140911 citynews

JOHN GRIFFITHS / JENNIFER DISCOVERS THE INTERNET’S NAKED TRUTH SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

Brianna tests Jeremy’s patience MICHAEL MOORE Faulks fields the power of tourism

ROBERT MACKLIN Happy days of discovering food

MARK PARTON

Miracle Mum How baby Maddox beat the odds

smarter shopping special buys™ on sale

Switch, Save & See aldi.com.au for more

wed 10 sep

special buys™ on sale

sat 13 sep

Includes full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013

2

Touch Screen Display

YEAR

WARRANTY

$

1

YEAR

WARRANTY

399

4GB RAM 500GB 7,200 rpm hard drive

Medion 10.1" Multi Touch Notebook

99 99

$

High Pressure Cleaner 2400W

No primer required

Instructional DVD included

White

3

Black

YEAR

WARRANTY

SSilver Green

Stand Mixer

Full die cast base

$ cc

A

199

ess

de

d

$

or ie s inclu

Available in white or grey

9 99

$

ea

Lolly Jars

5

$

Spinach & Ricotta or Mushroom Pepper $16.64 per kg

1

garnish not included

Seaweed Concentrate 2L

for more visit aldi.com.au

7

$ 99

1099

per kg

Butterflied Pork with Mixed Herbs per kg $10.99 per kg

2

9 99

on sale 10 to 16 sep

per kg

360g

Chicken Breast Filo 360g

$

Metal Care Paint 1L

red hot SPECIALS $ 99

9 99

garnish not included

Chicken Breast Fillets Skin On per kg $7.99 per kg

3

2

$ 99

$ 99

$ 49

$ 49

1 kg

375g

per kg

1 kg

Australian Sundowner Apples 1 kg $1.99 per kg

Australian Sliced Mushrooms 375g $7.97 per kg

Australian Red Capsicums per kg $3.49 per kg

garnish not included

Australian Afourer Mandarins 1kg $2.49 per kg

OPENING HOURS: See your local store or www.aldi.com.au for details. Meat and produce prices valid from 10/09/2014 - 16/09/20 14 in the following stores: Albion Park, Ambarvale, Ashfield, Auburn, Bankstown Airport, Bankstown Central, Bass Hill, Batemans Bay, Belconnen, Birkenhead Point, Blair Athol, Bondi Junction, Bonnyrigg, Bowral, Canberra Centre, Canterbury, Carnes Hill, Chisholm, Chullora, Conder, Cooma, Dapto, Eastlakes, Edgecliff, Engadine, Fairfield Central, Fairfield West, Fairy Meadow, Glenfield Park, Goulburn, Gungahlin, Holt (Kippax), Hurstville, Kogarah, Lakemba, Leichhardt, Liverpool Plaza, Liverpool, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie, Maroubra, Marrickville, Menai, Minto, Miranda Central, Miranda, Mittagong, Mt Annan, North Strathfield, Nowra, Queanbeyan, Rockdale, Shellharbour, Tahmoor, Tuggeranong, Ulladulla, Villawood, Wagga Wagga, Warrawong, Waterloo, Weston Creek, Wollongong, Yass and Young stores. Some items are sold in pre-packed sizes. While stocks last – please note stocks are limited and will vary between stores. Despite our careful planning, we apologise if selected items may sell out on the first day due to unexpected high demand. In the event of unexpected high demand, ALDI Stores reserves the right to limit purchases to reasonable quantities.

ALM4438_W37_B

2 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

news / cover story

Denise and the miracle of baby Maddox GAZING at her six-week-old baby, kidney transplant recipient Denise Bridges can’t stop saying how lucky she feels.

“It’s surreal – even after I’d had the baby and was holding him in my arms for the first time, I was in shock,” she says. “Maddox is the baby we never thought would be, so he’s much celebrated. I feel so blessed to have a child.”

Denise, 39, was diagnosed with renal failure and a disorder called branchio-oto-renal syndrome, which can also affect sinuses and hearing, when she was 11. She had a transplant at 14.

“I’d always been a healthy child, so it was a shock for the family when I became ill,” she says. “We then found out it’s a hereditary condition and was something I’d always been at risk of without knowing it.”

Denise will take part in the Canberra Big Kidney Walk on September 21, to help raise awareness of kidney health.

“The walk is great because it gets people thinking about kidney health and organ donation, but it needs to be on people’s minds all year round,” she says.

“I understand it’s a difficult thing, and I honestly don’t know how I’d feel

Kathryn Vukovljak reports

about it if we hadn’t gone through this, but so many people are waiting for transplants that I think it’s important to talk to your family about your wishes.”

Denise was on peritoneal dialysis for three years, and suffered two serious bouts of peritonitis before getting the call to say a kidney was available.

The compatibility of the organ was unusually high at 98.9 per cent, and Denise says this is most likely the reason her transplant was so successful.

“It was such an amazing, nervous time,” she says. “I had mixed feelings, feeling so lucky but at the same time acknowledging that someone had died in order for me to be able to receive this new lease on life.”

Denise says that after the surgery, she went from feeling exhausted, puffed and on a strict diet to being a normal teenager with a healthy life.

“I could even have sleepovers,” she says. “As I got older I travelled around India, Europe, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, and I’ve also been able to have a successful career with no restrictions on my life.”

Denise says she focused on career and travel, but last year she met her

Denise Bridges and baby Maddox... “I grew up with the understanding that I wouldn’t be able to have kids.”

Photo by Gary Schafer partner Matthew Brooks and everything changed.

“I grew up with the understanding that I wouldn’t be able to have kids,” she says. “The peritonitis had scarred

my fallopian tubes, and pregnancy would also put a lot of pressure on the kidney and my medication could damage the baby.

“Matthew and I talked about it and

I gave him the option to proceed in the relationship or not, but he was fine with it – just upset for me.

“When we found out about the pregnancy he was thrilled. It was a huge shock but I saw my renal specialist who said I’m his healthiest patient, and if others can do it, he was confident I would have no issues.

“I was carefully monitored throughout the pregnancy but everything went smoothly, and Maddox was born safely via caesarean weighing 2.4kg.”

Denise says that since having Maddox, she’s been doing a lot of reflecting on the person who donated their kidney.

“It’s been 25 years now since I got this second chance and an opportunity for a healthy life,” she says. “My way to show my appreciation is to live life to the fullest.”

Denise says Maddox has a mild form of the condition, but has perfect kidney function and has had the all-clear for his hearing, which has brought a huge sense of relief for the family.

“He’s such a good baby, a happy, healthy boy, and I’m so very lucky,” she says.

The Canberra Big Red Kidney Walk starts near the National Carillon.

11am, September 21. Register online at kidneyhealthaustralia.com.au

Right now in

GOULBURN

there’s 3 bedroom homes with a 2 in front

It’s hard to believe that you could be settling into your first home for less than $300,000. It’s like going back to the 20th century. But in a vibrant city with all the mod cons. And less than an hour’s commute to Canberra.

And that’s not to mention the weekends where you will find yourself experiencing an entirely new feeling. In Goulburn, we call it relaxed. goulburnaustralia.com.au

ZOO 49732

SHORT TRIP, SMALL PRICES.

CityNews September 11-17, 2014 3

index

Since 1993: Volume 20, Number 34

Arts & Entertainment 18-21 Canberra Confidential 14 Cinema 18 Dining 21 Garden 22 Horoscope 23 Letters 8 News 3-13 Politics 6 Puzzles 23 Socials 15-17

Faulks fields the power of tourism Cover: Denise Bridges and six-week-old Maddox.

Photo Gary Schafer.

Story Page 3.

contacts CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Journalists: Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764, helen@citynews.com.au Senior advertising executive: Ernie Nichols, 0421 077999 Advertising sales executives: Graham Spencer, 6262 9100; Rebecca Dann, 0431 042087; Charlotte Cuttle, 6262 9100 Advertising sales co-ordinator: ad@citynews.com.au Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777 Production manager / graphic designer: Janet Ewen Graphic designer: Paulette Leo Photographers: Gary Schafer and Andrew Finch Proof reader: Glenda Anderson Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au

Well written, well read

seven days

Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Civic 2601

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

FULL marks to Business Council chief Chris Faulks for taking up the cudgels wielded by Federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese to get the Feds involved in promoting Canberra tourism. And she’s quite right about that awful “Feel the Power” campaign. It was counter-productive.

We reckon “Heart of the Nation” is the go.

Happily, Floriade just keeps getting bigger.

But as local gardeners pointed out, climate change means the blossoms are blooming two Chris Faulks. weeks earlier than they used to.

SPEAKING OF Albo, Labor pollster Rod Cameron this week warned that the party couldn’t win with Bill Shorten as leader, even with Tony Abbott’s popularity at rock bottom.

Just shows how silly the new leadership rules are – 60 per cent of members wanted Albo trumped by the factions in Caucus.

Floriade just keeps getting bigger. But as local gardeners pointed out, climate change means the blossoms are blooming two weeks earlier than they used to.

PLEASING to see Lib leader Jeremy Hanson backing off the political imbroglio that surrounded Mr Fluffy victim and advocate Brianna Heseltine this week. “I will continue to work with [her] in a professional capacity as is appropriate,” he said.

Her interview with Marcus Paul on 2CC – available through citynews.com. au – defending her right to join a political party showed just how effective she would be in the cut and thrust of parliamentary life. But for the moment the need to get proper compensation for the affected homeowners is the only priority. And the conciliatory attitude adopted by the Federal Minister Eric Abetz gives hope that a genuine solution is in the offing.

ABBOTT took his international statesmanship – and the Dancing

Shiva – to India after first giving the nod to the SAS to fly into Iraq with our resupply of the Kurdish fighters in their battle against “pure evil”. Plenty of that around: that massive international conspiracy of priestly paedophiles, for instance.

LOOKS like our former Deputy Chief Minister and Attorney-General Bernard Collaery could be headed for the Alexander Maconochie Centre if his Federal counterpart George Brandis has his way. Brandis sooled the AFP on to him this week and, if convicted, that could mean two years in the pokie.

Bernard was acting for East Timor and an ASIS spy when he allegedly told the ABC how the spy inserted bugs to discover their tactics in a big oil and gas negotiation. What fun if it goes to trial.

THE Sydney ICAC hearings took a further toll of pollies on both sides of the aisle this week, mostly over illegal fundraising. The obvious solution: all election funding to come from the public purse and be set at a reasonable limit. That way no one is beholden to lobby groups, from trade unions to dodgy developers.

SAD to see that even in enlightened Canberra we can’t escape the “concerned citizens” campaigning against the Gungahlin mosque. Their objection was thrown out by the courts and they missed the deadline for appeal. Still they persist. robertmacklin.com

ROBERT MACKLIN

Business F R E E storage STORAGE RELOCATION and delivery that’s a snap!

OFFER ENDS

1 OCT

2m x 2m

Storage units

4m x 3m

Storage units

6m x 4m Storage units

$165 PM

$265 PM

$365 PM

Manage your business storage with our iPhone app relocation of your items to our secure premises • Free online photo catalogue of all your items • Free free deliveries each month, either to or from your premises • 2Document available • Guaranteedstorage delivery within 24 hours •

snapnstore.com.au

4 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

ZOO 50453

Call 0418 626 586

THE FACE THAT CHANGED GARDENS “My goal for the project was to draw people out of their homes through the use of inspiring outdoor spaces that make outdoor living possible throughout the year.” – Jamie Durie, DURIE DESIGN

APARTMENTS FROM

$255,000 Designing the 6000sqm central gardens at Observatory was a task for only one person. A person with the experience, knowledge and international recognition to execute such a design. Breakout spaces, firepits for shared cooking, a training circuit and plantings, such as fruit trees and Australian natives that will thrive in the capital.

But that’s not where it ends. Jamie has gone that extra mile at the highest point in the garden by designing a spectacular iridescent red 25m lap pool that doubles as a water feature in the cooler months; giving Canberra a never seen before offering so carefully crafted, to perfectly redefine apartment living.

DID YOU KNOW?

A feature of the gardens is a Pear Grove – a space dedicated to relaxation, laying around, sharing a drink with friends and taking in the subtle sounds of the themed water garden.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

CONTACT MICHELLE DZAKULA ON 0409 007 163 OR EMAIL MICHELLE@GEOCON.COM.AU TODAY.

politics

Brianna tests Jeremy’s patience JEREMY Hanson is right when he says it is going to be more difficult for him to work with Brianna Heseltine after she announced her intention to run for the Labor Party.

SUMMER SAVERS

OVER $100 VALUE FOR ONLY

$10

Summer Saver coupons are now on sale at Lollipop’s Playland at Majura Park Shopping Centre. For only $10 you get over $100 value for the summer months. It’s time to party!

SAVE OVER $100 ON

SAVE OVER $100 ON OUR OFFERS!...

SUMMER SAVER OUR SUMMER SAVER $100 ON OFFERS!...

SAVE OVER $100 ON OUR OFFERS!... SAVE OVER

OUR SUMMER SAVER

SUMMER SAVER OFFERS!...

SUMMER SUMMER $10 SAVERS SAVERS OVER $100 VALUE FOR

SAVER OCTOBERFREE

OCTOBER SAVER

OCTOBER SAVER

OVER $100 VALUE FOR

$10

OCTOBER SAVER

WEEKDAY DAY BIRTHFREE BIRTHDAY DAY ENTRY FREE FREE WEEKKIDS’ DE PARTY UPGRA PARTY UPGRADE KIDS’ ENTRY CONDITIONS: Coupon must redeem offer. Not to be usedbe surrendered to in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid 1-31 October 2014 at to Park store Majura must be surrendered only.

CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with redeem offer. Not to be 1-31 October 2014 at any other offer. Offer valid Majura Park store only.

redeem must be surrendered to to be CONDITIONS: Coupon Not up to 8 guests. CONDITIONS: 1-31 Coupon must be surrendered to redeem offer on fully paid bookings offervalid on fullyonpaid bookings up to any other offer. Offer 8 guests. Not to be used in conjunction withPark store only. Not available used in conjunction with any October 2014 at Majura October 2014 at Majura Park other offer. Offer valid 1-31 store only. Not available on existing bookings. existing bookings.

NOVEMBER SAVER R SAVER NOVEMBE BUY

NOVEMBER SAVER NOVEMBER SAVER

1 KIDS’ MEAL E, GET A BUY 1 COFFE BUY 1 COFFEE, GET A MEAL BUY 1 KIDS’ GET 1 FREE FREE! CAKE SLICE CAKE SLICE FREE! GET 1 FREE CONDITIONS: Coupon must redeem offer. Not to be usedbe surrendered to in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid 1-30 MajuratoPark store only. Offer November 2014 at must be surrendered to equal value.

CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 November 2014 at any other offer. Offer valid Offer to equal value.

Majura Park store only.

must be surrendered to CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with CONDITIONS: at Coupon must be surrendered redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 November 2014 redeem offer. Not to be used in conjunction to any other offer. Offer valid with any other offer. Offer valid 1-30 November 2014 at Majura Park store only.

Majura Park store only.

DECEMBER SAVER DECEMBER SAVER

DECEMBER SAVER DECEMBER SAVER

2 FOR 1 WEEKDAY FREE KIDS’ FREE KIDS’ 2 FOR 1 WEEK KIDS’DAY ENTRY ICECREAM ICECREAM KIDS’ ENTRY CONDITIONS: Coupon must redeem offer. Not to be usedbe surrendered to in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid 1-30 December 2014 at tostore Majura Park must be surrendered only.

CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 December 2014 at any other offer. Offer valid Majura Park store only.

DECEMBER SAVER

R SAVER DECEMBE 2 FREE 2 FREE KIDS’ ENTRY KIDS’ ENTRY

CONDITIONS: Coupon must redeem offer. Not to be usedbe surrendered to in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid 1-30 December 2014 at to Majura surrendered Park store must be CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction withonly. redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 December 2014 at any other offer. Offer valid Majura Park store only.

JANUARY SAVER SAVER

JANUARY FREE KIDS’ FREE KIDS’ DRINK DRINK

CONDITIONS: Coupon must redeem offer. Not to be usedbe surrendered to in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid 1-31 January 2014 at to Majura be surrendered Park store only. must CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with redeem offer. Not to be 1-31 January 2014 at any other offer. Offer valid Majura Park store only.

must be surrendered to CONDITIONS: Coupon used in conjunction with CONDITIONS: must be surrendered at redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 December 2014 Coupon redeem offer.

Not to be used in conjunction to any other offer. Offer valid with any other offer. Offer valid 1-30 December 2014 at Majura Park store only.

Majura Park store only.

DECEMBER SAVER DECEMBER SAVER

BUY 1 KIDS’ BUYMEAL 1 KIDS’ MEAL GET 1 FREE GET 1 FREE must be surrendered to CONDITIONS: Coupon used CONDITIONS: with in conjunction Coupon at must be surrendered redeem offer. Not to be 1-30 December redeem offer. 2014 Not to be used in conjunction to any other offer. Offer valid with to equal othervalue.

Offerany offer. Offer valid 1-30 Majura Park store only.

Majura Park store only. Offer December 2014 at to equal value.

JANUARY SAVER JANUARY SAVER

MEAL BUY 1 ADULT BUY 1 ADULT MEAL GET 1 FREE GET 1 FREE must be surrendered to CONDITIONS: Coupon used with CONDITIONS: in conjunction Coupon redeem offer. Not to be redeem 2014 atmust be surrendered to 1-31 January offer. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid value. any other to equal Offer offer.

Offer valid 1-31 January 2014 Majura Park store only. Majura Park at store only. Offer to equal value.

The Opposition Leader has made great mileage over the Mr Fluffy asbestos debacle. That’s his job.

Holding the government to account is a prime role of the alternate government.

Mr Hanson knows that his role has just become more difficult.

There’s a flipside.

There is often a catalyst that spurs someone into politics. People involved in the union movement, Brianna Heseltine. industry bodies and trying to rectify a range of social wrongs realise that there is only so far they can go without having a hand on the tiller of decision making.

It is not surprising that Heseltine has determined that she can play a role in making a better society by being involved in politics. At this level she should be congratulated for being prepared to put her hand up.

More awkward is the revelation that Heseltine has been a member of the Labor Party for a number of months and had revealed this to her networks on social media.

The leadership she has shown in bringing the Fluffy issue into the public eye has been exemplary. She has worked with Senators, Labor and Liberal and, at the same time as working with the government, she has kept the opposition briefed.

Senators and MLAs understand that

More awkward is the revelation that Heseltine has been a member of the Labor Party for a number of months and had revealed this to her networks on social media. people lobbying for better community outcomes rarely rely on one side of politics, but seek to get an agreed approach across the political spectrum. This is how the Fluffy Owners and Residents’ Action Group has operated.

Hanson’s response suggesting that this group would feel “misled and let down” may prove to be the case.

Under the Hare-Clark system, community profile is a key element in getting someone elected.

It may well be that the ability to vote for Heseltine is much more important than the fact that she is running for Labor.

Voters may well vote for her personally and then move their vote across to a Liberal or Green candidate. The ACT electoral system allows this to happen and it is quite common.

Favouring the best candidates over party preferences is an appropriate way to vote.

The Labor Party hates the approach with scrutineers and officials describing it as “undisciplined voting”.

The Liberal Party has a similar, although less publicly strident, view to voters moving across party lines.

Ordinary members of political parties are also community members. In my view they do not have to disclose their membership until such time as they seek election themselves.

There are many reasons why people join political parties without the intention of standing for that party in an election.

Jeremy Hanson has explained what he sees as the conflict of interest: “This now calls into question Heseltine’s recent statements in defence of (Chief Minister) Katy Gallagher’s past inaction on the issue”.

Heseltine has run such a

vigorous public campaign that she deserves recognition for that advocacy work. There is no suggestion that she was just doing this for a personal political agenda – that would put the cart before the horse.

She explained in a public statement: “When this was first put to me, I was astounded that something that has brought my family so much devastation could possibly lead to a future in public life.

“I am asked by affected families on almost a daily basis whether I will go into politics after all of this. I think a lot of people can see that I actually care about them and the issue”.

No one can doubt Heseltine’s level of concern and care. It is a different issue now that she can see clearly how decisions that affect our community are made, that she has decided to take the next logical step to put her hand up for one of the 25 seats in the next Legislative Assembly.

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

Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe Majura Park Shopping Centre T: 6257 6011 www.canberra.lollipopsplayland.com.au

PAY PARKING

STARTS ON 1 OCTOBER 2014 PARKES

BARTON

ACTON

RUSSELL PRECINCT

The hours of parking operation will be 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

The new parking arrangements mean:

VISITORS will have better access to our national institutions

WORKERS will get into the office that little bit sooner, or attend meetings quicker

EVERYONE will spend less time circling car parks and more time enjoying the central parts of Canberra.

For more information: www.natcap.gov.au/parking 6 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

for real BONUS deals‌ from to make you even more comfortable!

LAST DAYS

ONUS! B e r o M in store deals

NORDIC 60

Portsea 2.5 seater with standard and large Nordic 60 Chair and Ottoman.

Choice of 4 Top Grain Prime Leathers, Latte, Havana, White, Black. *Conditions apply Nordic 60 Standard Chair and Ottoman $1599 Nordic 60 Large Chair and Ottoman $1699 Portsea 2.5/s $1499 Portsea 3.0/s Duo $1899

$4799

BONUS

3 piece set

Stack Table. When you purchase 2 seats or more

BONUS

Stack Table.

When you purchase 2 seats or more

PORTSEA

2.5 seater with standard and large Nordic 21 Chair and Ottoman. Choice of 4 top grain leathers. *Conditions apply

Nordic 21 Chair and Ottoman Choice of 4 colours.

$4399

from

3 piece set

$1399

ONUS! B e r o M in store deals

BONUS Stack Table.

When you purchase 2 seats or more

furniture & bedding

100 Barrier St, Fyshwick. 6280 4477 homemakerscanberra.com.au We're open from 9am - 5pm – 7 Days

*On selected items in store. Special prices and reductions may end without notice. - Images used for illustrative purposes only. ~ Finance & interest free TAP. berrysmith hm CW Sept 2014

opposite Harvey Norman Fyshwick Finance & Interest FREE Terms~ FREEgift voucher on our website

dose of dorin

COME A ND HE L P US CE L E B R AT E !

20 YEARS OF CANBERRA’S SUNDAY BEST

WENTWORTH AVE KINGSTON · 6295 3331 · OBDM.COM.AU

ZOO 51527

14 SEPTEMBER 2014

relax, revitalise, rejoice!

Surrender yourself to the ultimate renewal and energising experiences: using the power of nourishing Australian native oils and extracts.

Embracing traditional Indigenous healing techniques these deeply therapeutic treatments work to nurture, revive and restore.

Lowanna $165 Includes: Mirri facial treatment, express manicure, express pedicure Dreaming $305 Includes: Desert salt body exfoliation, healing mud wrap, Kodo massage, Mikiri facial, Miji Jina foot treatment, Miji Polama hand treatment Yanko Mirri Kodo $150 (valued at $170) Includes: Foot soak and cleansing ritual, Yanko body exfoliation, Miji Kodo massage, Mirri facial Celebrate Spring together...Mirri Kodo for 4. Buy 3 get one FREE

Phone 02 6257 8777 • 20 Jindabyne Street, Duffy ACT 2611 • www.jindii.com.au 8 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

opinion

letter

Happy days of discovering food

Inconvenient evidence flaws argument

WE had a wonderful conversation on my radio show last week about the massive changes to Australia’s culinary landscape in the last 40 years. These are changes that are strikingly obvious in Canberra.

The discussion was inspired by my mate Mike Crowther who was chatting on Facebook about the distinct lack of international food outlets in western Sydney when he was growing up there in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Mike recalls that he didn’t eat garlic bread until he was 18 and didn’t sample Chinese food till he was 19.

“There were no ethnic restaurants in the western suburbs.

Wogs ate with their families, not in restaurants, and it wasn’t till the late ‘70s that Australians from my part of the continent started to get game enough to try,” he wrote.

Mike’s experience is similar to mine.

Ours was a “meat-and-threeveg” household. My mother’s kitchen repertoire had about 12 main meals in it. She did them all very well, but variety was not on the agenda.

She did make a dish that she described as a curry… but in hindsight, it clearly wasn’t. She also served something that she referred to as spaghetti bolognaise, which we would smother in tomato sauce.

I can recall the first time we ate as a family at a dingy little Chinese restaurant in Northam in WA in the 70’s. I marvelled at the new exotic flavours unlike anything that came out of my mum’s kitchen.

I would have been 12 and it was the first time I’d ever laid eyes on a snow pea. And I can recall that

The first genuine Chinese restaurant to open in Canberra was Happy’s in the early ‘60s. one of these dishes featured thin slices of ginger. The flavour blew my mind.

Apparently, the first genuine Chinese restaurant to open in Canberra was Happy’s in the early ‘60s. Happy’s is still trading in Garema Place, which I gather is the original location. They did takeaway back then, but you had to bring your own pot. How quaint.

Former Duntroon cadet Rod called the program with his memories of Happy’s.

“We’d go and have a big feed every few weeks,” he said. “It really was the place to be.”

He recalled a night when he and his friends were particularly rowdy and told to leave. As he was ordering them from the premises, the owner of Happy’s reportedly told Rod and his crew, “Me not happy no more”.

Aren’t we spoilt for international cuisine in Canberra now?

What was your first international food experience either in or out of Canberra ?

Mark Parton is the breakfast host on 2CC.

MARK PARTON

I WRITE in response to the opinion piece by Michael Moore (“Smoking out Big Tobacco’s toadies”, CN, September 3), which makes inaccurate and defamatory claims about our Association and seeks to discredit independent research without any basis in fact.

Firstly, to be clear: the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores is not an arm of, nor do we lobby for, the tobacco industry.

While AACS does have tobacco companies amongst its members, the suggestion that AACS is merely a “front” for the tobacco industry is highly insulting.

Secondly, the research we refer to in discussing the additional cost burdens forced on small retailers and consumer tobacco purchasing habits following the introduction of plain packaging is sourced from some of the most credible research organisations in Australia and internationally.

As well as data from our own retailers, we rely on and refer to real data from sources including Roy Morgan, Deloitte, KPMG, Nielsen and AZTEC. Collectively, these companies produce research that is widely valued for its independence and accuracy.

Regardless of who funds the research undertaken by these companies, for their work to be dismissed and mocked, and for their and AACS’ independence to be questioned without basis in fact, is inappropriate and again, insulting.

The actual evidence to date concerning the retail implications of plain packaging is clear. It has had negative financial implications for small businesses, however sales continue to grow despite plain packaging. Obviously this evidence is inconvenient for the health lobby but we make no apology for this.

Jeff Rogut, CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores

Celebrating

years 15 in dental services As a thank you to all of our valued clients for their support and to welcome new patients, we present these offers...

TEETH WHITENING Philips Brand Zoom White in-chair

$550

Take home kit $160

Exam, X-ray, Clean, Fluoride*

Other General Dental*

NEW & EXISTING PATIENTS:

NEW & EXISTING PATIENTS:

No Health Cover – 25% OFF the total Bupa & MBP – Pay NO Gap Other Health Covers – Pay NO Gap

No Health Cover – 20% OFF the total Bupa & MBP – 5% OFF the Gap Other Health Covers – 20% OFF the Gap *See website for full terms and conditions

AMALGAM-FREE DENTAL CARE

GUNGAHLIN CENTRAL DENTIST

Shop 107, 54 Ernest Cavanagh St, GUNGAHLIN www.amalgam-freedentalcare.com.au

Level 1, 119/43 Hibberson Street, GUNGAHLIN www.gungahlincentraldentist.com.au

02 6242 6666

02 6242 5666

Build your dream home without exceeding your budget Whitecross Constructions specialise in:

lowbrow

Jennifer discovers the internet’s naked truth

• Custom build and extend • New home builders and knockdown/ rebuild in Canberra • 100% transparency on our work and complete unbiased and professional assistance

osing nude, in my P experience, is one of the ultimate feminist acts.”

‘A total building service from start to finish’ P 0403 016 168 + E aaeberha@bigpond.net.au + whitecrossconstructions.com.au +

Thai Food & Cultural Festival Sunday 21st September 2014, 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Thai Food from Local Restaurants Thai Products & Handicrafts ‘Rice is Life’ Exhibition Cultural Performances Muay Thai Tourism Showcase Fun & Games Live Band And much more…

Venue: Royal Thai Embassy http://canberra.thaiembassy.org 111 Empire Circuit Yarralumla ACT 2600

Rice Is Life

10 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

– Joan Smith, “The Guardian”, September 2

PRIVACY is a bit of a hot button topic this week.

On the international stage the winsome starlet Jennifer Lawrence (not to be confused with Canberra’s own Jennifer Lawrence who is entirely winsome but has yet to win an Academy Award) has joined the wider world in the desire to see herself naked, taking the pictures to fulfil that desire on her iPhone only to see them become public.

Due to, it seems, a bizarre combination of security flaws in Apple’s back-up system for iPhones her naked selfies have percolated through the sewers of the internet and, with a bunch of other celebrities, come into the broader public domain.

On the other hand, Canberra’s Queen of Mr Fluffy Victims, Brianna Heseltine, has posted unwisely to Facebook about her political ambitions, said a number of inconsistent things, and threatened to sue everybody.

Facebook privacy is, Brianna’s protestations aside, a relatively simple matter.

Unless one gains binding undertakings in advance, any information shared is the property of those it is shared with.

Let’s try and grasp how Brianna wants the world to work.

A figure engaged in a public advocacy campaign to enrich a small group of property investors who gambled badly on amosite asbestos deserve compensation (at least in terms of comparative disadvantage) at the expense of the homeless and mentally ill (I realise this is pushing the limits of debate, but Fluffy compensation money is going to come at the expense of many far worse off).

She wants to do this while planning a candidacy for the party of Government (as announced on her Facebook profile weeks before denying such plans on Radio 2CC), while claiming privacy and a right to sue everyone and anyone. (Deep breath).

Let us turn our thoughts back to Hollywood’s Ms Lawrence.

Celebrities, as loosely defined by regular appearances on late-night American television, tend to have

At home with Jennifer… pixilated for publication. an innocuous email address through which they conduct their personal business.

In my travels, I’ve gained a couple of them and the unspoken contract is that the address will never be used trivially and will not be shared with anyone else.

But armed with such information it has until recently been possible to fire brute force password attacks at Apple’s iCloud service. Once one knows that Jlawr@ jenniferlawrence.com (as a hypothetical and imagined example) is the target ID, then robots can run potential passwords at the server until the deep booming voice says: “Open, sesame”.

Because Apple runs superb back-up services above and beyond any other IT company, those two data allow a person in possession to build themselves a perfect replica of the starlet’s iPhone, including any nude selfies.

When the intricacies are beyond mighty Apple what hope the rest of us?

We start up a new phone to be bombarded by ill-defined messages asking us crucial questions.

“Automatic backup?” Well that sounds good doesn’t it?

One would like to think feminism has more to aim at as an “ultimate goal” than women taking pictures of themselves naked.

But should that urge prove irresistible it might be best to make sure the image capturing device has a simple enough information technology stack to really understand what it’s doing.

Failing that, Polaroids.

Shake it like a polaroid picture.

John Griffiths in the online editor for citynews.com.au

JOHN GRIFFITHS

9 Se ep epte pte em em Th The he new w seaso seaso on’s fashi a hio on on ns ha havve e arriv ar r ved ved at Hype Hype erdome do ome, s om so it’s ’s tim me me to od diitch ch h th he win he w nterr w wa ard r rrob be for be for aw wh h ho ole en new w sp pring ng llo ookk.

We’ve W e’vve a also so got got styylis sh h frree e gifts f ,* fts, exclu ex x lusi s ve fashi fas shion o an nd be nd bea b au utt y activ ac c ivvitie te es at our o r VI VIP P Style Styyle l G Garden arden, as s we well as s ffab prize ri es s to o be w wo o , on, inclu in c ud udin ng a $2,0 2 000 0 shoppin sh hopping p ng ssprree. ree.* So come com m on n in i and d let le et the th he transf ran nsformat form mattion on nb beggin. n Visit s t hy hyperdo pe dome om me.co .com om m.au au u fo or deta details ls s.

th hehy h p perd rdom ome e *T rms *Ter m and d co onditions n t ns apply. ap y. ACT C p permit m n num mber T m r TP 14 4/027 4/ 2795.

5

CFS, Colonial First State and Commonwealth are used by CFX Co Limited and its subsidiaries under licence from each of Commonwealth Bank of Australia and The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (as applicable).

CFST38919_CN N

LET YOUR STYLE BLOOM THIS SPRING.

Trenton Morrissey 2014 Allhomes Salesperson of the Year The Allhomes Salesperson of the Year Award is based on feedback directly from buyers and sellers. Trenton achieved the highest level of client satisfaction.

“Trenton’s professionalism, knowledge of the market and his enthusiasm for selling real estate ensured that the sale of both our properties well and truly exceeded our expectations” – Helen & Mason Owers

“I have absolutely no hesitation in referring my family and friends to Morrissey Property so they can experience the great service Trenton provides first hand!”

– Daniel O’Reilly

“Trenton is a first-rate real estate agent and communicator who was an absolute pleasure to deal with”

Trenton has won this award for two years running

– Val & Ray McDonald

“He is honest, helpful and stayed in constant communication throughout the entire process” – Megan O’Neill Johnston

“Our experience with Trenton and Morrissey Property was nothing short of true professionalism” – Craig & Amy Durbidge

0433 622 600 sales@morrisseyproperty.com.au 57A Strayleaf Crescent Gungahlin Specialising in Belconnen and Gungahlin property

news

briefly

Sew-viving in a big, tough world

Helping Helen

By Kathryn Vukovljak QUILTING’S not a nanna’s game, says local quilter Crystal McGann, and at the moment it’s not for the fainthearted either, as she’s at the pointy end of an international online elimination sewing competition, “Sew-vivor”.

Run by US blogger Rachel, from Family Ever After, “Sewvivor” includes the requisite series of challenges and twists for brave sewists everywhere – although only 16 get past the initial audition process.

This is the third time it’s run, and as this is the “Quilter’s Edition”, Crystal – who’s made it to the final five – thought she’d give it a shot. She auditioned with her quilt “Modern Medallion”, which she says “most represents who she is and who she wants to be as a quilter”.

“I’m really excited to be in the final five. I think it’s a very big deal, and I’m the only Australian – and Canberran – left in the competition,” she says.

“It’s been amazing, but it’s hectic, it’s crazy, it’s stressful but

so much fun at the same time.

“My husband has been really supportive, particularly as we have two young children, but he’s also wondering when it will finish!”

Crystal says the themes so far have been to make something nautical, a bag, something with hexagons and for the final round, a lap quilt.

“You can interpret the theme however you want, so for nautical I made a quilt with an iceberg and a paper boat floating around, and my bag was a round design inspired by washi tape,” she says.

Although the competitors know the challenges ahead of time, Crystal has been making them as she goes along, which gives her two weeks to complete each project.

“Quilting is my creative outlet, although I wouldn’t say I always find it relaxing, sometimes it’s really difficult.

“But what I like about it is the complexity; you can make it as easy or as hard as you want, depending on your skill, so there’s always something new to learn and something different to try.”

Crystal is a member of the Canberra Modern Quilt Guild; 30 or so quilters who meet every

month in the Civic Library.

“We catch up, show and tell, share techniques, swap fabrics and troubleshoot in a pretty informal environment,” she says. “The social aspect is really lovely. The quilting community is quite massive and it was great to discover so many local people.”

“Sew-vivor” wraps up at the end of September, with a lot more frantic late-night quilting to come in the weeks ahead.

“For my hexagon design I’ve hand-quilted with linen and dress wool – I might not be able to feel my fingers by the end,” says Crystal.

Facing a combination of five judges and a public vote, the winner will receive a prize pack of tempting sewing goodies.

Crystal says that while the competition started out with everyone being friendly and supportive, things have changed now.

“We used to chat online all the time, and there was no real competition between us,” she says. “It’s not like that now! But that’s okay, it was pretty full-on.

It’s getting competitive.”

Visit familyeverafterblog.com to follow Crystal in her quilting quest.

HELEN Rimanic is staging “The Great Pretenders – Tribute to the Stars” to fundraise for a prosthetic leg for her friend, Liz Woodhead, who has been suffering from cancer in her leg and lung. The theme of the night is to “Get Liz Back on Her Feet Again”. At the Vikings Auditorium, Erindale, 1.30pm, September 14.

Tickets at $30 from 6253 1454.

Help for anxiety A FREE 12-week Canberra anxiety self-help group course starts on Monday, September 15. Facilitated by Mental Health Australia, the course consists of 12 weekly meetings of small supportive groups led by two facilitators providing a “supportive, non-judgmental and enjoyable environment”. Intending participants should call the Mental Health Association on 9339 6093.

Going for a song THE Woden View Club will celebrate Woden’s 44th birthday at its monthly lunch on September 23 at the Southern Cross Club. The Canberra Girls’ Grammar Choir will perform and the theme is “music”. The cost is $24 and intending visitors and interested ladies should call 6281 2022 to book.

Opal insights Quilter Crystal McGann with her audition quilt, “Modern Medallion” and the bag that got her through... “The competition has been amazing, but it’s hectic, it’s crazy, it’s stressful but so much fun at the same time.”

Photo by Gary Schafer

AND at the Tuggeranong Evening View Club, opal miner Lloyd Hall will be the guest speaker at the dinner at the Town Centre Club, corner of Rowland Rees Crescent and Athllon Drive, Greenway on September 24. RSVP to tuggeven@gmail.com or call 6286 7526.

www.facebook.com/canberrababyexpo

CANBERRA

Baby&Beyond Expo

Proudly supported by

Tickets available online and at the door

Supported by:

Exhibitor list and session schedule available at

CityNews September 11-17, 2014 13

Canberra Confidential Mama makes the finals Tina to the rescue CANBERRA mum Amy Luttrell, pictured, designer of the Mama Chic Do Not Disturb (DND) pram sleep cover, is “absolutely bursting with pride” to be a finalist in the jaw-trembling AusMumpreneur Awards.

“I’m still in shock that I made it to the finals and am just so proud,” she says.

Amy is one of 10 finalists in the Product Innovation category for her pram sleep cover, which creates a dark, peaceful sleeping environment for baby.

The winners will be announced at a gala event on October 11 in Melbourne.

LAST week’s cover gal, singer Tina Arena, captivated her audience with a powerful performance at Llewellyn Hall on Saturday night and left the stage in what appeared to be a sincerely tearful state of gratitude for the warm, standing ovation she received in Canberra.

As CC sat grumpily amid an irritating array of flickering smartphone screens thoughtlessly photographing and recording her performance, Tina sarkily asked one fan with an iPad in the front rows if everything was okay at home and if it was, perhaps they could sit back and enjoy the show! Love you, Tina!

Vote online at surveymonkey.com/s/ausmumpreneurproduct. Voting closes at midnight on Monday, October 6.

Punished by Facebook HERE’S a teapot-calling-the-kettle-black moment as a would-be marketing “spammer” complains that Facebook won’t let him, but Twitter will…

“As the Facebook algorithm continues to play havoc on organisation’s (sic) audiences, we have done a complete flip from Facebook to Twitter as the most dominant social media platform for us,” writes local PR spinner Jamie Bradnam.

And if you wondered why your social media world is becoming sullied by marketing messages, Jamie cheerfully explains: “The beauty of Twitter is that you are able to repeat a message multiple times at different times of the day to reach different audiences. If I ever post the same thing on Facebook twice, I’m certain that Facebook punishes it the second time around and audiences pick up on it.”

Gone to the dogs?

THERE is the old joke that Assembly members in our small community would turn up to the opening of an envelope if you let them. So CC is unsurprised to see the media resources of the Chief Minister’s office used to announce

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

(“Former public servants follow their dreams”) that Katy Gallagher would launch a dog walking and minding service at the Yarralumla dog park.

Save your money SELLING your home? Here’s some advice on not wasting your money on real estate print advertising embedded in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s decision to bless the buyout of real estate website Allhomes by Fairfax’s Domain entity.

“Market inquiries indicated that aggregating Fairfax’s print and online assets with Allhomes was unlikely to change the current competitive dynamics. This is due to the dominant position of Allhomes in the ACT and the decrease in circulation of ‘The Canberra Times’,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Jill Walker said.

“The ACCC noted that in comparison to its presence in other States, Domain was a weak competitor in the ACT and its market position was unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.”

Sir Angus it may be THE shadowy Braddon Punters Club, which for a couple of years has made consistently accurate albeit anonymous political predictions (though the downfall of Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson is eluding their scoreboard), has turned up with its “Spring Carnival Political Update”.

They are suggesting odds of 5/4 on that former Defence chief Angus Houston will get a knighthood, former Liberal senator Gary Humphries is a 3/1 chance of being appointed a Territory administrator (Christmas Island post Jon Stanhope CC wonders?), Katy Gallagher is 2/1 chance for the Senate (succeeding Kate Lundy?) and former Chief Minister Kate Carnell is an improbable 2/1 punt on her returning to the Assembly.

The Cole of old

“Clean living obviously pays”, purred a local arts matron when forwarding this photo of Canberra opera darling Tobias Cole taken about 10 years ago when he played in “Death in Venice” for the Chicago Opera Theatre. Photo

by Liz Lauren. Toby is back, centre stage, in the title role of Alexander in the Canberra Choral Society production of Handel’s “Alexander Balus” at The Playhouse, Saturday, September 20. Story, Page 19.

A I R T S U A I K S

lists ia c e p s r u o t snow s r u Z & h c with the Le

January 2015 There are still a few spots left in January for our Austrian ski trip, wonderful skiing and fine dining in one of the worlds top ski resorts Lech am Arlberg.

SKI AUS TRIA WITH H ANS & TINA EVER JANUAR Y Y

14 nights in on-snow accommodation , guided skiing, transfers to and from Zurich airport, ski pass, all breakfasts and dinners and a moonlit horse and sleigh ride.

If you have a partner who doesn’t ski there is always lots to do in the beautiful village of Lech.

Join Hans and Tina owners of Arlberg Ski Centre on this prestige trip, nothing else compares.

14 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

www.arlbergskicentre.com.au For prices please contact Tina via email: tbeiser@bigpond.net.au phone 02 6456 3177

scene / around canberra

invite us / scene@citynews.com.au

Social event of the week / ‘Tone, Colour and Space’ festival opening “TONE, Colour and Space”, an annual festival of performing and visual arts by Lake Tuggeranong College, was opened by Arts Minister Joy Burch at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre last night.

It’s a new approach to give students the chance to perform and exhibit in a community space and is an ideal partnership with the Art Centre and a valuable opportunity to experience the transition from school to community.

And it would seem these students are doing just fine. Their enthusiasm well nurtured and harnessed with some exceptional work in the art exhibition with drama, music and singing on show and the most fascinating and thought provoking display of “book reconstruction”. It probably has a special name as an art form and, let’s be honest, it would be difficult to display around the family home, but I loved the detail and thought behind the de/ reconstruction.

Amy Collins found a book from Hawaii in the 1920s called “Blood and Orchids” by Norman Katkov.

“Not very well written,” according to Amy, but with a South Seas décor, a bottle of gin and some playing cards hidden inside – it was Prohibition time – it becomes a funky edition of a forgotten book.

Rachel Rooney, Ashleigh Buckley and Tegan Mulquiney

Mark Will, Arts Minister Joy Burch, Julie Murkins and Danuta Mrowka

Amy Collins Cassidy Richens

Olivia Hoitink, Rhys Coles, Indica Burnet and Aaron Sharp

Mary Hill and Lottie Le’Strange

Until September 13.

Samantha Sweeney, Keill Harrison, Joe Lloyd and Mikayla Lewis

Abiah Bull and Callum Feint

Abby Knoester and Josh Peisley

Kyle Leditsehke and Zoe McDonald

You’re invited to the

t s a o R y a d Sun

Family Friendly • Gentle & Caring • Children in Health Funds – No Gap clean & check ups • Children eligible for the Medicare Dental Benefits Scheme – Bulk Billing • Quality Cosmetic & General Dentistry • Orthodontics • Easy parking • Open Saturdays!

Sundays from 10am, 2CC Talking Canberra presents an exciting new concept on Canberra radio – the CityNews Sunday Roast.

It’s a program that will trigger conversation and debate with news, views and background to issues that affect the great city in which we live.

And it’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” writers and 2CC’s local personalities.

3/25 Mustang Avenue Majura Park Medical Centre, Majura (find us between Costco and Trade Secret)

Phone: 6247 1999 Email: info@airportsmilelounge.com.au www.airportsmilelounge.com.au ALSO IN CANBERRA CITY The Smile Lounge, Suite 5, 88-96 Bunda Street. Phone: 6247 5100

Be a part of the discussion and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon CityNews September 11-17, 2014 15

13 SEPTEMBER - 12 OCTOBER 2014 COMMONWEALTH PARK - CANBERRA FLORIADEAUSTRALIA.COM

If only it was this easy...

scene / around canberra

Controlling eczema is so much more

At the Women in Racing charity lunch, Hellenic Club, Woden

than dabbing on a bit of cream.

Photos by Andrew Finch

Healthy Skin Clinic helps by tackling the triggers of your eczema, not just the symptoms. No cortisone needed.

We also treat:

+ Psoriasis + Acne + Rosacea + Nail problems + Dermatitis

Franca and Dayle Redden

Rosemary Dukes and Mary Morgan

Danielle Cleary and Maile Steele

Jan Palmer and Liz Susic

Formerly Psoriasis and Skin Clinic

6295 6040 49 Jardine Street, Kingston Guy Clews - ND., DBM

Luke Clews - BSc., ADN

www.goodskincare.com.au Health Fund Rebates | Eftpos

Sue King, Wanda Halpin and Cherryl Ware

Emma Anderson, Patsy Sheales, Larissa Sinclair and Frances Heaney

Valerie Sellers, Rosemary Harrison and Ellnor Grassby

Member Australian Traditional Medicine Society Ltd

CANBERRA LIVE Weekdays 3 - 6pm @CanberraLive2CC 2cc.net.au

Amelia Favretto and Dale Dunn

Chris Hawke, Michele Campisi, Shirley Tonkin, Sue Harrison and Hayley Tonkin

RMH CANBERRA CHALLENGE Friday 19 - Saturday 20 September www.rmhc.org.au/canberra-challenge Proudly Supported by: Canberra

16  CityNews September 11-17, 2014 Canberra

Marilyn Fenner and Diana Lipscombe

scene / around canberra

invite us / scene@citynews.com.au

At Opera Australia’s opening night, Canberra Theatre

At the launch of The Mandarin, National Press Club, Barton

At the Allan Key Sportslovers’ Lunch, Brassey Hotel, Barton

Kate Alexander and Jack Volker

Jessica Mummery and Casey Rogers

Jason Kibsgaard and Marina Go

Jessica Gamble and Justine Duncan

Brett Anderson and Trish Philpott

Mary Porter MLA and Ian De Landelles

Sandra Willis, Kate McMillan and Penny McCabe

Mark and Andrew WildenConstantin with Glenn Brighenti

Michelle Balaz, Kim Ulrick and Ben Galdys

Linsey Bamping, Nick Bastow and Jo Rose

Max Mercer, Bob Samarcq and Gwyn Rees

Peter Bisa with Meg and Mark Smith

Carolyn and Helen Shelper

Rogina Hitchcock and Frances Wiesberger

Lee Eaton and Colleen Hanrahan

Allison Hornery and John Wells

Richard and Pam Faulks

Merryn Brown and Pat McCann

Gentle and experienced care City Walk Centre, Civic

02 6247 8400

www.moderndentistry.com.au

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

Call for whitening offers CityNews September 11-17, 2014 17

arts & entertainment / cinema

Who can you trust?

“Bethlehem” (M) IN writer/director Yuval Adler’s feature debut, Israeli secret-service officer Razi (Tsahi Halevi) is running a mole in an extremist group – Hamas, Palestinians, whatever; the film from its outset presents difficulties understanding exactly which group is which in the conflict on the streets of Tel Aviv.

Playing both sides of the fence, teenager Sanfur’s (Shadi Mar’i) current task is to locate his brother Ibrahim, the terrorist leader whom Razi has been pursuing for a year.

“Bethlehem”, so significant in the Christian faith, is a battlefield where fighters from all sides openly carry short arms. The film’s structure presents awkward contrasts between non-belligerents and fighters for whom life has scant value. Alliances between rival groups don’t last. Two members of different groups seem to be co-operating; one disposes of the other with as little concern as flushing a toilet.

Hollywood filmmakers could learn useful lessons from the energy, brio, verisimilitude and style with which Adler stages his quasi-military streetfighting. The inner workings of characters’ souls provide him and co-author Ali Wakad (who also plays a journalist) with fertile fields for exploration, cultivation and manipulation. The film’s bottom line is, who can you trust? For how long? And for what reason?

At Capitol 6

“Boyhood” (M) RICHARD Linklater’s cinematic observation of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) between ages six and 18 has garnered praise for its content and admiration for how cast and crew assembled one week in each of 12 years to film it.

For several years Linklater was fixated on telling the story of “a parent-child relationship that follows a boy from the first through the 12th grade and ends with him going off to college”.

Beginning that process in 2001 was an act of more than a little courage and optimism (fortunately, all the main players were still available to film the closing sequences.)

It’s about life middle-America style. Mason’s parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) are divorced. Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) is Mason’s older sister from hell (with some prospect over the years of amelioration of her attitude but you have to wait for it). Mother leaves second husband Bill (Marco Perella) also from hell, a bullying alcoholic psychology lecturer. She takes a degree and becomes a high-school teacher.

These people are the foundation environment for Mason’s development. The film presents less a plot than a beginner’s guide to growing up. In the single-digit years, his development complexities are relatively simple. Puberty brings the challenges confronting all boys. Adolescence brings the delights of dishy Sheena (Zoe Graham). Mason leaves home for university perhaps wiser, happier and a little optimistic.

Already winning industry awards, “Boyhood” runs for 165 minutes, improving as it goes.

At Capitol 6 and Dendy

“Into the Storm” (M) STEVEN Quayle’s second feature (in 2011, I gave half a star to his first, “Final Destination”) “Into the Storm” cost $US50million and Americans have already paid twice that to see it.

Others have described it as a “found-footage disaster film”. Every frame of it has been carefully staged.

However, “disaster” hits the mark well enough.

High-school deputy principal Gary (Richard Armitage) takes his younger son to school while the older one goes off to shoot footage for a class assignment. Down the track, tornado hunters driving a van packed with weather-sensing and comms gear and a supposedly tornado-proof custom-built vehicle carrying a camera team, are desperate to get up close and personal with a tornado so that they can sell the footage for big bucks.

Today’s their day. But the footage will cost big bucks. Every buck they have, in fact.

Directing the school population and the tornado hunters through not one, nor two but four tornadoes that obligingly enter town along main roads before veering into buildings that Quayle wants them to demolish, John Swetnam’s screenplay runs on trite cliché dialogue and exaggerated situations.

The CG disaster footage looks great (one star for that). The plot might have made better sense had it tried harder to respect viewers’ intelligence by offering even slim consistency and credibility.

At Capitol 6, Palace Electric, Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight

DOUGAL MACDONALD

Arthur Boyd’s “Europa and the bull” (1951–52).

“Self portrait in red shirt” (1937).

Boyd in agony and ecstasy

By Helen Musa

CURATOR Deborah Hart has been grappling with “agony and ecstasy” for the past three years putting together a show about one of Australia’s greatest painters.

Dr Hart, senior curator of Australian painting and sculptor at the National Gallery of Australia, insists “Arthur Boyd: Agony and Ecstasy” is most definitely not a retrospective, but it does look at more than 120 works across the media of painting, tapestry, print and ceramics, examining the work of “one of our most accomplished arts artists in terms of stylistic matters”.

Placing a strong emphasis on figures rather than landscapes, she has enjoyed the rare opportunity of being able to look at groups of Boyd’s work to see the interconnections in works completed over a 40-year period.

We will see his disturbing “Nebuchadnezzar” series, hinting at the Vietnam War, and his “The Lady and the Unicorn” series, painted in collaboration with the poet Peter Porter and sometimes reversing the roles of hunter and the hunted.

“The unicorn sees the lady” (1973–74).

Of special interest to Canberrans, she believes, will be Boyd’s “Caged painter” series, conceived during a residency at the ANU from 1971 to 1972 and reflecting the brilliant sunlight so long missed while he was in England.

Among the many works never exhibited before and revealing the human condition is “The Prodigal Son”, a large, preserved fragment of a mural painted for his uncle, novelist,

Martin Boyd, while the artist played Beethoven’s 7th Symphony – agony and ecstasy together.

Hart tells me that the title was intended “to try and get across Arthur Boyd’s experience, and his personality”.

To her, we see the agony in his struggle in being an artist and the ecstasy in his ideas that transcend that struggle.

One thing that impressed her during the course of curating the exhibition was the profound element of compassion in Boyd’s works in the first room of the show, where we’ll see reference to the human suffering in World War II. In his biblical and mythical works too, she notes, he brings the suffering of the past and the present together.

By happy chance, Hart met Boyd during the 1980s and Boyd’s extraordinary energy and his activity struck her so much that she couldn’t imagine he ever took any time off.

“Yet he came across as the most gentle, reticent man, very humble when you consider the amount of work he had done,” she says.

Gentle and unassuming perhaps, Hart says, “but there must have been something going on inside”.

“Arthur Boyd: Agony and Ecstasy”, National Gallery of Australia, until November 9.

LOVE CLASSICAL MUSIC?

2014

ART GRANTS

Songland specialises in classical!

Ask for Fliss (ex. Abels) she’s classically trained!

NOW

OPEN

www.songland.com.au

OPEN mon-wed 9-5.30, thur 9-7, fri 9-8, sat 9-5, sun 10-4

Cooleman Court Weston Creek | 6293 4677 18 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

YOUR 7 DAY Serious Moonlight, Julie Bradley 2013, 50x150cm detail

AGENCY

APPLICATION FORMS AVAILABLE @ THE WEBSITE CLOSING MIDNIGHT Monday 15th September AUCTION NIGHT Saturday 4th October 2014

www.capo.org.au

Enfold, Harriet Schwarzrock 2014, 30x40x34cm

THE HOME OF THE HARD TO FIND!

arts & entertainment

By Helen Musa TOBIAS Cole seems like a man with a mission – two missions, in fact.

Fresh from playing the title role in State Opera SA’s August production of Philip Glass’s opera “Akhnaten”, where director Leigh Warren had him moving among his dancers, Cole has come to respect works where movement plays an important role.

That links nicely, Cole says, to his newest plan, to set up what he calls a “body and voice” company.

“It’s high time we had a company that encourages the use of every faculty available for expression – it’s the way to go,” he tells me.

The other big thing in Cole’s life at the moment is the coming Canberra Choral Society production of Handel’s “Alexander Balus”, which depicts King Ptolemy of Egypt manoeuvring and using his own daughter Cleopatra to get Alexander Balus off the Syrian throne.

“The music in it is up there with his best and the final aria by Cleopatra is one of most glorious arias in Handel’s writing,” Cole enthuses.

He’s being careful to call it neither an opera nor an oratorio, just Handel’s “Alexander Balus”, so not to turn people off.

He’ll be staging the work in two carefully-trimmed segments of 55 minutes each, with one interval. In

the first two acts of “Alexander Balus” nothing much happens, but Act III has “action galore”, he says.

Taking Handel to The Playhouse, with its “possibility of intimacy”, was a canny move.

“I think musicians tend to rely too heavily on reverberant conditions,” he says.

“You have to work a little harder in a drier space like The Playhouse, but it’s worth it.”

Cole will sing the title role of Alexander. His opposite number, Jonathan, the brother of Judas Maccabeus, will be sung by Australian tenor Christopher Saunders.

They first met in 1993 when both were finalists in the Marianne Mathy singing competition.

Cleopatra will be played by Melbourne soprano Jacqueline Porter, known for her work with Victorian Opera.

Conductor Brett Weymark will lead the Canberra Choral Society augmented by some of the ANU Chamber Choir and 11 players performing on baroque instruments. Erin Helyard will play harpsichord and Peter Young the organ.

And what will next year’s Handel be? – it’s always a Handel – Cole can’t/won’t say, but says: “Don’t worry, Handel is going to keep us all very busy for the next 20 years.”

Handel’s “Alexander Balus”, Canberra Choral Society, The Playhouse, Saturday, September 20, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Glass artist breathes easy CONGRATULATIONS to Queanbeyan glass artist Harriet Schwarzrock, winner of the Sculpture and Objects prize in the ever-fascinating Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize recently announced at the SA Museum and coming to the National Archives on September 26. Schwarzrock has used tinted, blown glass to create plant-like fronds that trace the word “breathe.”

THE inaugural Matt Withers Young Australian Music Composition Competition aims to generate new Australian music and support emerging composers.

First-place winner Jack Frerer, of Sydney, has won $500 for “House Away From Home”. Canberra’s Chloë Jay came second with “Insect Reflection” and third is Clare Johnston, from Melbourne, for “Leaving”. All three composers win a live recording opportunity and a performance at the National Arboretum in November.

THE Griffyn Ensemble has joined forces with Canberra pop-duo Alison Oakleigh and Pete Lyons of The Cashews, to put together “House on Fire”, new music to match the Boyd exhibition at the National Gallery. Hosted by Clancy the Cockatoo, the program features songs about bogong moths, mountain tops

Helen Musa arts in the city

and the local landscape, and includes a special event inside James Turrell’s “Skyspace”. At the NGA, 2pm, September 13 and 14, bookings via iwannaticket.com.au “QUEEN – It’s A Kinda Magic” will be at Canberra Theatre on September 14. The show recreates Queen’s 1986 world tour concert, featuring more than 20 hits, including “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions”. Canadian performer and instrumentalist Giles Taylor plays Freddie Mercury. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

WE hear there’ll be lots of “stitchy goodness” at the annual exhibition of the ACT Embroiderers’ Guild in Albert Hall. The show will be opened at 7.30pm on September 18 by Brendan Nelson, director of the Australian War Memorial, and it’s open to the public, 10am-4pm, September 19-21. One highlight will be a commemoration called “Stitching Love and Hope”, featuring members’ work re-interpreting World War I silk postcards.

Tobias Cole, who will star in Handel’s “Alexander Balus”.

LUXURY COACH TO LYRIC THEATRE, SYDNEY

The Musical

Give a Pre Christnas Gift for someone special

SAT 13th DECEMBER.

Coach departs 7am for a 2pm matinee.

Returns approx. 9.30pm Departs from Jolimont Centre.

Coach can also pickup in Goulburn.

Departs 8am from McDonalds Goulburn Direct to Lyric Theatre.

Fully escorted Luxury Coach, A Reserve show ticket Surprises and fun on board.

$210 per person

CONTACT: Coralie Wood Publicity on 0418 249 658 for further information and bookings Bookings must be finalised by 8 October

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

The many roles of Tobias Cole

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CH0254.indd 1

28/08/2014 2:22 pm

BANJO PATERSON Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of his birth A Solo Exhibition by Ted Lewis

19th September – 14th October 2014

Opening Friday 19th September 5.30-7.30pm with performance by Max Cullen

RSVP by 14th September (limited spaces available)

Featuring works by: Ted Lewis (Paintings) Brett Garling (Bronze sculpture) | Max Cullen (Performs)

30 Sept– 4 Oct 2014 Aarwun Gallery, Federation Square, Nicholls ACT 2913 P: 02 6230 2055 | W: www.aarwungallery.com | E: aarwuncanberra@bigpond.com CityNews September 11-17, 2014 19

In the mood for Floriade / advertising feature

Time to get busy in the garden One of Canberra’s largest garden centres and Belconnen’s only solely dedicated nursery.

Where plant life, is our life Serving the community and residents of Belconnen and Canberra for over 30 years.

148 Parkwood Road, Macgregor ACT P: 6254 6726 www.thegardenplantnursery.com.au

Experience.

Well written, well read.

Cedric Bryant

Wendy Johnson

gardening writer

dining reviewer

Abstract in natural tones

THE arrival of Floriade on September 13 heralds spring and that means it’s time to get busy in the garden, says horticulturist Don Franklin, owner of The Garden Plant Nursery in Belconnen.

“It’s still a bit early to plant our frost-tender favourites, but we can certainly prepare our garden beds,” Don says. “If you have compost brewing, now’s the time to start using it.

Remove the top layer, find that rich black compost lower down and spread it over your garden bed.

“Fork it into the soil nice and deep to help aerate and loosen the soil, then rake over to level the soil and apply mulch to the top.”

It’s time to think about mulch too, he says, which helps to keep the soil warmer with the warm days but still cool nights.

“It won’t protect frost-tender plants, but will keep plant root systems happier,” he says.

“Warmer soil creates faster root development and this in turn will promote faster growth and larger plants, as well as less water requirements.”

Don and his wife Lisa run the nursery together, and offer a range of products and services to enhance every customer’s gardening experience, including a new gift shop and plant nursery.

New to the nursery is Dianthus “Memories”, which has been bred to support Alzheimer’s research with reference to the link between

scent and memory, says Don. “Long flowering pure white blooms on sturdy stems, dry tolerance, delightful fragrance and exceptional hardiness are features of this gorgeous plant, which will perform equally well in garden beds, containers or long-lasting cut flower displays,” he says.

“A dollar from the sale of each plant will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation.”

MARGARET Dimoff is an abstract impressionist, having painted extensively for 15 years.

Her work is on display and available for sale at the Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery in Deakin.

“I paint predominantly abstract works mostly using acrylic on canvas or paper,” she says.

“My work is particularly suited to large scale canvases with my works on paper of a smaller scale, usually framed under glass.”

While still producing some works on paper, Margaret says she has focused in recent times on large scale canvases.

Margaret graduated from ANU in ceramics in 1983 and sculpture in 1992. She turned to painting in the 1990s and says she now focuses all her energies to painting.

Margaret says she has an affinity with natural tones and the more subtle colour ranges using texture and layering to create form and substance.

“Each work is a new experience and remains in the studio for many weeks or months until a resolution is gained,” she says.

“The surface may be reworked many times before it reaches its conclusion. Despite the sometimes labour intensive approach, the work remains fresh, vibrant and emotive.

“The images are complex but subtle, strong yet at times delicate and rarely fail in achieving a satisfying level of sophistication.”

The Garden Plant Nursery, 148 Parkwood Road, Macgregor. Call 6254 6726.

Margaret Dimoff Art Gallery, 38 Grey Street, Deakin.

Call 4473 8193.

Don and Lisa Franklin.

Open Monday to Friday Breakfast and Lunch • 31 London Cct Canberra City • P. 6248 5202

Traditional Gozleme, and Borek • Mouth watering desserts • Various coffees and teas

Come in, join us and enjoy the friendly German atmosphere NEXT MARKET DAY – 28 SEPTEMBER German small goods, wines, beers, grocery, coffee and cake, including pretzels

The club is open 7 days to everyone and membership is very reasonable.

• LIVE Music Fridays and most Sundays (check our website events page) • Knuckles German Restaurant – quality traditional German food • OPEN 7 DAYS – BOOK NOW • Several function rooms available

HARMONIE GERMAN CLUB

NEW BISTRO NOW OPEN $10

OKTOBERFEST • 31 Oct, 1 & 2 Nov.

LUNCHES

www.harmonieclub.com.au 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue | P: 02 6295 9853 | E: harmonie@bigpond.net.au | F: 02 6295 0132

ND

• O PE N ER

7 DAYS •

DI N N

Welcome to Spring and Indian dining – at its best.

CH LUN A

5 Genge Street (cnr Bunda St) Canberra City | 6247 2228 | bluginger.com.au 20 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

Let Blu Ginger’s recipe of great food, great service, fresh and authentic flavours all prepared by our experienced master chef tempt your taste buds. The Tradition continues.

arts & entertainment / dining

Ristorante doing something right I DID my first review of Tosolini’s around a decade ago. Fast forward to 2014 and I found myself at Tosolini’s again, this time for lunch on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Tosolini’s is going strong in a market where new places to dine appear so fast it makes your head spin. This means they’re doing something right. Tosolini’s knows what it is and what its customers like. And so this Canberra institution, in a prominent position in Bailey’s Corner, continues to dish up Italian food at its ristorante, with its food-to-go operation and

MARGARET DIMOFF ART GALLERY

• • • • •

Unique works by Margaret Dimoff Visit one of the largest galleries in Canberra 7 large roooms of contemporary art Large affordable abstract canvases and painting under glass One off original pieces for the home or corporate setting Delivery is available One week free trial for your open.

Open Friday to Sunday 10-4pm or by Appointment

Tosolini’s is going strong in a market where new places to dine appear so fast it makes your head spin. through its catering service.

Mama Tosolini, who started making her own pasta and sauces when she was young and living on the coast of Lignano, a peninsula between Venice and Trieste, still makes her presence known, including with her decadent tiramisu recipe (arguably one of the best in town).

And son Carlo remains in charge and is regularly onsite.

Tosolini’s offers great antipasti dishes to share. We started with Gamberi alla Diavola, which we agreed packed a punch with flavour.

The prawns were marinated with chili and garlic and chargrilled ($3.90 each). We regretted not ordering more than one each. The oysters, with their fresh sea smell, were just the right temperature… another regret that we didn’t order more.

We weren’t thrilled with the roasted garlic and balsamic pull-apart bread ($9). It didn’t come warm as promised, which affected the taste so we didn’t

finish it.

Entrees are from $17.90 to $19.90 and include a handmade butternutpumpkin and goat’s cheese ravioli and pan-seared sardine fillets with a salad, which we’d like to try. Instead, we moved straight to the pasta line-up (all $24.90 except for the seafood which is $26.90).

My friend instantly selected a pasta she had enjoyed previously – the Pappardelle con agnello, which featured generous chunks of slow-roasted lamb shoulder tossed with thick pasta ribbons and fresh herbs. In the mood for chili, I selected the penne amatriciana with salty bacon, plump kalamata olives, garlic, aromatic basil and a fulsome tomato Napoletana sauce.

The dishes came out after quite a wait, and they were cold. Hmmm.

We decided to venture inside to find a staff member and flag the problem. We were kindly offered options and decided to wait another 10 minutes while the chef made us

Tosolini’s spaghetti marinara.

Photo by Gary Schafer fresh dishes.

We were glad we did. The new dish of lamb pasta had lovely roasting juices and was piping hot with magnificent flavours. And I finished every bit of my dish. We agreed Tosolini’s handled the situation well and with concern. Trust me, not all restaurants do.

Tosolini’s, London Circuit and East Row. Open seven days for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fully licensed with BYO bottled wine. Call 6247 4317.

0407 416 480 Corner of Hoptown Circuit and 38 Grey Street Deakin email: wmdimoff@bigpond.com • www.margaretdimoffart.com.au

La Scala Italian Restaurant

CH0262.indd 1

8/09/2014 10:49 am

Celebrating 25 years of excellence and welcomed as an accredited member restaurant to The Academy of Italian Cuisine for accurately displaying Italian culinary traditions and innovations.

Centre Cinema Building, Garema Place, Canberra City 6248 8338 www.lascala.net.au

GJ10348.indd 1

• Winner of the AHA National Award for the 1/04/2014 1:10 pm Best Redeveloped Hotel (Country) 2013 • Recently renovated accommodation with off street parking

Man with classical sax appeal

By Helen Musa

debut solo album, performed in what he assures “CityNews” is an “unlikely marCLASSICAL saxophone player Nick riage” of saxophone with the respected Russoniello is an unusual figure on the string group, the Acacia Quartet, with Australian scene – master of an instruwhom he explores music from tango ment most people associate with jazz to ragtime to rock “and everything and he is about to perform in Canberra between”. for the first time.

Russoniello has commissioned, Originally from Wollongong, arranged and composed music for the Russoniello studied sax at the Sydney project, which also features works by Conservatorium of Music, winning firsts, Australians Elena Kats-Chernin, Jeremy then studying at the European Summer Rose and Barry Cockcroft.

Saxophone University and completing As one critic says: “Russoniello sings, his postgraduate diploma at the Milan slaps, scoops and slides” in this virtuosic Conservatory. new soundscape of sonorous strings.

In 2011 he became ABC Young Performer of the Year, then in 2013 a Fine “Between Worlds”, at Wesley Music Centre, 4pm, Sunday, September 14, bookings via Music Kruger Scholar. eventbrite.com.au tickets at the door.

“Between Worlds” is Russoniello’s

Phone: 02 6297 1444 E: info@royalhotelqueanbeyan.com.au www.royalhotelqbn.com.au 85 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan

Classical saxophonist Nick Russoniello… an unusual figure.

ROYAL EVENTS • FRI – Special K, 9pm • SAT – NPL Poker from noon • SAT – Beers with the Boys-NRL greats Grothe and Tunks, 2pm • SAT – Adam & Ash, 9pm • SUN – Azlan, 2pm

CityNews September 11-17, 2014 21

Creating Sustainable Gardens Glenbog Nursery and Landscaping The Canberra region’s largest range of locally-grown plants – grown on site for local conditions.

• 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 Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm Weekends

314 Plummers Rd, Burra NSW (20 minutes from Queanbeyan)

Ph. 0402 024 204 – 0408 119 160 glenbog@skymesh.com.au Like us on Facebook

We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow

BORONIA Smell the fragrance of

Lots ‘n lots of native treasures suited to this climate.

Check out our

SPRING BLOSSOM TREES great range, great prices.

For professional advice see us at the Heritage Nursery.

gardening

Local plants get a look in THE government nursery at Yarralumla is mounting a display of Australian plants at Floriade – and about time!

I cannot understand why Tourism Minister Andrew Barr isn’t insisting that every year there is a substantial area of the wonderful range of our plants, especially with the influx of interstate and overseas visitors to the spring festival.

This would be an ideal opportunity to link the display with the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

AS the days warm I encourage a wander round the Botanic Gardens, which are bursting with every shade of yellow, being wattle time, and almost every day other plants are coming into bloom.

Start the tour at the Visitor Centre to collect the “In Flower This Week” brochure. With this in hand, simply follow the bright purple and green numbered signs through the gardens. And the bird population at the gardens is unbelievable.

BARBARA Daly, a remarkable volunteer with the Friends of the Gardens, is retiring after writing the “In Flower This Week” brochure for an amazing 26 years.

To Barbara, this has been a joy and complete devotion to Aussie plants. Considered the longestserving volunteer in the garden’s history, she was awarded a life membership of the Friends after 25 years of service to the gardens.

Other volunteers are now continuing “In Flower This Week”, which is also available digitally via the Botanical Gardens website.

THERE are at least a dozen Acacia in flower from the palest to the deepest yellow in the wattle garden.

My favourite is Acacia covenyi, commonly known as the Blue Bush, now a rare plant in the wild.

It has a stunning contrast between the silver-grey foliage, so useful for flower arranging, and brilliant golden flower balls.

Another endangered wattle is Acacia gordonii, a compact bush now restricted to the north-west of Sydney.

Another favourite that I sneak into gardens where the owners have requested exotic plants is Philotheca myoporoides, or native wax flower.

Now a mass of pink flowers, the added attraction is the fragrance of the leaves. A wonderful contrast pictured here of the rich purple of Hardenbergia violacea with a wattle in the background seen at the entrance of the Heritage Nursery

u Established over 50 years u MBA Supplier of the Year u Pavers 300x300, 400x400, 500x500 u Masonry Blocks, Brick Paving

YARRALUMLA Banks Street, Weston Park, Yarralumla • 6281 7373 heritagenursery.com.au /TheHeritageNursery

WIN A WONDERFUL DVD

CH0122-V23.indd 1

A BBC ‘Wild Kingdom, the Great British Year’ DVD is waiting to be won at...

Jottings…

• NATIVE plants need to be fed, watered and pruned just the same as any other plant, at least in spring and autumn. Make sure the nutrients are low in phosphorus and preferably certified organic.

A wonderful contrast of the rich purple of Hardenbergia violacea with a wattle in the background. in Yarralumla.

I FREQUENTLY hear people say you must plant Aussie plants to attract native birds.

This is another garden myth. If the food/nectar tastes good, the birds don’t mind where the flowers are from. For example, honeyeaters love the nectar from camellias. I recommend a healthy mixture of Aussie and exotic plants to provide year-round food. Parrots get their daily fill from the emerging seeds of silver birch.

• IF you don’t have a birdbath in your garden, now’s the time to install one before summer. Also a ground-level water container for native fauna such as blue tongue lizards.

• AUTHOR Simon Rickard will discuss his new book on heirloom vegetables at the Horticultural Society of Canberra’s meeting at Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, 7.30pm, on September 15.

All welcome.

I HAVE often mentioned the winter flowering iris, Iris unguicularis with its rich blue flowers and delicious fragrance. But few are familiar with the white variety, I. unguicularis “Alba”.

In April I purchased a few from Lambley Nursery in Victoria, and to our delight these have just come into flower in our garden.

u Dry Stack Retaining Wall/Raised Garden Edge u Pre Cast Concrete Products u A Range of Colours Available u Wholesale Prices to The Public

u Courtyard and pathways 8/09/2014 12:59 pm u Architects requests are welcome

Quality Service I Commercial & Residential

40 Dacre Street Mitchell 62427033 www.binkpavers.com.au

White winter flowering iris… just come into flower.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-4.00pm | Sat 8am-12pm

Experience.

Well written, well read.

CEDRIC BRYANT Canberra’s online nursery n plants and Quality Canberra grow to your door. ered garden goodies deliv

.au

www.theplantweb.com Greg Jones CEO

22 CityNews September 11-17, 2014

puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore

General knowledge crossword No. 469

your week in the stars – September 15-21, 2014

1

2

3

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) Twins - are you making the most of your Mercurial talents? Strive to showcase your marvellous mind this week. It’s also time to talk things through with a trusted family member, as Venus enhances cozy communication and domestic harmony. The weekend stars suit study, travel, community connections and stimulating conversation so get ready to talk, text and tweet up a storm.

9 10 11

14

15

12

16

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) Are you having problems? With Jupiter jumping through your sign, learn to put a positive spin on a perceived failure. With energy and enthusiasm, you can turn a pig’s ear into a beautiful silk purse! You’re keen to help others but promising more than you can deliver is a danger this weekend Lions. If you pace yourself and take baby steps, then you’ll get things done without undue stress.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) With the Sun and Venus visiting Virgo (and a boost from Pluto and Saturn) it’s your time to shine! Teaching and public speaking are favoured, as you display your leadership skills and creative talents for all to see. Opportunities for advancement come via connections within your local community, but it will take meticulous research and sustained effort to turn them into long-term success.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) This week Saturn boosts your business skills, and Pluto power helps you get to the bottom of a complicated domestic problem. Plus destiny surrounds a personal project, as you finally jump off the fence and decide which direction to take. If you want to get others onside then tap into your natural diplomatic talents as you answer queries, clarify concerns and smooth furrowed brows.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

13

17 18

19

20

FAMILY LAW IN CANBERRA

21 22 23

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) A close relationship has the potential to develop and deepen, as long as you can let go of the past and learn to trust again. Expect a surge of Crab creativity on the weekend, as Venus and Saturn help you turn an abstract idea into a productive long-term project. Draw inspiration from movie legend Lauren Bacall (born on September 16): “Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.”

6

8

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) Romantic relationships, professional partnerships and money matters are favoured so make the most of the auspicious stars. It’s also a wonderful week to mix business with pleasure. Emotional connections are intensified, as Pluto deepens your affection for loved ones. You’ll also gain profound psychological insights into the previously hidden motivations of a child, teenager, lover or friend.

5

7

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) Rambunctious Rams - you’re keen to call the shots but there’s a big difference between leading others and just being plain bossy. Domineering behaviour will lead to dramas so slip on your humility hat this week, as Venus encourages you to be a consultative Lamb, especially at work. Are you single and looking for love? Expect a fated meeting with a mercurial type who is a good talker.

4

Solution next week

Across

Down

1 What do we call that which is supposed to bring good luck? (6) 7 To force by unfair means is to do what?

(8) 8 Which term describes that which is indigenous? (6) 9 What expression applies to a short narrative of a particular incident? (8) 10 What are potatoes also known as? (6) 11 Which portable shade offers protection from rain? (8) 14 What is a particular military unit of ground forces? (8) 18 What do we call a wide street, lined with trees? (6) 19 Name the French general who was defeated at Waterloo. (8) 21 When a car is ticking over, it is said to be doing what? (6) 22 What, in computers, are one million bits? (8) 23 Which other term describes a dinner jacket? (6)

1 Name the mythical monster that was killed by Theseus, with the help of Ariadne. (8) 2 In which country did the war take place in 1853-56? (6) 3 Which term is applicable to riches stored, especially in the form of precious metals or money? (8) 4 What is a high-pitched flute? (4) 5 Which little cot, for an infant, is usually built on rockers? (6) 6 Name an alternative word for a collusive syndicate. (6) 12 What was the profession of Sir Joseph Banks? (8) 13 What is the sounding of the notes of a chord separately? (8) 15 Which glossy substance is applied to metal, pottery, etc, for protection? (6) 16 What is a line drawn on a weather map?

(6) 17 What is an immediate response to a stimulus? (6) 20 Which more readily known term describes a way out? (4)

Obligation free first conference • Pre-nuptial agreements • Separation and Divorce • De-facto relationships • Parenting and children • Property settlement

www.familylawincanberra.com.au

Cristina Huesch

02 6223 2400

Sudoku hard No. 134

Are you smack-bang in the middle of a major Scorpio stuff-up and feeling super stressed? With Saturn moving slowly through your sign (until September 2015) don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and learn from them. Be inspired by birthday great Sophia Loren: “It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life”.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Spontaneous Sagittarius - you have a natural knack for putting your foot firmly in your mouth. With Venus visiting your career zone, patching up problems with work colleagues will be easier now than at other times. You have more tact and diplomacy than usual, so make sure you’re using it. It’s also time to articulate your goals and dreams for the future. You can’t hit a target if you haven’t got one!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) Don’t come on too strong Capricorn! Pluto boosts your persuasive powers this week, as you encourage someone over to your point of view with a sound and convincing argument. It’s a wonderful weekend for work, business and social networking, as Venus and Saturn increase your creativity and concentration.

So make sure you capitalise on the lucky opportunities that come your way.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Solution next week

Solutions from last edition

Perceptive Pisces - your intuition helps you find appropriate ways to handle a delicate situation with a worried loved one or a frazzled friend. Don’t underestimate your ability to advise and console. Attached Fish – the Sun and Venus are visiting your relationship zone, so it’s time to zero in on your partner and their needs. Singles – look for love with a tender Taurus or a virtuous Virgo.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

Crossword No. 468

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

B C O E T R I B A I A E S T C O R E M

W C S V E N A N T E R E A V E R S E I C R L L I N A B C I N T H E T E A A S T U S I N E E G R A B R Y O K

I L I C A I A D M U N D P O E E P E R T E M E R T I A A N E R O I D E O F F I T I Y A

Sudoku medium No.134

Avoid taking short cuts this week Aquarius, especially at work. A slap-dash attitude only means you’ll have to do things twice. A pinch of patience and a dash of discipline sees you tick all the boxes. Then get out of the house or office and into the great outdoors so you can tune into the world around you. Have you lost contact with an overseas friend? Fate steps in and they are ready to re-connect.

Breaking news, views, arts & socials every day…

CityNews September 11-17, 2014 23

A good year is determined by its spring... SURPRISE! $32,500

Throughout September GEOCON is making the dream of home ownership a reality with our Spring Surprises.

Draw a grant of up to $20,000, add your $12,5000 First Homeowners Grant and Spring is looking pretty good.

could be yours when you purchase a Geocon property.

Limited grants available.

Don’t miss out!

5k

10k

15k

20k

SEE GEOCON.COM.AU FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PERMIT NO ACT TP 14/03087.

PHONE MICHELLE DZAKULA ON 0409 007 163 OR 6108 4949

GEOCON.COM.AU