Right noises, but no action on gambling advertising
MICHAEL MOORE
Eyebrows… and the many ways they matter
CLIVE WILLIAMS
9 to 5, it’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it!
HELEN MUSA
Fertilise before the summer heat starts
JACKIE WARBURTON
To not be weighed down by empathy or guilt, Rachel Severence-Smith undergoes an experimental procedure... KEEPING UP THE ACT
There’s a lot more to VIRGINIA HAUSSEGGER than what we saw on television for 15 years. A lot more.
By Elizabeth KOVACS
Sixteen-year-old Rory Pittman wouldn’t be alive were it not for a defibrillator that had been won by the Queanbeyan and District Basketball Association as a “lucky door prize” three weeks before he collapsed during a basketball game.
Rory had signed up to a local basketball team in Queanbeyan and playing in his first game on July 29, during the third quarter, he suddenly collapsed.
Onlookers initially thought that he was simply being a “silly bugger”, and it was only when he didn’t stir they realised something was wrong.
Within two minutes, several mums in the crowd had sprung to action, some of whom were off-duty nurses.
Turning blue, Rory had stopped breathing. CPR was administered by the nurses, and the club’s AED (Auto mated External Defibrillator) won at the Basketball NSW State Conference was brought out, shocking his heart back into rhythm.
“We got a phone call, which was really terrifying,” says Rory’s dad,
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began talking.
Early speculation by Michael and Abigail had ranged from a concussion to a broken bone; they’d never thought their son had stopped breathing entirely.
“He’s played rugby league for seven years without any significant injury, so we thought, how bad could basketball even be?” says Michael.
Although Rory was breathing and conscious, he has no recollection of these events. It was only after reaching the hospital, he was able to understand just how lucky he had been.
The survival rate for anyone experiencing cardiac arrest is 10 per cent and, with 32,000 Australians experiencing the condition annually, that’s about 88 people a day.
Chances of survival can increase dramatically to 60-70 per cent when CPR is performed and an AED is used within the first three to five minutes.
“Without the intervention of the AED, lots of lives like mine aren’t saved, and that’s really important to me,” says Rory.
“They’re starting to roll them out in more places, but they’re still not as common as I’d like them to be.”
Rory spent a week at Canberra Hospital before being transferred to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney where he underwent an operation fitting an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator under his
left arm.
Rory is only the sixth person in NSW to have one, and the first pediatric case.
Live data is sent to the hospital from Rory’s device and so far it’s all come back okay. It is still unknown why Rory went into cardiac arrest.
Rory has returned to school and work, but has another couple of months away from driving with his learner plates.
He wants to be a voice for the issue by advocating for the importance of learning CPR and how to use AED machines, as well as implementing more machines in public, accessible areas.
“There are a lot of businesses that go to the effort of ticking the box, but they never think of it again,” he says.
“You need to think about the actual, practical application of it.”
Abigail and Michael are thankful to have their boy with them.
“It’s crazy to think that if it had happened at home, maybe we wouldn’t have had the same outcome,” says Abigail.
“It’s encouraged me to really think about my own training and awareness.”
In Canberra, St John Ambulance runs a Defib in Your Community campaign to help locals fund publicly accessible defibrillators. More at stjohnact.org.au/DIYC.
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Americans are acting out the truth or otherwise of the notion that a frog in water coming slowly to the boil will remain submerged till it dies.
It was first expressed by a Ger man writer, the eponymous Dr EW Scripture in 1897. In America’s case, the frog is democracy, and its death signals the arrival of autocracy, or perhaps theocracy.
Indeed, last week the New York Times gave an extraordinary 76-minute positive discussion between two scrip ture lovers, their Catholic evangelical columnist Ross Douthat and a leading theocrat, Pastor Doug Wilson, on the details of a theocratic America.
It followed the country’s Justice Department charging New York’s Attorney-General Letitia James, and James Comey, the former FBI director whose “crimes” were a mistake on a personal home loan document and “lying” to the Senate respectively. In each case, the department had previously found there were no cases to answer.
An AI image of boiling a frog… In America’s case, the frog is democracy, and its death signals the arrival of autocracy, or perhaps theocracy.
authoritarian actions, often without offering any explanation,” she wrote.
vision, they have managed to prevail even against a hostile Supreme Court.”
The Defence Department has made a commitment to invest $9 to $12 billion over the next decade to military space programs.” With whom do we partner? Why, the good old USA.
home, without realising what it means for them.
Climate Change is just the start.
His “Dig, baby, dig” cry to the fossil fuel industry is an invitation to hell on earth. If America lets loose on CO2, methane and the other elements heating our atmosphere, it doesn’t matter much what the rest of the world does. America, Russia and the big oil exporters of the Middle East will pile more fuel under the pot.
butchers’ variety. Yet they say nothing that might in any way displease the White House Narcissus.
And last week I learned of Australia’s latest response to Trump, following its $800 million “down payment” on the AUKUS submarines. This one is so bizarre that it’s been kept off the Department of Defence website. Brig-Gen Christopher Gardiner, space and cyber attaché at the Australian embassy in Washington, spilled the beans. The answer is “Space”.
The Defence Department has made a commitment to invest $9 to $12 billion over the next decade to military space programs, he noted.
“We need to partner, and we need to co-operate to generate the resiliency effect,” Gardiner said. With whom do we partner? Why, the good old USA, Mr President.
The NYT board then engaged Kate Andrias, law professor at Columbia University, to trace Trump’s corruption of the legal system.
“In case after case over the past eight months, a majority of justices on the Supreme Court have acquiesced to President Trump’s lawless and
“Mr Trump’s authoritarian moves and the Supreme Court’s authorisation of them has produced, for many, a deepening despair. But here is the essential fact: The Constitution’s meaning is not the Supreme Court’s alone to define. It belongs to ‘we the people’. When enough people have organised around a constitutional
But here’s the other essential fact.
“The people” are exactly like the frog in Mr Scripture’s simile. They don’t seem to realise that they’re in a pot that will surely boil and kill their democracy. No marches, no mass protests.
It gets worse… much worse. The rest of the world might well be looking aghast at what Trump is doing at
The water will quickly reach boiling point, but not before there’s a global explosion of migrants from the countries most affected to the rest. Their governments – including Australia – know perfectly well that in the ensuing chaos the collateral death toll will make the 20th century wars seem like a picnic, albeit of the
Incidentally, since 1897 science has shown Mr Scripture wrong. The frog jumps out in time. Will we?
robert@robert macklin.com
‘The best part has always been the people and the clients who trusted me with their stories and celebrations’
After 40 years at the helm of Bijoux Jewellers, master jeweller George Bezos is getting ready to hang up his boots, but not his tools.
George’s Manuka boutique will close its doors after Christmas, marking the end of a decadeslong retail era.
However, it won’t be the end of his design career.
George says Bijoux has been more than a jewellery store.
“Elegant, distinctive and quietly daring”, he says, it has been a place where memories were made, from one-of-a-kind engagement rings to rare gemstones sourced from around the world.
Travelling widely from New York and Mexico to Greece and India to seek out stones and personal stories to be incorporated into his jewellery, George was originally located at Cen trepoint in Civic, before relocating to Manuka.
One of Bijoux’s signature offerings was its Navajo jewellery collection, which was known for its sterling silver, turquoise and coral appearance, crafted meticulously with a thoughtful attention to culture and detail.
Developing long-standing relationships with emerging and established designers over the
A selection of George Bezos’ jewellery collection… “I’ve been so lucky to do what I love for so many years.”
years, many of whom worked alongside George in the store, he says it’s not just the people, but the special orders that have stayed with him.
From close client collaborations he formed to
create engagement and wedding rings, he says he was given the freedom and encouragement to push creative boundaries to deliver something “truly special”.
George is proud to have designed exclusive collections for the National Gallery of Australia, including pieces for Rubens and the Italian Renaissance exhibition (1992), incorporating cherubs and floral motifs in a tribute to classical grandeur. And for the gallery’s blockbuster Civilization: Ancient Treasures from the British Museum (1990) in which his work featured hand-cut Venetian glass set in gold and silver as a homage to ancient Greece, Italy and Egypt.
“I’ve been so lucky to do what I love for so many years,” he says.
“But the best part has always been the people and the clients who trusted me with their stories and celebrations.
“I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Although George’s bricks-and-mortar store will be closing in December, he plans to continue designing custom jewellery.
In the meantime, Bijoux Jewellers is hosting a farewell sale in-store from October 20 through to Christmas as a chance to own a final piece of George’s work and celebrate his four-decade legacy.
Bijoux Jewellers, 5/11 Bougainville Street, Griffith. Call 6162 1117 or visit bijouxjewellers.com Photos: Margit Selg
‘We are drawing a line in the sand’,
“With this first anniversary of the re-election of the ACT government, we are drawing a line in the sand: now is the time to start spelling out how we will do things differently,”
writes Opposition Leader LEANNE CASTLEY
There’s an old idiom following elections of any description that “the voters never get it wrong”.
While there’s usually only one victor in election results – ie, the political party that will form the government – the saying is a timely reminder that no matter what the result, the decision is made by the voters.
After seven election losses and with ACT Labor now in power for 24 years, the Canberra Liberals must now, more than ever remind themselves of who the real audience is they must talk to: ACT voters.
Obviously, we did not see the results we wanted in 2024. The recent 2024 Election Review has provided a clear analysis of what worked and what didn’t and what we need to improve on.
That includes better teamwork and working together, giving Canberrans more time to consider our policy solutions, supporting candidates and improving how we tell Canberrans what our values are and what we stand for.
But first, one year after the re-
election of Labor, the chickens are coming home to roost.
For over a decade, Andrew Barr and Labor have been promising to deliver a budget surplus but have never done so.
This has meant we have had to borrow billions to fund this failure to manage the terri tory’s finances.
But what does this really mean for Canberrans?
It means that because we are now on track to reach a debt of around $21 billion, we are pay ing so much more on interest repayments.
Instead of being able to invest in better essential services like health, education, community safety and local infrastructure, we have to use that money to repay the interest on the debt. Just like every Canberran with a mortgage or a credit card.
Canberra Liberals Leader Leanne Castley… “We will manage the ACT finances more responsibly and not waste hundreds of millions of dollars on projects.”
$472 million.
Let me give you an example: in the next four years, spending on health is forecast to increase by $180 million. In comparison, spending on our interest repayments will increase by
That’s almost $300 million we could be using to improve services, instead it’s going to banks and other creditors. So, to try and fix this situation, ACT Labor have decided that the best way is to increase taxes, charges and levies on Canberrans and local businesses.
Indeed, 25 new and higher taxes. And this is at the same time when we are facing a cost-of-living crisis. Crazy, brave as some might say.
But at the same time, Canberrans are getting less and less, in terms of the essential services they expect the nation’s capital city to have.
Every day, we hear waiting times for elective surgery are the worst in the nation, people are waiting longer and longer for treatment in our emergency departments, pot holes and the cityscape is falling into disrepair, our schools are overcrowded and we can’t afford to pay for extra teacher assistants, many Canberrans are really struggling to afford a roof over their head, repeat offenders are out on bail, and public transport is in disarray.
And all ACT Labor offers up is excuses, excuses and more excuses. After 24 years in government, they have become very good at them, one might say it’s the only thing they can deliver on time.
For the past 12 months, all we have seen Labor deliver are higher taxes meaning you pay more, and less essential services like health, education and housing.
So, with this first anniversary of the re-election of the ACT government, we are drawing a line in the sand: now is the time to start spelling out how we will do things differently.
We will manage the ACT finances
more responsibly and not waste hundreds of millions of dollars on projects; we will listen to health specialists and experts to deliver better patient care; we will ensure every student and teacher have the proper resources; we will focus much more on “roads, rates and rubbish” to make our city something to be proud of again, and we will listen to the wishes of Canberrans on the issues that really affect them.
The Canberra Liberals will start to release greater detail about our policies from early next year. The Canberra Liberals are proud of our values and these values will guide our policies that will make Canberra a better place.
We want to give Canberrans time to consider them, to know they are sensible, practical, affordable and will get the right results.
As I said in my Budget-in-Reply speech this year, I am not your usual ACT pollie, I didn’t aspire to be one growing up in Charnwood. I am a hard-working mother of two who can see how far Canberra has fallen behind thanks to a government that is focused on itself instead of what matters to you.
Canberrans deserve better.
Leanne Castley is Leader of the Canberra Liberals and an MLA for Yerrabi. She was first elected in 2020.
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• Centrelink advice and implementation.
• Is a redundancy right for you at this time?
‘Changes in management are an exciting opportunity to look toward the future and bring in fresh ideas for the benefit of our residents’
Canberra Aged Care in Lyneham has joined the Hall & Prior Health and Aged Care Group in late 2024.
With a head office in Perth, Western Australia and state office in Sydney, New South Wales, Hall & Prior acquired the Canberra Aged Care home in late 2024. NSW General Manager, Kris Healy says ‘It’s been a pleasure to welcome the ACT team to the group, we are enjoying getting acquainted with the nation’s capital and the wonderful people of Canberra’.
“Taking on a new home is a process we have worked through many times, and we enjoyed a successful and smooth acquisition process throughout late 2024 and early 2025 for the benefit of our residents, their families and our new staff,” she says.
Providing permanent care, palliative care, respite care and dementia support, the home is a single-level purpose built building situated in the leafy streets of Lyneham.
Welcoming our new Director of Nursing, Preethi Arsavilli, to the helm, it has been a priority for Hall & Prior to ensure our dedicated team extend Hall & Prior’s 33 years of compassionate, accessible and high-quality care into the A.C.T. community.
Preethi says “I am excited and grateful that I get to bring my strong experience in this field to lead and contribute to the lives and care of all our wonderful residents here at Canberra Aged Care home. Changes in management can be an exciting
opportunity to look at the world with fresh eyes, giving way to improvements and benefits for our residents, families and our staff’. With a new management team on board to support her Preethi says ‘We will be building on the future of Canberra Aged Care by making it better than ever!’
Preethi says successful aged care is foundationally based on the quality of education the staff receives. ‘I always wanted to be a nursing teacher, so I am very grateful that, as the new Director of Nursing, I can be actively involved in nurturing and coaching the team here.’
Preethi brings with her exceptional experience in nursing, having word across acute medical wards, ICU, and learning & development in her previous roles. Preethi holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Honours in Aged Care (Diploma), a Masters in Clinical Education and several specific care-related certifications.
“My past medical experience has served as a key motivational factor in wishing to extend my care services to the elderly, which I began to do while I completed my aged-care studies,” she says.
Inspired by her father’s commitment to teaching respect for others, Preethi says it is a blessing to work in care.
“My dad was a person of simplicity and when I was young, he was actively involved in establishing an orphanage,” she says.
“I remember we had around 10 children sharing our home, which was lovely as we all lived as one
big family.”
Taking on board valuable lessons from her upbringing by adopting a familial approach to her care, Preethi says she strives in upholding her personal motto of integrity over image.
“The best thing about my day is knowing that I am helping our residents live their later years with dignity and kindness,” she says.
“I love hearing life stories from both our residents and my staff, which is something I encourage.
“Learning, respecting, empathising and con necting with one another is vital in understanding each other’s needs as an individual.
“We all come from different upbringings, but we are a family nonetheless.”
Preethi’s team includes a Deputy Director of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Managers, Registered Nurses, Personal Care Workers, Lifestyle Officers and other support staff such as administration and maintenance who work across 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Our priority continues to be focused entirely on our residents,” she says,
“Promoting individuality, diversity and inclu sion, this new chapter of Canberra Aged Care is a way of giving back to the community by providing the very best care possible.”
Canberra Aged Care Home, 48 Archibald Street, Lyneham, call 6247 3988 or visit hallprior.com.au
better than ever.”
By Michael MOORE
ACT senator David Pocock whipped up a cyclonic storm when he was temporarily banned from the Parliamentary Sports Club.
Imagine the former captain of the Australian Rugby team being given the flick from the sports club of the federal parliament. Makes no sense!
Perhaps that is why the prime minister moved to have the ban lifted.
The reality is that the senator was exposing the insidious nature of lobbying by the gambling industry. And the major parties fiddle at the edges when they know what needs to be done.
As Senator Pocock pointed out: “The Parliamentary Sports Club’s sponsors include the peak body for gambling companies like SportsBet, Responsible Wagering Australia, whose CEO is a regular participant in matches with parliamentarians”.
It is no surprise that David Pocock loves being involved in all types of sports – not just rugby. Crikey published a photo of MPs and senators at a friendly football match with Pocock kneeling at the front. The first part of the problem is how the gambling lobby undermines sports in Australia and uses sport simply to fill their coffers. The second is that the major parties are constipated in their approach to the gambling industry.
It turns out that David Pocock “was shocked to learn
that the Parliamentary Sports Club was selling access to parliamentarians to companies and their representatives”.
He explained: “It’s no wonder we haven’t seen the action to end gambling advertising the majority of Australians are desperate to see when gambling lobbyists are calling the shots in Canberra.”
Ihavewritten on innumerable occasions regarding the relationship in Canberra between poker machines, the Labor clubs and the Labor Party. Some changes have been
made in the arrangements and there has been a reduction in the number of poker machines allowed in the territory. There is more to be done.
Unhealthy industry donations to political parties creates a problem for our democracy. Look at the impact of huge donations for both Democrats and Republicans and how they have distorted the democracy of the US.
Restrictions on political donations and on political spending are already being implemented with leadership from the ACT and SA. Let’s just hope that such donations and influence become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
The Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs report You Win Some, You Lose More was submitted to parliament by Labor Party MP, the late Peta Murphy in June 2023.
The first part of the problem is how the gambling lobby undermines sports in Australia. The second is that the major parties are constipated in their approach to the gambling industry.
The 31 recommendations of the committee “apply a public health lens to online gambling to reduce harm to Australians”.
Amajorconcern at the time was expressed by Ms Murphy when she said: “Gambling advertising and simulated gambling through video games, is grooming children and young people to gamble and encourages riskier behaviour.
On a per capita basis, Australians are the biggest losers in the world when it comes to gambling. Wayne Peak, of Western Sydney University, set out the issues in The Conversation in April.
“The torrent of advertising is inescapable. It is manipulating an impressionable and vulnerable audience to gamble online”.
“A phased, comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising is recommended within three years. This will give
major sports and broadcasters time to find alternative advertisers and sponsors, while preventing another generation from experiencing escalating gambling harm.”
The government has yet to respond. And therein lies the problem. On occasions, both the Labor Party and the Liberal Party make the right noises on this issue. However, the level of gambling advertising, particularly during major sports events, continues unabated.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, from Tasmania, has pursued this matter for years. Other Independent MPs and senators, along with The Greens have also sought to implement advertising restrictions.
Labor Minister Anika Wells claims Labor has taken serious actions. These include mandatory customer ID verification for online wagering, banning the use of credit cards for online betting, forcing online gambling companies to send their customers monthly activity statements outlining wins and losses, and direct funding for specialist financial counselling to support people affected by problem gambling.
These are important small steps, but as Peta Murphy pointed out, what is needed most urgently is to seriously limit all forms of gambling advertising.
When the major parties act on this, we will know that the lobbying influence exposed by Senator Pocock has not won the day.
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.
‘Let’s call a spade a spade: the treatment of women in our society is discriminatory’
There’s a lot more to Virginia Haussegger than what we saw on television for 15 years. A lot more.
DAVID TURNBULL continues his series of stories of remarkable Canberrans.
You probably think you know Virginia Haussegger.
And it’s reasonable that you would. She was in your living rooms reading the ABC News in Canberra for 15 years.
But there’s a lot more to Virginia than what you saw on television.
Virginia has spent many years in journalism, but don’t be fooled by the designer suites, the calm tone or the perfectly coiffed hair. Behind that professional newsreader image there’s a feminist warrior.
No, she’s not storming the barricades and waving placards.
But a passion for women’s rights has always burnt in her heart and, since leaving the ABC, she’s thrown herself into the battle with renewed vigour.
Over the years, of course, she’s written many articles about women’s rights, but now she’s published a book titled Unfinished Revolution – The Feminist Fightback. It’s effectively a rallying cry to feminists to take up the challenge and fight back.
“What I’m trying to do with this book,” Virginia says,”is to get the feminists of 2025 to stand on the shoulders of the women who went before us, to pick up on the gains they made, and to build on them.
“The feminist revolution is not over; there’s women who will never be handed power, we have to take it.”
But where does this passion come from?
The roots of the Haussegger family are in Hungary, in a town called Kosice that is now a part of Slovakia.
All the Haussegger men have been engineers, and her grandfather, Apard, travelled to Tasmania around 1901to work on a large infrastructure project before marrying 17-year-old Lillian Campbell and moving to Melbourne.
Virginia’s father, Kalman, then married Joan Fitzgerald, a girl from
Brighton.
Virginia was the fourth of six children.
She was born in 1964 in suburban Bulleen and grew up in a conservative Catholic family in which the local priest or nuns would join the family for dinner regularly.
By high school, the family had moved to Templestowe, a leafy outer suburb populated by artists, musi cians and writers living in mudbrick houses; and while Virginia attended the Catholic Ladies College in Eltham, a school that was run by the Sisters of Charity nuns, she remembers the school as progressive.
At 16, she won a Rotary Exchange Scholarship and went to Mexico to live, a pivotal trip that confronted her with real poverty and women who were subjugated within the ingrained chauvinism of Mexican society.
“Originally, I was interested in pre-Columbian art,” she says. “Then I saw those same indigenous faces reflected in the poorest people in Mexico, including the servants of my host families.
“I saw how wealthy women were made to compete with one another, wearing loads of make-up, gold jewellery, expensive clothes; they were virtually imprisoned as beautiful objects.
“It made me very angry, especially with the church – the transparent hypocrisy.”
There was one experience that remains particularly vivid.
“I was Miss International Rotary when I was there, and had this sash, and they’d dress me up and parade me around.
“I hated it. It was just so demeaning.”
After returning to Australia, she was hellbent on writing the definitive text on pre-Columbian art, but got sidetracked doing an arts degree and a cadetship in journalism at the ABC in Melbourne – and the rest is history, as they say.
Starting in the late 1980s and
intellectual, sexist spivs”.
She has seen news directors repeatedly choose good-looking men and women ahead of other people with superior journalistic skills.
And she’s suffered the typecasting that imprisoned female reporters as the ones who were always assigned the “soft” stories.
After globetrotting for years, she came to Canberra eager to settle into the daily routine of newsreader.
In 2016, she moved on to become an adjunct professor at the University of Canberra Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis where she set up the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation – a small gender-equity research hub.
By that time, of course, her advocacy for women had already been recognised with an Order of Australia and she had served six years on the board of UN Women.
data. I was sick of seeing glacial change,” she says.
“Let’s call a spade a spade: the treatment of women in our society is discriminatory.
“Governments choose NOT to right the wrongs. It is deliberate.”
Around 2019 Virginia took her frustrations down the coast for a weekend.
“I sat down at my computer and started writing a book proposal,” she says.
“Rage and anger poured out of me. I couldn’t stop.
“I reworked that proposal over two years as the story changed and my anger built.
“So that’s where Unfinished Revolution – the Feminist Fightback was born, but it changed shape dramatically.”
Rather than a chronological history
book in the present – where women
“It made sense because in the last decade there’s been a huge women’s fightback against discrimination,”
women rally outside Parliament in the March4Justice, and that scene
“The #Me too movement had spread around the globe. We saw Grace Tame become Australian of the Year for her work highlighting child sexual abuse.
“We had Chanel Cantos bring the rape culture at private schools into
“And then the Brittany Higgins’ story broke, and the government’s political response was on the front
Writing the book has been cathartic for Virginia, particularly researching
“They were far more radical than we are today, they had backgrounds but Elizabeth Reid stands out like a on women’s policy to a government working with [PM Gough] Whitlam, she spent a lifetime with the United Nations helping women all over the world fight for change.”
Virginia concedes the initial outline for the book was all bile.
“Now I feel more optimistic,” she says.
“I think a lot of women know this is really about saving the planet. Men have made an awful mess of things.
“Women’s deep anger must not be underestimated.”
Unfinished Revolution – The Feminist Fightback (Newsouth Books).
Journalist David Turnbull is writing a series of profiles about interesting Canberrans. Do you know someone we’ve never heard of? Share the name and a number in an email to David via editor@citynews.com.au
The quality of the Woden and Weston Creek living environment is a legacy of past planning. However, it is facing challenges, especially from the pressure to maximise residential density.
Firstly, the planning legacy. WodenWeston Creek was the first “newtown”, started in 1963 under the strategy of accommodating Canberra’s growth by the development of new settlement areas.
Activities were located in the context of a centres hierarchy. Major office employment and higher-order services and facilities (eg comparison retailing, swimming pools, libraries) were to be located at the town centre. Group centres at Curtin, Mawson and Weston were to be the locations of shops, services and facilities serving a group of suburbs.
Facilities and services meeting dayto-day needs of the community were delivered through the development of neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood would have a primary school, a pre-school, a shopping centre and neighbourhood park or playing field linked by pedestrian ways providing convenient walking and cycle access to the activities.
Its estimated population, at a Canberra population of 500,000, was 87,000.
Substantial social, economic and
demographic changes resulted in the population not reaching anticipated levels.
Between 1976 and 1981 the population fell from 63,700 to 59,000 with the population of Weston Creek falling from 27,700 to 20,500. The decline was primarily due to an ageing of population as the children of initial settlers left home and the lower fertility of new households coming to the new town.
A consequence was the closure of Stirling College, Holder high and primary schools in Holder, Fisher and Curtin. Economic change led to a decline of trade at local centres, including the closure of most service stations and the major hardware store in the district. By 2024 the population had increased to 65,200, primarily from development at the town centre where the population had increased from 2176
As elsewhere in Canberra, there is criticism that the government’s planning approach favours developers.
The poor design and construction quality of many higher-density dwellings is seen as a consequence.
in 2011 to 6478.
The town centre continues as a major node for Commonwealth offices. Westfield, anchored by department/ discount department stores and major supermarkets, offers well-utilised retail and business services.
The Hellenic and Southern Cross clubs are major recreational, community and entertainment hubs. The recently opened CIT, Woden Library, Health, senior citizens and youth centres provide essential services.
Challenges at the town centre include improving the public realm, particularly in the town square and Eddison Park; facilitating the mobility of the aged; managing traffic and parking issues, including light rail; “opening up” the shopping mall and how to best respond to development pressures of the Phillip services area.
A major concern expressed by the Woden Community Council and others is the failure of the government to
consider the need for community and recreation facilities. The last decade has seen the loss of the indoor basketball stadium and a pitch-and-putt golf course. The loss of the 50-metre pool and ice skating rink is likely.
The auditor-general is reviewing the process whereby the government changed the Territory Plan in 2022 to remove the requirement of a 50-metre pool, replacing it with a requirement for a 25-metre pool, just before the developer, Geocon, bought the lease. The developer is proposing 696 apartments. Independent MLA Fiona Carrick argues the decision seems to be based on cherry picked data and did not consider the current and future needs of the Woden and Weston Creek communities.
As the late David Wright observed (CN, November 3, 2022) the challenge for the government is how to strike a balance between recreation and housing needs.
He argued the government needed to stop land speculation in the city’s recreation facilities. Developments are put forward for purposes that have nothing to do with their role as sporting clubs and nothing to do with the purposes the leases were granted.
As elsewhere in Canberra, there is criticism that the government’s planning approach fa-
vours developers. The poor design and construction quality of many higher-density dwellings is seen as a consequence.
Another criticism is the opaqueness of the government’s decision making. It continually fails to inform the community of the trade offs in decisions about how the city should grow. The decision to build and extend light rail to Woden is a clear example.
Woden-Weston Creek, given its attributes, will continue as an attractive residential and employment location. The 2025 Population Projections project a 2045 population in Woden of 58,000 and 30,000 in Weston Creek. Can the government improve its management and increase the quality of development and transparently undertake comprehensive assessments of community needs and the economic, environmental and social benefits and costs of future developments/ redevelopments?
Mike Quirk is a former NCDC and ACT government planner.
“Relationships, like eyebrows, are better when there is space between them.” –Demetri Martin
The human brow is the forehead area above the eyebrows.
You’ve no doubt pondered about the term “highbrow” as in “she assiduously pursued highbrow intellectual pursuits”.
The alternative is “lowbrow” nonintellectual pursuits associated with watching sports such as American football or viewing the Kardashians.
The terms highbrow and lowbrow actually come from phrenology, a nowdiscredited 19th-century pseudoscience that linked skull shape to intelligence and personality.
People believed that a high forehead (or “high brow”) indicated greater intelligence and refinement. A low brow was associated with more “primitive” or less intellectual traits.
Since eyebrows sit just below the forehead, a “high brow” would literally mean eyebrows with more space above them resulted in a larger or loftier forehead – hence, the metaphorical association with being more cultured or intellectual.
Human eyebrows are more than just facial features – they serve important biological, social, and expressive functions. Here’s a breakdown of what they do and why we have them: Biological function: Eyebrows help divert sweat, rain and debris away from the eyes. The arch and orientation of eyebrow hairs guide moisture toward the sides of the face,
A set of 60 miniature heads used in phrenology, a now-discredited 19th-century pseudoscience that linked skull shape to intelligence and personality. Photo: Science Museum, London
keeping vision clear. The brow ridge and eyebrows also help reduce the glare from sunlight, especially when looking upward. Social and expressive roles: Eyebrows are critical in conveying emotions such as surprise (raised), anger (furrowed), confusion (one raised), and (drooped) empathy. They enhance facial expressions and help others interpret how we feel. They also play a big role in facial recognition. In fact, studies show people have more trouble identifying faces without eyebrows than those without eyes.
Cultural and aesthetic aspects: Eyebrow grooming has cultural significance and varies widely – from plucking, shaving and tattooing to threading, tinting, and make-up shaping. Fashions change over time, for example thin brows in the 1990s vs fuller, more natural brows in the 2010s and beyond.
Scientific facts: Eyebrow hair grows more slowly than scalp hair and follows a shorter growth cycle. Eyebrows are controlled by muscles like the frontalis, corrugator supercilii and orbicularis oculi. The shape of eyebrows is partly determined by genetics but also influenced by age and hormonal changes.
Bill Bryson, the author, noted that in France a chemist named Pilatre de Rozier tested the flammability of hydrogen by gulping a mouthful and blowing across an open flame, proving at one stroke that hydrogen is indeed explosively combustible and that eyebrows are not necessarily a permanent feature of one’s face.
On a lighter note (no pun intended): Two men are walking their dogs, a doberman and a chihuahua. They pass a pub and decide it’s time for a drink.
As they’re about to enter the pub, they notice a sign that reads “No dogs allowed”. The man with the chihuahua says: “That’s a real shame; I’m dying for a drink”.
“No prob,” says the other man. “Just do
as I do.”
So saying, he puts on a pair of dark glasses and walks into the pub with his doberman. The barman says: “I’m sorry sir, but dogs aren’t allowed in here”.
“It’s okay,” says the man. “I’m blind you see, and this is my seeing-eye dog.”
“But I thought seeing-eye dogs were always labradors,” says the barman suspiciously.
“That used to be the case, but it’s recently been found that the doberman makes an even better seeing-eye dog than the labrador”.
Satisfied at last, the barman allows the man to come in with his doberman. Encouraged by what he has heard, the other man puts on his dark glasses and walks into the pub with his chihuahua.
Once again, the barman intervenes, saying: “I’m sorry sir, but dogs aren’t permitted in here.”
He replies: “But you don’t understand –I’m blind, and this is my seeing-eye dog.”
The barman, incredulous, exclaims: “That chihuahua is a seeing-eye dog?” The man replies: “A chihuahua! They gave me a CHIHUAHUA?”
Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist.
Distinguished Vietnam veteran
Ross Smith thinks that a hero can do no wrong (letters, CN October 16).
He says: “Soldiers do what they have to in time of war and sometimes unpleasantries of combat happen, brutal and inhumane.” Ben Roberts-Smith’s conduct was certainly brutal and inhumane, but he did not have to do what he did; nor was he in “combat”.
Smith says an infantryman’s duty is to “close with your enemy… and KILL”. But the men killed were not “enemy” – they were innocent civilians.
Roberts-Smith acted contrary to international law, the ADF’s own Rules of Engagement, and common humanity.
Roberts-Smith’s conduct disgraces the uniform he wore and the decorations he earned. Columnist Hugh Selby is right to ask why the government has not acted to strip him of the honour he no longer deserves (“National embarrassment: take the medals back now”, CN October 9).
Peter Stanley, Dickson
With great respect to Ross Smith’s service to his country, no soldier can be free to do what they want in a time of war (letters, CN October 16).
Modern wars are never fought between
the military forces of an foreign country, but rather against irregular actors seeking to install a government contrary to the military or economic interests of the US and its allies.
Strict rules of engagement are vital in modern conflicts.
Israel has fought many wars against Arabs, one lasting just six days.
The war in Gaza was the first in which members of the IDF were given full legal immunity for any criminal act committed in uniform.
The result has been a disaster for Israel. The IDF has ceased to be the disciplined and professional army widely respected by other other military professionals.
Atrocity after atrocity has undermined
dose of dorin
international support for Israel. Investiga tions are always promised, but legally nothing can be done.
My support for military discipline has nothing to do with a bleeding heart, but rather because it is vital to maintaining an effectivedefence force.
Noel Baxendell, Holt
If you haven’t heard about Monaro Rock’s Royalla Quarry proposal, don’t be surprised –not many people have, the NSW government was effective in keeping us uninformed.
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The 30,000 residents of Lanyon Valley have been unaware that the quarry proposal could seriously impact the future health and safety of everyone in our community.
The MRRQ proposal, (announced on roadside corflutes as you drive into Canberra from Googong or Royalla on the Monaro Highway), will undoubtedly affect the quality of the Lanyon Valley environment if the proposal goes ahead.
Some of the many issues arising from the quarry that will affect all the people living within 10 kilometres of the project site are as follows:
• Up to a million tonnes of hard rock (construction stone) will be extracted every year, which means that 250+ fully laden BDouble trucks will be using the Monaro Highway during working hours.
• The potential traffic hazards for many travelling to and from Hume, Fyshwick, Manuka, Barton etcetera, will be significant.
• The quarry work will include blasting, processing of large, hard stone pieces, and crushing recycled concrete, all of which will create fine dust. Lanyon Valley homes, schools, outdoor recreation areas and public spaces could be affected by this dangerous airborne fine-particle pollution.
• Gigalitres of water will be used in processing the rock to minimise dust. There is the potential for toxic runoff to contaminate the water table and surface water flowing to Lake Tuggeranong. Water shortages can occur during our long dry summers,
how will the dust suppression process work without a continuous water supply?
Hundreds of submissions from extremely concerned Royalla/Googong and more recently Lanyon Valley residents have been made to halt the development of this project, BUT it may not be enough.
The time is coming when this dispute will arrive at our front doors, Lanyon Valley residents will need to stand together with our Royalla friends and be there to support them.
Carole Ford, Conder
My husband recently underwent prostate surgery at Canberra Hospital, Garran.
While I realise the hospital provokes nothing but negative comments (which seem to be the only ones I see published), I am compelled to say it was first-class treatment from a pre to post-operative situation.
The care, efficiency and kindness were first rate – every step of the way, procedures were explained by diligent and professional nursing staff and clinicians.
Follow up treatment at Urology beyond excellent, with two outstanding staff members, Belinda and Tina, who are the benchmark/gold standard for what a public health system should look like. Highly trained, brilliant communicators, who genuinely care about patient outcomes, they have our complete gratitude and admiration.
Gail Nagel, Isaacs
Kindler Place, Monash, is a sleepy little cul-de-sac of about 10 homes; and it’s where I’ve happily lived for a very long time.
It’s (literally) the kind of residential dead-end where you could throw down a picnic blanket and eat two sandwiches, a piece of cake, and then you’d likely be most of the way through a lazy can of cola before a car might come along.
And – more to the point – Kindler Place was granted a new surface of bitumen and aggregate (a noisy, smelly process requiring visitations by heavy equipment and a crew over a period of several days) only about three or four years ago.
Imagine my surprise, then, to see a sign this afternoon restricting parking on my street over an upcoming 10-day period because it is being resurfaced!
There are no holes at all, and no cracks at all in the road surface of my street.
The new work is, in my opinion, simply not required. Indeed before the 2022 roadworks the street had survived over 30 (yes, thirty) years with the original surface from when the subdivision first opened in 1991!
Now this actually raises another perhaps larger question: the appearance of the original (30-year) road surface was finer and smoother than the recent resurfacing – the newer surface has much less bitumen and the maximum of exposed, angular aggregate that was initially painful to walk on with bare feet.
ficked street, is the hyperactive maintenance program perhaps really and truly required in many other streets because the new surfacing method is crappy and short-lived?
In any event, Mr Barr, if you are going to go ahead and do it all over again to my street I’ll have my 2025 rates back, thank you very much.
Ross Kelly, Monash
The world wide web has become immensely useful because many people generate content, although some would say the wisdom that leads to truth is hard to find.
Some thinkers say that AI will destroy the
On the other hand, AI is threatened by the amount of material now published on the web that is AI generated, because it is web content that is currently the main source of material for training Large Language Models. AI could be left chasing its tail.
But there is a more sinister feedback effect already well established in Western society through social media and its manipulation by those in control.
The commodification of human life, the unguided emotions of individualism and consumerism are some of the themes that are forming cultural beliefs. Its adverse influence on youthful minds is now being acknowledged by government.
Everyone is vulnerable to technology,
which can be seen as the power of a few to make others what they please. Will AI succumb to the technology from which it arose?
The alternative is for independent thinking to return to the question of God who, until recent times, was accepted as the author of human life and all intelligence.
John L Smith, Farrer
Some time ago, when ANU students refused to follow instructions to move their Palestinian protest at the ANU, I commented that those students who refused to obey legitimate requests and who comment negatively on social media, need to take care not to jeopardise their employment prospects.
I mentioned that I was the architect of the Graduate Recruitment Program of a Commonwealth mega-department (DPIE) and had run it for a year, which included interviewing prospective, high-calibre applicants.
I commented that, in today’s world, interviewers could be expected to examine the activities and social media posts of such applicants and were taken to task by readers who seemed to think they knew better.
For their information I provide the results of a recent survey showing that new research shows that social media can cost jobs and interviews, that 77 per cent of recruiters review social media accounts, that 97 per cent of them said they would reject someone based upon what they posted and that 26
per cent of Gen Z had been rejected because of social media.
So I hope those who criticised me now understand that I was trying to warn our young potential job seekers to be careful what they post and how they act in public.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
What is the function of the Australian head of state? Not much – this role is a relic of the British monarchical rule and is anachronistic under the “Westminster” system, where Parliament is the supreme governing authority.
But both the UK and US systems are defective in that both have “first-past-thepost”, non-compulsory, voting, which allows domination by one or other major parties and a potential for autocracy.
The Australian system is better, but could be made more representative by having multi-member electorates for the lower house (as per the ACT and Tasmania).
The separation of powers could be more clear, with the upper house (Senate) only being a house of review and confirmation of legislation agreed by the lower house.
The senate president could have the ceremonial functions of the governor-general. Party allegiance should also be banned for senators to prevent total control of parliament by one or other major party – our own David Pocock shows how effective a true independent can be!
Richard
Johnston, Kingston
Founded in 1975, Mitchell is named after Major Sir Thomas Living stone Mitchell, a surveyorgeneral, cartographer and early explorer of inland NSW.
Sir Thomas, born in 1792, famously named the Grampian Mountains in Victoria and the town of Swan Hill.
From
up
or
Wholistic Financial Solutions (WFS) is locally owned by Michael Johnson and Chris McGuigan, who bring a wealth of expertise across a range of financial services.
With more than 50 years of combined experience in accounting, taxation, business advisory and finance, Chris and Michael have been successfully helping clients navigate their financial journeys in Canberra for more than 20 years.
“With a focus on integrity and excellence, we aim to build lasting partnerships and deliver unparalleled financial expertise,” Chris says.
“We believe that by empowering our clients with the knowledge and resources they need, we can contribute to their longterm financial security and prosperity.”
WFS specialises in a comprehensive suite of financial services, including tax planning, business structuring, wealth management, succession planning and SMSF set-up and
Chris says the difference between WFS and other financial service providers lies in its dedication to establishing strong relationships with clients, ensuring that all their financial needs are met with tailored solutions.
“When you choose WFS, you’re not just getting an accountant or financial adviser – you’re
gaining a strategic partner who is genuinely invested in your success,” Chris says.
“We take the time to understand your goals, challenges, and aspirations, and we’re always here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.”
Chris and Michael believe that excellence in financial services is a team effort, and they take great pride in the fact that the entire WFS team shares these core values and qualities, ensuring clients receive the highest standard of service.
Wholistic Financial Solutions, 5/133 Flemington Road, Mitchell, call 6162 4546 or visit wfscanberra.com.au
Combining cardio and resistance training into a single workout, bungee fitness provides support through a bungee cord anchored to the ceiling, allowing participants to move freely with less strain as they complete exercise workouts in a harness, says Fly Bungee Fitness Australia director Rhi Muir, pictured.
Improving core strength, co-ordination and balance while building lean muscle, Rhi says the low-impact option also provides mental benefits by bringing back the joy of movement.
“Beyond the fitness benefits, Fly Bungee is about connection, confidence and fun,” she says.
“Whether you’re looking to move your body or try something new, Fly Bungee is about lifting yourself,
both physically and mentally.”
Using high-quality, purpose-built equipment that’s been designed for safety and comfort, Rhi says they are also the only sling certified hub for instructor training and equipment supply in the country.
Suitable for anyone aged 13 or above, Rhi says they’ve seen participants into their 70s give it a go.
“It’s a fantastic option for those looking for a challenging workout without the joint stress that often comes with traditional exercise,” she says.
For first-time Flyers, Rhi recommends participants look for their Level One SimpliFLY classes.
Running an introductory offer of buy one, get one free for $34, Rhi says it’s the perfect way to try out the exercise.
Fly Bungee Fitness Australia, 30 Darling Street, Mitchell, call 0488 313796 or visit flybungee.com.au
Therma Quilts has been specialising in making and servicing feather and down products such as quilts, pillows and cushions since 1979, according to a Therma Quilts spokeswoman.
Using quality textiles, she says the seamstresses hand-make every item suited to the customer’s needs and provide a top-up service when quilts and pillows show signs of wear or loss of warmth and fluffiness.
“Servicing of feather and down products is essential for keeping them in optimal condition for comfort,” she says.
“With time and usage, body proteins and lipids (natural oils and perspiration) are absorbed on to quilt casings and into the feather and down inside.
“Over time, this build-up dampens the down, which causes it to lose its thermal resistance. However, regular
servicing of your quilts would ensure that your down is fresh and fluffy.
“With time and usage, the fabrics on quilts wear out and get thin, but once holes appear there is no need to throw away your quilt.
“Therma Quilts is able to re-case your quilts in addition to other services such as extending them into a larger size or reducing them to a smaller size according to your needs.”
With its eco-friendly cleaning process, Therma Quilts services feather and down products including sleeping bags and down clothing as well as other textiles such as silk, polyester, cotton and wool quilt underlays.
Therma Quilts, 10-12 Kemble Court, Mitchell, call 6241 6859 or visit thermaquilts.com.au
By Jackie WARBURTON
Now’s a good time to do any fertilising before the summer heat sets in.
Importantly, water the fertiliser in before and after application to ensure that it does not burn the roots of plants.
While there are many types of fertilisers to use, it can all get a bit confusing. Some fertilisers are synthetic and some are organic, and there are also specific fertilisers for plant types, too.
If there are too many different plants in the garden a generalpurpose fertiliser will work just the same, but remember over fertilising will not encourage new growth but
hinder it, so little but often.
EVERGREEN shrubs should generally be pruned after flowering to keep them compact, promote new growth and have them ready for flowering next year.
Old leaves will change colour and drop off once new growth is coming. Remove fallen leaves to prevent fungal issues and keep evergreens well-watered and mulched through the summer months.
ONE shrub I’m keen to try this year is Crinodendron hookerianum; it’s hardy and thrives in well-drained acidic soils.
Endemic to Chile, it has the most brilliant red flowers.
The Crinodendron “Ada Hoffman” is also a show stopper with its delicate pink flowers. It can be underplanted with a candytuft.
CANDYTUFT can be tricky to get going, but once established will thrive and flower in the driest conditions.
It likes acid soils and is good at repelling insects such as the cabbage moth and aphids.
While I have only ever seen white flowering plants in Australia, it does come in red, pink and purple.
THE vegetable patch and orchard are in full swing and, hopefully, all the winter soil preparation work is paying off.
Netting vegetable gardens will need to be done soon to keep pesky possums, birds and rats out of the produce. Netting must be a maximum of 5mm gauge and in a colour visible to birds and wildlife –the lighter the better.
Netting can be pegged with irrigation pins and, if possible, lifted during the day to allow bees to do their business, pollinating fruit and vegetables.
Sowing cabbages, leeks and lettuce can be done now. Cabbages grow quicker in a warmer climate, which means the cabbage moth is in abundance.
To get quick-growing cabbages, plant land cress around them to repel cabbage moths. Land cress is a “trap crop” and acts as a natural
control for plants without resorting to sprays.
Leeks are a long crop, and it will take at least six months to harvest. They like a little lime in the soil so sprinkle before planting. Leeks can be sown or bought in a punnet. Stagger the planting to increase the yield. As the leeks mature, build up the soil around the base of the plant to block the light and blanch the stems. Harvest just before the flower stem appears or around 2.5cm wide.
Lettuces are easy to grow this time of year and, even growing from seed, can have home-grown salad for the festive table in summer. Grow the variety you eat, plant in part shade, keep watering them and liquid feed every few weeks.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
• Foliar feed all garden beds in the cool of the day.
• Ensure all irrigation is ready for the warmer months.
• Time to fertilise, prune and water conifers.
• Plant Mediterranean plants to repel mosquitoes.
One of my favourite trees that are in flower now is the tulip tree (Lirodendron tulipifera). A hardwood native to the eastern US and used for veneers, it’s only grown in Australia as an ornamental tree.
Tulip trees are a medium-tolarge size tree (up to 20 metres tall and eight metres wide) with a straight trunk and a conical crown. Given the room, they are a majestic tree to have in a park or large garden but not for small gardens.
Of the Magnolia family, they share the same spectacular flowering and like the same growing conditions – full sun and a slightly acidic soil. Its leaves have an unusual four-lobed shape.
In late spring, the trees burst into attractive green to orange flowers, which produce nectar and attract bees, birds and butterflies. They are drought tolerant when established and like our cold winters.
There are some really beautiful specimens of tulip trees around Canberra as street trees and a few in Commonwealth Park.
There are dwarf varieties – up to 10 metres tall – available overseas that would suit our suburban backyard and would make a terrific shade tree.
Coming into summer, all trees will still need watering (even after rain) to keep the moisture levels up in the soil for the warmer months ahead.
Watering trees around the drip line with deep water weekly or fortnightly, is more beneficial than short watering several times a week.
To grow passionfruit vines in Canberra successfully, you have made it as a gardener in our climate.
and the rootstock plant becomes a weed and very quickly takes over all neighbouring vegetation.
These fussy short-lived plants need exactly the right spot to grow well. They last only for about seven years before another one needs to be bought.
–Jackie Warburton
Almost all the passionfruit vines that we buy from the nursery to grow are grafted with a rootstock of Passiflora caerulea and the top fruiting part (the scion) is usually Nellie Kellie.
In our climate, unless you find the right spot, winter will kill the scion
They grow best with their roots in the shade and their heads in the sun. The main way to tell if the plant growing is a weed, is the leaf shape, P.caerulea (the rootstock) has five lobed leaves and passionfruit Nellie Kelly has three.
Once the rootstock takes hold in the garden bed it suckers and moves fast. It can be difficult to get rid of. However, its flowers are exquisite and attract pollinators, making it always worth a try along a small fence where there is good airflow.
–Jackie Warburton
Offering pilates, yoga, psychology and nervous system care under one roof, SISU Canberra is a wellness studio that brings together science and movement to help clients feel better, think clearer and move with confidence.
With more than 20 years of medical practice and expertise, co-owner, clinical and forensic scientist Lia McInnis says their practice is backed by science, not magic.
“We are creating a mind/body connection through movement in many of the exercises that we offer,” she says.
Offering reformer and mat pilates alongside yoga, Lia says it is their other services, provided by medical professionals that sets them apart from other studios.
Fellow co-owner Camille Bateman is the lead coach of their newest 15-week program, the Nervous System Reset.
“The program is guided from start to finish by polyvagal coaches,” says Camille.
The polyvagal theory emphasises the role the automatic nervous system plays in health and behaviour.
“The program has been designed to help those feeling stuck, on edge, stressed or depleted,” says Camille.
Working closely with Lia, the program is science-led, practitioner-designed with supervision by registered psychologists, ensuring the right advice, guidance and steps are made for mental and overall wellbeing
organisation have been hand selected by the owners as trusted experts within their individual fields.
SISU Canberra, Unit 7/42 Geils Circuit, Deakin, call 6198 8695 or visit sisucanberra.com.au
Living with a chronic condition can be stressful.
From monitoring symptoms, dealing with lack or reduced hours of work, financial difficulties and facing the unknown of what the future might hold, a majority of those living with chronic conditions can experience high levels of stress.
Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey says that is where they can help.
“It’s important to know that you’re not alone in these situations,” she says.
“We provide support groups, educational programs and exercise classes to ease the stresses that may be associated with your condition.”
Rebecca says their core priority is ensuring they are improving their clients’ quality of life.
“Many of our staff live with the conditions they are treating, which is super important,” she says.
“They know what it’s like to live with the condition and can provide a level of understanding and empathy those living without cannot.”
Arthritis ACT provides exercise classes, many of which can lead to social activities for participants.
“Many of our participants now meet up for coffee outside of class,” says Rebecca.
“Excerise is one of the best medicines, and doing it with others who are going through similar stages in their life can feel empowering.”
Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce, call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au
Physiotherapist Emil comes to us with a wealth of physiotherapy experience and knowledge from the public hospital system and also private practice. Emil works closely with our team of Exercise Physiologists on a coordinated approach to improving your pain and overall wellbeing. Emil has a special interest in neurology and improving the lives of people living with neurological conditions. He’s also mad keen on soccer and will support you with all sports related injuries and injury prevention.
Sophie has post graduate qualifications in hydrotherapy, and as a non-sports centred Exercise Physiologist, helps clients who struggle with engaging in exercise due to a lack of sports participation. Sophie’s goal is to improve clients health via our hydrotherapy program, gym instruction and in-home visits. Sophie also is known for her passion for working with children.
Sarah believes that exercise is the best medicine. She is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with her degree in exercise physiology and rehabilitation. Previously Sarah was a swim teacher, personal trainer and an allied health assistant in the hydrotherapy field.
Jarrod is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who graduated from the University of Canberra in 2024.
He has a passion for wanting to help those in need and aims to provide the best possible treatment and advice to each and every one of his clients.
Blake has expertise in improving clients mobility and decreasing their pain through appropriate exercise. Blake delivers our ‘My Exercise’ program, targeting the relief of lower back and sciatic pain, shoulder and upper body concerns as well as leg, hip and ankle interventions – for those who do not qualify for physiotherapy-led GLAD programs. Blake provides individual & group exercise for younger people with a disability. Blake treats clients in-clinic or via our hydrotherapy program as well as attending your gym with you.
Jacqui has a particular interest in hip and knee osteoarthritis. Jacqui delivers the GLAD program designed to reduce the need for joint replacements, or if a joint replacement is unavoidable, to prepare you thoroughly for surgery and recovery for day to day tasks. Jacqui is studying towards a PhD in the outcomes of the GLAD program.
Holly is a former sports journalist who believed so strongly in the power of exercise to heal and nurture that she undertook her 4 year degree in Exercise Physiology. Holly is be able to work with people directly to support them through their pain journey and regain independence and a joy for living again. Holly provides one on one and group exercise classes both on land and at our hydrotherapy centres to support people to gain freedom from chronic pain.
• Occupational Therapy – Assistance with the planning and modification of your home, workplace or car. Applications for NDIS, the Disability and Housing Support Pension, and also driving assessments.
• Physiotherapy – including the GLAD program for knee and hip osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, and pain condition support.
• Exercise Physiology – Individual exercise prescriptions, small group classes to increase strength and improve rehabilitation, strength and balance classes, hydrotherapy support.
Women With Cents was started in 2016 by money coach Natasha Janssens, initially, she says, as a financial education platform.
“After years of running workshops and online courses for women, I published my first book ‘Wonder Woman’s Guide to Money’ in 2019,” she says.
“I quickly realised that women needed more than just financial education. They needed support with navigating financial anxiety, indecision, and the pressures of societal expectations.”
Natasha says research has found that personal finances are the leading cause of stress in Australia, and that women in particular have a lack of confidence when making financial decisions.
“There are so many factors that affect a woman’s relationship with money. Childhood trauma, social
conditioning, gender pay gap, these all play a part.
“I grew up in war-torn Yugoslavia, and came to Australia by myself at 18. I know all too well the impact that childhood trauma can have on our financial decisions as adults.
“Couples often respond to financial stress in very different ways, making it harder to communicate effectively.
“People don’t talk about their financial challenges because they fear judgement and we often carry a lot of shame – regardless of our income.
“So, now I work with women and couples to support them to transform their relationship with money and get on the same page.”
Women With Cents, visit womenwithcents.com.au
“Our mental health services are provided by Dr Liz Layard, a clinical psychologist and Naomi, a dualtrained midwife and counsellor,” she says.
“Together they support clients across a wide range of needs, including perinatal anxiety and depression, adjustment challenges, grief and loss, birth trauma, and general emotional wellbeing.”
With services tailored to women and families, Dr Bombell says they recognise the challenges of pregnancy, early parenthood and beyond.
“We believe healing begins the moment a client feels truly seen and heard,” she says.
“A patient may come to us for help with postnatal issues, but often their emotional wellbeing is just as
Designed to reduce stigma and make care more accessible, Dr Bombell says this model allows them to support the whole person, not just the symptom.
Ultimately, she says prioritising mental health is not a luxury, it’s essential.
“We want to continue breaking down barriers so that reaching for support is as normal as seeing a GP for a check up,” she says.
“We also want people to know that recovery and resilience are possible.”
The Mother Hub, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin, call 6196 6722 or visit themotherhub.com.au
Liz is a dedicated clinical psychologist who brings warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to women’s mental health. With extensive experience in perinatal care, trauma recovery, and emotional wellbeing, she provides evidence-based therapy that is tailored to each client’s unique journey. Liz knows that pregnancy and early parenthood can bring unexpected challenges, and she is passionate about helping women build resilience, process difficult experiences, and rediscover hope. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel understood and supported, empowering them to develop lifelong tools for emotional balance and wellbeing. For Liz, mental health care is about much more than symptom relief — it’s about long-term healing, growth, and strength.
The Mother Hub is a specialist pregnancy and breastfeeding clinic in Deakin, run by Medical Director Dr Sarah Bombell and her team of dedicated Women’s Health professionals. We are excited to soon be offering a general GP service, in addition to our specialised care of pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies for feeding related problems. Our services include pre-pregnancy, antenatal and postnatal care, support with breastfeeding and bottle feeding challenges, tongue tie assessments and release, clinical psychology, counselling, diabetic education and osteopathy, as well as Women’s Health services including fertility, contraception and menopause care.
The Specialist GP’s at The Mother Hub provide integrated care that recognises the vital connection between mind and body. They support women through all stages of pregnancy and beyond, ensuring mental health is always part of the conversation. From identifying early signs of perinatal anxiety or depression, to offering compassionate guidance during challenging transitions, our Specialist GP’s work hand-inhand with our mental health and allied health team. Their approach goes beyond check-ups and medical management — it’s about truly seeing the whole person. With a focus on listening, understanding, and connecting women to the right support, our Specialist GP’s ensure that every woman feels cared for not only physically, but emotionally too.
Naomi offers a unique blend of clinical and emotional care, drawing on her experience as both a midwife and a counsellor. She understands that the transition into motherhood is not only physical but also deeply emotional, and she walks alongside women with compassion and expertise. Naomi supports clients through perinatal anxiety and depression, birth trauma, grief and loss, and the often overwhelming adjustment to parenthood. Her gentle, nurturing style helps women feel safe to share their story, while her professional insight ensures they are guided with practical tools and meaningful strategies. Naomi believes that no woman should face these challenges alone — her mission is to provide a space where women feel truly heard, supported, and empowered to embrace motherhood with confidence.
Many people struggle with feelings of negative self worth and imposter syndrome, says applied behavioural scientist, global leadership coach and therapist, Shilpa Limsay.
She says she too had struggled with low self-esteem issues, but has worked through it.
Now she’s bringing her life experi ence to the forefront of her work by presenting an “I Am Fabulous” workshop.
“It’s my job to help people live life the way they’d like to live for themselves,” she says.
Working within the industry for more than 30 years, Shilpa says her passion for her work has snowballed as she continues to dive deeper and deeper in ways to help people.
“I originally started working in marketing as a business consultant and had worked with lots of highprofile figures,” she says.
“I noticed that people would open up to me and I made the connection that people really just want to be listened to and heard.
“I wasn’t enjoying my work, so I made the jump by following my heart and going back to study therapy.”
Shilpa has worked globally, from the US, Asia, Europe, India to Canberra, and says she hopes to
continue her work in psychosomatic issues, by helping people heal emotionally.
“Many people are unconsciously aware of how immune disorders may be inflamed by stress, anxiety or chronic issues,” she says.
“This happens after emotions have been repressed for decades, causing physical symptoms.”
Shilpa hopes to offer more workshops tackling similar issues in the future.
Balance Partners, email shilpa@balancepartners.com.au or visit balancepartners.com.au
clients step into their sauna, where gentle infrared heat works deep within to cleanse, recharge and promote recovery.
“The warmth helps detoxify the body, boost circulation and leaves you feeling refreshed from the inside out,” they say.
Finally, they recommend clients finish their day by unwinding with their massage services.
“City Cave’s experienced therapists tailor each session to meet your needs, leaving you feeling lighter and more at ease,” they say.
Now offering infrared to their sauna services for $10, they say the
At City Cave, we help restore balance in an unbalanced world.
In a culture wired for stress and burnout, we offer the antidote: science-led Floatation Therapy, Infrared Sauna and Massage Therapy. All designed to calm your body, clear your mind and help you feel like you again. This isn’t just relaxation. It’s time to breathe again.
Kinesiology and mind body medicine professional, Jodie Evans says between work, family, constant technology usage and the demands of modern life, bodies and minds can often get stuck in a cycle of tension and overwhelm.
“Prolonged stress doesn’t just affect mood,” she says.
“It can impact sleep, diges tion, energy, immunity and even accelerate ageing.
“The good news is that stress can be managed and healing is possible.”
At Woden Wellness Centre, Jodie says they take an integrated approach by offering therapies that nurture both body and mind.
red-light enhancement penetrates the skin to improve circulation, aid muscle recovery, reduce wrinkles and promote a natural, healthy glow.
“Whether you’re seeking relief from stress, support for physical recovery or simply a moment of calm, City Cave Canberra offers the perfect sanctuary to recharge and restore your wellbeing,” they say.
City Cave Canberra, 11 Moore Street, Canberra, call 0493 594242 or visit citycave.com.au
“Craniosacral therapy and myofascial release work gently yet effectively to calm the nervous system, ease restrictions in the body and release long-held tension, creating more space for relaxation and physical balance,” she says.
“Counselling provides a safe space to explore the emotional roots of stress, offering tools and strategies for resilience.”
Jodie’s own speciality, kinesiology, works with the body’s innate intelligence through muscle monitoring, which helps to uncover and release underlying stressors
(whether physical, emotional or energetic) while supporting nervous system regulation.
“These therapies recognise the powerful connection between mind and body,” she says.
“By addressing stress on multiple levels, they create lasting change, helping you move from survival mode into a state of calm, clarity and vitality.”
Jodie says it is important to know that support is available if stress has become a daily part of life.
“With the right care, you can release tension, restore balance and rediscover your natural capacity for wellbeing,” she says.
Woden Wellness Centre, Unit 2, Gadal Chambers, 48 Corinna Street, Woden, call 6281 5494 or visit wodenwellness.com.au
By Helen MUSA
The joint is jumping when I turn up at the Queanbeyan Uniting Church Hall to see Queanbeyan Players rehearsing their next production, Dolly Parton’s musical 9 to 5.
Choreographer Lauren Chapman is putting the three main characters and the chorus through their paces, while music director Jane Hinton leaves the accompanying job to pianist Brigid Cummins as she steps aside to tell me about the band that will play in the coming show at The Q. As usual, the players – most of them on the youthful side – are enjoying themselves. The company has gained a reputation for community productions of musicals we might otherwise not get to see. For example, American Idiot and Bubble Boy in the past year.
They’ve also beaten Canberra to the post by presenting the first Canberra-region mainstage production of this famous Dolly Parton musical almost a month before the Canberra Theatre brings in another Parton hit, Here You Come Again.
But 9 to 5 is much more famous. Based on
and lyrics by Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick (who co-wrote the screenplay), the show follows Violet (Kayce Denise), who has worked hard for 15 years in the offices of Consolidated Industries but is continually passed over and mistreated by less experienced and incompetent men.
Featuring MARK SHELLEY
(Allie Hill) become friends, commiserate, and then “accidentally” poison and kidnap their sexist pig boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Ben Thorpe), overthrowing the patriarchy and improving their working conditions.
There’s also a peculiar subplot involving Roz (Chris McKnight), who lets the side down
by having a huge crush on Hart.
Back at rehearsal, Hinton can hardly wipe the smile off her face as she explains how she has called in a few favours to assemble a 12-piece band with horns, saxes, and a “big brassy sound”.
At this point there appears to be a dead body on the stage – but that’s all part of the comic-book-style plot, and all is not what it seems.
During a noisy break while the actors warm up their voices, director Sarah Hull ushers me into a side room to explain why she wanted to direct 9 to 5.
“I’m passionate about giving opportunities to people in plays,” she says. “What appealed to me was the variety of roles for women of different ages. All the main characters could as easily be played by women in their 30s and upwards as by younger people. It was written with no special body types in mind.”
Sure, there are three central roles – the same ones played to the hilt in the film by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton herself – and they get the “big sings”. But otherwise, it’s very much an ensemble piece, not unlike Keating! The Musical, which Hull also directed for Queanbeyan Players.
by the characters.
It’s exactly what you’d expect from a considerable figure like Parton, famous for her philanthropic work supporting childhood literacy, disaster relief, and COVID-19 research. She’s no “dumb blonde” – or at least not an accidental one, having said, famously: “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap”.
As for the hits in the show, Hull says: “The show is full of bangers, like the title number 9 to 5, or Shine Like the Sun, which closes Act One, or Backwoods Barbie, sung by Doralee, or Judy’s big number, Get Out and Stay Out. But then there’s a lovely still number like I Just Might, sung by Judy, Doralee, and Violet.”
With a hefty cast of 31, Hull says she is well supported by Chapman’s inventive choreography and by musical veteran Hinton, who has great contacts in the community.
The set will be relatively simple, mostly suggesting the main office and Hart’s office, but the costumes, she hints mysteriously, will “end up being colourful, in reflection of the changing feelings in the office”.
As we emerge from the interview, the vocal warmup has reached the stage of very loud “Brrrrrr-ing” before Chapman lines the cast up again to dance around with files in hand – just as you’d do in any office.
”W ithout a doubt, John Robertson and Mark Shelley perform the world’s best characterisations of Willie & Roy. Their appearance, voices, manner and ‘spirit’ are uncanny!“
The exaggerated plot, she notes, lends itself to slapstick, but the underlying themes are very serious and relevant today, raising questions of sexism and job security. But if 9 to 5 has a feminist plot, it’s worn very lightly
Queanbeyan Players’ 9 to 5 The Musical, The Q, Queanbeyan, October 31-November 9.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1 - 7pm
By Nick OVERALL
What if you only had 18 minutes to make a decision that could save or destroy the world?
The stakes are that high in Netflix’s new thriller flick A House of Dynamite.
This one features Mission Impossible star Rebecca Ferguson as Captain Olivia Walker, a senior officer in the White House situation room, on duty as a potential nuclear catastrophe begins to unfold.
The film opens when the US receives word a nuclear missile launch has been detected and it’s heading straight for Chicago.
They have only 18 minutes before impact. Making things even worse is who fired the missile is a mystery, creating an apocalyptic scramble to stop it landing.
The film plays out in real time over those 18 minutes then switches vantage point to give the audience a new perspective.
By the time all these character
threads interweave like a spider web those watching at home get the full, frightening picture.
Idris Elba also stars in this as the president in this 100-minute thriller that’s just started streaming.
Behind the camera is director Katheryn Bigelow, who delivered more white knuckles with films such as The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty.
With A House of Dynamite though she’s put to screen her biggest ticking time bomb of a movie yet with a
countdown that’s a thrill to watch.
IT’LL have to go up against Apple TV Plus’ newest blockbuster though with some big star power of its own.
Matthew McConaughey is the leading man in The Lost Bus, a film loosely based on a remarkable true story about a school bus driver named Kevin McKay.
In 2018, this otherwise ordinary California resident became a hero when the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history ripped through
Butte County.
McKay, driving a bus with 22 kids and two teachers on board, had to get the group to safety, navigating extremely dangerous flames, blankets of smoke, blocked off roads, collapsing buildings and more.
McConaughey is the perfect choice here, able to capture that effortless charisma while believably selling this character as an ordinary man thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
Clocking in at just over two hours, this bus journey makes for one hell of a ride. Quite literally.
TWO years ago the Beckham family set the internet on fire with their Netflix documentary giving a behind-the-scenes look at their lavish lifestyle.
It was one scene in particular though that caused a flood of viral memes.
Victoria Beckham, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, attempted to candidly tell viewers that she had come from a “working-class” family, doing it rather tough growing up.
But her monologue was quickly interrupted by her husband who amusingly told her to “be honest”.
“What car did your dad drive you to school in?” He asked.
Victoria soon after revealed it was in a Rolls Royce.
This amusing bit of banter saw crowds flock to the documentary, which surprisingly also received high praise from critics.
Netflix couldn’t let that success go too easily.
The platform has now launched Victoria Beckham, another doco that doesn’t focus on the soccer star but instead his apparent poverty stricken wife who rose to fame as a member of the Spice Girls and model.
This three-episode series is full of all the fun facts that nobody ever asked for, such as the fact that Posh Spice has spent more than 70,000 British pounds ($140,000) on indoor plants and how she managed to insult none other than Donatella Versace herself by trying to redesign one of her dresses at a fashion show.
It’s far from my cup of tea, but the consensus from those who have watched it seems to be that it’s more boring than anything. Though well made, the show seems obstinately against drawing back the curtain on any real juicy details that people watch these documentaries for.
A skim of Victoria Beckham’s Wikipedia page will get fans close to the same amount of her story explored here so what’s the point?
On the back of the popularity of the last Beckham documentary this one felt like it was set up with a free kick, but misses the goal by a long shot.
Last of the old Animals still loves to roar
By Helen Musa
“I’m probably about the oldest person in the world,” says John Steel, drummer and the only remaining member of The Animals, soon to appear at The B in Queanbeyan.
When I catch up with him by WhatsApp, Steel is at his countryside home in northeast England, just 50 kilometres from where he was born, about six kilometres from Morpeth — “Vera country,” he says, to place it.
He’s just put his house on the market, with the first viewer arriving on the day of our conversation, and is preparing to move to the south coast, to Hastings, to join his daughter.
He tells me the current Animals line-up includes Barney Williams as keyboardist, Danny Handley, their front man, lead guitarist and vocalist and Norm Helm, the bass player, who has been with them for two to three years.
“It’s an excellent team,” he says. “We really enjoy playing and going on the road together.
“It couldn’t be better at this time of my life,” he adds, a reference to the fact that he is now an octogenarian.
As for the title of the coming “Final Curtain” tour, Steel treats it with humour.
“This is about the third curtaincall tour we’ve done,” he says. “Every year we say this is going to be the last year, but then another one comes along and we say, why not? It’s what I do.”
Looking back over the decades, Steel reflects on how he began his professional life not as a drummer, but as a trumpeter playing Dixieland jazz.
He and the future lead singer of
the Animals, Eric Burdon, had met when they were 15 while studying at Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design.
“We were trying to avoid having to work for a living,” Steel likes to joke to everyone.
“In the ’50s the dance music for young people was still essentially jazz, so at first we were playing in a kind of Dixieland outfit, but then that British rock ’n’ roll thing started happening in the ’60s and we thought we should go another way.
“The guy who played the drums said he was going to play electric bass guitar, so I thought I might as well play drums – at 15, you think you can do anything.”
In 1964, after the sensational success of House of the Rising Sun, The Animals went to New York.
But despite brilliant success and world tours, the original group made up of Burdon, Hilton Valentine, Chas Chandler, Alan Price and Steel, split up, reuniting just once more in 1968.
After extensive litigation, since 2013 Burdon has co-owned the name The Animals, and tours separately as Eric Burdon and The Animals.
Steel has fond memories of touring Australia and the Asia region.
“In Jakarta we were obliged to print copies of all the lyrics to be passed by the authorities. Most of our songs passed, so we got through,” he says.
When I ask Steel if they can still truly call themselves The Animals, he tells me: “I am an original. The band is true to the spirit of the original Animals.
“Of course, the original band was good, and I really enjoyed what we did, but this band is tuned into the energy of the songs.”
The Animals, The Final Curtain, The B, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, November 2.
Mick Herron published his first novel, Down Cemetery Road, in 2003, the first in a four-book series featuring Zoë Boehm, an Oxford private detective.
A copy of that first edition, with dust jacket, recently sold for $US1700 ($A2600) but the Boehm series was not a commercial success.
In 2010, Herron, therefore, began a new series with a book called Slow Horses about a small group of security services rejects occupying a seedy building in London’s Barbican.
Again, this series was not initially successful in sales terms. It was not until John Murray started republishing the series in 2015, that the Slow Horses phenomenon took off. The rest is history.
The global success of the Apple TV Slow Horses series has resulted in Down Cemetery Road (John Murray, $22.99) now being filmed by Apple also.
Starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, the eight part series will be released on October 29. Following Colin Dexter’s example in the Oxford Inspector Morse series, Herron and his wife Jo have a walk-on role in Down Cemetery Road.
Thompson plays Zoë, with Wilson taking the role of Sarah Tucker, an Oxford wife and freelance publisher increasingly dissatisfied with her role in life supporting her husband, a pompous City of London businessman. “Inside, Sarah was storms and hurricanes. Twisters. Summer madness.”
During a gruesome domestic dinner party, a neighbour’s South Oxford house, in which a mother and daughter live, explodes.
The mother is killed but the four-year-old girl Dinah survives. When Sarah goes to visit Dinah, it seems she has mysteriously been removed from the hospital but no one, including the police, will provide information.
Sarah becomes obsessed with finding
Dinah and enlists the help of married-couple private investigators Zoë Boehm and Joe Silvermann. Computer whiz, 40-something Zoë , “five foot nine, dark-eyed, curly black hair”, rarely steps out of the office, but this investigation will certainly change that.
Herron deliberately echoes Philip Marlowe in Zoë’s hard-boiled attitude to people, her black leather jacket and a handbag containing cigarettes, vodka and a small silver gun.
Zoë and Sarah, finding the explosion was not caused by a gas leak, quickly become themselves entangled in a major cover-up and dirty secrets within the political establishment, the military and the secret service that will place their lives at risk.
Canberra-raised actor Lucy Taylor is appearing on Broadway in New York in Punch, a new play by Nottinghamshire playwright James Graham, whose Sherwood recently aired on ABC TV. The play follows Jacob, who after a night of drinking and drugs, lashes out at a stranger who later dies from his injuries. Taylor plays his fragile mother and also doubles as a parole officer as both families are drawn into Britain’s restorative justice system.
DroneArt Show arrives in Canberra for two over-the-top nights. Expect a string quartet playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake while synchronised drones light up the sky. Exhibition Park, October 31 and November 1.
Director Lee Lewis is staging a commissioned play, The Royal Experiment. The script by former Canberra broadcaster Melanie Tait, famous for The Queen’s Nanny and The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race. It’s billed as a fast-paced, time-travelling comedy exploring how women’s knowledge of smallpox prevention was ignored and stolen for centuries. National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney, November 3-13.
Marking 10 years since the release of Anachronisms, composer and 2019 CityNews Artist of the Year Michael Dooley presents Anachronisms Revisited: A Classical Journey from Baroque to Tango, performed by a star line-up of Canberra-trained musicians, including Andrew Rumsey, Aaron Chew, Anthony Smith, Emily Leong, Jennifer Hou, Dooley and The Grevillea String Quartet. The proceeds will support a school project for children in Nigeria. Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton, November 1.
The 45th Yarralumla Arts and Crafts Show offers local art, handmade wares and entertainment by choirs and musicians, including Andante Andante Choir, Lady’s Mantle, Canberra Men’s Choir, Dante Musica Viva and Ian Le. Yarralumla
The Australian Haydn Ensemble brings Beethoven, Boccherini and Mozart to life on period instruments in historic chamber arrangements of works including Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, October 30.
The Japanese Film Festival returns for its 29th year with a line-up of dramas, thrillers, anime and literary adaptations, opening with Kokuhō, Japan’s 2026 Academy Award submission. Palace Electric & NFSA, Canberra, October 27-November 18.
Musica da Camera presents an adventurous program featuring Othmar Schoeck’s Sommernacht, Chris Sainsbury’s Guwara and Christine Draeger’s Three Dances for Imaginary Animals. Draeger also appears as soloist, with the concert culminating in Honegger’s wartime Symphony No. 2. Holy Covenant Church, Cook, November 1 and St Mary’s Hall, Bungendore, November 2.
QUIPS and one-liners abound from Jackson Lamb’s lips in the ninth of the Slough House series, Clown Town (Baskerville $32.95).
Lamb has been brilliantly captured on screen by Gary Oldman, as reaffirmed in the current TV series of London Rules, which was originally published in 2018, it was extremely prescient in predicting the rise of Nigel Farage and right-wing populism.
In Clown Town, Herron’s plot spins off the true story of Freddie “Stakeknife” Scappaticci, apparently Britain’s top agent inside the IRA during the Northern Ireland troubles.
He was linked to at least 18 murders, all while he was on the government payroll, and some of the victims were fellow agents. Herron has said: “The intelligence services were protecting this guy who was a murderer.”
“Stakeknife” becomes “Pitchfork” in the opening scene of Clown Town. A quartet of his former, now retired, MI5 handlers, (Lamb sardonically calling them “The Thursday Murder Club”), threaten to blow the whistle on the Irish murders and the government’s cover up.
This quickly brings some Machiavellian
moves by the Service’s First Desk, Diana Taverner, that will involve River Cartwright, still recovering from his near death from a Russian nerve agent and his partner Sid Baker, herself recovering from being shot earlier in the series.
River heads off to an Oxford College, clearly St Antony’s, which has taken his grandfather’s library, in which it is believed to be hidden details of Pitchfork’s activities, implicating a very senior member of the current British government.
From there, Herron constructs another wonderful Slow Horses novel, which, typically, ends not well for several of the characters.
As usual, Herron reflects on British politics. Keir Starmer is recognisable in an unflattering portrait, his “government had hit the ground runny, like a jelly that hadn’t quite set”, while the unctuous former politician Peter Judd, planning a comeback, is clearly based on Boris Johnson.
Jackson Lamb, described as at one stage “bowed over his desk like a Francis Bacon study in onanism” has, as ever, a key role in the conclusion.
The many Herron fans will certainly enjoy Clown Town, an incisive, and darkly entertaining novel.
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A prime restaurant space that had been empty for far too long now has a new lease on life. The Lotus Indian is in full swing at the Griffith shops, opening in mid-September where Aubergine used to be located.
With a new, classy and elegant fitout, and service to match, The Lotus Indian aspires to a new standard.
The restaurant offers premium cuisine and beautifully plated dishes, with each a true feast for the eyes.
Director Mandeep Dhaka has serious credentials, having worked at a Michelin-starred establishment in Knightsbridge London. Here in Australia he, and Surena Dhaka, have worked in Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral and Bendooley Estate Berrima.
But let’s dig into the food here in Canberra, at The Lotus Indian…
To start our experience, we ordered papadum presented with a small bowl of mint chutney decorated with hearts. The chutney offered a bit of zing ($7.99).
New to our tastebuds was the Shakargand and walnut chaat ($18.99), a dish that didn’t disappoint. Roasted sweet potato cubes were combined with crunchy walnuts, crispy bhuja, and both tamarind chutney and creamy yoghurt, creating a sweet and savoury dish with lovely texture. It was colourful and flavoursome.
Equally delicious was the aubergine ($22.99). Thick slices of the eggplant were marinated in Indian spices and char-grilled for a deep, smoky flavour. Feta cheese added a lovely salty quality and the sun-dried tomato an intense sweet-tangy dimension. The dish was topped with mango salsa.
The Aloo Gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower) was sauteed with turmeric, cumin and a secret array
of Indian spices ($22.99). This Moorish dish was topped with fresh coriander, and the vegetables were not at all overcooked.
We indulged in a traditional South Indian fish curry famous in Goa ($34.99). The fish was slowly cooked in a roasted coconut gravy that was divine. No one could resist soaking soft, fluffy plain naan ($6.99) and soft whole wheat roti cooked in a traditional tandoor ($5.99) into the rich, complex and irresistible curry sauce.
Don’t forget to order a tray of chutneys, raita and pickles ($9.99) for added intrigue. They arrived lined up on a thin, wooden tray.
As with most Indian restaurants, The Lotus covers vegetarians, vegans and those preferring
gluten-free dishes with flair.
On our next visit, we might organise ourselves enough to order the Lotus Special, which takes 30 minutes to prepare. It showcases lobster tail cooked in a rich, spiced masala sauce ($54.99).
The Lotus Indian has a solid wine list, reasonably priced. Our Collector Shoreline Sangiovese Rose married well with our dishes ($58).
When we arrived for dinner, the lights in the dining area were full on and bright. At one point, thankfully, they were dimmed for better ambiance.
A balmy evening saw me attending the 24th International Canberra Riesling Challenge Awards at the Hotel Realm.
The first thing I noticed was an improvement in the hors d’oeuvre over prior award ceremonies’ tucker.
To start, glorious small bites of food accompa nied a tasting of prior award winners such as the 2024 Brindabella Hills Riesling, which remained a gorgeous, citrusy palate cleanser.
The awards ceremony saw Ken Helm give a speech about the origins of the Challenge from its start in 1999, as he presented the Best Provenance Riesling (awarded basically for consistently good wines over time) to Peter Lehmann Wines for the Wigan Riesling, 2014, 2018, 2025. I mentioned to him that he was like a God of Vintages Past: ubiquitous at Canberra wine functions.
The Best Canberra District Riesling was awarded to Gundog Estate 2025 Canberra District Riesling. This was a most interesting wine, available for taste at the close of the ceremonies. The bouquet had liquorice and citrus. For a 2025 wine it had good balance with a finish of fennel seeds and anise, a complex yet delicate wine. It was splendid.
Members of the public enjoy a taste of the International Riesling Challenge in Albert Hall.
in harmony. It was a wine that will keep well, the clean acid finish excellent.
Best’s Wines. They were stoked that it won best in the Challenge but also the Best Dry Riesling and the Best Australian Riesling trophy.
The Thomson family has owned Best’s since 1920. Ben is the managing director and vineyard manager for Best’s.
He has worked with the family business for more than 30 years and brings passion and viticultural experience to his role and on the night a great level of excitement: “We are elated to win against worthy competition from around the world.”
Chief Minister Andrew Barr, in handing out the award, indicated that he had refrained from singing a Tina Turner song: I suppose because Best’s was best, simply the best.
When I spoke with him later I asked about the ACT government’s $25,000 sponsorship of the Challenge. He said: “We have been a longstanding sponsor. Riesling is an icon of Canberra wines and it’s a relatively modest sponsorship. It was good to see Albert Hall full of the public, using that facility and celebrating riesling.”
After that I exited a very well run function. That reminds me, I once had a girlfriend who threatened to leave me because I kept on pointing out random exits. I told her: “There’s the door.”
The overall winner that was awarded the Best Wine of the 2025 Challenge Perpetual Trophy was 2025 Best’s Great Western Riesling.
Again, after the awards ceremony we were offered a sample. The nose was floral with a hint of lime. On taste, it was balanced, fruit and acid
I spoke with Ben and Nicole Thomson from
By Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Venus is visiting your relationship zone, which favours close friendships, joint ventures and lashings of romance. And encourages you to empathise with a loved one or work colleague who is experiencing difficulties. When dealing with others, being kind of heart and offering positive advice is a winning double. Tuesday’s Mars/Jupiter trine helps you motivate a friend or relative to be more adventurous. Strive to be the positive role model they are looking for.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
With Venus visiting your wellbeing zone, find a fitness routine that keeps you motivated and choose healthy food options that you actually enjoy eating! Attached Taurus – are you stuck in a relationship rut? Mars encourages you to communicate with your partner in creative, proactive ways. Unhappily single? Don’t be seduced by good looks, powerful pecs or a bulging bank balance. Look for lasting love with someone who has similar goals and values.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
It’s a good week for completing work projects and making future plans. However, on Wednesday and Thursday, restless Uranus opposes Mercury (your patron planet) and you could feel extra impatient and skip over important details along the way. Be extra careful you don’t blurt out an inappropriate comment to the wrong person at the wrong time. Then Friday’s positive Mercury/Pluto link encourages close connections and intense communication.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
You’re in the mood for fun, action and entertainment! But, in order to capitalise on the Mars-Jupiter energy surge, some forethought and planning are required. There’s just no substitute for thorough research and paying close attention to details as perceptive Pluto helps you think deeply, and Mercury helps you to multitask. So don’t waste the opportunity to be mega-organised and super productive, as you power through projects with extra focus and finesse.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
The Sun, Mercury and Mars light up your family zone, so try to get the balance right between professional progress and domestic peace. And – if you have to choose – lean slightly towards harmony at home with housemates, family members and close neighbours. Monday is the best day to start a big DIY project. Your motto for the moment comes from actress Julia Roberts (who turns 58 on Tuesday): “My life at home gives me absolute joy.”
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
This week the Sun, Mercury and Mars encourage vigorous communication, Virgo, as you expand your influence (especially via social media). Being confident is paramount but avoid the tendency to jump to conclusions. Venus suggests an increase in cashflow but be careful you don’t cancel that out by indulging in a spontaneous spending spree! On Friday you’re super perceptive, as you solve a problem by paying close attention to important details.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
It’s time to replace confrontation with cooperation! Venus (your ruling planet) is transiting through Libra (until November 6), so the more you focus on the needs of loved ones, the happier everyone will be. And the more proactive you are about finding win-win solutions to partnership problems (whether romantic or platonic), the more harmonious life will be. When it comes to communication, think things through before you speak, text and post.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Many Scorpions love the spectacle of Halloween celebrations, as Scorpio (ruled by Pluto – God of the Underworld) is the sign that rules the dark, mysterious parts of life. So, finding a suitably dramatic, gothic costume (for you or your kids) is essential. Friday’s Mercury/Pluto link will help you get into an intense and imaginative mood. Your weekly motto comes from birthday great, poet Sylvia Plath: “Love life day by day, colour by colour, touch by touch.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
The positive, proactive Mars/Jupiter trine increases your enthusiasm for assisting those who are sick or in need. You’ll find the more you lend a hand to others, the better you’ll feel and the more friends you’ll make. With Venus in your peer group zone, your motto is from writer Robert Louis Stevenson (who had the Sun in Scorpio and Venus in Sagittarius): “A friend is a gift you give yourself.’ It’s also a fabulous week to have fun exploring places close to home.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
The midweek Mars/Saturn trine is terrific for putting plenty of energy into a challenging, long-term project. Passion, enthusiasm, patience and perseverance will get you there in the end. By the time the weekend rolls around, you’ll feel like winding down and looking within as you meditate, contemplate, relax and ruminate. If you slow down and take the time to listen to the wisdom of your inner voice, then your intuition will point you in the right direction.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
On Tuesday, plan to be proactive at work. On Wednesday and Thursday, unpredictable Uranus (your ruling planet) opposes Mercury (planet of communication) which could lead to hasty words and impulsive actions. So slow down and think (carefully) before you speak and act, especially involving children, teenagers and friends. Friday’s fabulous Mercury/Pluto connection favours a personal passion project and intense communication with your peer group.
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
The Sun, Mars and Jupiter activate your adventure zone. Many Pisceans are keen to travel, and the best time to take a heavenly holiday is between now and November 8 (or between Dec 1-28). So, start planning, booking or packing ASAP. But avoid blurting out something inappropriate, especially midweek. Coupled Pisces – love and lust are in the air. Single Fish – with Venus visiting your intimacy zone, look for someone who is trustworthy and kind.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2025
What is the
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1 Name a British band formed in 1959, considered the most popular and influential of pop groups. (7)
2 Which term describes artful management? (7)
3 What is a small case containing a mirror, powder, etc? (7)
4 Name a substance used as a cosmetic to colour the eyelashes. (7)
5 What is the official language of Australia? (7)
6 Name a form of pasta, cut into flat sheets. (7)
11 Name a province in northern Belgium. (7)
12 To be just about the same, is to be what? (7)
13 To fall back into a former state, is to do what? (7)
14 What is a kitchen sideboard called? (7)
15 Name the world’s largest ocean. (7)
16 What is a neutral elementary particle? (7)
Patrick and Lilly bought and moved into their $900,000, newly renovated Canberra home in February 2021. It was their main residence.
In February 2023, Patrick was promoted and they moved to Wollongong, initially renting an apartment. They also rented out their Canberra home.
They bought a coastal home for $1.4 million in July, 2024, and loved the coastal lifestyle so much they sold their Canberra property in February 2025 for $1.3 million.
“We are up for tax on a capital gain of $400,000, I think!” Patrick told me, adding that they needed advice on the exemptions available.
“There are eligibility rules for certain exemptions to apply in relation to the sale of your prior main residence,” I explained. they are eligible for a partial main-residence exemption on the gain, as they occupied the dwelling immediately after acquisition and did not rent it out for the first two years.
"You did not buy another property until July 2024 so there is a 6 month period when you owned two properties and you can possibly claim the main residence exemption on both properties.
"In order for this 'six-month rule' to apply, you need not to have rented the first property in the 12 months immediately preceding the purchase of the second property. This is not the case here, so you are not eligible for the six-month exemption.
“However the ‘six-year rule' will apply. If your main residence is used to produce rental income for a maximum of six years you can choose to treat it as your main residence as long as another property is not being claimed as your main residence at the same time."
I advised the young couple that when declaring a property as a main residence, they should also consider unrealised capital gains on any other properties they concurrently owned.
“You bought your Canberra main residence for $900,000 in February 2021,” I said.
"You sold it in February 2025 for $1.3 million; potentially there is a capital gain of $200,000 each.
"However, you lived in it as your main residence, so until July 2024 you can utilise the main residence exemption under the sixyear rule and it is capital gains tax free.
"I would recommend that you claim Wollongong as your main residence from July 2024."
On my advice, they had obtained a valuation on their main residence from a licensed valuer. This allowed them to disregard the capital gain made between February 2021 and July 2024.
"Accordingly, based on a valuation of $1.25 million you will only pay capital gains tax of a maximum of $20,000,” I said.
Visibly relieved, Patrick and Lilly thanked me for my advice.
Column compiled with the assistance of accountant Chetan Chopra
If you need clarification on capital gains tax or any other tax related matter contact the expert team at Gail Freeman on 02 6295 2844, email info@gailfreeman.com.au or visit gailfreeman.com.au
Disclaimer
This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser. Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No.
Your journey to better health starts here.
At Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, we stand with you on your journey to quit smoking — for yourself, for your family, and for future generations. Smoking is one of the biggest health challenges in our community, but you are stronger than the smokes. Every cigarette not smoked is a step toward a longer, healthier life.
Winnunga offers culturally safe, free, and confidential support:
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Why Quit?
Stronger lungs, stronger heart, stronger you
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Be a role model for your kids, your mob, your community
It’s Never Too Late
Whether it’s your first time trying or your fifth, Winnunga is here to walk with you. Every day smoke-free is a win.
• Yarn with our friendly Aboriginal Health Workers
• Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, sprays)
• Ongoing support and encouragement at every step
