Canberra CityNews June 24-30, 2010

CityNews June 24-30

CityNews June 24-30

briefly

news

Another day at the office

Plants on trial

THE NCA is trialling new varieties of NZ Hebe in 28 planter beds along the central strip of Anzac Parade. The current variety of Hebe, “Autumn Glory”, has struggled in the Canberra climate and is no longer readily available in the volume required. Executive director National Capital Estate, Alison Walker-Kaye, says the Hebe beds are an important commemoration of the ANZAC tradition.

Six for Athens

The snapper had an alpaca moment this week when he came face-to-face with Honeycomb, who was taking a well-earned grass snack at the Griffith shops. Raiah (9) and Matthias (6) had also spotted the affable alpaca and stopped to give him a pat. Honeycomb was on his way home from work, having been the weekly centre of attention for patients at Claire Holland House.

Photo by Silas

SIX ACT athletes and sailing head coach, Terry Peek, have been selected to represent Australia at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens from June 25July 4 next year. Selected from the ACT are: Natalie Jansen (bocce), Belinda Hancock (bowling), Bronwyn Ibbotson, Alister Peek and Stephen Ponder (sailing) and Michael Leydon (sailing UP).

Kangaroo cull

Peak body to talk drugs

By Eleri Harris

A new ACT peak body for the alcohol, tobacco and other drug sector was launched Friday at the Legislative Assembly in conjunction with the start of Drug Action Week.

Providing for the first time an umbrella organisation for Canberra’s private and public sector agencies in the field, the Alcohol and Other Drug Association ACT aims to provide research to promote evidence-based policy as well as a mode of communication between agencies and with Government.

In short, the members of the ATODA will be able to negotiate and consult with ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher as one group

INDEX June 24-30, 2010

Since 1993: Volume 16, Number 25

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

27-30 32 38 29 33 38 37 13 30 3-13 39-48 21-26 38

Front Cover: LIVEin Real Estate’s new director of sales, Adrian Southern. Story, Page 17.

Photo by Silas

instead of individually and they will be able to draw on a lot more experience, research and evidence to help promote sound policies that actually work.

Key speaker at the launch, Dr Ken Crispin QC, detailed the global conflict between the rhetoric of the American-initiated “War on Drugs” and the reality of evidence-based approaches experienced on the ground by health, community and welfare groups.

“How many young people should die for the sake of an imagined message?” Dr Crispin asked, pointing to the positive consequences of the legalisation of drugs in Portugal and the success of injection centres all over Aus-

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tralia in preventing death and disease.

ATODA interim president Anne Kirwan told “CityNews” the body will represent core drug and alcohol services in the Territory, filling a gap for individual agencies who struggle to do both the work before them “at the coal face” and engage in meaningful dialogue with each other and the Government.

Funded by the ACT Government, ATODA is not-for-profit, with four staff and two consultants – employing the services of different groups as research and other needs arise.

Kirwan said there are 37 agencies under ATODA already and they expect many more members in coming years.

THE culling of up to 1890 Eastern Grey kangaroos will close several nature reserves until Saturday, July 31. The cull is to protect the integrity of ecosystems, several of which contain endangered flora and fauna, and will be conducted according to a strict code of practice, endorsed by relevant authorities, including the RSPCA. Nature reserves to be closed are Callum Brae, Crace, Goorooyarroo, Jerrabomberra West, Kama, Mount Painter, Mulligan’s Flat and unleased Territory land adjacent to Kama Nature Reserve.

More information at 132281 or www.tams.act.gov.au

Start to south council

A PUBLIC meeting to form the Inner South Community Council will be held at the Canberra Services Club, Manuka, at 7pm on July 7, says convener Kevin Gill. The council has the support of existing residents’ groups – Old Narrabundah Community Council Inc, The Yarralumla Residents Association and The Griffith/Narrabundah Community Association. All inner-south residents are welcome to attend. More information from kevingill47@gmail.com or call 0409 446405 or 6239 5651.

Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Political reporter: Eleri Harris, 0414 618493 eleri@citynews.com.au Lifestyle editor: Megan Haggan, 6262 9100 lifestyle@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764 helen@citynews.com.au 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 circulation@citynews.com.au

42,001 copies a week Six-month audit to September 30, 2009

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

CityNews June 24-30

news

It’s can-do Sue, the go-to girl

By Megan Haggan

WITH a background in real estate, child care and nursing, and several interstate and international relocations behind her, Sue BaylyJones says she knows all about being time-poor – and it gave her an idea.

“When I worked in the city, I’d see people racing around during their lunch breaks, trying to cram so many errands into that one hour,” she told “CityNews”.

“A lot of people have to take days off to do things like get their carpets cleaned, or take an elderly relative to the doctor – all sorts of errands.

“It affects everybody – so many people I talk to have a long to-do list, hardly any of which ever gets done.”

Sue, from Farrer, hit upon the idea of Capital Concierge, which she says allows her to draw on the organisational skills she’s learned over the years.

CityNews June 24-30

She says Capital Concierge does the tasks people don’t have the “time, energy, inclinaton or skills” to undertake themselves.

“Because my background includes a diploma of nursing, and an associate diploma in child care, I’m a licensed real estate agent and I’ve done a couple of Defence relocations overseas, because my husband was with the defence forces, I’ve done a multitude of jobs which focus on the needs of other people.

“As a real estate agent I’ve done things to help people declutter their houses, ready for sale – that’s important for elderly people who may be downsizing, but may have lived in their house for 30-plus years,” she says.

“Not everybody has family in town to support them through a move, to help them go through their things and help them sell the things they no longer want.

“This week I had a client from Sydney call, asking me to buy massage vouchers and flowers and deliver them to a friend in the Canberra area.

“I’ve project-managed renovations: helped a client pick out tiles, made calls to suppliers and sourced tradespeople, saving the client

Home with a touch of help

Here to help, Sue Bayly-Jones, right, with client Julie Emmerson-Clyde and baby Taylor... “So many people have a long to-do list.”

Photo by Silas thousands of dollars.

“I can do grocery shopping for new mums, giving them time to have a couple of hours to themselves; or I can help co-ordinate events for people who may not

want to go down the road of hiring a full wedding planner, but want somebody to do last-minute things on the day.”

More information on www.capitalconcierge.com.au

By Kathryn Vukovljak A COMMUNITY-based charity to provide supported accommodation for people with chronic mental illness will open in Queanbeyan on July 1.

“Many people with a mental illness do have a roof over their heads, but they don’t necessarily have a home, and that’s what we want to provide,” says Anne Pratt, manager of Home in Queanbeyan.

“We hope to restore their confidence, self-worth and dignity and help them to become functioning members of the community.”

The development will feature 20 self-catering apartments, two of which are for respite only.

Eligible residents have to be over 18 and either homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Anne says she is passionate about this because her husband took his own life before a facility like this was available to help him.

“Through caring for Bernie, I really saw what was lacking in this area,” she says.

“I also spent time working for a doctor who cared for patients with a mental illness, and feel I’ve developed an understanding and a realisation of how people’s lives can change with the right care and support.

“Not everyone who’s eligible for Home will need 24-hour care. However, it will be available, along with counselling, personal helpers and mentors, support workers and employment and training assistance and support.

“Many people with a mental illness are stuck on a revolving wheel they can’t get off. They don’t get the chance to stabilise or get their lives together. Often the clinical care is there, but not the support and space for that aspect of it.”

Anne says that HIQ is funded through a combination of community fundraising and donations, including $2m from the Federal Government.

“We’re reliant on recurrent fundraising to keep this up and running,” Anne says.

“We’ll also need willing helpers to ensure that the commitment of the Queanbeyan community can be maintained over many years. I hope it can become a role model for similar centres across Australia.”

CityNews June 24-30

opinion

No, seriously, Canberra’s a funny place RADIO has taken me on a wonderful journey around Australia in the last 25 years. I’ve lived and worked in 10 different towns and cities in that time, in five States and Territories.

Before coming to Canberra, I’d lived in Newcastle, Perth, Wangaratta, Adelaide, Launceston and Coffs Harbour... among others. Of all the places I’ve lived, Canberra is the city that takes itself most seriously. Canberrans are precious about their city and their identity. We struggle to laugh at ourselves.

May I suggest to all easily offended Canberrans that you don’t check out the Uncylopedia website’s summary of our national capital. I nearly wet myself laughing at some of this stuff.

However, there are a number of entries here that are certain to spark outrage.

Uncylopedia is a website that parodies Wikipedia. It runs pretty much the same way as Wiki, it’s just that the definitions and explanations

Broadcaster MARK PARTON thinks Canberrans take themselves way too seriously offered are a load of rubbish. Do a search on www.uncylopedia.com for Canberra and you’re told this: Canberra (pronounced “Can-bra”) is the capital and biggest-little-city of Australia. The city was designed by an elderly British man to trap tourists in an arcane and diabolical web of roundabouts and eye-sores, commonly known as “government buildings” or “private schools”.

Canberra is known for its weather – the average winter temperature is -17°C and the average summer temperature is 93°C.

As we march towards our centenary, I think it’s important to rediscover things about our city’s early history, like this gem: Canberra was originally discovered by Viking seafarers who got really lost and quickly decided that it would be too cold to settle there for very long; they called it “Yggr” (Norse for terrible location), and quickly left the place where it remained undiscovered for a thousand years until it was rediscovered by Lord Whoopie Hairy Griffin Goldberg.; And what about this under “public servants”: There are also a lot of public servants (affectionately known as “pubes”) who you can annoy the hell out of, if you know their phone number. All you need to do is call them up around 6pm-7.30pm, and try to sell them a holiday in a thick Indian accent.

Public servants can be identified by their “Australian Government” id passes.

They are frequently observed loudly discussing the time that they replied to an email from a minister, demonstrating their importance and relevance to the democratic system.

Public servants often enter the public service through graduate programs, providing a job to recently graduated students who could not find employment in the private sector. By prioritising hiring towards students, it is ensured that the culture and productivity of the public service is never soiled by anyone with real world managerial or business experience. Graduates can be identified by their proclaiming “I’m an APS 4 but I do the work of an EL1” when introducing themselves at pub trivia nights.

So get online, check it out, get enraged – and complain to somebody who cares!

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC.

Rising plot on the landscape In his first column for “CityNews”, distinguished Canberran DON AITKIN looks at what’s driving the property boom TELEVISION news regularly portrays Australia’s housing crisis, with talk of prices rising faster than the capacity of would-be buyers to borrow. Those with long memories can remember blocks of land selling in Canberra for £50, and some failing to find any buyer at all.

What has happened? Well, our population is rising quickly, and there is steady growth in apartment-land, given that one Australian residence in nine consists of a single-person household. Women are now starting family formation earlier, and they seem to be having more babies, too.

But new land for new houses is actually quite scarce, everywhere. The ACT Government is doing a major job in developing sites, but the demand is intense. It is intense in every large Australian city.

And those already here worry about where it will all end. “It’s absurd having more people here,” I heard someone say recently. “We don’t have the water, and the roads are clogging up.” There

CityNews June 24-30

were nods of agreement.

The trouble is that those wanting to come here actually see Canberra as a highly desirable place. Its traffic system is much less hectic than most other cities, and it is a well-planned and agreeable city to live in. Anyway, they’re coming to a job here, and jobs drive movement. Women starting their first baby do not, as a rule, worry about whether or not the country, or their city, can afford to house the new arrival.

And great demand continues for skills that we do not seem to have produced in sufficient quantity. In 2008/2009, for example, we recruited, if that is the right word, more than 171,000 migrants along both the skills and family paths. In the same time, 670,000 people gained temporary entry visas for work, study or holiday. And another 14,000 gained humanitarian visas.

They all had to live somewhere.

And they, plus the new babies, are the cause of the strikingly high house prices. We simply can’t build houses at

a rate commensurate with the growth in population.

It’s not that houses themselves are more expensive than they used to be.

On the evidence, houses are if anything cheaper, all things considered.

The problem is securing the land for

new houses, which has to be planned, serviced, and sold before a new house can be built on it. Land is much more expensive than it used to be, and in fact developing and selling land is now a major activity for all State, Territory and local governments.

My estimate is that Canberra will go on growing more or less at the rate of the nation itself. It is an odd little political equation, appealing to a former political scientist, that the national capital needs to grow a little faster than the nation as a whole in order for it to get back its third House of Representative seat. It’s not quite doing so at the moment.

The Prime Minister has projected an Australian population of 35 million by 2050. If he is right, and on current trends that is certainly feasible, then the national capital is likely to have a population in excess of 500,000 in 2050.

Perhaps what happens then may not be important to every reader, but planning for such a target needs to be done if the national capital is to remain as pleasant and effective a city to live in as it is now.

And if you think that’s difficult, what about at the end of the century, when the national capital’s population could be over a million?

Don Aitkin, political scientist and historian, served as vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra from 1991 to 2002.

Showdown at the city limits, Page 13

CityNews June 24-30

teenagers

Student Simon needs a hand environment

By Tanya Davies

WHEN Simon Kragh says he wants to eradicate world poverty it doesn’t sound clichéd. And it doesn’t sound improbable, either.

The remarkable young man from Orana School is underway planning his year 12 project to film a short documentary in East Timor.

Initially, he wanted his project to somehow tackle his first passion, to end world poverty, so he looked at volunteering in a developing nation. This lead to a series of issues and questions for Simon.

“I learned that I would only be able to volunteer for perhaps two or three weeks,” he says. Talking to volunteers and volunteer organisations also led him to understand that short-term volunteering is not always most helpful for the people most in need.

“Volunteers can go out with money and promises that raise the locals’ hopes, and sometimes come to nothing. Also, it takes months to learn how things work in an area or village and what needs to be done.”

Simon decided that if he couldn’t spend an extended amount of time learning the needs and cultures of a place, he’d rather do something else, which lead him to the idea of the documentary.

“I want to make a film that looks at those issues – the volunteers out there and what they are doing.

And how things are being done, and what is being achieved. Maybe we will find some better ways to do things, too.”

To help raise funds for the project, Simon will hold a silent auction in August, at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, and is happy to receive donations of gifts or services from local businesses as prizes.

Call me a spoilsport, but...

By Sonya Fladun

Simon Kragh... looking for auction items.

Photo by Silas

What sort of thing is he looking for? Big or small?

“It doesn’t matter. Anything at all will help,” he says.

Born overseas, and already travelled, Simon is excited and positive about the trip, which he will make in September, with Palms Australia.

And, of course, he plans to return to do that year of volunteering once he’s out of school. After that, he’s

not sure yet. He may study international relations at university, or he may continue with his other interest, carpentry.

What is certain is that he will be finding ways to help others, and he won’t be afraid of a challenge.

To donate prizes to Simon’s silent auction please email Simon at tarzan1@netspeed.com

briefly Safety starts inside a car MORE than 150 Canberra Girls’ Grammar School students were the first to attend the day-long Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program, which was launched launched at Thoroughbred Park by Chief Police Officer Roman Quaedvlieg.

RYDA targets 16 to 17-year-olds who are starting to drive or ride in a vehicle driven by their peers. Peer pressure from passengers has a major effect on the way young people behave behind the wheel and by addressing students as both drivers and passengers, the program aims to change the environment in the car rather than focusing solely on the driver.

Gerard Brennan, from the Rotary Club of Canberra, said that “RYDA creates in students an awareness of the causes of road crashes and supplies some practical strategies to avoid involvement. The program is unique as it attempts to influence attitudes and behaviours of both drivers and passengers before they get their licence”.

The world awaits ROTARY has selected 14 young people aged 16 to 18 from across SE NSW and the ACT to spend 2011 overseas living with families in their host countries and attending school. Locally, Carla Caruana (sponsored by the Canberra Rotary Club) is off to Brazil; Lewis Habraken (Woden Daybreak), Finland; Julian Langley (Canberra South), Belgium; Carra Simpson (Tuggeranong), US; Michael Skene (Woden), Switzerland; Claire Woodwell (Queanbeyan West) Sweden.

Floriade volunteers

CityNews June 24-30

mum in the city

Australian Capital Tourism is looking for local volunteers to fill a range of positions at Floriade 2010, at Commonwealth Park, September 11 to October 10. Positions available include entry usher, marquee information assistant, roving information and volunteer support crew.

Applications close July 2. Forms and further details from www.floriadeaustralia.com, call 0450 962242 or email floriadevolunteers@act.gov.au

MANY of us applauded 16-year-old Jessica Watson for completing a round-the-world voyage that would test even the most seasoned sailor. On the other hand, we all held our breath when Abby Sunderland got out of her depth and needed rescuing thousands of kilometres from land during a similar voyage through some of the world’s most treacherous seas.

The number of young record breakers risking life and limb in recent times does leave one wondering where it will all end? After all, why can’t these teenagers wait to gain a few more nautical miles under their belt and a bit more life experience before they embark on what at any age would be the adventure of a lifetime?

But, of course, then they wouldn’t be the first, break the record, become a national hero, and reap the rewards of fame and fortune. But is it worth the price they may have to pay?

As a child one of my favourite books was the “Guinness Book of Records”. I loved reading about the tallest, shortest, fastest, longest and, of course, the first person to do whatever. Records are irresistibly made for breaking, but when the record is for the youngest person to do something, the trend is always for less and less experience and skill to be pitched against greater risk.

There will always be an everyounger person who wants to take on a challenge and parents who will zealously support their child in achieving this aim. That’s why we recently saw 13-year-old Jordan Romero climb Mount Everest in his campaign to be the youngest person to climb all the highest peaks on all seven continents.

He was just nine when he scaled Mount Kilimanjaro.

These record-breaking efforts do not always go well. One extreme case is that of sevenyear-old Jessica Dudroff who, together with her father and her flight instructor, tragically died in her 1996 attempt to be the youngest person to fly across the US. As a parent, I can’t imagine allowing a teenager who can’t as yet drive a car, sail single-handed around the world. Call me a spoilsport, but shouldn’t parents be the voice of sanity and put the brakes on? After all, however much we may want to encourage and support our children’s dreams and ambitions, there are more fundamental responsibilities, such as keeping one’s children alive, yep, even when they are the ripe, old age of 16!

CityNews June 24-30

10 CityNews June 24-30

politics

Let’s not stop reform at only maternity leave PAID parental leave, the long-overdue addition to Australia’s suite of social policy initiatives, flags the next step in the constant drift from personal to community responsibility.

It recognises that there are advantages to the community as a whole in providing mothers (and fathers) with a genuine choice to be at home with their babies, but it’s not just about the mothers and fathers.

There is overwhelming evidence that babies that are breast fed for longer periods will grow up to be healthier people and parental leave will facilitate this. Parents who are able to maintain a position in employment are much more likely to return to work and contribute to the productivity of the nation. Women will not have to move in and out of the workforce invariably changing jobs and putting their careers in jeopardy. There are innumerable other arguments that support the policy position.

It is refreshing that paid parental leave has

By Michael Moore been supported by the conservative side of politics – with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott even arguing that he may be prepared to take the policy even further. However, the Coalition position reflects their inconsistency on personal responsibility.

On so many other issues, especially when industry is involved, Abbott argues that the Coalition favours personal responsibility even when the impact on the community as a whole might be significant. Take the issue of obesity. As Health Minister, Abbott believed that the solution was not in regulation of the food industry but in personal responsibility.

As our population increases in weight and

loses fitness, our health and hospital costs soar.

While the consequences of ill-health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health issues are awful for the individual, the lion’s share of the costs – including treatment, hospitalisation and loss of productivity – are worn by the community as a whole.

Our working habits, the way we commute and take recreation has significantly reduced the amount of exercise that we do. Unfortunately, at a time that we are taking less exercise there has been a shift to larger meals and, more importantly, energy dense eating. The increase has occurred as we shift from whole foods to processed or fast foods.

The conservatives, encouraged by industry, have argued non-interference with business.

Leave these choices to the individual. Make it a matter of personal responsibility. Interference is simply the “nanny state” in action.

However, the Government ought to play an

important role in protecting its own financial interests and the interests of its citizens. This might even mean regulation and legislation to restrict the amount of fat and sugar in processed food or using price levers to give an advantage to healthier foods over fattening ones. It could even mean a traffic-light labelling system that clearly identifies healthy and unhealthy aspects of food.

The Government has bitten the bullet on paid parental leave. It is now time to see other policies implemented on the same principles.

The community does have an interest parallel to that of the citizen and sometimes it is appropriate for the Government to act in the community interest – even at the risk of “nanny state” accusations.

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

Keeping up with the Jones girl

briefly

Green oval WILLOWS Oval, a new state-ofthe-art synthetic sports ground fitted with the latest synthetic grass technology to create two new environmentally friendly, world-class playing fields at the ANU, is open.

The oval has received accreditation from the International Federation of Football Associations and also meets the playing standards for international hockey, international rugby, the AFL and Cricket Australia. Vice-chancellor Ian Chubb said: “It no longer requires any irrigation, saving 15 megalitres of water each year which will be re-used on sporting fields and gardens across campus.”

Taking her third tilt at elected office and, again, staring almost certain defeat in the face, unrelenting Liberal Giulia Jones talks to ELERI HARRIS RED dressed, hands folded, neat and smiling in the late afternoon Parliamentary courtyard sunshine Guilia Jones sits on the edge of a white metal garden chair reflecting on her selling feature as young, fresh, hip and conservative.

“I was never a Young Liberal,” she says, “I kind of joined the grown-ups’ party right away.”

Hybrid party-animal, yummy-mummy and former Hobart Catholic schoolgirl, “Giulia with a G” is back for her third round of “Who Wants to be a Politician?”

She does. Three years after she failed pre-selection for the Tasmanian Liberals senate ticket and two years after a surprise beating by Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur in the ACT Assembly race, Jones has returned to the running, this time contesting the safe Labor seat of Canberra in the as-yet-unannounced 2010 Federal election.

Despite an unfavourable 12 per cent margin staring her in the face, the 30-year-old mother of three and staffer for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, insists she is optimistic about her chances.

“If a Liberal Party person won this seat, there would be a lot of attention given to the seat of Canberra in the next-term government because nobody

would take it for granted.”

Giulia Jones began her political career rather oddly Labor-style as an organiser for the Shop Workers Union in hometown of Hobart while studying political science and history at university.

She married a military man, now Maj. Bernard Jones, at 24 and moved here at Christmas, 2005 after a 12-month posting in Darwin, where she had worked on a National-Liberal campaign.

Now a mother to three, Felix, four, Leo, three and Nicolina, six months, Jones has had a varied career in Canberra, working as the Gungahlin branch secretary for the Liberal Party, the funds development manager for the Women’s Forum Australia and holding a series of positions in the offices of ACT Liberal Leader Zed Seselja and Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

In 2010, Jones is looking to focus on women’s issues in her grab for the seat of Canberra.

“Women need lots of opportunities and lots of support structures in order to achieve what they want to in their lives.”

Jones took annual leave to give birth to her youngest child and brought the baby to the office for nursing at 10 weeks.

“I think if you ask the average pregnant woman in Aus-

Drug action group

Giulia Jones... “if a Liberal Party person won this seat, there would be a lot of attention given to the seat of Canberra in the next-term government.”

Photo by Silas tralia today, they probably feel more like most people think they’re creating an imposition on society, rather than doing something great,” she says.

“That reflects in women’s enthusiasm and capacity to do everything they want to do in their lives. You need to find ways of encouraging and it’s not always about money.

It might be about better social networking of these women.

“We need a new generation in Australia and we need a good, happy generation in Australia where mum hasn’t been stressed out of her brain for her entire life.

“The person best placed to advocate for those things within the party is someone who struggles with those things every day themselves.”

THE recent DES (diethylstilboestrol) Awareness Week raised awareness of the anti-miscarriage drug given to women during pregnancy from 1938 to 1971 (and sometimes beyond). Women given DES and the children of those pregnancies may be at higher risk of certain types of cancer and reproductive problems. People with known or suspected exposure to DES are invited to contact the support group DES Action Australia-NSW on 98754820 or visit www.desnsw.blogspot.com

CityNews June 24-30 11

12 CityNews June 24-30

letters

a dose of dorin

Question of density THE rhetoric continues with the ACT Government and its non-management of the innernorth and Civic.

[Planning Minister] Andrew Barr in “The Canberra Times” (June 5) states a crackdown is required on builders and/or developers and the ACT Government reveals that a city/architect planner will be appointed to develop and implement policy.

This is at odds with a letter to me from Mr Barr, dated May 31, regarding housing mix in Braddon, particularly the increase in one-bedroom apartments. He agrees that a wide range of dwelling types is important in Braddon, stating that developments are responding to changing demands in the city (they are not – developers make more money from one-bedroom developments, so that is the thrust).

Barr states that the market response to one-bedroom units is providing more affordable housing. This is a totally distorted figure as the majority of new units are only one bedroom. Barr states one bed units are cheaper. Actually, two-bedroom units are only marginally more and provide better value for money.

Barr states that it is not desirable for the Government to mandate housing mix in private-sector redevelopments as this could distort the market. We would argue that the developers are dictating to the “market” and distorting it.

And what about the previous Braddon Section Master Plan and Braddon Neighbourhood Plan, released with fanfare by the Government about their community consultation?

These plans quite clearly stated a mix of bedroom sizes was needed in new developments.

Or was this a simple hoax and distraction to the community?

When will the Government actually plan and tell the developers what we must have, rather than allow the developers to distort housing mix and communities? The Government doesn’t seem to understand that accommodation density is not the same as housing density.

Geoff Davidson, Braddon

The circus act?

Can John Hargreaves (CN, June 17) explain why he saw himself in the role of camel thief and not a camel driver or a camel trainer?

It says a lot about our local political buffoon, who should have entered a circus as a latter day St Lawrence of Arabia instead of going into politics, to which he was ill suited.

Barry Wiseman, Jerrabomberra

Clueless Steve

When to fold ‘em

READING/hearing Parliamentarians debate the Government’s parental leave scheme left me horrified.

Since when do we pay parents for raising children? What’s wrong with requiring 10 months work within the past 13 months? Or means-testing payments? If the Government gives “free handouts”, they should make eligibility rules; as a taxpayer and potential mum, I hope they do, and both are reasonable to me.

“Unpaid childcare” – as [Family First Senator Steve] Fielding proclaims – used to be called “responsible parenthood”. It’s Fielding and politicians needing to bribe votes who turn parenthood into something less.

Fielding’s statement about “drug addicts and welfare cheats” having abortions at 20 weeks and still collecting the payments is nauseatingly offensive-beyond-words.

Fielding has no clue what goes through the minds, hearts, and souls of women considering abortion.

WHATEVER the rights or wrongs of the proposed super mining tax, it presents as a game of poker in which bluff plays its part.

Clearly, neither side is putting up their own chips.

The stakes are up to 50,000 Australian jobs. It is well past time both parties, specially the Government, got serious about a compromise that won’t help destroy families through unemployment.

Judy Bamberger, O’Connor

these industrialists will consider the populace when there is nothing left but a huge hole in the ground? If you do you are a fool, they will walk away jingling their pockets and leave behind desolation and poverty without thinking twice and people such as yourself will wander ‘round wondering what happened.

Alan P. May, Isabella Plains

Showdown at the city limits “WE are at a point in our cityhood where there’s an urgent need for us to come up with at least some common understandings about what we want and what we don’t want.”

How true. This is Chief Minister Jon Stanhope speaking at a Property Council lunch recently. But when we talk about a better city, we need to all share the same vision of what will make the city better, what it will cost us and how we will gain by it. And we need to do it now, as our infrastructure is reaching too venerable an age to get by without considerable work.

He said this year the ACT had a tight Budget with seemingly little room for innovation. It is, this year, $3.5 billion, and of that health takes up just over $1 billion and education just under $1 billion. And there is the $200 million deficit, too.

It is worth noting that 60 per cent of working people in Queanbeyan cross the border daily to work in the ACT and around 5200 Queanbeyan children attend ACT schools (more than the number who attend schools in Queanbeyan).

Mr Stanhope’s figures show

Property

By Catherine Carter infrastructure is a topic we need to reach agreement on.

A substantial proportion of our working and school-attending population come from over the border in NSW. Why? Because, while they work here and use our infrastructure they can’t afford to live here.

This government has done a great deal to tackle the housing affordability issue, including accelerating land release for homes (scarcity being a major factor in raising prices). But more needs to be done.

With office vacancies set to rise further, especially for the lower-graded office buildings, there is a need for such buildings to be used, adapted and potentially converted.

Mr Stanhope noted in his presentation that he would be looking at this situation when, and if vacancies rise further. It will be too late by then. We need to consider and address this issue now.

Catherine Carter is Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia (ACT)

Colliss Parrett, Barton

Ric’s at it again SO, Mr. Hingee is at it again (letters, CN, June 17), this time attacking Michael Moore for supporting the mining companies’ new taxation regime.

Well Ric, I heartily support the imposition of the new tax rate.

You have given yourself away by declaring yourself somebody with a vested interest, but I have news for you, I am a dedicated Australian and I do NOT consider my country only suitable for furnace fodder to alien countries.

Do you honestly think that

World renowned climate researchers Anthony Watts (US) and David Archibald (Aust) will present evidence the climate is NOT driven by CO2.

Their surface temp research & sunspot cycle research shows the climate data has been subjected to extreme bias.

Don`t be confused - check out the evidence - think for yourself WEDNESDAY JUNE 30TH

Labor Club Chandlers St, Belconnen 6.30 pm – Cost $25, concessions $20 ph 04 01772857 for bookings CityNews June 24-30 13

Majura Park

Moving up to the park of plenty MAJURA Park is moving onwards and upwards, says manager of commercial leasing at Canberra Airport, Alex Smith – leading the way out of the global financial crisis.

“There’s no doubt that the global financial crisis really affected what projects we were able to undertake at the airport,” Alex says.

“But the time is right now to get on and continue developing Majura Park into a first-rate business and retail park.”

Plans afoot inclue growing Majura Park to include additional office buildings, a service station, a fast-food outlet, ovals and barbecues as well as a sport and recreation facility, including a full-size pool.

“It’s a huge undertaking for Canberra Airport, and something we really believe will be of great value to the occupants of Majura Park.”

However, with the precinct only 10 minutes from the city centre, it won’t be just those who work at Majura Park who will benefit – the precinct is expected to attract people from all over Canberra to shop and play, as well as work.

“The office buildings to be constructed will represent the most environmentally friendly buildings in the country, and will take advantage of the blackwater recycling and tri-generation infrastructure already in place at Majura Park,” Alex says.

Happy days… Majura Park Centre.

14 CityNews June 24-30

Majura Park… “The most environmentally friendly building in the country,” says Alex Smith.

“People in this park will be able to work in some of the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced buildings around – but just as importantly, they will also have access to great retail facilities, a service station, fast food and a new stateof-the-art aquatic centre. We really want to make this our best development yet!”

A Woolworths petrol station will open later this year, with construction on the sport and recreation facility and ovals all to commence in the coming months.

The last building in Stage One of the office park has commenced: 15 Lancaster Place at Majura Park is now well under construction, with the last floor cement pour in June, and completion expected by the end of the year.

The 13,577sqm building is the final building to complete the 40,000sqm in stage one of the project. Work on Stage 2 is expected to begin before the end of the year.

When complete, the new building is set to include a basement with ample storage and 88 parking spaces, as well as four high-speed lifts and a separate goods lift

– and it’s registered for a Green Star rating.

The target is for 15 Lancaster Place to be a 5 Star Green Star rated building.

And the latest tenant to come on board is the Australian Research Council, which has signed a deal to co-locate from its multiple tenancies in Brindabella Park, to 11 Lancaster Place at Majura Park.

According to Australian Research Council general manager Leanne Harvey, the council has been an airport tenant for five years, but wanted to consolidate its three tenancies at Brindabella (which included 8 Brindabella Circuit, Australia’s first five green star rated building).

The ARC chose to remain at the airport because of Capital Airport Group’s “flexibility and assistance in obtaining consolidated accommodation for ARC,” Leanne explains.

“We look forward to continuing this relationship in the new Majura Park Business Precinct.”

Existing tenants include the Australian Medical Council and the Centre for International Economics, as well as Majura Park Centre.

Office park… “Access to great retail facilities,” says Alex Smith.

advertising feature

Supabarn’s new warehouse store… “It’s our policy to provide the lowest food prices,” says Theo Koundouris.

Part of Majura Park’s retail centre… “It’s very exciting to see this end of the precinct come alive,” says Alex Smith.

Super new warehouse a big hit THE new Supabarn Warehouse, which opened on May 21, is already a huge hit with customers, says the company’s Theo Koundouris.

“Due to the overwhelming response to the new Supabarn Warehouse, we will be growing our product range by approximately 6000 lines,” he says.

“This will make the shopping experience for our customers even better and, of course, these products will be at a fantastic, everyday low price – it’s our policy to provide the lowest food prices.”

Thousands of people flooded the doors of the Trade Secret. warehouse in its opening days, Theo says – demand was so great that the company had to make some overnight changes to the store, installing extra checkout aisles and additional refrigeration units.

The 4500sqm warehouse allows Canberrans to buy household goods at reduced prices, with the extra benefit of buying in bulk and receiving an extra discount.

So far there’s already more than 5000 lines of products available: everything from fresh meat and produce to household staples such as toilet paper Chemist Outlet. and toothpaste.

Majura Park also includes retailers like Jim Murphy’s Cellars, Chemist Outlet and Trade Secret.

“It’s very exciting to see this end of the precinct starting to come alive,” Alex enthuses. “Supabarn Warehouse sees us embarking on a partnership with another local company – Canberra Airport is locally owned as well, and it’s a good partnership.”

Fresh food at the Supabarn Warehouse.

More information on www.canberraairport.com. au or call 6275 2222.

Jim Murphy’s Cellars.

Jump in the deep end!

THE Majura Park Aquatic Centre is due to open in the first quarter of 2011 – and commercial leasing manager Alex Smith says it’s to include a four-lane, 25-metre lap swimming pool as well as a dedicated learn-to-swim pool.

“The facility will bring together the latest aquatic technology, incorporating a perimeter wet deck and balance tanks, as well as highly efficient filtration,” he says.

A nationally-recognised aquatic centre operator will manage the facility and offer services such as lap swimming, aquacise and aqua-aerobics, rehabilitation and swimming lessons for children.

The centre will also be available to office workers, who’ll be able to enjoy a few laps before or after work, or in their lunch breaks, Alex says – and its café, overlooking the pool deck, will also be a pleasant place to relax.

“Adjacent to the Aquatics Centre is a multi-purpose sports oval, which is now under construction, and will be ready for us in early spring. The field will have permanent soccer nets, barbecue facilities and seating areas for tenant use.”

CityNews June 24-30 15

careers and recruitment

advertising feature

Calling all graduates THE ACT Public Service is looking for graduates, says James Harmer, ACT Public Service Graduate Program co-ordinator.

“The 2011 ACT Public Service Graduate Program is a fantastic opportunity for graduates to commence a rewarding career within the public sector,” James says.

“The Graduate Program is a generalist program and is open to all graduates, regardless of the course studied or when completed.

“We’re looking for graduates who have a broad range of experiences – not just academic, but life experience as well. We aim to recruit a graduate cohort that is representative of the ACT population.

“The work that graduates undertake assists

the local community. This is one of the great benefits of working in the ACT Public Service.

“As a result, we as a service offer graduates a public-sector experience that is unique in its variety and its direct link with the community it serves.”

The 2011 ACT Public Service Graduate Program is a 10-month program commencing in early February. It offers additional tertiary qualification, diverse opportunities across three work rotations, promotion to a permanent position (ASO5) at the end of the program and a starting salary of $53,616 plus superannuation.

More information on www.jobs.act.gov.au

Searching for health professionals

16 CityNews June 24-30

ADVANCED Personnel Management is looking for allied health professionals to work with the company in providing rehabilitation services in the local area, says recruitment co-ordinator Yasmin Dungey.

“We have opportunities across the board in our Canberra office to work doing job capacity assessment or case managing people back into the workforce,” she says.

“These opportunities are part-time, full-time and casual, and we’re a very flexible company in terms of hours and working around people’s commitments.

“We’re the largest rehabilitation provider in Australia, with a presence in most towns.”

Yasmin says that APM helps people who are injured at work – whether the injury is physical or psychological – get back into the workforce.

The company employs occupational therapists, psychologists, registered nurses, physiotherapists and social workers.

“We do job capacity assistance, which helps people who are on Centrelink benefits get back into the workforce – for example, they may be able to do one or two days a week,” she says.

“They’re referred to us

by Centrelink, and then our health professionals do one-off assessments to decide what they can do.

“We also do a lot of injury management. If you injure yourself at work, for example, you fall down the stairs, the insurance company refers you on to our health professionals, and we case manage you back into the workforce, making sure you can return to your previous job, or helping you find another job once you’re ready to return to the workplace. With psychological injury we predominantly help people in finding another job.”

More information on www. apm.net.au or call 6262 7766.

cover story: LIVEin Real Estate

advertising feature

Adrian puts property on a pedestal WORD gets around about good agents in a small market like Canberra, says Adrian Southern, the new director of sales at boutique agency LIVEin Real Estate – and with his family background, he knows all about the importance of reputation.

“My dad was director of education in Canberra when I was growing up, so I couldn’t get away with a thing,” he joked.

“As a result, I was always aware of who I affected if I ever stepped out of line. I think it instilled in me a wish to try and do the right thing in every way.

“Real estate’s the same, in that if you’re good, people talk about it.”

Adrian, who previously was in the national top 10 per cent of sales agents at Australia’s second-largest real estate agency, has specialised in residential property sales around Canberra for the last 12 years and is taking over from LIVEin co-founder Erik Tyler.

He’s excited about joining a boutique agency, “because what you do is more tangible than when you’re part of a bigger group”.

“It’s important that people feel they can talk to you; and in the culture of a boutique agency like LIVEin I’ll be able to continue my approach of giving clients a true response, not a scripted one,” says Adrian.

“Importantly, we charge a flat fee of $5950 and, to date, LIVEin has had $70 million worth of sales, which we estimate has saved our clients $1.2 million worth of commission compared to what other agents would have charged them.

“The key to real estate is that if I, as an agent, am aware of all aspects of the property, it allows me to help clients make all the right decisions.

“When people list a property, they choose an agent because they see something there that they can trust and believe in.

“It’s all about communication. When it comes to a property, it’s not what I know, it’s what you as the vendor know, and for me to find out.

“I’m really excited about implementing everything I’ve learned so far into my new role at LIVEin Real Estate.”

Boutique agencies have a unique understanding not only of the needs of the local market, he says, but also offer the agent the flexibility to tailor his or her approach to each individual property vendor.

Marketing is a big focus for the brand.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is that LIVEin puts the property for sale on a pedestal,” Adrian says.

“When you open a home and show people, they can get a feel for it; but it’s my job to get them to the property to have a look at it in the first place.”

These strategies include video tours of properties available on the internet, “so you can go into the property from your lounge room. We

Adrian Southern... “If you’re good, people talk about it.” also emphasise professional photography to get potential buyers excited.”

“At this stage, the LIVEin brand is one that people recognise in Canberra as one that’s closer

to the prestige side, but it’s also affordable,” he says.

More information at www.livein.net.au or call 6262 5232.

CityNews June 24-30 17

family law

advertising feature

When you need a friend in the law Importance of empathy

People in emotional crisis need friends with cool heads and experience to get them through their ordeal with dignity and justice. But frightened people don’t always know where to look for the best advice.

“WE’VE been doing family law for nearly 14 years, and it has important differences from other areas of law,” says a lawyer from City First Solicitors.

“A solicitor must have a very strong capacity for empathy toward their clients, in order to be successful in family law, particularly in cases which involve children.”

Handling legal issues surrounding divorce, separation and even drafting wills requires empathy to guide clients through these emotional times, he says.

“The solicitor also needs to be flexible, because there are times when they have to act very quickly to solve urgent matters, such as with child maintenance and access.

Essentially, you need to have confidence in your solicitor.”

The lawyer says that it’s vital that parents in particular have a legal will drawn up

When divorce and separation strike, vulnerable clients need to know they are dealing with empathic practitioners able to guide them through the emotional minefields of property settlement and child access.

A good lawyer can offer not just experience and knowledge when it comes to emotional issues including family and other disputes. In this special feature we look at the process for getting a divorce and profile some practitioners in this area.

18 CityNews June 24-30

More information on www.cityfirstsolicitors.com or call 6230 0466.

Resolving problems

The complete divorce process consists of three main elements: Dissolving the Marriage – the formal legal process by which the marriage is ended.

There is one only one ground for divorce in Australia that being, irretrievable breakdown. This is evidenced by a 12-month separation period and usually means the establishment of two separate households.

For short marriages lasting less than two years, it is compulsory to attend counselling to show that you have considered reconciliation before applying for divorce.

The best and simplest way to obtain a divorce is to make a Joint

specifically to suit their needs, as this can help prevent some problems surrounding child custody in the event of their death.

“Every adult must have a will. It’s very important, especially with the kind of life we all lead these days. The problem is that we all think bad things only happen to someone else!

“But you need to set out not just issues of property, but also things like who will look after your kids if anything happens to you: who will have custody, and where will the kids have residence?

“So it’s very important to sit down with a solicitor and go through your own specific situation. It all goes hand-in-hand with family law practice.”

Application where both parties agree and fill in the one application.

The alternative is for either the husband or wife to make a Sole Application for the divorce then serve the divorce petition on the other spouse.

Financial Arrangements – the process of dividing up the marital assets and agreeing on maintenance payments for the husband or wife.

The Court encourages divorcing couples to come to an agreement amicably without the need for court hearings.

Agreements reached this way can be made legally binding by

registering them with the Court as a Consent Order. The main assets to be divided typically include the house (former matrimonial home), savings and superannuation.

Periodical payments from one spouse to the other are a common feature and include child support payments and spousal maintenance.

Both parties provide full financial disclosure so that the size of the ‘marital pot’ to be divided is known.

Childcare Arrangements – the process of deciding who the children of the marriage will live with (residency) and how much contact the non-resident parent will have.

LEGAL Resolution Services is designed to facilitate settlement of legal disputes early in the dispute process, the company says.

This is achieved by offering expert, realistic information at this critical stage, as well as identifying the real issues involved in a dispute.

This makes LRS suitable for family law and estate disputes, the com-

pany says, though almost any type of dispute can benefit.

LRS has access to consultants and settlement facilitators who are leaders in their field, including lawyers, barristers, retired judges, registrars, pyschologists, accountants, and financial and superannuation advisers.

More information on www.legalrs. com or call 6161 9153.

Holistic approach ENDEAVOUR Legal Enterprises takes a holistic, ethical and efficient approach to all matters, the company says.

Endeavour specialises in ACT conveyancing, with fixed-fee up-front quoting (inclusive of disbursements); residential construction law, wills and power of attorney.

The company also has a strong focus on commercial endeavours, including

commercial and contract law; business law; construction law and consulting in Government commercial matters involving procurement, probity, process and compliance advice, and general legal advice during the course of project and contract management.

More information on www.endeavourlegal.com.au or call 0417 778646.

20 CityNews June 24-30

scene

Photos by Andrew Finch

invite us at silas@citynews.com.au

At the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, National Museum of Australia

Andrew Fagan and Chris Taylor

Claire Connelly and Maryanne Gare

John Lawler, Richard Keeley, Nicoll Parton and Rod Harvey

Steve Moxey, Bruce Davie and Mark Hilton

Garth Morrison and Paul Turner

John Lawler, Richard Bialkawski and Fergus Nelson

Ian Hayes and Damian Hale

Melinda Kibukamusoke, Robyn Hendry and Chris Faulks

Donna Cox, Charles Bishop and Dr Dion Klein

Michelle McCann and Sarah McPhillips

CityNews  June 24-30  21

22 CityNews June 24-30

scene

More photos at www.citynews.com.au

At Rolfe Classic BMW, 5 Series launch, National Museum of Australia

Dealer principal Patrick Bogaart, guest speaker Alexander Downer and Shawn Ticehurst

Wayne and Jocelyne Smith with Venezuelan ambassador Nelson Davila and Maria Cisneros

Antero Inman and Jacqueline Masterman

Angela and Matthew Howe

At the Order of Australia ACT lunch, The Boat House by the Lake

Evol McLeod, Andrew Sayers with Joyce and Len Goodman

Len and Barbara Goodwin with Jan and Peter Fairburn

Ron and Nan Metcalfe with George and Rona Kiddle

Laura and Freddie Turnbull, Erika Pideock and Rattanawan Rattakul

Martin Leaver and Natalie Sambhi

Greg Cornwell, Dr Ray Newcombe, Jenny Houston, Russ Richards, Liz McDonagh and Mal Houston

Valerie and Leslie Blackley with Dr Caroline Turner and Glen Barclay

Ray and Claire Young

CityNews  June 24-30  23

24 CityNews June 24-30

scene

invite us at silas@citynews.com.au

At Menslink breakfast, The Boat House by the Lake

Tom Harley and Lachlan Kennedy

Gelnn Cullen and Paul Walshe

At the OutInCanberra People’s Choice finalists announcement, Cahoots Bar, Rydges Lakeside

Tristan Maddigan with Aaron Ridley and Luke Powar

Aadm Threlfall, Stephen Bell, Claire Toepfer and Bill Sanders

Kate Price, Ty Millis and Chris Headon

Andy Gregory, Bronwen Overton-Clarke, Tim Guilfoyld and Harry Telfer

Gil Miller and Natasha Hickling

Andrew Day, Tristan Ross and Omar Muscat

Sam Chui, Linda Steadman and Elaine Chui

Damian Tunney and Frank Condi

CityNews June 24-30 25

scene

More photos at www.citynews.com.au

At the UberEstate.com.au launch, Waldorf, Civic

Emily King and Brendan Cush

Rob and Julie Evans with Martin Shafron

David Taylor and Colin Pink

Sandy Funston and Kevin Cox

26  CityNews  June 24-30

Tony Lane, Kaylene King and John Chamberlain

At Property Council (ACT) lunch, Hotel Realm, Barton

Amaranth King, Christina West and Marcia Bowden

Paul Higgins, Emily Castrission and Stephen Sheehy

Ron and Michelle Friesen with Ben Culan

Tony Adams, Richard Swinbourne, John O'Donnell and Deb Barnes

Antoinette Perera and Gina Chan

Paul Wheatley, Steven McDonnell, Georgina McKenzie and Asoka Wijeratne

Tony Hedley, Michael Costello, Ivan Domazet, Dino Nikias and Phil Harding

Raj Navis, Ike Lliffe, Kim Hudson and Jim Forbes

Hoa Luu and Clare Gilligan

all about living

arts | cinema | dining | body | fashion | health&fitness home | crossword | horoscope | sudoku

Paul goes in to bat for charity ARTIST Paul Dorin, whose cartooning is featured in “CityNews”, has just finished painting Ricky Ponting’s jeans.

The Australian cricket captain donated his jeans to the health of the children of the future – via Jeans for Genes.

“When the committee asked me if l wanted to paint the jeans of Ricky Ponting this year, l wasn’t going to let them go through to the keeper,” says Paul.

It was up to Paul – a veteran of 15 previous painted pairs – to turn the signed denims into an original, framed artwork for auction at the annual Jeans for Genes dinner on July 22 in Sydney.

The works can sell up to $30,000 apiece.

Each year, local and international celebrities donate their signed jeans to be turned into artworks by prominent Australian artists for Jeans for Genes in aid of the Children’s Medical Research Institute, which studies the importance of genes for healthy development and genetic disorders.

Paul has painted jeans artwork including denims worn by actors Robin Williams, David Hasselhoff, Kevin Klein, Frances McDormand and James Bullusi, artist and entertainer Rolf Harris, V8 driver Craig Lowndes and entertainers Donny and Marie Osmond.

“Despite having ideas already to go, when the jeans turned up at the front door, I gave the jeans a ‘leg- glance’

Kids look at life

Pathway to a new program

until l gathered up the inspiration to tackle the two-legged canvas,” told told “CityNews”.

“It took me about two weeks to paint the jeans and l used acrylic paints. “l wanted to paint a caricature of Ricky and l thought this would be best next to his autograph.

“If you look at the jeans, it still has that appeal that there is a game of cricket being played. And if you know the game of cricket, when you look at the jeans hopefully you can get a giggle or two from it.”

Last year Paul won the People’s Choice Award for painting the jeans of MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen.

Celebrities who have donated their denims this year include actors Emma Thompson, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Gyton Grantley, plus sports stars Michael Clarke and Socceroo Mark Schwarzer.

Jeans for Genes Day is on Friday, August 6.

The Denim Charity Dinner, Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont, July 22. Tickets from www.jeansforgenes.org.au Jeans art can be viewed at the Wentworth Art Gallery, Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 61 Phillip St, Sydney, July 8-21 and at www.jeansforgenes.org.au

“LIFE on Earth”, an exhibition of local primary and pre-school children’s art works is ANCA Gallery’s special community project celebrating the UN International Year of Biodiversity.

Opened by Tim the Yowie Man, the vibrant and diverse exhibition features insects, river systems and underwater scenes. It’s at ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place, Dickson until July 4 (open Wednesday-Sunday, 2pm-5pm).

Artist Paul Dorin with Ricky Ponting’s jeans... “I gave the jeans a ‘leg-glance’ until l gathered up the inspiration to tackle the two-legged canvas.”

The latest dose of Dorin is on Page 16 Young art, from left, Elinor Francis, year 2, Ainslie Primary School; Chris Pesic, year 5/6, North Ainslie Primary School; Branden Fitzsimmons, year 4, Rosary Primary School.

By Helen Musa THERE’S something rather intriguing coming up at the National Press Club on June 30.

Titled “Australia’s Indigenous Visual Arts: A Pathway to a Bright Future”, the event includes the launch of the Wesfarmers Arts Indigenous Fellowship, a project in which the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Limited have partnered to create a long-term development, training and mentorship program for indigenous visual artists.

In announcing the event, the gallery notes that indigenous art is one of Australia’s most successful cultural and economic exports, one that contributes an estimated $400 million a year to the economy.

On the negative side, indigenous participation in the business and administration side of the arts is limited, with, to date, relatively few opportunities for indigenous Australians to gain professional skills.

Last year, former Democrats senator Aden Ridgeway, a partner in the indigenous affairs consultancy Cox Inall Ridgeway, was commissioned to undertake an Australia-wide consultation project as background to developing this program.

Now the report is ready and, unsurprisingly, it has identified barriers preventing indigenous participation in the arts sector.

It goes on to suggest ways to increase participation and support indigenous Australians in becoming leaders in visual arts management.

Ridgeway will present the final consultation report, and then NGA director Ron Radford will present the gallery’s response at the press club from 11.45am to 1.30pm on Wednesday, June 30.

Bookings to 61212199 or www.npc.org.au

CityNews June 24-30 27

arts&entertainment

Little visitors celebrate centre’s birthday which has meant that she is now right in the centre of an area where dance training is in high demand.

By arts editor Helen Musa Hallahan offers ballet, street, jazz and tap to a wide variety of pupils. In 2004, under a Churchill Fellowship, Hallahan also spent a period of personal WHAT do dancer Paul Knobloch, of the Béjart Ballet dance renewal in the US, UK and Europe. in Lausanne; Sarah Black, of Melbourne’s Chunky But Jackie Hallahan is not happy unless she’s Move, or Daniel Riley McKinley and Jhuny-Boy Borja, reaching out, and a group of 40 little dancers from of Bangarra Dance Theatre, have in common? the China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace Little They’re all graduates of Belconnen’s Dance Companion Art Troupe are now heading for her Development Centre, presently celebrating its 25th centre for a dance exchange. The entire troupe has year of operation under founder Jackie Hallahan little actors and actresses aged from five to 16 in – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Hallahan is dance, choir, drama and puppet, traditional Chinese justly proud of the achievement of her star pupils, instruments, orchestra, keyboard instruments, but she has her feet firmly on the ground. calligraphy and arts and crafts.

Trained in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, she We’ll be getting young dancers keen to learn some spent many years teaching in Moree, NSW before of the free-flowing techniques of western dance. moving to Dubbo then Canberra with a young “They know how to do hip-hop, lunges, and family – one of her daughters teaches dance with change position, but leaping, bounding, twirling her now. She moved from Belconnen Town Centre and pirouetting are out of their normal style range,” in 2001 to huge premises in Spence in order to take Hallahan says. advantage of the demographic shift in Canberra, They’ve been here before, after Canberra resident Guanju Xu, approached her back in 2005 to suggest the exchange. Of course, the tiny dancers will be busy sightseeing and exchanging presents with their local counterparts, but the exchange is genuinely mutual and all the pupils – Australian and Chinese – will end up on stage in a showcase open to the public.

It’s the best way to celebrate 25 years of dance.

The showcase performance will be at Mt Rogers Community Centre, 55 Crofts Avenue, Spence on July 3 at 1.30pm. Inquiries 6259 1550.

The centre’s 25th anniversary concert will be at Canberra Theatre, at 7.30pm on July 31. Tickets www.canberraticketing.com.au

Members of the visiting Little Companion Art Troupe... “They know how to do hip-hop, lunges, and change position, but leaping, bounding, twirling and pirouetting are out of their normal style range,” Jackie Hallahan says.

reviews

Zappa masters his craft IF you know anything about actors and theatre, William Zappa’s “Winter’s Discontent” will make you smile and lament at the truth within the work. The work of the actor is laid bare in this 70-minute revelation of the person behind the make-up and the mask.

Seeing Zappa’s fine performance recently in “Honour” at The Playhouse gave no indication of the brilliance of the man as an actor and as a reflector of culture.

As he looks deeply into the mirror facing the audience and aided by subtle lighting changes, the actor and the character share a dialogue to expose the contradictory nature of the very act of performance.

Zappa’s mastery of his craft ensures that even

THEATRE

“Winter’s Discontent” Written and performed by William Zappa, The Street Theatre until July 3.

Reviewed by Joe Woodward when speaking barely above a whisper, every nuance of text can be heard and understood.

The irony of a play constructed around a man preparing to perform a “real” play is used to highlight the symbiosis of the art and life dichotomy. One not only reflects the other, but is also informs the other.

This is five-star theatre and with such a limited and intimate audience size, booking asap is advised.

‘Garters’ struggles to stay up “VARIETY Tonight” is promised in the opening song of the second edition of “Jazz Garters”.

With more than 34 items featuring vintage sketches, roller-skaters, jugglers, balloon twisters, clowns, dancers, singers and even a blind quick-sketch artist, one would be churlish not to find something to enjoy in this genial grab-bag of a show.

However, despite Andrew Kay’s elegant set, a large cast, and the fine eight-piece band, there was a disappointing absence of cohesiveness or sense of style to the show. Item follows item without any rhyme or reason, often with awkward transitions, and often with the soloists not showcased to advantage or miscast.

Some ensemble numbers and acts appeared decidedly under-rehearsed on opening night, while the dancing lacked the expected precision and attention to detail. Most surprisingly

28 CityNews June 24-30

VARIETY

“Jazz Garters – Too Darn Hot to Handle” Canberra Repertory Society, Theatre 3, until July 10.

Reviewed by Bill Stephens in a Canberra Repertory show, many of the costumes were badly fitted and unpressed.

Repertory stalwarts Graham Robertson, Charles Oliver, Ian Croker, and Dick Goldberg did their best with the ancient sketches, relying more on the goodwill of the audience for their laughs than the quality of the material.

Personal highpoints were provided by Andy Burton’s banana-folding act, Bronwyn Sullivan’s “I Hate Musicals”, Christine Forbe’s “Apartment 14G”, Judy Wilkinson’s delightfully silly whistling nun and the spectacular “Rolling Stock” in which most of the cast wore roller-skates.

arts&entertainment

Craving a taste of Thai DINING

By Wendy Johnson THE tastes of Thai food never cease to amaze me. The wonderful variety. The amazing and unique flavours.

When the craving hits, the craving hits, so a friend and I once again visited Baan Latsamy Thai Restaurant in Manuka. It is in a super position, occupying a full corner at Flinders Way and Palmerston Lane, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

It was my third visit to Baan Latsamy and each time I have found the menu overwhelming, with more than 65 options.

We were starving and so ordered an entrée right away as we began to study the soups, spicy salads, curries, wok dishes, house specialties and more. I honestly do not know how those who work in the kitchen keep their heads on straight when dealing with such an extensive array of options.

Our entrée – the Laotian Spring Rolls (four for $9.90) – was a highlight. The deep-fried rice paper rolls were not heavy or greasy. They were loaded with finely minced chicken, vermicelli noodles and vegetables and we dipped them into a spicy chilli sauce that added great flavour.

Then it was time to sample drunken chicken (gotta love that name). The dish –designed, no doubt, to be wolfed down in a pub with an icy cold beer – was stir fried with crunchy bamboo shoots, onions, fresh chilli, soft bean curd and lovely basil leaves, which Thai cuisine simply cannot do without. You can also choose the dish with beef, pork or fish (all $19.90). It sounded great as we read the menu, but in the end it was ho-hum. We have certainly had much tastier.

The Crying Tiger salad (Num Tuk, $19.90), with beef slices lightly grilled, salad and a special (secret) sauce, scored much better but, again, it was not up there with the

Manuka’s Baan Latsamy Thai Restaurant... in a super position, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

Photo by Silas best we have had in this price range in Canberra.

Baan Latsamy serves Laos Thai food from north-east Thailand. The restaurant is named after chef and co-owner Latsamy.

It is fully licensed although we could have taken our own bottle at a cheap $5-a-bottle corkage. One of the wine glasses was dirty and had to be returned. And the service, even though the restaurant was far from busy, was not as swift as it needs to be.

Baan Latsamy is in the heart of Manuka

where it is always fun to dine on street level and watch the world go by. But with Thai one of the fastest-growing cuisines in Australia, competition is tough. As I say, it was my third trial of Baan Latsamy and while I wish I could, I cannot honestly say this experience was much better than the first two.

Baan Latsamy, Shop 9, Flinders Way, Manuka. Open seven days lunch and dinner. Call 6295 0426.

A lot of Little

Composer Angela Little, above, brings a combination of Irish dancing, tribal rhythms, cinematic sounds and visual projections, in a new music-theatre work called “Celtic Fire”, to be seen at The Street Theatre on July 2. With violin of Michael Bridges, bodhran by Kevin Kelly, dance by Laura Barry and design by Peter Nawn and Claudia Fitzpatrick, it should be spectacular. Little is best-known as the singer and composer from Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia”. Tickets 6247 1223.

– Helen Musa

CityNews June 24-30 29

arts&entertainment

Tension with compassion CINEMA

By Dougal Macdonald

“Mother and Child” (M) WRITER/director Rodrigo Garcia’s film offers three great performances. Annette Bening plays Karen, a middle-aged nurse still grieving for the child she gave up for adoption when she was barely into her teens. Naomi Watts is Elizabeth, a lawyer who uses disposable stud males to scratch personal itches more emotional than libidinous. Kerry Washington is Lucy, a young middle-class Afro-American wife who spends her time interviewing candidates to bear the child she cannot.

Motherhood is only one facet of their lives. After a solitary life, Karen begins a relationship with a colleague (Jimmy Smits).

Elizabeth knows which side her bread is buttered when her boss (Samuel L Jackson) mentions a possible partnership. Lucy’s obsession borders on clinical as her questions from left field probe deeper than parental personalities and physical qualities.

Combining tensions with compassion, it’s a gentle film about women experiencing complex events, dangling possible outcomes for us to anticipate, observing vulnerabilities without diminishing essential strengths.

But it’s not a chick-flik. It arrived without frenzied persuaders such as those presently choking all media trumpeting an unworthy mainstream chick-flik whose producers feel a need to tell us, “deep down, we know it’s an exploitative bummer but please help us recover our investment”.

Respecting our intelligence, “Mother and Child” invites us to discover its merits for ourselves, a more rewarding proposition.

At Greater Union

“Shrek Forever After” (PG) WHEN fantasy’s most likeable jolly green giant finds domesticity with Fiona and the

Rumpelstiltskin and Shrek… undeniable charm, enough scary to delight small-fry, but remarkably little humour. kids boring, he asks dodgy entrepreneur Rumpelstiltskin to provide a day like those he enjoyed when he was simply an ogre doing normal ogre stuff.

The message from this fourth and presumably last volume in the Shrek saga is: “Don’t sign without clearing with your lawyer.” Rumpelstiltskin gets Shrek to sign an agreement sending him back to the day of his birth. At its end, he must return to a day before his existence began. Endless loop of thrall to a sneaky little nasty-pants.

“Shrek Forever After” once again hijacks traditional fairytale themes, plagiarising their real inventors, cultural imperialism Hollywood-style. It has undeniable charm, enough scary to delight small-fry, but remarkably little humour. In the audience when I saw it, I and the mother of two alongside me were often the only people laughing, and if you are a regular reader, you know how hard a script must work to make me laugh!

I suspect that much of it may be beyond the ken of single-digit ages who, in their innocence, may neither know nor care.

At all Canberra cinemas

“I Am Love” (MA) WRITER/director Luca Guadagnino’s dramatic study of a wealthy Milan family in transition begins at the family dinner when patriarch Edoardo, whose birthday

it is, appoints his son Tancredi and eldest grandson Edo to run the weaving mill underpinning the family fortune.

Tancredi’s Russian wife Emma runs the family’s villa with style, economy and warm relationships with the servants. The company management transition barely causes a blip in her serenity. During the dinner, Antonio, a chef who earlier that day bested Edo in a footrace, arrives with a cake as a gift. Emma invites him in but he declines.

From this seed grows a love-story that drives the film with an almost-agonising languor to an outcome that, while inevitable, is nonetheless intense and disturbing.

Its plot choices disturb our comfort zones.

Its visual elements are profoundly lovely, every frame a momentary masterpiece, wide vistas, soaring mountains, Milano streetscapes, inside the family villa, environmental close-ups, consummation of the affair between Emma and Antonio.

The film’s structural armature is Tilda Swinton’s performance of Emma. Subtle, strong, delicate, powerful, think of any class of merit a performance may manifest and she delivers it with consummate style. Her physical presence transcends elegance, decorating her clothes rather than vice-versa, dungarees and singlet no less than haute couture. Frankly, I adore her. Go along and discover why.

At Dendy

Camping with creeps ARTS IN THE CITY

By Helen Musa

Off to see Tex Congratulations to the three lucky “CityNews” winners who have won a double pass each to the opening night of “The Man in Black”, starring Tex Perkins as Johnny Cash. The winners are M Bucetti, of Downer; Rachel Green, of Hackett and Mauritz Zwankhuisen, of Civic.

30 CityNews June 24-30

QUEANBEYAN City Council’s annual, self-generated production for 2010 will be Donald MacDonald’s comedy “Caravan”, staged by Sydney director Rodney Delaney.

Written in the ‘80s, it is set at a camping spot somewhere on the coast of northern NSW and peopled, the Q is proud to say, with “six wonderfully obnoxious characters” played

by Tony Falla, Bernadette Vincent, Robert De Fries, Lexi Sekuless, Andy McLeod and Jenny Rixon. A laugh a minute.

It runs until July 3 at the Q. Booking 6298 0290 or www. theq.net.au IT’S quite a coup for the Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies to get Californian Prof Sharon Marie Carnicke here to discuss recent reevaluations of Stanislavsky’s

Unhappy campers... the cast of “Caravan”.

Photo by Ben Kopilow acting techniques for its annual conference at the ANU from June 29 to July 2.

Mysteriously, conference convenor Cate Clelland tells us the theme for this year’s conference is “Stripping Bare”.

More information on 0408 403275.

STUDENTS of veteran singing teaching Helen Swan will present a varied program of folk songs from music

theatre and works by Handel, Schubert, Mozart and Gluck at the Wesley Music Centre Lunchtime Live series from 12.40pm to 1.20pm on June 30. Cost $2. No need to book.

SIDS and Kids ACT is holding an art exhibition, titled “Journeys – an exhibition of works by bereaved parents”, at the Pialligo Plant Farm until June 27 to coincide with Red Nose Day.

makeover

Taking care of business After 10 years out of the workforce, Bernadette van Heuzen wanted a new look

Before: Bernadette wanted a fresh, work-ready new look.

BERNADETTE was the winner of a makeover from The Lizzie Wagner Group, which included hair, make-up and $500 worth of vouchers from The Canberra Centre and a $250 shoe voucher from Escala.

“Bernadette wasn’t going back to a super-corporate environment, but she had been at home for 10 years, and was only just returning to the workforce,” said Lizzie Wagner Group stylist Kelsey Padjen.

Pulling together a professional look upon returning to the workforce can be a challenge for many women, Kelsey says.

“When you’re at home with children, you’re not thinking about yourself: you’re concerned about what everyone else is doing above all.

“There’s no time to pamper and style yourself, which is what we did with Bernadette.

“She wanted a whole style update, and we were able to freshen up her look by using separates to mix and match into her casual and weekend wardrobe as well. The idea was to get as many outfits as possible out of as few garments as we could.

“We also used accessories to create different looks, so that an outfit could be dressed up for evening, or dressed down for work.”

Part of Bernadette’s prize included Canberra Centre vouchers.

After: The Wagner Group suggested a range of mixand-match separates to create a versatile, professional new look.

A new, softer style by Bentleys of Canberra helped frame Bernadette’s face.

At Bentleys of Canberra, at the Jamison Centre, stylists shaped Bernadette’s hair, removing a few inches and creating soft curls.

“Colour processing had made the hair dry, so we took a couple of inches from the bottom – Bernadette needed to be able to put her hair up when she was doing things around the house and with the kids,” says Kelsey.

“Bentleys created a versatile hairstyle and put in some curls to soften her look.

“Make-up was kept minimal: we didn’t want it too strong, because Bernadette has such lovely soft features, and we wanted to show them off, not overwhelm them. We gave her a few tips on how to take a minimal look from day into night with a little more eyeshadow and lipstick.”

CityNews June 24-30 31

ghd Sea Spray for matt waves, $35.

32 CityNews June 24-30

Garnier Fructis Elastic Power Fix Hairspray, $6.95.

Nurturing the natural look Pantene Pro-V Style Curl Defining Mousse, $6.99.

Redken Workforce 09 flexible volumising spray, $25.95.

body

A NATURAL finish on hair is a must these days – but how can we achieve it with this year’s fashion for retro waves?

It’s all about choosing the right product, using the right amount for the hair and treating hair well, says Samuel Kildea, senior stylist at thehairdressing in Civic.

“To create a soft, ‘retro’ wave, take horizontal sections of dry hair about 3cm thick, clamp with a ghd styler and turn 180 degrees as if you were curling,” says Samuel.

“Pull halfway down the hair, then turn the styler back in the opposite direction 180 degrees and pull out the rest of the way. Repeat this on each section up the head.

“Once complete, spray lightly with ghd sea spray for matt waves, and finish by raking out the look, using your fingers to soften.

“The natural finish is very feminine and soft. It looks realistic, like that’s the way the hair has always looked.”

The most common mistake we make when creating curls or perfect straight hair is not taking small enough sections of hair when using a heat styler, he says.

“If the section is too thick, then the hair in the centre of the section is not exposed to the heat and will not work as you want it to.”

Another is not using the right product for the job. “You need curl-promoting products like ghd Obedience Cream for waves, and a smoothing product like ghd Smoothing Balm for straightening,” he says.

“When putting your hair up, keep it simple and try not to perfect it. Along with the natural finish in styling, hair up should look loose and natural.

“If you’re really strapped for time when using a styler, you don’t need to go over the whole head to create a beautiful look. Just put a few waves around the front and on top to smooth away any flyaways, and you can totally change your look in just a couple of minutes.”

health&fitness

Change life, lose weight LOSING weight is a process, a lifestyle change, according to Body Basics personal trainer Matthew Quixley – and it doesn’t happen overnight.

“I see so many people to tell me they eat well and exercise… but they’re not losing weight,” he says.

“They try this workout off that website, and that diet from this book, and yet their waistline is the same week to week. They become unmotivated, and put the reason that they tried to lose weight at the back of their minds.”

So how do you make sure your weight-loss strategies last in the long-term?

“There are always going to be days when you might want to eat fast food or skip a training session,” says Matthew. “It’s these days that are the hardest, and if you can get through them, the others will seem like a breeze.”

According to Matthew, once you realise that the process is a lifestyle change, not just a weight change, it will fall into place.

“It can be a daunting process that takes time, patience and persistence,” he says. “There can

be numerous physical, mental and emotional barriers that might be hard to overcome, but once you push through the results will be great and you will find yourself stronger in all aspects of your life.”

Re-evaluate your goals or set goals if you haven’t, he suggests.

“Taking the 30 minutes to sit down and set long and shortterm health and fitness goals with a personal trainer, and making yourself accountable to them, can make a huge difference to what you achieve and how quickly you achieve it,” he says.

Don’t forget you have already done the hardest part, Matthew says, which is starting the weight-loss journey.

“Now you just have to work on it! Once you find some exercises or sports that you enjoy, and an eating plan that you can actually follow that doesn’t make you feel guilty, the unbelievable impact it makes will speak for itself,” he Personal trainer Matthew Quixley... “I see so many people to tell me they eat well says. and exercise… but they’re not losing weight.”

Photos by Silas

Being hot to trot in winter WINTER is a prime time for sporting injuries, according to Victorian hospital data, which reports that they increase by more than 30 per cent during the season.

That’s why it’s vital to prepare for being active in cold conditions, says Dr Shane Brun, from Sports Medicine Australia.

“Exercising in cold weather no doubt places extra demands on the body, which can lead to reduced sporting performance and injuries,” Dr Brun says.

“However, this doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising in winter. Most coldrelated injuries can be prevented with good preparation and the correct equipment.”

Dr Brun suggests that to avoid injury, we: • get used to exercising in the cold. For example, train outdoors, instead of inside; • warm up, stretch and cool down for longer than usual, as cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are at greater risk of injury; • don’t forget sunburn still happens in winter, and on cloudy days! Use broadspectrum 30+ sunscreen and wear UV-protective eyewear; • drink water before, during and after activity; • dress in layers to help trap heat and prevent heat loss, adding or removing layers as necessary; and • see a doctor before taking part in winter sports if we have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes.

CityNews June 24-30 33

fun in the snow

Snow time like It’s the reason many people look forward to winter – the ski season has started! And with the snow falling all over the mountains, now’s the time to start thinking about where to stay and eat, what to wear and how to get there…

Photo by Shannon Pawsey; Perisher.

Cottage favours local flavours CRACKENBACK Cottage Restaurant has provided Snowy Mountains visitors and locals with great meals for more than 30 years, says the restaurant’s Kerry Henderson.

“The menu has a strong focus on presenting local produce and a selection of outstanding cool climate wines from the region,” she says.

“Children are catered for with a grommets menu, which has been designed to provide children with quality tasty food.”

The kitchen is completely peanut free and Coeliacs are catered for with a selection of gluten free lunch and dinner options as well as treats.

“A visit to Crackenback Cottage is not only about the fantastic food: there is also the maze, a challenge for both the children and adults in the family. It is the largest wooden maze in the southern hemisphere, and is now entertaining a second and third generation of visitors.

“There is a gift shop and providore that has an exciting range of gifts and gluten free treats and foods, including a range of locally made jams.”

More information on www.crackenbackcottage.com.au or call 02 6456 2198.

Rooms with a view “I’M excited about this year, as it’s our third season – each year is bigger and better,” said Sue Cartwright, manager of the Altitude 1260 resort at Crackenback.

The bed and breakfast, which Sue says is ideal for families and couples, boasts a gorgeous view.

“We’re situated high above the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo at the top of the hill – so we have a magnificent view from the southern end of Lake Jindabyne, right around Mount Perisher,” she says.

“We’re often above the clouds, especially at this time of year, so it’s very special.”

As well as 12 rooms (set up as family rooms, with queen bed, bunks and trundle beds; or rooms which suit couples or smaller families), the resort offers bed and breakfast facilities, dinner on request and a recreation room.

“We have a magnificent stone fireplace which helps make us a wonderful place to come back to.”

More information at www.altitude1260.com.au or call 6456 2511.

34 CityNews June 24-30

advertising feature

the right time for having fun Rugging up

Ski in Italy

Canberrans have the option of eco-conscious ski fashion from Mooble: More information on www. mooble.com.au or call 6162 4985.

Merino Mink scarf, $79, hat, $79 and gloves, $79, all made in New Zealand.

Photo by Gary Grant; Perisher.

Chalky Digits New Zealand-made Homegrown Merino Mountains Lift men’s top in black, $169

Getting there in comfort

DOLOMITES Ski Tours has been running tours of the world’s largest interconnected ski area, the Dolomites, for 25 years, says the company’s founder Mario Lunghitano.

The Dolomites mountains in Italy cater to all levels of skier – from beginners to the most experienced.

Dolomites Ski Tours offers experienced ski guides, plus the region has ski schools with English-speaking instructors.

The Dolomites boast 450 lifts available on a single lift ticket – the most modern network of gondolas and covered chairs available.

Mario and his team of regular resort hosts and group leaders have many years of experience in skiing the Dolomites, as well as extensive knowledge of Italian culture, language and history. This helps take the stress out of making decisions such as choosing the next run, where to dine and more.

More information on www.dolomitesskitours.com. au or call 02 9997 2475.

COACHES are a great way to get to the snow, says Kevin Lyons, vice president of sales at Greyhound Australia.

The company runs services to Jindabyne, Ski Tube and Thredbo directly from Canberra daily during the snow season.

Benefits of Greyhound include luxury coaches with panoramic windows, extra legroom, LCD screens and carbon offsets, says Kevin – allowing skiers to arrive safe, refreshed and ready to hit the slopes.

Customers who book to Thredbo get free entry into Kosciuszko National Park with their Greyhound ticket – and there’s also a special 10 per cent discount for “CityNews” readers.

More information on www.greyhound.com.au or call 1300 473946.

Icebreaker pure merino insulation layer Olympia Zip women’s top in Merlot, $179.95

CityNews June 24-30 35

home

Aura by Tracie Ellis Sienna, $239 (King set).

Mercer + Reid Osborne in Berry, $199.95 (Queen set) from Adairs.

Mercer + Reid Parisienne, $189.95 (Queen set) from Adairs.

Aura by Tracie Ellis Flight, $239 (King set).

Brighten up bedtime BED linen is a great way to brighten the bedroom, says Denise Riachi, marketing manager at Adairs – and beautiful designs are emerging to do just that, she says.

“Bed linen is taking on fresh, tonal colours, lifting the spirits in the home. This is being seen through designs with rich, bright stripes and colours such as citrus and aqua, with beautiful textures and embroidered patterns.”

A new linen look gives an instant lift, she says.

“It’s an affordable way to change your look without paying the hefty price of a makeover:

renovations or investing in new furniture is not affordable for many, but new bed linen and home decorator items are a very easy-to-maintain way, financially, to freshen the decor and lift the mood in any home.

“Try adding a splash of colour to any room by using accents of tones that complement each other, such as greys and greens.

“You can brighten your room with a range of decorator items such as vases, candles, cushions, even a simple throw hanging over a couch or chair, to add that splash of colour.”

Speedy cuppa HERE’S the fastest way to get a morning cuppa! Forget waiting for the kettle to boil – speed is of the essence with Kambrook’s new Hot Cup. Place a mug under the spout and in less than 60 seconds, 250ml of freshly boiled water is dispensed.

It’s suitable for quickly preparing tea, coffee, powdered drinks, instant soups or noodles.

In a white or black finish with a contemporary silver trim, the Kambrook Hot Cup Rapid Boil is available from electrical retailers and department stores and costs $99.95.

CityNews June 24-30 37

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore June 28-July 4

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

“Keep moving forward and don’t look back” is your current motto. With Jupiter and Uranus both in your sign, you’re full of initiative as you take the lead. Make sure you think things through though (especially on Friday and Sunday). You don’t want to be saddled with the long-term consequences of impulsive and imprudent actions.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Saturn is testing platonic relationships. Is a friend or acquaintance the real deal? Look at what they are doing, rather than what they are saying - actions usually speak louder than words! Don’t let jealousy or guilt games spoil an otherwise wonderful weekend. If you are possessive, it will only drive loved ones away.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Put your mind to work this week. Mental activities involving business, finance and family are favoured, as you pick up new information with lightning speed. Geminis love nothing better than a good old gossip, but resist the urge to be the neighbourhood nosey-parker and make sure you’re not shirking domestic responsibilities.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

The Sun and Mercury are in your sign, which boosts your energy levels and mental abilities. But comfort eating is a danger so try to nurture yourself in less fattening ways! Don’t underestimate your ability to contribute to your local community. Be inspired

by Princess Diana (born on July 1): “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Leos love to live out loud! With vivacious Venus in your sign (until July 10) you’re in the mood to strut your stuff and flirt outrageously. Be inspired by birthday great Mel Brooks (born on June 28): “When you got it, flaunt it.” If you are irresponsible with money this weekend, then Saturn will step in and teach you a hard lesson.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

You’re keen to speak up (especially in a group situation) but try not to be a carping critic. Make your comments constructive and positive. Some Virgos will bump into an old friend, discover long-forgotten love-letters, or re-connect with a former flame.

Just remember – memories are so seductive because they’re so selective…

general knowledge crossword No. 267 Across 1 Which term describes the region near the North Pole?

8 To have an irritating personality, is to be what?

9 What, colloquially, is an electrician known as?

10 What is another word for a trace or smattering?

11 Which term indicates the relation of a child to a parent?

12 Name another word for wickedness.

13 What do we call one who makes bread?

16 Which meal is taken during the daytime?

19 A door left partly open is said to be what?

21 Which word means the same as equitably?

22 The acceptance that all events are inevitable is referred to as what?

23 To owe money implies that one is what (2,4)?

1

2

3

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Professional partnerships are favoured midweek, as Venus boosts your ability to win friends and influence people. You’re in the mood to manipulate others on Sunday but be warned – loved ones are primed to fight back, so you may find you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Snuggle up Scorpio, it’s time to make love not war!

Down

2 What is a copy or reproduction of something?

3 Name another word for a white ant.

4 In chess, what is the rook?

5 Which cry is used in a theatre to express disapproval?

6 What is another name for asphalt?

7 To be under, is to be where?

13 What is a coarse springy lawn grass?

14 Which long garments are worn under a coat in the Near East?

15 Name one of our most extensive transport systems.

17 To be overturned is to be what?

18 What describes the diameter of a bullet?

20 To be negligent or careless is to be what?

Solution next week

4

5

6

9 10 11 12 13

14

15 19

16

17

21 22 23 24 25

Sudoku hard No.34

Solution next week

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Other people are acting as a mirror and reflecting back personal traits that you may have been avoiding. Use these experiences to learn more about your weaknesses and your strengths. On the weekend, home is definitely where the heart is but resist the urge be too hard on yourself – and too critical of others.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

From Thursday through to Saturday, you’re clear about what you want, even though you may appear confused to others.

(Welcome to Planet Pisces!) So don’t let loved ones push you around or attempt to persuade you to do something you don’t believe in. Stand strong as you spell out the boundaries of what’s fair and reasonable for you.

38 CityNews June 24-30

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2010.

18

20

Does life seem like all work and no play at the moment? Hang in there Sagittarius – the professional skills you polish now will pay off handsomely further down the track. Leave room in your busy schedule to spend time with an important child in your life, so you can explore a new sport, hobby or creative activity together.

It may feel as if everyone wants a piece of you this week Aquarius. If you’re smart, you’ll do all you can to avoid power struggles and ego trips (especially when it comes to the big two; sex and money). Compromise and cooperation will get you a lot further, a lot faster. Singles – true love could be as close as the boy or girl next door!

7

8

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Don’t even try to second-guess the behaviour of others this week Libra. They will continually surprise (and flummox) you with their unusual and unpredictable antics, so don’t lose sleep trying to work out where they’re coming from. If you expect the unexpected – and are flexible – then you’ll manage just fine.

24 What describes ancestries or extractions?

25 Which are the rush or grass-like plants that grow in wet places?

Solutions

Crossword No.266 S R E N B A T O F R A R E R I N E R A

I C T A R L I C O S M I M T T R E D I

P O R A E Y E R T S O P O P E P R S H

H O N U B A T M X C E G A S G S E N O I D A L E S

E T R T O O R P E T R E Q U G I L I A

Sudoku medium No.34 A P A I R A T S O A L L I A T S E S S

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44 CityNews June 24-30

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46 CityNews June 24-30

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48 CityNews June 24-30