Canberra CityNews October 1-7, 2009

A YEAR ON: THE PEOPLE WHO CHANGED LOCAL POLITICS October 1-7, 2009

All about canberra

Win

Bowling Family 10 Fun Passes org ‘Ge 5 DVDe SGently’

Chief Minister confesses to love affair!

(not what you’re thinking, though)

MICHAEL MOORE

Snoozing Libs give Labor a free run

DOUGAL MACDONALD What gets the movie guru laughing

MARK PARTON

Internet saves the radio star

Dr Fiona to the

rescue Local vet heads to Nepal to save street dogs

CityNews October 1-7

  CityNews October 1-7

news

Michael’s on a mission environment

By Tanya Davies

TELOPEA Park School student Michael Mitchell’s personal project has become a promising environmental mission.

The Year 9 student is taking bicycles from the local community, fixing them up, and plans to ship them to Africa, where our disposable goods will become highly prized possessions.

The purpose of the personal project is to involve students in experiences they would not have within school. So far, Michael has negotiated sponsorship of “slime”, a substance that helps to prevent punctures. Next may be the recruitment of friends to assist in fixing chains and brakes, and in some cases sourcing seats and wheels.

Since he began internet advertising for donations and through his father’s intranet at Geoscience, his project has become a snowball of community support with the email being increasingly forwarded. It seems that it can only be a matter of time before Government departments and NGOs lend their support to this project.

Michael’s connection with Africa is personal and heartfelt. Born of South African heritage, he has been to the continent several times, and in several locations. When he says: “There are people in the world who lead very different lives from us,” he is refreshingly genuine.

“I wanted to do something that would make a difference,” he says simply. “And these bikes are just sitting in our garages, sometimes for years.

INDEX

Some of them have nothing wrong with them other than a puncture.”

He has already got 25 bikes and, with mum Vivien, has now set a goal of a bike a day through October and, perhaps, beyond.

Vivien Mitchell is suitably impressed with her son’s project, as well as his compassion and enthusiasm. And the community interest and support is humbling and inspiring, she says.

contact us

October 1-7, 2009

Since 1993: Volume 15, Number 38

Arts&Entertainment Body Crossword Dining Fashion Health and Fitness Horoscope Letters Movie reviews News Politics Property Social Scene Sudoku

Student Michael Mitchell… He has already got 25 bikes and has now set a goal of a bike a day through October.

Photo by Silas.

17-20 22-23 25 19 24 21 25 11 18 3-12 8 26-31 14-16 25

COVER PHOTO: Dr Fiona Cox, story Page 4.

Photo by Silas.

General manager: Greg Jones 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au Advertising sales executives: Melissa Delfino, 0415 137660 Jonathan Hick, 0415 177345 Sebastien Kriegel, 0438 198701 Scott Meikle, 0404 318888 Advertising sales co-ordinator: Rebecca Darman 6262 9100, ad@citynews.com.au Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9439 9929 Adelaide advertising sales: HWR Media, 08 8379 9522 Perth advertising sales: HWR Media, 08 9429 3075

Michael is now liaising with various sectors of the community to identify the best way to get the bikes shipped out to Africa next year. And what does he see happening beyond that?

“In the short term, I’m going to be learning a lot about fixing bikes. But I would like to think it will go beyond this. There are similar projects to this in Sydney and Melbourne, but I’d love to see it perhaps picked up by a charity or NGO.”

Relaxed, comfortable, Stanhope’s staying

By Jorian Gardner CHIEF Minister Jon Stanhope has again shrugged off leadership speculation about when he might throw in the towel and hand over to deputy Katy Gallagher.

“I am enjoying this job as much as I ever have. I am now the longest-serving leader in the country, and sometimes I think it takes some time to reach your potential and be relaxed as you can ever been in the role – and I think I have achieved that,” he says in an exclusive interview with “CityNews”.

“There are no issues, despite the invigorating speculation by the media about unity or leadership within my government”, he says, diverting to Liberal leadership speculation of his own.

“I think you will see it sooner rather than later in the ACT Opposition. [Liberal Leader] Mr Seselja continues to present as a leader who clearly doesn’t like to get out of the bed in the morning and come to work. We’ll see soon whether Mr Seselja really has the heart for the fight.”

Not content with stirring the pot just a little he continues, saying he initially thought Opposition health spokesman Jeremy Hanson would succeed Seselja.

“I thought he would be the rising star in opposition, but he’s had a year now to prove himself and he hasn’t. He is described within the Labor caucus, rather generously, as the new Jacqui Burke.”

The Stanhope interview – Page 6

Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601 www.citynews.com.au Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Senior writer and arts editor: Jorian Gardner, 0415 516286 Lifestyle editor: Kathryn Vukovljak, 6262 9100 lifestyle@citynews.com.au Arts writer: Helen Musa, 0413 466121 Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086 Designer: Joran Dilucian Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au Distribution and circulation: Richard Watson, 6262 9100

JGD

41,165 copies a week Six-month audit to March 31, 2009

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

CityNews October 1-7

cover story

Dr Fiona to the rescue THOSE of us who dote on our “fur babies” need to be more aware of how differently dogs are treated in other parts of the world, says a Canberra vet who’s coming to the rescue of street dogs in Nepal.

“CityNews” pets columnist Dr Fiona Cox, who runs the Furry Tales Mobile Veterinary Care Clinic, will head to the Himalayas this month to perform voluntary surgery on injured canines and vaccinate them against rabies, and educate locals about avoiding animal cruelty.

“I’m anticipating doing a lot of desexing, some surgery on animals which have been hit by cars, and on burns injuries,” says Fiona, who will assist a Vets Beyond Borders team working in the region.

Vets Beyond Borders co-ordinates and runs veterinary-based animal welfare and public health programs in developing countries.

“There’s a massive need for this kind of work. One aim is to teach locals how to do some of the surgeries themselves.

“There’s lots of things that go on in thirdworld countries which aren’t perceived as abuse or neglectful,” Fiona says.

“For example, for cultural reasons, many people in Nepal don’t believe in euthanasia and consider it unethical, but in a lot of cases not to euthanise can be very cruel.

“I really don’t believe most people in Australia are aware of the way animals live in third-world countries – they’re not exposed to the abuse and neglect that goes on.”

Fiona will be joined by Marcus Fillinger, of Alphadog Husky Rescue and Boarding, a charity specialising in finding permanent homes for Siberian Huskies in need.

New law chief

THIRTY-FOUR-year-old ATHOL Opas, has been elected as the president of the ACT Law Society for 2009-10.

A lawyer with the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Mr Opas is the first government lawyer to be elected to the presidency. He succeeds Rod Barnett, who steps down after serving two terms as president.

Wrappers needed

VOLUNTEERS are desperately needed for Vision Australia’s Christmas gift-wrapping service at Myer’s Belconnen and Civic stores. Training will be provided and each shift is three hours long. Ideally, each volunteer would be expected to do two or three shifts between December 11 and Christmas Eve. Contact Vision Australia on 1300 847466 or register on www. visionaustralia.org/volunteer.

Play time

Dr Fiona Cox and Marcus Fillinger… “My love of my own pets, who were on death row or abandoned, drives me to do volunteer work,” she says Photo by Silas.

As well as caring for her own two dogs (adopted from the pound) and cat (which she found abandoned in a car park), Fiona already volunteers with dog rescue organisations in the ACT, including fostering dogs – on average, one a month.

She says a trip with Vets Beyond Borders has been a long-term goal.

“I guess my love of my own pets, who were on death row or abandoned, drives me to do volunteer work,” she says.

As well as taking notice of animal cruelty issues internationally, Canberrans can help

their pets and other animals locally, she says.

“My Furry Tales clients are wonderful and take extremely good care of their pets, but there’s a real need for more desexing here in the ACT, and not allowing animals to have multiple litters which end up in the pound system.”

Fiona and Marcus are hoping for donations to help them purchase orthopaedic equipment and pharmaceuticals to use in Nepal – donations can be made through the Alphadog website, www.alphadog.com.au.

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Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd CityNews October 1-7

briefly

Work has begun on upgrading five play spaces at O’Connor, Weston Park, Kambah, Bonython and Downer. The $533,000 program includes features such as an accessible swing and rubber softfall paths at the playgrounds in Downer and O’Connor; new play equipment including a “train” at Downer and a “boat” and spinning play items at Weston Park.

Clothing rush

RIVERSIDE Plaza shoppers at Queanbeyan were offered a $10 shopping voucher to donate clothing items, with more than 1000 items and over $2000 going to Anglicare.

Winners…

Winners of the five double passes to the Viktoria Novak fashion parade are: Leah Baulch, of Reid; Tim Matthews, Chapman; Tina Best, Lyons; Eva O’Brien, Greenleigh Estate, and hantelle Murray, Ainslie.

CityNews October 1-7 

interview

Here, there and everywhere

When the Chief Minister goes walking, the bureaucrats start worrying. The self-styled ‘activist’ Minister is everywhere, reports JORIAN GARDNER in this exclusive interview with ‘CityNews’.

DON’T tell Mrs Stanhope, but the Chief Minister is having an affair; he has a mistress and he’s not afraid to tell anyone who’ll listen about his feelings either.

“I’m in love with Canberra,” says Jon Stanhope.

“I get out and about and I love seeing the physical results of the decisions we take,” says “Lord Mayor” Stanhope (as he is referred since he took on the Territory and Municipal Services portfolio after the last election).

“I am an ‘activist’ Minister. I read every file that comes to me because I want to know what is going on, I want to know what my department is doing. I have a deep and abiding interest in this city.

“I am really interested in improving the city… and understanding how we can do a little bit better, or where we can intervene, and what we could do with an injection of funds here and there.

“I wander all over the place… for instance, I had a week off recently and took the opportunity to walk the entire length of the proposed extension of Clarrie Hermes drive, from the Barton Highway to Amaroo, just to have a look and see how many trees had to be removed and it was an opportunity to reflect on those things.

“I had some concerns about the heritage status of Couranga Homestead, so I also went and had a look… and as a result of that visit I have lodged for nomination myself, personally, to the heritage council to have that building assessed for heritage registration.

“I enjoy working as TAMS Minister, although I do get a bit frustrated from time to time, too. But I enjoy the fact that [it] oversights the continued building of the town and the community. I like

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope… “I enjoy working as TAMS Minister… I like the immediacy of the role – you see it in the bike paths, the playgrounds, in the tree plantings… It has a myriad of functions.”

Photos by Silas. the immediacy of the role – you see it in the bike paths, the playgrounds, in the tree plantings… It has a myriad of functions. It’s TAMS that picks up the garbage, that mows the grass, that maintains the picnic areas, that upgrades our shops.

It’s very complex and is our largest rolling capital allocation… and there is always pressure and tension, keeping to budget, getting things built and done in a reasonable time frame.”

And frustrated he must be: Stanhope took the portfolio from his gaff-prone colleague John Hargreaves and found more than one bill stuffed

in the bottom drawer that was hiding a massive budget blow out.

“It’s been politically problematic. It always is managing any budget over-run… keeping projects on time and on budget is a government aspiration and whenever we don’t meet that aspiration there is a political price to pay,” he reflects. “I don’t feel particularly uncomfortable about it; it’s just another issue that has to be worked through.”

And “issues” seem to be swirling around Stanhope’s cabinet. Hargreaves has continual

problems; Andrew Barr has been getting in a tangle over his refusal to apologise over unfair claims he made about another MLA as well as his backroom leadership plans and Deputy Leader Katy Gallagher has made some stumbles in her new role as Treasurer.

The first 12 months of his new, minority, government haven’t been an easy ride. He must be feeling the pressure, surely? “Not at all.”

Snoozing Libs give Labor a free run – Page 8 The people who changed local politics – Page 12

Fair Work Act 2009 – What it means for you

Bill Evans will share his insights on the outlook for Australia after the Global Financial Crisis.

Hotel Realm, Barton 12.30pm, Wednesday 7 October 2009

FAIR WORK ACT INFORMATION SESSION Topic - Unfair Dismissal Workshop Pavilion on Northborne, Braddon 3.00pm, Wednesday 14 October 2009

CityNews October 1-7

Property Council Golf Classic

When: Thursday 22 October 2009 Venue: Federal Golf Club, Red Hill Proudly sponsored by NDH Property Services

Guest Speaker: Bernard Salt

CBC’s 30 Year Anniversary Dinner celebrating the successes of the previous year and acknowledging those who have contributed to the strength of the ACT and Capital region economy.

Division Luncheon with the Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP

Hotel Realm, Barton 7.00pm, Thursday 29 October 2009

Site Inspection @ Foresight, 53 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston

Register at www.canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au or phone 02 6247 4199

When: Wednesday 28 October 2009 Time: 12:00 to 2:00pm Venue: Hyatt Hotel Canberra Proudly sponsored by Commonwealth Bank

When: Thursday 29 October 2009 Time: 3:30pm to 5pm Proudly sponsored by Knight Frank

For more information on upcoming events, membership or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Antoinette Perera on 02 6248 6902 or email Aperera@properyoz.com.au

PROPERTY COUNCIL of Australia

GJ2436-V39

Guest Speaker: Bill EvanWestpac-Chief Economist.

ANNUAL GALA DINNER AND BUSINESS SUCCESS AWARDS

GJ3211-V3

CANBERRA TIMES BUSINESS SERIES

Speakers: Allyson Hine, Bradley Allen Lawyers, Elissa Speight, Blake Dawson and Murray Campbell, ActewAGL When: Monday 19 October 2009 Time: 4pm to 6pm Venue: Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit Barton

CityNews October 1-7 

politics

Snoozing Libs give Labor a free run

AFTER a feisty start to the year the Canberra Liberals seem to have gone into hiding.

There are a few spats from time to time, but hardly anything that would make the Stanhope Government shudder in its boots. My guess is that the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope is pretty relaxed about the Opposition. Even the brilliant opportunity that the Leader of the Opposition, Zed Seselja, had over the cost blow out on the Cotter Dam seems to have gained little traction.

The next ACT election will be held in 2012, which may seem forever away in political terms and the Liberals think it’s good enough to be just marking time and hoping to put in a final-year burst starting in two years.

It’s no excuse, particularly when they have been shooting themselves in the foot. When Minister John Hargreaves failed to provide an unqualified apology for his inappropriate behaviour towards Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan the Liberals were hardly in a position to call for his scalp. They had their hands tied. The Liberal Deputy, Brendan Smyth, may have immediately issued an unqualified apology – but he was still in the middle of the mess and he effectively neutered any opportunity for the Liberals to drive home the failings of the Minister. Too bad, they could have been demanding action from the Chief Minister and watching him writhe between the factions.

Smyth has been making attempts to flush out Treasurer Katy Gallagher on the state of the Budget and to highlight the dangers of inaction on bushfires, but these pale into insignificance against the political opportunity he squandered on Hargreaves.

CityNews October 1-7

Politics

By Michael Moore We hear a bit from Jeremy Hanson. He may not be out delivering a king hit, but he is constantly working to hold the Health Minister to account on such issues as GPs, hospitals and more recently over figures on alcohol-related deaths. He also seems to constantly find ways to run issues on veterans.

Steve Doszpot looked like he had Minister Andrew Barr caught out in the Assembly a month ago when Barr refused to apologise despite an order from the Assembly. It was a neat nip at the ankles, but the Liberals did not seem capable of following through to hold the minister to account.

And where are Vicki Dunne and Alistair Coe? We see only the occasional glimpse of them and usually when commenting on matters inconsequential.

Liberal leader Zed Seselja seems to have lost sight of the fact that his prime task is to inject energy and enthusiasm into the Opposition. The temptation for the Liberals will be to blame the Greens, the press, the radio, the TV – anyone but themselves. However, the reality is that they have control over their own efforts and that is where they need to concentrate.

Michael Moore is a former member of the Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government.

news

In an English country garden

By Kathryn Vukovljak WINDING red-brick paths, shady corners and a woodland atmosphere all combine to create an oasis of calm in Anna Prosser’s Forrest garden.

Anna and her family have lived there for 15 years, although parts of the garden – the oak, willow and cedar trees in the front garden – date back to 1931. An extension to the house three years ago meant a large section of the garden had to be redesigned, yet it’s already seamlessly integrated into the rest of the space.

The garden will be open to the public as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, a self-funding, not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote the pleasure of gardening.

A haven from the busy road outside, the garden is made up of distinct “rooms” – there’s the private pool area surrounded by a high Photinia hedge, an inviting patio with fernery and established maples, and a lush lawn shaded by mulberry, pepper, liquid amber and ash trees.

An English-style bluebell wood with snowdrops and Lily of the valley is a gorgeous feature – it seems to have evolved by itself and creates a cosy nook with a wild, natural vibe.

The whole garden is densely planted, with ivy, massed bulbs and an abundance of ground cover helping to retain water in the soil and acting as living mulch.

Anna Prosser in her Forrest garden… densely planted, with ivy, massed bulbs and an abundance of ground cover helping to retain water in the soil and acting as living mulch. Photos by Silas.

Anna Prosser’s garden, at 22 Dampier Crescent, Forrest, will be open to the public on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4 from 10am to 4.30pm. Visit www.opengarden.org.au for more information.

Mystery garden on Northbourne Avenue THE Page 3 National Archives 1955 photo of Canberra in springtime (CN, September 17, above) in which we bemoaned the lack of detail was, according to reader Ray Leckie, of Ainslie, of his parents’ home at 101 Northbourne Avenue. The long-gone house was on the site of the Columbia House.

“That archway of blossom didn’t happen overnight!” he laughs.

“Myself and my father did the hard yards, digging and getting the shape of the garden down, and my mother did the planting and maintained it. It was a really beautiful garden, won all sorts of awards back then. My parents worked very hard on it.”

The identity of the little girl on the red scooter remains a mystery though. “It was a passer-by, and I remember the photographer thought it would be a nice touch,” says Ray.

CityNews October 1-7

news

Beauty finds time for Scouts

By Jorian Gardner

MISS World Australia, the ACT’s own Sophie Lavers is in her final preparations before heading off to Johannesburg to take on the rest of the world’s beauties in December for the worldwide title.

Before then she’s got a job to do for the Scouts: Sophie has agreed to support the ACT Scouts’ Stromlo Forest Group after a friend contacted her brother to see if she could help. The group’s hall was destroyed by the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

The troop will hold a charity fundraiser with Sophie Lavers at the Civic pub King O’Malley’s at 6.30pm on October 13.

“Helping people like the Scouts is exactly what Miss World is about – I am so happy to be helping them,” she smiles.

The 21-year old is a keen dancer having learned her craft in classical ballet in the capital from her early years.

“I need to keep up my fitness and flexibility to do my dance as I will be dancing as part of the talent section for Miss World,” she says excitedly. “It is my dream to be a performer – I have studied classical ballet, singing and acting for a few years – it’s always been my goal.”

Breakfast broadcaster MARK PARTON gives an insight into how technology brings excitement to his program.

The Stromlo Forest Scouts will hold a charity fundraiser with Sophie Lavers on October 13, 6.30pm at King O’Malley’s pub. Tickets at $50 each are available at Miss World Australia Sophie Lavers… “Helping people like the Scouts is exactly what Miss World is about.”

Photo by Silas. the door.

Women vie for top awards A PHOTOGRAPHER, a green thumbed entrepreneur and a scientist are just some of this year’s finalists for the Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards.

They have been judged among the country’s best and category winners will compete in the national awards in November. The ACT Business Woman of the Year will be announced on October 13.

The awards recognise the achievements of women in business of all types and sizes, from up-and-coming young businesswomen to corporate leaders and those working in the not-for-profit sector.

ACT finalists: Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award: Kelly Tunney, Kelly Tunney Photographer and Vicki Berry, Easycare Landscapes; Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award: Joanne Metcalfe, GHD and Kathy McLean, Fish & Nankivell; White Pages Community and Government Award: Lori Gould, Greening Australia Capital Region; Veronica Wensing, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre; Louise Douglas, National Museum of Australia and Robyn Hardy, ACT Procurement Solutions. marie claire Young Business Women’s Award: Kelly Tunney and Jill Charker, Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Bright Grey GENERAL manager Warren Apps with the three Australian Marketing Institute (ACT) awards advertising agency Grey won for marketing campaigns developed for ACTION buses, the LDA’s Bonner development and Canberra Investment Corporation Limited’s new development at Crace.

Other winners were ActewAGL, for its internal marketing program to make the organisation more environmentally friendly, and the Child Support Agency. ACT winners automatically progress to the national finals.

10 CityNews October 1-7

Internet saves the radio star TALK radio and the internet were made for each other. They’re both instant and they thrive on the sharing of information and entertainment. I did a decade at a talk station in Adelaide in the ‘80s and ‘90s and I’m blowed if I know how we did it without the net.

I left work on Tuesday last week very much wishing that I’d been able to find an American foreign affairs/military expert to talk about Gen. McCrystal’s leaked report into US troop numbers in Afghanistan.

That night I did a twitter search for “Afghanistan” and I got a steady stream of tweets about the troubled nation, most of which referred to the McCrystal report. One of those tweets linked back to a piece written

by Steve Clemons on his blog “The Washington Note”.

I was impressed by his writing and his connections. The blog had a link to Steve’s email address, so at 8pm on Tuesday I wrote him a note saying that I’d love to chat with him on 2CC the following morning.

I woke at 3am Wednesday, checked my email and found his reply with various phone numbers and possible interview times. Although based in Washington, Steve was in New York and he was set to join the crowd at the Waldorf Astoria that day to listen to the likes of President Obama and our PM Kevin Rudd. He was great and it won’t be the last time we use him on the breakfast program.

It’s not the first or the last time I’ve tracked down some amazing talent online in a matter of hours. We’ve spoken with bloggers in Pakistan, London, Japan and Iraq. And I’d almost forgotten this one.... on the night before the big Michael Jackson memorial concert, I did a twitter search of these words, “Going to the MJ Memorial”. I found dozens of people who were going to the memorial, one of whom had an email linked to her blog “Moonstruck Mommy”. I can’t remember her name, but she sat 20 rows from the front and she spoke to us on the radio as soon as the service was over. She was awesome.

Twitter also enabled me to be the first broadcaster in Australia to announce that Michael Jackson had suffered a heart attack. The MJ emergency call was made at 6.21am Canberra time. I made the first mention of it less than 20 minutes later thanks to a series of twitter updates from what I deemed to be reliable sources. Twitter can be a doubleedged sword and caution is required, but I’m still going to take the risk.

Follow me at www.twitter. com/markparton

news

Farewell to schooldays

EMOTIONS ran high when Year 12 boys bid their formal farewell to Canberra Grammar School in the 2009 March Off. Celebrating the boys’ last full day of school, the March Off saw everyone from the school – staff to the youngest preschoolers – lined up in the quadrangle to say goodbye.

Photo by Silas.

letters

Vote for us, not your pets I AM appalled by the comments made by Michael Linke, the CEO of the RSPCA (CN, September 17).

The real issue here is the gutless ACT Government not stepping in and prosecuting those who are irresponsible and do not obey the laws regarding fireworks.

Again, it is the law-abiding citizens being punished because of the actions of a small minority and on top of that we have a minister who acts for his cats and not his constituents. If the truth be known and a proper survey done, it would be revealed that a majority of the people living in the ACT like the fireworks and want them to stay. Just ask the Chief Minister, who admitted that he supports fireworks. But, alas, he too is gutless and voted on the [Minister John] Hargreaves line and not what he believed to be the wishes of his constituents.

How about the members of the Assembly voting to represent the voters and not their pets?

Bill Masters, Lyneham

Missing the point I REFER to the letters on fireworks in the "City News", September 17. These letters seem to have missed the point. The ACT Government was supposed to gauge the mood of the electorate on the use of fireworks through consultation and focus groups. We never saw any results of these or any comment on the lack of police action on those who breached the regulations. [Minister John] Hargreaves made a unilateral decision, as he often does, based on his own personal views and prejudices.

One of my family members was a participant in a focus group. Only one young woman opposed fireworks night, although others were concerned that the Government did little to police it. This implies that the Government actually assisted in achieving the result it has

now imposed.

I have a large, black, flat-coat retriever who hates fireworks, but I am willing to keep her indoors with me over the period when fireworks are being let off (even before and after the designated period) so that children can enjoy the same feelings I did as a child on bonfire night.

I suspect that many of the pet owners who complain about fireworks allow their cats to roam all day, with negative effects on native bird and animal populations, or allow their dogs to bark all day through boredom and lack of exercise. This is something that Michael Linke of the RSPCA could more productively turn his attention to.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Is it fair?

The ACT Greens' proposal to impose higher licence fees on violent nightspots may need closer examination. With some justification, the proposal accepts that licensees play a role in alcohol-fuelled disturbances.

There is anecdotal evidence from Europe that people entering licensed drinking venues after 1am have already consumed five or more drinks.

Given the level of alcohol-fuelled, early morning violence in some Canberra centres, there is no particular reason to believe the situation here is any different.

Hence, those wanting more drinks in the wee small hours would be on the way to being drunk.

So, is it fair to expect licensees and police to keep the peace so late at night? The scenario only adds to problems for the police, extending to many late revelers being above drink/driving limits on the way to work only 3-4 hours later.

In this context, the proposal does seem to have some loopholes in it.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

CityNews October 1-7 11

election 08 – one year on Amanda Bresnan, Greens, Brindabella

Meredith Hunter, Greens, Ginninderra

Caroline Le Couteur, Greens, Molonglo

Best experience: OFFICIATING at a Citizenship Ceremony. It was wonderful to see people from a variety of backgrounds being so happy and proud to become Australian citizens. The best part about being an MLA is being able to help people achieve outcomes.

Best experience: WORKING with a strong and dynamic Greens team to reshape how the Assembly delivers for the people of the ACT.

Best experience: PASSING energy efficient regulations for hot water systems in new homes, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save people money.

Worst experience: I THINK that one is fairly obvious…..

Worst experience: LISTENING to the other parties deliver monotonous and unproductive criticism towards each another when the Assembly should be debating positive solutions for the ACT community.

Biggest surprise: THE political games that go on in the Assembly and the unwillingness of the Labor and Liberal parties to talk to each other.

Biggest surprise: THE way in which people regularly recognise me and acknowledge the work we are doing in the Assembly with positive feedback and best wishes.

Worst experience: MISPRONOUNCING members’ names when I’m acting as Assistant Speaker in the Legislative Assembly.

Biggest surprise: BEING called Ms Le Couteur – no one ever does that!

Joy Burch, Labor, Brindabella Best experience: TO be able to listen to the concerns of local residents and then work within government to deliver good outcomes for them has provided me with enormous personal satisfaction.

Worst experience: TO me it has all been a great experience, but some of the personal stories that people bring to me are difficult and have an impact on me – but that’s also when I try harder to find solutions and being able to offer my assistance or support.

Biggest surprise: IT’S only since becoming an MLA that I’ve truly become aware of how much good work goes on behind the scenes across our city. If the measure of a healthy community is the amount of volunteering, charity work and so on that takes place, then I think Canberra is a great place to live.

Jeremy Hanson, Liberal, Molonglo Steve Doszpot, Liberal, Brindabella

Shane Rattenbury, Greens Molonglo

Best experience: BEING in a position to assist people in need of help, acting on their concerns and creating a positive outcome by making a difference to individuals and families.

Best experience: GETTING to meet lots of new people and community groups, passing my first Private Member’s Bill, and presiding over a citizenship ceremony, granting new Australians their citizenship.

Worst experience: I HAVE thoroughly enjoyed my first year, but at times it has been frustrating when trying to enact a positive change for individual constituents when there is a lack of policy direction and urgency from the Government.

Biggest surprise: THE high volume of constituents who come to me for assistance when many of the usual avenues available have failed them.

Worst experience: HAVING my impartiality as Speaker questioned, when I know in myself I have tried to take balanced decisions.

Biggest surprise: BEING elected as Speaker, and then the tradition of being “dragged” up to the Chair, and the other thing is being recognised in the supermarket by people I have not met before!

Best experience: From volunteer and charity organisations, residents associations, through to carers and mums and dads, I have been tremendously inspired by the generosity and community spirit of everyday Canberrans.

Worst experience: HAVING spent so much time away from home with the army, I am very mindful of the importance of spending time with my family. Although I make every effort to be there for my children, being an MLA does take up a lot of time and not being there for my family sometimes would rate as the worst experience.

Biggest surprise: The Liberals have been able to lead community debate on a number of important issues. For example I have been able to focus community and political attention on important issues such as GPs, law and order, and the veterans’ community which has led to a number of positive outcomes.

Alistair Coe, Liberal, Ginninderra Best experience: BEING able to respond to local constituents’ issues and get a positive result. I have also enjoyed my work with community groups.

Worst experience: THE time it takes for the Government to respond to constituents’ concerns.

Biggest surprise: DESPITE the voters sending a clear message to the Government, nothing seems to have changed in their approach to consultation, policy development and delivery of services.

Photo by Silas.

The people who changed local politics

By Jorian Gardner

THIS month marks the one-year anniversary for the “Class of 2008” – the eight new MLAs who went on to dramatically change the face of ACT politics after the October election.

Top of the class is the Greens’ Shane Rattenbury, who was elected Assembly Speaker.

12 CityNews October 1-7

Meredith Hunter became the Greens leader backed by Amanda Bresnan and Caroline Le Couteur; Liberal new faces took on shadow responsibilities with Steve Doszpot, taking education; Alistair Coe, municipal services and, when he’s not getting up the Chief Minister’s nose, Jeremy Hanson, health.

The presence of the four Greens has seen the emergence a true new “third force” in ACT politics. The election also brought a renewal of the ACT Liberals with half of their team now rookie members and only one new Labor MLA, Joy Burch, who took a sitting colleague’s seat to win, while her party copped a battering at

the polls losing two seats and barely retaining a new, Greens-influenced minority government.

After a head-spinning, life-changing, 12 months, we asked them what has been the best, worst and most surprising experience of the past year.

CityNews October 1-7  13

scene

More photos at www.facebook.com/canberracitynews

At the Nightfest VIP reception, Floriade

Rei Seah, Tom Rutt, Nicky Nowell and Leighton Bush

Linda and Brendon Herrick, Shanthini Naidoo and Eleanor Kirkham

Ged and Jacqui Stenhouse with Karen and Ian Kennedy

Simonne Shepherd, Cindy Young and Linda Henschke

Dorte Ekelund and Jeremy Lasek

Robyn Archer, Carol Cartwright and Carla Huetter

At the Emma Knieriem new season fashion launch

Grace Soutter, Monica Paton, Tyler Brodie and Nicole Dummett

Katherine Renton, Kathleen McKenna, Emma Knieriem, Amy Hetherington, Chloe Pattrick and Jenna Kratzel

14  CityNews October 1-7

Steph Dodds, Sabrina Damiano, Sonja Steffen and Sheree Giles

scene

Invite us at silas@citynews.com.au

At the Olivia Lambert Appeal’s ‘Cor da Moda – The Colour of Fashion’, Phillip

Christina McNally, Rebecca Black, Chris Tamvakis, Angela Menz and Katherine Quinn

Heather McGirr and Mariana Davila

Sultan Fahiz with Soheyla

Ali Gow and Jane Grant

Myriam Rivetti Jardim, Solange Rossi and Fernanda Alves

Shonna Robertson and Amy Ward

Erin Sutcliffe and Leah Wheelhouse

Mark Watson, Kylie McKinley and Emilia Rossi

Jessica Thomas and Samantha Wade

Alison Moore, Victoria Doyle, Lisa Murray and Casey Hamilton

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At Neighbourhood Watch 25th anniversary, Woden

Michael Hilton, Rebecca Owen with Eliza and Bozena Zekalo

Ursula Macdermott, Brian Schiller and Christine Coulthard

Dorothy Mackenzie, Peter Strong, Morris Brown, Katherine Pinkerton and Pat McNamara

Sandra and Chris Hudson with Karen Rush

16  CityNews October 1-7

Claire McGrath and Bob Muir

Greg Cornwell, David and Rosemary Lissimore and Nick Tsoulias

Matthew Box, Kate Buggy and ACT police chief Michael Phelan

At Chief Minister’s diplomatic reception, Glassworks

Bangladesh high commissioner Masud Chowdhury, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, Mexican ambassador Martha Ortiz de Rosas and Gary Byles

Edit Csaba, Johanna Witter and Elena Boado

Acting Chinese ambassador Hong Liang and Chris Peters

Judy Radik, MLA Mary Porter and Jack Radik

Greek ambassador Alextos Christopoulos, MLA Caroline Le Couteur and Speaker Shane Rattenbury

Martin Hehir and David Marshall

John Faulks and Opposition Leader Zed Seselja

Fiji acting high commisioner Kamlesh Arya, Ann Jakle with Serapa and Recep Peker

all about living Leaping into work

arts | cinema | dining | fashion | body | health&fitness | puzzles

Was it love at first sight with Circus Oz for Canberra acrobat Paul O’Keeffe? Well, no, but it didn’t take long for true love to blossom and now you can’t drag him away from it, reports HELEN MUSA. AT 29 and a mature artist, acrobat Paul O’Keeffe swears: “I’ll keep performing until I can’t”. He’ll soon be here as one of three former Canberra artists in the “slightly quirky” show “Barely Contained”, Circus Oz’s eighth show to hit town and directed by Derek Ives, of the Candy Butchers fame.

Chris Lewis is the musical director and O’Keeffe’s mate Jeremy Davies from the good old days at the Belconnen Warehouse Circus is an acrobat-trainer.

Growing up in Belconnen, O’Keeffe was only 11 when he first saw human circus in 1991, joining Canberra Youth Circus with his big sister Kylie as just one of many after-school activities including gymnastics, which he now rejects as being too competitive. He admits that he still enjoys traditional family circuses, but that “it was the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and Circus Oz, which changed my perception of the circus”. Then, when he saw cuttingedge acrobat Simon Yates, he said to himself: “That’s what I want to do” and he was hooked.

Later, in traditional circus style, he and sister Kylie were to co-manage

Warehouse Circus – still going strong in 2009. Then with Davies, they founded their own company, Kronik Extreme Circus, eventually moving to Melbourne in 2001. “We loved it all so much. We had similar drives,” he explains.

They became integrated into the circus community in Melbourne, all catapulting straight into second year at the National Institute of Circus Arts and quickly obtaining the bachelor of circus arts.

While sister Kylie was to return to Canberra and circus management, Paul saw himself as essentially a performer. For a time, he went into musical theatre and toured playing weird Narnia creatures in “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. Greg Lissaman, at Canberra’s Jigsaw Theatre, also engaged him to perform in “The Lost Thing”. He spent time with Wollongong’s Circus Monoxide, then joined Circus Oz. O’Keefe is not yet inclined to look much towards the future. “Right now I like to throw myself into anything and under anyone,” he says.

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Jorian Gardner

Adelaide songstress Catherine Lambert… an evening of love-gone-wrong at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Fun night for the heavy hearted

Former Canberran and now Circus Oz acrobat Paul O’Keefe… “I like to throw myself into anything and under anyone.”

Circus Oz, Canberra Theatre, October 7-10.

Christopher wins

West proves best for national aria winners

CANBERRA cellist Christopher Pidcock, has won the Nelson Meers Foundation Instrumentalist Scholarship.

Presented by Sydney Eisteddfod, the $8000 scholarship draws entries from nation’s finest musicians in the 16-to-25 age group. Pidcock, 24, has featured as soloist with the Adelaide Chamber Players and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

THE two top winners in the 2009 National Operatic Aria Final were both graduates of WA Academy of Performing Arts – Tenor Alexander Lewis carried off the first prize of $15,000 for performances of arias by Gounod and Tchaikovsky, while baritone John Longmuir won the $7000 second prize for singing works by Gounod and Rossini.

Sydney tenor James Roser won the third prize of $4000 with arias by Puccini and Donizetti.

Unusually for the Aria, held annually at Llewellyn Hall as part of the Australian National Eisteddfod, the women – Lauren Fagan, Kathleen Parker and Sarah Ann Walker, took out the fourth, fifth and sixth places with prize money of $1000 each. The judges were opera singer John Pringle and Professor Janet Delpratt, of the Queensland Conservatorium.

– Helen Musa

EVER been dumped? Cheated on? Had your heart broken? You’ll be in good company then if you join multi-talented Adelaide songstress Catherine Lambert and her quartet for an evening of love-gone-wrong truths at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 8-10, in her show “Love Sucks”. Featuring novel renditions of much-loved tunes by Gershwin, Sinatra and Bacharach plus a selection of self-penned songs, Lambert takes you on a cleansing love exorcism in her own inimitable style. Call 6293 1443 for bookings.

TASSIE artist Gardie Palmer has artwork on display (and for sale) at Grandes cafe in Manuka at the moment. Drop past and have a look.

NORTHERN Rivers Performing Arts is co-presenting a production of “Hoods”, with The Street Theatre, in what is billed as a highly physical play from award-winning young Australian playwright Angela Beitzen. Originally commissioned for development by the Sydney Opera House and Regional Arts Victoria, “Hoods” has toured extensively throughout Australia. Racy, upbeat, it’s performed by a new wave of young theatre makers. It plays October 6-10.

CANBERRA’S hottest new comedy room – The Comedy Club at the Civic Pub has announced that Damian Callinan, from Melbourne (of “Rove” and “Skithouse” fame), will headline on October 7.

Following on from four sold-out shows, the pub is fast becoming known among comedians as a great room to play. This month’s event will be hosted by Wee Jasper’s third funniest man Emo Parsonson, plus supports from high-profile local comedians, including Jay Sullivan. All tickets are $10 and are only available at the door.

CityNews October 1-7 17

arts&entertainment

Comedy of joy, jibes and joints “Stone Bros” (M) THIS joyous, warmhearted, wellbalanced first Australian comedy about being Aboriginal has an affectionate guilelessness that makes me wonder Luke Carroll (left), and how Aboriginal Leon Burchill. activists with high political profiles will react to it.

Pale-skinned Aboriginal Eddie (Luke Carroll) working in Perth Museum, passionate about indigenous culture, plans to return to his country around Kalgoorlie to return a special stone his father gave him. His sweet-faced smiling coalblack lay-about friend Charlie (Leon Burchill) who thinks culture is a waste of time, has rolled 187 best-quality joints for the trip.

That’s the structural foundation for “Stone Bros”, on which Aboriginal activist, musician and film-maker Richard Frankland has erected clever, sympathetic and marvellously fair-minded gags mocking from John Howard to Aboriginal women’s sexual enthusiasm.

Listing the themes of the gags would overflow the available space. Hopefully, a scholar, perhaps white, preferably black, will one day write a dissertation about them. Until then, you’ll have to see them on screen. There are worse ways of spending a couple of hours.

Canny exhibitors should rush to book “Stone Bros” because once word gets around, it’s a potential box-office smash. Tremendous fun

18 CityNews October 1-7

CINEMA

By Dougal Macdonald without making intellectual demands, it made me laugh a lot, not at its Aboriginality but for it.

At Hoyts Belconnen

“Imagine That” (G) AN Eddie Murphy movie with a softer classification than MA is unusual but not impossible. This is one such.

There aren’t too many Murph movies in which he stands back while another actor occupies the limelight. This is one such. If Eddie’s co-star, Iranian-Afro-American fifth-grader Yara Shahidi, keeps acting when she’s full grown, her looks and talent should carry her to the pinnacle. Playing Murph’s daughter Olivia, she’s already a pint-sized stunner.

Murph plays Evan, under consideration for executive advancement in a Denver investment house, using his MBA when advising his customers. His rival Whitefeather (Thomas Haden Church) bamboozles his with mock native American culture.

Hiding under her blanky, Olivia copes with her parents’ separation by talking to invisible friends whose investment advice defies conventional analysis but turns out right, thereby boosting Evan’s advancement prospects.

Karey Kirkpatrick’s direction and Ed Solomon’s screenplay contrive a comedy that after announcing its destination faffs around getting there for long enough to justify the ticket price. Neither

disagreeable nor challenging, it lets Murphy do what he does best, solo comic acts of moderate virtuosity but little visible purpose. And he has the decency to stand back while Yara does her thing with maturity, self-assurance, charm and an ear-shredding scream with few equals when she doesn’t get her way.

At Hoyts Belconnen

“Surrogates” (MA) THE “Surrogates” creative team, director Jonathan Mostow and writers John Brancato and Michael Ferris, having worked together on several “Terminator” films, I approached “Surrogates” with low expectations to avoid disappointment.

In a future world, humans stay indoors while their surrogates move around outside doing human things. “Surrogates” has a slightly mad scientist (James Cromwell), a beautiful cop (Radha Mitchell), a beautiful beautician making female surrogates look beautiful (Rosamund Pike), a hard-boiled FBI agent (Bruce Willis) and a dreadlocked black prophet (Ving Rhames) whose preaching against the surrogate ethos doesn’t seem to be achieving much.

Less aggressively sci-fi or extra-terrestrial than the Terminator series, “Surrogates” doesn’t overflow with imaginative dramatic tension or novelty and never tries to justify its underlying premise – people living behind closed doors while robots they control run society outside.

Measured by its adrenalin-stimulating ability, it’s rather a flat-liner. In a tepid cast, Mitchell’s astringent beauty and Rhames’s dreadlocks and fake whiskers stand out.

At Hoyts and Greater Union

Slow start, but Suzi rocked ROCK

Suzi Quatro Royal Theatre, Saturday, September 26 Reviewed by Ian McLean THIS was the final concert on the 24th tour of Australia by the amazing Suzi Quatro. Therefore, it should have been slick and polished but, initially, was unsettled and uncomfortable.

The drummer called for assistance with equipment placement three times mid song; Suzi glared at the tech crew, despatched her sax player to speak with them and interrupted the show to relay instructions in follow spotting to the hapless lighting operator.

It wasn’t till five or six songs in when Suzi moved to the piano to accompany herself in “Can I Be Your Girl” that artist and audience finally relaxed and enjoyed themselves. Then we had a great night of rock ‘n’ roll!

The 59-year-old was all energy as she led us through “Stumblin’ In”, “48 Crash”, “Can the Can”, “Devil Gate Drive” and my favourite, “Your Momma Won’t Like Me”.

My only concern was that the bass (kick) drum was just so loud it vibrated through the body and unfortunately masked Suzi’s excellent bass playing.

Her six-piece band was great with the piano player in full Jerry Lee Lewis mode and sax and guitar players outstanding. Suzi surprised with her pianoplaying prowess, performed a brilliant bass solo and even proved a deft hand as a drummer.

After numerous encores the show ended passively and reflectively with a moving tribute to Elvis.

arts&entertainment

Home of the golden spices SAFFRON and sumac are treasured by chefs creating Greek, Turkish and Lebanese delicacies.

You can indulge in the intense flavour and aroma of these golden spices when dining at Saffron in Manuka, a restaurant that has been delighting customers with Mediterranean cuisine for nearly six years.

Owned by Azize brothers Max (chef) and Marven (front of house), Saffron has recently renovated. It’s a comfortable place to dine by day or night. In the evenings Saffron is elegant with crisp, white tablecloths and candles. The lighting is soft, the music non-intrusive – however, this ambiance doesn’t mean you have to pay “big bucks” for the privilege of dining. During the day, Saffron is “buzzing” and you can also dine outside in the sun.

My friend said it all as we sat intently studying the extensive menu: “My mouth is watering already”. Some new dishes have been introduced since my last visit, including the hugely popular Sayadiya, barramundi fillet baked in tahini sauce and roasted nuts and served with caramelised rice ($27.90) and the equally popular samkeh harrah, basa dory fillet baked in chilli sauce and coriander ($25.90). This delectable dish, which my friend ordered, was sensational. It is topped with crunchy roasted nuts and served with fluffy saffron rice and a super-healthy, fresh salad.

I was influenced by my memory of one of Saffron’s signature dishes, the Castalita. The tender lamb cutlets are marinated with tomato purée, red wine, chilli and olive oil and served with saffron potato and fattouche salad ($28.90). The tastes were perfectly balanced and the dish typifies the wonderful flavours of the Mediterranean. There are also a few vegetarian dishes as mains which even a devoted meat eater would delight in.

To back track a bit, we shared entrées, including the Jebne – crumbed, then fried Cypriot

DINING

By Wendy Johnson haloumi cheese, topped with lemon juice and dill. It was addictive and the cheese was the right level of “chewy” and not too salty. We also adored the creamy hommus, which we bet is the best in Canberra. Indeed, Saffron has perfected its dips, which you can order in a selection of six or as individual side dishes.

Saffron now has a mezze banquet, featuring 15 dishes to share and a wonderful way to taste all that the restaurant has to offer. The restaurant’s wine list is impressive, with many by the glass, some select vintage and 40 fine wines for under $40 (including top drops from local wineries).

The dessert list is small but inviting and served by attentive staff all to willing to please. We shared the Saffron pear, poached with saffron syrup and dried fruits and served with vanilla ice cream ($12.90). It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.

Saffron, Franklin Street, Manuka, call 6295 7068.

LA

Castalita (lamb cutlets) and samkeh harrah (spicy fish).

S

H TC

AN

CE

Gently win ‘George’!

“CityNews” has ve copies of the television hit “George Gently” to be won, valued at $39.95 each.

Entry details are at www.citynews.com.au Conditions apply

Saffron owners, brothers Max and Marven Azize. Photos by Silas.

CityNews October 1-7 19

arts&entertainment

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20 CityNews October 1-7

By Helen Musa “PUTTING Tedeschi and Cooper together is like mixing nitro with glycerine – an explosion of musical virtuosity,” says jazz maestro James Morrison.

He’s talking about the unusual combination of piano whiz kid Simon Tedeschi and virtuoso jazz violinist Ian Cooper, who will be in town soon to perform numbers from their joyously mischievous new CD. Cooper tells me: “Simon Tedeschi and I have been playing together for about three years, but we haven’t done anything this swinging yet.”

It’s fairly early days for Tedeschi on the jazz scene, Cooper says, and “at first he gave it musical respect at arm’s length”.

But not any more. Now the one-time child prodigy who first performed a Mozart Piano Concerto at age nine in the Sydney Opera House is living in Boston, studying jazz at a music school and preparing to marry his Russian human rights lawyer fiancée.

Tedeschi says, speaking by phone from Boston: “Being in America, the home of jazz, there’s more freedom and less constraint in jazz.” But, he adds: “Jazz is often extremely structured, but I find the African American version liberating.”

Cooper is not far behind Tedeschi in the kid-performer stakes. Son of a music teacher, he found at the end of school that he’d been playing the violin from 14 of his 18 years, so quit and sold car phones for a year.

Simon Tedeschi, left, and Ian Cooper… “Like mixing nitro with glycerine – an explosion of musical virtuosity.”

“I was sick of classical music, but when I heard Stepan Grappelli play, I knew the violin could be used otherwise,” he says.

Luckily, he had never stopped playing.

Now Cooper and Tedeschi are looking forward to an east coast tour of Australia.

They’ll be paying homage to Beethoven in their version of the “Fifth Symphony” Latin-style. More than that, in homage to the greatest improviser of all time, they’ve

taken Jerome Kern’s song “All The Things You Are” and backed it up with classical music and jazz crisscrossing. Cooper sees a nice serendipity in this – “Bach composed around 1739, Kern composed his song in 1939 and now we’re doing our Bached-up version in 2009.”

Simon Tedeschi and Ian Cooper, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, at 8.30pm, October 8.

health&fitness

TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE TODAY...

Good health in mind, body and spirit We spent a moment with TINA BARAC, from Ignite Nutrition and Fitness…

Why did you go into the fitness industry?

I LOVE being fit, and really enjoy exercising… it’s a great feeling to have strength in mind, body and soul. This is what the fitness industry does for me, and this is what I want my clients to have.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

MEETING new people and making a difference in their lives. I make lifelong friends.

The satisfaction I see on my clients’ faces when they have finished a workout or have accomplished their goals is why I would never leave this industry.

What does good health mean to you?

A HEALTHY lifestyle means a happier life.

If you are fitter, your overall general health improves, you feel better about yourself, you increase your confidence and in turn, you achieve your goals.

With Karen Elliot

IMMEDIATE

RESULTS FAST

What’s your favourite workout or exercise?

I REALLY enjoy my weights training – I have competed in figure competitions and my weights training has assisted me with the transformation of my body.

If you weren’t in the fitness industry, what would you be doing?

I CAN’T imagine doing anything other than helping my clients be where they want to be… but I wouldn’t mind travelling the world!

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Life when the ‘gung ho’ starts to fade

MD0296-V3

By Kathryn Vukovljak MANY people start a new fitness regime with gung ho enthusiasm, then feel guilty when it’s all fallen by the wayside in a few weeks, says Billy Giampaolo, owner of Elite Physique, Phillip.

“I see it all the time – people lose motivation,” he said. “They start off hard. All of a sudden they change their diets and train regularly. Then a few weeks down the line they realise they just can’t keep up with the high standards they’ve set themselves.”

Whatever exercise you did, it had to work for you. Be realistic, choose something fun and make sure it fitted in with your lifestyle, he said.

Billy suggested getting a personal trainer for three months.

“Even if it’s one day a week it will help, just to get you started. A trainer will look at the whole package – your lifestyle, eating habits, the time you have available, your stress levels – everything,” he said.

Keep your motivation up by looking at your health and fitness as long-term goal. Avoid

Billy Giampaolo… “If it doesn’t suit you, you won’t stick to it.” putting unrealistic expectations on yourself, and don’t try to lose weight for that wedding next weekend – crash diets never work, he said.

You had to be able to treat yourself every once in a while and not feel that your whole regime had fallen apart, Billy said.

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“That’s real life, it’s going to happen – there will be days when you’ll eat unhealthily and a week when you can’t fit in your usual exercise routine.

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body Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Gleaming Titanium, $42.

Mode Nail Enamel in Midas Touch, $2.45.

Designer Brands Glitter Eye Liner in Silver, $6.99.

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in BR740, $42.

BYS Minerals Naturale Eyeshadow in Diamond, $7.95.

Sisley Golden Touch, $50.

Sisley Phyto-Khol Star in Sparkling Bronze, $62.

Not-so-heavy metal

A TOUCH of gold, silver, copper or bronze can lend us a hint of glamour, says Lori De Laurentiis, retail sales and training manager Australia and NZ at Sisley – but it’s important not to be heavy-handed.

“Blending is key – they can be applied to the brow bone, inner corner of the eye and centre

22 CityNews October 1-7

of the eyelids as a subtle highlighter,” she says, adding that if we’re wearing metal to the office, it’s best used as a highlighter.”

Like frosted shades, metals can play up problem areas such as crow’s feet, so Lori suggests we use them with or underneath a shadow, rather than alone, if we’re over 30.

“It’s a more sophisticated and softer look,” she says.

“Avoid applying metallics all around the eye area, and rather use them to highlight or blend, for example on the brow bone, corner of the eye or over the eyelid.”

– Megan Haggan

When body size affects esteem

By Megan Haggan

CONCERN about body image and how the fashion industry affects our self-esteem is growing.

According to Dr Vivienne Lewis, a specialist psychologist in the area of body image at the University of Canberra, problems can arise when a woman compares herself to a fashion model and sees a discrepancy between how she looks and what’s portrayed by the fashion industry as the “ideal” body.

“For those women who hold appearance, particularly a thin appearance, as important, this discrepancy affects a woman’s perception of herself as a person,” says Dr Lewis.

“For some women, not looking like the ideal (and let’s face it, that’s most of us) has a profound effect on their self-esteem, making them feel negative about their bodies and themselves.

“The healthiest women around are those who can see a discrepancy, but know they’re healthy and don’t need to try and be thin to be happy.”

Dr Lewis says that looking good means wearing clothes that suit us and flatter our bodies.

“Women who are larger in size can wear more colour in the areas of their body they want to emphasise.

There’s also great underwear which tucks in those parts of your body you might be worried about – for most women it’s their thighs and buttocks,” she says.

“Don’t go for the latest trend, go for clothes that make you feel comfortable.

“Try to find a store that you feel comfortable in and has clothes that are your style, and where the staff are helpful.

“Loving your body is about appreciating it and treating it well. Listen to the compliments others give you and take these on board.”

body

I’VE been flying kites lately. It’s something I’ve never really done before. For a long time “flying a kite” has for me meant putting some policy proposal up the bureaucratic process – not anything actually flapping on the end of a string.

But children have a knack of changing one’s perspectives and priorities. After all, as my son says, spring is the perfect time to fly kites. The weather is good (usually), and there’s plenty of wind. And it’s really easy. You can get a simple kite pretty cheaply from the shops or you can make your own, which is a lot of fun. Then you head down to the park for an afternoon’s free entertainment.

Now, I admit I wasn’t immediately into the whole kite-flying thing. I thought it would be a bit boring, even a waste of time. I mean, there is just so much to do, particularly on the weekends when there is a house to clean, grocery shopping, taking the children to swimming practice, ballet etcetera.

But at the kids’ insistence, we headed off to the park the other weekend with a bright yellow kite. It had a smiley face on it and when the breeze picked up it went higher, and higher, and higher. The kids loved it and, much to my surprise, so did I. It was good to get out of the weekend rut of chores and hugely relaxing watching our kite dip and bob, and loop the loop. There was some drama when it broke away from us and ended

MS1049-V3

Out of the rut and into the sky Bentley’s of Canberra Jamison Plaza 6251 2681 and Garran Shops 6281 4339 | Beauty Bar Jamison Plaza 6253 4488

Mum in the city

By Sonya Fladun

up on the roof of a nearby police station. But it’s been replaced with a Jolly Roger pirate kite (aka Mr Bones) and one that looks like a plane – both favourites of my son.

That’s the thing about children. They bring you back your own childhood, either by getting you to do things you did long ago, catch up on things you missed or do things you would normally be way too embarrassed to try (though no way will I ever do karaoke).

Spring is a great time to put some off the routine stuff, get out of doors and do things you wouldn’t usually do. Of course, it doesn’t have to be flying a kite, but really, why not?

CityNews October 1-7 23

fashion

Time to release your inner nymph

briefly Vintage lovers FROM corsets to boob tubes, camisoles to neck-to-knees and negligees to nightgowns, the “Undercover” exhibition at the Albert Hall takes a revealing look at underwear through the ages.

Local and interstate vintage dealers will also be there selling their finest vintage dresses, lace, bags, buttons and all things gorgeous and girlie.

Friday, October 23, 6-9pm; Saturday, October 24, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, October 25, 10am-4pm.

Swap shop SAVE pennies, indulge in retail therapy and have fun with the girls – Swap My Style has made it to Canberra. Held in the Crown Plaza on October 8, the event allows swapaholics to exchange their fashion mishaps for someone else’s. For each item you bring, you’ll receive a token that you can use to “pay” for new threads of similar value.

There are rules though!

Lavendar Nymph playsuit, $75

Picnic with the Pixies set, $90

Woodland Nymph set, $85

By Kathryn Vukovljak IT’S time to release your inner nymph and dress to impress, even while lounging around at home, says local fashion designer Emma Knieriem.

Sexy playsuits, cute bras and knickers, ditsy-print boob tubes and bloomers and gorgeously soft highwaisted shorts were among Emma’s

magical Enchanted Garden lingerie and sleepwear collection for spring/ summer. “I personally love the Fairy Doll nightie,” Emma told “CityNews”.

“It’s fun, flouncy and sums up the look I wanted to achieve.”

Emma says she wanted to create a range of nightwear that could pass as loungewear – or even outerwear, if you dare.

“You won’t get caught short looking daggy if someone visits unexpectedly or if you need to quickly dash to the shops,” she says.

“The playsuits and nighties would pass for regular clothing and could easily be worn out.”

More information at www.emmak. com.au

Photos by Silas

24 CityNews October 1-7

More information at www.swapmystyle.com.au.

In the diary

Moonlit Dell nightie, $70

SUPPORT breast cancer research by picking up a copy of the “2010 Australian Women’s Health Diary”.

Filled with health information, advice on how to look and feel your best, it even comes with a pink pen! The diary costs $14.95.

general knowledge crossword

your week in the stars

No. 231

6 Name an alternative term for the ventriculus.

7 When one grinds the teeth together, one does what?

1 Which country won the 2002 soccer World Cup? 13 What is used as a temporary platform for speakers 8 What is an eager desire for distinction, power or fame? addressing a street audience?

9 Name a term which means quickness of perception, 14 Which term describes what is southern? etc.

15 Name the polygon having six angles and six sides.

10 What are elaborate showy passages for a singer, near 17 What is an illegal position in soccer, rugby and hockey? the end of an aria?

18 To lament is to do what?

11 Which figure of speech directly expresses resemblance 20 In “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, who was the King of one thing to another? of the Fairies?

12 Name a prime minister/president of Yugoslavia, Solution next week Marshall ...

13 What is another term for a hoard?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 What, in botany, are joints in a stem?

19 Name the mountain nymph who pined away 8 for love of Narcissus.

9 21 What is a counter, bar, or the like, for lunch or refreshments?

10 22 What is a scanty remuneration called?

11 23 Name a sweet grape, dried in the sun – or artificially.

12 24 Which musical composition usually tells a sacred story?

13 14 15 16 17 18 25 What do we call one's sisters' daughters?

ACROSS

19

DOWN 2 What is a written acknowledgment of having received money, etc?

3 Among West Indians, what are persons thought to resemble the walking dead?

4 Which surgical knife has a short, wide, pointed, double-edged blade?

5 What is the hinged, movable flap of an aeroplane wing?

20 21

22 23 24 25

Sudoku hard No.16 Sudoku is an 81square number Solution Crossword No.230 F E W A I N S C O T grid with nine H O A X E R I O O blocks each L H E V A C U E E S A L P A C A K R S containing nine I U T U B E R C L E cells. To solve E S H L E R the puzzle, all T S E T S E A S I D E S A L I N N D the blank cells N U M B E R E D D I must be filled in K T R A K I M B O A G R A R I A N A L using numbers R E A T I N K E R from 1 to 9.

D R E S S A G E A S Each number can only appear once in each Solution Sudoku row, column medium No.16 and in the nine 3x3 blocks. You can successfully solve the puzzle just by using logic and the process of elimination.

Solution next week

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) Don’t take criticism too personally, especially on Thursday. Your motto for the coming week? Fireworks and foot-stamping are out; optimism and objectivity are in. Attached Aries – try a little tenderness.

Single Rams – be on the lookout for a luscious Leo or a sexy Sagittarian.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) A stubborn attitude will get you nowhere fast. Keep asking yourself “Am I being determined or just plain pig-headed?”

Don’t succumb to luxury fever this week. A little retail therapy is fine, as long as you can afford it. If you can’t, hide your credit card and find ways to have fun at home – for free.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) Geminis are the gadabouts of the zodiac – you’re always in such a rush. This week, slow down, and take the time to listen to those around you. They might just have something important to say! Enjoy the company of family and friends this weekend, but steer clear of controversy and garrulous gossip.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) As the Sun moves through your domestic zone over the next couple of weeks, home is definitely where the heart is. Focus on ways you can bring more happiness into the home. Draw inspiration from Desmond Tutu – born October 7 – “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) Lions can be a lazy lot, but professional projects and rickety relationships will only progress and improve if you get off your beautiful backside and get to work! This weekend favours doing things in a big, bold way. Romance will blossom if you treat your partner like a Prince or Princess.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) Don’t confuse important issues with trivial ones. If you make mountains out of molehills, then you’ll just end up feeling exhausted. With Venus in your sign – until October 15 – it’s a fortuitous time to ask someone out, propose, get married or have a glamorous makeover.

With Joanne Madeline Moore October 5 - 11 LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) One of your endearing qualities is that you look for the best in everyone. True friends will bring love and lucky opportunities into your life, whereas fairweather friends will just take advantage of your sweet nature and lead you up the primrose path to trouble. You need to be discerning – and learn to say no!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21) This week, you’re so tuned in to the thoughts and feelings of others that it’s downright spooky! Use such insights with care and compassion. Keep your ego in check on the weekend. Otherwise you’ll trigger power struggles and dramatic outbursts that could rival a medieval passion play.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) If you take shortcuts at work on Thursday, you’ll pay the price. Patience and persistence will get you a lot further than impulsive petulance. Sunday is your dream day of the week, as fabulous Sun/Jupiter aspects send good times and lucky opportunities in your direction. Enjoy!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) You can feel out of your depth when volatile emotions get mixed in with relationships, which is most of the time – and especially this weekend! Honest communication will smooth over most disagreements, but you’ll have to be the one to swallow your pride and initiate peace talks.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Aquarius is a very future–oriented sign; but are you neglecting what’s happening here and now? In the words of birthday great John Lennon – born October 9 – “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This week, focus less on the future and more on the present.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) Partnerships are highlighted this week.

However, if you don’t improve your communication skills, your relationships will gradually disintegrate. It’s your responsibility to do all you can to facilitate open, two-way conversation. No more procrastinating Pisces – it’s time to take the lead.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2009.

CityNews October 1-7 25

all about property

Canberrans by the sea NEW beachfront lots at Barlings Beach, 15 minutes south of Batemans Bay, are proving to be a hit, with many sold over recent months to both holiday makers and seachangers – the majority of whom are Canberra residents, says selling agent Debbie Edgar.

One of the last waterfront development sites on the south coast, Reflections Barlings is being developed by national property company, Walker Corporation, which recently announced the release of house and land packages from $400,000.

“The sales to date have been at prices ranging from $150,000 to in excess of $575,000 – with holiday makers from Canberra comprising the majority of the buyers,” said Debbie.

Walker has released 35 fully-serviced beachside blocks between 588sqm and 905sqm in the first stage. Near the existing community of Tomakin, which features a café and general store and social club, the site also has close access to a boat ramp for floating of smaller craft.

Address: George Bass Drive, Barlings Beach.

Price: From $150,000.

Inspection: 11am to 5pm daily.

Agent: Debbie Edgar, Batemans Bay First National, 0428 717201.

26 CityNews October 1-7

Seductive water views “YOU will be absolutely seduced by this elegant threebedroom property right on the water at Corrigans Beach, Batehaven,” enthuses selling agent Caryl Haslem.

There are views of sea, mountains and headlands from every room, she says.

“Enjoy the contemporary kitchen and the beckoning sunny deck for al fresco entertaining or a quiet reflective moment. Hunker down in the comfortable lounge with gas fire, or simply stay in bed and gaze at the views,” she says.

“Superbly constructed to give 2½ bathrooms and a large double garage by one of the bay’s leading builders, it is perfect as a seaside retreat or for your permanent residence.”

Address: 113A Beach Road, Batehaven.

Price: $955,000.

Inspection: By appointment.

Agent: Caryl Haslem, Ray White Batemans Bay, 0418 564599.

property

World according to ‘Red Ken’

UNDERSTATED from the front, this Narrabundah property extends to the rear to form a palatial family residence, says selling agent Cory McPherson.

The renovations and extensions are three years old and have been completed to the highest standards.

There are five bedrooms, the master having an ensuite with a free-standing bath and in-slab heating.

“The gourmet kitchen has Smeg stainless-steel appliances and a sleek, smart stone island bench that forms the central hub of the huge light and airy, open-plan informal living area,” says Cory.

“The informal living area opens via floor-to-ceiling concertina doors to

Palatial living the outdoor entertaining deck, with an electric Vergola awning, and the beautiful sparkling in-ground pool, with water feature and gas/solar heating.”

Address: 8 McKinlay Street, Narrabundah.

Inspection: By appointment.

Auction: 6pm, October 7.

Agent: Cory McPherson, of Richard Luton Properties, 0418 266698.

SOMETIMES it’s interesting to see how other cities have been governed and, recently, I saw an interview with “Red Ken” – Ken Livingstone, controversial ex-mayor of London.

His written work includes the 1987 book “If Voting Changed Anything They’d Abolish It”, he introduced London’s contentious congestion charges and he intends to have another tilt at the mayoralty in 2012.

He has sturdy views on the quality of information provided to the public by the British media. “Thirty years ago we had twice the journalists we have today. They could do proper research,” he said. “Blogs provide a lot of information, but there is no way to know what is true.”

And he believed that to be an effective leader, you can’t always wait for community support, “you must be prepared to override media and community concerns”.

Livingstone was involved with the C40 group, in which the mayors of a number of cities, annoyed at the failure of their nation’s wider governments to act decisively on climate change, stepped in themselves. And when former US President Bill Clinton’s organisation joined C40, the groups reportedly increased the global market for green business retrofitting by 120 per cent in a single stroke.

By Catherine Carter According to Livingstone, big business, which typically has a 20-year plan, demonstrated what has come to be known as “the progressive forces of capitalism” by supporting his reforms.

Speaking at the Property Council’s 2009 Congress, Livingstone was asked which cities around the world were getting it right. His response was typically direct: “Beijing and Shanghai and Moscow. They have long-term plans”.

He believed Europe’s days of world leadership were over.

“Europe won’t be setting the agenda. There is a huge shift of power to Asia. China could become the world’s largest economy by 2020 (if current projections continue),” he said.

This was largely due to the economic prosperity of the old world reducing birth rates.

“Plot the economic success of a nation and watch the birth rate go down,” he said.

To raise the population, many prosperous nations needed to encourage immigration.

Catherine Carter is the executive director of the Property Council of Australia (ACT).

Better Building Services Display Home “MAXUS” now open for inspection

47 Birdwood Street, Hughes Saturday and Sunday 12 - 4pm or call to make an apppointment on

6299 9411

Watson 3 HOOD PLACE Nestled in a quiet cu de sac this superb 4 bedroom home has a fabulous feel from the moment you

or by email info@betterbuilding.com.au

step inside. Spacious sundrenched open plan living areas with full length windows and high ceilings

Visit our website anytime www.betterbuilding.com.au

entertaining. Features gourmet kitchen, ensuite, ducted gas heating and evaporative cooling. Easy care

Discover the secret of a Better Building Experience 2009 HIA AUSTRALIAN DISPLAY HOME OF THE YEAR

gather the northern sun and open through French doors to a large private courtyard, perfect for gardens include a studio/cubby house, veggie garden & sand pit for the kids. EER 1 Auction on site 10am Saturday 10th October Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484 Peter Blackshaw Manuka 6295 2433 Licensed Agent Peter Blackshaw Pty Ltd CityNews October 1-7 27

Shepherds Delight - Rural Hideaway

Collector C ll 606 LUCKYPASS ROAD An outstanding 3 year old, solar passive executive brick residence on 100 acres of natural bush, with wombats, kangaroos, an abundance of bird life and its situated just 30 minutes easy drive from Dickson. This quality built spacious home boasts 2.7 metre ceilings, country charm and includes 6 bedrooms (2 master bedrooms, one very well suited to a retreat for parents/carers or older children. In addition to these there are 4 normal bedrooms and a study/ gym). The family room is light filled and spacious open plan with room for a pool table. There is a modern kitchen, including excellent pantry space, a large dining room as well as a very comfortable sitting room. All external and internal walls are insulated for sound and warmth and all dividing doors are solid. An impressive northerly aspect creates a light and warm home all year round. Quality, low maintenance Quantum windows, roman blinds and wooden venetians are included. This mostly bush block will suit the nature lover looking for a modern comfortable home in an unspoilt natural environment with prominent landscaping. There is allowance for approximately 15 acres of paddocks if required. The property also includes a straw bale studio for the artist/hobbyist (or maybe a home business) and boasts a large dam and a 26 thousand gallon water tank. Auction on site 2pm Sunday 25th October Charles Blackney 0409 136 867 Peter Blackshaw Belconnen 6251 9111

Belconnen 6251 9111

Gungahlin 6241 9444

Inner North 6262 5122

www.peterblackshaw.com.au

28  CityNews October 1-7

Manuka 6295 2433

Tuggeranong 6296 7077

Woden 6282 4488

Contemporary Resort Style Residence

O’Connor 85 DAVID STREET Situated almost entirely over one level, this exquisite 5 bedroom ensuite, contemporary home offers almost 400m2 of sophisticated living. Gleaming solid Blue Gum flooring & 3.3m ceilings throughout the formal & informal living areas create a wonderful feeling of light & space, which flows seamlessly to a fabulous covered outdoor entertainment area complete with outdoor kitchen & pool. There’s also a separate rumpus room & gym, spacious family room, Crestron Home Automation system, zoned ducted a/c & inslab heating, security system & home theatre/office adjacent to the 93m2 four car garage. EER 4.5 Auction on site 11:45am Saturday 17th October Albert Stavaruk 0418 628 641 or Vaughan Liddicoat 0438 637 689 Peter Blackshaw Manuka 6295 2433

Higgins

Yarralumla

10 NICHOLAS STREET

58A NOVAR STREET

Nestled into a leafy, private block of almost 1800m2 this inviting five bedroom property is indeed a rare

This beautiful town residence offers an attractive, private and easy lifestyle. Featuring three bedrooms plus

offering. The home is light filled, and features large picture windows and garden views from the attractive

ensuite and master bathroom, designer kitchen with gas cooking, spacious living areas with north aspect

living areas. All rooms are generous in size and the condition throughout is excellent. The spacious master

and picture windows. The home has been designed with special emphasis on natural light and an indoor-

bedroom suite has access to a private courtyard and has its own dressing room and ensuite. It is

outdoor living flow enhanced with the family room opening out to the large courtyard. Conveniently located

segregated from the secondary bedrooms and provides the opportunity for conversion to a one bedroom

only a short stroll to the shops and cafés, Royal Canberra Golf club and the Lake foreshore. EER 4

flat for an extended family. EER 0.5 Auction on site 10am Saturday 3rd October

Auction on site 2pm Saturday 10th October

Bronwyn McGrath 0412 631 763

Michael Kumm 0402 943 191 or Josh Reid 0432 423 699

Peter Blackshaw Manuka 6295 2433

Peter Blackshaw Manuka 6295 2433

Belconnen 6251 9111

Gungahlin 6241 9444

Inner North 6262 5122

www.peterblackshaw.com.au

Manuka 6295 2433

Tuggeranong 6296 7077

Woden 6282 4488 CityNews October 1-7 29

A 31 UC .1 TIO 0. N 09

N O U C TI A MALUA BAY 28 Tallawang Avenue

4

Views to Seduce You If you thought you had seen all the breathtaking views that there were - look again! Nothing short of sensational vistas across the rolling surf to the headlands and ocean will more than impress.

In this smartly designed residence on 765sqm there’s heaps of space for the family including two master bedrooms with ensuites a piece, a spacious loft, a fabulous outdoor entertaining area and a large garage with work area. A quick stroll and you’re on one of the best surf beaches around. Indulge yourself for the coming summer!

View by appointment John Haslem 0418 514 399 john.haslem@raywhite.com raywhite.com/BBY

3

2

2

BATEMANS BAY 8 Rosedale Parade Your No-Fuss Getaway!

This is a little well cared for treasure on 771sqm in sought after Rosedale which won’t strain the budget. Delightfully located on Saltwater Creek, it captures the sun beautifully throughout. Its open plan room opens onto a spacious deck and small leafy garden, and there is a wonderful sense of privacy. In tip-top condition, it is the ideal beach retreat, just a short level walk from Rosedale Beach. Rosedale is a quiet holiday location favoured by those who wish the tranquility of the bush together with the long sweeping beaches. Approximately 15 minutes drive south of Batemans Bay town centre on the Eurobodalla Coast. Don’t miss this one!

NELLIGEN 21 Sproxtons Lane

2

1

2 OFF STREET

Auction

Saturday 31.10.09 12 noon On Site View 4.10.09 @ 12 noon or 5.10.09 @2pm,or by inspection Caryl Haslem 0418 564 599 caryl.haslem@raywhite.com raywhite.com/BBY11339

3

1

3

River Frontage + Pontoon Price by negotiation View 3.10.09 @ 3pm, or by appointment Melissa Williams 0408 253 481 melissa.williams@raywhite.com raywhite.com/BBY11340

There’s bound to be a lot of interest in this precious offering, so don’t dally. Here is a neat and tidy three bedroom traditional cottage with timber floors, right on the banks of the Clyde River AND with a sturdy pontoon and three garages! On a good sized block of 1,897sqm with a spacious deck taking in the river views, it is an absolute delight for anglers and water skiers. What more can we say. Come see!

Price by negotiation View 3.10.09 @ 2pm, or by appointment John Haslem 0418 514 399 john.haslem@raywhite.com raywhite.com/BBY11336

GJ3327

Reward yourself with luxury. Money can’t buy everything, but you may purchase a delicious slice of Broulee. Fabulously finished, this open plan home is gorgeous. Two decks embrace our outdoor lifestyle, timber flooring throughout the living areas and elegantly designed bathrooms. Master bedroom has great views and, with the beach across the road, it doesn’t get much easier than this.

4

Forthcoming Auction

BROULEE 2/13 Coronation Drive Brand New Stunning Designer Duplex – Huge Water Views

3

Batemans Bay

Ray White works!

30 CityNews October 1-7

AUSTRALIAN

SUTTON

AUCTION

MURRUMBATEMAN VILLAGE

$339,000 - $495,000

MODEL MULTI-PURPOSE PROPERTY

OLIVE GROVE COURT

Located just 13km from Gunghalin & 23km from Murrumbateman this inspirationally established property ideally suits a wide range of rural activities, particularly horses.

• Attractive development of 4 new shops featuring generous window display areas, 12 composite parking bays & landscaped gardens

• 200 prime pasture improved acres, 3 dams & bore

• Located in heart of Murrumbateman village, just 75m from the Barton Highway

• 1920’s 3 bedroom timber cottage with 2nd dwelling approval, 2 cabins

• Unit sizes range between 75.5m² to 113.3m², each with its own wc/shower facilities, climate control systems

SUPERB EQUESTRIAN/LIVESTOCK INFRASTRUCTURE

• 60ac with 37 horse/large animal paddocks, 8 stables, 26 livestock shelters, 80mx40m dressage arena, round yard, electric fences, gravity fed troughs, prepared base for approved indoor arena, wash bay • 60ac of excellent grazing/cropping land, 80ac of lightly timbered mixed agistment land

‘PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF 4 COMMERCIAL UNITS’

• Perfect for most business operators, including the professional, restaurateur, baker & retailer • Optional customised fit-out packages available • Dynamic local demographic, socio-economic & tourism growth shifts

Auction:

Auction to be held on site. 1.00pm Saturday the 10th

• Planned Barton Highway duplication will fuel population expansion

Contact:

John Lennie, Elders Real Estate, Dickson 0407 417 783

Contact:

Elders Dickson 6230 0599 71 Woolley Street, Dickson

John Lennie, Elders Real Estate, Dickson 0407 417 783

www.elders.com.au/dickson CityNews October 1-7 31

32  CityNews October 1-7