150129 citynews

MICHAEL MOORE / CHIEF MINISTER BARR MAKES A STUMBLING START january 29, 2015

Anyone hear me growl?

New Year,

SONYA FLADUN

a new you

Difficult side to celebrating

ROBERT MACKLIN

Archies back with a bite

HELEN MUSA

m 7:30p sday e n d :30pm We am, 7 1 1 sday Thur am y 11 Frida m 7:30p 2pm, y a d r Satu :30pm ay 12 d n u S

7

ns essio big s week per

BIG CASH free parking free tea & coffee

The Woden Tradies

$3,800 in prizes up for grabs each session

Major Prize Jackpot increases by $5,000 each week it remains unclaimed

Cnr Launceston & Furzer Sts, Woden ACT, 2606

For the information of members

02 6285 1995

We encourage responsible gambling; call 1800 858 858 for support

thetradies.com.au

ACT H 14/00007

IS COMING BACK! CANBERRA, FEB 22 AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST RUNNING SERIES

Hurry tickets selling fast!

Get yours at thecolorrun.com

86% OF AUSTRALIANS RETIRE ON JUST $16,000 PER YEAR . . . s i h t e g n a h c e an w

how c

DON’T RELY ON SUPER WHEN YOU RETIRE

SECURE YOUR OWN SOURCE OF INCOME

DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN AND PROSPER

At Prosperity, we help everyday Australians secure financial freedom through property investment.

The alarming figure of $16,000 is a reality for many but not for those who have been proactive enough to seek our assistance and develop a clear action plan for personal wealth creation, now and into retirement.

JOIN US!

WE ARE HOLDING A FREE INFORMATION EVENING ON TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015. TO REGISTER, CONTACT PROSPERITY ON 1300 037 769 OR EMAIL CANBERRA@PROSPERITYGROUP.COM.AU

news

Charity light show likely to move after dim response

By Lorna Morris FOLLOWING complaints from retailers on Petrie Plaza, the world-record SIDS Christmas lights display looks likely to be moving – possibly to City Walk – this year.

A three-year commitment with Canberra CBD Limited ensures the display continues in Civic until 2016, with plans for further improvement. CEO Jane Easthope said: “We want to make it interesting, every year a fresh idea.

“This year we are planning a world record for the number of lights on a Christmas tree. We want to bring people together to celebrate what’s on offer.”

Despite raising $300,000 for the SIDS and Kids ACT charity, retailers facing the display have voiced concerns for the future after suffering a decline in customers on what was supposed to be their busiest time of year.

OnYa Bike Civic manager, Aaron Bashford, said: “The first week of construction was the worst week for us, it is usually a busy time but a lot of people avoided coming into the area. The feeling was very negative.

“I am all for the cause but I don’t think the lights should be on Petrie Plaza. It should be in a different venue”.

Close to 210,000 people visited the lights from their opening on November 28 until New Year’s Eve. While this should have been a retailer’s dream during the Christmas period, the black mesh cladding surrounding the display obstructed the view of the shops causing a detrimental effect on sales for some retailers.

In December, the co-owner of Clock Doc in Centrepoint, Henriette Jason, was reported as saying: “It has affected my trade since November when construction started. If the black wasn’t there, it would make it a lot better, it would be tolerable”.

In order to rectify such concerns, a change of location is being considered for the Christmas lights display.

Easthope said: “Of course retailers have every right to complain and we endeavour

OnYa Bike Civic manager, Aaron Bashford… “I am all for the cause but I don’t think the lights should be on Petrie Plaza. It should be in a different venue”.

Photo by Holly Treadaway to take everything on board. We have never had a lights display before and we will make sure we do better this year. We are considering moving to a different location. In a public open space, maybe City Walk”.

When construction began, a few retailers claimed they were not informed the display, containing more than a million lights, would be built in front of their stores.

Angus Perry, sales assistant at Miranda HiFi, said: “We were not treated remotely like we mattered otherwise we would have been consulted.

“The noise affected us the most, the construction was loud and they started playing a loop of Christmas songs from midday, we couldn’t play our audio demonstrations.”

The manager and owner of the store, Omer Sheikh, added: “When I talked directly to the organisers they asked me if I hated Christmas. I don’t, I am just worried

Psoriasis?

Proven, all-natural treatment eliminates symptoms in 90%* of cases.

about our business.

“It is a wonderful thing what they were trying to do and it is nice to raise money for charity, but there was a total disregard for everyone. The whole thing was poorly managed.”

Mr Sheikh contacted Canberra CBD Limited on Christmas Eve expressing Miranda HiFi’s issues with disruptions including access, visibility and noise pollution. He received a reply the next morning stating they would be in touch but they are still waiting.

In response Easthope said: “I am happy to talk to Miranda HiFi. We thought we would open at midday to make the lights available to the elderly and the young residents.

“There weren’t a lot of visitors at this time and we have learnt from this. So we won’t be running it from midday next year”.

O N T H E L AW N S M A N U K A , 2 1 B O U G A I N V I L L E S T 0 2 6 2 3 2 76 6 6 · E S C A L A S H O E S .CO M . AU

Clear, healthy skin can be yours.

We also treat:

+ Eczema + Acne

+ Rosacea + Dermatitis

6295 6040 Formerly Psoriasis and Skin Clinic

New yneeawr ,shoes .

Sale on now!

www.goodskincare.com.au 49 Jardine Street, Kingston

Health Fund Rebates | Eftpos | Member Australian Traditional Medicine Society Ltd

* in clinical trials in Vienna Hospital

Unique Diamonds offers a luxurious range of precious diamonds to suit your taste at the best prices in Australia Contact Josh to book your appointment and discuss your custom design

02 6126 5360 | 0411 744 808 josh@uniquediamonds.com.au | www.uniquediamonds.com.au CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 5

index

Since 1993: Volume 21, Number 2

Arts & Entertainment 19-20 Canberra Confidential 12 Cinema 19 Dining 20 Garden 23 Jumbo crossword 22 News 5-11 Politics 8 Puzzles 21 Socials 18

The difficult side to celebrating Cover: New Year, New You feature starts Page 13.

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: 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: Holly Treadaway 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.

6 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

THE usual controversy about Australia Day being celebrated on January 26 had a slightly sharper edge this week as the rights of our Aboriginal predecessors on the continent gain greater public recognition.

Indeed, some Australians – including your columnist – see European colonising of less-developed countries not as a right but a crime.

The British occupiers claimed terra nullius – that no one owned the place.

But since our own courts have thrown that out, Australia Day is eminently debatable. However, it’s such a delicate issue that PM Tony Abbott has even postponed a constitutional vote on Aboriginal recognition until 2017.

Perhaps we need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to pave the way.

This week’s leadership speculation was a foretaste of a terrible year ahead. Once it starts it develops a life of its own.

that money on private education were involved in the public schools.

THE sporting marathon continued unabated on our TV screens this week.

The tennis was fascinating as the SPEAKING of Mr Abbott, this week’s ministers have a grab-bag of portfolios, new breed of youngsters – Tomic, leadership speculation was a foretaste but it does seem a pity that the Chief, Kokkinakis and our own Nick Kyrgios of a terrible year ahead. Once it starts Andrew Barr has kept separate his own – took centre court as the old guard it develops a life of its own. Everything Events and Tourism from the Arts, still of Hewitt and Stosur faded from the he and his colleagues say and do is headed by Joy Burch. After all, most scene. The Asian Cup drew the crowds seen through the leadership prism. of our visitors come to the cultural and the good old ABC gave it excellent The media loves it because it requires precincts, not to play the pokies. coverage (despite the awful panellists). hardly any serious work; everyone can

In the cricket, Manuka again excelled get into the act.

LIKE most Canberrans, we entertained itself with a terrific roll-up, and there’s

visitors over the holidays and it was a still the ODI World Cup to come.

AND what about unlucky Bronwyn pleasure to show off the city. Isn’t the

Calvert, the sporting cyclist whacked off Arboretum flourishing – helped along, HAPPILY, there was still time to catch her bike by a kangaroo this week as she no doubt, by all that extra climate up on some reading and I really must passed The Lodge? Poor Tony – even change heat and CO2 in the atmosrecommend a ripper local political the native fauna are deserting him. (See phere. However, all our other trees are thriller: “Dead Cat what I mean – the leadership virus is also growing apace and at Mt Ainslie, Bounce”, by more contagious than ebola!) for example, they are ruining the much Peter Cotton.

loved panoramic vista.

Kept me THE ACT Government

glued to reshuffle turned out to be a NEWS that private school fees in the page. bit of a yawn – newcomer Canberra can now cost parents half a Yvette Berry might well million dollars per child will give many bring a brief sparkle to second thoughts, especially as our state the ministry, but that’s high schools are among the best in the about the best you land. And, of course, they’d be even could say of it. All six better if the parents now spending all

ROBERT MACKLIN

robert@robertmacklin.com

Open 6 days Great value for quality accredited dental care TM

No Dental Cover PACKAGE*

45% OFF TOTAL SAVE $45 on every $100 total

SAVE UP TO $200 visit / person

00 TO $2 P U E n SAV perso visit /

GENE

20% O

RAL*

FF TO

TAL SAVE $ 20 on ever y $100 total

on eve

on e

very

ry $10

0 gap

$10

0 ga

p

General Dental refer to fillings, fissure sealants and other general dental.

Excludes Crowns, Root Canal Therapy, Extractions and Lab-related work.

Great value for quality accredited dental care TM

opinion

Barr makes a stumbling start ANDREW Barr has made a poor start in filling the shoes of former Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher.

Barr is entitled to some honeymoon period. It is certainly unrealistic to expect him to step into the top job and immediately be on top of every issue.

However, he will need to ensure that his own (very adept) political radar is picking up misfiring waves from his colleagues.

His government has stumbled once and, without his intervention, it is about to stumble again.

Gallagher had the advantage of having built up high levels of community trust as Minister for Health and in the top job and learnt to handle hiccups before they became public embarrassments.

The end-of-year $50 fiasco over poker machines is the first significant stumble of the Barr government. Minister Joy Burch released the regulation, co-signed by Attorney-General Simon Corbell, ahead of the holiday break on December 22. The regulation should never have seen the light of day. Burch should have known better. It is probable that this one slipped past the normally much more astute Corbell in a pile of co-sign regulations in the hectic pre-festive season rush.

The critical political issue was not so much that they had not really considered the right and wrong in the ramifications of increasing harm associated with gambling

The regulation should never have seen the light of day. Joy Burch should have known better. but the failure to recognise the level of political sensitivity. Both ministers should have been aware of the vulnerability of the Labor Party because of its conflict of interest over poker machine funding of their own political party.

The Labor Party has over the last five years received over $2.4 million from the Labor-affiliated clubs.

What is more, the trouble came just a couple of months after a storm followed the decision by Minister Joy Burch to introduce the Gaming Machine Reform Package that links the number of machines to the size of the population, which guarantees an increase in the number of poker machines and removes the “cap” that restricted growth, slowly reducing harm.

At least in the first situation there was consultation. Increasing the amount of money that could be fed into pokies from $20 to $50 was done without any public consultation. And there was a clear consequential increase in the amount of money that would go into the ACT Labor

Party coffers.

Step up Andrew Barr. Standing next to Minister Burch at a press conference, he publicly ensured the decision was reversed. She eats humble pie! It is the first indication of Barr as a strong leader.

The trouble for Labor is that its conflict of interest goes to the heart of politics – community trust. In reversing the $50 poker machine decision Barr has now made the Labor Party worse off financially, but has increased the party’s social capital and its level of trust.

There is another stumbling block on the horizon that puts the Labor government’s social capital at risk. The Electoral Reform Bill that has been tabled in the Assembly carries a clause that will also test this government.

They have presented the idea of removing the annual cap of $10,000 for party donations, which means donations from individuals and organisations including businesses and lobby groups that seek to influence the political process will become unlimited, even though they

are still reportable after the event.

Our democracy is under threat from inappropriate donations and this softening of the law will need to be reversed.

How can ordinary voters trust a political party that will not discard its pokies conflict of interest (as Jon Stanhope tried) and now plans to open another avenue of inappropriate influence?

Barr moved quickly and decisively to publicly deal with the first conflict of interest. On the second, he can move quietly within the Cabinet, do the right and democratic thing and build trust in his government.

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

Safety moves A TWO-YEAR trial of motorcycle “lane filtering” starts in the ACT from Sunday, February 1.

Motorcycle lane filtering is when a motorcyclist moves between stationary or slow-moving vehicles in the same lane.

“This allows motorcyclists to move quickly and safely away from congested areas of traffic,” says Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury.

“The trial will cover the whole of the ACT and will be subject to a number of conditions, including a requirement that motorcyclists not filter at a speed greater than 30km/h, in school zones or on the kerbside next to a footpath, or in a bicycle lane or breakdown lanes.”

mum in the city Can anyone hear me growl?

Sonya Fladun reports

A CURIOUS case of periodic deafness has struck my children.

A friend gave them some big, groovy headphones for Christmas and since then I think I’ve lost them into another dimension.

Getting the kids to listen has always been a challenge, but this has been something else entirely. Conversation and more particularly requests or instructions just disappear into the ether.

I’m having long conversations with myself about cleaning up my 12-year-old son’s bedroom, how he should maybe take an interest in gardening, vacuuming, feed the guinea pig or stack the dishwasher.

My boy’s bright orange headphones have become a nearly permanent fixture on his head, and it’s much the same story with his eight-year-old sister, only her head is adorned with a headset in vibrant pink.

Even calls that dinner is ready can go unanswered, though the kids’ ravenous appetites usually bring them to the table sooner or later.

This isn’t an entirely new phenomenon.

I can remember my mother complaining about me with my Sony Walkman.

Admittedly, the new headphones do have their advantages. I highly recommend them for long car trips so the kids can keep themselves entertained while leaving adults to enjoy some peace in the front seats. It’s also a blessing when my son is chatting with his friends on Skype, although I still like to keep tabs on who he’s talking to.

That said, I’m not entirely comfortable with the kids disappearing into a technological cone of silence. This may not be a big problem in our home because our boy and girl are very active and sociable kids. They do a lot of sport. They’re also as likely to be trying to build a robot, drawing, making paper planes, doing origami, walking the dog or organising a Barbie fashion show as they are spending time on electronic devices.

However, the behavioural changes that have accompanied the arrival of big headphones have reminded me how easily new and often addictive technology can cut into physical activity and family communication with kids and their parents withdrawing into their individual, hightech cocoons. So, like all these new things, it’s a question of balance.

There’s no point avoiding or shying away from technology. On the contrary we ought to embrace it for all the benefits our interconnected world brings. But at every step along the way it’s a question of balance. Right now that means the headphones will stay off for most of the day. That will probably bring a few complaints, but I’d rather the kids hear the birds tweeting in the backyard and answer my calls that dinner is ready. Technology can be wonderful, but one has to set some limits so that we control it and it doesn’t control us.

Beautiful Gifting A TRULY INSPIRING RANGE OF PRODUCTS TO SELECT FROM

New Location – New Stock!

We are now at 84 Monaro Street Queanbeyan • Phone 0419 627 210 • 8 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

dose of dorin

WATER FRONT LAKE HOUSE FOR SALE OVERLOOKING KOSCIUSZKO THE JEWEL OF AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL PARKS THE EPICENTRE OF THE BEST TROUT & SALMON FISHING IN AUSTRALIA. SWIM, FISH, PADDLE, WATERSKI OR LAUNCH YOUR BOAT RIGHT FROM THE SANDY BACKYARD BEACH

PERFECT FOR A – FAMILY LODGE – HOLIDAY RETREAT – RETIREMENT

lowbrow

Strength from diversity IN the wake of the Martin Place and Charlie Hebdo tragedies, every man and his dog seem to have been gleefully seizing on the carnage as vindication of whatever it was passed for thought in their tiny minds before the bloodletting.

Lake Jindabyne and the 3 rivers are stocked with over a million trout and salmon. Kosciuszko National Park is a short paddle across the lake where there are 4,287 square miles of hiking, mountain biking & snow sports.

• 60 second walk right out front to a safe sandy swimming & fishing beach • Direct access to the lake for easy launching of any size boat • Most private location + Paved road + No road noise • Town water and sewage • Heaps of room for cars, RVs & large vegetable garden • No fleas & ticks • The safest location from bush fires • Unlimited water • Can step right out the door for great walks or hiking, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing etc • Best mountain bike trails and road bike riding roads in the country • Cruise or sail down to Jindabyne Town for lunch or shopping.

4 bdrm, 2 1/2 bath quality built house of cedar, Oregon and treated log construction - all anti termite materials. Large wrap around veranda/ deck with gates - safe for children and pets and perfect for entertaining and watching those glorious evening.

Pine panelling throughout. Hardwood floors in the lounge kitchen area with two fireplaces - one two sided with fan.

New kitchen with breakfast bar. Vaulted ceiling lounge dining room and upstairs, with reversible fans.

Huge work area/garage under. Lots of potential for expansion or even a granny flat.* Property located in quiet, friendly village of Kalkite on Lake Jindabyne. Golf, tennis, horse riding and equestrian, lawn bowls, quilting associations, flying/RC planes club, bike clubs & sailing club are all within 10-20 minutes of the residence as are schools, post office, supermarket, great shopping, pastry shops, cafes, restaurant, pubs, night clubs, movie theatre, new super clinic all within 20 minutes.

The Snowy Mountains has year round the most diverse range of sports and activities in the country. From all snow and water sports to golf, tennis, lawn bowls, dragon boats, rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, hang gliding, shooting clubs, horse riding, equestrian, bush walking, 4WD driving - it’s all here for yourself, family or rental guests - be they honeymooners, corporate reward or a family just wanting to have fun and get away from the rat race or noisy crowded resorts. Additional income could be easily achieved by renting fishing, sailboats/ kayaks/ canoes etc or 4WD tours - so many possibilities.

Take another look at your life, get out of your sedentary rut and away from the rat race and the heat, humidity, traffic, crime and pollution to clean healthy mountain air in the healthiest, safest, socially cohesive region in the country.

The price of this unique property is an absolute bargain at $545,000 as the cost rebuild from NRMA Insurance for the house only is $545,000 which means you get arguably the best waterfront lot in the entire region for $ ZERO.

For more information call or text Ken 0428 874 653 or email troutville333@gmail.com 10 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

“This proves what I thought all along,” they chime in countless online comment sections.

If you’ve had the misfortune to spend as much time as I have in internet comment sections that statement rarely bodes well.

It almost always can be translated as: “I have long nursed a baseless prejudice but now, at long last, one tiny shred of evidence appears to confirm it.”

In the darkest corners of the Australian internet, that is the comments on Andrew Bolt’s and Miranda Devine’s News Limited blogs, a tiny number of deaths very far away are the long-awaited proof positive that multiculturalism must immediately be revoked lest we all be rooned.

It has to be admitted that multiculturalism’s boosters rarely do themselves any favours in mealy mouthed and vague definitions of what it’s all about.

So let’s be clear. Multiculturalism is about making Australia as strong as possible.

It’s not just about being nice for the sake of it, or weak through indulgence. Most of the world’s most successful nations are multicultural and this is not by any accident.

When one casts the mind back through history, almost all of the most successful civilisations have been empires – multicultural civilisations.

Yes, all things, in time, come to an end, and the nutters then point and say: “Aha! It was the multiculturalism that did for the Romans!”

However, this ignores long millennia (if one includes the Eastern Romans) of global domination through vibrant multiculturalism.

The crypto-racists of the anti-multicultural lobby might well hanker back to a period when everyone in Australia was white (aside from an excluded indigenous population). We were a cog in the broader British Empire, which sounds like an appealing thing to those who yearn for imagined good old days.

And yet, as with all empires, it was a sprawling construct of languages, faiths, and peoples. With the contribution of Australians, Indians, Fijians, Nepalese

In the darkest corners of the Australian internet, a tiny number of deaths very far away are the long-awaited proof positive that multiculturalism must immediately be revoked lest we all be rooned.

Gurkhas, and countless others in two world wars, it’s problematic to think this diversity weakened the empire.

When a thousand Maoris in the Battle of Crete carved their way through 10,000 of Hitler’s aryan elite one might think the other shoe might have dropped. Then again Jesse Owens’ humiliation of the white-priders at the 1936 Munich Olympics with four gold medals was something they managed to turn a blind eye to as well.

So multiculturalism is indeed the right thing to do because racism and racists are awful and ignorant.

But it’s also the right thing to do because it makes us, and by us I mean the bigger idea of the Australian nation (not some tiny fearful group of “real Aussies” beset by thinking best suited for shivering through winter in an Iron Age hill fort), stronger.

If I may finish with a metaphor, a sword made out of pure iron would be a scary thing to face. Heavy and hard and taking a sharp edge.

But to face it, give me steel.

Give me an alloy of iron and manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, boron, titanium, vanadium, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, oxygen, nitrogen, aluminium and carbon. Lighter, sharper, suppler, and less likely to break.

John Griffiths is the online editor of citynews.com.au

JOHN GRIFFITHS

briefly

Uncool for cats TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury has declared the emerging suburbs of Jacka and Moncrieff as new cat containment areas.

“Domestic cats, as natural predators, pose a serious threat to wildlife, with an ACT study showing cats were responsible for hunting day and night and killing a variety of species of birds and animals,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“Jacka and Moncrieff, two of Gungahlin’s newest suburbs, are located on the fringe of the capital

and, as such, are in close to proximity to an abundance of native wildlife in nearby bushland.”

Jacka will become a cat containment area from January 1, 2017, and Moncrieff will be effective immediately. Cat owners in these suburbs will need to ensure their cats are confined to the premises at all times.

Cat containment is already in place in Bonner, Coombs, Crace, Denman Prospect, Forde, Lawson, Molonglo, The Fair at Watson and Wright.

Help for hounds GREYHOUND Rescue, a not-forprofit organisation that finds homes for dogs surplus to the racing industry, is holding a fundraising cocktail party at the Tuggeranong Homestead from 6.30pm, February 20. Tickets, at $70, include canapés.

Guest speakers are vet and author Dr Michael Archinal and Sharyn Watson, executive director of the Medical Advances Without Animal Trust. RSVPs by February 6 to actgreyhoundcocktailevening@ outlook.com

Charity screening THE Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak is holding a charity screening of “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” in aid of polio eradication and for Lifeline Canberra, at Limelight Cinemas,

$6

Tuggeranong Hyperdome, at 6pm, Thursday, February 26.

The $25 tickets includes movie, drink and popcorn or drink and choc-top.

Tickets from trybooking.com

PER 10 MIN R IDE!

The walk is back REGISTRATIONS are open for Gift of Life’s DonateLife Walk 2015 around Lake Burley Griffin on Wednesday, February 25. The walk attracts thousands of Canberrans to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Gift of Life president David O’Leary says: “Last

year we saw just over 4000 people participate and we’re hoping to top that in 2015.” The walk starts from Regatta Point at 7am and concludes with a free healthy breakfast prepared by the Lions Club Belconnen. Free registration is at giftoflife.asn.au

OVER 30

SPECIALTY STORES

GREAT FUN • GREAT EXERCISE • A GREAT WAY TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS!

Classes start February 3

FOOD COURT

TOY PONY RIDES

WED 28 JAN - SUN 1 FEB

KIDS CAN CHOOSE A TOY HORSE FROM OUR STABLE AND GO FOR A RIDE AROUND OUR INDOOR PADDOCK, LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE BIG W.

FREE PARKING

www.salsarico.com.au P: 02 6290 0449 M: 0412 120 593 E: erico@salsarico.com.au No partner necessary to enrol

WWW.MAJURAPARKSHOPPING.COM.AU CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 11

Canberra Confidential

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

Silence of the limbs LIFE after they’ve logged Northbourne Avenue for the tram: the treeless median strip is being dreamily characterised by the spinners at Capital Metro as an “urban meadow”. LOL. Laughable it may be, but it doesn’t distract from the fact that in the touchable future we shall be devoid of mature trees on Northbourne Avenue, Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue for a generation or two.

With the constant convenient excuse that species choices are suddenly inappropriate or in decline, the chainsaws of progress are looming as the tram plans sweep the trees from the entire length of Northbourne Avenue and, according to a published tender, NCA planners have declared the vegetation along the busy avenues

as ageing and that many of the tree species are, wait for it, inappropriate for the dry Canberra climate.

In the plan to “revamp the symbolic gateways to the parliamentary triangle”, it was also shamefully revealed that irrigation to many of the shady old trees was turned off in 2007 to save money, suggesting that European varieties, such as oaks, are for the mulcher.

Reassuringly, Capital Metro says the tram plan matches the vision of Walter Burley Griffin in 1911, who envisaged Canberra’s gateway as a beautiful, tree-lined, urban boulevard fitting of an approach to the nation’s capital.

The trouble is it could be decades before we get the greenery back amidst the “urban meadow” that is to be the Northbourne median strip.

YOU don’t have to be a “Whovian” to get a chuckle out of this car sticker spotted at Majura Park.

How does this work?

CHIEF Minister Andrew Barr in deflecting figures illustrating a sharp fall in local business confidence, brushed it aside as “statistical noise”.

QANTAS can take you from Sydney to Melbourne for $99, but

particularly in Malaysia, Turkey and Romania, where he developed a taste for eco-farming. Silas plans a future in permaculture and is committing time to developing a couple of acres north of Yass in Binalong.

COMMONWEALTH Avenue temporary traffic lights: for Floriade we have a month to get used to the “changed traffic conditions”. For Australia Day, they just turn them on.

Prime News time?

Snapper goes farming FORMER “CityNews” snapper to the stars, Silas Brown, has returned home from 20 or so months of backpacking through Asia and Europe. While travelling, he spent a lot of time volunteering on farms

from Canberra to Melbourne, a shorter distance, the fare is $139.

Snapper-turned-farmer Silas Brown, left, with permaculture farmer Arafat Sharipudin at a farm one hour from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

MONTHS in gestation, but a political snout says the rumour is doing the rounds again that Prime TV at Watson is mulling about reintroducing a local news bulletin now that competitor WIN TV broadcasts its Canberra news from Wollongong.

Prime rather famously recruited Ken Begg, then news director at

Half the time.

Twice as cool.

top-rating Capital Television, in the competitive early days of television aggregation. Begg brought across most of Capital’s newsroom, but to no avail. Capital soldiered on while Prime eventually deserted local news and melted down the newsroom to the skeleton that is Natalie Forrest and her local updates.

written writtenadvertisement advertisement

Dual Sculpting arrives in the Capital.

Fat reduction at The CAPS Clinic is now twice as fast thanks to the introduction of Dual Sculpting.

SPECIAL OFFER FEBRUARY 2015 ONLY LOVE HANDLES $1700 // NOW $1399

12 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

Dual Sculpting is a fat reduction procedure that delivers treatments in half the time by utilising two machines at once. The machines administer a cooling process for the safe and effective removal of stubborn fat cells.

And it’s called stubborn fat for a reason: no matter how much you eat healthy and exercise, it’s virtually impossible to lose those annoying muffin tops and love handles. Until now.

“We had to do something,” explains Dr. Alastair Taylor who said that demand for this quick and simple treatment was becoming increasingly popular due to the successful results for many Canberreans. The two machines are now part of the Frosted AwayTM Fat Reduction treatment program.

“We often see patients seeking liposuction, to remove stubborn love handles or fatty deposits on the stomach, arms, or inner thighs,” explains Dr. Taylor who has practiced as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Canberra since 1998.

“But sometimes surgery can be an expensive and excessive option. Frosted Away gives us the ability to treat stubborn pockets of fat without surgery,” he says.

“

Frosted Away gives us the ability to treat stubborn pockets of fat without surgery.”

- Dr Alastair Taylor

Carly Whytcross, one of The CAPS Clinic Dermal Clinicians, says that they are thrilled with the results. “It is amazing to see the improvment in just one treatment. We are always delighted to see the positive impact our treatments have on our patients,” she says.

You can read more about Frosted AwayTM at frostedaway.com or call 6282 1155 to make an appointment.

The CAPS Clinic Dermal Clinicians: Sheree Abela, Carly Whytcross, Sally Mackenzie & Renee Francis.

new year, new you!

sponsored content

Inspiration to make a fresh start THE new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start, whether it’s starting a new fitness regime, taking up a hobby where you can meet likeminded people and have fun, or taking control of your emotional health and wellbeing.

It’s also a good time to make a career change and think about re-training for the job you’ve always wanted. The opportunities are endless!

Here are some ideas and inspiration for the new you in the new year.

Breakthrough fitness IT’S easier than ever to get started on – and stick to – a fitness regime for the new year, with Fernwood’s online 28-day “Breakthru” program being offered as part of every new membership.

Last year, the women’s-only gym celebrated its 25th year in women’s fitness by becoming the first fullservice gym to offer online programs alongside their in-club experience, says a spokesperson from the gym.

“With online tools to help you stay focused, goalsetting tips, inspiring weekly videos, a personalised meal plan according to your body type and a flexible weekly exercise plan (with detailed instructions for beginners), the 28-day ‘Breakthru’ program is a practical way to help you stay on track in your first 28 days in the club,” she says.

You won’t feel short of motivation either – a social hangout means you’ll have online support aroundthe-clock from program participants and Fernwood’s fitness experts.

The program has already kick-started the health and fitness journeys of many Fernwood members with participants losing anywhere from 1-10kg in just four weeks, says the gym.

For a limited time there’s a zero joining fee.

Fernwood Belconnen, call 6251 5299; Civic, 6247 7666; Gungahlin, 6255 0991; Tuggeranong, 6293 2366 and Woden, 6281 7199.

Fernwood gyms… online support around-the-clock.

All Ages and Ability Levels Performance Crews Specialist Boys Classes Adult Dance Fitness Tiny Tots Hip Hop Break Dance Jazz Funk Tap Contemporary

Song & Dance Musical Theatre Broadway Jazz Cabaret Ballet Stretch & Acro

Bianca Pritchard… move to Botanic Gardens “signals a new era in wellness in the capital”.

5

MAKE 201

YOU R A E Y E H T

O T N R A E L

!

E C N DA

Spa among the gum trees JINDII EcoSpa provides nurturing spa experiences in ways that are both socially and environmentally responsible, says owner Bianca Prichard, and the spa’s forthcoming move to the Australian National Botanic Gardens reflects that philosophy.

“We are really excited to be partnering with the ANBG and National Parks Australia,” says Bianca. “Our move to the Gardens is an innovative opportunity to share with the wider community the essence of spa and the benefits of wellbeing, whilst engaging in the uniqueness and beauty of our Australian flora and cultural heritage. It signals a new era in wellness in the capital.”

Soon to be based in the Franklin Building, Jindii EcoSpa is inspired

by Australian bush and indigenous culture, and Bianca says the ANBG’s vision “to inspire, inform and connect people to the Australian

flora” resonates strongly with Jindii EcoSpa’s core philosophy.

“Our Australian botanical products and business practice take a ‘tread lightly’ approach to the environment in a globally sustainable way, recognising the importance of the way that ingredients are sourced, harvested and preserved,” says Bianca.

“This is reflected in the indigenous ingredients and philosophy in the products we use, as well as the treatments offered in the spa.

“An almost seamless transition that invites the outdoors into the spa environment, guests should expect to be completely nurtured by nature.”

The spa will hold its official launch on February 13.

Jindii EcoSpa, Franklin Building, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Road, Acton.

Call 6257 8777.

Enrol Online: www.bomfunk.com.au 0466 608 383 Studios in Jerrabomberra & Calwell

RELEASE TO BE AT YOUR BEST! Kinesiology talks to your body, heals your mind, body and spirit while clearing the past so you can power into 2015 and be at your best!

Located in Manuka & Duffy.

For more information, visit holisticbynature.com.au or email kate@holisticbynature.com.au

r e fun at ou le! Join in th p o e p w e n meet Get fit and f beginner classes. & o arch 2015 d n u e end of M 0 discount. next ro th re fo e b 1 d to class that’s a $ Bring this a ner’s pass for $60 – in g e b get our

New classes starting soon – details at www.jumptown.org Swinging the capital for more than 10 years!

CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 13

OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 6pm

Visit the Canberra Outlet Centre to celebrate a new year and a new you!

(02) 6112 6222 Open 7 Days, 10am - 6pm facebook.com/canberraoutletcentre

Cnr of Newcastle St & Canberra Ave Fyshwick canberraoutletcentre.com.au

new year, new you!

Immerse yourself in nature

Healthy results from bigger team CARM Therapies has incorporated extra allied health practitioners into its Scullin shops space, to provide a more holistic approach for its clients’ health and wellbeing, says Emily Worsnop, owner and principal therapist.

“I see daily the additional benefits a multi-therapy clinic can offer our clients,” she says.

As well as Emily and Christine Webster, who provide remedial massage therapy and stretching classes, the team now includes Deb Carroll, of Deb Carroll Movement Therapy, specialising in Pilates and Somatic Movement Therapy, and Kingsley Avery, of Avery Acupuncture, specialising in acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Tui Na and Shiatsu massage.

Deb says her personal experience of disability and her desire to help others shines through to her clients.

“Going to work on a Monday is a joy for me,” she says.

“The work is endlessly fascinating, always new research, always new goals achieved, there are so many things that are different each week.

“Seeing the difference I can make in people’s lives, it may be my program and encouragement, but my clients are the ones who show me ‘anything is possible’ if you believe enough and do all the work,” Kingsley says he has a passion for facilitating understanding between Eastern and Western disease and healing concepts.

Jindii EcoSpa NOW OPEN

Avery Acupuncture.

“I love being able to educate and inform patients about the language of traditional Chinese medicine and how that wisdom can be applied to achieve balance in their lives,” he says.

Operating in Canberra since 2002, the clinic has been based out of Scullin shops for two years.

“I love to see people benefit from our treatments, restoring their functional movement so they can live their life as pain-free as possible,” says Christine.

“Working at CARM Therapies lets me do this in a professional environment focused on helping people.”

CARM Therapies, Scullin Place, Scullin. Call 6162 1800 or visit carmtherapies.com.au

Happiness is… swing dancing Retail resolutions WITH the motto “All the Cats Join In”, Canberra Swing Katz is all about fun, friends and great dancing, says Phillipa Reville.

“With a touch of vintage flavour, we love to bring the dances, music and style of the 1920’s-50’s to today,” she says. “With a view to creating choice and opportunities for swing dancing and building a fun-loving community, we invite you to join in!”

Canberra Swing Katz specialises in Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, shag and related swing dances and offers classes, performance and social dancing.

Swing dancing originated as a social dance, and that’s how Canberra Swing Katz like to keep it, says Phillipa.

“Our courses are designed to get you feeling confident social dancing,” she says. “Over an eight-week course, split into two four-week beginners course blocks, you will learn all the basic steps and fundamental leading/following techniques you need to look and feel great on the dance floor.

“You don’t need to bring a partner (though it helps if you can!), and flat, comfy shoes are best. No pre-registration is necessary, just turn up on the night.”

Beginners’ courses run as alternating four-week blocks, introducing you to Charleston and Lindy Hop (the specific style of swing the Katz do).

“After your first four weeks you will start a new step, and new

WINNERS

WINNERS of the three double passes to the 8pm performance of the hit musical “Sweet Charity” on Thursday, February 12, are: Rebekah Biggs, of Aranda; Jane Wingfield, Waramanga and Alice Cahill, Gilmore.

Swing’s the thing… all about fun, friends and great dancing. beginners are welcome to join at the start of any block,” says Phillipa.

“It’s best if you can make it each week, but if you miss one or two classes – don’t worry! Come back as soon as you can on any night and we’ll catch you up.”

Classes are held at Majura Hall, 2 Rosevear Place, Dickson, on Thursdays. Classes cost $12 each or $45 for a four-week block.

For more information, visit canberraswingkatz.com

Canberra Outlet Centre, 337 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick. Call 6112 6222 or visit canberraoutletcentre.com.au

in

g

By

Classes $12 at the door

LEARN TO SWING DANCE!

Majura Hall Dickson No partner or experience required

www.canberraswingkatz.com

www.jindii.com.au • 02 6257 8777

ALLIED HEALTH CLINIC AT SCULLIN SHOPS Deb Carroll

Movement Therapist

Pilates • Fascial Fitness • Somatic Movement

NEW AVAILABILITY OPENING FEBRUARY! Semi Private Pilates

Wednesday 4.00 & 5.00pm

Classes

Professional & Experienced Remedial Massage Therapists Are you wanting to make some changes to your health and wellbeing this year?

CARM Therapies offers a range of Remedial Massage Treatments and Stretching Classes to assist you in getting the most out of your body!

Sw

hts!

Nig

HU D-T - WE m E U p T 7.30

e hre

T

at Gre

THE Canberra Outlet Centre has a selection of retailers that can complement any new year’s resolution, says marketing manager Katey Johnstone.

“For the home, there’s Freedom, Focus on Furniture, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm, Royal Doulton, Villeroy & Boch, Sheridan and Snooze,” she says.

“For the ladies’ back to work, there’s CUE, Portmans, Dotti, Rockin’ That Frock and Forcast, and for the men, Oxford, Connor Clothing, YD, Tarocash and Stafford Ellinson.”

To get the kids sorted for back to school, there is Smiggle, Cotton On Kids, Pumpkin Patch and Puma, and for everyone, Cotton On Mega and Hairhouse Warehouse.

canberraswingkatz@gmail.com

Remedial, Pregnancy, Sports, Lymphatic Drainage, Dry Needling, Relaxation and Deep Tissue Massage Massage available Monday – Saturday Stretching Classes Saturday Mornings

Phone: 6162 1800 E: carmtherapies@gmail.com www.carmtherapies.com.au

Tuesday 12.45pm – Yamuna Body Rolling Tuesday 2-2.45pm – Pre/Post Natal Wednesday 6.15pm – Pilates Fundamentals Thursday 7.45pm – Circuit/Pilates Fundamentals Friday 9.30am – Embodied Movement

New availability in Current Circuit Classes

Tues 11.45am & 6.45pm & Thurs 11.45am & 6.45pm

Call to ensure your place and restore your body Deb: 0414 865 430 Email: pilates.deb@live.com.au

Avery Acupuncture Kingsley Avery Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Eastern Massage Therapy – TuiNa & Shiatsu Specialising in Acupuncture for assisting with fertility, pregnancy pre & post natal, natural induction & breach position, chronic pain management & sports injuries. $10 OFF your initial treatment when you mention this ad!

0434 083 338 www.averyacupuncture.com.au

Shops 4 & 5 Scullin Arcade, Scullin Place, SCULLIN ACT CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 15

new year, new you!

Career qualifications in fitness THINKING of a change of career? CIT offers fitness qualifications that range from Certificate III level through to Diploma level; nationally-recognised courses that provide valuable connections and practical experience.

CIT has its own fully-equipped fitness centre (CIT Fit & Well) servicing the public for students to learn in and hone their skills working with real clients, and this gives practical, real-world experience, says Craig Roxburgh, senior teacher at Sport and Fitness.

“When our graduates get jobs, it’s as if they have already worked with allied professionals, and we get feedback that CIT graduates are particularly good at understanding things like anatomical references or specific exercise modalities,” he says.

“Much of the study involves actually being at the fitness centre, training clients, training themselves and being available to offer advice or answer questions.”

The Certificate III in Fitness provides the skills and knowledge to perform a variety of activities in a fitness setting. Students will gain experience within a range of exercise instruction situations, including group exercise,

writing gym programs and supervising exercise environments.

CIT’s Certificate IV in Fitness provides the skills and knowledge to perform a variety of activities independently in a fitness setting. Students will focus on programming, exercise prescription and personal training.

CIT’s Diploma of Fitness provides the skills, knowledge and practical application to prescribe advanced programming, work with sports specific athletes and athletic development, injury reduction and programming as well as post-injury management. It also covers in-depth training interventions for chronic conditions, advanced anatomy and physiology, working with clients or athletes with a disability and fitness centre management.

It’s also possible to graduate with multiple qualifications at the same time by mixing fitness studies with sports massage.

More information at cit.edu.au

Help to shed that ‘emotional weight’

You could become a fully-qualified trainer in as little as 18 weeks!

Already in the industry and ready to take it to the next level? Study the Diploma of Fitness (SIS50213) in 2015.

APPLY NOW For more information attend the information session on Tuesday 3 February at CIT Bruce, Room B03b, 12-6pm, visit cit.edu.au/fitness or phone (02) 6207 3188.

CRICOS No. 00001K – November 2014 – RTO Code 0101– HCS141296

Want to become a personal trainer? Study the fast-tracked Certificate III (SIS30313) and IV (SIS40210) in Fitness at CIT!

THE start of a new year is the perfect time to let go of the past, put 2014 behind you and move freshly into 2015, says kinesiologist and complementary medicine practitioner Kate Pamphilon.

“When you clear your energy system you clean how you carry your baggage, release it and understand it,” she says.

“Often old patterns and belief systems trip us up and we relieve the same things. Kinesiology sessions can be really beautiful in that sense, and people say they leave feeling lighter because they have shed emotional weight.”

Kate says she trained at the Australian College of Complementary Medicine (ACCM) in Melbourne, and has also completed training in reiki and soul synchronisation. She now runs Holistic by Nature in Manuka.

“I spend most of my time helping others to be connected – mind,

body and spirit, so they can navigate this great game of life!” she says. “I educate and empower each client to understand their mind and emotions, their body, environment and spirit and how these aspects are all connected.

“My integrative approach to health and healing comes from my time spent travelling the world and learning that every culture has much to offer.”

Kate says kinesiology uses the gentle art of muscle monitoring to “talk to the body” to access information about a person’s wellbeing.

“People come in and learn so much about themselves, whether it’s hidden emotions and things they are holding on to, or something physical,” she says.

“I enjoy seeing the transformation within people, and what they gain from finally understanding themselves.”

Holistic by Nature, Live Well Spa & Wellness Centre, Manuka. Call 6295 0400 or visit holisticbynature.com.au

A fun way to fitness DANCE is so much fun, you don’t even notice that it’s good exercise, says Kym Degenhart, director of Bom Funk Dance Studio in Jerrabomberra.

“There’s so much joy and fun in dance, and although you’re getting toned and improving fitness, you don’t realise it,” she says. “It’s such a fun way to exercise.”

The studio is celebrating its 10th year in 2015 and its second year since former Moulin Rouge dancer Kym took over as director.

Boom Funk Dance Studio… celebrating its 10th anniversary.

16 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

Kate Pamphilon… helping others to be connected.

“It started as a hip hop school, but since I’ve been here I’ve increased the number of classes and styles available to add variety, and developed performance crews to allow students the opportunity to experience performing at different events.

“As well as hip hop we now also do cabaret, broadway jazz, tap, musical theatre, ballet and jazz funk, tiny tots classes and adult classes in dance and fitness.

“We also offer Hoop Funk Fitness, which tones the muscles and incorporates hooping, dance and circus skills.”

Kym says she loves working closely with her students.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to own and run a dance studio,” she says. “I love sharing my past experiences and passion for dance with my students to inspire and nurture their creative talents.

“I can be creative and have a say in the direction the studio is going in, and allow my teachers to have new ideas – I love nurturing that passion for dance.”

Bom Funk Dance Studio offers fun social classes for those who just love to dance, classes with a focus on fitness, specialist boys classes and intensive classes for students considering dance as a career.

Classes are available for young children through to adults, with both beginners and advanced classes on offer.

Bom Funk Dance Studio, Shop 6/1 and 6/2, 37 Jerrabomberra Parkway, Jerrabomberra. Call 0466 608383 or visit bomfunk.com.au

sponsored content

Jumptown Swing… “It’s a very friendly, open dance scene and a big part of it is that you can dance with anyone,” says Leonie Casey.

Swinging into fitness SWING dancing is great for fitness, meeting like-minded people and having fun, and you don’t even need a partner, says Jumptown Swing’s secretary and committee member Leonie Casey.

“We rotate partners throughout the class, and if you were to bring a partner and dance with them all night, that would almost be frowned upon!” she says.

“It’s a very friendly, open dance scene and a big part of it is that you can dance with anyone.”

Swing dancing originated in the 1930s and 1940s in the US, and was invented by the dancers in the ballrooms of Harlem to match the popular big band swing music of the day.

Jumptown Swing runs classes in Lindy Hop (including Charleston), balboa, blues and West Coast swing, as well

as workshops and events.

The group also runs two annual events, Jumptown Jam in March, which features international teachers, and Canberräng in July/August, which is a purely social event.

Leonie says swing dancing is great for fitness as well as the social aspect.

“The dances have many different speeds, and it attracts people of a wide range of ages,” she says.

“It’s great for fitness as it’s low impact but you get constant aerobic exercise.

“People are welcome to come to any of our locations and pay per class as they go along, we don’t have any contracts so there’s no pressure.”

For more information, visit jumptown.org

ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF FEELING SICK AND TIRED? Do you want to lose weight, gain more energy and lean muscle and have more time and money?

Learn how to transform your health, create time freedom and build residual income.

FREE INFO

SESSIONS

CANBERRA

NORTH/SOUTH

LIMITED SEATS. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL PHONE 0412 770 443 FOR MORE INFORMATION

MAKE 2015 YOUR YEAR OF CHANGE! CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 17

scene / around canberra

invite us / scene@citynews.com.au

Event of the Week / Australian of the Year awards, Parliament House FOUR fabulous women made history this year with a girl-power sweep of the Australian of the Year Awards at the Australia Day-eve party that celebrates who we are and those who’ve made a significant contribution.

Their causes and passions are different, but each has made a major contribution to our society and came from a formidable field of finalists across the four categories that give recognition to our young, seniors, local heroes and, of course, the Australian of the Year who for 2015 is Rosie Batty.

We will never forget her heartbreaking articulating of the scourge of domestic violence after the death of her son and have watched as she emerged as the champion of the cause.

Senior Australian of the Year is Jackie French, who lives in the beautiful Araluen Valley and, as an award-winning writer, is the current Children’s Laureate and director of the Wombat Foundation.

Drisana Levitzke-Gray, as the Young Australian of the Year is an advocate for the deaf. She gives voice to so many with Auslan, her first language.

Social entrepreneur Louise Davidson is Australia’s Local Hero and the founder and CEO of GIVIT, an online portal to get donated goods to those who need them. Go girls!

Local Hero Juliette Wright

Awards finalist Deborra-Lee Furness and her daughter Ava

Young Australian of the Year Drisana Levitzke-Gray and Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Senator Kate Lundy with ACT Australian of the Year Glenn Keys

Darren Tredgold, Damian Golden, Mair Roach, Belinda Beauman, Kelly Tredgold, Colin Thomas and Rossana Sorensen

SUNDAY ROAST Stay in touch with the names making news on Sundays from 10am as 2CC and “CityNews” present Canberra’s only local weekend news and current affairs program.

It’s a revolving panel show that brings to the microphone great “CityNews” commentators and 2CC personalities.

Be part of the conversation and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon.

18 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

Senator Jacqui Lambie

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Australian of the Year 2015 Rosie Batty

Former Australian of the Year Adam Goodes with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Rachelle Towart

Awards finalist Hettie Johnston and her husband Ian Johnston

arts & entertainment

A Thirst for Thailand

Wendy Johnson

Archies back with a bite

Long walk on the ‘Wild’ side

By Helen Musa

THE foundation for Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée’s odyssey of a woman’s thousand-mile hike alone is Cheryl Strayed’s memoir “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail”.

Cheryl’s life held little joy. Her beloved mother had died from cancer.

Her husband was abusive. The hike offered an epiphany to rescue her from the destructive influences of alcohol, drugs and promiscuity.

Reese Witherspoon, pictured, is better than impressive as Cheryl, developing from a total outdoors novice to a confident trail walker crossing a variety of terrains carrying a backpack nearly as big as herself. Laura Dern is impressive as Cheryl’s mother Bobbi. The pair carry most of the film, Cheryl learning to deal with the wild, Bobbi and Cheryl together coping with domestic adversities and delighting in friendship.

The arid bleakness of the Mojave Desert, the crests of the western slopes of the Rockies and the forests on the slopes and valleys, provide vistas that are charming, frightening, bleak, dangerous and testing. The folk whom Cheryl encounters are real people rather than contrived stereotypes of fictional film plots.

two shockers, just as with the Archibald,” says Batey, noting that the next in popularity is Molly THIS year’s star subject of Meldrum, seen in Max Gerreyn’s the annual Bald Archies is adoring portrait of Molly during a undoubtedly Tasmanian moment of success.

As in recent years, the Bald parliamentarian Jacqui Archy Exhibition will launch at Lambie.

Watson Arts Centre in Canberra, with a grand tour planned around “CityNews” has been given a country towns such as Swanpool, sneak preview of Canberra artist Valda Johnson’s entry in the exhibi- Gundagai, Deniliquin, Coffs Harbour, Brewarrina, Corowa and tion that pokes fun at the pretensions of the art world and Australia’s Temora.

Opening in Canberra has always best-known arts competition, the Archibald Prize. “The Adventures of given the Archy fabulous national coverage, but he worries that by Jacqui Lambie” shows the senator, the time it gets to the Italian Forum flanked by Tasmanian devils and in Sydney’s Leichardt, the news well-hung young men, against a value may have waned, so he’ll be background of burqa-clad women and Clive Palmer, uselessly wielding delaying the announcements until July 25, after the Archibald prize a lasso.

It’s the exhibition’s 22nd year, but winner is known.

While Batey has always hated the there’s no sign of its founder, former theatrical entrepreneur Peter Batey, idea that the Bald Archies could be subjected to serious art criticism, it giving up. Nor, he tells “CityNews”, is the chief arbiter of the Archies, his irks him that national institutions like the National Portrait Gallery and at sulphur-crested cockatoo Maude, losing any of her judgmental acuity. least one major regional art gallery continue to ignore the award.

Batey assures us that Maude It is an acquisitive prize, so he doesn’t take alcohol, is a vegetarian has a collection of winning portraits and is acutely aware of what is going right back to the first year, happening in the world. “She will 1994, when the Bald Archy award outlast me,” he predicts. was launched as part of the Coolac “There are always one or

“Wild” (MA)

Canberra artist Valda Johnson’s Bald Archy entry, “The Adventures of Jacqui Lambie”.

Festival of Fun. Like it or loathe it, 81-year-old Batey says the exhibition and award have served as a social barometer for a long time and deserve a resting place in one of the cultural institutions. After this year’s grand

tour of the Archies is finished, he intends devoting time to ensuring that.

The Bald Archy Exhibition, Watson Arts Centre, Aspinall Street, Watson, every day, February 6-March 8, entry $5.

Geoff and all that jazz are back Arts Centre, until February 22. An in-conversation event with Claire Capel-Stanley and the artists from “Light Years” and a story-share presented by Rip publishing, will accompany the latter show. Details at photoaccess.org.au

Helen Musa arts in the city

GEOFF Page’s “Jazz in Concert at The Gods” kicks off on February 3 for 2015 with “The South African Project”. Sax player Mark Ginsburg leads a top group to play the great South African jazz composers, including Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Bheki Mseleku. At The Gods Café, ANU Arts Centre, dinner 6pm, music 7.30pm, bookings to thegodscafe@ gmail.com or 6248 5538.

THEN from 5-7pm on February 6, The Night Café at Tuggeranong Arts Centre promises a musical journey spanning French, Latin, Gypsy Swing and jazz. Entry free.

FORMER Supa Productions performer and now doctor, Sarah Golding, is producing and performing in a professional co-op of the Sesame Street parody “Avenue Q” for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Golding was in Supa’s 2011 hit version of the show.

M16 Artspace, at 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, has re-opened with four exhibitions that juxtapose

Students outside Chifley Library in 1971 at the ANU Aquarius Festival of University Arts.

Photo by Lin Richardson. experiences of the modern and natural worlds. The shows are “A Pinch of Salt” by Kerry Shepherdson”; “Bubble ’n’ Squeak” by Dash Kossmann, Fran Meatheringham and Michele England; “Square Eyes”

by Josh Owen, Julian Rouch and Kai Wasikowski, and “Beauty Through Motion” by Kelly Hayes. The show runs to February 8.

GOOD news that Canberra printmaker and artist Gary Smith, recently awarded a Canberra Critics Circle award, is staging an exhibition

M16 Artspace has announced that its next Emerging Exhibitions Prize applications are open until February 9. Two exhibitions from May 28 to February 14 will be awarded to emerging artists and/or curators.

Application details to m16artspace. com.au/prizes/eep

THE High Court will have Coro Chamber Music performing from of new artworks at Artereal Gallery in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Rozelle, Sydney, opening on February Baroque eras in the first of the year’s 4. Smith’s day job is at CMAG, and free concerts, 1.30pm on Sunday, he uses a rare printer at the ANU to February 1. It is the first time this make his works. exquisite choir has sung at the court.

“ON Film,” an exhibition presenting works by more than 30 members, kicks off the year at PhotoAccess.

As well, “Light Years” is a curated exhibition presenting works from the PhotoAccess collection by the late Lin Richardson, alongside newly-commissioned works by six contemporary artists. At Manuka

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

“The Wedding Ringer” (MA) no stars THE creative inclination of many American filmmakers has been so scrambled by network TV comedy series that their comic output relies on stupidity to extract laughter from cerebral dwarves incapable of thinking how it might have been done better, or why it was done at all.

Jeremy Garelick’s writing and directing debut begins by creating a big fat lie. Josh (Doug Harris), scheduled to marry Gretchen (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting) in a fortnight, is a doofus without family or out-ofworkplace friends. Custom demands that Josh find a best man to stand

Dougal Macdonald cinema

beside him before the altar.

Enter Jimmy (Kevin Hart) the slick, rapid-fire-talking entrepreneur of TBM Inc. TBM? The Best Man, a company offering to find a best man to perform that function. TBM’s real business is draining clients’ bank accounts. The film establishes a litany of devices to that end. Boring. Even worse. Stupid. Its sole redeeming aspect is its parody of marriage customs in our time.

At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight

“American Sniper” (MA) CLINT Eastwood’s 35th feature as director since “Play Misty For Me” in 1971 examines the conflicts between Chris Kyle’s profession and his family life.

Kyle wanted to be a cowboy. But as a US Navy SEAL he served four tours of Middle Eastern conflicts, where his skill with a rifle led him to become a sniper, laying up in concealment to protect infantry in the open. On his last tour, he focused on taking out an enemy sniper with skills equal to his own.

Eastwood’s staging of the film’s battle sequences is, as you might expect, credible. Drawing from the book Kyle wrote about his experiences, Jason Hall’s screenplay deftly intertwines the heat, dust, noise, danger and emotional tensions of military events, with the anxiety of the wife and children awaiting the soldier’s homecoming.

As Kyle is preparing to decide when a mother and her son might indeed be about to hurl a grenade into a US position, his mobile rings; his wife has domestic matters to discuss.

Bradley Cooper is convincing as Kyle, Sienna Miller is brave as his wife. Sequences filmed in military hospitals show real and horrendous battle wounds. Eastwood didn’t direct the images at the closing credits; drawn from national TV, they say much about American patriotism.

At all cinemas

NOTED classical guitar quartet Guitar Trek, currently made up of Tim Kain, Minh Le Hoang, Bradley Kunda and Matt Withers, is running a crowd-funder for their next album that has so far raised more than $3000 towards a $12,000 goal by March 10. Donate via Pozible.com/ Guitar Trek.

CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 19

Luckiest Productions, neiL GoodinG Productions & tinderbox Productions in association with canberra theatre centre and hayes theatre co present

arts & entertainment / dining

WINNER

Best Female actor in a musical

Verity Hunt-Ballard Helpmann Awards 2014

WINNER

Best direction oF a musical

dean Bryant Helpmann Awards 2014

WINNER

Best cHoreograpHy oF a musical

andrew HallswortH Helpmann Awards 2014

Pulled pork shoulder with sweet chilli and nam prik.

Thirst for Thailand IF you have a thirst for the tantalising tastes of Thai food, head to West Row where you’ll find a restaurant operated by hospitality veterans Justin and Jeff Piper.

This couple knows a thing or two about this cuisine, having spent a great deal of time in Thailand scouring the buzzing street scene to uncover the flavours of the food.

They opened Thirst five years ago wanting to bring the real tastes of modern Thai street food to Canberra and they’ve done just that.

The interior design is bright and colourful and the Pipers have recreated the atmosphere of a relaxed and friendly Thai restaurant and wine bar. You don’t have to sit on upturned plastic crates, as you might on the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but you do feel you’ve been transported out of Canberra.

The food is great and make sure you order the chef’s favourites and house specialties such as the Thai sausage that is soul satisfying to devour, the sweet corn fritters and the hot, crispy fish salad (this dish and several others include peanuts, but the menu is specific).

For heat (the spice kind), summer is the perfect time to order the green papaya salad with dried shrimp ($21.90). It’s divine. Fishcake fans will be delighted with Jeff’s interpretation ($12.90 for four) and for something different, the green curry with trout dumplings, a house specialty, are worth every bite ($24.90). We also road tested the deep-fried pork belly with tamarind ($24.90).

Jeff is soon to change the menu, but promises to keep the dishes regulars crave most. He’s almost afraid to take them off. Who knows what the fallout would be?

The Pipers are so serious about authentic Thai food

“Must-see.” daily reView

“Don’t miss it!” sunday telegrapH

“Musical theatre doesn’t come any better than this.” stage wHispers

20 CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

Photos by Holly Treadaway

that Jeff hosts – through Active Travel, food tours – “The Tastes of Thailand and Laos with Chef Jeff Piper”.

The next 15-day tour (July 18 to August 1) starts in Vientiane, ends in Bangkok and includes a two-day river cruise along the magnificent Mekong. There’s no better way to uncover gastronomic gems than with a chef who knows his way around the traps.

Jeff says it’s an amazing time of year to travel to these fascinating countries because of the seasonal produce and wild foods available in the markets, including vines and herbs from the jungle. And to get off the streets for a bit, the tour includes a dining experience by award-winning chef David Thompson at the luxurious Nahm Restaurant, considered one of the best in the world.

Thirst’s wine list is carefully chosen to ensure appropriate matching with food. The outdoor area is very basic but lovely at night when the fairy lights sparkle in surrounding trees.

Thirst, 20 West Row, Melbourne Building, Civic. Call 6257 0700.

Open Monday to Saturday.

puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore

FAMILY LAW IN CANBERRA General knowledge crossword No. 486 1

your week in the stars – February 2-8, 2015

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) The Full Moon plus Uranus and Jupiter aspects are an impulsive and explosive combination. You’re in a spontaneous mood but remember it takes a short time to burn bridges and a lot longer to mend them! Resist the temptation to be a rambunctious Ram; antagonise loved ones; or say things that unintentionally hurt others. It’s a wonderful week for sporting events, outdoor activities and creative endeavours.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) With Mercury reversing through your career zone expect mix-ups, missed appointments or computer chaos at work. It’s not a good time to apply for jobs – wait until after February 11. You’ve got so much on your professional plate, the last thing you need is domestic dramas! But that’s exactly what you’ll get, as the fiery Full Moon heats up your home zone. The main thing to help resolve problems is compromise.

2

3

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) Crabs can be careless with cash and credit, and this week’s fiery Full Moon encourages comfort shopping and impulse buys. Do your best to steer clear of self-indulgent spending sprees in person and online. Avoid getting drawn into discussions over finances, as misunderstandings are likely. If you’re planning a heavenly holiday in 2015, look for divine destinations with an artistic, musical, literary or spiritual vibe.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) The annual Leo Full Moon boosts your Cat confidence and charisma, and helps your leadership skills shine brightly, as long as you put the needs of others first. Strive to be extra diplomatic with loved ones, as Mercury reverses through your relationship zone until February 11. You’re full of fabulous ideas but the challenge is to follow through on commitments. If you make a promise keep it; if you set a goal work to achieve it.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) With retrograde Mercury aspecting Saturn, it’s the perfect week to review your daily routine and redefine your goals for the future. If you’re not heading down the right road, then don’t be afraid to take a detour or even change course completely. Now’s the time to research, reassess and then take action after February 11. Be inspired by Bob Marley (born on February 6): “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

6

Obligation free first conference

8 9

10 11

12

13

• Pre-nuptial agreements • Separation and Divorce • De-facto relationships • Parenting and children • Property settlement

www.familylawincanberra.com.au 14 17

15

18

Cristina Huesch

02 6223 2400

16

19 20

21

22

23 24 25

Solution next week 2 Which part of speech modifies another part of speech?

4 Which horse won the 1987 Melbourne Cup? 3 Name the shallowest and southernmost of the five Great Lakes.

7 What do we colloquially call a police officer?

4 What are the main longitudinal structural members of a ship’s hull?

8 To catch, as in a net, is to do what?

In mythology, what are conceived as 9 What is the common name for the wild 5 beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, hyacinth? rivers, woods, etc?

11 Which bituminous substance is used 6 Which form of tripod supports a for covering roads? blackboard, or the like?

13 Name the concave plates which give a 9 What do they call the muscle on the front metallic sound when struck. of the upper arm?

15 What are flocks of geese called?

10 What is a form of pasta cut into flat sheets?

17 Name the non-metallic element, 12 Which dissertation is presented for a symbol Si. postgraduate degree?

20 What are written acknowledgements 14 A cricket bat is said to be made of which of payment of bills? wood?

23 To have surfaced a road with tar, etc, 16 What is a motorless aeroplane called? is to have done what?

18 That which is regarded as perfect is said to 24 What is a temporary prevalence of a be what? disease?

19 Which term expresses an authoritative 25 Name the blossom of a plant. direction?

Down 21 What is a deep-fried finger of potato?

22 What do we call one of two children 1 Who invented the telephone, brought forth at a birth?

Alexander Graham ...

Across

INTERNATIONAL DAY SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY 10AM-4PM

Indian block print textiles · Italian ceramics Turkish homewares & jewellery French provincial tablecloths · Fabulous multicultural food International dance performances

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

ZOO 50415

You need to be extra tactful with a mischievous child, a troubled teenager or a frazzled friend – otherwise there’ll be communication chaos, as you misread each other’s words and intentions. For some loyal Librans, a friendship that’s been floundering may come to an unexpected end. The weekend looks wonderful, as the Venus/Pluto connection encourages companionship and deep emotional connections with loved ones.

5

7

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) Geminis love to gossip but beware the tendency to spill secrets. Words are powerful weapons so use them wisely. Be extra careful when sending emails, texts or tweets as your meaning could be misinterpreted. Beautify your work environment and have fun as Venus enhances on the job charm, enjoyment and love. Singles – you could find yourself drawn to an attractive colleague, client, customer or fellow student.

4

Sudoku medium No. 143

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21) It will be tricky to get the balance right between your personal and professional lives.

The pressure’s on at work but don’t let it blind you to the pressing needs of loved ones. A frustrating family issue, it’s time to revise, review and then reboot. Passion and intensity are in the air on the weekend, as a relationship shifts to a deeper level. Don’t keep your feelings to yourself – have the courage to express your heart’s desire.

LEADERSHIP & DIVERSITY FORUM

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Think before you speak Sagittarius! Your verbal and mental abilities are still shockingly scrambled, as Mercury continues reversing through your communication zone until February 11. Plus the fiery Full Moon and Jupiter jump-start your tendency to make blunt remarks, send rash texts or indulge in impulsive behaviour. You’ll find the more focused and patient you are, the more productive and pleasant the week will be.

Women in Property & Construction Breakfast 7:15 – 9:00 am February 24 Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit Barton Price per table Members: $750.00 Non-members: $1,200.00 Seats per table: 10 Ticket prices Members: $80.00 Non-members: $125.00

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) Capricorns are ambitious souls but sometimes you fall short of reaching the lofty heights you desperately crave. The reason? You don’t want to attempt something unless you can do it 100% , the first time. Which is impossible and can result in a permanent failure to launch. So your motto for 2015 is from birthday great, the acclaimed actor Jack Lemmon: “Failure won’t hurt you, but fear of failure will cripple you.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Solutions from last edition

Daily astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2015

Crossword No. 485

Sponsored by:

Solution next week

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) With Mars and Venus both visiting your sign it’s time to be bold and beautiful, as you learn to love yourself and engage in some unusually speedy decision-making. An old Piscean hope, dream or wish may need to be reviewed, updated and transformed so it’s a more realistic reflection of the powerful and positive new you in 2015. The stars also favour volunteer work, creative projects, intuitive insights and spiritual pursuits.

Maximising the potential of a diverse workforce is not only a social imperative; it provides a competitive advantage and is a key driver to achieving business success.

To book or more information contact Rebecca Scott on 6248 6902 or rscott@propertyoz.com.au

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

R J X E C U T N M R O W B A O V E R S E L T E E N C A B A P T A O B L O A R S S H A N

C O R U R S S E R N A O N G E T Y

Sudoku hard No.142

The fiery Full Moon amplifies your unpredictable Aquarian nature and you’re in the mood to stir things up, especially with close relationships. But are you ready for the consequences? Mercury is still reversing through your sign until February 11 so make sure you check and double-check all forms of communication. Do your best to surround yourself with people who boost your confidence and encourage your dreams.

People are the most important asset of any company. Companies need to attract & retain the right skills, the best minds & the best people – and that means a diverse workforce.

Lieutenant General David Morrison AO Chief of Army, Australian Defence Force

Avril Henry. Internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, author, leadership strategist, coach and provocateur CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 21

summer jumbo crossword

Solution next week

ACROSS 1 Laundry appliance (4,5) 6 Information 10 Male servant 13 Seaside vagrant 18 Deem 19 Corpulent 20 State in detail 21 Discovered 22 Unoccupied state 23 Photographic apparatus 25 Male sheep 26 Grown up 27 Malign 28 Form joints 29 Competitor 31 Tap smartly 32 Ridge of rocks 33 Sailing vessel 35 Hang loosely 36 Women of rank 38 Fashionable shop 40 Unemployed 41 Fencing sword 42 Sailor 44 Headlong flight 46 Muslim prince 48 Calls for more 50 Saloon car 52 To be likely 53 Native metal 54 Sides 56 Admired stereotype 57 Exaggerating 58 Christmas 59 Weather-map line 60 Bend 61 Eulogise 62 Boy 64 Dialect 65 Pitcher 67 Upper house 70 Scatter 72 Devoured 76 Tolerate 78 Permit 80 Modifies fittingly 82 Judicial order 84 Frank 86 Singlet 87 Second-largest continent 90 Hastily grasp 92 Female parent 94 Play divisions 97 Excessive pride 101 Period of time 102 Distribute 104 Prickly plant 107 Atmosphere 108 Bright 111 Open car 115 Spatter 117 Without gender 120 Libertine 122 Robe of office 124 Open 125 Shipping hazard 126 Hand tool 128 Baby rabbits (NZ) 129 Regular 130 Universal 132 Signed 167 Belief in God 133 Ultimate extent 169 The Lion 135 Joined wound edges 170 Touch up 139 Harmful 174 Holiest city of Islam 143 Animal cruelty pre176 Extra (abb) vention society (init) 177 Delight 145 Said again 180 Possessors 147 Downsized 183 Milliner 150 Treat meanly 185 Decelerates 151 An uproar 189 Hallowed 154 Pure and simple 191 Test 155 Renegade 192 Undertones 156 Encounters 194 Style 157 Ailments 196 Ringed planet 159 Movable barrier 198 International Phonetic 160 Unit of mass Alphabet (init) 162 Breeding ground 200 Sufficient 163 Flavourer 202 Mildest 22  CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015

205 Die out 207 An intersecting line 210 Semi-domesticated bird 211 Ebb 213 Greek letter 214 Telephone greeting 215 Up to a time 216 Most modern 217 Prison 218 African parrots 219 Circle 220 Former French monetary unit 222 Upper limb 224 Stain 225 Contemplated 228 WA town, north of

Perth 231 Solitary 232 Suave 235 Voucher 237 Poet 238 Lower respiratory tract infection (init) 239 Blaspheme 240 Backs of necks 242 Passport endorsement 243 Cajole 244 Father 245 Lodging house 247 Grand 248 Departed 250 Upright 251 Code

252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262

Wheelie bin Monotony Ministry Bewilder Empty spaces Church official Marble Romantic Timber worker Devil A fool (US coll)

DOWN 1 2 3 4

Surprises Short sleeps Acquire Imperial

5 Fluid 6 Skilful 7 Holiday-maker 8 Mannequin 9 Slip back 10 Charm 11 Publican (Brit arch) 12 Ratified again 13 Velocipede 14 Noisily discordant 15 MC 16 Visible impression 17 Snakes, lizards etc 20 Grinned 24 Mohair 30 Hospital social worker 31 Garland

34 Leasing 37 Spiritual beings 39 Junkie (coll) 42 Concealed marksman 43 Of the night 45 Wonder 47 Repair 49 Step 51 Consuming food 53 Gaped at 55 Proposed 63 Up and about 66 Occident 68 Finish 69 On the other side 70 Inflexible 71 Rodents

73 74 75 77 79 81 83 84 85 88 89 90 91 93 95 96 98 99

Standards And so on (abb) Biblical garden Vaselike receptacle First woman Waistband Child’s bed An outline map Up against Evened the score Memorise Plunders Become old Shade of colour Factions Moral principles Suffix of nouns Enclosed grounds

gardening 100 Gluttony 103 Citrus fruit 105 Motionless 106 Belonging to them 109 Printer 110 Word for word 112 Land areas (imp) 113 Cashier 114 Meander 115 Splinter groups 116 In favour of 118 Be placed beneath 119 Pendent ornaments 121 Charge with a gas 123 Was in debt 127 Fanatic 131 Poisonous effluvia 134 Vexed 136 Industrial group 137 Referee 138 Wicked 139 Sticks to 140 Parts of speech 141 Proportion 142 Shun 144 Overtake 145 Suggest 146 Disease of cereals 148 Brown pigment 149 Born 152 Pastimes 153 Hires 158 Impales 161 Something curved 164 Newt 165 Picturesque 166 Flightless birds 168 Class 171 Expressions 172 Poles 173 Seat 175 Clubbed 178 Unspecified doctrine 179 Flying toy 181 Emit lava 182 Transmitted 184 Unit of current (abb) 186 End of a prayer 187 Self 188 Thief 190 Entirety 192 Australian Television Network (init) 193 Catch fire 195 Medium 197 Kingdom 199 Allot a task 201 Nothing (arch) 203 Hearty eater 204 Enjoy food (3,4) 206 Begrudges 208 Southern 209 From that place 210 Fine soft leather 212 Projectiles science 213 Impressive style 220 Legendary 221 Floating 223 Of late 226 Colours 227 Professional interpreter 229 Nonbelief 230 Prove superior 232 More lacklustre 233 Decapitates 234 Not strictly accurate 236 Show eagerness 241 Yell 246 Cicatrices 247 Flat 249 Try out 251 Miserly 252 ... Khayyam

Time to prune those busy climbers MANY climbing plants will possibly be getting completely out of hand at this time.

driveways on country properties.

Its bold, bright, large, pink flowers gave it the common name of “Naked Ladies” and, while often referred to as lilies (due to the flower shape), it is in reality only a distant relative.

How do you deal with them and when is the best time to deal with this rampant growth?

Wisteria is possibly one of the fastest climbers and now, in summer, is the time to prune.

On each long trailing stem counting from where it joins on to main stems count three leaf joints and chop.

Do this all over the vine. You will also need to do this again in winter to a lesser degree. This will reward you with more stems and flowers next spring.

ASTERS, commonly known as Michaelmas daisies, are a longlasting autumn perennial and it’s also time to do some cutting back.

Cut only about one third off and, yes, you will be cutting off lots of flower buds.

But fear not, in autumn this will result in a stunning, long-lasting display. Plus, when they have finished flowering – like all perennials – in winter you can simply dig up the clump and divide it to give you dozens of extra plants.

THEN there is the much maligned Agapanthus, commonly called “Lily of the Nile”. And yet, like Belladonna, is not a lily at all and is related to Amaryllis and native to South Africa, not Egypt.

The problem is that its seeds are spread very easily and it is suggested they have spread into native bushland, although I have never seen it in plague proportions.

However, it is not usually a problem in urban areas with the plant bringing a bold splash of cool blues and whites on hot days. If the seed heads are cut off immediately after flowering any seeding problem is overcome.

Time to start summer pruning wisteria.

WITH just a month to autumn, the bulb catalogues will be arriving from mail-order houses and there will be special offers in garden magazines. While I am sure mailorder plants and bulbs are of good quality, I still recommend buying

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

from local garden centres.

Most local garden centres have been around for a long time, surviving economic recession to drought, answering gardeners’ problems, from pests to failed plants. Buying online means you have no idea of the quality of plants or even if they survive the mail etcetera.

Bulbs are graded according to size and quality; how do you know the quality compared with visiting your local garden centre to be able to pick out the biggest and healthiest bulbs for a floral show for many years to come?

My message is, support your local business and they will support you.

THE biggest temptation in extreme heat is to over-water plants.

Often they can show signs of stress in the heat of the day and out comes the hose. This is the worst thing you can do. The best time to water is in the cool of the

evening and water the plants, not the soil where there are no plants.

The best method is still drip irrigation of which I am only watering once a week in our garden using this method, usually for an hour.

If you can, turn the drippers on for about ¾ hour to one hour in the morning and repeat the process for a similar time in the evening. This is known as “pulse irrigation” and allows the water to penetrate to the root zone without run-off.

There is absolutely no need to water every day and, indeed, this can actually cause the death of plants. Naturally, plants in containers will need more frequent watering.

SOME folk positively dislike Anemone hupehensis or Japanese wind flowers, only because they multiply too fast. Once I was severely reprimanded by a reader, suggesting I had made an error in recommending this plant and expecting a correction the following week! Isn’t that what we expect of plants? If you have too many simply thin them out. For the back of the garden bed there is no flower more showy with both pink and white blooms.

THERE is a wide variety of plants that revel in the heat, with Amaryllis belladonna immediately coming to mind. The foliage is untroubled by animals so the plant is often used to line

We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow u Established over 50 years u MBA Supplier of the Year u Pavers 300x300, 400x400, 500x500 u Masonry Blocks, Brick Paving 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 u Architects requests are welcome

Quality Service I Commercial & Residential

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

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

The rich colour of Agapanthus “Black Pantha”.

“Naked Ladies”... revel in the heat.

CityNews January 29-February 4, 2015 23

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE BUILT Gungahlin, new project coming soon

GUNGAHLIN CRACE

Abode Belconnen

Newtown

BELCONNEN

Wayfarer Apartments O’CONNOR

Chelsea

CANBERRA CITY

Observatory Living

Abode Gungahlin

WRIGHT

FYSHWICK

NARRABUNDAH

Abode Tuggeranong

TUGGERANONG

Southport

GEOCON has grown significantly since our inception in 2007 and has become known around the city; something we’re very proud of.

In 2015, Canberra will see the highly anticipated release of our Southport development in Tuggeranong, our Gungahlin development and the commencement of Wayfarer; Canberra’s tallest residential building. Our Chelsea in O’Connor, Observatory in Wright and Newtown at Crace developments are also due for completion this year.

Abode Canberra City

Fringe at Epicentre Abode Narrabundah

Vue

We are developing residential apartments as well as hotels and 2015 will see the completion of two new Abode Hotels in Narrabundah and Canberra city. Abode Hotels is set to expand to Belconnen shortly afterwards with a view to grow further and be a part of Canberra’s surrounding regions.

Our plans for the future involve growing within Canberra, finding new locations where we can develop homes for our community and visitors.