131114 citynews

NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Well written, well read

14 PAGES

Secrets

Climate spin for the cunning

of successful women in business

MICHAEL MOORE ‘I-spying’... on the kids SONYA FLADUN Exposing the workplace bullies MIKE WELSH

A STAR IS TORN

Strip show to lift the soul CEDRIC BRYANT

Fate sends soprano EMMA MATTHEWS into the spotlight

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4 CityNews November 14-20

news

Volume 19, Number 42 / Phone 6262 9100, GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601

Kylie shares the financial love AFTER surviving homelessness, domestic violence, financial difficulties and facing life as a single mum, Kylie Ofiu has turned her life around and is now helping others in a similar situation.

“I left my husband last year – and I had to move out of the family home with my two daughters, with nowhere to go,” she says. “Wherever I went he would find me. It was a scary time.”

Kylie eventually moved from Sydney to Canberra to start over, and her relationship with her ex-husband is now amicable, she says.

“My family is here in Canberra so it was the logical choice for me, and I was raised to be pretty resourceful,” she says.

“Money was always openly discussed in our home and I think it’s definitely helped me get things back on track.”

Kylie is hosting a fundraiser called FinFashFun – finance, fashion, fun – on November 23 to bring women together for afternoon tea, fashion advice and a financial chat.

A percentage of funds raised will go to St Vinnie’s Blue Door drop-in centre in Ainslie Village, where Kylie volunteers.

“I didn’t use Blue Door myself but

Kathryn Vukovljak

Radio’s new Luke JOURNALIST Luke Bona is 2CC’s new drive program host, following Mike Walsh’s departure after 11 years in the chair. Bona started his broadcast career in 1978 with Sydney’s 2GB and has worked at 2LF Young, 2BS Bathurst and 2UE Sydney.

It’s a small world

reports

SEVERAL hundred scale models will be on show at the ACT Scale Modellers’ Society’s annual show at Kaleen High School, 108 Baldwin Drive, on the weekend of November 16-17. President Phil Keene said: “We will have model displays and competitions covering all sorts of subjects and all scales.”

Entry is $5, $2 for children, $2 for seniors and $10 for families. More information at actsms.asn.au

they have helped many people I know and I love volunteering there,” she says.

An all-round resourceful lady, Kylie has a blog, kylieofiu.com, with ideas on how to make and save money, and has written a book called “365 Ways to Make Money”. She’s working on a book about people who were once homeless and have gone on to be successful.

Kylie says she has a talent for helping people with their finances, and she wants to share her tips with other women at the event.

“I’m not a financial adviser, but I’ve worked out some tried and tested ways to improve my own financial situation, including selling things, getting paid to watch ads and working from home,” she says.

“I’m happy for people to ask me any questions they like – I’m pretty open.”

FinFashFun will include afternoon tea, goodie bags, prizes, fashion advice from local stylist Jac Lambert, a burlesque lesson and the chance to hang out with like-minded women, says Kylie.

FinFashFun, The Terrace Room, Exhibition Park, 1pm-4pm, on November 23. Tickets cost $40 and bookings to eventbrite.com.au/event/8828057959

briefly

Scouts celebrate AIR Scouts Canberra is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of its hall in La Trobe Park, Deakin, by the then Governor-General Lord De L’Isle in November, 1963. The group will be holding a “Park Party”, 1pm-4.30pm on Sunday, November 24 with food stalls, historical and aviation displays, music, adventure activities and the Scouts’ Hot Air Balloon. More information at airscouts.com.au

Fun of the fair Kylie Ofiu... “Money was always openly discussed in our home and I think it’s definitely helped me get things back on track.”

Photo by Brent McDonald

AMAROO School’s Christmas fair is being held, 11am-4pm, on Saturday, November 23. Fun of the fair includes festive foods, games and rides, entertainment, a magic show, stalls and Father Christmas.

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CityNews November 14-20 5

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‘I-spying’… on the kids Should we spy on our kids, asks “Mum in the City” columnist SONYA FLADUN?

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Natural history writer and researcher Penny Olsen.

Painting parrots, old and new

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WITH its bush landscape and widespanning areas of natural vegetation, Canberra is often described as a haven for bird enthusiasts – none more so than natural history writer and researcher Penny Olsen.

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Experience.

Well written, well read.

Helen Musa

Michael Moore

arts editor

political columnist

Photo by Brent McDonald

The Turner resident and ornithologist has written more than 20 books on native wildlife, including 11 published by the National Library of Australia.

Her latest, “Flocks of Colour”, is a richly illustrated exploration of the history of the iconic Australian parrot, tracing artworks from the 17th century through to the 1970s.

Penny spent four months scouring the National Library’s comprehensive ornithological collection, compiling hundreds of pictures, paintings and photographs of the striking bird by more than 35 Australian artists, from sketchings of the first sighting, to detailed, vivid works.

“I noticed there was a great range of artistic styles over the years, and the way the parrots were depicted gradually changed,” Penny says.

“Some of the earlier stuff is quite primitive, drawn by intrigued sailors when they first spotted a Rainbow Lorikeet on Captain Cook’s voyage, then you go forward to a 1971

painting by [artist] William Cooper and every detail, every feather is there on his elusive night parrot.

“I also found the attitude to parrots changed; in the old days people would have them stuffed on the mantlepiece because they are so beautiful and colourful, but people wouldn’t do that today.

“Kids would also keep them as pets – their ability to mimic human speech was very intriguing – but now you just see them in the wild. Arguably, because of their unique colours and behaviour, I still think they’re one of Australia’s most loved birds.”

Penny says although Australia has the greatest diversity of parrots, with more than 300 species, there is a “grim” outlook for their survival.

“The orange belly parrot in particular is down to about 20 breeding birds down from 200 not long ago and lots more before that, and we don’t seem to be able to fix it,” she says.

Despite the threat throughout Australia, Penny says Canberra has more species now than in history.

“We’re very blessed in Canberra, you don’t have to look hard to find a parrot and there’s so many educated, avid bird watchers here,” she says.

Flocks of Colour, $39.99, is available from the National Library of Australia.

SPYING is big in the international headlines at the moment. The NSA, GCHQ, MI6, DSD and ASIS, a whole acronym soup of spies, are all getting much more attention than I’m sure they’ve ever wanted.

But my focus is much more domestic: “Should we spy on our kids?”

Until recently, I fell into the “hell, yes” camp. As the mother of 7 and 11-year-olds, I’ve been much more inclined towards surveillance than privacy. As any parent knows, young kids can get up to all sorts of trouble when your back is turned. Indeed, it’s when everything goes quiet that you need to be on your guard.

In recent times, minor household worries have included making sure that my daughter isn’t trying to hatch chicken eggs in the heating duct in her bedroom, and that my son hasn’t left off the top of his home-made ant farm. There’s also the growing question of what they are looking at and who they could be interacting with on the Internet.

However, at the same time my son has given me pause for thought. He’s started to show signs of wanting a bit more privacy, marking out his territory with a fierce looking “keep out” sign outside his bedroom, and he’s rigged an alarm to his door. This isn’t too serious, and it’s largely directed towards his sister. But it also shows he wants a bit of autonomy. “I’m not a little boy now, mum,” he reminds me from time to time.

Even when we’re not watching them, we’re arguably preparing them for a lifetime of surveillance by telling them that Santa and the Easter Bunny will know what they did this year and whether they have been naughty or nice. (Admittedly Santa and the Easter Bunny lose a bit of their all-knowing authority as the kids get older – after all, my daughter is emphatic Santa couldn’t have known about the rotten eggs in the heating duct.)

Still, a time comes when you have to give your kids greater autonomy. Just when and how much is a matter of judgment. I’m trying to work that out. It will probably be a hit-and-miss affair for quite a while. And I don’t rule out the possibility that a few surveillance cameras might yet come in handy – especially in the teenage years!

Get ready to billax 6 CityNews November 14-20

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news

Friday on my mind

Alan Davies stands up for the laughs

Breakfast radio host MARK PARTON shares some of the pre-dawn secrets he sees every morning on the way to work I’VE been driving to work in the dead of night for 15 years in Canberra.

My alarm goes off at 2.45am every weekday.

I usually hit the road by 3.30, driving from Tuggeranong to Mitchell.

There are a few things I’ve learnt from that experience:

Arts editor HELEN MUSA talks with UK comedian Alan Davies about kids, “QI” and life’s little victories AT age 47, comedian Alan Davies is relatively mature to be a first-time father, and he’s finding the experience immensely useful.

“My small children are paying their way,” he tells “CityNews” by phone from London.

Readers need not fear, Davies is not sending Susie, 3, and Robert, 2, out to work in a big Dickensian blacking factory. What he means is that they are providing him with material for his stand-up comedy.

Davies, who is coming to the Canberra Theatre in March, has become so famous for his TV roles as the magician/detective Jonathan Creek and as the dunce of Stephen Fry’s quiz show “QI”, that many people don’t even know that he started out as a comedian.

“I’ve gone back to stand-up comedy in the last couple of years,” he says, “with two small children I can just work three evenings a week and spend the rest of my time with the family… It’s much better than a filming schedule of six to 12 hours a day”.

Besides which, he says: “I’ve always thought of stand-up as my trade.”

So how do you become a stand-up comedian?

Davies explains: “I did theatre studies at university, but I was always wanting to get into stand-up, and in my final year I did.” The alternative comedy circuit was just beginning which gave him his first five years of work.

He’s worked in stand-up, he’s worked in film, and he’s worked in TV, but has only done a couple of plays.

“I’ve always found the repetition quite difficult,” he says, “but I was offered a part in ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg’ [the play by Peter Nichols] and I regret not doing that.”

So how does Davies feel about playing a lovable buffoon and the class idiot in two of the longest-running shows on the BBC? “It’s the way it’s worked out,” he says. “People who come to see the stand-up show will see that I’m neither… lots of people don’t know me as a stand-up, but after the first 10 minutes, they will.”

As for playing the dunce in “QI”, it wasn’t intended. “It happened over the first four weeks – I didn’t realise I’d fallen into the trap.”

And what are the “Little Victories” in his coming show of the same name.

“It’s autobiographical, it’s a bit of nostalgia,” he says, “like most standup,” with its basis in parenting, the relationship with his own father and how he now comes across as a father.

I press him for examples of little victories.

“It’s about getting one up on your dad when you’re little – people enjoy that,” he says.

Fearful of revealing too much, he tells me one story about his father’s hatred of blackcurrant jam. I agree not to tell “CityNews” readers the punch line.

“This is a whole new show,” Davies says, “I’ll do eight cities in 12 days.”

He has never been to Canberra, but used to come to the Adelaide Fringe regularly.

“My mum died when I was six and

Comedian Alan Davies… “Lots of people don’t know me as a stand-up, but after the first 10 minutes, they will.” her only sibling moved to Adelaide, so I like to spend time there asking questions about my mum and spending time with my four cousins.”

As well, he’s made lots of friends in the comedy business and his best mate from school migrated to Sydney.

Davies has just finished shooting three new episodes of “Jonathan Creek” and in May there’ll be more

“QI”s. That will keep him busy, but in the meantime, he can hang out with the kids, who will doubtless provide him with even more material for his comedy.

Alan Davies, “Little Victories”, Canberra Theatre, 7.30pm, Tuesday, March 18, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

• While most people are asleep, many of those who aren’t are working and pretty much everyone on the job at 3.30am is sleep deprived and unlikely to have a sense of humour.

• If you need to iron a shirt, do it the night before because there’s nothing worse than ironing at 3am.

• Coffee tastes four times better before sunrise.

• Although McDonalds Drive-thru may well be open, some staff members may be unconscious.

• Service station pie warmers are to be avoided at that time of the day.

• In winter, if you leave home at 3.30, you’re usually too early to get ice on the windscreen.

• Kmart Belconnen really does stay open for 24 hours a day.

• Kangaroos and foxes are more active when the moon is full.

• Even though it’s stupid o’clock, if you slip through a red light, there will be a police car somewhere in the shadows.

I’ve learnt also that there are, astoundingly, four times as many cars on the road on a Friday morning as there are on any other weekday. I’m assuming it’s people driving home after partying at licensed venues till the wee hours. But I don’t understand, according to my listeners, why the converse is true of the Friday morning peak hour.

Could it possibly be so that the same people who party all night on Thursday night – the ones who pass me on the way home – are having Friday off? Is it public servants flexing off to create long weekends? If you know the answer to this mystery, let me know.

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC

billax.com.au 8 CityNews November 14-20

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briefly

What Phill found in the school bins

Higgins’ lecture

PHILL Raso has a lot of time for school bins. As Merici College’s new sustainability officer, he’s been managing the school’s waste audit, which monitors students’ recycling practices.

“We collected many wrapped sandwiches and recyclable tupperware containers from the bin, so we’re trying to introduce ‘nude food’, which is eliminating any unnecessary glad-wrap or plastic,” Phill says.

When he was at school in the 1990s, sustainability was a topic rarely heard of.

“I don’t really remember any discussions about things like climate change or carbon emissions when I was at school, it just wasn’t in the public eye and we really didn’t grasp how widespread sustainability really was,” Phill says.

Originally from WA, Phill joined Braddon’s Merici College in August as its new sustainability officer, a position introduced in 2010 as part of the school’s program to reduce its environmental footprint.

While most students are concerned about sustainability, Phill says the school’s youngest members are the most reliable at practising what they preach.

“I’ve found sustainability practices come naturally for the younger students compared to the year 12 girls, perhaps because they grew up with it as it’s so much more present nowadays,” he says.

“Many of them are actually influencing their parents, pulling them up on where their recycling bins are.”

Laura Edwards reports

Phill, who has a background in geography and urban planning and teaches sustainability online at Perth’s Murdoch University, will work with students twice a week, raising awareness on issues such as food and water insecurity, sea level rises, climate change and reducing electricity use, through the school’s sustainability elective.

“I plan to give them ‘real world’ projects to reduce their footprint with lifestyle changes, so they learn by experience and see the effects,” says Phill.

“I think it’s really important for them to grasp the issue and see things for themselves first hand.”

An issue that is “most definitely and already” happening locally is climate change, says Phill.

“Canberra just had its warmest winter on record, and the previous warmest winter was only two years ago,” he says.

“We need to educate students about what the climate will be like 50 or 100 years ahead, and think about how to protect them from climate change.”

He adds Canberra schools, in general, are “miles” ahead of the rest of the country in terms of sustainability.

“I don’t know many sustainability officers at schools in other parts of Australia at all, so it’s good to see a school like Merici embracing it… the public school system here also has a mandate to become carbon neutral in the next few years, so it’s very advanced,” he says.

FORMER Chief Justice Terry Higgins will be the speaker at the Canberra Friends of Ireland Society’s 18th Annual Eureka Dinner Lecture at the Canberra Irish Club on Wednesday, November 27. The title of this year’s lecture is “Eureka and the Rule of Law”. Tickets are $35 for a Christmas-style, two-course dinner.

Bookings to 6288 5088.

Santa for lunch THE ladies of the Woden View Club are meeting for lunch at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, 11am on Tuesday, November 26. There will be a mystery guest and an appearance by Santa.

Proceeds are in aid of the Smith Family and interested ladies are welcome. Tickets at $24 from 6286 1827 before 5pm, November 20.

Sophie’s soiree SOPHIE Luton, one of this year’s 10 ACT Cerebral Palsy Celebrity Apprentices, is holding a fundraising “Champagne and Canapés for Charity” at East Hotel, 6pm, Thursday, November 28. There will be an auction, with all proceeds to Cerebral Palsy ACT. Dress is “after five” and tickets are $40 from charityapprentice.everydayhero.com/au/sophie-luton

Prayers and healing

Merici College sustainability officer, Phill Raso… “We need to educate students about what the climate will be like 50 or 100 years ahead, and think about how to protect them from climate change.”

AMERICAN practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing, Mark Swinney, will present a talk titled, “What is it that connects prayer with healing?” in the Reception Room of the Legislative Assembly Building on London Circuit, Civic, 2.30pm, on Sunday, November 17. “This lecture is all about the power of God’s love to heal,” says Swinney. Entry is free.

DonateLife ACT fundraiser

No smoking is permitted at the Arboretum or surrounds.

Proceeds from the event will support organ and tissue donation in our local community. Tickets $130 per person.

Online ticket purchases available at: www.act.gov.au/lightforlife Cash and cheque ticket sales available at DonateLife ACT, Canberra Hospital—Building 6, Level 1.

For more information please contact DonateLife ACT – Ph: 6174 5625 or Email: organ.donation@act.gov.au

Partially sponsored by

10 CityNews November 14-20

news / Christmas

Gifts from ‘someone who cares’ FOR struggling Canberra families, Christmas can hit “like a ton of bricks,” says volunteer Ron Batt.

“Everybody else is having a wonderful time, and suddenly it’s in your face, as soon as you turn the television on or walk out the door,” he says.

Last year Ron launched Canberra’s Basket Brigade, a group of volunteers who anonymously deliver hampers of food and goods to people in need during the Christmas period.

The rules are simple: volunteers can never reveal their name to recipients, instead leaving a card that reads: “This is a gift from someone who cares about you.”

A hamper from last year, decorated by students from Miles Franklin Primary School.

Laura Edwards reports

Dress up to get down

By Stephen Easton

“It’s no strings attached, and these people don’t know where or who it’s come from – that’s what I love about it,” enthuses Ron, who is also an education and development officer at Rowing Australia.

“The whole thing is about giving and showing that someone out there cares about you.”

In the brigade’s inaugural year, volunteers delivered over 100 baskets decorated with Christmasthemed paintings by students at Evatt’s Miles Franklin Primary School. Names and addresses of recipients were put forward by local charities, church ministers or other members of the community.

“In a city like Canberra, there’s so many people struggling that people know about – and it doesn’t have to be people struggling financially, it’s people who have just lost their partner, going through a divorce, or dealing with a death in the family,” Ron says.

The brigade, which survives solely on donations, is run by the Magic Moments foundation. A nonprofit organisation formed to create a coalition of volunteers who aim

Basket Brigade volunteer Ron Batt prepares for packing day… “The whole thing is about giving and showing that someone out there cares about you.”

Photo by Brent McDonald to reach and assist people forgotten by society. There are currently 10 Basket Brigades around Australia.

Ron says while there is usually “plenty of emotion” when he drops off the hampers, one particular delivery stands out in his mind.

“I had a mother who opened the door with her kids beside her – the kids didn’t have a lot of clothes on and she looked very tired and drawn,” he says.

“When she saw me with the basket she just burst into tears without saying a word and gave me this huge, big hug. She was expecting a miserable Christmas before that… it was just a lovely moment.”

Canberra’s Basket Brigade are urgently seeking volunteers or donations before their packing day on December 14. Visit magicmoments.org.au/actcanberra-basket-brigade/ to help.

NO doubt there are some amazing office Christmas parties, but this year the good souls at Anglicare have hatched a plan to give every office the option to end the year with a memorable shindig with live music, prizes to win and plenty of new people to meet at an iconic Canberra venue.

You get to dress up, too, according to Trevor Capps, the functions and events manager with the Anglicare branch that looks after the ACT, who is planning to host about 200 people at the Albert Hall on November 27.

“Rather than throw a typical fundraising ball or something, we decided to have a ‘back to the ‘80s night’ that we’re calling ‘The Great ‘80s Office Party: Let’s rewind Christmas’,” says Trevor, adding that attendees are encouraged to source their ‘80s outfits from charity op-shops.

“We have a wonderful band called Stand and Deliver coming up from Melbourne, who regularly play at Crown Casino. They don’t just do 1980s tributes, they’ve got the costumes and everything to go with it, so we’ll be having special guest ‘appearances’ by Prince, Billy Idol and Madonna, the whole works.”

The profits from the night will support the programs Anglicare runs at Civic’s youth centre, Club 12/25.

Bookings for the three-course “retro Christmas dinner” at the tax-deductible ticket price of $130 to 6245 7100 or email Trevor.Capps@anglicare.com.au

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CityNews November 14-20 11

The Undercurrent Design Market ‘I’m quite passionate about what we should be doing within museum spaces, and that’s celebrating

Return of the design market that just CHRISTMAS is almost here, which means the Undercurrent Design Market is on again soon at the National Portrait Gallery, bringing together creatively crafted homewares, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, ornaments and other distinctive, practical items made by artists and designers all over Australia.

Organised by Portrait Gallery Store owner Richard Baz for the fourth year running, Undercurrent has built up a well-deserved reputation as an event that genuinely makes shopping for gifts a lot easier.

Get into the spirit of the season on the Friday night, which features a bar and live music provided by Phil Moriarty (Buddha and the Bomb; The Gadflys) with a couple of his fellow Canberrans.

“It’s evolving every year,” says Richard. “Now in the fourth year, we’ve got more space than ever, thanks to the National Portrait Gallery, and we’re getting lots of local people involved as well.”

The market features 56 designers – about 10 more than last year – who were carefully shortlisted from a massive field of more than 150 applicants.

Selecting who gets a stall is not easy, says Richard, because inevitably, he has to turn some people down, but the process also allows him to make sure the range of offerings is diverse.

“I’m quite passionate about what we should be doing within museum spaces, and that’s celebrating Australian designed and made creative work,” he says, adding that the relationship between the Portrait Gallery and the Portrait Gallery Store is one of mutual respect.

Richard says the idea behind Undercurrent is perfectly described in a comment made by a friend of a friend, which he borrowed for the event’s Facebook page: “Here is an Idea: let’s buy Christmas presents from small local businesses and self-employed people, for example, a local craftsperson who makes jewellery or works with glass or prints lovely stationery. Let’s make sure our money goes to individual people, not multinational companies. This way, more local people will have a better Christmas. Support real people.”

Undercurrent Design Market, National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Barton, 5pm-8pm, on Friday, November 29 and 10am-4pm, on Saturday, November 30.

Undercurrent Design Market organiser Richard Baz… “Now in the fourth year, we’ve got more space than More information at 6102 7170.

ever, thanks to the National Portrait Gallery, and we’re getting lots of local people involved as well.”

Bronzen Temple Prints

Wendy Voon

Mrs Peterson Pottery 12 CityNews November 14-20

Jodie Cunningham

The Home Collective

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advertising feature Australian designed and made creative work.’

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CityNews November 14-20  13

opinion

Climate for the cunning Michael Moore

dose of dorin

politics

FORMER Prime Minister John Howard thinks climate change is alarmist and favours a nuclear response. Tony Abbott’s Government argues from the hip pocket and promises a nine per cent reduction in electricity bills (ha ha!) and a half-baked attempt to deal with the issue.

In the (tiny) ACT, the Gallagher Government sets targets to “act locally” that reflect an understanding of the problem, our responsibilities to our own jurisdiction, to the developing world and to the generations to come.

The timing of the Howard speech is ideal for Tony Abbott and Environment Minister, Greg Hunt. These sort of major media interventions in current policy debates by former leaders rarely happen by coincidence.

The norm is that a staffer sees a need to up the ante. The idea is to have a respected statesman put a view that is even more extreme than the incumbent and to understand just how far the government can push back on climate change without wearing too much flak.

When John Howard delivered a speech on global warming in London comparing those calling for action on climate change to “religious zealots” it could not have been more convenient for a government trying to deliver on the promise to reduce electricity bills.

A speech in London, to a group of British climate sceptics that applied the description of “alarmist” to the 97 per cent of climate scientists who describe climate change as “real” was immediately news in Australia. Coincidence?

There are short-term economic drivers for ignoring climate change.

The huge expansion in Australia’s coal mining industry, the coal seam gas industry and exploitation of other fossil fuels will generate an increasing “leakage” of carbon emissions – none more so than the “fugitive emissions” of methane from the coal-seam-gas fracking industry.

letters Welcome to nanny world NANNY State-ism is alive and flourishing in the Canberra Shire with the proposed introduction of sausage sizzle and barbecue regulations.

This comes soon after the childcare regulatory changes, kids’ birthday cake candle regulations, regulation-compliant playgrounds, the Manuka scoreboard height-training fiasco and many other regulatory impediments on Canberra citizens and workplaces.

No wonder our Chief Minister wants to increase the size of the Assembly and the

GST to cope with the demands of meeting all the new rules and regulations, not to mention the cost of things like Skywhale, enlarging and maintaining the Arboretum, running three Human Rights Commissioners and paying the excessive salaries of senior bureaucrats. When will Canberra voters realise that these make-work regulations are resulting in an expensive and bloated bureaucracy which is the butt of jokes both nationally and internationally.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Leigh: I support carbon pricing

The community can hardly expect Clive Palmer’s party and the alliance he is building with the micro parties to stand up to the mining industry.

Instead, from the time new Senators take up their seats at the start of July, an even more narrow view can be expected.

Short-term economics will prevail over the long-term wellbeing of our children, grandchildren and future generations. We will not need the aliens of Krypton to destroy our planet as in “Man of Steel” – we look much more like following the path of the Easter Islanders.

The real challenge in the climatechange debate is that it requires future thinking. The nature of conservatism opposes change. The big challenge for Tony Abbotts’ conservatives is that dealing with global warming really requires a fundamental change in the way that our community operates.

Moving energy creation from mining to renewables means a major structural change in the economic drivers. It is possible – but the old relationships, the incumbent businesses, the way things are done now would have to change to make a real difference.

When John Howard came to power

he railed against “political correctness” arguing that people should be able to express their views without being pilloried. The same standards were not applied to Adam Bandt and the Greens when they used the recent devastating bushfires in NSW as an example of the impact of climate change.

The idea that the consensus view on climate change predictions are “alarmist” could be called into question by the fierce fires that lashed that State so early in the season.

The outrage that was expressed by the Abbott Government ministers was simply a tool to protect their inadequate “direct action” approach to the problem. In their own language, it was using the tool of “political correctness”.

As Canberra braces for the upcoming fire season, as the strongest ever typhoon sweeps into the Philippines, as the Australian Bureau of Meteorology releases charts clearly showing an upward trend in average temperatures, it is appropriate for community members to use these examples to push for action.

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

AS a politician, you get pretty used to people who disagree with you. Honest differences are, after all, the lifeblood of politics.

But it is pretty galling when people simply make things up.

In the latest “CityNews” [“The Gadfly” column, November 7], Robert Macklin claims that I have been “urging the party to wave through Tony Abbott’s legislation to repeal the price on carbon”.

This statement is utterly false. In multiple interviews since the election – including on ABC 666 – I have emphasised the importance of a carbon price in reducing carbon pollution. I have written opinion articles to put this case in the “Australian Financial Review”, “The Sydney Morning Herald”, “The Canberra Times” and “The Australian”.

Apart from Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler, I challenge Mr Macklin to find a more outspoken Labor supporter of carbon pricing than me.

Labor supports moving from a fixed carbon price (a “carbon tax”) to a floating price (an emissions trading scheme). We do not support the Liberals’ proposal to abolish the carbon pricing system altogether and replace it with an expensive and unworkable “Direct Action” approach.

Mr Macklin also claims: “Regular readers might recall that some months ago he took me to task for advocating Australia’s withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan”. I doubt any regular reader would recall this, because I never wrote such a letter. What did occur is that after Mr Macklin had made an error in a 2010 column, I privately emailed him a parliamentary speech of mine. This wasn’t “some months ago”. It was three years back.

You’re entitled to your own opinions, Mr Macklin, but not your own facts.

Andrew Leigh, Federal Member for Fraser

Give Len a break, Frederick THROUGH his “Enough” letter (CN, October 31), Len Goodman has surely captured the title of “Canberra’s Cliche King” from Greg Bayliss, ABC 666 announcer.

Len’s letter contained around a dozen cliches in its five paragraphs.

Starting with “enough is enough” in his first sentence, Len had journalists “riding the bandwagon”, then Len was “daring to suggest” a “media frenzy” encouraging “ordinary Australians” to “hop on board”.

Len questioned “open season” and commented on “tall poppies”’ then progressed to “a pipedriver to crack a nut”. Further on in Len’s letter there were, thankfully, fewer cliches, but he did “perish the thought” and had “pollies bunkered down” and he did call

for “public sanity” before he had finished.

Notwithstanding his colourful expressions, I understand and agree with Len’s point of view.

Frederick W Cook, Fisher

Write to us 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.

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opinion

briefly

When the whistleblower can’t be heard

Safety houses close

I’VE been bullied once, that I can recall. An overweight redhead, that perennial schoolyard victim, chose to pass some of the action down the line to a smaller kid… me.

I punched him in the face, got strapped and was never bullied again.

But you can’t punch the bully in the face anymore. So what to do?

The more I know of this destructive human trait, the less encouraged I am of a solution.

The Sydney “Telegraph” recently featured a 40-year-old man who’d been bullied at school. He gave horrendous examples of the abuse he copped in the yards of several schools he was forced to attend.

The ensuing years proved to be problematic, with relationship breakdowns and an inability to hold down regular employment.

There was a positive outcome though. Several of his peers, including his own brother, read the article and were shocked to learn of his suffering. Furthermore, several of them got in contact to apologise. They were unaware of the suffering they’d inflicted.

Over my 11 years on the 2CC Drive Show, I have become educated on the long-term and permanent damage done by bullying, including workplace bullying, and it seems to

On air and in private, award-winning broadcaster MIKE WELSH has been the tireless whistleblower’s whistleblower against workplace bullying. Here he reflects on its corrosive effects me that we don’t mature much once always a guarantee. The strategy is we’re out of the schoolyard. to worm out the ring leaders of the I assured scores of victims of “revolt” and put pressure on them. workplace bullying (largely within A group of six becomes two, split the the ACT Public Service) that I could two and you may just have “made this protect them should they choose to thing go away”. go to air. But it turns out, I couldn’t One worker, a big, strong man in many cases. Whistleblowers are standing 6’3”, told me he was fearoften bullied again. ful of returning to work in the yard The standard management ap- where he’d been bullied. proach of “is that really bullying?” or A woman told me that while she “is he/she just too sensitive?” is wear- won her case, she would not recoming thin. Or the old fallback: “Better mend going down that road, it’s far watch your step, lest you wreck your too painful. career”.

Another woman, who had the guts If you’re to make So much suffering. So much stress. We wait a written in the foetal position at for suicides, because that is what will happen complaint, 3am territold me fied at the prospect of going back into that by coffee time, the entire office the battle zone… more than likely, it’s – including the bully – knew. The bulbullying. lying then intensified.

If your day brightens up 100 per The ACT Government was lauded cent the moment you arrive and on the introduction of a whistleblowdiscover Bully is off for the day.... ing policy which loosely allowed a more than likely, there’s a bullying public servant to go outside (to meproblem. dia) with their bullying and allied I also urged those who contacted issues, if they were dissatisfied with me to get together in numbers. But the “usual procedure”. The problem safety and power in numbers is not is “usual procedure” usually means

their card is marked.

This “innovative” whistleblower policy failed a public servant with whom I’d been speaking earlier this year. After returning from six weeks off air, I texted her to reconnect. She told me it was “too late”, she was “on the roof”, which I took for a euphemism for getting to the end of her rope.

But she was, in fact, on the roof and ready to jump.

She came down and was admitted to a psychiatric ward. Three days later, she took a call from her superior wanting to know why she’d missed work!

Another time, I received a letter from five staff of an ACT Department confirming that what I was saying was one hundred per cent correct.

One quote – “So much suffering. So much stress. We wait for suicides, because that is what will happen” – was frightening.

I once tweeted the word “suicide” to shame the Government on bullying. Chief Minister Katy Gallagher tweeted it wasn’t the forum for such a serious issue. What then my Chief Minister is the forum? Or do we wait until after the suicides to formulate another policy?

Mike Welsh was, until this month, the Drive Time announcer on 2CC

ACT’S long-standing Safety House program is shutting down due to a struggle to maintain an administrative executive. The program, whose iconic triangular yellow logo has adorned letterboxes for decades, offered refuge for schoolchildren concerned about their safety. Committee member Chris Liddiard asked participants to destroy their Safety House signage as soon as possible.

Fete’s gift ideas GOWRIE’S Holy Family Primary School fete says they’ve got great ideas for Christmas gifts with a boutique craft and a plant stall.

There will be a cakes stall, preloved books and toys plus amusement rides, face painting, show bags and lots of prizes. All happening, 10am-2pm, Saturday, November 23.

Stamp of success CANBERRA High year 8 student Sally Witchalls has been selected as one of five national finalists in a competition to design a commemorative stamp for the G20 summit in Brisbane next year. Vote for Sally at polldaddy. com/poll/7521942/ (look for the Canberra High School entry).

First wildlife market THE inaugural Wildlife and Charity Christmas Markets will be held at the National Zoo and Aquarium car park, 5.30pm-8pm, on December 5. A wide range of products and information will be available from the stall holders such as toys, jewellery, clothes, wildlife adoptions, books and calendars.

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THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT YOUR FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT. Phone 6257 4144 | bonsella.com.au 16 CityNews November 14-20

Canberra Confidential Cocking a snoot WHILE the local plod awaits his return from Queensland with a welcome-home arrest warrant, a defiant Jorian Gardner cocks a snoot at the Magistrates Court by posting on Facebook that, despite failing to face the beak on a drink-driving charge, “I may extend my holiday by a few days”.

Controversial Gardner, Arts Minister Joy Burch’s first choice to direct February’s Fringe festival and Domenic Mico’s last choice as business partner in Smith’s Alternative, says he “got the date wrong so I didn’t intentionally not attend”.

Magistrate Robert Cook was having none of the dogate-my-homework excuses, saying it was the second time the defendant had missed a court date and, to ensure a certain appearance, slapped an arrest warrant on Gardner.

“It aint the first time I did something stupid & probably wont be the last,” he ungrammatically told his Facebook faithful with courageous candour.

“I apologise to my mum & my friends. To the haters – I really don’t care what you think so eat my shorts. Can I just have a friggin break now please?”

Dorothy calls it a day AFTER almost 60 years of trading, luxury clothing store Millers of Manuka will close in December.

The store was opened at the same location 55 years ago by Mary Miller, and then continued on by her daughter Dorothy Roberts, who originally returned to Canberra in 1971 from Mount Isa with husband Bert to help run the business.

Mrs Roberts says ahead of the iconic store’s closure, business has been “absolutely manic”. Its last trading day will be December 21.

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

three local wines produced to celebrate Canberra’s 100th birthday.

Winemaker Allan Pankhurst says this was the last chance for wine collectors and connoisseurs to get their hands on the Centenary riesling, shiraz and sparkling wine with the packs numbered from 2 to 98 at $200, and those numbered 100, 1908, 2008 and 2013, $300. A donation goes to the Centenary charity Dollars for Dili.

They’re available only from Pankhurst Wines and can be ordered at centenarywines@canberrawines.com.au or 6230 2592.

Top of the Hill

Emma Leonard’s winning cover illustration.

WHILE some of the 500 “Human Headline” bloggers and tweeters, who scored a free weekend in Canberra to tell their friends about, were sniffy, Australian Capital Tourism director, Ian Hill’s innovative campaign has been feted with silver for Effectiveness Brand Experience, bronze for Creative Social Media and bronze for Travel and Hospitality from Australia’s largest marketing and advertising association, ADMA.

Third time, lucky

Those creative Guidas

BRIDAL magazine “Hitched”, previously featured in “CityNews” and based in Kingston, has won the Lifestyle category at the national Magazine Cover Awards. The winning cover, pictured, was inspired by the “Pink Ladies” from the 1978 movie, “Grease”, and illustrated by Emma Leonard.

“We’re an independent magazine and have only just published our third issue, so the win is a pretty big one for our team,” says editor and founder, Renee Douros.

The number’s up HERE’S one way to bring the Centenary year’s end to the blur it has become – grab a numbered pack of the

ARCHITECT John Guida, pictured, has abandoned New York to return home to join his famous dad Hal Guida as a partner in Guida Moseley Brown.

Guida senior came from Philadelphia to help drive design in Parliament House 25 years ago and stayed. Son John brings 14 years’ experience of architectural and masterplan projects in Australia, the US, Europe, Korea, Taiwan and China. He is the brother of writer James Guida, who is lapping up life in the Big Apple and was featured last week in “CityNews”.

Hmmms...

THE China Town Restaurant, Trennery Street, Weston, must be the only restaurant in the ACT where the (all female) staff greets diners on arrival with a kiss. Well, it seems, the regulars at least, which might explain why there are a lot of regulars!

OH, what a night… on Saturday, November 23, arts lovers can look forward to “Voices in the Forest”, the CAPO Gala and awards announcements, the ACT Music Awards, the “MAMAs”, and now a latecomer, the Virgin Ball at Parliament House, where Geoffrey Rush will present American producer Harvey Weinstein with the inaugural Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts International Fellowship. Don’t people talk to each other?

“LADIES and gentlemen, for the first time in 44 years, Axiom,” said Ozrock legend Brian Cadd as he introduced a bracket of the two-year Melbourne supergroup’s hits in the first night of a national tour “The Story of Sharky and the Caddman” with fellow band member Glenn Shorrock at the Southern Cross Club. It was a masterclass in performance and nostalgia by these veteran performers.

OUR airport snout reports that the day rate for parking has snuck up $2.50. He says he doesn’t especially begrudge the rise but, as a regular parker, would have liked to have known about it before he got to the payment machines.

WHICH local media outfit sat down to the TV and a fine Tosolini’s chicken lunch to watch the running of the Melbourne Cup, but was startled out of the bonhomie by a breathless newsbreak announcing the winner?

They were watching WIN and not the broadcast station Prime. Alright, it was us!

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CityNews November 14-20 17

scene / around canberra

invite us / scene@citynews.com.au

At Canberra Women in Business, 21st birthday, National Press Club At Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group Hawaiian Ball, Woden

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scene

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At Cerebral Palsy ‘Twilight in the Jungle’, National Zoo & Aquarium

Duncan and Jessica Botterill, Philippa Murphy and Paul Ogden

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Secrets of successful women in business

14 PAGE Well written, well read

special feature

To succeed in business, you have to keep moving forward. And in my world, that means continuing with ongoing professional development – for myself and for my staff.

Karen’s someone

you can count on CityNews November 14-20 21

Secrets of successful women in business Karen’s success comes from business alliances IT’S hard for Karen Groves to remember the days when she was a “one-woman operation” working out of a tiny home office and hoping and praying her new business could withstand the tough competition in the marketplace.

Not that Karen wasn’t confident in her knowledge, abilities and skills. Far from it.

But she knew the ruthless realities of being a small business owner and she knew that a high percentage of new businesses struggle and are sadly forced to close their doors after a short time.

Today, Karen’s feet are firmly planted in business with her company – Successful Alliances – servicing clients in Canberra and across the country with professional consultancy and bookkeeping services. And that tiny home office? Well it’s a thing of the past. Karen now works out of commercial premises in Deakin with a team of five supporting her.

A triumph was Karen’s recent win of the 2013 Business Women of the Year Awards, Chamber of Women in Business. She was awarded the title for saving her small to medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit clients from drowning in paperwork.

“Many businesses are under time pressures and baffled by financial needs and requirements,” says Karen. “No matter how hard they try, they’re challenged to keep accurate, complete, up-to-date books. This prevents them from using financial data to their best advantage.”

When Karen first threw open her doors for business in 1999 she had conducted meticulous research and knew she needed a strategic approach to give Successful Alliances, and the company’s clients, a competitive edge.

“That’s where the name came from,” says Karen. “We form ‘successful alliances’ with clients so they get the most out of their businesses. We help them ramp up their efficiency through financial reporting, budgeting, preparing board reports and handling other bookkeeping needs. For

many clients we fulfill a chief financial officer function. All up, it’s about growing through strength in numbers.”

Part of Karen’s plan was to stay at the forefront of new technology. The company embraced new technology early which includes providing clients with access to real-time data 24-7.

“This means we can deal with urgent client matters promptly, including on days not designated as bookkeeping days,” says Karen.

“Most businesses have to handle such matters themselves or wait until the next bookkeeping day. That could be weeks away, which is inefficient, expensive, risky and stressful.

“I love working for myself. At first, it was really tough to juggle family and work commitments, but I’ve got this down pat now and Successful Alliances offers a flexible working environment as a result.”

It’s just as well Karen has work-life balance, with her family as busy as her company.

Karen’s 14-year-old son, Lewis, plays for the Vikings Water Polo Club in Tuggeranong and represented NSW in the heavy-hitting East Coast Challenge in water polo a few months ago.

“The training regime is intense and tough,” says Karen, “but as a family we want to see Lewis grow, although perhaps not much more than his current 6’3” height!”

Karen’s 10-year-old son, Kyle, is a sports nut too, active in squad swimming, water polo and AFL. And still in the sports arena, Karen manages the under-14 boys’ water polo team that attended the Australian club championships earlier this year. She’s also an active community volunteer, lending support as often as she can to project manage community, school and fund-raising events.

And if that’s not hectic enough, Karen is also busy studying. She recently completed her Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting and will complete her Masters in Commerce in 2014.

“To succeed in business, you have to keep moving forward,” says Karen. “And in my world, that means continuing with ongoing professional development – for myself and for my staff.”

Canberra Women in Business, formerly the Chamber of Women in Business, celebrates 21 years of success this month!

Become a part of an energetic and supportive association which will help your business grow, prosper and succeed.

02 6282 6255 • office@cwb.org.au • www.cwb.org.au

22 CityNews November 14-20

Secrets of successful women in business

Zoe Carroll

Christina De Luca

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

THE secret of my success is a result of high-level organisational skills and demonstrated initiative.

I love to get in and get things done, I am not easily deterred and achieving the impossible just takes a little longer in my experience. I believe success is not dictated by salary or position title.

Success is a reflection of results, gained through clear commun-

For me, success is being able to take on challenges and come out on top.

I believe success is measured by happiness, personal growth and fulfilment (but, yes, a juicy pay packet or swanky title helps!).

My success is made up of a combination of values I was bought up to live by and my

ication, a positive attitude and the relationships established both professionally and personally.

It is not being a workaholic, it is achieving the perfect work/ life balance so you can enjoy the important things in life.

Success is in the eye of the beholder and, as such, you are the only one qualified to judge your own success.

own experiences. I have held positions in a diverse range of industries and this has shaped me in such a way that I’m not intimidated by what tomorrow may bring.

I am a successful woman as I have the confidence to stand tall, the strength to overcome hurdles and the passion to reach higher than my personal best.

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600, actchamber.com.au, 6283 5238, zoe.carroll@actchamber.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600, actchamber.com.au, 6283 5200, christina.deluca@actchamber.com.au

Jo Madsen

Beth Peters

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

PARTNERSHIP BROKER

THE secret to my success comes from feeling passionate and happy in what I do. I have filled various positions during my career and in each role have been fortunate to feel both. At times it has been as simple as being part of a great team, having wonderful regular customers or knowing that I provide a service of value.

My role at the Chamber allows

I BELIEVE the secret to success is having passion, drive and commitment in whatever it is you choose to do. This applies both professionally and in our personal lives.

A willingness to make changes is important and at times that will mean being courageous.

Having the capability to listen

me to work with a great team and meet with employers in the Canberra business community daily.

I am extremely proud to work for the Chamber and I am rewarded daily knowing that we are making a difference by assisting businesses to achieve their goals.

Success for me is simply being happy with all aspects of my life.

to others and to continue learning is crucial.

Building and nurturing relationships through effective communication is essential to continued success. Surrounding yourself with creative and positive people is a must.

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600, actchamber.com.au, 6283 5232, jo.madsen@actchamber.com.au

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600, actchamber.com.au, 6283 5291, beth.peters@actchamber.com.au

Jo Powell

Kayelene Snowden

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

COMPANY SECRETARY & EXECUTIVE MANAGER

THE measure of my success is the level of satisfaction and achievement I feel, and the degree to which I’m able to achieve genuine and innate senses of well-being and contentment.

The secret to my success is that I recognise that the attainment of these goals can be contributed to my ability to achieve and maintain a healthy balance of all

life activities, and my ability to enjoy the journey without losing sight of the destination.

Having triumphed over adversaries, obstacles and barriers in life, I have successfully achieved a perfect balance of all my life activities: relationships with my family, friends, colleagues and clients; and have achieved fulfilment in all aspects of my life.

THE secret to my success is setting goals and directing all my energy and efforts into attaining those goals.

I believe success is an outcome that stems from the application of knowledge and ideas attained through continuous learning.

I work off the idea that anything is possible all you need is the desire and willingness.

It is also important in business to surround yourself with a loyal and hardworking team that pull together which I have at ACTTAB. There is a lot of satisfaction in sharing and mentoring; seeing people reach their goals or achieve a business outcome.

ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 12a Thesiger Court, Deakin 2600, actchamber.com.au, 6283 5248, jo.powell@actchamber.com.au

ACTTAB, Suite 1 Level 1 The Marketplace, Hibberson Street, Gungahlin 2912, acttab.com.au, 6245 6211, kayelenes@acttab.com.au

Adele Douglas

Emma Luscombe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

OWNER

THE secret to surviving in business is to develop a strong and clear personal brand, with the knowledge that it will follow you into any role or industry you choose to work in and be valued in those environments.

MY success stems from many things, particularly my love for my trade – hairdressing.

Even though we have two salon locations and are incredibly busy running them, I still love doing hair – all day, everyday.

I think one of the components of success is that you not only run your business, but you practice what you do also! I find that by

Active Property, Level 5, 71 Northbourne Avenue, Civic 2600, actproperty.com, 6214 8555, adouglas@actproperty.com

Antique Salon, 187B, Glebe Park Apartments, Civic, 6248 5361 and 3/61 Mabo Blvd, Bonner, 6255 7910, antiquesalon.com.au, bookings@antiquesalon.com.au

doing that, I deal first hand with my customers, deal with the ins and outs, day-to-day issues and inspire my team to strive to be the best.

CityNews November 14-20 23

Secrets of successful women in business

Ping Gan

Donna Tooth

PRINCIPAL

BUSINESS OWNER

Ping Gan has been in the beauty industry for 18 years, and has been operating her own salons and lecturing in well-known beauty colleges throughout Sydney.

She has taught students from around the world and in 2006 published a revision workbook for beauty therapists, which is designed to meet the industry’s highest standards. Ms. Gan is the principal

of Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy, and holds an Advanced Diploma in Health Science and is an international CIDESCO examiner.

“We have designed diploma courses, certificate courses and short courses, which cover all areas of beauty that strictly comply with the national and internaational syllabus to ensure training quality is guaranteed”, says Ms Gan.

skin and how to treat conditions,” she says.

Donna has always been passionate about beauty therapy and what can be achieved within the industry.

“I have always worked in my own salon, and strongly believe in providing quality services,” she says.

“Professionalism is a key factor in maintaining an established business and clientele.”

Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy, 3/53 Dundas Court, Phillip 2606, 6285 4255, principal@abtaedu.com

Beaute 2 Suit, Lower Ground, 33-35 Ainslie Avenue, Civic 2600, beaute2suit.com.au, 6257 7789, beaute2suit@yahoo.com

Penelope Zelenka

Jill Bellchambers

SALON OWNER / BEAUTY THERAPIST

DIRECTOR/OWNER

THE secret of success I believe is being loyal to your clients and honest with them. Provide them with all the knowledge you have from the education/training you have had to make their experience within your business as positive and worthwhile as possible. And stay positive and patient.

If you believe in yourself and your product then that will show

THIRTY-four years ago I started investigating how I wanted my son to be taught music in the way I wasn’t!

Why? I had a passion for music; begged my parents for lessons; was taught entirely through the eye. I survived the rigours of music learning through reading. Many didn’t.

I figured music is “what we

in the great work you do. Clients are very well informed these days and generally they want more information, so if you can give them the right advice with a positive experience from the very beginning when they make their appointment, right through to when they walk out your door after their appointment, then you have a happy and loyal client.

hear”; we talk before we read so why not learn music “by-ear” first, then read? An exciting journey of professional and personal development followed.

Thirty years later thousands of children and adults have benefitted from learning music at Bellchambers Music School, provided by a team of 30 or so dedicated musicians. The Beat Goes On...

Beauty By Penelope, Shop FG, 11 Genge Street, Canberra Centre, Civic 2600, beautybypenelope.com.au, 6162 4247, beautybypenelope@hotmail.com

Bellchambers Music School, Upstairs 61-63 Colbee Court East, Phillip 2606, bellchambersmusicschool.com, 62816270, admin.music@netspeed.com.au

Laurie McDonald

Dinah Meagher

DIRECTOR

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

LAURIE McDonald, awardwinning owner of Canberra Furnished Accommodation, shares her secret to surviving in business: “It’s the value of Kaizen, a Japanese theory of ongoing improvement: without constant betterment businesses stagnate.”

Far from stagnating, the company continues to go from strength to strength. “We recently

celebrated our 10-year anniversary, which coincided with us winning the ACT 2013 Telstra Micro-business Award,” she says.

“We provide temporary furnished accommodation in central Canberra locations – the longer you stay, the less you pay. Mixed with outstanding customer service and clear vision, we are aiming for our best year yet in 2014.”

THE secret to my success comes down to being able to deliver more than my clients ever imagined.

I achieve this by serving my clients’ wishes, respecting their needs and budget and pushing myself to come up with a design that sits well in its context.

My designs are driven by passion, using principles not formula, and my aim is to facilitate garden

owners to get the best possible results.

Staying informed and valuing the work of other landscape architects refreshes me and pushes me to maintain the highest standard of design.

I am flexible with size, scope and project budgets, believing that every little bit of outdoor space is worthy of consideration.

Canberra Furnished Accommodation, 5/37 Ijong Street, Braddon 2612, canberrafurnished.com.au, 6295 0975, info@canberrafurnished.com.au

Canberra Gardens canberragardens.com.au, 0422 628 190, info@canberragardens.com.au

Sarah Glavinic

Monique Meijer

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

TO me, the phrase “seize the day” is more than a cliche, it’s what drives me!

Our highly successful clinic provides skin treatment to thousands of Canberrans, including well-known celebrities and dignitaries.

We use state-of-the art laser technology to safely and easily help clear acne, melasma, rosacea

and many other skin conditions, including removing moles, skin tags and keratosis.

I am the only qualified laser biotherapist technician in Canberra having studied and practised for a number of years under Tina Czech, founder of the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians.

Like us on Facebook.

Canberra Laser Biotherapy Clinic , Shop 112b, ground floor, Westfield Belconnen, canberralaserbiotherapy.com.au, 6251 6884, info@canberralaserbiotherapy.com.au

24 CityNews November 14-20

Donna has been a beauty therapist in Canberra for 21 years and has successfully moved from owning a small salon to being the proud owner of Beaute 2 Suit Day Spa, that has developed through support of its clients and staff.

“Skin care is one of the most important aspects of beauty therapy, and with 21 years experience, I have an advanced understanding of the

THE secret to my success is my ability to tailor interior design solutions to a diverse range of projects, clients and budgets.

I love that my day can go from working on a relaxed, yet classic Hampton’s fit-out through to ultra-sleek living spaces.

As a designer, I have direct access to suppliers for everything from furnishings to architectural

fixtures. I’ll either know where to source that statement piece or where to have it custom-made.

I also believe in creating my own opportunities. My work as a freelance stylist and scout for one of Australia’s leading home and lifestyle magazines is a good example of this.

I hope to help transform your home.

Capital Property Styling, capitalpropertystyling.com.au, 0437 337322, monique@capitalpropertystyling.com.au

Secrets of successful women in business

Heather Reid

Suzie Hoitink

CEO

FOUNDER & CEO

THE secret to my success as CEO of Canberra Football (including Canberra United) comes from persistence and hard work combined with honesty and reliability, knowledge and education, the ability to communicate and deal effectively with a wide range of people, having vision

and the capacity to take action.

I also rely upon the support of my staff, as well as the love and support of my family and significant others to do what I do on an everyday basis.

WITH three clinics in Canberra and recently opening a new clinic in Sydney, Suzie Hoitink is a champion of healthy skin and the confidence that comes from feeling good about yourself. Suzie has launched her own magazine aptly titled “InnerConfidence”. It features advice tips and inspirational stories of people who have overcome hurdles to become

who they were truly meant to be.

Her medically led approach to treating skin, delivered by trained and qualified registered nurses, makes Clear Complexions Clinics unique in the industry. This vision has pioneered a specialty for nurses that didn’t exist before, and boosted the confidence of thousands of Australians seeking a truly healthy appearance.

Capital Football, Football House, Phipps Close, Deakin 2600, capitalfootball.com.au, 6260 4000, ceo@capitalfootball.com.au

Clear Complexions Clinics, Unit 1, 82 Thynne Street, Bruce 2914, clearcomplexions.com.au, 6251 8889, suzie@clearcomplexions.com.au

Helen O’Flynn

Julie Scheer

SOLICITOR

DIRECTOR & OWNER

THE secret to my success comes from keeping life authentic. This includes both my professional and personal life. Professionally, I consider authenticity to be a key ingredient to maintaining and developing relationships with clients, stakeholders, peers and colleagues. Personally, it’s a feature I admire in those

around me.

There is no doubt that the company I am part of, and the colleagues I work with, are authentic, a crucial component of my success and Conveyancing Canberra’s commendable reputation.

Conveyancing Canberra, Level 5, 71 Northbourne Avenue, Civic 2600, canberralaw.com.au, 6214 8550, hoflynn@canberralaw.com.au

STARTING out on your own, you’re used to doing everything yourself.

As Dance Central has grown, one of the key things I’ve learnt is to build a team who share my passion and bring different skills and perspectives.

Doing something you love is great, doing it with a great

team of people around you is fantastic.

From the little ones starting out with my Blueberries program, through to Dance Central and then, for some, into the industry being represented by Talent Central, I get so much satisfaction being part of the growth of my students and staff.

Dance Central, Talent Central and Blueberries, Level 1-21 Altree Court, Phillip 2606, dance-central.com.au, 6282 7609, julie@dance-central.com.au

CityNews November 14-20 25

Secrets of successful women in business

Making a success from motivation Chris Conway

Julie Griffin

OWNER, Curves Wanniassa

OWNER, Curves Weston Creek

THE secret to my success comes from an unending passion to help people reach their fitness goals using the proven Curves method of combining regular exercise and Curves Complete Weight Management Program in a welcoming, supportive and fun environment.

Curves Wanniassa is a community, not just a product.

We draw upon the deep and broad resources of our franchise to enable our members to attain success. Their success is my success.

their goals.

A cheery face to greet and assist regulars and newcomers is a priority. Staff focus is to remember, it’s the little things that make a BIG difference in a small business.

For example, remembering names and to use them at all times and to create a FUN environment so they want to come back again.

Unit 5, 7 Sangster Place, Wanniassa 2902, facebook.com/curveswanniassa, 6296 7415, curveswanniassa@hotmail.com

Curves Weston Creek, Cooleman Court Shopping Centre, Brierly Street, Weston Creek, 2611, 6288 8333, admin@curvesweston.com.au

Anita O’Meara

Raffy Borg

OWNER, Curves Belconnen

OWNER, Curves Gungahlin

CURVES Belconnen is a thriving successful gym because each team member is dedicated to strengthening women.

We work with women on an individual level, setting goals and working closely with members on a regular basis to achieve those goals. Over the last five years we have helped hundreds of women

achieve their personal goals whether it be a 40kg loss, the last 5kgs or improve flexibility.

Many of our members feel a sense of community as soon as they arrive within the gym. We are dedicated in looking at the whole health of each of our members, which extends to community activities and social functions.

Curves belconnen 8 Bowman Street, Macquarie 2614, 6251 1111, info@curvesbelconnen.com.au

26 CityNews November 14-20

KNOWING your member base and discovering what it is they want!

We set achievable and realistic goals and reassess on a monthly basis. Create and maintain records for all members so that we are aware of their goals, needs, challenges, likes/dislikes in our quest to help them achieve

THE secret to my success comes from creating a happy, safe, caring and welcoming environment, where they feel they belong and by knowing them by name.

They spread the word and bring their family, friends, neighbours and workmates to Curves Gungahlin.

Curves Gungahlin, 92 Phyllis Ashton Circuit, Gungahlin 2912, curves.com.au, 6255 5916, info@curvesgungahlin.com.au

Secrets of successful women in business

Jess Giampaolo

Melissa Gelonese

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

SUCCESS doesn’t just come down to one thing, but definitely start by surrounding yourself with smart people and be humble enough to learn off them.

Then develop your team and give them the freedom to learn.

Create an atmosphere of innovation and positivity and let your employees thrive.

I HAVE been in possibly one of the most competitive industries – entertainment and production – for over a decade; it really is “survival of the fittest”.

I think it’s important to aim very high, and not be satisfied with “OK”, but its important to make mistakes.

I have always had clear goals about where I have wanted to

I also believe in giving back to the community that supports you. Give whatever you can, even if its simply your time, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, volunteering or on a bigger scale, kick-starting a grass roots campaign. This type of service will help to establish you within your community and pay off in the long run.

go and being my own boss has always been vital in my lifestyle and career satisfaction.

Passion for what I do has kept me going through the very challenging times.

These aspects will assist me with my newest project as director of La Guitar Cabaret Restaurant – opening in a few weeks!

Energy Fitness, 90 Hardwick Crescent, Holt 2615, energyfitnesscentre.com.au, 6254 8848, info@energyfitnesscentre.com.au

Entourage Productions/Rogue Dolls, entourageproductions.com.au, 0405 380015, melissa@roguedolls.com.au

Kerrie Jarius

Julie Ford MANAGING DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR THE secret to success comes from a love of business and helping people by ensuring there is a win win for our customers and our staff.

I am passionate about helping business owners grow their business without the admin ruling their lives to the wee small hours of the morning.

Life in small business is hectic

enough without having to worry about GST and all the other stuff that goes with that.

I enjoy seeing the difference we can make to our customers professional and personal lives through providing accurate and up-to-date financials, support, and encouragement.

When GST is a pain in the BAS call us!

Fax n Figures Bookkeeping, PO Box 1009, Queanbeyan 2620, faxnfigures.com.au, 6283 5666, info@faxnfigures.com.au

JULIE has had considerable financial planning experience since joining her family business in 1994. She specialises in wealth creation, superannuation, retirement planning and a broad range of financial planning services.

Julie holds the Diploma of Financial Planning and the inter-

Ford & Associates Pty Ltd , 54 Pridham Street, Farrer 2607, thefordgroup.com.au, 6288 3683, jford@iaa.net.au Julie K Ford AR No 236038 is authorised to provide financial planning services only as an Authorised Representative of Fortnum Private Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 54 139 889 535 AFSL No 357 306, trading as Fortnum Financial Advisers and nominee of Insurance Advisernet Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 19 132 170 337.

Claire Primrose

Gail Freeman

GALLERY DIRECTOR THE secret of my success comes from my passion and dedication to the visual arts.

As well as a gallery director, I am also a practicing professional artist, which gives me a unique insight to effective running and managing a commercial gallery space.

After graduating from the Canberra School of the Art ANU

nationally recognised Certified Financial Planner qualification. She is well qualified to help clients achieve their financial goals. As a born-and-bred local, she and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters and look forward to raising their children in Canberra.

DIRECTOR

in 1998, I worked as an art and dance teacher for 10 years in local high schools.

These experiences provided me with vital skills such as managerial techniques, public speaking, grant submission and application writing, and client relations – all of which are necessary for running a thriving business.

FORM Studio and Gallery, 0430 359 776, 1/30 Aurora Ave, Queanbeyan 2619, www.formstudioandgallery.com.au, claire@formstudioandgallery.com.au

WELL known for the advice she gives regularly in “City News” and on the radio, chartered accountant Gail says that the secret of her success is being part of a great team coupled with extensive technical knowledge and a passion for her work.

Gail specialises in taxation, business and all aspects of

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd Chartered Accountant

retirement as well as being a financial planner and specialist self-managed superannuation fund adviser.

In March, she was named one of the 100 most influential women in Canberra and in September, she was feted among the 2013 Distinguished Alumni of Canberra University.

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd, 9/71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston 2604, 6295 2844, gail@gailfreeman.com.au

Bindi Vanzella and Nicki Taws BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR & PROJECT MANAGER WE focus on developing and delivering meaningful environment projects that improve our natural assets and connect with urban and rural communities.

Our work is diverse, but also challenging and, as such, we must be innovative and adaptable with a broad range of social awareness and ecological skills.

Success comes from the knowledge we

have acquired over many years working with scientists, volunteers, farmers, businesses, schools and government sectors.

While we can record the number birds observed or plant thousands of seedlings to improve biodiversity, we are most inspired by the communities that engage with us in these projects and share their stories of success.

Their success is our success.

Greening Australia, 1 Kubura Place, Aranda 2614, greeningaustralia.org.au, 6253 3035, bvanzella@act.greeningaustralia.org.au CityNews November 14-20 27

Secrets of successful women in business

Patty Giorgio

Alana Bingham

BUSINESS OWNER

ACCREDITED MORTGAGE BROKER

GIORGIO’S Hair & Beauty Canberra is celebrating eight years of excellence and continues to follow design and create new fashion hair trends by keeping up to date season to season.

We promote this fundamental principle with countless hours, total commitment and teamwork. Through knowledge, advance courses and the highest

level of hair care products, my trusted staff are able to achieve stunning results for our clients.

Our determination and high expectations work together to create success for the whole team. We’re on a mission, for nothing succeeds like success… that’s my secret.

Giorgio Hair and Beauty, Shop 7 Kippax Fair, Holt 2615, 6254 8605, pattyg2610@gmail.com

The Home Loan Centre, Level 5, 71 Northbourne Avenue, Civic 2600, homeact.com, 0409 225853, abingham@homeact.com

Myca Field

Lesley Richards

DIRECTOR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE secret to my success stems from my upbringing – my parents taught me from an early age the importance of upholding the good name of the family, that being honest and reliable were the two most important characteristics a person could have. As years passed this flowed into my professional career, along-with my aspiration to provide excellent customer service while

showing loyalty and generosity to my colleagues and staff. Initially, I forged a career in real estate but withdrew from corporate life to have children. Subsequently, Toby and I opened the doors to our first used car dealership and here we are 20 years later. Today, we have two of our sons working alongside us and our business continues to go from strength to strength!

I USE experts and don’t do everything myself. It’s a myth that small business owners need to, and can do, everything.

I lead quietly and work collaboratively with others. In my book, everyone has an important contribution to make and you keep people motivated by recognising what they are good at.

I allow time for strategic thinking. It is easy to fall into the trap of always doing things and not giving yourself time to think. I build time into my schedule to reflect on what I am trying to achieve and how best to get there.

Learning new things means I am consciously trying to be my best at all times.

House of Cars, 11 Divine Court, Phillip 2606, houseofcars.com.au, 1300 000462, myca@houseofcars.com.au

Interaction Consulting Group, 6282 9111, 4/71 Dundas Court, Phillip 2606, www.interactionconsulting.com.au, lesley.richards@interactionconsulting.com.au

Jacquie Tewes

Jo Hall

PRINCIPAL THE secret of my success is in helping people to better sell themselves through a targeted job search, write compelling job applications and win at the interview. I believe in having a strong of vision of success and understanding what makes you a stand-out candidate for your dream job. I know what recruiters are looking for and how to

OWNER

tap into a great and influential network of people who can truly help position you for success.

Job Boot Camp is an innovative venture that is dedicated to achieving your success, through building clarity, confidence, motivation, action and tapping into powerful networks! I will work with dedication to ensure you get the job you are looking for.

THE secret to my success is my clients! They are my everything: we help them, and they help us!

To have a healthy business, you need to treat every client with the utmost respect and the way you would like to be treated, with fivestar service.

It is our duty to to be able to teach clients about hair and fashion and what suits them for their

lifestyle, so they can feel on top of the world and be full of confidence within themselves.

I believe that to keep clients you need to be able to share the knowledge learnt from the person who trained us. I am forever grateful to my mentor, Anton When I see a client leave the salon with a big smile on their face, it is the best feeling in the world.

Job Boot Camp, Level 1, The Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton 2600, jobbootcamp.com.au, 6198 3238, jacquie@jobbootcamp.com.au

Jo Hall Hair, Shop 7, upstairs Garema Centre, Bunda Street, Civic 2600, johallhair.com.au, 6257 9111

Heike Schraeder

Cathy Wang

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

ACCOUNTANT

THE secret to my success lies in the passion, dedication and ultimate belief in the quality and the value of products available at Kid Whisperer.

We believe in quality not in quantity. This is why we source all our products from Germany.

Being a paediatric nurse and special needs education teacher, I am dedicated to bringing toys to

The secret to my success comes from having the right attitude.

Whenever I encounter difficulties or setbacks in my studies or at work, I always try to think positively and stay focused on the task at hand. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and assess the situation before rushing into the problem.

Australian children that will assist in enhancing their development, creativity and skills.

Competing against cheap, lowquality products takes patience and determination to educate and change perceptions of the market. I believe strongly that I am contributing positively to the wellbeing of children in Australia!

This drives me in business and life.

Kid Whisperer, kidwhisperer.com.au, 0415 854449, heike@kidwhisperer.com.au

28 CityNews November 14-20

THE secret to my success is repeat and referral business.

With proven excellence in customer service and knowing my clients and their specific needs, I have managed to build a client base that trust me to continue looking after them into the future.

Having an optimistic attitude in all situations helps me to perform at my best. I believe in always being humble in the work I do. Even in success, I will not be over-confident as I believe this will cause me to be careless in the future.

The right attitude helps me to be more efficient and happier in my life.

Kazar Slaven, Level 3 Engineering House, 11 National Circuit, Barton 2600, kazarslaven.com.au, 62158412, cwang@kazarslaven.com.au

Secrets of successful women in business

Lyndell Kazar & Courtney Kazar PRACTICE MANAGER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER The partners of Kazar Slaven believe that the secret to the success of our women in business is the passion and enjoyment they obtain from supporting the people in our business to be the best they can, both personally and with their engagement in the community and other likeminded professionals.

We know that they try and ensure that each person has the same opportunity to achieve their

goals within a healthy and caring environment with the freedom to pursue their own areas of interest and then engaging with others.

Kazar Slaven, Level 3 Engineering House, 11 National Circuit, Barton 2600, kazarslaven.com.au, 6285 1310, ckazar@kazarslaven.com.au

Karen Nicholas

Chenoeh Miller

DIRECTOR

MANAGER OF RETAIL AND EVENTS

I DON’T believe there is a single secret to surviving in business. Some of the things that have worked for me include: 1. Have an entrepreneurial spirit.

Have a constant enthusiasm for new ideas and innovation, and be prepared to take risks and back both yourself and your idea.

2. Recognise opportunities as they arise – they often sneak up

when you are least looking for them.

3. Always ask “Why not?” “Why can’t we do that?” and “Who said it can’t be done?” Never take no for an answer.

4. Forget about work-life balance.

There is no need to pigeonhole your life into what is “work” and what is “home”. Love what you do and you will find a way to make it all blend together.

THE secret to my success – which I define as life satisfaction – has come through listening. Listening to oneself and knowing one’s own skills and needs.

What I need in order to succeed is to contribute in a meaningful way. I believe it is my duty to listen to our community and to respond with innovative ideas and appropriate action.

As a community, there is no need for fragmentation, only a need to listen to each other and to help one another.

Working with Lifeline has created an opportunity to directly contribute to our community. All funds raised at Hipsley and through our events, go toward training our crisis support volunteers – the people who save people’s lives, by listening.

Learning Options & Skillpod, Level 1, 22 Franklin Street, Manuka, 2603, learningoptions.com.au, 6260 6677, karen@learningoptions.com.au

Hipsley for Lifeline, 2/27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon 2612, facebook.com/ hipsleyforlife, 0406 354055, chenoeh.miller@act.lifeline.org.au

Katrina Lewis

Leanne Sterzenbach

OFFICE MANAGER

MANAGING DIRECTOR

KATRINA commenced employment with Matrix Systems after completing her Bachelor of Arts at ANU in 2009. She says that taking on the role of office manager in 2011 has been a rewarding and challenging experience.

“The secret to success comes from a commitment to ongoing learning and development to

maintain up-to-date knowledge in a growing and evolving industry,” she says.

“It is also necessary to be flexible and willing to take on new challenges with a varied and demanding workload. Developing an ongoing relationship with clients and maintaining a harmonious working environment has contributed to my success.”

Matrix Systems, 7/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick 2609, matrixcompliance.com.au, 6239 7322, katrina@matrixsystems.com.au

LEANNE Sterzenbach is the managing director of Matrix Systems, a division of Matrix National Group, providing workplace health and safety (WHS) consultancy services to companies throughout Australia. Our valued clients consist of construction companies, government clients, small business owners and subcontractors.

The key to our success is our professional and dedicated staff, our loyal clients and our business ethic to produce the best product possible for our clients. Our consultative and personal approach is what makes us stand out. We provide a reliable and efficient service at a competitive price, which enables our clients to effectively manage their WHS obligations.

Matrix Systems, 7/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick 2609, matrixcompliance.com.au, 6239 7322, leanne@matrixsystems.com.au

CityNews November 14-20 29

Secrets of successful women in business

Michelle Driscoll

Claire Naidu

OWNER

PRINCIPAL FAMILY LAWYER AND MEDIATOR

THE secret to my success is the coming together of many things.

A great starting point is loving what I do and endeavouring to be the best therapist in my field.

In order to achieve this, I believe it is essential to be thoroughly trained and committed to ongoing professional development.

Working with such a powerful

AS this year’s ACT Young Business Woman of the Year, my secret to success is providing personalised attention and being there for clients when they need us.

Our clients have busy lives with competing priorities – they don’t need the added stress of trying to fit in appointments with their lawyer during

modality as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy has contributed to my success. This is because of its non-invasive and gentle ability to resolve pain and trauma.

I believe in creating a safe and supportive environment for my clients, and am rewarded with their trust and knowledge that I am committed to their health and wellbeing.

business hours.

That’s why our clients can meet and reach us both within and outside of usual business hours and at a time and place that suits the client.

As an accredited family law specialist and accredited mediator, I can provide expert advice across a range of family law and family law-related issues.

Michelle Driscoll, 49 Jardine Street, Kingston 2604, michelle-driscoll.com, 0411 281586, info@michelle-driscoll.com

Claire Naidu & Co, Lawyers and Mediators, Level 5, 7 London Circuit, Civic 2600, clairenaidu.com.au, 0410 557276, cnaidu@clairenaidu.com.au

Michelle Mohr

Dana Spasenoska

HEAD OF INSURANCE DIVISION & GROUP HR MANAGER

CLIENT MANAGER

BEING successful doesn’t always mean you get to the top without the hard work involved to get there. I certainly have worked extremely hard in my career.

I am blessed to have been given the opportunity I have today, which has allowed me to grow more and to become stronger in dealing with some of the challenges I face every day.

The secret to surviving in business is being focused on helping clients succeed by providing a high level of responsiveness and assistance with agility and professionalism.

Born and raised in Canberra, I understand that this is a town built on relationships. I take the time to get to know my clients so that I can offer the most

Working hard is something I have always done, it’s about giving that little bit more each day, and going that extra mile when required. It’s about taking on board all the challenges that are thrown your way, and admitting sometimes you aren’t right and that making mistakes is perfectly okay, and then learning from them and never giving up!

Azzaru Pty Ltd (trading as NRMA), Woden, Queanbeyan, Gungahlin, Cooma, Merimbula and Bega, 0417 870647, michelle.mohr@commisso.com.au

efficient and effective solutions that solve their business problems in alignment with their budgets.

As a solution-focused consulting technology company, we recognise that the contemporary expectations of citizens are increasing and it’s our job to help our clients embrace new-age solutions.

Oakton Consulting Technology, 2/45 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston 2604, oakton.com.au, 6230 1997, dana.spasenoska@oakton.com.au

Felicia Darbyshire-Pirie and Lanette Gavran OWNER & DIRECTOR WE care about each other, our instructors and our clients. We also care about consistently teaching high-quality Pilates.

A continued love of Pilates and learning keeps us fresh to enthusiastically teach our clients and instructors.

We are in the business of helping people be well and, as such, we are committed to our client and Pilates Canberra – Tuggeranong, 43 Comrie Street, Wanniassa 2903, pilatescanberra.com.au, 6162 1793, felicia@pilatescanberra.com.au

Pilates Canberra – New Acton, 3/21 Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton 2600, pilatescanberra.com.au, 6281 7788, lanette@pilatescanberra.com.au

Claire Connelly

Cassie Gillis

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

OWNER/DIRECTOR

MY secret to success is defining what success looks like for me personally, and living by my definition. Papercut has just celebrated six years in business, and I proudly define my success by the lifestyle I now lead because the hard work is done.

I believe in empowering the people who work for you, and setting up good systems from

the start.

Without my team and network of reliable suppliers, great clients and constant friends, I would not have survived six years in business.

The important thing for my survival is looking after myself so that I have the creative energy to inject into my business.

That means taking time out to have fun.

Papercut, 18 Bent Street, Turner 2612, papercut.net.au, 6162 4045, claire@papercut.net.au

30 CityNews November 14-20

instructor wellbeing. Everyone has very busy lives and Pilates helps them to keep doing what they do.

Our commitment to them through Pilates means they can rely on us.

We also are committed to each other staying well, we look after each other by having a chat, chocolate or champagne!

I BELIEVE the secret to success is finding what you are passionate about and making a career out of it.

Not everyone is able to get up every day and be excited about their job, but I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to make a career out of my passion for dance, kids and teaching.

PLAY is not only a dance school,

but is a community – a real family.

I get to teach kids to dance, which is amazing, but the main reason I have my studio is to be able to provide a home-away-from-home for them.

PLAY is more than just a dance studio, it is a place to be inspired, feel safe, gain confidence and share a passion for dance with positive people.

PLAY – The Dance Agency, Unit 10, 25-55 Buckland Street, Mitchell 2619, playagency.com.au, 0417 442750, cassie.gillis@gmail.com

Secrets of successful women in business

Successful practice with a passion for dental health Dr Karin Elix

Dr Pegah Noorizadeh

Dr Anna Policinski

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

I HAVE been incredibly fortunate for having been educated by great teachers at great institutions. Similarly, other private practitioners have been generous in sharing their knowledge with me.

27 years experience

MY love and passion for dentistry was first ignited at a young age when I used to watch my dentist aunt at work.

I’ve always loved taking care of people and it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help my patients improve their oral health on a daily basis.

14 years experience

I BELIEVE that success is a long windy road, marked by personal sacrifice and compromise. Although it brings a great feeling, by itself does not bring all the satisfaction. It’s the individual journey experience that brings personal fulfilment, and fact that I can help others, makes success complete.

13 years experience

Ms Valeska Tilly

Kim Thorpe

Amy Wilesmith

DENTAL THERAPIST & HYGENIST

PATIENT MANAGER

PATIENT MANAGER

THE key to success is surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and have a like-minded philosophy.

34 years of clinical experience

PARTY, party, party – there is no reason you cannot enjoy work every day!

32 years of dental experience

COMING into dental was a big change but it is important to give yourself new challenges. I have realised my skills in service also apply to dentistry, and it is fulfilling to have made such a successful career change.

7 years of HR and service industry experience, first year in dentistry

Elwira Marek

Karen Crisp

Rikkie Morris

CLINICAL ASSISTANT

CLINICAL ASSISTANT

CLINICAL ASSISTANT

PASSION + kindness + ethics = Success “Strive to find your niche in life and then happiness and success will be inevitable”.

13 years experience

PATIENCE, nurturing, knowledge and empathy.

This I extend to not only the patients, but importantly to support the clinician. Success is pride in my ability to do all of this and knowing it is appreciated. Outstanding teamwork is the key.

36 years experience

THERE are many keys to success. Passion, motivation, patience and loving what you do.

7 years experience

rfg Dentistry, Suite 13, 14-16 Brierly Street, Weston 2611, 6288 6866 CityNews November 14-20 31

Secrets of successful women in business

Karen Murphy

Riana Janse van Rensburg

LENDING SPECIALIST

OWNER

We all have our own recipe for success, so the trick is finding what works best for you. For me, success has come from my determination and passion towards helping people achieve their financial goals. The sense of satisfaction I receive by going above and beyond for my clients energises me every day. With that energy I’m able to maintain a

strong work-life balance, ensuring that both my children and clients receive my close attention. There have been challenges since starting my new business, however overcoming them has reinforced belief in myself and my desire to succeed–in the words of Winston Churchill “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts”.

BUILDING long-lasting friendships is my key to success!

I treat my clients the way I want to be treated in a salon. I want them to leave feeling like a million dollars.

The core of my business is respect, loyalty, compassion and trust.

Hard work, dedication and passion for my business recharges

me hourly. I use this energy to recharge my client.

Positivity makes the world go around! Life is just too “blue” and if I can make a change then I’m very happy.

I also believe in on-going education; knowledge sets me apart from the crowd. I educate my clients on how to take care of their skin at home.

Resi Canberra Southern, 2/22 Strangways Street, Curtin 2605, resi.com.au, 136126, canberrasouthern@resi.com.au

Riana’s Health and Skin Care Clinic, 111 Clive Steele Avenue, Monash 2904, riana-centre.com.au, 6166 2265, ihccentre@gmail.com

Elissa Michel

Lina Macor

SALON OWNER

SALON MANAGER

My secret to surviving in business is dedication to service and focusing on what people want.

Our clientele is so important to us and we’re constantly getting their feedback about what to introduce to the salon and how they find their treatments.

Showing you care is so important to people and develops strong relationships that keep

our fabulous clients coming back.

We’re also very lucky to have an amazing team of professional and dedicated therapists!

Personally, what keeps me surviving in business is developing trust and respect with my staff members. If you treat people well it will be reciprocated. And, of course, anyone who knows me, knows I’m an organisational nerd!

MY success truly comes from loving the industry I work in, making people feel special and continuous learning. The rapport you build with your clients and satisfaction you give them is second to none. One of my most rewarding achievements is managing Sibu Beauty alongside Elissa. Elissa is a great business person, with a determined driv-

ing force behind her. Success also comes from being loyal. I have only ever worked in two salons, and wouldn’t change that for the world. Lastly, my success certainly wouldn’t have come had it not been for the people I work with and look up to. Having an awesome team and friendship with your colleagues is certainly the best mix you can have.

Sibu Beauty, Unit 27, Nicholls Shops, 64 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls 2913, sibubeauty.com.au, 6241 4115, info@sibubeauty.com.au

Sibu Beauty, Unit 27 Nicholls Shops, 64 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls 2913, sibubeauty.com.au, 6241 4115, info@sibubeauty.com.au

Jaqui Despotoski

Tanya Herbertson

OWNER

DIRECTOR

THE secret to my success comes from my passion for my industry, and the creative and inspirational people I meet within it.

When most people think of being successful, they imagine wealth alone! While this is fantastic, it’s not my sole motivation. I believe that REAL success comes from being in a place where you

are truly happy, blessed and content.

My staff and I, at Sibu Hair, share the same belief, that is to provide professional advice and service to all of our amazing clients. Our motivation comes from our on-going education schedule that gives us a constant reminder that our industry is made up of real artists.

Sibu Hair, Unit 26, Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls 2913, sibuhair.com.au, 6241 1511, sibu_hair@hotmail.com

THE secret to my success comes from having a profound understanding of our laws and their effective application, and creating a personal and empathetic bond with my clients.

Also important is listening to, and understanding, my clients’ requirements, responding quickly to their questions and concerns, and keeping them

well informed.

Using my experience allows me to resolve clients’ matters as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible, and being available, approachable and friendly is imperative.

Having a family gives me a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of my clients’ needs.

Snedden Hall & Gallop, 43-49 Geils Court, Deakin 2600, sneddenhall.com.au, 6285 8000, therbertson@sneddenhall.com.au

Breakfast and lunch… all with a view Connie and her staff welcome you to great casual and modern dining. Popular dishes such as wraps, burgers, pizzas to grilled fish and steak, all yummy and delicious.

Open Wednesday through Sunday 9.30am to 4.30pm Friday & Saturday’s – extended trading until sunset!

1 Red Hill Drive, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2603 Phone: 02 6273 2915 / 0421 235 210 email: info@lookoutredhill.com.au 32 CityNews November 14-20

• BOO K A PAR T Y • BOO K T H E FAM I LY • S P O I L YO U R PA R T N ER

Secrets of successful women in business

Karen Porter MANAGING DIRECTOR THE secret to my success comes from my ability to connect with people. I enjoy forming relationships with people and have long-term relationships with suppliers, clients, builders and architects. I take the time to understand people and genuinely care about them.

I was previously a public servant and went into my own busi-

ness around 2006. During this time, I have had a huge learning curve from public life to a private business. I have enjoyed the transition as it gives me a great deal of flexibility and individuality.

I love the challenge of making my own way in the world and, by mixing my business with helping others, I have a great deal of job satisfaction.

Solace Creations Double Glazing, 79 Dundas Court, Phillip 2606, solacecreations.com.au, 6260 1621, karen@solacecreations.com.au

Kartika Medcraft OWNER THE secret to surviving in business is working with, listening to, and being involved in the community. Knowing what they want and need.

Working with other businesses that complement yours, learn from and be inspired by them – and, in turn, inspire.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of collaborating with other

creative, inspirational businesses to create something amazing for a client. Learn to be proud of your achievement and accept a pat on the back, yet be humbled by the talent around you. I am!

Canberra has an amazing, generous and supportive business community who help each other, which sets us apart from other cities.

Swish Vintage Canberra & Sweet ChariTEA, 4/107 Wollongong St, Fyshwick 2609, swishvintagecanberra.com.au, 0418 117 977, klm75@live.com.au

Tina Nikolovski DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER THE secret to success derives from passion, dedication and mindset.

Here’s my best advice for creating a successful business: 1. Dedicate yourself to your career – focus on goals and make them happen, one by one.

2. Focus on your craft, not finances.

3. Do not compare yourself to others – only challenge yourself.

4. As soon as you lose your passion (if you lose your passion), take a break.

5. Constantly challenge yourself and keep your eyes open for inspiration and current trends – then push the boundaries.

6. If no one is giving you opportunities, create your own.

7. Most importantly, get rid of the fear factor. Believe in yourself.

Tina Nikolovski Photography, tinanikolovski.com, 0411 841373, tnphotography@live.com

Freya Kristiansen REGIONAL MANAGER AT Vehicle Solutions Australia, we provide unique financing solutions for individuals, businesses and government.

I believe that the only way to survive in business is to take good care of your customers. If someone feels that a business has provided exceptional service they are more likely to refer their friends and family.

In order to survive in business, it is

S U M M E R Longer days and warmer evenings.

Swimming pools and cocktails.

Flowing dresses and bold prints.

Your perfect pair of summer shoes from Peter Kaiser.

important to establish and maintain good relationships with customers, even once a transaction is complete.

Vehicle Solutions Australia provides this through vehicle management and salary packaging, generating simple-to-read documents and annual reports. There is a local representative to help you through every step of the ownership process.

Vehicle Solutions Australia, 0450 491551, PO Box 64, Glenside, SA 5065, vehiclesolutionsaustralia.com.au, freya@vehiclesolutionsaustralia.com.au CityNews November 14-20 33

Secrets of successful women in business

Catherine Smith

Wanda Wojciechowska

PRACTICE MANAGER

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT/BUSINESS OWNER

THE secret of my success is following my passion for helping people grow wealth.

I have had over 20 years’ experience in all financial fields and I pool all of this knowledge together to advise clients “wholistically”. That is, I, and my firm Wholistic Financial Solutions, advise clients

on tax planning, financial planning, property investing, superannuation, mortgage and insurance. Lately, we have been focusing on SMSFs and property, which is the financial topic of the year.

I have also just released my first book “Wealth Through Property”.

Wholistic Financial Solutions, PO Box 192 Dickson 2602, wfscanberra.com.au, 6162 4546

IT is all about our clients. I think the secret of my success is being passionate about helping people, being able to help our clients: business owners, salary earners and potential business owners… big or small.

To get the best results in a stressful situation and hopefully making their lives easier; take the stress out of tax, help them

to comply with ever-changing legislation, we try to look after the things clients don’t want to, leaving them to do the things they love to do.

We do our best and always try to make a difference by keeping up with that old-fashioned service through meeting clients face-to-face and maintaining the personal touch... staying in touch.

WWAccounting, PO Box 42, Red Hill 2603, wwaccounting.com.au, 0400 083938, wandaw@wwaccounting.com.au

Julie Storer BUSINESS OWNER THE secret to my success is simple, I love what I do and I have the support of my wonderful family.

I have years of experience, honesty and integrity and a personalised service you can’t find anywhere else; this is my business and everyone sees me.

My goal is to always to improve the lives of my clients

and I take that responsibility very personally. In this rapidly changing industry, it is also more important than ever to be in the hands of medical professionals using medical-grade equipment and knowing that products are safe.

With this, I achieve the greatest compliment of all, wonderful clients!

Your Skin, 1A/29 O’Hanlon Place, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls 2913, yourskin.com.au, 0408 007988, julie@yourskin.com.au

MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN YOU THINK For a confidential discussion about your career in the construction industry, contact Sharon Costigan on: +61 2 6280 7033 or email: s.costigan@manteena.com.au

www.manteena.com.au

The success of a building project relies on a number of factors involving planning, collaboration, innovation and experience.

Women provide skills and capabilities that are different to men and working within the construction industry gives you an opportunity to influence what our physical world will look like.

Manteena is a proud employer of women in the construction industry.

Manteena Pty Ltd holds: ACT Construction Occupations Licence No. 19915623 (Builder Class A) ACN 065 576 052 ABN 67 065 576 052

Building Partnerships SIN CE 1 9 8 0

Gentle and experienced care City Walk Centre, Civic

02 6247 8400

www.moderndentistry.com.au 34 CityNews November 14-20

Same-day appointments 7am to 7pm by arrangement Saturday opening

Call for whitening offers

arts & entertainment

Wendy Johnson Tasty trip to healthy heaven

Torn Emma rises to ‘Queen of the Night’ COVER STORY: With ‘Voices in the Forest’ star Yvonne Kenny dramatically having to cancel, the spotlight falls on dazzling coloratura soprano Emma Matthews to carry the show.

Arts editor HELEN MUSA talks to her exclusively for “CityNews” EMMA Matthews is clearly upset that topbilling soprano Yvonne Kenny, a sentimental Australian choice for Canberra’s Centenary performance of “Voices in the Forest” at the National Arboretum, has had to withdraw due to a leg injury in London.

“Yvonne is such a beautiful artist and a dear colleague, I’m disappointed for her and sorry not to get the chance to share the stage with her again,” the co-star, now top-billing performer, tells “CityNews”.

“We will still have a wonderful concert, I look forward to hearing the beautiful Greta Bradman, and singing with my dear friend Rosario La Spina. But we will miss Yvonne very much. She is loved by so many.”

But it’s on with the show for Matthews, the dazzling coloratura soprano and former principal of Opera Australia who bowled the Sydney public over as the tragic courtesan, Violetta, in “La Traviata” in the inaugural Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in 2012.

She has received more Helpmann Awards than any other individual artist, nine Green Room Awards, the Mo Award and the Remy Martin Australian Opera Award. No wonder

some Canberra opera buffs were puzzled when a Canberra publicist for the preview in June this year described her as an “emerging” singer. Matthews emerged long ago.

In fact she jokes that, at age 43, she’s a very senior figure, “but at a very early age…

I’m still in my prime vocally, it’s the perfect age to be a coloratura soprano.”

In a couple of weeks she’ll be recording in Tasmania her next CD of Mozart’s opera and concert arias, in which she’ll sing the devilishly difficult “Queen of the Night” aria from “The Magic Flute”.

That reminds her that she’ll be singing the same aria at the National Arboretum.

“It will be the first performance of the ‘Queen of the Night’ in my career,” she says.

Other choice selections from what she describes as a “top of the pops” program include Violetta’s equally devilish aria, “Sempre libera” (“Always free”) from “La Traviata”. Matthews remembers how once she thought that was way beyond her, but now calls it her “bread-and-butter aria”.

And in a nice local touch, she’ll perform “Now Touch the Air Softly” by Canberra

Emma Matthews… “I’ll always try to commit 100 per cent in every role I do, so I get a bit obsessive, but with my new goal of becoming fit, I think I’m a better wife and mum.” composer Calvin Bowman, recorded on her CD “Emma Matthews in Monte Carlo”.

So, apart from visiting the Arboretum (“such an amazing spot,” she says), what is Matthews doing now that she is “free”?

She’s doing a lot of concert work; she’s

Festival’s good vibrations

By Helen Musa

REMEMBER the bad old days of Protestant-Catholic hostility in Australia, mixed-marriages and discrimination in the public service?

Young people today look in disbelief if you tell them about the phenomenon that probably travelled here from Ireland.

Director Lisa Barros D’Sa is astonished, too, that I know about “The Troubles” of the 1970s in Northern Ireland, the setting for “Good Vibrations”, the film she’s co-directed, about Ulster’s guru of punk rock, Terri Hooley.

It’s coming to the British Film Festival in Canberra soon and is likely to be a sell-out.

No wonder. It has a fabulous soundtrack and a riveting central performance by stage actor Richard Dormer, tipped to become an international star.

Added to that is the vividly violent background, where young punks of the ‘70s, fed up with the Catholic versus Protestant issue, converge to defy convention and enjoy their head-smashing brand of music.

The script, Barros D’Sa tells me, is based on stories told by Hooley.

It’s called a bio-pic, but it feels more like a dramatic feature. She puts that down to its authenticity and to the emotional centre, the

started teaching master classes and has been the national adjudicator for the Australian Singing Competition – “a new string to my bow”.

In short, she says, “the doorway has opened to another path in my career”.

Mind you, she’ll still be doing major roles for Opera Australia and is busy losing weight to play a “fabulous, saucy woman” in Rossini’s “The Turk in Italy”, where the director is making her wear a swimsuit on stage.

“I’m not a big girl,” the glamorous Matthews tells me, “but I had to lose some weight, so this year I’m all fixed up with a gym and a trainer and I’m really enjoying it…

I encourage all young singers to keep fit and not just stay inside.”

A singer, she explains, cannot go into environments full of cigarette smoke. Even when younger, she never went out clubbing, “it’s too hard on the vocal chords”. Rather, she just stayed in her room after performances, but that can be bad for the health, too.

“The pressure of the role is not just emotional, it’s physical,” she says.

“I’ll always try to commit 100 per cent in every role I do, so I get a bit obsessive, but with my new goal of becoming fit, I think I’m a better wife and mum.”

And with a husband, two school-age sons and a Bengal cat to look after, that’s what really matters.

“Voices in the Forest”, Emma Matthews, Greta Bradman and Rosario La Spina, at the National Arboretum, 4.45pm-8.30pm (gates open 1.30pm), November 23, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au

ANNUAL FINE ART AUCTION SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER

STARTING AT 10:30am (viewing from 9am)

Viewing available from Wed 13th November “Good Vibrations”... Richard Dormer, left, in the role of Ulster’s guru of punk rock, Terri Hooley, in his legendary Belfast record store, with Michael Colgan as his business partner, Dave. story of how, obsessed by music, he loses his wife, Ruth, and child.

“Terri recognised and captured the true spin of Northern Ireland and the way the kids were so oppressed so heavily by The Troubles,” Barros D’Sa tells me by phone from Belfast. “There’s something universal in the story, it’s about youth and music”.

And what amazing music that is. Hooley was brought up on a different kind of music and adored the soft-pop girl group, the ShangriLa’s. But when he came across punk accidentally “he saw something exciting”, she says.

With his old-fashioned beard and his jumpers, Hooley didn’t seem to

fit in with the punks, but has since been described as “the greatest punk ever.”

“It’s a picture of an alternative Ulster,” she says, “it looks at the ‘70s in a different way.”

The festival opens on November 19 with “One Chance”, the story of Paul Potts, the first winner of “Britain’s Got Talent”. Julie Walters plays his mum.

Eric Bana will be in town on November 22 for a Q&A following the political thriller, “Closed Circuit”.

The British Film Festival, at Palace Electric, November 19-December 1, bookings to palacecinemas.com.au/ cinemas/electric

Original artworks & works on paper, sculptures & art books.

Aarwun Gallery, Federation Square Gold Creek 2913 | Ph. 02 6230 2055 See www.aarwungallery.com for more details and catalogue Works By: Leonard Long, Norman Lindsay, John Olsen, Wendy Sharpe, Peter Browne, Gordon Hanley, Ken Knight, Max Mannix, Gary Shead, John Bradley, Robert Pengilley, Robert Dickerson, Kevin Best, Carlos Barrios, Paul Margocsy, Alex Andrews, Joseph Frost, Ted Lewis CityNews November 14-20 35

arts & entertainment EVAN THE BRAVE

THU NOV 7 “ISLAND” TOUR 7.30PM

Hoges’ ticket winner WINNER of the “CityNews” double pass to “An Evening with Hoges” at Canberra Theatre on Tuesday, November 19, is Matthew Allen, of Franklin.

Enter at: citynews.com.au

FRI NOVIA SCOTIA WITH PREFIX & THE SEXYTET 7.30PM $7 tix: noviascotia.eventbrite.com.au NOV 8

SAT EMMA DAVIS & BRIAN CAMPEAU NOV 9 BEST OF FRIENDS TOUR 7.30PM $10 TUE NOV 12

IRRESPONSIBLE COMEDY

7.30PM

VOTE FOR SMITH’S BEST LIVE VENUE

musicact.com.au/mamas/vote

76 ALINGA STREET CIVIC PH 6247 4459

Converting Services - to CD and DVD Would you like to watch those old family ONLY videos once again, or listen to your $ 25 favourite records on CD? We can take your vinyl records or cassette tapes and put them onto CD and we transfer VHS tapes onto DVD.

Cooleman Court Weston Creek | 6293 4677 www. songland.com.au | OPEN 7 DAYS

The shenanigan season begins DO you sense Christmas coming?

Canberra Repertory’s season winds up with Ken Ludwig’s “The Fox on the Fairway”, at Theatre 3, Acton, from November 21 (preview) to December 6. Directed by Liz Bradley, it’s “filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and over-the-top romantic shenanigans”.

KATHY Kituai and Lizz Murphy will take their poetry program, “No Small Thing”, to Boorowa, joining local and regional writers including Margaret Berry, Chris Hall, Maria Stanton and Jane Baker. At the Old Courthouse, Marsden Street, 2pm, November 17. Admission free.

SALUT! Baroque will present “Musick for His Majesty” at Albert Hall, 7.30pm, on Friday, November 22. It’s billed as a grand concert of music composed for royalty

by Purcell, Boyce, Avison, Eccles, Woodcock, Williams and Paxton.

Tickets at the door.

THE Canberra International Film Festival board members never sleep; they are hosting the inaugural “Body of Work”, honouring movie impresario Harvey Weinstein who’ll be here for film screenings and Q&As, talks, a master-class and “The Virgin Ball”. November 22-24, bookings to tix.bodyofwork.org.au or at Palace Electric.

THE 2013 Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival is in Hall, November 15-17. Canberra artists Leanne Castley, Dylan Hekimian and The

Helen Musa arts in the city

Guitar Cases will join Betty A from Texas and others. Program and tickets at canberracountry.com THE ANU School of Art’s Glass Workshop is holding its annual sale on November 22 outside the School of Art Library, noon-1pm. Be advised, you’ll have to be quick to snaffle up the “exhibition quality one-offs, highend design, production, prototypical and playful student work”.

CANBERRA’S Sarv Ensemble is performing a concert of Persian music in the Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman House, 3pm, on Sunday, November 17, bookings to griffyn. iwannaticket.com.au THE Forrest National Chamber Orchestra, formed in 2007 by Gillian Bailey-Graham, will perform Holst, Vivaldi and Elgar in Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, on Sunday, November 17. The soloists are Hannah Lord, Duncan McIntyre and Donica Tran.

THE most recent of David Williamson’s social comedies, “When Dad Married Fury”, is coming to Queanbeyan, directed by Denis Moore for HIT Productions. Brothers Ian and Ben are on their way to Sydney to visit their rich dad. Alas, he’s just married an American beauty queen half his age. At The Q, November 19-23, bookings to 6285 6290 or theq.net.au

Hugh Laurie in the role of Mr Watts in “Mr Pip”.

Dour secret of Mr Watts “Mr Pip” (M) ANDREW Adamson’s perceptive film unfolds in a remote coastal village on Bougainville, but what Adamson and novelist Lloyd Jones want us to concentrate on is Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations”.

A curious combination indeed, but worth persevering with to see where it will take us. The only non-islander remaining in the village is Watts, whose islander wife is dying. The people are distressed by the lack of a school. Watts volunteers to re-open the building. His only teaching material is a copy of Dickens’ novel.

The screenplay is a wellconstructed development in which a young girl, Matilda, finds in herself a reflection of Estella. Her father operates a mining plant in Mt Isa. Her mother’s Christianity is approaching bigotry. As Watts reads the novel to the children, the whole village comes to listen. And one day a platoon of soldiers arrives to clear the village of Bougainville Revolutionary Army members.

Matilda becomes Watts’ acolyte, building from his readings vivid fantasy imageries harking back to the 19th century. These images see Dickens’ Pip as a handsome young islander in whom we have difficulty detecting the great expectations of which Dickens wrote.

Miss Haversham, Joe Gargery, Magwich and Herbert Pockets all have minor places in the film. But it’s Watts who most captures our attention. Hugh Laurie plays him with a dourness implying that he’s carrying a secret burden. And it is so. Worth waiting to discover what it is. The path to revelation gets very rough.

At Palace Electric and Capitol 6

“Fruitvale Station” (M)

NOVEMBER 19 - 23 For tickets call 6285 6290 or visit www.theq.net.au 36 CityNews November 14-20

IN this fictionalised documentary that is young writer-director Ryan Coogler’s first feature, Michael B Jordan plays Oscar Grant who, less than an hour into the year 2009, fell to a Bay Area Rapid Transit cop’s bullet and died a few hours later in hospital.

Oscar was no saint. He’d done time. He was not a good employment prospect. Coogler‘s film begins at

dawn on New Year’s Eve when he and Sophina (Melonie Diaz), the mother of four-year-old Tatiana, are enjoying intimacy in their bedroom in the apartment of his mother Wanda (Octavia Spenser, also one of the film’s producers).

Oscar’s intentions were as good as they might be in the circumstances.

The film follows his day to joining his buddies and Sophina to celebrate.

Wanda urges him to take the train rather than risk driving in traffic.

The gently political film leaves it to closing subtitles to explain events following Oscar’s death.

At Palace Electric

“The Counselor” (MA) RIDLEY Scott’s name on a film has always been a foreboding of tensions skilfully crafted and staged. Who, having watched his second feature “Alien”, can forget the creature emerging from Ripley’s belly?

Novels by Cormac McCarthy have been made into films notable for cracking good dramatic power – “The Road” and “No Country for Old Men”.

“The Counselor” combines the talents of these two craftsmen in a story of sublime human wickedness that is a challenge to unravel. A sullage tanker leaves Mexico en route to Chicago. What better concealment for a steel drum holding a large consignment of cocaine?

Stylish hedonist Reiner (Javier Bardem) has invited the counsellor (Michael Fassbinder) to buy a share.

The counsellor (he has no name) having seen Reiner indulging Malkina (Cameron Diaz), whose tastes and desires know no limits, wants the transaction to fund marriage to high-maintenance Laura (Penelope Cruz). Malkina is a woman to whom any man might aspire at some peril.

Laura, highly desirable, is a less-risky relationship prospect.

The counsellor engages Westray (Brad Pitt) to provide financial management guidance. The film follows the tanker north, leaving a trail of corpses in its wake. Only one of the principal characters will survive to the closing credits.

At all cinemas

arts & entertainment

Take a tasty trip to ‘healthy heaven’ THE proof is in the pudding. You don’t have to sacrifice taste or style to enjoy vegan food – sweet or savoury.

Wendy Johnson

Sweet Bones, an organic, vegan bakery at Braddon’s Lonsdale Street Traders, proves this every day it swings its doors open for business.

Most dishes on the rotating menu are a tapestry of flavours and based on seasonal fruit and vegetables. If you’re thinking “boooring”, think again.

Take my Tex-Mex burrito, for example ($13).

It was packed with big cubes of firm tofu, garlic, tangy lime verde, kale, corn, salsa, quinoa and sour cream. It arrived with a nice side order of nacho chips. It was a trip to healthy heaven. It was big on taste. And it guaranteed I was going to walk away super satisfied, which I did.

So did my friend who was presented with a large plate of gluten-free nachos (also $13) created with refried beans, olives, grated carrots (good for the eyes, don’t you know), hot jalapeno and corn salsa. We loved the heat and taste of jalapenos.

The dish looked chaotic, as a pile of nachos loaded

with goodies can do, but they sure hit the spot.

Also on the blackboard was a coconut bacon and cheesy cheddar burger, featuring caramelised onion and mushroom ($13) and an ingredient-rich granola ($13). Specials included banana bread made in-store and served with coconut butter ($4), as well as raw, organic, frozen, hand-made pie slices with cashew cream ($13).

Sweet Bones is compact and it’s easy, when crowded with customers, to wonder if you’ll ever get served. We adored the sweet seating area out back, with its eclectic range of furniture, plant containers, mirrors and other bits and bobs scattered about. This area is graced with the sun, however, and it’s quieter than sitting in the common area in the centre of Lonsdale Street Traders (lots of tables and lots of buzz for those preferring to be in the thick of it).

My friend’s latte would have gone well with one of Sweet Bones’ great cupcakes (no eggs

dining

Sweet Bones...most dishes on the rotating menu are a tapestry of flavours. or milk). It wasn’t the best coffee available in Braddon, but she preferred it over dandelion tea.

Sweet Bones now creates “eco-friendly organic cakes” – wedding cakes (three tier), other special occasion cakes (8”, 10” and 12”) and cupcake towers. They have a rustic, glamorous feel to them (one was on display when we visited). The only thing that might be a bit “dear me” is Sweet Bones’ warning that “nice people” provide two months’ notice to have one made. That’s a bit rich for some, but I suppose it’s infuriating to rush with fussy cakes requiring lots of tender loving care.

Sweet Bones, 8/27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.

Closed Mondays. Call 0413 067890.

Rep’s young face for season launch

By Helen Musa IN a move designed to signal that the company is anything but fuddy-duddy, Canberra Rep had two of its youngest members launch the 2014-15 season on at Theatre 3.

Sixteen-year-old Isha Menon and 22-year-old Ryan Drum introduced all the plays and directors in what turned out to be Rep’s 82nd season.

Menon, who made her stage debut for Rep earlier this year in David Williamson’s play “Don Parties On”, told “CityNews” that it had been “a fantastic opportunity”.

“I really support what Canberra Rep does… a lot of my friends came to see me perform and said they didn’t know Canberra Rep was a good place for young people, too,” she says.

Drum has been a member of the committee that selected the plays for the coming season.

Rep performer Isha Menon.

Director Ed Wightman.

In the directorial line-up for 2014, there proved to be some familiar faces, not least professional actor-turned-director and former Theatre Players scholar, Ed Wightman, who kicks off the season with Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”.

Another familiar directorial face will be company favourite, Aarne Neeme, who will stage “Arcadia” by

Tom Stoppard. Wightman and Neeme have both directed for Rep this year.

Undaunted by the fact that it appears on the Canberra Theatre’s 2013 season list, one of the company regulars, usually as an actor, Judi Crane, will direct “The Importance of Being Ernest”, by Oscar Wilde, in which several years ago she played a formidable Lady Bracknell.

For the first time, barb barnett will join the company to direct “Equus” by Peter Shaffer, one of the most popular serious dramas in the theatrical repertoire.

Another first-time director for Rep is Kate Blackhurst, who will direct Noel Coward’s ghostly comedy, “Blithe Spirit”. She was last seen on stage at Theatre 3 in “Improbable Fiction.”

And what has happened to the company’s traditional variety show? We got used to “Old Time Music Hall” then “Jazz Garters” but now, in a novel twist, Rep is staging “Showtune”, an off-Broadway revue celebrating the words and music of Jerry Herman, of “Hello Dolly”, “Mame”, “Mack and Mabel”, and “La Cage aux Folles” fame.

Photo by Brent McDonald

A taste of Italy

Traditional and Contemporary Italian Cuisine licensed and BYO bottled wine Centre Cinema Building, Garema Place, Canberra City la-scala@iimetro.com.au www.lascala.com.au

6248 8338

Centenary Wines DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PART OF CANBERRA! Proudly produced by the Canberra Wine Industry to celebrate Canberra’s Centenary.

Three Packs: Numbered bottles of Shiraz and Riesling are available with a Centenary Sparkling. These are collectors items.

Rep Season 2014-15, Theatre 3, eight packages available, bookings to 6257 1950.

BOTTLE PRICES: See in store or visit www.canberrawines.com.au/centenary

Special Three Packs: Numbers 2 to 98 – $200, Numbers 100, 1908, 2008, 1913 & 2013 – $300

A donation from proceeds will be made to the Centenary charity Dollars for Dili.

THE PERFECT GIFT

Buy the Centenary Wines as Christmas gifts or simply to enjoy during the festive Available at: • Pankhurst Wines – off Wallaroo Road, Hall season in this Centenary year.

• Canberra Cellars – Belconnen, Gold Creek and Braddon • Plonk – Fyshwick Markets (Numbered three packs not available through stores). Or order by email: centenarywines@canberrawines.com.au or phone: 6230 2592 CityNews November 14-20 37

Canberra building news edition 1 - 2011

O E P E CO ye s L BL • OJ NC S A , B ar 50 CI PR FE KA O et J L • O ye e ER tre 11 CH MM NTIA RGE ial • 50 n. W y e S 29 3 E O e cr T, 03 0 nt LA e D C e & • SI Da , AC 2-7 04 at gio h tur LL RE sid 40 ELL 624 42-7 br re is w fac of A • e le M g R H 2) 62 S • ce din hich anu ale We ITC : (0 2) l& M ne : (0 c l. n ar m as o x cia ye rou s w e ll s tia ell Ph Fa er a e w r n is m th d su ctic and ply side as w u p a ill om C w an pr lly su r re ds t.a u r a s ne .a s a I d. m ct err es loc y to alle l ya ts. on t.co c m e oi du b sin d ilit gp n s s bi me ro an u ce b du vic o a d b r r t o it@ kce t P e C le ou he al an pr Se km in en n th nab re s s t erci nd ur in .b ty :b w ali a ha sa rio em i ai ail ww C ess ust als nt mm et, pe Qu Em nk sin in s teri eme e co ark r su I u Bi u a g m b e C r e la ing ith o of liev w m ink m e o w th s! be r ra y. B from uild elc nd ter ou call ts e b NSW ry k a in ew c nt Jac Spr ar lo oje y th st eE h L sts re it AF pr ppl Ea

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Nature strip to lift the soul… in Ebden Street, Ainslie. of new species and cultivars now available. There has been a quiet revolution, not only here but worldwide, on how botanists classify plants.

Every plant is shown with a series of symbols to advise on the suitability for a particular purpose, ranging from their frost sensitivity to bird attracting and soil types. This advice is invaluable when considering plants for your own garden.

The first 100 pages provide all the advice you need on growing native plants, from soils to how to deal with pests and diseases.

Wrigley’s knowledge of Australian plants spans 50 years; he was curator at the Australian National Botanic Gardens from 1967 to 1981 and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1983 for services to the study and cultivation of Australian flora. With Murray Fagg, he has written more than 13 books on Australian plants.

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Unit at the ANBG for more than 25 years and was on the executive of the Australian National Herbarium until his retirement in 2012. This was after an amazing 42 years with the Botanic Gardens.

The professionalism of Fagg’s photography is evident in this new edition, which is available from the ANBG bookshop.

A SPECTACULAR display of roses and potted plants, floral art plus the popular plant stall with all plants grown by members will feature at the Horticultural Society’s “Spring Exhibition and Rose Show” at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, noon-5pm, on Saturday, November 16 and 11.30am-3.45pm, on Sunday November 17. Free entry and free parking. More information at hsoc.org.au THE CITY spring plant sale, which includes a range of seedlings, natives, shrubs, vegetables, flowers and trees prepared by horticulture students, will be held at CIT Bruce (entrance off Eade Street), 9am4pm, on Saturday, November 16.

Creating Sustainable Gardens Glenbog Nursery and Landscaping • growers of drought tolerant and frost resistant plants • new garden creations and garden makeovers • sustainable garden design and advice • providing a value for money solution Nursery open 9am to 5pm Wed to Fri 10am to 4pm Weekends.

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canberragardens.com.au 38 CityNews November 14-20

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Jottings...

• Get rid of saucers under outdoor containers that promote root rot. Lift the pots off the ground, even when on paving.

• Apply Neutrog “Seamungus Crumble”, a crumble form of chook poo and seaweed especially for pots.

• Plant Asters (Michaelmas daisies) now for autumn colour.

• Prune Spiraea (May bush) by at least a quarter to a third after flowering.

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puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / November 18-24, 2013

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) Don’t rush Rams! Think things through before you act – especially when you go shopping. Avoid being seduced by buy now, pay later offers. Be realistic about your current financial situation, otherwise there could be serious consequences in the months ahead. Enterprises begun on Wednesday are likely to do well, as your energy and enthusiasm are high.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) This week’s Full Moon is in your sign so many Bulls are in the mood for a makeover, as you experiment with a brand new image and beauty routine. But if you are stubborn and dig your heels in with loved ones you’ll get nowhere fast - being flexible will get you a lot further. Romance is in the air for long-time lovers this weekend. Singles – look for a lover who is also a friend.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) Talkative Twins are real chatterboxes and (over the next week) watch what you say, how you say it, and who you say it to - especially at work. You’ve got so many ideas buzzing around in your brain but Pluto encourages you to pace yourself. Be inspired by birthday great George Eliot “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) Capricious Crabs - are you ready for your monthly dose of Full Moon madness?

If you do your best to avoid touchy subjects and vexing people then you’ll get through the week OK, without major tantrums or buckets of tears. Jupiter gives you a welcome confidence boost on Friday, when professional problems or personal pressures slide off you like water off a duck’s back.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) Expect work worries or domestic dramas, as the Full Moon stirs up insecurities.

You’ll need to think (carefully) before you speak, and don’t add fuel to the fire by making thoughtless remarks that antagonise others. Instead, utilise your Leo leadership skills in smart ways. Creativity is high from Friday afternoon onwards, when the Sun shimmies into your self-expression zone.

General knowledge crossword No. 432 Across 4 Name an Australian cricketer noted as an aggressive all-rounder, Keith...?

7 What is an alternative term for frivolous enjoyment?

8 A sinew is also known as a what?

9 What do we call one’s female offspring?

11 Name one of the epidermal appendages which together constitute the plumage of birds.

13 Which term describes the bishop of Rome?

15 What, in music, is an elaborate showy passage?

17 Which weapon has three prongs?

20 What was the profession of Houdini?

23 Name the occupation of Figaro.

24 Which term refers to returned soldiers?

25 To which food group does edam belong?

Down 1 Which small blood-sucking insect is noted for its power of leaping?

1

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) This week’s Full Moon stimulates your sex/money zone, so expect dramatic developments to do with lust or loot. You prefer order and harmony in your daily routine but things won’t run according to your perfect plans. Don’t fight it Libra – just go with the flow. It’s a wonderful weekend to propose, get married, celebrate an anniversary or go on a romantic first date.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Solution next week

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Sudoku medium No. 116

Solution next week

Anti wrinkle injections: Myth or Fact I am 36 years of age and have noticed the lines on my forehead and between my eyebrows getting progressively worse. I squint a lot and I frown when I am concentrating.

My friends and colleagues keep asking me if I’m cranky even though I feel happy. I know my friends have tried anti wrinkle injections, but I am just not sure if it is safe?

You are not alone, I find that many of my patients want to do something about their fine lines and wrinkles, but are sometimes shy to try this treatment because of the stigma created about cosmetic treatments. It is funny because I know that many people may not even realise that their family or friends have had a treatment or have regular treatments.

If performed correctly, this treatment can be effective at removing unwanted fine lines and wrinkles, without people even knowing you have had anything done.

So what are some of the myths surrounding anti wrinkle injection treatments?

The product used is toxic to the body People are often concern about the safety of anti-wrinkle injections. The treatment is performed by injecting a protein that has been purified. It is completely safe when used in therapeutic doses in the right locations. The product once injected does not spread into areas outside the area being treated.

This treatment can distort your face and expressions Many people joke that anti-wrinkle injections can cause the face to look frozen or stop you showing any expression.

The truth is, facial distortion such as drooping eyebrow or lack of facial expressions are caused by having too much product injected, or that the product has been injected into the wrong muscles. Like with any cosmetic or medical procedure it is important to choose an experienced and qualified injector.

This treatment is painful Some people have had a bad or painful experience with this treatment in the past. This is not the case. There are several tricks that I use to minimise any injection associated discomfort. My patients are always surprised at how easy and painless the experience is.

Cosmetic treatments are only for older people When people talk about anti-wrinkle injections they picture someone in their 60s or 70s with lots of wrinkles. However, anti-wrinkle injections are extremely useful for the earlier signs of aging. Treating these lines early is the best approach so they do not become ingrained and therefore harder to treat.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You deserve to be taken care of. Call my clinic today on 02 6255 8988 to find out what may be possible for you.

Professional, Qualified, Experienced Dr Bernard Leung

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

In the right hands, anti wrinkle injections are safe, effective and painless. To achieve natural looking results, it is important to see a qualified professional.

S W O R D S H E H C A N I N E L N A C E N S O R O E R R T E M P E S L O N E G L I G V I O M E R C H A N Y L

F A E L I P O U A L E U T I H S S A Y I U V T S E P E R S E E U C O R P N T A S I L V

T R T I A N D S T I A S S E U E R

Sudoku hard No.115

Solutions from last edition Crossword No. 431

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2013

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Attached or single, with the Full Moon activating your romance zone, it’s time for charming Capricorns to flirt up a storm and have some fabulous fun! The more you nurture professional partnerships, the more support (and feedback) you’ll receive. And don’t limit your peer group to the same old safe crowd – it’s time to add some fresh faces to your circle of friends.

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Don’t procrastinate Pisces! The Full Moon stirs up your communication zone (and your emotions). So allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for meetings and appointments, then you won’t end up feeling stressed. When it comes to your aspirations and ambitions for the future, roll up your sleeves and get to work. The more proactive you are, the more successful you’ll be.

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The Full Moon activates your wellbeing zone so it’s time to shine the spotlight on your health and fitness, and make sure you’re up-to-date with medical and dental checks. And don’t make mountains out of molehills, especially at work. If you can maintain a sense of perspective (and humor) then you’ll get through this feisty Full Moon week with loads of sassy Sagittarian style.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

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A flexible and fun approach is the secret to a successful week. A stubborn attitude will only lead to a fraction too much friction. If you are patient and understanding then your personal relationships will gradually improve. Don’t be a selfish Scorpio – compromise is the key. Leisure activities are favoured, as you connect with like-minded people in your local neighborhood.

Have you been so busy worrying about the world’s problems that you’ve neglected home and hearth? This week’s Full Moon activates your domestic zone, so it’s time to lavish your Aquarian abode (and your loved ones) with plenty of overdue TLC. But your words could be misinterpreted on Sunday, so it would be wise to embellish them with some tactful sugar-coating.

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VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) Calling all Virgo fuss-pots! You have such high standards and can be very critical of yourself (and others). Try not to be too hard on loved ones and colleagues this week. The Full Moon’s in fellow earth sign Taurus so it’s time to relax, as you spend time in nature and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Let non-essentials go and focus on what’s really important to you.

2

2 Which device is aimed at, in shooting contests?

3 Name a coating which consists chiefly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide.

4 What is a poetic measure called?

5 What is the linear magnitude of anything?

6 To run away to marry, is to do what?

9 To banish someone from a country is to do what?

10 What is one’s personal property known as?

12 Name another term for a meal.

14 That which is esculent is said to be what?

16 What does a sovereign rule over?

18 Name a renowned Australian Aboriginal rock singer, Archie...?

19 Which tender tissue is in the pulp of a tooth?

21 In which beds do babies sleep?

22 Name a French novelist (1804-76), George...?

For more information on our procedures or to ask Dr Leung a question:

Facial Artistry 13 Murray Cres, Manuka www.facialartistry.com.au T: 6255 8988 E: info@facialartistry.com.au CityNews November 14-20 39

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