180322 citynews

MARCH 22, 2018

Well written, well read

CITYNEWS

CANBERR NG VI

ELEBRATING –C

25 A–

YEARS SER 25

Time for ‘Donald’ Barr to go?

MICHAEL MOORE Tawdry nonsense everywhere JON STANHOPE Rohan has a big future in spin TIM GAVEL ‘Free-ranging’ on the nature strip GRUMPY

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NEWS / Canberra Citizen of the Year

Star citizen with her feet firmly on the ground

By Danielle Nohra

WHEN Diane Kargas Bray was working as the ACT Public Trustee, she saw many people include incredible donations in their wills, but the money was mostly leaving Canberra.

So she thought: “How do we keep those wonderful donations in Canberra”, and from that GreaterGood was formed in 2003.

Diane says the GreaterGood Foundation, which benefits Canberra and the region, was a major starting point for her work in philanthropy and the 70-year-old has not slowed down since.

Which is why it’s unsurprising that Adelaide-born Diane has been named the 2018 Canberra Citizen of the Year for her contribution to the community through her social enterprise and philanthropic work.

And it seems she takes after her mum who was one of the volunteers that helped build the emergency wing at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital.

“My mother always said: ‘if you don’t have anything to do there’s community to get involved with so you should never be idle’,” she says.

Diane first came to Canberra in 1965 as a young bride of 18, on a cold, snowfilled, August day, wondering: “What have I done?”

But as Canberra became home, her contribution to the territory grew and she has since been named ACT Local Hero in 2004, awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to philanthropy, aged care, people with disabilities and juvenile diabetes research in 2009 and was listed on the Honour Roll of 100 inspiring women in the ACT in 2011.

“There are so many ways to give back in this beautiful community,” she says.

“Let’s not forget, there are so many people who don’t get to enjoy Canberra like some of us do.”

Diane, who didn’t start paid work until the age of 30 says people don’t need to be Bill Gates to be a philanthropist but, as a community, together everyone can be one.

“All jobs showed me that this is an incredible community and, for me, this is an opportunity to give back because I gained so much from working in the community,” she says.

One way Diane has volunteered her time was to help establish Common Ground, which was brought to Canberra by the late Elizabeth Dawson and provides quality apartment tenancies to people who have experienced homelessness and to low-income earners unable to access other affordable housing options.

The ACT government recently confirmed a second Common Ground

INDEX Arts & Entertainment 19-21 Cinema 20 Crossword 23 Dining / Wine 21 Gardening 22 Horoscopes 23 Letters 10 News 3-10 Politics 10 Socials 13 Sport 9

Canberra Citizen of the Year Diane Kargas Bray… “Let’s not forget, there are so many people who don’t get to enjoy Canberra like some of us do.”

Photo by Danielle Nohra presence will be established in Dickson, which Diane says shows the success of the first one in Gungahlin.

“With the second Common Ground coming I’d like to think we can look at some of the people still finding it tough

Since 1993: Volume 24, Number 9

Cover: Singer-songwriter Claire Anne Taylor. Story Page 19.

Well written, well read

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

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Ian Meikle, 9b/189 Flemington Road, Mitchell.

CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Journalists: Kate Meikle, kate@citynews.com.au; Danielle Nohra, danielle@citynews.com.au; Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764, helen@citynews.com.au Photographer: Maddie McGuigan Advertising manager: Greg Jones, 0419 418196 Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656 Advertising account executives: Liam Jones, 0400 092095; Damien Klemke, 0439 139001; Emily Lester, 0406 412462 Production manager / graphic design: Janet Ewen Graphic designer: Paulette Leo Proof reader: Glenda Anderson Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au

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that live on our streets,” she says.

“As a community we can do something to help these people who are doing it tough.

“We can ask them if they’re doing okay, buy them a cup of coffee and

acknowledge their existence.

“It’s hard for people to see that, in a city so beautiful, we still have issues around homelessness.”

Diane also advocates for people with disabilities and encourages the growth of new social businesses that employ people with intellectual disabilities.

Her work with Hands Across Canberra has been instrumental in bringing together businesses, government and individuals to channel donations to local charities.

Even though Diane describes herself as a shy person, she says she’s had to put that aside to help bring change to the community.

“It can be overwhelming but the good feeling you get from seeing things change overrides that,” she says.

“Hopefully, I can raise the awareness in the next 12 months about what a great community we do have but I think we still have lots to do and there are lots of things I’d like to see. Canberra is small enough that we can lead by example.

“It’s past the time where we have to rely on the government to fix everything, when as a community we can fix it as well.”

But even though Diane is busy changing the Canberra community for the better, she says she still makes time to spend with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

David Tarrant, Partner

www.codea.com.au

58 COLBEE COURT, PHILLIP ACT CityNews March 22-28, 2018 3

SEVEN DAYS

Mocked Barr maintains the practice of petulance CHIEF Minister Andrew Barr continues a petulant tradition set by his political predecessors with embarrassing, leaked audio of the CM confessing to a communications industry function that “I hate journalists” and “I’m over mainstream media”.

Barr seems hell-bent on eclipsing Jon Stanhope who blackballed my 2CC colleague Mike Jeffreys for a month.

Stanhope’s successor Katy Gallagher, on Stanhope’s advice, put me “in the freezer” for an unspecified period in response to some rarely applied scrutiny. Barr’s half-hearted contrition over his comments only serves to enhance his reputation for political aloofness and arrogance.

MEANTIME, Barr – possibly the nation’s least known political leader – has predictably become its most mocked in mainstream media. Former Hawke and Keating governments’ minister, Graham Richardson, commentating on Sky News, offered sage political

an elderly Christian man sitting quietly on a public bench opposite an abortion clinic praying discreetly. Yet the same ACT police told media a targeted bombing of the Australian Christian Lobby HQ was a ‘car fire’.”

dose of dorin

RECOGNISED as an early adopter of drone technology, Canberra has been chosen for a first in fast-food delivery. Approval has been granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the first urban drone delivery trial with Project Wing about to lift-off in Bonython.

The drones, weighing over five kilograms with a wingspan of a metre, hover 30 metres above a delivery site winching their payload down to the customer. As testing nears, some locals have privacy issues. But CASA’s communications manager Peter Gibson says: “You don’t own the airspace over your property so privacy issues are no different to aircraft flying over.”

Andrew Barr… continues a petulant tradition.

Photo by Mike Welsh advice to the autocratic Barr: “When you are in a one-paper-town declaring war on the one paper is not very smart”.

The legendary Labor Yoda, succinctly signed off with: “You’re an idiot, pal.”

INTERNATIONAL hot-air balloon experts have labelled our spectacular as “distinctive”.

Assistant event director Les Purfield told the ABC that unlike other ballooning events “people in Canberra can actually get close to the balloons”. Among the 30 balloons from

around the world were the American entrants Kermit the Frog and Jewel the hummingbird – one of the biggest balloons to fly in Canberra – attracting plenty of attention.

Owners of “Kermie”, New York twin brothers Todd and Scott Monahan, say the Canberra event is “a unique situation. In New York we could never fly so close to any sort of governmental place – that would be a real taboo”.

SCORES of Canberrans who embraced the Enlighten festival are also slightly “lighter” in the pocket. As with many recent large events in the capital, a lack of parking was again an

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issue with frustrated motorists tempted to break the law. The most common penalty handed out around King Edward Terrace, Parkes, was $117.

AND before we get swept up in Andrew Barr’s brave new media SERIAL Canberra basher Miranda Devine world, this oldhas woven two stories involving Christians and school medium cops to take a slap at the AFP. The conservative outside newspaper columnist merged the tales BentSpoke’s of charges being dismissed against three brewery in Canberrans arrested outside a local abortion Braddon clinic and a van set alight near the Deakin requires HQ of the Australian Christian Lobby in 2016. neither filter Devine tweeted: “This is what constitutes nor media a crime in Canberra – watch the arrest of management.

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NEWS

Stuart revels in his love for chocolate KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK talks to a busy chocolatier with Easter creativity on his mind SURROUNDED by golden bunnies with sprinkles, sparkly dark, blonde and milk eggs filled with chocolate bark and rainbow eggs nestled into little cartons, Stuart Strutt-Shotton says he’s in his element creating Easter goodies at his home chocolate studio in Lyneham.

And the space smells divine – although Stuart says he’s immune to it now.

Stuart, 32, started Enigma Fine Chocolates in 2015 and says he enjoys the creativity and artistic expression involved in making handmade chocolate bars and truffles.

“It’s been a big learning curve doing it as my own business, and it’s only me making the chocolates so it can be a push at times,” he says.

“But when you’re doing something you love, that makes a big difference”.

Starting out at the Old Bus Depot Markets and the Handmade Markets, Stuart now does custom orders, has received several awards and the chocolates are sold at various shops around town.

Stuart says he gets a lot of support from his partner Adna and three daughters aged 11, six and five, with family friends helping with packaging and everyone pitching in to work at the markets.

Stuart’s been a chef for 17 years but says he became fascinated with chocolate after working in London (with chocolatier Paul A Young) and Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio in Melbourne.

“Chocolate is a bit of an enigma, it’s such a versatile and amazing ingredient and I enjoy being able to educate people a bit about where it comes from and how it’s made,” he says.

“It’s one of those things that a lot of people enjoy, and we’ve all grown up with it so there’s a nostalgic feel to it as well.”

Like coffee, Stuart says cocoa beans have their own characteristics, complexities and flavours depending on where they’re grown.

He mainly uses Valrhona chocolate from France, though he says he gets a lot of support from Canberra and likes to incorporate local produce wherever he can into his various truffle flavour combinations such as cinnamon doughnut, peanut butter and jam on toast, bittersweet orange, espresso pod and butterscotch popcorn.

“We can really customise our products at this point and respond to what people want. I use local honey, popcorn and coffee to keep the support here,” he says.

“I’d like to start using indigenous ingredients like wattle seed and lemon myrtle, which work perfectly with chocolate.

“We also use single-origin beans

from Ecuador, Madagascar, Grenada, Peru and the Dominican Republic and they all have a different flavour.

The conditions and the soil all play a part and that’s reflected through the chocolate.

“Creating the chocolates is also an artistic expression for me, I use a spray gun and cocoa butter to create a solid colour or a pattern with splatters and speckles, and there are so many techniques you can apply.”

Stuart says that while the business is constantly growing, he loves that he’s still at the point where he feels close to his customers.

“It’s all about making the connection and I find it’s more personal that way,” he says.

“We need that, and being a small family business we rely heavily on being able to talk directly to people and getting to know our repeat customers, and that’s so important to us.”

Stuart also holds chocolate-making classes and enjoys the teaching element of the business.

“I often hear that people don’t realise how much is involved in doing something like this!” he says.

“By the time we temper, decorate, mold, wait for the chocolate to set, stick the pieces together – it can take a couple of hours to do 10 eggs, and when I’m making 100-plus for a market they realise, there’s a lot involved in that.”

More at enigmafinechocolates.com.au

BRIEFLY Queanbeyan in the movies A CINEMA complex for Queanbeyan has moved a step closer after council approved alterations and additions to 30 Morisset Street to accommodate a nine-screen cinema on the first floor, above the Kmart store. The development also includes a total seating capacity of 1315, a licensed bar, lounge area and an arcade.

Calling all snappers THERE will be hundreds of antique and collectable cameras, usable film, digital cameras, photographic equipment and photography books for sale at the Canberra Photographic Collectors Society’s annual autumn “Photographic Fiesta” at the Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street, Weston, 10.30am-1.30pm, on Sunday, March 25. Anyone with a camera or photographic equipment to sell can put it on the Club Table.

Admission and parking are free.

Flexible buses

Former chef-cum-chocolatier Stuart StruttShotton... “Creating the chocolates is an artistic expression for me.”

Photo by Ana Stuart

IAN Corey, of Transport Canberra, will talk about the ACT government’s flexible bus service at the next monthly meeting of the Canberra South Branch of National Seniors Australia at the Weston Creek Labor Club, Stirling from 10.30am, on Wednesday, March 28. Non-members are welcome. Contact the branch at nsacanberrasouth@gmail.com

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OPINION

There’s tawdry nonsense everywhere IT’S not only the ageist taunts of our chief minister that have had me feeling my age just lately. It seems to me that no matter where one looks, whether to local, national or international newspapers, radio or television one is assailed by shallow, crass and often tawdry nonsense.

It seems to me that public life as reflected through our parliaments and politicians, the media and entertainment, sport and television is increasingly dominated either by people who behave badly or by an unhealthy and voyeuristic interest in those that do. I find it all rather depressing.

For the last month we have all been subjected to the minutiae of Barnaby Joyce’s private life being dragged one excruciating detail after another across the chamber of the House of Representatives. Joyce’s behaviour has certainly been appalling but the holierthan-thou attitude of the Opposition, has also been less than edifying. The joy of Labor members in the face of the pain and trauma of Joyce, his family and partner has been palpable. Excited by the scent of a scalp and mindless of the associated human misery the ALP has nevertheless, I fear, ignored a couple of political truisms.

Firstly, that what goes around will come around. I have no doubt, as apparent calm settles on the Federal Parliament now that Joyce’s disgrace is complete, that there is more than one member of the Labor front bench wait-

Now that Joyce’s disgrace is complete, there is more than one member of the Labor front bench waiting in trepidation to see who’ll be the subject of the retribution that bitter members of the Coalition are almost certainly planning. ing in trepidation to see who will be the subject of the retribution that bitter members of the Liberal and National Party are almost certainly planning.

Perhaps I am wrong and the ALP is completely unconcerned, confident that the saintly and celibate, indeed monkish disposition of its members will survive any scrutiny or challenge.

The second truism that Labor might have given more weight to is that it is nigh impossible, after getting down into the gutter, to not get covered in slime yourself. This has been a grubby business and no one has come out of it well.

My sense, from the number of people who have shared their dismay with me about the behaviour of our “representatives” is that Joyce’s biggest mistake was, unlike others, that he got caught.

While I admit I am not a fan of reality television and I do, in idle moments, wonder what it says about us I am concerned, with the principle exceptions of SBS and “Four Corners”, that the news and news commentary on Australian television is increasingly being dumbed down to reflect the same populist appeal that has made reality

TV so popular. Why for example did “7.30”, in the last week or so, not just join but in fact lead the hysterical attacks on Broncos front-rower Matthew Lodge for daring to play football.

Lodge is a young, 21-year-old man who, at the age of 19 in a drug-induced rage, committed an horrendous assault in the US. He was arrested, detained, tried, found guilty and dealt with according to the law.

He has sought to rehabilitate himself and returned to what he does well and which almost certainly affords him the greatest chance of redemption and a productive and non-criminal life, namely professional football.

However, he has been hounded and humiliated by media across Australia including by “7.30” and the ABC. What he did was abhorrent but he has faced the full force of the rule of law and why the ABC feels it is in the public interest, in addition to that, to humiliate him and

to try and have him hounded from his job is beyond me.

And spare me the nonsense it is because he is a “role model”. I have never in my life, and I am a keen, lifelong follower of Rugby League, ever heard of a mother or father saying to a son or daughter: “Hey, Billy, hey, Jane, when you grow up I want you to behave just like you see Rugby League players behave.”

Now if we were talking about cricket players it would, of course, be a completely different story. How our Aussie chests have swelled with pride this last week or two as the Australians in South Africa have taught the world not only how a cricket team of real men wins (with hubris and arrogance) but also how it loses. I will not be the least surprised if the most popular baby name in Australia in 2018 is “Dave”!

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.

BRIEFLY

Pat Power.

Sarah Murdoch.

Canberra – a tale of two cities?

IS Canberra the city we like to think it is – caring, compassionate and egalitarian or the city that for many residents is complacent, self-satisfied and uncaring?

This is the question facing the panel of speakers at the next Canberra Conversation Public Lecture Series, “Canberra – A Tale of Two Cities”. They include Bishop Emeritus Pat Power, who is the fifth Auxiliary Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn; Sarah Murdoch, of St John’s Care, an outreach service of St John’s Anglican Church; Toni Hassan, a Walkley Award-winning journalist and winner of a human rights award for excellence in journalism and Dr John Falzon, CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s national council.

Organised by the IGPA, the free seminar will be held at the Function Room, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Civic, 12.30pm-1.30pm, on Thursday, March 29. Register via eventbrite.com.au

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You’re invited to attend a one hour complimentary Information Session at Calvary The information sessions are designed for you to learn more about either independent living or residential aged care.

Learn what’s involved, what you need to do to make the process as smooth as possible and enjoy a tour to view the offerings at Calvary Haydon Retirement Community.

Held on 19 April 2018 at at 2 Jaegar Cct, Bruce: There are two sessions 11am and 2pm.

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8 CityNews March 22-28, 2018

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SPORT

Rohan has a big future in spin TO suggest that 18-year-old Canberra table tennis player, Rohan Dhooria, is single minded in his quest to be the best in the world in his chosen sport, to a certain extent, under values the sacrifices required to reach the top in a sport.

His chosen sport is not mainstream by any stretch of the imagination in this country.

By sacrifices, I am talking about the selffunding to play in tournaments in Asia and Europe where the sport is played in professional leagues; the hours in the gym working on fitness; the endless practice; and then there is the robot that now takes pride of place in the family lounge room at home in Monash.

“You have seen tennis machines that shoot balls at you, that is what it is like, and I play the robot in the living room,” he says.

“We cleared the living room for my table tennis. It used to be our family television and entertainment room.”

Rohan has lofty ambitions. He is already the number one player in the ACT; he is the top junior in Australia and has now set his sights this year on winning the Australian Open title. He just missed out on qualifying for the Australian team for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and has set his sights on playing at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.

He is confident the robot will help him achieve those goals.

“It’s more that I want to experiment and learn with particular shots and develop muscle memories. That is what I use the robot for,” he says.

Canberra table tennis player Rohan Dhooria… “I focus more on my goal to become a top player, so I don’t really care what people think.”

To develop his game beyond Australia, Rohan says he needs to travel the world to find opponents and tournaments. His family assists in funding.

“It’s been a good experience travelling across the world, I have been to eight or nine different countries,” he says.

“It’s quite difficult, but we are thinking about the experience for the future.

“In Australia it’s a bit difficult to get funding and on top of that I have to really motivate myself and push myself to

progress, but internationally it’s quite a strong competitive sport.

“After I finish my degree I plan to go off and play in the German League where there are about 3000 players in a professional competition. Each club provides funding to play and you train and play in the leagues, and you progress up through the divisions.”

To learn more about Rohan’s determination to succeed you need look no further than how he got into the sport.

Seven years ago, as an 11-year-old, he was struggling to get a game on the table tennis table his father bought for him and his uncles.

Rohan says he was keen to try his hand but couldn’t play against his uncles until he was good enough. “I now win pretty convincingly,” he says.

And what about the inward perception by many Australians about his sport, seemingly unaware that there are 20 million registered players in China alone and there are professional leagues across Europe.

Rohan returns serve with the perfect response belying his 18 years: “I focus more on my goal to become a top player, so I don’t really care what people think.”

GRUMPY

‘Free-range’ gardening on nature strip Reader CHRISTINA FAULK, of Swinger Hill, is grumpy that her neighbour was able to clear the nature strip with impunity MY neighbour decided, in January, to cut down several healthy, mature trees on the nature strip, that also holds a magnificent “heritage” tree.

His excuse for this action was that they’re “nonnative”. But neither are trees in his own courtyard garden.

After carting off three trailer loads of trees and shrubs to the tip, he later covered the now bare ground with plastic and mulch.

Is Parks and Conservation now allowing this free-range gardening on nature strips ?

I had informed them when it happened by phone and email but no action has been taken and the trees and shrubs that were removed, that filtered heat and noise from Yamba and Butters Drives, will take years to be replaced at the height and maturity they had reached when they were cut down.

Is Parks and Conservation the right ACT government unit to deal with – I understood it was an offence to cut down trees over five metres tall?

Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BUYING YOUR BLOCK The Suburban Land Agency is pleased to present 194 residential blocks of land for sale by ballot in Wright and Coombs.

Come along to the Ballot Information Expo where you will be given more information about the design of Wright and Coombs, the buying process, what you can build, as well as information about the Mingle community development program and wider Molonglo Valley region.

Representatives from the Suburban Land Agency and many other ACT Government Directorates will be in attendance to answer your questions.

WRIGHT & COOMBS INFORMATION EXPO

When: 9:30am to 3:00pm, Saturday 24 March 2018 Where: Charles Weston School Coombs 80 Woodberry Street, Coombs ACT 2611 Please come along to one of the three presentations on the day at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.

For more information contact the Suburban Land Agency’s appointed selling agent Civium Property Group on 1800 910 204 or visit molonglovalley.com.au

molonglovalley.com.au |  

The Suburban Land Agency and its appointed selling agents make no warranty to the accuracy or completeness of information in this press ad and recommend obtaining independent legal, financial and accounting advice before considering purchasing land or making an offer to purchase land.

If English is not your first language and you require translation assistance, please phone the Translating Interpretive Service (TIS National) on 131 450.

CityNews March 22-28, 2018 9

POLITICS / Barr’s unfathomable attack on media

Time for ‘Donald’ Barr to go?

WHAT was in the Chief Minister’s mind when he launched a Trumpesque and unfettered attack on the local media?

Or what wasn’t in his mind? The outburst must, at the very least, have his Labor Party colleagues wondering if they should remove him from the leadership of their party and the head of the ACT government. Contrition is a start… but he cannot undo what has been said.

Andrew Barr wishes to communicate directly with his constituency. It is not new for leaders to look for an unfettered way to put their own spin on messages.

Barr seems particularly keen to address the younger generation who get most of their news through social media. Getting his own message out without criticism does have a ring of autocracy about it.

In the past I have addressed the complacency of the ACT Labor government. However, Barr’s attack on the media goes much, much further. These are the comments of a government leader who, frustrated by inability to control his own message, has grown so arrogant that he cannot stand criticism.

The Chief Minister has never experienced being in opposition and perhaps this partly assists in fathoming the unfathomable. Andrew Barr has been either a minister or chief minister since entering the Assembly. Perhaps he has forgotten or misunderstood the important role of opposition and media to dig, to examine, to test and to criticise the government. It is difficult being criticised. However, it is even more difficult being in opposition watching governments make decisions that are a political anathema.

The Chief Minister has demonstrated his commitment to delivering a better Canberra. However, it is a better Canberra from his point of view. In a lively democracy, it is a point of view that should be tested.

Planning policies are illustrative with the current government intensifying the

Barr’s attack on the media are the comments of a government leader who, frustrated by inability to control his own message, has grown so arrogant that he cannot stand criticism. city. They are building more townhouses and apartments and releasing less land for stand-alone housing. This is good for the budget and increased revenue as it is likely to increase the rates base. But what about the impact on families, on crime, on housing affordability and on amenity? The concept should be tested in the marketplace of ideas.

Social media plays an important role.

In-depth analysis, however, is hardly the norm of social media. The community can be critical, but it is easy to block the trolls on Twitter, attacks on Facebook or use Snapchat as a medium for the easy picture, the simple message.

Dismissing “The Canberra Times” as a newspaper that will not withstand the digital age is simply mischievous. Attacking the ABC as only reaching those of average age in their mid-sixties is hardly a justification for his blistering attack.

In both cases the management, the general staff and journalists commit time, energy and hard work to understand, to analyse and to present as fairly as they see it.

We do expect honesty from our politicians. But we also expect wisdom.

Knowing when to keep a mouth closed is one important aspect of wisdom. It has been a poorly kept secret that Andrew Barr is unhappy dealing with mainstream media. However, the difference between such a secret and a blatant attack is that the rumours become reality.

The Opposition must wear some of the

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blame. The ACT Liberals’ commitment to conservative social ideology leaves the path open for Labor. Perhaps Canberra will eventually grow more conservative and the Liberals will have their turn in government. In the meantime, Labor simply does not feel under threat. The Chief Minister can vent his frustration.

He is not the first to feel unhappy with the media. The (non-conservative) Liberal Chief Minister, Kate Carnell, spent months and months at the turn of the century under sustained attack by “The Canberra Times” and other media over the Bruce Stadium redevelopment. The issues pale into insignificance compared to the Dickson Tradies Development fiasco. However, she never launched such an attack.

Andrew Barr has shown contrition.

However, to regain credibility, he will have to demonstrate genuine penitence.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.

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LETTERS Hate is an awful word HATE is an awful word, defined by the dictionary as “to feel an intense aversion, to detest or to abhor”.

It is possibly one of the most distasteful words in the English language and yet our head of government in the ACT seems to “hate” all and sundry.

He hates the media, people over 40, ClubsACT, objections to high-rise proposals, objections to the tram, traditional marriage, objections to

development etcetera.

Is this the sort of person we want to lead the ACT? Commentaries on all TV channels and the media express the view this is a really dangerous situation for Canberra.

Maybe he’s trying to follow in the footsteps of the Chinese premier and setting himself up to be chief minister for life?

Cedric Bryant, Watson

Time the ‘Times’ toughened up IT is most strange that the arrogant Chief Minister is castigating the media and journalists for their coverage of ACT politics and suggests that the decline in readership is due to the way it covers actions by his government.

In my view the local paper has suffered a decline because it is not forceful enough in its approach to governance and lacks good investigative reporting.

Hopefully, now that Andrew Barr has cancelled his subscription to “The Canberra Times”, the paper will take a tougher line on govern-

ance in the ACT and not pander to the bully-boy tactics of the Chief Minister.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

President Barr… for life!

I THINK we should change our constitution to allow Andrew Barr to be President of the ACT for life.

This would facilitate his ascendancy to total autocracy.

Alan Luther, via email

Canberra’s not good neighbour I AGREE that the ACT is not neighbourly to NSW (Jon Stanhope column, CN March 1).

NSW kids only being allowed to attend ACT schools where enrolments need a boost is just the latest.

Building 5000 houses in NSW while promoting “densification” in ACT is no surprise, either. And Canberra’s renewable energy goals mostly rely on solar and wind farms built in NSW. Meanwhile, NSW residents pay the ACT government higher “water extraction” charges for water taken from NSW rivers in the first place.

And then there’s the attitude – especially of young Canberrans who frequently refer to Queanbeyan as “Struggle town” or “Queanbyhole” – obviously ignorant that Queanbeyan voted “no” to becoming part of the national capital in a referendum of residents in 1911.

Perhaps this attitude is why ACT thought it okay to build its prison as close as humanly pos-

sible to Queanbeyan.

It seems “treating children from NSW as second-class kids” is a Canberra meme. Thanks Jon Stanhope for touching on one aspect of what is a nasty undercurrent Canberrans don’t like to talk about.

If the attitude did not persist why would developers of places such as Googong and Jerrabomberra play down their Queanbeyan local government area location. According to the advertising, residents of Googong are to be known as “Googonians” while residents of Jerrabomberra misguidedly voted themselves the “best suburb of Canberra” in a radio poll.

Like Washington, Canberra is understandably sick of being kicked by the rest of Australia because of Federal politics, but kicking NSW neighbours, especially young people, won’t make it hurt any less.

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Our electricity & gas network has changed its name.

The part of ActewAGL that looks after the electricity and gas networks has changed its name to Evoenergy.

You’ll still talk to ActewAGL, or another retailer, about your energy bills. But Evoenergy will now deliver your electricity and gas through our networks to you.

This change was brought about from a decision by the Australian Energy Regulator.

While our name has changed, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to you.

We will continue to maintain the electricity and gas networks with a high standard of service, safety and reliability.

Energy for the future.

ActewAGL Distribution (ABN 76 670 568 688)

Contact Us You can continue to report unplanned outages on the emergencies and faults lines.

Electricity 13 10 93

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actewagl.com.au/evoenergy @EvoenergyACT

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At the opening of ‘Oedipus Schmoedipus’, Civic

Debra Davie and Ross McKay

Connie Leikas, Bec Dodd and Kira Leikova

Georgia Johnston and John Lombard

Bailey Tanks, Nikita Marshall and Carol Marquet

Rohan Cutler and Carole Arulantu

Nick O’Brien, Bridget Whelan and Patrick Lockyer

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Nicole and Mark Roberts

At the launch of Goodwin Blain Financial, Civic

Heidi Russell, Max Rosin and Sam Morrissey

Bree Currall and Jenna Dunley

Heather Badenoch and Archie Tsirimokos

Jonathon Bellato, Beth Thomas and Troy McGuinness

Ellen Farrell, Cameron Crombie and Ben Gulan

Greg Weller and Ashanka Perera

Tristan Maddigan, Aaron Green and Josh Yewdall

Matt Goodwin and Lucy Blain

Christine Murray, Tanya Berlis and Rachael Wood

At St Patrick’s Day Celebrations, King O’Malleys

Conor Rutledge, Isaac Youngberry and Andrew Nightingale

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sundayROAST 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.

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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.

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Brenda Jane, Patty O’Fuliture and Shaun Foggett CityNews March 22-28, 2018 13

EASTER / March 30-April 2

The many ways of experiencing Easter, EASTER, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, described in the Bible’s New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary.

In the lead up to Easter, during what is called “Holy Week”, there’s Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Maundy and Last Supper, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Then there’s Easter Day, which this year falls on Sunday, April 1, and is often filled with celebration and chocolate eggs.

Easter eggs or Easter bilbies are a widely popular symbol of new life, with the symbolisation of eggs originating in the early Christian community of Mesopotamia, who stained eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ.

WORSHIP After a decade, this church has more to give THIS year, Fusion City Church is celebrating its 10th birthday by continuing to build a contemporary church, which helps people know and enjoy God, discover their purpose and make a difference.

Fusion City Church was pioneered by pastors Matt and Gill McGaw in 2008 and, as always, welcomes any community members, especially to its upcoming Easter services.

The Fusion City Church Good Friday service will be held at 6pm at Palmerston Primary School, which beforehand includes “Journey of the Cross” from 5pm to 5.45pm. Two days later, its Easter Sunday Celebration begins at 10am followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children.

The Fusion City Church theme this year is “more” and senior pastor, Matt McGaw says as a growing local church, the last 10 years have been incredible but there is still so much more that the future has in store.

“As a church community we seek to make all visitors feel welcome, regardless of whether it is their first time ever attending church or if they are looking for a new church home,” he says.

Fusion City Church. Sunday services at Palmerston Primary School. LifeCENTRE, 85 Hoskins Street, Mitchell.

Call 6156 2497, email admin@fusioncitychurch.com.au or visit fusioncitychurch.com.au

GIFTS In darkness there’s hope ALL Saints Anglican Church Ainslie is on a journey towards new hope in the lead up to Easter.

“We take the journey that Jesus took into darkness and then through to new life and hope,” says the reverend Lynda McMinn.

The journey traces until Easter Sunday where there will be a lighting of the new fire at 6.30am, which will involve people coming into the darkness of the church with candles in hand.

This will be followed by breakfast and the Easter vigil at 9.30am.

All Saints Anglican Church Ainslie. 9/15 Cowper Street.

Call 6248 7420 or visit allsaintsainslie.org.au

Church with an artistic take on Easter

Brooke’s toys are an Easter hit

IN a unique way, Hughes Baptist Church will celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus who, interim pastor Andy McConaghy says, is the centre to the life of the church.

On Good Friday, March 30, pastor Andy invites people to wear black to its Good Friday service.

The “Stations of the Cross” event starts from 7pm. This artistic and interactive event will engage all five senses as it explores the story of sacrifice, redemption, sorrow, joy, mercy and grace through a series of self-guided interactions.

“On Good Friday we think of the sacrificial death of Jesus, who was the centre of suffering and pain,” says Andy. “On that day we reflect on our own mortality, too.”

Then, on Easter Sunday, Andy invites people to wear colour to reflect Jesus’ triumph over death.

“It’s really a celebration that the worst thing in life isn’t the last thing,” he says.

Andy says Hughes Baptist Church is a community of people who follow Jesus as their Lord and rescuer, and joyfully celebrate that as a community which meets to worship God.

TOYS make the perfect alternative or complementary gift to chocolate over Easter as they offer the excitement, magic and fun, without the short-lived joy of sweets, says Little Sprout owner Brooke Kearns.

“They also don’t have the same negative health effects as sugartreats that concern many parents and grandparents,” she says.

Brooke expects its adorable plush bunnies will be a hit this Easter and says Little Sprout is now stocking the exclusive Danish brand Maileg as well as the much-loved Jellycat, Gund and Peter Rabbit soft bunny toys.

“We also have a new TY Beanie Boo bunny – named Lollipop – who is going to be super-popular with our Beanie Boo collectors,” she says.

“There are also plenty of Easter-themed books and a range of fantastic Easter-themed puzzles and games.”

Not only are Little Sprout’s toys a great alternative to chocolate but Brooke says the quality of them has been carefully selected by the passionate staff to offer something special to customers.

“Many of our beautiful products are distinctive because they are handmade, eco-friendly, educational, wooden or heirloom toys,” she says.

“The toys at Little Sprout are fun for both young and old because they encourage imaginative play and creativity.”

Hughes Baptist Church, 34 Groom Street, Hughes.

Call 6282 1301 or visit hughesbaptist.org

HOLY&WEEK EASTER SERVICES Holy Week – Monday - Wednesday 6.30pm – Said Mass

Maundy Thursday – 29th March

6.30pm – High Mass with foot washing

Good Friday – 30th March 9.30am – Good Friday Liturgy 2.30pm – Stations of the Cross

Easter Sunday – 1st April 6.30am – Easter Vigil Mass 9.30am – High Mass

Little Sprout Phillip, 47 Colbee Court, Phillip. Call 6282 3684.

Friday 30 & Saturday 31 March 2018 Hughes Baptist Church Groom Street, Hughes ACT Stations of the Cross is a free event presented as a series of self-guided installations depicting the Easter story of Christ.

Engage all five senses as you explore the story of sacrifice, redemption, sorrow, joy, mercy and grace.

Come at anytime on Good Friday or Easter Saturday between 7.00pm and 10.30pm. Families with small children are encouraged to come between 7.00-8.30pm.

At the end of the walk-through, stick around for some supper and hot drinks!

stationscanberra.com | #stationscanberra 14 CityNews March 22-28, 2018

9-15 Cowper Street, Ainslie

Easter Weekend GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

5pm- 5.45pm ‘Journey of the Cross’ Service commences at 6pm

EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION

Service starts at 10am includes an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids!

Palmerston Primary School (02) 6156 2497 admin@fusioncitychurch.com.au www.fusioncitychurch.com.au

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from the pew to the sea

A sweet treat, with less sugar than chocolate!

• Make your child’s Easter magical and memorable with an adorable bunny • Little Sprout stock a range of quality soft toys including Maileg, Jellycat and Gund

EXPERIENCE Luxury family holiday by the beach

Planes take to the skies over Temora

ANY time of year is perfect for a relaxing getaway to Lilli Pilli Sublime, whether it’s taking advantage of the warm days or escaping to somewhere pleasant in the winter.

Situated only five minutes’ drive from the heart of Batemans Bay, Lilli Pilli Sublime is a spacious, single-level, four-bedroom luxury beach house that can accommodate eight people.

Everything has been thought of at Lilli Pilli Sublime, from its free wifi and Foxtel to full provision of linen and beach towels.

“It’s just a matter of packing the bags and heading down,” says its owner and manager Angela.

“We’re pet friendly, too, so you don’t have to leave your dog in a kennel or with your neighbour.”

Angela says there’s a local vet who runs a “doggy daycare” in case owners want to go on a day trip.

It’s also close to the Mogo Zoo, cafes, specialty stores, local beaches and bush tracks.

IN a two-day event, Temora Aviation Museum will fly its entire collection of serviceable aircraft over the Easter weekend, with a special children’s Easter egg hunt on the Sunday.

General manager Peter Harper says having the event on March 31 and April 1 gives visitors more of an opportunity to make it to the Temora Aviation Museum, either as a stop on the way somewhere or a destination.

“We’ll be flying both days and we’ll have informative commentary throughout the flying program,” he says. “After flying we rope the aircraft and invite spectators on to the flight line to get closer to it.”

The event will feature all serviceable aircraft from the Temora Aviation Museum’s collection such as the Supermarine Spitfires Mk VIII and Mk XVI, CA-13 Boomerang, Gloster Meteor, Lockheed Hudson, Cessna 0-2A, Wirraway, Tiger Moth and Ryan STM S2.

“The aircrafts are predominantly from World War II but the collection does extend into the Korean and Vietnam Wars era,” Peter says.

Angela says for families, the kids can be fully occupied in its rumpus room with games and snooker table, while parents can enjoy quiet time in the outdoor entertainment area.

“There’s a lot to do at Lilli Pilli Sublime, whatever the weather,” she says.

The property can cater to family members of all ages with a cot and baby items. Its entertaining area has a full outdoor kitchen.

It also has a DVD collection, library and a Nespresso coffee machine, and it’s also pet-friendly on application for well-mannered pets.

Angela can also arrange romantic getaway packages, dining packages, beauty packages and can help organise other activities including fishing, golf, surf school and kayaking.

Email lillipillisublime@me.com, visit lillipillisublime.com.au or call 0412 800857 or to find out more.

Temora Aviation Museum. 1 Tom Moon Avenue, Temora. Call 6977 1088, email info@aviationmuseum.com.au or visit aviationmuseum.com.au

See flying from a new angle at OUR Easter Aircraft Showcase 1 MARCH 3 & APRIL 1 T (02) 6977 1088 E info@aviationmuseum.com.au 1 Tom Moon Ave Temora NSW 2666 www.aviationmuseum.com.au

“Come instore and find the perfect gift this Easter” Mon-Fri 9am to 5.30pm Sat 9am to 5pm Sun 10am to 3pm

47 Colbee Court Phillip www.littlesprout.com.au Call us on 6282 3684

Get closer to the action as you witness a themed selection of Australia’s ex-military flying history come alive.

Our Aircraft Showcase delivers a full day of entertainment for all generations, including: flying displays demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities; informative commentary and music; interviews with pilots and veterans; children’s activities and playground; engineering workshop tour; pilot meet and greet.

a superb, one-of-a kind getaway in a unique location Lilli Pilli Sublime is a destination unlike any other. We offer holiday accommodation in a spacious, delightfully decorated 4 bedroom house with rumpus/games room, and a Moroccan themed outdoor kitchen area with BBQ. LPS is nestled in the stunning surrounds of Lilli Pilli Beach Estate in an idyllic position overlooking natural bush land on the outskirts of Batemans Bay, NSW.

Guests can enjoy the many beaches in the area; Lilli Pilli Beach is just a 300 m walk. Take in the fresh ocean air and sounds of the wildlife.

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Luxury comfort and style - these are the three principles upon which the hosts have built the LPSublime experiences.

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The LPS vibe is very much a tropical one with its hot and cold private outdoor shower. Its Bali inspired garden adds a touch of paradise and is pleasantly styled with Asian stone sculptures, fountains and bamboo.

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For families, couples, executives or anybody who needs to get away from it all, relax and wind down, LPS offers something special. We provide WiFi, Foxtel with all channels, playstation with games, Nespresso Coffee Machine, linen including beach towels and baby

items. We accept our guests well mannered dogs on application.

www.lillipillisublime.com.au • ph: 0412 800 857 CityNews March 22-28, 2018 15

TWO WHEELS ELECTRIC SCOOTERS NOW AVAILABLE!

WHETHER for ease, financial or fitness reasons, more workers are seeing and enjoying the benefits of commuting on two wheels.

With the intricate network of cycle paths that Canberra offers, the route to work can become a scenic and inexpensive ride.

RIDE // SKATE // SCOOT • 30 years’ Experience • Bikes, Skateboards and Scooters • Parts and Accessories • Full Workshop • Electric Bikes

Course to get riders into the saddle

Catering for the Whole Family “Come in and view our comprehensive range”

227 Flemington Road Franklin

6242 0338

Healthy, inexpensive

Participants at Pedal Power’s 2018 Big Canberra Bike Ride.

PEDAL Power ACT formed in 1975 to make it easier for people to get around the city on a bike and now, through its program “Cycle Well”, it’s trying to make it easier for people to learn to ride.

Communications manager Laura Stuart says it’s a supportive program for the absolute beginner or for people who haven’t ridden in years.

“Cycle Well” is run by qualified instructors, who are volunteers that are enthusiastic to share their love for cycling.

“It’s really a safe learning environment, we go at a slow pace and help people build confidence on a bike,” she says.

Most importantly, Laura says Pedal Power ACT wants people to experience the freedom of cycling.

“We love cycling but we know that not everybody can just hop straight onto a bike,” she says.

“Canberra’s the best place to cycle in Australia because of being the beautiful bush capital, having a great climate and great cycling paths.

“However, we still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to get people out of their cars and cycling.”

Pedal Power ACT, Level 2, Room 10, Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Civic. Call 6248 7995 or visit pedalpower.org.au

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• Led by trained cycle coaches • Bikes available to borrow • Bike safety & helmet checks • Safe learning environment www.pedalpower.org.au 16 CityNews March 22-28, 2018

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choices for getting to work and feeling fit Cookies got electric commuter scooters

It’s Walk and Ride Week: be in it, says Brendan

ON top of Cookies Cycles’ usual range of bicycles, skateboards and scooters, it’s now a stockist of Razor Electric Scooters and a large range of park and street scooters for toddlers through to adults.

Owner David Cooke says the Razor Electric Scooters are good value for money and soon Cookies Cycles will be stocking a large range of parts, too.

“We’re also stocking a higher-end, adult commuter scooter in another brand,” he says.

“They give the rider as much assistance as you need to get up the hills and a lot less effort to get to work.”

While scooters might be an ideal option for commuters, David says bikes on the other hand are a great way for the family to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

David often rides with his two kids and says that there are plenty of nice places in Canberra to cycle as a family.

“It’s a matter of continuing to ride through the cooler months and the longer people keep it up, the better it is for their health,” he says.

IN its second year, Canberra Walk and Ride Week will again be encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport from March 22 to 29.

During the week, the director of the Transport Planning and Active Travel office, which is part of Transport Canberra, Brendan McAvoy says they’re encouraging all Canberrans to make as many journeys by bike, foot or public transport.

“We want to encourage existing active travellers to ‘buddy up’ and be champions, mentors and role models for active travel.

“We are calling them to recruit someone around them to join them in an active travel trip or three during the week.”

Active travel doesn’t have to mean cycling from Gungahlin to Tuggeranong and Brendan says there are lots of options to build a trip such as through Park and Pedal.

Throughout the week the Active Travel office is also aiming to improve Canberra’s data on active travel by encouraging people to record their journeys using a smartphone app ActiveLog. “We are also focusing on the role of transport as the next big area for achieving the ACT government’s target of zero carbon emissions,” Brendan says.

“Active travel also contributes to the Healthy Weight Initiative and to wellbeing generally.”

Cookies Cycles, 227 Flemington Road, Franklin. Call 6242 0338.

“Canberra Walk and Ride Week”, March 22 to 29.

Information at transport.act.gov.au/activetravel

CityNews March 22-28, 2018 17

MORO MOTORS CANBERRA

The Italian Car Specialists

AUTO ITALIA

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Motor celebration on the move Specialists in European models

• Mechanical repairs & restorations • Unrivalled attention to detail • From classic cars to the latest models • General logbook servicing & vehicle maintenance • More than 50 years of experience

Unit 1 of 160 Corner of Hoskins and Lysaght Streets Mitchell ACT 2911

Fernando & Chris Moro Phone 02 6241 4912 moromotors@outlook.com www.moromotors.com.au find us on Facebook

Photo by Marisa Gangemi Photography

AUTO Italia Canberra, the annual showcase of Italian motoring, is moving from its usual spot in front of Old Parliament House this year and will settle on to the scenic lawns at Pialligo Estate from 8am-3.30pm, Sunday, April 15.

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Starting in 1984 at Weston Park, Auto Italia Canberra has continued its annual display of

Italian automotive design for 33 years.

The event, which attracts more than 600 examples of Italian motor art, is also an opportunity to meet and mingle with local Italian automotive enthusiasts, business owners and collectors of motor cars, bikes and scooters.

Auto Italia Canberra, Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, 8am-3.30pm, April 15.

Visit autoitaliacanberra.com

From Monday - Saturday Biginelli’s offers a comprehensive all day breakfast menu complemented by a range of Italian inspired food.

OWNER of Moro Motors, Ferdinando Moro, has brought his passion for Italian cars from Italy to Canberra.

Ferdinando’s dream was to work for himself and since he opened, more than 30 years ago, he has been living that dream every day.

The family-owned business specialises in repairing and servicing Italian models such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and more.

Based in Mitchell, Moro Motors has a team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals and uses genuine parts to give customers a log-book service that ensures their car remains under warranty.

Ferdinando will be at Auto Italia and looks forward to talking to people and new customers about his love of Italian cars.

Where coffee meets the community Ferdinando Moro.

Moro Motors, 1/160 Lysaght Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 4912, or visit moromotors.com.au

Made to order

Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, closed Sunday and public holidays

Wednesday night is Italian pizza night with BYO available.

Biginelli’s also has vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available.

3/48 Mannheim St, Kambah • Phone 62967544 18 CityNews March 22-28, 2018

Latin Motors, 56 Townsville Street, Fyshwick, call 6280 5586 or visit latinmotors.com.au

Living the Italian car dream

Gelato Cakes Biginelli’s is a small family business in the heart of Kambah specialising in homemade cakes and the fine art of coffee.

LATIN Motors has provided mechanical repairs and servicing to the Canberra region since 1979.

The family-owned, long-established workshop specialises in European makes and models.

Owner Damian Jones says that its customers can feel comfortable knowing that they are dealing directly with the mechanic looking after their car.

“We always put our customers first, making sure they are notified and assured if there is any extra work found on their car,” he says.

“I did my apprenticeship in European cars and appreciate their fine engineering,” he says.

Damian says that Latin Motors is a supplier and installer of Torqit pedal and power modules that help eliminate lag, boost performance and fuel economy in diesel cars.

Pure Gelato ACT • 4 /189 Flemington Rd, Mitchell (enter via Darling St.) • Phone: 02 6299 7995

WITH two main focuses, one on community and another on great coffee, Biginelli’s has revitalised the Manheim Street shops in Kambah with its local vibe and Italian delifeel, says owner Ben Biginelli.

Connecting with the community is important to Biginelli’s, which tries to source all its products locally from honey to milk, eggs and vegetables.

Ben says people even come in and swap their home-grown produce, such as tomatoes, for coffee.

Its coffee though, all five blends that are woodfire roasted (giving it a smokey texture), comes from his family in Sydney.

“We specialise in all aspects of fine coffee and coffee products,”

Ben says. “Our aim is to bring you the freshest and richest premium quality coffee so that you truly experience the espresso taste of life.”

When walking into Biginelli’s, customers experience a delifeel, with stock such as tinned tomatoes at the front, which are also for sale.

“We can talk about what to use something for and what goes best with it,” he says.

Biginelli’s in Kamah is one of two Biginelli’s, with its other at the Canberra School of Music, on the city side of the ANU. Biginelli’s, 3/48 Mannheim Street, Kambah. Call 6296 7544 or visit biginelli.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The ways of wine with food Richard Calver

Songwriter wields power of the smoking pen COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

WE know about a “smoking gun”, but probably not a smoking pen, but that’s an image happily adopted by Tasmanian singersongwriter Claire Anne Taylor here for the National Folk Festival at Exhibition Park over Easter.

Although she’s recently moved close to Hobart, Taylor is from the Huon Valley, and says: “I was brought up in the Tarkine rainforest, it’s so beautiful.”

There’s even an apocryphal story that her raspy singing style came from listening to Tasmanian devils growling beneath the floorboards.

“The north-west has a special character,” Taylor says.

“I like to think of it as a bit more rugged, with an honest kind of people living there who have no kind of pretence; what you see is what you get.”

She hopes that’s reflected in her own songs.

It’s been a strong 12 months for Taylor as she’s made her way around the country, including a stint with BighART and Project O’s “Colourathon”. Now she’s been engaged for the autumn tour of the Festival of Small

Tasmanian singer-songwriter Claire Anne Taylor… “One of the songs on my debut album is about the power of the pen as opposed to the gun.”

Halls, an initiative of Woodford and Mullum festivals where musicians travel around performing in tiny venues.

“It’s a very special project for me, coming from a small bush place to the city.

“Often the audiences really appreciate it because music doesn’t come into the towns very often.”

When Taylor speaks to “CityNews” she’s about to meet her fellow musician Dave Gun-

ning, from Nova Scotia in Canada, and says: “I get the feeling it’s going to be harmonious.

Dave’s style and sound is different from mine, but there is honesty in our songwriting that is very similar.”

Taylor’s voice is the stuff of musical legend; “wrapped in the smoke and gravel of her voice, there’s also a wonderful warmth,” one critic enthused.

“When I was young, kids at school would

say: “You sound as if you have a cold” and even my speaking voice is a bit husky,” she says.

“I always had a weird voice.”

In primary school, story writing was her favourite thing.

“When I was young, I thought: ‘What do I know?’ But I would never tell anyone that now… many writers create characters from their imaginations, so you’re never too young,” she says.

At age 16, she sang in front of the school for the first time, attracting those comments.

Now she knows why.

“I found something interesting recently,” she says.

“I have a peculiar shaped larynx. I can’t eliminate a lot of the breathiness in my voice because of the way my throat is shaped.

Knowing that gave me real freedom.”

As for the smoking pen, Taylor says: “I actually thought it up – that’s a reference to ‘Words, Your Weapons’, one of the songs on my debut album, ‘Elemental’ – about the power of the pen as opposed to the gun… look at the smoke, it goes in the shape of an ‘e’, like ‘elemental’.”

Last year Claire launched a crowdfunding project to support her second album and raised $19,985, but broke a key guitar-playing finger while playing backyard football. That put her out of action for about three months but led to the realisation that “if your fingers are one of the tools of your trade, you’d better look after them”.

MUSIC

Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend

By Helen Musa

COUNTRY music singer-songwriter, Darren Coggan, has become a household name in Canberra and Queanbeyan over recent years for his long-running show, “Peace Train, The Cat Stevens Story”, but he’s changed tack.

Coggan will be at The Street Theatre soon with his newest show, “Fire & Rain – The James Taylor Songbook”.

“The show is only new, but it is gathering momentum, it’s only early days but it’s exciting to present these beautiful songs,” Coggan told “CityNews”.

He’s shorn the flowing locks of British-born Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam and assumed the more sober persona of American singer-songwriter and guitarist, James Taylor, who composed and performed in the complex world that followed the Kennedy assassination, the disbanding of the Beatles and the deaths of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

Central to Coggan’s show is the title song, “Fire and Rain”, released on the cusp of that new era in 1970. “Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around,” Taylor wrote in a tuneful anthem to longing and loneliness.

A part of US music royalty, Taylor made his first number one record when he recorded Carole King’s classic song “You’ve Got a Friend” and was married for 11 years to composer Carly Simon, who very possibly wrote her most famous song “You’re So Vain” about him.

Questions about Taylor’s personal life will be canvassed by Coggan in his characteristic mix of

Singer Darren Coggan… “The show is only new, but it’s exciting to present these beautiful songs.” narration and music.

He’s no novice in talk and theatre. Coggan has appeared in “Grease – The Mega Musical” and “Shout” as well as “Country Kids” for the Babies Proms series at the Opera House. The affable host of Foxtel’s “Out & About – The Great Aussie Pub Tour”, he is also a presenter on “Sydney Weekender” for Network 7.

But audiences need not fear, the boy from Wagga Wagga who became a Golden Guitar and

Celtic Music awardee always places the music first. Under the watchful eye of his musical director and sister Naomi, he promises that audiences will get to hear favourites such as “How Sweet it Is to Be Loved by You”, “Country Road”, “Carolina In My Mind”, “You’ve Got a Friend” and, of course, “Fire & Rain”.

“James Taylor’s music shows how he was,” Coggan says.

“I discovered that he was incredibly sensitive – he had a way of reaching the thoughts and emotions of the time.”

But the show has the positive underlying message that we have the ability to make changes in our lives, and Coggan theorises that songwriting was almost therapeutic for him.

“He had a really dark side, which I didn’t know about until I started researching… he had mental illness challenges, a very frail, emotional man,” says Coggan.

Coggan will use his own band featuring young Tamworth pianist Daniel Murray. He’ll be joined on stage by vocalist Meredith Adams, who will play Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and Carole King and other female voices in Taylor’s life.

Meantime, the Cat Stevens show is never far from his mind. It’s enjoyed a sell-out in the Opera House Concert Hall and has all around Australia. He even met the great man in London after Yusuf/Cat’s nephew saw Coggan in what he calls “a simplistic Cat Stevens tribute” show in Melbourne and alerted his uncle.

“But it’s time to park the ‘peace train’ for a while,” he says, “it’s been part my life for the last 10 years but I felt it had run its natural course.”

Darren Coggan “Fire & Rain – The James Taylor Songbook”, The Street Theatre, Saturday, April 7.

Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

IAN MEIKLE loveS

EDITING every

week in...

Now aged 27 years, she’s left her teenage angst behind and now, she says, “my touch is a bit lighter.”

Taylor is not just representative of Tasmania but she is a perfect example of the top-class female musical power at “The National” this year.

In light of Triple J’s recent report that female representation at the Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival had fallen while others were at the usual dismal level, National Folk Festival director Pam Merrigan reports a more positive situation in Canberra.

“I think we have a good mix and a good percentage of female performers, especially this year,” she says.

“We have about 25 per cent of key acts that are just all-female.”

Other examples of top female performers at the National are Mount Coot-tha cellist Monique Clare; young Tamworth Country Music Festival star, Matilda Rose; a cappella songstresses Co-cheòl and Chrysoula Kechagioglou’s Purpura from Greece.

“I think females do better in folk because there is greater diversity of styles and genres and more opportunity for them to forge independent careers than in the pop/rock sphere, which can be hard to break into if you don’t fit the parameters,” says Merrigan.

National Folk Festival, Exhibition Park, March 29-April 2. Bookings and program details to folkfestival.org.au

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CINEMA

Going with the ‘Flow’ and pulling no punches “Human Flow” (M) DOCUMENTARIES are the message movies par excellence, providing windows on the human condition, views of the universe and challenges to issues.

In 2012, “Time” magazine listed the 100 most influential people in the world. One of them was Chinese creative polymath and humanist Ai Weiwei, whose gifts to human-kind include architecture, art, political activism and, at last count, 13 documentary films.

“Human Flow” spends 140 minutes telling whoever wants to know, about the more than 60 million human beings who are currently in flight from their homelands, seeking better lives. We know them as refugees. We can only imagine the awful conditions under which they are living. We should be grateful beyond measure that we do not share their plight.

“Human Flow” pulls no punches in depicting that plight. Watching it is an experience that I found not only distressing but also frustrating by its enormous coverage, its inexorable growth and its sober exposing of man’s inhumanity to man on a gigantic scale. Ai Weiwei is not making an appeal to our generosity; the issue is already beyond resolution for that to have any real effect.

In the film, one of the numerous representatives of organisations battling to alleviate the conditions speaks about root causes of the refugee problem – drought, poverty and war. The film pays less attention to religion than it probably deserves. Many of the fugitives come from Muslim societies.

The film does not offer solutions to those

The location for this untrammelled recipe for arrant and mostly witless fantasy is the latest in the current passion for hithertoundiscovered earth-bound civilisations. This time it’s a little island somewhere east of Japan, on which the tomb of an ancient and powerful ruler lies hidden in a cave.

Oscar-winning Vikander (or perhaps one of her six stunt doubles) looks fine as Lara but the character is somewhat beneath her talents. Dominic West is her squillionaire amateur archaeologist dad who for seven years has been hiding on the island from the slave-driving bravos led by the villainous Vogel (Walton Goggins) who are also searching for the tomb.

At all cinemas

Chinese humanist and documentary maker Ai Weiwei… his documentary “Human Flow” tells of the more than 60 million refugees in flight from their homelands. root causes. Its handsomely mounted images often make a heartbreaking contrast with its theme. Occasionally it’s even comical – a conversation at the US/Mexico border between a US Border Patrol officer and the filming crew may not be hilarious but it satisfies both definitions of “funny”.

Yes, it’s depressing. But that’s no reason to avoid it.

At Palace Electric

“Kangaroo” (M) TO prepare readers for this unabashed proselytising for our Australian national animal, I quote from the Internet Movie Database: “… groundbreaking film reveals the truth surrounding Australia’s love-hate relationship with its beloved icon… unpacks a national paradigm where the relationship with kangaroos is examined.”

The authorship of that puffery is not stated so its claim to “reveal the truth” cannot be tested for bias. Embedded in

At Dendy

“Tomb Raider” (M) THIS little actioner is a spin-off from the 2003 fantasy “Lara Croft Tomb Raider” with

Duratone Hi-Fi PTY LTD All your hi-fi needs under the one roof Phone 6282 1333 | www.duratone.com.au Cnr of Botany Street & Altree Court, Phillip

Visit Queanbeyan’s largest private gallery Established in 2011, FORM Gallery is Queanbeyan’s largest privately owned gallery and only seven minutes from the Canberra Airport.

Specialising in local and national contemporary art, exhibitions are rotated every three weeks during the gallery calendar.

There are two gallery spaces as well as a generous stockroom.

Commissions are welcomed for your home or work space with any of our exhibiting artists.

0430 359 776 formstudioandgallery.com.au 1/30 Aurora Ave Queanbeyan Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm Closed ACT School Holidays

20 CityNews March 22-28, 2018

Angelina Jolie as the heroine.

After watching Alicia Vikander play Lara this time, I couldn’t help conjecturing a scenario in which its four producers sat down with Norwegian director Roar Uthaug to brief writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Alastair Siddons. “Write us a screenplay with a feisty heroine confronting impossible dangers from which she escapes by the skin of her teeth, using her wits and occasional help from men she meets along the way.”

the middle of the quote is the following observation: “The kangaroo ‘image’ is proudly used by top companies, sports teams and tourist souvenirs, yet as they hop across the vast continent many consider them pests to be shot and sold for profit.”

Clearly, filmmakers Kate McIntyre Clere and Michael McIntyre support the notion that kangaroos are victims of commercial depredations for which Australians should be ashamed.

The film pulls no punches in depicting the aftermath of roo shooting for gain. It blames our colonial forebears for bringing hard-footed livestock to usurp roos’ status as our primary source of animal protein.

It interviews well-known Australians and less-well-known foreigners, most of whom deplore killing roos for profit.

The information that the film provides to help us form our opinions is biased in the roos’ favour. But many folk, including me and the friend who runs livestock on her property and has just knocked on our door, have two opinions. Roos are attractive animals. Roos are an economic pest. It’s an insoluble quandary.

ARTS IN THE CITY

Home truths come out at Christmas IN “Black is the New White”, brilliant young lawyer Charlotte is expected to be a female indigenous Waleed Aly, but it’s Christmas time when all the home truths come out and worse, she’s in love. “Black comedy” writer Nakkiah Lui admits that the “Meet the Fockers” scenario is not far away. At The Playhouse, March 28-31 (but not Good Friday). Bookings to canberratheatrecentre. com.au or 6275 2700.

IRISH pop singer Gilbert O’Sullivan says he’s been in Australia before but never with a full band. As part of his 50th anniversary celebrations he’ll be at the Canberra Theatre on March 26.

Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

“SUMMER to Summer” is J.G. Montgomery’s seventh book. Set in early 1980s Canberra, it introduces us to the usual stereotypes – city without a soul, big country town, fat cat public servants and roundabouts – but penetrates the clichés to depict a city of growth and excitement. It’s available through pendragonpublishing.com.au “PAPER, Scissors, Rock” is a collection of works on paper by Julie Bradley, one of the true stayers in the Canberra visual arts scene. Some works were created at the Haefliger cottage while she was on artist residency at Hill End and the catalogue essay has been written by “CityNews” arts reviewer Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak. At ANCA Gallery, 1

“Black is the New White”... at The Playhouse, March 28-31.

Rosevear Street, Dickson, until April 8, noon-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

AEOLUS Wind Trio, featuring Lis Hoorweg on clarinet, Jodie Petrov on flute and David Whitbread on bassoon, will mark its 35th anniversary by performing in Wesley Music Centre, 2pm on March 24 and in the Old Gunning Courthouse, 3pm, on Sunday, March 25. Tickets at the door.

HALL School Museum and Heritage Centre is presenting a traditional “in the park” twilight concert to be hosted by musical polymath David Kilby and featuring the Canberra Brass Band under director Kevin Knapp, with Katie de Veau as vocal soloist. Refreshments available or BYO picnic. On the lawns of the Hall School, 4pm, on March 25.

“ART in the Gardens” is the 11th annual exhibition of work by the botanic artists of the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Raising money to support the gardens, it’s at the Visitors’ Gallery, 9.30am-4.30pm, until April 15. Admission is free and all paintings are for sale.

CRAFT ACT has launched a campaign to raise funds for a unique indigenous jewellery design project, working with Creative Partnerships Australia and Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, of Kemarre Arts. To donate, visit chuffed.org and search for “Indigenous Jewellery Project” before March 29.

THE Canberra Short Film Festival, September 12-16, is open for entries in international, national, Canberra-made, documentary, indigenous film, animation, music videos, two-minute film and under-18s categories. Submissions to withoutabox.com by June 30.

DINING / cupitt’s, ulladulla

Fond impressions from a Milton kitchen garden I recently dined at Cupitt’s with a large group, indulging in a set lunch menu designed to share.

There wasn’t a complaint to be had.

IF you’re ever heading to the south coast, Ulladulla area, take the time and treat yourself to lunch or dinner at Cupitt’s.

This special spot is tucked behind Milton, with magnificent views of lush, green, rolling hills and views to Burrill Lake and the Budawang region. It’s a winery, brewery and fromagerie. It has a massive kitchen garden with more than 50 types of veggies, herbs, flowers, fruits and leafy greens. It’s award winning.

Who could ask for anything more?

I recently dined at Cupitt’s with a large group, indulging in a set lunch menu designed to share. There wasn’t a complaint to be had.

We began with rustic sourdough bread,

enticing, and all dishes carefully plated.

Fresh produce from the garden (zero miles from paddock to plate) makes each one vibrant. You could see staff whipping out to the garden to snip, pick and pull.

When Cupitt’s says it uses local produce, it means it. And you’re invited to wander through and explore the garden.

For example, the pan-fried, blue eye cod dish was created with zucchini, quince and a bright-red capsicum and almond relish. It was one of my top picks, both for presentation and flavours. We also enjoyed garden green beans tossed with lemon verbena oil.

Our second main was absolutely delish.

Tender beef flank with figs, black vinegar and peppery rocket. So much care goes into designing the combination of ingredients at A view of Cupitt’s kitchen gardens from the restaurant, where there are more than Cupitt’s.

50 veggies, herbs and leafy greens planted.

Photo by Wendy Johnson There’s a mammoth, brick pizza oven which we dipped into velvety olive oil and a on the plate alongside apple ketchup, crispy that’s fired up on weekends for casual, tangy balsamic. It married beautifully with prosciutto and baby leek. The terrine was a outdoor dining. You can enjoy a cheese marinated olives, various types. perfect texture – not too The sashimi of tuna and kingfish melted dense, not too chunky in the mouth and our tastebuds danced – and the flavours were with citrus pearls bursting with flavour. Our fabulous. second entrée, pork terrine, sat delicately Mains were equally

board, charcuterie platter or ploughman’s lunch (prices vary depending on what’s included on the day). And don’t forget to visit the wine tasting area.

Set menus at Cupitt’s are two courses for $60 ($21 extra for matched wines) and three courses for $78 ($32 for matched wines).

At the helm in the kitchen is Russell Chinn, who has been with the operation for around eight years. He’s worked at some top-notch places overseas, including under Michel Roux at the three-Michelin Star Waterside Inn. It’s no wonder the food is so amazingly delish.

Cupitt’s, 58 Washburton Road, Ulladulla. Lunch: Wednesday-Sunday, 12pm–2pm (2.30pm Sunday); Dinner: Friday-Saturday, 6pm–8.30pm. Call 4455 7888.

WINE

The ways of wine with food I RECENTLY cooked salmon with a vibrant Schwarz rosé 2017 from the Barossa Valley. The balance was served to the guests with the meal.

The wine was dry and spicy, finishing long for rosé, with a white pepper ending. It was a good complement to a strong fish that could even have taken a lighter red.

In conversation, I recalled to my guests (nothing beats a captive audience) that when I had a week without wine early in the year how I cooked salmon but without that splash of dash that wine provides, it tasted fishier, less palatable.

After that period without drinking, just to prove I could, I had an enlightening conversation with a friend.

In that conversation I said that during this alcohol-free period, albeit it was short, I had lost weight and found it easier to maintain my fitness.

This caused him to ask: “Well, why did you start drinking again; why didn’t you just give it up?”

And, after some reflection, the truthful answer was that, principally, a meal without wine is so much less: food with a good matching wine is lifted out of the ordinary and, goodness knows, we all need to step out of the daily quagmire of our lives whenever we can. The other reason is that wine tells so many stories, just like the way we match it with food.

As Greg Duncan Powell says in his book “Rump and a Rough Red”: “Without wine, food is soulless. There’s nothing to lift off the plate apart from the mechanics of fork and spoon. Eating food without wine is refuelling, it’s not feasting.”

This wisdom took me back to the days of working as a waiter in the ‘70s. I recall finishing outside catering jobs in the early hours of the morning, returning to the Domain Receptions kitchen, located in the heart of the Auckland Domain, unloading the van, the bain maries and the other paraphernalia of the itinerant caterer to be greeted by the owner/chef with either a smile or a frown, and sometimes a ranting tirade.

But if there was that rare but memorable smile, generally because the job had made a good profit, Ron would make us omelettes or scrambled eggs with spring onions and serve them with a glass of “proper” champagne, the real fizz from France. This late-night supper/early morning breakfast was exquisite. It was one of the practices that kept us loyal, that helped with

Food with a good matching wine is lifted out of the ordinary and, goodness knows, we all need to step out of the daily quagmire of our lives whenever we can. creating a team and transformed the otherwise simple meal into a feast.

The challenge of cooking with wine is to know what to do with the stuff you don’t drink. Should you put it in the food? The received wisdom is to only use quality wine in cooking. Yet I must recall that a cheap and cheerful ($16.99) wine gave a beef casserole a complete lift. Somehow, I ended up with a non-vintage Leconfield Syn Rouge sparkling shiraz in my collection.

Normally sparkling shiraz is a drink that I find quite acceptable.

Perhaps the bottle I was gifted was not well stored but the finish on the wine was like old cardboard rather than the balanced, creamy wine promised on the winery’s website.

My son said: “Well, that’s horrible.”

Yet when I added it to the chuck steak, cooked slowly for three hours with onion, a hint of chilli, some cumin and some fresh oregano, the result, again according to my son, was “really, really good”.

I told a friend and he said: “Another myth busted”, but I don’t think so, as if a wine is flawed the potential is that the flaws will translate to the food. I’ll just have to keep experimenting.

“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.”

– WC Fields

RICHARD CALVER

FAST NEWS FIRST

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CityNews March 22-28, 2018 21

GARDENING

Callistemon “Endeavour”... for a formal colourful hedge.

Bringing beauty to your backyard TIMBER • STEEL • GLASS • OPERABLE LOUVRES

The Old Dart goes bush

By Cedric Bryant AUSTRALIAN native plants are in huge demand overseas, especially from florists in the UK and Europe.

Large quantities are shipped by air to meet this ever increasing demand, with the long-lasting qualities and unusual flower form of banksias being the most popular.

The interest started in the 1980s.

At the time I was consulting to a large, wholesale nursery in the

For a quote on your outdoor transformation, call Dom today on 0416 017 177 Lic. builder • Follow us on

The Corymbia “Summer Red” photographed at the Botanic Gardens.

Fall in love with where you live For bookings and enquiries email info@canberragardens.com.au or call Dinah 0422 628 190.

canberragardens.com.au

landscape architect

south of England where it was starting to propagate Aussie plants.

The nursery saw the huge potential in Australian native flora.

With climate change and warmer summers in the UK, particularly in southern England, the interest for our plants is increasing.

LOCALLY, for lovers of Australian natives, the Growing Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens is having a sale at the Botanic Gardens, 8.30am-11am, on Saturday, April 7. All of the several thousand plants on sale are propagated from stock growing in the gardens, a guarantee of their suitability for the district. The stock list is available a week before the sale at anbg.gov.au/friends. This is a serious fundraising activity for the Friends to continue their work in the gardens. An example being the hugely popular new tree house.

AUTUMN is the ideal time to plant as the days cool and there is some recent rain to soften the soil. It’s also a good time to see many native plants at their best, particularly the huge banksia family, named after the colonial botanist Sir Joseph Banks.

“The genus banksia must be considered the symbol of the Australian bush, all endemic to this country with one exception of one species, Banksia dentata spilling over into New Guinea. The greatest diversity of banksia is found in

the south-west of the continent where 157 species are recognised.

The diversity of leaf shape alone makes them the envy of floral artists,” write Wrigley and Fagg in their authoritative book “Australian Native Plants”.

WOULDN’T you prefer the vibrant colour of the native plant Callistemon “Endeavour” over the dull over-use of photinia or viburnum when it comes to growing a formal hedge? Or the bright flowers of the Corymbia “Summer Red”? To clarify some confusion on the name Corymbia, Wrigley and Fagg say: “This was separated from Eucalyptus in 1995 and now includes bloodwoods, ghost gums, spotted gums and the iconic red-flowering gums of WA. There are 96 species of which the majority occurs in warmer climes. They may be identified by the well-displayed bunches of flowers at the end of branches”.

Jottings...

• I t’s planting time for all native plants.

•M axicrop Seaweed Plant Nutrient will encourage new, strong growth in native plants (and all other plants).

•B efore walking around the Botanic Gardens, collect the “Flowers, Fruit and Foliage” leaflet. It’s updated weekly with what’s in flower.

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www.louvreteccanberra.com.au

PUZZLES PAGE Joanne Madeline Moore

General knowledge crossword No. 631

Your week in the stars – March 26-April 1, 2018

AUTUMN IS HERE, BUT WINTERS COMING...

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ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

The pace picks up mid-week, when Venus and Uranus connect in Aries and turbo-charge your passionate, impulsive and romantic nature. Then Saturday’s Full Blue Moon revs up your relationship zone. So many Rams will be in the mood for lashings of love! But be extra careful what you say. With Mercury reversing through your sign (until April 15) words have the ability to wound. If you don’t self-edit, then you could end up with a messy misunderstanding on your hands.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

You love your luxuries and Taurean creature comforts but avoid getting stuck in a complacent rut. If you stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone, then you’ll feel more energised and alive! At first it will feel foreign and uncomfortable, but after a while you’ll feel reactivated and renewed. It’s also a wonderful week to revitalise a long-term relationship or start an exciting new romance. Saturday is the perfect time to wind down with a fabulous Full Moon meditation.

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GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

This week’s Full Blue Moon stimulates your friendship zones, so those around you can look forward to some surprises, amusing antics or manic moments from you and your peer group pals. But keep in mind that Mercury (your patron planet) is in retrograde motion until April 15. So make sure you back-up all your computer files; allow plenty of time to get to appointments or catch flights; and double-check everything as you carefully revise, reschedule and re-do.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Looking after a loved one isn’t easy, as you struggle to juggle your personal and professional lives. This week’s Full Moon falls in your home zone, so be on domestic drama alert and realise that stress levels will be running high (and selfcontrol running low). Plus with Mercury retrograde, pursuing your professional dreams won’t be a direct journey. Plenty of patience and persistence (and Crab side-stepping) are required before you taste the sweet fruits of success.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

You’re fired up about making something big happen ASAP. But Saturn and retro Mercury caution you about taking shortcuts and relying on others. Don’t expect influential people to drop everything and hand you your dream. There is no substitute for hard work and thorough preparation. So your motto is from birthday great Diana Ross: “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

With Mercury (your ruling planet) moving backwards, be extra careful how you give and receive information. If in doubt, then don’t hesitate to double-check. Plus avoid starting major ventures or signing important contracts until after April 15.

Instead, be patient and focus your attention on revising, researching or reworking current projects. Under the influence of Venus, Uranus and the Full Moon, a close relationship could suddenly veer off in a totally unexpected direction.

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Solution next edition

Across

Down

1 Which NZ tea-tree is valuable as a honey plant? (6) 7 Which Australian news magazine ceased publication in 2008, after nearly 128 years? (8) 8 What are stockings often called? (6) 9 Name the founder of the Jesuit order (1491-1556), Saint ... of Loyola. (8) 10 To give up an office or position, is to do what? (6) 11 What is a period of instruction given by a university tutor to an individual student? (8) 14 What are adjectives applied to persons to express attributes? (8) 18 Name an hypnotic condition. (6) 19 Which term describes a natural aptitude for something? (8) 21 To be slovenly or disordered, is to be what? (6) 22 What is a series of underground tunnels and caves? (8) 23 What is a weasel also known as? (6)

1 Name a magician found in comics for scores of years. (8) 2 Which imaginary island of perfection was described by Sir Thomas More? (6) 3 Which strong, bitter liqueur is also called wormwood? (8) 4 What is a small, narrow, secluded valley? (4) 5 In Greek legend, which prominent warrior in the Trojan wars was slain by Achilles? (6) 6 Which of the outer and thinner two bones of the lower leg extends from the knee to the ankle? (6) 12 Which baby is born as a result of IVF? (4,4) 13 Name the largest of the salt lakes in South Australia. (4,4) 15 Which gland is an endocrine organ, located in the midbrain? (6) 16 Name a term that implies a group of four. (6) 17 Which domestic fowl is very small? (6) 20 When is the sun directly overhead? (4)

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

A loved one, close friend, business partner or professional rival could stun you by making a surprise move. So make sure you’re prepared with a few fast moves of your own! Is your love life stuck on auto-pilot? Uranus encourages you to blast away the cobwebs and look at things from a fresh angle. Singles – are you fed up with dating disasters? The planets urge you to look for love in unlikely places. But romance won’t blossom until after Mercury goes direct on April 15.

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SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Some stubborn Scorpios can too easily get stuck in a stultifying daily regime. This week it’s time to ricochet out of your usual routine and do something completely different. Variety is the spice of life, as you experiment with exciting new activities and welcome sudden detours and disruptions. But the more you try to control others, the more they are likely to resist. So, if you want to avoid ongoing problems and power struggles, then learn to graciously let go and move on.

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This week’s Full Blue Moon highlights romance, entertainment, networking, friendships, creative endeavours and group projects. With your sparky Sagittarian mojo and momentum running on high speed, you’re ready to rock and roll! But Saturn and retrograde Mercury caution you to slow down. You also need to take your foot out of your mouth and communicate with more care and consideration, especially in matters involving relationships and money.

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CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

When it comes to your domestic life, a dash of disruption may be just what the doctor ordered! So shake things up on the home front as you redesign, redecorate, renovate or entertain unexpected guests. But Saturn and retro Mercury caution you to be very clear when you’re communicating with family and friends. What they say and what you hear may be two different things. So keep them up-to-date with what you are thinking and doing, otherwise misunderstandings are likely.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

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Solutions from last edition Sudoku medium No. 215

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

With Mercury reversing through your money zone (until April 15) the more educated and thorough you are about money matters, the more your financial situation will gradually improve. But expect some annoying hassles and hiccups along the way. And avoid being too blasé about a complicated relationship issue (especially involving values, morals, possessions or joint finances). Diplomacy and discretion are the secrets to stress-free partnerships at the moment.

Solution next edition

Crossword No. 630

This week’s electric planetary aspects help you communicate your innovative ideas with extra passion and pizazz, as you link up with local like-minded people or influential international connections. But don’t get so stirred up and sidetracked that you lose sight of the authentic Aquarian within. Be inspired by singer Celine Dion (who turns 50 on March 30): “What do you need to stay grounded, in touch, in love, connected and emotionally balanced? Look within yourself.”

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THE GROVE N G U N N A W A L

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