171116 citynews

NICHOLE OVERALL / SIMPLE, LOCAL FARM BOY WHO CONQUERED THE WORLD NOVEMBER 16, 2017

Well written, well read

Dear Affordable Housing Project Team...

JON STANHOPE Lumpy choice: rock or a hard place MICHAEL MOORE Chic Henry – up close and personal DANIELLE NOHRA Rattling yarn of the marooned cabin boy ROBERT MACKLIN

So much from so little The amazing work of Canberrans reaching out to rebuild Nepal NEED LIQUIDATION OR BANKRUPTCY ADVICE? worrells.net.au

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NEWS / cover story

Canberrans reach out to help battling villagers

By Kathryn Vukovljak

TREKKING, yoga and rebuilding Nepali communities devastated by earthquakes are all part of the trips organised by Canberra charity REACH for Nepal.

Founders Lachhu Thapa and Lou Nulley started the foundation in 2015 following the earthquakes in Nepal centred on the Gorkha district, although before that Lachhu had been organising trips to Nepal through his restaurant The Hungry Buddha.

He says Lou came on board to lead the yoga element of the trips when they built up a friendship and, after the earthquakes, they decided to focus their visits towards restoration and relief.

“Travel is what I love and I’m lucky enough to be organising trips back to Nepal where I was born,” Lachhu says.

“We really undersell our tourism in Nepal and I feel I’m doing my bit to kick in with that.”

With two, 12-person trips planned for October 2018 almost booked out already, Lou says the experience allows people to directly assist on a project that fulfils the objectives of the foundation, which are reflected in the acronym REACH – Rebuild, Educate, Assist, the Children/Communities (giving) Hope for Nepal.

“So far at a school in Gorkha, we’ve built a water tank, two classrooms, an

RFN Directors Lachhu Thapa and Lou Nulley, left, with a touring party from Canberra – Shelly, Karen, Andy, Phil, Gabi, Phil, Bianca, Wayne, Leigh, Cate, Jo and trek guide Raju with the Shahid Hari Prasad School principal Baburam, staff and the kids at the school’s welcoming ceremony.

Photo (and cover) by Shelly Higgs amenities block, a wall to make the playground safe, a library and computer room,” says Lachhu.

“It’s very rewarding and fulfilling, and I’m also able to work closely with my brothers in Nepal, Raju our trek guide and the in-country director Shiva. “It’s an amazing feeling to be able to execute all that and to be successful at it.”

Lou says he loves going on the trips and seeing people “unfold, bond and relax” during the five-day trek to a school or village, where they are given the most incredible welcome.

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“The trips provide a broad spectrum of interest for people, and it seems to attract a like-minded group who want to selflessly give, experience the beauty of Nepal, trek and are akin to yoga, as there’s that element of being centred and calm as well,” he says.

“Without this funding coming in, nothing is going to happen there.

When we start the building work, the whole village comes out and it’s a festive atmosphere. By the end of the day, you’ve gone through so much.”

REACH for Nepal has formed connections with the University of

Canberra, Canberra Grammar School and other Canberra institutions, and is planning trips and ways to support Nepal with them, says Lou. They also have an agreement with Singapore Airlines to ship limited donated goods for free for their projects.

“We work hard to be formal, professional, transparent and accountable, as well as allowing for scalability, although at this stage our focus is to keep things small, so it can be a personal experience for anyone who’s contributing, whether financially or with their time,” says Lou.

“We have a lot of support from the local community here – in two years we’ve raised $50,000 through word of mouth and it all goes to help those who most need it in Nepal,” says Lachhu.

“We’ll be hosting our second annual dinner, catered by The Hungry Buddha, in September at the Albert Hall, which forms our major source of funding.

“And thanks to our links we’re able to help where it’s needed, we know what it takes to deliver aid directly.”

Lou says he feels blessed and privileged to be working on the foundation and helping to facilitate the trips.

“It gives me great joy, and that’s a carefully chosen word – some things can give you happiness for a short period of time but joy comes from within,” he says.

“And it comes from not only making a difference to people in Nepal but also in taking people from Australia there, guiding them through it all and having them come out the other end saying, that was an amazing experience. They gain a sense of making a difference in people’s lives. It’s tangible, which is an important part of giving.

“We give the people in Nepal so little and they give us so much.”

More information at reachfornepal.org It costs $4000, including international and local airfares, all transport, accommodation and most meals. Each participant is asked to raise $250 for RFN before the trip.

Since 1993: Volume 23, Number 43 14-16 15 16 17 18-19 17 3-12 8 10-11 16

Rattling good yarn of the marooned cabin boy.

Story Page 9.

Well written, well read

Ph 02 6189 0777 Fax 02 6189 0778 9b/189 Flemington Rd, Mitchell 2911

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Register at www.moxxietraining.com.au or call Melinda on 0412 348 627 CityNews November 16-22, 2017 3

SEVEN DAYS

Lobby antics serve up old political memories dose of dorin

AN occupation by tent-embassy activists of the Lobby restaurant has thrust the almost derelict Parkes building back into the limelight with many stories from the iconic establishment’s halcyon days exhumed.

In 2012 Mungo McCallum chronicled some cracking yarns including when then-G-G Sir John Kerr slipped under the table after too much port and Treasurer Jim Cairns being hand-fed strawberries by his secretary Junie Morosi.

And on November 11, 1975, lunchers at the Lobby witnessed Laurie Oakes uncharacteristically leaving a half glass of red wine and “sprinting” back to Parliament House instinctively knowing a monumental story was breaking.

MEANWHILE the Lobby is now firmly back in the hands of owners the National Capital Authority and secured by a construction fence

around its perimeter.

But while inside the building the protesters calling themselves the Landlord Ngunnawal Custodians did observe another “institution”.

After “reclaiming” the site as an extension to the existing Tent Embassy a call went out on social media for a TV to be donated so that Tuesday’s big two-miler could be watched inside the famous function centre.

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outfits of our political leaders could have not been more extreme. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull donned an Akubra and headed to the Tamworth races to campaign with local member Barnaby Joyce, while Labor Leader Bill Shorten rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous in a corporate marquee at Flemington. When bailed up by fashion media with the vacuous “who are you wearing?” question the Opposition Leader was coy, deferring to wife Chloe to describe his outfit.

Shorten is dressed by one of Canberra’s most exclusive menswear stores, which has been outfitting men since the mid 1950s.

occupation of The Lodge was 3AW’s Tom Elliott during a chat with Fenner MP Andrew Leigh. Elliott put to Dr Leigh: “Say you’re the next Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, and you’ll be in government pretty soon, do you honestly think you’ll be able to extract more tax out of the so-called big end of town?”

The warm fave for next Treasurer responded with his customary confidence: “Absolutely”.

YOU have been warned: if you are tempted to overstay your parking time limit this summer, don’t.

New licence-plate recognition technology removes the “sporting chance” in avoiding a parking ticket.

The Barr government says the technology, which can inspect more than 500 vehicles per hour, is “mounted in a car and takes infrared photos to electronically chalk cars”.

Parking inspectors who regularly bear the brunt of verbal abuse and threats of violence will benefit, according to a PR blurb, as “the new technology is freeing up more parking spaces and allowing foot-patrol inspectors to target illegal and unsafe parking”.

RINGSIDE seats in the ACT Legislative Assembly may be at a premium after Marquess of Queensberry rules almost overtook parliamentary procedure.

Reportedly, CM Andrew “Bam Bam” Barr and former Liberal Leader Jeremy “The Hitman” Hanson verbally locked horns during committee hearings, almost requiring FURTHER speculating on Shorten’s imminent the matter “to be taken outside” to be sorted.

JUST in time for Christmas for the Defence Christian who has everything, a waterproof “Bible”. A new, waterproof “New Testament”, for each of the three arms of the ADF, was launched in Canberra recently. Air Commodore Kevin Russell, the directorgeneral of Chaplaincy Air Force, says: “To have a ‘New Testament’ that matches the uniform, fits in pockets and is waterproof makes it very durable and can be taken anywhere”.

IF you haven’t noticed the higher than usual number of large trucks trundling through the streets of Canberra, you may have spotted one stand-out: a large and mean-looking 908 Kenworth, pictured, painted in flat black and straight from a “Mad Max” movie set.

The tandem tippers are busy hauling loads of excavation fill out of the ANU and other construction sites and the menacing mover, sporting yellow NSW rego HEAR5E plates and plastic skeletons swinging inside the cabin, continues to turn heads.

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NEWS / auto-biography

Chic Henry – up close, personal and partying hard Mr Summernats has just published an autobiography, warts and all. DANIELLE NOHRA spends time with the irrepressible Chic Henry SURPRISINGLY, the man behind Summernats, Anthony “Chic” Henry, was more interested in swimming than cars when he was younger.

It was his friends who spent most of their time doing up cars and it wasn’t until Chic was 22, living in Sydney, when he started messing around with his ‘64 Holden.

“I had an interest in cars, just not my whole life. Sport had played a big part in my life growing up,” Chic says.

His dad was also keen on not just cars but motorsports and motorbike racing, and it wasn’t until Chic, who is now coming up 71, started writing his self-published autobiography “I Remember One Time…” that he realised where his love for cars had come from.

And where we discover his admiration for the comedian Spike Milligan.

“When I put the book together I had to analyse who I was and what

I was attracted to,” he says.

The new book is a wide-ranging, candid journey through the ups and downs of his life told in plain language and good humour.

In an interview with “CityNews”, Chic remembers looking forward to getting his first car but couldn’t have one at the Balcombe army base, where he was an apprentice, until his last year.

“Dad bought me a really tidy green Austin A40 for when I was home on leave,” he says.

“The street racer in me made me paint a white racing stripe over it and fit a copper exhaust pipe.”

When Chic went back to base his dad painted over the stripe and took off the exhaust.

The first car of his own was a Morris Oxford panel van. He threw a mattress in the back and decorated it with some of his mum’s handmade, satin curtains and used it on weekend surf trips.

During Chic’s army career he found himself in Townsville where a drag strip opened and whet his appetite for high-performance street cars, which he says are still his favourite.

This led him to join a car club while living in Brisbane in the ‘80s.

“I liked the club aspect and I loved

Author Chic Henry… “It was like putting Chic Henry with his beloved 1962 Chevy… high-performance street cars are still his on a party.”

Photo by Danielle Nohra favourite. being part of the committee, and that developed over the years to my becoming the first national director of the Australian Street Machine Federation,” he says.

In 1985 he moved to Canberra after seeing a business opportunity that later turned into the staging of Summernats.

Two years later he built a dedicated burnout track at Exhibition Park and held the first Summernats there in January, 1988.

Chic, who got his nickname as a schoolboy from the Looney Tunes character “Henery Hawk”, says Summernats wasn’t just a car festival but a

“party” with competitions for burnouts, parades and a Miss Summernats quest.

“Because of the very nature of the Summernats, it was like putting on a party that I’d like to go to myself,” he says.

“You’d never be able to put on an event like that these days, with professional strippers and wet T-shirt competitions!

“It turned out to be one of the largest, most successful, privately run events in Canberra.”

And even though the fun never ran out, after more than 20 years it became too overwhelming, especially in its last six years, which became costly.

If it had ever rained the week before or the week of the event it would have sunk Chic financially. If anyone had ever been seriously hurt or worse, Chic says he wouldn’t have been able to handle it emotionally.

In 2009 Chic sold Summernats.

“What the Summernats was to me at that time was a baby that I brought into the world. I brought it up, shaped it and then adopted it out, and now I can still see it,” he says.

It also meant Chic finally had the time to drive his 1962 Chevy in an event.

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OPINION / flying in the dark

Dear Affordable Housing Project Team...

On August 3, JON STANHOPE, in his role as an adviser at Winnunga Nimmityjah, wrote the following letter to the ACT government...

Dear Affordable Housing Project Team, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service is proposing to make a written contribution to the proposed new housing strategy.

I am grateful for the discussion paper which has been issued and have read it with interest.

It does, however, raise a number of questions on which I would welcome advice and assistance.

I would be grateful, therefore, if you would provide me with copies of the following:

•

The Terms of Reference for the

Affordable Housing Advisory Group.

• In the message from the Minister she

refers to work which the Affordable Housing Advisory Group has done in recent months ‘to review what has been achieved so far and consider what further steps could be taken to improve housing affordability in the ACT’. I would be grateful for the outcomes of the review… and any documents and reports related to it.

• In the introduction to the discussion paper it is stated ‘the government has invested heavily in reviewing its current and previous efforts on delivering social and affordable housing.’ I would be grateful for advice on who undertook the reviews…(and)… for a copy of all reports and documents relating to those reviews.

• In the Chapter of the paper ‘Where

Are We Now’ it is stated: ‘Approximately 37,000 dwelling sites have been released over the last 10 years against a demand of around 30,000

dwellings.’ I would be grateful if you would provide me with the data and modelling on which it was determined that demand for the period was ‘around 30,000 dwellings’. I would welcome advice on how many of the 37,000 ‘dwelling sites’ referred to were identified as being for detached housing and how many of them were for housing other than detached housing and for the…(relevant)… modelling.

• It would be helpful if you could ad-

vise me how many of the remaining 7000 dwelling sites that are claimed to be excess to demand are currently available for purchase and how many of them are for detached housing and the number that are currently available under the land rent scheme. It would also be helpful for those preparing submissions to have advice on the cost range of these dwelling sites and the number of blocks/sites in each cost range.

• It is noted on page 5 that the 2016

Census reports that the proportion of households in the ACT paying more than 30 per cent of their income on mortgage costs has fallen over the five years since the 2011 Census from 7.8 per cent to 5.5 per cent. The 2016 Census also reports that the proportion of households in Canberra living in a house which

they own outright or over which they have a mortgage has also fallen and the number renting has increased. Has the government undertaken research into whether the fall in the number of households paying more than 30 per cent of their income on a mortgage is linked to the fact that fewer Canberrans are purchasing a home.

• I would welcome a copy of any

modelling the ACT government has undertaken on the impact which the abolition of land tax would have on rental affordability in the ACT.

• Has the government undertaken any research on the role which negative gearing has in increasing the supply of rental accommodation?

• On page 6 of the discussion paper

it is claimed that ‘an analysis of mortgage and rent serviceability showed that for households earning above $100,000 (that is the third quintile and above) affordable rents start at $579 per week and an affordable mortgage enables the purchase of a home starting at $483,000’. It is further noted on page 7 that for households with an annual income between $55,000 and $100,000 that an affordable mortgage would allow the purchase of a home between $260,000 and $483,000. I would be grateful for any information

the government may have on the number of detached houses sold or for sale over say the last year for under $483,000 i.e. the upper limit of affordability for 60,000 Canberra households.

Thank you for your assistance.

Kind regards, Jon Stanhope Eight weeks later, on September 28, the deputy director-general of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, Mr Geoffrey Rutledge, in formally responding to my letter declined, without explanation, to provide any of the information or advice I had sought.

One can nevertheless assume that the two most likely explanations for refusing to respond to the request are that the information either doesn’t exist or if it does exist that the government has reasons for not wanting it to see the light of day.

Jon Stanhope was chief minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.

POLITICS

Lumpy choice: rock or hard place

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ACT politics leaves Canberrans between a rock and a hard place. As the ACT Labor government becomes more complacent – the Liberal opposition grows even more conservative. Complacency or ideological conservatism? What a choice!

Complacency is a challenge for any long-term government. And Labor is now heading towards 20 years of incumbency. With the Canberra Liberals under Alistair Coe becoming even more ideologically conservative, Andrew Barr’s Labor team simply don’t have to try too hard.

Urban planning illustrates just one element of complacency with the loss of some of the things that make Canberra unique. “Lonely Planet” recently identified Canberra as one of the world’s three top destinations after Seville in Spain and the American motor city Detroit. It was never more important to protect what makes Canberra different – what makes our city stand out internationally.

There have been some interesting and effective changes in Canberra’s planning including bringing accommodation into the town centres and a more vibrant “café culture”. However, other aspects of what makes us one of the most liveable cities in the world are being undermined through complacency.

Billboards – a blight on urban landscapes – have reared their ugly heads. The Canberra Airport provides both static and electronic examples. What a contrast to the airport sculptures. How have these ugly blots been allowed after a hundred years of Canberra’s clean, clear lines?

A restriction on front fences has been a key feature of planning rules for a century. No longer!

Cyclone fences towering over tiny little hedges now form street frontages. Complacency in urban planning is working hand-in-glove with huge homes on tiny blocks.

With the Canberra Liberals under Alistair Coe becoming even more ideologically conservative, Andrew Barr’s Labor team simply don’t have to try too hard.

Newer suburbs, and redevelopments in the older ones, have land covered in buildings with precious little personal space. Whether apartments, townhouses or free-standing homes, the building envelope now allows a heavy footprint on the smaller blocks of land. There are community spaces – but parental working hours and safety concerns restrict access for many children to participate in what has been dubbed “free play”.

“Free play” was never a term in the past. It was just “go outside and play”. Current planning has resulted in a marked contrast to the Australia of the previous century. Twentieth century children were free to discover, to explore, to make mistakes, to climb trees and even to push and shove each other while they learnt the limits of social engagement.

Things change. Both parents work. There are electronic tablets and other screens that allow quiet, engaged learning. However, we are also in the era of increasing childhood obesity.

Physical exercise has never been more important.

And yet our planning systems mitigate against anything other than organised sport and physical recreation. Although important, this is only part of the picture.

Planning Minister, Mick Gentleman is the last in a long line of ACT planning ministers who, while being innovative in many ways, have allowed high-

value Canberra advantages to slowly decline. It is this sort of complacency that needs to be checked, tested and questioned by the electorate.

How could we have got to this stage?

Where are the screaming voices? Where is the opposition? The current opposition carries little threat as the Canberra Liberals become more and more conservative dealing themselves out as an alternative government.

Thumping the law-and-order drum, the Liberals are seeking more police powers to deal with bikies and recently opposed and undermined pill testing at the Spilt Milk concert. Even the police argue against them on both counts. The law community points out the dangers of their bikie legislation.

The law-and-order approach means building another jail, inappropriate targeting of the socially disadvantaged and an increase in costs of the whole criminal-justice system.

A rock and a hard place. Nationally and internationally voters are looking for alternatives to the traditional parties. No wonder.

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

THE GADFLY

Rattling good yarn of the marooned cabin boy WHAT a contrast! After 10 days in Tasmania your columnist was propelled by fate’s fickle finger all the way to the little town of Lockhart River (pop 400) in Far North Queensland.

And while that “Little England” of the south has expunged its shameful history of Aboriginal genocide from its map and its consciousness, the Lockhart experience could hardly be more different. Indeed, its civic affairs and most of its business ventures are all in capable indigenous hands.

I stayed in one of the well-appointed cabins near the airport. The complex is run by Jasmine Accoom, one of those super-efficient Aboriginal women who really make the community buzz. It’s about eight kilometres from the township itself, which is on a bay that connects to the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef.

To reach it you need a hire car, unless you’re lucky enough to be met at the airport (as I was) by Norman Bally, the deputy mayor. Norman is a lovely bloke, an Aboriginal with a kindly sense of humour. He was good enough to meet me because I’m researching and writing a book that, with a bit of luck, should be very good

Narcisse Pelletier… marooned by his “shipmates” on a nearby beach opposite Night Island in Queensland. for Lockhart’s tourist industry.

It’s the true story of a French cabin boy, Narcisse Pelletier, who in 1858, aged only 14, was marooned by his “shipmates” on a nearby beach opposite Night Island. He would have died of thirst and starvation but was spotted by three Aboriginal women. They had never seen a white man before, but one gave him water while the other two ran to get their

Captured… Fiercely against his will, Narcisse Pelletier was sent back to France in 1875. husbands. And when the men arrived they took him in.

One of them, Maademan, would “adopt” him; and his son Sassy would become Narcisse’s boon companion as he lived with the Night Island people for the next 17 years. Then in 1875 a group of English sailors landed and spotted this white man. They captured him and, fiercely against his will, sent him back to France. There he got a job on a lighthouse and spent his days and nights looking back

across the sea to his spiritual home on the other side of the world. He died at only 52 from – I believe – a broken heart.

Some say that in spirit, if not physically, he returned and was seen many times by a variety of observers.

As a rock-ribbed atheist, naturally I give such stories little credence.

But something happened during the journey that Norman took me on that has shaken my faithlessness just a little. And perhaps I will speak of it in the book.

I have been researching the story for a year and it’s to be published in Australia, Britain and Europe (France especially) in 2019.

When that happens, Norman and I think quite a few readers might be interested to come and see the places where all his adventures occurred.

And since he married three times, fathered three children and killed four men in combat, it has all the ingredients of a rattling good story.

So we spent the day together; and we became such good friends that we now speak regularly through the magic of email. And whenever I think about Tasmania and the way they have buried their history, I despair for them. robert@ robertmacklin.com

NEWS

The outlook for Louise is cold CANBERRAN Louise Carroll is one of five Bureau of Meteorology forecasters assigned to Antarctica for a four-month tour of duty.

The forecasters will work from Davis and Casey stations to provide weather services for the Australian Antarctic program.

It took Louise 14 days by sea to get to Davis Station on the Aurora Australis.

“Antarctica is a special place to have the privilege of working. It is unlike any other place on earth and is still one of the last places virtually pristine and untouched by humans,” Louise said.

“It is a unique and challenging environment to live in and one that challenges me both personally and professionally.

“I can’t wait to interact with the people down there and explore the base, but I know there will also be a lot of work to do as we will forecast for each of the three Antarctica stations [Davis, Casey and Mawson], provide field camp and marine forecasts, and all support for planes and helicopters in and out of the continent.

“It’s going to be very busy.”

It is Louise’s fourth trip to Antarctica during her decade-

“Even while you are working and living on station, you can often hear elephant seals nearby and you can encounter Adélie penguins as you move between the buildings.

“Interacting with such distinctive wildlife in their natural habitat, and in one of the few places left on earth where the human footprint is so minimal, is always a surreal experience for me and one that I will never tire of.”

The cold facts

Antarctica weather forecaster Louise Carroll. long career with the bureau.

Meteorologists have been embedded in the Australian Antarctic summer program since the development of the Antarctic Meteorological Centre at Casey in 1991.

“The interactions you have with the wildlife in Antarctica are truly special,” Louise said.

• T he Australian Antarctic Territory covers around 5.9 million kilometres squared or roughly an area 80 per cent of the Australian mainland.

• At Casey during the summer season (November to March), most days do not get above zero and most nights drop below -5C. • T he coldest summer season temperature on record for Casey is -25.1C, with the warmest 9.2C. • It is typically not quite so cold at Davis, but most days do not get above zero and most nights drop below -4C. • T he coldest summer season temperature on record for Davis is -27.6C, with the warmest 13C.

ACT M.A.S.T.E.R.S. COURSE Mature Age Skills Training for Experienced RiderS • An excellent refresher course • Riders do all exercises at their own pace • 3 hour theory night held from 6pm the night before* The MASTERS course is tailored to the needs of long-term licensed riders from the ACT and surrounding region, who have not had any formal rider training in the last 10-15 years and want to return to motorcycling after a lengthy break.

The practical day covers safe, defensive riding techniques. Each exercise is preceded by an explanation and demonstration of relevant techniques for safe riding.

The ACT Government subsidised cost of the course is $150. * Theory night held at: Stay Upright, 65 Hincksman Street, Queanbeyan

For more Information email: act@stayupright.com.au or phone: 6297 1144 CityNews November 16-22, 2017 9

SCENE / around canberra At the Perri Cutten refurbishment cocktails, Manuka

Helen Dryiw, Judy Taylor and Kathy Cousin

Peter Gration, Diane Hughes, Dorothy Roberts and Anne Gration

Karenne Pfeiffer, Penelope Loorham, Susan Kelo, Angus Forrest, Gaye Freeman, Helen Young and Hannah Baranowski

Cheryl Steele, Rhonda Davies and Adele Gordon

Katrice and Charlotte Velnaar with Brooke Barmin

Fiona Dowse, Amanda Brown, Helen Little and Bernice Stallard

Photos by MADDIE McGUIGAN

At the Lynette Williams Dinner Dance, Woden

Kelly Edwards and Sarah Emerson

Neil and Fay Wareham with Tony and Christine Weir

Catherine and Patrick McCrudden with Tricia and David Bernan

Kathy Raston and Debbie Morgan

Samuel and Matilda Kumah with Mary and Hakeem Balogun

Doug Wynn and Courtney Hedges

Roger Kilham, Kirsty Craven, Lis Haakonssen and Alice Bedford

Sarah Norton and Rachel Smith

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At DESIGN Canberra opening party, Kingston 2º SETTIMANA DELLA CUCINA ITALIANA NEL MONDO

“ PIZZA NIGHT ”

Lizzie Abbott, Chris Garke and Jessica Duncan

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Calwell Shopping Centre, Shop 14, Were St & Webber Cres CALWELL ACT (Appointments now available at Calwell and Dickson Capital Chemist) CityNews November 16-22, 2017 11

BRIEFLY

Rita aims to hit the Wall

Granville Ryrie at home in Michelago with his family.

Maj-Gen Ryrie during World War I.

YESTERDAYS

The call of cake

The simple Michelago farm boy who conquered the world HE was a simple farm boy from Michelago and yet it was the commanding persona – physical and otherwise – of the man he would become that saw Maj-Gen the Hon Sir Granville de Laune Ryrie KCMG, CB, VD, earn distinction as one of the nation’s most distinguished servicemen, politicians and diplomats.

Having just commemorated the centenary of a highly significant though somewhat underrated World War I victory for the Anzac forces, the battle for Beersheba on October 31, 1917, at which then Brig-Gen Ryrie led the 2nd Light Horse, his story more than warrants a telling for the generations for whom he remains the unknown soldier.

By the time the Australians stormed the Turkish trenches to secure the town of Beersheba in what has since become Israel, Ryrie was, incredibly, 52 years old. He’d already served with the 1st Light Horse in the Boer War of 1898 (later becoming Commanding Officer) during which he was seriously wounded, as well as Gallipoli – falling prey to shrapnel twice more.

More unusually, he remained the serving Federal member for North Sydney for the duration, having first gone into politics on winning the seat of Queanbeyan in 1906 (resigning it in 1910, re-elected to the new seat the following year).

Ryrie was one of 16 MPs to do such a thing, from a total of 111 all-male political representatives of the day – in his own words, “after thinking for 11 hours”, a duty he felt compelled to fulfill.

It was this pronounced commitment to “[taking] our own part in it” that engendered the devotion of those with whom he fought on the battlefield and the respect of his superiors and constituents back home. The Australian war correspondent, Sir Henry Gullett, would later officially note: “Such a man … could scarcely fail to be a hero to his men.”

For the many accomplishments and attainments though, it would seem Ryrie’s most winning attribute was his genuine, practical and gregarious nature: an Australian bushman to his bootstraps.

Granville Ryrie was the son of a pioneering and well-connected local family who today retain possession of their 1854 holding on the Monaro (originally a substantial 35,000 acres), “Micalago

12 CityNews November 16-22, 2017

TWO years into remission from breast cancer, Canberran Rita Siciliano, pictured, is planning to trek the Great Wall of China for five days with a group of 20 other breast-cancer survivors in May next year. She needs to contribute a minimum donation of $3500 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

To raise funds, she is hosting a movie night at the Dendy Canberra Centre to see “Gifted” (PG 13), 6pm, on Wednesday, November 29. The $50 ticket includes pre-session drinks and canapés, a lucky door prize and raffles, plus gift bags for everyone.

Tickets from 0412 168874 or via eventbrite.com.au

Maj-Gen Ryrie astride Plain Bill in Palestine during World War I. Station”, and where he was born in 1865.

His grandfather, Stewart, a Scottish officer under the Duke of Wellington, emigrated in 1825. His father, Alexander, opted for the life of a grazier and also politician, first in the NSW Legislative Assembly as member for Braidwood, then the Legislative Council.

Mother, Charlotte, was of another prominent local family: her father, Capt Alured Tasker Faunce, Queanbeyan’s first police magistrate (1836).

Young Ryrie would later garner the nickname “Bull”, and for good reason; his was the build of a rugby player – tall, broad, somewhat heavyset – and he was a highly accomplished horseman, a crack marksman and a successful amateur boxer.

The local knock-about lad also boasted a personality to match, a winsome spinner of yarns (including some excellent ones on the existence of the mythical Yowie within the wide borders of the Land District of Queanbeyan), with natural leadership qualities that would see Prime

Minister Billy Hughes (1915-1923) commend him as “a great general winning the hearts of his men by his unquenchable courage …”

Perhaps nowhere was this more on display than 100 years ago as the Mounted Divisions undertook what’s considered the first true Anzac victory, the capture of that Turkish-held, heavily fortified town and its critical water supply.

On the fateful day, Ryrie and his horsemen were given “the place of honour, that is in Advance”.

Ordered to “dash with all speed across the plain… and cut the Hebron Road both from reinforcements and escapees”, their success held at bay additional forces that could have brought undone the unprecedented plan to attack the other, even more significant and entrenched position. A weary but triumphant Ryrie would write home to his wife, Mary: “The Turkish prisoners say they are all terrified of the Australian cavalry.”

The Armistice would be enacted exactly one year on from the success of the Battle of Beersheba, and soon after, the CO of the 2nd Light Horse, mentioned in despatches five times, was promoted to major general, placed in charge of the AIF in Egypt and knighted.

On his return to Australia in 1919, Ryrie resumed his parliamentary role, before heading to London in 1927 to take up the plum position of high commissioner.

Five years on, he came home for the last time, retiring from public life. On his death in 1937, the much-decorated and feted former farmer, Granville Ryrie, was buried following a State funeral at his beloved Michelago, his most fitting epitaph provided by author W. Davis Wright in his 1923 book “Canberra”: “His genius as a soldier and leader on many battlefields is part of our history now.”

Nichole Overall is a Queanbeyan-based author, journalist and social historian.

COFFEE and cake are calling visitors to the St Peter’s Cake and Opportunity Shop in the St Peter’s Lutheran Church Hall, 6 Boolee Street, Reid, 9am-1pm, on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18. On sale will be cakes, jams, pickles, plants and produce will be available, as well as crockery and clothing, books and more.

MS message LAUREN Kish will talk to the ladies of the Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club about the MS Ambassador Program at their next meeting at the Town Centre Vikings club, Greenway, 6.30pm, on Wednesday, November 22. Visitors welcome.

Dinner costs $27 and enquiries to 6291 7716 or email tuggeven@gmail.com

Archaeological AGM THE Canberra Archaeological Society is holding its annual general meeting at Fellows Bar, University House, ANU, from 6pm on Wednesday, November 29, followed by a lecture on “The Archaeology of Prehistoric Ritual on Australia’s Northern Border”

by Dr Duncan Wright and Glenn van der Kolk.

Fashions aid dementia TO raise awareness of the effects of dementia, charity group Companions of the Human Spirit have organised a community event, “Your Fashion Your Memories”, with the aim of raising $3500 to support PhD students with their research at Neuroscience Research Australia. Each ticket holder will receive a souvenir fan painted by residents in Goodwin and Baptist Care nursing homes, showcasing the artistic talents of people living with dementia. The fashion show will be held at Gungahlin’s Siren Bar & Restaurant on Thursday, November 30. Tickets via trybooking.com/297111

Entertaining lunch SINGER and entertainer Peter Stevenson will be entertaining the ladies of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club at their next lunch meeting at the Versatile Restaurant, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls, 11.30am, Wednesday, November 22. Lunch costs $35 and visitors are welcome. Bookings before noon, Monday, November 20 to 6166 2874 or 6255 7450.

Come all ye faithful ALL Saints Anglican Church Ainslie’s annual Christmas Fayre will feature everything to make Christmas special – puddings, cakes, mince pies, cards, decorations, plants and flowers. It’s on the church grounds at 9 Cowper Street, Ainslie, 9am1.30pm, Saturday, December 2. Entry is free.

HEADING TO HOLT

advertising feature

Howzat! Holt’s a hit with sportspeople HOLT, named after former Prime Minister Harold Holt, was gazetted on July 2, 1970.

Bounded by Southern Cross Drive, Starke Street, MacNaughton Street and Drake Brockman Drive, its streets are labeled after sportsmen and women.

Inside these borders is the town’s designated shopping centre, Kippax Fair.

It was named after NSW cricketer Alan Kippax, who was regarded as one of the great stylists of Australian cricket during the era between the two World Wars.

Alan overcame a late start to Test cricket to become a regular in the Australian team between the 1928–29 Former Australian Test cricketer Alan Kippax after whom Kippax Fair was named. and 1932–33 seasons.

Hinder’s client-centred legacy continues LOCAL law firm Concorde Legal Group, which now incorporates Jayson Hinder & Associates, is continuing with the former principal’s legacy as a local community solicitor in Holt.

The managing director of the Concorde Legal group, Necia Wearne, says Jayson Hinder & Associates is still a friendly, client-centred practice, which gets to know its clients so its team can provide personalised legal solutions.

By incorporating Concorde Legal with Jayson Hinder & Associates, most areas of law are covered such as property law and conveyancing, wills and estate planning, business and commercial, family law, and criminal law, says Necia.

“If a lawyer from Concorde Legal is needed, we will send people from the main office in Civic to the Holt office, so clients don’t need to travel into the city,” she says.

“We’re also flexible, so if people can’t meet during the week then we try to book outside those hours.”

Jayson Hinder & Associates’ long-term and well-known lawyer David Claxton is still in the Holt office, which accepts walk-ins and, located next to the Kippax Centre, provides free parking.

David specialises in all areas of conveyancing in NSW and the ACT, as well as wills and estate planning.

The contact details for Jayson Hinder & Associates has changed so Necia advises people to use the new numbers below.

Jayson Hinder & Associates, 5 Kippax Place, Holt. Call 6188 3850, email info@concordelegal.com.au or visit concordelegal.com.au

Rick’s personal approach to hair THE simple and spacious barbershop, D Barber, in Holt offers almost any cut for men.

Its owner Rick Dhaan has been a barber for about 10 years and says the D Barber staff don’t rush like they might in other barbershops.

“We listen to the client and we offer them a personal approach to give them whatever they want,” he says.

“We are conveniently open seven days a week and we have genuine prices.

“We take care of the clients and spend more time on them if we have to.”

Jayson Hinder & Associates’ David Claxton.

PRESERVING JAYSON’S VISION Jayson Hinder & Associates is now part of the Concorde Legal Group.

Continuing to service the West Belconnen Community with the same service ideas that made the late Jayson Hinder a fixture in the local community.

Conveniently located in Kippax with free parking at the door.

We can assist with all areas of law.

D Barber, 68 Hardwick Crescent, Holt.

Call 6278 4607 or visit @dbarberkippax on Facebook

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Not so torn between two lovers Richard Calver

James plays a different tune

By Helen Musa

An Aboriginal girl adds colour to a picture outline.

Colouring protest at family violence

By Helen Musa

and “Ghosts in the Scheme”, but are probably unaware of the company’s YOUNG rural women ongoing work with young women in Roebourne, WA; Cooma, NSW; from campaigning arts Wynyard, Tasmania and Canberra organisation Big hART’s itself to address the all-pervasive “Project O” (named after question of such violence.

“Hamlet’s” Ophelia) With the motto “We Drive initiative to raise awareness Change”, Big hART typically involves itself in all aspects of the of family violence will help communities in which it works. The launch the art marathon, “Namatjira” play toured Australia and “Colourathon”, at the as far as London, but the underlying National Gallery of Australia purpose was always clear, to set up the Namatjira Legacy Trust and to at the end of November. regain the copyright that, with the Canberrans have seen the results help of philanthropist Dick Smith, of Big hART’s work in high-profile they were able to do. productions at The Playhouse such as Some large media organisations “Namatjira”, “Hipbone Sticking Out” have been quick to claim credit,

Patricia Parker OPEN STUDIO

Saturday 25th November

but Gloria Pannka, granddaughter of Namatjira, makes it clear where credit is due, saying: “A very big thank you on behalf of the Namatjira families to Big hART. Without your help and the help of the lawyers we wouldn’t have got it back”.

“Colourathon” will be a 12-hour, art-making marathon from 9am-9pm on the day involving more than 40 young women, as young as 12, from all over the country.

It will be launched by the 2015 Australian of the Year and domesticviolence campaigner, Rosie Batty, at the NGA. The Colourathon for Corporates Kit will also be launched on the marathon day, offering businesses an opportunity to engage in a response to family violence with staff colouring-in.

Artists are to the forefront in this campaign. George Rose has created murals with the young women of Roebourne, now being developed into an augmented reality, while indigenous textile and fibre artist Elisa Jane Carmichael, from Queensland, has been working with Canberra young women, thanks to the backing of long-time Big hART

supporter Canberra Theatre Centre and a residency from Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres.

There will also be weaving, live music and films taking place throughout the event, and from 4pm-7pm the public will also be able to join in and colour for change.

The marathon picks up on the global trend of colouring-in for mindfulness and well-being. Every hour of colouring-in will raise funds for specialist childhood trauma training for staff in women’s shelters, much-needed, as statistics show that one in three women over the age of 15 in Australia have experienced physical violence.

And Big hART’s founder and CEO Scott Rankin has an “O” play in development, too, a reframing of Ophelia’s narrative, driven by young women, where the audience is invited to watch as her father, her brother and her lover, Hamlet, rob her of everything.

The “Colouring in Art” marathon, in the NGA Sculpture Garden, 9am-9pm, Thursday, November 30. All welcome.

A national crowdfunding campaign is at startsomegood.com/colourathon

CONVERTING SERVICE

Featuring kiln-formed studio glass depicting flora, fauna and the landscape

The Studio Gallery, 57 Warragamba Avenue, Duffy 11am to 4pm – Artist talk 1.30pm Throughout the day we will be serving delicious Devonshire Tea for a gold coin donation to support Wildlife Conservation

Contact: 6288 4923 14 CityNews November 16-22, 2017

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Emma Pearson, pianists TamaraAnna Cislowska and Ian Munro, Canberra region harpist Alice Giles, “I am interested in graduate guitarist Aleksandr musicians who are curious,” ANU Tsiboulski, the Goldner String the director of the Four Quartet, The Song Company, Speak Winds Music Festival James Percussion and the Australian Brass Quintet.

Crabb tells “CityNews”.

By luck, Jessie Lloyd’s “Mission Songs Project”, which “CityNews” He’s pretty curious himself. featured on its cover last Easter, An internationally celebrated will be in the neighbourhood, too. accordion artist originally from He is particularly excited about Dundee, Scotland, Crabb moved to Sydney in 2010 with his Australian a music theatre piece, “Sideshow musician wife and two young sons. Alley”, a “weird” music-hall event to be held three times on the Now as a director, he’s learning Saturday in the Windsong Pavilion, how to play to a different tune as complete with seven musical he puts together 60 artists and 10 ensembles for 26 performances at theatre works performed by nine of the guest artists, stage lighting 10 locations over Easter next year. and some surprises, narrated by Crabb and his team from the Guy Noble. festival were in town to unveil Crabb will perform in several their program to the many keen concerts himself at the Windsong Canberrans who make Barragga Bay, Bermagui, their prime destina- Pavilion, the Sound Shell and in tion over Easter every second year. one of the elegant house concerts, which have now become a feature With predecessors at the helm of the event. It is not an ego thing such as Chris Latham and Paul and he says he is supported by his Kildea, both of whom had strong Canberra connections, it’s become board, “so the audience will know who I am”. a must for ACT music lovers. But As an exponent of the accordion, as Crabb explains, it’s just as a close relative of the Argentine important to engage the immedibandoneon, there will be a South ate Bermagui community, too.

There is no chemical formula for American influence, as part of which he will perform Astor putting together a music festival, Piazzolla’s Bandoneon Concerto he says, but he’s looking for one.

“Aconcagua”. But the Latin piece “First you set the foundation de resistance will be “Ayre,” by around one or two core pieces South American composer Osvaldo and musicians, then themes start Golijov, based on folk tunes from to appear, then you put in smaller the Middle East and Mediterranean elements – then the chemistry is and featuring the voice of Emma solved.”

Pearson, who will sing in 11 His aim is to achieve “a nice balance of musical styles, ensuring languages.

Working in perfect harthat the musicians are at their mony with Four Winds CEO, David best”.

And to that end he has engaged Francis, he deplores the fact that British violinist Jack Liebeck, Israeli “a lot of people I talk to don’t even flautist Ariel Zuckermann, soprano know where Bermagui is” and has devised a kind of musical taster to be held on the Bermagui Oval. As well, he has set up a special program for aspiring young musicians, and all the events in the big Sound Shell will be free to under 16s.

For 2018 he is determined to make the Yuin Aboriginal community’s welcome-to-country closely linked to music and says: “It’s a fine line to strike the right balance, not just do a two-minute thing”.

Although Crabb lives in Sydney and tears around the world on tour, he uses any excuse to travel to Bermagui, saying: “I get very inspired when I’m down there… thank goodness it’s still unspoiled, did you know it’s the least-inhabited, temperate-climate accessible region in the world?”

Four Winds 2018 Easter Festival, Barragga Bay, March 28-April 1.

Early bird tickets on sale along with Four Winds Music Festival’s James the new the Four Winds Access Pass Crabb.

Photo by Chris Sheedy at fourwinds.com.au or 6493 3414.

CINEMA

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Dougal Macdonald

George, Kylie and now Chris gets the gong

Brace for boredom, but wait, there’s more “Brad’s Status” (M) IN writer/director Mike White’s filmic portrait of a man who considers that what life has dished out to him is beneath his expectations, Ben Stiller does a convincing job playing Brad, in his 40s, with a loving wife (Jenna Fischer) and 17-year-old son Troy (Austin Abrams).

Brad remembers his university classmates who’ve gone on to riches and fame while he is merely CEO of a Sacramento not-for-profit body co-ordinating other not-forprofit groups. Those friends haven’t contacted him since graduation, nor he them. Today, he has flown to Boston for Troy’s entry interview Ben Stiller. at Harvard. But Troy screwed up. The appointment was for yesterday. So it’s time for Brad to break three decades of silence and plead with his old classmates to use their influence to get the interview rescheduled.

“Brad’s Status” spends about a third of its time revealing a domineering under-achiever being sorry for himself and afraid of his own life and Troy’s prospects.

Frankly, this part of the film is boring and you might be forgiven for wondering why you’re there. But Mike White has just been winding up to deliver his message.

And that makes the rest of the film engaging. There will be no epiphany for Brad. All he will get is the opportunity to understand and deal with his situation as best he can. In a restaurant, he and Troy meet Ananya (Shazi Raja) whom Troy knew at high school. Ananya, at Harvard in the second year of a degree in music and government, very clued up about the world that her generation has inherited, tells him some basic truths.

Reading the film’s complex message turns out not to be difficult. And it’s rewarding enough without stooping to finishing with a cliché. But it takes a little patience and a willingness to endure the boring bits.

At Palace Electric

“Murder on the Orient Express” (M) UNTIL now, Sidney Lumet’s 1974 version was the only theatrical film telling the tale concocted by Agatha Christie and published on New Year’s Day, 1934, of murder and revenge aboard George Nagelmackers’ luxury train.

In this 2017 version, director Kenneth Branagh also plays Hercule Poirot. The cast combines acting luminaries – Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Willem Dafoe, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz – with promising younger actors. And Johnny Depp plays the victim of murder, found covered in stab wounds in a locked cabin.

The film looks good. Branagh brings a nice touch of whimsy to the character without diminishing Poirot’s

anger about crime and his willingness to engage in a mote of violence. Michael Green’s screenplay further humanises Poirot by showing us a photo of Kathryn, now deceased but whom Poirot still loves, and having him occasionally smile and even crack a gentle joke.

The whodunnit element is convincing enough despite not expecting too much audience anticipation.

The long-running TV series conditioning us to envisage Poirot as played by David Suchet almost certainly explains why, at the morning session I attended, the audience was bigger than usual.

At all cinemas

“Detroit” (MA) THE setting for Kathryn Bigelow’s massive (143 minutes) film is Detroit in July, 1967, when rioting followed a police campaign to close down the unlicensed Blind Pig club at the behest of the nearby Baptist church, which felt that punters, almost exclusively black, should direct their money toward church activities.

Riot scenes combining contemporary TV images with others staged for the film provide graphic background to the film’s main purpose, to explore the incident at the Algiers Motel involving hotel guests taking refuge from the rioting and police officers sent to deal with reports of shots being fired there.

The interaction between three white cops with badges and insignia removed, together with a private security guard and National Guard personnel, questioning members of a black vocal group and two young white sex workers, forms the film’s middle section. It is a refined kind of police brutality, led by Officer Krauss (Will Poulter) already on a short leash from his superiors following his earlier back-shooting of a black man fleeing from the rioting.

Based on statements from survivors, it presents Krauss as a sociopath determined to locate the gun and refusing to accept any denial of knowledge about the matter.

The final part of the film is the trial and acquittal of the officers charged with murdering three black men in the motel.

Kathryn Bigelow has directed some tough films about violence-related events – Oscar-winning “The Hurt Locker” and Oscar-nominated “Zero Dark Thirty”.

“Detroit” reflects her reported comment that “in America, there seems a radical desire not to face the reality of race”.

“Detroit” obviously has most relevance in the US but its thematic impact travels well. Bigelow’s resolute treatment of the theme of cops getting away with threatening witnesses of dire consequences if they speak out has universal relevance and delivers great dramatic energy.

FORMER “CityNews” Artist of the Year, Chris Latham, was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French ambassador on Remembrance Day. Latham, who is also the first musical artist in residence at the Australian War Memorial, is in good company; past recipients of the honour include Rudolf Nureyev, George Clooney, Kylie Minogue and Robyn Archer.

TUGGERANONG Arts Centre is going horsey (and doggy) with the launch of the “Horse Float of Ideas”, an experimental art space created by local artists and community groups inside a repurposed horse float. A welcome event called “Whatever Floats Your Horse” will see Aboriginal comedian Kevin Kropinyeri as the MC, hosting the “Queen” and some local corgis on Lake Tuggeranong shores, near the arts centre, 10am-2pm, Saturday, November 25. All welcome.

JONATHAN Biggins’ comedy “Australia Day”, directed

by Cate Clelland for Canberra Rep, introduces audiences to the Coriole Shire Australia Day Committee as they organise and manage their celebrations. Set in a scout hall, it is said by Biggins to “offend everyone” as it challenges the very concept of Australianness. At Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton, until December 2. Bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

OPERA di Roma’s production of “Carmen” is heading up 12 new productions set to screen in the coming

Gonged… Chris Latham with French ambassador Christophe Penot.

Photo by Helen Musa “Palace Opera & Ballet” cinema season. Set amidst the ruins at the Baths of Caracalla, this of a woman who values her freedom above all else not in 19th century Spain, but on the border between Mexico and the US, where President Trump has earmarked his famous wall.

At Palace Electric Cinemas, November 17-22. Bookings to palacecinemas.com.au THE 20th year anniversary celebration of Manning Clark House Inc. is to be celebrated with a festive occasion in the gardens, with nibbles, drinks, an overview of the last two decades and an operatic performance by soloists and the Manning Clark House Choristers, directed

by Fleur Millar. At 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, 5pm-7pm, Saturday, November 25. Bookings to trybooking.com AARWUN Gallery is holding a fine-art auction. Works include classical, contemporary and indigenous Australian artworks by artists as diverse as Wendy Sharpe, Clifford Possum and Norman Lindsay. There will also be a range of antiques, artisan glass, bronze, etchings, books and “quirky finds”. At Federation Square, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls, 10am, Sunday, November 19. Details and catalogue at aarwungallery.com

At Palace Electric, Capitol 6 and Dendy.

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR HORSE coffee, food & gelato

By Helen Musa

PET FRIENDLY FUN

Saturday 25 November, 10am - 2pm

Tuggeranong Arts Centre www.tuggeranongarts.com

CityNews November 16-22, 2017 15

DINING

WINE

Striking taste of modern Japanese

Not so torn between two lovers

By Richard Calver

THERE is a memorable 1970s song called “Torn Between Two Lovers”. This was Mary MacGregor’s number one hit: it reached those dizzy heights in the US in 1977. Mary warbles about “loving you both is breaking all the rules.”

It’s fascinating to sit at the bar and watch the team carve out beautiful food, plated to perfection.

I ADORE the way quality Japanese chefs worship food.

They treat it with such passion and respect.

Head sushi chef Hao Chen at the relatively new Raku in the city is a master with his sushi blade and it’s fascinating to sit at the bar and watch the team carve out beautiful food, plated to perfection. It’s a true art form.

Raku is modern Japanese and every aspect of the restaurant has been carefully thought through –

Succulent Canadian scallops… a star dish on the menu’s seafood section. Photos by Maddie McGuigan the food, the drink, the interior design. A row of private rooms are at the back of the restaurant and to the right are large communal tables. Smaller tables are to the left, as you first enter, with small stools.

The menu is extensive and sharing is the name of the game. Raku features a traditional robata grill and sushi bar. “Raku” is a type of Japanese earthenware (leadglazed), which is important to tea ceremonies. Simple and

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natural, raku has been used by Zen Buddhist masters.

Food looks gorgeous on it.

We started our culinary journey with three succulent Canadian scallops (some of the best in the world), with jalapeno (for a bit of bite) and green apple (for freshness) with a dollop of creamy garlic mayo (quite subtle). This is a star dish on the menu’s seafood section ($24 to $41).

Next up was the Tasmanian salmon tartar with yuzu miso and amazing, pitch-black, crunchy, squid-ink crackers – light and airy ($18). Tartar is only fabulous if the produce is fabulous. Raku excels here.

The gyuu tataki was another amazing combination of flavours ($19). The seared 150-day, Angus beef striploin was cut beautifully and we adored the black truffle dressing, pickled onion and fun, little, garlic chips ($19).

We were keen on some veggies and weren’t disappointed with the seasonal vegetable tempura, served with a smoky dashi broth ($15).

We loved everything but the most amazing dish of all was the beef cheeks. OMG. The braised 400-day, grain-fed Wagyu cheeks take three hours to cook and fall apart on the plate ($28). The wasabi sour cream was sensational.

Saki features on the drinks list, but that’s no surprise.

So do Japanese whiskies, interesting beers, mocktails and stellar wines. The list includes hand-picked Canberra district wines, many other Australian top labels and a smaller selection from overseas.

The music is pretty cool. Reggae, African and a mix of other genres were all on the play list but it works somehow. Expect the unexpected.

The staff are highly knowledgeable and super friendly but we found the service a bit slow. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t want to be rushed, but our patience was almost tested a couple of times.

Raku, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra. Call 6248 6869.

Open seven days, 10am to 11pm. Fully licensed.

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Raku… every aspect of the restaurant has been carefully thought through – the food, the drink, the interior design.

That little two-timer celebrated the fact of having another man in her life in her sweet voice, telling her main man that he shouldn’t think he’d failed her because she had another lover. Bravo, sort of.

Anyway, I recently channelled a similar bifurcation when I returned to NZ. I loved them both but in the wine game there really are no rules. That hasn’t stopped the traditionalists casting aspersions on their Australasian rivals.

Legend has it that when a French wine critic first tasted a NZ sauvignon blanc he described it as tasting like a cat had pissed on a tomato plant. I haven’t been able to verify this unedifying labelling of the wine that resonates with NZ’s coming of age in the oenophile stakes, but it still makes me chuckle.

And there I was in Auckland, that massive suburb that masquerades as a city, drinking an excellent Kiwi sauvignon blanc that I added to the cooking I undertook for my sister and her partner. Then, bang, a superlative pinot noir was brought out of the cellar. I was down for the count; the wine was a knock out. Later in return gratitude, I purchased for my sister and my wine-loving brother-in-law an exemplar French wine, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape, at a trendy restaurant.

I loved them both (blush), the French and the NZ. Let’s line up why they both were outstanding.

The Kiwi wine was a Valli pinot noir 2013 from Otago. My brother-in-law explained that this was a special wine in a number of ways: it wasn’t cheap at $NZ60 but was everything you could ask for in a pinot noir. I agreed: wonderful deep fruit colour with a complexity and minerality that filled out the entire palette. I tasted cranberry and with just a hint of clove. Pinots are generally light to medium bodied but this had a richness that belied the variety. Like a lot of the NZ-style of wines, it was fruit driven. Like a lot of pinots from Otago, it was glorious.

The French wine was served up by a bearded waiter at Parnell restaurant called Woodpecker Hill. The Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes 2014 cost $NZ130, the most I’ve paid for a bottle of wine in a long time. But in the fever of the moment it was entirely complementary to the Woodpecker’s slow-cooked beef and, at the time, money seemed impossibly unimportant as it tends to when on holiday. Plus, I’d never tried a wine from this historic region previously; ever. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a legendary village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France’s southern Rhône Valley. The wine is a blend powered by grenache. It has shiraz and mourvèdre in the blend but I don’t know the percentages. It was full bodied and well-balanced with a peppery back palate. We all were in awe of its fame and the gravitas it brought to the occasion, especially as our goat-waiter had to call in a more experienced server to extract the cork because he got so nervous trying to undertake the task.

The sojourn in NZ produced a spark of love for the new techniques and science that winemakers there apply. It also reinforced my love of a traditional appellation wine that resonated with authority. Loving you both isn’t breaking any rules.

PUZZLES PAGE Joanne Madeline Moore

General knowledge crossword No. 619

Your week in the stars – November 20-26, 2017

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

With dynamic Mars charging through your relationship zone (until December 9) you’re impatient to sort out a partnership problem ASAP. But Venus and Pluto encourage you to adopt a more strategic and subtle style. A softly-softly approach (that combines co-operation, compassion and intuition) will help you sail through any potential dramas with unusual ease. Adventure, travel and/or stimulating company will keep you happily occupied and entertained on the weekend.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

This week Venus (your power planet) boosts romantic prospects and business matters. And you’ll find the more creatively you communicate with family members, the more satisfying the week will be. Attached Taurus – it’s a wonderful week to be more patient and passionate with your partner. Sick of being single? Don’t accept second (or third) best. Have the confidence and stamina to wait for your soul mate.

On the weekend, let your intuition point you in the right direction.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Geminis are the eternal students of the zodiac – your active mind longs for constant stimulation and regular information updates. And your restless nature is drawn to travel, where you can soak up new experiences, languages, lifestyles and cultures. This week is a terrific time to network like a pro and make the most of your international contacts, as Mercury links up with adventurous and unpredictable Uranus. A fabulous new technological gadget could also catch your eye.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

You’ll be drawn to enjoyable hobbies, obsessions, people and places. A new friendship could flourish or a burgeoning romance could progress to a deeper level. So expect a busy week full of emotionally intense conversations. A flash of inspiration is likely on the weekend. But it will take plenty of energy and patience to bring it to fruition. Be inspired by fellow Cancerian, Richard Branson: “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

This week (in the words of uber-Leo, Madonna) it’s time to “express yourself!”

Cat creativity is high, as the Sun stimulates your colourful imagination. Leos love putting on a spectacular show and, with Venus visiting your domestic zone, it’s also a wonderful week to play domestic goddess (or Master Chef) and entertain family and friends at home. You’re feeling positive and are keen to impress others, as you focus on big dreams, grand schemes and stylish shenanigans.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

The weekly stars highlight study, short trips, family functions, community connections and stimulating conversations. So it’s the perfect time for versatile Virgos to post, talk, text and tweet up a storm. There’s much enjoyment and satisfaction to be gained from contributing your specific talents to your local community. The weekend is fabulous for fraternising with neighbours, family and/or friends. The more inventive and flexible your thinking is, the more fun you’ll have.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Librans appreciate quality and adore living in the lap of luxury, but don’t overdo it or you’ll end up being the most beautiful bankrupt on the block. When it comes to shopping and spending, your biggest challenge is to learn to say ‘no’. On Tuesday, powerful Pluto encourages you to dig deep and be true to who you really are. Be inspired by Scorpio birthday great, actress Goldie Hawn: “I want to dig deep and ask – Who am I? What do I have to offer? What do I have to learn?”

Solution next edition

Across

Down

1 Name the vast grassy plains lying in the rain shadow of the Andes. (6) 7 Which instrument did Glenn Miller play? (8) 8 Name one of the four seasons. (6) 9 Which term describes a person of mixed European and Asian descent? (8) 10 What is a particular book size? (6) 11 Which instrumental composition is irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation? (8) 14 What, in the military, is a unit of ground forces? (8) 18 Which movable piece of skin serves to cover the eyeball? (6) 19 Name a term that could describe a one or two dollar piece. (4,4) 21 What do we call a young trainee lifesaver? (6) 22 Sofia is the capital of which European republic? (8) 23 Which liquids are used as antitoxic agents? (6)

1 Name an annual feast of the Jews. (8) 2 Which term implies “of the first importance”? (6) 3 Which rugby league team won the grand final 11 years in a row? (2,6) 4 Which war took place from 1899 and 1902? (4) 5 Name the birds that were venerated by the ancient Egyptians. (6) 6 John Flynn, the founder of the Flying Doctor Service was known as Flynn of the what? (6) 12 What is another word for aerials? (8) 13 What are either ends of yards of square sails? (8) 15 Name the second book of the Old Testament. (6) 16 Which colour lies between blue and violet in the spectrum? (6) 17 Name a pungent condiment. (6) 20 Which plant of the mallow family is used in soups?

(4)

Our November spotlight is on South America and Antarctica

Sudoku hard No. 209

Book and deposit before Christmas then budget for the holiday of your dreams in 2018

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

This week you have the power to persuade others over to your point-of-view with your boosted Scorpio charm and sex appeal. Don’t overdo it though – strive to be powerfully persuasive, rather than compulsively controlling. When it comes to a close relationship, do your best to be generous rather than jealous; and passionate rather than possessive. On the weekend, enjoy luxuriating in the splendour of the natural world. As birthday great Bjork observes: “Nature is our chapel.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Avoid being a Sagittarian smart-aleck. When it comes to a problem, things are more complex than they appear and it will take time to get to the bottom of the current situation. The Sun shifts into your sign (on Wednesday) which boosts your prima-donna tendencies. So strive to be creative and confident – rather than bossy and overbearing. The weekend favours fermenting ideas, but don’t be all talk and no action. As fellow Sagittarian, Walt Disney said: “Quit talking and begin doing.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Don’t let minor matters get to you this week. No one wants to be around a grumpy Goat! Plus aim to be more proactive, especially when it comes to a work matter.

Instead of brooding when other people don’t automatically understand what you want, tell them exactly what you need. And learn to delegate. No one (not even a capable Capricorn) is indispensable. Old solutions won’t work on the weekend.

Look for innovative strategies that shift and shake up the status quo.

Adventure World Travel Information event Solution next edition

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2017

Sudoku medium No.209

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Have you been feeling stuck in a rut? Mighty Mars (moving through your public spotlight zone) encourages you to shake up your reputation, take a calculated risk and reach for the stars. If you are involved with a group, club or organisation, be inclusive and make sure everyone gets the chance to have their say. The weekend stars encourage you to bite the bullet and make an innovative and exciting decision. Especially involving personal finances or your professional future.

Solutions from last edition Crossword No. 618

Your boredom threshold is set on low this week, and you don’t have the patience to put up with tedious people or long explanations. So strive to extricate yourself from such situations in a tactful way. Communication and conversation are the buzz words on the weekend when the pace picks up and you share opinions, learn a new skill or pass on some exciting information. Whatever you choose to do, it’s definitely a good time to give your brain cells a thorough workout!

SatURDAY 25 NovEMBER 2017 – 11am-2pm Active Travel office 133/24 Lonsdale Street Braddon

Just bring us your ideas, your dates and your budget!

1300 783 188

askus@activetravel.com.au CityNews November 16-22, 2017 17

OPEN GARDEN / Wanniassa

Sad tinge to a beautiful garden opening WHEN Maria White’s dear friend and running buddy Marg van Belkom was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, Maria decided to fundraise by opening her beautiful Wanniassa garden to the public for the first time.

Words: Kathryn Vukovljak Photos: Maddie McGuigan

ised sitting by the water and watching the fish.”

Maria’s pristine front garden features a rose arbour and follows a gentle path of pavers around to the back, past “I felt so devastated for Marg and her family, and so the veggie patch and colourful floral corners and up to the helpless. I wanted to help in some way,” she says. pergola, lawn area and fishpond.

“I’ve always loved getting outdoors and growing things, With roses, camellias, daisies, geraniums and valerias so I thought that opening up my garden to help raise providing bursts of colour, the garden is also productive money for MND research was something I could do.” and features thriving apple, mandarin, dwarf peach, Maria’s neat, colourful, cottage garden will be open lemon, lime, nectarine, pear and plum trees, as well as from Friday, November 17 to Sunday, November 19, and plenty of veggies. she says the weekend will include a café serving tea, Maria says she hopes the open garden event will go coffee and cakes under her shady pergola, a raffle and a some way to helping with MND research and in supportplant sale. ing Marg.

“The garden is a feast for the eyes, with different “Marg and I had run together at least three times a varieties of flowers all year round,” she says. week for the past 11 years so it’s been a big adjustment for “It’s chock-a-block with plantings and colour, and with her as she’s already in a wheelchair now,” she says. the mountain views from the back terrace where you can “We’ve had so much support for this event from our view the whole garden at once, it’s a lovely space to relax.” running group, with everyone helping out or donating in Maria says she and her husband Jim work on the garden some way, and it’s been wonderful.” together, generally with him carrying out her ideas.

“I like to think I’m the brains of the operation and he’s Maria’s cottage garden, 29 Holden Crescent, Wanniassa, the brawn!” she says.

10am-3pm, Friday, November 17-Sunday, November 19.

“It works well and we both very much enjoy the garden. Adults $8, Pensioners $5 and children under 18 free.

“Our favourite place to sit is under the pergola, it’s very Disabled parking and wheelchair access available. peaceful and relaxing there and I can get quite mesmerAll proceeds to motor neurone disease research.

18 CityNews November 16-22, 2017

Maria White... “I felt so devastated for Marg and her family, and so helpless. I wanted to help in some way.”

Photo by Kathryn Vukovljak

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A low-maintenance garden at Gleneagles… designed to match the Federation-style home.

Going low with maintenance “I WOULD like a lowmaintenance garden” was the catchcry for many clients for whom I designed gardens.

What they really meant was they would like a NO-maintenance garden, which obviously is not possible.

But on the positive side, one can have an almost low-maintenance garden and in this column I illustrate two examples for consideration.

In the picture of the Gleneagles garden, the clients wanted just such a garden with extremely busy lives running a building firm. They’d built a beautiful Federation-style home with great attention to detail. The garden needed to loosely tie in with the period coming out of the strict Victorian formal gardens. I used Buxus sempervirens box hedging in the front garden touching on the Victorians’ love of diamond-shaped garden beds. Bright colour is provided with roses that need a good prune only once a year and occasional dead-heading and feeding.

Many readers will remember Peter and Polly Park’s garden in Scarborough Street, Red Hill, which was regularly opened to the public. This was a spectacular series of gardens within a garden with extensive use of box hedging. We supplied many plants to this garden from our nursery in Yass in the early ‘80s.

Polly was fanatical about her

important in our diet.

Blueberries like a well-drained acid soil with plenty of rotted leaf matter and full sun. Don’t use chicken manure or mushroom compost (I don’t recommend either of these applied straight into garden beds, but added to the compost heap). Mulch with organic matter.

Jottings...

Entrance to a townhouse complex… colour could be added with perennials or annuals around the bay trees. garden and everything had to be pruned to perfection, to the extent the box hedges were not game to produce a new leaf for fear of her secateurs!

Some readers might think that’s a tremendous amount of work even with box hedging. Not so, in our own garden we have extensive box hedging that I trim once a year, in early autumn or early spring. It’s important, as with all evergreen shrubs, to trim at these times so the new growth hardens before the first frosts in autumn or the last frosts in spring. One can give a second light trim in late spring/early summer to tidy up the new spring growth, but this isn’t essential.

THE other picture provides a miniscule garden, in this case the entrance to a townhouse development. With box hedging, the feature is two Laurus nobilis or bay trees trained into standard specimens.

Colour could be added with perennials or annuals around the bay trees.

These two examples illustrate it is possible to have a low-maintenance garden that is

still interesting with the absolute minimum of work.

BLUEBERRIES are always expensive, yet are so easy to grow. I love them fresh on my breakfast cereal, although their uses are endless as with double cream or added to green salads. Plus they freeze very well preserving all the goodness in the berry.

They originate in North America and one of their greatest claims is they are full of antioxidants, so

• Check out the delightful new series of Armeria including “Sweet Dreams”, “DayDream” and “Dreamboat”, all with varying shades of pink pom pom flowers, now at garden centres.

• Once the rhododendrons, azaleas and all other spring-flowering, acid-loving plants have finished CALL TERRA SOLARUS FOR A FREE QUOTE - 0414 845 238 flowering give them a light trim Jackie Warburton MAIH | jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au and feed to which is added a heaped tablespoon of Epsom terrasolarus.com.au Find us on social media salts in a nine-litre watering can of water.

• Mildew is rife with warm days and damp weather, especially on LJ0421.indd 1 1/09/2016 rose leaves as they emerge. The old-fashioned, totally organic remedy is one part full-cream milk mixed with eight parts water. Spray on top and under the leaves.

• Try planting blueberries and azaleas together, they both like every week in... similar soil conditions.

DOUGAL MACDONALD reviews

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CityNews November 16-22, 2017 19