and the rest have come from completely burnt habitat and they are quite skinny.”

Schools for Molonglo

THE first Molonglo Valley high school will be ready for the 2023 school year and the first sod has been turned to mark the start of construction for a primary school to take students for the 2021 school year. The secondary school will cater for 600 students in years 7-10. The high school will be integrated with the primary school on the same site. The primary school will cater for 644 preschool to year 6 students.

How to be sure the rates review is truly credible

THE ACT government is seeking consultants to analyse the impacts of its tax reform program on Canberra residents and the property market, including rents.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has consistently rejected the claims that the rate rises are harming many sections of the community, driving home buyers into NSW and increasing rents. Rather, he argues that ratepayers have benefited from reductions in stamp duty and other taxes and charges.

The ACT Government Response (number 6), to the Legislative Assembly Rates Inquiry Recommendation for a Public Review of the ACT System for Rates and Land Tax, stated that analysis will be publicly available so it can be scrutinised and discussed by ratepayers and the broader Canberra community.

To honour this commitment and to ensure the review report’s credibility, the consultants need to publicly engage during the process and review much of the evidence included in the earlier Assembly Inquiry.

In addition to considering this evidence the consultants should be asked to consider the original 2012 ACT Taxation Review and the Government’s response to it and how the implementation is consistent with these recommendations.

I also understand the consultants

The Chief Minister has said the ‘heavy lifting’ relating to rates increases is over, yet at the same time saying increases will now only be eight per cent per year (units an average of 11 per cent). This would certainly see the prediction of a tripling of rates come true,” writes GARY PETHERBRIDGE

haven’t been asked to look at whether the changes to the way rates are calculated for individual units within a strata complex have resulted in unreasonably excessive increases over the past few years; and to consider the suitability of incorporating market/ capital value components into the approach.

Omission of this analysis would make credibility of the consultancy suspect.

Over recent years the ACT government’s record on public consultation has not been strong. Often requests to meet with ministers by executives of responsible associations with an interest in supporting the community on a variety of issues, or to assist in addressing serious issues within our community, have been ignored.

The Assembly Inquiry provided a comprehensive opportunity to collect evidence of the impact on residents’ cost of living and health and welfare, and on comparing rating fairness and equity between units in various complexes, and between standalone housing and apartments/townhouses.

Gross disparity was evident and on the house-versus-unit comparison several examples showed a house and a unit with almost identical sale or rental value and the house using as much as four times the amount of land yet paying over 10 per cent less in rates.

For credibility the consultancy will need to address these issues and suggest changes to remove the inequities.

The 2012 Review and Response emphasised revenue neutrality, yet several respected past government treasury executives and a former Labor chief minister dispute this has happened.

Many senior residents accepted the government’s encouragement to downsize, paid the full stamp duty (in place at the time) and have now had the double hit of very high rates.

This double hit was not a clear objective of the Review although it did recognise this was a possible outcome in one of the options put forward.

The impact was to be mitigated through a range of complementary policies on housing affordability, rates

Gary Petherbridge.

being commensurate with the consumption of land, and concessions for those on low to moderate incomes.

The consultancy should review the success of the approach taken.

Response (number 4) to the Assembly Inquiry the government emphasised unimproved values are the basis for general rates and using this basis avoids undesirable outcomes such as disincentives for improvements and does not distort decisions regarding the use of land.

In the strata sector one undesirable consequence could be avoidance of essential common property maintenance. With the change in method for calculating the rates in the strata sector, the government is going against its own stated principle.

The rates calculation method now used takes the Entitlement Points (the measure of the market or capital value of each unit within the complex) not the land value (unimproved value) as the basis for their share of rates calculated for the complete complex.

This aspect of rating together with how the overall method has created massive increases for unit owners (some well in excess of 100 per cent

over a few years), needs to be considered by the consultants.

The consultants should also consider that these massive increases will reduce the willingness of senior people to downsize, move to in-fill locations and so reduce pressure on land usage in the ACT.

Recently the Chief Minister has said the “heavy lifting” relating to rates increases is over, yet at the same time saying increases will now only be eight per cent per year (units an average of 11 per cent).

This is still a massive increase for the next few years and would certainly see the prediction of a tripling of rates come true.

Unit prices in Canberra have already dropped significantly with off-plan purchase prices not being achieved in resales and some of these are forced because of various reasons including rates and land tax escalation and defect rectification costs.

Rental prices for units have now topped all capital cities in the country and this was predicted over a year ago as the rates and land tax hit their high levels. The consultants have much to consider and report on if the review is to be credible.

Gary Petherbridge is the president of the Owners Corporation Network ACT, an organisation that helps unit owners and owners’ corporations avoid problems.

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Minister Steel not ‘stupid’, simply out of his depth

I WAS almost seduced by Paul Costigan’s argument that ACT Minister Steel is “stupid” (“How the minister kicked problem down the road”, CN, January 30), but at the same time felt obliged to acknowledge that Minister’s wizardry in finding the most unlikely opportunities for getting his person in front of uncritical news cameras.

After all, self-promotion is the real game, and it matters not that his pedestrian announcements promise inevitably fake solutions to long-festering problems. When the really tricky questions are asked he is also cunning enough to hide behind walls of disdainful silence.

But his real weakness, to which Costigan rightly alludes, is his willingness to defer to his minders’ capricious, inaccurate or ill-informed advice.

His obvious dependence in this regard leaves him captive to their whims, even on the subjects of who he should communicate with and whose questions he answers. Really, in the several portfolios he is supposed to manage he is not stupid but simply out of his depth. His colleagues know it but keep to their own silence in solidarity with “the team” rather than the electorate.

Therein lies a broader issue. There is more than one underachiever in the ACT government happy to simply mouth popular values while ignoring the need for timely action on genuine community concerns.

We need to replace them with more conscientiously independent leaders and managers who are not simply beholden to “teams” or “machines”, but how can such

when our local media so often favours the self-promotion of those already entrenched?

Richard Gorrell, Belconnen

Let’s support Deepak-Raj

WELL done, Deepak-Raj Gupta MLA for searching out Walter Burley Griffin’s Lucknow grave and arranging for its cleaning and redecoration! (“Griffin’s forgotten, sad grave gets a little love”, CN February 6-12).

It is, in fact, a rediscovery, since my colleague and friend, Graeme Westlake, travelled the same path as Gupta in 1987. Then, the Australian-American As-

restored. Graeme died early, in 1991, which might be one reason why care for the grave has lapsed.

Let’s publicly support Gupta and Chief Minister Andrew Barr in the establishment of a more permanent arrangement. It must be time for a sister-city agreement between Canberra and Lucknow or the ACT and Uttar Pradesh!

Ann Smith, Curtin

It’s not Griffin’s lake!

I AM following the “CityNews” Walter Burley Griffin story (“Griffin’s forgotten, sad grave gets a little love” CN, February 6) and it is

certainly good to see recognition of the Griffins’ contribution and the pursuit of a broader recognition.

I must, however, take up the statement that Walter Burley Griffin designed the lake. His plan was very different to the end game.

Robert Charles Scrivener, who established the Commonwealth Survey Office, had a testy relationship with Griffin and their disagreement on how Canberra should evolve led to a Royal Commission in 1916 that confirmed support for Griffin.

However Scrivener’s design for the lake prevailed; Griffin had proposed a three-level lake (East, Central and West Basin) with water cascades at each change of level while Scrivener proposed a single-level lake).

So perhaps, more correctly, it should be named Lake Scrivener. As the dam was an initiative by Griffin, then perhaps the dam should be Burley Griffin Dam.

Brian Franklin, via email

Yes, to national approach

AS a former ARES Member, I think Michael Moore’s piece supporting an ARES-type pay scheme for our amazing rural fire brigades has lots of merit and deserves consideration (Fighting fire with financial fairness”, CN, January 30).

At the very least these brave men and women must be paid their civilian wage while fighting fires so as to ensure that none of them will be out of pocket for lost wages etcetera.

It was also about time the ARES was called out to assist. I know many serving members who were chafing at the bit to be able to help and indeed all members of the ADF got great satisfaction in being able to assist their fellow Australians during this national crisis. It was good to see the start of what must be a national approach to national disasters now and in the future. Let’s ensure we use all our assets for any future disasters.

One thing I would suggest we must also do is to use all available resources, especially heavy equipment from wherever it can be sourced, on a regular basis to control fuel loads, and to clear and make fire trails as required.

If more workers are needed, I’m sure a scheme could be designed to complement our rural firies who are stretched, whereby students and maybe unemployed, youngsters could be paid to do a few weeks work on an as-needs basis to help ensure fuel loads are kept in check.

The shorter back-burning seasons necessitate other types of fuel management to be used as well as the more traditional methods.

Bill Stefaniak, Narrabundah

From pregnancy to childhood

WHETHER it’s birth preparation, prenatal yoga, physiotherapy, capturing precious moments as a family or taking bub to their first swimming class, “CityNews” speaks to the businesses who can help support mums and dads with pregnancy, birth, babies, kids and beyond.

Sharn strengthens mums pre-birth

INSPIRED by how prenatal yoga classes helped Sharn Watts prepare for birth, Sharn, the owner of Yoga Mums, now wants to support other mums in the perinatal period.

Mum to two young boys, aged three and five, Sharn started Yoga Mums in 2017 and says she enjoys helping expectant mums feel as comfortable as possible during pregnancy and beyond.

“Lots of women feel worried and unsure of what’s safe in terms of exercise when they’re pregnant,” Sharn says.

“It’s important to feel strong, and in turn it can help with the stamina

required in birth.

“I also think it’s so important to make time for yourself. We all lead busy lives and as a pregnant mum sometimes we need to stop, pause, and connect to the baby. It helps to get in the right frame of mind

Photographer Stephanie captures the love of

IT’S all about capturing family love and connection for photographer Stephanie Hogg of Little Grasshopper Photography.

“I take photos of families in an authentic, organic way that’s very unposed,” says Stephanie.

“It could be older kids, pets, little ones, newborn or maternity shoots, but for me it’s about capturing the natural love between family members.”

Stephanie says her photo shoots are relaxed and fun, and with younger children she prefers to create play-based sessions, giving them a playful prompt or direction and letting them run with it.

a family

While Stephanie, a local mum of two, has a dedicated newborn studio in MacGregor, she generally shoots outdoors.

She says she doesn’t charge an upfront session fee, so everyone feels as relaxed as possible.

“Having photos taken can be stressful so I like to make sure there’s no pressure on anyone for the shoot to be perfect - the goal is to have fun,” she says.

“I enjoy getting to know a family and being able to take photos that they fall in love with and want to display in their homes.

“I think it’s great for kids to be able to see their

for birth, to acknowledge what’s happening and really tune in to that.”

Sharn says it can also be lovely to connect with other mums and share how things are going.

Yoga Mums offers mini retreats for couples to prepare for birth, as well as baby yoga, mums and bubs yoga, toddler classes and “Mum Restore” sessions, providing a space for mums to gently stretch and safely rebuild their core strength.

Yoga Mums, 5 & 6/26 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls. Visit yogamumsfitness.com.au, email yogamumsfitness.com.au or call 0468 489642.

faces on the wall alongside pieces of art. It’s wonderful for their self-esteem and development, for them to see that their parents want the photos on display, with their faces looking at them full of love.”

For information or to book, visit littlegrasshopperphotography.com.au

Her Physio is a specialised physiotherapy service for women of all ages Health challenges can arise at any stage of life - during pregnancy, as a new mum, when juggling the demands of work and raising a family, or easing into retirement Did you know?

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KATE

MEIKLE MUMMY in... writes

Stephanie from Little Grasshopper Photography is a family photographer who specialises in capturing connection through playful direction and game prompts. Stephanie will have your family relax and bring the playful side out in your family to help capture authentic smiles and real love and connection.

• Led by university qualified & experienced teachers

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• Sessions include music, movement, dance, fine & gross motor activities as well as literacy and numeracy

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MUMS AND BUBS

Keeping

babies confident in water

TEACHING babies to swim while they’re still comfort able in the water is a great way to ensure they enjoy swimming as they grow, says Holly Singh, owner and manager of JUMP! Swim Schools Fyshwick.

With a heated, purpose-built, small, indoor pool, JUMP! Fyshwick offers distraction-free, intimate classes with expert, qualified swimming teachers.

Every child feels safe and at home on their swimming journey, according to Holly, who says JUMP! caters for babies from three months old all the way to pre-squad ages.

“We start babies while they still have that natural affinity in the water and it helps them remain confident as they progress,” she says.

“Our small classes, with a maximum of six for babies and up to four for older kids, creates the optimum conditions so they can go further with their swimming.”

JUMP! also offers a swimming introduction and development program for independent swimmers, which focuses on developing specific skills and techniques that enable children to propel through the water independently, says Holly.

And, there are lots of activities and games to make

that looks at stroke correction and development, learning and perfecting the four strokes,” she says. Located opposite the Canberra Outlet Centre, the classes at JUMP! run all year round.

“We find that baby classes are requested year-round so we don’t have set terms and each class is based on the skill level of the child,” says Holly.

JUMP! Swim Schools Fyshwick, 5/23-25 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick. Call 0432 178133 or visit jumpswimschools.com.au

Welcoming centre makes learning fun

CANBERRA’S south holds a unique place where children from all backgrounds are growing and learning in a fun environment, says Kristen O’Connor, owner of Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre.

“At Kidstart we understand that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for development,” she says.

“That is why we offer programs for children from five months to five years of age and their parents and carers.

“We are not a childcare centre but provide classes with opportunities for each child to develop socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually through sequential programs full of fun, structured and stimulating activities.

“The unique part of it is the love of learning that these kids develop while they’re having so much fun.”

Beginning as a small operation in Rivett in 1996, Kidstart Southside has since moved to bigger premises in Wanniassa to cater for a lot more families.

Kristen says they run three different styles of age-based programs. The first one is for children under three, where families can come and join the fun. The second is for children older than three, which is an independent group where children come to learn, listen and explore away from parents. The third is the

arts and crafts, parachute play and activities which incorporate gross motor skills as well as a strong literacy focus.

The programs, according to Kristen, not only aid children but benefit parents, too, because she says they know their children are growing in an educational, fun, play-based atmosphere.

Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre, 65 Sternberg Crescent, Wanniassa. Call 0422 406622 or visit kidstart.com.au

Jane gets dads talking babies

NEW dads are expected to attend the birth of their children, but many men can feel a bit flummoxed about what exactly to do in the birthing room, says midwife and Beer + Bubs educator Jane Fitzgerald.

“It’s a generalisation but there’s a sense that men want to fix things and with birth they can’t,” says Jane. “It’s hard to see the person you love in what looks like pain.” Jane, who has four sons and says she’s attuned to the male perspective, gives an hour-long talk to expectant dads, with dinner and a drink in Balthazaar pub.

“I talk a bit about the stages of labour but mostly I focus on how they can be an effective support person to their partner,” she says.

“I also encourage embarrassing questions. I usually bring in a dad whose partner recently had a baby so they can ask them anything, and that gets them feeling more relaxed.”

Beer + Bubs is held at Balthazaar,

Sculptures capture magical memories

IMPRESSIONABLE Kids creates framed baby hand and feet sculptures which are a truly magical way of capturing how cute and tiny a child’s hands and feet once were, says owner of the Canberra franchise, Ricki-lee Summerell.

“We capture the detail of each and every wrinkle on their hands and feet, the shape of their little fingernails, a three-dimensional replica,” says Ricki-lee.

“Our casting material is of the highest quality which ensures the best outcome, as well as a lifetime warranty on all framed products.”

Impressionable Kids prides itself on offering the best quality products

and great service, with all frames custom made here in Australia, says Ricki-lee.

“We’re a member of the Professional Framers’ Association and can be trusted to keep precious keepsakes safe for years to come,” she says.

All frames and layouts can be completely designed by the client, including colour combinations.

Impressionable Kids also offers pet keepsakes, framed birth collages, and handprint, footprint and fingerprint jewellery.

For more information visit impressionablekids.com.au or email impressionablekidsact@outlook.com

Sharon’s hampers celebrate babies

A LOCALLY sourced and beautifully presented hamper full of goodies makes a perfect celebration gift to send to a new family, says the owner of Sharwood Hampers, Sharon Isherwood.

Sharon, who started the business after discovering a talent and passion for making up thoughtful gift hampers for her children’s teachers, says she loves creating beautiful hampers to suit the needs of each recipient.

“All the products are from around the Canberra region and are personally curated carefully by me to the client’s requirements,” says Sharon, who prides herself on customer service, personal touch and fast delivery.

When celebrating the arrival of a new baby, Sharon says the most popular hampers include a collection of items for mum, baby and dad, too.

“It’s really a celebration of the new family,” she says.

“We have lovely non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and pamper items for mum, beer and snacks for dad, and bibs, washcloths, rattles and soaps for the baby.”

When people call Sharon to book a hamper, she says she discusses what the needs are and can substitute items to make up the perfect hamper.

“Ordering off the website is also easy. We have hampers for any occasion and celebration,” says Sharon.

A portion of the sale of every hamper goes to Karinya House, a charity that provides housing for pregnant and parenting mums and babies in crisis.

Sharwood Hampers.

Call 0403 093715 or visit sharwoodhampers.com.au

The importance of a postnatal assessment

ALL women who have had a baby should have a postnatal assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist, according to Marita O’Shea of Her Physio.

“This is different from your sixweek check with your obstetrician, GP or midwife,” she says.

“Every woman that has had a baby needs time to recover and every woman is different in terms of their recovery.”

Marita, a women’s health physiotherapist with postgraduate qualifications in pelvic floor rehabilitation says common postnatal issues are pelvic-floor weakness, urinary incontinence, abdominal separation, symptoms of heaviness or prolapse and lower back pain.

A postnatal assessment with a women’s health physiotherapist involves an internal pelvic-floor muscle assessment, a functional assessment of the deep abdominal muscles and abdominal separation,

and a musculoskeletal assessment, says Marita.

“We consider your birth history, your exercise history and your exercise goals,” says Marita.

“Our aim is to support women to return to exercise safely after birth and prevent any long-term issues.

“For many women, exercise is important for their mental health. We encourage and assist women to continue to exercise safely in the postnatal period.”

Marita is available for consultations at Specialist Services in Deakin, where she works with specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists Dr Elizabeth Gallagher, Dr Omar Adham and Dr Tween Low. She also consults at Ochre Health in Bruce.

Her Physio, call 6180 8500 for the Bruce location, 6282 2033 for the Deakin location or visit herphysio.com.au

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Eric’s deeply silly burst of Monty Python foolery

By Helen Musa

DIRECTOR Richard Carroll absolutely loves cabaret.

“Lots of what I do on stage comes from cabaret – I love that world,” he says as he chats about his coming production of “Spamalot”, which opens the Canberra Theatre Centre’s subscription season program for 2020.

That, of course, is the deeply silly musical “ripped off” by Python lyricist and writer Eric Idle from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, a show which makes mincemeat of the King Arthur legends.

With a fair bit of pre-show foolery and even more during the play itself, “Spamalot” features chorus lines of knights on hobby-horses, King Arthur, his servant Patsy, Sir Robin, Prince Herbert, the homicidally brave Sir Lancelot, the dashingly handsome Sir Galahad, the strangely flatulent Sir Bedevere, a sequined Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls, cows, rabbits and a very rude French soldier.

In the mayhem, with actors coming in and out at random, it’s almost guaranteed that at least one of the cast will land in your lap in Carroll’s version.

“When I first started ‘Spamalot’, I suspected we’d be mainly playing to

older audiences who remember ‘Monty Python’ the TV series and the movies, but they all bring their children and their grandchildren and the humour holds up,” Carroll says.

“I’m in my 30s and I grew up watching ‘Python’. It’s irreverent and it depends on silly people ‘getting’ the show.”

As with his previous production here, “Calamity Jane”, staged at The Playhouse last August, “Spamalot” is produced by Carroll’s theatre and caba ret production company One Eyed Man Productions, and under the aegis of the Hayes Theatre, the tiny playhouse in Sydney which has become home to Australia’s most innovative productions of musicals. Another Hayes production, “HMS Pinafore”, will open at The Q, Queanbeyan, the night before.

“Spamalot” is a very different show from “Calamity Jane”, which was arguably a serious musical.

“Here the cabaret style of theatre really suits the subject matter,” Carroll says.

“I had to make sure it’s got a bit of a BBC feeling, but that’s been easy, as I was working with a rich cast of just eight actors doing the entire Grail story while sharing all the main roles.”

In restaging it for the tour, six of the eight actors remain the same as in the

sail on the high seas with Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved comedy of star-crossed lovers, mismatched marriages and mistaken identities. Award winning director, Kate Gaul, brings us this re-imagined, gender-bending, hyper-theatrical and kinky take

Behind the comedy, ‘Happiness’ gets serious

“H Is For Happiness” (PG)

IN 2013, Australian Barry Jonsberg published a book called “My Life as an Alphabet” about 13-year-old Candice.

It’s become the basis of the feature-film debuts of director John Sheedy and writer Lisa Hoppe and I’m bound to tell you that they’ve done their jobs quite creditably.

Candice (a convincing performance from Daisy Axon) is precociously bright but non-conformist, which puts her outside the group of prettier, frivolous girls in Miss Bamford’s (Miriam Margoyles) class.

She is impatient for her breasts to develop. Her home life is uncomfortable. Father Jim (Richard Roxburgh) and Rich Uncle Brian (Joel Jackson) were once partners in a successful IT company that has been taken over. A financial disagreement has caused Jim to shun Rich Uncle Brian, which has driven mother Claire (Emma Booth) into an ongoing megrim needing regular medication.

A new boy arrives in the class. Douglas (Wesley Patten) is convinced that he can travel to another dimension in time, which catches Candice’s interest but seems not to worry his single mum Penelope (Deborah Mailman). He and Candice become an item. They may have heard about more grown-up behaviours but neither understands what those mean.

Miss Bamford is preparing the class for a class performance in which each student creates and performs a segment about a word beginning with a particular letter. That

23 FEBRUARY

becomes the film’s climax. But getting there is its meat.

“H Is For Happiness” may be billed as a comedy (and it does indeed have a good sprinkling of humour) but beneath its surface there’s some serious stuff that adults understand because of having survived it. It’s called early adolescence and the film’s treatment of it is sympathetic but not condescending, frank but restrained about the physical elements.

The cast is top quality. Its arrival with little or no warning was an agreeable surprise.

At Dendy, Hoyts Belconnen and Limelight

“For Sama” (MA)

THIS remarkable documentary has been nominated for an Oscar. The competition in that category looks fierce.

ONE NIGHT ONLY

night of

“For Sama” deals with medical heroes during terrible times as an autocratic regime hurls military might against Kurdish-led forces seeking a democratic government of Syria.

“For Sama” was shot mainly on a mobile phone by Waad Al-Kateab during the closing months of a four-year siege that has reduced much of the world-heritage-listed city to rubble.

Made in co-operation with British director Edward Watts, it’s a distillation of some 500 hours recording how a final-year economics student at Aleppo University bore daughter Sama (meaning “Sky”) while helping medico husband Hamza to care for the dead, the dying and the surviving living. They are a remarkable couple.

There’s no plot to this BAFTA-winning record of terrible events. Waad shows what it looked and sounded like, leaving it to the filmgoer to imagine the stink of death, the fear, the hunger and the thirst.

She captures the courage, the determination of the people, particularly the women, and the mordant humour of people trapped in a war they didn’t make. Throughout, her film accepts the brutality of the experience with little concern for self, but great concern for husband and children, hers and those of dead parents.

“For Sama” is not “nice”. It deserves to be seen.

At Dendy

“Birds of Prey” (MA)

WRITTEN by Christina Hodson and directed by Cathy Yan, this psychedelic mix of disjointed visuals, jangly music, firecrackers, and occasional acting (as distinct from athletic gyrations), as one follower of IMDb puts it, is “a mess presented in a messy way (that) hardly holds together as a story but it offers moments of fun”.

It’s escapist cinema with a skewed feminist bias, based on themes and characters for which/whom DC Comics holds the copyright.

For “Birds of Prey”, as well as leading the cast list, luscious-looking Australian actress Margot Robbie is listed as a producer with the lower-case letters “p.g.a.” after her name. This does not indicate membership in the Producers Guild, but rather, a license to certify on a film-by-film basis that the person performed a major portion of producing duties. One cannot at this distance tell just what Margot might have done to earn that tightly-controlled accolade.

Margot plays Harley Quinn, who broke it off after Batman dealt with the Joker. Her costume depends on a pair of very short shorts, the gusset of which she displays more often than necessary as she (or was it a stunt double?) performs athletic gyrations. She and three other women – I don’t dare call them “ladies” – form a coterie which sets out to put down Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) and protect a vulnerable little Chinese girl (Cassandra Cain). After 109 minutes of same old same old, I was glad my boredom was over.

It’s not the most compelling argument for the feminist cause.

At all cinemas

These four international comedy stars are the new sound of the Asian century. Breaking the rules and queering the mic from Mumbai to Manila, these out, proud and hilarious performers are furiously funny and hot, hot, hot. Spice up your night with the camp, cutting edge of global comedy! It should be illegal to be this funny, not this gay.

Arts market reaches a turning point

By Helen Musa

ONE of the highest profile arts initiatives ever to have come out of Canberra, the Australian Performing Arts Market, has reached a turning point and its survival is under question.

Now, in a platform paper for Currency Press, public intellectual and veteran arts marketer Justin Macdonnell has cast a withering eye on the market phenomenon as it moves away from its early focus on touring to become a permanent secretariat in Melbourne.

Canberra was, of course, home to the very first such market in this region, part of a worldwide phenomenon.

Justin Macdonnell… casts a withering eye on the market phenomenon.

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Would you like to watch those old family videos once again, or listen to your favourite records on CD?

We can take your vinyl records or cassette tapes and put them onto CD and we transfer VHS tapes onto

It was 1994, a heady time in Canberra, which, with the release of the Keating Government’s policy document “Creative Nation” and the ongoing distribution of $11.7 million under the Australian Artists Creative Fellowships, seemed to be shaping up as the nation’s cultural capital.

The first Australian Performing Arts Market was held in Canberra in October, 1994, during Robyn Archer’s second year as the director of the National Festival of Australian Theatre (NFAT) and excitement was in the air.

Organised by the Australia Council’s Philip Rolfe, it saw about 20 directors and programmers from Asia, Latin America, North America and Europe descend on Canberra to attend the festival at the Canberra Theatre.

That set the pattern for the second one, held again in Canberra in 1996 even as the theatre festival was foundering. The market was picked up by Archer in 1998 when she took up directorship of the Adelaide Festival and after some years moved to Brisbane, where it saw a downturn in Asian delegates.

Macdonnell has a lively style of writing in which he questions the endless rounds of panels, Powerpoint and A/V presentations and stalls. You can tell he’s been to an awful lot of performing arts markets.

While saying he doesn’t think any of it has been a waste of money, he spares no one, including himself, in his analysis of such markets around the world.

He challenges the show-and-tell practice, draws from industry, not the arts, of staging truncated samples of performances, the talkfests dominated by “pseudo-relaxed armchair chats – the interview you have

when you aren’t having an interview”, and booths where art people try to mimic other markets by giving out merchandise, confessing that he and some Australian colleagues once did a roaring trade at an overseas arts market with mass-produced clip-on koalas.

But, he says, with the advent of new digital platforms, the “festivalising” of arts centres, the rise of fringe festivals, the worldwide experience of co-productions, residencies and other collaborations, marketing tours may be unnecessary.

As well, networking summits such as the newish national two-day event Performing Arts Exchange (PAX), which attracted 292 delegates last year, may in time challenge the Australian Performing Arts Market for its place.

Plans for the new Melbourne-located organisation are to hold a number of events spread out over each year, starting with “Asia TOPA” in Melbourne this month, rather than one large market every two years. It’s a far cry from the original Canberra vision and Macdonnell believes that this lack of focus could put off attendees.

Ongoing problems he notes include the decision that the market should focus on the “small-to-medium sector”, the near-exclusion of music, and the lack of cultural diversity beyond the inclusion of First Nations.

“Will the shiny new model succeed any better than the old?” Macdonnell asks, quoting Zhou Enlai’s famous comment on the significance of the French Revolution –“too soon to tell”.

“Performing arts markets and their Conundrums” by Justin Macdonnell, Currency House, February 2020. Purchase at currencyhouse.org.au

‘Tommy’, can you hear me? Sorry, but no!

By Helen Musa

CANBERRA Philharmonic Society has announced that its scheduled March production of The Who’s “Tommy” has been cancelled “due to the current extenuating and devastating circumstances that have impacted Canberra over the last few months”.

Director Marty King and musi cal director Kat Tang had been hard at work on the famous musical about a deaf, dumb and blind pinball wizard, so the news came as a shock.

BARITONE Colin Milner, soprano Sarahlouise Owens and mezzo-soprano Eleanor Greenwood, accompanied by Colleen Rae-Gerrard, will perform arias from “La Traviata”, “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Der Fledermaus”, “The Merry Widow” and more. Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 12.40-1.20pm, Wednesday, February 19. Tickets at the door.

LISA Budin Price will perform her tribute to The Carpenters, a walk-through the life and times of songwriters Karen and Richard Carpenter, featuring numbers such as “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “We’ve Only Just Begun”. At The Bicentennial Hall, Queanbeyan, 10.30am and 8pm, Tuesday, February 18. Book at theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

THE ever-resourceful Geoff Page has temporarily moved “Poetry at the House” from its home in University House after the venue suffered hail damage, to the Beyond Q Bookshop in Brierly Street, Weston, which owner Simon Maddox has turned into a lively performance hub. The program will run as usual from 7pm-9pm, on the second Wednesday of each month, with the next session on February 26. No bookings required.

VIOLINIST Dan Russell, now a Canberra resident, is kicking off his Phoenix Collective’s 2020 concert series with “Intricate Machines”, a concert inspired by mechanics, wheels, cogs, precision, construction and repetition, including works by Reich, Bach and Dvořák. ANU School of Music, 7pm, Friday, February 21 and Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 3pm, Sunday, February 23. Book at phoenixcollective.com.au

NATIONAL Capital Bootscooters are keen to have more participants in their “come and try” line dancing, with choreographed steps to all styles of music. Main Hall, Southern Cross Early Childhood School, Ross Smith Crescent, Scullin, every Friday morning from 9.30am. Inquiries 0402 235 825 or visit nationalcapitalbootscooters.webs.com

DINING / braddon merchant

Perky lemon sets the promise of a combo cafe

WHEN we arrived at Braddon Merchant we were greeted by a perky whole lemon sitting pretty on a plate at our table. A lovely decorative touch, but the lemons are there for diners to enjoy.

We promptly cut some slices and plunked them into our water glasses. Super refresh ing on a frightfully hot day.

Braddon Merchant is a combo café, deli and grocer. The internal dining area flows seamlessly from the lobby of the Midnight precinct. The decor has a European feel and the menu celebrates fresh, tasty Mediterra nean dishes made with artisan products and fresh deli offerings. We opted to dine in the courtyard outside, with plenty of umbrellas offering welcoming shade.

The zucchini flowers were perfect for sharing and we could have happily ordered more. The dish ($16) was created with thinly sliced red onion, fresh mint, smooth labneh and flavoursome and crunchy pangrattato.

The winning main was the handmade spaghetti alla chitarra with Spanish Olasagasti anchovies, parsley and loads of that tasty pangrattato ($28). It was a massive serve and packed with flavour, which is no wonder with

WINE

those famous anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, packed in a divine olive oil brine (we have an incredible weakness for them).

We labelled the spaghetti a destination dish, and thought we’d be back for more but the menu changed a day or so after our visit (evolving as menus often do with establishments still working their way through what is popular and what is not) and the dish no

despite the bushfires, which are already having a profound effect on the food chain. The kingfish was moist and topped with salty caper butter ($32). The dish came with “three fries’’.

Bottlo turns on the hospitality

FACEBOOK knows I like wine: I receive a constant barrage of offers and articles on the subject in my news feed. This Big Brother intrusion is somewhat annoying and disturbing.

However, there is occasional gold amongst the dross. Ironically, it isolated an event at the Kingston Foreshore where I could celebrate the local, meet people and help Prohibition, the bottle shop, celebrate 12 months in operation.

My concern, and one that becomes a daily personal reality with my increasing reliance on computers at work and at home, is that we are in danger of disconnecting from any form of community.

In the same context, with an immense variety of wines available through on-line ordering, is the local bottle shop a viable option for the future?

I hope so, because the evening was edifying and entertaining and brought strangers with a common interest together. When Herman Melville said: “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow men,” I don’t think he meant a connection through NBN.

The evening was about showing how a range of cheeses matched with a range of Tyrrell’s wines, a Hunter Valley based family operation that has a long history. It was first established in 1858 and has expanded its operations to Victoria and SA.

The connection of wine and cheese is often associated with the local because of common histories: think Italian Asiago cheese paired with Chianti, which originated in a nearby region.

But as Tanna Korsten, the representative from Simon Johnson Quality Foods, our cheese presenter on the night, said the synergies between wine and cheese run deeper than proximity. They are both fermented products, they both benefit or degrade with age, depending on varieties, and mouthfeel is a very important component of each (old, related joke: a man assaulted me with milk, cream and butter. How dairy).

Mark Richardson, a Tyrrells winemaker for 27 years, was an equally articulate presenter; Mark and Tanna aka Sonny and Cher. Richardson was especially keen on demonstrating how terroir or where the grapes are grown, even in the same vineyard complex, can have a remarkable effect on the taste outcome of the same variety.

The first pairing we experienced was two 2014 semillons, a classic Hunter Valley varietal. These wines were served with an extraordinary cheese, an Aphrodite Galotyri that was described as a Greek shepherd’s cheese, made with sheep and goats’ milk. It had a stunning freshness, and was soft and unctuous.

The semillons were both single-vineyard grown, a Stevens and a Belford Semillon.

Richardson explained that the Stevens vineyard was founded on a combination of light sand and red clay soils. The wine had a citrus burst with the acid finish that you expect from semillon, but at five years of age was softening nicely to get a more balanced wine. The Belford vineyard is about 10 kilometres away from the main vineyard and the soil is fine, like talcum powder. Same year, same variety yet this wine had greater mouthfeel, a pebbly depth and a much softer finish.

How the local matters is expressed not just with people and human connection but in its conversion from a distinct fruit to a final product.

There were many more wines consumed on the night, including an unusual “mystery” wine. Those gathered were asked to blind taste the mystery wine and guess its variety and age. All failed. It was a 2019 Gamay, a varietal I had only tasted as a rosé when I biked the Loire Valley in 2012. The Gamay has a sweet finish, is light bodied and the main tastes for me were raspberries and earth. But good on Tyrrells for making something non-orthodox, because Big Brother detests the unusual.

“Orthodoxy means not thinking–not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.” – George Orwell, “1984”

We were keen on the side salad featuring

Nelligrow greens (from Nelligan on the south coast), made simply with hazelnut oil and sunflower seeds but they weren’t available because of the bushfires. Fair enough, we were just as happy with the spring beans, seared and tossed in quality olive oil and all the more special with shaved Bredbo black

The wine list is extensive and super interesting, with local labels scattered about. We adored the Clonakilla Viognier Nouveau

After lunch, we shopped for goodies, delighted with the wide selection made with love by small producers and local and regional labels. Products include smokey chipotle honey, verjuice, organic olives, tomato black garlic sauce, those stunning Spanish olives, truffle salt and, of course, a wide range of cheeses and deli products.

Braddon Merchant, 1 Elouera Street, Braddon.

Kathy Lette’s

AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW

March 4

“Lette is engaging, witty and topical.” THE ADELAIDE ADVERTISER

“An emotional, funny and brilliant journey of a life that each woman can relate to.”

FINANCE CHOICES TO BUYING A CAR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Vo is buying a new car. Her old vehicle was leased but she has been advised to buy the new one using a "chattel mortgage". She came by, keen for me to explain it to her.

"There are a few different types of finance agreements, the main ones being leasing, chattel mortgages and hire purchase," I said. "They are each slightly different, the GST treatment is different and the accounting treatment is different."

I confirmed that her previous car was leased and had been priced over the luxury car limit.

“A lease is simply a method of renting the car for the term of the lease," I said. "You enter into a rental contract with the finance company to purchase the car by monthly instalments with a residual value at the end. "The minimum residual percentage is specified by the Australian Taxation Office and it should approximate its selling price when you dispose of the car.

"There is no input tax credit initially unless the first payment is a large upfront payment. Each of the monthly payments has an input tax credit attached as does the residual value paid at the end of the lease.”

"When you lease a vehicle below the luxury car limit, currently $67,525, the lease payments net of GST are the deductions.

"With a vehicle over the luxury car limit, the lease payments may be shown in the financial statements but the tax deductions are the notional depreciation of the vehicle subject to the luxury car limit and the interest charged without any upper limit. Clearly this provides a bigger deduction.

“Ah, that explains why I leased the old car," said Vo. "The new car is not subject to the luxury-car limit, so that explains the different method.”

I told Vo that the best method of financing a car below the cost limit is by using a chattel mortgage.

"This is a type of loan where the title in the property passes to you when you enter the agreement with the finance company unlike with hire purchase. You pay monthly installments on the loan," I said. "There is no minimum residual value so the amount remaining at the end of the agreement can be nil.

"Personally, I prefer to use the percentages that are specified for leases and to make a balloon payment at the end.

"This makes your monthly payments less and should approximate the amount you'll receive on sale. If you use nil for the value at the end then you will almost certainly have a taxable amount on sale. “The full input tax credit based on the cost of the car is claimed when you sign the agreement so you don’t pay GST in the monthly instalments.

"Your tax deductions are depreciation up to the cost limit and interest also subject to the cost limit. The accounting is more complex because of this and you will need our help with coding your entries each quarter but otherwise the process is straightforward.”

Vo left my office happy in that she knew what a chattel mortgage was and ready to finalise buying the car.

If you need business help with your financial statements, accounting, your software or tax contact the specialist team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.

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.

PUZZLES PAGE

Joanne Madeline Moore

Your week in the stars – February 17-23, 2020

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Restless Rams are born to be wild (especially on Friday) as you kick up your heels/ hooves. You’ve also got a lot of extra responsibilities, particularly at work. Despite the frantic pace, put aside some special ‘me time’. Solitude is soul food for you at the moment. Try to be (uncharacteristically) patient, as you look for crucial information that is hidden beneath the surface. Then you’ll understand current complexities better, and the path ahead will be much clearer.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

With Mercury in retrograde mode (until March 10) pursuing your dreams won’t be a direct journey. There will be plenty of interesting twists and turns along the way! And with Jupiter and Neptune stimulating your personal travel zone, adventure beckons over the coming year. So make sure you take the time to plan (and save for) an exciting escapade in the future. Sunday night is the perfect time to draw up a list of your hopes and wishes for the next 12 months.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Retrograde Mercury is activating your career zone, so be very clear when you’re communicating with colleagues. What you say and what they hear may be two different things. Keep them up to date with what you are doing, otherwise misunderstandings are likely. With Jupiter and Neptune stimulating your shared resources zone, the more creatively and generously you share financial ideas and collaborate with others, the more successful you’ll be.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Jupiter and Neptune activate your partnership zone, so a relationship is set to improve in leaps and bounds. Singles – use your intuition to help you find your soul mate. Retro Mercury is slowing down your aspirations but that gives you more time to reflect on what it is you really want. Your motto is from birthday great, writer Anais Nin: “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back. A new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

This week a platonic relationship or a professional partnership could veer off into surprising new territory. And are you being a lazy Leo? Neptune and Jupiter highlight your wellbeing and regeneration zones, so strive to be the fittest and healthiest Lion you can be. No lame excuses or empty promises. Get your body moving ASAP! Transformation is the name of the game, as you set off in a positive new direction with steely determination and plenty of Cat courage.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

It will be difficult to avoid hard work this week, as retrograde Mercury and the New Moon keep reminding you about all your domestic duties and relationship responsibilities. Plus a few mistakes you made in the past may resurface or a previous lover could boomerang back into your life! The best way to handle stress levels and unwanted disruptions is with physical exercise and vigorous outdoor activities (like running, cycling or chopping wood).

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

With communication planet Mercury now retrograde (until March 10) do your best to keep the conversation flowing with friends, students, colleagues, clients and/or customers. Then Jupiter and Neptune highlight your home zone on Thursday, so there is much love and happiness to be gained from improved relationships with your immediate and extended family. With a kind heart and a generous spirit you can make the world a better place, starting in your own backyard!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Mercury is now in retrograde mode! So – when it comes to a child, teenager, lover or friend – hold onto your seat and prepare for a rollercoaster ride over the next few weeks. You’ll find the less open you are to change, the more dramatic these disruptions will be. Jupiter and Neptune inspire you to contribute your numerous Scorpio talents to a joint venture or worthy cause within your local community. Then satisfying connections and positive friendships will follow.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Uranus encourages a more alternative approach to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Prosperity planet Jupiter and inspiration planet Neptune fire up your finance and work zones, so find creative ways to boost cash flow. If you love what you do, then inner and outer riches will follow. Sunday night’s New Moon heralds a fresh start involving home and family. But with Mercury retrograde, expect some domestic dramas that will test your limited patience.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

With Mercury reversing through your social networking zone (for the next three weeks) double-check all comments before you post. It will be very easy to send the wrong message to the wrong person! Prosperity-planet Jupiter is visiting your sign until December 19, and it won’t be back there again for nearly 12 years. So make sure you capitalise on the lucky opportunities that come your way, often from the most unlikely people and the most mysterious places!

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Mercury (planet of communication and commerce) starts reversing through your money zone. So avoid signing contracts and buying big ticket items (like a computer, car or home) until after March 10. Plus be extra careful how you pass on information. If you exaggerate or are imprecise, you’ll be misunderstood. Then Neptune and Jupiter stimulate your spirituality zone. So there is much inner peace to be found via meditation and contemplation, as you listen to your inner voice.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Prepare for a burst of creativity, energy and enthusiasm, as the Sun and New Moon sparkle in your sign. However, with Mercury now reversing through Pisces, things won’t go according to plan and plenty of patience is required over the next three weeks. So slow down and try to keep a sense of perspective. Then Jupiter and Neptune rev up your personal and networking zones. So lucky opportunities will magically manifest through making connections within your peer group.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2020

Across

4 Name a particular china pattern. (6)

7 Which small bits of coloured paper are thrown at weddings? (8)

8 What is a lack of proper seriousness? (6)

9 Which term implies that which is peculiar to the whole people of a country? (8)

11 Name the lines drawn on a weather map. (7)

13 What was the nickname of Harry Morant? (7)

15 Name a large river in northern South America. (7)

17 Which electrical device is an accessory connecting plug? (7)

20 Which male horse is kept for breeding? (8)

23 What is a medical centre used for such treatments as X-rays, vaccinations, etc? (6)

24 Name the applied aspects of soil sciences and the several plant sciences. (8)

25 Which instrument is used for beating metals, driving in nails, etc? (6)

Down

1 What was a loose outer garment of the citizens of ancient Rome? (4)

2 Name the world’s second-largest continent. (6)

3 What was the given name of Mr Laurel of Laurel and Hardy? (4)

4 Name the Australian explorer who accompanied Burke on an expedition to explore central Australia. (5)

5 What is an ecclesiastical ritual washing of a celebrant’s hands? (6)

6 Name an aquatic, furred, carnivorous musteline mammal with webbed feet. (5)

9 What, in astronomy, is an irregular patch in the sky, consisting of interstellar gases and dust? (6)

10 Which large airfield is usually equipped with a control tower, hangars, etc? (7)

12 Name a large cabin for the common use of passengers on a passenger vessel. (6)

14 What is a person, real or imaginary, from whom a tribe, place, institution, etc, takes its name? (6)

16 What are stockings often called? (6)

18 Name the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. (5)

19 What is an Academy Award known as? (5)

21 Which expression suggests a distinctive air? (4)

22 What are units of electrical resistance? (4)

In celebration of crepe myrtles GARDENING

CREPE

now in flower, ranging in colour from purple to white and pink.

As the old bark sheds, it reveals the lovely pink and cinnamon tones of the mottled new bark, and the leaves provide rich colouring in autumn. This long-flowering shrub, Lagerstroemia indica, flowers from summer to autumn and originates from India (hence indica) to China and Japan. It was first introduced to the west in 1759. The “crepe” in the name refers to its crinkled pet als. In the US it’s spelled “crape”, and in southern states it has become almost naturalised due to its hardiness and drought tolerance.

L. indica remained the only known variety until Dr John Creech from the US National Arboretum introduced Lagerstroemia fauriei from Japan in 1950. Together with Dr Donald Egolf, they started an extensive breeding program crossing these two crepe myrtle varieties, creating a large number of new selections.

L. indica had an inherent problem with mildew not evident in the new varieties. Many of the new cultivars are known as the “Indian Summer” range, named after North American native Indian tribes. For example L. indica x L. fauriei “Sioux”, growing to 4.5m x 3m with hot-pink flowers growing on the new season’s wood. Both originals are readily available.

As a reminder to those who may have a

The delicate yet hardy crepe flowers.

Winter is the ideal time for a prune, and much like the English “Chelsea Chop”, the Americans refer to this as the “crape murder”. I recommend you take it easy and give the shrubs a relatively light trim, say cutting back by about 30cm. Crepe myrtles make excellent street trees, as evident along Monaro Crescent in Queanbeyan.

I’M still receiving depressing stories between hail damage and the drought. However, to raise a smile, here are two stories about couch grass. Although it’s listed among the top 10 weeds in the world, some folk love a couch lawn despite it dying back in our frosty winters. It’s used extensively for lawn tennis courts for its toughness, and equally so for croquet lawns.

The first story about couch grass is taken from the collector’s edition of the “Open Road” celebrating 100 years of the NRMA (1920-2020), quoting a member writing in 1955:

“Recently the front of my car was smothered with squashed grasshoppers and they (took) some getting off. My local NRMA garage suggested a

remedy. Fill a saucepan with couch grass and add water, boil for about half an hour. When it’s cold, use the grass and liquid to rub the grasshoppers off; it is very effective.”

The next couch grass story is from “Country Life” magazine (UK) of November, 1918:

“There was a doctor living in Cheltenham who sent an old lady with a bad leg to an aunt of mine. Strict instructions for her to stay in bed for six weeks and partake of only milk and tea made of couch grass roots. A lotion was made using the same, plus adding a little alum applied to the bad leg. The result was that the old lady lived to nearly 90 and her leg never troubled her again!”

The doctor said if the me dicinal value of couch grass was more widely known, it would be cultivated rather than being looked upon as a weed. So maybe we should treat it with greater respect.