141009 citynews by Canberra CityNews

CURTIN TURNS 50 / NINE PAGES AND A BIG PARTY AT THE SHOPS OCTOBER 9, 2014

Labor canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get its snout out of pokies MICHAEL MOORE Beware the old, blinking modem

JOHN GRIFFITHS

Being a girl just gets harder!

Latin lovers The whirlwind world of salsa sisters Raquel and Angela Paez

SONYA FLADUN

The mystery of Kuringa Drive

MARK PARTON

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2 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

news / cover story

briefly

Whirlwind world of the salsa sisters

Solidarity picnic

By arts editor Helen Musa

IT’S been a whirlwind year for Canberra’s salsa sisters Raquel and Andrea Paez and it’s about to get pacier. In February, their Salsabor Dance studio had to be evacuated because of the fire in the Sydney Building. There followed happier news that Raquel and her husband and dance partner, Peter Ricciardo, would expect their first child in February. Then just a couple of weeks ago, Andrea got married on Maui in Hawaii. Finally, in just a week or so their great invention, the Canberra Latin Dance Festival, kicks off for the third time at the ANU Sport and Recreation Centre. “CityNews” caught up with the Paez sisters and their dancing partners, Ricciardo and Juan Pablo Blanc, twirling, beating out rhythms, lifting and arguing about variations on moves as photographer Gary Schafer worked his way around the dance floor of their new Salsabor premises. Andrea is just back from Minneapolis and her American husband will follow her soon, arriving just in time for the festival. “I missed home and my family,” she explains – and besides, she’s about to become an aunty. The Ecuadorian-Australian sisters

Peter Ricciardo and Raquel Paez with Juan Pablo Blanc and Andrea Paez… “There are lots of festivals, but only one Latin dance festival,” says Raquel. Photo by Gary Schafer have plenty to celebrate. After that devastating fire that saw them momentarily high and dry, they quickly found new premises near the merry-go-round in central Civic and say the dance school is now going fine, just like the Canberra Latin Dance Festival. “CityNews” has noted in the past the entirely weird phenomenon of mild-mannered Canberra public servants coming out at night in satin and sequins, transformed into salsa kings

and queens. The sisters put this down to the evident fact that “people in Canberra are always looking for something to do… people want to find something exciting”. As well, says Raquel: “This is a transient city and there are lots of festivals, but only one Latin dance festival, so people are going to make the effort.” Their excitement about the coming event is palpable. With a list of international salsa and zouk/lambada

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stars coming to town, there is also the “huge innovation” of having a proper raised stage this year, meaning that the showcase dancers will be visible. And fear not, the huge flat-floor gym where people can dance socially will still be there, too. Heading up the list of international guests are John Narvaez and Liz Rojas, directors of the San Francisco Bay area’s Salsamania Dance Company and world salsa champions, Israeli-born Shani Talmor, an expert in Samba and Afro-Cuban styles; “Million Moves Man” Super Mario, Britain’s salsa sensation; zouk, samba and Afro whizkid Xandy Liberato from Sao Paulo, and Evelyn Magyari, the salsa and flamenco star from the Netherlands. And what’s unique to the 2014 festival? I ask the Paez sisters. Well, on Saturday, October 18, there is the Switcharoo Salsa Competition and the Fire and Ice Gala, where you have to wear red and/or white. But it’s been World Cup year, so there’ll be the Brazilian Carnaval World Cup Tribute on Sunday, October 19. Canberra Latin Dance Festival, ANU Sport and Recreation Centre, nighttime sessions from 8pm, Friday-Sunday, October 17-19. After-show parties each night. Canberra Latin Industry Awards will be presented throughout the weekend. Bookings and full program at canberralatindancefestival.com.au

THE Australian Non-Muslim and Muslim Solidarity Picnic will be held at Black Mountain Peninsula from noon on Saturday, October 18. Organiser Nicola Harrod says its purpose is to show mutual solidarity between non-Muslims and Muslims, to foster understanding and build strong links of inclusion.

Buddies’ dinner BREAST cancer support group Bosom Buddies will host its annual dinner for Australian Breast Cancer Day at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, on Monday, October 27. Tickets are $68 for members and $75, nonmembers. Bookings to 0406 376500 or bosombuddies@shout.org.au, alternatively download a booking form from bosombuddies.com.au

Monster raffle WESTON Creek’s Rotary Club is running a Monster Charity Raffle with the first prize a voucher for two to attend any Ticketek show or event plus $1000 towards travel expenses. The $2 tickets, in support of Camp Quality, the ACT Deafness Resource Centre and Rotary charities, will be for sale at Westfield Woden on October 17-18 and Cooleman Court October 23-25. The raffle will be drawn at Cooleman Court, 5pm, on Saturday, October 25.

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index

Since 1993: Volume 20, Number 37

Arts & Entertainment 29-32 Canberra Confidential 14 Cinema 31 Dining 32 Garden 34-35 Horoscope 33 Letters 12 News 3-12 Politics 6 Puzzles 33 Socials 15-18

Bad taste of a lumpy sandwich Cover: Canberra’s salsa sisters Raquel, left, and Andrea Paez. Photo by Gary Schafer. Story Page 3.

contacts CEO: Greg Jones, 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Journalists: Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, 0400 043764, helen@citynews.com.au Senior advertising executive: Ernie Nichols, 0421 077999 Advertising sales executives: Graham Spencer, 6262 9100; Rebecca Dann, 0431 042087; Charlotte Cuttle, 6262 9100 Advertising sales co-ordinator: ad@citynews.com.au Sydney advertising sales: Ad Sales Connect, 02 9420 1777 Production manager / graphic designer: Janet Ewen Graphic designer: Paulette Leo Photographers: Gary Schafer and Andrew Finch Proof reader: Glenda Anderson Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au

Well written, well read

seven days

Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Civic 2601

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

SANDWICHED between the lunacy of two public holidays on consecutive weeks came a four-day filling of lumpy news for capital dwellers. October 1 heralded the painful reality of petulantly imposed paid parking in the Parliamentary Triangle. I say petulant because, while the rest of Australia sniggers at public servants boo-hooing at having to pay for parking, it’s a blunt blow to decades of custom and practice to get whacked with a gross annual slug of around $5000. And that’s a lot of disposable income lost to the ACT economy, let alone the effect on lower-paid workers, whose union United Voice estimates the parking impost will cost them 8 per cent of their salary. The front-page image of tough-talking NCA chief Malcolm Snow befriending a parking machine and extolling the virtues of walking and cycling made Seven Days wonder what was the probability that he’d be queuing for a voucher anytime soon. AS if that’s not enough, Canberra appears to be doing the heavy lifting on public service job losses with the city on track to shed 6500 positions by 2017. Every public sector job lost makes supporting every private sector job in Canberra just that little bit harder,

While the rest of Australia sniggers at public servants boo-hooing at having to pay for parking, it’s a blunt blow to decades of custom and practice. in the hokey?

confirmed by the news that fewer employed bottoms means fewer chairs and desks, which is biting at Canberra’s office furniture traders. UNSURPRISINGLY then the ABS figures confirming that Canberra experienced the second-largest slump in retail trade in Australia over August. Canberra Business Council chief Chris Faulks extolled the bleeding obvious blaming the continued uncertainty around public service job security… and probably soon parking fees, too. THEN there was the jaw-dropping admission by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate that despite surveillance by 300 cameras, X-rays, metal detectors, dog patrols, border patrols and strip searches, methamphetamines and ice are still seeping into the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Seven Days can’t help but wonder if the prison officers can’t control the contraband, what hope have they got of safely managing Chief Minister Katy Gallagher’s pressing demand for a needle exchange service

THE Minister for Misadventure Joy Burch seems to have been seduced by the logic of charming Jeff House from ClubsACT with the cosy announcement that the ACT Government’s new reduced cap on poker machines is to be 4785, around 800 higher than its original “aspirational” target. Howls of protest, including that of Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury, were quickly calling for tougher reforms. Despite the conflict of the ACT Labor Party enjoying a couple of million from the Labor Club over the past five years, Joy brushed off the community and hotel industry squawking.

a review into the conduct of government agencies involved in the sale process. She’ll report by year’s end, but until then her forensic trunk will be looking at whether awarding Tabcorp a 50-year exclusive totalisator licence was, as critical industry and racing figures suggest, “a sham process”. THE ABC’s laconic Philip Clark remains the town’s most popular breakfast radio host with 666 ABC Canberra holding off the excitable Scotty and Nige at FM104.7. Clark, who replaced Ross Solly and has beaten his predecessor’s ratings, signed on only for a year. Seven Days imagines the FMers will be counting the sleeps to his farewell party. Unless… Regular columnist Robert Macklin is on leave. Ian Meikle is the editor of “CityNews”.

STILL on gambling, the ACCC blessed the sale of ACTTAB to Tabcorp saying rather unkindly that it “considered that ACTTAB has not been a vigorous competitor in wagering markets”. A heartbeat before, ACT auditorgeneral Maxine Cooper launched

IAN MEIKLE

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politics

Conflicted Labor can’t get snout out of pokies THE politics of pokies in the ACT are quite challenging. Freedom of choice; conflict of interest; party political funding and the harm they cause to many of their users are issues that create an untidy political quagmire.

The Labor government does have a conflict of interest... Over the past five years the Labor Party has received more than $2.4 million from the Labor-affiliated clubs.

outcome is disappointing as hotels have been heavily short-changed”. He added “the Gaming Machine Reform Package will give an ‘absolute monopoly’ to the ACT clubs’ The decision by Minister Joy Burch to sector”, and that hotels will have to sell their introduce the Gaming Machine Reform Package has caused a storm of protest from a class B gaming machine entitlements to clubs under the proposed scheme. diverse range of groups. There might be a reduction in the number The new package now links the number of pokies in the Gaming Machine Reform Packof machines to the size of the population. Disappointed, Susan Helyar, of the ACT Coun- age, but the commitment to reduce the target to 4000 has been lost with a new cap of 4785 cil of Social Service, pointed out that the and a link to growth in line with increases in consultation was inadequate and correctly explained that the level of supply is linked to the population. This decision, combined with the “exclusion” of the hotels, simply favours the level of harm. the Labor Party and its elected members – the The Australian Hotel Association has very people making this decision. an almost diametrically opposing view. The Labor government does have a conflict ACT general manager Brad Watts said that of interest in making administrative decisions “despite extensive lobbying efforts by the about poker machines. Over the past five hotel industry to the ACT Government, the

years the Labor Party has received more than $2.4 million from the Labor-affiliated clubs. This is money that provides support for each of the Labor members to get elected. In 2007 in “CityNews” I drew attention to the work of Alan Rosenthal who, writing in “Ethics and Political Practice”, was saying that: “The fundamental prohibition applies to the legislator who would personally benefit from some piece of legislation in a way or to a degree that other people would not”. I went on to conclude that it was difficult to understand why, since self-government, not one elected member of the Labor Party has understood this concept and stood aside on poker machines. Each elected member has a huge advantage and

personal benefit in the assistance received through donations to party revenue. In the meantime, Greens minister Shane Rattenbury is in a position to push towards his own policy of $1 bet limits and meeting the 4000 target for a cap on the number of poker machines in the ACT with support from one or other of the major parties! Having reiterated this point on many occasions since that 2007 article, I wonder how many Labor MLAs have at least asked the commissioner for parliamentary ethics for a considered opinion on the matter. The extraordinary revelations this year in the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption can be traced back to illegal donations from developers. The same legislation that outlawed donations to political parties from developers (although it does not apply to the ACT) was part of a reform

package that also restricted donations from the tobacco, alcohol and gambling industries. And for good reason. It is time for Labor to act. Decisions on the regulation of poker machines, as just one example, could be delegated to an arms-length commission appointed by it with power of review by the Assembly. Whatever the solution, it is time they extracted themselves from this mud puddle. Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.

The mystery of Kuringa Drive People don’t disappear on Kuringa Drive, but for some reason their road sense does.

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6 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

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I MOVED to Canberra 15 years ago in December 1998 and my first trip to town was for a job interview. I remember driving in on the Federal Highway when it was a single carriageway for pretty much the entire way. It was hot, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the cherry selling vans were doing a roaring trade. On a hot summer’s day Canberra can have a lazy, small-town feel about it… but even on that day I was astounded at how aggressive the drivers were. Welcome to Canberra, the “tailgate city” where people drive way too impatiently.

Kuringa Drive, Fraser… Curvy with a couple of sharp corners, but it’s just a quiet stretch of virtual country road. Photo by google maps The accident rates were too high for too long and it’s a credit to the police and, I guess, to the motorists themselves that the figures are improving. Nevertheless, the road accident statistics make fascinating reading and one of the roads that sticks out as a huge problem is Kuringa Drive at Fraser. It’s our “Bermuda Triangle”. People don’t disappear on Kuringa Drive, but for some reason their road sense does. I’d love to know how many times I’ve uttered “there’s been a single-vehicle accident on Kuringa Drive” on the radio during my 15 years here. Roads ACT statistics show 11 casualty

MARK PARTON

crashes on Kuringa Drive between 2009 and 2013. The intersection of Gungahlin Drive and Belconnen Way is the only section of road to have more prangs in that time with 12. Considering the small volume of traffic on Kuringa Drive, a small stretch of road that meanders through the bush on the northern edge of suburbia, the figure is astounding. Sure it’s curvy, with a couple of sharp corners, but it’s just a quiet stretch of virtual country road. Most of the accidents seem to occur when there is moisture around, so if it’s raining, or been raining, my advice is… don’t go there! Not because you may lose control, but consider that somebody else probably will. Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC.

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WE all know that when it comes to the sexes all is not fair. But what I’ve come to realise as I’ve got older is that many of the things I loved about being a girl have become more burdensome while blokes still get it pretty easy. Being a working woman has been a highmaintenance proposition that I’ve always accepted, but it does get harder as time goes by and one juggles the demands of family life. A trip to the hairdresser would once see me madly turning the pages of fashion magazines to find the latest look. These days I’m more likely to moan and groan about the time I have to spend having my hair done. Shopping for clothes is also now a chore to be avoided and I hardly ever buy make-up unless it is for my daughter’s ballet concerts, and putting it on myself tends to be little more than a quick lick and promise as our family rushes to get to school and work. Of course as a mum with a young and increasingly costly family I’m looking towards the future and making do at the moment while my once much more healthy disposable income is depleted. But being a mum who works part time has also made me think about the differing expectations of men and women in the workplace, especially the costs working women face to go to work unless they wear a uniform. We all dress to impress, but it’s always been a much bigger issue for women in the workplace. Men might complain about the cost of their business suits, but they only need so many and they can mix and match, and get years and years of wear from them. A nice tie can be pretty costly, particularly when you think about the scrap of cloth it really is; but the blokes get off pretty lightly when

Being a mum who works part time has made me think about the differing expectations of men and women in the workplace, especially the costs working women face to go to work. you consider the cost of the average working woman’s wardrobe – shoes, bags, make-up, hairdressing and, of course, jewellery. You might say women choose to spend this, and we do. More often than not we love our clothes and all the other paraphernalia. But we ought also to have a good look at the expectations we place on ourselves, and ask whether women, who often work part time, generally earn less and have much reduced superannuation, ought to face such high costs just to turn up in a presentable fashion at the workplace. Working women can be prisoners of our own expectations, and maybe we ought to be a bit more pragmatic in our own best interests.

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Beware the old, blinking modem scare

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In computing, a shell is a user interface for access to an operating system’s services.”

LAST month a guy called Stéphane Chazelas discovered a really fundamental security problem in the software that would let bad people remotely take over computers. System administrators rushed to patch their machines, hostile port scanners started lighting up security systems probing for a way to use the bug, the first patch wasn’t a complete fix so another one had to be issued. It was all very chaotic, but when the dust settled inconvenient voices started asking: “But what about all the devices running Bash?” Back in 1977 the Bourne shell was released, named after a guy called Stephen Bourne and, while not revolutionary, it allowed operators of the big, scary UNIX computers to input text-based commands into their machines, and also to write batches of commands. It was significantly better than anything that had come before so it became very widely used. In 1988 the Free Software Foundation decided it was so important to have a like-for-like replacement (able to run those batches of commands built up by operators over the previous decade without modification) that they paid a guy called Brian Fox to write a replacement, which he cheekily named “Bourne Again Shell” or Bash to its friends. Bash has been picked up and stuck in systems all over the world ever since for those times when someone needs to talk to a machine without the weight of graphical user interfaces (which can require significant design time). It’s used in Linux systems today, in Apple’s OS X, and in a bewildering

– Wikipedia

array of cheaply made embedded systems such as network routers. That ADSL2 router you bought at Dick Smith for $140 five years ago that’s been quietly running your WiFi and internet so blamelessly you forgot almost certainly has a shell for techies to configure and debug with. Is it using Bash? Which version? How would you go about updating it? Does it allow remote access to its shell? (It probably shouldn’t but…) This is why a lot of big ISPs these days such as Telstra and iiNet offer to supply the modems which they maintain and can remotely upgrade as needed. Corporate environments have network attached storage boxes, many of those have Bash installed. Your set top box and your smart TV could all have Bash installed. To hunt the problem down, techies have had to turn to the same tools the hackers use, software called port scanners. A port scan of your network should turn up all the vulnerable machines which are turned on, they can then be updated, or replaced. A painful process all around. The terrors of home security don’t end there though. Last year the Russians claimed to have intercepted a batch of tea kettles with WiFi-snooping systems built into the base. As for your bluetooth keyboard the US National Security Agency offers this advice: “The use of Bluetooth-enabled keyboards and mice introduces an avenue of attack for an adversary to capture keystrokes and spoof a user to gain access to a host machine. It has been shown that a Bluetooth connection can be made from distances of up to one mile.” We’ve been here before. We all have to take security seriously. Apply every patch and update however painful, as quickly as possible, and use strong passwords as painful as they may be. Finally, when buying anything that will be attached to the internet ask who will be upgrading it and how? John Griffiths is the online editor of the daily news service citynews. com.au

JOHN GRIFFITHS

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WHILE 180,000 new homes will be built nationally by June next year – about 30,000 more than the recent average – this is still not enough to meet demand. Meanwhile, house prices continue to rise with Canberra property values growing by 2.5 per cent over the winter quarter and the median price now standing at $510,500 – surpassed only by Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The International Monetary Fund recently ranked Australia as the third least affordable place in the world to buy a house – behind only Belgium and Canada. Escalating house prices aren’t good for anyone – for individual families, for the community or for a government trying to balance the budget. Without affordable housing Canberra cannot attract skilled workers, new families or young people. This directly affects our city’s growth and economic viability. We need to think more creatively about how to

improve affordability such as reinventing some of our vacant commercial offices as residential space. Another is to open up greenfields sites to the private sector to develop, adding competition and choice into the market. In 2007, the Property Council sent plastic bananas to state and federal MPs with a cheat sheet on housing affordability. Evoking Cyclone Larry, which devastated fruit farms in northern Queensland, it reminded politicians of the basics of “banana-nomics”: when there is a shortage, the price goes up. Catherine Carter is ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia.

CATHERINE CARTER letters Houses of parliament WE hear much from Joe Hockey about the age of entitlement being over so I thought readers might be interested in one of the entitlements that many parliamentarians have in relation to the rest of us. That “entitlement” relates to their ability to accumulate property. According to the parliamentary register of members’ interests, there are 226 Members of Parliament from both houses who have ownership stakes in 563 properties, sometimes with spouses. In 2013 there were 76 members

of the Senate who had 202 property holdings and 150 members of the House of Representatives holding 361 properties. Top of the pile is National Party Senator Barry O’Sullivan with 50 properties, David Gillespie with 18 and Clive Palmer with seemingly 13. Total value of all the properties is estimated at around $300 million. Joe Hockey himself appears to own five, beating Mathias Cormann who has four. So much for entitlement. Ric Hingee, Duffy

Drain the marshes RECENTLY, alarming statements have been made about our sagging tourist numbers. This repeats the serious concerns in 2011 when the website virtualtourist.com, which has 1.2 million registered users from an estimated 200 countries, saw the ACT as a junkie haven. The expansion of the Alexander Maconochie Centre worsens that view. Further blackening the scenario, staff at our hospitals and paramedics are now under siege from mind-affected persons who have ingested alcohol, ice, and any

mix of other illegal substances. The father of the successful Swedish drug policy, Nils Bejerot, said: “To combat drug epidemics by means of individual treatment [of addicts] is like attacking malaria by hunting mosquitoes. It can occupy an enormous number of people, but the effect is negligible. What is required is drainage of the marshes.” What he was saying was that for success, any drug policy must heavily prioritise a very substantial reduction in first-time users. Colliss Parrett, Barton

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Canberra Confidential Club exposes its chums HERE is an abject lesson in communication by the communications manager of a fine Yarralumla club. First he dutifully emails the club’s monthly newsletter, then realises that instead of the 990 email addresses of members being listed in the “bcc” (blind) section, there they are for all to see. The club’s entire, email-enabled membership. And what a top-draw list. No doubt mortified, he despatched a recall email, compounding his misery by again openly listing the entire club membership. Third time lucky, he finally mastered the “bcc”

function and sent out a grovelling apology and characterised a misguided belief in the “recall” function, which he says “will delete unopened copies of this email”. It absolutely doesn’t. “Moving forward I will ensure that this never happens again,” he solemnly promises. Moving forward he might like to keep an eye on the job ads.

Lonely future WE have seen the future and it’s not pretty. In fact, it’s pictured below. In launching Canberra’s first hotspot in a $100 million strategy to create one of the world’s largest Wi-Fi networks over five years, Telstra provided this frightening vision of telco nirvana where people buzz around the hotspot so enslaved to their screens they barely speak to each other.

Hmmms… WITH nary three months to the festive season, the bah-humbugs at the Chamber of Commerce are offering bosses a workshop on the pitfalls of the office Christmas knees-up with the promise of “guidance on the ways you can ensure that no-one will have any ‘morning-after regrets’ following your next Christmas Party.” According to the chamber fun police, parties can occasionally lead to sexual harassment claims, poor working relationships and other damage to morale or property due to the combination of high spirits, informality and alcohol. AT the second The Older Persons’ Assembly, held in the Legislative Assembly last week, the 59 delegates apparently spent half an hour debating the meaty subject of imposing a speed limit on skateboards, but fortunately without resolution. HAS Origin run out of energy? In promoting its entry into the ACT market Origin Energy’s strange PR stunt has been to run around town in a van handing out free macarons from the fabled hand of Adriano Zumbo. However mother-of-three Rebecca wrote to citynews.com. au complaining that the van didn’t show at Belconnen on Saturday as scheduled.

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Snappers planning on showing off THIS is photographer Geoff Comfort’s aerial shot of a gravel carpark in Tuggeranong and it scored him a gold award at the recent Australian Professional Photography Awards. Geoff has curated the work of 15 leading Canberra photographers for a special exhibition of award-winning images inspired by Floriade’s final-

week outdoors and adventure theme. Geoff’s haul was two gold awards, one silver and one silver distinction award for his APPA prints, making him the highest-scoring photographer from the ACT. The AIPP photography exhibition, Floriade, 9am-5pm, October 6-12.

The corporate memory dims THE corporate memory of “The Canberra Times” gets ever shorter… our gardening writer’s wife Gerdina Bryant took a call the other day in Cedric’s absence. “I am from the ‘Canberra Times’ and was checking if Cedric Bryant was still designing gardens” came the query. “Yes, he is, why?” replied Gerdina. “We thought he may be interested

in advertising on the ‘Sunday Times’ garden page”. Gerdina suggested this possibility was remote “considering that after writing the ‘Canberra Times’ garden page for 24 years he was terminated without notice”. “‘Ah,” came the reply. “I guess he won’t be interested in advertising with us.” They got that right. But we love you, Cedric.

scene / around canberra

invite us / scene@citynews.com.au

Social event of the week / Nicholas Harding exhibition opening THE exuberance of actors acting is realised in Nicholas Harding’s watercolour and gouache collection at Beaver Galleries. Given the opportunity to sit in on rehearsals and performances for the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Samuel Beckett’s, “Waiting for Godot”, Harding has given this play a charming energy and found something delightful in the characters. Harding’s portfolio is a perspective that finds what he calls “a quenelle of tenderness” in the bleakness of the play and while the colour palette is drab, it’s the imagined aromas that emanate from the pictures that arouse a sense of being there. Dr Sarah Engledow opened the exhibition, which ties in nicely with Harding’s floor talk at the National Portrait Gallery in conjunction with the “Arcadia: Sound of the Sea” exhibition. But what was special was the interaction between the two for the opening and the sniff test – yes, we sniffed – recommended for the magnificent oil painting “Playing for Godot” that is as aromatic as Harding’s Sydney studio.

Michael and Julie Szabo and Bill Hindson

Mandy Gyles, Jane Madden and Gabrielle Cooper

Sarah Engledow, Nicholas Harding and Lynne Watkins Caitlin Hammick and Wayne Williams

Penny Fisher and Emma Lonsdale

Neil Doody, Sarit Cohen and Amanda Briggs

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scene / around canberra At Narrabundah High’s first-students reunion, Barton

Maria Geppert and Jenny Harrison with Lyn and David Collingridge

Helen Stirling, Richard Rigby, John Cope and Jennifer Lee

Margaret and Bob Fagan

Phill Kendall, Nick March and Kerry Anderson

Warrick Yates, Monica Moynton, Hilary Yates and Laurie Curtis

Sue Murmi and Dr Robert Smethills

Roland Scollay, Suzanne Seddon and Bill Allen

Photos by Andrew Finch

At the CAPO auction and awards night, CMAG

Patsy Hely and Sally Simpson

John Mackey and Vesma Bobets

Dioni Salas and John Forrester Clack

Dace and Peter de Deckker with Claire Primrose

Jemima Parker, Michelle Day, Dan Lorrimer and Alison Jackson

Christine Peut, Sylvie Stern and Sasha Whittle

Geoff and Sarah Farquhar-Still with Tim Foster

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Be a part of the discussion and call 6255 1206 between 10am and noon 16 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

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At the opening of ‘Canberra Botanical’, M16 Art Space, Griffith

At the Collections, Conservation and Preservation Gala Dinner, Australian War Memorial

Katrina Scott-Finlay, Ben Grady and Merylie Goodwin

Jean and Robert Macaulay

Maria Bendall, Karin Bennett and Vivien Pinder

Maria Boreham and Brenda Allan

Paul and Nicholas Garett

Isabella Edquist and Helani Laisk

Sally Mukii and Karyn Williams

Anne and Michael Johnston with David Sequeira and Ellen Wignell

Vicki and Kate Stanton with Amy Jones

Nicolle and Lorraine Burt

Geoffrey Gaunt, Denis Grant and Brian Sampson

Margaret Chinn with Wayne and Laraine Hawkins

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Photos by Andrew Finch

At opening night of the Iranian Film Festival, Manuka

At the South Korean National Day, Yarralumla

Daniel White and Sahar Mirzaie

Stephen and Ruth Bayer

Dr Yvonne Luxford and Heidi Moore

At the opening night of Wharf Review, Canberra Theatre Centre

Natasha White and Sarah Bentley Ruth Osborne, Evol McLeod and Belinda Barnes

Quentin Turhour, Anne Demy-Geroe, Dr Zahra Taheri and Armin Miladi

Lai Kok Leong, Dr Peter and Nicole Tucker with Tamer Canikoglu and Mulyana Esa

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Nathan Chamberlain, Sandra Marie and Martin Fisk

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18 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

Kerrilyn Gavin and Lilija Brown

Lynne Wade and Ermelindo Maculan

Curtin turns 50

Party at the Shops / October 17

Party on as Curtin kicks up its 50-year heels Curtin is named after John Curtin, Australian Prime Minister between 1941 and 1945. Its streets are named for state premiers.

Early days… the NCDC site office at undeveloped Curtin.

Curtin, a charismatic, compelling orator, was widely respected for his strong and inspirational leadership of the nation during World War II.

Happy days… Sisters Heather,7, and Debbie Whisker, 5, with Stephanie Wheaton, 3, at Curtin Library in 1976.

IN 1964 people first moved into the suburb of Curtin. Many of the early settlers liked the rustic surrounds – sheep grazing over the back fence, a real creek in which to find yabbies on the northern side of what would become the overpass to Hughes. The suburb grew quickly – within two years it had three primary schools, North and South Curtin and Holy Trinity, and so many pre-schoolers that some had to attend pre-school out of the suburb… THERE isn’t much Evan Mann doesn’t love about Curtin. Having moved there in 1981, he has watched Curtin mature – from the full blossoming trees to the shopping centre where “there are about five different places to buy a coffee now”. “We are lucky to have a shopping centre that’s bigger than the average. You can go there and get anything you need and everyone knows you and is friendly. That’s important to me,” he says. To celebrate Curtin’s 50th year, there will be a party at the Curtin shops from 2-7pm on Friday, October 17. Entertainment includes music in the square by musicians from the Curtin Primary School Band and Holy Trinity Primary School Choir, The 4

Bridges, the Rugby Choir, Random Notes and other musicians including regular performers at Beyond Q. Music will go on until 8pm. At other stalls there will be information about community activities and Curtin’s local history, items to sample (including wine and olive oil) and activities for children. Local designer gatbi has created a souvenir tea towel to celebrate Curtin’s 50th year, which will be available on the day, along with a range of other craft and market items. Local retailers will have stalls selling pizza, Nepalese, Vietnamese and seafood. A sausage sizzle will raise money for local community services L’Arche and Outreach House. And Coles is hosting a fete in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Canberra.

North Lyneham Shops, off Cossington Smith Cres Ph: 6162 3444 & Curtin Shops, Curtin Place Ph: 6162 3445 Open: 2pm 7pm Monday to Friday & 8am – 1pm Saturday Closed Sunday and Public Holidays

Birthday fete to help Rotary

Paul Cains, from Urban Cellars… has always lived in the 2605 postcode.

Paul has a tasting planned for the party PAUL Cains jokes that Curtin is the geographical centre of the universe and it’s clear that he’s well-known to most who frequent the Curtin shops. Chat to most retailers in the suburb and they will mention Paul and his business, Urban Cellars. “Lots of people come in for the tastings we have on Friday afternoons,” Paul says. The popular tastings will feature at the party at the shops on Friday, October 17 with six wineries and a local brewery

offering samples. Paul, who has always lived in the 2605 postcode, says one of the best things about the people of Curtin is they see the value of their local shops and support the businesses. “It certainly has everything here and most parts of Curtin are within walking distance to the shops,” he says. Urban Cellars, Shop 2, 41 Curtin Place, phone 6281 1347.

COLES will celebrate Curtin’s 50th birthday at the Curtin shops on Friday, October 17 by organising a fete for the community in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Canberra. The fete, which will take place outside the supermarket, will include a jumping castle, entertainment by the local school band and choir, international food stalls held by members of the community and a sausage sizzle hosted by Coles’ team members. “The fete is a great way to bring the local community together, thank loyal customers and celebrate a wonderful 50 years of the Curtin community,” says Coles assistant store manager Jen Hinton. “The celebration is also a big milestone for us as we have been in Curtin for 47 years now and have received wonderful feedback about the team’s willingness to go above and beyond to meet customers’ needs.” Proceeds from the family fun day will be donated to the Rotary Foundation in support of their various programs within the local community, including the Rotary Program of Enrichment. Coles was one of the first Coles supermarkets in Canberra when it opened its doors in Curtin 47 years ago. Among the 86 Coles’ team members who will be celebrating will be long-serving Coles’ team members Jamie and Tess who have been working at the supermarket for 20 and 25 years respectively. Coles Curtin, 51 Curtin Place, open seven days 7am-10pm.

ore’s i F

BARBER Shop

in a t r u C h to wis irthday e k i l would ppy 50th b a very h Shop 7/ 8 Curtin Pl Curtin ACT 2605

6281 0688 CityNews October 9-15, 2014 19

Curtin turns 50 Caring for Curtin’s cats CATS are like family to Jess Montagne who started Curtin Cat Care 14 years ago. Jess, along with her mother and sister are directors of the business, which is a small, 36-unit, cat-boarding facility. “When people go away on holidays or business we try to create a wonderful environment for the kitties, because we understand that their cats are like their children,” she says. “We have a wonderful regular client base of people who live in the area who have been with us since the beginning. We also offer home pet care, where we

pop in, feed the pets and give them a cuddle while the owner is away.” Jess has lived in Curtin for more than 23 years and says a lot of people in the suburb seem to have lived there for a long time. “It’s very rare that you go to the shops and see a bunch of faces you don’t recognise. Even if you don’t personally know the people, the faces are familiar. “I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else.” Curtin Cat Care, 1 Peacock Place, call 6282 1490, curtincatcare.com

Curtin Dental Care’s Paula Graham, left, Jan Badelow and Helen Cullinan.

Family practice with a long past THERE are patient files more like historical records at Curtin Dental Care, which has been at the Curtin shops since 1972. Partner Helen Cullinan has worked there for 20 years and says it’s not so much what’s changed in that time, but what’s stayed the same that’s important. “There is a very nice sense that everyone knows each

Public Bar and Bottleshop Thursday Night Meat Raffles

other in the community,” she says. “You always run into your patients and other business owners here.” “We are very much a family practice and there is a lovely continuity within our surgery and within this area.” Curtin Dental Care, 20 Strangways Street, call 6285 2222, curtindental.com.au

“We try to create a wonderful environment for the kitties,” says Jess Montagne.

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advertising feature Vet thrills to community spirit THE new kid on the block at Curtin shops is the Curtin Vet Clinic, which opened in September. Owner Dr Jana Stevenson this year moved to Curtin from Albury and says the community spirit in her new neighbourhood is even stronger than in her former country home. “We have started up a walking club with dogs each Saturday morning and everyone is very friendly. There are some great walking tracks around Curtin and when we finish we have coffee at the coffee shop next door,” she says.

“My partner grew up here and his mum lives here so this is where he used to come to buy lollies when he was young. I already knew the place quite well but the Curtin shops are a great place to work.” Curtin Vet Clinic provides full veterinary and surgical care and in addition to the free walking club, have puppy pre-school for dogs from 8-14 weeks. Curtin Vet Clinic, 31-35 Curtin Place, call 6281 0990, curtinvet.com.au

Manager Michelle Hood in the Statesman Hotel’s H20 Bistro. Prime Minister John Curtin is on the wall art.

Hotel with a political history THE Statesman has been a Canberra icon since the 1960s. Before the city’s club scene emerged, the Statesman was a popular meeting place for patrons from Parliament House and other public service offices in nearby suburbs. Hotel manager Michelle Hood says the venue was frequented by journalists, politicians and public servants in the booming political era. “If the Statesman walls could talk there would be many a political scandal to tell,” she says. The Statesman retains its political history with original artwork and room names. Renovations to the Statesman were officially opened by Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1986. Michelle is keen to preserve the Statesman heritage and political and social past by collecting stories of past guests and

patrons in a visitors’ book available from the reception desk. “Being a smaller establishment of 64 newly renovated motel rooms in one of Canberra’s leafy central suburbs we can offer personal, friendly service in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere,” Michelle says. The Statesman has two bars: the Terrace Bar and H2O Bistro and the sports bar where tradies and punters meet to enjoy the full TAB facilities. “Our drive-through bottleshop is also a favourite destination for our locals with all the benefits of Local Liquor pricing complemented with a large range of fine wines and boutique beers,” Michelle says. The Statesman Hotel, corner of Strangways and Theodore Sts, call 6281 1777, statesmanhotel.com.au

Curtin Vet Clinic’s, from left, Dr Jana Stevenson with Snoopy, Tara McCulloch with Crosby and Bethany Rodger with Willow.

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CityNews October 9-15, 2014 21

Curtin turns 50 School with its heart in the community WHEN Curtin was established, schools quickly emerged to service the young families moving into the area. Holy Trinity Primary School and its parish will celebrate 50 years next year and principal Judy Spence says the school started off small and grew in numbers along with the suburb. “The majority of our students live in the area and walk or ride to school, we don’t have school buses,” she says. “Curtin is just like a country town with the strong social interaction of the community and the real sense of looking after one another. “We now have students whose parents went to the school. “The shops are like a meeting place and lots of families go there to catch up and have a coffee or milkshake after school.” It’s an exciting time for Trinity Primary School. Along with next year’s 50-year celebrations, the school is set to become the first Catholic school to offer the International Baccalaureate program. Holy Trinity Primary School, Theodore Street Curtin, call 6281 4811. holytrinity.act.edu.au Holy Trinity Primary School, ELC to Year 6 nurtures and encourages a strong senseof community. The school has a vibrant and supportive parent community. Encourages collaboration between home, school and parish. As a community we endeavour to live and model the Gospel values of our school motto, Faith, Hope and Love.

Phone 6281 4811 18-20 Theodore St, Curtin holytrinity.act.edu.au

Our curriculum covers all key learning areas. In additional, we have a well-resourced Library, a computer lab, a comprehensive resource and special needs program and an after school care program.

CANBERRA LIVE Weekdays 3 - 6pm

Cameron White and Michelle Cochrane of the new Silver Fox Bar and Grill.

New bar with a laid-back mood THE talk of Curtin at the moment has to be Silver Fox Bar and Grill, which opened on October 2. Owner Michelle Cochrane is no stranger to suburban restaurants, having worked at her father’s Deakin hotspot Cape Cod. “We’ve just settled into the area but have been getting to know many of the locals, who have been popping in to say ‘hi’ while we have been renovating the building,” she says. Previously Delissio and Belluci’s, the Theodore Street building has been a popular spot for locals to dine in the past. The focus is on modern Australian cuisine with pizza, pasta, salad and grill menus and beers on tap. “Our whole atmosphere is casual and laid back but warm, inviting and relaxing with an industrial feel to the decor.” Michelle, who has been living in the US for eight years, and her partner Cam say they are excited to be based back home and focusing on building something together. Silver Fox Bar and Grill, 83 Theodore Street, call 6162 1193. Facebook.com/silverfoxbarandgrill

@CanberraLive2CC 2cc.net.au

Holy Trinity Primary School… “We now have students whose parents went to the school,” says principal Judy Spence.

Curtin Seafoods 0th HAPPY 5 Y BIRTHDA CURTIN!

We have great food available including:

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Curtin Seafoods 22 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

Phone 6281 1961 Shop 45, Curtin Place, Curtin ACT

Safe for you and your family – child and pet friendly. Specialist in Termite inspections and control and pest reports. Call Bob for a free quote on cockroaches, ants, spiders, wasps, mice etc. P: 0407 065 413 E: bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au W: www.a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au A: 13 Cosgrove St, Curtin A.C.T. 2605

Woden Community Service (WCS) congratulates the amazing people, places and organisations that make Curtin the wonderful community it is. We’re proud to have been part of the community for over 45 of those years. WCS looks forward to sharing a bright future with you! (02) 6282 2644 www.wcs.org.au

advertising feature Lending with a local passion

Angela Cartland, left, and Simone Roxburgh of Dantien Integrative Health Practices.

Values of wellness and care “WE have a wonderful supportive community at Curtin that values wellness and caring for one another,” says naturopath Simone Roxburgh, of Dantien Integrative Health Practices. Dantien has been a part of the Curtin community for the last four years, though many of its practitioners have worked in the area for up to seven years. Offering a number of health services using an integrative and holistic approach, Simone says the practices have a calm and homey feel, and many practitioners offer after hours and weekend appointments to accommodate patients from all walks of life. Health professionals “work with the whole person, acknowledging connections between the mind, the body and the emotions, and the importance of relationships and connections in our lives to facilitate personal aliveness and wellbeing,” says Simone.

KAREN Murphy has recently moved from Weston Creek to Curtin with her family and has set up her business at the Curtin shops. Resi Home Loans, Karen’s business, was previously run from her home office, but she says that doesn’t come close to the benefits of working at the Curtin shops. “I love it here,” she says. “It has a great feeling, there are good coffee places and I have a view of the arboretum from my office window.” The vibe at Curtin shops fits in perfectly with Karen’s business ethos. “At Resi Canberra Southern we remember the good old days of lending – when you could sit face to face with your bank manager and receive individual financial guidance and support,” she says. “Resi gives you access to this level of exceptional service today, as well as a superior product range to meet all of your financial needs. “We pride ourselves on the ongoing service we offer clients, where we work with you to achieve your short, medium and long-term personal financial goals.” Resi Canberra Southern, 2/22 Strangways Street, call 0406 377 866, resi.com.au/contact/local/canberrasouthern#sthash.lOEpNzur.dpuf

From naturopathy to psychology, social work and body work, Dantien Integrative Health Practices provides individual and relationship counselling and supervision, body oriented Somatic psychotherapy, touch therapies including the Rosen Method, energy work such as reflexology and EFT/Tapping, and ayurvedic practices. “The benefit of having so many health professionals in the same building is that they can often collaborate to achieve comprehensive treatment for common everyday ailments of body, mind and soul, as well as those difficulties that are more persistent and baffling,” says Simone. Curtin’s integrative health practitioners at Dantien would like to wish the Curtin community a happy 50th birthday. Dantien Integrative Health Practices, 13 Theodore Street, Curtin ACT, across from the Curtin shops. tinyurl.com/dantien

Angela Cartland Counselling

Interactive Counselling & Mindfulness Coaching Acupressure Tapping (EFT & TFT) Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) m. 0403 070 285 e. angela.cartland@pobox.com www.tappingintomindfulness.com

Lisa Grant Counselling

Relationships & wellbeing, sexual health & wellbeing Recovery from trauma, abuse & loss Management of anxiety and depression m. 0422 224 872 e. lisag.ccr@gmail.com

Olivia Wilson Psychology Psychotherapy Somatic Psychotherapy for body, trauma, pain, inner balance p. 6161 3411 m. 0405 436 021 e. oliviawilson108@gmail.com

Simone Roxburgh, Naturopathy

Herbal medicine, Nutrition, Iridology, Reiki & Meditation p. 6299 8219 e. simone.naturopath@gmail.com www.simonenaturopath.com (Dantien artwork by Janet Long)

13 Theodore St, Curtin

www.tinyurl.com/dantien

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p: (02) 6281 1058 f:(02) 6285 3470 e: curtin@capitalchemist.com.au CityNews October 9-15, 2014 23

Curtin turns 50 Friends together in food IN 2011, Lachhu Thapa and Benjamin Richardson opened the doors of their Nepalese restaurant, The Hungry Buddha, in Curtin. Three years later, the pair cannot believe how far they have come. “I never would have thought we’d have eight staff and be busy every night,” says Ben. The two friends started the restaurant because they were looking for something they could do in their spare time that used both Lachhu’s passion for Nepalese food and his finance skills, and Ben’s IT background. While they don’t have a big range of dishes, the aim of The Hungry Buddha is to “keep it simple and

Local services for all stages of life

authentic, while providing genuine, friendly and attentive service,” says Lachhu. With values like these, The Hungry Buddha fits well into the small Curtin community atmosphere, with the restaurant even featuring a wooden sculpture made by a local Curtin artist, representing the peaks of Nepal and Australia. The Hungry Buddha serves Indian and Australian cuisine, but mostly traditional, village-style Nepalese food, seven days a week. The Hungry Buddha, downstairs, 44 Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6285 2425 or go to thehungrybuddha.com.au

Katrina Phillips with organic apples at Chocku Bai Jo.

Fresher produce, better price THROUGH cutting out middlemen and controlling the supply of produce from the paddock to the register, Choku Bai Jo delivers fresher produce for a better price while ensuring farmers get fairer margins says principal Paddy Pentony. “The first outlet was launched in 2008 in North Lyneham and such was its success that a second opened in Curtin three years later,” he says. “The outlets are extensions of two weekly farmers markets and aside from selling only Australian-

Lachhu Thapa, left, and Benjamin Richardson of The Hungry Buddha.

grown produce, we also offer a range of grocery lines. “In an effort to give back to the community, Choku Bai Jo donates some of its produce to local welfare groups. It is also listed in the ACT Government’s top 100 things people like about Canberra campaign and has more than 4700 Facebook followers. Choku Bai Jo, Curtin Shops, Curtin Place, open 2pm-7pm MondayFridays and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Call 6162 3445 or email cbjcurtin@grapevine.com.au

Canberra & District Historical Society Inc Supports

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 7.00am-11.00pm (as of 13th October)

51 Curtin Place, Curtin ACT Phone 6281 1877

• Visit our rich resource and research centre at the Curtin Shops (Sect 62) • Check out www.canberrahistory.org.au • Come to our monthly meetings and excursions • Inspect our journal and newsletter • Join the Society – all welcome!

02 6285 2425 Curtin Shopping Centre, Curtin 24 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

Breaking news, arts & socials every day…

•SPECIAL•

nepalese cuisine Open 7 days thehungrybuddha.com.au

Woden Community Service, 26 Corinna Street, Woden. More information at wcs.org.au

CURTIN TURNS 50

Coles Supermarket Curtin

47 years of service to the community

FOUNDED 10 DECEMBER 1953

IN 1969, Woden Community Service began as a volunteer organisation, when the Woden Valley was a newly developed area. There were no services and no support networks for the newly arrived families of public servants, so Woden Community Service developed out of an interest in people who were starting out. Volunteers ran activities for children in the local hall, then through fundraising were able to run childcare centres and daycare, in order to support working families. Forty-five years later, Woden Community Service employs 200 people and provides services for all stages of life – aged care, disability services, child care, before and after-school care, community transport, community development and volunteer coordination. After being inspired by St Vincent de Paul CEO sleepouts to raise awareness for homelessness, primary students in Curtin held a sleepout and raised $1000 for people who are disadvantaged. “It’s about supporting the broader community in any way we can,” says Woden Community Service executive director Chris Redmond. “And asking how can we celebrate our region and let people know what is going on in our community.”

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advertising feature Lynne comes home to Curtin LYNNE Beeley is no stranger to Curtin, having lived in the suburb as a child. “I went to school here and there was no Curtin shops when we moved in to the suburb, just dust and dirt everywhere,” she says. As store manager of Downtown Duty Free, Lynne now spends lots of time at the shops. “The store moved here in 2005

because we work exclusively with the diplomatic community so this is the perfect location for the diplomats and their families. “The suburb has grown beautifully and just keeps getting better and better,” she says. Downtown Duty Free, 150 Carruthers Street, call 6281 6980.

Local pests no problem to Bob WHEN Bob Gow, of A1 Pest Control, first came to Curtin in the 1960s, he says “the suburb wasn’t even built yet, there were only sheep stations, and dirt roads.” With 30 years of experience in the pest-control business, Bob has been running A1 Pest Control in Curtin for four years. Not only does he work from the suburb, but Bob and his family also live in Curtin, making his knowledge of local pests and problems very valuable. And all the chemicals used by Bob and his team are human and pet friendly and based upon pyrethrins, which are extracted from the daisy flower. A1 Pest Control uses sprays, traps, baits and chemical barriers to get rid of a variety of pests from rodents and possums to spiders, termites, ants, bees, wasps and all other creepy crawlies. Bob and the A1 Pest Control team service domestic and commercial buildings in the Canberra and surrounding region, including Queanbeyan, Braidwood, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma and the south coast. A1 Pest Control, 13 Cosgrove Street, call 0407 065413.

Hollie Bailey, left, Claire Anstie, Vicki Osteraas and Beck Pearsall of Capital Chemist.

Pharmacist enjoys the tonic of Curtin NO local shopping centre is complete without a pharmacy and there wouldn’t be many locals who haven’t been to Curtin’s Capital Chemist. Pharmacist Susan Le says she sees the same faces in the chemist regularly and points to the neighbourly spirit of Curtin residents. “We have people come in to pick things up for their sick neighbours. This is such a fantastic, strong community,” she says.

Downtown Duty Free’s Lynne Beeley… no stranger to Curtin.

As a Curtin resident and keen cyclist, Susan says the bike paths in the area are a feature she loves. “We don’t want to leave the suburb.” Established in 1978, Capital Chemist has grown with Canberra and now has 19 outlets in Canberra. Capital Chemist, 42 Curtin Place, call 6281 1058, capitalchemist.com.au

Cat exclusive five star boarding. Purrsonalised care for cats of all ages. Fully furnished temperature controlled units, veterinary recommended diet, daily playtime and outdoor enclosures. 15 years of cat boarding experience.

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P. 6282 1490 All visits by appointment only CityNews October 9-15, 2014 25

Curtin turns 50 The ‘best’ fish and chips

Society to raise questions about Curtin

Hairdresser Fiore, of Fiore’s Barber Shop.

Barber loves the happy family feeling THE Curtin community is just like a big family, says Fiore, of Fiore’s Barber Shop in the Curtin centre. Though he has been in the industry for more than 20 years, Fiore has been running his own business for the last 10. “I was sick of working for somebody else and I wanted to work in my own place – I just want to keep people happy,” says Fiore. As well as quality men’s haircuts, Fiore also provides haircuts for schoolchildren

THE Canberra District Historical Society, which is based in Curtin, is joining in the celebrations to mark Curtin’s 50th. The society will host “A Quiz about Curtin” at the St James Uniting Church Hall, 2pm-5pm on Sunday, October 25. President of the Society Julia Ryan says they have plenty of resources available for anyone who wants to discover more about Curtin’s history. “We will hold an open day on October 17 and open our files, there will also be stalls for people to visit,” she says. The Canberra District Historical Society is also collecting oral histories of Curtin where people who want to tell their stories will be able to share for the records.

“WE have the best fish and chips in Canberra,” says Irene Komar, owner of Curtin Seafoods and Takeaway. She says the shop, which has been owned by Irene for 20 years, also has hamburgers

and fried chicken. It has a good reputation, “especially with schoolchildren”. Curtin Seafoods, of 45 Curtin Place, call 6281 1961.

Canberra District Historical Society, Strangways Street, Curtin, call 6281 2929, canberrahistory.org.au

– boys and girls – and he’s not ashamed to admit that he offers the occasional sugary bribe. Although he says it is often the older generation who relieve him of most of his lollipops. Situated in the Curtin centre, Fiore says people of all ages often stop to have a chat. “You won’t get that in a big shopping centre,” he says. Fiore’s Barber Shop, Shop 7/8, Curtin Place. Call 6281 0688.

Young’s closing sale at Curtin in 1981.

Irena Komar, of Curtin Seafoods.

Curtin Veterinary Clinic Extensive range of surgical procedures, digital x-ray, ultrasound and medical work ups

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(extensive parking) www.curtinvet.com.au • like us on Facebook 26 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

NOW OPEN! Offering a versatile modern Australian menu in a contemporary and relaxed setting. PH: 02 6162 1193 | www.thesilver-fox.com.au 83 THEODORE ST, CURTIN

advertising feature Flowers and gifts galore

Curtin Milk and Pizza Bar’s Graham Vaughan.

Loving life in the community WHEN Graham Vaughan bought the Curtin Milk and Pizza Bar four years ago, he saw it as a “great opportunity to work and live in the Curtin community”. Not only is Curtin geographically close to everything, it also has a “great small community, with a variety of bird life, colourful trees in the spring,

and lots of parks and areas for walking,” he says. The Curtin Milk and Pizza Bar sells sandwiches, cold drinks, pizza, coffee, ice cream and breakfast six days a week between 6.30am and 8pm. Curtin Milk and Pizza Bar, 41 Curtin Place, call 6281 3604.

“WE sell so much more than flowers,” says Lynne Newman, of Ivy Flowers and Gifts, Curtin. Six years ago, Lynne was studying floristry at CIT when the shop in Curtin came up for sale, so she and her daughter made the decision to open Ivy Flowers and Gifts. What began as a few candles has steadily grown to a wide range of giftware, to cater to the area. Now they sell Italian and French soaps, lotions, essential oils, basketware, baby toys and gifts, balloons, jewellery and accessories, as well as lots of fresh flowers. Ivy Flowers and Gifts specialises in flowers for all occasions, and delivers locally, nationally, internationally, and twice daily to the major Canberra hospitals. They also deliver beautiful hampers to the Canberra and Queanbeyan area. For Lynne and her staff, running the store from its Curtin location is a great opportunity to offer a service to the region, that caters to a wide demographic, young and old. “I am very comfortable here in this community. We love being here,” says Lynne, who grew up in Curtin and has watched it grow over the 50 years that she has been there. “It has always been a lovely community, but there has been a revival lately, there’s a real coffee culture now.”

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EN2094.indd 1

7/10/2014 12:49 pm

Congratulations CURTIN

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Join us at Curtin’s 50th birthday party (from 4pm) at the shops on Friday 17th October and enjoy wine & beer tastings from some great producers from

Find us at Curtin Shops | P. 6281 1347 | Your locally owned and operated independent liquor store CityNews October 9-15, 2014 27

Weston Creek and Woden retune 7 October 2014 Tuggeranong and surrounds retune 9 October 2014 If you live in Weston Creek, Woden or Tuggeranong, you may find some TV channels missing on 7 and/or 9 October. To get your channels back, you’ll need to retune your TV or digital equipment. This is part of the final step in Australia’s move to digital-only TV and it’s happening across Australia progressively until the end of 2014. Viewers receiving their TV signal from Black Mountain Tower will retune later in the year. Temporary outages affecting all channels may occur on or around the retune dates. To find out if this is your retune date and to sign up for an SMS or email alert, visit the website.

How to retune 1

For most systems press the MENU/SETUP button on your remote, or refer to your manufacturer’s handbook.

2 Follow the prompts to retune and your TV should automatically ﬁnd all channels.

Weston Creek and Woden retune 7 October 2014. Tuggeranong and surrounds retune 9 October 2014.

3 You can now keep watching your favourite shows.

www.australia.gov.au/retune

1800 20 10 13

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra 28 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

arts & entertainment

Wendy Johnson New kid atop Red Hill

Kirstie’s this year’s jolly good Fellow By Helen Musa VETERAN glass artist Kirstie Rea will be the 2015 CAPO Fellow, it was announced by patron Paul McDermott at the organisation’s glamorous auction and celebration on Saturday in the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

Andre Santos as Alain in West Australian Ballet’s production of La Fille mal gardée.

Photo by Emma Fishwick

Comedy keeps ballet on its toes THE West Australian Ballet has been treating us to evenings of romance over the years, but this month the company returns to Canberra with a comedy. Now under the artistic directorship of Aurelien Scannella, the company is billing as spectacular its new production of the comic classic, “La Fille mal gardée”, (“The Wayward Daughter”). They’re pulling out all the stops with set and costumes designed to take us back into 1950s rural Italy, the concept of noted French choreographer Marc Ribaud to reinterpret the work. It’s a fairly corny story, like those in many ballets and operas. Lise and Colas are in love, but Lise’s mother has other ideas. The rest is all beautiful – beautiful

Helen Musa arts editor

costumes, beautiful dancing and beautiful set. I’m talking to set designer Richard Roberts’ by phone to Hong Kong, where he’s now head of design at the Academy for Performing Arts. A veteran artist, he’s designed for John Bell, the State Theatre Company of SA, the WA Academy of Performing Arts and the Victorian College of the Arts. Though he’s taught for 16 to 17 years of his extensive career, he tells “CityNews”: “I’ve never stopped working as a freelance designer…I didn’t want to say ‘at one time I was a designer’.” Roberts jumped at the chance to design this popular ballet of the Perth

company and says: “I was very interested in seeing a traditional ballet reimagined by Marc Ribaud”. During a two-month holiday in Europe, he arranged to meet Ribaud in his home in Nice. “Marc’s a delightful guy and took me into a village in the mountains where life was still like something like in the ballet.” Originally, Roberts explains, it was set in the 18th century, but Ribaud updated it to the 1950s about 10 years ago and now for the WA Ballet there’s a new set by Roberts and costumes by Lexi De Silva. “Marc and I got into it straight away,” Roberts says, but a challenge was designing to fit in with already established choreography. “In the third act, the dancers must go up a flight of stairs with exactly eight steps – with things like that you have to

fit in,” he says, but only to a point. “Marc is a real collaborator. I say: ‘Hey, what if we did this? And Marc answers: ‘I like it – let’s do it!’” Colourful is the word for this show, but it’s carefully designed colour. “My set is very sort of sundrenched – sandstone, whitewashed walls, very bleached. It’s a great background for Lexi’s vivid colours,” Roberts says. As for “La Fille”: “It’s about breaking away from the old… about a very simple young girl who rebels and if you think about it, since the 1950s kids have been saying ‘no, we don’t want to do that’.” “La Fille mal gardée”, at The Playhouse, October 15 to 18, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700. Children from ACT dance schools will perform in the village scenes in Act 2.

Rea says she will use the fellowship to support a major survey of her work at CMAG in 2015. Painter Peter Maloney won the CAPO Ambassador Award to assist in producing large-scale paintings to be exhibited at Utopia Art Sydney, while the Rosalie Gascoigne Memorial Award went to Jacqueline Bradley to assist in creating wearable sculptures and performances. While the notional value of the three top awards amounts to $25,000, the actual figures are determined by the outcome of the fundraiser and auction of more than 120 artworks donated by artists, curated into an impressive Canberra-only exhibition that has been showing at CMAG. In keeping with the original philosophy of CAPO, now in its 31st year, the remaining 11 awards winners are: industrial designer Tom Skeehan; sculptor Alex Asch; spokenword artist Christopher Huet (C.J. Bowerbird); painter Julie Brooke; sustainable artist Ashley Eriksmoen, who will take up a residency in Thailand; performer Juliet Moody for a recording project; ceramicist Richilde Flavell and emerging artist awards to Shellaine Godbold, Annika Romeyn, Jemima Parker Glass artist Kirstie Rea... the 2015 and Jeremy CAPO Fellow. Photo by Rebecca Olsen Lepisto.

Performing the solo and Redgum classics:

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“UP CLOSE AND ACOUSTIC” (with Hugh McDonald) ex Redgum

THURSDAY OCTOBER 23

“Holy Mary” “Borrowed Ground” “Diamantina Drover” “I Was Only 19” “Poor Ned” “I’ve Been to Bali Too”

Top of the Cross CSCC All Ages show Tickets on sale at the Southern Cross Club & Ticketek (and selling fast)

Cooleman Court Weston Creek | 6293 4677 www. songland.com.au | OPEN 7 DAYS CityNews October 9-15, 2014 29

arts & entertainment / cinema

2014 Members’ Exhibition

Twists, turns and tensions

Until 12th Oct Gallery 10-4pm Thurs to Mon Image (detail) Anne Langridge, Winner Doug Alexander Award 2014

“Gone Girl” (MA)

Open Day Sun 12th Oct Come between 10-2pm and Have-a-throw! Have-a-go! shop, trade stalls, kids’ table, Raku firing, studio sales, demonstrations, pizza, coffee cart, live music, soup bowls, plate making, kiln shed tours...and more

CanberraPotters’Society WatsonArtsCentre

Aspinall St Watson canberrapotters.com.au

Canberra Theatre Centre, in association with the Royal Military College Band and proudly supported by the Canberra Labor Club, presents Music At Midday six times a year. CTC is seeking registered charities to apply to participate in Music At Midday in 2015. Selected charities will be recipients of all donations collected on concert day. For more information and an application form, please visit canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Applications close 14 November 2014

GILLIAN Flynn wrote a suspense novel populated by ordinary people like thee and me. But its two principal protagonists turn out to be devious manipulators in a marriage that Ms Flynn would like us to believe is experiencing toxic collapse. Then she adapted it into the screenplay that David Fincher has crafted into a fine collection of twists, turns, tensions, conflicts, misdemeanours, dishonesty, cruelty, murder, theft, mendacity and grief. Running for 145 minutes including closing credits, it begins with Nick (Ben Affleck) arriving home to find signs of a break-in. And no sign of his wife Amy. Soon her disappearance has become a community cause celebre whipped up by the inevitable media circus. Nick moves in with his twin sister Margo (Carrie Coon). North Carthage homicide detective Rhonda (Kim Dickens) is on his case. The accretion of disturbing evidence forms a dramatic fabric that initially casts doubts on Nick’s protestations of innocence in Amy’s disappearance. A widespread search has failed to find her. To this point, we’ve seen Amy only in flashback. Then about midway through the film, Flynn thrusts her into the limelight. To describe the plot beyond that point would be a disservice to filmmakers and audience alike. Rosamund Pike’s portrayal of Amy will surely earn her at least nomination for peer-group awards. “Gone Girl” carries no message and delivers no certainty about Nick and Amy’s future. It simply provides a praiseworthy observation of human behaviour. Which is under no obligation to be nice. At all cinemas

Lifestyle,

Ben Affleck in “Gone Girl”.

“Dracula Untold” (M) THE historical figure whom Bram Stoker took for his vampirism hero was Vlad Tepes (1431-1477), Prince of Wallacia. Posthumously dubbed Vlad the Impaler for his charming practice of impaling captured enemies on stakes, there is no credible evidence of his indulging in vampirism. History’s first recorded human vampire, Elizabeth Bathory, lived a century later (40 years ago Paloma Picasso played her with finesse in Walerian Borowczyk’s “Immoral Tales”). This cinematic take on Vlad is the feature debut for Irish director Gary Shore after a career in TV commercials and also for writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (with nodding

food,

osteoporosis

& YOU!

Presented by: Gold Coin Contribution

Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Lyrics by DON BLACK & CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON Based on the Billy Wilder Film

Wednesday 22nd October 7.00 –8.30 pm Apollo Room, Hellenic Club Matilda Street, Phillip ACT 2606 Enjoy an informative and eventful evening, talk to health professionals and gain practical tips about lifestyle modification to prevent Osteoporosis. Learn how to improve your health, fitness and diet. To help us plan, please RSVP. Please call 6288 4244 or email: info@arthritisact.org.au

8 – 25 October Adults $56 | Conc. $51 | Matinees $48

Call 6285 6290 or visit www.theq.net.au 30 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

There will be a range of Health Professional Guest Speakers on the evening. For specific details call 02 6288 4244 or email info@arthritisact.org.au

acknowledgement to Stoker). It’s a sword-andarmour actioner with flocks of CG bats flying around morphing themselves into characters on Vlad’s side of the campaign against the Ottoman emperor’s attempt to take possession of what is now Romania. Historically, when the real Vlad died, the Turks took his head to Constantinople as a trophy. Luke Evans plays him stoically. Sarah Gadon plays his wife Mirena. Dominic Cooper plays Ottoman general Mehmed. Charles Dance plays the master Vampire who initiates Vlad with powers not unlike those of modern Superman (but not his moral rectitude) and limitations invented by Stoker to beset the never-dead. At Hoyts, Dendy, Capitol 6 and Limelight

“Advanced Style” (PG) IN this engaging documentary, tyro writer/director Lina Plioplyte teams with blogger Ari Seth Cohen to introduce seven New York women whose eclectic personal styles and vital spirits have guided their approach to ageing. The oldest at 95, taken to hospital during a function to announce the new public face of a well-known fashion house, died that same night. Tall, elegant, legally blind former dancer Afro-American Tajah, who got the gig, is a stunner. The youngest, Tziporah who at 62 goes around the city not in a limo or cab but on her bicycle, has a great collection of wearable and other stuff. Eighty-year-old self-proclaimed “Countess of Glamour” and boutique owner Lynn, a narcissist with a penchant for over-the-top accessories, is finally achieving her dreams of celebrity while simultaneously facing the reality of her and her husband’s mortality. My favourite is Hungarian-born Ilona, tiny, hunched forward by what I judge to be osteoporosis, with short carrot-coloured hair, a zest for living and a variety of creative talents. Her conte drawings of young women could occupy space

Hungarian-born Ilona… zest for living and a variety of creative talents. on any art collector’s walls and she drew the portrait on the cover of one of Ayn Rand’s books. The film achieves a comfortable balance between how seven old dolls look and their optimism about the tail-ends of their lives. In an otherwise empty cinema, I took unexpected enjoyment from watching their enthusiasm for doing that. At Palace Electric

DOUGAL MACDONALD

arts in the city

Once more, Dame Nellie “NELLIE Melba: Queen of Song” is the show where soprano Louise Page dresses up to act and sing as Melba, with Phillipa Candy at the piano. It’s toured all around the country and now it’s here, as Melba would have said, for “one final appearance”, with proceeds going to Canberra Hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Foundation. Wesley Uniting Church, 3pm, Soprano Louise on Saturday, October 18. Tickets at Page as Nellie Melba. the door. FRENCH photographer Jean-Yves Camus’ exhibition “Landscapes. Territoires rêvés” – photos of Iceland, Switzerland and France – will be on display at Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner, from October 22 to November 11. Camus is well known in France and in Europe through his exhibitions since 1990. More information at afcanberra.com.au THE Japanese Film Festival is coming to Manuka’s Capitol Cinemas, October 15 -19, with 12 titles, nine of them Australian premieres, covering everything from anime to action. The opening-night film is “Lady Maiko”, based loosely on “My Fair Lady”, with the lady a geisha, not a flower girl. Details and bookings at japanesefilmfestival.net THE Wesley Music Foundation has Czech organist Pavel Kohout playing masterworks at Wesley Uniting

Church, Forrest, 3pm, on Sunday, October 12. Double winner at the respected “Musashino – Tokyo 2000” competition, Kohout is top in the new generation of European concert organists. Bookings to trybooking. com/GAAO or tickets at the door. OUR hard-working “CityNews” theatre critics are also practitioners. Joe Woodward has snared NIDA tutor Anna Houston to work with the Daramalan Theatre Company on development of his late-October production, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in which, Woodward says, “Shakespeare has provided us with a vehicle for cleaning the lens of our own views on contemporary gender relationships”. Meantime, critic Len Power is about to go clean-shaven for the first time since 1975 to tread the boards as a homophobic politician in SUPA’s show, “La Cage Aux Folles”, opening on November 7. THE month-long Canberra Grammar School Sculpture Festival launches on October 16 with the presentation of the $10,000 Harris Hobbs Small Sculpture Prize. According to the director, Trevor Dunbar, the campus is an ideal venue to highlight sculptures and the grounds will be open for public viewing every Saturday and Sunday until November 16.

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arts & entertainment / dining

Oh, brother, there’s a new kid atop Red Hill THERE is no denying that the views from the top of Canberra’s many hills are fabulous and Red Hill is no exception. Elevated 175 metres above the city, with sweeping views of the capital and several national icons, it’s a stunner of a place to dine in any season. Onred, the fine-dining restaurant on the top level of the carousel structure at Red Hill, has been going strong since late 2007. And now the owners – brother and sister team Jodi and Ben Johnson – have taken over the café underneath. It’s affectionately called Little Brother and is a “younger, fresher and more light-hearted approach” to dining. The place has been given a nice makeover with bar seating along the circular window

I’m delighted the Johnsons are at the helm of Little Brother. We’ve already made plans to head up Red Hill again now that daylight savings is with us to give lunch or dinner a go. for maximum views. Cosy cushions are scattered about the place, some new furniture installed and a lick of paint applied. The outside is enjoying the addition of stylish and comfy mint and chocolate brown chairs. I walked up one side of the nature park and friends up the other to meet on top for brunch. It was a gorgeous day and the coffee at Little Brother went down well after our efforts. The main items on Little Brother’s brunch menu range from $13 for toasted bircher muesli with natural yoghurt, strawberries and blueberries to $19 for fried, poached or scrambled eggs on toast with bacon, chipolatas and tomato. The wild mushrooms on toast with asparagus, whipped goat’s cheese and tomato ($17) was one dish selected. We thought the mushrooms looked a bit pale on the plate but my friend reported the dish was tasty and the goat’s cheese a super addition. Two of us ordered, partly on a staff recommendation, the poached egg on sweet

potato and beetroot fritter with smoked salmon, spinach and horseradish cream ($17). It was a colourful dish and the eggs were cooked to perfection (not too runny, not too hard). The salmon was lovely and horseradish cream nicely balanced. Neither of us was fussy on the bland beetroot fritter agreeing it needed a major injection of seasoning or spices. Indeed, my friend thought Moroccaninspired spices would be fun. Brioche French toast with double cream and cherries ($14) and eggs Benedict with ham or salmon ($17) are also on the brunch menu. Another positive change for diners is the adjusted hours. Little Brother is now open from 11am until late Thursday and Friday and 9.20am until late Saturday and Sunday. I’m delighted the Johnsons are at the helm of Little Brother. The former operation was super tired and the coffee hit and miss. We’ve already made plans to head up Red Hill again now that daylight savings is with us to give lunch or dinner a go. 50 Red Hill Drive. Red Hill Lookout. Call 6273 1166.

Food with a view… Saffron polenta chips with sorrel aioli, left, and salmon rillette with eggpalnt caponata and rustic bread. Photo by Gary Schafer

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Traditional Gozleme, and Borek • Mouth watering desserts • Various coffees and teas 32 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

Set in the heart of Canberra City, Tazé offers a delicious range of Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful, modern environment.

Open Monday to Friday Breakfast and Lunch • 31 London Cct Canberra City • P. 6248 5202

puzzles page Joanne Madeline Moore

General knowledge crossword No. 473

your week in the stars – October 13-19, 2014

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) This week’s stars suit reading, writing, public speaking, social networking, travel, friendships and having fun. But, with Mercury still retrograde (until October 26) expect a few hiccups along the way! On Friday and Saturday, the stars magnify your ability to persuade others with a convincing argument. But realise that a perceived success may have to be tweaked further down the track.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) Communication will be a delight and a conundrum this week, as the Sun and Venus increase your Cat charisma and then Mercury trips you up at every turn. Learn to self-edit what comes out of your mouth Lions, otherwise you are likely to upset someone important (like your mum, your partner or your boss). And be extra careful (check twice!) when sending emails, texts and tweets.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) With Venus and retrograde Mercury in your finance zone, money matters are oscillating between wonderful and woeful. So stash extra cash away to tide you over when times are tight. When it comes to a recalcitrant relative, you will eventually convince them with your reasonable Virgo rationale. On Friday and Saturday you’re drawn to convivial company, fine food and delicious dining.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) Don’t sit on the side-lines and be a Libran wallflower. With vivacious Venus visiting your sign, you’re in the mood to socialise and circulate; converse and communicate; mix and mingle. Mercury is reversing through your sign, so your diplomatic skills will be sorely tested as loved ones get involved in misunderstandings. Play the peace-maker, but avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

10 11

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CANCER (June 22 – July 22) Mercury is reversing through your home zone (until October 26) so domestic dynamics are frustrating at the moment. Time for clever Crabs to communicate clearly and consult often. Plus a problem with a vulnerable family member (that you thought was resolved) may have to be revisited. The weekend is wonderful for financial matters – especially involving renovations or real estate.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) It will be tempting to overindulge in fatty foods, sweet treats and fine wine this week as Venus and Jupiter switch your hedonistic Taurus streak into top gear. Meanwhile, retrograde Mercury throws all semblance of order, discipline and a healthy diet out the window! So your motto for the moment is from Oscar Wilde (born on October 15, 1854): “I can resist everything except temptation.”

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) Expect pleasure and pain in relationships this week Rams, as the Sun and Venus boost your social life, and then retrograde Mercury causes some mischief and confuses communication. Problems will crop up if you jump to hasty conclusions so try to think things through before you react, or over-react! Being positive and proactive (plus extra patient) wins friends and influences people.

OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 6pm

Solution next week

Across

Down

1 Which metallic element has the symbol Ag? (6) 8 Name the largest land animal on earth. (8) 9 What is another term for an indication? (6) 10 What do we call a natural aptitude for something? (8) 11 Name a microscopic, one-celled animal. (6) 13 Having a briny or salty flavour, is to appear what? (8) 16 Which officers investigate, by inquest, into any suspicious deaths? (8) 19 Name the sacred birds, venerated by the ancient Egyptians. (6) 22 In a renowned board game, what could the king be called? (8) 24 Which phrase usually appears at the completion of a movie? (3,3) 25 What is the diligent and systematic investigation into a subject? (8) 26 Name a light, finger-shaped cake, coated with chocolate icing. (6)

2 What is a form of expression peculiar to a language? (5) 3 What do we call the scene of any event, such as a hall for a concert, meeting, etc? 4 To be trustworthy is to be what? (8) 5 Name the epithet applied to the Parramatta NRL club. (4) 6 What is a colloquial term for a psychiatrist? (6) 7 What are the powers of doing things with ease, as from special skills? (6) 12 What, in cricket, is a set of six bowls? (4) 14 Which bitter green-coloured liqueur has a licorice flavour? (8) 15 Which March date was Caesar warned to beware of? (4) 17 What are classes of natural earths, used as pigments? (6) 18 Name an edible marine bivalve mollusc. 20 Which term implies a standard of perfection? (5) 21 What is an alternative word for boredom? 23 Which female horse is past its fourth birthday? (4)

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Sudoku hard No. 136

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21) Still waters run deep! With so much planetary action in your mystery zone this week, there’s more to everything than meets the eye. And it will take your Scorpio discretion and substantial detective talents to uncover secrets and distinguish fact from fantasy. Plus old emotional issues may rise to the surface. It’s a wonderful weekend to enjoy solo activities like reading, writing and walking.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Mars is rushing through your sign, so you’re in garrulous, gung-ho mode. Strive to get the balance right between being passionately proactive, and taking thoughtful action. Spontaneity works sometimes – at other times, learn to adopt a more measured approach. Retro Mercury scrambles telecommunications so back-up documents and double-check messages before you press send!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) Do you enjoy your job and does it stimulate your mind? This week, take the time to re-evaluate your professional position, as Venus and retrograde Mercury pair up in your career zone. And is your home/work balance way out of whack? Are the long hours you’re putting in really necessary? Utilise the power of your clever Capricorn mind to work smarter, rather than harder.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Solution next week

Solutions from last edition

Jupiter helps you power through work projects with extra energy and enthusiasm. Then you’ll have more hours in each day for rest and to enjoy good times with family and friends. The more you support and encourage colleagues, the better your work environment will be. Looking for employment? You need to be proactive and search out jobs before they are actually advertised.

Daily astrology updates at www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

Crossword No. 472

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

S B B W H I T L A A N O L O G I C A L O K O E W I N E R Y O R E V E N U I I O V A C U U M E E N R E S I S T

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

D U S T Y D E N S I T Y

Sudoku medium No.136

With plenty of planetary action in your aspiration zones Aquarius, t’s time to dream big dreams, create your preferred future, and follow your destiny. Don’t be dismayed by temporary setbacks and stressful delays. The universe is testing your determination to stick to your desired course. Be inspired by birthday great Oscar Wilde: “We’re all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.”

(02) 6112 6222 Open 7 Days, 10am - 6pm Cnr of Newcastle St & Canberra Ave Fyshwick canberraoutletcentre.com.au facebook.com/canberraoutletcentre

CityNews October 9-15, 2014 33

open garden

Mark Barber... “When I’m walking around I see different things in flower that I wasn’t expecting, and it’s always a lovely surprise and different all the time.”

Rooms, paths and shade WATCHED over by a big fluffy owl Words: Kathryn Vukovljak that sits in the silver birch at the Photos: Gary Schafer back, Mark Barber’s Deakin garden in the summer, and past relaxing water features to is a place to explore and discover, a series of garden rooms, including a “secret” with hidden corners that unfold as spot with a peaceful arbour that Mark loves. “We chose to break the garden up into you wander, and a mix of vivid colour little areas which maintains the interest as you and evocative scents. wander around,” he says. “This way you can “We tried to get a good mix of colour, with the blue ice conifer, maroon leaves and a wide range of different greens,” says Mark. “The banksia rose has a wonderful perfume, and we have fragrant azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias, but my favourite is the little Japanese maple by the house; the colour is amazing.” Mark’s garden will be open to the public on the weekend of October 11 and 12 as part of Open Gardens Australia. The path leads around the back of the house to a spectacular liquid amber that offers deep shade

34 CityNews October 9-15, 2014

make discoveries, when I’m walking around I see different things in flower that I wasn’t expecting, and it’s always a lovely surprise and different all the time.” The well-established garden has been here for 50 years, with Mark taking over and redesigning it 10 years ago when he retired. “I worked around the pavers that were already here, and we had some lovely mature trees that we kept, but we reduced the lawn, removing it completely in the front, and created garden rooms,” he says.

“Each part of the garden has a different personality – there’s even my version of a zen garden with raked pebbles. “Some of the garden is formal, other parts are informal, and that’s because a lot of it has evolved through a series of successes and failures.” Mark says he hand waters everything himself. “It can get monotonous, but things can go wrong with irrigation systems so I feel happier doing it myself – plus I get to see how everything is doing as I go around,” he says. “It’s lovely that from the house you can see most of the garden but when you’re down here you can’t see what’s around the corner. “I like not being able to see everything at once.” Mark’s garden at 3 Brassey Street, Deakin, open Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12, 10am4.30pm. Adults $8, children under 18 are free. Funds raised will go to the Gawad Kalinga Organisation in the Philippines and Open Gardens Australia. More information at opengarden.org.au

gardening

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We grow them hardy so you can watch them grow A drain tap on the drip system is very important.

A simple way to check if the drip system is working.

Flushed and ready for summer NOW is the time to prepare for summer and it is important to flush out the drip-irrigation system. For the first time in seven months, I have turned on our system, more to test it than for serious watering. But flushing out the system cannot be done unless a tap is fitted at the lowest point in the system. Next, clean the filter, which is always recommended even for town water. Over the months the drip lines get buried in the soil as mulch decomposes and works its way into the soil. Now is the time to add new mulch, but be sure to lift the drip lines on top of the soil or old mulch. Drip lines always go on top of the soil and under the mulch. Finally, dig a few holes in various places to see how moist the ground is and if starting to dry out turn on the drip system. Normally, I recommend that one hour a week of drip watering is sufficient for most gardens, although new gardens may initially need several hours to build up the moisture levels. Most drip systems deliver two litres an hour for each outlet. The simplest way to test the system is place an empty two-litre ice cream container under the drip line.

After an hour the container should be full. While this may sound boring, all the above is vital for the survival of your plants through summer. In Canberra we receive an average annual rainfall of 619mm, but the annual average evaporation rate is 1800mm. Water is vital to all forms of life.

• Prune sasanqua camellias now as flowering has finished. • Nip out sweet pea shoots when they have reached a desirable height to encourage lateral growth and more flowers. • Finally, “garden to please yourself, then at least one person enjoys the garden”.

More detailed information at cedricbryant.com, Cedfacts Information Sheets “In-Line Drip Irrigation Systems” and “Mulch Your Garden to Conserve Moisture”.

THE Canberra Bonsai Society Annual Show will be at Daramalan College, Dickson, 9am-5pm, on Saturday October 11 and 9am-4pm on Sunday, October 12. There’ll be demonstrations at 11am and 2 pm and Bonsai Basics sessions at 10am and 1pm each day.

IT’S always suggested that plants should be grouped according to their water needs, which may be good advice from the garden TV shows or in magazines, but in most cases rarely practical. Although in saying this, in our front garden I have almost all the plants originating from the Mediterranean, which is ideal for our local climate. You will have the opportunity to see this when we open our garden in a few weeks. I haven’t fixed the date yet, but my readers will know first in “CityNews”.

Jottings... • S till a month to go before planting tomatoes outdoors. • I f finished fruiting, citrus trees can be cut back for shape and more fruiting branches. • P rune back shrubs that have been frost damaged.

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Good book, win it! THE recently published “Dig Deeper” by Meredith Kirton (Murdoch Books, rrp $69.99) is a serious garden book with appeal to anyone just starting a garden to people like me, who think they know it all until they start reading this book! Sensibly divided into the four seasons the book has colour photos on every page to accompany the excellent text. I highly recommend it. There’s a copy for one lucky reader to win. Write your name, suburb and contact number on the back of an envelope and send to “Dig Deeper” “CityNews”, GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601, by Friday, October 24. The winner will be announced in the edition of October 31.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-4.00pm | Sat 8am-12pm

FAMILY LAW IN CANBERRA

Obligation free first conference • Pre-nuptial agreements • Separation and Divorce • De-facto relationships • Parenting and children • Property settlement

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COURSE PRESENTER: AMELIA STARR Executive Director, Livable Housing Australia Who should attend: Residential developers and builders, building surveyors, certifiers, access consultants and architects. 9am – 4pm Monday, 27 October 2014 The Brassey in Barton Member: $250 inc. GST Non Member: $400 inc. GST To register, contact rscott@propertyoz.com.au

Canberra’s online nursery We are a locally owned, family business with a team of experienced, passionate and qualified Horticulturists. • Garden consults • Planting plans and garden design • Garden maintenance • Landscaping • Canberra grown plants delivered to your door • Garden goodies and plant sourcing available For more information head to: www.theplantweb.com.au CityNews October 9-15, 2014 35

THE TRICK TO BECOMING

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