CityNews 220127

NEWS / public housing

‘I sent ACT Housing a letter, but nothing has been done, the door is still open and the place is still trashed.’

‘Disgusting’: tenants live in fear of trashed unit

By Nick OVERALL

A NEGLECTED, unlocked, public housing unit in Wright left vacant and trashed for months is causing nearby tenants to fear for their safety as squatters use the space.

Fifty-one year old Scott, a tenant living nearby, discov ered the state of the unit in October after noticing the door had been left ajar for weeks. In side, he and two other tenants found a mess they described as “disgusting and a safety hazard”.

“We found a bed overturned, cupboard doors missing, architraves ripped off, the clothes dryer missing and there are syringes around the place,” said Scott.

found in the car park, and with people living here with young kids that’s a worry.”

“There’s people squatting in there, anyone off the street can walk in. The door is broken and the sliding door on the balcony is open, which is easy to get into by just jumping over the balcony.

“I sent ACT Housing a letter at the time, but to this day nothing has been done, the door is still open and the place is still trashed.”

Scott, who lives with and cares for his 17-year-old daughter with disability, said he won’t let her move around the complex without him due to fears for her safety.

He said that in recent months he and other tenants had dealt with car break-ins, theft and vandalism.

“It could be these squatters who are breaking into cars and storage lockers, you just don’t know who’s coming in and out of the place,” he said “There’s also been syringes

Scott and his daughter moved into the complex in February, 2020, grateful to have been given a place to live.

“When I moved in here I thought I’d hit the jackpot. It was a brand new complex and brand new unit, and we were the first here so these places haven’t even been occupied for two years,” he said.

“We are grateful for being given the spot but the place is supposed to be secure, it’s scary. It seems like getting anything done like this when it comes to safety isn’t happening.”

In an effort to raise awareness for the issue and see some change, Scott started a community Facebook page and uploaded a video to YouTube showing the state of the unit.

He said so far his responses from the ACT government had only gone as far as the issue was “being referred to the relevant teams”.

Another tenant of the complex, who wished to remain anonymous, said they felt they couldn’t walk around the area without putting themselves at risk.

“I don’t personally feel safe wandering around and don’t do so unless it’s imperative,” the tenant said.

“Some of that has to do with that unit and the reports that people have been squatting there and also not knowing who has access.

“We’ve had numerous car break-ins in what are supposed to be secure car parks, number plate thefts, thefts [and] vandalism.”

The tenant said it was a shame the unit was not being used by someone who needed it: “I, for one, also know how hard it is to get into government housing.

“It was an uphill battle. I was in need of housing and facing all kinds of abuse and there are countless people also in desperate need of housing and

that unit going to one of them may very well be the difference between life and death.”

It’s a sentiment Scott agrees with, saying he too understands the difficulty in finding a place to live.

“There’s hundreds of people waiting for urgent housing in the ACT and it’s ridiculous that someone could have been using that unit,” he said.

“If you’re a person who’s desperate and you get a brand new place before Christmas imagine how excited you would have been.”

In deference to the privacy and security of the tenants, “CityNews” has not identified the street address of the units, but Housing ACT clearly knows where they are.

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CANBERRA MATTERS

/ here comes the YWCA again?

Revealed: the trees of Ainslie don’t cast shadows

RESIDENTS continue to be puzzled by the behaviour of the Canberra YWCA around its development application to demolish-rebuild the side of Bill Pye Park in Ainslie.

Being told you got it wrong seems to have become a hard thing to take for people in this well-established and well connected organisation, especially when they are given this message by community members and the ACT Appeals Tribunal.

When the appeals decision was announced, effectively disallowing what was approved by the planning bureaucrats, it was not a pretty sight to see the YWCA take to the mainstream media to blame everyone but themselves for the faulty development application and the questionable “consultations” – especially as those “consultations” were viewed as more about ticking boxes.

Sadly, as with so many contemporary politicians and leaders, when they get it wrong, they do not take the time to rethink their behaviour. Instead they double down and work out ways to work around systems of democratic processes. Ainslie residents are now wondering whether this is happening here in Canberra with the planning system being quietly altered so that it may be easier for

Are there other realistic options for this historically Christianbased YWCA to look after the vulnerable without bulldozing the aspirations of families who already live alongside Bill Pye Park?

“Overshadowing from vegetation is not considered when assessing solar access”.

Given the trees in the adjacent park will loom over units built near the boundary, the new ruling means that residents will live most of the time in the shadows. Apparently, the shadow from trees is no longer deemed to be a shadow.

is a local member, an ACT Minister and former YWCA CEO.

Residents suggested that instead of causing grief by building small numbers of social housing on cherished community sites, why not use land belonging to the government along Northbourne Avenue and house hundreds, if not thousands of people who are desperate for housing.

the Canberra YWCA to brush aside local residents and their rejection by the Appeals Tribunal.

Part of what went wrong for the YWCA comes down to its misplaced efforts to ensure a yield on its investment to house women in need by cramming units on to a community site that has its own significance to local residents as a community facility – one that works for locals.

The issues are explained on their website at ainslieresidentsassociation.com

Given how things have progressed, with not-so-friendly comments made about residents, people were not surprised when a planning notice appeared in November. This was one

of the infamous “technical amendments” that planning has built a reputation for implementing. These have seriously added to the complexities of the planning system.

Those familiar with the reasons for the YWCA’s rejection, speculate about the coincidence of the Planning Directorate seeing the need for this change to the planning system – right now. The amendment removes one of the reasons for the knock-back and partially clears the way for a new development application.

Given that the YWCA had proposed to build residences on this site, the tribunal agreed that this would fail the government’s own criteria on solar access. No one has explained how this was signed off by the planning bureaucrats with such an obvious fault – and along with a few more.

One of the amendments states that:

How long would it take for residents to make the request through their developer and landlord, the YWCA, to have those trees removed? Must check again with the ACT Greens-endorsed urban and environmental policies. Do they believe that trees do not cast shadows and therefore normal rules of solar access do not apply? Is this what they meant by “Building A Better Normal”?

Is there a better solution to quickly house women in serious disadvantaged situations? Are there other realistic options for this historically Christian-based YWCA to look after the vulnerable without bulldozing the aspirations of families who already live alongside Bill Pye Park?

This was discussed last year at a North Canberra Community Council meeting with Rebecca Vassarotti who

The minister is yet to get back on that suggestion. Maybe the YWCA could get this suggestion acted on urgently and thereby rebuild its credibility with the community. And someone should tell the chief planner to reverse that idiotic amendment and allow trees to be trees and to freely cast their shadows.

Paul Costigan is an independent commentator and consultant on urban design, environmental issues and everyday matters. There are more of his columns at citynews.com.au

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OPINION / the environment

Forgetting the bush and its pre-Cook delights

Accomplished global authority and life-long conservationist, PROF PETER BRIDGEWATER wonders if we have become so inured to the biological homogenisation going on around us that we think Proteas are Australian.

THE advertisement for Australia Day in the last edition of “CityNews” was eye-catching, and no-one can dispute the need to “Reflect, Respect and Celebrate” the entangling of our collective histories on an appropriate day (that may or may not be January 26).

But why was there no quality control by the advertisement’s originator (presumably the ACT government)?

Not only were none of the plants depicted native to the ACT, but one was from South Africa.

And, come to that, why was the characteristic gang-gang cockatoo, our faunal emblem in the ACT – albeit slightly less colourful than the illustrated rainbow lorikeet – not used as the token animal? Is the message, then, that we should be celebrating Gondwana Day?

I presume the NCA and NMA were not consulted over the advertisement – if they were they should hang their collective heads in shame. And it is lucky the Botanic Gardens is not a strategic partner, or they would be in trouble. Which begs the question – why are they not? Arguably Australia’s best Botanic Gardens

(okay, I’m biased), there is much in that enclave to celebrate.

But irrespective of who put this tragic advertisement together, there is a more crucial point – have we become so inured to the biological homogenisation going on around us that we think Proteas are Australian?

They are, it seems, increasingly popular in gardens, and far too many florists supply a bunch of “natives” composed of Protea and Leucospermum (pincushion) flowers, with nary an Aussie to be seen!

But does this matter? What if a few gouty botanists who can still recognise whole plants, rather than look for their DNA barcode, get annoyed?

As our population continues to expand, change, and become more urbanised, fewer Canberrans are as familiar with the bush and its pre-Cook delights.

Australia has deliberately and accidentally imported many plant species from around the world – especially from our Gondwanan partner, South Africa. And most of these are now ever more established with some simply taking over our landscapes.

perhaps its more accurate to suggest reshaping a modern Gondwanan landscape, of which we need to have better stewardship?

In the ACT’s urban settings African love grass is expanding very fast. It is known to spread and thrive by mowing – that frenzied activity undertaken every summer for good safety reasons, but often disregarding any ecological realities.

I walk regularly past an area where mowing has replaced kangaroo grass and its fellow-travelling Australian species with a monoculture of mown

stops – kangaroo grass and its rich associated flora is dense. However, each year the potential for seeding of love grass and that other ACT pest, St. John’s Wort, into native grass swards becomes greater.

Particularly in urban Canberra and its still extensive “bush” areas we are now in an era of novel ecosystems – where introduced flora and fauna mingle with pre-Cook flora and fauna. Some such systems are unstable – for example where St John’s wort becomes a dominant species to the exclusion of all others, and the same

with love grass. Yet we also see many bird species thriving by feeding on acorns from oak trees, pine nuts from the pine species well-established in the suburban landscape, and the small hard pears of the popular Manchurian pear street trees.

The trick, then, is to see how we can manage these novel systems to the benefit of people and the rest of Canberra’s nature, striving for a better balance. And here we do need to talk with, and listen to, the experiences of our first nations people, to whom this landscape is their living room.

Here is where the key words of the advertisement become important. If we reflect with our first nations people how we should be managing the landscape as non-indigenous Australians we have taken over; if we respect the knowledge of nature management held in trust by first nations peoples; and then jointly celebrate how we can use that knowledge to manage forward into a world of rapid and predictably unpredictable change, then maybe this advertisement will have been worth something.

Prof Peter Bridgewater is an adjunct professor in Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Governance, Institute for Applied Ecology and Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra.

Isaacs neighbours keep the Floriade dream alive

By Lily PASS

LAST YEAR, a group of neighbours in Isaacs got together to produce Floriade in the Suburbs at their local IGA and now they don’t want to let it go.

Betsy Joseph had previously filled out the Floriade application form on behalf of school and community groups, so she was given the task of making sure the details were correct, while Bill Ruse and the Isaacs Neigh bourhood Group began clearing out the pots.

“There were some big pots that are still there and we’ve used them, but they had junk growing in them; there was a ratty little pine tree and it hadn’t been tended to in five or six years,” says Bill.

Floriade provided tulip and daf fodil bulbs and pansies for the Isaacs Neighbourhood Group, which were planted in July.

“The last pansies are at the end of their beautiful life now, they’ve been looked after well,” he says.

To liven up the area again, the Isaacs Neighbourhood Group has begun removing the pansies and looking after the bulbs to reuse.

The group has also replaced the flowers with petunias to maintain the colourful environment until Floriade kicks off again in spring.

“We figure once the petunias die off, we might have a period of no colour, but we’ll clean them out and

tidy it up in anticipation of ‘Floriade in the Suburbs’ again, if it happens again,” says Bill.

Betsy says there was plenty of interest in community groups taking part in ‘Floriade in the Suburbs’ in 2021, which is a promising sign of the

event’s hopeful return this year.

“Events Canberra should be happy to continue it in the community because people are enjoying taking part in it and seeing it,” she says.

Bill says they’ll keep looking after it, even without “Floriade in the Sub -

“Having started it, it would seem a shame to not chip away at it and keep it looking reasonable, and it doesn’t take much time,” he says.

“If we let it go, it’s another big effort to refresh it, so we just regard it as an extension of our own home

The Isaacs Neighbourhood Group has a WhatsApp group chat where members share updates and photos, and let each other know when the plants get watered by someone, to avoid overwatering them.

“It brings people together, watering the flowers or seeing the flowers, it brings people into the community and it makes you feel good,” says Betsy.

“A family came along with their three little kids and they seemed to have fun helping out, which achieved something, so there’s good community involvement,” says Bill.

“As it came along, more people were asking whether they could be part of it and join the group and what started off with just people we knew, we’re growing little by little,” says Betsy.

The application to take part in “Floriade in the Suburbs” is straightforward, and Betsy puts all the requirements in place and makes sure the form has all the correct details.

“It is easy for any community to take it on. Everybody is happy to chip in and help is what I’ve learned,” says Betsy.

The Isaacs Neighbourhood Group has also received comments from locals visiting the shops, about how nice the flowers look.

“The shop owners are very appreciative, too. The IGA and the Supersweet patisserie really like it. They’re quite pleased with what we’ve done,” says Bill.

Supersweet patisserie used petals from the flowers to decorate cakes and desserts, so Betsy has begun planning to include more edible flowers in the 2022 display, as well as little vegetables and herbs for community and shop use.

“I love to see it growing,” says Betsy, and it also helps to boost income for the local businesses.

Betsy says with COVID-19 and working from home, she’ll go to the local shops to get a coffee, and it’s nice to see the colour and flowers. It provides a positive scene and a nice distraction from the pandemic, and Betsy would love to see other communities do similar things in their suburbs.

THE GADFLY

Australia’s pathway from colonialism

IT’S an unforgettable image.

As the Australian captain, Pat Cummins pounded in and launched one of his thunderbolts, the English tailender, Ollie Robinson stepped away, barely attempting to intercept the pink ball that crashed into his stumps.

Game over. The English team had waved the white flag of surrender. In less than two hours our fast bowlers sliced the opposition into bite-sized pieces. They’d done it, not with fearsome “bouncers” to the head and heart, but aimed with laser-like precision at their weaknesses outside the off stump or defending the wickets with their willow wands.

That final Test in Hobart put the seal on a 4-0 series to Australia, and here’s the best part – our team’s celebration was jubilant but brief.

The next moment, they were shaking hands with their opponents in a spirit of genuine goodwill, even to the surly slugger, Ben Stokes, to whom losing to Australia is like chopping off your foot with a machete. The goodwill reflected Pat Cummins’ captaincy. It was his first series as skipper but already he’s displayed a grace in leadership so sadly lacking in other areas of Australian endeavour (yes, that one).

In one of those happy coincidences,

the same day I’d been writing of a very different Ashes series. I was giving context to a period in the life of my new biography subject, the great naturalist, war hero, and Aboriginal advocate, Donald Thomson. He was ahead of his time but gave his life – which ended in 1970 – to the Aboriginal cause.

The notorious “Bodyline” series of 1932-33 took place just as he was preparing to set out on a peace-keeping mission in the NT for the Lyons government. But such was the viciousness of that Ashes contest that he might well have used his mediation talents at the MCG rather than the wilds of East Arnhem Land.

England’s captain, Douglas Jardine, had devised the infamous “Bodyline” to counter Don Bradman’s batting genius by having his fast bowlers pitch

Oldfield suffered a fractured skull. The Australian Cricket Board sent furious public cables to their British counterparts, and they responded in kind.

Prime Minister Lyons met with the Board and warned of “the severe economic hardships that could be caused if the British public boycotted Australian trade”.

Gradually, the temperature lowered but the “Bodyline” fracas, like the Great Depression’s economic convulsion, became public markers on Australia’s

pathway from the colonial era. And now? Well, none of that nonsense in the women’s game but within Australia’s establishment there’s a curious clinging to the strings of our colonial past.

The ABC, for example, swamps us with BBC cast-offs, and patronising Britishers who keep “doing” Australia, from Tony “Baldrick” Robinson, Griff Rhys Jones and a train traveller whose name escapes me.

And when the Australian Republican Movement finally presented its new model, it barely ruffled the newsrooms’ feathers. To rub it in, PM Scott Morrison renamed Aspen Island, a dot in Lake Burley Griffin, Queen Elizabeth II Island.

Oh well, at least Pat Cummins’ equally commendable bowling partner was Scott Boland, a proud Gulidjan man. His astonishing six wickets for seven runs at the MCG is the other unforgettable image from the series. Were he still with us, Donald Thomson would be amazed, and thrilled.

robert@robertmacklin.com

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Free taste of dancing

FOLK Dance Canberra is holding a free “come and try” afternoon of traditional, modern, energetic and easy dances from around the world. It’s on Saturday, January 29, 2.30pm-4.30pm at its hall in Maitland Street, Hackett. Register at folkdancecanberra@gmail.com or call 6286 6402. Beginner classes start from Wednesday, February 2, and Thursday, February 3.

Better hear this

BETTER Hearing Australia Canberra, a not-for-profit community organisation, runs hearing-loss support sessions on Tuesdays during ACT school terms. This year’s sessions start on February 1 and cover communication strategies and tactics, and lip reading. Call 0417 696583 or email ldwyer@ grapevine.com.au for the evening sessions at the Hellenic Club, Phillip. For information about daytime/ Zoom classes call 0410 463761 or email carol.taloni@gmail.com

Lunch with a view

CAROLINE Bradshaw from Earth Angel/Driver is the guest speaker at the next lunch meeting of the Weston Creek VIEW Club at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, from 11.30am on Tuesday, February 1. The cost is $35 and guests and interested ladies are welcome. RSVP to 6286 4626 by 5pm, Thursday, January 27.

Patty slam dunks a gong for ‘significant service’

CANBERRA’S international basketball star Patty Mills has been appointed a member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Australia Day awards.

Meredith Hinchliffe.

Order of Australia medals (OAM) are Menslink CEO Martin Fisk, director of The Street Theatre Caroline Stacey and community leader Deepak-Raj Gupta.

nationally 47 per cent were women, the awards’ highest percentage.

Agile accountants with a passion for super GREENLIGHT

Dr David William GRUEN for distinguished service to public ad ministration, to economic research, to business, and to education.

Mr service to the law, to social welfare, and to education.

Mrs cant service to migrant and refugee services, and to the community.

Prof significant service to computational science, to medical research, and to education.

Prof Merimbula, NSW, for significant service to urban planning architecture, and to educational, professional, and heritage conservation organisations.

Ms Meredith Maxwell HINCHLIFFE , O’Connor, for significant service to the arts through a range of roles and organisations.

The late Prof John Duncan LOVE , formerly of Canberra, for significant service to tertiary education, particularly physics.

Ms Dianne LUCAS, Lyneham, for significant service to women through sexual assault, domestic and family violence support organisations.

Mr Peter McGRATH, O’Connor, for significant service to rugby union as an administrator, and to tertiary education.

Mr Patrick Sammy MILLS, for significant service to basketball,

Col. Ian Francis AHEARN (Retd), Kambah, for service to veterans.

The late Mrs Kerry Marie ALLEN, formerly of Reid, for service to the arts through music education.

Dr Christine Elizabeth BIGGS, Deakin, for service to the international community through diplomatic service.

Mrs Margaret Helen BURNS, Curtin, for service to the community of Lithgow.

Mrs Bonnie Jennifer CARTER , for service to community health.

Ms Margaret Rita EICHHOLZER , Kaleen, for service to education.

Mr Martin FISK, Bonython, for service to the community through social welfare organisations.

Mrs Lynn Joan FLETCHER , Garran, for service to the arts through children’s literature.

Mr Deepak-Raj GUPTA , Gungahlin,

Gordon.

Mr Travis William HASLAM , Aranda.

Dr Stephanie Elizabeth HODSON CSC , Nicholls.

Ms Vanessa Jane HOLBEN

Ms Megan LEES, Murrumbateman NSW.

Ms Alice Ruth LINACRE , Kambah.

Mr David Anthony LUCHETTI, Nicholls.

Mr Ivan Roger NEVILLE , Canberra.

Ms Kathryn Louise PATON, Holder.

Mr John William SHEPHERD, Campbell.

Mr Christopher Hayden TEAL

Dr Stephanie Alice WILLIAMS, Ainslie.

Australian Capital Territory

Ms Sara White BURNS, Curtin.

Ms Mary Louise TOOHEY, Hackett.

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OPINION / the age of escalating danger

The carnival is over, we may never meet again

“To many people, especially the old who remember a more settled time, society seems to have broken down. There is little or no discipline anymore,” writes GREG CORNWELL .

RECENTLY, we played a disc of The Seekers and I was struck by the group’s blending tones, clear words and the gentle, easy music.

There was an innocence to the presentation, something that encouraged a record 200,000 people to turn up to the Myer Music Bowl in 1967 to hear the talented four.

What has happened in the interim? Where is the attitude of The Seekers’ age? Indeed, where is Australia and the ACT now?

We are in a world of drugs of escalating danger and quantity, increased violence in the use of knives and firearms, censorship against minority opinions, total confusion about global warming, fossil fuels and environmental degradation, ineptitude in handling the vaccine rollout and, worst of all, authori-

ties’ failure to tell the truth in most circumstances.

Communication has much to do with it. A daily diet of bad or conten tious news eventually must have a negative effect upon recipients.

Equally frustrating is that nothing seems to be done effectively against these many and often reported problems: the drug scourge, domestic violence and crime gangs, for example.

Perhaps a great deal is being done but we, the public, are not being told. Why is this so?

Why aren’t we told of harsh sentences handed down to these offenders? Why in cases where outra geous crimes, civil or criminal, are committed and unresolved, privacy swiftly employed as a cover-up for all mistakes, misjudgments, errors and general stuff-ups.

To many people, especially the old who remember a more settled time, society seems to have broken down. There is little or no discipline anymore.

held responsible for the actions of their children. Counselling, bail or weekend detention are the outcome of many convictions. Our rulers, supported by social softies, seem determined to develop toleration as a national characteristic. Unprepared to take a firm stand in the national or even local interest, they are silent on action over crime, depor-

government or its agencies. Privacy is one of the worst abuses of individual freedom. It is practiced only by those in business or officialdom who wish to cover up their mistakes. Otherwise, there are more demands now upon our private lives, our intimate details, often seeking quite unwarranted family information, than ever was sought by the

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criticised Australia Card.

Our reputation for resilience, selfresponsibility and looking after each other appears to be moving more in the direction of what has so accurately been identified as “therapeutic social welfare” with more and more free or subsidised help being sought from governments.

Political correctness stifles criticism, usually away from the public gaze and usually influencing impressionable people. Respect for institutions is threatened, alternative lifestyles applauded – as if anyone else cared – and people of colour prioritised. Why?

The harmonious world of The Seekers was not perfect, but compared with the angst and underlying discontent of today it had much merit. And no, the frustrations of covid are not only to blame.

Worryingly, no improvement is in sight and while the younger generations know no better and maybe expect no more, the elderly are looking at a bleak future life of such negative change it could be worthwhile giving up.

Why otherwise continue living a life where your sense of values, of personal responsibility and of respect are being denied and standards, like battle flags of a defeated army, are trampled in the dust?

Greg Cornwell is a former speaker of the ACT Assembly.

Where’s the lost memorial to murdered nurse?

JON Stanhope puts the case for a memorial to nurse May Hayman and teacher Mavis Parkinson, murdered by the Japanese in PNG during World War II (CN January 13).

In fact, there used to be a memorial to May Hayman and Mona Tait, another Canberra nurse murdered by the Japanese. It was a substantial plaque in the foyer of the 1940s Canberra Hospital building at Acton. Presumably the memorial did not survive the closure and demolition of the hospital.

May Hayman and Mavis Parkinson are buried at Sangara Mission Station in PNG, next to Lucian Tapiedi. He was a Papuan teacher at the mission. While travelling with a group of missionaries trying to avoid the Japanese, he was killed by a hostile tribesman, and the others by the Japanese.

Tapiedi himself is commemorated by a statue on the West Front of Westminster Abbey, one of a group of 10 statues of Christian martyrs of the 20th century that were unveiled in 1998. The group also includes St Elizabeth of Russia, Martin Luther King, St Maximilian Kolbe and St Oscar Romero.

Stephen Brown, Forrest

Appreciated the article

I GREATLY appreciated the article by Jon Stanhope seeking to honour Canberra nurse and Christian martyr May Hayman, and also teacher Mavis Parkinson, both raped and murdered by Japanese soldiers in World War II.

As well as the memorials in St John’s Church, there was a memorial in the old Canberra Hospital which was blown up with tragic consequences, years ago. What happened to that memorial?

On September 2 each year the martyrs are remembered at mass in the Anglican Lectionary of readings and celebrations.

Fr Robert Willson, via email

For same cost the government can…

IN 2017-18 Transport Canberra’s buses caused 33,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions. They provided 14 million journeys, at 2.3 kilograms of emissions per journey. Canberra’s cars provided over 300 million journeys, at about 2 kilograms of emissions per journey.

In 2020-21 Transport Canberra’s buses

caused a record high of 37,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions.

The ACT government plans to commit $1.5 billion to replace fossil-fuelled buses between Woden and Civic with zero-emissions light rail that will make the trip in between 25 and 30 minutes.

“Construction of light rail will be very disruptive for our road network, with lane closures and diversions in place for several years,” according to Transport Minister Chris Steel.

For the same cost, the government can do all of the following:

• Without disrupting the road network, replace every fossil-fuelled Transport Canberra bus with a zero-emissions electric bus, that can travel between Woden and Civic in less than 20 minutes.

• Provide more transit lanes, to further reduce emissions and commuting times.

• Provide every Canberra household with $6000 to spend on zero-emissions electric cars, public transport tickets, zeroemissions electric or non-electric bicycles, and equipment to allow bicycles to carry groceries, to travel at night, and to travel on wet roads.

Leon Arundell, Downer

‘Mad’ to destroy traffic interchanges

I FIND it impossible to comprehend what motivation or thinking is behind this continuing obsession with the tram and the

It’s a development ploy

DOES the ACT government think we can’t see that the latest light rail Works Approval Application to the NCA for the raising of London Circuit is another smoke-and-mirrors exercise for the next property development stage?

It is obvious that there is a simple and practical alternative design for this module as shown in the diagram. This design has the following advantages:

• Disruptions to traffic on Commonwealth Avenue during the construction phase will be minor.

• Long-term reduction in the road network capacity will be limited to light rail demand to cross the northbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue at the London Circuit ramp.

• The amount of fill required to extend the existing ramp will be less than 10 per cent of that in the Works Application, with attendant environmental benefits.

• The essential features of the Commonwealth Avenue landscape will be retained.

• It will have a much lower cost. Of course, the right decision is to call a halt to the whole light rail concept.

mad idea to completely destroy the traffic interchanges on City Hill and fill in London Circuit with thousands of cubic metres of fill.

I despair at the lack of vision of our government and just hope that, for once, the NCA does take notice of the vast majority of Canberrans who have made submissions opposing this latest folly.

The well thought out and designed interchanges on Commonwealth Avenue on both sides of the lake, built in the early 1960s, have worked splendidly, without traffic lights, please don’t destroy them.

Colin Smeal, via citynews.com.au

Get rid of the traffic cloverleafs

WHAT great cities of the world are remembered for their well-functioning cloverleafs, or six-lane freeways through the heart of the city centre? What usefulness does the city get from the vast tracts of land contained within and around those high-speed vehicle corridors?

In the 1960s we decided to prioritise the unimpeded, high-speed movement of cars over any other consideration, such as what it’s like to walk in an environment like that. It was a mistake, and getting rid of the cloverleafs is a step in the right direction for returning the city to what it is – a place where people live, work and play.

Robert Knight, via email

John L Smith, Farrer

Active citizens get organised

SO, what actions might the ACT government take this year that “allow residents and their community councils to get their matters discussed and… actions taken”?

(Paul Costigan, CN January 13).

Put another way, how can we, the people, get our MLAs working more effectively for us?

Waiting for the MLAs and the system to change won’t deliver. It comes down to us to be active citizens and organise ourselves both through a revised version of Community Councils and in other ways.

The Greens took a neighbourhood democracy program to the last election and “Pilot and then scale-up a Neighbourhood Democracy Program across Canberra suburbs” is in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement. While limited to being a participatory budgeting exercise, it is one other way of engaging the community and could be expanded. I believe that this program sits with the Chief Minister.

Active Democracy Australia (there is a Bean branch) offers ideas for electorate action groups which could be adapted to ACT electorates. One key theme is building direct personal accountability of MLAs to their community. That way MLAs get to hear what people are concerned about and have a mechanism to also work with the

community on solutions.

A further idea could be for electoratebased or ACT-wide citizens assemblies to be held, facilitated well, on specific thorny topics such as our planning system, to arrive at a coordinated community position that the government can work with the community to implement. Such assemblies have been successfully held in many places, particularly in Europe.

This is only a few of many ideas about how we can improve the function of government in the ACT. If enough people are interested we could get together and talk about how to make it work for us.

Peter Tait, convener, Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy

Why don’t we front these ‘excusers’?

I WELCOME, as usual, Paul Costigan’s crusade for Canberra in the face of our Labor/Greens government and their developer mates. However, his “Oh, they’re all too busy for community issues” (CN January 13) column sadly applied as much to most of our citizens as our “new normal” MLAs and their publicsector officers.

Community meetings, even pre-covid, were not well attended and the few people who did so listened politely and questioned respectfully as spin, vague promises and empty commitments flourished.

Why don’t we angrily front these “excusers”, challenging them and their dissembling? Those who misleadingly address us should fear such meetings – if there are any more now Zoom allows our “leaders” to hide behind single-question screens.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

Distinguishing truth and lies

WHEN it comes to truth, it ain’t necessarily so when it comes from the pen of Robert Macklin (“The Gadfly” column, CN January 6). Robert was describing himself, more so than our PM, when he said that he could not distinguish between the truth and lies.

Rosemary Lyne, Kingston

Luke Clews

Top tips towards being a better you in 2022

AFTER the hard year that has been, now’s the time to make changes for a healthier and more productive you in 2022. Whether it’s getting active, addressing injuries or relaxing with a treatment, “CityNews” speaks with experts about how to kick-start the New Year right.

AMANDA Harrington opened Socialise Hair two years ago and has 15 years of experience in the hairdressing industry, 10 of which in Canberra.

“I had a passion from high school, it took me a few years of studying different things to realise that hairdressing was my dream.”

She says the staff at Socialise Hair are friendly and approachable, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“We’re just a small salon with a great team and beautiful clients,” which Amanda

says creates a really comfortable and happy atmosphere.

Socialise Hair provides cutting, styling and colouring services, as well as hair extensions and moisture and protein treatments.

The most rewarding part, Amanda says, is “making people feel beautiful.”

Socialise Hair, 117a Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin. Call 0422 456690 or visit socialisehair.com.au

The trained experts in treating pain

WITH a trained team of physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, nurses, mental health supports and Pilates classes starting soon, Arthritis ACT has the expertise to help people living with pain, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“You don’t have to have arthritis to see us, we treat any type of pain or fatiguing condition,” she says.

“It’s our goal to help people remain at work, help them to keep doing the things they want to do in their life and keep them connected to the community and the people in their life that are important.”

Starting in February, Arthritis ACT will be running Pilates classes.

Having worked as a midwife and a nurse, Rebecca has a long background in treating pain, but for a long time she’s also suffered from severe arthritis.

“I completely understand what people are living with,” she says.

“I’ve had to go through those difficult choices and leave careers behind that I’ve loved because of the condition.

“But this work allows me to keep working with people and helping them to achieve their goals and feel more certain in their life.”

with a team who help change people’s lives.

“We aim to keep you happy, healthy and living the fullest possible life regardless of the limitations you might have,” she says.

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041, email info@arthritisact.org.au or visit arthritisact.org.au

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Doctor’s insights for staying fit and healthy

DR Alexander Burns of Orthopaedics

ACT says that when it comes to staying active during these challenging times, the benefits can’t be overstated.

“Exercise helps with both physical and psychological health, reduces joint pain, maintains muscle strength, prevents osteoporosis and just helps us feel happier,” says Dr Burns.

“It’s important to start gently and graduate so as not to cause injury.

Resisted exercise, such as gym work, which needs to be suitable for a person’s individual age and condition, has been shown to reduce osteoporosis, and may also have effects in mental health and dementia prevention.

Dr Burns, an orthopaedic surgeon who has worked in private practice in Canberra since 2005, says there are many ways to stay active that can work for different people.

“Some things to consider may be core stability exercises, such as going to a Pilates class, joining a walking club or hydrotherapy class, joining a gym (fine for people of any age and ability level), and trying to reduce the intake of salt, fat and alcohol (without making life too miserable),” he says.

A NEW, scientifically studied exercise technique called Nordic Walking is more effective than jogging but as gentle as walking, and is the perfect way to get in some regular exercise this year, says Capital Nordic Walking founder Kristen Pratt.

also massively reducing strain on leg joints.” Kristen says Nordic Walking is quickly growing in Canberra, beneficial to those who need some low-impact exercise and for those with a competitive spark.

“Walking is an excellent form of exercise, and ideally 30 minutes four or five times a week is very beneficial.”

He also says being vaccinated against COVID 19, and having booster shots as recommended by the chief medical officer will help prevent or at least ameliorate the severity of a potentially very serious infection.

The technique, which keeps European cross-country skiers fit during their off season, uses specially designed poles that are planted behind the user to propel them along using the power of the upper body as well as the legs.

“The great thing about Nordic walking is you don’t have to go very fast to get a good workout but competitive Nordic walkers can get up to speeds similar to running,” she says.

Orthopaedics ACT, Woden Specialist Medical Centre, Level 2, 90 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6221 9320 or visit orthoact.com.au

“It doubles the number of muscles being used and strengthened compared to walking and running, making it easy to get a high-intensity cardiovascular workout,” says Kristen.

“It strengthens arms, shoulders, back and core while

“For people who like walking, it can turbo charge your walk and for people who are really fit like runners and crossfitters, it’s a really good cross activity to build muscle because it is so low impact.”

Capital Nordic Walking, visit capitalnordicwalking.com.au

MEET OUR PAIN MANAGEMENT EXPERTS

Gwen Estigoy - Exercise Physiologist

Gwen instructs Tai Chi for our Falls Prevention program and also supports people to meet their exercise goals within our gym or hydrotherapy program.

Gwen works with individuals, groups, and also leads our LGBTI program.

Gwen has a four-year degree as well as extensive industry experience working with people with chronic pain conditions.

Sophie Bullock - Exercise Physiologist

Sophie has post graduate qualifications in hydrotherapy, and as a non-sports centred Exercise Physiologist-helps clients who struggle with engaging in exercise due to a lack of sports participation. Sophies goal is to improve clients health via our hydrotherapy program, gym instruction and in-home visits. Sophie also is known for her passion for working with children.

Richard Costin - Physiotherapist

At Build a Better Me we see many people who are struggling to manage their chronic conditions. Richard is passionate about helping people to live better and more comfortable livesachieving their goals through exercise, education and manual therapies.

Richard is fully trained in the GLAD program.

Blake Dean - Exercise Physiologist

Blake has expertise in improving clients mobility and decreasing their pain through appropriate exercise. Blake delivers our ‘My Exercise’ program, targeting the relief of lower back and sciatic pain, shoulder and upper body concerns as well as leg, hip and and ankle interventions – for those who do not qualify for physiotherapy-led GLAD programs.

Blake provides individual & group exercise for younger people with a disability. Blake treats clients in-clinic or via our hydrotherapy program as well as attending your gym with you.

Jacqui Couldrick - Physiotherapist

Jacqui has a particular interest in hip and knee osteoarthritis. Jacqui delivers the GLAD program designed to reduce the need for joint replacements, or if a joint replacement is unavoidable, to prepare you thoroughly for surgery and recovery for day to day tasks. Jacqui is studying towards a PhD in the outcomes of the GLAD program.

Kwong yan Cheung - Physiotherapist

Kwong is trained as a GLAD instructor, his focus is in treating sports injuries early to avoid arthritis forming later. Kwong is a passionate sportsman, playing both Aussie Rules and Soccer. Kwong will assist you with maintenance of your sports injuries, back pain and all general musculoskeletal issues.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT ACCESSING OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WHO HELP MAKE YOUR EVERY DAY TASKS EASIER

PILATES GROUP CLASSES ON NOW – NORTHSIDE & SOUTHSIDE

• Occupational Therapy - Assistance with the planning and modification of your home, workplace or car. Applications for NDIS, the Disability and Housing Support Pension, and also driving assessments.

• Physiotherapy – including the GLAD program for knee and hip osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, and pain condition support.

• Exercise Physiology – Individual exercise prescriptions, small group classes to increase strength and improve rehabilitation, strength and balance classes, hydrotherapy support.

• Dietetics – meal planning, weight management support, food intolerance support.

“You do not need to have any particular condition to utilise our services, just a desire to ‘Build a Better You.’

NICHOLE OVERALL FOR MONARO

‘By-elections are more difficult than general elections, but people have been very welcoming’

The ‘tough fighter, straight shooter’ with a vision

NICHOLE Overall knows that “hard work” is the key to holding the seat of Monaro.

But the NSW Nationals candidate is not daunted by the challenge she faces at next month’s by-election.

“It’s always been a tough fight to win the seat,” Ms Overall said.

“The electorate has had great local mem bers in the past, and I want to continue to be a fighter, and a voice in parliament for the people in our communities.”

Ms Overall, a Queanbeyan author, historian and journalist was pre-selected last year to contest the seat of Monaro fol lowing the former member John Barilaro’s resignation from parliament.

Mr Barilaro, also the former party leader and deputy premier, held the seat for more than a decade.

Like its federal cousin Eden-Monaro, the bellwether seat has changed hands regularly and usually returns a member of the government, but not always.

As a first-time candidate, Ms Overall understands the additional challenges of holding the seat at the by-election on February 12.

That is why she has hit the ground running, campaigning non-stop since her candidacy was announced.

“By-elections are more difficult than general elections, but people have been very welcoming,” Ms Overall said.

“I’m working as hard as I possibly can trying to touch base with as many people as possible, listening to their priorities and concerns.

“It’s a tough fight, but I’m up for it. Should I be elected I want to be the best representative I can be.”

The Monaro electorate, which stretches from the ACT to the Victorian border, taking in Queanbeyan, Cooma, and the NSW Snowy Mountains, poses an enormous challenge for any political candidate as it covers more than 20,000 square kilometres.

“I’ve been out and about every day since mid-October with a couple of days of downtime over Christmas,” Ms Overall said.

“I have visited every area of the

electorate at least once since and I hope to touch base with all the communities again.

The feeling on the ground has been very encouraging.”

Ms Overall, who is the wife of the former mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Tim Overall, has lived in Queanbeyan for 32 years and is passionate about the community she lives in.

“I was born in Griffith, but moved to Queanbeyan to go to university and have been here ever since,” Ms Overall said.

“I raised a family and ran a small business here, and have been a devoted supporter of

the community through volunteer organisa tions and sports groups for many years.”

Ms Overall has had an interesting and varied career with stints as a journalist, a history book author, a real-estate agent and more recently a true-crime podcaster.

She and her husband have raised two sons who are now in their twenties. The 49-yearold is also a talented soccer player, and has served on numerous boards and committees.

The forthcoming by-election provides Ms Overall an opportunity to realise a long-held desire to pursue a parliamentary career.

“People want someone who’s a tough

fighter, a straight shooter, a leader with a positive vision, and people kept telling me that I fit that bill,” Ms Overall said.

The timing of the by-election happily coincided with the retirement of her husband as mayor and councillor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.

Ms Overall has learnt a great deal from her husband’s 17 years in local government, and said she comes to the job with a good understanding of the political process.

“I’m not going into this with rosecoloured glasses,” Ms Overall said.

“I know what’s expected, I know how

tough it can be, but I also know the results and the positive outcomes that can be achieved when we work together.”

On the campaign trail, Ms Overall said the one issue that sticks out above all others is road maintenance.

“It’s a basic issue, but it is the one thing that most people are talking about,” Ms

“What I can say is that funding has been provided for roads like Captains Flat, where $10 million has been allocated for over 21 kilometres of critical work that is commencing now, and $17.5 million has been delivered to Snowy Monaro Regional Council for roads down there. It is a priority of mine to listen to the community and bring our roads back up to scratch.”

Ms Overall, who sees herself as a committed local candidate, said her main focus will be securing and delivering the promises already made to the electorate by the Liberal Nationals government during this term, including the construction of a number of new schools.

“Googong Primary School, Jerrabomberra High School, Jindabyne Primary School and the Bungendore High School were committed to back in 2019 with the commitment of taking students in 2021 so I want to see those important initiatives seen through for the communities,” she said.

Ms Overall, whose family has a longstanding connection with the township of Hay, will also be guided by her own experiences growing up and living in regional communities.

“The Monaro is unique in its landscapes, make-up and people,” Ms Overall said.

“Being able to visit the communities and engage with the locals and to hear their stories has been a delight.”

If elected, Ms Overall would be the first woman member of Monaro in its 165-year history.

“It’s not a reason why I put up my hand, but the historical import of it isn’t lost on me,” Ms Overall said.

“Just being the Member for Monaro would be a remarkable honour and privilege.”

Authorised by J Lundy, 107 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.

‘People want the opportunity to get a good job’

Monaro candidate NICHOLE OVERALL offers insights into what she’s hearing from the electorate, what she wants to achieve and what drives her as she faces the February 12 by-election.

QUESTION: What are people telling you?

What are their issues and concerns, and how do you plan to address them?

ANSWER: People in Monaro want to see the NSW government plot a path out of the pandemic while not forgetting bringing down the cost of living, delivering the services like health and education they deserve and a government to build the infrastructure that will enable their communities to grow.

The issue people are raising most with me on the ground is job security. People want the opportunity to get and keep a good job. They want to know that their government is working to ensure there are opportunities for well-paying jobs here in the Monaro so that they can stay in this beautiful region.

Locally there are so many important projects including new schools in Jerrabomberra, Googong and Bungendore as well as the construction of the new regional sports hub in South Jerrabomberra that we all want to see completed.

The delivery of the projects really is my priority and my commitment is to immediately get to work with government ministers to see it all progress as soon as possible. What are the biggest challenges facing the Monaro electorate?

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The last two years have been woeful.

Everyone has endured a lot. The lockdowns were tough on our mental health, they were tough on kids losing that interaction at school and probably more than most, it was incredibly tough on small businesses. The issues I am hearing won’t be a surprise to anyone and one that’s top of mind is emerging safely and positively from the pandemic.

I know how frustrating it’s all been and a lot of people are doing it tough right now. While there wasn’t a how-to guide to handle covid, government has to take on board these concerns and that is why our focus is on a pathway forward and rebuilding and regenerating optimism and plans for our future.

Certainty, stability, and a return to “normal” in a safe and timely way remain the priorities in this regard.

Why is the Monaro region important to you?

My family has been in Queanbeyan for more than 30 years, and this is my home. The Monaro is unique in that it includes so many diverse communities. There are farming families who have been settled here for generations. Contrastingly, there are brand new suburban developments in Googong and Queanbeyan where we are welcoming new residents who want to raise their families here for generations to come.

Residents across Monaro spend their days and derive their income in a wide variety of ways. It is a unique part of the world here, with a tourist community in Jindabyne, agricultural communities in Braidwood, Bombala and Cooma, and communities in Queanbeyan, Googong and Bungendore where a large majority cross the border for work.

It’s important to me that our electorate is served by a strong, effective local member who can understand the needs of a farmer, a small business owner and a public servant. We need a local member who can serve every constituent in this region, no matter if they are on a farm in Bredbo or in a townhouse in Queanbeyan.

I know I can do that job, and do it to the standard this electorate deserves.

John Barilaro served the Monaro for more than 10 years, how will you be different?

Politics aside, this electorate has a history of fantastic local members from both sides of politics.

Our most recent, of course, John Barilaro fought hard for our region and delivered a great deal during his more than 10 years as our local member.

For decades now I’ve been a strong advocate for our region and I know one of the things that’s important to those living here is having a representative in parliament who will continue to fight hard for them. I

am committed to doing exactly that and continuing to deliver for the Monaro.

Most people go into politics and community service to “make a difference”. While I, too, aim to do that, I also “want to do things differently”. I want to be a strong voice for our region, to stand up and ensure the needs and priorities of those who live here are heard.

I’m a practical, down-to-earth person and while I’m sure I’m not going to be able to make everyone happy every single time, I promise that I’ll be upfront so people know where things stand. I promise I’ll work as hard as I can in the best interests of all and I’ll also tell it as it is because in the end, we all move forward by working together.

Why did you want to run for the Nationals?

The Nationals’ foundation is based on standing up for those of us fortunate enough to live outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

I grew up in country NSW and have lived in Queanbeyan since. I recognise the importance of our regional and rural communities and the critical need to see that they are well represented and not left behind.

Being part of the Nationals allows me the freedom to fight for this electorate while being part of government. We have a proud history of speaking up and holding our own views and that’s really important to me. Representing the interests and being a strong voice for those who make the decision to elect you is what it’s all about for me.

Since being pre-selected, how much ground have you covered campaigning across the electorate?

I’m very familiar with a lot of the Monaro, particularly Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood, thanks to my work as a journalist and an historian. Over the last three years I’ve been writing a book on a World War I hero from Cooma and I’ve spent more time travelling and researching down south as well. Over the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure to spend even more time visiting places like Delegate, Adaminaby and Jindabyne. In fact, since I was pre-selected, I’ve visited every area in the electorate – which covers more than 20,000 square kilometres – at least once! And I intend on continuing to be out and about in the wider electorate every day until the polls close.

The Monaro has a spectacular diversity from the picturesque views of the Snowy Mountains over Lake Eucumbene, to the wonderful history of Braidwood’s heritage buildings, to the bustling streets of Queanbeyan. I have loved getting out and seeing this magnificent electorate, but even more importantly meeting some of the most down-to-earth and decent people you could ever meet.

You have a long history with the region. How did you first come to the Monaro and what made you decide to stay?

I grew up in Griffith, NSW, and Hay, where my

Nichole Overall for

grandparents had a property on the banks of the Murrumbidgee. I’m sad to say, my 90-year-old grandma just passed away last week – still living out on the property, a battler and fighter till the end.

I moved to Queanbeyan when I was accepted to do a communications degree at the University of Canberra, the first in my wider family to ever go to uni. For me, Queanbeyan offered all the warmth and charm of a country town and I immediately felt comfortable and at home.

While pursuing a career in local media and then small business, and on marriage to my husband Tim, we made the decision that it remained the perfect place to raise our family – and our two adult sons tell us they’re even more local than we are!

What are some of the key policies you are campaigning on?

My campaign is focused on jobs and delivery. We want to ensure the government is working with industry to create the jobs of the future. That is why the NSW Nationals are making real investment in programs such as the Regional Jobs Precinct in South Jerrabomberra.

The Precinct will supercharge opportunities locally, meaning thousands of workers will be able to stop the daily commute over the border to the ACT, and instead be able to access high-paying jobs right here in Queanbeyan.

When it comes to investment in basic services, this region is finally seeing investment in the schools, hospitals and roads right across the region. For too long we were an afterthought for governments in Sydney and we can’t afford to see that go backwards. For years students have had to cross the border to attend high school and that is something we have seen for decades, regardless of what party was in government. Our kids deserve the opportunity and choice to start and finish their schooling on our side of the border, and I am so proud that the NSW Nationals are taking action to build the services we need.

And finally, why should people vote for you?

If the people of Monaro want a representative that will spend each and every day fighting for them, then I would say, give me a shot.

I don’t want to be a common or garden variety politician who promises the world during an election and delivers a globe.

If you want a member of parliament who will spend the next year getting projects delivered then I would ask for you to lend me your support. Those who know me suggest I’m a person who “gets things done” and that’s exactly what I am committed to doing.

This is actually one of the benefits of the by-election. There will be a general election in 2023 and so I ask you to give me a go to demonstrate my commitment to being the best possible representative for our region over the next year.

And I promise I’ll live up to that.

QUEANBEYAN

Fast growing city that’s become the place to

QUEANBEYAN has come a long way since its “Struggle Town” days. That name was made famous when Choirboys lead singer Mark Gable heard the reference and wrote the song “Struggle Town” about Queanbeyan in 1988.

But now, as one of the fastest growing, inland cities in NSW, it’s more than shaken off that title and its diverse selection of local businesses certainly attests to that.

Whether it’s experiencing a local event, buying award-winning furniture or enjoying downtown shopping, Queanbeyan is the place to be.

“We’re a one-stop-shop for construc tions, renovations, extensions, residential and commercial projects,” says Michael, who holds an unrestricted “A”-class builder’s licence and has more than 15 years of experience in the industry.

“We understand that a lot of people, especially career professionals, can be time poor so we can manage the entire project from start to finish and simplify it for our clients.”

Originally established as Bordeaux Kitchens in 1983, Michael says the family business, located in Queanbeyan, has grown to offer large building works

service where clients have a point of contact throughout the entire project,” he says.

“Some people have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and some people don’t; either way, we tailor our services and expertise to suit them.

“Communication is key for us.”

He also says Bordeaux has an in-house joinery shop, another advantage of its committed projects.

Bordeaux Construction and Management, 8 Aurora Place, Queanbeyan. Call 6299 4642 or visit bordeauxbcm.com.au

HAVING operated in Queanbeyan for more than two decades, Dunstone Design has built a national and inter national audience for its handcrafted furniture, says owner Evan Dunstone.

Creating contemporary studio furniture from the finest Australian and international timbers, Evan says the business has chosen the long path of craftsmanship, with the hand of the maker evident in all their work.

One of Dunstone Design’s craftsmen, William Bayliss, was named Overall Win ner at the 2021 Maker of the Year Awards for his “Bunyjul Occasional Table”.

Evan himself took out the runner’sup prize in the Tables, Chairs and Desks category for his design of the “Mutawintji 1”.

While he says it’s great to win awards, having a genuine and organic client base that values their work is the biggest reward for Dunstone Design.

“The real test for an artist is the market,” he says.

“Nobody ‘needs’ anything we make, and because of the high labour component, it’s never cheap. And yet we sell more contemporary fine furniture than any comparable business in Australia.”

When asked how long some of their bespoke furniture takes to craft, Evan says it’s a matter of the

maker and the skill they’ve had passed to them.

“We have made cabinets that have taken literally hundreds of hours to craft and we have also made beautiful objects in less than a day,” he says.

“I guess the answer is, 25 years of practice, plus the time to finish the specific job.”

Dunstone Design, 3/5 Aurora Place, Queanbeyan. Visit dunstonedesign.com.au, call 6297 8200 or email evan@dunstonedesign.com.au

Enjoy the classics down by the river

FOR the sixth consecutive year residents of Queanbeyan and the ACT region will be treated to a free evening of orchestral classics with Queanbeyan’s “Music by the River”.

The event features the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performing at the Queen Elizabeth II Park, with attendees able to bring their own picnic blankets.

“We can’t wait to perform our annual night of ‘Music by the River’,” says CSO concertmaster Kirsten Williams.

“This year, we’re joined by sensational local singer Rachael Thoms for a program of gorgeous classics and jazz favourites.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community

to come together, relax and soak up the vibrant sounds of live music.”

Attendees will also be able to enjoy local wines, food-van favourites or can bring along their own picnic to enjoy.

Those wanting to attend will have to pre-register to ensure they can enter the event space, and are advised to get in quick as tickets will go fast. The event will be run in a covid-safe manner.

“Music by the River”, Queen Elizabeth II Park, Queanbeyan, February 26, 5pm. More info and tickets at qprc. nsw.gov.au/events

TUESDAY 25TH JANUARY – SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY 2022 10AM TO 2PM DAILY FIND US IN THE FOOD COURT

SAVE A Bob Or Two is a second-hand furniture store, owned by Vic Seisun.

“We provide everything from knick-knacks to small and large pieces of furniture and much more,” he says.

Vic stocks everything from household furniture to glasswear, collectibles, artwork and records, and all stock is in a good, used condition.

A decade of women’s fashion in Queanbeyan

HAVING operated in Queanbeyan for nearly 10 years, Debbie Maree’s Fashion Boutique has become a leading local store for women’s clothes, says owner Debbie Maree.

Stocking locally sourced and Australian-made products as well as major international brands, Debbie says the business is all about making women of all ages, shapes and sizes, feel good through clothes.

Just some of the big-selling brands stocked include Joseph Ribkoff, Foil and

Philosophy, and Debbie says customers will always receive a friendly, supportive and personalised service.

She also says there’s a wide range of the year’s hottest shoes, as well as a selection of sneakers, accessories and jewellery.

“You must come in to see the entire range,” says Debbie.

Call 6299 3335.

Vic says he’s got a passion for going above and beyond to help fulfil customer requests, and he absolutely loves what he does.

“We’re trendy and inviting. The store is exciting and adventurous and we have many different collections for all our customers.”

Vic prides himself on providing the best possible service, and keeping things on schedule and avail able so as to avoid inconveniencing customers.

He says he’s honest, his prices are cheap, and he can deliver goods for an extra cost.

Save A Bob Or Two, Karabar Shopping Mall, 30A Queenbar Road, Karabar. Call 0448 164315 or visit saveabobortwo.com.au

Exhibition ready at the Queanbeyan Art Society gallery and studio

THE Queanbeyan Art Society and its members are preparing for their February “Anything Goes” art competition/exhibition.

President of the Queanbeyan Art Society, Barry Cranston says there will be over 120 works on display in the gallery each month.

“Any form of art that fits in five different mediums, and they’re all for sale.”

The Queanbeyan Art Society will also be host to a variety of art workshops every second month, while also running their regular classes in a “relaxed and supportive environment.”

Every day except Thursday and Sunday there are social painting groups and classes.

On Monday and Wednesday there are life drawing classes, and a sculpture class on Wednesday nights.

On Thursday there is a water media class, Friday is a young artist class and on Sunday there is a Never Stop Learning class.

Queanbeyan Art Society, 6 Trinculo Place, Queanbeyan. Call 6297 8181 or visit qasarts.org

Celebrating Queanbeyan’s diverse community

FEATURING market stalls, performers, music, food and more, the Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival has become one of the community’s most anticipated events, says deputy director of the Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre John Gunn.

For this year’s festival, on February 27, the main stage will feature dance acts from around the world while the Fringe stage, a new feature, will provide more entertainment from local cultural communities.

“Queanbeyan has had some of the longest periods of cultural diversity and to be able to share and experience these cultures is a big sense of pride,” says John.

The festival will also feature sporting

demonstrations, belly dancing, fire breathing, Chinese lion dancing, a Bollywood display and there’ll be a kids’ activity zone.

“It’s not just cultural dress and dancing and food, it’s also about getting to talk to people,” says John.

“I think the isolation has been very difficult for a lot of people and to have this opportunity to engage with and build the community is very exciting to many.

“It’s a great opportunity to have fun, and a great opportunity to learn.”

Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival at the Queanbeyan Park, Lowe Street, February 27, 10am to 4pm.

Delivering quality windows, fast

MORE than 15 years ago, in a small factory, with a staff of five, Skyview Windows was created with the vision to supply quality products in the shortest possible lead times, says managing director Neil Thompson.

“The company mantra from day one was ‘Quality Windows, Fast’,” says Neil.

Since then, Skyview has grown and about 12 years ago expanded to a 2500sqm factory in High Street, Queanbeyan.

Neil says part of Skyview’s success is being able to work closely with customers and suppliers to ensure consistency in quality and supply is maintained.

Using dedicated, local people, Neil says all windows and doors are manufactured to Australian standards.

“All windows and doors are manufactured from a mixture of local and imported raw materials to ensure cost competitiveness and, unlike the major window companies, all the profits stay right here,” he says.

“Skyview is the only window company able to supply any powdercoat colour with no cost premium involved.

“This allows our customers to mix and match colour schemes for their houses without having to stick to the six standard colours our competitors offer.”

Last year Skyview launched the “Texturer” colour range. Starting with “black” and “monument”, the range significantly reduces marks and blemishes on the powder-coat finish.

Skyview Windows, 77 High Street. Call 6232 9977.

QUEANBEYAN

Jan’s passion is demanding and rewarding

CO-DIRECTOR of strata managers

Bridge Strata, Jan Browne, has been in the business for more than 30 years and manages clients in Queanbeyan, Yass, Bungendore and surrounding areas.

“You go through life trying different areas and I went into this and it just became a bit of a passion,” says Jan.

She says nothing is black and white in the industry. She enjoys working out the grey answers, and she likes meeting people and building a connection.

“Strata management is a type of governance [that] involves community living,” says Jan.

“You deal with all these communities and over the years you develop a rapport, you have affiliations and connections with a lot of people.”

Jan believes that it’s a great industry to get into, and says it’s certainly an industry that is demanding but it is rewarding.

Bridge Strata, Level 1, 20C Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6109 7700, email admin@bridgestrata.com.au or visit bridgestrata.com.au

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For a proactive service at a competitive price, call 6109 7700 NSW/ACT

Queanbeyan Players rehearsal for their upcoming show “Keating!”.

Players and musical director of “Keating!”, and she’s excited for everyone to enjoy their upcoming performance.

“We’re opening on February 25 and running until March 6.”

She says in Canberra, there haven’t been many Australian works put on, and she wanted to do something different.

“It’s a sung-through musical about the career of Paul Keating.”

“We thought it would be a really good show. Paul Keating is such a well-known person, and it’s a hilarious show. The fact that it’s an Australian show

Jenna says “Keating!” is a show that will be especially great for people who aren’t into musical theatre, because it’s got every genre of music.

“It’s got rock, it’s got pop, it’s got reggae, it’s got jazz and it’s very rare to come across a musical like that, so it’s a musical for people who aren’t into musicals and then even if you are into musicals you’ll love it as well.”

“Keating!”, the Queanbeyan Players, Belconnen Community Theatre, February 25-March 6. More info and tickets at queanbeyanplayers.com.au

QUEANBEYAN: Level 1, 20C Monaro Street

QUEANBEYAN: Level 1, 20C Monaro Street

DICKSON: 4/55 Woolley Street

DICKSON: 4/55 Woolley Street

Ord’s graphics leap from ‘Rooftops’ to the world ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Helen MUSA

NAPOLEON Bonaparte is purported to have said, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and, even if he didn’t, the phrase has never been so apt as it is now in the era of the graphic novel.

A world-wide phenomenon that connects with both the comic book tradition and literature, this relatively new artform has covered subject matter from Nazi occupation to the Iranian Revolution and now Canberratrained artist Mandy Ord has stepped on to the international arena with a French release in 2021 of her graphic novel, “Rooftops”.

With a voracious reading public, a book deal in France is always huge, seen in the huge success of Canberra writer Karen Viggers, whose novel “The Lightkeeper’s Wife” (La Memoire des embruns) was on the French National Bestseller list for more than 42 weeks.

Ord’s book, released in October, “Sur Les Toits”, was actually her first graphic novel, freshly translated into French by Gautier Ducatez and has been described by cutting-edge French publishers The Hoochie

Coochie as “a rare incursion into the field of autobiography in our catalogue”.

I’ve read it and the artist appears in her book under the name of “Ord” but autobiography?

“Sur Les Toits” chronicles a night-time trip to a rooftop cinema in Melbourne (it could be any big city in the world) to see “Ghostbusters”.

St Paul’s Cathedral and other recognisable buildings appear along with frame after frame of nocturnal terrors, such as looking for a parking spot in Melbourne or negotiating the menacing downstairs public toilets, which give her heroine terrifying visions of muggings.

Interspersed with intellectual discussions

nightmarish imagery of Ord both on foot and in her car grappling with the horrors of contemporary life.

The book has received breathtakingly good French reviews that praise its “poetic urbanism” and depiction of a “cosmopolitan reverie”.

I caught up with Ord on a recent summer holiday trip back to Canberra. Ord is still basking in French success when we meet and tells me “Rooftops” was initially published in 2007 when her style was different from now. She’s always been interested in an international career and has been sending work overseas for years so was gratified to

break into the market at last.

In fact, her French publishing company has treated her so well that she says, “at least they showed me a bit of respect – more than you get here”.

Not that she’s got anything against the Canberra arts world in that respect. On the contrary, her foundational studies under Robert Boynes and Ruth Waller during the early 1990s in the painting workshop at what is now the ANU School of Art and Design allowed her to feel her way towards the love of luscious, thick India ink and its possibilities.

After graduating, she came under the influence of Braidwood region artists Phil Day and Julian Davies, then left for Melbourne in 1999, starting out as a cartoonist then

After a long history of self-publishing, Ord’s first solo graphic “Rooftops” was followed by “Sensitive Creatures” in 2011, which won a White Ravens award at the Bologna Book Fair. In 2018 she illustrated Margaret Wild’s book for children, “Chalk Boy”, and in 2020 her book, “When One Person Dies the Whole World is Over”, was longlisted for The Stella Prize.

Right now, Ord is working on a series of short stories so we can expect to see much more from this wildly imaginatively dark and always funny artist.

“I’m trying to orchestrate my opportunities very hard,” she says.

FRI & SAT FROM 7.30PM SUN FROM 3PM

ARTS IN THE CITY CULTURAL PRECINCT

Ngurra, ‘a place of belonging’

By Helen Musa

IN a move to close the perceived gap between national cultural institutions in the heart of Canberra, a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural precinct has been announced by the federal government.

Ngurra: the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct is described by the chair of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Jodie Sizer, as “a place of storytelling, and of teaching and of sacred rest for ancestral remains and other sensitive materials for which the provenance is uncertain.”

The word “Ngurra” appears in many different Aboriginal languages around Australia and is a word for “home”, “camp”, “a place of belonging”, “a place of inclusion”.

The planned site is located between Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial and will complement existing institutions located within the parliamentary triangle, including the Tent Embassy, the National Library, Questacon, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery and the High Court.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new $316.5 million precinct would take its place among Australia’s premier institutions in the parliamentary triangle as a place of national pride and significance.

“It will be a national landmark of the highest order, standing proudly for us all to celebrate,

for repatriated ancestral remains and associated cultural material on their journey back to country and a culture and knowledge centre to include education, exhibition and gallery space in a new fit-for-purpose home for AIATSIS.

Indigenous Australians’ Minister Ken Wyatt said the learning and engagement, exhibitions, research and curation at Ngurra would be “significant acts of truth-telling”.

“At its heart will be a national resting place where the remains of indigenous Australians taken from their country will be cared for until they are

throughout the project’s development would be essential, since the built-for-purpose facilities would allow them to showcase the work of AIATSIS in new ways.

It would eventually become a place for discoveries by the tens of thousands of schoolchildren who visited Canberra each year to learn about a story that is more than 65,000 years old and furthering the national narrative of what it meant to be an Australian.

Sizer said she believed the concept of a national resting place was long overdue and the precinct would complement storytelling in the other parliamentary triangle buildings.

Over two decades of consultations the need had been identified for a resting place that would replace existing facilities in museums, which did not presently provide culturally-appropriate facilities for caring for ancestral remains with limited provenance.

It would provide a more accessible home for AIATSIS, presently located next to the National Museum of Australia on the Acton Peninsula.

The more than one million items included works by knowledge-keepers, artists, filmmakers, storytellers and writers, and academic research materials, with donations from First Nations communities steadily pouring in to enlarge the collection.

AIATSIS was also a leader of research in First Nations studies and authority on ethics, protocols, and collections practices.

The government has announced that an architectural design competition will be run this year to develop a design fitting for the location that reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations. An independent jury will judge the entries.

Orchestral manoeuvres in the park

By Helen Musa

“MUSIC by the River”, the sixth annual community picnic concert featuring the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, will go ahead in Queen Elizabeth II Park on Queanbeyan River, from 5pm-9pm on Saturday, February 26. Directed by Kirsten Williams, the concert will feature orchestral classics from Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach and the Beatles. General admission is free, but registration is essential at eventbrite.com

CANBERRA star crime writer and journo Chris Hammer topped the list for eBook loans from Australian public libraries during 2021, with his novel “Scrublands” coming in at number one and “Treasure and Dirt” at number two, according to a list released by OverDrive. While libraries have still provided click-and-collect services for physical books, the rising demand for digital content led to record downloads.

“NOX: a record of things passing by night” is a new exhibition by sculptors Stephen Harrison and Victoria Royds, with photographer Judith Nangala Crispin. All three artists are concerned with the ephemerality of natural creatures. Grainger Gallery, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, until February 13.

ABBY Dobson and Lara Goodridge, the two songstresses who adopt outrageous French accents to perform Frenchy music as Baby et Lulu, will showcase their newest album, “Baby et Lulu: Album Trois”, in a concert at The Street Theatre’s Street One, 8pm, on Saturday, February 5. On the same day, ARIA-nominated pianist-composer Nat Bartsch will perform jazz in Street 3, at 11am and 7.30pm. Book for both at thestreet.org.au

THE Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Richard Tognetti has engaged classical accordion virtuoso James Crabb for a popular season opener driven by the rhythms of South America, featuring music by Astor Piazzolla, Gabriela Lena Frank, Carlos Gardel, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Elena Kats-Chernin. At Llewellyn Hall, 8pm, February 4. Book at aco.com.au

REGIONAL Arts NSW has announced the appointment of Tracey Callinan as its new CEO, replacing Elizabeth Rogers, who has just taken over at Canberra Glassworks. Dr Callinan has spent the past 13 years as executive director for Arts OutWest. Along with a strong career in arts administration comes experiences working for a silversmith in Jerusalem, programming for Wirksworth Festival in rural Derbyshire in the UK and working as a musician in Europe.

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Pipe dreams are made of this

IN 2020, filmmaker Chris Smith helped put zany zookeeper Joe Exotic on the cultural map with Netflix’s pandemic sensation “Tiger King”.

While season two of “Tiger King” is now turning some heads again, there’s another of Smith’s projects streaming on Binge that doubles down on the madness of real-life characters who are stranger than fiction.

This one is called “100 Foot Wave” and it follows a group of surfers who put themselves not in the harm’s way of deadly tigers, but waves the size of buildings.

It’s the story of pro surfer Garrett McNamara and his obsessive, decade-long search to surf a wave that reaches 100 feet (more than 30 metres) into the sky.

The footage captured here is nothing short of staggering. The daredevil surfers appear as tiny specks upon gigantic sea monsters that at many points in the documentary seem to eat them alive.

The sheer force of the water is enough to break bones, cause lifelong injury and, sadly for many of the surfers who have tried to brave some of these perilous swells, even result in death.

One of the surfing hotspots in the hunt located off the coast of Hawaii is known as “Jaws”, named for its mind-blowingly large waves and their unpredictable nature, described “like a shark attack” in the series. Whether a fan of surfing or not, the documentary makes for a thrilling, real-life depiction of man vs nature with some stunning cinematography to get swept up in. That’s just the start of what’s streaming in January.

BINGE has also reunited the cast of “Sex and the City” for a new, 10-episode followup called “And Just Like That…”.

The show tracks the more complicated lives of the leading ladies in their 50s and sacrifices some of the original’s pithy form in an attempt to tell a more mature story in line with the age of its characters.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis all return as Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte but as Kim Cattrall decided not to reprise her role her character, Samantha, has conveniently “moved to London”.

While on the whole audiences are split on how well the series justifies its existence, the reunion of its iconic characters has excited fans who say they’re as watchable as ever.

NETFLIX has kicked off 2022 with the return of one of its biggest crime shows “Ozark”.

“Arrested Development” star Jason Bateman somehow makes an everyman both captivating and charismatic in this show, which sees a financial planner take his family on the run after a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes horribly wrong.

The family is forced to launder $500 million in five years in exchange for their lives and relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks, a beautiful holiday destination infused with an eerie underbelly.

Now hurtling towards its conclusion, this series is an engrossing and entertaining look at how money moves and represents one of Netflix’s best offerings.

STAN’S also bringing in 2022 with some triple-A

Stan’s the man until his dream unravels

By Dougal MACDONALD

“Nightmare Alley” (MA)

THE word “geek” nowadays has three meanings.

One, a noun, is synonymous with “dork”. Another is a verb, meaning “to engage in or discuss computer-related tasks obsessively or with great attention to technical detail”. It’s also a noun, meaning “a performer at a carnival or circus whose show consists of bizarre or grotesque acts”.

“One Second” (M)

AFTER someone tells never-named labour camp escapee (Zhang Yi) that the daughter, whom he hasn’t seen in six years, appears briefly in a newsreel set to play in the village of Dunhuang that very night, he stumbles his way across the dunes, occasionally running into a rambunctious orphan (Liu Haocun) who wants the newsreel for her own purposes.

That summarises the first five or six minutes of veteran Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s darkly funny film as the pair almost wordlessly battles to possess the film canister.

stars in its newest original productions.

Isla Fisher and Josh Gad are paired up in the eyebrow-raising drama-comedy “Wolf Like Me”. This six-parter set in SA is the story of two strangers who are brought together by a car crash and who soon after end up on a date, but there’s more than meets the eye to this chance encounter. The audience soon starts to switch on to the secrets drifting beneath the surface of these two characters. Has the universe brought them together for a reason?

“Wolf Like Me” may take a while to get into gear, but in the meantime Fisher and Gad make it worth the wait.

Stan also secured superstar Zac Efron for one of its newest original films releasing on January 26 that looks set to be another tense thriller from Australian director Anthony Hayes.

“Gold” is the story of two outback drifters who stumble across the biggest gold nugget ever found. However, the rejoicing is short-lived when dreams of endless wealth and greed turn the discovery into a crazed and brutal battle for survival.

The film looks like it’ll be another notch in the belt for Efron whose acting continues to mature and who is now beginning to show the breadth of his talent.

He did, after all, go from playing singing high-schooler Troy Bolton to serial killer Ted Bundy. Talk about a change of pace.

This last has a small but important place in William Lindsay Gresham’s novel published in 1947 that, more than seven decades later, provides the story co-adapted by writer Kim Morgan with her director husband Guillermo del Toro into the screenplay for this 150-minutes-long drama.

Set between World Wars I and II, the story unfolds in middle-America where, toward the end of the Great Depression, a carnival owner (Willem Dafoe) hires unemployed Stan (Bradley Cooper) to help in setting up some of the attractions.

Stan is a sort of anti-hero, a good-looking drifter and hustler who sells his soul to transform himself into a successful showman and manipulator.

But as he rises amongst the ranks of society, he starts to believe he can outwit fate, until his American Dream begins to unravel.

Over the years, three women loom large in Stan’s life. Two of them are played by Australian actresses. Toni Colette plays Zeena, whose act as a mind-reading seer always draws the punters. Cate Blanchett plays psychiatrist Dr Ritter, a dangerous scheming woman who lusts for not only Stan’s body but also for his accumulated wealth. The third is Rooney Mara playing Molly, the woman who makes the mistake of falling for Stan.

And what about the geek? A geek is a human only in physical form, a creature whose life has been brought to the very deepest pit of degradation, feared for unpredictably and complete lack of moral awareness.

In the film, he lives in a strong cage to shield him from folk who pay to see a monstrosity. More to be pitied than despised, he does not speak. And his table manners are best described as needing polish.

At all cinemas

In time, they both end up at Dunhuang’s sole movie house, run by a passionate, party-loyal projectionist affectionately nicknamed “Mr Movie” (Fan Wei), who carries a large enamel tea mug that says “World’s Best Projectionist” and prides himself on sending Mao’s messages to the people. Set during the Cultural Revolution, there have been rumours that the Chinese government had pulled it from international competition for fear it would win awards. Even now, there are questions about whether it is in the form that director Zhang Yimou intended.

So, for Australian audiences, the best advice must surely be, judge it purely on its present creative and entertainment merits. Which are many.

Made in 2019, “One Second” tells a heartwarming story. In a village starved of cultural diversions, the message gets around that Mr Movie is going to screen “Heroic Sons and Daughters” tonight, supported by newsreel number 22. Great excitement. No matter that the people of Dunhuang have already seen it several times. And the man whom we met in the opening moments is desperate to see his daughter in the newsreel.

Then disaster strikes. There has been an accident. The film canister has been dropped; its lid has come off; the film has been dragged through mud and grime and it will have to be washed and dried to make it again fit for Mr Movie to screen. Everybody has to help.

Out of such a minor calamity, Zhang Yimou has crafted a quite delightful, entertaining, dramatic, humorous 104 minutes movie, filmed in colour that often looks like monochrome, about a community confronting a grave disappointment arising from a minor issue.

At Palace Electric

Swimming with the right plants

WHEN thinking about planting beside a swimming pool there are many decisions to make before heading to the nursery.

Start with a good choice of planting that can withstand the microclimate that you are creating, look at how easy the garden will be to maintain and what looks good all year round.

Having saltwater or chlorinated pools can change the choices of plants to those that will withstand the splashing. Heated pools can also increase the humidity around the plants and, on hot days, the heat reflection off paving and the water can impact the plants as well. Choosing the right plant to grow and thrive in this environment, with lighting is an art in itself.

Saltwater pools cope better with coastal plants such as westringias, banksias, olives and rosemary, for example, whereas chlorinated pools cope better with plants that have thick leaves such as cycad, succulents, cordylines, mondo grass, Indian hawthorns, oleanders and ornamental grasses.

Water lilies (Nymphaea) in ponds and water bowls grow well in Canberra, and most can withstand our frosts because of dormancy and grow in the warmer months. Lotus (nelumbo sp) would be a challenge as it is more of a tropical plant. Water lilies are distinctly different and can be identified with the cut in the leaf and flowers that float on the surface of the water, whereas Lotus flowers are above the water.

These varieties are both available in dwarf form for smaller ponds and water bowl gardens. Some miniature varieties only need as little as 300mm of water to grow successfully where other varieties need depths of half a metre or more.

VERY little hard pruning should be done in January and February to protect plants from

scorching in the hot weather.

Keeping water up to established gardens and deadheading should be all we need to do in the hot months, but jobs in the garden will continue. There is still a lot of moisture in the soil and weeds are growing fast, but they’re easier to pull out, roots and all. Weeds generally grow in exposed soil and barren areas. Mulching the garden will keep weeds under control. If there are weeds between the paving, boil the kettle and pour hot water over them. They should be gone in a few days, but repeat if needed.

SOWING of winter root vegetables can still be done as they are the longest growers in the ground and will be ready winter/spring. Make sure the soil is not too rich with manure, and soft and friable.

Mechanical shade tents or umbrellas over plants can make a big difference to sun-scorched vegetables. They can be made of an old sheet or lightweight material that does not come into contact with the plant. The structure doesn’t have to be pretty but practical.

WATERING in the early part of the day before the sun reaches the plants will ensure they are fully hydrated. If there is water lacking in the leaves then there will be scorch marks in the centre of the leaf and most plants will wilt trying to conserve water. In most cases the tips of the leaves will be brown as well.

ORANGE bug, which will be on all types of citrus, including native citrus, are sap suckers and damage leaves and fruit. They are also called stink bugs and if disturbed omit a spray of odour

that can sting if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. They change colour as they grow, young nymphs hatch eggs and change from pink to orange and black when fully grown.

Prevention is better than a cure. Spray late winter, early spring when eggs are young and the temperature is not too hot for any horticultural oils such as neem oil all over the tree. If the citrus tree is small, hand pick the bugs and place in a bucket of soapy water.

I GROW globe artichokes in my garden, not for eating but for the flowers. Globe artichokes, Cynara scolymus, are perennial plants and need a bit of room to grow. They like a sunny position and an alkaline soil, so sprinkling a little dolomite lime a few weeks before planting with lots of compost will be a benefit.

If growing them for eating, then it’s the flower buds that are eaten and if picked when they’re young there’s no need to remove the centre core of the flower bud called “the choke”.

Their prickly foliage is bright grey and great as a contrast accent plant in the garden.

Another variety that grows well in Canberra is Cardoon cardunculus. It has a similar growth habit to a globe artichoke but with smaller flowers and a more robust plant with thicker leaves. I have seen these at Lanyon Homestead’s vegetable gardens where they grow very well.

Jackwar@home. netspeed.com.au

PUZZLES PAGE FREE PUZZLES EVERY DAY AT citynews.com.au

By Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

The New Moon and retrograde Mercury shake up and reboot your peer group and work zones. So, a friend or colleague from the past could boomerang back into your world! Whatever happens, do your best to surround yourself with authentic people who help you in hard times, encourage your talents and support your dreams. As birthday great Bob Marley reminds us: “True friends are like stars; you can only recognize them when it’s dark around you.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

This week you’ll be in the public eye in some way as the New Moon, Saturn and the Sun stimulate your reputation/career zone. So, you could shine at work, at school or in a volunteer position. When it comes to your job, do you need to upskill? Are you looking for employment or is it time to change vocation? The winds of change are blowing so prepare to pivot! Are you looking for love? You could be attracted to someone from another country or culture.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Mercury (planet of communication and commerce) is reversing through one of your money zones until February 4. So avoid signing contracts and buying bigticket items until after Friday. In the meantime, look for creative ways to recycle resources and boost cash flow. Plus, be extra careful how you pass on information. If you make assumptions or give vague instructions, then you’ll be misunderstood. Clear thinking and a patient approach will get you through.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Expect some communication chaos, as Mercury reverses through your relationship zone until Friday. It’s a time when unresolved issues may be dredged up all over again. On Monday, a romantic relationship or a professional partnership could veer off in an unpredictable direction. When it comes to your career, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Try to get the balance right between keeping what works and exploring exciting new options.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Retrograde Mercury is activating your work zone, so be very clear when you’re communicating with bosses, colleagues, clients and/or customers. 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. If you’re applying for a job, make sure you do all the research required before your interview. Winging it is not recommended… this week the devil is in the detail.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

The New Moon highlights your health and wellbeing zone, so strive to be the fittest and most vibrant Virgo you can be. No lame excuses or empty promises. Get your body moving ASAP! Reinvention is the name of the game, as Saturn urges you to reboot your daily routine with discipline and determination. The best way to handle stress is with relaxing indoor pursuits (like meditation or yoga) and vigorous outdoor activities (like running, cycling or hiking).

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

No less than seven planets – the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Pluto – are currently transiting through your family and friends zones. So it’s time to focus on the important people in your life who make your world go ’round. Make sure you love, nurture and appreciate them to the max! Your motto for the moment is from actor and singer Harry Styles (who turns 28 on Tuesday): “I’ve got a really good family; I’ve got great friends around me.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Peace-loving Venus is now moving forward, but Mercury is still in retrograde mode until Friday. So do your best to keep the conversation flowing with a sulky sibling or a grumpy relative. The New Moon encourages you to patch up a rocky relationship with a frazzled family member, as you demonstrate endless patience and hold out the olive branch of peace. As music legend (and birthday great) Bob Marley sang: “Overcome the devils with a thing called love.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

When it comes to a relative, neighbour or work colleague, hold onto your seat and prepare for a roller-coaster ride. The New Moon inspires you to contribute your versatile talents to a worthy cause within your local community. Then satisfying connections and positive friendships will follow. Friday is your lucky day, when Mercury moves forwards and Mars and Jupiter make a positive connection. So a financial issue or a family problem is set to improve.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

The New Moon stimulates your cash zone, so take stock of your financial situation and initiate some smart strategies. And don’t forget to do an inventory of your inner wealth, which includes your self-esteem and core Capricorn values. Remember – you are more than your job, what you earn and what you own. With love planet Venus visiting your sign (until March 6) romance is in the air. Singles – amazing synchronicities could lead you to your soulmate.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

On Monday, you may feel frustrated by current constraints in a relationship with your partner or a family member. And Mercury is still retrograde until Friday, so you could be rushed into making some hasty, half-baked decisions this week. Don’t worry if you make a messy mistake though. As Irish writer (and birthday great) James Joyce reminds us: “Mistakes are the portals of discovery”. Your annual Aquarian New Moon suggests a promising fresh start.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Thanks to the influence of the New Moon in your spirituality zone, solitude is soul food for you at the moment. So put aside some special ‘me time’ as you meditate, contemplate, ruminate, slow down, calm down and re-calibrate. With Mercury in retrograde mode (until Friday) pursuing your goals and dreams won’t be a direct journey. There will be lots of frustrating twists and turns along the way! So, plenty of patience is required this week, Pisces.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2022

4 Which horse, in Greek legend, was called a winged horse? (7)

8 Name another term for insatiable greed for riches. (7)

9 What, in the US, are sealed glass bulbs, used to hold hypodermic solutions? (7)

10 What is a main division, usually numbered, of a book, etc? (7)

11 Name a supplement to a will. (7)

12 Lodestone is a natural what. (6)

14 Kampala is the capital of which East African republic? (6)

18 Name an extended mass of ice. (7)

21 Indianapolis is the capital of which US State? (7)

22 Which pungent powder is much used as a food seasoning? (7)

23 Name a large sailing vessel, formerly used by Spain. (7)

24 What is the normal rhythmical contraction of the heart? (7)

Down

1 Which silver-white metal has the symbol Ca? (7)

2 Doha is the capital of which East Arabian emirate? (5)

3 What is a wine, from a particular harvest? (7)

4 Name an RAAF base near Perth WA. (6)

5 To have stared with open mouth, is to have done what? (5)

6 Which non-metallic element is used in steelmaking? (7)

7 Which fibre is used for making ropes, etc? (5)

13 Name another term for spectacles. (7)

15 Which long narrow boat is used on the Venetian canals? (7)

16 Name an alternative word for achieves, or accomplishes. (7)

17 Which card game for four players was derived from whist? (6)

18 What are amusements or pastimes called? (5)

19 Boise is the capital of which US State? (5)

20 What is used in the manufacture of rubber? (5)

OLLY DISCOVERS THE NEW WORLD OF 'STAPLED' SUPER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Olly rang, wanting help with superannuation for his new employees.

"I am sure there are some changes you mentioned, but I need clarification,” he said.

I told him he was correct. From November 1 there was a new system for employers called "Stapled Superannuation".

"The concept is that every employee has a super fund that is attached (stapled) to them for their working life unless they choose to change funds,” I said.

“When you start a new employee they need to complete the ATO’s Superannuation Standard Choice Form.

"If the employee does not choose a super fund when they start, you will need to check with the ATO whether they have a ‘stapled fund’, which you also have to do if you employ a temporary resident.

"But before you check with the ATO, you will need to submit that employee’s Tax File Number declaration to the ATO or pay them via Single Touch Payroll so the ATO is aware that you are employing that person.

"You will then need to request stapled super fund details from the ATO. I will provide you with the ATO’s reference guide that outlines the process.”

Olly said that while it didn't sound too onerous, he wanted to know what to do when new employees had never had a fund, such as school leavers or new apprentices.

“The existing rules still apply," I said. "That is, you will need to make contributions to your default fund, which you should have specified when you enrolled with the superannuation clearing house.

"If the ATO advises there is no stapled fund for that employee you just have to pay their super contributions to the default fund.”

I also added that I was able to request details of employees’ stapled superannuation funds on my clients' behalf from the ATO.

"I will receive an online response within a few minutes as soon as the form is processed," I told Olly.

"Of course, the employees will be advised in writing either via MyGov or paper that the request has been made and your employees will be advised of any information provided by the ATO in response to a stapled superannuation fund request.”

Olly said he wasn't sure about the default fund, but would check up to ensure he had one.

“I must also remind you about some changes that will apply from July 1, which could be important to you," I said.

"The most important one is that from that date employer contributions have increased to 10 per cent of ordinary time earnings. Also, the maximum tax-deductible contribution that can be made each year has increased to $27,500, while the maximum non-tax-deductible contribution has increased to $110,000 a year.

"Plus, the threshold of $450 a month in earnings before superannuation is required has been removed. This means you will have to pay superannuation on every dollar your staff earn. We will need to discuss this further when we meet in May.”

If you need advice on any aspect of your business, your tax or superannuation contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co on 6295 2844.

Disclaimer

This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser. Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892.

By Neil Somerville

THE Year of the Tiger has energy and vigour with a lot set to happen over the next 12 months. There will be change and upheaval as well as difficulties to overcome.

However, out of all the activity, there too will be opportunities and some major advances. For the individual, the Tiger year offers considerable potential but chances do need to be taken – with this no time to stand still. To discover your prospects, look up the animal ruling your year of birth. As each Chinese year begins late in January or early February, if you were born around this time check the actual year dates to find out which sign you were born under.

RAT

1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

With charm, style and a friendly manner, Rats get on well with most. They are great at spotting opportunities and have good skills and judgement. Rats like company and particularly value family and social life.

An interesting year ahead although, to fully benefit, Rats need to make the most of arising opportunities. With resolve and action much can be accomplished. For many, their work will see encouraging developments with openings occurring and chances to progress or move to something new. This is a year offering scope and advancement. A good year also to consider furthering your interests, with this Tiger year encouraging personal growth. Travel opportunities could appeal with breaks away doing you good. Rats should be vigilant in money matters and watch outgoings. Home life will see much activity and, with possible changes to routine and practical projects to consider, it is important there is good communication between all and sufficient time allowed for ambitious undertakings. In addition, friends with special knowledge could be of particular help. During the year Rats will also delight in chances to widen their social circles. Overall a busy, and sometimes exacting, year but potentially very rewarding.

Tip for the year: keep alert and be prepared to adapt. By making the most of what opens up and furthering experiences, good headway can be made and personal gains enjoyed.

LUNAR YEAR HOROSCOPE / the

This is not a time to stand still, get

OX

1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Determined, reliable and hard-working, Oxen put much energy into what they do. They are thorough and well-organised and do not like to leave things to chance. Loyal to loved ones, Oxen are admired for their dependable, no-nonsense ways.

A challenging year for Oxen, who like to follow carefully-laid plans, sometimes feeling ill-at-ease with the year’s fast-moving developments. However, with care, Oxen can still gain and advance. In work, new pressures and responsibilities could be of concern but, by rising to challenges and using opportunities to further skills, Oxen will have the chance to prove themselves to enhance prospects and reputation. Tiger years require application. Care is also needed in money matters and good budgeting is advised. In home life joint activities and projects are favoured, with Oxen also valuing the support of loved ones. With much happening, it is important all pool together and Oxen remain positive. They should also give thought to lifestyle balance, giving time for recreational activities and taking up social opportunities. New interests could particularly appeal and open up other possibilities. While it will be a busy and demanding year, by making the best of situations and liaising with others, good headway can be made.

Tip for the year: use chances to develop self and skills. Also join with others. Support received can make a difference with shared activities favoured.

TIGER

1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Active, enthusiastic and interested in much, Tigers set about their activities with considerable energy. Full of ideas, they are creative and inventive. They are also prepared to take chances to get what they want. Tigers enjoy socialising and have widespread interests.

A year of great potential with chances for Tigers to move ahead and reap some well-deserved rewards. In work, opportunities can arise quickly with many taking on new responsibilities and furthering their skills. Training or experience gained can significantly help prospects. Also an excellent year for extending interests or taking up new pursuits. Progress made can help financially with carefully thought-through plans and purchases going well. Social life may be busy and, for unattached Tigers, romantic prospects are excellent. In home life, domestic plans and home projects will keep Tigers occupied and, with joint effort, much can happen and be accomplished. There could be family and personal celebrations to look forward to as well. Some Tigers could relocate but this is a year for going ahead with plans, making changes and getting things done. The one caveat is Tigers do need to use time well and avoid spreading energy and attention too widely. With focus and resolve their year can be successful, rewarding and fun.

Tip for the year: resolve and build on strengths. Fortune very much favours the bold and enterprising.

RABBIT

1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

With a kindly, understanding nature, Rabbits attach much importance to their home and social life. They enjoy company and conversation and, with their refined tastes, are all for an agreeable lifestyle. A good judge of situations, Rabbits are careful in their actions and wary of risk.

A busy year and, while Rabbits may not always welcome some of the increased pressure, there are important chances to be had. In work, openings could arise, giving a chance to progress and widen skills. Although the duties some now take on may be daunting, Rabbits will have the chance to prove themselves and help future prospects. In money matters Rabbits need to be thorough and vigilant, especially when making sizeable purchases. Social life will be active and pleasing with chances to widen social circles. Romantic prospects are good for the unattached. Home life will be busy and, in view of important decisions and plans to make, discussion and openness will be to the advantage of all. In addition, if tense or worried, Rabbits should seek assistance. A worry shared will be a worry eased. With much happening, Rabbits should also give attention to lifestyle balance, preserving time for self and interests. Overall a busy and personally-rewarding year.

Tip for the year: remain mindful of others. With help and support, more will become possible. Also look to extend skills this year to invest in future and self.

DRAGON

1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Born under the sign of luck, Dragons have great determination. They are resourceful, active and use their personality and strengths well. Dragons also have style, are sociable and enjoy many interests but value their independence. A year of great possibilities and, by acting on hopes and plans, great things can be achieved. In work, Dragons should use skills well and, when openings arise, actively pursue them. If starting a position or wanting something new, by making enquiries important doors can open. Dragons should also use networking chances and liaise closely with others. By remaining active and seeking support, much can be accomplished. Finances can improve but spending needs watching. Social life is well-aspected with opportunities to extend social circles and, for the unattached, romantic prospects are potentially significant. Again, a year when Dragons will be in good form and in demand. In home life, joint activities will mark personal and family achievements. Travel is also well indicated with breaks and time away doing Dragons good. Overall this is a year to seize the initiative and make the most of self, ideas and opportunities.

Tip for the year: Dragons have much in their favour this year and should make their strengths, personality and skills count. A year to move forward and enjoy well-deserved successes.

SNAKE

1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Snakes are quietly ambitious. They know what they want and are prepared to work hard and wait patiently for the right moment. Snakes can be quiet and reserved but enjoy wide interests and are loyal to those close to them. A challenging year and, throughout, Snakes need to keep their wits about them. Although they may have certain plans for the next 12 months, developments could cause them to rethink or adjust to new situations. Over the year they need to show some flexibility and watch independent tendencies. In work, responsibilities some now take on could be daunting but will give Snakes the chance to learn and prove themselves in other ways. Care is also needed in money matters with unanticipated expenses arising. In view of busy lifestyles, Snakes should allow time for self and interests with quality ‘me-time’ beneficial. Social life can also be rewarding with events and occasions to enjoy and chances of important new friendships. However, Snakes need to be mindful of others and seek advice at times of concern. Home life can be gratifying with shared activities and plans proceeding well. This may not be the easiest of years but experience gained and chances taken can have far-reaching value.

Tip for the year: join with others. Share, participate and be mindful. By being inclusive, more can be gained and enjoyed.

HORSE

1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Strong-willed and hard-working, Horses have considerable style. They enjoy activity and have adventurous, outgoing natures. They like company and conversation and present themselves well. Being independent-minded, Horses set about much in their own individual way.

An exciting year ahead although, throughout, Horses would do well to remember the saying, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ This is a year to venture and, once actions are taken, a certain element of luck could also come into play. In work, Horses will often find themselves in the right place at the right time with chances to progress or take skills in a new direction. For those unfulfilled and seeking, important doors can open. In addition, new qualifications and skills can lead to other opportunities. A busy lifestyle will make this an expensive year and Horses need to manage their outgoings well. Home life could see successful completion of projects although, with changes to routine and much happening, good communication is important. Social life can see an increase in activity with romantic prospects promising. Overall this is a doing year and, by making the most of chances and ideas, much good can happen. Tip for the year: make the most of chances and talents. There is much to do and be gained. And enjoy relations with others. Support received can make an important difference.

set for change, upheaval – and opportunities

GOAT

1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

Goats have a good understanding of human nature. Observant, caring and sociable, Goats like company and having support for the things they do. They also attach much importance to home life. Born under the sign of art, Goats are creative and enjoy the finer things in life. A busy year and, while Goats may sometimes feel uneasy with the pace of developments, there are important gains to be had. Over the year, Goats will see both change and opportunities and, to benefit, should make the most of arising situations. In work, openings could occur which would allow Goats to progress or develop skills in new ways. Although some may have misgivings, this is no year to stand still, with experience gained helping strengthen prospects. Personal interests can also develop in an encouraging manner. In money matters, Goats should be wary of risk. Social life will see an upturn in activity with this a good year to network and make new friends. In home life, shared activities and projects can go well, although Goats do need to liaise and remain mindful of others. As plans change and other options arise, Goats would do well to show flexibility. Overall a significant and satisfying year. Tip for the year: make the most of arising situations using opportunities to develop skills and interests. With a ‘can-do’ approach Goats can do much to pave the way for later successes and opportunities.

MONKEY

1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

Resourceful and good at spotting opportunities, Monkeys like to keep active and are interested in many things. They have good memories and, with their sense of fun, enjoy company, conversation and an often-busy home and social life.

A tricky year and, throughout, Monkeys need to keep their wits about them and, when appropriate, keep a low profile. Risks or impulsive actions could backfire. In work, extra pressures and some changes could be disconcerting, but Monkeys are resourceful and, by concentrating on what needs to be done, they can impress and usefully add to their experiences. For those who take on new responsibilities, early commitment will be recognised and rewarded. Money matters require care and risks are to be avoided. Monkeys, too, should pay attention to lifestyle, with regular exercise and ‘me-time’ of benefit. Home life will see much activity, especially with practical projects and matters requiring attention. A highlight could be to celebrate a special family event or milestone. Monkeys will also delight in social opportunities but should bear in mind the words of friends. Some advice given could be significant. This may not be the easiest of years for Monkeys but, by remaining alert, Monkeys can make headway as well as enjoy many rewarding occasions.

Tip for the year: watch independent tendencies. Be aware and be prepared to adapt as necessary. Also use opportunities to build on strengths

ROOSTER

1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

Roosters have considerable style and dignity. They enjoy company and conversation and are interested and informed about much. Roosters also like to be well-organised and to think and plan ahead. A busy year with Roosters having to contend with much. Changes and problems can suddenly arise with Roosters needing to respond quickly. Although they may not always feel comfortable with the year’s heady pace, there are still significant gains to be had. In work, arising situations will provide chances for many to take on additional responsibilities and prove themselves in new ways. Pressured though some of the year can be, it can be instructive. New interests could also appeal, with this a year favouring personal development. With some expensive plans, Roosters need to keep watch of outgoings and, ideally, budget ahead. With much happening, Roosters also need to liaise well with others and, in home life, encourage openness and share activities. With combined effort much can be agreed upon, started and moved forward. Social life can see an increase in activity with occasions to enjoy and friends helpful. For the unattached, romance could be special but, as with much this year, Roosters need to remain mindful and attentive. An active, demanding year but with good possibilities.

Tip for the year: seize the initiative, act determinedly and make the most of opportunities for self-improvement.

DOG

1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

Loyal and caring, Dogs are very protective of loved ones. They are also direct and straightforward in manner and prepared to stand up for their beliefs. Dogs have a tendency to worry but are dependable and much respected. An encouraging year and, by making the most of ideas and chances, Dogs can enjoy many good outcomes. In particular, for any unfulfilled feelings or disappointments with recent developments, this is a year to look forward and take determined action. In work, many may take on new responsibilities and further their skills or, if desiring new challenges, find opportunities elsewhere. With resolve, significant headway can be made. Finances can improve, although Dogs should not be lax when entering agreements or making large transactions. Personal interests can also develop in encouraging ways, bringing pleasure and benefit. Over the year there will also be good opportunities to meet others and extend social circles. For the unattached, romances are well-aspected and potentially significant. Home life too can see some special occasions, particularly in marking personal and family successes. Practical projects and home improvements can be satisfying as well as shared occasions. Overall, a positive year with beneficial actions and many good results to enjoy.

Tip for the year: make things happen. With determination and drawing on support, a lot can now be achieved. Act well to do well.

PIG

1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Outgoing, kindly and trusting, Pigs enjoy good relations with others, with their home and social lives especially important. They also like their pleasures and the finer things in life. Pigs are hardworking and use their skills and opportunities well.

A demanding year and one in which to be careful. Ideally, rushing and risking things should be avoided. In work, changes and additional pressures could be of concern but, with focus and adjustments where required, Pigs can usefully add to their experience and help their prospects. Similarly,

for those who take on a new role, they should take advantage of training and embrace opportunities given. Pigs will also enjoy developing personal interests, with some having a pleasing social element. However, when in company, Pigs take note, you cannot afford to be lax – a faux pas or indiscretion could cause difficulty. Home life will be busy although, with much happening, good discussion and a sharing of tasks will make a difference. Also a holiday and occasions out could appeal and be beneficial. In money matters, Pigs need to remain vigilant and question anything unclear. While the year will bring its challenges, with care and application Pigs can prove themselves in new ways and gain from opportunities the year presents.

Tip for the year: be cautious and patient. Watch developments and adapt accordingly. Also value relations with others, seeking opinion and drawing on support when necessary

is the

Annual Community & Family Festival 6pm – Late, Monday, 31 January, 2022

Celebrating the Lunar Year of the Tiger

Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre 32 Archibald St, Lyneham ACT

Program: 6pm: Gourmet vegetarian food stalls opening till late.

6.30-7.30pm: Annual courtesy vegetarian dinner, all invited.1000’s of free Buddhism books. New Year gifts to all guests, lucky fruits & personalized New Year messages.

8pm: The New Year music festival - prayers for everyone’s ancestors, parents & family.

8.30pm: Blessing speeches by Abbot Thich Quang Ba and VIP guests.

8.45pm: Cultural performances; New Year gifts presented to all children & adults.

9.15pm- Late: Crackers & Lion Dance by Prosperous Mountain Team.

9.30pm: The New Year music festival continues.

11.50pm: Crackers & Lion Dance.

00.10am: Prayers for world peace & family well-being.

Cool Credit plan.

17% less^ than the electricity reference price.

Equal to an annual $300 credit*. PLUS

An extra annual $300 credit* for gas.

Double up on savings with a total credit* of $600. That’s sweet.