Why the buck has to stop with the Chief Minister
MICHAEL MOORE
Government is wrong to resist heritage listing ED WENSING
KEEPING UP THE ACT
While VAL DEMPSEY thrills at being named Senior Australian of the Year, the St John’s volunteer shares a painful story.
ROAD TRIPS
7 BIG PAGES
By Belinda STRAHORN
FIRST aid training should be compulsory for learner drivers in a bid to save lives, the 2022 Senior Australian of the Year says.
Canberra’s Valmai Dempsey believes that first aid administered at the scene of an accident is proven to prevent death in the vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.
The long-serving St John Ambulance ACT volunteer is pushing for first-aid training to be made a prerequisite for obtaining a driver’s licence, as it is in 11 other countries.
“It’s a no brainer,” says Dempsey.
“We know that first aid saves lives. Let’s get these kids trained so that if they pull up to a traffic accident they have the skills, knowledge, and competency to render first aid.”
The 71-year-old, whose family was affected by a tragic car accident more than 30 years ago, recalls the moment when her 17-year-old daughter Michelle left home to drive her friends up Black Mountain.
“The car she was driving got smashed at a traffic light, rolled over and then crashed into a telegraph
pole,” Dempsey says.
“Michelle survived, but was trapped and couldn’t help the passen ger who was lying in her arms. Lots of other people who came to the accident wanted to help, but they didn’t know what to do.
“Tragically, a gorgeous, young soul was lost that day.”
Since then, the great grandmother has made it her personal mission to teach first aid to as many people as possible.
“So that others won’t be standing on the side of the road not knowing what to do,” said Dempsey.
“We don’t want other families to have to go through what we did.”
Known affectionately as “Aunty Val”, Dempsey has been volunteering with St John Ambulance in Canberra for more than 40 years.
“Every time you hold out your hand to someone and be kind it can make a world of difference,” Dempsey says.
Still on “cloud nine” after receiving her Australia Day award, Dempsey was recognised for her work responding to the Black Summer bushfires – in which she managed a team of 40 volunteers supporting fire-affected communities – and for her work with the covid pandemic.
“The year the fires were around, I clocked up about 600 volunteer hours,” says Dempsey.
Australian of the Year, Canberra’s Valmai
shares some first-aid skills with six-year-old
Photo: Holly Treadaway
lance’s most crucial initiatives.
Thirty years ago, after a bad batch of heroin circulated through Canberra, Dempsey started Project Survival, teaching those with addictions to help others who overdose.
“We lost nine lives due to that very bad batch of drugs,” said Dempsey.
“So I started Project Survival, which still runs today, and teaches basic first aid.”
The retired nurse says relatively simple interventions – getting a clear
Since 1993: Volume 28, Number: 9
Erin Osborne. Story Page 9.
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the difference” in a crisis situation.
“It’s all about looking after your mate, because if you don’t they stand a good chance of passing away,” she says. Night Crew, a service that’s helped thousands of late-night revellers affected by drugs and alcohol, is another St John Ambulance program that Dempsey’s passionate about.
Since its inception five years ago, Night Crew – which operates from Civic – has helped thousands of partygoers get home safely after a night
out, prevented hundreds of sexual assaults, ambulance trips and police call outs.
While Dempsey – who left school at 15 – has devoted many years to her role as a St John Ambulance volunteer, she has also held down an important job as an oncology nurse.
Having retired from nursing some years ago, Dempsey has worked as a contact tracer during the recent covid outbreak, and also cares for her husband Lindsay, who has cancer.
In 2000 she was diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease called “myositis”, a painful disease that weakens muscles.
“At one stage, I didn’t think I was going to make it, I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow or brush my teeth,” said Dempsey.
“It affects your grip, your ability to stand, and in my case it’s eating away at my lungs.”
Although Dempsey is confronted with her own health challenges, she refuses to let them prevent her from contributing to her community.
“You only get one chance at life,” Dempsey said.
“If this disease is trying its darnedest to get the better of me then I won’t let it.”
Anyone wanting to become a St John Ambulance ACT volunteer should visit www.stjohnact.com.au
Rallimax has the latest wheel and rim straightening lathe, enabling us to successfully realign most damaged alloy wheels.
By Ian MEIKLE
IN a moment of whimsy, more than two years ago I started taking pictures of a concrete communications pillar with wires coming out of it in the middle of the footpath on Lysaght Street, Mitchell.
I have this issue about the public liability of instrumentalities plonking equipment permanently on public pavements with the potential of tripping unwitting or disabled pedestrians.
By October 7, 2021, the tape tying it to the gate had been replaced with some rope and the tarmac at its foot had been resurfaced, but its base remained unrepaired.
The following month, because now I’m getting obsessed by it, the November 25 picture shows the tarmacking had reached runway proportions and now some metal plates had been added, which were sinking into the collapsing tarmac. But still the unloved bollard lay slumped against the gate, its wires exposed.
By February 22 it was lying horizontal on the pavement alongside an equally flattened safety gate. The public liability bells were ringing louder now.
missing a single edition, however dire the economic circumstances.
With the mission largely accomplished, James has been tempted back to restart his career in the finance industry. He remains a director of the company.
Despite having looked at this dangerously placed bollard-shaped pillar on the footpath for years, I started taking photos of it on January 30, 2020, when its base was broken and its top-heavy body taped within some supporting, yellow, gated frame with Telstra signage.
It didn’t look very flash and one wondered why City Services (who are clearly too busy driving around doling out parking fines to notice) hadn’t given Telstra a nudge to move it.
By March 30, 2020, nothing much had changed. Unfixed, it sat tethered to the gate, still defiantly blocking part of the pavement.
And so it slumbered on, untroubled by attention, when I next photographed it on December 4, 2020
Parents, now the kids are back to school do not forget that 80% of learning is visual.
Prepare them for their school year by ensuring they have their Comprehensive Eye Exams.
• Excessive squinting
• Shaky eyes
• Head tilting
• Poor eye tracking
• Eyes turn in or out
And, at the time of writing, there it lays still, an abomination and a shameful example of the arrogant indifference of whoever owns it (NBN Co or Telstra?). Is it dangerous? I don’t know, but it has exposed wires that run into the ground and it shouldn’t be there.
I will keep taking photos and I will keep drawing attention to the public liability of having this thing laying around a footpath in the hope it gets removed voluntarily or faces the legislative might of (hello?) City Services.
ON a happier note, there’s some “CityNews” news to report. We’re a classic, small, family business. Three years ago, my daughter Kate Meikle (she as a director) and her husband James Anderson (as managing director) joined me in the business.
Since then we have worked hard (with the help of brilliant staff members and loyal advertising clients) to get “CityNews” back
As a result, and with no little pride, I’m pleased to report that the board has appointed Kate to the big seat in his stead. She holds a degree in communications from Uni NSW and has held senior marketing and communications roles in Sydney. She becomes the company’s first female MD and is joined in the leadership group by Tracey Avery as sales director. Tracey is one of the most experienced advertising professionals I’ve ever worked with and, given our only revenue is advertising revenue, this strong female team is inordinately well qualified to extoll the values and virtues of the large, articulate and educated audience that is drawn to “CityNews” and its online sister, citynews.com.au.
Ian Meikle is the editor of “CityNews”.
An elderly woman with hearing loss came to my clinic for a second opinion, after she had recently been to a hearing aid sales person. I found the cause of her hearing loss was simply the fact that she had build-up of wax in her ears, the salesperson had failed to inspect them. You might be surprised how often this happens!
Here are some things to do to avoid getting ripped off:
1. A visit to the GP may save you from being ‘sold’ something when your only problem is wax in your ears.
Recently I was told by two different patients that they were quoted $16,000 for a pair of hearing aids. This seems a ridiculous amount of money to pay and is most likely not appropriate for the majority of people (or possibly anyone).
5. If you are a pensioner or partpensioner, or a DVA gold or white card holder, you should carefully consider if you want to use the free-to-client government hearing aids or if you’d like to top-up to a different hearing aid.
“In an unregulated market there is a lot of opportunity to take advantage of people. Yes you have read correctly, there is no licensing of people who sell hearing aids.”
2. Look for someone who is independent and can offer you unbiased advice, not just give you a sales pitch.
– Dr Vass
3. There are a range of hearing aid prices. Finding the right hearing aid might save you money and it will also give you the best chance of success.
4. Hearing aids can be expensive.
The free-to-client hearing aids are appropriate for many people, however if you have great difficulty hearing background noise (for example in restaurants) then you might trial the top-up hearing aids, but only if you can afford them. There are a range of top up options and prices, if you are disappointed after a trial, you should return them and trial the free-toclient hearing aids.
If you get the feeling the person you’re dealing with is just trying to sell you something, then take a step back and get a second opinion.
WHICH is worse – corruption or incompetence? Either way, when it comes to government dealings, it is the ordinary people who miss out.
Recent ACT Auditor-General reports have identified areas of significant incompetence. It is now up to ACT integrity commissioner Michael Adams to determine if there is also corruption involved.
In round one, the ACT Integrity Commission brought down its first report finding no evidence of corruption in the handling of the land that was sold adjacent to Glebe Park.
“Operation Lyrebird” followed a scathing Auditor-General report and an examination by the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
The integrity commissioner’s special report explains that a report of corruption should be dismissed if the commission is “satisfied on reasonable grounds that the corruption report does not justify investigation”.
In regard to the Glebe Park land, the commissioner stated: “Close examination of all the available material has failed to raise the requisite suspicion and, accordingly, further dealing with the corruption report constituted by the (Public Accounts) Committee’s Report, cannot be justified”.
the forefront of the commissioner’s mind. The procurement process for the $18 million Campbell Primary Modernisation Project simply “lacked probity” according to auditor-general Michael Harris.
The report that was tabled in the Assembly in the dying days of last year found that “tenderers were not dealt with fairly, impartially and consistently”.
It is not too much for taxpayers and tenderers in the ACT to expect probity and fairness in the way that tenders are managed.
Two tenders were submitted. The assessment team favoured a cheaper tender that met more of the criteria. It was submitted by Manteena for a sum of just over $17.3 million.
There remain questions with regard to the $18 million Campbell Primary Modernisation Project. Was it corruption? Was it incompetence? Whichever way it went, it will cost taxpayers an additional $1.5 million.
This assessment team was overruled, according to the audit report, by the acting executive group manager, Business Services Division in the Education Directorate. Instead, the decision was taken to award the tender to Lendlease at more than an additional $1.5 million, at nearly $18.8 million.
Unlike the Glebe Park land sales issue, where there was not “adequate suspicion”, the integrity commissioner has publicly called for building tenderers to come forward with any suspicion of corrupt conduct.
The call has been reiterated by Michael Hopkins, CEO of the Master Builders Association, by calling on “any business which has tendered for ACT government contracts to contact the Integrity Commission if they reasonably suspect corrupt conduct has occurred, or is occurring, in ACT government procurement or
in relation to any aspect of the ACT public sector’s operations with which they have been involved”.
This widens the scope of what the integrity commissioner was seeking.
And where does the buck stop?
Since the ACT moved away from Departments and moved to Directorates, the public servants’ prime reporting mechanism is the head of the Chief Minister’s Directorate. This enables the Chief Minister to keep a much tighter control on the public service.
Rather than being directly responsible, all ministers need to use their best efforts and persuasive powers to double check and ensure proper oversight of what is being done by their public servants.
So while there is some responsibility that lands on the Education Minister, in the case of Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project, the buck stops with the Chief Minister.
It is ironic then that the integrity commissioner should state in his report on the Glebe Park land: “After all, in the end, Ministers are responsible to the Assembly and the wider community for the performance of the tasks with which they have been entrusted”.
Michael Harris pointed out that “managers and supervisors had an ‘oversight’ and ‘quality assurance’ role, which involved reviewing draft tender evaluation reports completed by the tender evaluation teams.
“This allows for potential influence or interference to occur without explicit and specific clarity on their role and purpose”.
Who is in charge? Is it the bureaucrats or is it the ministers? Is it the Chief Minister?
There may be no “suspicion of corruption” regarding the Glebe Park land sales. However, there remain outstanding questions with regard to the Campbell Primary site. Was it corruption? Was it simply incompetence? Whichever way it went, it will cost taxpayers an additional $1.5 million.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006. There are more of his incisive columns at citynews. com.au
By Nick OVERALL
IN 1937, as an 11-year-old, Princess Elizabeth was registered as a Girl Guide.
There’s a portrait of her hang ing proudly in the Queanbeyan Girl Guides Hall, a reminder of the Queen’s visit there in 1977.
“She’s a great example of what a Girl Guide is,” says Christine Butler, a Guide herself of more than 50 years and Queanbeyan’s 2022 Citizen of the Year,
“I think people have a stereotypical view that Girl Guides just sell biscuits, but what we have always been about is a learning environment, one that teaches girls leadership and resilience so that they can go out there and do great things.
“Look at the Queen, she drove trucks during the war, and it’s a skill she started through Girl Guides.”
Christine was six when Girl Guides first sparked her interest in 1968.
She had watched as her older broth er enjoyed being a Scout and wanted to do similar things.
“There is no such thing as ‘boys stuff’ when it comes to Girl Guides,” says Christine.
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ONE month ago, on February 1, there was, as I noted in a recent column in “CityNews”, a tragic death of a detainee at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).
It is understood that the young man who had died and who the government is yet to identify, hanged himself in his cell.
In writing some years ago about a previous death of a detainee in the AMC, I commented that the UK Parliament had expressly legislated, in the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2011 for the extension of corporate manslaughter to deaths in detention or custody. The provisions extend to companies and importantly government bodies, who face prosecution if they are found to have caused a person’s death due to their corporate health and safety failings.
The Act expressly applies to deaths in police custody, prison, mentalhealth detention facilities, young offenders’ institutions and immigration detention.
A significant feature of the UK Act is that it is not reliant on an individual being found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter, but allows the court to consider the wider corporate picture and to look collectively at the actions, or more appropriately
failings, of the organisation or its senior management.
When the UK legislation became operational in 2011 the then head of the British Police Federation, John Coppen, was quoted as saying: “This will mean the people at the top, who actually control the buildings and the budgets, have to think about their responsibilities. In future, if someone were to hang themselves from a ligature in a cell, not only would the custody sergeant be questioned, but the authorities would look at the way the building was designed, whether there were any obvious ligature points that had not been removed, and the force could be held responsible.”
provisions of the ACT Crimes Act.
In introducing the Bill, Mr Gentleman said, with commendable feeling and righteousness, that: “Every workplace fatality is a tragedy felt deeply by families, friends, coworkers and the community. Stronger industrial manslaughter legislation will help prevent workplace tragedies and remind employers of their obligations.
A consequence of the government’s cone of silence around this latest death at the AMC is that the rumour mill is working overtime. If only half of what I’m told is true, I can understand why the Minister is keeping his mouth shut.
This is genuinely progressive legislation.
It is pertinent in considering the state of the law in the ACT that in June the Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Mick Gentleman, who is also the Minister for Corrections, introduced the Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill which was designed to expand and replace the industrial manslaughter
“This change will also give families of those killed in the workplace better access to justice and provide more avenues to address poor workplace safety practices and systemic non-compliance.”
The Bill was subsequently passed with the result that the penalty in the ACT for industrial manslaughter is up to 20 years’ imprisonment for individuals and a $16.5 million fine for corporations.
The new Act, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides that a corporation or people who conduct a business or undertaking and their officers will be liable under the amended offence if it is found they have:
• a health and safety duty as set out in the Act;
• engaged in conduct (including by omission) which results in a breach of such a duty;
• the breach of that duty causes the death of a worker or another person, or causes an injury that later results in the death of a worker; and
• been reckless or negligent in causing the death.
I acknowledge that because the ACT government is yet to release details of this recent death none of us can draw any final conclusions about the tragedy.
However, it is undeniable, in my opinion, that as Minister for Corrections, and with overarching responsibility for the management of the AMC, Mr Gentleman and his officers owed the young man, who I understand died by hanging himself from a ligature in his cell on his first or second day of detention, a health and safety duty. If that is not the case then, surely, the new Act should be amended accordingly.
I also profess to no deep understanding of the detail of the Work Health and Safety Act but I have assumed from reading the minister’s passionate second-reading speech and his commitment to the wellbeing
and rights of all citizens, including those at risk of injury or death in a workplace, that he would not only expect but would insist that the new law, consistent with the approach adopted in the UK, apply to him and those to whom he has delegated his responsibilities in respect of work places, such as the AMC, for which he is responsible.
For the Minister or the government to deny that that was their intention would be to reveal their hypocrisy. If it is good enough for the industrial manslaughter provisions to apply to the chief executives of private-sector companies then it is only fair and reasonable that they apply to ministers and the heads of ACT government corporations and entities.
A predictable consequence of the cone of silence in which the government has enveloped this latest death in custody at the AMC is, alas, that the rumour mill is working overtime. If only half of what I have been told is true, I can understand why the Minister is keeping his mouth shut.
WHEN the final ball is bowled in this year’s Women’s National Cricket League competition, it will bring the end of a sparkling career for ACT Meteor Erin Osborne.
retiring from the Women’s Big Bash League in November, and has since made the decision that this year will be her last as a professional cricketer.
off-spinner acknowledged when she announced her WBBL retirement, including her former teammates, coaches and fans.
acknowledgement of her home town Tamworth, and the support provided by her family.
highest levels of the game, including representing Australia in Test cricket and in World Cup squads, it says a lot about who Osborne is away from the field when asked about her fondest memory during her career.
Tamworth, scoring my first hundred in a men’s 4th Grade Final,” Osborne said.
me was a moment I won’t forget, that’s for sure.”
The 32-year-old has been around
spite that mentality, she has reached a point where there is more she wants to achieve away from the field.
to improve over the rest of my time playing I definitely think that is starting to wear thin.
“I am really comfortable with the Retirement will not end Osborne’s association with the game, with her work as Cricket ACT’s Male Pathway manager to continue after her final
She is tasked with developing the next generation of Canberra cricketers, and is well placed to guide them to success given she is a product of the
“I have enjoyed the role, it has had
“ACT cricket is closely aligned with NSW and our Pathways are combined.
“I was fortunate to come through
exceptional junior Pathway that has had a lot of success – just look at the
“I have that experience that I can fall back on as I continue to evolve the
Osborne knew she had the Pathway role to keep her association with the game going, but another opportunity came out of the blue when she was approached to join Fox Cricket’s commentary team during the recent Women’s Ashes Test at Manuka Oval.
“I wasn’t thinking about going down that path, I just happened to be in Canberra when the Test was on,” said Osborne who joined some former teammates including Alex Blackwell on the coverage.
“It was a great opportunity to commentate on one of the best Test matches I have seen in the Women’s Ashes.
“In terms of seeing cricket develop, seeing women in coaching roles and commentary roles is just another example of how our game has progressed both on and off the field.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I would put my hand up if I get another opportunity. I won’t
ED WENSING is one of a group of seven professionals who lodged one of two nominations in 2009 to have Canberra included on the National Heritage List. While they wait, the ACT government has started resisting the listing.
IN 2009, the then federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, called for nominations for entry on the National Heritage List under the theme of “A Free and Fair Australia”.
The Minister said key messages associated with the theme included that Australia was one of the world’s oldest modern democracies; a robust and enduring democratic government with distinctive political and social institutions.
Two nominations for parts of Canberra to be entered on the National Heritage List were made in March, 2009. The nominations are initially assessed by the Australian Heritage Council (AHC) who then makes a recommendation to the Minister. The AHC’s assessment of these nominations was completed in 2011. The AHC’s assessment of the nominations has been with successive Commonwealth and ACT governments of both political persuasions for over a decade.
The Minister’s decision on whether or not to enter the place on the National Heritage List has been extended 10 times, with the current extension due to expire on June 30. The length of
time this has taken is inexplicable.
On February 26, Acting Chief Minister Yvette Berry was reported as expressing concerns about the listing, and seeking advice from the federal Minister for the Environment as to whether the protections “would be ‘onerous’ and what scope they would cover”.
As one of the nominees for placing significant parts of Canberra on the National Heritage List, I respectfully disagree. To the contrary, I believe it is misleading to suggest that National Heritage Listing will impede the city’s future growth and development.
A place can only be entered on the National Heritage List (NHL) for its outstanding natural, indigenous or historic heritage values for the nation. The listing must therefore describe those values in detail, because it is the values of a place that are being protected.
A listing is made to protect a place from erosion of the values that give a place its significance, whether they be for natural, indigenous and/or historic values. That does not mean that a place has to be “frozen in time”
Sunday 6 March 2022
Beginners Bird Watching Walk
Two hour local Canberra bird walk guided by Neil Hermes
Sunday 3 April 2022
Beginners Bird Watching Walk
Two hour local Canberra bird walk guided by Neil Hermes
Sunday 1 May 2022
Beginners Bird Watching Walk
Two hour local Canberra bird walk guided by Neil Hermes
and that changes cannot be made to a place.
Nominees were not privy to the AHC’s recommendations to the Minister in 2011. Nor are we privy to any of the to-ing and fro-ing between the ACT and Commonwealth governments about the listing.
Until the public knows what values are going to be inscribed in the listing, it is a bit far-fetched to be making assertions about whether or not the listing will prevent the upgrading of infrastructure or impede the city’s growth and development.
I therefore call on the federal Minister for the Environment to release the full details of what is being considered for entry on the National Heritage List, including the full description of the values, and the management plan that must accompany the listing.
To ensure the ongoing protection of a National Heritage place, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations Act 1999 (Cth) provides for the preparation of management plans that sets out how the significance of the place will be protected and conserved. Plans must be consistent with the National Heritage management principles, which provide a guiding framework for excellence in managing heritage places. Under the EPBC Act, a management plan must address a
range of matters, including:
• the objectives for managing the place,
• a management framework,
• a comprehensive description of the place,
• a description of the values,
• a description of the condition of the place,
• a description of the method used to assess the National Heritage values, and
• a description of the management requirements, including goals, possible changes and pressures, policies to manage the values, an implementation plan, how the implementation will be monitored, and how the plan will be reviewed.
I therefore also call on the federal Minister for the Environment to release the draft management plans for the places to be listed, so the public can have some input to the values of the places to be listed, and how they will be managed.
More than 13 years has passed since the nominations were made. Surely, it is time for a decision to be made to either enter the nomination –in full or in part (as recommended by the Australian Heritage Council) – or
reject the nomination(s) outright.
The nominations present a rare opportunity to make an historical decision to recognise that the planning of Canberra has made an extremely valuable contribution to Australia’s planning history and to democracy generally, and therefore deserves to be recognised as a place that has outstanding heritage value to the nation.
Both governments are not seeing the opportunities that National Heritage Listing of Canberra can bring. There are only a small number of pre-planned capital cities in the world. Canberra is the best example and we have a great deal to be very proud of.
Dr Ed Wensing is Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU, and a sessional senior lecturer, School of the Built Environment, UNSW.
For these and other walks, tours and safaris check out www.neilhermes.com.au
I RECENTLY sat on the pictured bench and pondered the shrubbery and trees planted in several clumps on a mound in a Downer park.
There is a sign that boasts about how this tight planting of greenery, labelled a micro-forest, will assist in cooling the larger park. Other claims are that the planting will provide habitat and support community health and wellbeing.
When done large, these compact woodlands or forests are reported internationally to have provided benefits to degraded and urban areas and have created biodiversity (where there was none). Some were established alongside other habitats such as meadows or waterways to recreate complex ecosystems.
mammals and other creatures.
The Downer model and those similar in other suburbs, consist of dense clumps of plants. They are located within reasonable size parklands of the usual mown grass and healthy trees. These suburbs have established ecosystems (the birds were very active on another evening visit).
The original habitat of Canberra was open grassy woodlands (not closed forests). The old indigenous trees had an understorey of native plants, grasses and fallen timbers. This environment supported a diversity of bird life,
Someone has done a lot of work to make these new, small, sample forests happen. It takes a dedicated group of residents to get the plantings in place. But while it is wonderful for community members to come together to establish more green infrastructure, the stated claims and expectations are large compared to the reality of what may be delivered. Having walked around the mound of shrubbery, I looked across the road to the neighbouring houses. Most have an abundance of gardens with dense shrubbery and ample trees. The biodiversity of these suburban gardens is rich. This brings me to re -
These small and dense clumps of trees are now likely to be counted as part of the government’s dubious off-set regimes and used to justify the destruction of trees and habitats for developments.
cent UK research on the role of small household gardens in the provision of biodiversity with the emphasis on pollinators – bees and other creatures.
The research revealed that it was not the large gardens in suburban areas that were solely important for biodiversity. The results indicated clearly a significant biodiversity benefit from the combination of the small gardens surveyed. Each had different plants and allowed the bees to enjoy a range of flowering plants at various times of the year.
Debates in Australia often centre on whether gardeners should plant native or introduced plants. What this research showed was that it was
about what the plants offered the local birds, bees and other creatures.
The more flowers the better. Some wonderful native plants that produce masses of flowers would be great alongside your preferred flowering plants (native or not).
The key to success is diversity in our gardens – large and small, on apartment balconies and in small spaces squeezed on to blocks with supersized houses. More needs to be done to encourage and inform residents of their role in increasing biodiversity with diverse and enjoyable garden environments.
When it comes to our open spaces and parklands actions are required to hang on to more of the established indigenous trees and shrubbery. The older trees are key to local biodiversity. Agencies should be planning their replacement with succession plans for the older trees to ensure the biodiversity is maintained – and increased.
The ACT government has encouraged these small forest projects to show that the politicians are doing something. These small and dense clumps of trees are now likely to be counted as part of the government’s dubious off-set regimes and used to
justify the destruction of trees and habitats for developments.
Good things are happening, such as the Fowles Street regeneration in Weston and the diversity plantings near the Campbell shops. These point to the need for an evidence-based approach by the whole of government to increase biodiversity through diverse plantings that match the local fauna.
Many of our suburban parks, such as this one in Downer, could do with serious upgrades of play equipment and spaces for children integrated with improved tree canopies, shrubbery and gardens.
What happens in our open spaces needs to reflect local habitat needs and assist increasing the diversity of suburban fauna. The jury remains out on the micro-forests model being introduced into this city located in these tableland environments. I suspect I will be sitting on that Downer park bench a few more times yet to see if I am wrong and what this small experiment actually delivers.
LIVING in Canberra for an elderly person who is not really “computer literate” can be difficult.
The ACT government says that everyone with a dog must have it registered and this can be done online. So I found the registration form, read it, and thought: “Yes, I would give it a go”.
So I typed name, address, phone number, dog’s name, type of dog, colour, date of birth (don’t know as it was a rescue dog), microchip number (don’t know).
So, I rang Access Canberra and said it was a rescue dog and I didn’t know the microchip number and was told not to worry about that.
Do I have a concession card? Type the number and what type of card it is.
Then rang the vet and was given the dog’s microchip number and birthdate. Okay, did that.
The number had 15 numerals and was relayed to me as three numbers, space, three numbers space, etcetera, etcetera.
I entered the type and number of my concession card. It is eight numerals followed by an “A”.
So, answered all the questions and submitted an application. Rejected.
I thought: “I can’t do this”. So down to the Dickson Shopfront I went, but there was a man standing outside saying unless you want the Land Titles Office you can’t enter. I explained I needed help and he suggested I go to the Gungahlin office.
On to the light rail to Gungahlin, found the office, the man standing out the front said the same thing, back on the light rail to Dickson and drove home. For one hour I tried to submit the form and finally did.
• First problem – my concession number had an “A”, don’t enter that (I have always added that).
• Second, the dog’s microchip number (15 numerals) has to be all typed together, no spaces.
• Third, I always say my phone number is my mobile number. Wrong! Have to place a landline first.
And why do they ask for your concession card number when you still have to pay the rego amount?
Not impressed! It’s not what the information is, it is how it is presented.
Pat Bourke, Hackett
DANNY Corvini, of Deakin (Letters, CN February 17) says he loves the tram. I wonder if he will love the delays, disruption, pollution and money-squandering of Stage 2 for the next three or four years as he travels Deakin to Civic and back? I won’t.
Michael Duffy, Curtin
IN my last letter to “CityNews” (February 17)
I was mildly critical of the ACT government for only tendering to replace 34 of its ageing diesel bus fleet (of 451 buses) with new electric ones.
To my horror and dismay, I then read in “CityNews” (February 22) that Minister Chris Steel had proudly announced the tender process had been abandoned, and only 12 new electric buses will be leased by “later this year”.
“A further 90 electric buses will also join the ACTION fleet in a further procurement process.” No indication of when.
But, “by 2040 the ACT government hopes that every bus on Canberra’s roads will be electric”. Minister, it will take more than hope for this miracle to occur! At the current miserable rate of progress it would take about 38 years to complete this relatively modest task.
The vastly more expensive Light Rail Stage 2 project, which will be of benefit to vastly fewer people, may even be finished
City Hill property development, there will no longer be a right turn on to Parkes Way from the south. Good-oh (not!). And Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the cultural landscape of that avenue will be wrecked. And we’ll have to pay for underground electricity for the trams, all the way to the far west end of Adelaide Avenue (to also pander to The Lodge).
If we must have it, take the tram via Acton and the optics of sensible attractive overhead power lines would be fine all the way to Woden.
Jack Kershaw, Kambah
THANK you for the letter by Richard Johnston (Letters, CN February 17). He must have known or suspected something by asking why the government is buying only 34 electric buses and raises the point of perhaps overloading the infrastructure.
by then. In contrast, the NSW government intends to electrify its entire 8000-strong bus fleet by 2030!
Seriously, is this Minister up to the job?
Richard Johnston, Kingston
MR Corvini might love the tram, but when rates double in the next few years to help pay for Stage 2A and (gulp) Stage 2B to Woden, he will be lonely in the inner south (Letters, CN February 17).
Letter writer Richard Johnston, on the same page, makes the excellent point of money better spent on major infrastructure upgrades that would then enable (among other things) more electric buses (and vehicles generally).
Ninety-five per cent of letters to various papers in ACT are opposed to further tram madness. Unfortunately, most voters in ACT are under 55-60 years of age and still naive (if not starry eyed) about the Labor/Greens. I support buses (electric or otherwise) over trams. I vote. But my age cohort is too small to change the government.
Christopher Ryan, Watson
IN the outrageously costly scheme to raise London Circuit to Commonwealth Avenue, to suit the Civic-Woden tram and scatological
It has been reported that the government is scrapping a tender for 34 electric buses and is leasing 26 more diesel buses. It is also reported that the government has refused to say why it is scrapping the tender.
The government obviously has major problems on how to introduce electric buses in the numbers required.
Smart Canberra Transport has no objections to electric buses as long as their introduction is shown to be economic and without unnecessary cost to ACT taxpayers.
After all, why pay a premium when net, saved greenhouse gas emissions will have virtually zero effect on global warming let alone permanent climate change.
Max Flint, co-ordinator, Smart Canberra Transport
MICHAEL Moore concluded his column “Fear rules as Liberals pile pressure on Labor” (c itynews.com.au, February 23) with the questions “How will Labor respond? Will they consider it necessary to fight fire with fire or will they appeal to the electorate in other ways?”
Perhaps Labor’s campaign may be more effective if it reminds the electorate of the “So where the bloody hell are you” advertising campaign. This embarrassing episode cost the Australian taxpayer $180 million, a breathtaking expenditure that
allegedly had not been approved by the tourism minister at the time, Fran Bailey. The campaign was the work of the managing director of Tourism Australia in 2006, one Scott Morrison. This man now expects to be re-elected in May as Australian prime minister.
Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
WHEN the PM beat his breast and relied on a 1959 novel “The Manchurian Candidate” and its 1962 film rendition for new ideas to guide his latest finger pointing and lying (“Morrison has sown the seeds for a scare campaign”, citynews.com.au, February 18), he seemed to hope that he would be seen as the Tarzan of the parliamentary floor and forthcoming election campaign.
However his performance only conjured up a pertinent reply from another classic 20th century film, “The Castle”: “Tell him he’s dreamin’”.
Sue Dyer, Downer
A statue for the Griffins
I HAVE been asking for quite a while why there is no statue of Marion Mahony whose beautiful drawings reflected her husband’s plans to build Canberra.
I now realise a statue just of Marion is totally inadequate. Canberra needs to build a statue of Marion and Walter together for they were a brilliant team.
The next question is where is the best spot to place it? Down from OPH looking across the lake to the War Memorial or by the lake below the War Memorial looking across the lake to Parliament House? The best placed sculptures for me are John Curtin and Ben Chifley.
Why has it taken so long for Canberra to ignore the two people who led to it being built?
Penelope Upward, via email (Editor’s note: Penelope writes also that her great grandfather George Upward was on the tour of senators who selected the site of Canberra and held the position of Black Rod in the first federal parliament, Melbourne, 1901).
LOCAL veterans will have access to a free employment service run by the ACT branch of the RSL. The RSL Veterans’ Employment Program provides specialist career services to help local veterans and their immediate families find work, change careers or discover their passion and purpose. It provides specialist career coaching and connects veterans with local, ACT-based employers who value their skills and experience. Membership of the RSL is not a requirement to access the program. More at actrsl.org.au/employment
Slavich leaves Soldier On
IVAN Slavich has resigned as CEO of veteran support charity Soldier On after two years in the role he described as the “highlight” of his career. Mr Slavich, well known to Canberrans for his years of supporting the cancer charity Canteen and as a senior manager in ActewAGL, leaves Soldier On on March 15.
Knitting story with a twist
CATERINA Sullivan, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018, suffered three strokes then launched two new businesses dedicated to her love of knitting, is the guest speaker at the Tuggeranong Day VIEW Club’s next lunch meeting at the Tuggeranong Vikings Town Centre Club, from 11am on March 15. Lunch is $30 and open to guests and interested ladies. Call 6193 5398 or email maleyjan@yahoo.com by Friday, March 11.
For when you’re up the Puhoi
WHILE people from outside Australasia may find it hard to distinguish between the accents of Australians and New Zealanders, for Australians the differences are very obvious.
Most notably, Australians are fascinated by New Zealanders’ unique pronunciation of some vowels, so that “a” is pronounced “e”, “e” is pronounced “i”, and “i” is pronounced “u” – as in “fush and chups”.
I recall being at Auckland Airport when incoming American passengers were told to go to the “Chicken Counter” for their onward domestic travel. To add to their confusion there was a KFC counter in the terminal.
Apart from the pronunciation aspect, NZ English has many words and phrases that are unique to NZ. Some have been adopted from the Maori language, others from Australian English, American English, or British English – particularly the southern-England variant.
For those Australians who might plan to travel across the dutch, here are some NZ words with Australian translations:
• Boost – to speed or go fast.
• Chilly bin (noun) – esky.
• Choice! (interjection) – one-word rejoinder expressing satisfaction.
• Chur (interjection) – contraction of “cheers” most commonly heard in “chur, bro”.
• Convert (verb) – to steal a car.
• Dag (noun) – an eccentric, a one-off person (from the fictitious eccentric Fred Dagg).
• ... And that (phrase) – a substitute for unspecified additions eg.,“We had a beer with Wally and that.”
• Aussie (noun) – referring to
• Dairy (noun) – local convenience store/milk bar.
• Duvet (noun) – doona.
• Eh? (particle) – query, used to elicit
• Hangi (noun) – feast (originally a Maori celebration with meat and veggies cooked in an underground pit).
• Heaps (adjective, adverb) – a lot as in “I love you heaps”.
• Jandals (noun) – thongs or flip flops.
• Kai (noun) – food.
• Metal road (noun) – a dirt road overlaid with gravel.
• Munted (noun) – no longer usable, rooted.
• Puckerood (noun) – broken; busted; wrecked.
• Pakeha (noun) – non-Maori white
New Zealander. (noun) – Salvos. (noun) – a nutritious snack taken on hikes by trampers (noun) – gravel. (acknowledgement or interjection) – “thank you”. (interjection) – cool!
(noun) – showing someone around. (noun) – swimming costume. (verb) – bushwalk, hike.
Up the Puhoi [River] or in the wop wops – to be lost or stranded, or miles from anywhere – equivalent to being out the back of Bourke. – extended family.
Whiteware – white goods (washing machines etcetera).
• Yea-nah (acknowledgement) – no thanks.
The southernmost part of NZ received heavy immigration from Scotland and several words and phrases common in Scottish English persist there. For example, to do the messages means “to go shopping”.
A speaking characteristic some Australians and New Zealanders share that amuses English-speaking
people from outside Australasia is a rising intonation at the end of sentences.
Both the Australian and NZ militaries enjoy taking a rise out of the American military.
In Vietnam it included diggers bartering kangaroo feathers for American goodies.
At Bien Hoa, an American artillery battalion had erected a sign above their entrance with a giant unit badge and underneath was their motto “Second to None”. The Kiwi battery next door erected their unit badge and wrote underneath it “None”.
A NZ man wants to have lots of children. “Would you have four kids with me?” he asks his fiancée. She thinks about it and responds, “I suppose four wouldn’t be so bad”. Encouraged, he continues: “What about having six with me?” “Well,” she replies, “how the hell else are we going to have all these kids?”
Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist .
THE taste of a fresh, morning coffee, loading up the car, pulling out of the driveway – it all adds to the magical feeling of heading out on a road trip. And, luckily for Canberrans, the nation’s capital is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, historic communities and fascinating events. Whether looking for a holiday or just a quick weekend getaway, here’s some premier destinations all on the doorstep of Canberra.
THE Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre has experiences for everyone, from a virtual flyover of the Snowy Mountains to archival photos from the construction era, 1949-1974.
The virtual flyover takes place in their immersive theatre, with a 14-metre wide screen and floor projections.
The Snowy Hydro company says whether you walk, drive or fly, the Discovery Centre is easy to get to, and is just over an hour’s drive south of Canberra.
Visitors are encouraged to stop for lunch at
their Discovery Cafe, for pies, sausage rolls, cakes, sandwiches, coffee or milkshakes.
They say there’s plenty of space to stretch your legs and free wifi available, as well as their Discovery Shop. There are caps, books, keyrings and DVDs available to learn more and keep as memories from your visit.
Snowy Hydro, Monaro Highway, Cooma. Call 1800 623776, or visit snowyhydro.com.au
OWNED and operated by husband and wife distiller team, Brian and Genise Hollingworth, Black Gate Distillery was established in 2009.
Located in Mendooran, 45 minutes from Dubbo in Central West NSW, Brian says that Black Gate Distillery is in a rustic, rural setting.
“We produce Australian single malt whisky and dark rum which are both brewed and distilled on site,” says Brian, who distills the whisky.
“We use direct fired copper pot stills of 630-litre and 300-litre capacity that produce spirits on the richer end of the flavour spectrum. We stick with traditional methods and use the highest-quality ingredients and casks available.”
Black Gate Distillery will celebrate World Whisky Day on Saturday, May 21, with its annual event that starts from midday. Special whisky flights, live music and smoked and barbecued meats and sides will be on offer throughout the afternoon and into the night. Last year’s event was awarded the Australia
Day Community Event of the Year for the Warrumbungle Shire.
“It’s usually a sell out, so I encourage people to subscribe on our website to receive emails to secure a ticket when they come on sale,” says Brian.
Black Gate Distillery. Visit blackgatedistillery.com
by for a coffee on your way to the Snowy Mountains. Play in our interactive immersive theatre experience. Discover more about the past, present and future of the mighty Snowy Scheme, Snowy Hydro and renewables.
623 776 Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre and Cafe Monaro Highway, Cooma
7 days Weekdays 8am - 4.30pm Weekends 9am - 2pm
JUST over two hours from Canberra, the Snowy Valleys offer an unforgettable food-and-drink trail with a big hit of alpine adventure, says destination marketing officer Simon Booth.
“At a time when people are looking for more authentic experiences and a chance to forge their own path, the Snowy Valleys offer a huge canvas to explore while still offering all the comforts of home and the opportunity to meet the makers,” he says.
“Treat your taste buds and soul with farm-gate experiences, the crispness of an alpine apple, the subtle notes of a cool-climate wine, the unmatched beauty of
a farm-to-table dinner under the stars.
“The area has an abundance of well-known touring routes and an almost endless array of picturesque back roads to suit any kind of adventurer.”
In the city, Simon says, it’s easy to feel apart from life’s natural rhythms, “but not here”.
“Here you can immerse yourself in nature, from a vibrant spring given life by freshly melted mountain snow, to summers cooled by waterfall mist.”
Snowy Valleys. Call 6291 2565, email info@svc.nsw.gov.au or visitsnowyvalleys.com.au
LAKE Crackenback Resort and Spa is the ideal road trip destination says marketing manager Rebecca Hedger.
“We have two on-site restaurants, a mountain day spa with a beautiful range of treatments, indoor heated swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna,” she says.
“There’s loads of free activities to keep the kids and yourself entertained from archery, tennis, golf, frisbee golf, canoeing in summer, trampolines, suspension bridge, sculpture trail, mountain biking and walking tracks.”
Rebecca says Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa is an all year round destination.
“The Snowy Mountains are well known for the winter months for skiing and snow play, however the summer months are just as exciting.
“There is so much to do at the resort, or if that’s not for you, you can just sit and enjoy your stunning surroundings, our friendly wildlife, and the tranquility of the mountains.”
Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback. Call 6451 3000, email reservations@ lakecrackenback.com.au or visit lakecrackenback.com.au
Braidwood Hotel & Museum
Russell Lane, Goulburn
Ross’s Relics, Yass
Auburn St, Goulburn
BUNGENDORE
BRAIDWOOD
STREET NAME, BRAIDWOOD
RYRIE PARK, BRAIDWOOD
Creator’s Nest, Yass
The Sir George, Jugiong
Lieder Theatre, Goulburn
KINGS HIGHWAY
Yazz Bar, Yass
NEED a quick getaway? The Queanbeyan-Palerang region has plenty of road trip ideas for all different tastes and experiences.
Take the Foodie Trip, a tour that takes travellers around some of the region’s most iconic and historic cafes and restaurants.
Stops can include brekky and coffee at one of Queanbeyan’s cosy cafes, wine tasting in the countryside, visiting galleries and boutiques in Bungendore and a dinner in historic Braidwood. Or, travellers can treat their taste buds to even more variety with the Taste Tester tour, designed
to give a “snapshot of the beautiful flavours of the region” or the Winery Tour, giving travellers a taste of the best wines the region has to offer. Looking for something more on the artistic side? The Culture and Arts road trip could be more suited.
This tour includes a show at The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The Q) as a start to an exploration of a range of artistic mediums throughout the region, from woodwork to glass art to silversmithing and more.
There’s also the Antiques Trail Road Trip that leads travellers through seven of the region’s popular antique shops selling furniture, homewares, vintage clothing and accessories,
vinyl and other curiosities.
For those looking to learn more about the re gion, The Heritage Trail will take history buffs on a tour of museums, old mining villages, soldiers’ farms and national parks just to name a few.
And what about for those more seasoned in the delights the region has to offer?
The North Explorer trip takes the road less travelled, offering a chance to discover the hid den treasures of northern Queanbeyan-Palerang through small local villages and grand national parks.
For more information and to plan a road trip go to treasuretrail.com.au/roadtrips
CO-DIRECTOR of Lindner Quality Socks Andrew Lindner couldn’t believe it when he discovered his family business of sock makers stretched as far back as 1730.
His research found that he’s the latest in a line of 10 generations of sock makers originally from Germany, and while the business moved to Goulburn in 1987, he says since 1997 it has proudly operated in the main street of Crookwell.
Today, he says it provides a range of quality crafted socks for a huge range of purposes.
“The range is very wide, from thin socks right through to socks for heavy work, adventure wear as well as cotton and cosy types,” says Andrew.
“Our local farmers are renowned for the quality of their merino wool and we source most of our fibres from them.”
Andrew says that when people buy quality, handcrafted socks most will immediately notice the difference.
“We take the time to ensure every pair of socks is made to our high standards, including hand finishing each pair, and our attention to detail is second to none,” he says.
“You’re assured of superior warmth, comfort and
durability and it’s a way to support Australian business.” Being on the main street of Crookwell, Andrew says they love to welcome visitors interested in visiting the historic business.
“As you’re driving through you can visit us, come through the front door and look through the window and see the machines running that may very well be making your socks,” he says.
Lindner Quality Socks, 6 Goulburn Street, Crookwell. Call 4832 0202 or visit lindnersocks.com.au
WARREN McCourt, director of Classic Capital Golf Tours, says they offer customised golf tours to the south coast and the Murray River “which fit your golfing and travel needs.”
“We fit your accommodation to your comfort and
The Murray Valley has long been Australia’s most popular golf destination. You can understand why. Sunny weather and great golf complexes all within 30 minutes’ drive of each other. Some 18 holes, others are 36 holes, there is even 45 holes available at Yarrawonga-Mulwala. Customised tours built around the major centres, close to bars and restaurants with accommodation to suit your budget.
The South Coast of NSW has a stunning variety of courses for a golf trip. We will make sure the courses are in immaculate condition and make suggestions on the courses that are best for your group. We can fit the right accommodation for your group and make suggestions regarding your itinerary. Self-drive or transported provided, we have you covered.
budget requirements, and make suggestions on the best hospitality venues in each region.”
He says the golf tours can be self driven, or transport can be provided, and they can customise your golfcourse selection to meet your abilities.
“We also offer advice on the region’s hidden gem courses, so you can go back to your golfing friends and brag,” he says.
“People should use our service because we have travelled to these areas and tried out the courses and hospitality venues. We have that essential attention to detail and we care about our clients’ golf holiday. We love it when they report back on what a great time they had.”
Classic Capital Golf Tours. Call 6262 0241, email info@classiccapitalgolf.com.au or visit classiccapitalgolf.com.au
“TRACTORLESS Vineyard embraces a combination of old-world knowledge and skills with new-world techniques,” says owner Jeff Aston.
All guided by biodynamic principles, Jeff says their philosophy is to create a sustainable and diverse food and wine experience from locally sourced, foraged, grown and produced foods.
“Our aim is to reduce our resource use by the integration of natural farming systems in our vineyards,” he says.
“Our black-faced Hampshire Down sheep play an extremely important role in the management of the vineyards and olive grove. Essentially, they are our solar-powered, fertilising lawn mowers.”
Jeff says there’s a diverse selection of award-winning wines, ciders and beers to experience at the vineyard, such as The Creators Series.
“The Creators Series is a result of our desire to create experimental wines displaying deep complexity, structure and interest beyond the layers given by the fruit itself,” says Jeff.
“Come meet the sheep, learn about our sustainable practices, stomp on some grapes or learn how we make some sparkling wines with one of our guided tours.”
Tractorless Vineyard, Shop 10c, 6 Bundaroo Street, Bowral. Visit tractorlessvineyard.com.au, email wine@tractorlessvineyard.com.au or call 4858 1788.
• Biodynamically run vineyard
• Meet the sheep and learn why we are so sustainable whilst tasting our wines
• Learn about our sustainable practices, Stomp on some grapes or learn how we make some sparkling wines with one of our guided tours
“IN Parkes it all adds up for a fun and quirky experience, along with a bucket list of iconic attractions and events that will provide memories to last a lifetime,” says visitor service lead, Lisa Moon.
She says the Parkes Elvis Festival will return in April 2022, “jam-packed with a program of rockin’ and rollin’ fun.”
Parkes also has “dreamy, dark skies” and scientific technology, so pay a visit to the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, The Dish.
“There’s history and culture,” she says, with
many attractions, monuments, exhibits and trails in the region. There’s also a wide range of dining options that cater for a variety of tastes, and adventures and nature based activities such as bushwalking, hiking, fishing, and driving through national and state Parks.
Parkes Shire Council. Call 6862 6000, email tourism@parkes.nsw.gov.au or visit visitparkes.com.au
ART In Miniature (AIM) co-ordinator of 10 years, Camelia Smith, says as a group they exhibit locally and regionally, and this year they’re exhibiting their art in “beautiful Braidwood.”
“It’s a gorgeous town that most Canberrans would know well. A lovely day’s trip would give you some time to enjoy the drive and then enjoy Braidwood’s specialties, including the Studio Altenburg Gallery,” she says.
The AIM group’s upcoming exhibition is its 22nd exhibition, and it will showcase 105 miniature artworks, from 18 group members, at the Studio Altenburg Gallery.
“Our works depict our local surroundings, being close to home, around our vast country, overseas, and more intimate places like our kitchen benches, children at play, the beauty of flora and fauna and the inner imagination,” she says.
Art In Miniature, Studio Altenburg Gallery, 104 Wallace Street, Braidwood, March 11-April 9, Friday to Monday, 10am-4pm. Call 0403 825591, or visit artinminiature. wordpress.com
Michaela Laurie, Hello from the other side II, mixed media, on 570gsm cotton vellum, 10cmx10cm.
11 March – 09 April 2022
@ Studio Altenburg Braidwood
Meet the artists at opening night Saturday 12 March 2022 5pm
A.I.M’s Annual Exhibition “Art In Miniature” Gallery open hours Friday to Monday 10am to 4pm
THE Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has announced the finalists of the 17th National Awards for Excellence 2022, and there’s no shortage of representation from the ACT.
Drawn from the 2021 winners of State and Territory Real Estate Insti tutes Awards for Excellence, multiple Canberra real estate businesses will be among the 107 finalists across 21 categories.
“It will be a night to remember as borders across Australia reopen,” said REIA president, Hayden Groves.
“Winners will not only be out standing achievers, but also advance their teams and the communities they work in, underpinned by a strong pledge to our state and terri tory Institutes’ best practice agenda.”
Mr Groves says the ceremony will be held at the iconic ZINC at Federa tion Square in Melbourne on April 7.
AFTER taking out the award for ACT Com mercial Agency of the Year, Sentia Real Estate director Chris Antos says they’re “excited and humbled” to be a finalist for
Chris, who was also awarded the prestigious Diploma of the Associate of the REIA for his contribution to the industry, believes it’s Sentia’s focus on people that has seen them recognised.
“We’re very lucky to have the loyal customers we do. We focus very much on them because they’re the people who get us where we need to go,” he says.
The business, which was rebranded to Sentia in 2020, had a steep mountain to climb as covid shook the industry.
“It was pretty daunting but we tried to take it in our stride,” says Chris.
“The team was so great and nothing was too much and all of our staff were willing to do what needed to be done.”
The agency is also a national finalist in the Community Service Award category, after taking out the prize in Canberra.
Chris says it’s their support for the community and local business that got
“We always try to support local and give people tips on how to support local,”
Eastlake Football
There are a spectrum of choices when dealing with property and each decision paints a new picture of possibilities for what could be your best move ever!
The definition of Sentia is “the beginning of all things”, and like our namesake, we see Sentia as your first destination on this journey.
Our dynamic industry leadership and experience, commitment to our community and passionate agents are the reasons we are setting new standards in real estate.
CANBERRA Property Partners have won REIA’s ACT Innovation Award for their sophisticated 3D property modeling that allows users to digitally walk through properties.
“We produce digital models of all our properties and use those as part of our ongoing condition reports,” says partner Paul Kuske, who brings a background in 3D animation to the real estate industry.
“What that does is it gives the owner a 3D, digital model of their property every time a tenant leaves, so they keep an accurate snapshot of how their property is looking.
“It also gives tenants assurance that everything that can be caught has been caught because there’s nothing worse than a dent in the wall that an agent may have missed.”
Paul says the technology proved particularly useful during the pandemic, where in-person interaction became severely limited.
“Because we’ve got all of our stock digitally scanned we were able to advertise during covid,” he says.
“It means that people both interstate as well as locals can walk through the property, 24 seven.”
Not only that, the business was also recognised with the award for a system programmed by Paul that assists with the review of important information for property owners.
“The system is built holistically, it starts when people fill in a management form which we use to manage their property,” says Paul.
“It then chugs away in the background and reaches out to the owner making sure they’re receiving all the important information they need, things like land taxes and water bills.
“What it translates to is a fluid and easy system with a high level of automation that allows you to focus on the big things, rather than the small things.”
Canberra Property Partners, suite 2/18 Winchcombe Circuit, Mitchell. Call 6103 0843 or email sales@canberrapropertypartners.com.au
OFFICE manager of Maria Selleck Properties Juliana Rocha took out the REIA award for ACT Operational Sup port Person of the Year, and will now go on to represent the business as a finalist at the national awards.
Juliana came to Maria Selleck Properties with 15 years of experience in a variety of administration, customer service, events, training and leadership positions in business and academia, having worked in Brazil and Australia.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in executive assistance and management in Brazil, she moved to Australia with her family and, in 2013, obtained a position as administrator of the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the ANU.
She later moved to the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis at the University of Canberra, where she
“Managers who can direct and empower a compe tent and motivated team are the foundation of today’s world-class customer care environments,” said owner and director of Maria Selleck Properties, Maria Selleck.
“Juliana is a ‘change manager’ who has mastered the necessary skills and ability to adapt quickly.
“She is able to maintain personal and professional standards and strong communication principles.
“She thrives in a team environment and also can work effectively and proactively without supervision. Juliana possesses the ultimate ‘can do’ attitude while taking on tasks and she has a range of skills in running an efficient office wherever she works.”
Maria Selleck Properties, 30 Bougainville Street, Manuka. Call 6162 1234, visit mariaselleck.com.au or email info@ mariaselleck.com.au
WITH an abundance of businesses passionate about sharing their skills with the ACT region, there’s no shortage of experts in Canberra. Whether it’s construction, footwear, exercise, or medical care, this week “CityNews” speaks to Canberrans who are experts in all sorts of fields.
MORE Jobs More Care is a program designed to encourage more people to train to work in the disability sector and discover the rewards of becoming an individual support worker in the ACT or NSW.
Through a free, four-week training and work experience program, funded by the NSW Government and run by Apprenticeship Careers Australia, people have an obligation-free chance to try out what working in the sector is like, by studying five course modules for a certificate III in individual support, having hands-on work experience and mentoring as a disability support worker. Mel Risby, regional program manager for the Riverina and Murray says she’s seeing a lot of candidates who are
ready to make a career change.
“We’ve had a lot of great success stories. It is an incredibly rewarding job to empower and support people with disabilities,” she says.
“People also love the flexibility of the sector –there’s the ability to work flexible hours, weekend or evening work.”
“After the four-week program, we have had a number of people offered work at their work-experience placement. They have gone on to continue their training, supported by their new employer,” says Mel. More information at apprenticeshipcareers.com.au/ morejobsmorecare
Fix Up - Profit - Pay Later
Renovation Matters offers transformational renovations that add the biggest impact and value when selling your property
If you are not selling, we can help you renovate to meet your specific requirements!
Phone Kim on 0427 696 662 hello@renovationmatters.com.au renovationmatters.com.au
Experts in taking the stress out of renovation
RENOVATION Matters
provides a wide range of home-renovation services, and its primary aim is to help maximise the value of their clients’ property, says manag ing director Kim Persson.
“We have a team of trusted and experienced trades,” says Kim, who has been renovating in Canberra for the last four years.
“I’ve been renovating for as long as I can remember, both overseas and here in Australia, and I’m lucky enough to have made my passion into a full-time job,” she says.
Managing director Kim Persson.
Renovation Matters also offers a turnkey service, “which takes all the stress out of the renovations and selling of their house,” says Kim.
“We manage the renovation from start to settlement. We can manage the renovation including the sales and settlement process so the owner does not have to do anything. They can move interstate, or take care of their health, and just set and forget.”
Renovation Matters. Call 0427 696662, email hello@renovationmatters.com. au or visit renovationmatters.com.au
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BORDEAUX Construction and Management’s team of trained professionals can help with any building project from design to handover, says project manager Michael Milutinovic.
“We’re a one-stop-shop for construction, renovations, extensions, residential and commercial projects,” says Michael, who holds an unrestricted “A” class builder’s licence and has more than 15 years of industry experience.
“We understand 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 has grown over the decades to offer large building works throughout Canberra and NSW.
“We use premium trades, we’ve got our own quality assurance system and we’re really proud to offer a personal service where clients have a point of contact throughout the entire project,” he says.
“One of our recent clients was building a new home and they weren’t quite sure where to begin, but they
“Communication is key for us.”
He says Bordeaux Construction and Management also 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
DUNCAN Craig, founder of BoomerAABS, says his business is about getting people to be more active as they age, to preserve their independence.
The AABS stands for active ageing, balance and strength, “that’s the whole focus of my mission,” says Duncan.
“Being 68 myself, I’m very conscious and trained in providing safe exercise, functional exercise for people over 55.”
He says Nordic walking provides enormous benefits, because you’re activating the upper body.
“I have a range of poles and I cater for people who
want additional work, my poles are of varying resistances, and there’s other rigid poles I use specifically for people who have mobility issues,” he says. He says the training is adaptable “for active walkers through to people who might be walking with a cane at the moment, or some even with walking frames and who have the ability to do more with walking poles that support them in their balance and the way they move.”
BoomerAABS, call Duncan on 0404 373157, email info@ boomeraabs.com.au, visit boomeraabs.com.au or search BoomerAABS on Facebook.
9.00am to 4.00pm,
who have joined its expert team – foot and ankle surgeon, Dr M Saqib Zafar and visiting pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Chris Spelman.
Dr Zafar says that he has an interest in elective and trauma conditions and limb reconstructions.
“I specialise in various adolescent and adult foot and ankle conditions such as bunion, deformed toes, foot and ankle arthritis, tendon dysfunction or injuries, sports injuries like fractures, ligament injuries, joint cartilage damage, chronic infections, heel pain management, diabetic foot management and nerve disorders,” he says.
Dr Spelman’s expertise is in the management of pediatric and adolescent hip and knee pathology, as well as general pediatric orthopaedics.
“I have a special interest in the management of hip dysplasia,” he says.
Orthopaedics ACT is the largest practice of it’s kind in Canberra. Established in 2013, the team of highly trained and experienced surgeons with sub-specialty interests work together to ensure the best outcomes for patients with an expert team that also includes trained nurses and allied health professionals.
Orthopaedics ACT, Woden Specialist Medical Centre, level 2, 90 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6221 9320 or visit orthoact.com.au
“NO matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s always important to remember to be on top of your finances, especially in a world as fast moving as ours today,” says principal of Wybrow and Associates Katrina Wybrow.
“You or your family could be severely affected by illness, accident or unexpected surprises. That’s why at Wybrow & Associates, we strive to provide only the best financial planning for Canberra and the ACT, offering friendly, personable service and straightforward investment advice.”
Katrina, who has more than 27 years of experience in financial planning, says she’s passionate about helping people live the life they want.
She says she and the dedicated team specialise in financial planning for aged care, retirement planning, superannuation and investment advice.
“Whether you’re seeking professional financial planning for aged care or looking to discuss your options with a local investment adviser before retiring, you can always count on us for a financial adviser who understands your needs in life,” says Katrina.
Wybrow & Associates, 58 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, call 6162 4100 or visit wybrow.com.au
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WHETHER it’s boots, slippers, walkers or otherwise, Frawley’s Shoes’ store manager Lisa Mudge says they’re experts when it comes to providing Canberrans with quality and comfortable footwear.
She’s excited to announce that the store will be running an end-of-season sale where already reduced shoes will go down in price by another 20 per cent.
“There’s heaps to choose from and some great deals to find, but the sale will be in-store only,” says Lisa.
For those who need help finding shoes perfect for them, Lisa says the team at Frawley’s have plenty of industry experience to share.
One of Canberra’s longest family-operated busi nesses, Frawley’s Shoes started with brothers Thomas and Joseph Frawley who were selling shoes from a truck in 1927 when Canberra was building Parliament House (now Old Parliament House) before establishing a store in Garema Place in 1958.
Staying in the family, brothers John and Ted Frawley took over from their dad and uncle, and now Lisa, Ted’s daughter, is the third-generation family member to run
Frawley’s Shoes, 26 Garema Place, Civic. Call 6247 9104 or visit frawleysshoes.com.au
DIRECTOR Gerry Marotzek says Wizard 4x4 is a local, small, family run business that has been in Canberra for more than 20 years.
“We take pride in sourcing Australian made and manufactured 4WD accessories,” says Gerry.
“Wizard 4x4 believes you should have no limits in kitting your vehicle out to suit your lifestyle and not be limited by the standard accessories.”
He says with a long list of suppliers around Australia and major distributorship for them, Wizard 4x4 stands out from any other 4x4 store.
“All products are fitted professionally and to a high standard. Wizard 4x4 are firm believers in quality over
quantity and aim to deliver the perfect additions to your dream vehicle.”
Gerry says the Wizard 4x4 family are passionate about having the best of the best equipment on their vehicles and want to share that, “because who, honestly, wants a standard vehicle without the bling?”
“There are no limits with how your vehicle can be customised and Wizard 4x4 loves bringing that dream to reality for their customers,” he says.
Wizard 4x4, 12 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0437 563922, email info@wizard4x4.com.au or visit wizard4x4.com.au
By Helen MUSA
AFTER a couple of false starts during the covid outbreak, Canberra region’s biggest sculpture exhibition, “Sculpture@Shaw”, is up and running.
As Graeme Shaw, of Shaw Wines at Murrumbateman, points out, it’s not the first time they’ve had a go at exhibiting sculptures with a show in 2020 descending from “Sculpture in the Paddock”, which ran for several years at Cooma Cottage just outside Yass.
Shaw and his family were quick to jump at the opportunities presented by combining wines and outdoor sculpture, with the additional coincidence that Murrumbateman is home to many distinguished sculptors – David Jensz, Wendy Teakel, Michael Le Grand and Stephen Harrison, for instance.
its artistic director/co-CEO, Monika McInerny, herself a former judge at “Sculpture in the Paddock”.
I caught up with Shaw to canvas the recent history of the show.
“YassArts decided not to keep going, as the venture got a bit bigger than they originally envisaged,” Shaw says. “We were keen to do it and looked around for a person or group of people who might help us.”
“Belco Arts was an organisation that had experience and professional capabilities,” says Graeme. “And they had the experience to manage the process and do the selecting, the curating and the laying out of the sculptures… to us it was a great help being in association with a professional group.”
Then covid struck and “Sculpture@Shaw” was put off a few times, but now it’s all systems go for an opening in early March.
This time round, the focus will be on the
large-scale sculptures and a few smaller ones around the cellar door, meaning that the former kids’ exhibition curated by Yass sculptor Al Phemister will not feature, as the new team looks at developing a national profile.
“Some fantastic pieces from around Australia have been selected,” Shaw says with satisfaction.
And no wonder, with a $15,000 first prize and so-called “bursaries” of $1000 for each shortlisted entry to help with the installation and transport, it’s an attractive exhibition.
Shaw says they’ve been deluged with some great entries that judges had to sift
through, though it would’ve been nice to put them all in.
“I’m on the selection panel and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens on Friday,” he says. That’s March 4, when the final decisions are made, immediately before the exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, March 5. Obviously, the People’s Choice won’t be announced until the closing.
“I’m not the only sponsor; we’ve got $40,000 of finalist bursaries sponsored by The Fields at Murrumbateman, we’re doing the main prize of $15,000 and the People’s Choice of $5000, but we’ve also got $3000 Emerging Artist Prize sponsored by Abode
Hotels,” he says.
According to Shaw, the exhibiting field is a 16-hectare paddock, which is quite large, with good parking this time, a coffee cart and a muffin van.
Although over the years they have had exhibitions in the shearing shed, they’re not planning any special adjunct exhibitions, as the sculpture show, normally in spring, comes right in the middle of the grape harvest.
“Sculpture@Shaw”, Shaw Wines, Murrumbateman, 10am, March 5-March 20. Information and tickets at shawwines.com.au
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By Dougal MACDONALD
THE world today waits with bated breath to see how Russian bullying in the Ukraine will pan out.
In 1998/99, not all that far distant from that hotspot, history remembers another war in the province of Kosovo and a brutal massacre of Albanian men.
Fast forward, perhaps two decades, to a small Kosovo village whose husbands went missing during that war. Within the heavily patriarchal hierarchy of the country’s rural society, widows are expected to wait in expectation of their husbands’ return, subsisting on paltry welfare handouts, a community where a woman who takes a job or establishes a business is regarded as a subversion of the natural order, a sign of disrespect to the husband and possibly loose morals.
Writer/director Blerta Basholli’s debut film
“Hive” mines a real-life story of perseverance against powerful prejudice against women for the small seams of comfort and hope it can yield.
Fahrije’s (Yllka Gashi) husband’s body has never been found, despite frustratingly slow official efforts to locate massacre victims’ bodies. The film tells the story of her refusal to yield to the social punishments inflicted on women simply because of their gender.
“Hive” is not a happy film. Nor a totally depress-
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ing one. Fahrije commits the sin of getting a driver’s licence. When someone throws a stone through her car’s window and calls her a whore, older men sitting outside a cafe do nothing to help her. They seem to approve.
Fahrije enlists other widows in a campaign to assert some kind of independence. They gather honey and sell it. They make ajvar (a roasted red-pepper condiment popular in the region), with her friend Naze (Kumrije Hoxha), an irreverent, forthright older woman who brings to the often-dour mood a welcome breath of humour.
“Hive” is an understated, cautious film. That it picked up audience, directing and grand jury prizes at Sundance perhaps underlies the admiration it engenders for the real Fahrije (whose homemade pickle business continues to thrive), and the seeming ease with which her story can be mapped to the beats of a familiar triumphover-adversity narrative.
It’s not a fun film. But by golly, it’s one that filmgoers of goodwill will find uplifting, rewarding, and sustained by an underlying poignant, irrefutable message about adversity confronted by courage. And an ending like the kick of a mule.
At the coming Oscars, “Hive” is nominated in the foreign-language category, which bids fair to be this year’s most difficult category for pundits to forecast correctly.
At Dendy and Palace Electric
“Gangubai Kathiawadi” (M)
WRITTEN and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this big movie from India adapts a tale in the true-crime reportage bestseller “Mafia Queens of Mumbai” by Hussain Zaidi.
In the 1960s, Gangubai Kathiawadi was tricked and trafficked into prostitution in Mumbai’s Kamathipura red-light zone.
Using a survivor’s ruthlessness and ability to cultivate political connections, Gangubai rose to become a madam involved in drugs and violent crime. She then parlayed her gangland prestige into a media campaign for sex workers’ rights. You might expect a movie with antecedents and credentials like these to be raw and not suitable for young folk. That kind of conclusion diminishes the film’s merits. There’s not a word in its dialogue nor a visual image that might generate a frisson of something that you wouldn’t want your delicately-born-and-raised old granny to hear or use.
The film runs for 152 minutes. I watched it alone at a special screening timed to let me write this review in time for you to read as if nothing untoward had happened to screw up its release date.
It’s historical, a drama, a comedy, a musical and a morality tale. Most of all, it’s a message-fun movie that triumphs over the chatter of its Indian language. And as Gangubai, Alia Bhatt is not only attractive enough to eat; despite the adverse social stigma of the skin trade, her delivery of the character is an admirable delight.
At Dendy
By Helen Musa
PAUL KELLY’s bold light and sound experience, “On The Road Again”, with vocalists Vika and Linda Bull, his band and guest artist Fanny Lumsden will be at Llewellyn Hall, March 11-12. Book at ticketek.com. au or 132849.
ENTRIES are open for the 2022 National Capital Art Prize with more than $45,000 prize money across three categories. Launched in 2021, the competition received more than 1000 entries with every state and territory competing. This year there’ll be three major $15,000 prize categories instead of four, including Open, First Nations and a new Sustainability category. Entries to
nationalcapitalartprize.com.au close on June 30.
CANBERRA Strings present Tchaikovsky’s 1871 “String Quartet
No 1” at Wesley Church, Forrest, 3pm, March 6. Book at trybooking.com
THE Jewish International Film Festival returns to Canberra with 55 feature films and a shorts package from 19 countries, including the high-spirited Australian premiere of Israeli “stoner” comedy, “Greener Pastures”. At Dendy Cinemas, March 10-20. Book at dendy.com.au
IN “Tumbling Like Stars” four of Australia’s finest vocalists – tenor Andrew Goodwin; mezzo-soprano
Fiona Campbell; bass-baritone Andrew O’Connor and Katie Noonan – come together for the debut national tour of Noonan’s new project, AVÉ, the Australian Vocal Ensemble, at Canberra Theatre, March 6. Book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
TO mark International Women’s Day on March 8, there’ll be an encore Australian release of Ali Ray’s art film “Frida Kahlo” in cinemas around the country. Filmed extensively in Mexico City, it’s an intimate documentary, made with access to Kahlo’s works and to personal letters. Canberra screenings at Dendy Cinema on March 8 and Palace Electric on March 11.
MEXICAN-Australian tenor Diego Torre sings the notoriously challenging male role of Eléazar in Halévy’s heart-wrenching opera “La Juive”, which deals with forbidden love between a Christian and a Jew. French director Olivier Py’s new production of the opera will have its Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House, March 6-26. Book at opera.org.au
NEWS reports don’t do justice to the incredible true story of the Tham Luang Cave Rescue.
It was the tale that captivated the world when 12 boys and their soccer coach became trapped two kilometres deep inside a cave in the heart of Thailand, locked inside the dark cavern by flooding monsoon rains.
While most may know the ultimate outcome of the gruelling rescue efforts that took weeks to carry out, that doesn’t make a watch of Disney Plus’ new documentary “The Rescue” any less warranted.
The film dives deep into the event that brought together more than 10,000 people and dozens of countries through a thrilling mix of real footage and dramatic re-creations.
So seamlessly is this done that it’s enough to make one feel claustrophobic just watching the rescue unfold and a clever use of animation gives the audience a vivid idea of the cave network and just how dangerous an endeavour it was.
While Thai Navy Seals played a big part in the rescue, it was actually a scruffy group of cave-diving hobbyists who spearheaded the operation.
The unlikely heroes take centre stage in the documentary. As one recalls: “I was last to be picked for the cricket team but first to be picked for the cave rescue”.
It’s just one of many peculiar pieces of the story that makes it a surprisingly emotional experience and one at many points hard to
believe actually happened. Somehow, there’s even a love story wrapped up in there.
SPEAKING of stranger than fiction, Netflix’s latest hit “Inventing Anna” also draws inspiration from a compelling, real-life story.
The limited series follows a journalist and her investigation into Anna Sorokin, a conartist who pretended to be a wealthy heiress and who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from New York’s elite while in her twenties.
Julia Garner plays the fascinating
Like in “Ozark”, she’s able to bring a charisma and humanity to her criminal character, which keeps the audience firmly emotionally invested.
After a cracking first episode, the show can become hit and miss, but Garner’s performance makes this series just a little too hard to look away from.
AMAZON Prime Video also has a stunning
about Princess Diana’s existential crisis as she wished to leave the royal family.
Kristen Stewart, whose acting has often been flamed thanks to the sparkly vampire saga “Twilight”, proves her true talent here to
stunning effect.
The portrayal has seen her showered in award nominations, including for an Oscar, and even gives Elizabeth Debicki, who brilliantly plays the princess in Netflix’s “The Crown”, a run for her money.
NETFLIX viewers may have also eyed “The Tinder Swindler” on the platform, a documentary film about a scam-artist who allegedly used the popular dating app to steal millions of dollars off unsuspecting victims.
In the doco, multiple women who fell victim to the crimes have teamed up to hunt down the man who would “borrow” their money to protect him from his “enemies”. It seems to have struck quite the chord, hitting the top 10 most watched programs in more than 92 countries following its release and instilling within people a new terror of the dating app, having been described as the “Jaws of internet dating documentaries”. Never fear though. Like Roy Scheider sailing in with a scuba tank and a rifle, Tinder blew up this shark by banning him from their app only after the film was released for the world to see. How diligent of them.
By Helen MUSA
IN an age when people snap away with their phones at live perfor mances as if to catch the moment forever, the National Library of Australia is proposing a very different way of understanding our past with its new exhibition, “On Stage: Spotlight on our Performing Arts”.
It’s a particular pleasure for me to catch up with the NLA’s curator of rare books and music, Susannah Helman, as my own academic training was in theatrical history and I know, as she does, just how hard it is to capture the most ephemeral of the arts.
Fashions change, camera angles are limited, voices seem distorted or from another time and the zeitgeist of one era transforms poorly into another, unless interpreted.
“We’ve had dance and music exhibitions, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a stage exhibition
and we have such a strong selection, so it’s been a pleasure to get things out of the stack,” she says as she enthuses about the photographs, posters, playbills, sheet music, costume designs, set designs, rare books and other objects she’s found in the library’s vast collection.
And as it ranges over theatre, jazz, dance, variety and “a little bit of magic”, it won’t just be about the big names such as JC Williamson, Nellie Melba, Robert Helpmann and Tim Minchin; it will also tell the story of those behind the scenes.
“Performance art humanises the records of the past,” Helman says.
“I love going to performance art and now I realise how vast a record we have at the library…a rich and wonderful story can be told.
“There’s a lot of wonderful, humanising details, like how you bought tickets and why some of the stars were so incredibly popular… it helps us to get to know the Australia of the past, well before mass media.”
In earlier days of serious letter writing, she explains, people kept both their outgoing and incoming correspondence so we can see their networks – “it’s wonderful, not like phone calls, with letters, we can see it all,” she says.
Letters by singer Nellie Melba, for instance, written on letterhead from hotels around the world reveal her
florid style and “the sense of a real character”.
She’s found Tivoli records that show how people lived and worked in the past, but the JC Williamson collection at the library is especially important, because the great entrepreneur was a meticulous recordkeeper seen in this show
through a decade’s worth of books and ledgers.
At this point I can’t help cutting in with an “I know”, since I based my “Australian Dictionary of Biography” entry on Williamson on the NLA’s collection.
Although the chronological exhibition features a rare theatre playbill from 1796, Helman chose not to focus on the very earliest days of professional theatre, but to start a little later, with a markedly good look at life in the arts capital of the 19th century, Melbourne.
And what a time it was, with larger-than-life entrepreneurs such as George Coppin, Bland Holt, George Musgrove and American-born James Cassius Williamson, who founded the
country’s most famous theatrical “firm,” JC Williamson’s – there’s a special section of the exhibition devoted to that.
As well, the touring “star system” was in full flight, with big names from overseas such as Charles and Ellen Kean, Sir William and Lady Don and Sarah Bernhardt coming to Australia, Lola Montez doing her notorious Spider Dance on the diggings, and our home-grown Nellies, Melba and Stewart, taking the northern hemisphere by storm.
“We’ve got Pavlova’s agreement with JC Williamson’s, we’ve got vaudeville, we’ve got the magician Murray the Magnificent, circus performer Con Colleano, we’ve got an advertisement for WC Fields performing in Perth in 1914 – it’s amazing the people who came to
Australia.”
Our interview time is up and we’ve only just hit World War I, but the breathless Helman is keen to jump to the aftermath of World War II, to the emerging Aussie plays such as “Rusty Bugles” by Sumner Locke Elliott and “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” by Ray Lawler, and to a new era of JC Williamson stars, Evie Hayes, Nancye Hayes (no relation) and Jill Perryman.
“It’s a collection to get lost in,” Helman says. “Hopefully, we have captured the key moments and shown what it was like.”
“On Stage: Spotlight on our Performing Arts”, National Library, March 4-August 7, entry free. “Circus: Roll up roll up,” is on display in the library’s Treasures Gallery until June 19.
all you can eat at Okami, one of Braddon’s newest restaurants, with more than 30 Japanese dishes on offer.
But Okami isn’t about buffet dining. All dishes are freshly cooked to order, which led us to select two at a time to pace ourselves – not only so hot dishes would be hot, but to avoid wasting food.
The size of each dish is designed around the number dining although you can ask for larger portions. The charge is $38.80 a person (minimum two people), and you order whatever tickles your fancy.
Once we got our heads around the system we explored the menu, wondering if the food would live up to Okami’s promise of “excellence” (it’s a chain restaurant).
The sushi and sashimi platter certainly did. The components – delicately arranged on a black, rectangle plate – were colourful and vibrant. The salmon was super fresh and the quality up there. We dipped pieces into soy with wasabi and countered tastes with thin ribbons of punchy pickled ginger.
Our next dish, the Shumai, wasn’t our favourite. The Japanese-style, mini chicken and vegetable dim sims were slightly bland (taste and visually).
We’re gyoza fans and the prawn version of these
half-moon-shaped, pan-fried dumplings hit the mark (four for two). The dough was the right consistency and the small side salad added visual appeal.
The winning dish of the day was the miso steak, and we’d head back to Okami just for a repeat. The grilled, diced steak was tender and the miso a match made in heaven. It offered that special umami flavour with salty-sweet richness shining through.
While the tempura batter was light, there wasn’t enough of it on the sweet-potato slices, which were cut thick and slightly undercooked. The flavours of our remaining dishes were satisfying – cold Soba noodles and julienne vegetable dishes with a light garlic sauce.
Okami respectfully asks customers to avoid wasting food and reserves the right to apply extra charges if food waste is over 200 grams (not that diners arrive with weigh scales, but the point is well made).
Okami is both licensed and BYO, which is just as well for wine lovers. Prices are very reasonable but the selection is not amazing (Mateus Rose, anyone?). Japanese drinks feature plum wine, beers, premium, award-winning Otokoyama (served cold or warm) and Mio Sparkling Sake.
The outdoor area, where we sat (the only ones), is minimalist and sparse. While Okami promises “efficient” service, we got off to a very slow start and had to get up to attract attention, starting with our wine order. Eventually, things settled into a rhythm... but we felt the outdoor area wasn’t front-of-mind with staff.
More of Wendy Johnson’s reviews at citynews.com.au
By Helen Musa ACTOR-painter
Max Cullen and his artist wife, Margarita Georgiadis, are the present-day custodians of the historic Coronation Theatre building in Gunning.
Now they’re seeking funds to assist with major renovation works to ensure that the heritage venue will continue to remain standing for Gunning and its performing artists, visual artists, community groups, touring audiences and stakeholders for many years into the future.
Max and Margarita have lovingly maintained the landmark building and adjoining gardens for the past 19 years, putting all their resources, time, money, passion, vision and energy into transforming the old theatre into a multi-discipline venue, the Gunning Arts Centre.
Under the one roof are The Picture House Gallery, The Picture House Studio, The Picture House Gardens and Creative Gunning premises.
Their fervent hope is to secure a NSW Creative Capital Grant for critical restoration work to the rusty original corrugated roof and adequate professional sound insulation of the auditorium interior walls, so they’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to fulfil a prerequisite of this second stage of the grant application process.
They’ll also be hosting a “Maxa-Mania” movie night under the stars in The Picture House Gardens on April 2 to raise funds, details at southerntablelandsarts.com.au
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By Jackie WARBURTON
overgrowth to increase the air flow and ventilation around plants will minimise pest and disease problems that are currently around.
There are a lot of white fly and fungus gnats in potted plants, which are hard to kill as they fly away when disturbed. Sprinkle a little cinnamon from the kitchen cupboard in the potted plants where insects are a problem. Ventilation and cool weather will not see this pest around for long.
SOWING seeds of coriander, corn salad and other cool-season herbs can be started and planted out next month.
A cute little addition to my herb garden this year is miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata). It’s also known as Indian lettuce. The flavour is delicate, mild and sweet. A delicious salad green with the flowers and stems that are edible, too. Miner’s lettuce can be eaten raw or cooked and is a great source of vitamin C.
This plant needs to be cool and moist. It does self-seed with the right conditions and can be a very good edible ground cover.
THERE’S still time for transplanting veggies to the garden bed before the weather cools.
Peas can be planted into the garden from March until May. They will need something to climb and will need to be on a sturdy trellis.
Peas generally take 60-70 days to grow after planting and, for best results, need at least four to six hours of sunlight a day to produce well. The pH of the soil for peas should be around 6-7.5 and they can be grown after anything from the Solanaceae family (ie tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, capsicums and vegetables) has been in the veggie patch.
These vegetables take a lot of minerals and nutrients out of the soil. Leguminous plants in the same spot will replenish the soil and help to monitor pest and disease problems in the garden.
KEEP the water up to pumpkins as they are putting a lot of energy into growing and will be nearly ready for picking. Try and turn heavy pumpkins so there are no white spots developing or place a
a fertiliser and soil conditioner will help with the plants taking up nutrients at the right time.
Soil conditioners such as fish emulsion, some organic products,
it requires and will show signs of yellowing leaves, leaf colour and leaf drop.
Jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
By Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Your patron planet Mars joins Venus, Saturn and Mercury (until Thursday) in the quirky sign of Aquarius, in your hopes-and-wishes zone. So – when it comes to your goals and dreams – it’s important to stretch yourself in innovative new directions and think outside the box. Your inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Aries actress/producer Reese Witherspoon: “I want to make my life, not just my job, the best it can be. The rest will work itself out.”
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
At the start of the week compassionate Venus (your ruling planet) is still linked closely with dynamic Mars. So it’s time to roll up your sleeves and be proactive about helping others. Can you do some volunteer work, start a fundraiser or organise a working bee? Inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Taurus actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn: “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
Mercury (your power planet) moves into Pisces on Thursday, which amplifies your chameleon-like qualities – your talent for being what you think other people want you to be. But is that such a good idea? The Sun and Jupiter encourage you to shine your authentic light for the world to see. Inspiring quote for International Women’s Day comes from Gemini entertainer Judy Garland: “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
Trusting your intuition and helping others are the main themes this week. It’s time to think philosophically and feel an essential part of a wider community. Your thoughts are important, your words matter and your actions can make a difference. Inspiring quote for International Women’s Day comes from fellow Cancerian, Princess Diana: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
Partnerships are important this week as Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn activate your relationship zone. Then the Sun (your power planet) links up with Neptune on Sunday. It’s your annual ‘Super Creativity Day’ when you can express the muse within, in your highly individual way. Inspiring quote for International Women’s Day comes from Leo singer-songwriter Tori Amos: “Being stylish is about enjoying your life and expressing yourself and your inner light.”
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Obsessive Virgos can get stuck in the minutiae of endless daily routines. But the rules, regulations, chores and must-do lists can take the joy and spontaneity out of living. So your challenge this week is to step back, slow down, stop over-thinking things and learn to live in the moment. Your inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Virgo nun and missionary, Mother Teresa: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Librans can be too laidback and lackadaisical. But this week the universe gives you a brisk kick up the backside as dynamic Mars links up with Venus (your patron planet), which makes you more proactive than usual. So it’s a great week to initiate, instigate, negotiate, collaborate and create. Your inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Libran actress and activist, Susan Sarandon: “I take responsibility for the ups and downs of my life, and that is very liberating.”
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Watch out for stubbornly holding a fixed position: you’re probably not seeing the full picture. If you listen to family, friends and work colleagues (from home and away) then you’ll gain a much wider perspective. If you are at the receiving end of some stern words from a loved one, accept the criticism with good grace and then move on. Your quote for International Women’s Day is from fellow Scorpion, Vogue editor Anna Wintour: “I try to remain very open to what others have to say.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
News bulletins and notifications can be depressing, so steer clear of negative influences that bring you down. Surround yourself with positive people, in your family/friendship circle and within your local neighbourhood. You’ll find the close community connections you foster now will prove beneficial in the future. Inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Sagittarian singer-songwriter Taylor Swift: “Never believe anyone who tells you that you don’t deserve what you want.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn are in your money zone, so look for ways to build firm foundations for the future. Then Mercury joins the Sun, Jupiter and Neptune in your neighbourhood zone, which is wonderful for fostering positive feelings within your local community. Your quote for International Women’s Day is from fellow Capricorn, Michelle Obama: “The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.”
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
This week Mars, Venus, Mercury and Saturn are all activating your sign, Aquarius. So it’s time to be bold, beautiful, clever and classy. Set an ambitious goal and then work towards it with style, substance and stamina. Stretch your dreams in inventive, imaginative new directions. Your inspiring quote for International Women’s Day is from Aquarian talk show host, author and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey: “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Pisceans are inspirational people. This week there are four planets in your sign (the Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Neptune) and three planets in your imagination/escaping zone (Venus, Mars, Saturn). So you’ll feel like daydreaming, visualising and creating even more than usual as you paint, draw, dance, write, sing or play music. Your quote for International Women’s Day is from entertainer Liza Minnelli (born on March 12, 1946): “Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t know how to dream.” Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2022
There are so many real estate agents to choose from – my business philosophy is very different to any other. My time in social policy in overseas aid and refugee/humanitarian sectors solidified my core way of life.
1 To shun, or avoid, is to do what? (6)
8 Which cylinder of compressed air enables a swimmer to move about freely deeply underwater? (8)
9 When one fuses ore in order to separate the metal contained, one does what? (6)
10 Name a French Protestant. (8)
11 To be on dry land, is to be where? (6)
12 What is a type of sweetened tea biscuit? (4)
13 What is a feeling or outlook of dread, fear, etc? (5)
16 Which person acts on behalf of another? (5)
19 To frolic in a lively manner, is to do what? (4)
21 What is an arbiter or referee? (6)
22 What, in earlier days, was Mandrake known as? (8)
23 To be irascible, is to be what? (6)
24 What are groups of affiliated radio or TV stations called? (8)
25 What is a supervised place of accommodation? (6)
Down
2 Which huge Australian desert is in parts of the NT, Queensland and SA? (7)
3 Name a renowned Australian eye surgeon noted for his work with Australian Aborigines, and in Eritrea. (7)
4 What is a flat wing used to give tightness to a joint, to prevent leakage? (6)
5 Name a lively Polish dance. (7)
6 Which bitter alkaloid is used to treat malaria? (7)
7 What is a self-centred or selfish person? (7)
13 Which plant of the Mediterranean area is widely cultivated for its mostly red and blue flowers? (7)
14 Name an alternative term for mechanical devices. (7)
15 Which is a very important farm motor vehicle? (7)
17 What are American ground squirrels also known as? (7)
18 To feed and nourish, during the stages of growth, is to do what? (7)
20 To subject to a penalty, is to do what? (6)
After the honour of being appointed on the Deputy Chief Minister’s Consultative Group for Affordable Housing and Homelessness, and the Housing Summit in October 2017, I knew I could contribute more.
I had an idea of incorporating the ethos of social enterprises and community organisations and adapting these principles to a pre-existing sector. With huge thanks to Cindy Mitchell at The MillHouse, she helped define my business idea as a “social impact model”. Those who are successful should give back as we all know the gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” is expanding.
I am guided by Diane Kargas Bray and Peter Gordon at Hands Across Canberra as they know where the money is most needed with their 250+ community organisations.
My raison d’être is affordable housing – helping those facing homelessness. The United Nations has decreed that having a roof over your head is a basic human right.
My Investors Can Help project with the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services shows Canberra has a big heart. Last year, I was the top female fundraiser for Vinnies CEO Sleepout raising over $20,000.
Next time you’re looking to sell, contact me on 0405 135 009 for a very different selling experience, and make a difference.
In the meantime, look up my RateMyAgent reviews to see what others say.
