Canberra CityNews May 16, 2013

news

Mike vows to take on the Lycra louts Stephen Easton reports

IT’S 7.30 on a chilly autumn morning, Lake Burley Griffin is showing the first ethereal signs of its foggy winter blanket, and 2CC radio’s afternoon presenter Mike Welsh is standing on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.

Welsh wants to tell “CityNews” readers about a problem he has with the path over the bridge: a small minority of cyclists, he says, do not share well with others in such limited areas, and are giving the rest a bad name.

According to Welsh, and several others, the typical offender is almost always the serious type, dressed in road cycling gear and furiously pedaling a late-model road bike. They don’t use bells, they go too fast and they hurl abuse at people not keeping to the left, he says.

Welsh vowed in April that he “won’t stop ranting until something is done”, during a broadcast interview with the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury. In the same program, he implied the Government is reluctant to address the issue, because “the pedal lobby in this town’s just too bloody strong”.

To some, this is a trivial issue being

Radio host Mike Welsh... “won’t stop ranting until something is done” about inconsiderate bikers. hyped up by a commercial radio host, but his concern is genuine and what’s more, it appears he has a point. It only took a cursory half-hour on the bridge one Friday morning to see a couple of close shaves caused by reckless riding, and to find one walker who strongly agreed there was a problem.

As well as every Canberran’s right to feel comfortable using public facilities, there is a safety issue, particularly on the western side of the bridge, where a recent accident between a pedestrian and a cyclist left at least one person lying on the road, luckily, without a car speeding towards them.

Both Minister Rattenbury (himself a bike rider) and Pedal Power ACT spokesman Matt Larkin agree that

index / contacts Arts&Entertainment 25-28 Canberra Confidential 14 Cinema 26 Crossword 30 Dining 28 Garden 31 News 3-12 Politics 11 Horoscopes 30 Socials 15-19 Sudoku 30 Cover: Aimee Zardo, saved by the Salvos. Story Page 6.

Photo by Brent McDonald.

An accident averted... the “CityNews” reporting team witnessed some aggressive overtaking on Commonwealth Bridge.

Photos by Brent McDonald shared areas such as the bridge – especially in peak hour – are not the best places to go hard on a bike.

“It’s just as if someone’s going to go for a training run, you’d probably advise them not to run through Garema Place at one o’clock,” says Larkin, adding that most cyclists use quieter roads for training and serious exercise.

He also rejects the idea that there is an attitude problem exclusive to cyclists.

“Most of the cyclists also walk on the paths, and drive cars on the road,”

he points out. “Probably, the people who are inconsiderate are inconsiderate in any mode of transport, so I think we have to be very careful saying the problem is bike riders; the problem is inconsiderate people.”

Along with Rattenbury and the disgruntled walker we spoke to, Larkin disagrees with Mike Welsh’s rather radical suggestions, which all involve new regulations. His favourite is a speed limit, but he’s also floated ideas like making cyclists get off and walk through such bottlenecks, or even

making one side of the bridge for walkers, the other for bikers.

Instead, education is the more popular solution.

“I think its beholden on bike riders to behave responsibly and pull each other up on it sometimes,” says Larkin.

“If you see one of your fellow riders behaving in a way that isn’t considerate, I think it is worth saying: ‘You feel vulnerable on the road; think about how the pedestrian feels.’ I think that is a reasonable conversation to have.”

With the ACT Government working towards increasing the three per cent of people who ride to work to six per cent by 2016, and the new Civic Cycle Loop’s unbuilt Bunda Street section to cut straight through the heart of the city, Larkin says this is an issue that will only come into sharper focus in years to come.

Since 1993: Volume 19, Number 16

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 077 999 Advertising sales executives: Rebecca Darman, 0411 225 169 Lyndell Rockwell, 0477 003 017 Advertising sales co-ordinator: ad@citynews.com.au Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777 Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@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 043 764 helen@citynews.com.au Design and photography: Brent McDonald, brent@citynews.com.au, 0421 962 325 Graphic designer: Leonie Fox Contributing photographer: Andrew Finch Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Ian Meikle, Level 1, 143 London Circuit, Canberra.

CityNews May 16–23 3

news

briefly

Therapist with a lot of sex in his life

Kiss goodbye

LAURA EDWARDS talks to Australia’s only certified sex addiction therapist at his clinic in Belconnen THE term “sex addict” is likely to bring on muffled laughter, thoughts of golf star Tiger Woods or a “you’d be lucky to have it” attitude.

But according to a Canberra sex addiction therapist, it’s a huge global problem that can be more addictive than cocaine and seriously damage lives.

Director of sex addiction therapy service The Oak Centre, John Larkin, has counselled hundreds of sex addicts from his Belconnen office or via Skype for the past six years.

His clients – a mix of men and women – are from all over the world, including the US, France, Uganda and Kazakhstan.

“At the moment, I am the only certified sex addiction therapist in Australia, so there’s not a lot of help out there,” Mr Larkin says.

“This has become a big global problem and it’s very misunderstood. It can ruin careers, destroy relationships, lead to crime – it’s just huge.”

Mr Larkin estimates more than one million Australians are struggling with sex addiction, and is pushing for it to be recognised as a mental illness as an ever-growing number of potential clients self-diagnose.

“People can accept if someone is addicted to alcohol, drugs or food, but somehow they can’t understand the notion that people can be addicted to sex – and it can be an extremely damaging, difficult thing,” he says.

4 CityNews May 16–23

“I’ve had cocaine addicts who are also sex addicts come to me and say sex is the more addictive drug.”

But how do you define sex addiction? Mr Larkin says it is like any other addiction where something begins to control your life and relationships or work suffer as a result.

“The bottom line is people with sex addiction are unable to stop or reduce certain behaviours which have negative consequences,” he says.

“This can range from damaged family relationships, cheating, dependence on prostitutes, viewing pornography at work... it’s not about the behaviour itself, it’s about the inability to stop, when their life is out of control.”

Some clients will submit themselves for treatment but usually the sex addict’s partner will call on behalf of their loved one, says Mr Larkin.

“They’ll call up after it’s hit the fan, so to speak, when they’ve found them out or their employer has seen their internet history and said: ‘What can we do?’ The partners are also traumatised and want to save their relationship,” he says.

One of Mr Larkin’s clients, Angela*, is a Melbourne businesswoman who discovered her partner had been “heavily into” porn, internet chatting and cybersex.

“He’d be driven by the hunt to find someone to satisfy this need, with the underlying need

Sex therapist John Larkin...

“I’ve had cocaine addicts who are also sex addicts come to me and say sex is the more addictive drug.” Photo by Brent McDonald

RED is the theme of the “Kiss Goodbye to MS” morning tea at Lalezar Hall, Turkish Embassy, 6 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, 10am-noon, on Thursday, May 30. Catering will be donated by Taze Restaurant Civic and the Turkish Embassy and all funds raised will go towards preventing and treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Tickets at $20 are available until May 27 from Tony Ellis on 6234 7000 or at tony.ellis@msaustralia.org.au

Trivia plus A SILENT auction, trivia game, raffles and performances will be held during the “Raising the Stakes” night at Thoroughbred Park, Randwick Road, Lyneham, 6.30pm-9pm, on Friday, May 31 in aid of Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, a not-for-profit community organisation.

Roses gala

to be loved, and as soon as this need was satisfied there’d be a level of despair and loneliness,” she says.

Angela says she and her partner have been seeing Mr Larkin for a year and have had “some amazing turnarounds.”

“He’s no longer chatting to girls, no cybersex, he’s gone from being a liar and cheater to being honest with me, but we’re still working on it,” she says.

To “treat” sex addicts, an extensive counselling process is involved where Mr Larkin looks at his clients’ behaviour and background.

He says many of his clients

have had childhood development problems ranging from physical abuse, emotional deprivation and emotional abandonment, picking up sex as a “soothing thing” that alters the mood.

“To treat these people, a core process is treating their background and trauma, and after that it’s about boundary setting,” Mr Larkin says.

It could be putting a filter on the internet, or a password, or not walking past sex shops, avoiding these triggers. We come up with ways to manage emotions that are healthy; things like joining a gym,

reading books, music, seeing friends. At the end of it, we want that person to go back to having a healthy sex life.”

And while full recovery can take up to five years, Mr Larkin says he has had “countless” success stories.

“I’ve had people come to me and thank me for helping them get their life back,” he says.

“Seeing these people heal, and go back to having a healthy relationship, that’s the best part of my job... it’s why I chose to do this.”

For more information visit sexaddictionhelp.com.au *Name has been changed

THE annual 65 Roses Gala in aid of Cystic Fibrosis ACT will be held at The Boat House by the Lake from 6.30pm, on Saturday, May 25. Last year the event raised more than $40,000, which allowed CFACT to provide financial assistance to local families to cover the cost of essential medications, exercise programs and equipment.

Tickets at $150 from cfact.org. au or call 0422 622127.

AIDS moment THE 30th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is being held at the National Gallery, 6pm, Sunday, May 19 to remember those lost to HIV and AIDS. The ABC’s Genevieve Jacobs will host the evening, which will include contributions from community members and a keynote speech from Dr Elizabeth Reid.

news / cover story

Time to stand up to petrol prices We need a petrol price revolution in this town and we need it now, says mad-ashell MARK PARTON

Aimee Zardo with Dale Murray, of the Salvos... “I’m absolutely amazed. If it wasn’t for The Salvation Army, I’d probably be dead,” she says.

Photo by Brent McDonald

To hell and back: when Aimee’s world went wrong FOUR months ago, Aimee Zardo woke to find herself alone and fighting for her life in hospital after overdosing on alcohol for the sixth time in two months.

“There were several other elderly women there, dying of old age, and their families were with them, it was peaceful,” Aimee, of Jerrabomberra, says.

“Then I was in the corner, half their age, fighting for my life – yet I had done it to myself.”

Aimee describes it as the lowest point of a seven-year drug and alcohol addiction, which spurred from postnatal depression, the death of her father and moving to Australia from New York with her husband and son.

“After the birth of my son I started to panic and the fear of raising him wrong just took over,” she says.

“I discovered that alcohol and drugs would relieve that pain... I thought I could control it, but the more I tried, the more it controlled me.”

A few drinks to relax gradually spiralled to “countless” glasses a day, and drugs quickly followed. Then one day Aimee’s husband came home to find her lying unconscious on the floor, moments from death.

“If he was an hour later, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now,” she says.

6 CityNews May 16–23

LAURA EDWARDS meets a woman who has been lifted from the depths of utter despair and likely death by the Salvos, who saw ‘a flicker of light’ in her “I even ended up attempting to take my own life to end the misery because I could not get out of the dark hole I was in.”

It wasn’t until she sought help from The Salvation Army in Canberra four months ago, that she finally found a way out.

“I came to The Salvation Army broken, really down to no hope at all, but they saw a flicker of light in me, and they grabbed on to that,” Aimee says.

“I didn’t even expect that something could save me. I figured it was the end of me, and the end of being a mum to my son. With amazing compassion and kindness, and non-judgmental understanding, they’ve guided me out of that darkness.

“I’m absolutely amazed. If it wasn’t for The Salvation Army, I’d probably be dead.”

Aimee wants to use her experience to promote the The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, which raises money for programs that help people like her.

“I want people to know addiction is a progressive disease, it doesn’t discriminate,” Aimee says.

“It’s the lady next door, like me. The wife,

the mother, the daughter. It takes a hold of you and so many other women suffer in silence because they’re so afraid to come out and say it, because of that stigma that it’s a mother.”

Aimee is currently devoting her time to speaking at events run by The Salvation Army and plans to study counselling to help other addicts.

For now, she is focusing on recovery and piecing her life back together, after “losing everything” from the addiction, including her husband.

“The Salvation Army is working with both my husband and son to educate them on my illness as it was obviously incredibly difficult on them too, and I do hope for a reconciliation,” Aimee says.

“Today I feel a sense of peace, I feel capable of getting on with my life, that my son can finally have his mother back, that I’m actually worth every breath I take on this planet.”

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal will be held throughout May and its annual doorknock takes place over the weekend of May 25-26. Donations to 137258 or salvos.org.au

I HAVE been wracking my brain trying to come up with a sensible reason behind our petrol prices in Canberra being up to 30 cents a litre higher than what’s on offer in Sydney and Melbourne.

There isn’t one, other than we’re being taken as fools.

In the past month the larger capital cities have benefited from serious petrol price discounting and we in Canberra have paid for it. After all, everyone’s happy to make a big quid out of those fat public servants, because as you know, everyone earns a fortune in Canberra!

The ACCC, the ACT Government and the NRMA continue to suggest to me that this situation has arisen because we don’t have many genuinely independent petrol outlets in Canberra. Our market is dominated by Caltex and Shell who have linked arms with Woolworths and Coles. It works exceptionally well for those retailers, but not so well for us.

I was speaking to an independent operator from Melbourne with outlets close to Woolies’ petrol stations. He told me that when the whole shopper docket thing started, those stations lost 15 per cent of their turnover overnight and those close to both Coles and Woolies petrol outlets lost 30 per cent.

Without a high volume, they found it more difficult to fight the majors on price.

Consumers adopted the shopper-docket concept in the belief it would save them money and, in the short term, it did. In the longer term, it succeeds only in clearing out the competition and providing a virtual duopoly for Caltex and Shell.

When Mobil exited the Australian petroleum landscape, the ACCC should have broken the chain up and distributed it to genuine independent operators. They claim not to have the power to do this and all of those outlets ended up under the 7/11 banner.

Here in Canberra, the 7/11s mimic the other two majors on price and United follows suit. All of them are happy to take a higher margin out of Canberra because Canberra just lays back, thinks of England, and takes it.

I’m sick of it and I’m sure you are, too. We would cop a five or seven-cent differential between here and Sydney, but we shouldn’t have to wear 30 cents.

We need a petrol price revolution in this town and we need it now.

Through my radio station, I’ve started an online petition to try to force a change. You can find the petition through the station website www.2cc.net. au .

Together, I think we can make a change.

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC.

news

Monumental moment in dance FOR many, creating a ballet about a building Helen Musa seemed impossible. arts editor So when Centenary artistic director Robyn Archer asked the director of the Australian Ballet David McAllister: “Could there be a new ballet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Parliament House, and could it be about the architecture of that iconic building?” it wasn’t just McAllister whose creativity would be under scrutiny.

However, the challenge was taken up, with Australian Dance Theatre director Garry Stewart as choreographer, backed up by the cast of brilliant young dancers, not least Canberraraised principal artist Lana Jones, Queanbeyanborn ballerina, Dimity Azoury and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra playing a new score by Huey Benjamin. The new work, “Monument”, will soon take the stage of the Canberra Theatre under the slogan “classical meets architectural”,

with George Balanchine’s “The Four Temperaments” and the pas de deux from Christopher Wheeldon’s “After the Rain”.

One person who wasn’t fazed was Adelaidebased production designer, Mary Moore, maybe the very person you’d expect to be thrown by the challenge of combining ballet and architecture.

“Surprisingly, I have previously designed a dance work not of one building, but of a whole city,” Moore tells “CityNews”.

For the 1998 Adelaide Festival she designed a new dance work based on Jonathan Mills’ composition “The Ethereal Eye”, inspired by the Griffin design and reprised last year at the Canberra International Music Festival.

For that project, she visited Canberra for the

Andrew Killian and Lana Jones rehearse “Monument”. Photo by Lynette Wills.

first time, Moore reports, and came to understand “the significance of the positioning of buildings in relation to the landscape”.

But in “Monument”, Archer had asked them to create a ballet based on “a very specific building which… is also the most important constructed site in Australia.”

So, in December 2010, Moore and Stewart set out to visit Parliament House architect Aldo Giurgola.

“It was very insightful,” Moore says, “he talked about a range of areas from the specific ‘Paradise White’ Italian marble he had chosen, the symmetrical layout, his modernist approach and the many craftspeople he engaged to furnish the building.”

Giurgola told them that each room of Parliament House had been designed as a separate entity, but that as visitors journey through each room, they experienced the unfolding of the building and how it connected as a whole.

Armed with a thick manuscript called “The Architect’s Design Intent For Parliament House”, she and Stewart waited until 2012 for Benjamin’s music to get started and then got going – Stewart with 19 dancers exploring, through their body-lines, “symmetry and the unfolding of the various areas/rooms in the way a visitor would experience them” and Moore through the “animated drawings” that we will see.

In “Monument” she believes Canberrans will recognise the spatial dynamics of a much-loved building.

“Monument”, in “Symmetries,” at the Canberra Theatre, May 23-25, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

Karen Nanasca in “Monument” from the “Symmetries” program. Photo by Georges Antoni.

Kim loves power of pilates WHEN public servant Kim Ballantyne suffered a spinal stroke in 2008, it left her wheelchair bound and spending up to six hours a day in “intense” hospital rehabilitation.

“While it helped – I am now able to stand for short periods – there came a time where I wanted to move away from the hospital system and into the community,” says Kim. “I was concerned about how to do that, and exactly how to continue on.”

When a friend referred her to pilates, she found her answer.

For almost six years Kim

Laura Edwards reports

has been attending weekly pilates classes at Pilates Canberra in NewActon with instructor/director Lanette Gavran, and has noticed an “enormous improvement”.

“My body is now able to recruit muscles from lower down a lot easier, and I don’t have any problems with my shoulders, which a lot of wheelchair users have,” she says.

The one-on-one classes entail a range of systemised con-

Instructor Lanette Gavran with Kim Ballantyne... “Coming to pilates once a week gives me a basis on where I am... I always feel better after I come in, it has really kept me going,” says Kim.

Photo by Silas Brown 10 CityNews May 16–23

ditioning movements working with muscles in an extended state, including straightening and bending legs against spring resistance and extension work “to counteract being in a seated position most of the time”.

“Coming to pilates once a week gives me a basis on where I am, it’s a fabulous reference point... I always feel better after I come in, it has really kept me going,” says Kim. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back.

Lanette, who has been in the pilates industry for more than 20 years, says people don’t often think of pilates as a method of rehabilitation.

Pilates has even been documented to slow or reverse the effects of debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis, with the midrange motion of the exercises assisting people to overcome rigidity and become more limber.

“I think people are realising this is not just a passing fad for women, this is for everyone,” says Lanette.

More information at pilatescanberra.com.au/

politics dose of dorin

Why Canberra needs to vote to protect itself There is no reason for the leaders of major parties to care what happens to Canberra. And while Canberrans continue to vote the way they do this will not change, says MICHAEL MOORE THE austerity ideology is dragging our city and our country down.

While other nations around the world look at the success of Australia in weathering the Global Financial Crisis, our Federal politicians seem to be arm wrestling to see who can undo these achievements.

The impact is already being felt in Canberra and it will probably get worse.

There is no better indicator than the jobless figures. As governments compete to see who can be the most austere, ordinary people suffer. The drive for more and more austerity means cuts in public service positions with flow-on effects that impact on Canberra more than any other part of Australia.

Unemployment in the ACT has worsened, bucking the national trend, as a direct result of public service cuts. Two and a half thousand jobs were cut from the public service in the last six months of last year. The “efficiency dividend” has been driven by a Labor Government that the conservative Joe Hockey considers is soft on austerity.

More than 10,000 people in Canberra are looking for jobs. The ACT has not had this number of unemployed since 2001. Cutting public service positions has a knock-on effect that creates a downward spiral. With fewer people working there is less money going into the economy, fewer jobs in retail, fewer people buying homes, less work in the building industry and less money going into shopping, eating out and other job-creating discretionary expenditures.

In a blind drive to get the Budget back into surplus, it seems that our leaders have forgotten the other aspects of good budget management. Of course, as a nation, we have to plan to come back into surplus. But, firstly, it is not a panic issue! Secondly, austerity is not the only way of doing it. For years governments have been reducing the taxation burden on ordinary citizens.

Increasing revenue is one option. At least both parties accepted this as part of the solution for Disability Care. More important is

ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share of the tax burden. Ken Henry provided the Government with options in this area – but the politics of austerity seemed to have outweighed commonsense. With financial philosophy driven by the ultra-conservative think tanks, raising more revenue has become a weakness in the public mind.

There is a disproportionate burden borne by Canberrans when cuts are made to the public service. However, other Australians will come to realise what happens when severe cuts slash through the bureaucracy. Ask Queenslanders.

There will be longer waits, less services, slower implementation of policies. We can expect to see running down of infrastructure.

For the leaders of major parties, Canberra proves to be a good target. At the moment there are no political risks for them. Although local members work hard to try to protect their constituents they have little hope of being successful.

With two safe Labor seats in the House of Representatives and a safe Labor Senate seat there is not much risk for Julia Gillard.

Senator Humphries, when besieged by his own local Liberal colleague, admitted that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was intending to slash and burn the public service. The honest assessment by Senator Humphries is that the Liberals are confident they can hold the one Senate seat they have in the ACT. There is no reason for the leaders of major parties to care what happens to Canberra. And while Canberrans continue to vote the way they do this will not change.

Perhaps the ACT can learn from the experience and skills of Tasmanian independent Senator Brian Harradine a decade ago; to protect our children and their jobs what is needed is an independent or Green Senator in the ACT who would be prepared to use the balance of power to protect the ACT. This appears to be the only thing likely to make a difference.

Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.

CityNews May 16–23 11

the childcare challenge / the politics

How regulatory ‘fiddling’ is driving up cost of childcare

12 CityNews May 16–23

see the results of these investments within two years.”

The investments include $9 million on upgrading community childcare centres, $42.7 million on building an early childhood school at Franklin, $7.5 million on building an early childhood centre at Holder and the release of five new sites to the market solely for childcare use.

“Through releasing blocks of land for sale with restricted usage for childcare centres, we are increasing supply, and this looks as though it will be a successful, financially viable option over the next couple of years,” she says.

Hanson has trouble with the investments, saying: “The Government spent $4 million on a childcare centre in Flynn, which provided only 10 new places.

“The Government also proposes to spend $7.5 million on a new centre in Holder, which the community sector says it could build for half that cost.

“The Government is looking at upgrading government-owned but community operated infrastructure to help them meet the requirements of the Federal Government’s National Quality Framework, but is not providing assistance to communityowned and operated infrastructure.

“Since signing up to the Framework the government has also imposed tighter staff-to-child ratios and higher staff qualification requirements without a comprehensive plan about how to transition to these new arrangements.

“The ACT Government is now playing catch up and refuses to take any responsibility for the impact

this will have on the cost of childcare for Canberra families, who are already paying the highest childcare fees in the country.

“The ACT Government’s approach has been slow, unstructured, reactive and without consultation. The Government only provided budgetary support after being shamed into it by the Canberra Liberals and when the community sector in particular has cried out for help.”

Burch says staff turnover and shortages are related to childcare workers being poorly paid across the board.

“It’s a challenge for the sector, and again the ACT Government doesn’t have the leverage to do much.

“However, we have put money into scholarship programs for free training as an incentive for people interested in joining that workforce.

It’s been successful so far and it’s something we’ll continue to fund.”

Hanson is again sceptical, saying that subsidised training provided no guarantees for the sector.

“Promises made to fund the wage increases determined by the community sector national wage case are positive, but ACT Labor has not said where the money is coming from,” he says.

“The tax on community sector funding, which was introduced in the 2012-13 Budget, was to pay for the Government to tell the community sector how to be more efficient. This is at best laughable and, at worst, taking funds away from service delivery to those who need it most.”

NEXT WEEK: Woes of the waiting list

Sonya Fladun mum in the city

Working parents in the ACT pay the highest childcare costs in the country. But that’s the easy part. Getting a place is a different challenge altogether. In the first of a special series of feature articles, journalist (and mother of two) KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK sets the scene with the fractious local political debate around childcare...

THE ACT Government has driven up the cost of childcare to working parents by ramping up rules and regulations, says Opposition Leader and shadow health minister, Jeremy Hanson.

Most childcare centres are run by community sector service providers in Canberra, which is unusual, he says.

“There are no government-run centres and very few private sector providers,” he says.

“The Government’s approach has been to ramp up the rules and regulations, consequently driving up the cost of providing childcare services to working parents, and also creating viability issues for the community sector in particular.

“In addition, Canberra has the highest participation rate in the country for women in the workforce, which also puts pressure on the childcare sector to meet demand.”

Hanson says that the ACT Government’s priorities are out of touch with Canberra families.

While childcare supply and demand is undeniably out of whack, Joy Burch, Minister for Disability, Children and Young People, says there are limits as to what the ACT Government can do as it doesn’t control the sector, but it has looked at ways to increase the childcare spots available for children under two.

“Childcare centres in Canberra are a mixture of community-based centres and private centres, but a number are based in ACT Government-owned buildings,” she says.

“We are expanding these centres in areas of demand and we should

Letting the fingers do the walking

Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson... “The Government’s approach has been to ramp up the rules and regulations.”

Minister Burch... There are limits as to what the ACT Government can do as it doesn’t control the sector, she says.

BEFORE kids, I loved shopping. I loved the whole experience of going out, trying things on and being able to see, touch and not to mention fall in love with and immediately purchase this or that.

Shopping was often accompanied by coffee, lunch and various other civilised diversions. It was all part of the joy of the consumer experience.

But it’s different when you’ve got a family and kids in tow. There’s the hunting around for a convenient parking spot, dragging the kids from pillar to post and making them try on this and that article of clothing. Time is always short, the range of merchandise is often limited and assistance hard to find.

Before the beginning of the current school term there was a search for navy coloured socks and long-sleeved, white school shirts that no department store or shop seemed to stock. There were plenty of short-sleeved shirts, but it’s autumn and winter is coming.

There are also numerous demands from the kids for junk food, toys and other distractions. All in all, enough to turn even the most devout of shopaholic shoppers phobic.

But in recent years, online shopping has become especially effective for those difficult niche items – in our case, it’s ice-skating outfits for my daughter, hard-to-get Lego kits for my son and obscure books on Russian history for my other half.

Bizarrely, I’ve found it cheaper to buy school clothing from the UK, and with better quality than what’s on offer locally. In any case, it’s much cheaper than the added costs that mount up when you’re shopping with kids in tow.

So, once a week we do our food shopping, but for just about everything else, I let my fingers do the walking.

Wybrow & Associates / advertising feature

A helping hand with the aged-care maze When people go into aged care, it’s really important they understand how the fees work, and the effect their investments can have on how the fees are charged, says Katrina Wybrow TIME catches up with all of us, but we don’t like to dwell on what that means, like the possibility that we or someone we love will need to live in a nursing home.

In our minds, “none of us are ever going to get old; none of us are ever going to be infirm,” muses financial adviser Katrina Wybrow, of Wybrow & Associates, who has years of experience helping people make the right choices when they’re suddenly faced with the mindboggling aged care system.

“People tend to resist going into aged care,” she says.

“It’s not the exciting holiday destination that we all want to go to, but when people do go there, it’s really important they understand how the fees work, and the effect their investments can have on how the fees are charged.”

How the elderly person structures their assets is “vitally important”, she says, and can often reduce the cost of care and accommodation.

Unfortunately, the choice to move into a nursing home is most often made out of necessity, commonly after sudden injury, illness or incident, and by then the biggest priority is to find a nice home for the older person to live in, close to relatives and their own community.

At such a difficult and emotional time, trying to work out the pros and cons of things such as accommodation bonds versus periodic accommodation charges, or how the income and assets test will affect you. And while major changes to the aged care system that are currently underway give people more choice, the expert financial planner’s opinion is that “the complexity has increased rather than decreased”.

Katrina says clients often come to her after their family member has moved into an aged care facility and by then, their options are limited.

“They’ve missed some of the opportunities, because when you go into care, your capacity to pay is assessed at that point in time, and that assessment is then carried

Financial adviser Katrina Wybrow... found that an increasing number of her clients were getting older and needed advice that went beyond retirement planning and into aged care. over after that time,” she explains.

“So really, what you want to do is make all your financial decisions before you go into the facility. It’s not too bad after you go in – you can still make a difference – but the really good work can be done before you go into the facility.”

Katrina is an expert in working out the best options for each client in light of their personal priorities, whether that is getting into the facility of their choice or making sure their life savings are not all spent in the final years.

Having been a financial adviser for 22 years, she found that an increasing number of her clients were getting older and needed advice that went beyond retirement

planning and into aged care.

“What I found was they were going into situations and signing agreements that weren’t favouring them, and they weren’t understanding the ramifications of some of the things they were doing, so I quickly started to get involved in this to help them.”

She is also very sensitive to the emotions that come into play when a move into residential aged care is on the cards, having been through the same situation with her own grandmother, who developed dementia, and her father-in-law, who moved into a low-care facility.

“That certainly brings a very personal element to this area for me,” says Katrina.

“I like to think it’s a combination of the ‘hard’ skills of putting that financial jigsaw together to make sure it works, but then also the ‘soft’ issues of all the emotions and feelings around surrendering some of your freedoms to go into care, because you need that support.

“A lot of the older people that I deal with have fascinating stories and have done amazing things in their lives, so I suppose when you hear their stories and you know what they’ve done you think, ‘This person deserves the best they can have.’ They’ve contributed, now it’s time for them to be cared for.”

Wybrow and Associates. Unit 5, 8 Phipps Close, Deakin.

Call 6162 4100.

CityNews May 16–23 13

Canberra Confidential Love among the trees...

LOOKING for love? Go plant a she oak! That seems to be the emotional arithmetic driving Landcare’s upcoming planting bee on a farm near Williamsdale. If you are single and “looking to meet new people, make new friends or even looking for romance,” then ACT Landcare wants you on the volunteer bus heading south on Sunday, May 26. If you can’t crack lurve, you will at least get lunch. Nature lovers need to register by contacting actlandcare@act.gov.au or WELL-KNOWN Canberra bouncer Rocky calling 6205 2913.

Winikerei shows that, despite his burly stature, he’s just a softy, with this picture of him cuddling his teeny, tiny dog, Pedro, to promote The Million Paws Walk on May 19. More information at millionpawswalk.com.au/ACT.htm ITS circulation seriously tanked in the January-March audit and while “The Canberra Times” was prepared to report the latest dreadful numbers of other newspapers on the financial pages of CANBERRA girl and former its free app the other day (but not in Myer Face of Racing Natasha its paper), the lingering broadsheet Roberts (pictured) has shamefully overlooked mentioning its made the semi-finals in own miserable performance. the Miss Universe Australia So, to arm its advertisers and inform competition in NSW, and is readers, here are the numbers they the only Canberra entrant don’t especially want you to see: “The left in the group of 24 to be Canberra Times” flagship Saturday judged in Sydney on May edition has plummeted a staggering 13 29. Make the final seven and per cent to 42,797; Monday-Friday, down she’s off to the national final 8 per cent to 27,132 and Sunday, down 10 in Melbourne on July 12; win the finals and it’s per cent to 28,371. the Philippines.

Rocky and soft

‘Times’ tanks again

Universal appeal

UnStroppable Mara

Wot’s in a word?

Hmmms

UNRELENTING Mara Stroppa (pictured), who drives herself with her daily motto, “need never sleeps”, is Red Cross Warrior of the Week having topped the nation’s charts for sponsorship of her entry into the upcoming Warrior Dash (in which participants trudge through mud, battle big obstacles and fight through treacherous terrain on a wild 5km course). She has already raised $1945 ahead of the June 1 ordeal in NSW. Mara, who is director of UCeat! at the University of Canberra, became a supporter of Red Cross seven years ago after her grandmother received their support following a stroke, and will be running in her grandmother’s honour.

SPELLING may bore most people to tears, but not “CityNews” journalist Stephen Easton, who has noticed there are a growing number of options to spell certain words in one of two ways, and that the Australian Government likes to have a bet each way.

Last year the Federal Government set up an independent non-profit, Livable Housing Australia, to promote new “Livable Housing Design Guidelines”. But on nationbuildingprogram.gov.au, another tentacle of the Commonwealth tells us about the “Liveable Cities Program”, with an “e”.

In a similar vein, the Australian National Preventive Health Agency was established in 2011. The same year that Nicola Roxon, who was Minister for Health and Ageing at the time, wrote the Government’s response to the Preventative Health Taskforce, “Taking Preventative Action”.

It’s enough to make you feel disoriented, or is it disorientated?

MEDIA launch of the commendable Asthma Friendly Sports Club Program, featuring 300 schoolchildren in blue T-shirts, was described in terms unlikely to endear the fourth estate by the Asthma Foundation ACT the “blue balloon PR stunt”.

Affairs of the arts THE Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, no longer content with focusing on its core issues such as international trade and business, has taken to funding the arts.

The Centre for Independent Studies’ WasteWatch website recently dug up a treasure trove of DFAT grants to send Australian artists overseas.

Here’s one: Snuff Puppets, a group who create puppet shows using oversized and absurd puppets, scored four different grants over the past couple of years worth $115,720 that sent them to Chile, Peru, Shanghai, and Mumbai.

More information on DFAT’s arts largesse is at ciswastewatch.org.au/

ACT & REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

WORKPLACE RELATIONS WORKSHOPS EMPLOYEE RECORDS – YOUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS (23 MAY) This workshop provides business owners and managers, who have a responsibility for handling employment matters within their organisation, with a practical introduction to the crucial information that should be documented.

This workshop will assist in the recruitment, on-going employment, management and termination of employees, as well as protecting the business from spurious claims by disgruntled employees.

WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS (30 MAY) Most employers hope that they will never have to undertake a Workplace Investigation. However, an investigation may be required in a number of situations, including when theft occurs, employee misconduct is suspected, or when an allegation of bullying or harassment is made. In these and other situations, an employer or manager must take action to establish the facts while providing procedural fairness and natural justice to all parties involved.

This workshop will guide you through the process of investigating workplace incidents in a way that provides a fair and firm basis for further action.

To book your place, please contact Zoe on 6283 5238, or zoe.carroll@actchamber.com.au

14 CityNews May 16–23

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

Cool on coffee NEWS of suspended coffees has spread, sort of, with cafe 39 Steps taking on the pay-itforward approach of paying for two coffees but getting one – the other “suspended cup” intended for someone who can’t afford it.

But this charitable act hasn’t entirely caught on in O’Connor yet. Barista Tihana Cengic (pictured right) says it’s been slow, with just two coffees in the bank after a week and none redeemed.

ARTS Minister Joy Burch has unveiled a public sculpture of “kissing Galahs’s” at a Watson housing estate, pants a press release from the developer.

READER Sarah Yap writes: “I received a ‘return to sender’ for a Xmas card I sent last December. It took Australia Post five months to return it from Brisbane to Canberra!”

HOT air around the Centenary’s controversial Skywhale. One tweeter, so against the giant balloon, has created a Twitter account titled “Fake Sky Whale” with the headline “crime against nature”.

scene

IF YOU’RE FACING A CRIMIMAL MATTER, ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT REPRESENTATION.

ClubsACT annual Awards for Excellence night, Hellenic Club, Woden

Host Jeff House, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, David Skinner and Lou Glenn

Wayne Waldock, Pamela Witt and John Morgan

Rob, Chris, Ross and Hayley Purdon

David Marshall, Robyn Bevin and Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson

Robert Halsey, Sue Leed, Milan Rajic, Andrew Colquhoun and Peter Redfern-Ellott

Mark Field, Nicole and Vincent Shepherd and Peter Hayes

Lindsay Ellis, Adam Jansen, Craig Ebeling, Ashleigh and Joe Gleeson, Gabi Elgood and Greg Allan

John Reid and Ayesha Razzaq

Michelle and Andrew Jeffery

Jamie Driscoll, Christina Myers and Victor Violante

Denis and Carole Condon and Gavin and Renee Pound

CityNews May 16–23 15

scene Karinya House Mother’s Day Ball, Southern Cross Club

Women in League Dinner, The Boat House by the Lake

Rebecca Lasker, Ricki-Lee Summerell, Kristy Duff with Leisa and Lorraine Lasker

Mario Fenech and Cathy Truman

Phil Helgesen and Michelle O’Connor

Julie Downs, Kristina Pirrello and Sarah Moss

16 CityNews May 16–23

Sarah Kirkpatrick and Cathryn O’Halloran

Patricia McGhee, Leeanne McEwen and Katie Phillips

Megan Barker and David Forsyth

Jeanette D’Souza and Bernie Benedictos

Tanya Simmonds, Tracy Holgate and Kristin Cantle

Courtney McCrone, Brittney Wicks and Katie Tilse

Jodie Mills and Estelle Canellas

Tracey Coomber, Jodie Temple-Clarke and Jodie Langbein

Amie Jackson, Emina Poskovic and Emma Stone

Caren Hugginson and Nathan Hindmarsh

scene

Nursing and Midwives Excellence Awards, Hellenic Club, Woden

Parliament House constructors’ 25th reunion

David Antcliff, Peter Clarke, Doug Brooks and Carlos Miranda

Jack and Anthea Kershaw with Bill Bulters

Pauline and Colin Overy with Diane York and Jan Suchovsky

Ian and Yvonne Munce with Lottie and Greg Adock

Marie Mannion and Peter Paramore

Lindsay and Eileen Pearson

Richard Thorpe with Pam and Don Piper

Willie and Ben Tyhouse

Margaret Reid and Richard Lawson

Jan Ironside, Jody Hook, Sandra Hives and Ronnie Croome

Carol Jones, Marco Arquero and Tracy Fletcher

Karen Lowe and Lydia Manen

Anne Wilson, Michelle Ramsay and Narelle Griffiths

Monique Fielder, Jill Hughes and Heather McKay

Natalie and Andrew Collins

CityNews May 16–23 17

scene The Royal Thai Armed Forces Day, Yarralumla

Sudarat Vajanaporn, Angie Logan, Bernd Pfaffenbach and Kercchai Vajanaporn

Biravij Suwanpradhes and Supinya Suwanpradhes

Mohd Hassan Loman, Eang Lisak, Didik Kurniawan, Nguyen Dat Phong and Sadik Cebeci

Kercchai Vajanaporn and Takuya Ito

Beraki Jino and Nim Osborne

Nonthawat Pakdipongpitchaya, Hoang Tam Phuc

Hoang Vinh Thanh and Bui Bang Bien

Arthur Boyd exhibition, Old Parliament House

Shane Simpson, Daryl Karp, Robyn Archer and Michael Danby

Allan White and Diane Joseph

Virginia Hansen and Susie Beaver

Robyn Boyd, Michael Thorn and Susanne Roberts

18 CityNews May 16–23

May and and Ryan Johnston

Zara Stanhope and Penleigh Boyd

Jennifer Thompson and Simon Elliott

scene ‘Faces of Canberra’ exhibition, M16 Artspace, Griffith

Tim van der Linden, Panatda Singnoi and artist Barbara van der Linden

Emma Batchelor, Joy Jessop, Alan Jessop, James Bach and Wendy Cach

Charles Oliver, Jerry van der Linden and Paulina van der Linden

Franco Calabria and Domenic Mico

Sylvie Stern and Frank Arnold

Annette Ellis and Rick Youssef

The ANU medical revue, first night, Acton

Chrissy Schaefer and Stephen Harrison

Ian Buchanan and Ally Batho

Jo Hein and Juliet Martens

Eliza Paterson, Caroline Luke, Lisa Hsu and Mina Roberts

Peter Bennett, Nicole Casalis, Chisom Eghanwa and Mohammad Hussein

Rebecca Delaile, Sam Norman and Tom Bennett

Sam Moore and Seren Ovington

Roxanna Lane, Ayesha Arora and Sunita Biswas-Legrand

Allirra Selkirk, Eilidh Gilritchie and Luani Barge

CityNews May 16–23 19

conferences & training

Learning to make the Here is the “CityNews” guide to some venues, events and organisations around Canberra that all facilitate trading in knowledge, the most important commodity of all.

National first in safety conference THE first national work safety conference – “Building Safety: Bridging the Gap” – will be held in Canberra over the weekend of June 1 and 2.

Hosted by the ACT Work Safety Commissioner, Mark McCabe, the conference aims to give delegates from government, industry, unions and other organisations AustraliaACT Work Safety Commissioner, wide the chance to discuss issues Mark McCabe. raised by the ACT Government’s “Getting Home Safely” inquiry into cover many of the most difficult the unusually high rate of deaths and aspects of managing safety on injuries on Canberra’s building sites. construction sites, including Dr “The reason we’ve put this on Dean Laplonge, an expert on how is that we wanted to make sure the industry’s extreme masculinity the debate that was started by the relates to safety.

‘Getting Home Safely’ report didn’t “Construction sites are about 99 end there,” says McCabe. per cent masculine and there’s a “We think it’s an ongoing debate view in academic circles that says about safety issues in construction that presents its own particular and we saw this conference as a challenges in terms of safety way of continuing the debate.” culture,” McCabe says. “It definitely Very few, if any, work-safety raises the chance of there being conferences in Australia focus accidents. For example, it’s not cool specifically on building sites, and to admit there’s a safety issue – it’s the ACT Work Safety Commisseen as ‘wimpy’ to point out that sioner says there are some issues to something’s a bit dangerous.” discuss that affect construction in Other highlights will include particular. three international speakers, a A strong line-up of Australian mock trial where a team of lawyers and international speakers will will act out a realistic case of a

company being prosecuted for a safety breach, and an insight into some of the lessons learned in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.

Keynote speaker Baroness Rita Donaghy, a former trade unionist who now sits in the UK’s House of Lords, will be talking about a report called “One Death is Too Many”, which she worked on and was very similar to “Getting Home Safely”.

“It was in response to an almost identical situation, where they’d had a number of deaths in construction,” says McCabe. “The findings of that report were almost the same as ours and Baroness Donaghy is going to talk to us about what’s worked and what hasn’t.

“Theirs was three years earlier, so we get the benefit of hindsight and we can see whether theirs has been effective or not.”

The Work Safety Commissioner says organisers are only aiming to break even, so full conference registration is “a steal” at only $550.

The Work Safety Conference “Building Safety: Bridging the Gap”, National Convention Centre, June 1-2. Call 6251 0675.

Open night for postgraduates THE ANU Graduate Studies Information Evening on May 21 gives prospective postgraduates an opportunity to speak to ANU staff from all its colleges about graduate coursework and research programs on offer.

“There will be a diverse range of presentations and you’ll be able to hear from our ACT alumni volunteers about how choosing a program at ANU

20 CityNews May 16–23

enhanced their own careers,” says Clara Hill, the university’s graduate recruitment officer.

The ANU is one of the world’s leading centres of research and learning and is consistently recognised as one of Australia’s top universities. Reaching out to all of Australia and the rest of the world, ANU engages with issues of national and international significance.

Clara says the university offers students the chance to study alongside and learn from distinguished academics, who lead and shape debate at a global level, make vital discoveries and extend knowledge in new and profound directions.

“An education at ANU is one that shapes and influences. It is informed by the latest research and built on the belief that students

/ advertising feature

most of knowledge should be constantly challenged to discover new skills and ways of thinking.”

ANU students enjoy small class sizes and continual access to highquality educators in this interactive, inquiry-based environment.

“Being right near Australia’s other national institutions, research

organisations, government offices, foreign missions and Federal Parliament, the university has strong relationships with important decision makers, which students are able to explore to their full potential,” says Clara.

“With links to other internationally renowned universities and

industry, students also have multiple opportunities to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, both locally and abroad.”

ANU Graduate Studies Information Night, The Hall, University House, Balmain Crescent, ANU. Tuesday, May 21, 4-7pm. Call 6125 3501.

Customised, boutique training TAKE a Note Training Solutions specialises in hospitality and customer service, offering customised training by getting inside a client’s business and understanding its needs.

Director Nicole Bush set up Take a Note in 2009 after she found her strong skills in staff training and customer service were in demand.

“I was actually approached by my first client when he was coming into Canberra to start a new hospitality business,” she recalls. “He said, ‘I know you’re looking for a change of career, and I want you to train my staff’.”

Before that she’d spent 15 years in real estate, and also maintained a part-time job in the hospitality industry.

“I come from a family of cafe and restaurant owners, so I’ve had a lot of experience in that area but, regardless of the product, whether you’re serving a meal or caring for an investment property, it just comes down to service,” says Nicole.

Along with her experience in the family trade, she drew on her experience with in-house training at various real estate agencies, and made sure she understood the business as an employee would.

“That was how we set up Take a Note as a starting point,” she says. “Then for other clients I’ve brought on, I’ve also often gone into their business, seen how they operate, gone away and produced material specifically for them. Not every business has the same needs.”

Take a Note’s Nicole Take a Note grew Bush. from there to become a registered training organisation in 2010, offering various qualifications such as Certificates I and II in Hospitality, but still works closely with clients to meet their specific requirements.

“We’ve always had really good feedback,” says Nicole. “I guess that’s the luxury of being a bit more boutique; you can control your quality a bit more.”

Take a Note Training Solutions. Call 6248 0998.

CityNews May 16–23 21

conferences & training New centre of attention THE shiny new ANU Exchange Precinct has more than just student accommodation. It’s also home to one of Canberra’s newest and most stylish venues for conferences and other business needs, run by ANU Commons in Lena Karmell Lodge on the corner of Marcus Clarke Street and Barry Drive.

ANU Commons functions manager Hollie West says the new venue is ready to meet the needs of large corporate and government clients for large conferences, seminars or smaller business meetings.

“We can accommodate up to 300 people theatrestyle and 200 banquet-style, or we can do smaller functions as well,” she says. “Our room can be split into two smaller rooms, so it’s pretty versatile.

“It’s got two walls made of glass so it’s got loads of natural light, which is a little bit hard to find in [similar

venues in] Canberra.

“We’ve also got two outdoor courtyards that are attached to the functions centre with sliding bi-fold glass doors, so you can open the whole room up into the courtyard as well.”

At the moment, ANU Commons is giving anyone who books in June or July a 10 per cent discount off the standard full-day delegate package.

“That includes a full catering package, tea and coffee on arrival, a working lunch, morning and afternoon tea, data projector and screen, lectern, wireless lapel mic, handheld mic, wi-fi, stationery, ice water and room hire,” says Hollie.

ANU Commons Function Centre, Corner of Barry Drive and Marcus Clarke Street, Acton. Call 6125 0228.

UNSW has a long presence in Canberra THE University of New South Wales has had a presence in Canberra since the late ‘60s and while the undergraduate degrees it offers are only for cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy, its postgraduate and professional education courses are open to anybody.

“A lot of people think you have to be a member of Defence to do our courses but anyone can,” says UNSW Canberra’s manager of client relationships, Jenine Woodman.

Another misconception, she says, is that people have to attend the UNSW Canberra campus to take one of its short programs.

“Our suite of professional short

22 CityNews May 16–23

The UNSW campus at the Defence Force Academy. courses can be tailored for any government department or private company, and we can also go interstate. Clients don’t actually have to be based here or come here during the program; everything can be delivered to them in their workplaces.”

UNSW Canberra offers short courses in areas such as professional

writing, management, logistics, human resources, project management or systems engineering, alongside more defence-specific courses in naval architecture or military systems.

“As well as a valuable learning experience, participants also find there are really good networking opportunities offered by these courses,” says Jenine. “They can interact with other attendees from Defence and defence-related industries as well as other government organisations and companies.”

Professional education courses at UNSW Canberra. Call 6268 8135.

/ advertising feature

Infinite possibilities in education INFINITE Consulting spared no expense in fitting out its professional computer laboratory, which opened in February as the centrepiece of its new division, Infinite Education.

General manager Stan Kovac says the consulting firm noticed a clear gap in the Canberra market for a top-of-the-line information and communication technology (ICT) training centre, after listening to the frustration of people who had attended below-par courses at substandard facilities.

“By opening Infinite Education, we have managed to fill that gap,” says Stan. ‘‘We want to be a part of creating a more educated and upskilled workforce with our clients.

To do this, we listen and we act.”

Two servers and 16 desktop computers have all the necessary processing power, memory and storage space to run all types of ICT training as well as board meetings, product launches and long, complex application development processes that require a modern and robust test-bed.

An interactive ultra-short-throw projector keeps the whole room on the same page with sharp, clear images that can be controlled and worked on using a special pen, creating an interactive group work space similar to an electronic whiteboard. ‘‘Our commitment to customer service is what our clients notice

about Infinite Education very quickly,’’ adds Kovac, explaining that Infinite Education hasn’t forgotten important comforts such as ergonomic seating and a breakout area stocked with tea, soft drinks and an espresso coffee machine. ‘‘Anything that we can provide or do to make the delivery of clients’ training requirements as successful as possible, we do. The experience of utilising our facilities should be positive for the presenter as well as the participants.”

Infinite Education, Unit 8, 86-88 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon. Call 6257 888.

Free help with apprentices THE Australian Apprenticeships Centre run by the ACT Housing Industry Association makes employing apprentices simple and easy, so employers can concentrate on running their business, knowing they and their new worker are both getting the most out of the system.

The free service helps bring together people who want to learn a new trade with skilled employers who want to take them on and teach it to them.

The HIA Apprenticeships Centre can visit employers and give advice to ensure they receive all the

financial incentives they are entitled to, and meet all their obligations.

Despite the HIA’s strong connection to the building industry, the AAC that it runs in Canberra helps employers take on apprentices and trainees in more than 500 different jobs, from traditional trades to a diverse range of occupations across most sectors of business and industry.

Chief operating officer Tim Olive says the HIA’s “broad and varied” involvement in the apprentice training area and a strong focus on customer service gives it a competitive edge.

“HIA has a lot of experience in the apprentice and training space,” he says, listing a huge range of other programs related to employing and supporting apprentices, as well as their employers.

“We’re a small, personalised AAC, where you’re often dealing with the same people and our administration is all done locally,” he says. “We have that local connection; it’s all run and managed locally.”

HIA Australian Apprenticeships Centre,79 Constitution Avenue, Civic.

Call 1300 656726.

CityNews May 16–23 23

arts & entertainment

Wendy Johnson Food with a tender touch

From bitter ashes, music’s future rises Reviewer JUDITH CRISPIN looks at the Canberra International Music Festival so far..

“Narrative” painter Margarita Georgiadis... “It’s been an amazing learning process”.

Max Cullen in rehearsal for “How To Be (Or Not To Be) Lower”.

Photo by Margarita Georgiadis

Taking theatre to the Max “LIFE with Max is a zany, Dadaistic experience every day,” Margarita Georgiadis says of her husband of 10 years, the actor and artist Max Cullen.

Georgiadis is the well-known “narrative” painter and co-owner, with Cullen, of the Picturehouse Gallery in Gunning.

You all know Cullen – maybe from the “oils ain’t oils” Castrol ad, or his popular portrayal of Henry Lawson or as Travis Hudson in “X-Men” or playing Owl Eyes in the new Baz Luhrmann film of “Gatsby”.

Georgiadis is used to waiting in the wings.

Her life is more restrained than Cullen’s, but it’s getting more exciting by the month. Recently they expanded the scope of the former Coronation cinema they live in, but now they’re engaged in a rare theatrical collaboration.

Normally, she tells “CityNews”, Cullen refuses to let her have anything to do with his shows, saying nothing much at the end of a long day in rehearsal.

Until now they’ve kept their lives and work apart.

“I ask if I can read a script and he always says:

Helen Musa reports

‘NO’… he wants me to be completely and utterly surprised,” she says.

But, to her astonishment, he recently asked her to be director, set designer and stage manager for his revamped version of a play he’s written about Australian comic writer Lennie Lower.

Georgiadis may be a lot younger than Cullen – “Max’s acting career started about when I was born,” she says wryly – but she knows her limitations.

The Street Theatre’s Caroline Stacey ended up directing, while Georgiadis stuck to creating a cartoon-like multimedia backdrop to the show, a mixture of digital reproductions and animation.

But what’s Cullen’s fascination with Lennie Lower?

For those not in the know, Lower was a notorious satirical journo working from the ‘20s to the ‘40s, sacked no fewer than 19 times by media mogul Sir Frank Packer and once for describing Noel Coward

as “a queen”.

Georgiadis says that Lower’s character and his physical appearance bear an uncanny resemblance to Cullen’s, “fitting him to a tee”.

At last, she had the perfect excuse to sit in on his rehearsals. Conjuring up the journalistic world of Lower made set and costume designs “utterly pivotal” and she wanted to capture the zany Dadaist, “out-of-reality” humour that was so typical of him. She’ll be using black-and-white cartoonism in the set, as well as some animation created by manipulating found images.

“It’s been an amazing learning process,” she says, “there is no way I could have got all that out of Max, Caroline asks such pertinent questions.”

The script’s been a bit of an adventure, too, like pretty well everything Cullen touches. His revamp of a play he embarked on back in 2003 was still coming until about two weeks ago, so Georgiadis and Stacey had to bide their time – “to fit in with Max’s ideas.”

“How To Be (Or Not To Be) Lower”, by Max Cullen, at The Street Theatre, May 25-June 1, bookings to 6247 1223.

THE first days of Canberra’s 2013 International Music Festival were a bittersweet reminder of why this city has always valued its musical heritage.

For many decades the Australian musical elite would flock to Canberra, hoping to be accepted into the School of Music, the most prestigious conservatorium in the country.

And for many decades the public understood exactly why they came – graduates of the Canberra School of Music left the city for Julliard, for the Australian Opera, for the European concert stage.

Music was the jewel in the capital’s crown until this time last year, when the university announced that a performancefocused music school would no longer be funded. Since then, musicians have left Canberra in droves – some by necessity, to find work in other cities, and some by choice.

Many stand-out performances of the last few days were given by musicians who will have moved elsewhere by the time of next year’s festival.

Even this year, the number of out-of-State performers and composers outweighs those from our own city.

Proud Canberrans could not fail to be moved by the massed local choirs of the opening gala concert at Albert Hall, or Louise Page’s breathtaking performance of Sculthorpe’s “The Great South Land” on Saturday night.

And one might be forgiven a moment of sorrow during the Saint-Saëns on Sunday, noting that our own Max McBride,

Vernon Hill and Alan Vivian may not play together many more times.

However, this festival has also planted the seeds of something new and it was heartening to see new Music School director Peter Tregear providing the narration for the Sculthorpe – whatever the university may decide, it is nonetheless clear that Tregear means to bring music back from the ashes in Canberra, and this festival may well help him do that.

Each of the concerts so far has been presented to packed audiences, thunderous applause, standing ovations and, in the case of Sunday’s concert, “Carnival of the Animals”, even appreciative dancing (by tiny music lovers).

The festival brochure lists a surprising number of local sponsors and benefactors, something more commonly found in visual art rather than music.

The people have spoken – they roared last year when the musicians were fired from the university and they are still roaring today, and every day of this festival.

Music lives on in Canberra and though we may need a little help from neighbouring performers for a while, the rebuilding has undoubtedly begun.

In the meantime, I hope we continue to honour our own local composers and performers while we still have them.

Judith Crispin is a composer, writer and artist and the director of Manning Clark House.

INVESTORS CAN HELP!

P: 6248 8577 W: www.marss.org.au/investors E: investors@marss.org.au A community initiative by the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce, the Real Estate Institute of the ACT, and the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc.

CityNews May 16–23 25

arts & entertainment

A plot ridiculous beyond belief Dougal Macdonald cinema

“Star Trek Into Darkness” (M) THIS is the 13th big-screen foray into something that more than four decades ago began on TV and built a massive fan base that’s now grown older and, one hopes, wiser.

In the year 2295.55, young Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) is already breaking Starfleet rules for the sake of right outcomes. The crew aboard USS Enterprise is the same as it was on TV only younger. The enemy is still Khan, the opposing tribe is already the Klingons.

When a film’s a bummer, the first place to look for causes is the screenplay. What the writers gave director J J Abrams to film is a bit of a no-brainer, well-worn clichés and relationships of “Star Trek” yore already fully-formed, visual elements revelling in the latest CGI techniques to inflate a plot ridiculous beyond belief to occupy a bum-numbing 132 minutes. Fewer if you leave as soon as the end credits start.

The two most fulfilling performances come from British actors. Benedict Cumberbatch is rogue Starfleet officer John Harrison

“Spring Breakers”... uncompromising tale of four young women bored with college life. who, in a more just world, would have met his end in a battle royal with Kirk, but here has to stay alive to explain how Ricardo Montalban came to play him in 1982. Simon Pegg plays everybody’s favourite Enterprise crew-member, chief engineer Scotty.

“Star Trek XIII” blazons its heritage hoping to attract its traditional audience. Quite likely, their grandchildren will react to it with a big LOL. At all cinemas

“Spring Breakers” (R) UNLIKE your traditional chick flick built from the clichés of campus life, teen romance and shopping, writer/ director Harmony Korine takes us to the edge of reality’s abyss with this uncompromising tale of four young women bored with college life who

26 CityNews May 16–23

rob late-night stores to finance spring break (the US equivalent of schoolies week) and its full-on hedonism on Florida’s sunny beaches.

Korine’s screenplay pulls out all the behavioural stops as they drink, do drugs and party like the world was going to end tomorrow. The film becomes darker when gunrunner, narcotics pusher Alien, makes bail for them after being arrested.

James Franco’s powerful portrayal of Alien provides the film’s principle dramatic thread, a gutter-mouthed morally vacant sociopath. Alien’s relationship with four by-no-means innocent but certainly vulnerable young women is a mixture of frightening and caring. We sense impending doom for them in a life far from their families’ expectations. They revel in freedom from parental restraint. And perhaps they are not so blind to Alien’s

blandishments as we fear.

While nudity abounds on the beaches and at parties, sexual encounters take a low profile.

The young women’s brief bikinis amply make the case for Eros.

As Korine’s defiance of chick flick orthodoxy winds down, we understand that we have seen a well-crafted, no-holds-barred message film about many of the defects that blight US society and to a lesser extent our own.

At Dendy and Palace Electric

“Tabu” (M) TO get the best value from Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomez’s “Tabu”, a love story in a prologue and two parts told in reverse order in contemporary Lisbon and the Portuguese colony in Africa 50 years earlier, leaving expectations at home will help.

In the prologue a traveller burdened with emotional baggage chooses a crocodile as a suicide mode. In Lisbon, Part 1 introduces Aurora, whose fey attitude to life proclaims her as a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

After losing all her funds at the casino she calls her neighbour Pilar to collect her. In the final week of Aurora’s life, Gian from her past enters the film.

Traveller, Aurora and crocodile form a conjunction in Part 2, stylistically nostalgically-filmed and dramatically more-energetic.

Young Aurora was quite a gal, owner of a tea plantation, a keen big-game huntress, wife to a playboy with pop musician aspirations before music learned to rock. And pregnant. Which is no barrier to a full-on affair with Gian.

The story unfolds without complications. What sets the film apart is the style in which Gomez has staged and filmed it. The black-and-white cinematography is lovely. Part 2 unfolds without dialogue – narration guides us through what visual clues don’t explain. A subtle visual subtext comments about the difference between colonised and colonists.

At Palace Electric

CityNews May 16–23 27

arts & entertainment

Gripping theatre when things go horribly wrong at the Hollow "A FAMILY gathering explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow …” Yes, it’s another Agatha Christie thriller, the seventh that Jon Elphick has directed for Tempo Theatre. Elphick knows whodunit, but we don’t, yet. “The Hollow” is at Belconnen Theatre, May 17-25. Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au “AUSTRALIA’S PMs are a fascinating mix of Mandarin and Latin speakers, spiritualists, atheists, republicans, monarchists, graziers and bodgies,” say songwriter John Shortis, scriptwriter John Romeril and director Catherine Langman as they launch into “Prime

Helen Musa arts in the city

Time”, a celebration of our greatest leaders.

Shortis has written a marathon 52 songs about our 27 PMs. At The Q, Queanbeyan, May 23-June 1, bookings to 6285 6290 or theq.net.au “FOOD for Thought” is an important exhibition by two members of an ANU Field Studies group, sculptor Rosina Wainwright and painter Dianna Budd, who believe we must support Aussie farmers so that the nation improves its self-sufficiency in food. At

CSIRO Discovery Centre, North Science Road, Acton until May 27, 9am-5pm weekdays, 11am-3pm weekends.

SIXTY-FIVE Sydney Symphony and Sydney Symphony Sinfonia musicians plus assistant conductor Jessica Cottis are heading to Canberra for school concerts, masterclasses and a public performance at Llewellyn Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 22. Bookings to 68215 4600, 1800 789709 or email education@sydneysymphony.com BATEMANS Bay will have its own writers’ festival over the long weekend in June next

year. Author, journalist and footie player Peter FitzSimons will speak at a fund-raiser in Batemans Bay Soldiers Club at 12.30pm on May 25. Bookings essential to 1800 802528 or eurobodalla.com.au/river-of-art-festival

26th Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs National Bonsai Convention, hosted by the Canberra Bonsai Society. At Rydges Lakeside Hotel, 9am-5 pm, May 18, and 9am-4pm, May 19. Admission is free.

THE 65-year-old Australian Youth Orchestra is opening national auditions on May 20. Musicians aged 12 to 30 who meet the eligibility criteria should apply. For details, visit ayo.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Mohell and Roland Henderson have followed in the footsteps of William James Mildenhall, who documented the building of Canberra, by spending almost 12 months exploring the city’s suburbs on the verge of dawn and into the early morning light. The result is “Verge,” at the Huw Davies Gallery, Manuka Arts Centre, until May 19.

AN exhibition of more than 50 bonsai by artists from Canberra and surrounding regions is being held in conjunction with the

From left, rotisserie chicken, rare roast beef and gin and tonic salmon.

Photo by Brent McDonald

Sharing food with the tender touch THE stylish, slick East Hotel has upped the Wendy Johnson ante in Canberra in several ways, including dining with Ox Eatery. a whole suckling pig served with all the trimmings Ox food is designed to be shared and so is served a few dishes at a time. You won’t be able to go past the juicy, tender meats cooked on the large, open rotisserie – whole chickens, big cuts of beef, rolled pork belly and, on one of my visits, succulent goat.

It’s an authentic, imported French rotisserie that forms a major part of the décor and it’s worth visiting Ox just to watch it turning ever so slowly. Truly mesmerising.

Our pork belly with homemade apple sauce and crunchy crackling ($29) was great value. Loads of comforting food, indeed. We opted for sides to round out the meat factor – fresh French beans with confit shallots ($10), fries with a special chilli salt ($9) and a green salad, which looked perky but was sadly drowning in too much dressing.

If you’re a large crowd and so inclined, you can order

(three days’ advance notice). It’s a feed for between 14 and 18 people and costs $800. Pigalicious, as Ox says.

At Ox you can enjoy something to eat all day. Small dishes include gin and tonic salmon with Hendricks jelly, which I’ve had and it’s sensational ($18), and black Angus beef tartar with quail yolk and grissini, which I’ve had and is also sensational ($16).

The wine list is massive, with every option carefully selected and Ox stocks more than 100 types of whiskey.

The bar area is at the back of the eatery and has a great outdoor area that is always packed after work on Fridays.

I love the look of the decor – kind-of vintage 1950s and the horseshoe-shaped booths are classic. However, some tables are too high or perhaps the seats are low.

And once a few people are tucked in a booth to dine it is either cosy or a bit of a squeeze, especially with so many dishes on the table.

Owner Chris Hansen is a familiar face to many (formerly Cape Cod in Deakin and of the Chairman and Yip team). He’s a great operator and on a serious mission with Ox. On service? I have to say I give Ox mixed reviews.

I’ve been treated like gold and like a piece of charcoal.

And once I popped by with a friend on the off chance we could get a table. We were almost chastised for not having a booking.

Ox Eatery. East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue (entrance off Giles Street). Call 6178 0041. Open Monday to Saturday, lunch from noon and dinner from 6pm.

28 CityNews May 16–23

CityNews May 16–23 29

puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore your week in the stars / May 20–26

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Hold onto your seat Rams! Uranus is sending disruptions in your direction and (at the same time) Pluto demands that you shed your old skin and start afresh. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Bob Dylan: “There is nothing so stable as change.” Saturday’s Lunar Eclipse gets your enthusiasm firing... but avoid blurting out something that you later regret.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

With five planets (including Venus and the Lunar Eclipse) lighting up your money zones, you’ve got an urge to splurge. But don’t let a persuasive friend talk you into buying something you really can’t afford. Loved ones will overwhelm you... if you let them. Mighty Mars is marching through your sign, so it’s time for Bulls to be bold and show others who’s the boss!

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Relationships take centre stage this week, as the Lunar Eclipse shines a bright spotlight on partnerships. With no less than four planets powering through your sign, you’re keen to express yourself and have your needs met. But what about the significant others in your life? Balance and compromise are the keys, as you strive to find a happy medium between giving and taking.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Avoid the temptation to fly off the handle this week Crabs. If you try to control or manipulate others, then you’re in for a tumultuous and tense time. Uranus and Pluto are pushing you to let go of old ways of behaving, as you transform your relationships (at home and work) from the inside out.

Your fertile imagination is firing, so put it to use via a challenging creative project.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Lions – when it comes to work, the more proactive you are, the more successful you’ll be. Influential people are waiting to help you – all you have to do is swallow your pride and ask. The Lunar Eclipse energises your entertainment zone, so it’s a wonderful weekend to party, go to a concert or entertain at home. But be careful you’re not being elastic with the truth.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

The Lunar Eclipse, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are all activating your career zone so you’re pumped for professional success. But don’t try to reinvent the wheel Virgo! Instead, follow in the footsteps of successful predecessors.

Plus approach old problems in creative new ways – and don’t spend so much time worrying about work that you lose motivation and momentum.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

If you stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone, you’ll have an eventful week full of exciting adventures. Serious Saturn is asking you to make some firm financial decisions, so don’t waste precious time dithering around and being indecisive. Close personal relationships are in for a major shake-up, as Uranus and Pluto redefine what family life really means to you.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

General knowledge crossword No. 407 Across

Down

1 Name the renowned US evangelist, Billy...

8 What, in the US, do they call a lift?

9 Which term describes the offspring of two animals of different species?

10 What is a native also known as?

11 What is a hospital for private patients?

13 Which word implies honourable descent?

16 Name an alternative expression for tellers.

19 What, in grammar, is the formation of sentences and phrases from words in a particular language?

22 What do we also call a reckless proceeding?

24 Name an acute infectious disease.

25 What is a more readily known term for an unguent?

26 To join up, is to do what?

3 Name one of the Great Lakes.

4 Name a national health insurance program for all Australians.

5 What is a bitter, continuous hostility between two families, etc?

6 Which flat-bottomed vessels are used for transporting freight?

7 Who was the leader of the opposition 1994-95, Alexander...?

12 In the ancient Roman calendar, what was the 15th March called?

14 Which recorder is being overtaken by the DVD? 15 What do we call one who sells betting information at a racecourse?

17 Name the capital of Texas.

18 Name a red suit of cards.

20 Kathmandu is the capital of which Himalayan kingdom?

21 When something is adjacent to something else, what does it do?

23 What is the summit of anything?

Solution next week 1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9 10 11

12 13

16

17

14

15

18 19

22

20

24 25 26

Sudoku hard No. 103

Solution next week

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

With five planets firing up your relationship zone this week, it’s time to bite the bullet and patch up old partnership problems. Single Sagittarians – look for love with someone who is smart, sexy and spontaneous. Saturday’s Lunar Eclipse lights up your sign, which magnifies your positive (and negative) traits. So strive to be wise and witty – rather than bossy and boisterous.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Have some of your Capricorn dreams been put on hold? Serious Saturn (your ruling planet) is urging you to take a long hard look at your aspirations for the future – and then revise them to better suit your current circumstances. When it comes to a difficult domestic situation – if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll just keep getting what you’re getting!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Attention Fish – are you stuck in the middle of a financial fiasco? With Uranus and Pluto stirring up your money zone, the situation isn’t likely to improve quickly. You’ll just have to be a patient and pragmatic Piscean.

Your imagination is firing on Sunday, but don’t get carried away with ideas that have no basis in reality. Take the time to separate fact from fiction.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2011 30 CityNews May 16–23

21

23

Problems you had last June or September may rise to the surface, as Uranus and Pluto square up again. Your natural inclination is to maintain the status quo. But, if you resist change, you’ll just aggravate (and prolong) an unsatisfactory situation. Plus possessive behaviour will get you nowhere fast. Seems it’s time for stubborn Scorpios to let go – and then move on.

Are you bored to bits? Powerful Pluto demands that you make important adjustments in your life – but they won’t be the changes you want or expect. So strive to approach the future with an open mind and an adventurous Aquarian spirit. There could be a few fireworks with a family member on Friday, so edit what comes out of your mouth and tread carefully.

7

Solutions

Crossword No.406 A S F N E P T U N D A N R U S S E L O M R I A D R A W L S U S C R A T C M E A A M O E B A R L O T R E M O R

P I L G R I E O O E C U A D O L S G E Y E L E T R R F R E S C C A H L C I N E X A C E I N F I G H T E S H O

Sudoku med No.103 M A R E S O Y S T E R S

garden

From deep in the long grass Cedric Bryant gardening

ORNAMENTAL grasses are creating great interest in today’s gardens.

This has been a relatively new development in Australia, whereas they have been a feature in British gardens for at least the last 30-40 years.

There is a misconception that ornamental grasses are only used in conjunction with native plants in a bush garden.

When I refer to ornamental grasses I also include strappy plants, such as agapanthus.

So let us look at a few suggestions of plants that I know grow well in our climate.

Possibly the most popular is Ophiopogon japonicus or Mondo Grass, this is a native of Japan and the only time it does not work, and where the idea is promoted on television shows and magazines, is planted in narrow gaps between large pavers. Firstly, the heat from the pavers cooks these small plants and, as many garden pavers are concrete, these soak up the moisture almost immediately. Plus there is usually not enough soil to sustain them, unless you have a gap of 75-100mm between pavers.

The soft grey foliage of Festuca glauca is often considered a native plant; however, it comes from North America and Europe. This can make an effective border along the edge of paths, growing to 30cm tall. Grey-leafed plants can be quite hard to find and yet provide a perfect foil against orange flowers.

As with all of the plants discussed here, the best effect is in bold groups. One of my favourite varieties for the home garden is the Lomandra

Bold use of ornamental grasses and perennials. family, starting with Lomandra longifolia “Cassica” with bluish-green, strap-like foliage similar to dwarf agapanthus. Lomandra longifolia “Tanika” has distinctive, honey-coloured flowers borne on long stems and is a suitable plant for floral artists.

The Dianella is a favourite with many gardeners, D. tasmanica with its distinctive, arching, straplike leaves up to 120cm long being near the top of the list. In summer, the nodding, star-shaped, bright blue-to-purple flowers are followed by clusters of deep-blue berries. Dianella revoluta has flowers ranging from pale blue to purple with yellow anthers. Both make a bold statement in a large ceramic container for courtyard gardens.

Pennisetum alopecuroides or Swamp Foxtail with its fluffy white plumes is ideal perhaps for the larger garden and can look quite spectacular planted under Betula pendula or Silver Birch.

There is also a variety of this Pennisetum with

pink plumes and purple tinged leaves.

Ornamental grasses are ideally suited for planting among the taller perennial plants or as a backdrop to a flower border.

Strappy plants and ornamental grasses are ideally suited when installing dry creek beds, or for that matter, running water creek beds if you have sufficient water.

A dry creek bed can be a real feature in a larger garden and if the design is right, as in the bush, water can run at times of heavy rain. Ornamental grasses planted among large boulders really set the scene.

It is important with ornamental grasses, but not the strappy leafed plants, to seriously cut them back in winter. Another important point: I do not recommend planting ornamental grasses on the nature strip or close to a road. As like any tall-growing grass, when it is dry it can be a real fire hazard with, for example, carelessly discarded cigarette butts. For this reason I was surprised to see the mass planting of such ornamental grasses on the forecourt of the new Gungahlin library. In situations like this they can also be a harbour for discarded drink cans and other fast-food rubbish.

This week...

• Cut back foliage to ground level Gaura lindheimeri, the Butterfly Bush, which can also be divided at this time.

• Plant primulas for a bold show of winter colour, but watch out for the snails.

• Accumulations of dead leaves can kill a lawn; use the mower to shred them for the compost heap.

• Cut back Ceratostigma to ground level after the leaves have fallen.

• Reminder for those new to Canberra, no dead leaf burning is allowed.

Ornamental grasses at the new Gungahlin Library.

Build a worm tower WORM towers help to increase the fertility of plants, improve soil quality, increase the yield of veggie gardens and reduce kitchen waste.

The Canberra Environment Centre is running a practical

workshop on how to build a worm tower at the centre, 6pm7pm, on Tuesday, May 21. The centre is at the corner of Lennox Crossing and Lawson Crescent on the Acton Peninsula and the cost is $15 ($10 for concessions).

Garden get together A DAY-long, free garden gathering, organised by Permaculture eXchange, will be held at Yarralumla Primary School, Loftus Street, from 10.30am (light lunch provided) on Sunday, May 26.

Dan Harris-Pascal will talk about

forest gardens (there’s one at the school) and participants will be invited to help with winter maintenance.

Bookings to permacultureexchange.org.au CityNews May 16–23 31