Canberra CityNews March 11-17 2010

CityNews March 11-17 

news

Un-fare: The buses no-one will pay for Nightrider buses curb anti-social behaviour in Albury-Woodonga, yet in the ACT everyone’s ducking the cost of providing them in Civic at the weekend, reports ELERI HARRIS THE CEO of Canberra’s property group CBD Ltd, Linda Staite, has bypassed Assembly debate on introducing a regular Nightrider bus service, saying she wouldn’t rule out privately funding late-night weekend buses to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in the city.

“I think it’s a great idea, it’s certainly something we could look at,” Ms Staite said.

“Our mission is to make the city safer and cleaner and it does fit in with our ethos.”

And it’s caught the imagination of the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, who told “CityNews” he’d be interested in discussing the expansion of the Nightrider services in conjunction with CBD Ltd, which is funded by a levy on the city’s property owners.

“I’d be more than happy to talk with CBD Ltd about how we might work together to provide an extended Nightrider,” he said.

Ms Staite’s comments come off the back of an announcement last week in Albury-Wodonga that late-night traders, including four of the city’s largest pubs, would take on sole funding of the Nightrider services to ensure their continuation following the withdrawal of Wodonga District Industry Liquor Accord’s funding.

INDEX February March 11-17, 2010

We’re going to be providing a united message, particularly to youth, to go home and we can’t keep that message and not offer them a way to do that.

- Craig Shearer, Albury-Wodonga publication.

Another Saturday night in Civic. Photo by Silas.

The Albury-Wodonga Nightrider costs $80,000 a year, running at a loss of $38,000, and was previously funded by the city council, late-night traders and the Wodonga District Industry Liquor Accord.

Police in the border city have said the Nightrider services curbed anti-social behaviour and spokesman for the pubs involved, Paddy’s owner Craig Shearer, told “CityNews” it was in everyone’s interests to provide the service.

“The Nightrider issue’s been going on for years, for who’s going to pay for it.

“We’re sick and tired of all talk and no action and decided we’ll fund it.

“It’s in the interests of all the people in the Al-

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bury-Wodonga region, everyone reaps the benefit of our fantastic nightlife, however no one else in town felt responsible to provide this service.

“We just think it’s one of many things we do as late traders to help reduce the impact of alcohol-related incidents, we’re going to be providing a united message, particularly to youth, to go home and we can’t keep that message and not offer them a way to do that.”

Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan told “CityNews” the ACT Government needs to take some responsibility and look creatively at finding alternative ways to fund a Nightrider service in Canberra – including working with private enterprise.

When questioned over the possibility of ACTION buses providing Nightrider services, Chief Minister Stanhope pointed to running costs as the key barrier.

“It is simply a question of our capacity to pay and the degree of general public subsidy that it is reasonable to apply,” he told the Legislative Assembly, pointing to the limited Nightrider services provided over the summer holiday season.

“It was a service that operated on two weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, at a cost of $41,000 and transported 1400 passengers.

“It is a great service, the only issue the Government has is the cost per traveller.”

Attorney General Simon Corbell said the Government would like the private sector to pay for Nightrider services in Canberra.

“The Government’s view is that licensees should share the burden of getting people home safely. Licensees make a profit from selling those people alcohol and they should share the responsibility.”

But Australian Hotel Association General Manager Steven Fanner says it is not the responsibility of private business to provide adequate transport.

“Our members are already significant tax payers in their own right, it’s not their responsibilty to provide public transport.

“The Government should provide public transport when and where people need it.

“Albury is a much different situation than the ACT, it’s a smaller town with not the same geographic size and venues in Albury have access to a significant source of revenue that the ACT doesn’t, through gaming.”

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CityNews March 11-17

news

Jodi loves snapping kids

By Kathryn Vukovljak

TAKING photos of babies and acting like a clown are all in a day’s work for Hotshots photographer and Bonnie Babes Foundation volunteer Jodi Shepherd.

“I love taking photos of kids – love it!” she laughs. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make the kids smile – their parents must think I’m mad, but the kids really enjoy it.

The crazier the better.”

Jodi is one of two ACT photographers, along with Randal Photography, working on “Pride of the Nation”, a glossy hardback coffee-table book of photographs of about 3000 children aged from newborn to 15.

The Bonnie Babes Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-based charity which counsels families through the hardship of stillbirth, miscarriage and infertility.

“Bonnie Babes is very close to my heart,” says Jodi. “Some of my close friends have lost babies recently, through miscarriage and stillbirth, and I spent three years trying to conceive.

“Amazingly, I now have eight-month-old Alex, our IVF miracle baby, who will of course appear in the next edition of ‘Pride of the Nation’!”

Jodi donates a sitting session, worth $90, to Bonnie Babes, and presents the foundation with print-ready photographs for the book, free of charge.

Photographer Jodi Shepherd and her baby Alex with the “Pride of the Nation” book.

Amy Nguyen, of the Bonnie Babes Foundation, says that being involved in this book is a wonderful way to support families in the community.

“It’s a gorgeous book – quite large, actually! – and it helps celebrate the gift of a child while supporting our essential services,” she says.

Interested parents can register online at www.prideofthenation.com.au, where a donation of $50 for the first child, or $75 for all children from the same family, is required. All the children photographed will appear in the next annual “Pride of the Nation” book, which costs $154 and will be displayed at Parliament House.

When a mum can’t cope...

EVER heard the acronym PND – Postnatal Depression? I certainly hadn’t back when my partner and I first decided to have a baby, nor when I got pregnant, or even when I held my beautiful baby boy in my arms and found myself consumed by an overwhelming sense of terror and dread.

There probably was something, somewhere about PND in all the books I read on pregnancy and having a baby, but I never thought anything like that would apply to me. I had heard the term “baby blues”, but I just wasn’t the type: I was a happy person. I really wanted to be a mum and I was ready, or at least I thought I was. So it was very confusing when in the weeks and months after my son was born, I found myself swinging between being so numb I wondered if someone was slipping me buckets of Novocain or else crying

CityNews March 11-17

Mum in the city

By Sonya Fladun

enough tears to float Noah’s ark. I told myself it was just hormonal.

Mothers suffering from PND are sometimes portrayed as having trouble initially falling in love with their child. But I felt love – overwhelming, lay-down-mylife, do-absolutely-anything love. And I obsessed about everything. I lived in a constant, overwhelming state of anxiety. I worried that everything I did was wrong.

He suffered from colic, didn’t like to feed, and was a very restless sleeper.

Consequently, I didn’t sleep and, despite my husband’s best efforts to help out, chronic sleep deprivation makes it very hard to live up to the image of the perfect,

happy mum society expects. Of course, I wasn’t going to admit I wasn’t coping. Like so many mums I just tried to solider on.

In the end I fell in a terrible heap. My child was seven months before I got any effective help. On a positive note, my experience after the birth of my daughter was just so much better.

PND can easily be treated with a bit of early intervention and professional support. So if the “baby blues” seem overwhelming and never ending, don’t suffer in silence. Go and talk frankly with your GP or another health professional.

There’s plenty of information available with www.beyondblue.org.au being an excellent place to start. Hindsight’s a great thing, but I still hate that I lost much of my son’s first year to PND and I so wish I had known back then what I know now.

CityNews March 11-17 

news

briefly

Hoping for Archibald hanging

Terminal approved

THIS portrait of Neighbour Day founder Andrew Heslop, of Kingston, by Sydney artist Bruce Remmer has been entered in this year’s Archibald Prize.

The 1m x 1.5m portrait uses vivid paints, resin, gold and silver leaf.

Heslop sat for Remmer at the artist’s Surry Hills studio over four sittings commencing in December.

“Bruce Remmer has created a magnificent work of art... I think it is a very rich, powerful and detailed piece, which I hope will lead to Bruce being selected for the 2010 Archibald Prize exhibition,” says Andrew.

Selected works for the prize will be announced on Wednesday, March 17.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has approved the development of the new western concourse terminal at Canberra Airport. Construction work on the new terminal is expected to begin later this year, following the completion of the southern concourse terminal in September.

Word on prizes

THE 2010 ACT Book of the Year Award and ACT Poetry Prize are open for nominations. The book prize is worth $10,000 and the poetry award comprises four prizes collectively valued at $20,000.

Three out of the four prizes are open for national entry. Nominations for both categories close on March 26. Nomination forms are available at www. arts.act.gov.au or by calling 62072384.

Rush for plants

LARGE crowds expected at the annual Australian Native Plants Society sale at the southern car park of the Australian National Botanic Gardens starting at 8.30am on Saturday, March 20. Almost 10,000 plants representing an extensive range of native trees, shrubs, ground covers, climbers and container plants suitable for the Canberra region will be on sale, priced at between $4 and $7. Society member growers and the society’s volunteer propagation group grow all the plants.

Rudd and the child within

TONY Abbott is a schoolyard bully. The Opposition Leader’s appearance, his demeanour, his every word and gesture confirm it. He has an aggressive physicality that goes to the very core of the man.

He trained as a boxer. His guiding philosophy is one of muscular Catholicism.

Not for him the process of cool reasonability; instead, his every instinct is to attack from the fortress of received wisdom and devil take the hindmost. His blasting of climate change as “crap” and Peter Garrett’s “industrial manslaughter” are classic bully-boy tactics. Attack, bludgeon, defeat.

But here’s the rub. In Prime Minister Kevin Rudd he has found the perfect quarry for his bullying tactics. For beneath that smiling, glossy, buttoned up exterior is the schoolyard victim from central casting. Indeed, until Australians come to appreciate the little boy within, they will never really understand what makes our 26th prime minister tick.

It begins with his place as the baby of the Rudd family. When he made his first appearance in Nambour’s white, weatherboard Selangor Hospital on September 21 1957, he had two older brothers and a doting older sister. And he was very much

CityNews March 11-17

THE GADFLY

By Robert Macklin his mother’s favourite.

He was born with bowed legs that required surgery and splints. He tried desperately to earn the kudos of his fellow schoolkids on the sporting field. He loved cricket and would go to extraordinary lengths to improve his game, travelling hours by train to practice with the Yandina C grade; but his physical problems meant he would never quite make the grade.

However, he was a cute kid and smart as paint. The aunties adored him (they still do) and he came to rely on that little boy persona for his psychic income and selfesteem. In some ways he has yet to break free of it into a true adulthood.

When he seeks to ingratiate himself, he tends to infantilise his audience by talking about “bubs”, “kiddies”, and using gawky schoolboy slang. Indeed, his selfintroduction at the 2007 ALP Conference captured this tendency perfectly: “My name is Kevin; I’m from Queensland and I’m here to help.”

The intention is to disarm and divert.

It is the classic defence of the schoolboy victim against that ever-present gang of roaming bullies, led by the kid with big ears and hard knuckles. The same goes for his appearances on such shows as “Rove” and “Good News Week”– Prime Minister as clever Kevin from the Upper Fourth.

Some find it disconcerting, even alienating, to find Australia’s political supremo still in thrall to his childhood survival strategies. Indeed, the only times he seems completely comfortable are with his family where he is beloved unconditionally or in the world of international diplomacy where cleverness and charm are premium qualities.

The saving grace is that the alternative Prime Minister is an unreconstructed political thug roaming the same schoolyard.

Odd, isn’t it, the way opposites attract.

Soon we will be called upon to choose between them.

Shouldn’t be too hard.

Canberra-based journalist Robert Macklin is a nationally regarded author of many successful books, among them an authorised biography of Kevin Rudd. robert@robertmacklin.com

politics

In sickness and in health with Labor Political columnist MICHAEL MOORE WAS at the National Press Club when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced his plan for health reform IT looks like Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on a trajectory for a referendum on health at the next election.

Perhaps the proposed single-funding model will improve health. However, it will be surprising to have the premiers and chief ministers all just fall into line to hand over their money and power. If just one of them decides to resist the proposal it will not be possible to readjust the GST (which requires unanimous agreement).

That will put a referendum on the cards.

No doubt State and Territory treasury officials are pouring over the figures trying to determine if there are any predictable long-term financial benefits in the Rudd proposal. There appear to very little short-term financial benefits with the Prime Minister proposing to claw back GST money in order to pay for the new reforms.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon suggests that if the issue goes to referendum it will be an all-or-nothing scenario. Under such circumstances, the Federal Government will seek to take control of hospitals, primary health care, prevention and the myriad of other elements of the health system. If successful, it really will end the blame game for a centrally funded, locally delivered system.

The health referendum politics are already being given a trial run. The home insulation scheme debacle is being used to illustrate what happens when a Federal bureaucracy and minister are in charge. Not an auspicious start when, to win a referendum, the Government needs support from a majority of voters in a majority of States. It is a big ask.

The alternative argument is that the current State and Territory health departments could be completely abolished thus avoiding the duplication of the present bureaucracies. Just as there is no need for State or Territory Departments of Defence or Immigration, there will be no need for Departments of Health. Abolishing State Departments of Health will mean huge savings – money that the Federal Government will have to claw back. One commentator noted the NSW Department of Health employs more people than Department of Defence.

In either system, the Prime Minister is promising central funding of hospitals and local delivery based on local networks. The central funding organisation will effectively purchase the services from the local networks. The purchasing will be based on a “case mix” system, although the Government has assiduously

briefly

Harvest Festival

THE Canberra Harvest Festival is on again on Saturday, March 27, from noon-5pm celebrating all things local, organic and tasty.

It will be held at the Canberra Environment and Sustainability Centre, corner of Lawson Crescent and Lennox Crossing (by the museum) and features local organic good for sale, workshops, organic gardening, a gourmet biodynamic organic lunch, live music and a kids’ play area.

Poker tournament

CASINO Canberra will hold a $500,000 poker tournament over the June long weekend.

Prime Minster Kevin Rudd… The health referendum politics are already being given a trial run. avoided the term.

This means that operations and medical services will be able to be paid according to the level of cost with the most difficult and most serious operations receiving higher funding than the more straightforward ones. Standards will be set centrally to monitor such issues as infection control, hours of work, qualifications and teaching capability.

There is no doubt that the current system can be substantially improved. The effort of this Government to wrestle with the challenges has to be admired. The Government should be able to expect support from the States – but the reality is that to achieve the Federal goals there must be some kind of a sweetener thrown in to win jurisdictional support.

At this stage the focus has been all about hospitals and particularly about surgical waiting lists and emergency waiting times. Prevention, primary healthcare, environmental health, general practice, allied health, education and workforce issues and pharmaceuticals are just a few of the other elements that will need to be added into a full debate – but at least the Prime Minister has taken the first steps.

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

Called “PokerStars.net ANZPT Canberra” is expected to attract more than 200 players from around the region. Marketing director Peter Cursley believes the tournament will give a great boost to poker in the region.

Editors happy

THE Canberra Society of Editors says it is pleased that English grammar is, once again, to be taught in Australian schools. The society supports the principle of teaching grammar.

“Many editors believe that the formal teaching of grammar should never have been removed from the classroom. The result is a generation of Australians who do not have a basic understanding of the structural elements of their own language,” the society says.

CityNews March 11-17

news focus

Stanhope shrugs

By Eleri Harris

WHILE the Stanhope Government waxed lyrical last month about high rates of housing affordability in the ACT, the ANU hit national headlines beset by a housing crisis that forced new students to be temporarily put up in motels.

More than 200 students have been placed at Citigate, Carotel and Uni Gardens with hopes they will be rehoused on campus within a semester. ANU, which has a much larger population of students from out of town than most universities, is due to complete on-campus accommodation for 600 more students before this time next year, bringing bed numbers to over 4000.

ANU Student Association president Tully Fletcher blames the ACT Government for the university’s expensive housing projects.

“The university is being forced to spend money that would have gone on education because of the ACT Government’s inaction on the rental crisis,” he says.

“The ACT Government’s focus has been on opening up land north and south. I think that’s stupid. It just adds to Canberra’s dependence on cars and it ignores obvious things about inner-Canberra that the community needs to talk about.

“ANU is just across Barry Drive from low-density family homes in Conner and Turner, there’s

CityNews March 11-17

some medium-density in there and more coming, but it’s very clear to me that the ACT Government needs to acknowledge the size of this institution and the fact that it’s going to continue to grow, and consider how it might better serve the city and this university and preserve the integrity of the lake and surrounds by focusing on the zoning and development approvals.”

Fletcher’s comments reflect ABS data revealing a seasonally-adjusted decline of seven per cent in the total number of dwelling units approved during January.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says the comments are “patent, puerile nonsense”, arguing a spike in ANU student numbers is responsible for the problem.

“The ACT Government actually has the most advanced housing affordability strategy in place of any Government in Australia and, in the context of housing and support for student housing, we some years ago entered into an arrangement with the ANU and most particularly in relation to City West, which has allowed already the addition of 1000 units of student accommodation on Childers Street as a direct result of grants of land made by the ACT Government.

“You can’t point the finger at the ACT Government because the ANU has accepted more students than it has accommodation places for,” he said.

A spokesman from the University of Canberra said private housing developments around Bruce had eased any troubles they might have had with student homelessness.

While it is certainly not facing a student ac-

off student housing blame A spokesman from the ANU told “CityNews” the guarantee policy was introduced in 2005 so that “in the tight Canberra rental market, first-year students from outside the area had an assurance that they would have somewhere to live once they started their studies here”.

Pro-vice chancellor for students Elizabeth Deane says ANU’s housing problem is directly linked to the availability of affordable, inner-city, private rental properties.

“We’ve guaranteed first-year places, but we don’t kick students out in third year, so we don’t actually have big spaces or the normal movement you’d expect in other places, especially in the big metropolitan cities,” she says.

“We’ve found our return rate [into campus accommodation] this year is higher – it was 61 per cent last year and it’s 68 per cent this year. So we had less spaces to work with.”

Student association president Fletcher says life off campus is just Sociology honours student Paula Mellado Campos at her room at the Citigate “hall of residence”... “I was very pleased “not attractive” to many students. and pleasantly surprised. I didn’t really have a problem with it.”

Photo by Silas “The market is very competitive and for the first time in a number of years, commodation crisis alone – in 2009 first-year students. students sleeping on couches and skip- living on campus, which is usually a Melbourne University had students National Union of Students President ping meals, but it isn’t overwhelming little bit more expensive, is actually on squatting in empty campus buildings Carla Drakeford says the guarantee like ANU’s has been. If other unis a par with living out there when you and UNSW currently has a year-long makes student housing problems at completed an audit about where their take utilities into consideration. So waiting list for campus accommoda- ANU more visible. students are sleeping, I think they’d that affects a lot of students and delays tion – the ANU is the only university in “Student housing and poverty is find a lot more students are experienc- students entering the rental market the country to guarantee housing for generally quite hidden, you hear about ing housing crisis.” outside of the university.”

student housing

Happy in motel ‘hall’ STUDENTS living at the Citigate motel have created a mini hall of residence while they wait to be rehoused midway through this year. President of their newly formed student club, sociology honours student Paula Mellado Campos, 23, is simply happy to have somewhere to live.

“I came under the guarantee of accommodation because it was the first time I’d been a student at ANU and I was just holding out on that and I didn’t have any other plans,” she says.

“I’ve never been a fan of shared houses. As soon as I came here [to Citigate] I was very pleased and pleasantly surprised. I didn’t really have a problem with it. People are pretty eager to make the most of what we’ve got. I’m hoping, at the very best, we’re just going to have really good friendships and relationships with everyone.”

With big rooms, ensuites, meal vouchers and free bus tickets to and from university, ANU’s students at the motels are getting a better deal than many on campus.

CityNews March 11-17

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news

A cuppa, kids and human rights…

By Kathryn Vukovljak MORNING tea, a group of mums, kids running around – sounds like your average local playgroup, but Amnesty International Mums and Bubs isn’t just about socialising, says its founder Kathy Richards.

“We often call it the Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Bubs group, because we’ve had a range of carers with young children come to our morning teas!” she laughs.

The group focuses on cases involving mothers and children, says Kathy, including the Amnesty Mums and Bubs group... relaxed and informal.

Photo by Silas.

Australian National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Wom- at home with children. leave everything else in her life en, and a case for women who “We’re recognising the at the door. are unable to access healthcare bigger picture and doing Amnesty Mums and Bubs while pregnant in Peru. something worthwhile, but meets once every two months “We also work with a group on a local level mums can get at Kathy’s house in Lyneham, called Campaign for Equality involved in Amnesty without although they are looking for in Iran, who is carrying out anyone shushing the kids at a larger venue, and encourages peaceful protests against the the back of the hall,” she says. members to write letters in treatment of women there.”

Mum-of-two Kathy says she between meetings.

Kathy says the group is pop- wanted at least 12 months off ular because it’s relaxed and with each of her children, but For more information, email informal, and caters for carers at the same time didn’t want to kathrichau@yahoo.com.au.

CityNews March 11-17 11

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opinion

The future calls for more politicians It is time our local political parties made a bipartisan approach to the Federal parliament for more politicians for the ACT, says former Speaker GREG CORNWELL RECENTLY, I attended a Forum Australia meeting on the subject of “Canberra in 2020”, where most of the invited panel had a vision splendid for the ACT, including improved even innovative public transport, environmentally sustainable infill housing, new suburbs and a population of 400,000 rising to 500,000 by 2050.

Whether one applauds or is appalled by these ambitions, it is pertinent to ask who will administer this radiant future?

Not, I suggest, the 17-member ACT Legislative Assembly because it is too small.

When self-government was established in 1989 there was a ratio of one elected member to 16,349 constituents (277,930 population). Now, with a population of 350,000, the ratio has grown to 1: 20,588 – a 20.6 per cent increase.

At 400,000 population the ratio is 23,529 and at 500,000, 29,412.

Critics may say we don’t see much of our elected local representatives now, however this ignores the fundamental point if we are going to have such

developments in Canberra at 2020 we must have an ACT government capable of overseeing this vision.

Already I believe the demand upon the current five-member ministry is considerable and will increase as Canberra continues to grow. No offence to the present incumbent, but is it the ideal governance to have an ACT Treasurer who also is the Minister for Health?

No matter how the portfolios are shuffled there are too many major responsibilities for too few ministers – and too many shadow responsibilities for non-government representatives to cover, even in Assembly committees.

Members of the ACT Assembly have the same portfolio range as other Australian parliaments, yet we have fewer MLAs. Thus the portfolio responsibilities are disproportionate to elsewhere, but also the choice of ministers and non-government shadows is limited: party leaders have little discretion.

Already the Assembly’s Speaker has had to refer a mat-

ter for resolution to his deputy because of comments arising from his committee membership – a role unheard of in other Australian parliaments but one if not taken up may have placed an impossible portfolio burden upon his colleagues.

Granted, the increased cost of more local politicians is unpopular and as a policy plank anathema to current MLAs. However, the complexities of governing Canberra can only increase, even without the ambitious year 2020 vision and by not recognising this incontrovertible fact the citizens of the ACT are being let down by their elected representatives.

Irrespective of the 2020 vision, the case for more MLAs is obvious if Canberra is to be run as efficiently as possible by accountable elected representatives and its citizens will have to pay for the service. It is time our local political parties settled their differences as to the larger size of the Assembly and made a bipartisan approach to the Federal parliament for the long-term good of the territory.

Fix the nature strip parking first CITY rangers have indicated they intend to crack down on citizens who overdevelop their nature strips. I would suggest that they should first touch base with parking operations who, for years, have refused to enforce the law relating to the parking of cars, trucks and other vehicles on nature strips. A friend of mine is in the habit of sounding his horn whenever he sees such a vehicle, in the hope that this might serve to remind people to park legally.

Let’s deal with this chronic problem before spending taxpayer’s money on policing ratepayers with sufficient public spirit to beautify government land adjacent to their homes.

Chris Smith, Kingston

Offending Acts?

THE intention of the display of naked men and women at the Opera House was a deliberate act to outrage public decency under the pretext of art. Is it not still a crime to be naked in public? Is not indecent

(CN letters, February 25) sure does a lot of reading about the subject. Armchair critics exposure still an offence under usually are the most vocal the various Sexual Offences ones.

Acts? If the law still stands in Shane Jasprizza, Dunlop NSW, who has suspended it and why and how?

Praise for Bill Given the publicity that the media gave to the participants IT would be pleasing to see in various postures, including “CityNews” giving praise to embracing, it could be said well-known community radio that apart from intentionally personality and activist Bill titillating adults, there was a Tully for his strong support grooming of children to toler- of a poets’ corner and a Poet ate soft pornographic displays. Laureate.

Is not the latter an offence?

Bill also welcomes everyone Greg O’Regan, Farrer to the hour-long poetry workshops held at the Uniting Church, Northbourne Avenue, Deep reader Civic, every Wednesday startFOR someone who is so antiing at 11am. fishing, Mike O’Shaughnessy Harold Grant, Campbell

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Knight Frank Canberra

A LOVE of Canberra and a passion for building long-term client relationships motivates Dan McGrath, manager of the new commercial corporate real estate department at leading agency Knight Frank.

“With this new department, we’re strengthening our focus on corporate commercial real estate, but making it more personal,” says Dan. “We’re looking to create close working relationships with local commercial owners and investors.”

The current agency business within Knight Frank Canberra’s operations has proved itself a significant player in the major office market through developing and maintaining stable relationships with both high-level local and institutional clients.

“Through our experience, we’ve recognised the significance of the local market and have identified a gap for this new department,” he says.

The commercial corporate real estate department will be an independent business unit, operating within the agency arm of Knight Frank Australia’s Canberra office.

Working closely with city office leasing and institutional sales, the department will primarily focus on the sale and leasing of

It’s all about Canberra, helping to make it stronger and keeping it local. commercial property within Canberra’s sub-markets including retail, industrial and suburban properties.

“It’s a more personable role, which I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into,” Dan says. “We’ll be adapting to our clients’ diverse requirements, working on building relationships and making them stronger, and focusing on the long-term.

“I think the role fits me well – I bring more personality and character to the role, and I really enjoy building local relationships. For me it’s all about Canberra, helping to make it stronger and keeping it local.”

With more than 10 years experience in the local property industry, Dan says the primary objective of the department is to focus on the local players in the property industry by identifying, strategically pursuing and satisfying client requirements in the local sub-markets and establish a comprehensive service experience that includes consultation, intelligence, appraisals, campaign preparation and the co-ordination of the sale and leasing of commercial property.

“I’m absolutely passionate about property, and about sustaining local connections,” says Dan. “I’ll be dealing with people face-to-face, more informally and with regular contact, not just when there is good news to share.”

It is expected that success will be predominantly leveraged through a focus on a cross-section of local, private-sector players.

The target market of Dan’s new department best responds to a personalised approach – the marketing formula is rather simple and begins with communication and regular contact – clients must not feel like they have been “forgotten”. Many competitors make the mistake of avoiding contact with clients unless there is good news to be reported, says Dan. The Knight Frank Canberra corporate com14 CityNews March 11-17

New manager Dan McGrath...

“I’m absolutely passionate about property, and about sustaining local connections.”

Dan’s close mercial department will be considered as a “resource” for clients who require accurate intelligence in order to evaluate business decisions.

The joint managing directors of the Canberra office, Phil Harding and Terry Daly, together hold considerable knowledge of the local market with more than 60 years of experience between them. Knight Frank offers a diverse range of additional property services including valuations, property and facilities’ management and consultancy.

Contact Dan McGrath at Knight Frank, Level 9, SAP House (Cnr Akuna and Bunda Streets), Civic or call 6230 7855.

advertising feature

mission is up and personal Dan McGrath with Knight Frank Canberra joint managing directors Phil Harding, left, and Terry Daly.

CityNews March 11-17  15

sport

The game rugby union won’t win

Is there any greater distraction for a passionate supporter of a sporting team during the season than to be constantly reading, seeing and hearing about players talking about going elsewhere in the following year, asks TIM GAVEL?

THE Super 14 is a month into the season and already there is speculation about where players will be next year. The new Melbourne Rebels will simply add to the chaos of an openslather policy in terms of signing rugby union players in Australia.

In defence of the media, if something is happening behind the scenes in terms of player movement, it is news and should be reported.

The AFL through the player draft, the trading period and the free agents list, handle it better than rugby league or union. Until a couple of years ago, the NRL had a deadline on players signing with rival clubs only to see the rule openly flaunted with players signing a matter of hours after the deadline.

It was obvious that terms had been agreed to before the deadline and simply signed once the deadline had passed.

In a bid to avoid the disruption experienced by the Brumbies, the Waratahs and Queensland when the

16 CityNews March 11-17

Western Force entered the competition in 2006, the Australian Rugby Union told the Melbourne franchise it couldn’t sign players currently playing in Australian teams until May 31 – after this year’s final.

Players in existing teams were signing left, right and centre in 2005 and it became worse during the 2006 season as the Force struggled to make an impact.

The defection of Matt Giteau from the ACT to the Force became a significant distraction for Brumbies’ supporters in 2006 after it became evident that he was heading elsewhere the following season.

It is now history that the ARU changed the deadline despite setting the guidelines in place for the Melbourne team and the restrictions on signing Australian-based players.

Following heavy lobbying from Melbourne, the ARU moved the deadline from the end of the season to March 15, which is effectively in the middle of the current season. ARU

boss John O’Neill said at the time he still had concerns about players announcing midway through a season that they would be switching to another team the following season.

The argument was that extra time is needed to build a new team and the original deadline was too restrictive.

I am sure the Melbourne team will be looking to use its new signings as a promotional tool for its marketing and as a carrot to attract other players. This is why it would be useless to say to the Melbourne team: you can sign a player but just don’t publicise it until the end of the season.

It has the potential to be very messy, to say the least. The next month could become uncomfortable for existing Australian teams and supporters as the Melbourne franchise becomes linked with every off-contract player. Player managers will be having a field day; it will be akin to winning the lottery and rugby union won’t be the winner.

Animalates activists Kirra Rankin and Marty McLinden with Cheeko.

Fun with animal moves

By Kathryn Vukovljak STRETCHING like a starfish, diving like a dolphin and skipping like a seagull are all part of Animalates, a new exercise concept for kids based on the principles of Pilates, which aims to improve their enjoyment of movement, says founder and local triathlete Kirra Rankin.

“I enjoy working with children and animals – both so unpredictable, they keep me on my toes!” says Kirra, who is also a qualified Pilates instructor and rehabilitation exercise physiologist.

Animalates uses fun, animal-themed movements, and aims to increase mobility, stability, strength, balance, range of movement and improve posture. “But kids just think it’s fun pretending to be animals,” she tells “CityNews”.

Each session is 10 minutes’ long

– short and sweet to avoid waning attention spans.

Together with ex-Canberra Raider Marty McLinden, Kirra has created an Animalates DVD and has filmed four mini Animalates clips, which will be shown on WIN TV, in between the Saturday morning cartoons, from April.

“I’ve always wanted to choreograph a children’s exercise TV show – it’s a great way to reach a large audience and emphasise that movement is fun,” she says. “Teach them while they’re young!”

Kirra says she would like to see the DVD used in childcare centres, primary schools and homes all over the country as part of a child’s routine.

The Animalates DVD is available at www.animalates.com.au.

CityNews March 11-17  17

18  CityNews March 11-17

scene

Invite us at silas@citynews.com.au

At the opening of Limelight Cinema, Tuggeranong

Patrick Phibbs and Jemma Noble

At Starry Nights concert, Pol Roger Bar, NGA

Limelight Cinema’s CEO Ross Entwistle, MP Annette Ellis, Rob Ell and Shane Carswell

Jennifer Hamilton and Matthew McGann

Rob and Heather Salafia

Limelight Cinema opens with “Alice in Wonderland” in 3D

Fiona and Britt Nichols

Harry Morrissey and Millie Blach

Ondina, Rob Smyth, Margot Ridley, Tania Parkes and Marcia Bowden

Katrina, Paulette and Sarah Mirzikinian

Jenny Gleeson, Helley Ward and Donna Burnes

Maria Hicks and Karen Fox

CityNews March 11-17 19

scene

More photos at www.facebook.com/canberracitynews

At the ZOO housewarming, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston

James Bell and Erica Freeman

Jo Davenport, Lori Bautista and Melissa Donaldson

Bethany Freeman-Chandler and Gail Freeman

20  CityNews March 11-17

Deb Northover, ZOO CEO Pawl Cubbin and Sonja Archer

Deshi Rahim, Rohan Taylor and Ricky Bryan

Gerard Bowndy, Andrew Wells and Ania Sienko

Sam Webster and Judy Patten

Gabrielle D'Ambrosio, Michel Carman, Danielle Stone and Kath Hatch

Sofia Polak and Hannah King

Sandra Sweeney and John Ruman

ZOO MD Clinton Hutchinson and David Pembroke

Lauren Searson-Patrick, Tricia Searson and Amanda Tankey

Janice Parker, Nicole Dimoff and Theresa Orme

all about arts

news | reviews | cinema | dining | crossword | horoscope | sudoku

Wayne’s sweet success By arts editor Helen Musa ENTERTAINER Wayne Scott Kermond says he’s not getting any younger – and he’s loving it!

A mentor at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton, he is discovering – through conducting master-classes on shows on which he has serious expertise, such as “Guys and Dolls” and “A Chorus Line” – how much he has learnt over 25 years performing on how important it is to pass it on.

That’s exactly what happened to him. A fourth-generation performer of the showbiz Kermond family, he met Sammy Davis Jnr in 1986 at a party held by Bernard King to which his mum and dad took him. Davis turned his attention to the seven-year-old boy and praised his dancing.

Now Kermond is coming to Canberra to perform Sammy Davis Jnr numbers in his own show “Candy Man”, a full-on celebration of the life and music of “the greatest live entertainer ever”, complete with an eight-piece big band, five musical theatre singer/dancers and a choir of Canberra kids.

“Candy Man”, which will take us from Davis’ earliest days in vaudeville, to Las Vegas nightclubs, concert halls, Broadway and Hollywood,

“Candy Man” star Wayne Scott Kermond...“I am not pretending to be Sammy.” was actually Kermond’s brain-child, but the director and producer is his wife Katie.

While he still getting plenty of roles, Kermond is all too aware that “the phone is not always going to ring, so you need to create your own work”.

He has done just that with “Candy Man,” whose title refers to one of Davis’s greatest hits.

Kermond is adamant that this is not a tribute show, although lots of Davis’ hits, such

as “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Rhythm of Life” will be on the song list.

“I am not pretending to be Sammy,” he asserts. But he does feel drawn to Davis emotionally and shares his constant awareness of what he calls “the triple treat”, the need for a performer to be on their toes in singing, dancing and acting.”

“Candy Man”, Canberra Theatre, March 1720, bookings to www.canberratheatre.com.au

When a writer can’t write...

THERE was never really any question that director Geordie Brookman was going to make the theatre his business. He trained in drama at Flinders University, is now associate director at the SA Theatre Company and has just directed the musical “Spring Awakening” for the Sydney Theatre Company.

He’ll soon be in Canberra with his production of “The Toy Symphony” by Michael Gow. Billed in its 2007 production by Neil Armfield, at Belvoir Street, as “the toast of Sydney’s theatre scene”, the script is in part a nostalgic look at the playwright’s childhood background in Como, in southern Sydney, and the generation of Gow and Armfield, fellow students at Sydney University.

But Gow, about to retire as artistic director of the Queensland Theatre Company, has been looking out for a younger director’s view of his play, so this production is very different from the 2007 one. It’s not the first time that

Chris Pitman, left, and Daniel Mulvihill in “The Toy Symphony”. the QTC and the SATC have collaborated.

“Toy Symphony”, Brookman says, is “essentially about a writer who can no longer write.”

It begins like a therapy play with Roland the writer (Christopher Pitman) undergoing

counselling. As his therapist Nina cracks open his past in Como we learn where his creativity came from, especially from his miraculous ability to summon up historical people.

The play starts off “dark and difficult, with lots of biting wit from a hyper-articulate character who uses words as weapons”, but in the second act we see Roland beginning to find redemption. Brookman says: “We wanted to pull no punches… we meet a character at his most desperate... but from a mundane, suburban world, he has created magic.”

The cast includes former Canberran Ed Wightman, who plays nine characters. Brookman believes he might just have found the right mixture of “rough theatre and magic.”

–Helen Musa

“Toy Symphony”, The Playhouse, March 16-20, bookings to www.canberraticketing. com.au

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Helen Musa

Teacher’s shot beats the top snappers SCOTT Bycroft, a high school art teacher at the Clontarf Aboriginal College in Perth, has beaten 43 exhibited photographers to win the $25,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize for his portrait of a youth titled “Zareth”, on show at the Portrait Gallery until May 2. But well before the announcement on March 4, the Australian Centre for Photography, at 257 Oxford Street, Paddington, declared that its show “Head On” to be “Australia’s most criti- National Photographic cally acclaimed photographic Portrait Prize winner portrait competition”. It’s up “Zareth” by Scott until June 5 if you want to judge Bycroft. for yourself.

CANBERRA Airport staff are reportedly over the moon at news that Michael Edgley’s Great Moscow Circus will be back in Canberra for the first time in more than six years and will perform on the Brand Depot site. It certainly is a good promotion for a site hitherto associated purely with commerce. The theme of the new circus show, to run from April 9 to 26, is “A Journey into the Future”.

THOUGH it was sad to hear of the death at age 93 of Canberra’s “Ethos” sculptor Tom Bass, admiration rather than sadness is the emotion that comes to mind. Bass, who considered “Ethos” to be the most important of his civic works, was still sculpting in his latter years.

I ZIPPED over to Limelight Cinemas in Tuggeranong to see Annette Ellis open Canberra’s newest cinema complex with a special premiere screening of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” in 3D. Limelight has now completed its total refurbishment of all eight screens.

THE Street Theatre’s 2010 Writing Commission goes to playwright Aedan Whyatt, affiliate writer at the Street, for a new work of political theatre, “The Back of Beyond”.

Canberra playwright David Finnigan, has received $2500 for a new one-act work, “Underage House Party”, to be produced in June at The Street.

AND in brief: At the Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, at 3pm, on March 21 Frank Tamsitt will perform Bach organ masterworks to celebrate the 325th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach; at Beaver Galleries, Deakin, until March 23, you can view master printmaker Jorg Schmeisser’s first solo exhibition since returning home from Kyoto; and Yass will hold an arts weekend on March 13-14. Visit www.yassarts.org

CityNews March 11-17 21

arts&entertainment

Wacky fantasy of fine performances “The Men Who Stare At Goats” (M)

A QUALITY cast mixes humour arising from military madness with scant credibility in psychic behaviour in this fantasy on human ability to defy rationality and nature’s laws.

Ewan McGregor plays Bob, a journalist who flees from a small-town paper to the Middle East seeking fame as a freelance combat reporter. In a bar he strikes up conversation with Lin (George Clooney), a former member of a special psychic warfare unit who tells him enough to realise that here is a story

CINEMA

By Dougal Macdonald aching to be written.

In real-time moments and flashbacks, Grant Heslov’s film introduces Col. Bill (Jeff Bridges) who persuaded the army to let him form and train the unit, named the Jedi for obvious reasons, and Larry (Kevin Spacey) who may indeed have psychic powers. Bob and Lin form a partnership rushing hither and yon getting into trouble and somehow escap-

Canberra’s Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

22 CityNews March 11-17

ing. Bill is still living in the hippy era from which he acquired his doctrine for developing the unit. Larry is the wild card who wants to usurp command.

The message from this agreeably crazy story may be aimed more at the Pentagon than us film-goers.

Whichever is not important. It’s mildly enjoyable, less for its wacky plot than for the performances, Spacey’s malevolence and Bridges’s zaniness more than Clooney’s control or McGregor’s blandness.

At Dendy and Greater Union

“Alice In Wonderland” (PG) LINDA Woolverton’s screenplay for Tim Burton’s film does Lewis Carroll’s enduring tales a mixture of justice and regrettable amendment.

Fleeing an announcement of betrothal to a chinless youth, 19-year-old Alice (Canberra’s Mia Wasikowska) returns to Wonderland. Her adventures reasonably faithfully follow Carroll’s narrative and introduce his characters before settling on the rivalry between the feisty Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter whose “Off with his/her head” is a total delight every time she commands it) and the pallid White Queen (Anne Hathaway).

Driving the main action, Woolverton has massaged Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky” into a modern context. Purists may find this disrespectful but can’t change it. No slithy toves are gyring and gimballing in the wabe. Guarding the Vorpal Blade, the Bandersnatch, who becomes Alice’s friend, is a giant spotted feline with nasty teeth. The Jubjub bird, first seen in “Up”, is mostly ignored. The Jabberwock evokes every mouthful of CG flying teeth you’ve ever seen. But the most heinous departure from the original comes when Alice, not the beamish boy,

wields the blade snicker-snack and galumphs back to show the severed head not to his mother but to the assembled red and white courts.

Carroll enthusiasts may find it best to forgive and go with the flow. The divergences are not so grave as to ruin the experience. Top-billed as the Mad Hatter, Johnny Depp does the role reasonable justice. A fine cast makes watching and hearing the supporting characters a pleasure.

At all Canberra cinemas

“Dear John” (M) ON leave from the Middle East with his divorced father, a compulsive loner numismatist carrying deep emotional scars, soldier John (Channing Tatum) falls for Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) and promises to write telling her about all that happens to him.

Savannah gets on well with divorced neighbour Tim (Henry Thomas) and his autistic son. Inevitably, John gets the letter which flattens him emotionally.

Examining a romance against the background of two loving, single fathers, Lasse Hallstrom’s film from Nicholas Sparks’ novel makes no haste in unfolding its theme of love under strain. It covers nearly a decade during which Savannah grows from a college student into a wife and step-mother and John keeps soldiering to forget her. The muted, controlled denouement is no surprise.

Tatum is a bronze, buffed hunk with wooden acting. Seyfried resembles a blonde Ellen Page with less acting prowess. The film’s most estimable performance comes from Richard Jenkins as John’s father. Some of its environmental elements are a little hard to accept. But overall, it might have been worse.

At Greater Union, Hoyts and Limelight

arts&entertainment

Chef shines amid the chrome I’M definitely not a bikie chick. So it was with some trepidation that I zoomed in for lunch in a massive showroom of new, glistening Harley Davidson motorcycles.

It seemed crazy, but I had been told by a reliable source that the café tucked inside Robbo’s Harley-Davidson, on Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick, serves yummy breakfasts and lunches. I also knew that one of the new café owners – Karen Broadhurst – is a foodie who brings fresh produce and herbs from her massive vegetable garden in Bungendore in every day.

The café is to the left as you enter the showroom. Karen and Alison Cryer, the other owner of Café at Robbo’s, took over the lease in September.

It is charming to see David Brimmer in his chef’s whites creating food that keeps them coming back for more. His talent shines as brightly as the metal on the bikes. My risotto with English spinach and prawns in dukkah was beautifully

DINING

By Wendy Johnson presented, absolutely delicious and a real bargain for $15. The six, plump prawns were seared off in traditional dukkah spices and the risotto cooked in chicken stock with a bit of butter added for a smooth texture. Green mayo was squirted on each prawn and delicately placed julienned vegetables, with David’s housemade vinaigrette, topped the dish.

My friend’s pasta ($12) was also beautifully presented, in a large bowl. It was created with chicken, pesto and sundried tomato – not too heavy on the pesto. The pasta was perfectly cooked, al dente, and the flavours just right. The only challenge was digging deep into the bowl.

We drooled over some breakfast options, including David’s ham-wrapped breakfast cups (served with salad for only $6.50). They are created with an eggs royal mix with shaved ham or salami. A cherry tomato forms the heart of the dish and the dash of hollandaise in the middle a pleasant surprise.

Sourcing local produce is a priority for the team at Café at Robbo’s. The scotch fillets used in the steak sandwiches are from Bungendore Butchery – one of the finest in the region. The farm fresh, organic eggs are from the owners’ properties.

Risotto Brimmer with dukkah.

The chicken comes from local supplier Tom’s Poultry and all slices, mini cakes and muffins are made on site.

If you love bikes you will love Café at Robbo’s. If you don’t, you will still love Café at Robbo’s. Vroom, vroom.

Café At Robbo’s, 281 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick, 6163 3588.

The amazing ‘Joseph’ PHILO’S spectacular new production of this Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice over-familiar musical certainly ticks all the right boxes.

Jeff Van de Zandt, with his good looks, attractive singing voice and self-effacing charm, is well cast as Joseph.

However, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a director’s show, and in his first production for the Canberra Philharmonic Society, Gordon Nicholson crams this production with spectacle and movement.

His device of sharing the role of the narrator between a Greek chorus of 12 women works brilliantly, balances the ensemble, and provides opportunity for musical director Leisa Keen to write some lovely additional vocal arrangements

MUSICAL THEATRE

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Canberra Philharmonic Society Erindale Theatre, until March 20 Reviewed by Bill Stephens to highlight several fine voices in the ensemble. Excellent amplification and clear diction from the whole ensemble add to the pleasures of this production.

Choreographer Jordan Kelly’s production numbers, which involve a large children’s’ choir, and adult ensemble, are truly spectacular, and contribute greatly to a production to be relished for its imagination, flair and superb execution.

Don’t miss it!

“Candy Man” double-pass winner Jeff Van de Zandt in the title-role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.

The winners of five double tickets to see “Candy Man”, a high-energy celebration of song and dance, at the Canberra Theatre on March 17, are Robyn Singleton of Braddon; Mala Desai, Kingston; Gay Lane, Watson; Tara Powell, Isabella Plains and Anne Thompson, Wamboin.

CityNews March 11-17 23

scene at the Black Opal

Photos by Silas

Pin Keomanivong and Natasha Roberts

Fashions on the Field winners Tanya Lazarou 2nd, Christine Gilmayer 1st and Nicole Thomas 3rd

Ksana and Natalie Yeskina

Alex Zeitlhofer, Emm Chilman, Aaron Cox and Fairlie Pearce

Lisa Ridgley and Virginia Langfield

Julia Fraser, Lauren Roper, Cheyanne O'Callaghan and Sophie Lavers

Andrea Cano and Tessa Kelman

Lisa Johnson, Emma Clancy and Rosie Eglitis

Karina Soltyszewski and Ivana Tanaskovic

24  CityNews March 11-17

Jessica Adelan and Mark Francis

Jenna Shoemaker and Danielle Hewitt

Tristen Cassar and Viktoria Novak

Kat Wilson and Jesse Whyte

all about fashion

autumn/winter 2010

Key looks for the new season Love Red scarf, $29.95, French Connection

By Kathryn Vukovljak

Grey wool cardigan, $149, Trenery Earrings, $200 Things of Desire

FIVE key trends will dominate for autumn/winter 2010, says personal stylist Jenny Kozlow – leather, sculptured shoulders, boots, tailored skirts and double-breasted jackets.

Getting the basics right is essential this season – it’s all about classic elements in neutral, earthy shades – think camel, grey and black, Jenny says.

“Good quality, investment pieces will take you everywhere you need to go.”

Outerwear is the main event, says Jenny, with an amazing pair of shoes and coat being the focus.

“Everyone will need a leather jacket this year,” she says. “The style could be draped or more motorcross, rock ‘n’ roll, but as long as it’s leather it will work.

“Gloves and skirts in leather will also look great, but the leather jacket is really the centrepiece for the season. Choose classic black or brown and you can’t go wrong.

“Highlight with accents of red for a splash of colour.

The other major centrepiece is shoulders, Jenny says. “We’re not talking about ‘80s power shoulderpads, but puffy leg-of-mutton sleeves or an elegant pleat. Keep the neckline simple and unfussy.

“It’s all about the boots this year, too – whether you dare to choose thigh-high with a mini-dress if you have the figure, or opt for the more wearable booties,” says Jenny.

“Thigh boots don’t have to give the ‘Pretty Woman’ look – don’t be afraid of them!” she adds.

“Worn with an oversized grey knit and cinched with a tan belt, they can look amazing, or try them with stockings and a short shirt-dress.

“Booties in any colour will be great this year,” Jenny adds. “A wedge makes them look ultra-casual and will work well with tights. A small heel gives a really versatile look with a dress or jeans – as you would wear a pump.”

Tailored skirt suits are taking over from trouser suits, says Jenny. “A slimmer silhouette is the way to go, so a pencil skirt teamed with a cropped jacket and a skinny belt is great.”

Double-breasted jackets, cardigans and coats have made a comeback not seen since the mid-’90s, says Jenny.

“But this time around, the look is snug, not boxy,” she says.

Alta Linea woven tan leather belt, $34.95, David Jones Tulip wool skirt, $149, Trenery

Suede buckle trim gloves in red, $39.95, David Jones

Zarita buckle ballet flat in mocha, $129, Trenery

Cellini tan bag, $129, David Jones

CityNews March 11-17 25

26  CityNews March 11-17

CityNews March 11-17  27

autumn/winter 2001

Elissa stars at fashion show COVER STORY

By Kathryn Vukovljak

YOUNG fashion designer and Canberra Institute of Technology graduate Elissa Brunato has won the Debut Apparel Award for best spring/summer 2010/11 collection at Fashion Exposed, Australia’s largest fashion trade fair in Sydney.

Through her label E’Senk, Elissa, 21, presented a capsule womenswear collection called “Mind’s Eye” at the competition, consisting of delicate, feminine silk tops and dresses with printed, treated, hand-dyed and de-gummed designs.

“Winning this is amazing, it’s good,” says Elissa, who graduated from CIT only late last year.

“I really didn’t understand when they called my name that I’d won, because I just didn’t expect it at all.

“It’s given me a kickstart and exposure to launching my label and my career.”

Elissa’s prizes include a sought-after stand at Fashion Exposed 2011, an annual subscription to FashionTrend

Award-winning fashion designer Elissa Brunato... “I really didn’t understand when they called my name that I’d won, because I just didn’t expect it at all.”

Mineral print dress, $279, Marcs

Australia and free WGSN trend workshops throughout the year.

She also plans to travel to the UK and Europe this year, with a month spent studying at Central Saint Martin’s College in London, which lists the late Alexander McQueen among its alumni.

Elissa says that her clothes appeal to people who like beautiful things.

“They’re not just trendy,” she says. “It’s all about finding people who want that, and developing a loyal following.

“I’ve had interest from Sydney and Brisbane boutiques, who have said my label would be in the high-end price bracket, but they’ve told me they need that,” she says. “So I need to stay in touch with them and keep following up.”

Elissa says that building her business is the next step.

“For me now it’s about making sure that every collection I release is new and exciting,” she says. “E’Senk has to keep evolving.

“I’ve learned that getting exposure is the easy part.

The hard part is survival and progression of my label, and finding my spot in the market.”

She says her next collection will be another spring/ summer, because the soft, intricate fabrics she creates are best suited to the season. Her aim is to build an autumn/winter collection for her third.

Bravo dress, $380, Things of Desire

Knotted tuxedo pearls, $249, Mimco

Angora hat in Love Red, $49.95, French Connection

Heart’s Desire brooch, $49, Bourgeois Pig

Puntotres black patent bag, $529, Escala

Stuart Weitzman heels in black, $529, Escala 28 CityNews March 11-17

“Kate” boots in grey suede with ruffles, $995, Furla.

autumn/winter 2001 Viaggio knitted jester jacket, $580, Things of Desire

Paloma grey scarf, $39.95, French Connection

White knit turtleneck, $360, Things of Desire

Sass & Bide ‘for the hell of it’ black skinny jean, $230, David Jones

Rockferry bag, $450, Mimco

Zip-up bootie, $229, Marcs

CityNews March 11-17 31

your week in the stars With Joanne Madeline Moore March 15 - 21 ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) Rams can be selfish souls but this week’s New Moon stimulates your helpful side and encourages you to do good deeds and assist others (in unconventional ways). You’re also in the mood to have fun with children as your inner child comes out to play. Pay close attention to your dreams – are they trying to tell you something?

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) Are you stuck in a rut? The New Moon urges you to dream up some exciting scenarios for the coming year. Don’t play it too safe – set goals and challenges that stretch you in dynamic new directions. You have much to offer in a group situation, as your Taurean tenacity and practical approach inspire others to get to work.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) With the New Moon, Jupiter and Uranus stirring up your career zone, it’s the best time in the last 12 years to plan professional projects, apply for a new job, take on a second job – or completely change vocation. Your motto for the week? “Make the most of your versatility, keep your options open, and multi-task like a pro!”

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) You love your home, and all the cosy comforts it provides. But it’s time to crawl out of your Crab cave and explore the big wide world outside your door. No side-stepping – be a confident Cancer and face challenges head-on! Your quote for the week is from birthday great David Livingstone “I will go anywhere, provided it is forward.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) For lusty Lions, a revamp is due in the areas of sex or money. Perhaps a passionate new relationship – or a revitalized old one? Financial partnerships are favoured, as long as you are forward-thinking and flexible. The union of the Sun and Uranus means you’ll stand out in the crowd even more than usual so make the most of it and shine!

general knowledge crossword No. 252 ACROSS 4 Which limestone in a more or less crystalline state is used in sculpture?

7 Name a large heavy kind of terrier developed in England.

8 Which sound reproducing device is used with a gramophone?

9 Name a spine-bearing nocturnal, insectivorous mammal.

11 Name the Australian Liberal politician, once leader of the federal opposition, Andrew ...

13 What is another term for daybreak?

15 To be fishing is to be what?

17 One who keeps a daily record of one's own experiences is a what?

20 What is a dwelling house?

23 What do we call someone who willingly suffers death rather than renounce a religion?

24 What describes that which is conceptual as opposed to actual?

25 A member of a professional society is known as a what?

DOWN

2 What is an account book of final entry?

3 Name an Australian tennis champion, Patrick ...

4 To unite or combine is to what?

5 Name an 18th century style of art, architecture and decoration.

6 Which poetry has the form and musical quality of a song?

9 To have compered a show is to have done what?

10 To perform surgery is to do what?

12 Name the chess piece, shaped like a horse's head.

14 Which was the first Australian yacht to challenge for the America's Cup (1962)?

16 Which Madagascar mammals, allied to the monkeys, have a foxlike face?

18 What is produced by reflection from a mirror?

19 Name the wheat (etc), stalks used as fodder.

21 Which structure is formed by a bird?

22 Name another term for the devil, old ...

1 Name another term for the skin of an animal.

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VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) The universe is zeroing in on one-to-one relationships. Whether they are romantic, platonic or business partnerships, it’s time to reboot old patterns of relating and communicate in creative ways. Single Virgos – someone unusual is about to rock your world! On Friday and Saturday, friends and finances are a messy mix.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) Harmony-loving Librans feel at home during the equinoxes – in March and September – when day are night are of equal length. So this weekend you’ll be busy finding ways to attain a better life/work balance.

Getting the ratio right between what you want and what others need is also a constant juggling act but, if anyone can do it, it’s you!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

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Sudoku medium No.27

Solution next week

Scorpio is a sign of extremes and you have an all-or-nothing approach to life. This weekend is the Equinox (Autumn in the southern hemisphere, and Spring in the northern hemisphere) when day and night are of equal length. So it’s the perfect time to strive to bring more moderation, harmony and balance into your hectic life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) You’re in a happy, mellow mood this week as you tackle domestic duties or work responsibilities with a spring in your step, and a sunny Sagittarian smile. It’s time to ring in some changes on the home front!

Over the coming year you’ll take off your blinkers and start to see a family member in a brand new light.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) The focus is still on communication this week, as you brush up on your social small-talk and diplomacy skills. You’re likely to slip into worrywart mode on Friday, as Saturn increases your stress levels – and your tendency to criticize others. If you can’t say something positive, then don’t say anything at all!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) The Sun and Uranus (your ruling planet) join forces in your money zone, which sees you at your innovative, interesting best – and impulsive worst. By all means take exciting risks but make sure they are calculated ones. Your quote for the week comes from birthday great Charlotte Bronte: “Look twice before you leap.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) This week’s annual New Moon in Pisces is the best time of the year to break old habits and set inspiring goals for the future. It’s a magical time of release and renewal, as you learn from your mistakes, wipe the slate clean, and start all over again. “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” (Buddha) 32 CityNews March 11-17

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2009.

Solution Crossword No.251 C L U T C H O A O A G E I N G I N S S C O T C H V E A A C O L A N D V N B O U T I Q I H U A D H E S I S M D

Z G X I D A N N R E C O N D E R G O T I A B E R E D I O X U E G N O D U V E E R A N D

S T S E E R D S M

I N G L E O O M

Solution Sudoku hard No.26

property

A flexible floor plan ARCHITECTURAL renovations have transformed this three-bedroom, solid-brick ‘60s house in Hackett into a contemporary property that offers a flexible floor plan, designed to maximise the use of light and space.

With a focus on quality and detail, the house is packed with features including Sydney bluegum floors, caesar-stone and jarrah kitchen bench tops and floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed windows and doors (in the new areas).

A 50sqm brick workshop with a northerly aspect in the rear garden offers potential for use as a studio or space for teenage children.

The home backs the Mount Ainslie/Majura reserve. Timber decks surround the house and

overlook the professionally landscaped, birdattracting gardens – full of low-maintenance native plants.

Situated close to local schools and shops and just 10 minutes to Civic, this house offers the opportunity to purchase a renovated, quality home in a highly sought-after location.

Address: 97 Mackenzie Street, Hackett.

Price: By negotiation.

Inspection: By appointment.

Agent: Maree van Arkel, of Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Inner North & Rural, 6262 5122 or 0411 281790.

CityNews March 11-17 33

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CityNews March 11-17  35