WHY CANBERRA NEEDS ZED
Sharing the love for brave Benny
Major advances in Myna war
STEPHEN EASTON INSIDE
Slow agony of the express lane
Good riddance to Ferguson! When music meets dance
Locals savour sweet success
views news entertainment gardening
JOHNSON
Getting into the swing of spring
CEDRIC BRYANT
Authorised by T. Faulkner 221 London Circuit , Civic
Make tracks to
This 9.2-inch Mk 1 howitzer was used by Australians on the Western Front. A very accurate weapon, it could fire a 130-kilogram shell over 9 kilometres. Usually hauled into position in three parts, the howitzer took 48 hours to assemble and prepare for firing.
The Bushmaster is a four-wheel drive troop carrier used in daily patrols by Australians in Afghanistan. This Bushmaster is one of two prototypes trialled in East Timor in 1999–2000, with the experience gained there being used to further refine the design.
With a fully rotating turret, the Renault FT 17 Light Tank was one of the first tanks to display a modern tank design. This one saw action in 1918 and suffered minor battle damage. The French Government gave it to Australia after the war.
This First World War Mark IV “female tank” was armed with four Lewis machineguns (the “male” version was armed with 6-pounder guns). This particular tank was not used operationally; instead it travelled around Australia as part of war bond drives and recruitment displays, raising money for the war effort.
ExplorE some of AustrAliA’s nAtionAl trEAsurEs at the Australian War Memorial’s annual collection open day, Big Things in Store. See everything from AircrAft and rockEts to tAnks and ArtillEry. Meet Memorial curators and conservators to discover the stories behind these amazing objects. With a sAusAgE sizzlE and Exciting ActivitiEs for kids of all ages, it is a great day out for the whole family.
sunday 15 september, 10 am – 3 pm
treloar technology centre, 8 callan street, Mitchell Act
Entry by gold-coin donation
Friends of the Memorial receive express entry Closed footwear is recommended. No large bags allowed. Please bring your camera – tripod and monopods permitted after 2.30 pm. www.awm.gov.au 5
tank
One of
Centurions that served in Vietnam, this tank took part in the battle for Binh Ba in June 1969.
Edgecliff, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Fairy Meadow, Mt Annan, Bankstown Central, Minto, Leichhardt, Ulladulla, Dapto, Bowral, Eastlakes, Maroubra, Menai, Young, Canterbury, Auburn, Goulburn,
Still sharing the love for brave Benny
WATCHING her four-year-old son
Benny lose his fight against a rare brain cancer in 2009 was “akin to torture” for mum Imogen Wills. “It’s quite difficult to adequately explain what’s it’s like to watch your child die of brain cancer... just how hideous it really is,” says Imogen.
“You’re watching them lose their function bit by bit, day by day. But they’re still fine in their thinking capacity, so they’re 100 per cent aware of what’s going on. It’s horrifying.”
Almost four years after her son’s death, Imogen has never stopped trying to make sure no parent or child has to go through what she and her family did.
Since 2010 she and her husband David have run an annual gala dinner, held around the anniversary of Benny’s death on September 11, to raise money for research towards Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG), the aggressive brain tumour Benny was diagnosed with in 2008.
The couple, who live in Ngunnawal with their two sons Tommy, 5, and Sam, 1, were approached by Dr David
Ziegler from the Sydney Children’s Hospital after their first fundraiser, which raised almost $40,000.
“He asked us how we would feel if we used the money we raised to start an Australian first research program, focusing on finding better treatments and a cure for DIPG,” says Imogen.
“Now every cent raised goes towards that, and they’ve kindly named it the Benny Wills Brain Tumour Research Program. We’ve raised about $200,000 so far.”
Over the past two years the research program, run through Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, has made several exciting breakthroughs; screening more than 3500 drugs and
index / contacts
Arts&Entertainment 17-20
Canberra Confidential 13
Cinema 18
Crossword 21
Dining 20
Garden 22
Horoscope 21
Letters 10
News 5-12
Socials 15-16
Sodoku 21
Cover: Liberal Senate aspirant Zed Seselja.
Story Page 7.
identifying several compounds that appear to be extremely active against the tumour cells.
“It sounds quite morbid, but as there is such a low survival rate for brain cancer, in particular DIPG, so people can tend to shy away from research,” says Imogen.
“We’re really pushing to change that with these breakthroughs...it’s now the number one cause of death in children and young people in Australia.”
Imogen says focusing on “the facts and figures” has been her way of dealing with the loss of her son.
“Grief is an interesting one… it can get harder as you go on,” she says.
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“Sometimes, there are days where I crawl under the doona and cry. I realise that if he were alive, Benny would be almost nine now. I can’t even picture what he would look like in my head. I can’t remember what it felt like to hold him, to touch him. For a mother, that’s incredibly, incredibly difficult.
“We still have our traditions, we like to bake a cake for Benny’s birthday in January each year and we send balloons up to heaven.”
Imogen says the couple hope to continue fundraising until a cure is found.
“This is not just a way to raise money for an important cause, but it also keeps Benny very much a part of our lives,” she says.
The Benny Wills Gala Dinner will be held at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, 7pm, on Saturday, September 14. Tickets from bennywills.org
Superhero disco
CANBERRA Police Community Youth Club presents a primary school-aged kids only Bluelight Superhero Disco at Melba High School, Conley Drive, 6pm-8pm, Friday, September 20. Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favourite superhero. Entry is $5 and younger siblings are welcome. More information at bluelight@pcyc.net.au
Floriade volunteers
OXFAM is calling for volunteers to help out at its Grow Garden and stall at Floriade festival. The charity group’s Grow campaign aims to raise awareness of how everyone can help tackle world hunger. Volunteers need to be aged over 18 and shifts are between four and eight hours. More information from jennifert@oxfam.org.au
Green expo
ENVIRO-expo is being held at the Queanbeyan Showgrounds, 9am-3.30pm, on Saturday, September 7. The free event offers workshops on straw bale gardens and pig keeping along with information on permaculture. A car boot sale will be held from 8am to 10.30am and there’s a free e-waste drop off from 8am to 3pm.
Correction
IN last week’s story about the remarkable rise of Geocon – Building Canberra’s CEO Nick Georgalis, he was incorrectly reported as saying the company was building 760 apartments at its Observatory development. This was incorrect. The company is building 270 units.
Laura Edwards reports
Imogen and David Wills and children Sam, 1, and Tommy, 5. Photo by Brent McDonald
Benny Wills.
Designers with eyes on clients
Laura Edwards reports
A NEW fashion boutique in Braddon is taking customer interaction to a new level, inviting shoppers to step into the designers’ studio from the store itself.
Launched last month, Assemblage Project features two labels by local designers and CIT graduates; 4 minutes 33 (by Gemma Jameson and Francesca Altenburg) and Karen Lee, by Karen Lee.
The three designers, who own and run the store, have included an open studio behind the fitting rooms where customers can watch the designers in action, chat one-on-one with them about their creations and request different fabrics, sizes and colours for garments.
Karen says the concept behind Assemblage was not just for customers to have in-store designers, but for the designers to have access to customers.
“As a designer, you often only get to see your designs on catwalk models, but we wanted to see our clothes on our customers first hand...to see them take ownership of the garments and the different ways they decide to wear them, as they are very versatile,” Karen says.
“The beauty of this is people are able to say if they want to, ‘oh I love this, can we try it in a different colour?’ For the first time they can see how we create it, so it really is a personalised service.”
And customer requests are already coming through thick and fast, says Gemma.
“We had a woman who bought a dress to go to a wedding and wanted a jacket to go with the dress, so I am making that for her using the same material at an extra cost and she should get it within
the week,” she says.
“I think having a studio here helps people get to know the story behind the product, where it was made, how it was made, and the process involved.”
Assemblage Project, Unit 3a, 25 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
JP signing service
JUSTICE of the Peace Beverly Alley will be available to sign documents on the upper level of the Cooleman Court Shopping Centre, 11am-1pm, on Wednesdays. Ms Alley is a Weston Creek resident of over 40 years and a JP for nearly 10. A team of JPs will be formed to ensure that the service is available each week. No appointment necessary.
Centenary rally
THE ACT National Trust’s Centenary of Canberra Rally, which celebrates motoring between 1913 and 2013, will be held on the weekend of October 19-20. The rally starts from Jervis Bay and ends in a motorcade on the Sunday along Northbourne Avenue, finishing on the lawns of Old Parliament House. Anyone with a car or motorbike, modern and old, is welcome to participate. Entries to nationaltrust.org.au/act/rally
Slow agony of the express lane
Australians are a patient lot, but elderly or disabled shoppers shouldn’t have to wait in endless supermarket queues, says SONYA FLADUN
THE British and Japanese are known for their orderly, patient queuing, but I reckon they can’t be in the same league as us Aussies.
I’m jotting down this column after standing in a horrendously long queue in what is misleadingly called the “express” lane at my local supermarket. No one is going anywhere fast.
“It’s always like this dear,” a frail-looking pensioner with a walking frame comments behind me. “Every time I come here, I say to myself I’m never coming back, but really they have the things I need so what choice do I have?”
I wave her through in front of me only to notice the nice old guy leaning on his cane behind her. “I know to never come at lunch time,” he says grinning, “but I forgot the time today.
“I’m 87 you know,” he tells me proudly.
Of the four express checkouts, only one is operating in this peak period. The elderly gentleman is more difficult to convince to go ahead of me because, well, he’s a gentleman. But eventually I manage to manoeuvre him ahead.
“It’s shocking isn’t it?” comments the next lady in the queue, which was moving at a snail’s pace.
“Oh, it’s fine,” says the sweet old gentleman, who is insisting on manoeuvring himself back behind me with slow and painful purposeful progress, “I remember, during the war…”
About now I am regretting taking the express lane. I had only a lousy three items, far short of the maximum 12 that would have sent me to either the one other human-operated checkout that was open or the self-serve lanes, where there were equally horrendous queues thanks to the red fault lights flashing over most of the checkout machines. Eventually we shuffled through and 25 minutes later I’m drinking a much-needed cappuccino in a nearby café feeling nostalgic for the days long ago when supermarkets employed lots of people, even folk who kindly packed your shopping bags and carried them out to the car.
Those days will probably never return, but I can’t help but think that Australia’s effective supermarket duopoly has allowed a real decline in service. It’s the same story pretty much everywhere. At the very least elderly or disabled consumers, who ought to be treated with just a bit more courtesy and consideration, shouldn’t have to wait in endless queues.
Assemblage Project customer Halle Knupkis, left, with designers Karen Lee and Gemma Jameson… “Having a studio here helps people get to know the story behind the product,” says Gemma. Photo by Brent McDonald
Why Canberra needs Zed Seselja advertising
I just saw families like mine, who live their lives in the suburbs, getting left behind or ignored
Zed pledges a proven voice for Canberra
NOW, more than ever, Canberra needs professional, stable and capable politicians, says Liberal Senate candidate Zed Seselja.
“For too long, Canberra has been used as a testing ground for interstate aspirants, tricky campaign techniques, and as a plaything of minor parties,” he says.
“Our city needs and deserves better than that.” Seselja believes he can deliver a steady hand guided by professional capability. He is the candidate with a proven ability.
Widely known as one of the most successful and effective leaders in local political history, Zed rose from a rank outsider to leader of his party in his first term, and then on to delivering the highest number of seats for the Liberals in his second.
Less well known is the importance of Zed’s personal story as a local Canberran and how that led him to politics and continues to motivate him in everything he does.
Born in Woden Valley Hospital, in Canberra’s south, Zed has spent his entire life in Tuggeranong. From Canberra Cannons matches at Bruce, summer trips to Bateman’s Bay to university at the ANU, Zed has truly led the Canberra life.
But one far from privilege. Seselja
was born to Croatian immigrant parents, who worked hard to raise their family.
He remembers his parents working two jobs each to build their modest home in Wanniassa. In fact, he helped out working as a school cleaner in his youth.
He was also instilled with a deep ethic to give back to the community, and has been especially involved in St Vincent de Paul activities since his teenage years.
But as he grew, he also saw Canberra change, and not necessarily for the better.
He saw the opportunities his own family enjoyed slowly slipping out of reach of others. He saw how difficult it was for many people to get ahead, buy a home or build a better life.
“I just saw families like mine, who live their lives in the suburbs, getting left behind or ignored,” he says.
“It was as if all politics were being based from the inner-north or university bars.”
“But there are tens of thousands with the same concerns as my family, with the same challenges we face, and the same values and principles that were just being taken for granted by Labor governments.
“Since I really love this town so much, I decided I’d get into politics and try and make things a little better.”
Seselja is happily married to Ros and a devoted father to five young children with this week’s arrival of a baby daughter. He is
keenly aware of the pressures of rising living costs on young families.
In 2004 he was elected to the ACT Assembly and quickly made his mark as one of the party’s most effective advocates for
local suburban family issues.
By 2007, he was elected Opposition Leader and steadily led his team to cohesion and, from there, into contention at the last ACT election. From Opposition, he
successfully stopped a power station being built within a stone’s throw of backyards in Tuggeranong, created a raft of changes to stop government excesses, and ensured cost of living was included in all Territory Budgets.
This all culminated in a widespread groundswell of support at the last ACT election, giving the Liberals their highest local representation in the history of self-government.
Earlier this year, Zed took the decision to run for Federal parliament.
“This really is the next step in representing the people of Canberra. Nowhere is that more pressing than in Federal economic management right now,” says Zed.
“The country is undoubtedly facing challenging economic times, caused in large part by the political upheaval and the policy uncertainty of the last six years of dysfunction and debts greater than any in a generation. It will be the next generation that pays the price.”
It’s a simple pitch, but one that rings true with many Canberrans. When all the game playing and name calling is done, what this city needs is professional political representation from someone with a proven ability, stability and a clear commitment to Canberra. Zed Seselja passionately believes he is that person.
Liberal Senate candidate Zed Seselja… the candidate with a proven ability.
Dashing into a desert scramble
Stephen Easton reports
JOHN and Jo Mills are off to cross the Simpson Desert in their four-wheel-drive at the end of September, but they’ll be living it up in relative luxury compared to two hardy souls they’ll be slowly following through the vast expanse of red sand.
The experienced off-roaders are kitting out their vehicle with rooftop sleeping quarters to save space for the bicycle parts, food, water and other equipment they’ll be hauling as the support vehicle for Dale Brown, a contestant in the 2013 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge.
For a bike ride with its halfway point at Poeppel Corner – the meeting point of the NT, SA and Queensland borders – getting there is half the adventure.
“It’s 2300 km just to get to the start of the race,” says John, who has led four-wheel-drive trips and worked for charitable causes many times before as a member of Queanbeyan West Rotary Club.
Jo says it helps that she and John have been out that way before, although the actual event across the desert sands will be new to them. Held over five days with two stages
each day, this merciless 570km mountain bike event is among the most gruelling feats of endurance around. As is usually the case, such effort inspires donations to a good cause, in this case the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“We have done a lot of four-wheeldriving before, but what we haven’t done before is nearly 700 sand dunes,” says John. “What I hear is in the mornings, [the sand is] firmer because of the dew, and as the day wears on it dries out and gets softer, so it will be a fairly rigorous time for the car, and us, but it’s worse for the riders.”
Dale is not taking on the desert alone. He’ll be joined by Peter Whitely, whose support vehicle is being provided by the ARB four-wheel-driving shop in Fyshwick, which is also doing work on the Mills’ suspension at cost price.
The pair have trained with Angus Campbell, another Canberran taking on the Simpson’s sands.
In each of the 10 stages of the Simpson Desert event, a “sweep vehicle” drives along at the back, and all the riders it catches up to have to pull out and start again on the next section.
“Only about 10 per cent of riders finish all 10 stages, so our aim is to finish them all,” says Dale. “We’ve been doing a lot of talking with the winners
of last year’s event, and a bit of riding in the Blue Mountains. They’ve given us a lot of hints and we’ve been sort of using them as a brains trust on how to prepare.”
A further complication to their training is the fact they are only partially Canberran. Peter moved to Brisbane in 2000 and Dale to Hervey Bay two years later; both regularly fly in and out to work as IT experts for the Federal public service.
It was a mutual friend from this line of work, with a mutual interest in going to remote places, who first asked John if he and Jo might like a drive in the desert. Always up for a new adventure, they soon committed to join Dale.
Asked if he’s worried at all, Dale can’t go past the words of Canberran rider Angus, who believes they are fully prepared – for the first day, at least.
“Everything after that,” says Dale, “is a bit of a question mark.”
More information at desertchallenge.org
Good riddance to Ferguson
Raiders fans should be happy that we’ve seen the last of Blake Ferguson, says MARK PARTON
THE way Blake Ferguson has treated the Raiders club, the fans and the sponsors has been diabolical.
But so far as I’m concerned, the people he has let down the most are his teammates.
When you sign on to join a football team, there’s an unspoken commitment to your teammates and a pledge to put your body on the line and to do everything physically possible to bring about victory for your team.
That’s what footy is all about; it doesn’t matter what level you’re playing, football isn’t about the individual, it’s about the team.
I played AFL football really badly for a couple of years when I was 30 and living in Coffs Harbour. I got talked into it at the Jetty Hotel, where the Norths Coffs Kangaroos tended to drink.
“Just come out and have a go, Parto,” big Blockhead pleaded and, after about seven beers, how could I refuse?
The pre-season started with one of those punishing 10km cross country runs. I turned up in runners, shorts and a complete lack of aerobic fitness. There were about 60 of us who set off on a humid January day.
After 4km and ready to pack it in, having dropped back to a distant last, something magical happened. A group of six or seven players dropped back and “carried me” the final 5km with words of encouragement and some “tough love”. I didn’t even know these guys. They didn’t know me, but because I’d turned up to play on their football team, we were all brothers.
I ended up captaining the reserves team to a grand final, but the biggest thing I got out of it was the mateship and the overwhelming reality that no player in this team was any more or less important than any other. What we did, we did together.
I know I was playing low-level amateur football, but the same concepts should apply at the professional level and for Ferguson to turn his back on his teammates at a time when they desperately needed him is, for me, the worst thing he could have done.
Good luck to any club that signs him and good riddance from Canberra.
Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC
John and Jo Mills… “We have done a lot of four-wheel-driving before, but what we haven’t done before is nearly 700 sand dunes,” says John.
Photo by Brent McDonald
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge contestants, Dale Brown, left, and Peter Whitely.
Major advances in Myna war
Since 2006, the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group has seen off more than 40,000 of the aggressive little birds and inspired at least 40 other local councils and community groups around Australia to join fight.
STEPHEN EASTON reports from the front line...
BIRDWATCHER and nature lover Bill Handke has been aware of the issues around feral animals for a long time, as a retired senior public servant who worked in the area of agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
“There’s no invasive species that is benign,” he explains. “It’s just a matter of degree, of how much harm they do, and Indian Mynas are right up there with the worst.”
Bill is the president of the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group (CIMAG), a textbook example of grassroots mobilisation that has reduced the local Indian Myna population by more than 40,000, and inspired at least 40 other councils and community groups around Australia to join in the task of trapping and killing the highly intelligent, aggressive little birds, which were introduced here in 1963 by a resident who, apparently, was one of the few people who actually like the sound they make.
“They evict the local native birds from their nests and kill the chicks,” Handke says, explaining that most other small and medium-sized birds just can’t compete with the light brown, yellow-beaked invaders, who breed rapidly, systematically conquer territory and defend it with zeal.
By April, 2006, when Bill and other members of the Canberra Ornithologists Group founded CIMAG, the plague had reached the point where the Indian Myna was Canberra’s third most common bird. It’s now down to number 20.
The year before, he and his wife had noticed a battle taking place over one of the nesting boxes in their backyard, where Rosellas had nested for about 20 years, and they refused to let the marauding Mynas invade and occupy the homes of the native parrots unopposed.
“My wife would rush out there and bang the newspaper on the tree and try to scare them away,” says Bill.
The rolled-up newspaper did little to deter the flying ferals, but before long Bill had made a special cage that would trap them inside – and only them – helped greatly by the input of Peter Green, who is also the group’s first member to take 1000 birds out of circulation.
“We have working bees from time to time where we make the traps, but for the last four years or so, most of them have been made by the inmates at the jail,” he explains.
“We provide the prison with the materials and the tools, and we recently trained their supervisors. They make a very good trap; it’s really helped us out a lot.”
Getting the Alexander Maconochie Centre involved is just one of many important relationships the group has
forged to achieve its goals. University researchers and the ACT Government are both involved, as is the federally funded Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, and Bill says the local RSPCA will humanely euthanase the birds “if people find it too confronting”.
CIMAG has now given out about 1400 free traps, but donations are appreciated, the usual amount being $50, and trappers must agree to avoid animal cruelty.
CIMAG has also arranged two national conferences, the most recent in June this year, which discuss international experiences, the latest research and issues such as “trap shyness”.
“I don’t have any success putting a trap in my backyard these days because the Mynas are very wary,” says Bill. “I think it’s probably because of two factors: there’s too much vegetation around and the Mynas like a clear area… but also, they’ve associated my backyard with a bad place to be because all of their mates have disappeared here.”
The trapping program’s success has led to national media coverage, which continues with Bill and other members featuring in an ABC television show next month, hosted by William McGuiness.
Recently, the group won the ACT round of the Keep Australia Beautiful Awards, putting it in the running to win the national award later this year.
Fire lessons not learnt
SCIENCE Week is officially over and I was disappointed at the one function I attended, which was organised by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society on the theme
“The 2003 Canberra Fires – 10 years after : What have we learned?”.
The attendance was low, the subject was not really addressed in a substantive way that would have enabled residents to prepare themselves for the next bushfire, and I took issue with the introduction by Mark Crossweller, director-general, Emergency Management Australia.
Once again Crossweller followed the line he took at the 10th anniversary commemoration by mentioning the
word “blame” at least half a dozen times, amply supported by his slide presentation.
Noticeably absent were the words “responsibility” and “accountability”. It would appear that all those concerned with the actions of ESB bureaucrats, all those participating in the class actions in the ACT and Victoria and our own Wayne West, are “blamers” despite faults identified by the coroner and by Justice Higgins in the Wayne West case. I have grave fears for our ability to manage the next disaster because if mistakes are not acknowledged then lessons are not learnt.
Ric Hingee,
Duffy
A candidate not a parrot
NOT sure I understand Penny Roberts’ point in last week’s Letters when she said: “ Australia will be worse off under a Liberal government, especially Canberra “ and then “ the only good thing about the Liberals is Zed Seselja”.
Another view is that Zed has already shown he’s a lightweight of questionable integrity when he attempted to backstab Gary Humphries to get his safe Senate seat rather than contest with Labor a seat in the Lower House.
As a new boy in the Senate, not part of the inner Coalition power group, Zed would be told to keep his head down while Mr Abbott and co. went about cutting into the Public Service, with its consequential negative impacts on small business, property values etcetera. Canberra would be much better off with a strong candidate in the Senate who is prepared to speak up for us, not just “parrot” a party line.
Bill Bowron via email
Damned lies and politicians
WHETHER or not it was Disraeli or Twain who coined the phrase “There’s lies, damned lies and statistics” is of no matter because, in this election, a better phrase would
have been “there’s lies, damned lies and politicians’ lies”, which doesn’t augur well for the next three years.
Don Allan, Symonston
Colourful imagination
VOTERS will note that the ballot paper for the House of Representatives is again coloured green. This was objected to at the last election. I am not suggesting there is a bias at the Australian Electoral Commission, but it does reflect an out-of-touch and perhaps careless attitude given that one of the significant political parties calls itself the Greens. The colour of the ballot paper may not influence any voter, but wouldn’t it have been better for the Electoral Commission to be squeaky clean and to have used another colour?
Greg O’Regan, Farrer
Birdwatcher Bill Handke with an Indian Myna trap… “I don’t have any success putting a trap in my backyard these days because the Mynas are very wary.”
Photo by Brent McDonald
The enemy… the highly intelligent, aggressive Indian Myna.
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‘We look forward to seeing you at our Wedding Fair’
The ‘ayes’ needed before going to war
AUSTRALIANS can learn an important lesson from the recent actions of the UK Parliament.
Prime Minister David Cameron argued he was not embarrassed about having the proposal for military action in Syria rejected by his parliament. However, the decision illustrates the importance of the parliament containing the unilateral action of a leader in the Westminster system.
A call from US President Barack Obama had persuaded him of the need to take military action against the Assad regime over the use of chemical weapons. The parliament was not convinced. One outcome of the parliamentary decision is that Obama will now take a similar motion to Congress – he cannot have the US seen to be less democratic than Britain.
In the Australian federal system, the Senate has for many years been the point of accountability – rejecting and modifying the more extreme ideas of the government of the day. A majority government with a majority in the Senate has very little parliamentary accountability relying on members of conscience to cross the floor. This is a rare phenomenon, and even more rare when it actually reverses a decision taken by government.
The Senate has developed a balanced committee system that seeks to have representation from across the political spectrum at the same time as fulfilling its role to protect the States and, to a lesser extent, the Territories. Care is taken to consider each issue and to make recommendations to the whole Senate that, in turn, modifies or rejects legislation from the lower House.
The concentration of power in the hands of the party leaders in the Westminster system has been increasing over the last few decades. Recently, Kevin Rudd even managed to secure retaining leadership with just 25 per cent of his own party.
Although Cameron is leader of a coalition government dominated by the Conservatives, his deputy, Nick Clegg, is leader of the Liberal Democrats and the party discipline that has been the mark of many Westminster systems is not as enforceable. Before the UK vote, Clegg was publicly warning: “Britain must not become involved in a conflict it would struggle to influence”.
Clegg was not convinced the US had the evidence about the Assad regime using chemical weapons and,
Michael Moore politics
no doubt, remembered lessons from the invasion of Iraq.
“The Liberal Democrats would remain wary of arming the militants in Syria” and Britain “should not go beyond providing foreign-backed insurgents with non-lethal assistance”, he warned.
When his former Labour PM, Tony Blair, joined the invasion of Iraq as one of the leading forces of the “Coalition of the Willing” he did so because the then-US President George W Bush had convinced him Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was storing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
The British Parliament had long enough memories to see the same pattern. Following the rejection in the parliament, a White House spokesman revealingly said America would proceed to take action in whatever was in the best interests of the US. Clearly it is about what suits the US and an admission that their intent is nothing to do with the best interests of the people of Syria.
In the middle of an election campaign, our own Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, also had a conversation with President Obama and immediately launched into the bellicose rhetoric of “overwhelming evidence” of the use by the Assad regime of this particular weapon of mass destruction – chemical warfare and the need for action.
It is not enough that we know that chemical weapons have been used. The Australian Government must know who used them.
The US has been very public that the use of chemical weapons would be the “line in the sand” for military intervention. This has provided a demonstrative motive for the Syrian opposition forces to deploy a single chemical weapon in order to bring the US and her allies into the conflict – a relatively small strategic price to pay for the outcome.
Australia, like Britain and now the US, should not participate militarily in Syria without full support from both Houses of our Parliament.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health
Canberra Confidential
Has the town gone mad for attention seeking? It seems so...
Fun with ladies
“LOOK at the fun you have with the ladies at Woden View Club” had us panting to see the pictorial attachment and, yes, they do seem to be having a jolly time.
We’re certain the similarly dressed Margaret Gooch, national councillor for AA, and club president Jan Roberts (right) were laughing with a po-faced Liberal MLA Giulia Jones and not at her.
More fun at the next club lunch at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, on Tuesday, September 24 with a fashion parade lunch in aid of the Smith Family. Call ‘em at 6286 1827.
Green and proud
WE spotted this social photo of Raiders fan Mick Lennon, sporting a luminous acrylic-green beard and matching eyebrows, at Black Mountain Tower. He was at a launch of a school arts project of 80 works inspired by the tower itself from five local schools that cater specifically for children with special needs.
Look out, head breasts!
HERE’S a way of bringing the bad taste of the Skywhale down from the clouds and straight to your head. Our CC roving snapper at the UC Open Day caught this shameless fan of the ugliest air balloon in the world modelling her homemade knitted and sewn Skywhale hat replete with pendulous woolly breasts and attached red nipples.
Gai old time...
CC never misses the letterboxed “Brodtmann Bulletin”, relishing the opportunity to count the number of photos the member for Canberra can fit in of herself. She has excelled in the latest edition – 13 pictures of Gai in four pages.
Sizzling in Dixon
AND also hot from the hustings, local Palmer United Party Senate candidate Wayne Slattery (whose day job is CEO of the Good Samaritans) gives his Greens opponent a serve in an uncharitable, press-release rant. First he calls the boyish Simon Sheikh “Simone” then he says Sheikh has no real connection to the Canberra community unlike himself, that is before misspelling Dickson as in: “Recently, the Palmer United Party provided a free sausage sizzle for over 120 homeless people and locals in Dixon.”
Two-car blues
“YEAH, I’m not having much luck,” bemoans reader Paige Wilson, who sent us a four-exclamation-mark missive relating the sad tale of how her second car this year, a three-month-old Kia parked on Henderson Road, Queanbeyan, was whacked by an elusive small truck around 1pm on Friday, August 23, that departed the scene pronto.
“My back tyre was completely punctured and my back passenger door will not open,” poor Paige laments. “My car is brand new. I had to purchase it after my last car was written off in April (I wasn’t at fault then, either!).”
In the absence of the other driver’s details, she’s up for the insurance excess.
She lives in hope at paigey_book@hotmail.com
Dragon gnomes, ahoy!
OUR heads hurt trying to work out why, but the Canberra Griffins Dragon Boat Club members have painted 20 garden gnomes – “pint-sized versions of themselves” –and plan to row them (and their miniature dragon boat) across Lake Burley Griffin to Rotary’s Gnome Knoll at Floriade on September 14.
“It’s been a massive team effort by the club to build the boat as well as paint each individual gnome in the Griffins’ colours,” says club president Joe Murphy. “Luckily they’re better paddlers than they are artists!”
The club is currently recruiting anyone taller than a gnome with a “come and try” day, 10am-noon, on Sunday, September 15.
More info at canberragriffins.com.au.
Canberra Theatre Centre, Andrew Kay and Garry Ginivan present
scene / around canberra
Abode – The Apartment Hotel is pleased to announce the opening of our third hotel in Woden.
Our new accommodation offering transforms a 70s commercial building into stylish accommodation, located just minutes to the city, parliamentary triangle and major Canberra attractions.
Abode Woden, located at Juliana House, is a refurbishment and reuse project and is on target to be Australia’s first Green Star and NABERS rated hotel in Australia and will be the smart choice for the savvy visitor.
To celebrate our greatest achievement to date, we are offering rooms at Woden from just $119 per night.
Dr Rebecca McKetin, Jamie and Theresa Macgregor and Marina McDonald
Maureen Tindale, Jaime Svensson and Mary Weber
Mark and Phannita Azzopardi Prof Kim Donaghue and Maria Hawke
Naomi Cassilles, Ella Kurz, Elizabeth Mccrudden and Michaela Real
Adam Carmody and Caroline Squires Nick and Rona Moufarrige
David Morgan, Joanne Butler with Robii and Dania Khalil
Raisa Aniversario, Eleanor Hobba, Kirstie Mullins, LaToya Lockwood, Danielle Mildren and Margaret Courtney-Tennent
Chris Gribble, Rowena Thomson, Lauren Jepson and Ben Jullienne
Noor Blumer with Richard and Pam Faulks Lyndell Kazar, Katherine and Robert Clynes with Henry Kazar
Amy Burr, Phil Schubert, Andrew Barrow and Fiona McLeod Janelle & Greg Walker
Red&White
Gala Wine Dinner
Dress up, step out and savour award-winning, traditionally made Bunnamagoo Wines matched to a delicious degustation menu in the sumptuous surrounds of the newly refurbished National Press Club ballroom.
When: Saturday, September 21, 7pm for 7.30pm.
Where: National Press Club, 16 National Circuit, Barton.
What: Black tie, degustation wine dinner. Charity auction and raffle.
Bookings: Tickets at $150 each (tables of 10) plus small booking fee at npc.org.au/membership/membersevents/save-the-children-gala-dinner.html
Why: All proceeds support the untiring Australian and international work of Save the Children.
Genevieve Jacobs, Brendan Higgins and Daryl Karp Marilyn and Arthur Gray with Sylvie Stern and Zoe Roberts
Sarah Truesdale, Sarah Carlson, Amelia Farrell, Lucy Caldwell and Jess Oliver
John Manners, Sue Pavasaris, Susan Carpenter and Dr David Carpenter
Raji Pablo and Anne Radimin
David Holmesby and MLA Chris Bourke Fran Stevens and Tony Lo Terzo
Reece Smith, Julie Ruttle, Deb Keeley, Dr Julia Byford and Alex Bellis
Fran Treuen, Sally Bundy and Sue O’Hara
Brenda Donges, Angie Trevaskis, Suze McKenzie and Suzy Arnold
Ann-Maree Bortoli and Emilia Della Torre
Anne Jenkins, Judith Pabian, Meg Clark and Kathy Pickard
Nandor Vago, Sam Bennett and Tim Artelaris
arts & entertainment
It’s a mighty mix when music meets dance
The winds of collaboration are in the air throughout the performing arts, says “CityNews” arts editor HELEN MUSA
CANBERRA audiences will soon be treated to a mighty collaboration between Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Respective artistic directors Rafael Bonachela and Richard Tognetti have blended dance and music in “Project Rameau”, a meld of refined contemporary dance, perfectly performed string music and spectacular costumes.
It is an extraordinary mix of French Baroque dance music by Jean-Philippe Rameau and dance itself that has already thrilled audiences interstate.
The winds of change are also evident elsewhere, for just as Graeme Murphy retired from the Sydney Dance Company and John Bell is regularly handing the reins over to his co-director Peter Evans, so Tognetti, off exploring the world, is passing his lead violinist’s position to Brisbane artist Dale Barltrop for this season.
I catch up with him by phone as he cruises around the Napa Valley in California, en route to Vancouver where he’s doing a summer school workshop.
In 2014 he’ll join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as one of its two concertmasters and will divide his time between Melbourne and Vancouver, where
he is concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
This will be the second time that he has directed “Project Rameau” from his position as violinist, and he’s fully visible, on stage.
“It’s not exactly the same as conducting”, Barltrop points out, but it’s just as hard.
He wasn’t there when Tognetti started creating with Bonachela, but he believes he has now successfully “internalised the music”. This is essential in a such collaboration. Most contemporary dance companies perform to recorded music with set tempi, but live musicians need to have an “internalised sympathy with the dancers”.
“When you’re performing live with a company of dancers, you have to ‘nail it’,” he explains, “but fortunately, on no occasion has the ACO performed too fast or too slow causing any dancer to trip over or fall down.”
Barltrop is familiar with the ACO, having once replaced principal second violinist Helena Rathbone and also directed ACO 2, their ensemble of emerging musicians. He was helped by a DVD of the first production last year in Sydney.
“While I was learning the music, I was getting an understanding of the dance,” he says.
There’s nothing surprising about
combining the music of Rameau with dance, he says. Indeed, the great French composer wrote many works in an operatic genre where dance interludes permeated the entire evening’s work.
“There are about 20 selections from Rameau in this performance, and the or-
chestra has to be sensitive to every change,” he says. But there is something that’s made it easy for him and the other players – “the absolute professionalism of the Sydney Dance Company.”
During the Brisbane season, one dancer couldn’t go on.
“So they went into rehearsal and, in the end, you wouldn’t have known that there was one missing,” he says.
“They’re world class in every respect.”
“Project Rameau”, at the Canberra Theatre, September 12-14, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au
TICKET OFFER
In celebration of our Centenary the National Gallery of Australia would like to offer all Canberra residents a two for the price of one ticket offer during the final week of Turner from the Tate: The Making of a Master.
Present this coupon at the National Gallery of Australia ticket desk.
Offer only valid: Monday 9 – Friday 13 September
“Project Rameau”... from left, violinist Dale Barltrop and dancers Alisha Coon and Todd Sutherland. Photo by Justine Walpole
Not nice, remarkably good! arts & entertainment
“Stoker” (MA)
WHEN I emerged from Korean film-maker
Chan-Wook Park’s no-holds-barred film about a family dealing with unexpected issues, two women friends asked my opinion about what they were about to watch.
“Not nice, but remarkably good” was the only honest answer I could give.
“Stoker” opens with the arrival at a funeral of the dead man’s brother Charlie (Matthew Goodes) of whose existence neither the widow (Nicole Kidman) nor her daughter India (Mia Wasikowska) knew anything.
This sets in motion a melodramatic feast of exploration of relationships, discovery of family secrets, and presentation of clues that, in the best clue tradition, don’t scream out their significance.
Wentworth Miller’s screenplay weaves credible themes and situations into a collection of subtle conflicts generating an accretion of tensions.
A ripe mother and an 18-year-old daughter whose innocence drives her beauty into an emotional minefield made more unbearable because of her beloved father’s sudden accidental death, suddenly find themselves sharing their house with a young man emanating an erotic catalyst awaiting opportunity to strike.
Dougal Macdonald cinema
“The Best Offer” (M)
THE closing credits for Guiseppe Tornatore’s elegant, beautiful, compelling and engrossing film display the names of the real artworks that play a vital part, too fast to count or remember their titles. They adorn the walls of the secret basement gallery where celebrity art auctioneer Virgil (Geoffrey Rush) sips his wine and immerses himself in his good fortune to be their legal owner. Virgil’s a difficult fellow, something of a curmudgeon, secretive, without friends.
In a decaying mansion lives 26-year-old Claire whose deceased parents left instructions to engage Virgil to dispose of their stunning collection of art and craft. But Claire suffers from agoraphobia, the irrational fear of public or open spaces. To take instructions and prepare the sale catalogue, Virgil must shout through the door behind which Claire lives a hermit-like existence.
We hear but don’t see her until well into the film, a useful device for developing an air of mystery.
Fresh dead bodies add body to the mix. India resists sexual blandishments from local youths that leave her un-assuaged and driven to self-relief. Mia Wasikowska’s versatility with emotions, conflicts and physical challenges dominates the film. More than simply gluing shots together, the editing plays a significant role in developing the story’s strong dramatic values.
At Capitol 6, Palace Electric and Dendy
Rush gives an impeccable performance. Dutch actress Sylvia Hoeks is delicate and nervous as Claire. The film has three dramatic threads – rescuing Claire from her fear, development of May-September love and a scam using Billy (Donald Sutherland) to raise the bidding.
It’s a great film and we can excuse Tornatore’s occasional awkward brushes with the English language in a screenplay that presses a fine collection of correct buttons in delivering a story which for dramatic merit need defer to nobody.
At Capitol 6, Palace Electric and Dendy
“Red 2” (M)
WHEN the front end titles for a movie proclaim its provenance from an American comic book (in reality, neither comical nor book), you intuitively know that it’ll offer a relaxing dose of violence, excitement, destruction of property and improbable deeds of derring-do as good and bad guys battle it out.
Such movies serve a useful purpose, exposing us to formulae requiring little brain energy, an invitation to sit back and enjoy, needing no recollection of its predecessor (to which in true comic book style, most movies in that genre devolve). And so it is with Dean Parisot’s rendition of a screenplay by the Hoeber brothers who wrote that predecessor.
American intelligence and homeland safety bozos want to find the WMD developed by mad scientist Bailey (Anthony Hopkins) who’s been incarcerated for 31 years. First, they have to terminate retired CIA agent Frank (Bruce Willis) and girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker). Easier said than done. ‘Cos they’ve got friends.
I enjoyed “Red 2”, for its mad improbabilities, its clever action and humour, and the return of Frank’s crew. My favourite memory from the original “Red” is of Victoria (Helen Mirren) having fun with a machine gun. She and John Malkovich are back to help. It’s therapy for tired minds, mindless fun watching the good guys win, as you would expect.
At Capitol 6, Palace Electric, Dendy and Limelight
‘Inspiring’
start to new gallery
ARTIST Margaret Hadfield has moved her gallery to larger premises at Colbee Court, Phillip and at centre-stage in the new space is her “Inspiring Women Series”.
Her portraits of Ngambri-elder Matilda House-Williams and basketball great Lauren Jackson have been finalists in the Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize and the Portia Geach Portrait Prize. These portraits are shown with four more – Australia’s first Grammy winner, Helen Reddy; former Australian Democrats leader, Natasha Stott Despoja; Australian of the Year and pioneering burns surgeon Fiona Wood and Sunrise Children’s Villages, Cambodia, founder Geraldine Cox
Margaret Hadfield Gallery 53 Colbee Court, Phillip. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5.30pm, call 6282 3886. hadfieldgallery.com
arts & entertainment Canberra’s Prior engagement
By Helen Musa
MARINA Prior is irretrievably associated in the minds of the public with the role of Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera”.
Plucked from a bachelor of music course in Melbourne State College in 1983 to play Mabel in “The Pirates of Penzance”, she’s played in “Camelot” with Richard Harris, opposite the late Paul Eddington in “H.M.S. Pinafore”, in the Australian premiere of “Les Mis” and she’s toured Australasia with José Carreras.
Prior still keeps up a cracking pace, doing eight shows a week for “Mary Poppins” and fitting in other musicals, such as the recent “Promises Promises”, as well as concert and TV appearances. “But I’ve never done a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical,” she tells me as we talk about her coming visit to Canberra as part of an all-over Australia regional tour that she says has been “well received”.
On tour she’ll be entertaining fans with an intimate selection from her two newest albums, “Both Sides Now” and “Encore”.
“The first one includes my favourite songs from non-musical theatre by famous singer-
songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, Kate Bush and Simon and Garfunkel, the songs I grew up singing,” the former teenage busker tells “CityNews”, but in “Encore,” she reprises musical theatre songs done “unplugged with guitar, piano and maybe string and percussion”.
“I love recording,” she enthuses, “I haven’t recorded prior to these CDs for 17 years; it’s fantastic to get back into the studio”.
Now that her children are getting bigger – her eldest is 17 and her youngest 9 – she has found time to do just that. It’s not just the recording, she says, but “once you’ve put down the recording, you really have to tour and sell, you can’t have one without the other, and you’ve got to have the physical time and the creative space to do it.”
Looking back, Prior has noticed big changes in the Australian showbiz scene.
“In the old days, producers weren’t prepared to create a name, so they hired stars from overseas,” she says.
But with the advent of the mega-musicals such as “Phantom” and “Les Mis”, the show is the star.
“That means that if the show is big enough, it also enables the principals to use it as a vehicle – you have to work that potential to your advantage,” she says.
In the production of “Guys and Dolls” starring Garry McDonald and Lisa McCune, for instance, “it was the players who were the big thing. It’s an indication of us growing up culturally.”
Marina Prior, at The Playhouse, Friday, September 13, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
Heading to ‘The Office’
IMPROACT is staging “The Office”, not the TV show, but an interactive, roving show that takes place in an actual office space. At the PASH, Suite 301, 20 Allara Street, Civic, September 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21, bookings to impro.com.au
CANBERRA-raised actor and director Ed Wightman is back at Rep directing “The Book of Everything”. It’s set in Amsterdam in 1951 and young Thomas is writing a book… At Theatre 3, September 12-28, bookings to 6257 1950.
ANOTHER Canberra-raised talent is Peter Cooke, the former School of Music Wind Band player who became head of design and deputy director at NIDA before heading the School of Drama at the top-notch Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Cooke has just been re-appointed to another five-year term and writes: “I have been to the White House for dinner with the Obamas, sat next to Aretha Franklin, and had to keep pinching myself.”
OPERA lovers will be relieved that the Singing Division of the Australian National Eisteddfod will conclude with the $5000 (second prize $2000) Centenary Aria competition in the Albert Hall, 2pm, on Sunday, September 15. There are 14 entrants and while it is not called the National Aria, it goes some way towards filling the gap left when sponsors pulled out of that jewel in Canberra’s musical crown. Tickets $12 at the door.
KATE Rafferty, the soprano who’s been heading up performances for “Opera by Candlelight”, is in
Vienna sharing a flat with Jerica Steklasa, who played Pamina in “The Magic Flute” at Albert Hall earlier in the year. Meantime, father Carl Rafferty is gearing up for “Love Changes Everything”, a potpourri of musical comedy and light opera at the Playhouse at 5pm and 7pm on September 14. Quote the word “Phantom” when booking at 6275 2700 and you’ll get two tickets for the price of one.
NICOLE Canham, 2008
“CityNews” Artist of the Year and former director of the Canberra International Music Festival, has won the award for Excellence by an Individual at APRA’s Art Music Awards held recently in Sydney for “Hourglass”, an international project performed with a team of Mexican and Australian composers, video and installation artists in Mexico City.
BELL Shakespeare has expressed “disappointment” at my assertion in a story on citynews.com.au that “Canberrans won’t see the cream of the crop” in their 2014 season. A spokeswoman told us research has shown that Canberrans want Shakespeare from the company, rather than, say, Moliere’s “Tartuffe”. As for John Bell’s production of “The Winter’s Tale”, that was planned from the outset as a Sydney-only show. But Bell himself, the spokeswoman assured us, loves Canberra best of all.
San QBN Prison” on September 14. It’s a 10th anniversary show marking the death of Johnny Cash. Details at artistsshed.com/
AFTER 18 years exhibiting regularly with groups, Canberra artist Joan Costanzo has decided to “emerge” with her first solo exhibition, showing works in brilliant colours. “Reality Check” is at Kaori Gallery, in Canberra City Framing Gallery, until September 28.
ART Song Canberra’s next concert is at Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, on Sunday, September 8. “Lovers of Song” will be performed by mezzo-soprano Maartje Sevenster, baritone Joaquin Quilez-Marin and tenor Charles Hudson, with Colin Forbes at the piano. Tickets at the door.
THE Artist’s Shed in Queanbeyan is staging “Counterfeit Cash Live at
Singer Marina Prior… entertaining fans with an intimate selection from her two newest albums, “Both Sides Now” and “Encore”.
Helen Musa arts in the city
Felix Barbalet and Catherine Hagerty in ImproACT’s “The Office”. Photo by Mark Gambino
arts & entertainment
CIVIC:
70 Bunda Street, 1st floor Canberra City Phone: 6257 3690
WODEN: 86/2 Keltie Street
Woden Plaza, Phillip Ph: 6260 5441
GUNGAHLIN: 25 Gribble Street, Gungahlin Phone: 6241 4558
www.flavoursofindia.com.au
Local sweet success
FOLLOWERS of award-winning restaurants tremble with excitement when opening Australia’s only annual restaurant guide, to see how Canberra has performed on the national food stage.
Okay, this year we didn’t rank in the top 100 nationally and none of our restaurants were awarded two or three stars. But we did deliciously well, nonetheless.
Wei’s (formerly
(near
So, who placed in the top 10 for the ACT in the justreleased 2014 guide, published by “Gourmet Traveller”? Let’s serve it up.
Aubergine is number one with a sparkling star attached to its name (the only restaurant here to be awarded a star).
Second place went to a relatively new kid on the block, Eightysix, followed (in order) by Italian and Sons, Pulp Kitchen, Water’s Edge, Sage, Courgette, Boathouse, Mocan and Green Grout, and Malamay.
And a smattering of our best bars and cafes were also mentioned, including Smoque and Soju Girl.
The magazine’s reviewers spend six months tracking down the country’s top dining experiences. Quality of
Wendy Johnson dining
food is paramount, but so, too, is service and comfort. I’ve been writing food stories for “CityNews” since February, 2003 – that’s around 480 stories so far. And I’ve eaten at all places listed in this year’s guide.
What do I think of the selection? Most entries didn’t surprise me (some did). And that’s because these establishments have consistency down pat. In my mind, consistency is the biggest issue facing hospitality in this town.
Often throughout my “foodie” writing life I’m involved in conversations that go like this… “How could you write such a good article on that restaurant? My experience was awful ” or “How could you be so picky? I’ve never had a bad meal at that cafe”. My response is usually: “Lack of consistency”.
But this article is about celebrating and I toast all establishments in the 2014 guide. I was recently at Italian and Sons, dining with an Italian friend, and came away enamoured with the amazingly tasty food and stunning wine list. I’ve never had a bad meal there (that’s consist-
Traditional and Contemporary Italian Cuisine licensed and BYO bottled wine Centre Cinema Building, Garema Place, Canberra City la-scala@iimetro.com.au www.lascala.com.au
Shaw’s French triumph cabaret
“Bijou” By Chrissie Shaw. At the Street Theatre until September 8.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
AN image of an elderly, pearl-draped woman, taken by photographer Brassai in the Bar de la Lune in Montmartre in 1932, was the catalyst for this extraordinary production. The woman was known as Bijou and, while little is known about her, her image inspired Canberra actor/writer Chrissie Shaw to create and perform this exquisitely evocative cabaret about a wonderfully irascible, mischievous, beguiling story-teller.
Shaw draws on all her theatrical skills, honed over a career of remarkable performances, to create a totally believable, fascinating character, who sings, dances, teases, flirts, and ultimately breaks your heart, as she rummages through her recollections, rewinding her life as a survivor of the “Great War”. Her stories are funny, horrifying, pathetic and sometimes profoundly sad, but all have the ring of truth… or are they just the ramblings of a manipulative, clever, old woman desperate to hold the attention of the audience who, unwittingly, have become another character in her stories?
ency for you) and promise to return more often.
I’m looking forward to a special food event at Malamay in a few weeks and worship how its team creates sensational Sichuan cuisine (consistently).
I love to dine at the lake at Water’s Edge and applaud chef Clement Chauvin’s passion for preparing beautiful food, beautifully plated (consistently). And I could go on and on.
As for Eightysix? When I saw the restaurant’s caramel popcorn sundae on the cover of “Gourmet Traveller” I knew I had to try it, which I did last weekend. At the end of a yummy lunch, which featured fresh ceviche, crispy brussels sprouts and succulent chicken with a sexy buttermilk coleslaw, I indulged. What can I say, except you need to book, and soon.
Susan Pilbeam’s unobtrusive direction carefully guides Shaw through Imogen Keen’s warm, glowing Bar de la Rue, decorated with flickering candlelight and rich fabrics. Curtains become bridal veils, and table numbers morph into sensuous props as Bijou moves among her audience, dancing a la Mata Hari, or singing with a voice that has known life, the cleverly chosen collection of songs which advance and embellish her stories.
Liz Lea has devised dances that fit the character as beautifully as Victoria Worley’s collection of faded finery and Gillian Schwab bathes the proceedings in moody lighting.
Alan Hicks is superb as the long-suffering bar-pianist, providing a strong supportive presence, sensitive piano accompaniments and even gentle vocal harmonies. All are essential contributions to a riveting tour de force.
Braddon restaurant Eightysix’s caramel popcorn sundae, which was featured on the cover of “Gourmet Traveller”.
Photo by Brent McDonald
Shaw as Bijou.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
You have numerous attributes (including exuberant energy and endless enthusiasm) but being patient isn’t usually one of them. This week a pinch of patience will lower frustration levels, as Saturn encourages you to be more measured and disciplined. The pace quickens on Sunday, when Uranus helps you come up with an idea that makes others sit up and take notice.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Love is in the air as Venus vamps into your relationship zone on Wednesday, and then links up with romantic Neptune on Saturday. Attached Bulls… it’s time to show your partner how much you really care. Singles… get real about the future, and give flippant lovers the flick! Look for someone who has monogamy, marriage and commitment on their mind.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Mercury (your ruling planet) moves into Libra (from September 9-29) which helps improve a rickety relationship with a child, teenager or friend. A combination of communication and cooperation is the best way to keep things on track. Jupiter blesses financial matters… as long as you don’t get carried away, and spend more than you earn. Aim for a balanced budget.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Are you missing out on lucky breaks because you’re being an overly cautious crustacean? With adventurous Jupiter jumping through your sign (until July 2014) make it a priority to plunge into the pool of opportunity and live life to the max. Be inspired by birthday great D. H. Lawrence; “ I want to live my life so that my nights are not full of regrets.” Seize the day Crabs!
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Mighty Mars is charging through fiery Leo, which adds to your already pumped-up energy … like getting a dose of cosmic steroids! You’re impatient to proceed with a domestic matter but, with Venus moving through your home zone (from Sep 11-Oct 8) it’s time to slow down and smoke the peace pipe with a fractious family member. Compromise is the key.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
The week starts well, when Mercury moves into Libra (which will help calm your nervous energy and settle your busy mind). It’s also the perfect time to boost your cash flow with a creative money-making venture or a smart savings plan. But your compulsive Virgo side revs up on Sunday as you stress and obsess about an issue involving children, finances or friends.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Librans can get stuck in a cycle where you worry if things aren’t 100% perfect. With Mercury moving into your sign (and Jupiter in your reputation zone) it’s time to lighten up and have a lot more fun. Your motto for the moment is from writer Roald Dahl (born on September 13, 1916); “ A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men” … and women!
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
With Venus vamping into your sign (from Wednesday until October 8) it’s your time to shine Scorpio! Charm is your currency of choice, as you convert the cynics and dazzle the doubters. When it comes to work, a combination of passion and persistence will take you where you want to go. The weekend is fabulous for focusing on a problem … and then fixing it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
The week starts slowly, as sombre Saturn pours cold water on an ambitious project or spontaneous plan. Pay close attention to minor details, as you discipline yourself to stick to a slow and steady routine. Thursday is your best day, as motivation and enthusiasm return and you’re in high Sagittarian spirits. Sunday is super for sporting activities and outdoor adventures.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Saturn cautions you to do all your homework thoroughly before you power ahead with an ambitious project. Capricorns are self-contained creatures but don’t battle along on your own. You’ll make more progress over the next few weeks if you combine your creative talents with other like-minded souls. The power of the group is on your side, so use it to your advantage.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Have you been having professional problems? Venus shifts into your career zone on Wednesday, so the next month is a terrific time to spruce up your work space; resolve an issue with a colleague; or apply for a job. And it’s a wonderful weekend to ring in some radical changes, as innovative ideas and an adventurous attitude propel you into exciting new territory.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
If you’ve got a business trip or heavenly holiday coming up, don’t leave things until the last minute. Now is the time to fine-tune your itinerary and finalise your paperwork. Attached Pisceans… love is your drug of choice on Sunday, as you share the romantic Neptunian vibes with your partner. Singles… make your dreams for the future as creative as possible.
Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline
General knowledge crossword No. 422
Across
3 Where was Napoleon decisively defeated in 1815?
7 In grammar, which group of words contains a subject and a predicate?
8 Name a large heavy kind of terrier
9 To be neither good nor bad is to be what?
10 Name the fruit of a large cultivated tropical tree
11 Which disease is due to a diet lacking in vitamin C?
14 What is an epidemic disease of high mortality?
17 To behave arrogantly is to do what?
18 Which intelligent breed of dog is much used for tending sheep?
19 In Australian history, what was a convict allotted as a servant?
20 In which city is Big Ben found?
21 What is a judicial hearing without legal effect, due to an error in proceedings?
Down
1 Name a sister ship of the Titanic
2 What is one half of one half?
3 To be rich, is to be what?
4 What is the globe of the organ of sight?
5 To be in front is to be what?
6 Which term is descriptive of an outstanding bill?
11 A revolver, or a sword, could be called a what?
12 When one strips off a disguise one does what?
13 Name a sour liquid made from the grape
14 Which English composer was renowned for a wide variety of choral and church works, Henry... ?
15 Name a univalve edible marine mollusc
16 What is the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet?
Diplomatically speaking
His Excellency Mr David Daly Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union
It has been wonderful to serve as the EU Ambassador to Australia in a period of greatly improving relations.
Over my time here we negotiated agreements on linking Australia to Europe’s ETS, on facilitating Australia’s participation in the EU’s crisis management operations, on international travel security, on wine and on implementing each other’s aid programmes.
We welcomed Australia into the Asia-Europe Meeting group of Leaders - an indication that our partnership goes way beyond the purely bilateral issues. We are currently negotiating a Framework Agreement to further upgrade the relationship politically.
Political dialogue has been intensified between us. In 2010 Prime Minister Gillard visited Brussels; in 2011 European Commission President Barroso visited Australia. Last year we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the EU institutions. This year the Governor General of Australia visited the EU institutions for the first time. Next year European Leaders will come for the G20 summit in Brisbane.
I spent a lot of my time explaining - hopefully convincingly - that the EU was not about to implode under the weight of the financial crisis – and neither was the Euro.
The ease of personal contact makes it easy to work with Australians and to make true friends.
The Daly Family has hugely enjoyed its time in Australia: we travelled, we supported the Brumbies, Raiders and GWS Giants, we played soccer and we walked the lake. We shall miss all this.
Having travelled far and wide across the country, meeting people from all walks of life, seeing beautiful places and amazing wildlife, I can honestly say that Australia is unique - the quality of things to see and do here is truly world class.
For the Dalys, as we pack our bags, this is certainly “Au revoir” and not “Goodbye”.
We will be back!
Sudoku medium No. 111
Spring Permaculture Design Course
Learn how to design urban, rural and community systems to feed yourself and your friends, promote sustainability and landscape regeneration.
Lanyon Homestead | 20 October to 2 November with Nick Huggins, Dan Harris-Pascal and Colin McLean
Early-bird price applies to all CityNews readers. Book now at www.permacultureexchange.org.au
Penny 0400 165 403 or penny@permacultureexchange.org.au.
Other permaculture short courses also available throughout the year
garden Get into the swing of spring
Cedric Bryant gardening
IT’S spring and gardening swings into top gear this month with events galore.
The Floriade Spring Festival, with the theme “Beautiful Innovation”, blossoms forth for a month, from September 14, encouraging even the most reluctant gardener into the wonderful world of gardening.
IT still rankles that there is not a permanent Floriade site, such as the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. The idea ping pongs back and forth between it staying as a temporary site in Commonwealth Park or moving to the Arboretum.
It seems ridiculous starting in March to rip up the turf to install the garden beds for just one month of Floriade. Then only to clear the area and re-lay 20,000 square metres of turf to return Commonwealth Park to its regular state in October. The turf has hardly had time to grow before the whole process starts all over again! Also, why did we have to copy the name Floriade from the Dutch flower festival of the same name? Too late now, but surely we could have come up with an original Australian name.
MANY readers have raised with me the question of why the Floriade theme is showcasing a hybrid, non-existent flower.
The computer-generated flower is a combination of a lotus with the centre of a lily and an optic stamen.
Surely, when we are celebrating Canberra’s Centenary we should be promoting the native plant especially bred for this year, namely Correa “Canberra Bells”.
I hope to see massed displays of this in themed native gardens to celebrate our Australian heritage and promote plants indigenous to our local area rather than the computergenerated variety!
Email me your thoughts at cedricbryant@grapevine.com.au
FEED, feed, feed. That is the theme in coming weeks.
Surprisingly, Camellia sasanquas, which have only just finished flowering, need to be fed now. As soon as flowering has finished the new buds start to form for next year’s flowers. Late-flowering bulbs can be fed with a highpotassium liquid plant food until you see the flower buds appear.
THE Horticultural Society’s Spring Bulb and Camellia Show is at the Wesley Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, noon-5pm, on Saturday September 14 and 11.30am-3.45pm, on Sunday, September 15.
Presented this year in conjunction with the Daffodil Association of NSW/ACT, it will include the Centenary of Canberra Daffodil Championships. Entry is free.
More information at hsoc.org.au
THE Kingston Organic Community Garden is holding its fifth anniversary garden party, at 11 Currie Crescent, noon-3pm, on Sunday, October 20. There will be family activities and a birthday cake to cut at 2.30pm.
More information at 6295 9470 or email office@canbap.org.
Correa “Canberra Bells”... especially bred for this year.
Daffodils… The Horticultural Society’s Spring Bulb and Camellia Show is a must-see.
G OOG O NIAN LIFESTYLE
