Canberra CityNews August 26 - September 1, 2010

CityNews August 26-September 1

news

Holidaying Green misses a week’s House work

By Eleri Harris

ACT GREENS Member of the Legislative Assembly Amanda Bresnan was missing from the House for the first sitting week after a seven-week winter recess, citing “personal” reasons.

Admitting that “sitting weeks are really important”, Bresnan told “CityNews” she was in Portugal at a meeting with the director of the National Institute on Drugs and Drugs Addiction discussing its needle and syringe program.

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to get back for the sitting week, but it did turn out to be particularly valuable. I did it at my own expense and set it up though my contacts, so didn’t feel it was appropriate to claim as Assembly Business.

It meant I extended my leave.

“Portugal is one of the countries that has implemented NSP. Their trial in two prisons ended in 2009, which is quite recent and I thought it was interesting in terms of what’s happened here,” she said.

“They provided me with some valuable lessons and I will be getting a copy of their evaluation report, which I will

INDEX

August 26-September 1, 2010 Since 1993: Volume 16, Number 34

Arts&Entertainment Body Crossword Dining Horoscope Movie reviews News Politics Property Social Scene Sport Sudoku

11-13 14 19 13 19 12 3-9 4-5 20-24 10 9 19

FRONT COVER: Bangarra Dance Theatre. Story Page 11.

provide to relevant ministers and the opposition. It’s useful information for the ACT.” Bresnan is not the only MLA to be travelling abroad during sitting weeks. Liberal MLA Brendan Smyth has previously been absent “overseas on Assembly business”, like Bresnan for one sitting week, and earlier this year Treasurer Katy Gallagher was criticised for going to France with her family during the Budget estimates process.

Since the 2008 election, nine MLAs have been absent for a total of 28 days.

Absences are put to the Assembly as a motion, the member concerned can put down whatever reason he or she is comfortable with – exactly half are due to “ill health”. The Assembly has never voted against the motion in this term.

Reasons given include being absent on Assembly business, personal and family.

The Assembly can vote whichever way it feels, but there is obviously a chance that if members vote against an absence, others may do likewise to them.

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Gardening gurus Grace Van Rooy, Holly Jalland, Bronte Pyke, Annabelle Shepherd and Talitha Thompson get their hands dirty at Chapman Primary School.

Photo by Silas

Gloves on for gardening gurus

By Megan Haggan CHAPMAN Primary School has appointed a team of 13 “Gardening Gurus” – pupils who will be responsible for keeping the school’s plants healthy and watered.

The school recently built a Sunlight Centre as part of creating a sustainable school environment, part of its five-year school plan. It also won two grants: one used to buy and construct its new Incredible Edible Veggie Gardens, and another from the Tank-

A-Day competition, which saw the school install a water tank and plumb it into the garden beds.

Each year at the school is about to plant a seed which will be transferred to the garden as a seedling when the weather warms.

“I wanted to join the Gardening Gurus because I love getting my hands dirty in the soil,” says Guru Talitha Thompson, from Year 4.

Talitha urged other local kids to get involved with gardening: “I want

them to have fun gardening and helping to plant more trees,” she said.

“I love spending my time outside in the fresh air.”

Guru Grace Van Rooy says she already gardens at home, “and I think I can make the Sunlight Centre have good and yummy veggies to eat.”

Teacher Lisa Raff says the school is involved with the McCain “School Veggie Patches” program and has recruited parents to help maintain worm farms, rotate soil and compost.

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

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

CityNews August 26-September 1

politics

The quirky sides of politics in the raw ONE of the more quirky aspects of election campaigns are the debates and public forums. The issues and audiences change, but the speakers remain the same.

The sport of forum shopping is an untapped goldmine of raw emotion and perhaps only the candidates on stage and the ever-present Democrat Darren Churchill attend all forums, but I gave it a good shot.

One night at a Make Poverty History forum, I watched Greens candidate Indra Esguerra force back tears at an ANU lecture theatre when describing the poverty she witnessed as a child in the Philippines.

I saw Labor Senator Kate Lundy lose her cool at

You’re over it, but the relentless ELERI HARRIS wants once last piece to share the odder glimpses of what she saw in five weeks attending (just about) every public election forum. a climate-change debate in a dingy pub over allegations she was simultaneously completing a masters degree and working in Parliament – rather amusing, since her highest qualification is a scaffolding licence.

I saw the usually composed economist Labor’s Andrew Leigh snap in a community centre at a senior citizen concerned about 24-hour flight paths and Liberal hopeful Giulia Jones admit in a room full of women that she is not in favour of quotas to

force gender balances in boardrooms.

Then there was haggard and wet Liberal Senator Gary Humphries standing at the Oxfam podium an hour-and-a-half late, confessing he had been in a car accident on the way there.

I saw Labor’s Gai Brodtmann outraged to learn of the ongoing tensions between midwives and obstetricians, while surrounded by angry mothers.

I didn’t see Liberal James Milligan or Greens Sue Ellerman at all, but that could be saying more

about me than them – the Senate debates were always going to be more interesting.

And who could forget the beautiful Greens education debate, moderated by my editor Ian Meikle, where Humphries called Greens Senate candidate Lin Hatfield Dodds to the Combined Services Club then to the Southern Cross Club in a venue mix-up, then in front of TV cameras, they preached to the converted.

And there’s the rub. Few people, it would appear, attend these forums without already having a sense of who they’re going to vote for.

Someone needs to publicise the forums so they aren’t stacked and then the ceiling really will come down!

Parliament’s former high drama turns to high farce THE best thing about the election is that it gives us a unique opportunity to reform Parliament and bring the people’s house back into focus as a genuine debating chamber for the great (and small) questions that confront us.

When I first came to Canberra to report Parliament for “The Age” in the mid-1960s it was a place of high drama. Debates in the House were reported at length and many of the speech makers were a joy to listen to.

When Robert Menzies spoke, for example, it was always an occasion of great theatre. We would all troop in from the press gallery for it and the old master would provide a wonderful show, especially if he could get Labor’s Jim Cope or Danny Minogue to interject.

Others like Gough Whitlam, Jim Killen, “Cocky” Calwell, John Jess, Garfield Barwick, Don Chipp, Edward St John were always worth hearing and, of course, in the comedy stakes Fred Daly was in a class of his own.

More importantly, the issues of the day – from Vietnam to States’ rights – could divide the parties and the power of the speech could be seen in the drama of members deciding to cross the floor.

The House of Representatives was the focal point of national debate and all major policy announcements were made by ministers at the Dispatch Box. It was a genuine forum.

At Question Time members would rise in their places with great alacrity trying to catch the eye of Mr Speaker for “questions without notice”. He would select government and opposition members in turn, but just which one was up to him. And when a government

CityNews August 26-September 1

ROBERT MACKLIN remembers the power of a parliamentry speech. member asked a “Dorothy Dixer” – provided by the minister in question – there would be catcalls of protest from the other side.

Today the House is a farce.

Ministers rarely make policy announcements there. Instead, Prime Ministers deliver them from a Parliament House courtyard and offer themselves for questions from the press.

Inside the House almost everyone now reads his or her speech. And with the possible exception of Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Anthony Albanese, there’s really no one who can give a well-turned off-the-cuff speech.

Question Time is simply an opportunity for ministers to propagandise. No government questions are “without notice” and the Opposition questions are not designed to glean genuine information but to catch a small sound bite. This is a total distortion of our parliamentary democracy.

So I was delighted to hear independent Rob Oakeshott declare that parliamentary reform was high on the list of his demands to form a working relationship in a minority government.

More power to him.

If only we could start an email campaign to our MPs to support him.

I will be sending several. I do hope you will join me. robert@robertmacklin.com

politics

Power, at last, to the people

By Michael Moore “HUNG parliament” – poppycock!

Just more of the Goebbels-speak from the major parties making use of pejorative terms! What is suddenly wrong with a term such as “minority government”? It is not as though Australians are not used to it.

So much effort has gone into the concentration of power then, bam, the people vote for a government that has to answer to the parliament. Sounds democratic to me!

It’s no big deal. All Australian States and Territories have had a period of minority government in the last two decades. In fact, the governments that are on the nose in Australia are the majority governments in NSW and Queensland and to a lesser extent in Victoria – the only majority governments in Australia. The UK, NZ and across Europe have successful minority governments.

The cross-bench negotiations are likely to begin with some type of reform charter demanding fixed-term elections, more open and accessible Freedom of Information, better parliamentary processes, cleaning up political donation laws and more effective accountability mechanisms.

Gareth Griffith, in a paper for the NSW Parliament, which examines such negotiations since 1989, divides the reform demands into three categories: environmental, constitutional and parliamentary. It is likely that negotiations will cover all three.

Minority government emphasises the importance of the separation of powers. The executive arm of government, the cabinet, can still continue to carry out its function of governing. The Ministers and their departments continue to manage the budgets that have been approved by the Parliament. However, the Minis-

ters become much more accountable to the parliament. “Toughing it out” by ministers who fail to properly manage programs becomes almost impossible. It is highly unlikely that Peter Garrett would have survived the home insulation fiasco if there had been a minority government.

The messages for months have been that this election is a contest between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. Nonsense! The only people that could vote for those individuals were those who cast a ballot in Lalor and Warringah. However, it suits the power brokers and big media to pretend that Australia has a presi-

dential style election. It does not.

The next piece of hyperbole is that the cross-bench should support the party that has the most votes as the government. Senator Nick Minchin repeated this proposition innumerable times during the ABC election coverage. Why not? He was trying to put the Liberal Party in the best possible position to take government and had the idea that if people generally accepted the notion as truth then there would be an expectation that in turn creates a pressure on the independents to act accordingly.

He was, of course, just creating more propaganda.

To gain “the confidence of the House” the potential Prime Ministers might have to make some concessions on environmental, constitutional and parliamentary matters to the independents and the Greens member.

It is high time for a federal minority government. Hopefully the demands of the cross-benches will improve accountability, make better use of the parliament and will help to cut through the half-truths, the propaganda and misinformation that have been so evident over the last few months.

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

briefly

Going for gateball CANBERRA’S gateball team (pictured) will represent Australia against 95 other teams from 13 countries at the World Gateball Championships in Shanghai next month. Gateball is a fast-paced Japanese mallet sport played by 10 million people globally, predominantly in Asia and South America. The Canberra team of nine players is also the current national champion, after winning the Australian Gateball Championships in Rockhampton last year.

There’s a “come and try” gateball afternoon at the Canberra Croquet Club (adjacent to the Hyatt Hotel, Yarralumla) from 1pm-3pm on Sunday, September 5.

Lung cancer tree planting

THE Australian Lung Foundation will plant 760 trees at a Lung Cancer Tree Planting Day in Canberra at Pine Island, Pine Island Road, Greenway, from 10am-noon on Sunday, August 29. The commemorative tree-planting events are designed to nationally recognise the thousands of Australians who die from lung cancer each year. More information at www.lungfoundation.com.au

Chronic fatigue seminar

RENOWNED chronic fatigue researcher Dr Byron Hyde, of Nightingale Research Foundation, Ottawa, Canada will speak at a free public seminar hosted by the ACT ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, at 1.30pm on Saturday, September 4. More information on 6290 1984, email admin@mecfscanberra.org.au or visit www. mecfscanberra.org.au

CityNews August 26-September 1

CityNews August 26-September 1

news

The worries of germ warfare Mum in the city

By Sonya Fladun

Dancing in the dark.... David Corbett and Adelina Larsson perform at the Belconnen Arts centre.

Photo by Silas

One very busy year By arts editor Helen Musa

THE Belconnen Arts Centre, at Emu Bank, is about to turn one. From September 3, the state-of-the-art venue will be thrown open to the public with sales, exhibitions, screenings and performances.

Director of the centre, Hannah Semler, can hardly contain her satisfaction as she looks back on the past year. With up to 300 people coming in for classes each week, 18,000 visitors during the first nine months and classes growing exponentially, things can only steam ahead.

Of course, they’re only 12 months into the normal 24 months it takes to get any business running. But if Chief and Arts Minister Jon Stanhope was worried that the public might not embrace the new facility, he can rest easy. At any time of the day you can see parents (including lots of dads) there drinking coffee, playing with children and waiting for other children to finish classes. The centre has welcomed the full spectrum of users from babies to nonagenarians and the little coffee kiosk, which won’t be augmented until Stage 2, is often pushed to its limits.

Semler can tick all the boxes on community access, for as well as national

and international artists, it plays host to people with disabilities, Alzheimer’s patients who benefit from the arts, Kindermusik for littlies, which has expanded from two to five classes, Dance Central’s “Blueberries” programs for preschoolers, and Latin dance classes

by Coco Loco and Salsabor, which now have morning classes for daring seniors wanting to lean Salsa and Zumba.

The elegant gallery is undoubtedly one of the high points of the new centre, with opportunities for up-and-coming Belconnen artists seen in the “Artists/Proof” show that featured more than 30 artists, a show by Strathnairn Arts Association and the recent Naidoc Week partnership with artsACT. At the high end, Michael Winters’ Anzac exhibition included works borrowed from the Australian War Memorial and the recent show by ceramicist Sarit Cohen revealed a Chinese connection. Both these showcased art by international artists who live and work in Belconnen.

The centre, though theatre-less until stage 2, has also seen packed twilight concerts by Canberra’s Griffyn Ensemble, guitar recitals and the interactive science show by Boho Theatre, “True Logic of the Future.”

IT’S easy to get obsessive about germs, particularly at this time of year when everyone seems to be sneezing and coughing. If you have children in school or childcare, where they are exposed to all manner of winter ailments, life can seem like a never-ending battle against those insidious, microscopic terrorists.

With baby number one, I was totally germ phobic. I was positive that if I didn’t wash my hands with disinfectant every time before I touched the baby, if I didn’t use the bestavailable, dust-sanitising vacuum cleaner or invest in the most-powerful anti-bacterial washing power and cleaning sprays, my son wouldn’t survive his first year.

Looking back, I now know you can’t put your children in a sterile bubble. Indeed, some germ exposure probably helps develop children’s immunity.

Some of the heavy-duty cleaning products many of us nuke our homes with may well present their own health risks. Cleaning the shower cubicle with a powerful cleaner recently, I had a bit of a turn. The fumes were overwhelming and I was seeing flashing lights and feeling dizzy.

Reading the fine print on the product afterwards, I realised the bathroom window should have been open for ventilation. I also probably shouldn’t have mixed the cleaner with a mould remover in an effort to do two jobs at once!

However, the experience got me thinking about the safety of using these potent products so regularly. Our homes are often awash with chemicals – cleaners, solvents, insecticides – in all sorts of weird and wonderful combinations.

Yet it hasn’t always been like this. My mum swore by the likes of vinegar, eucalyptus oil, bicarbonate soda and good old soap for household cleaning, and would only employ the big guns when a serious clean-up was called for.

I still favour hand-washing and won’t be giving up my hand-sanitisers or antibacterial wipes any time soon. But I will weed out from the cupboard some of the chemicals that could knock out Ebola with a single whiff.

So when contemplating spring cleaning, think about if you really need to kill every possible microbe with the domestic equivalent of nerve gas, or whether it’s possible to use a cheaper, healthier, more environmentally friendly and child-safe alternative.

CityNews August 26-September 1

news

Sisters in alms – and adventure

By Shereen Charles

AS young girls, good friends and nurses Lynette Kegel and Julianne Solway had dreams of travelling to developing countries to offer their medical services.

However, with work and households to run, their dreams were put on hold.

Then a few months ago Lynette chanced upon an ad in the “Australian Nursing Journal” looking for volunteers for a community charity project to Cholsa, India, in an experience that combines volunteering with travelling.

“This is something that I have always wanted to do and my circumstances have changed quite dramatically in the last six months. I’ve always wanted to give back to the world and I told Julianne that I need to do this!” said Lynette.

The “Project India” Indian experience is organised by Memorable Experiences, which tailors each tour specially to a country’s specific needs.

“For Project India, the volunteers will have to raise $6500. Sixty per cent of that will go to local charity SIDS and Kids while the school in Cholsa will benefit from the

Nurses Julianne Solwa, left, and Lynette Kegel... “I’ve always wanted to give back to the world and I told Julianne that I need to do this!” said Lynette.

Photo by Silas volunteers’ physical presence teaching in the school,” said Chris Harrison, who overseas Project India.

Having recently survived breast cancer, Julianne says she has started looking at things in a new light, and understanding the importance of time.

“When you work in the system, you hear all the negative things. When I did get sick, one of the things I was so grateful for was what I had. It changes the way you look at things. I kept thinking that I could be sick and living in a third-world country without any of these facilities,” she said.

The 13-day trip planned for September next year, will see the women cycling 54km around the rural back roads of India. They will also help to teach and run the school in Cholsa.

“Anyone who’s in education and health recognises that if you give that opportunity to anyone – it’s a gift. To be able to assist in something like that in India, it’s incredible,” said Julianne.

“I see it as not just giving to them, but giving back to myself as well. As mothers, we’ve got so many different responsibilities, and as nurses, even more.

This is me taking a little bit of ownership for me. It’s taking time to do something that I really want to do. I’ve told my youngest that if this trip goes well, I want to organise a medical trip to India,” she said.

“I’m heading into directions that I was never going before.

I’ve got a new road map, and I’m heading back to do things that I wanted to do when I was in my 20s.”

Both women, who work full time, already have a series of fundraising activities such as golf nights, holding sausage sizzles and quiz nights planned to raise the $6500 each.

briefly

Darters think pink

DVD WINNERS Five “CityNews” readers have won a copy of “Who do you think you are? USA”: Diana Ferry, of Kingston; Deborah Gale, of Evatt; Alina Tooley, of Narrabundah; Ryan Dunning, of Narrabundah; and Sarah Van Voorhees of Braddon.

CityNews August 26-September 1

NETBALL fans are encouraged to wear pink when the Darters take on Singapore in the last home game of the season at the AIS Arena on Friday, August 27. The Darters has appealed to the public to wear pink and attend in big numbers with gold-coin donations going to the McGrath Foundation. A signed Darters netball will go to the best-dressed fan in pink. Doors open at 6pm; match starts at 7pm. Tickets from Ticketek or at the door.

CWA celebrates

LOCAL branches of the Country Women’s Association will celebrate the inaugural CWA Awareness Day on Wednesday, September 8.

Each branch will hold its own celebration, including open days and community celebrations, to reflect on the CWA’s achievements in its 88-year history. More information at www. cwaofnsw.org.au or call 9358 2923.

Lighting the night

LIGHT the Night, an event organised by the Leukaemia Foundation to remember, celebrate and give hope to Australians impacted by leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, will be held at Glebe Park, Civic, 5.30pm-8.30pm on September 17. At twilight, stories will be shared and each person attending will light a special balloon before taking a scenic walk to light the night. Register online at www.lightthenight.org.au or call 1800 500 088 today.

news

New director

By arts editor Helen Musa

THE next director of the National Portrait Gallery will be its acting director, Louise Doyle.

The appointment follows the departure of Andrew Sayers to the top job at the National Museum of Australia.

Doyle was previously director of Cairns Regional Gallery and before that, manager of the Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery.

She has been widely praised for her big-picture approach to administering art galleries and for her networking.

It is understood that the job was initially offered last week to Ron Ramsey, director of the Newcastle Region Art Gallery, a long-time assistant director at the National Gallery of Australia and Australia’s cultural attaché to the US from 20042007.

sport

Here comes the AFL, again !

ANOTHER AFL club is beating a path to Canberra and I didn’t think I would ever go down this path again, but the enthusiasm of those involved has persuaded me to throw my support behind the concept.

This time though, it is different because the club involved is seeking to have an almost symbiotic relationship with the community.

But like any evolving relationship, it is taking time to build trust with the ACT community that has been left like a jilted lover stranded at the altar twice in the past 22 years.

The Greater Western Sydney team is courting AFL supporters in the ACT with the promise of up to four matches a season. Sure, we have heard this before. First, our hopes were raised during Fitzroy’s flirtation with Canberra before the club evolved into the Brisbane Lions and then there was North Melbourne’s ill-fated dalliance, which ended in tears.

In the wake of North Melbourne’s departure, the void has been filled by the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne with neither side totally committed to Canberra.

They didn’t promise the world though, and made it clear it was a short-term fix.

Despite the high level of support for the code in Canberra, there has always been the perception that fans are so closely aligned to existing clubs that they find it hard to support other teams.

Greater Western Sydney has made it clear they want to broaden their Sydney base by playing up to four games a season in Canberra. Sure, there is a financial angle with GWS seeking to tap into the ACT corporate market coupled with government support.

Okay, nothing new there.

GWS is also seeking pledges of support from potential

By Tim Gavel members. Once again, that has been done before in Canberra.

The difference is their desire to integrate into the Canberra football community. There is talk of a GWS academy in Canberra; they have identified young ACT players and have established a pathway into the AFL. Kevin Sheedy has spent so much time here promoting the AFL and his team over the past six months, that he should be eligible to call Canberra his home town. There is also the promise to have an ACT logo on the team’s jumper when they play at Manuka.

But there are hurdles to overcome before it becomes a reality.

It needs a show of support with people taking up membership packages. It has been a hard slog to date, particularly as the team is not playing until 2012.

Sheedy has stated that Manuka needs to be expanded to cater for 20,000 fans to support the new team.

A hold up though is that future developments at Manuka and any other major football ground in Canberra have been put on hold until a decision is made on the 2022 World Cup bid. If Australia wins, a new stadium will be built for league, union and soccer with the possibility that Canberra Stadium could be turned into an oval shape again for AFL and cricket. If that was the case, Manuka will revert to a community-style facility.

I think it’s the best chance Canberra has of hosting AFL matches on a regular basis for the long term. Let’s face it, we will never have a team of our own. Embracing GWS could be the next best thing.

CityNews August 26-September 1

scene

More photos at www.citynews.com.au

At Ross Divett Foundation dinner, Hotel Realm

At Chamber of Women in Business awards dinner

Sarah Golding, Sam Andrewartha, Jo Madsen and Sarah Amey

Andrew Blyton, Emma Gallagher and Ryan Chaffey

Cherie Marin and Peter Blyton

Macleay and and Claire Connelly Paul Leahy, Bronnie Hayek, Cindy Dickson, Mark McEwen and Michelle Watt

Martyn and Roslynne Ritchard

Craig Moore, Suzi Rositano, Venessa Tripp and Jim Rice

David Sweeney, Nicole Pietrucha, Theresa Graham, Jacqui Curtis and Robert Atkin

10 CityNews August 26-September 1

Tegan McGrath and Sarah Hornemar

Sally Provins and Michael Ashton

Melanie and Michael Kalamaras

Jan Hopkins, Christine Gibson and Dianne Nockels

Penny Ponder and James Morris

Laurie McDonald, Nicole Pratt and Lorraine Bottcher

At the Telstra Business Centre opening, Fyshwick

Sandie Judd, Brandon Vidler, Jeff Favaloro and Amber Nicholls

Joel Dalton, Neil Kennedy,Geoff Love and Anne Kennedy

Paul Dykes, Dawn Goodburn and Chris Taylor

all about living

arts | dining | fashion | body | crossword | horoscope | sudoku

look at Algorithm of the dance Fierce climate change COVER STORY

By arts editor Helen Musa WHO’S ever given much thought to the connection between dance and mathematics? Well, one of the two former Canberrans coming to town soon with Bangarra Dance Theatre’s double bill “Of Earth and Sky” has.

Jhuny-Boy Borja, a senior dancer with the company, has pretty much written the book on this connection. The son of Filipino immigrants who settled in Katherine, NT when he was two, he won a National Undergraduate Scholarship to the ANU, where he completed a BSc majoring in pure maths and software engineering.

Halfway through the ANU course, he thought: “I must find a way of keeping fit” so signed up with the Canberra Dance Development Centre. Coincidentally, so did the very much younger Daniel Riley McKinley, whose debut choreographic work “Riley” is part of Bangarra’s double bill.

So much for his mum’s fond dream that he might become a doctor. On graduating from the ANU, Borja headed for the WA Academy of Performing Arts. His honours thesis was on “the evolution of dance”, which was, he says, “a way of combining my interest in dance with my interest in science…I always try to think how things work.”

Borja is shy, but most comfortable when talking the language of algorithms rather than arabesques, arguing that the view of mathematics as “dry and straightforward” is entirely wrong and that many randomised algorithms “can end up being so unpredictable”. Like dance.

After graduating from WAAPA, he joined Bangarra, where he is into his eighth year.

While he knew many Aboriginal Australians in

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Helen Musa

Senior dancer Jhuny-Boy Borja... “I always try to think how things work.” his urban Katherine days, he admits he knew little about traditional indigenous culture until he joined the company, where “it came as a bit of a shock to my body to learn such new movements.”

He’s especially enjoying his personal engagement with 23-year-old Daniel Riley McKinley, whose new work was inspired by the “Cloud” series of the late artist Michael Riley and revolves around six of Riley’s images

– Boomerang, Locust, Bible (women), Angel, Bible (men), Broken Wing and Feather.

Borja believes that he’s “been able to help him develop his choreographic skills to help him clarify his ideas.”

“Of Earth and Sky” (“Artefact” by Frances Rings and “Riley” by Daniel Riley McKinley), Canberra Theatre, September 3-4. Bookings to 6275 2700.

“HUMAN Impact”, at CSIRO Discovery Centre until September 2, by artist Barak Zelig, is a fierce exhibition about climate change. His choice of colours is inspired by locations such as Mildura, Lake Mungo, the Murray Darling, Canberra and Lake George.

JIGSAW Theatre has finally announced its new artistic directorate – Canberra director Catherine Roach, Victorian writer, director and teacher Chris Thompson, Sydney director Sally Blackwood and freelance artist Ben Laden. Next up is a revival of “Too Hot To Handle”, the 2008 climate change musical for kids by Peter J Casey.

HARUKA Okada, the assistant producer of the ANU’s Za Kabuki theatre troupe, tells us that “the longest-running kabuki troupe outside Japan” has performances of “Topknot Bunshichi” coming up on September 3-4 in a mix of Japanese and English. “Although in Japan, women are not allowed to be in kabuki plays, at ANU Za Kabuki we feature cross-dressing so that both men and women can participate,” he says.

THE “Short+Sweet” play festival is coming to the Courtyard Studio with tiny plays from local, national and international writers. Canberra playwrights include 2009 Best Writer Hal Judge, Film Festival director Simon Weaving, Canberra Dramatics director Trevar Chilver and newcomer Darren Menachemson, with his first Canberra play, “The Fruits of War.” The top 20 plays are on September 1-4, then September 8-11, 8pm. Bookings to 6275 2700.

HELEN Swan’s adult choir the Resonants, will sing “Songs of Hope, Faith, Life, Love” in the Great Hall of University House at 7.30pm on September 4. Tickets at the door or from www.resonants.org.au/events ON September 3, the 11.55am train departing from Kingston to Sydney will be packed with poets. It’s the brainchild of Fiona Mcilroy, poet in residence at Carlo’s Café.

Email her for details at fionamcilroy@bigpond.com

CityNews August 26-September 1 11

arts&entertainment

Aled Jones sings to warm hearts

By Helen Musa WELSH singer Aled Jones has been five times before to Australia, but this time, with a new musical director, his show will be different, adding musical theatre pieces to his usual mix of inspirational songs and hymns.

When he was very young he was in “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, and in recent years he’s played Caractacus Potts in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Bing Crosby’s role in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

Jones is one of those rare

people who has enjoyed two brilliant careers, one of them when he was a boy soprano in the BBC’s “Songs of Praise” and now as a “light baritone who can do falsetto” on stage and screen. When a child, he tells me, “I was in the right place at the right time and had four fantastic years”.

Now he enjoys “aspects of the intimacy of the voice” but since he’s on stage 99 per cent of the time, he is aware that a lot of what he does is “very exposed” so likes to work with his regular guitarist Pete Harris.

After his voice broke, Jones went to

the Royal Academy of Music to study voice and composition, the latter not much more than writing jingles and TV ads. “I can write, but I’m finding that doing radio and TV shows and live performance is quite enough.”

The show we will see here is frankly sentimental and heartwarming, with non-denominational numbers such as “You Raise Me Up”, “How Great Thou Art” and Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings”.

Aled Jones, Canberra Theatre, August 30. Bookings to 6275 2700.

Singer Aled Jones.

and Exploding with laughter Power the passion “Four Lions” (M)

CHRISTOPHER Morris’s film about British-born Muslims, except Pakistan-born Omar (Riz Ahmed), preparing to carry out a suicide-bomb terrorist attack on a London mosque, did something that few recent films have matched. It made me actually laugh aloud instead of merely occasionally smiling.

The group, from disadvantaged economic and intellectual backgrounds, bumbles its way toward Paradise, aware of Islam but not well-versed in its tenets or practices, a danger most of all to themselves. This is a rich field for comedy, delivered against a background of the suicide-bomber ethos, people agreeing to immolate themselves at the behest of leaders tugging their chains from the safety of higher rank. Paradise is a political, not a spiritual, destination.

Morris’s objective is to increase our awareness of the dangers embedded in his film’s argument by packaging it in humour. We almost get to like them as they stagger toward the climax of their plan. They make us laugh at the same time as we fear that, despite their incompetence, they might succeed. I found that rewarding.

At Dendy

“Matching Jack” (M) THERE is also humour and tension in this melodrama combining the grief felt by Marissa (Jacinda Barrett) on learning that her nine-yearold son Jack (Tom Russell) has leukaemia with her anger on discovering that her architect husband David (Richard Roxburgh) has been bedding housewives while renovating their homes.

In the Melbourne Children’s Hospital, Jack shares a room with Finn (Kodi Smit-McPhee, perhaps the brightest of Australia’s contem-

12 CityNews August 26-September 1

CINEMA

By Dougal Macdonald porary juvenile stars). The oncologist (Colin Friels) suggests that a compatible bone-marrow transplant from a blood relative might help Jack.

Is there a sibling that his parents do not know about? With a husband like David, Marissa reckons it’s worth trying to find out, if only she can learn with whom he had dallied.

The screenplay spins these narrative threads around the warmth of Finn’s widowed Irish father Connor (James Nesbitt), his love for his gravely ill son, his skill at carving replica figureheads for sailing ships and the development of a relationship with Marissa, which remains unresolved at film’s end.

The result is a moderately tear-jerking family story leavened more by gentle humour than broad comedy, performed by a fine cast and directed with flair by writer David Parker’s wife Nadia Tass who, when Connor and his friends in an Irish pub are farewelling Finn, has them singing the lovely “Carrickfergus”, written for such occasions.

At all cinemas

“Salt” (M) AUSTRALIAN film-maker Phillip Noyce has made some great movies here and in Hollywood, so I hoped this one starring Angelina Jolie as a female Jason Bourne might match them.

After interrogation in a North Korean prison, a prisoner swap and marriage, CIA operative Evelyn Salt is back at a Washington desk.

Interviewing Russian blow-in Orlov, she learns of a plot to assassinate the Russian president during the funeral of the US vice-president, thereby precipitating World War III. And the assassin’s name is Evelyn Salt.

For complexity, the resulting tangle of agent, double agent and double agent doubled back has few equals.

US agencies are desperate to stop Evelyn from doing what Orlov says she is there to do. Kurt Wimmer’s screenplay fails to enquire into Orlov’s accusation. Only her long-time CIA associate Winter (Liev Schreiber) doubts it. The FBI, CIA, Secret Service and police forces set off to run her down.

From here, it’s wild action, but it doesn’t gell. Salt takes out Russians and Americans alike in her flight. We wonder what it’s about as Noyce delivers an enigmatic finale – itself no bad thing – that may portend a sequel.

At all cinemas

MUSICAL THEATRE

“The Will To Freedom” Written and performed by Maike Brill, music composed and performed by Anthony Smith, directed by Joanne Schultz. The Street Theatre, season closed.

Reviewed by Joe Woodward “THE Will To Freedom” is powerful, full of passion, with an engaging musical score driven by a sense of necessity.

It is about an African Muslim woman, Raja, who flees to Europe and tells her story to a German doctor, Sophie Freibach, who’s inspired to relate it to the Western world.

The focus is on Raja’s growing awareness of the oppression against her gender and Freibach’s recognition of the extent of the problems.

“Blood ties; blood cries” the doctor reflects, after hearing Raja’s account of the little girl crying “Ma, Ma…” while being cut as part of a genital mutilation. The doctor’s disgust is further enhanced when some of her colleagues express tacit approval of the procedure.

The Western narrative is most evident in the contemporary style of music

by Anthony Smith, which at times echoes compositions of Stephen Sondheim.

Brill’s performance is committed and unsentimental. The play challenges the complacency born of a growing reluctance to address problematic cultural traditions for fear of accusations of racism or colonialism. It is no wonder that Aayan Hirsi Ali, who’s story inspired this production, has herself been vilified in the West and physically threatened by fundamentalists for her outspoken attacks on the cultural and religious circumstances from which she fled.

dining

Ostani rises to the challenge WENDY JOHNSON gave Ostani a constructive thumbs down recently. Inspired by her criticism, the restaurant challenged her to return to see what they’ve done.

She did. Anonymously, of course.

A NEW executive chef is making his mark with an exciting menu at Ostani, Hotel Realm.

Fabian Wagnon moved to Canberra eight years ago from Toulouse, France, after marrying a Canberra woman and has spent the last few years at the National Gallery as executive chef. Now he is bringing his “modern European” style of food to Hotel Realm.

As with all good restaurants, the emphasis at Ostani is now on quality ingredients (goodbye to frozen produce) and interesting flavours cooked with careful execution.

We decided to focus on share plates, which on the regular menu start at $6.50 for assorted olives up to $17 for an assortment of Italian-style cured meats.

If you love heat, you’ll love the piri piri chicken lollipops ($13.50), a Chinese appetiser usually made from segments of chicken wings. They looked great on the plate and were a super start to our evening (note the word “hot”, though). We loved the cool fennel and celery salad served in a small side dish, which toned down the bold flavour of the lollipops.

Ostani has a few specials and we took up the recommendation to have the slowcooked lamb ribs, which were as succulent and tasty as could be. The skill of the chef is evident with this dish and there was no doubt it had spent several hours in the oven.

The meat just slid off the bone.

A range of pizzas are still on offer, which makes sense given the eatery is attached to a busy, bustling bar. There are nine styles, ranging from $15.50 to $18.50 – all thin crusts and cooked “just so”. The funghi was our choice… field mushrooms, rosemary and mozzarella with shaved Parmesan and white truffle oil ($16.50). It hit the spot with the mushrooms delicately seasoned and all ingredients complementing one another instead of jockeying for position.

A highlight of the evening was the seriously sexy, yet simple, side salad we shared ($11.50), made with rocket and thin slices of pear, walnut oil and grana padano Italian cheese. A delightful dish in every respect.

I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

The wine list is great, with many options by the glass (an impressive number, and beautiful wines at that). Service is with a smile by staff who know the menu well. Can you ask for anything more? Not really…

My first visit to Ostani – before the menu change and new executive chef – was not the best, but I’m delighted to have experienced all the recent adjustments and glad I went back.

Ostani, Hotel Realm, open seven days, 11am til late. Call 6163 1802.

Ostani... the emphasis is now on quality ingredients and interesting flavours cooked with careful execution.

Photo by Silas

Modern Australian menu with flair ROCKSALT Restaurant, at Hawker shops, is renowned for its seasonal menus, wine-matching, handmade desserts and its service, says owner/operator Geoff Brooks.

“Our dinner menu, created by head chef Ian Cunliffe, incorporates a modern Australian theme, using the freshest seasonal produce,” he said. “Ian strives to produce dishes of the highest quality with a creative and original flair.

“Rocksalt has always been renowned for its creative degustation menu that caters for vegetarians as well as carnivores.

“The degustation menu is available with matched wines, or you can choose your own wine from our extensive wine list, which has a large local element including a cellar list for those wanting to make their evening extra special.

“Rocksalt was recently awarded one glass in the Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awards, which was published in “Gourmet Traveller”’s WINE magazine.

“Wine dinners are held throughout the year with various wineries from around Australia.

Some of these have included Villa Maria from NZ, Coriole from McLaren Vale, St Hallet from the Barossa, McKellar Ridge from Murrumbateman, Phillip Shaw from Orange and a beer-matching dinner from Macs Brewery in NZ.” Rocksalt has also created a fresh lunch menu, ideal for those who work five minutes away in the Belconnen town centre, Geoff said.

More information on www.rocksaltcanberra. com.au or call 6254 7865.

CityNews August 26-September 1 13

body

Gold and black dress, $95 and Duramesh bag, $49 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage at Ellory Lane, Canberra Centre.

A vintage performance

By Megan Haggan WE’VE grown to love vintage fashion over the last five years or so, says Fiona Baverstock, because of the one-off aspect of vintage fashion – “no one else has one!

“Until about five years ago, vintage was considered pre-1950, the ’50s were classed as retro and anything after that was just old-fashioned and naff!” says Fiona, of The Way We Wear Fairs, a recent visitor to Canberra.

“Generally, the quality and cut are better than most of what we buy today, and there’s also the romance of wearing vintage: you can step into your own black and white movie in a slinky 1930s or a chic 1940s dress, or become the star of ‘Mad Men’ in a ‘50s or ‘60s number.

“Each piece has a story to tell, to which you add your own story.

“We used to call the ’70s the decade that taste forgot, until someone decided to revive ’80s shoulders:

then we realised the ’80s had a real style bypass. But the youngsters love ’80s.”

The focus on the ’40s is fresh again in terms of recycling: “1940s wartime fashions are the epitome of ‘less is more’,” Fiona says.

“Because of wartime shortages and clothing rationing, they had to learn to be clever. For example, you would use clever stitching to suggest collars, lapels, pockets or to make a dress look like a suit.

“You would recycle: cleverly adapt the bodice of a tired dress to create a blouse or waistcoat, use your husband, brother or father’s suit which was hanging in the cupboard doing nothing while he was away fighting to create a smart suit (always called a ‘costume’) for yourself.

“New ideas for recycling and adapting were published every week in newspapers and magazines and in special government booklets: waste not, want not.”

Earrings, $29.95 and vintage necklace, $34.95 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage at Ellory Lane, Canberra Centre.

1950s leopard print raincoat, $295 at The Way We Wear Fair.

Gold and black shoes, $49 from Bel’s Aviary Vintage at Ellory Lane, Canberra Centre.

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Mitchell

advertising feature

Explorer remembered in Mitchell Founded in 1975, Mitchell was named for Maj. Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, the explorer who investigated inland NSW. The suburb’s streets are named after Australian industrialists.

Rent a ute MITCHELL is a great place to do business because it’s easily accessible and close to emerging suburbs, says Rob Cunningham from Rent-a-Ute. Rob bought Jamison Rent-

a-Ute about 12 months ago, and says the company’s point of difference is that its fleet of Toyota Hilux utes have cages.

“The utes are great for yard clean-ups, or if you’re moving house,” said Rob, who also owns Premier Automotive, which has

been in Mitchell for 15 years.

“It’s especially handy for people in the new and expanding suburbs who are getting rid of a lot of garden waste, because we’re close to the waste transfer station on Flemington Road.

“And if you’re moving house you still have to tie things down in the back of the ute, but it’s safer than a ute without a cage.”

More information on 6242 8500.

Rent a room

Mitchell is close to everything and convenient, says Amy Hewson, training manager at Mitchell Personnel Solutions.

“A few years ago it was considered a bit out of the way,” she says. “We’ve been here since 2006, and in

January moved to brand new offices on Flemington Road.

“Over those last three or four years we’ve seen a lot of businesses move in, and people are realising that Mitchell is very central to Belconnen and Civic, with Gungahlin just up the road: there are still the perks, though, with free parking and it’s not overly busy.

“We have a multi-purpose room that’s available for hire and can be used as a meeting room, board room or computer lab, or for offsite planning and meeting days,” Amy says.

“We have Internet access, access to whiteboards and our other equipment and inclusive in the room price is all-day tea and coffee: and it’s not instant, either!”

More information on www. mpsolutions.com.au or call 6123 0500.

Miss Ink pageant’s Fallon Gill… “Tattoos are slowly becoming more and more accepted.”

Photo by Silas.

Tattoos help Fallon through tough stuff

By Megan Haggan THE old stereotypes about tattooed women are breaking down, says Fallon Gill, founder of Canberra’s Miss Ink pageant – but she’s still fallen victim to them a couple of times herself.

“I’ve had people tell me that I have the image of a drug user or bikie,” says the busy mum, model and former award-winning mechanic, who says she spends most of her time at home baking custom cakes for her small business.

“I don’t smoke or do drugs, and I’ve never been involved in a bikie gang – they couldn’t have been further from the truth!

“I get tattoos to help me overcome grief and obstacles in my life. They all have significant meanings to me.

But as time goes on, I get less stares and less comments, as tattoos are slowly becoming more and more accepted.”

Fallon has 10 tattoos; she

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had the first done on her 18th birthday to remember her grandfather, who had recently passed away.

“My favourite tattoo has to be the piece I’m in the process of completing,” she adds. “It’s a floral piece dedicated to my mum.”

Fallon founded the Miss Ink pageant last year, and says the competition for 2010 is set to be fierce.

“I started Miss Ink Australia after realising that the amount of women getting tattoos was forever increasing,” says Fallon. “You get many male-oriented tattoo and bike shows, but nothing that was aimed directly at showcasing the beauty of tattooed women.”

Fallon is currently competing for the “Miss Illustrated” title of Miss Pinup Australia, and is the only Canberran to take on five NSW girls in the upcoming State finals. She’s chosen a 1950s theme.

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore August 30 - September 5

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You prefer to work on your own but this week’s stars favour nurturing partnerships, stabilising your support network, and taking on more responsibilities than usual. Single Rams are in the mood for romance but don’t assume things will fall effortlessly into place. Expect a few hiccups (and false-starts) before true love comes calling.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

The Moon’s in your sign early in the week which boosts your determination and your stubbornness. Knowing when to hold on and when to let go is the secret to success at the moment. Watch out for crossed wires with children, teenagers, friends – or a new lover. It’s time to polish up on your communication skills. You’ll need them!

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Expect mix-ups with family members, as Mercury reverses through your domestic zone (until September 13). Make sure what you say is what you mean, or it could backfire on you later.

Venus, Mars and Saturn are all visiting your romance zone so, when it comes to finding (and keeping) love, you need to be romantic, proactive and persistent.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

You’re in the mood to streamline your domestic space as you renovate or style up a storm. The more organised you are at home, the more enthusiastic you’ll feel about work, relationships – and the future. The weekend favours entertaining at home, as you impress someone with your culinary skills, romantic heart and sentimental soul.

general knowledge crossword No. 276 Across

Down

4 What is another term for a shrew?

7 Which male voice is between a tenor and a bass?

8 What do we call a place frequented by holiday makers?

9 Name an alternative word for sicknesses.

11 What do we often hope to get back from the ATO? 13 What does one do for the purpose of sinking a ship?

15 That which results from something is known as the what?

17 In medicine, which machine is used to minutely examine a part of the body?

20 Name the figure of a star used as a reference mark.

23 To which season does "vernal" relate?

24 What are rooms at the top of lighthouses where the light is located?

25 When one is batting, one is said to be at the what?

1 Name a popular Indonesian resort.

2 What is an alternative term for fate, or destiny?

3 Which is the earth's only satellite?

4 What is another word for poetry?

5 What is a mildly reproving term for a child?

6 Which word describes a narrow cleft with steep, rocky walls?

9 What are passageways between seats in a church?

10 Which term is descriptive of earthquakes?

12 What is a long narrow mark, smear, band of colour, or the like?

14 Name an inflammatory affection of the throat, such as quinsy.

16 Which word describes a collusive syndicate?

18 What is a hairbrained escapade?

19 In golf, what is a score two below par?

21 Name the armoured, selfpropelled combat vehicle that moves on caterpillar tracks.

22 What is another word for transgressions?

Solution next week

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LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Lively Leos have a tendency to burn the candle at both ends.

Slow down and look after your health. As birthday boy Charlie Sheen points out: “It ain’t the years, it’s the mileage.” And be extra careful with your finances, as the Sun links up with retro Mercury in your money zone. If you must sign contracts, check the fine print thoroughly.

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VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Loved ones behave unpredictably mid-week so be a versatile Virgo and expect the unexpected. The Sun and retro Mercury join up in your sign on Saturday, when you’re at your fastidious, fact-finding best – and your neurotic, nit-picking worst! If you are too critical of others, you’ll just drive them away. Relax and go with the flow.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

This week’s stars highlight your creativity – and your tendency to procrastinate. Librans can be fence sitters but you need to make a big decision soon, before someone else steps in and makes it for you. Love is in the air on Sunday but don’t spoil the romantic vibes by being totally unrealistic. For some lucky Librans, friendship finally turns into love.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Expect major plans and cherished dreams to be put on hold for the next two weeks, as Mercury reverses through your hopes and wishes zone. A touch of tenacity and a pinch of patience will ease your frustration. Don’t blame others if things go wrong this week Scorpio – the only person who is likely to sabotage your progress is you!

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Sudoku medium No.39 Solution next week

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It’s the perfect week for swashbuckling Sadges, as romance and adventure are highlighted. So take your partner on a magical journey (or go off searching for a hot new love). Keep plugging away at work – but don’t expect instant results. As birthday great Lily Tomlin observes: “The road to success is always under construction.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Professional matters look better this week, so make the most of the lucky opportunities that come along. If you are traveling, allow plenty of time for disruptions and delays. Being open and emotionally available will draw a special person to you (who would normally stay away). For some singles – Cupid pays a visit to your workplace.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Getting yourself further into financial debt is a recipe for disaster at the moment. By all means have fun, but don’t break the bank. With the Sun and Mercury in your intimacy zone, creative communication is required when it comes to romance. Singles – it’s time to be passionately proactive as you go looking for love and adventure.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Pisceans are confusing at the best of times! Try to communicate clearly on Thursday, otherwise monumental mix-ups are likely.

Sunday is the perfect day for romance and declarations of undying love, but make sure you adjust your rose-coloured glasses (and don’t get carried away with vague schemes and pie-in-the-sky dreams). Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2010.

Solutions

Crossword No.275

Sudoku hard No.38

D R O V E R I A O A I E U R Y D I C E I N R O A D O D T C L H A N D I C A P P H R A S E C V E A M B I T I O N A D A D C O M P O S E R O F E B A L L A D O F F S H O R E A N E E N L E G E N D P R O T O C O L E U S A E S C R O L L

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