CityNews February 28-March 6 1
The Maxim Invitational returned to Canberra on February 21st 2013 for a third time. The event hosted by Maxim Chartered Accountants is a charity tennis tournament aimed at raising money for a different charity each year, with the George Gregan Foundation chosen this year. The George Gregan Foundation, established in August 2005, is a long-term vision of George Gregan and his wife Erica. The idea for this Foundation was born in 2004 when their son Max was diagnosed with epilepsy. The George Gregan Foundation is committed to raising funds for specific projects targeting children. The event was held at the prestigious Forrest Tennis Club and was run with the help of Brett and Frank from Rising Star Tennis Academy. The tournament featured 24 teams made up of local Canberra businesses. The teams were split into four pools of six with finals to follow.
Design and images by The Mark Agency
Before a ball had been served the teams were greeted by an Australian Tennis legend, John Fitzgerald. John was on hand throughout the day to step in as a “super sub” and proved he is still a dominant force at the net. For a third year running, the Grand Final saw a battle of the builders with construction heavyweights BLOC and Construction Control battling it out once again for the glory of the Maxim Invitational. Rubicon was on deck yet again to ensure spectators and players alike kept their energy levels high with delicious canapés and refreshing beverages. BLOC got away to an early lead and never looked back, spurred on by the chance to be the first back-to-back winner of the title. John Fitzgerald was courtside to give us a
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RAISING FUNDS FOR: 2 CityNews February 28-March 6
blow-by-blow commentary and for a moment you could have mistakenly thought you were at Rod Laver Arena. Construction Control rallied late but at the end of the final BLOC was too good, taking out the third Maxim Invitational. The day was an unbelievable success and through the help of the local business community, Maxim Chartered Accountants raised a record amount of over $105,500 for the George Gregan Foundation. The money from this year’s event will go towards funding the development of a jungle themed playground at the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Canberra. Maxim Chartered Accountants will continue to run the Maxim Invitational
SPONSORS:
annually and will look to nominate a different charity each year to donate the proceeds raised. If you would like to enquire about potential sponsorship opportunities regarding the Maxim Invitational, or to register your charities interest in the event please contact Maxim Chartered Accountants on 6295 8744 or email them via reception@maximca.com.au.
CityNews February 28-March 6 3
news
/ briefly
Saga of the sad sign drags on
Correct address
Laura Edwards reports
THE sad saga of the neglected, badly damaged, heritagelisted, Starlight drive-in sign continues with an application for emergency funding going unlodged. The 55-year-old, neon drive-in sign has been awaiting repair in a Fyshwick depot for over four months, after tipping from its rusted plinth in Watson and crashing through an adjacent fence late last year. Chief Minister Katy Gallagher stepped in and ordered that the
The sign, far left, stands at the entrance to the drive-in in 1957.
Create a lantern
The Starlight sign lies unprotected in a Fyshwick depot awaiting repair and how it looked in September, 2010, when “CityNews” began its campaign to partment of Environment and Sussave the sign. Photos by Silas Brown tainable Development confirmed sign be taken to a Government depot for safety immediately after “CityNews” reported its fall in early October. And there it sits, unprotected from the elements, in the open air, a sad figure of its former self. A representative of the department of Environment and Sustainable Development says the repair of the sign is the responsibility of
index / contacts Arts&Entertainment 31-33 Canberra Confidential 20 Cinema 32 Dining 33 Fashion 30 Garden 34 Letters 18 News 5-19 Politics 10 Puzzles 35 Socials 21-24 Cover: The new Face of Canberra Racing Kate Goodwin. Story Page 6. Photo by Silas Brown
THE “Update Your Medicare Address Campaign”, which closes on March 4, has inspired nearly 550 people to revise their home address to one in the ACT, which increases the Territory’s share of GST revenue by about $2500 per person. The Federal Government uses Medicare data to allocate GST funding. Participants are eligible to enter a competition to win $10,000, supported by Service One Members Banking. To update an address, call Medicare on 132011 and enter the competition at updateyouraddress.com.au.
its owner, the Starlight Apartments complex. “ACT Heritage have invited the owners of the sign to submit an application for emergency funding and have liaised with the owners about the scope of repair work that can be included in emergency funding,” the spokesperson says. “CityNews” was unable to reach the owners of the sign, but the De-
ACT Heritage has not yet received an application for emergency funding from the owners. An inspection by a “CityNews” reporting team at the time of the sign’s collapse revealed that one side of the sign appeared to be completely missing and the underside had been impaled by a signpost it fell on to. After four months on the depot ground, growing rust can join its list of ailments.
FAMILIES at the NGA’s Sculpture Garden Sunday event of free art workshops and performances, 10.30am-1.30pm on March 3, will be invited to create a Parisian lantern to be hung at the Promenade event on the weekend of March 8-9 as part of the Enlighten festival. The Sculpture Garden activities, at which children can take part in drawing, sculpture, painting and clay workshops, will also include lantern-making workshops. More information at nga.gov.au/ sculpturegardensunday
Happy customers ACT energy supplier ActewAGL has the highest customer satisfaction of all Australian electricity or gas providers in 2012, according to independent research conducted by Roy Morgan Research. ActewAGL CEO Michael Costello congratulated staff, saying: “Whether it’s assisting customers in managing their energy costs, providing energysaving tips and safety advice or getting the power back on during a storm – our staff strive to provide a quality utility service to our local community.”
Since 1993: Volume 19, Number 7
Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601 Chief executive officer: Greg Jones 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au Senior advertising executive: Ernie Nichols, 0421 077999 Advertising sales executives: Rebecca Darman 0411 225169 Sara Poguet, 0415 706758 Advertising sales co-ordinator: ad@citynews.com.au Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777 Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au
Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Journalists: Laura Edwards, laura@citynews.com.au Stephen Easton, stephen@citynews.com.au Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764 helen@citynews.com.au Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086 Graphic designer: Leonie Fox Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Ian Meikle, Level 1, 143 London Circuit, Canberra.
CityNews February 28-March 6 5
cover story
Winning ways of new-Face Kate It’s a gorgeous face, and one Canberrans will be seeing a lot more of this year, says fashion writer LAURA EDWARDS NEWLY crowned Myer Face of Racing Kate Goodwin, of Yarralumla, this week beat 25 other hopefuls to take over from former “face” Brittney McGlone as Canberra’s racing ambassador. The 19-year-old is already a seasoned fashions-on-the-field entrant, winning her first competition at Thoroughbred Park three years ago at just 16. Since then, she has appeared in more than 10 competitions in Canberra and her hometown Braidwood, with any winnings going towards purchasing new racing outfits. “It’s not often these days that we get the chance to dress up so ladylike,” Kate says. “I just love the races, they have such a thriving and fun atmosphere.” Kate first started attending the races in Braidwood, where she drew inspiration from fashions-on-the-field contestants. She says she is influenced by classic, timeless looks. “I take from the past but live in the future, so I always stay with the classic, knee-length look, covered shoulders, also trying to incorporate trends of the season – which would be colour materials, hairstyles,” she says. Her advice to other fashions-on-the-
“WHEN I go to the races, I love looking at people,” says Myer Australian fashion designer Jayson Brunsdon.
field hopefuls is to be confident. “If you don’t have confidence, and you don’t think that you look good, then you probably won’t, and people will see that,” she says. And Kate shows you don’t have to go all out on designer frocks to win: the cream lace dress she wore when she was crowned the “face” of racing was from Target and she says she always looks for affordable accessories. Currently working in the hospitality industry, Kate hopes her new duties as racing ambassador will help pursue a career in fashion. “I would love to do something with modelling or fashion, or as a stylist,” she says. “Being an ambassador will be amazing for me, it’s such a good opportunity and great exposure. I just want to start and do as much as I can, and try and be an inspiration for men and women for what to look for in contemporary racewear.” Photo: The new Myer Face of Canberra Racing, Kate Goodwin, photographed at the “CityNews” studio. Styling by Sofia Polak. Kate is wearing a Karen Millen dress, $375, from Myer and hatinator created by Rebecca of Biretta and Busby.
Face of Canberra Racing Kate Goodwin... “I just love the races, they have such a thriving and fun atmosphere.” Photo by Silas Brown
Hot to trots at Thoroughbred Park MARK PARTON savours autumn, a wonderful time for racing in Canberra I’M counting down to Black Opal day at Thoroughbred Park. This is our Melbourne Cup day in Canberra. Last year the Canberra Racing Club’s committee made the bold call to combine their two feature race days into one. It was a rip-roaring success. Again, this year we’ve got Black Opal, Canberra Cup, the National Sprint and the Canberra Guineas on the one program. It’s a racing purist’s dream. Add to that the fashions and a live performance by Evermore and this is huge.
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Mark Parton opinion
But then a fortnight after Black Opal, we’re set to see history at Thoroughbred Park. On March 23 we get a fully fledged Saturday afternoon TAB meeting, which in Canberra is itself a rarity. But the history making aspect is that the six thoroughbred races will be complemented by three harness races. For the first time, we’re going to see harness racing at Thoroughbred Park. The gallops will be on the grass track,
Jayson loves the thrill of the frill
the trots on the synthetic. Greg Nugent, from the Canberra Harness Racing Club, told me that the three races will be contested over 1900 metres racing in a clockwise direction. So we’ll see a mobile start in front of the grandstand before doing a full circuit. “We’ve had one trial over there so far and the drivers have loved the cushion track,” Nugent said. “The wheels of the carts don’t dig in, which was our biggest concern.” At some stage it’s envisaged that all three racing codes will come together permanently at the one venue in Canberra and this experiment in March will go part
the way of testing those waters. If and when we do get that three-code venue in Canberra it’ll have to be built from scratch and I know that Greg Nugent and others have some very bold visions including a straight 1200-metre track for harness racing. The barrier draw would become irrelevant and even on a synthetic surface, winning horses could record some stunning mile rates. There’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before we get our all-codes racing venue in Canberra, but when we do, put me down as a vote for a straight 1200-metre, harness-racing track.
“As a designer you’re a bit of a voyeur, and it’s fun to have a look at what everyone is wearing.” Jayson will certainly get his fair share of fillies to cast his expert eye over when he judges the Myer Fashions on the Field competition at the Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes, Thoroughbred Park. This is the first time the designer, who has worked in the fashion industry for over 25 years and now has his own Black Label in Myer, will appear at the Canberra races – and he’s excited to see what trends local racegoers will be sporting. “I think with Myer Fashions on the Field, it encourages girls to really put a lot of effort into what they’re wearing at the races, and to have some fun with it and accessorise correctly and go all out,” Jayson says. “With women there’s always a sense of competition of what you’re wearing, and it’s the thrill of the competition.” Jayson hopes to see Canberra girls embracing “ladylike” leather, lace and colour – and this season, hats instead of fascinators. “We’ve had years of fascinators, and they’re getting a little tired, I think it’s better to find a great hat,” he says. “In terms of leather, I don’t think rock and roll leather is appropriate for the races – I really mean more of a beautiful frilled leather top and pencil skirt, a great pair of gloves and black hat – that’s fantastic for the races.” Fans of peplum will be pleased to know Jayson insists the trend is “still going strong.” “Peplum tops look great and, at the moment, there’s a trend of mixing florals with lace, particularly with reds and blacks,” he says. And the number one no-no in Jayson’s books? “I saw a lot of kaftans at the last races which I thought was a bit odd – I think they should just stay at barbecues,” he says. Jayson Brunsdon will judge the Myer Fashions on the Field on Sunday, March 10. Other judges are Myer Ambassador Laura Dundovic and “CityNews” fashion writer Laura Edwards.
CityNews February 28-March 6 7
news For Play... from left, Aymard Lam, Felipe Valenzuela and Jason Tabiolo. Photo by Silas Brown
Experience. Well written, well read.
Ernie Nichols ecutive
advertising ex
Dancers use tease to please BY day, they’re a bunch of mild-mannered tradesmen and office workers, but by night, the shirts are off and they’re pulling out their best moves – usually surrounded by crowds of screaming women. But these men aren’t strippers, and their manager Sarah Berenson wants to make that clear. She and group member Felipe Valenzuela created For Play, a four-piece male dance troupe who are looking to take Canberra by storm. “They like to tease, but they’re certainly not going to strip,” explains Sarah. “A few people got confused when they saw the promo card with the shirts off, but we want to set the record straight – the pants stay on.” Sarah, also a life coach counsellor, says she was speaking with seasoned dancer Felipe about his goals when he mentioned his dream was to be a backup dancer for someone famous – “ideally Beyonce.” Felipe decided to pursue that dream by enlisting a group of experienced dancers to build exposure and recognition through performing at various venues around Canberra and eventually, nationally. And he didn’t have to look too far. “Jason [Tabiolo] was a friend for ages with heaps of breakdancing experience so I asked him to be part of the group, and
8 CityNews February 28-March 6
Despite the screams and the suggestive name, here’s a male dance troupe resigned to making the moves, but keeping their pants on! LAURA EDWARDS reports one night I was out and saw Aymard [Lam] dancing at a club... I said ‘wow I gotta have him, too’,” he says. Fourth member Ben Tyrrell is the “MC” of the group, but “doesn’t usually do the choreographed dances,” says Sarah. “He provides the laughs, he’s a lot of fun,” she says. “They’ve all got such diverse talents, and are all from such diverse backgrounds, there’s really something for everyone.” With more than 30 years of dancing experience between them, the group incorporates a variety of styles into their shows including breakdancing, Latin, African, hip hop, dubstep and Brazilian funk. “They’re all very high energy so it’s full on,” says Felipe. “It’s great to be able to showcase our talent in a professional but fun way, where the audience can interact rather just sit quietly and watch.” The shirts come off, “sometimes, because it’s a bit of fun, and originally the group was inspired by the movie ‘Magic Mike’, where they obviously danced with their shirts off,” Felipe says.
“Some of our shows might have some sexually suggestive moves, but we’re not going to strip – that’s not what it’s about.” Sarah says the audience can get pretty wild – “there’s always lots of screaming 18-year-old girls, they treat them like they’re famous,” she says. “People are also starting to book us for parties and hens’ nights as an alternative to strippers – it’s a bit more respectful and sophisticated.” And it’s not just women who can appreciate For Play’s dance moves – men can be the most enthusiastic reviewers. “They’re a bit tentative at first, worrying that we’ll be a sleasy strip group, but when they see us I think they appreciate what we do and are impressed,” Felipe says. “After our last show the men working at the door and behind the bar were like ‘awesome; when’s your next gig?’ I think they appreciate the level of energy and fitness involved as much as the women, and are hopefully inspired from that.” More information at facebook.com/forplaycanberra
CityNews February 28-March 6 9
politics
/ briefly
Backing careful Kate for change
For the girls
ALTHOUGH Federal Sport Minister Kate Lundy has handled the revelations of the Australian Crime Commission with aplomb, there are still considerable challenges for her and the Government. The sport-doping scandal has not only been a disaster for sport, but is also a political quagmire. In an election year we would normally see the Opposition flinging mud, bringing out sport after sport and laying the blame on the Minister. There have been some attempts, but the reality is that Lundy remains largely unscathed. She has emerged as a competent minister who has recognised and identified a problem, a really serious problem, and is underway in wrestling with the issues and implementing solutions. Her success is not a fluke. The conventional approach would be for a minister to sit on the bad news as long as possible in the expectation that the problems would not come to fruition. Lundy has managed the revelations much more effectively. Rather than letting the situation fester, her approach has been positive. She has taken a proactive bat to the political challenges, admitting that things have been going awry, identifying what she understood as the problems and outlining the actions to be taken by the Government.
10 CityNews February 28-March 6
ACT Senator Kate Lundy has come into her own as Sport Minister, says MICHAEL MOORE, but there’s still work to be done with sponsorship and betting Australians love sport and sportstars. It was easy when the issue was Lance Armstrong and we could point the finger, shrug shoulders and laugh a little at overseas cheating and their slack approach to doping. However, we are somewhat more vulnerable when others are taking a similar approach to our sportstars. Although Senator Lundy has done well so far, there is at least one important area of concern that remains to be confronted – the inappropriate links between money and sport. The Australian Crime Commission already has the relationship between sports betting and organised crime on the agenda. It is high time this connection was brought into the open. It is not a uniquely Australian problem, but when large sums of money are involved it is just honey to the bees of organised crime. Sports betting increases the vulnerability of players and the game. Our society is long past the time when sport was largely an amateur exercise about healthy competition; the competition is now not only dependent on the skills and fitness of the players but on the amount of money that can be
spent to secure the best players for a particular team. Perhaps because sport is amongst the healthiest of community activities, it is the unhealthiest of our industries that are advantaged by association. Not so long ago all Australian governments used the combination of regulation and tax on tobacco to successfully buy out the sports sponsorships of that industry. Unfortunately, this left an opening for alcohol and fast food sponsorship. There are some spectacularly awful examples. Despite huge efforts by governments to change the culture of drink driving in Australia, motor racing is still being supported by alcohol advertising. Jim Beam is a sponsor for V8 Supercars and was subject to complaint recently for selling stubby holders that associate racing and alcohol as well as children’s jackets with their logo as part of the promotion of their product. (See v8supershop.com.au). Fast-food companies’ support includes junior sport – implying that their unhealthy food should be part of a healthy activity. Hungry Jack’s website states: “Hungry Jack’s has been a proud supporter of Australian
CHARITY group Room to Read will be holding a celebration for International Women’s Day at Tilley’s Devine Café, Lyneham, 6.30pm-9.30pm, on March 8 with all proceeds to educating girls in developing countries. Tickets are $30 and includes three inspirational guest speakers, performances by two women singers, a complimentary drink on arrival and a raffle. More information to canberra@roomtoread.org
‘Welcome’ dance Sport Minister Kate Lundy... emerged as a competent minister. football for more than 25 years. We see all codes of football as an integral part of Australian culture, so are pleased to offer our ongoing support – from the grassroots to the elite level”. The Whopper was even “the Official Burger of the AFL”. Lundy has demonstrated her calibre regarding the immediate problem. Now it is time to resolve the underlying drivers of sports sponsorship and betting. Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.
THE Monaro Folk Society is holding a “Welcome to Canberra Bush Dance” at the Yarralumla Woolshed on Saturday, March 23, to welcome new people to town and encourage them to come bush dancing for fun and fitness and to make new friends. More information at mfs.org.au/wiki/ index.php/Welcome_to_Canberra_Bush_Dance
New registrar AMANDA Nuttall has been appointed registrar of the ACT Magistrates Court. She has practised as a solicitor within the ACT Government for 11 years working in areas such as litigation including child protection, ACAT matters, public sector employment and discrimination.
12 CityNews February 28-March 6
news
Paintballer Rose Pearce... “This tournament is about encouraging women to be involved.” Photo by Silas Brown
Paintballers take a shot at Russia THIS Sunday, two Canberra women will board a plane for England, where they will join the other members of a specially assembled team before heading on to Russia for the world’s biggest women’s paintball tournament. Rose Pearce and Courtney Reeve are the captain and vice-captain of Canberra’s only women’s paintball team, the Divas, which was invited to compete in this year’s Arena Moscow Girls’ Cup against teams from all over the world. Unfortunately, they are leaving behind their teammates Jess Carswell, Phillipa Richards, Erikka Weustenfeld and Rose’s sister Gabby, due to the cost, timing and, in the case of Phillipa, pregnancy. With a little help from the event co-ordinators, who posted a message on the event’s online forum, the two Canberrans were able to join the Celtic Banshees, a team from the UK that also came up short of
Two trigger-happy Canberrans hope to make their mark on Moscow as the first Australian women to compete in an international paintball tournament. STEPHEN EASTON has the story players who could make it to Moscow. Competitive paintball is a small world, especially for the women who play. “Obviously, because the sport is so maledominated, this tournament is about encouraging women to be involved; we do find that we network together and mentor those who are interested,” says Rose. Other teams in the Arena Moscow tournament have had to enlist extras, too, including one made up of players from Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Japan, and another from Russia with ring-ins from Holland and Malaysia. “It’s becoming more and more popular here in Australia, however in Europe it is massive,” says Rose, excited to
be going on her first overseas trip. “I believe [a group in] California has just arranged for an all-female tournament as well, but they are the only two that I’m aware of. “Teams from all around Australia have been represented in some tournaments overseas before, but from my understanding Courtney and I will be the first females from Australia to compete in an international tournament.” Anyone woman interested in joining the Divas or supporting them financially can contact them through the “Divas PB Team” Facebook page. Follow the Celtic Banshees in the Arena Moscow tournament on a live webcast at pb-arena.ru/online/
CityNews February 28-March 6 13
news
Nick Huggins and Penny Kothe... “We’re interested in regeneration, more so than sustainability.” Photos by Silas Brown
Why Nick wants to put gardens to work Kathryn Vukovljak reports
THREE years ago, Nick Huggins, chairman of Canberra’s new Permaculture eXchange, says he had a “penny drop” moment when he realised his successful landscaping business wasn’t fulfilling him anymore. “While travelling around the country, I saw first hand the land degradation problems caused by industrial farming,” says Nick. “It was a confronting moment, definitely. “It spurred me into action, and I became interested in permaculture; ethical food production that has a positive effect on the landscape.” Nick packed up as a landscaper and now operates a business in permaculture design and regenerative farm land planning. He’s teamed up with a group of local permaculture experts – Martyn and Yvonne Noakes, Penny Kothe and Colin McLean – to form the Permaculture eXchange, which will offer courses including the Permaculture Design Certificate, Introduction to Permaculture, Forest Gardens, Urban Permaculture, Earthworks and Natural Beekeeping. “We wanted to fill a gap in Canberra, to improve education in this area and bring likeminded people together,” says Nick. Permaculture, or permanent agriculture, was devised by Aussies Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s, and refers to a productive environment designed to mimic the balance found in nature. “It includes the house and the whole landscape, with a focus on minimising waste and energy input,” he says. Nick says that in Canberra the courses will be held at Lanyon Homestead, where there are the bones of an old garden to learn from. Students will be encouraged to bring a plan of their own garden and work on redesigning it. “People can swap seeds, resources and ideas,” he says. “Not everyone can grow everything they need, so sharing produce is wonderful. “Even if it’s just a hobby, it’s good for people to
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Former landscaper Nick Huggins... had a “penny drop” moment. get outside. So many people work on computers all day. “We want people to know that they can start small, and work with what they have. You can create a mini permaculture garden on your balcony.” In permaculture, food production is done in such a way that it repairs the soil and makes it more fertile, says Nick. “For example, every plant should have at least three functions, such as providing shade and food, attracting bees and looking pretty,” he says. “With industrial farming, the soil is essentially mined of nutrients, which then leads to the introduction of chemical fertilisers to promote plant growth. “We’re interested in regeneration, more so than sustainability. Sustainability is treading water. Regeneration is about the future, planting the seeds for the next stage. “It’s all done in nature, we just have to go back to that.” More information at permacultureeXchange. org.au
CityNews February 28-March 6 15
Majura Park Medical Centre
‘Welcoming’ medical centre opens as Just opened and already beginning to make a difference, the Majura Park Medical Centre is designed to make its professional tenants’ patients feel welcome... MAJURA Park Medical Centre at Canberra Airport has celebrated its official opening by Federal Member for Fraser, Dr Andrew Leigh. “This clinic will be a centre for bestpractice by bringing together a variety of health professionals to work as a team, providing the best possible overall care for their patients in one single location, ” Dr Leigh said, adding that with a lot of doctors and allied health professionals closed to new patients, the new medical centre would help take some of pressure off Canberra’s primary care sector. Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron described the new, modern healthcare hub – designed to cater for the workers and shoppers that frequent the burgeoning precinct and its twin, Brindabella Park – as “the finest medical practice environment that patients will experience anywhere in Canberra”. “In developing this facility, we recognised that people visiting health professionals are often unwell or anxious, so we’ve focused on creating a welcoming environment unlike any other medical building in Canberra,” Mr Byron said. Two of the new centre’s tenants, Airport General Practice and Ascent Physiotherapy, have been open since January 21 and will soon be joined by Airport Smile Lounge, Capital Pathology and Coast City Country General Practice Training. One more suite in the stylish, purpose-built facility remains available for lease.
Canberra Airport General Practice principal Dr Tuck Meng Soo with Canberra Airport business development manager Richard Snow.
Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh, left, with Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron at the opening of the new Majura Park Medical Centre. 16 CityNews February 28-March 6
The Smile Lounge principal Dr Michael Yang with wife Justine.
Ascent Physiotherapy Sports and Lifestyle Clinic director Louise Steinman with her husband Ken.
/ advertising feature
a one-stop-step to feeling better GP practice confident of success CANBERRA’S newest GP clinic has only been open for one month at the airport’s Majura Park precinct, but principal Dr Tuck Meng Soo expects patient numbers to build quickly. “We’re confident it will be a successful practice and we’ve got all the other medical providers with us, which I think adds to the convenience for patients,” Dr Soo says.
He will continue at Interchange General Practice in the city, but is encouraging anyone who finds it more convenient to start coming to Majura Park instead. “Two of the other doctors – Dr Nick Hamilton and Dr Shilpa Dahal – both trained as registrars in Canberra so they know the local facilities; they know the city well,” Dr Soo says. “Both have done Diplomas of Child Health as well, and they have an interest in children and babies. “Dr Lisa Watson has come from rural NSW, and has a lot of expertise in skin surgery.” Doctors Watson and Hamilton both share an interest in transgender health with Dr Soo, an area he says still isn’t very well serviced in Canberra. But now, he expects Airport General Practice will help fill that gap by becoming a centre of expertise, just like his city practice. Having a Capital Pathology office next door will make test results quicker and he believes a partnership with one of the other tenants, City Coast Country General Practice Training, will help ease the shortage of physicians in the Territory. “There’s still a significant number of practices that aren’t taking on new patients, so I think that by training medical students and registrars, that will provide well-trained doctors to help look after the population here,” Dr Soo says. Call 6248 2600.
Physiotherapist with equestrian expertise
And there’s still dental and pathology coming soon
ASCENT Physiotherapy Sports and Lifestyle Clinic opened its doors on January 21, providing lifestyle management as well as rehabilitative services. Physiotherapist Louise Steinman says her new clinic – she also has one in Bungendore – is looking at getting people back to doing the things they used to, regardless of age or ability. “We not only offer solutions for sports and work injuries, your standard back and Louise is also a trained animal physineck pain or sciatica, but we’re also trying otherapist with a passion for optimising to target the lifestyle, looking at arthritis, the performance of horse and rider in osteoporosis and falls prevention for the equestrian sports. elderly,” she says. “We’ve actually got a specialised equestrian core trainer here at the practice,” she says. “That allows us to get people on the core trainer who haven’t ridden for a long time, or have conditions that preclude them from getting on a horse straight away. We can actually assess them off the horse on our core trainer before we get them back on the horse again.” “It’s no different to me looking at a vertical leap for a basketballer, a golf swing or stroke correction for a swimmer. Our whole thing is getting people to live, play and work, in that order.” Call 6262 9442.
A NEW Capital Pathology collection centre and a new dental surgery for The Smile Lounge will open soon at Majura Park Medical Centre. They will be joined by a new office for Coast City Country General Practice Training, leaving only one suite vacant at the new, state-of-the-art clinic. “Capital Pathology is delighted to support the Majura Park Medical Centre with the provision of quality pathology services to both patients of the practice and the wider community,” chief executive Dr Ian Clark said. “We are looking forward to opening our newest Collection Centre in the near future and continuing to provide patients and doctors with quality pathology services.” DR Michael Yang, from The Smile Lounge, said he expected the new clinic to be open in May, and was “excited” to be opening a new surgery in such an accessible location. “The new Smile Lounge will offer services starting from basic general dentistry and family dentistry, right up to cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening, orthodontics and implants,” Dr Yang said. “We’d like the new practice to be one that people find easy to approach. For example, the parking is going to be much easier than in the city, and it’s among some of the big retail shops in Canberra. “We want it to be an approachable practice for a lot of the families because we want to be a complete one-stop dental practice, to look after the littlies and their parents as well.”
CityNews February 28-March 6 17
opinion
dose of dorin
letters READER Chris Palmer, of Evatt, has submitted a poem he titles “Monday 8am” and says it is about working in the public service.
Monday, 8am Breakfast was tasty, but hardly a distraction. Bathed in the future tense he turns the ignition and tunes into FM everything slipping beneath the waves until it feels like a Friday. Ahead of him, the walls are clean and white. Paper shredders are warming up as the first of the morning conversations fill the rooms: finely honed stories of weekend inactivities; recalling the day when that new guy on level two got lost in a process and was never found. A freshly brewed rumour permeates the air. In room 101, artists are already stroking canvasses, facilitators are facilitating, drafting a submission proposing a business case requesting an executive summary to get signed off. A moment of irony passes, unobserved while the sign outside says ‘No entry – emergency in progress.’ IT floorwalkers drift through corridors; managers stand in doorways, looking with fresh eyes at the junior staff, who are all dressed up to receive their dressing down as the adjacent car park performs its roll call. They’ve come from across the suburbs to do all they can for The Department. He pulls in, half hoping something has been forgotten, half thinking. What was it his wife said? We are made of what we make. Seeing the day unfold in front of him he walks through concrete, bitumen, glass and enters the grey and the cold and the grey.
It’s a wrap
VISION Australia would like to thank you and your readers for your support for our annual Myer Christmas gift-wrap fundraiser. We had a great turnout with over 800 volunteers donating more than 9000 hours of time to wrap gifts in various Myer stores across, ACT, NSW and Victoria. The effort raised $83,639.10 to help Australian children who are blind or have low vision reach their full potential in life. Myer Belconnen contributed $1703.20 to the total – a fantastic result!
Kelly Swanson, Community Relations Officer, Vision Australia
Wonderful ‘weakness’ Editor’s note: While “CityNews” takes its role in the community with seriousness and modesty, we couldn’t, in this our 20th year of serving Canberra, let Mr Joshi’s kind sentiments go unnoticed. I HAVE lived in this beautiful city for the past eight years since arriving from India and, since then, I regularly read “CityNews”. It has become my passion, my love, my weakness. I notice it is just a 20-year-old “young lady” and I have tried to capture my “feelings” for her in my poem.
Canberra ‘CityNews’ celebrating 20 years serving, “Well-written, well-read weekly, of kudos-deserving. In my Canberra stay of eight years, It brings to me, many cheers. Coverage of various regular subjects, keeps lively Canberra updated. It has become my first choice, Generations will read, public’s voice. Each section of society loves its views, Long live our Canberra ‘CityNews’
Chris Palmer, Evatt
Harish S Joshi, Franklin
Experience. Well written, well read.
18 CityNews February 28-March 6
Laura Edwards
Ian Meikle
Silas Brown
journalist
editor
photographer
briefly
/ mum in the city
Gong for Shane
Looking for the lost men
FORMER Canberran and CEO of the Singapore-based e-learning company Schoolbo, Shane Hill, pictured, has been awarded the Social Innovation Leadership Award at the World Corporate Social Responsibility Congress in Mumbai. Over the last decade Shane has founded some of the world’s most used e-learning programs including Mathletics, Spellodrome, World Maths Day and Skoolbo. Children have correctly answered more than 16 billion questions on these sites.
Go, Cats! GEELONG supporters are invited to watch the AFL team on the big screen with other Canberra Cats supporters at the Woden Southern Cross Club on Monday, April 1, 3.15pm against Hawthorn and Saturday, April 27, 7.40pm, against the Bulldogs. The group is also travelling to cheer the team on against Sydney on Friday, April 19. More dates and details in the weekly newsletter, email canberracats@ gmail.com
Hat caption IN last week’s edition, the hat Grace (the big black and white hat with white mesh brim and face veil) in the Black Opal Stakes feature should have been credited as the work of milliner Rachael Henson.
SONYA FLADUN says finding a male teacher, especially in primary schools, can be a bit like finding a tradie that comes on time, a doctor that does house calls or a shop that offers to carry your goods to the car. FOR a long time it appears male teachers have been going the way of the dinosaur. In public primary schools across NSW less than one in five teachers are male and, in some regions, the number is as low as 15 per cent. It’s pretty much the same picture across Australia. The number of male teachers in secondary schools is better, 43 per cent in NSW, and better also in private schools. However, there’s no denying the long-term trend in which the teaching profession has failed to recruit and retain male teachers. Now, please, to all those wonderful, dedicated female teachers out there to whom we all owe so much, this is so not a criticism. It’s just in my experience, kids generally learn by example and the balance of our teaching workforce is hugely important. My nearly seven-year-old girl had a wonderful female teacher for three years in a row. I’m sure she is channelling her much-loved mentor every time she lectures me on the importance of planning, organisation and focus.
However, speaking also as a mum of an energetic, outgoing boy – they seem to learn in different ways; often strongly physical in their behaviour; can’t sit still and can be totally disorganised and lack focus. Boys do things differently and sometimes this doesn’t always fit neatly with the school syllabus or a female-dominated teaching profession. If you are lucky enough to have a boy and that boy has ever latched on to a male teacher, you will understand the importance of positive male role models in schools. Male teachers provide a point of reference to which boys can readily refer when other male role models they see on television or admire on the sporting field leave a lot to be desired. There are a lot of reasons for males choosing not to teach and I’m not going to try and tease these out here. But for the sake of all those kids who would benefit from a balance of positive role models in the classroom, let’s hope our education policy makers don’t continue to let this go through to the keeper.
Going Home HARDWARE supplier Magnet Mart is to be rebadged as Home Timber & Hardware stores in March. The group’s stores in Gungahlin, Queanbeyan, Phillip and Goulburn will be renamed Magnet Mart Home Timber & Hardware and feature the Home group’s turquoise and orange livery inside and out.
Aranda fete THE Aranda Primary School Fete, featuring quality craft, secondhand toys, books, clothes, rides, cakes, jams, entertainment, food and a silent auction will be held at Banambila Street, Aranda, 3pm-7pm, Saturday, March 23.
Show winners
WINNERS of the three double passes to the Enlighten Festival’s “Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones’, at the National Library of Australia, are Sonia Gherdevich, of Wanniassa, Veronika Sain, Lyneham and Sarah Watt, of Narrabundah. CityNews February 28-March 6 19
Canberra Confidential along the damp, near-empty sideshow alley in the supplied photo. AND while we’re at the Show, Diana Littlejohns, public relations flack in faraway Sydney, doesn’t know her geography – nor the Friday capacity of the Canberra Show: “13-year-old home-schooled Mae Walker from Nimmitabel, Canberra, will stand on stage in front of 120,000 people at the Royal Canberra Show and shave off her long locks to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.” Nimmitabel is 153kms to our south, Di. But well done, Mae.
House of wood CC has seen all sorts of dreadful things done to our iconic Parliament House, but wood panelling would have to be the worst. This ghastly digital makeover is the sniggering work of Planet Ark to encourage Australians to live in more sustainable homes by building with responsibly sourced wood. They proffer research that says nearly everyone loves the look of wood in their homes, buildings, furniture and flooring. Until now.
Hello, sort-of sailor SURPRISE departure... after shaking up CBD Limited and pioneering the Garema Place ice skating and the Christmas in the City funfair, popular CEO Stephen Gregory, pictured,
20 CityNews February 28-March 6
Bus shelter’s bottom has resigned. An uncharacteristically coy Mr Gregory confirmed he was joining the Department of Defence in a role assigned to the Navy. What role? He’d rather not say. His replacement is Jane Easthorpe.
EVER wondered what the bottom of a bus shelter looks like? Nor us. But here it is anyway. This gently upturned Action outpost was shot on Constitution Avenue while roadworks go on around its usual resting place.
All the fun of... rain “WET weather doesn’t dampen the fun,” trumpets the Royal Canberra Show in an incredulous press release that asserts, despite the weekend’s rain and a constrained entertainment program, the people (with pre-paid tickets?) who braved the rain had “broad smiles as they left the grounds”. Whatever science is employed to measure the broadness of smiles is not explained nor whether this was possibly an indication of relief at heading home. Certainly, “broad smiles” were hard to detect from the small group of people under umbrellas shuffling
Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au
Holidaying with her adult children in a small community near Dunally, the family was ordered to evacuate and shelter in the water, and leave their valuables on the beach. In the sea for five hours, Joan watched the scene from an inflatable raft. Teased about wearing a sunhat to save her complexion, her reply was: “Blow that – I am protecting my hearing aids!”
Moulin Fuchsia LEGS Dance student Fuchsia Bullot, who started dancing as a three-yearold in Murrumbateman, is off to Paris in April for a year’s contract with the famous nightclub, the Moulin Rouge. She first auditioned in 2006 and 2007 as a teenager and, although being shortlisted, was too young to be accepted. After celebrating her 21st birthday at the Moulin Rouge in 2011, she was determined to try again and last year successfully passed an audition in Sydney.
Hmmms THE Canberra Centre has at last announced international fashion label Zara will open its doors on Thursday, March 14.
Look, hear... BETTER Hearing Australia (Canberra) member Joan brought a recent lip-reading exercise to a halt with her confronting tale of escaping the bushfires on a recent visit to Tasmania.
CELEBRITY spotting... Sydney shock jock Alan Jones was seen shepherding a small child around the seafood buffet at the Canberra Hyatt on Saturday night. He was dining with a family group.
Smile, pleash... AWARD-winning Canberra freelancer Martin Ollman will lead an Enlighten Festival outing of the local chapter of the international Drink and Click group from the steps of the National Library, 6pm-10pm on Saturday, March 2. Drink and Clicksters meet for a drink, talk about photography and social media then move to another location, taking pictures in between. Then repeat. Google Drink and Click Canberra for details. ALSO out for some Enlighten action, commercial photographer Hilary Wardhaugh is rounding up the passive snappers of the town for another of her relaxed Photowalks. Open to anyone of any age with any kind of camera, it starts at Regatta Point, 6pm-8pm, Sunday, March 3, with the aim of shooting sunsets and night images of the Enlighten Festival. No bookings, no cost, just be there, preferably with a tripod. LOYAL customer returns to Belconnen dealership when driver’s seatbelt on her year-old car won’t lock and is told to come back the following week or go somewhere else. Drives guiltily to competing dealer, who immediately identifies it as a priority safety issue, impounds her car and has the problem fixed by the following day. Guess where she’s getting her next service?
scene / around canberra
invite us / scene@citynews.com.au
At Nelson Dominguez’s exhibition opening, Megalo, Watson At Myer Face of Canberra Racing, Siren Bar, Gungahlin
Colombian ambassador Clemencia Forero with artist Nelson Dominguez
Carolina Sanchez, Jose Martinez, Maria Julia Borges and Marigel Diaz
MLA Brendan Smyth and Jack Quinane
Daniel Walding and Clare Jackson
Eureka Gildo with Farida and Shumi Akhtar
Erica Seccombe and John Hart
Robert Fletcher, Christine Nic Sheehan and Tom Alder Pearson and Rebecca Hanratty
Alaina Brown and Lucy Hollihan
Judges Brittney McGlone, Laura Edwards, Natasha Nikolevski David Gambrill and Carla Bignasca and Brittany Bell
Fiona Lieu and Katey Baddeley
Maddy Fry and Jessica Ellis
Divya Kiran, Teresa Tranzillo and Jessica Adelan
CityNews February 28-March 6 21
scene
more photos / www.citynews.com.au
At the Maxim Invitational Charity Day, Forrest Tennis Club
At the National Day of Kuwait celebration, Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Spiro Pazios, Alyson Vardos with special guest George Gregan and Andrew Deane
Vanny Ho, Ros Phillips, Pushpa Ekanayake and Elisa da Silva
Front, Clare Demaine, Bec Franklin and Lyndell Kazar, Back, Nicholas Polhill, Tim Womack, Jack Steedman, Michael Lawless and Daniel del Rio
Chris Farrington and Jure Domazet
Anthony and Katarina Bortolotto
Kayla Scott, Tracy Atherton and Juliane Strache
Olivia Gesini, Jim Dunn and Stephen Bourke
22  CityNews  February 28-March 6
Mile Petrovski and Kath Milin
Omar Yassine, Michael Kavanagh, host Kuwaiti ambassador Khaled Al-Shaibani, Roland Jabbour and Geoff Puttick
Dr Jennifer Dunlop and Rena Katheklakis
Toufic Lawand and Abe Zakhem
Norah Alathari, Dhary Almousa with Aisha and Shouq Alathari
CityNews February 28-March 6 23
scene
more photos / www.citynews.com.au
At Maddocks lawyers first year in Canberra celebration, Gandel Hall
At Rotary International’s birthday
At Sydney’s The Star Event Centre showcase, Gandel Hall
Jane Kinesman, Darren Gardner, Simeran Maxwell and Emilie Owens
Rob Woolley, Barbara Griffiths, Monica Garrett and Anton Pemmer
Megan Parker and Ben Graham
James MacIntyre, Debora Vella and Patrick Kneipp
Beth Woolley and Mauren Manning
Sarah Smith, Karen Lock, Elizabeth Medley and Tania Goodacre
John Thwaites and Bronwyn Weir
24 CityNews February 28-March 6
Francesca Astolfi and Jessica Brown
Simonetta Astolfi and Lisa Chung
Graham White, Robyn Rae and Rob Forrester
Paul and Sue Roger
Peter Kain, Bruce Miller and Elizabeth Saunder
Mireva Holmes and Robyn Boak
Alice Hermes and Carol Pedersen
Brysson and Corey Lesson
Bryce Clarke with Robyn and Ian McNamee
CityNews February 28-March 6 25
training and education
No train, no gain – the Here’s a feature designed to take the pain out of training’s gain as we showcase some of Canberra’s expert adult trainers and a selection of the professional courses and learning experiences they have on offer right now
Incentives to upskill workers AMONG a range of recruitment and training services, Mitchell Personnel Solutions (MPS) provides subsidised training under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Program. MPS Training manager Suzana Evans says the funding provided by this government initiative to train eligible employees means that some employers can develop their staff at a fraction of the normal cost, or without paying a cent. “In some cases that could even mean they get cash back, depending on eligibility,” she says. “We’re excited about it because it does help employers with things like staff attraction and retention. You can say to potential employees that not only are you getting a job out of this, you’re getting a nationally recognised
26 CityNews February 28-March 6
qualification.” And the courses MPS are offering – such as Certificate III and IV in Business Administration or Frontline Management – can be delivered entirely in the workplace. “We’ll visit them on the worksite and guide them in on-the-job training,” Suzana says. “Often the thing lacking in on-the-job training is a structured approach. But we create a structured program that we map to the qualification, and we design the assessments so they’re relevant to the actual workplace, rather than just generic training.” This guidance, she says, is not only provided to the trainee but also to their manager, to help them get the most of the subsidised course. “We try to meet the current needs of businesses by educating them on the funding that’s available now, and tailoring it to their actual needs.” Call 6123 0500 or go to mpsolutions.com.au
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answers lie in getting the right support Professional development days for busy, working people PROFESSIONAL Development Days run by CIT Solutions are designed for busy working people to develop practical skills they can start applying right away. There are 15 different programs, most of which run three times a year. “We look at what’s needed in the marketplace and then we design one-day, high-impact programs to give them the skills they need on the ground,” says Deanne Ranyard, manager of the CIT Solutions Centre for Training and Assessment.
“It’s about using the knowledge immediately,” she explains. And if the skills you’re looking for aren’t on the menu, Deanne is happy to design a one-day course around the specific needs of individuals and organisations, or modify existing ones to suit. “What we’d like to do is work with organisations and design them something that will be effective for their people. All of the courses can be contextualised to their individual requirements.” One of the most useful Professional Development Days is Coaching in the Workplace, she says, which helps managers support colleagues to reach their full potential.
“The real learning happens in the workplace, so you need someone in the workplace to coach these people to apply and use the skills they’ve learnt. So, we have a day where managers come and learn the skills to bring out the best in their people. “It’s quite a unique skill; it’s about supporting people to use their own strengths. At the end of the day, it’s easier if you can coach someone rather than do their job for them.” Although a lot of information about the Professional Development Days is available online, Deanne says she is happy to spend half an hour on the phone talking to people about their needs. Call 6207 3482 or go to citsolutions.edu.au
Meeting public and private needs for the right financial skills for the future Private and public sector organisations both large and small are increasingly identifying the need for the right financial skills to improve performance. Capital Training College managing director Kevin Riley says this applies equally to every member of the team.
“Executives, managers, team leaders, and team members require a good understanding of planning, budgeting, and financial performance,” Kevin says. “It’s essential in today’s workplace.”
The college works with clients to develop a tailored training plan that suits their organisational needs, from short courses to formal qualifications. Kevin recommends considering the full range of options before enrolling everyone in a training course. Some staff, he advises, might benefit greatly from a single workshop, while a formal qualification could be more appropriate for others. For senior executives, he highlights a range of coaching and mentoring options to develop financial management skills, instead of formal training. “When senior executives walk away from the
monthly board meeting saying, ‘I hope someone in there understood the numbers,’ then you need to act,” Kevin suggests. “With the increasing focus on governance and risk, the need for an understanding of finance and financial controls in the boardroom and at the executive level is critical.” Capital Training College can also arrange for a facilitator to guide the team through the financial planning and budgeting process, so that staff can improve their understanding of this area while remaining focused on the actual work of the organisation. Call 1800 254 006 or go to capitalcollege.com.au
CityNews February 28-March 6 27
training and education Deeper look at human conflict
Chefs get a personal touch
THE ACT chapter of the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA), the national peak body for alternative dispute resolution, is running short courses this May in mediation and probity.
JCE Positive Outcomes specialises in personalised hospitality and management training, especially commercial cookery, and trains apprentice chefs in some of Canberra’s top kitchens.
Rosemary Dupont, chair of the ACT Chapter, says disputes arise from time to time in every business and chew through a lot of time and money if they wind up in court. This makes mediation an attractive option when conflicts arise as well as a valuable skillset for all sorts of professionals. Completing the six-day IAMA Practitioner’s Certificate in Mediation course, which runs from May 6-13, not only allows participants to apply for national accreditation, but also imparts some seriously useful knowledge. “Even for people who may not want to be practitionermediators, the mediation course is still excellent,” Rosemary says, explaining that participants gain a deeper understanding of communication, negotiation and the nature of human conflict. “The mediation course is aimed at people coming from all professional walks of life. We’ve had judges and magistrates do this course, secretaries of various government departments and CEOs of very large companies.” Rosemary says that alternative dispute resolution has now become widely used in many areas of civil law as a first step before litigation. “Many jurisdictions are now legislating that some form of mediation – or its cousin, conciliation – has to be undertaken before a matter is listed in court,” she says. The four-day probity course, from May 27-30, provides essential knowledge for anyone working in procurement and contracting. “This course has been developed due to a huge need in the business community; it’s filing a huge gap,” says Rosemary. “It’s about implementing good governance into the procurement process to ensure equity and fairness, and prevent fraud.” Phone 6260 7117 or email act.chapter@iama.org.au
Managing director Edward Nathan says JCE pioneered a completely on-the-job approach to commercial cooking apprenticeships in Canberra, but also have a fully equipped training kitchen to fill in any gaps as required. “For the theory, they can come to our classrooms and they get one-on-one training,” Edward says. “For a lot of people it’s all about money, but we actually care about these guys – some of whom can’t read and write, but are excellent chefs. So we might read them the question, they tell us the answer and we write it in for them; it’s very personalised. “The other thing that is unique to us is that our apprentices can take up a seven-month stint in France with our partner organisation over there called Gastronomicon. They are trained over there and they get paid employment as well.” Anyone from the Asia-Pacific region who wants to attend the culinary academy in the seaside resort town of Cap d’Agde in the south of France, has to go through JCE Positive Outcomes. “Our apprentices also get membership into the Australian Culinary Association, and they get a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate for free,” says Edward. “If they wish to continue their studies with us to Diploma or Advanced Diploma, we give them a highly discounted rate because they are already our apprentices.” This August, it will become mandatory in the ACT for at least one person in every food service establishment to have a food safety qualification, and JCE’s course is also recognised in NSW. “When they do it with us, they get two States for the price of one,” says Edward. Call 6258 0033 or visit jcepositiveoutcomes.com.au
28 CityNews February 28-March 6
Training wisdom when opportunity knocks... ROD Hattch, managing director of Wisdom Learning, sees 2013 as “a year of opportunity” for clients of the award-winning training company. “We have a range of new flexible delivery options for courses such as the Diploma of Management and Professional Office Skills, so clients can join the program at any time during the year,” says Rod. “These flexible methods mean our programs are delivered through workshops supported by our online learning space, myWisdom.” New courses available this year include Writing Public Service Job Applications, Social Media for Business, Project Management and Plain English Business Writing. “Wisdom is also able to help clients access subsidies for a range of training to suit their business needs,” Rod explains. “For example, we can help a business training new office staff in our Professional Office Skills program at no direct cost to the business. These types of initiatives are critical in helping businesses attract and retain quality staff and develop
core skills.” A suite of new e-learning programs enable busy clients to develop skills through the same “Wisdom experience,” says Rod, but without having to attend workshops. “One example is our new e-learning programs for clients in the real estate industry, which enable them to meet their CPD requirements.” Along with training, Wisdom also provides facilitation services for team building and business planning, as well as specialist consulting services in training design and development, and e-learning design and development. Call 6257 8588 or go to wisdomlearning.com. au
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Continuing Education Courses with differing clients in mind THE ANU Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) offers professional development opportunities for all organisations across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, as well as private individuals. The Centre’s acting director, Dr Linda Hort, explains that the courses cover a range of general skills as well as more specific disciplines. “We have courses that range from learning how to write better English to how to improve interpersonal skills; from event management and marketing to statistics and financial
management,” Dr Hort says. “The old stand-bys of ‘Essential grammar for writers and editors’ and ‘Public speaking and presentation skills’ continue to run repeatedly, with new participants finding gems of wisdom to help them in their interactions at work and at home. “We also offer a range of Microsoft Office and Adobe courses. The CCE provides participants with skills they can use in their workplaces and for personal development.” In semester one, the program includes 44 courses during the day, in the evenings and on weekends. Last year, more than 500 people took advantage of the extensive range of courses offered, presented
by 20 experienced educators whose diverse backgrounds include academia, business and professional consulting. Courses provided are evaluated to ensure they meet the needs of participants, and new courses are started when interest is expressed by participants or providers. This year, new courses on financial management and marketing have been added to the program. Dr Hort says the CCE can tailor courses to meet the specific needs of organisations and is interested in suggestions from staff or managers about new courses they would like to see offered. Call 6125 2892 or email pdp.cce@ anu.edu.au
Everything at hand to learn in tranquil Forrest environment FORREST Hotel and Apartments offers a relaxed venue for seminars, conferences and functions in the leafy inner south with lots of free parking and all the necessities, from flipcharts and butcher’s paper to broadband access, digital projectors, electronic whiteboards, laptops, printers and wireless microphones. Delegates can enjoy continuous espresso coffee and gourmet teas as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner from the restaurant. Family owned and run, the boutique hotel is also the closest accommodation to Parliament House and less than 10
minutes walk from Manuka. Director Dorothy Barclay says the hotel’s location in one of Canberra’s greenest areas makes for a peaceful place to network and share knowledge. “We have big concertina windows that look out on to a gorgeous parkland setting and you can you see right through to the flagpole on Parliament House,” she says. “People feel like they’ve really got away when they come to us. It’s a lovely, tranquil room with fresh air and lots of gorgeous natural light, looking out on to a canopy of trees. “Our restaurant also overlooks
the same beautiful parkland, and it’s got a beautiful sunny deck, which we use as a breakout area for lunch. We cater for all dietary needs and have a number of catering packages available.” Call 6203 4300 or go to forresthotel. com
CityNews February 28-March 6 29
fashion
Fashion to the fore Laura Edwards reports
CANBERRA will join the style ranks of Sydney and Melbourne when it gets its own version of fashion week in May. Fashfest, the brainchild of Zoo Advertising managing director Clinton Hutchinson and his wife Andrea, will be held from May 1-4 and will showcase 22 of the city’s established and up-and-coming designers through four distinct shows. “Andrea and I both love fashion, but at the end of the day the idea was to put Canberra fashion on the map,” Clinton says. “We are in the middle of two major cities and we tend to miss out on these things. Canberra has such an amazing talent, I think it’s very clear that Canberrans want something like this.” So far, more than 80 individuals and 25 The face of Fashfest, Canberra supermodel organisations are on board, including fashion Anneliese Seubert, left, with founders Andrea Photo by Silas Brown designers, stage production, lighting, models, and Clinton Hutchinson. make-up artists, musicians and industrial designers. her statuesque figure in a fitted black dress at So too is an army of dedicated volunteers, the festival’s launch. sponsors and contributors, says Clinton. Anneliese says it’s important to give young “We want to keep doing this annually and get designers an opportunity to showcase their bigger and bigger. We’ve all really invested a lot talent. of time in this, and it’s a way to celebrate the “Fashfest is perfect for this,” she says. centenary year in style,” he says. And while the venue is under wraps for the International supermodel and Canberra girl moment, Clinton says it won’t be long before Anneliese Seubert has been secured as the more details are revealed – tickets are sched“face” of the festival. Just three months after uled to go on sale at the beginning of March. giving birth to her first child, she showed off More information at fashfest.com.au
30 CityNews February 28-March 6
arts & entertainment
Wendy Johnson Pantry with personality
Festival of French life in the reel world Helen Musa reports
WE won’t disappoint our readers. Yes, Gerard Depardieu will appear in The 24th Alliance Française French Film Festival, returning as the enormous Obelix in the kids’ film “Asterix and Obelix in Britain.” Believe it or not, Catherine Deneuve plays Queen Cordelia of England, complete with corgis. It’s not exactly the film that the Alliance Française’s new director-general, Isabelle Faure, would choose to highlight, but it does serve to demonstrate the scope of this, the biggest French film festival in the world outside France, with 43 films this year. The festival has been curated by Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, French cultural attaché in Sydney, who says the program embraces “such subjects as love, power, the ties that bind and many other themes that shine a light on day-to-day French life as it changes and grows.”
Madame Faure praises her selection of the top 2012 French movies, believing the festival will offer “dynamism, innovation and style to the city’s discerning audience”. Proof of that discernment is that once again we’ll get to see the full program. If Depardieu and Deneuve are French clichés, then so is food, so it’s no surprise that the opening night offering is the “deliciously appetising” comedy “Haute Cuisine”, (Les saveurs du palais) based on the true story of Danièle MazetDelpeuch, private chef to President François Mitterrand, who will be here for the opening. For closing night, what better than a restored version of Marcel Carné’s 1945 period romance, “Les enfants du paradis” (Children of Paradise), “ the Juliette Binoche in “Another Woman’s Life”. greatest French film of all time”. Among the several Australd’une autre), where Juliette Binoche, boutin”, a collaboration between French ian premieres are “A Gang Story” (Les playing Marie, wakes to find she has cabaret Crazy Horse and Louboutin, Lyonnais), the fourth action-packed film skipped a decade of her life and “A Lady designer of the world-famous red-soled from French policeman-turned-director in Paris” (Une Estonienne à Paris), with shoes. Olivier Marchal and Olivier Assayas’ Jeanne Moreau stealing the show as an The 24th annual Alliance Française “After May” (Après mai), a drama about elderly Estonian woman living in Paris. French Film Festival, at Palace Electric a young French artist caught up in a This year the festival is moving to Cinema, NewActon, March 7-26. Opening whirlwind of politics, art and sex during the chic new Palace Electric Cinemas in and closing nights will be preceded by May 1968. NewActon, where a special cabaret-style elegant French receptions. Bookings to Dazzling female performances are reception on March 14 will precede a palacecinemas.com.au or box office open seen in “Another Woman’s Life” (La vie 3-D screening of “Feu de Christian Loudaily from 11am to 8.30pm.
Gerard Depardieu as Obelix in the kids’ film “Asterix and Obelix in Britain.”
Enlighten’s monumental moment By Helen Musa
WHEN I catch up with Deb ‘n’ Dave, they’re submerged in a pile of booklets on 1970s Canberra, but they’re dressed to the nines. “Deb ‘n’ Dave have to look their best,” the pair explain as they prepare to take unsuspecting Canberrans on an architectural tour of the national capital as part of the coming “Enlighten” festival. We’re not talking about a couple of haychewing yokels from beyond the black stump. Deb is Deborah Clark, senior curator at the Canberra Museum and Gallery and Dave is David Broker, the relentlessly witty director of Canberra Contemporary Art Space. He’s focusing on the monuments and buildings of Canberra, while Deb looks at the houses. Both are experts on contemporary art, but are of the “same mindset” when it comes to the buildings of Canberra, part of a futuristic vision of the past in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, when Canberrans were actually proud of their city’s architecture. Deb is threatening to add a few architectural gossip tales to Dave’s analysis of the great monuments. Dave worries that his explanations of Brutalism and raw concrete might not be nearly so funny, so he’s amassing entertaining “stories from the vault”. Both agree that the buildings of Canberra reflect connections between people, arts, science, showing Canberra as a centre of ideas, a city of scholars. Deb ‘n’ Dave won’t be driving the bus, a 56-seater Murray’s vehicle that will “fang” (a ‘60s expression) them around the national capital. You probably won’t get into the first tour on March 2, but there’s still the second one on March
Deb ‘n’ Dave... tall tales of Canberra’s architecture. 9 (bookings to ticketek.com). The pick-up point will be Old Parliament House, thence to Parkes, the Australian-American War Memorial, Robin Boyd’s Campbell suburb, and the Currong flats in Braddon, the ANU, Enrico Taglietti’s public and private buildings, and the daunting Cameron Offices in Belconnen. Then it’s off to the Shine Dome, Forrest and Deakin, ending up at the great monumental buildings, the National Gallery and the High Court, just in time for the sun to go down and the buildings to be “enlightened” from the inside. The mighty bus trip is matched by 52 equally exotic and often ridiculous events to “light” up the capital everywhere from the zoo to the gallery, until March 9. The Famous Spiegel Garden will settle into the Senate Rose Gardens at Old Parliament House for three weeks of decadent entertainment, a
mixture of free and paid events (bookings to www.spiegeltent.net). The normally respectable National Library of Australia will transform its foyer into the Red Letter Lounge – a speakeasy bar with live jazz, talks and tours, while the kids can enjoy free shadow puppet-making, word games and book dominoes in the Bookplate Café. Amazing colourful scientific images by artist Eleanor Gates-Stuart, will be projected on to the library’s Parthenon-like exterior. Eccentric performance hairdressers, Sienta La Cabeza, from Barcelona, will make your hair stand on end, if you let them. You can even play with 200 “dolphin torches” and shine your own light on the city. “Enlighten”, March 1-9 in the Parliamentary Triangle and selected national buildings. Full program at enlightencanberra.com CityNews February 28-March 6 31
arts & entertainment
Love story begins at its end “Amour” (M) THIS is a love story that begins at its end! Even before we meet retired octogenarian music teachers Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) Haneke tells us exactly where he intends to take them and us. After a stroke disables Anne’s right side, she returns to their Paris apartment determined never to return to hospital. As her carer, Georges personifies the labour of love that becomes the film’s principal purpose. Its secondary purpose, the minutiae of Anne’s inexorable progress towards dying, forms the matrix in which love unfolds. As a device that may annoy some, filmmaker Michael Haneke emphasises Georges’ unremitting affection and patience with extended pauses in which nothing moves, to give us time to digest their intent. No purpose-built musical score embellishes the depiction of its events (but broadcast or recorded music plays in the background of what’s happening). The performances are exceptional from two of France’s notable actors from the second half of last century. As Anne and Georges’ daughter, Haneke regular Isabelle Huppert has never looked lovelier. “Amour” envelops its audience in a fresh take on powerful emotional demands. For me it sharpens the focus of a friend’s funeral, a self-evident truth about what awaits us all. A daughter spoke of her dying mother’s last words “I don’t know how to do this”. At Capitol 6 and Palace Electric
Experience. Well written, well read.
Dougal Macdonald
“Beautiful Creatures” (M)
cinema
“Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” (G) NEW Zealand director Andrew Adamson has assembled excerpts from seven Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil shows running in Las Vegas in 2011: “O”, “Mystère”, “Kà”, “Love”, “Zumanity”, “Viva Elvis” and “Criss Angel Believe”. That provenance should be enough to give a preliminary buzz to devotees of traditional circus acts not involving animals. Trapeze, aerial, trampoline, gymnastics, clowns, mechanical marvels and more. The dramatisation of “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the vigour of the mass trampoline act are standouts. For us ordinary mortals, for whom circus involves animals, the film will nevertheless not disappoint. As it unfolds, we keep asking: “How do they do it?” Not only the performers whose athleticism is profound. Placing cameras and managing choreography, particularly for breathtaking aerialist routines with their risk of entangling the wires, must have needed complex analysis and decisions. Best not to wonder too much. It all works. So enjoy. I understand that some cinemas impose a surcharge for the 3D version I saw. It doesn’t greatly improve the watching experience. At Hoyts, Palace Electric and Limelight
IN writer/director Richard La Gravenese’s adaptation of Kami Garcia’s fantasy romance novel set in an isolated South Carolina town, Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich) reads real books. Orphaned newcomer Lena (Alice Englert) enrolls in the class. It doesn’t take long for Ethan and Lena to get something going. Which is okay by Lena’s uncle Ravenwood, who lives in an externally-dilapidated internally-uber-modern former plantation mansion on a branch road off the Interstate. Not okay by Ethan’s neighbour, Mrs Lincoln, vigorously lambasting them before the congregation for just about everything. Watch Mrs Lincoln. She’s not what she seems. On December 21, while the town re-enacts a nearby Civil War battle, Lena will turn 16 and her familiars will decide whether she is a white or a black caster, with supernatural powers. Understanding the reason for the film’s title needs some powerful mental gymnastics. Lena’s sister Ridley (Emily Rossom) shows plenty of leg and cleavage and Ethan is a pretty boy. For me, the film’s most beautiful creature is Emma Thompson as Mrs Lincoln. Also the standout actress, as happens with any film in which she appears, she shares the film’s subtle comical undercurrents with Jeremy Irons as Ravenwood. A pot-boiler perhaps but a cut above anything out of the twilight zone. At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight
A ‘gorgeous’ look at trees Helen Musa arts in the city
“I THINK that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree,” the song goes, but can a tree have its portrait painted? Artist Eve Sawa is about to prove that it can, with her exhibition “Arboretum Magnificentury”, described as “a gorgeous exhibition of tree portraits”. At ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place, noon-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, March 6-24. Greg Jones CEO
FORMER Canberran Rhys Holden is to become general manager for Brisbane’s famous La Boite Theatre Company. He’ll move in March from his role as artistic administrator of the Sydney Theatre Company. A first-class honours drama graduate from the ANU and a former “Gold CAT” winner, he’s been praised for having “just the right balance of business and art that is perfect in a top theatre manager”. ALSO, Holden’s old friend, the Olivier Awardwinning director Adam Spreadbury-Maher, has announced an award in London in honour of the late Canberra theatre personality, Stella Wilkie. The award, for an emerging playwright, will be called “The King’s Head Theatre & East 15 Stella Wilkie Debut Award,” the “Stella” for short. CANBERRAN Sarah Klouth, who moved to Sydney to study film-making, has started a new comedy web series called “Waiters”, filming at a popular restaurant in Coogee and surrounding areas. Klouth’s long-term plan is to get it on to TV, but meantime she hopes Canberrans will watch it at youtube.com/user/ WAITERSTV?feature=mhee TUGGERANONG Arts Centre at Lanyon, located in the old Nolan Gallery, is a great way of revitalising an almost-forgotten art space. Next up is “Dreaming” by
32 CityNews February 28-March 6
Artist Eve Sawa’s “Baby Sequoia”. Tracey Deep, who works with used, industrial, organic, discarded, and discontinued materials to create original sculptures. March 2-31 (open Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend). SMITHS Alternative Bookshop and wine-bar will host a night with Dutch avant-garde composer and performance artist Japp Blonk and celebrated violinist Jon Rose at 8pm on March 9. Tickets at the door. “A WHEEL Turns: A Reflection on its Journey” is an exhibition about the stories of Canberrans as they travel around in cars. At Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday, until March 9. “ONE River” is a Centenary project in which arts projects are conducted throughout the Murray-Darling Basin. To kick off the Canberra component, John Shortis is running a series of four open song-writing workshops to create songs to be sung on Artsound FM and at Aspen Island. Bookings to 6249 7377 or admin@ gormanhouse.com.au
arts & entertainment
Pantry keeps warm personality IT’S Canberra’s Centenary (as though you didn’t know that). And celebrating how this city has grown is on the menu. A perfect place to do so is in Manuka, one of Canberra’s oldest shopping precincts. Shops were first built in this “little village” around 1925 and you can imagine how excited customers were to line up their Model T Fords along the wide, dusty streets and then spend the day shopping. Today we still shop in trendy Manuka. And we drink. And we eat.
Pappardelle with king prawns, chilli and zucchini ribbons.
Uplifting thrills of ‘Les Miserables’
Wendy Johnson
musical theatre
A fave spot of many is Urban Pantry, perched next to the iconic Lawns, shaded by magnificent trees. Warm and inviting is a phrase often overused by cafes, but it’s a phrase that captures Urban Pantry’s personality well. With its vintage floorboards, earthy colour palette, brick wall featuring “tree of life” artwork, and its small “pantry” of foodie goodies to buy – such as olive oils, antipasti delights, preserves and coffee – this cafe is, well, warm and inviting. And that includes the added touch of the live jazz music Urban Pantry has organised every Friday night in summer (6-10). I hadn’t been for lunch or dinner for at least a couple of years. For lunch, Urban Pantry offers lighter meals, with many gluten-free and vegetarian options, including citrus-poached chicken and mango salad with cashews, avocado and chilli-lime dressing ($20) and a green-pea, falafel burger with quinoa tabouleh and tahini yoghurt ($19). The mains are intriguing and I will, one day, try the braised duck leg risotto with sugar snap peas and orange butter ($27) or the chilli and herb baked ricotta ($22). My friend ummed and ahhed – fair enough ‘cause there was a lot she felt like ordering. She settled on a dish she described as
“LES Miserables” is an epic musical of operatic proportions and The Canberra Philharmonic Society does justice to Boubil and Schonberg’s masterful adaptation of Victor Hugo’s stirring saga, with a thrillingly sung production that crackles with energy, and occasionally bursts off the stage to engulf the audience. Director Jim McMullen, has gathered a huge cast and orchestra and, with the help of an impressively flexible setting, brilliantly captures the sweep and excitement of the story with imaginatively staged and choreographed set pieces balancing touching moments of genuine pathos. At the show’s heart is the superbly modulated, beautifully sung performance of Dave Smith, as Jean Valjean. Cast against type, as the hateful Javert, Adrian Flor matches him with an equally powerful performance, revealing an unexpectedly fine baritone voice in a show-stopping version of “Stars”. Vanessa de Jager is heartbreaking as the feisty Eponine. Mat Chardon O’Dea and Laura Dawson are beautifully matched and haunting as the young lovers, Marius and Cosette. Ian Crocker and Kate Tricks are wonderfully awful as the Thenadiers.
“Les Miserables” Canberra Philharmonic Society At Erindale Theatre, until March 16. Reviewed by Bill Stephens
dining
Nori and sesame crusted salmon, wasabi mash with mango and lychee salsa. Photos by Silas Brown “sensational café food”, a pappardelle with juicy, plump king prawns, a nice kick of chilli, dainty zucchini ribbons and finished off with tangy lemon and fresh mint ($28). And who said vegetarian dishes are boring? I’m a salmon lover and was told by the staff who explained the specials board that it was a lovely dish. They were spot on. It was a Nori and sesame crusted salmon with bok choy, wasabi mash and a mango and lychee salsa. I’m a big fan of creamy wasabi mash. I would have liked to be asked how I wanted my salmon cooked, but it was lovely
and moist and I ate every single bit. The menu at Urban Pantry will change in a few weeks to showcase new seasonal produce. The coffee is good, wine list decent enough and it’s service with a smile, starting with part-owner Luke Jennings, who always seems to be around the place infecting loyal customers with his pleasant and enthusiastic manner. Urban Pantry, 5 Bougainville Street (The Lawns), Manuka. Call 6162 3556. Open Monday to Friday 7.30am to late, Saturday 8am to late and Sunday 8am-4pm.
Easy lieder with Canberra in mind SOME might think a lieder recital is a snooty, high-brow affair, but this concert by mezzo, Christina Wilson; pianist, Alan Hicks; and violist, Robert Harris was a thoughtful program of very accessible music. In a loose connection to Canberra’s beginnings, the first half featured diverse European and American compositions written in 1913. The second half featured Australian works, drawn from across Canberra’s centenary, some specifically for or about Canberra. Larry Sitsky’s “Seven Zen Songs”, featuring Chinese poetry, was a highlight. The accompaniment, just on the viola, was very contextual to the words – even humorous at times – if abstract to the song melodies. Wilson performed them flawlessly. Hicks’ accompaniment showed marvellous empathy for Wilson’s expression, vocal range and control, but he really shone when he played two preludes by Debussy. The second was reminiscent of the composer’s more famous piece “Golliwog’s Cakewalk”, with weird rhythms,
music
“Centenary in Song” Art Song Canberra At Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, February 24. Reviewed by Clinton White frequent mood swings and strange harmonies. Hicks captured them all with ease and flare. Concluding this very enjoyable concert was a moving performance of Peter J Casey’s “Beautiful”. The song’s many emotions were inspired by the horror of the 2003 Canberra bushfires. It was something of an epitaph to the four who lost their lives, and who are named in the lyrics. The attentive, appreciative audience was rewarded with an encore; Bernstein’s “Dream with Me” from his musical “Peter Pan”, perhaps as a call to dream of Canberra’s next century.
CityNews February 28-March 6 33
garden
White way to a cool garden Cedric Bryant gardening
ON hot days, white-flowering plants give a sense of coolness and there are many white-flowering plants at this time of the year. For example, Anemone hupehensis, or Japanese wind flowers, grow on long stems to 50cm. These are a delightful perennial plant, dying down in summer and appearing in autumn. There is also a pink variety. Some say they are a pest and spread everywhere, but are not really a problem as they are shallow rooted and easy to thin when first emerging. Dietes grandiflora, with strong strappy leaves and delightful flowers, can make a real statement. It is a tough, South African plant ideally suited to our climate that needs room to grow, with the leaves up to 80cm tall and the flowers on long stems above the leaves. It flowers from summer to autumn. For a great hedge with white flowers consider Myrtus communis or myrtle. This can be kept to one metre or for a taller hedge to two metres. Deep-purple, edible berries follow the flowers, which people from the Mediterranean make into a great liqueur. They also use the leaves as an alternative to bay leaves in casseroles etcetera. THE old idea of spring planting as the ideal time has long gone. In autumn plants are not battling extreme temperatures as we experienced this summer. The ground is still warm for good root
Dietes... a tough, South African plant ideally suited to our climate that needs room to grow. development, further encouraged by applying liquid seaweed such as Multicrop Plant Food Concentrate when planting. This specifically encourages new root growth and, interestingly, reduces the effect of frost on plants. If you dug up an autumn-planted shrub after about 12 months, you will almost certainly find twice as much root growth as the same shrub planted in spring. Soil preparation is essential. Do not dig a massive hole for plants. Digging an excessively large hole into clay soil, in the
If you do not have a drip irrigation system make a water-retaining earth bank around the plant to prevent run-off.
mistaken belief that filling the hole with compost etcetera will get the plant off to a good start, is wrong. All it will do is form a clay “bucket” with water seeping into the large hole and not draining away. Clay swells with water, resulting in water staying in the hole for weeks. This can eventually lead to root rot and dead plants. The basic rule is dig the hole slightly wider and deeper than the pot the plant has been grown in. Without getting too technical, if the pot is 12cm wide x 12cm deep then dig the hole 20cm wide by 20cm deep. Fill the hole with a liquid ground breaker such as Multicrop Ground Breaker and allow time for it to drain away. Depending on the density of the clay, this may take a couple of hours to a full day. The ground breaker soaks down and sideways, working on the clay more effectively than gypsum. Then fill the space between the root ball and the hole with a cocktail of good soil from elsewhere in the garden mixed with the existing soil. If you do not have a drip irrigation system make an earth bank around the plant to prevent run-off. For a pot size mentioned above of 12cm or equivalent to one litre, make the bank to hold at least five litres, preferably 10 litres (ie a standard bucket.) The water will soak down to the root zone. Flooding this bank once a week will normally be sufficient to sustain healthy growth. Obviously, the larger the plants – such as trees – the larger the bank. For a group of plants in the same location make a bank around all the plants rather than around each individual plant.
Autumn flower show THE Horticultural Society of Canberra’s Autumn Flower Show will be held at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest , noon-5pm, on Saturday, March 2 and 11.30am -3.45pm. on Sunday, March 3. There will be a display of dahlias and roses along with general flowers and stunning floral art displays. The ever-popular plant stall will have an abundance of plants.
Refreshments available both days. Entry is free.
Quote of week QUOTE of the week (maybe not to be taken too seriously?): “Introduced species [exotic trees and shrubs] can actually increase bushfire frequency and intensity, not reduce it” (Westgate and Ikin, January 26, 2013).
Free tips for the Canberra garden at “Cedfacts” at cedricbryant.com 34 CityNews February 28-March 6
puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore your week in the stars / March 4 - 10
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Slow down Rams! With five planets stimulating your privacy zone, solitude is soul food for you at the moment. Mars (your ruling planet) moves into Aries on March 12, so the period up until then is the perfect time to ponder, contemplate, meditate or reflect on where you have come from… and where you are heading. Then you can power ahead with passion and purpose.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Your hedonistic, self-indulgent streak is activated early in the week so avoid the temptation to shop up a storm, max out your credit card and eat too many sweet treats. Thursday is your pick of the week, as Saturn and Pluto strengthen the bond in a close relationship and put you in the mood to make a deeper commitment. All types of study and research are favoured.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
You’re keen to communicate and soak up new information … just make sure you are getting your facts from reliable sources, as retro Mercury continues to scramble your antennae. Thursday’s positive aspects help you persist with a challenging project. Be inspired by fellow Gemini, Kylie Minogue: “I don’t want to fizzle out. I have to keep going, like a little Shetland pony.”
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Expect a rocky road in a close relationship this week as Uranus, Pluto and Saturn stir up your crabby side. And avoid talking about politics and religion! With Mercury still in retro mode, what starts out as a lively discussion could develop into a fiery exchange. The weekend is a good time to organise your finances or research a subject that has always fascinated you.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Cats are in a curious mood this week! You’ve got a giant appetite for gossip and up-to-date information … just make sure you don’t turn into the neighbourhood nosey-parker. The weekend stars are wonderful for applying the personal touch. By nurturing close relationships and keeping the lines of communication open, you’ll find your options suddenly expand.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
Mercury is still reversing, so don’t accept information at face value (there will be a fine line between fact and fiction). Thursday is wonderful for getting an incredible amount of work done, as you put distractions aside and power through projects. It’s also time to catch up on your backlog of correspondence … and delete a lot of stuff that’s been clogging up your inbox.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
When it comes to your health or your job, make sure you obtain information from credible sources. Finances are favoured on Thursday, as you collaborate with others to boost revenue at work or at home. With five planets activating your wellbeing zone, focus more on health and fitness. Choose a form of exercise where you have a partner … like tennis, golf or squash.
General knowledge crossword No. 397 Across Down 1 Which calculating contrivance consists of beads strung on wires? 7 Name one of Australia’s amphibious egg-laying monotremes. 8 What are the young of insects called? 9 Name an alternative term for thousands. 10 Name a US city in NE New Jersey. 11 Which classes of alcoholic drinks are usually strong, sweet and highly flavoured? 14 Khmer is the language of which SE Asian republic? 18 Name the bush bread made from flour and water. 19 What do we call an attendant who collects and pays money at a gaming table? 21 To which Indian group did Geronimo belong? 22 What is a “triantelope” also called? 23 Name a more readily known term for any plaid.
1 Which ocean lies to the east of the Americas? 2 What is a legal notice suspending a certain proceeding? 3 To have small spots on the skin is to be what? 4 What were the “three wise men” called? 5 Which mineral is “fools gold”? 6 What is a flock of crows also known as? 12 Which term designates a quarter of a circle? 13 From which fish is caviar obtained? 15 What is an alternative word for a courtyard? 16 Name the ship captained by William Bligh, on which the crew mutinied in 1789. 17 To make something worse, is to do what? 20 What are distinctive doctrines?
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Sudoku hard No. 98
Solution next week
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
Don’t believe everything you hear (especially from a child, teenager or friend). Have they embellished the truth … or have you misunderstood them? Check the facts. Your Scorpio creativity is stimulated on Thursday as you play music, paint, sing, dance, act or write. It’s also the perfect day to ditch superficial chit-chat, as you get deep and meaningful with loved ones.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Communication is emphasised this week (especially with loved ones) so expect plenty of phone calls, emails, snail mail, texts and tweets. But avoid taking on more family commitments than you can handle – or saying something rash to a stressed relative. For some savvy Sagittarians, a homebased business is just the thing to boost dwindling finances.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
What you say – and what others hear – may be two different things this week, as communication is somewhat scrambled. So take the time to explain yourself clearly Capricorn. Thursday and Friday are your best days, when Saturn and Pluto boost your ability to concentrate and multitask. It’s a wonderful weekend to catch up with contacts in your local neighbourhood.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
With five planets firing up your money zone, it’s time to study up on your financial situation. The economic climate is constantly changing, so don’t get left behind. Attached Aquarians – aim to get the balance right between cozy companionship and invigorating independence. Singles – you get bored easily, so look for love with a lively Leo or a spontaneous Sagittarius.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
This week there’s a tendency to scatter your energy, as five planets move through your sign. If you focus firmly on the tasks at hand, then you’ll move forwards in leaps and bounds. Attached Pisceans – with romantic Venus visiting your sign, it’s time to pamper your partner. Single Fish – you’re at your flirtatious best, as you attract admirers like bees to a honey-pot.
Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2011
Solutions
Crossword No.396 F B A W A N C T H I N G R U A R A C L
P F H R I T O N E G N A T E A T E R O A T U N D E R M S A C A M M A R I S K E C T I C T H O R C O S E T H
Sudoku med No.98
O W A R D A E P L O M B K U H E I S T R A V O L Y T E E R L E T O N W D H A R D S Y S
CityNews February 28-March 6 35