Canberra CityNews May 30

politics

Support Geelong, but slash Canberra?

The professional public service in Canberra, with its high levels of education, hard work and professional commitment is rarely seen in its full value by politicians from outside of Canberra, writes MICHAEL MOORE THE media was awash with the 1200 jobs going from Ford over the next three years. The impact on Geelong was to be devastating until the Victorian and Federal governments jumped into action.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced $50 million of taxpayers’ money for retraining and to assist Geelong to reinvent itself. Another $34 million continues to pour into Ford as part of the Government support for the final three years of manufacture. The Ford Falcon has been an Australian icon and it is good politics to be seen to provide support for the workers.

Meanwhile, in Canberra 2500 jobs were cut from the public service last year without a whimper. As a direct result of these public service cuts unemployment in the ACT has got worse, going against the national trend. There was no support package for Canberra!

If what is good enough for the goose is good enough for the gander the city of Canberra would have a $100 million package – having already had double the number of jobs slashed than those in Geelong. Add to this that Ford jobs will be lost over three years whereas double the numbers were lost in Canberra in the last six months of last year.

This is just chickenfeed! If the Abbott Government is elected on September 14 there are to be much deeper and much more devastating cuts.

The figures vary across the Coalition with the shadow treasurer, Joe Hockey, bandying about figures of up to 20,000, although, in his Budgetin-Reply speech, Tony Abbott seems to have

firmed the figures to 12,000 public servants and clarified that not all will come from Canberra.

But the impact on Canberra will be devastating.

Tony Abbott saw the loss of the 1200 jobs in Ford as “a black day for Australian manufacturing” and added that “this will be particularly devastating for the city of Geelong”.

He told the Liberal Party State Conference in Melbourne last Saturday: “Personally, I felt like I’d been kicked in the guts.” He continued by telling the people of Geelong that tough times will pass. And then, to loud applause, he reinforced for the party faithful that he would slash public service numbers.

ACT Treasurer, Andrew Barr, who is also Minister for Economic Development must be pulling out his hair attempting to work out how to stimulate the ACT economy to deal with the possibility of such cuts at the same time he is attempting to bring the ACT Budget into surplus.

And what a gift for ACT Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Hanson! As soon as his Federal Liberal colleagues rip into Canberra’s job market Jeremy will be able to point the figure at the economic incompetence of Andrew Barr as Treasurer and the Labor Party as a whole.

One of the most melancholy reflections on the contrast between what is happening in Geelong with the job losses in Canberra is the way the Australian community perceives the value of different jobs. Manufacturing jobs in Ford and other Australian car manufacturers have had ongoing

index / contacts Arts&Entertainment 19-21 Canberra Confidential 12 Cinema 20 Crossword 23 Dining 21 Garden 22 News 3-10 Politics 3 Horoscope 23 Socials 13-16 Sudoku 23 Cover: Powerlifter Liz Craven.

Story Page 8. Photo by Brent McDonald.

dose of dorin

support for years. Elected representatives recognise and largely reflect community sentiment.

The professional public service in Canberra, with its high levels of education, hard work and professional commitment is rarely seen in its full value by politicians from outside of Canberra.

Canberra bashing has long been a political sport that appeals to the electorate at home. If only these hard workers were appropriately valued by the community outside Canberra there would not be this constant drive to slash the public service.

Labor Senator Kate Lundy put the issue into perspective in a press release when she stated:

“Between 1996 and 1999, a previous Coalition Government under John Howard, cut about 30,000 jobs from the Australian Public Service, sending the ACT and the region into an economic downturn, and gutting the value of family homes by around 30 per cent.”

Most Canberrans are not looking for a Geelong style handout from the Federal Government – but appropriate respect about the contribution made in Canberra for all Australians would be a good start.

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

Since 1993: Volume 19, Number 18

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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 30–Jun 5 3

news

Caring Chris battles for the obese A CANBERRA nurse is leading the Laura Edwards charge against obesity by launching reports a free 12-week turnaround program “setting realistic goals.” for overweight clients at risk “The point is, yes you can make of potentially life-threatening some significant changes in 12 weeks, diseases. but this is really a foundation for Primary health care nurse practitioner Chris Helms, of West Belconnen Health Co-operative Ltd, has created a new Lifestyle Modification Program that screens, counsels and treats clients with a high body mass index who are at risk of or have chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.

The program targets those unable to afford expensive dieticians, fitness programs or gym memberships.

Chris, who specialises in chronic disease, says his clients work once a week with experienced dieticians and psychologists who donate their time to the program free of charge.

“We talk about different things, one week it might be the impact of diabetes, self-perception, the psychology of supermarkets or education on things like cardiovascular disease,” says Chris.

“Most of our clients are doing it tough financially, so I always felt it was important to ensure people didn’t have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses and there was no financial barrier to them getting to grips with their health issues.”

Chris says the program focuses on

long-term change... it’s about lifestyle modifications and adjusting your life,” he says.

The program has had an “overwhelming” impact on clients so far, who on average have up to five chronic diseases arising from obesity, including sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease.

“We caught a lot of people who were just on the cusp of diabetes, or developing diabetes, and didn’t know it, which wouldn’t have been caught if we hadn’t done this,” Chris says.

“As far as early intervention strategies, this has been a huge success. We follow up with personalised screenings and then keep in touch with clients — using podcasts and a discussion board — so they can stay informed and motivated. We can then refer them on to specialists or give them medical advice.”

This month Chris was the only person in the ACT to be named as a finalist for the HESTA National Primary Health Care Awards, with judges commending his work on the program. Winners will be announced

Primary health care nurse practitioner Chris Helms... “it was important... there was no financial barrier to them getting to grips with their health issues.”

Photo by Brent McDonald

at a ceremony in Melbourne on June 6 and share in a prize pool of $30,000.

“When they called I was awestruck, I thought they were exaggerating but it turns out my co-workers dobbed me in... it actually reaffirmed to me that I’m doing the right thing,” Chris says.

Originally from the US, 38-year-old Chris moved to Canberra three years ago and says nurses are still “relatively misunderstood” in Australia.

MARK PARTON’s first car was no ordinary car. It was a Falcon

“I think nurse practitioners are still finding their place in the country, as you see more of us, especially coming out and developing the job,” he says.

“There’s a balance between what we can offer and what a GP can offer, and I think when people can see that balance, and when we’re working together like this, it’s a beautiful thing.”

For more information visit westbelconnenhealth.coop/

Hipsley takes a more charitable view Kathryn Vukovljak

Hipsley manager Chenoeh Miller.

LESS than a year after Braddon’s vintage clothing store Hipreports sley Lane opened its doors, it’s undergoing “an evolution” to be more in keeping with the spirit storytime once a week. of Lifeline, says new manager “There’ll be five or six volChenoeh Miller. unteers on at any time, and it’s The new Hipsley (the “Lane” fine with me if all they do is is no more) is warm and welcom- play scrabble with someone who ing with “more of an op-shop comes in. I want it to be a place feel”, Chenoeh says. for people to feel welcome, as “We want to respect the previ- well as shop. ous vision, but just bring in more “There are so many isolated of Lifeline,” she says. “I’d love to people out there, and it’s incredsee people rummaging in a $1 ible what Lifeline does to help, bin or playing yahtzee, and we’ll and how proactive it is.”

Theatre maker Chenoeh says have a children’s corner and

4 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

When beige was sexy

she wasn’t hired because of her experience managing Portmans when she was 19, but rather because of her love of supporting the community and what Lifeline stands for.

Part of that is ensuring that all renovations for the Lonsdale Street shop were done through in-kind support, discounts and donations.

Another element is that Hipsley will now accept donations of “beautiful quality” pre-loved clothing, and is extending its range to kids and menswear.

“We want to keep it all as local

as possible,” she says. “We’ve also dropped the price point of the clothes significantly, and since then we’ve seen that people are buying three or four dresses at a time.”

“This is my dream job, but I couldn’t have even dreamed it up,” she says. “I get to work with vintage clothing, for a charity I believe in, and do something that directly contributes to the community. I get to create events and theatre, which I do anyway.

The potential for everything to interconnect is exciting.

“I feel I’ve found my career.”

I TURNED 17 in the spring of 1983. I’d been hanging for that milestone because it meant I could get my driving licence.

Working all sorts of odd jobs for years, I’d managed to save enough money to pay cash for my first car. My Uncle Kelvin had worked in used-car dealerships and I charged him with finding me a car; not just any car, I wanted a Falcon.

He tracked down a five-year-old XC Falcon. What a car! I felt 10 feet tall the first day I sat behind the steering wheel.

It had such beautiful lines. While mine wasn’t a great colour (beige with black trim), I thought it was the sexiest car on the earth. I used to wash it at least every fortnight.

Young and foolish, I drove it too fast and nearly rolled one morning on the back road to York, taking out a couple of white posts in the process. It taught me lessons that probably, ultimately, saved my life and it cost me a good quid to get the grill replaced and get the car back on the road.

Today, whenever I see an XC or XB Falcon on the road, it still stops me in my tracks.

So I was saddened by the big announcement that the Falcon is dead and, in Australia, Ford is on its last legs.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s we loved our cars in a way that Ford and Holden executives wish we did now. I don’t know what’s changed more since then – us as consumers, or the cars themselves.

The Ford announcement wasn’t a great surprise, more surprising was that they’d hung in there for so long as they did. Sure, there were some bad marketing decisions, but the combination of wages, workers comp, the high $A and business tax were always going to beat them.

I can’t see the point of governments propping up the car industry because it’s not sustainable in the long run.

Holden and Toyota say that they’re fine.

They’re not. In 20 years we won’t have a car industry in this country. It’s sad, but inevitable.

It all makes me want to have a mid-life crisis, buy a hotted up XC Falcon and just drive...

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

childcare challenge / the workers

mum in the city

Big on passion, low on pay

How I came to love the Skywhale

In a series of special reports KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK is looking at the state of childcare in the ACT. This week, it’s the workers, the pay and why they don’t stay Childcare educators have been leaving the industry in droves because of poor pay, with staff turnover in Canberra particularly high, according to Lyndal Ryan, secretary of the ACT branch of United Voice.

She says 180 staff leave the sector each week across the country, and that the Federal Government’s $300 million, two-year commitment to funding improved wages is “an important start, but a job half-done”.

“It’s a hard-fought win for the Big Steps campaign, but we mean to keep going until every childcare centre receives funding that’s ongoing and indexed,” she says.

Childcare workers earn between about $35,000 and $45,000, depending on qualifications.

Betty Lam, an early childhood educator at Baringa childcare centre in Spence, is an asset in an industry that has trouble retaining staff and maintaining the all-important continuity of care for children.

Betty says a passion for helping and teaching children keeps her in childcare, because she’s not there for the income.

“It’s more than just a job for me. I love the children, I love hearing their laughter, and I love having fun every day,” she says.

Betty, who has an advanced diploma in childcare services, says she fell into the industry with-

6 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

By Sonya Fladun I LOVE Canberra’s public artworks. Former chief minister Jon Stanhope deserves full credit for investing in some amazing sculpture that brightens Canberra’s streets and gets us thinking.

Childcare educator Betty Lam in her element, surrounded by Poppy, Sarah, Gabriela, Ayla, Hana, Zara and Lucy at Baringa childcare centre in Spence... “I love the children, I love hearing their laughter, and I love having fun every day.”

Photo Brent McDonald out knowing how low the salary was. She admits it can be a struggle, and that she copes by sharing the cost of living with her partner, who earns a lot more.

“Some of the staff here have left because they felt they needed to get a ‘real’ job and earn more money to support themselves or their family,” she says.

This is a common reason people give for moving on, says Lyndal.

“We don’t hear of people moving on to a similarly paid job,” she says. “The government has recognised that poor wages is the most significant reason why there are issues with retaining staff in the sector.

“Many leave for better-paid jobs that are less personally satisfying.”

Ex-childcare worker Peter, 20, would agree – he says he made the decision to leave the industry because he just couldn’t move his life forward on the wages.

“I had to start thinking about my future,” he says. “I really, really enjoyed working with children and hanging out with them, seeing them progress.

“But it was just too hard. I couldn’t save for anything, go anywhere or buy anything for my girlfriend. I couldn’t even move out of home.”

Peter has now picked up work as a labourer with his mates, but he’s not enjoying it. “It’s definitely not as fulfilling, so it’s not good, but money-wise it’s a lot better,” he says.

Melissa Heath, 21, says she left a career in childcare to go back to uni to study a bachelor of education.

“I wanted to stay working with children, but earn a salary that reflects how important the work is, which isn’t the case with childcare,” she says. “I also couldn’t afford the lifestyle I wanted. And I’m not extravagant! I would have stayed if it was going to benefit my future.”

Like Peter, Melissa says she misses working in childcare. “I loved working with children, it was a wonderful environment and very enriching,” she says. “But it can also be a stressful environment and I think the pay should reflect the work we do.

“In childcare there’s no incentive to stay on and get more qualified, because the pay increase isn’t even that much.”

Lyndal says the government funding, to come into effect on July 1, has also boosted morale, with the affirmation that childcare is now a recognised profession.

“We’re hoping that this funding will create stability in the sector, which will lead to further support from the Government in the future,” she says.

“We just need to get past the day-to-day problems of ‘another employee is leaving my centre today and I need to employ someone tomorrow’.”

Although I started as a sceptic, I’m now an ardent fan. I love the wonderful frogs, fish, snakes and snails at the Ainslie shops and the fantastic dog hanging out of his master’s jalopy at Lyons. There’s a striking orange insect-like thing on the road heading south to Tuggeranong and the giant owl at Belconnen. There’s also the amazing moving sculpture at Canberra Airport that looks like a swarm of Martian flying saucers. However, perhaps best of all, I love the iron eagle in its wonderfully eclectic metallic nest on the top of the hill at the National Arboretum.

But I’m not quite so sure about Chief Minister Katy Gallagher’s latest investment in public art – the famous (or perhaps infamous) Skywhale.

When I first heard about the Skywhale, I thought it would be an amazing thing, an enormous, majestic beast moving gracefully through our blue autumn morning skies accompanied by all manner of other brightly coloured hot-air balloons. Of course, some people wondered what the devil a whale might have to do with Canberra’s Centenary celebrations, but what’s not to love about whales?

When I first encountered the beast in flight, I thought it looked much more like some sort of strange turtle rather than a whale. Friends suggested that it looked like a giant louse, but that may have reflected the fact they were dealing with the horrors of a head lice outbreak at their kids’ primary school.

My children couldn’t stop giggling when they first saw it. My confused little girl said it was a rhinoceros with “things hanging off it”. My son figured it was a whale that had come in contact with an atomic mushroom cloud and had half mutated into a cow with lots and lots of udders.

Another mum I was chatting with the other day absolutely loathed it, saying the combination of a whale with pendulous breasts reminded her of all the things she wanted to forget about the late stages of pregnancy.

But I’ve developed a soft spot for the Skywhale.

After all, it is so utterly ridiculous that one can’t help but enjoy it.

My spouse, who has a keen eye for the absurd, thinks it’s a pity it’s a hot air balloon; were it a gas-filled dirigible it could be permanently moored, like a barrage balloon, above the otherwise bland Legislative Assembly building.

So, maybe some of the wowsers complaining about the cost ought to look at the funny side, and appreciate the Skywhale for what it is – a quirky exercise of the imagination that ought to bring a smile to most of us. I still hanker for the magnificent aerial beast of my own imagination, but that would probably never have made quite the same splash!

Sonya and the Skywhale... more like some sort of strange turtle.

news / cover story

The pocket rocket with a lot of lift AT barely 150-centimetres (just under five feet) with a slight build, Liz Craven isn’t what most people expect an elite powerlifter to look like.

But the bubbly 38-year-old from Kambah soon proves appearances are deceptive when she lifts a barbell stacked with weights in excess of an eye-popping 280kg, in preparation for the World Powerlifting Championships held in Russia in June.

“People have this preconceived idea that I’m going to look like a man,” Liz laughs.

“Every time I go and see someone, they say: ‘I don’t believe you’re a powerlifter’. But really, the girls I compete against are all quite small. You don’t have to look like a man to lift heavy weight – I am under 52kg and I’ve lifted more than I have ever lifted before.”

Laura Edwards reports

Liz has come a long way since she began powerlifting only 18 months ago, just three months after the birth of her daughter Abigail.

“When I started out, I initially just aimed for the national competition,” she says.

“To qualify for the Australian team I had to make a total of 280kg over three lifts – deadlift, bench press and back squat – at the Oceania Powerlifting Championships last year. I made 283kg, and in the process broke the Oceania record for bench press at 52kg – lifting 66kg.”

Thanks to her results, Liz will have to make three different lifts – the back squat, the bench press and the dead lift at the world titles in Russia. She’s aim-

ing for a total of at least 300kg, combining the best lift from each.

“I’m very nervous about it... but the idea that I’ll be standing there in front of a big crowd, and the competitive nature of it, really motivates me,” she says.

Liz began concentrating on powerlifting after her personal trainer said she had the “perfect build” for it.

“I was originally a personal trainer so I was already quite strong,” she says.

“Because I’m so short, it’s actually a good build for lifting as you can have great core strength.”

Liz says she can now lift more than her husband, Leon, who is also a powerlifter.

But she wasn’t always so athletic – “before I started personal training, I was an art nerd, and a terrible party girl,” she laughs.

“I never ever thought I could be

representing my country in any sport, ever.”

Liz now juggles a rigorous training schedule and diet with her young daughter and teaching weekly crossfit classes.

“It can be hard, I often catch myself singing ‘The Wiggles’ while I’m working out,” she laughs.

“I train for two and a half hours three times a week and I’m on proteinonly meals, no sugar, no salt and at least two litres of water each day.”

Currently ranked fourth in Australia, Liz hopes her performance at the world championships can take her to the top seven in the world.

“I love the sport, I love being strong,” she says.

“I love that it’s measurable – you have goals and if you are patient and you do your work, you are going to reach them.”

Elite powerlifter Liz Craven... “You don’t have to look like a man to lift heavy weight.”

Photo by Brent McDonald

letters Brodtmann’s redundancy story ‘outrageous’ LAURA Edwards’ article in this week’s “CityNews” about Gai Brodtmann’s redundancy years ago, before she got another job and became an MP here in Canberra, is outrageous.

I trust that in the interests of fairness, Ms Edwards will also be writing a story about all those other public servants being made redundant as a direct result of ALP policies in Canberra right now, today.

Yes, redundancies are already taking place now, today e.g. in the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy, the Department of Climate Change and CSIRO to name but a few. It is simply outrageous to be saying by implication what a Coalition government might or might not do, when the current Labor Government of Julia Gillard is already laying off thousands in numerous Departments across Canberra right now.

Jane Hyden via email

That’s how it is THIS may be a week for “City News” – unlike many of late – with a full column of letters. Last week’s edition (May 22) had Robert Macklin defending Julia Gillard to the last – what’s new about that? Michael Moore defending Skywhale and criticising the critics.

I am more supportive of art than the general public, but even Jon Stanhope can see Skywhale will bring ridicule to Canberra for ages. Michael, you got it wrong, you have lived in Canberra and away from SA for too long to understand that!

Gai Brodtmann uses personal experience to run a fear campaign about job losses. It might have more credibility if the ALP did not have its record; I can speak from experience having been made redundant under the Labor governments of Keating and Gillard.

The ALP approach to public servants is utterly cynical, sorry Gai, but that’s how it is.

Martin Gordon, Flynn

Moore is right I WAS impressed by Michael Moore’s suggestion that ACT voters do not vote any Liberal candidate into the Senate in the September Federal Election (CN, May 15).

Sitting Liberal Senator Gary Humphries’ retirement is an opportunity for a Green or independent replacement to show her/his mettle and stand up to a probable Liberal majority in the House of Representatives who will attempt to “economise” on Canberra and the Federal public service.

Canberra faces a growing threat to its future as a vibrant national metropolis from any Liberal Government after September. Moore’s article is a prescient warning and should be heeded by voters concerned with future employment here and the city’s role as the national capital.

The Tonywhale?

Barbara Hawley, Albury

Sex is not a drug THERE are many intelligent people who take exception to the views John Larkin (“Therapist with a lot of sex in his life”, CN, May 16) expresses and many professionals who think “sex addiction” is a completely fictitious and fatuous illness, created by modern psychologists to justify their own careers.

He couldn’t even argue his point logically when he said: “I’ve had cocaine addicts come to me and say that sex is the more addictive drug”. Sex is not a drug. It’s an activity or a behaviour. If he can’t even get this right what hope is there for his arguments about medicating people and modifying their behaviour for “sex addiction”?

As Australia’s national adults only association, we’re appalled by these self-appointed gurus of what is correct sexual conduct and what is not. There’d be a lot of people out there who’d like to be a sex addict if only they could find enough of it to become addicted!

Robbie Swan, Eros Association

All Julia’s fault

ROBERT Macklin (CN, May 23, “The case for keeping Julia”) appears to ignore Julia Gillard’s most obvious failings which look like catapulting the unthinkable upon us; an Abbott-led Liberal coalition government.

And what are the failings? They are her errors of judgement that include the way Kevin Rudd was deposed, the broken promises, the support for Craig Thompson and Peter Slipper and the failure to address the debt Bill Tully, Red Hill problem in any meaningful way. Despite Macklin’s assertions, Gillard is toast unless people just cannot stomach Abbott as PM.

AS a visitor to our capital city, I was surprised to see, firstly, the very strange object called a Skywhale (which pertains to nothing in the ACT) and, secondly, a cartoon of it looking like the Prime Minister (CN, May 23).

My first impression of it reminded me so much of 8 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

the Leader of the Opposition that I thought it was meant as a tribute to him!

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to editor@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Letters of 200 words or less stand a better chance of publication.

news feature

The deputies: power without glory They’re both a heartbeat away from the ACT’s two top political jobs and yet the Assembly’s deputy leaders couldn’t be more different. LAURA EDWARDS profiles the men in waiting JUST days ahead of announcing his second ACT Budget, Andrew Barr is in remarkably good spirits.

“It seems to get easier the second time around,” the ACT deputy chief minister and treasurer admits.

“I hope this is not the equivalent of a bad movie sequel though...I’m thinking it could be more like the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of budgets.”

It’s the kind of jovial confidence only a seasoned politician could muster – after all, the 40-year-old has been involved with politics for most of his life.

Born in Lismore, NSW, in 1973, Barr moved to Canberra with his family when he was four after his father received a scholarship with Treasury.

It was while studying for a bachelor of arts, majoring in economics, economic history and political science at the ANU, that Barr became involved in student politics, serving as treasurer of the Students’ Association and as a director on the board of the ANU Union.

After graduating in 1995, he worked for Federal parliamentarian Annette Ellis and was elected president of Young Labor.

Now with the reputation as the Territory’s first openly gay minister, it was around this time he officially “came out”, age 26.

“If I’d known the reaction was going to go as well as it went with my friends and family... I would have come out earlier,” he says.

But the response from his own political party wasn’t so accepting.

“There was some negative stuff in the Labor Party at the time, some people didn’t respond to it well,” Barr says.

The response took its toll emotionally and Barr temporarily walked away from politics, embarking on a different career path as an account manager in the private sector.

“Someone’s got to be the first at some of these things... my hope now is

10 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

Labor’s Andrew Barr... “It’s important politicians are bringing fresh ideas.” it’s very much a non-issue,” says Barr.

“There were some subsequent apologies from members there.”

Barr returned to politics in 2002, working as a senior adviser for ACT Government whip John Hargreaves.

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2006, and as Deputy Chief Minister in May, 2011.

At a SpringOut Gay and Lesbian Festival in Canberra 14 years ago, Barr met his partner Anthony.

The couple had a civil union at the National Library on their 10th anniversary in November, 2009, with 100 guests. In the same week, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed new laws giving the couple the right to that ceremony – a moment Barr, who has long been a vocal advocate for equal rights, was “incredibly proud of”.

Ironically, Anthony, a suit salesman, is “not really interested” in politics, Barr says.

“He follows it and freely offers his advice into what’s affecting businesses, but I wouldn’t say he has an active day-to-day interest,” he says.

Barr has just marked his 40th birthday and says he’s at a “very reflective age.”

“People keep telling me life begins at 40, and I hope that’s the case,” he laughs.

But he is wary of being “that 50-year-old politician.” Some members

in the current chamber, he explains, have been around far too long – but stops short at revealing names.

“I think it’s important politicians are always bringing fresh ideas,” he says.

Barr’s dream job after politics is to own a coffee shop that sells books and CDs – “although iTunes probably killed that dream,” he laughs.

As for starting his own family, Barr is coy, saying he has no plans while in public office.

“At the moment I’m very content and happy with my life, and all that I’ve have achieved in politics... laws changed, societal outcomes, infrastructure built... I’m proud I can look back and see these things that happened from my involvement.”

LIKE Barr, ACT Deputy Opposition Leader Alistair Coe had an early start to politics.

Born in Canberra in 1984, Coe joined the Liberal Party at just 16.

He was initially involved in the “organisational area” of the party, working as chairman of the Belconnen branch, and was president of the ACT Young Liberals and Federal vicepresident.

After completing a bachelor of commerce at the ANU, Coe was preselected seven weeks away from the

Liberal Alistair Coe... “No one gets into politics to be in opposition.”

Photos by Brent McDonald.

2008 ACT election, when long-time Ginninderra incumbent Bill Stefaniak decided to take a job as appeals president for the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Through a “hard and fast” campaign, Coe was elected at just 24 years of age. Earlier this year, Coe was voted in as Deputy Opposition Leader, a role he takes “very seriously.”

“No-one gets into politics to be in opposition... I take it as an opportunity to do whatever I can to ensure the Liberals are successful at the next election,” he says.

Now 29, Coe still has a boyish shyness about him, but finds his voice when talking politics and his vision for Canberra.

“I don’t think proposing new ideas and change for Canberra is necessarily any better,” Coe says.

“I love Canberra and have been here my whole life, I know many others that love Canberra as well, they love Canberra for what it is, so when we look to the future we have to make sure we’re also looking to the past, and seeing what it is that has made Canberra so great.”

Coe says his family – a public servant father, editor mother and two older brothers – were “never heavily” into politics, but pauses for a moment when

asked why it was the right path for him.

“I guess to an extent I was interested in debating at school... but I think my principles were that governments don’t necessarily do things better,” he says.

“I wanted to do as much as I could for individuals and families.”

And while Coe’s opponent Barr had a framed photo of former Labor leader Paul Keating on his office wall, Coe’s office bears autobiographies from right-wing conservatives such as Margaret Thatcher and John Howard.

In March, Coe married his partner of two years Yasmin at St Paul’s Church in Manuka.

The couple met through a mutual friend, says Coe, and Yasmin, a management consultant at KPMG, “has a keen interest in politics”.

“She isn’t involved in politics, but is good at expressing her opinion on political issues... I just hope she votes for me,” he laughs.

Married life is great, says Coe, and the couple are busily renovating their Giralang home.

Coe hopes he and Yasmin will stay in Canberra for as long as possible.

“I love travel as much as the next person, but when I go away it always reminds me how good I have it here,” he says.

Capital Health Centre of Chinese Medicine / advertising feature

Traditional care with a modern touch Doctor with a passion to heal

THE Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese medicine was established in Canberra in 1999 and has treated more than 10,000 patients.

The practice was founded by brothers, Haisong and Haidong Wang in 1999, who are both graduates of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China.

“The Capital Health Centre is Canberra’s leading and largest TCM practice with clinics located in Woden, Belconnen and Civic,” says Dr Haisong Wang, its chief physician and general manager.

“The practice is staffed by experienced, certified TCM practitioners with a range of skills who are registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

“Capital Health Centre has close working relationships with educational, medical and research organisations in both China and Australia, such as Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Canberra Institute of Technology.

“Capital Health Centre combines a traditional treatment with modern management. Our aim is to provide you with a high level of care and support in order to ensure the greatest possible benefit is achieved from your treatments.

“As we like to get to know our clients, before undergoing any treatments we conduct a thorough initial consultation

Public seminar ON June 13 Dr Wang will present a public seminar on “Managing Winter Ailments” at the Woden Senior Citizens Club, 9.30am-12.30 pm, which will cover how TCM can help with cold-weather ailments such as arthritis, asthma and other respiratory conditions, pain management related to circulation issues, coughs, colds and influenza and urinary tract infections.

Seats can be reserved at capitaltcmw@yahoo.com.au or by calling 6282 8898.

The Capital Health Centre of Chinese medicine team... “The staff... have modern knowledge about the integration of natural and Western medicine,” says Dr Wang. which allows us to fully understand your condition and then discuss with you your individual imbalances, their underlying causes and the best TCM treatment approach for you.”

Over the 14 years of serving the Canberra community, the centre has expanded to three clinics: in Woden, Civic and Belconnen.

The Chinese medicine profession was registered as an official healthcare profession by the Australian Government in July last year.

“As part of the changes our practitioners now go through strict registration processes in addition to their already impressive experience and qualifications,” says Dr Wang.

“Out of the 50 registered Chinese medicine practitioners who practice in the ACT, the Capital Health Centre employs eight.

“The staff of the Capital Health Centre have expertise in a variety of specialties and have modern knowledge about the integration of natural and Western medicine.”

TCM treatments offered include herbal medicine, acupuncture, Chinese massage

and other methods that help release energy and toxins with the purpose of increasing resilience against illness and aiding the body in its recovery.

The Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese medicine is also involved in community and public health. Staff members frequently participate in and host local events to raise public awareness and health consciousness.

“Patients of the Capital Health Centre are satisfied with the care and services provided by the registered health practitioners because they work with mainstream medicine to complement existing services, support patients with a strategy for their healing journey and supplement their care with other suggestions and approaches,” says Dr Wang.

“The Capital Health Centre is committed to providing the finest quality of healthcare to patients and continuously improving the knowledge and skills of its staff through regular professional development.

“The centre looks forward to the future of Chinese medicine in Australia and will strive to remain the leading Traditional Chinese medicine centre in the ACT.”

What is TCM? TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used to treat and prevent health conditions in Asia for thousands of years, is increasingly playing a role in Western healthcare as a complementary medicine approach.

TCM is a holistic approach to healthcare, based on the idea that no single part can be understood without looking at the whole person. Rather than seeing a person as having an illness, TCM looks for yin and yang energy imbalances and seeks to bring them into harmony to improve health.

Energy imbalances can be caused by factors such as stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, pathogenic diseases, lifestyle factors, prevailing weather and environmental conditions.

A DOCTOR of Chinese Medicine, Haisong Wang, chief physician, senior lecturer and health and wellbeing advocate, is the co-founder and general manager of the Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese medicine.

He has more than 17 years’ experience in the industry and has been practising in Canberra for 14 years.

Dr Wang uses an integrated and holistic approach, combining Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and acupressure techniques, diet, exercise, and lifestyle analysis to deal with a range of chronic and complex conditions in the areas of internal medicine, gynaecology, the immune system, the musculoskeletal system, and physical-mental disorders.

He consults with and assesses the needs of most of the new clients at his three clinics in Belconnen, Civic and Woden, and Dr Haisong Wang. administers treatments including acupuncture, acupressure massage and the prescription of herbal medicine.

Dr Wang graduated from the Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and holds a bachelor degree in Chinese medicine and a master’s degree in prescription science in Chinese herbal medicine.

He enjoys teaching and promoting Chinese medicine and lectured in Chinese medicine at the Canberra Institute of Technology from 1999-2009. He has a clear style of communication .

Dr Wang is also active in promoting public health and awareness concerning Chinese medicine through regular community health talks and seminars in connection with organisations such as the seniors clubs in Canberra, the U3A ACT, government departments and Carers ACT. Dr Wang is also an accredited member of the Federation of Chinese medicine and Acupuncture Society of Australia, a highly respected network of Chinese medicine health practitioners, and an accredited member of the Australian Traditional medicine Society.

Recently he presented seminars at Carers ACT and Woden Seniors Club on the common health problems faced in Canberra’s cold weather, offering participants new ideas on how to deal with their health issues.

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 11

Canberra Confidential Gag the Libs?

Yes, Minister THE Canberra Business Council has “revitalised” its annual Budget Breakfast at the Press Club on Wednesday into something of a Government love-in by breaking with the 17-year tradition and precluding any presentations by the Liberal Opposition.

Usually, it’s been a chance for business leaders to better understand the perspective of the Budget and its consequences by hearing from both sides. Not this year. Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson and his treasury spokesperson Brendan Smyth have been gagged after, CC hears, Treasurer Andrew Barr’s office insisted it would be a briefing and not the usual debate and he wouldn’t be coming if it wasn’t, so there.

The council rolled over. Needless to say, there won’t be a Liberal MLA in the crowd.

Sky’s the limit?

WE hear WIN News’ sports reporter Greg Thomson won’t be on local screens much longer. Apparently, he’s leaving his role as the ever-keen sports presenter and will soon be off to Melbourne to take up a spot with SkyNews.

12 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

Love is strange

Leaving the House

Queen trumps King

UH, oh... arts editor Helen Musa was unwittingly cc’d into an email from a senior PR flak in the Canberra Centenary that was giving a revealing priority of how the recipient should seek coverage from the local media and in the order in which they might be approached. CC reckons it reflected an unhealthy, if unsurprising, cosiness with supplicant Centenary “media sponsors” “The Canberra Times” and your ABC (radio and TV).

Needless to say, Musa sent off a growl and got this reply from senior spinner Susanne Roberts: “Sorry Helen – as you probably realise this wasn’t meant to go to you... ‘CityNews’ certainly isn’t an afterthought for me or anyone else in the PR team. I assure you we have the highest regard both for you and your publication”. Purr, purr. All forgiven, then.

OH, boo hoo... “With autumn leaves showering from the giant poplars in the courtyards like all the memories of the past 11 years, it’s time for Ginger Catering to make the hard decision to leave Old Parliament House.” So blathers Ginger Catering’s Janet Jeffs in a waffling press release announcing she’s out of OPH. Big deal. But Why? The clue might be the eldorado of being caterer to the National Arboretum, where her Sprout Café is enjoying the bounty of the new attraction’s 100,000 monthly visitors.

FURTHER to the mystery of why artist Lenore Bass used the word “King” on the brass coat-of-arms mounted above the Legislative Assembly entrance (CC, April 18); it seems that shortly before it was installed in the early 1960s, the assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior, William McGregor, rang National Capital Development Commission secretary R.B. Lansdown “quite informally and personally” to ask the same question.

Lansdown’s public relations man, Tom McKernan, looked into it and decided that “both ‘For the Queen’ and ‘For the King’ are permissible, with the former being more favoured, but not to the exclusion of the latter.”

“On the assumption that it is correct,” Lansdown wrote back to McGregor, “the Commission would presumably be free from any embarrassment in the motto used on the Coat of Arms on the Civic Offices.”

Later, a G F Wynn, acting in McGregor’s job, wrote again to the NCDC on the issue, pointing out that the Prime Minister’s Department had advised them when the motto was officially changed by the College of Heralds in England more than five years earlier.

“Our view is, therefore, that reproductions of the coat of arms initiated since January 1954 should show the word ‘Queen’ in lieu of ‘King’,” concluded Wynn.

Perhaps if someone had told the NCDC that in 1954, they could have passed it on to Lenore Bass.

Book it up a winner THE National Library’s free winter movie season opens on Friday, June 7, at 2pm, with the 1978 movie “Newsfront”. The book (not the screenplay) was written by “CityNews” columnist Robert Macklin who, when nudged, told us that one of his proudest moments was when the director Phil Noyce wrote a dedication in his autobiography that the book was better than the film. “Actually, I was never impressed with the picture,” Macklin sniffed.

Little guy gets a job WHEN we’re not fretting about the unloved, heritage-listed, rusting Starlight Drive-In sign, CC keeps a paternal eye on the incredible shrinking little guys’ public art in Petrie Plaza. With the refurbishment of DJs in full swing and part of the plaza annexed for construction sheds, one of the two remaining little guys in Danish artist Keld Moseholm’s sculpture appears to have a job, says our CEO Greg Jones, who snapped him hardhatted and off to work!

Hmmms A WAG from Weston Creek writes: “What fascinates me about the Skywhale is, who posed for it? I have an idea but, of course, am far too gentlemanly to say.”

TIME is catching up with Kingsley’s Steakhouse in Civic, destined to make way for a hip Jamie Oliver restaurant.

But when? “End of June”, a passing waitress told CC, “but you didn’t get it from me”.

Ollies is expected to be open by October.

GENTLEMEN, it’s time to tease out those facial follicles as the search for “Canberra’s best beard” begins again at King O’Malley’s. Judging will be held every Thursday night at 8pm leading up to the big hairy event on June 20.

CLIPPER, a strange organic liquorice infusion from the UK, has been amusing CC with its packaging text: “Clipper products are made with... [blah, blah]... add nothing artificial and strive to improve the welfare of the workers. No wonder they taste so good.”

scene

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

The Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre Gala Dinner, Hellenic Club, Woden

DibbsBarker Fyshwick office opening

Margaret Reid and MLA Brendan Smyth

Jason Wenning and Steve Burke

Michael-John Stratford, Emma Baldock and Gavan Bennett

Gillian McFarland with John and Ross Jackson

Felicity Back, Philippa Lynch and Margi Braithwaite

Jane Smyth with Tom and Jessie Middlemiss

Dr Helen Wiles, Rhodanthe Lipsett, Canberra Citizen of the Year, Dr Sue Packer and Mary Kirk

Andrew Nesbitt, Nunz Losanno, Andrew Fernance and Johnathon Colbran

Henry and Courtney Kazar

Kellie White, Emily Herne, Sarah Coventry and Matthew Thomson

Neil Robertson, Shelley Mulherin and Gabriele Wilson

Doug Johnson, Matt Carmody and Steve Hundy

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 13

14 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

scene Biggest Morning Tea, Infinite Consulting, Braddon

CBR Collective opening, Canberra Centre

Keon Andell, Stan Kovac, John Sokic, Nam Doan, Michael Halls and Robert Townsend

Kieran Stopp, Caroline Deeble, Janette Lenk and Sara Poguet

Mike Hogden and Mick Rhodes

Jeff Melmoth, Michael Franks, Mark Pollet, Brett Hackett and Michael Ilieff

Mario Spralja, Jelena Milicevic and Megan Cursley

Loyzek Cervek, Ross McGrath and Colin Hill

Scott Hendy, Cameron Black and Arvinder Sachdeva

Christine and Andrew Wall, MLA, with Anne Willsford

Claire Connelly, Kate Brennan and Amanda Whitley

Sean Watson and Karla Groom

Brendan Buckley, Sandy and Rohan Thomas with Kathleen Buckley

Rhian Sketcher and Madeleine Shuey

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 15

scene Lifeline’s Hipsley store relaunch, Braddon

Lena and Chenoeh Miller

Colleen Miller and Michael Liu

Kinsha Baidya and Vasili Skountzos

Nathaniel Bond and Mel O’Brien

Matt Heffernan, Alex Serena and Mike Zissler

Dave Caffery, Allan Sko and Scott Johnston

Johanna Hamilton and Emma Hlubucek

Isabella Brom, Ben Chan and Cadie Artudo

‘Symmetries’ performance, Canberra Theatre

Ken Growes, Valerie Wilder and Leslie and Jason Hyland with Jim and Libby Cousins

16 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

Deb and Georgia Henry

Nicole Hobbs and Louise Downing

Sarah Goldsworthy, Cath Geiger and Liz O’Rourke

Renee Martin and Lyndal Hughson

Lauren Wilson and Mia Greves

Festa Della Repubblica / June 2

special feature

When Italy embraced a republic ALONG with Italians all over the world, Canberra’s Italian community celebrates Festa Della Repubblica (Festival of the Republic) on June 2.

This important holiday marks the day when, in 1946, the Kingdom of Italy voted to replace its king with a president, to be chosen democratically by the citizens of a new Italian republic with a new parliament.

But the actual result of the referendum was far from a landslide, with only about 54 per cent of the voters choosing to remove their monarch as head of state through this peaceful revolution at the ballot box.

On one hand, it was a big step to end the line of kings that had ruled Italy since its unification about a century earlier, and it was not strictly necessary to get rid of the king in order to have a new constitutional democracy. But on the other hand, many Italians were disappointed in the royal family for letting the country become a Fascist dictatorship, and for its military defeat in World War II. Democracy was not new to Italy in 1946, either, the Italian Parliament having played a strong role as a check on the power of the king and his ministers since the mid-1800s. But with the king’s support, the Fascist Party, led by Benito Mussolini, was able to seize power in the early ‘20s, and later pass a law in 1926 that freed Mussolini from any responsibility to Parliament whatsoever.

In this way, the Festa Della Repubblica can be seen to celebrate the return of democracy to Italy in a stronger, more permanent form.

The first period of Italian democracy was based on a constitution agreed to by the King of Piedmont-Sardinia, Charles Albert, in 1848, when Italy was still in the process of uniting as a single

Italian a popular choice ITALIAN is the most popular language chosen by students at St Clare’s College, and there’s a good reason for that, says languages co-ordinator Mike Tierney.

“Italian language is a very big part of the college,” he explains.

“A lot of our students have Italian backgrounds, and they want to be able to speak with their nonna and nonno [grandma and grandpa]. And I think in general, it opens doors to a lot of other things, too. A lot of our students find themselves in Italian universities or using their Italian later in life and they send us letters; that’s very gratifying for us.”

For Festa Della Repubblica this year, St Clare’s italian students will have special lessons discussing different aspects of the modern nation. Juniors will discuss the history of the flag and what its colours might mean, while older students learn about the birth or the republic in the aftermath of World War II. “The majority of the class is off to Italy in September – 26 of them,” says Tierney, explaining that the trip takes in Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Milan.

St Clare’s College, 1 McMillan Crescent, Griffith. Call 6260 9400 or go to stclaresc.act.edu.au

As an important milestone in Italian history, we salute those who embrace Italy’s culture and celebrate its lifestyle and traditions. nation. The Statuto Albertino, as it is known, was so important to Italy’s formation that the day it was signed became the first Italian National Day. Interestingly, this was always celebrated on the first Sunday in June, which this year is the exact same day as its modern replacement, Festa Della Repubblica.

In Rome, a grand military parade is held every year with the president of the republic – currently Georgio Napolitano – demonstrating his key role as supreme commander of the armed forces, a role once played by the king.

Some Italians joke that the only time Italy was ever truly unified was when the national soccer team won the World Cup, but Festa Della Repubblica is a day when all Italians can celebrate the rich, shared culture and bright future of their modern republic.

And in Canberra...

ON SUNDAY, a Republic Day Festival will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre in Forrest, with market stalls and food as well as dance and music performances from local groups including Dante Music Viva and the Canberra Tarantella Dance Group.

There will also be stands selling Italian sausages, pasta, wine and beer and, of course, coffee. Visitors can also taste Sicilian sweets or browse through Italian books, ceramics and memorabilia, and to finish off the day will be an

Italian movie screening. The festival runs from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, June 2, and is hosted by ComItEs ACT. Entry is free.

Festa Della Repubblica, 80 Franklin Street, Forrest, 11am-4pm.

ComitEs that care ITALIAN Australians all over the country are part of ComitEs; representative bodies for Italian communities living in Australia.

The ComitEs responsibilities and functions include: promoting, in collaboration with relevant consular offices, initiatives in the areas of social-cultural life, social welfare and education, professional training, recreation, sport and leisure of the Italian community resident within a particular consular zone; opinions, proposals and suggestions for initiatives for the relevant consular office of benefit to the local Italian community; consultative functions in relation to requests for financial support from Italian welfare associations operating within a given consular zone; co-operating with local consular offices to safeguard the rights and interests of Italian migrant citizens in relation to local legislation as well as international and EC law; and advising Italian consular offices of any violations of conventions and international laws relating to Italian workers.

ComitEs ACT, contact Mara at marajiju72@ hotmail.com or call 0431 245130.

Passion for language STROMLO High School principal Dr Michael Kindler loves languages and says they are an essential inclusion in a child’s education, because “language competency has become the currency of the 21st century”.

He should know, too. Born in Switzerland, Dr Kindler learnt German, French and Italian at an early age, adding English to these when he moved to Australia, and Japanese during a six-and-a-half year stay there.

“I’m passionate about languages,” says Dr Kindler. “We are living in a borderless knowledge economy, and young Australians who can speak a second language and appreciate other cultures are assured of careers

using that second language.”

Italian is one of the most popular of the four languages offered by Stromlo High, and is taught at three of its four feeder primary schools.

There are currently about 130 Stromlo students learning the language, many of whom are looking forward to a proposed trip to Italy in 2014.

For this year’s Festa Della Repubblica, the Stromlo principal has been invited to a reception at the Italian Embassy, while the school will be celebrating Italy’s culture as well as its famous music and food at its own Republic Day Festival.

Stromlo High School, Badimara Street Waramanga. Call 6205 6166 or go to stromlohs.act.edu.au

Students on the 2012 Stromlo High Japan Tour

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 17

18 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

arts & entertainment

Wendy Johnson When food partners pinot

Perisher’s cool festival on top of the world

By Helen Musa

Kylie Auldist, dub-ska-reggae collective The Fraudsters, Melbourne’s Oh Pep! and our own Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, IS the Perisher Snowy Mountains of to name a few of the 35 acts running at eight Music the hottest music festival in the snowland venues. region or the coolest?

As well, kids under 15 can get in free if they’re Probably both, if you believe artistic director with a paying adult. The festival’s popular poetry Dave de Santi – and it’ll all be “above the fog”. program continues apace, with poetic breakfasts, Tourism Snowy Mountains chief, Peter lunches, the Snowy Cup Competition and the Sheppard, can hardly conceal his excitement at a Broken Ski Competition for original poems. festival he says “adds considerable depth to the “CityNews” caught up with Mikelangelo overall winter product,” a product that contributes (Michael Simic to you and me) while he and the a whopping $1.2 billion each year to the coffers Black Sea Gentlemen were performing at the of NSW. Brighton Fringe Festival en route to London and So, de Santi has produced a program of music, the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and asked the fun and poetry for the event, to run at the opening architect of Slavic chic the secret of his success. of the snow season. With 290 applications from “I have a restless mind and I am always writing performance, it wasn’t easy. new songs and coming up with new ideas for “It’s not the National Folk Festival, it’s not projects,” Mikelangelo says.

Byron Bay and it’s not just young people.” In fact, Despite his travels, which have taken him and he says, he caters to a mixed audience and only the boys as far as Timbuktu, he’s never performed wants to get them listening. in the snow, but don’t expect snowy music.

This year he has Blue King Brown, soul diva His new show “The Tin Star”, is “surf rock meets

spaghetti western, so our best bet is to try to warm everyone up with the twanging tremolo guitar sounds of the desert and a thundering surf tsunami of drums and bass”.

And who exactly are the Black Sea Gentlemen?

Mikelangelo lists them: “Phil Moriarty co-founded the group with me in 2000 and he still plays clarinet with the Black Sea Gentlemen.

Pip Branson joined the group in 2001 in tragic circumstances to replace his brother David on violin… Guy Freer joined on accordion in 2004 and Sam Martin on double bass in 2006.”

Alas, he says, while their best friends live here and it’s “a great place to develop and hone your arts practice… it’s nigh on impossible to have a sustainable career in Canberra”.

By contrast, Melbourne buzzes. “There is a very supportive creative community…am always writing songs and generating new ideas, its addictive!”

The Perisher Snowy Mountains of Music, June 7-10, bookings to snowymountainsofmusic.com.au or 1300 811324

Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen... “I have a restless mind and I am always writing new songs and coming up with new ideas for projects,” Mikelangelo says.

Come to the cabaret

By Helen Musa

“Planet” cast at rehearsal... “no one takes it too seriously”.

Jukebox musical returns

By Helen Musa

QUEANBEYAN Players is reviving “Return to the Forbidden Planet” with all its familiar songs.

I spotted “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Robot Man” and “Teenager in Love” on the song-list, just for starters.

Stephen Pike directs the show, with musical director Nicholas Griffin and choreographer Nickole Neal.

Pike figures it must be at least seven years since last time we saw “Return to the Forbidden Planet” in the region.

“It’s really a typical jukebox musical,” he says, “full of songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s… it was about due for a revival, it’s one of the most successful musicals of all time.”

You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate it and no one takes it too seriously, he tells “CityNews”,

SINGER Kate Ceberano never dreamt of being a festival director but here it is, 2013, and she’s into her second year of running The Adelaide Cabaret festival, with a program of 411 artists performing over 18 days and nights.

There’ll be some pretty big names from New York, such as Kristin Chenoweth (from “Glee”, “The West Wing”, “Wicked” and “Promises Promises”), Idina Menzel (“Wicked”), or Grammy Award winner Cassandra Wilson, transgender artist Joey Arias channelling Billie Holiday, ‘80s Hollywood star Molly Ringwald singing jazz and Adam Guettell (the grandson of Richard Rodgers).

The Aussie line-up includes Canberra Centenary creative director Robyn Archer, billed “the Doyenne of Cabaret”; Tommy Bradson paying homage to Reg Livermore; Lucy Maunder singing Irving Berlin; Paul McDermott in “The Dark Garden”; “post-post-modern diva” Meow

Kristin Chenoweth... from New York.

Meow and magician and philosopher Sunny Leunig.

Last year Ceberano lifted festival box office receipts by 12 per cent, so what’s she doing right?

“My experience in live performance makes it a shoe-in,” she tells “CityNews”, “that’s what cabaret is, it’s essentially people performing live, whether to an audience of 200 or 2000.”

But isn’t cabaret by definition something intimate?

“Not necessarily,” the famous singer-turned-director asserts, “that idea is evolving and I feel I’m a very

strong part of its evolution... the actual definition is ‘performance delivered live accompanied by food and beverage,’ but to me, it’s more than that.”

Operatic baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes will join Ceberano on stage in a show called “Meet Me in the Middle”. She met him when they both played in “South Pacific” last year. Now she’s throwing him in the deep end, where “he’ll be navigating a field that is entirely foreign to him”.

She’s also throwing in other “South Pacific” cast members, not least Eddie Perfect and Lisa McCune as Shane and Simone in a revival of “Shane Warne: the Musical”.

“It’s cabaret, we all put ourselves at risk,” she says philosophically.

The 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, at the Adelaide Festival Centre and city venues, June 7-22, bookings to 131 246 or online www.bass.net.au Full program at adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au

adding, “the author even addresses the audience to say, ‘I’ll bet you’re all confused now’”.

But, as Pike observes, we all know the story, “a simplistic version of Shakespeare’s ‘Tempest’.” In the musical, Captain Tempest and his crew battle to free themselves from the grip of the planet D’Illyria, but can they trust Dr Prospero? And so on.

There’ll be a lot of actors we’ve never seen before, but there’ll be a few familiar faces, too; Dave Evans plays Captain Tempest and Lachlan Whan, the antagonist Cookie.

Pike has been watching Whan with interest. He’s played wildly different roles in recent years, not least, in an apparent bit of anti-typecasting, Tony in “West Side Story”. But in Pike’s view, “his vocal range is very well suited to the rock ‘n’ roll type of music”. And there’s plenty of that.

“Return to the Forbidden Planet”, The Q, June 7-22, bookings to 62856290 or theq.net.au CityNews May 30–Jun 5 19

arts & entertainment / reviews

cinema / Dougal Macdonald

Confused show light on the laughs SHORTIS and Simpson’s ambitious “Prime Time” presented songs about Australia’s 29 Prime Ministers.

The show appeared confused as to whether it was satirical cabaret or epic musical theatre.

The laughs were too sparsely spread for it to be a comedy. There were moments of poignancy, but the show’s overall themes were underdeveloped and sometimes confusing.

Staging was a strong point, with projection of historical footage and comic choreography of the Worldly Goods Choir both used to good effect.

Composer and pianist, John Shortis and vocalist Moya Simpson were joined by Kate

music

“Shortis and Simpson’s Prime Time” At Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, until June 1 Reviewed by Simone Penkethman Hosking on double bass and Nic Byrne on keyboards. Hosking and Byrne also carried a contemporary narrative of a couple whose marriage is founded on an agreement to accept their political differences. Their story centred around a visit to the Museum of Australian Democracy and was intended as a framework for the songs. They were also the

singing voices of various political figures.

Hosking was absolutely outstanding and engaging, but her on-stage spouse was no match for her formidable prowess as an actor, singer and musician. In contrast to Hosking’s and Byrne’s contemporary, casual look, Shortis and Simpson were costumed in cabaret style.

Shortis was the backbone of the band, while Simpson was its face and choir leader.

The show-stopper was a yodeling, linedancing duet between Simpson and Hosking about Australia going, “all the way with LBJ”.

Another highlight was the Worldly Goods Choir flocking like human sheep during the Menzies years.

Dazzling ballet’s stunning return WITH nary a tutu in sight, the Australian Ballet still managed to dazzle as it stormed triumphantly back into the Canberra Theatre with a superb program including the world premiere of a stunning new ballet celebrating Canberra’s Parliament House, performed in the presence of its designer, Aldo Giurgola.

Balanchine’s “The Four Temperaments”, danced to the music of Paul Hindemith, is a plotless abstract ballet about perfection.

The exquisite pas de deux from Christopher Wheeldon’s “After The Rain” is also about perfection, but dripping with emotion, and the audience held its collective breath as Lana Jones and Adam Bull appeared to float through its intricacies to the gentle strains of Arvo Part’s “Spiegel im Spiegel”.

These two odes to perfection proved appropriate preludes to the main offering,

dance

“Symmetries” Australian Ballet Canberra Theatre, season closed Reviewed by Bill Stephens “Monument”, commissioned as a Centenary of Canberra project to celebrate the perfection of Canberra’s iconic parliamentary building.

With a driving electronic score by Huey Benjamin providing the heartbeat, choreographer Garry Stewart has integrated elements of hip-hop, popping and classical ballet technique to create a busy, enthralling ballet which brilliantly and remarkably captures the essence and excitement of the building.

The dancers, in crisp-white, figure-hugging costumes, move briskly around the stage in squares, rectangles, triangles and circles

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” (M) ON the morning I saw the first Canberra screening of Mira Nair’s film of Mohsin Hamid’s powerful novel, the ABC reported the horrific murder of a British soldier by two UK-raised Muslim men, making the latest political statement in the centuries-old conflict between Christians and Muslims.

Hamid’s novel tells of Princetoneducated Pakistani Changez Khan (Riz Ahmed), a rising star in an American financial advice corporation, compelled to choose between the American dream and an academic post in his homeland, where he becomes suspected of involvement in anti-US activities.

The similarity between that awful London reality and Nair’s compelling film resonated in my mind as I watched the film, happenstance rather than serendipity.

Indian-born, US-educated Nair

brings cultural familiarity to telling both sides. Changez (the “g” is hard) has to cope with ethnic prejudice not only from classmates in the US, but also from people in the street. At a Pakistani university, he teaches Western core ideas to students but becomes involved in a hostage situation.

He has left behind in the US a tender, intense and stimulating relationship with photographer Erica (Kate Hudson) whose well-intentioned exhibition reflecting Western perceptions distresses him.

The long (126 minutes) film looks marvellous. Ahmed plays Changez with convincing perceptiveness. Hudson’s performance raises her professional ceiling. Liev Schreiber is a CIA agent interviewing Changez as his colleagues plan his rendition. As Chengez’s father, Om Puri is as always dignified.

At Palace Electric

“Monument”... an enthralling ballet. defined by Jon Buswell’s lighting, performing combinations of stabbing, angular arm and body movements. Behind them 3D animations of the actual architectural drawings give the impression that the dancers are moving in and out of the building as it awakens and comes to life.

Lower elusive despite strong, sincere Max “I WASN’T always a journalist.

I used to be normal...” Lennie Lower, Australian journalist and humourist of the ‘30s and ‘40s, is the subject of Max Cullen’s one person play.

According to the program notes, Lower’s one novel, “Here’s Luck”, published in 1930, became a classic of Australian humour. As for Lower himself, he was small, dark, nervous and described as “serious”, “melancholy”, “morose”, a marvellous talker and a legendary drinker, all challenging character traits for an actor/ writer to work on.

Caroline Stacey’s production is generally well-staged on a clever cartoon-like set with great visual projections both designed

by Margarita Georgiadis. The lighting design by Nick Merrylees and sound design by Seth Edwards-Ellis complement the action very well.

Making it clear from the opening that we are watching an actor doing a play about Lennie Lower created an unfortunate barrier between the audience and the character.

Max Cullen gives a strong and sincere performance of a person described as someone “one could never get close to”. Maybe he has been too successful as it was difficult to feel any warmth towards Lower. He is inebriated 20 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

Hostages and happenstance

theatre

“How to be (or not to be) Lower”

By Max Cullen At The Street Theatre, until June 1.

Reviewed by Len Power

Abused and insulted “The Hangover Part III” (MA) EXITING the cinema with my intelligence abused and my sense of humour insulted by this second attempt to revive what in 2009 was a moderately amusing tale about four good buddies taking a mate to Las Vegas for a last fling before marriage, I heard a young man following me telling his mate that he thought the franchise had passed its use-by date with Hangover II. This comment by a member of the film’s intended core audience comforted me because it helped me write an opinion that, if not totally derogatory nevertheless needs to tell you, dear readers, that frankly, it stinks.

The screenplay by director Todd Phillips, lacking credibility or wit,

proposes that Mr Chow has escaped from a Thai jail and now wants his good buddy, the gormless Alan (Zach Galifianakis), to help him recover the other half of a shipment of gold that he hasn’t already stolen from crook Marshall (John Goodman).

Alan persuades his three buddies to help him. The film’s cliche tree is planted and well watered. Pity its fruit is so tasteless.

What were the good bits? Ken Jeong plays Chow with unrestrained excess. Galifianakis does comedy well, but the material here is unworthy. The film’s best moments are Alan’s wooing of pawn-shop owner Cassie (Melissa McCarthy).

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

At all cinemas

Romance and tension “Dead Man Down” (MA)

Actor Max Cullen. and rather pathetic much of the time and his humour also seems dated and unfunny. The stream of consciousness writing for the character needed more variation to maintain interest.

Lennie Lower was said to be very careful about avoiding facts about his private life. As presented in this production, he continues to remain elusive.

BY standard filmic standards, Danish director Niels Arden Oplev’s film has plenty going for it – romantic melodrama, with good tensions, credible human interaction, vigorous action, a commendable cast and interesting New York locations.

In its opening inter-gang battle, Viktor (Colin Farrell) shines as one of a criminal group led by Alphonse (Terrence Howard), angry about discovering one of his team in a freezer.

Viktor lives alone in a high-rise apartment. Across the airshaft, he sees a handsome young woman, Beatrice (Noomi Rapace) living with her French mother (Isabelle Huppert).

Beatrice’s face bears scars from a car accident and she wants Viktor to terminate the other driver whose

sentence for drink driving was, in her opinion, far too lenient.

Viktor too harbours unresolved issues about the people who murdered his wife and child to complete emptying a building scheduled for demolition.

Rapace played Lisbeth Salander in Oplev’s Swedish version of “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”. Oplev’s treatment of J H Wyman’s adaptation of his own novel combines measured respect for the material with enthusiasm for depicting its emotional and physical elements.

In a couple of memorable if possibly excessive battles for criminal power, pace and energy are acceptable apologies for funky marksmanship on both sides.

At Hoyts

arts & entertainment

Gardner revives his infamous, freewheeling ‘Bunch of Fives’ JORIAN Gardner has revived his “Bunch of Fives” for the newly-renovated Smith’s Alternative in the Melbourne Building. The format, which was dropped by incoming Street Theatre director Caroline Stacey years ago (much to Gardner’s chagrin), is five five-minute pieces in between musical acts. Gardner says that in its first flush, the program played host to “hundreds of actors, writers, musicians and directors”. David Finnigan, Joe Woodward, Ben Drysdale, barb barnett and Gary O’Connor will be the Big Five for the first show, 5.30pm-7pm on Friday, June 7. Free entry.

Helen Musa arts in the city

“MR Chifley’s Baby” is the title of the new book just launched by the Canberra City Band. No, it’s not a tell-all, it’s a history of the band, written by the late W.L. Hoffmann and John Sharpe.

THE sixth Human Rights Arts and Film Festival opens next week with “In the Shadow of the Sun”, by British filmmaker Harry Freeland, which looks at ritual Albino

killings in Tanzania. Some of the films will be quite disturbing, so it’s good to report that the closing night film, “Alias Ruby Blad”, is the more optimistic story of the youthful activist Kirsty Sword and Xanana Gusmão. At the National Film and Sound Archive, June 3-5, bookings to www.hraff.org.au SET to song by Gerald Finzi and sung by baritone Rohan Thatcher with Stephanie Giesajtis at piano, the poetry of Thomas Hardy forms the basis of Art Song Canberra’s “A Philosophical Folk” – Finzi’s cycle “Earth and Air and Rain” and songs by George

Butterworth and Ralph Vaughan Williams. At Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, Sunday, June 2.

Tickets only at the door.

ENSEMBLE Offspring is performing “Between the Keys”, a concert of four works composed for new instruments, the gidgee clarinis, the undachin tarhu (pictured), meru bars and the centaur

vibraphone at The Street Theatre, on June 8.

The group recently performed at the TEDx conference at the Sydney Opera House.

Bookings to 6247 1223.

EVERYONE’S welcome to Duntroon at 10.15am on June 8 to see the Corps of Staff Cadets and the Band of the Royal Military College celebrate the official birthday of the Queen with the traditional “Trooping the Queen’s Colour”. Admission is free and seating will be provided. Signage and ushers will direct visitors to complimentary parking.

Smoked quail consommè, confit leg and smoked breast with sweet potato fondant and quail egg.

Pressed confit of duck leg with pistachios, pickled leek and blood orange preserve.

Photos by Brent McDonald

Food partners Pinot THE Artisan takes food very seriously. And wine. And matching food and wine.

So it’s always a delight to visit this fine dining restaurant when owners Sam McGeechan and David Black pull together a special menu. At the moment they’re celebrating Australia’s best Pinot Noir ($105 for five courses matched with wines from some of our best growing regions).

If you’re not fussy on this variety, that’s not a problem. The Artisan, which rarely skips a beat on customer service, still offers its regular a la carte menu.

I love quail and the smoked quail consommé dish, with confit leg, smoked breast, quail egg and sweet potato fondant looked beautiful. Smoked dishes can be heavy, but this was light with a lovely aroma, which Sam says reminds him of autumn when Canberra fireplaces are lit. The consommé could have been warmer and, while intrigued by the flavours, this was our least favourite dish. However, it married well with the award-winning Eden Road’s 2011 Tumbarumba (keep your eye on this boutique winery).

The pressed confit of duck leg with pistachios, pickled leek and tangy blood orange preserve was next up, and the 2011 Yabby Lake Red Claw Pinot Noir (Mornington Peninsula) had sufficient strength to cut through the duck.

A signature dish at The Artisan is the mushrooms and there would be protests on the street if this

Wendy Johnson dining

was taken off the menu. It’s irresistible. The exotic mushrooms are sautéed with shallots, chives and thyme, placed lovingly on top of caramelised garlic bread and strengthened with Stilton. It was wonderful with the 2011 Farr Rising Pinot Noir (Geelong) – big, beefy and scored 96.6 by James Halliday.

The creamy braised rabbit vol-au-vent with black salsify, a hardy perennial vegetable, tarragon and baby carrot salad, was lovely and served with the winner wine of the day – 2011 Stefano Libiana Primavera Pinot Noir (Tasmania).

Dessert was a wagon wheel with homemade marshmallow and a very crunchy peanut praline (a bit fussy to get through), raspberry jam and dark-chocolate ganache. Great tastes, but we would have preferred a more refined dessert.

Our only suggestion would be to toss in a simple salad or dish of veggies to round matters off.

I’ve been to The Artisan several times for food and wine celebrations. They book out quickly (the restaurant’s data base is 600 plus) and this one was no exception. If you love Pinot Noir, you’re lucky. The Artisan has extended the food and wine special until June 8.

Artisan, 16 Iluka Street, Narrabundah, call 6232 6482.

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 21

garden

Liliums... popular with Shakespeare.

Pastel colours of Camellia sasanqua “Paradise Sarah”.

To plant or not to plant?

SOME weeks ago I mentioned plants listed in Shakespeare’s works.

Here is the promised list of plants that you could either plant at random amongst other plants or have a dedicated Shakespeare garden, a great project for children.

However, I wandered off on to other subjects and forgot to provide the list as some readers reminded me. My apologies; here it is: Buxus sempervirens (box) Melissa officinalis (balm) Viola odorata (violet) Anemone pulsatilla (Anemone) Laurus nobilis (bay) Ruta graveolens (rue) Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) Viola tricolor (pansy) Lilium candidum (lily) Aquilegia (columbine) Crocus sativus (saffron) Calendula (marigold) Artemesia absinthum (wormwood) Hyssop Myrtus communis (myrtle) Dianthus (gilliflower) Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) Lonicera fragrantissima (honeysuckle) This is not a complete list, but is a good start for a special garden.

Interestingly, most of these plants originate in the Mediterranean region and were brought back to

Cedric Bryant gardening

Britain by the Crusaders for their fragrance and, more importantly, their medicinal properties. This means that they are all low water usage plants and ideal for our conditions.

SASANQUA camellias, the hardy small-leafed camellias that are equally happy in full sun as in partial shade, are now in flower in many gardens.

The large-leafed Camellia japonica , which flowers from about September (depending on the weather), does require dappled shade.

The leaves and flowers will scorch badly if in full sun, as was evident after the scorching heat of last summer.

An ideal place to plant these, along with plants that like similar conditions, is under deciduous trees, which provide shade in summer and allow the winter sun through.

Similar plants include rhododendron, azalea, daphne and pieris.

Now, the next question is: does one disbud when there are too many buds on each stem?

Too many buds competing for space to grow results in plenty of flowers, but of a smaller size. So, if you are looking for large flowers, then thin

Disbud or not, that is the question? out the number of buds of Camellia japonica at this time. It is also a good time to fertilise them to encourage flowers as they form.

WHILE we celebrate 100 years of Canberra, co-incidentally the UK’s renowned Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show is also celebrating 100 years in the same location at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The hospital was originally built for wounded soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars.

I SAW this sign at the Heritage Nursery in Yarralumla: “Compensate your carbon emissions... plant trees. Every time you drive your car or take a plane CO2 is released into the atmosphere.

Trees absorb CO2 and turn it into oxygen. You can help create a Greener Planet: 1 tree planted for every 3200km

(car ) 1 tree planted for every 1300km (plane ) 1 tree planted for every 375 litres petrol Do your bit for the environment”.

SOME readers have contacted me to find out what happened to the plant food Phostrogen, available for at least 30 years. This was specifically recommended by such organisations as geranium, fuchsia, camellia and other plant societies.

It is a high potassium plant food promoting flowers and for fruiting plants the more flowers the more fruit. Do not despair, it is still available in most garden centres, but now labelled Debco Plant Food, look out for the same distinctive orange box.

Be prepared for roses NEXT month the new season’s roses start appearing in shops and garden centres.

Prepare the rose beds without delay digging in plenty of organic matter such as old leaves or old cow manure.

Do not include chemical fertilisers or fresh manures, as these can burn the delicate new 22 CityNews May 30–Jun 5

roots. If planting where roses have been growing previously dig out a good barrow-load of the existing soil and replace with fresh soil. This will prevent a disease called “Rose Sickness” which can remain in the soil and affect your new roses.

Plant roses where they will receive at least eight hours of sunlight every day.

puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore your week in the stars / June 3-9

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rams are feeling restless, as Uranus stimulates your spontaneous side. So your motto for the moment is from Angelina Jolie (who was born on June 4 and has her Moon in Aries): “I believe in living on impulse... I think you should live completely free.” The New Moon cranks up your communication zone but, if you are loose with the truth, you’re bound to be caught out!

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Vivacious Venus (your ruling planet) moves through your communication zone for the next three weeks, so you’re in the mood to mix and mingle, socialise and circulate, talk, text and tweet. On Friday, Neptune encourages romantic rendezvous, group projects and all sorts of creative endeavours.

Single Bulls... true love could be as close as the boy or girl next door.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

The weekend New Moon is in Gemini so it’s time to refresh your appearance, review your personal life, or reboot a rickety relationship.

Uranus and Neptune are urging you to make creative and radical changes, while Saturn and Pluto demand that you do so in a considered and organised way. (Which is a tricky balancing act!) And don’t rush money matters.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

With Venus visiting your sign (from June 3-28) you’re focused on how to look and feel more fabulous. Beauty tip of the week is from the exotic dancer Josephine Baker (born on June 3, 1906): “The secret to the fountain of youth is to think youthful thoughts.” And are you feeling super-stressed?

The New Moon urges you to get some well-earned rest and relaxation this weekend.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The New Moon activates your hopes and wishes zone. Circumstances are constantly changing, so you’ll find your dreams for the future will have to be regularly reviewed and updated. And don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have all the answers. If you are open to new information and unexpected experiences, you’ll learn something of great value this week.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Have you lost some of your Virgo vim and vigour? And are other people putting a lot of pressure on you to get things done, according to their schedule? This week’s stars encourage you to pace yourself; prioritise, and learn to say no. The New Moon points to a fresh professional start via a challenging project, a refurbished work place, or an exciting new job.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Venus and Saturn bless professional projects and business ventures, plus you’ll find the harder you work (and the more creative you are), the more successful you’ll be. Librans are incurable romantics and Saturday is a super day to make a long-term relationship commitment via proposing, getting married or renewing your wedding vows. Singles – love and work are linked.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

General knowledge crossword No. 409 Across Down 1 Amman is the capital of which SW Asian kingdom?

7 Name the rare green varieties of beryl.

8 What is an issue of water from the earth?

9 Which term describes the magnitude of electric current?

10 To which animal group does the beaver belong?

11 In an internal-combustion engine, what operates the spark plugs?

14 Which tools are also known as wrenches?

18 Name a tool, essential for a bricklayer or the like.

19 What is a cake topping of nuts, sugar, spices, etc?

21 What are Eskimos also known as?

22 Name a TV charity program lasting for many hours.

23 John Travolta and Olivia NewtonJohn performed in which 1978 version of a hit Broadway musical?

1 Who won the 2005 Stawell Gift (4,4)?

2 Which golf club is used for making long shots, as from the tee?

3 The minus sign describes which electric charge?

4 Name one of the large brown seaweeds.

5 What is another term for an attic?

6 Which musical direction suggests “in a leisurely manner”?

12 What do we call a very young bird?

13 What describes those of noble birth?

15 Which golf club is used on the green?

16 What do we call the daughters of one’s siblings?

17 Name the detachable section of a space vehicle.

20 Which London district is noted for its restaurants, night clubs, etc?

Solution next week 1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8 9 10 11

14

15

12

16

13

17 18

19

20 21

22 23

Sudoku hard No. 104

Solution next week

With serious Saturn moving slowly through your sign, you may be dwelling on the people, possessions or places that are no longer in your life. Stop obsessing Scorpio! One cycle has to end in order for an exciting new one to begin. Draw inspiration and comfort from birthday great Josephine Baker: “The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Sagittarians are independent souls... you don’t appreciate others cramping your spontaneous style. But, with the New Moon, Mars and Jupiter powering through your partnership zone, there’s no getting away from close relationships this week. If you’re attached, aim to be more present and available. Singles – look for love with an amorous Aries or a gregarious Gemini.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

A family member or friend may require your help this week. Some constructive Capricorn advice is just what the doctor ordered, but resist the temptation to be judgmental and critical. Plus peacemaker Venus helps you smooth over cracks in a troubled partnership. Mars encourages you to get physically fit via sensible eating, sport and outdoor activities.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The New Moon’s in your recreation zone, so do all you can to keep yourself entertained this weekend. But think twice before you blurt out something controversial that you later regret. And there’s a danger you’ll be misled as Neptune and Mars stir up your finance zone. So smart Aquarians will get sound professional advice before making any major money moves.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Wednesday through to Friday is fantastic for making neighbourhood connections, as you contribute your talents to local community projects.

But are you frustrated about a family situation? The weekend New Moon highlights a fresh start on the home front. So play your part in ditching negative behaviour, as you start relating to loved ones in a much more positive way.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2011

Solutions

Crossword No.408 S V S H R A P O N V E N D E I A E A R L I W E B D E A R E V U B O V I N K N C E N S O

K O N E L O G T T A E S E R M I N S T P E N E O A B D R S

Sudoku med No.104

K E E F E T L E Y S E R M E C O R T S N T R C E N S E T E C H A N T I O I C A T E S E

CityNews May 30–Jun 5 23