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PAUL COSTIGAN

ROBERT MACKLIN

CEDRIC BRYANT JUNE 24, 2021

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Rockin’ MLA LEANNE CASTLEY is on a mission to ‘smash it’ for the people of Yerrabi

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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE ACT COMMUNITY

it y, De ar AC T Commun

of years now.

“CityNews” for a couple the in ing rtis ve ad en be st, mostly because of and ME/CFS ACT have dn’t done much in the pa ha Arthritis, Pain Support we as ing rtis ve ad ney we had for the ng for us to start to utilise every cent of mo d nte wa It was a really scary thi lly rea t tha ty . We need to We were a small chari unity to know we existed mm co the for rd the expense involved. ha lly rea ling your thout advertising, it was ing our services and tel wi lis r, uti ve by we us ho , ted ity or un pp mm su co You have ders of the “CityNews”. say thank you to the rea private friends that we exist. those who can’t afford lp he to is ion ss mi r ou ible, as h. Our services are r prices as low as poss provided by ACT Healt are t tha s As a charity, we keep ou ce rvi se the have an for, or aren’t eligible for rvices free of charge, we se ny ma e vid pro services and can’t wait e W ces. have time vate Allied Health practi ue Syndrome, and we pri tig st Fa mo nic to t hro en /C fer ME dif d ry an ve ic Pain le to meet with others ation on Arthritis, Chron d a safe place for peop an ms gra extensive library of inform pro on ati uc e regular community ed to just listen. We provid same difficulties in life. of providing our who are living with the vers some of the costs co ich wh g din fun t en d some of receive ACT governm education programs, an ity un mm co r ou of We are very fortunate to me Chronic a, so pport people living with program across Canberr su y to rap g din the fun dro hy no st e eiv -co low FS. We rec y further funding for people living with ME/C en unable to secure an be o als ve the supports we offer to ha e W . to) ars, and cause someone needs ross Canberra for five ye ac ted era op s ha Pain (but we do this be ich m wh but also gth and Balance progra often life-limiting, falls, , ren us St l rio sfu se es of k cc ris su at ry ve r are ou errans who sential service to Canb very isolated. provides not only an es ipants, many of whom are rtic pa the for t tle ou l g you to provides a socia donations, we are askin e tim tax for sts ue req rsonalised ectly affected by arities ramp up their pe ople, unless they are dir pe st mo t This week, as many ch tha rk wo s ke rk we do. We al charity who underta thing sexy about the wo no is ere Th t. ou consider assisting a loc ab nk thi though ople to sell our story (al illnesses, would not ever pe l ing tifu igu au fat be ic en ron ev ch or or s in pa imals or kid ugly). s, we don’t have cute an things that can be very ng hti fig t jus don’t have any gimmick are y the t, l people inside and ou all our clients are beautifu ll directly impact make a donation that wi to 1 01 1 04 00 18 on us nations, we promise consider calling ever after for further do for u yo e We are asking that you as ch to t no unity. We promise be spent on your fellow mise your donation will people in your own comm pro we d an e, els ne yo details to an we won’t pass on your of Canberra… community members. y pool for the northside rap the dro hy d ate dic de a ort of yone who would donate u Canberra for your supp yo k an Th . ek we ch ea And if anyone knows an nberrans ts in the past but have world of hundreds of Ca seen our advertisemen ve ha o you would change the wh se tho to d us. and ME/CFS ACT, an e else with, please call on Arthritis, Pain Support me so g rin the bo be to ‘too small’ felt that their problem ís can. always, in every way we u, yo t or pp su to re he We are Kind regards,

R ebec ca Davey CEO /CFS ACT Pain Suppor t and ME is, rit th Ar e: M r tte Be Build a

NEWS

Kidsplay’s the way to better behaviour, says Des

By Belinda

STRAHORN A BEHAVIOUR education program that does away with rewards and punishments, could be the answer to a more productive and functional society, a retired teacher says.

Des Linehan argues that children need help regulating their emotions, so that, as adults, they can “behave appropriately” in society.

The 63-year-old thinks the “Play is the Way” program, which uses physically interactive games to help school children build character and skills to guide their behaviour in tricky situations, would be a good fit for ACT schools to adopt.

Mr Linehan, now a mentor to vulnerable kids, says helping young people master their emotions is the key to a successful society.

“The most critical skill a child can learn is self-regulation or self-control because this is the chief determinant in a person’s life pathway,” Mr Linehan says.

“Imagine how better our society would be if we had kids who could control their impulses and self-regulate

INDEX

their emotions. There would be less trouble, less police officers, less interventions, less community services and a much more productive and functional society.”

Founded in 1990 by Wilson McCaskill, “Play is the Way” has been embraced by about 250 schools in Australasia, including one ACT public school in Tuggeranong.

Students play three, 20-minute games per session per week, for every week of the school year, Mr Linehan says.

The games, including “bull’s eye”, “team brandy” and “zig zag ball” are coupled with “empowering” language designed to develop students’ cognitive functions helping them make decisions, stick with a task when it becomes difficult and overcome fear when trying something new.

The idea, Mr Linehan says, is to play the games regularly, encouraging students to form “habits”.

“The more the games are played, the more the habits are formed, the more the habits are formed, the more influence we have helping children to be independent, able to control their emotions and being self-motivated,” he says.

The program does not support rewards such as stickers for good behaviour, Mr Linehan says, but is built around being “authority independent”.

“If you get a kid who learns to manage their behaviour in kindergarten,

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Cover: Liberal MLA Leanne Castley. Story Page 8. Photo: Holly Treadaway.

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Des Linehan… “Imagine how better our society would be if we had kids who could control their impulses and self-regulate their emotions.” Photo: Belinda Strahorn then by the time they leave in year 6, they don’t need rewards or punishment because they know what to do intrinsically, they know what’s right and what’s wrong and they know how to control themselves, and therefore they do that,” Mr Linehan says.

“Imagine if we had a society like that, if we had authority-independent people, we wouldn’t need as many cops, jails or interventions.”

In fact, Mr Linehan envisages a “half full” Canberra jail in a generation’s time if we can teach kids to successfully control their impulses.

Managing Director: James Anderson, 0404 077605, james@citynews.com.au Director: Kate Meikle, kate@citynews.com.au Senior advertising account executives: David Cusack, 0435 380656 Tracey Avery, 0477 939999 Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001 Tim Spare, 0423 381691 Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Digital news editor: Danielle Nohra, danielle@citynews.com.au Journalists: Andrew Mathieson, andrew@citynews.com.au Nick Overall, nick@citynews.com.au Belinda Strahorn, belinda@citynews.com.au; Kathryn Vukovljak, kathryn@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, helen@citynews.com.au Production manager: Janet Ewen Graphic Designer: Douglas Lima Proof reader: Glenda Anderson

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But that will require “systematic” changes to the education system, he says.

“We need to have social and educational reform,” Mr Linehan says.

“We don’t need to overhaul the ACT education system, our teachers do a fantastic job, but we need to provide a formal structured and day-to-day approach, across all schools, when it comes to teaching social and emotional learning.

“This program can be introduced into schools in the ACT straight away, it’s completely dovetailed into the

national curriculum; it doesn’t need approval by anyone because it has already been approved.”

Beyond just teaching academics, Mr Linehan argues that schools should equally be fostering students’ development in their relationships, identity, and overall well-being.

“Everyone agrees that social and emotional well-being and educational outcomes are equally as important as each other but there’s no take up by the education department to implement these as a systematic approach,” he says.

Having spent seven years mentoring troubled kids, Mr Linehan believes it is possible to positively change a young person’s life trajectory.

“If you grow up in a functional home then self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship and decision-making skills are usually modelled by mum and dad,” he says.

“But, sadly, that’s not the case for everyone; there is an extremely dysfunctional part of our society. I think it’s cruel and inhumane that we are not helping these people develop the skills they need so that they can be better human beings and in turn change our whole society.”

Mr Linehan hopes to present his case to ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry in the near future.

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SEVEN DAYS

Mechanic Mick can’t get the ministerial job done “AS a former motor mechanic and car enthusiast, I have a vested interest in ensuring that work carried out on motor vehicles in Canberra is undertaken in a safe and professional manner by appropriately licensed mechanics,” crowed the then (and now) Workplace Safety Minister Mick Gentleman.

It was 2016 and, as part of the ACT government’s Pop Up Cabinet (remember them?), Mick had been meeting with Tuggeranong Valley motor-vehicle repairers on the issue of unlicensed and illegal backyard mechanics.

“As a result of industry concerns, I’ve asked Access Canberra to undertake a targeted compliance program to detect motor vehicle repairers operating illegally in the ACT. This program will commence in May, 2016.”

Except it pretty well didn’t, according to reader Ralph Murphy.

“Under Minister Gentleman’s watch, virtually nothing has been done, in fact the problem has gotten far, far worse,” he says.

Ralph’s kicking Mick’s shins because after his son bought a house in 2015, a mechanic moved in next door and began operating an unlicensed vehicle repair business at all hours.

“It was progressively getting worse, causing nuisance with noise and pollution and traffic issues like loading and unloading tow trucks in the street, vehicles in various

states of repair parked in the front yard and on the street,” says Ralph.

“For two and a half years my son tried to get him to tone it down, but to no avail, so he had no alternative but to formally complain to Access Canberra. Access Canberra came out, took no punitive action and issued the operator with a licence!

“My son and I have been repeatedly complaining and supplying evidence to Access Canberra since early 2018 only to be repeatedly fobbed-off.”

The wheel thing in Darwin.

FORMER chief minister Jon Stanhope says that, along with the majority of Canberrans, he’s been perplexed by the ACT government’s obsession with the West Basin development.

“That is no longer the case,” our intrepid roving reporter (and columnist), filing from Darwin, says.

“I have been seduced by the beauty of the rainbow Ferris wheel adorning the Darwin foreshore and am certain it has generated such envy within the ACT government that

West Basin is being prepared to support a Ferris wheel of such grandeur as to put those presumptuous Darwinians in their place.

Mystery solved!”

“You got anything to eat yet?”

“I don’t know, I’m just feeling around for it now.”

THE parallel universe that is “The Canberra Times” has hit on a circulation booster for its seriously dwindling print product. They’re offering warmer weather.

On Tuesday last week “Times” subscribers were treated to the printed promise of a shower or two and a maximum of 25C followed by a week in the mid-to-high twenties. “CityNews” readers struggled through the day with a wintery top of 14.5C. INTENSE eye contact can stimulate sexual arousal, according to one source (randomly cut and pasted from the internet). It says intense or prolonged eye contact helps people feel seen and can make them feel confident and even, ahem, aroused.

Which suggests to me that anyone on a promise might want to think carefully about taking their squeeze to Pialligo Estate’s concept culinary experience “Pitch Black”, where diners sit in the dark, blindfolded for 90

minutes.

“With external distractions removed, the focus is instead on taste, smell, mouthfeel and sound, as well as promoting the art of conversation,” the Pialligo pitch promises.

It’s a global phenomenon, they say.

The set two-course, $90-a-head, event has been selling out each time since March with another planned for July 1.

HARRIET Elvin, the long-time outgoing CEO of the Cultural Facilities Corporation and new Member of the Order of Australia, has been a safe pair of administrative hands.

Nine ministers, five chairs and not a scandal, budget overrun or controversy to show for her 24 years at the helm. She told friends she knew it was time to go when she started hiring people who weren’t born when she

Life in the fast (cycle) lane in Yarralumla… the sign was spotted atop some spot repairs to the bike path near Weston Street by reader Peter Pharaoh. first took the job!

CALL out to the observant waitress in Emperor’s Court Chinese restaurant in Yarralumla. In pops an infrequent but regular customer who hadn’t been there since Mother’s Day to be greeted with an “arethese-yours?” pair of reading glasses. She’d unwittingly left them behind on May 9.

Ian Meikle is the editor of “CityNews” and can be heard on the “CityNews Sunday Roast” news and interview program, 2CC, 9am-noon.

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NEWS

Car model inspires Lilli’s ‘out-of-the-box ideas’

By Helen

MUSA A YOUNG fashion designer has been selected as one of four finalists in a design competition being held by Mazda Australia to mark the arrival of its MX-30 model, its first step into the electric-vehicle market.

I caught up with Lilli McKenzie, schooled in Canberra and a student in the Bachelor of Fashion Design Honours at RMIT University, Melbourne.

She was putting the finishing touches to her entry, which is being mentored by fashion icon Margie Woods from Australian fashion label, Viktoria & Woods.

The finalists are tasked with designing an outfit inspired by the fabrics and leathers used in the car’s internal design.

McKenzie says hers will consist of three different pieces, using vegan leather to create a skirt and cork and felt to fashion a bodice.

No stranger to success, in 2019 McKenzie was chosen to design the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust staff uniforms, which are worn by more than 1000 staff, but this time she’ll be turning her attention to sustainability

Lilli’s car-inspired garment… using vegan leather to create a skirt.

Lilli McKenzie… “I’ve always had a passion for making clothes out of random objects, repurposing old papers from my dad – I like to think out of the box.”

issues, with each project to be reviewed and aligned with the UN’s 17 global Sustainable Development Goals.

According to McKenzie, the challenge has been integrated into RMIT curriculum and a documentary film of the process is being made as finalist response to the call-out to create outfits taking inspiration from MX-30 materials such as vegan leather, heritage cork and repurposed plastic waste.

The winner, selected by Woods and Mazda staff, will be awarded a trip to Mazda’s Japan headquarters to enjoy a mentorship with Mazda’s global design chief, Ikuo Maeda.

Despite a peripatetic life so far, McKenzie has strong connections to Canberra. Initially schooled at Forrest

Primary, famous for producing lively extroverts, she did her secondary studies in Melbourne and Perth, but her family have now moved back to Canberra and her brother goes to Telopea Park School, where he studies French.

Big sister Lilli is skilled in French, too, following a school exchange to France that helped her speak it fluently – very handy when she won another competition and got to attend Paris Fashion Week in 2019.

She’s already finished her basic bachelor studies at RMIT, but is now doing the add-on honours.

“RMIT is giving me a lot of opportunities,” she says.

“I’ve always had a passion for making clothes out of random objects, re-

purposing old papers from my dad – I like to think out of the box.”

Luckily, at her school in Perth she was able to study textiles right through years 11 and 12 which she did enthusiastically, also studying photography.

In fact, she toyed with the idea of pursuing photography seriously but found there were “more opportunities and openings for design work, it is multifaceted and multimedia so it’s very exciting”.

It was her parents who pushed Lilli to do fashion, as she’d always loved costume design with school musicals in mind, but when she handed RMIT a large photographic portfolio, the question was: “How can this designminded student progress in fashion?”

“But they just wanted to see that you have a creative mind and can be innovative and there is no limit to the approaches. My mind is always thinking how can I use unconventional materials,” says McKenzie, who still loves to collect snapshots from buildings, landscapes and crowds to get inspiration for her fashion designs.

Nonetheless, she pays tribute to the “artisanal” and fine-motor skills such as embroidery, which are encouraged at RMIT, saying, “they help to solidify your practical skills”.

Certainly, it’s a challenge to design with a car in mind, but it’s not just about aesthetics, she tells me, it’s about combining the use of materials and the design aspects in an opportunity to think about design in a different way.

“There’s quite a strong similarity between a car and a garment,” she says, as she explains how her honours project links into the Mazda competition.

“My honours project is weavingbased, looking at a garment in new ways… I’m trialling a method of creating by weaving on to the body using the body as a loom.

“I’m using traditional weaving techniques but recreating them in a modern context as I weave vegan leather together. The cork is almost the loom, mounted around the body.”

The hybrid MX-30 is available from Phillip Mazda.

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COVER STORY / Leanne Castley

Knocked down, but Leanne always gets back up

By Belinda

STRAHORN LEANNE Castley, 47, has a tattoo down her left arm that sums up her approach to life; “I will stand back up,” it reads.

One of eight new faces in the ACT Legislative Assembly following October’s territory election, Ms Castley said the tattoo was inspired by a song and symbolic of her ability to overcome tough times.

In explaining the message behind the tattoo Ms Castley shared the lyrics of the Sugarland song.

So go ahead and take your best shot Let her rip, give it all you’ve got You might win this round but you can’t keep me down Because I’ll stand back up The single mum-of-two got the tattoo in 2008, when the successful car yard she ran with her then husband went bust.

The hard-working couple lost everything, including their dream home, and soon after

their 15-year-long marriage collapsed, too.

“Everything turned to crap,” Ms Castley said.

“It all came tumbling down, it was a huge shock, but it was a good life lesson.”

Ms Castley has been pleasantly surprised by her first half-year as an MLA with the job exceeding her expectations.

Likening herself to a political human wrecking ball, Ms Castley wants to “smash” it for the people of Yerrabi.

She has tirelessly pursued all manner of local-amenity improvements from fixing footpaths to championing repairs for Gungahlin’s problemplagued pool.

“That was an issue I picked up on immediately, it’s something that I said to the community, sure, I’ll fight for that,” she said.

Her latest career is a complete u-turn on some of her earlier vocations, which included a singing teacher, cleaner, Tupperware lady, account manager, vending machines stockist, mechanic’s assistant, dental nurse, beautician, tuck shop lady and IT project manager.

This quintessential “chick from Charney” who was steering towards a career in country

Liberal MLA Leanne Castley… “As a singer you sing to keep the punters happy, so too I will serve the people who elected me and I will not tire of that.”

Photos: Holly Treadaway music, even recording her own album, never imagined a gig in politics.

She is conscious of what a privilege it is to serve in public office and admits that sometimes she’s thrown by the perks of political life.

“Few people have their own

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free car space in the city; I am conscious of that privilege every day. I have a lovely office – not that I spend a lot of time there because I like to be out and about – but I never thought this life was on the cards for me,” she said.

“A friend of mine was preparing to go through the pre-selection process in the Liberal Party and she said: ‘You should have a go, Leanne; you care about people and you are motivated in whatever job you do’.”

“So, I thought, why not?”

Ms Castley was elected as the second Liberal in the Gungahlin-based seat of Yerrabi, behind then-opposition leader Alistair Coe, who has since retired.

She won more votes than the sitting Liberal James Milligan to claim her spot in the Assembly.

While last year was her first attempt at an ACT election, she ran as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Fenner at the 2019 federal election.

Drawn to Liberal Party philosophies and values, and not being beholden to a faction, she intends to follow her own path to arrive at decisions based on what’s in the best interest of the community.

“That’s why I like the Liberals, there’s no way they would tell me which way to start voting in the party room.”

Ms Castley freely admits that she didn’t grow up in a political household where politics was discussed around the dinner table.

Rather, dinner was spent in

front of the tele watching “A Country Practice” with her older brother Barton, while her single mum, Lorraine, worked night shifts as a nurse.

“We were broke,” Ms Castley said.

“I remember mum crying over the washing machine breaking. It was a stressful time, things were really tight.”

Ms Castley is passionate about seeing small business thrive and wants to help overturn the perception that the Liberals don’t care about the environment.

“Where are all the trees?” she said.

“Why are we the worstperforming city for our urbantree canopy?

“That has to stop.”

Born in Gunnedah but raised in Charnwood, she has fond memories of weekends spent riding dirt bikes and mustering sheep at her grandparents’ farm at Bookham.

Most weekends, the self-confessed revhead, can be found tinkering with her motorbike or under the bonnet of a car.

“There’s nothing quite like the rumble of a big engine,” she said.

As a regular performer in Canberra’s pub scene, Ms Castley will give her best every time, as she has done countless times throughout her singing career.

“As a singer you sing to keep the punters happy, so too I will serve the people who elected me and I will not tire of that.”

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THE GADFLY

Single day off is nuts, take two!

THOSE of us journalists and authors who work every day, every week, every year could hardly believe it: while it seems as though our compatriots are always on some kind of day off, Australia has fewer national holidays than practically any other country in the region, if not the entire world.

Cambodia, for example, has 29 such days compared to our puny 13. Even the Philippines has double our lot, while the French have 25 official or “celebration” days and the Americans and the Brits find all sorts of reasons to lay about quaffing drinkies instead of pounding the computer like us workaholics.

While us authors will never change, maybe the time has come to thoroughly revise the way as a country we divide our time between toil and those 13 memorial days.

For example, the whole idea of celebrating, say, Reconciliation Day with a single Monday off is nuts.

Australia is a big place with lots of traffic. If you have a three-day weekend you usually spend two days of it travelling (by whatever mode) leaving only one day at the beach, the ski-fields or the hinterland having fun.

More importantly, at a time when our tourist industry is staggering under the ravages of COVID-19, there’s no real chance for it to recover when we’re barely at the venue before we’re packing to leave.

So here’s my suggestion: instead of a one-day holiday, make it two – one on each side of the

weekend. That way we can really make a difference to the industry’s plight, and to the health and happiness of our workforce.

It’s not as though we’d lose much in productivity.

In my experience, almost no work gets done in the business world either on Monday morning or Friday afternoon. At such times, in publishers’ offices (and no doubt their equivalents in the other great CBD honeycombs) people are either lunching with the latest “birthday girl”, getting an early start on a weekend of jollity or staggering in through the haze of the Monday blues.

However, if every national “day” was doubled, they could finish the same amount of work on Thursday and set out for the coast or the bush next day, driving home on the Monday after filling the pockets of the tourist venues during the two days in between.

It’s a chance to explore our own wonderful continent and gain at least a sliver of understanding what it meant to our Aboriginal predecessors. And as the national capital becomes the hub of a mighty regional wheel incorporating not just the coastal delights but the wondrous world of the hinterland, we’ll all discover lots of alternatives to city living.

COVID-19, for all its awfulness has at least broken the stricture of a workaday week confined to the office. The possibility of working from home – wherever it might be – and checking into HQ only when necessary – will become a genuine alternative.

Sure, our 13 national holidays will become 26 days off but that’s only one more day than France, and who invented the term “joie de vivre”?

And maybe with the prospect of a real break from the computer grind, us workaholics might be tempted to join the jollity.

Here’s my suggestion: instead of a one-day holiday, make it two – one on each side of the weekend. That way we can really make a difference to the travel industry’s plight and to the health and happiness of workers.

OVER 5 MILLION AUSTRALIANS HAVE NOW TAKEN THE NEXT STEP We’re not safe until we’re all safe.

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Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

CityNews June 24-30, 2021 9

LETTERS

Double rates? Well-paid Canberra doesn’t care ON a recent visit to Queensland, I caught up with friends in Brisbane and the question of the rates we both pay arose.

My friends live in one of the most expensive suburbs in the city, Clayfield. Their relatively small block has an UCV – unimproved capital value (on which general rates are based) – of $560,000. Their general rate for a quarter is $347. As in the ACT, this does not include water rates, but does include refuse and green-bin collection.

By comparison, my UCV in Canberra is $542,000 per quarter, slightly lower than my friend’s property in Brisbane, but my general rate is more than double at $885 a quarter!

The residents there enjoy excellent public transport services, seven days a week, not just from Monday to Friday as in Canberra.

They also get a bulk-goods kerbside pickup once a year.

Furthermore, water rates, stamp duty, vehicle registration and land tax are also appreciably lower than in the ACT. The Liberals highlighted these exorbitant taxes and charges during the last election campaign, but it would appear that the very well paid Canberra workers are relatively insensitive to the level of ACT government taxation.

One might ask where does all this revenue get spent or should one say wasted?

The light rail fiasco is one obvious case in point. The ACT government could and should do something about the blatant and widespread fare evasion on Action buses because of their “no cash” policy. This would have a significant impact on revenue.

Colin Lyons, Weetangera

Reminder of toxic work culture ANDREW Mathieson’s “Marisa’s at the fore of the female majority” (CN June 10) is a clear reminder of this new MLA’s admirable efforts to address various forms of harassment often experienced by women.

It is a stark reminder, too, of the toxic work culture of some offices in Parliament House, where bullies reign supreme and are seemingly given the imprimatur to treat others badly.

Such offices are no place for the timid or people who, for whatever reason, are unable to speak out for themselves.

Geri Badham, Waramanga

uptake? Price and travel range.

Unfortunately, with greater range comes larger battery capacities and very high voltage charging = higher prices. What is the federal government doing to assist this necessary transition?

Absolutely nothing!

dose of dorin

Richard Johnston, Kingston

Knowing right from wrong

And on to the park?

NOW that Constitution and Edinburgh Avenues connect up to Vernon Circle, with traffic lights calming traffic there, when will safe, attractive and convenient pedestrian access to the City Hill top park also be installed opposite those two avenues?

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

Reach out for mental help

that people with schizophrenia are likely to live 19 years less than people who do not have the condition. Tragically this gap continues to widen.

Around 700,000 Australians have a severe mental illness.

We want people to realise they are not alone and support is actually out there.

The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia has a free phone line to offer people advice on where to get more support. Call 1800 985944 or visit minetworks.org.au Tony Stevenson, CEO

I AM writing from the not-for-profit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia to urge people who have mental health issues to reach out and get help.

We know there is a lot of help out there.

We know not enough people are accessing that help.

Our latest awareness initiative highlights that mental illness is much more common than many people might think.

Data reveals 45 per cent of all Australians will experience a mental disorder at some point. In the past 12 months alone, one in five Australians has experienced a mental health disorder.

For instance, 50 per cent of people with schizophrenia now attempt suicide. The ridiculous myths around this condition need to be busted. It is completely unacceptable

Government does absolutely nothing ANGUS Taylor, Minister for Emissions Reduction (Morrison’s little joke), says: “We don’t subsidise luxury cars”, ie electric vehicles.

Never mind that fossil fuel use is responsible for 75 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and this government happily and grossly subsidises that.

Never mind that emissions from the transport sector have been trending upwards since 2005, despite government claims we are on track to meet our targets.

What is the main way we can reduce emissions from the transport sector? Electric vehicles.

What are the main barriers to their greater

PERIODICALLY, there are court cases where the defence for people who were highly intoxicated by alcohol or illicit drugs, or both, and allegedly committed murder, is that they were unable to form an intention to murder.

On face value this can be easily accepted.

However, in my view it begs further examination in the cause of justice, especially for the victim’s family.

What is not mentioned as coming under consideration in the many reports I have read is that a person has a responsibility before the law not to self-cause their inability to know right from wrong by breaking a law (eg public drunkenness) and also not to self-cause their ability to deviate from the social norm (holding an intent not to murder) again by breaking a law.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

And what about the water-rate rises?

I WAS reading in “Seven Days” (“Power to the people, coming at a higher price”, CN June 17) about electricity price rises.

But what about the water rises that come into play on July 1?

The Icon Water branch manager gets $220,000 a year; a general manager, in excess of $300,000 and the CEO, according to a 2019 newspaper article, $760,000. This is NOT A PRIVATE COMPANY, it’s a government utility owned by the ratepayers of Canberra.

It astounds me how this could be happening.

Victor Leoniuk, via email

Write to us Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

Sixpack solution to the covid jab READER Chris Mobbs, of Hackett, reckons there’s one incentive to get the covid jab that hasn’t yet been explored.

With sincere apologies to Banjo Paterson, he’s been moved to verse to explain his idea…

There was movement in the House of Reps, For the word had passed around That Scott the Marketeer was back in town.

And all the journos gathered with their notebooks in their hand Ever keen to hear about his plan.

Resplendent in his visy vest and hard hat on his head, He strode across the floor with vigour and with zest.

“Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, I have come in here today To tell the House a very special thing.

To get our Aussie battlers up and in to have the jab My plan will make them jump and sing.”

The House went quiet as he bent down To get something from the floor And as he arose, a smirk appeared, We’ve seen this face before.

Then in his hands he held aloft A package wrapped in lace.

Was it coal, or was it chocolate? No! he said, With a smile across his face.

And then the House let out a gasp As he undid the lace, For he revealed a pack of six white toilet rolls Which he placed down near the Mace.

He then announced with such great ease, As he was known to do, “For everyone that gets the jab They get one pack of these!”

And very soon the Aussies queued With Iphones in their hand To take a selfie with their six-pack, post jab To put on Instagram.

And down by Burley Griffin Where at times it’s cold and drab, They will heap praise on the Marketeer Who got us in to get the jab.

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49 Jardine Street, Kingston | kingstonnaturaltherapies.com.au | Phone 6295 6660 10 CityNews June 24-30, 2021

CALWELL SHOPPING CENTRE

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‘It’s great that so many of [the winners] have been long-time locals and shoppers.’

Celebrations ended with major prize giveaways CALWELL Shopping Centre is proud to have celebrated its 30th anniversary with valued customers and tenants, says centre manager Amanda Flack.

Over the past six months, the vibrant local shopping centre, owned by the Tsoulias family, has run a “Shop and Win” promotion to mark the anniversary.

Shoppers were rewarded with weekly vouchers for the past six months, leading to the top prize draw of a Hyundai Venue, which was given away on June 19.

After the bushfires and the stress of COVID-19, Arthur Tsoulias of the Tsoulias Group says the family wanted to do something special to say “thank you” to the locals for shopping at Calwell and supporting them over the years.

Arthur and his father, Con, play a hands-on role at the centre.

Con bought and developed the site more than three decades ago and Arthur says a number of the retailers or their businesses have been there since day one.

“The relationships that have been built over the years between the centre, the retailers and customers is what makes Calwell Shopping Centre so special,” says Arthur, who remembers as a teenager, helping Con do some labour work after school when the centre was being built.

The Tsoulias family has proudly been involved in the building industry in the ACT for more than 60 years, spanning three generations.

Arthur’s father, Con, came to Canberra as a small child, when his father, Nicholas, moved his young family from Greece in 1951. Con worked alongside his father, who was a carpenter by trade, in the commercial property business.

In the late 1980s Con successfully made a bid for the site of the Calwell

CALWELL SHOPPING CENTRE INCLUDES: • Abby’s Island Taste • Bendigo Bank • BWS • Calwell Newsagency and Post • Calwell Takeaway • C3 Tavern Family Bar and Bistro • Capital Chemist • Canberra Quality Meats • Coffee On The Go • Dominos Pizza Car winner Jeffrey Schultz, back row, third left, with partner Nicola Miller, and voucher winner Lynise Buchanan.

From left, centre, owner Con Tsoulias, centre manager Amanda Flack and Con’s grandsons holding the sign.

Shopping Centre, which was officially opened in 1991.

Now, Arthur and Con work together and continue the legacy of the family business.

With more than 22 retailers, including a car wash, Calwell Shopping Centre offers everything shoppers need on a day-to-day basis in the one place, including easy parking, says Amanda.

“We are a convenient one-stop shopping centre. We are always keen to support the local community and have run Christmas prize draws, markets and other initiatives in the past,” she says.

On the third Saturday of every month, the centre hosts community markets that are located inside and outside where 30 local hobbyists and handmakers sell products such as candles, jewellery, bric-a-brac, face painting and plants.

Local sporting groups also get

the chance to run a community barbecue to raise funds for their club, with supplies donated by centre management.

“It’s been going for about 18 months now and it’s all about bringing our local community together,” says Amanda.

Throughout the “Shop and Win” promotion, Amanda says centre management has been touched by the lovely responses from those who won the weekly vouchers over the past six months.

“They have taken the time to email us to say thank you and it’s great that so many of them have been long-time locals and shoppers,” she says.

“It makes us feel so happy that people have appreciated and enjoyed the promotion.”

Calwell Shopping Centre, 7 Webber Crescent, Calwell. Visit calwellshops.com.au

MAJOR PRIZE WINNERS THE major prize draw was revealed on June 19 at a special celebration at Calwell Shopping Centre, where three very happy local shoppers were announced as the lucky winners.

Jeffrey Schultz from Calwell was announced as the winner of the Hyundai Venue, supplied by Lennock Motors. It is the first time a new Hyundai Venue model has launched in the ACT. Jeffrey said he was thrilled to be driving a brand new car away.

“I’m in shock and my hands are shaking with the happy surprise,” he said.

He and his partner, Nicola Miller, said they were thrilled and delighted to have won such a special prize.

“It’s a lovely, fantastic-looking car and I look forward to enjoying the new features,” says Jeffrey.

Winners of the two $150 shopping vouchers went to Graham Pekin and Lynise Buchanan.

Lynise, of Isabella Plains, was at the centre to receive her prize and said she’s been shopping at Calwell since it opened 30 years ago.

“I am so excited to win,” she said.

• Ethereal Image Beauty Salon • Giorgios’s Hair and Beauty Bar • Grand Court Chinese Restaurant • Kumon Education Centre • Laverty Pathology • Mary’s Market – The Op-Shop • Ochre Health – Calwell Medical Centre • Patto’s Grog Shop • Pitstop Carwash • Smile Sensations • Stride Physio Services • TSG – Tobacco Station and Gifts Galore • Vinton Bakery • Woolworths Supermarket

Congratulations to all our winners of both the major prizes, includes a brand new Hyundai Venue valued at $25,000 and the weekly winners of gift vouchers.

Calwell Shopping Center and our tenants are proud to have offered a one stop shopping experience to our valued shoppers for the past 30 years.

calwellshops.com.au CityNews June 24-30, 2021 11

NEWS / 50 years of orienteering

David lives a full life loving the ‘sport for life’

By Nick

OVERALL ORIENTEERING has often been coined as “a sport for life” and for David Hogg, the man who brought it to Canberra 50 years ago, that title couldn’t be more fitting.

He’s an Australian championships winner, the inaugural president of the Orienteering Federation Australia and still a competitor himself at 78, and on the 50th anniversary of the sport’s presence here in Canberra David says he’s proud to see how far it’s come.

“At our first ever event in 1971 we had about 20 people. Today we have over 400 people turn up,” he says.

Originally created in the late 1800’s for military training, orienteering sees competitors navigating terrain as quickly as possible with only a map, compass and their intuition to guide them.

Charting a course from Scandinavia, the sport arrived in Australia in 1969 and David, a Melbourne University student and keen outdoorsman, was excited to attend the country’s first orienteering event.

12 CityNews June 24-30, 2021

The first Australian orienteering team to travel overseas including David Hogg (left) in 1972.

“I enjoyed it straight away, so when I moved to Canberra in 1971, I wanted to bring it with me,” he says.

“One of the geography lecturers at the Canberra College of Advanced Education [now University of Canberra], was quite interested. He found a map of Black Mountain which I redrew as an orienteering map.”

Canberra’s first orienteering event would see about 20 participants traversing Black Mountain, which at the time did not feature the iconic tower atop its summit.

“In those days Parkes Way wasn’t built, either, it was just a minor road going along the base of the mountain,” says David.

“We went up the road, over near the

David Hogg… “At our first event in 1971 we had about 20 people. Today we have over 400 people turn up.”

top of the mountain and back down and around to where we started.”

From there David and his friends would continue to organise orienteering events and by 1980 he says hundreds of people were regularly turning up to compete.

It was certainly helped by Canberra’s “bush capital” status, with the mountains, forests, parks and nature reserves offering abundant space that David says were great for orienteering.

“We used Majura, the Stromlo forests and Kowen forests near Queanbeyan, Mount Ainslie, and the Namadgi National Park, too,” he says.

“In ‘74 we hosted the Australian Championships in Pierces Creek Forest and in ‘77 it was hosted at Orroral

Crossing.”

“It went from an event every now and again to every month, and then to every fortnight as it grew in popularity.”

Now with a passionate and plentiful following, Canberra orienteering celebrated its 50th anniversary with a recreation of the first event on Black Mountain.

In recent years orienteering has also made its way from the bush to the streets, with an alternative variation that David says has allowed many beginners and less physically able people to get involved.

Despite all of his tireless efforts to promote the sport, they never slowed down David’s own competitive orienteering.

He was a part of the first Australian team to travel overseas to NZ for a dual country challenge that the visiting team won with confidence.

In 1994 David took out the Australian championship, in 1996 he won the Asia-Pacific championships in Hong Kong, in 2008 he was inducted into the ACT Sports Hall of Fame and in 2021 he’s still competing.

“These days if I get in the top 10 I’m generally happy,” he says.

For David, the magic is in the mental challenge.

“It’s amazing how fast elite runners can go through rough terrain, up and down steep hills, jumping gullies and logs and at the same time reading their map as they go,” he says.

Today, the sport has spread throughout every state in Australia and David believes there’s a strong future for it yet.

“When you think about a young person navigating bushland on their own they really learn to think independently and make decisions and that builds a lot of confidence,” he says.

“But at the same time orienteering has five-year age brackets that go all the way up to over 90.”

“It really is a sport for life.”

Those wanting to try orienteering can visit act.orienteering.asn.au

POLITICS

AXIS HAIRDRESSING

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Cutting short hair with precision and confidence Peter Dutton.

Karen Andrews.

Barnaby Joyce.

Compassion the casualty in the rush to be tough WHAT happened to compassion in Australia? It is no wonder that there is a split within the Coalition government over the Tamil family from Biloela. Is it still about refugees and stopping the boats or is there something deeper?

This saga is filled with lack of compassion – and it turns out that some of the government MPs simply find it too much. From the time Peter Dutton was Minister for Immigration, the politics of toughness have won the day. No compromise! Stand firm! No shades of grey.

Incoming Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, has long been considered amongst the most conservative of politicians within the government ranks. Even he’s fed up, accusing the government of playing the racist game. He argued there would be no question if the daughters were white girls with the names “Jane and Sally”.

Mr Joyce told the “Sunrise” TV program: “Tharunicaa and Kopika were born in Australia. Maybe if their names were Jane and Sally and they were playing on the local netball side, we’d think twice about sending them back to another country which they’re not from.”

The lack of compassion reached a peak when Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told Nine Radio that reporting around the illness of the child Tharunicaa was inaccurate.

The clear implication was that the reported sepsis was not serious and was some kind of ruse. She went further: “The illness that the child is suffering, and is in hospital for, has been well and truly treated in the advice that I have been given”.

Meanwhile, WA director-general of Health David Russell-Weisz said Tharunicaa’s treatment, in the wake of her sepsis infection, would continue. At a time when governments have been constantly congratulated for listening to health advice over COVID-19, the Minister for Home Affairs sets herself above medical staff on the issue of treatment of a four-year-old.

The Minister is (appropriately) proud of her qualifications as a mechanical engineer as she outlined in her inaugural speech to Parliament in 2010. Additionally, she holds a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations. However, as qualified as a mechanical engineer might be, it does not provide the wherewithal to

challenge the medical profession on diagnosis and treatment.

Her words took the lack of compassion for a four-year-old and her family to a new level. Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Andrew Giles, called for Ms Andrews to apologise. He tweeted, “It’s appalling that Minister Andrews speaks so carelessly and callously about a sick four-year-old girl”.

The seeds of lack of compassion might be found in her inaugural speech where she stated: “There are three things that I wish to speak about because they are important to McPherson [her electorate] and they define who I am and what I stand for: infrastructure, business and veterans”.

The sad part is that the minister seems to have forgotten the other part of her speech: “As a parent, I understand the importance of health and education to our future generations and the need to nurture and encourage our children. I want our children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, whatever that may be.”

Perhaps she ought to have qualified the statement with… “if the children were named Jane and Sally”.

Even after announcing that the family would be able to remain in Australia on a restricted basis – it seems the government still cannot find enough compassion to allow the Murugappan family to return to Biloela after Tharunicaa is well enough to travel.

The greatest concern is not just for these two girls, who spent the majority of their life in detention – effectively jail – but for the attitude that allows such a hard line. At what point does someone say: “These people have suffered enough”? At what point will the electorate react to say enough is enough?

Karen Andrews might just be trying to make a political name framed around lack of compassion. Or she might just be trying to out-tough her Queensland LNP colleague and former Border Force Minister, Peter Dutton.

Even conservative Barnaby Joyce is fed up, accusing the government of playing the racist game and arguing there’d be no question if the daughters were white girls called Jane and Sally.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.

SPECIALISING in short haircuts, Anthony Paragalli is offering his unique blend of old-school barbering and hairdressing expertise in his role at Axis Hairdressing in Braddon.

And he couldn’t be happier to be part of the team.

With more than 30 years’ experience and fully qualified in both trades, Anthony is offering traditional specialist barber services under the “Barba” brand within the salon.

But he’s also a skilled short haircut specialist, not just for men but anyone looking for a well-suited, short hairstyle.

“I like that cutting short hair requires more precision, and there’s no room for mistakes. It takes confidence and experience,” he says.

“I go straight into it, no hesitation. It’s changing the old ‘short back and sides’ into something more creative.”

Anthony says he always talks openly with his clients about what they want, whether they’ve asked for an edgy, contemporary cut but have a conservative job, or for a style that might not suit them.

“I never tell anyone what they should have. I ask, ‘what do you feel like you want?’ and we’ll work with that,” he says.

“I love getting the green light to get creative. A person can’t hide behind short hair. It has to be right.

“My skill is that I can look at someone and create a cut that will suit their face, hair, body, everything.

“It’s not just about the cut either, it’s also about educating the client on how to style their hair themselves.”

Straight out of school in 1989, Anthony started his career in haircutting with one of Canberra’s hairdressing dynasties, Franco’s of Canberra, though he says he’d never planned to go into the industry.

“I was working as a mechanic in year 12, and although I was good with my hands and liked woodwork and art, it never crossed my mind to go into hairdressing,” he says.

“I was lucky to get my start in such a successful salon, with good teachers who were passionate about what they did. I’m where I am today because of them.”

Having completed his apprenticeship under Franco himself, Anthony also learned barber skills there, with a focus on beard trims, cut-throat shaving, men’s cuts and fades.

“Franco taught me how to do a cut-throat shave on a balloon covered in shaving foam. The balloon would pop easily and the foam went everywhere, then we’d have to clean it up. I reckon I popped about 20 balloons before I got it!” he says.

“He was an amazing mentor and I really liked working in a family business. It’s a very similar environment here.”

Established in 1991, Axis Hairdressing’s management team includes award-winning stylist Adam Ciaccia, with wife, colourist Michelle, and Adam’s sister, Nicole Dwight.

“With it being a family unit, there’s a lot of passion for the business, and everyone works well together,”

Anthony Paragalli… “I like that cutting short hair requires more precision, and there’s no room for mistakes. It takes confidence and experience.”

Anthony says.

“I really like that, and we’re all Italian so there’s a strong connection there. Everyone here is supportive and encouraging.

“I’m so happy to come to work every day and it feels like I’ve been here for years.”

Anthony, who’s married with one child, a seven-year-old daughter, started working at Axis in February, and says he was keen to join to expand his career and be a part of the “luxury experience” the salon offers.

“It’s not just a service and a transaction. We take our time, offering longer booking allocations,” he says.

“We’re finding that men want the expertise of a barber, combined with the flair, finishing touches and level of service that a hair salon provides. “They want the total experience – shampoo, head massage, a beer or a nice coffee, not to be rushed in and rushed out.”

Anthony ran his own hairdressing salon at Narrabundah shops for 24 years, then decided to follow his passion for cutting short hair and established one of Canberra’s most well-known barber shops, as well as completing a local “Master Barber” course in 2017.

Anthony says his years of experience have given him a natural confidence and a genuine love for his craft and the industry.

“I’ve always done well at my job and I’ve never not liked it, from day one,” he says.

“There are challenges but I like that, and now I can use both my trades and bring it all together.

“It feels like a full circle now. I started at the best and I’m back with the best.”

Axis Hairdressing, 131/24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.

Call 6247 1833.

AXIS HAIRDRESSING 131/24 Lonsdale Street Braddon | 6247 1833 axis_hairdressing | barba_canberra axishairdressingcanberra www.axishair.com.au CityNews June 24-30, 2021 13

CANBERRA MATTERS

Fibs and more fibs, who takes responsibility?

LEADING into the 2016 ACT elections, the Chief Minister was under fire because of the Dickson land swap, with the Tradies Club seen as the winners and the taxpayer the losers.

The details of the land swap went missing when the bureaucracy “misplaced” a box of files. Apparently, the Land Development Agency (LDA) did not use emails.

The Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, was the minister directly involved with the LDA’s directions. The LDA’s CEO probably thought the Chief Minister had his back in several questionable land deals.

As the focus came down on the Dickson land swap, the LDA chief discovered Andrew Barr had left the building, leaving him to resign. The Minister for Urban Redevelopment and Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, managed to brush off accusations and survived the October 2016 elections – mainly thanks to a foolish campaign run by the Liberals.

Now travel forward to early 2020 when the ACT government announced a deal with the National Capital Authority (NCA). Part of the lake at West Basin ended up in the hands of the ACT government and by coincidence the NCA simultaneously claimed land in North Curtin for its future allocation of embassies.

People were suspicious as costs were not mentioned and there was

14 CityNews June 24-30, 2021

We can’t say anyone involved is telling fibs, but so much of the land swap deal remains undisclosed or obscured by the disingenuous spin of those involved, including the NCA, the Greens and Labor politicians and the role of the City Renewal Authority. nothing about the comparison of the land values. All players claimed that someone else was responsible.

In May, 2020, I wrote an opinion piece on the City Renewal Authority and the West Basin-North Curtin land swap.

“CityNews” quickly received a letter from Malcolm Snow, CEO of the City Renewal Authority demanding corrections. Most of the letter was word-smithing and game playing.

The main correction sought was that the City Renewal Authority was not involved in the negotiations for the transfer of land between the Commonwealth and the ACT governments. To keep the peace and to move on, the opinion piece was amended to state that the land swap involved the ACT government.

The City Renewal Authority was

Filling in Lake Burley Griffin at West Basin to make development financially viable.

Photo: Paul Costigan created as a body answerable to the ACT Minister for Planning (whoever he is) and is organisationally linked to the ACT’s planning directorate. It is part of the ACT government and, on a day-to-day basis, is seen to be working directly to the Chief Minister.

On May 26, Belinda Strahorn reported in “CityNews” that former chief minister and “CityNews” columnist Jon Stanhope had obtained some of the West Basin-North Curtin land-swap communications through a Freedom of Information request (or two).

The documents make it clear that the City Renewal Authority was the driving force to make the land deal happen as was the Chief Minister’s office. There was no mention of the planning minister.

The Authority, working to the

Chief Minister, needed the foreshore moved out (with the lake filled in) so that more of the present West Basin foreshore, the parklands, could later be sold for suburban development.

If this land swap did not happen, the parklands redevelopment was not financially viable.

We cannot say that anyone involved is telling fibs. So much of this deal remains undisclosed or obscured by the disingenuous spin of those involved, including the NCA, the ACT Greens and Labor politicians and, let’s not forget, the role of the City Renewal Authority.

With yet another questionable land swap to their credit, the Labor/ Greens coalition sailed through the 2020 ACT elections having been assisted by another silly campaign by the ACT Liberals.

Andrew Barr now has the honour of two obscured and questionable land swaps to his name. What a legacy!

Maybe a statue of Andrew Barr at West Basin could be the next public art commission.

Seriously, Andrew Barr should place on the public record the financial documentation and the rest of the communications involved with this land swap. It is called transparency and working with the residents – not against them.

Surely, there must be someone left in the ACT Labor/Greens government who still believes in such basic governance and would stand up for these fundamental values? Telling fibs, in any form (including withholding information), should not be what any ACT government stands for.

NEWS / Canberra Hospital Auxiliary

Hospital shop where compassion comes free

By Kathryn

VUKOVLJAK TAKING time to listen to people’s stories is all part of the service for the volunteers at the Canberra Hospital Auxiliary, says president Therese Colosimo.

It might be the ladies visiting the ward to replenish patients’ flowers, the person bringing round the sweets trolley, or a chat over-the-counter at the auxiliary shop, but Therese says the volunteers provide compassion and friendliness for those having a hard time.

“Sometimes people just need to tell someone about their day,” she says.

“There’s always a friendly face in the shop. Our staff and volunteers enjoy meeting our customers and always have time to listen.

“I think the shop provides a bit of respite for some patients and visitors at the hospital. It gives them a small break from whatever they’re facing.”

Before covid restrictions, which are slowly lifting, the auxiliary used to provide services in the Canberra Hospital aimed at supporting patients and visitors, including guides, flower management and distributing books to patients from the auxiliary’s exten-

President of the Canberra Hospital Auxiliary, Therese Colosimo… “There’s always a friendly face in the shop.”

Committee members in the Auxiliary library... from left, Ria Webb, vice president; Therese Colosimo, president; Gail Murdoch, Ken Dalgleish, Helen Read and Nancy Taylor.

sive library.

“All our extra services had to stop when covid hit, and the hospital became very quiet,” Therese says.

“We weren’t allowed to go into the wards. We lost a lot of volunteers, many over-70s in particular are covidaverse and don’t want to come back.”

Some volunteers can’t be kept away, though. Committee member Helen Read says she’s dedicated to the role because the hospital saved her life when she suffered a cerebral aneurysm at 32. She says, “this is my way of paying back”.

Medical science student and auxiliary shop volunteer Amrit Puarr, 20, says she loves being in the environment and working with the other volunteers.

“The people you meet are awesome,” she says.

“I like when a customer or a patient comes in and you can have a chat with them and turn things around if they’re having a rough day.”

The auxiliary, which was incorporated in 1973, has raised close to $4 million for the hospital since its inception, Therese says.

The money goes towards the purchase of medical equipment, research and in supporting nursing staff with training or attending conferences. It also pays for five employees who work in the shop.

“We are an extra source of funding… and have a fantastic working relation-

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ship with the hospital,” Therese says.

“Every month we assess the applications for funding and allocate what we can.

“Covid has set us back, and while the auxiliary shop was able to stay open on reduced hours, it has drastically affected our income, which decreased by around 60 per cent.

“All the money we raise comes from the shop.”

It sells gifts, teddy bears, hand-knitted items made by “amazing, talented people”, magazines, newspapers, kids’ toys, toiletries and lollies – with red frogs the best seller.

“We have elderly volunteers who come in and package the frogs into

bags of 20, and sell them for $2.50 a bag,” she says.

Therese started volunteering in 2019 and became president of the auxiliary in late 2020, after a year as secretary.

“I absolutely love working in the shop as it’s a friendly and caring environment. You meet so many different people,” she says.

“The main driver of course is knowing that profits raised through the shop go back into the hospital by way of grants for medical equipment or staff development.”

Pre-covid, Therese says the shop had more than 100 volunteers, and that it wasn’t hard to find or retain them.

“It’s much harder now, but I’m hoping that with the return of some of our services, and with the roll-out of the covid vaccine, more people will feel confident enough to join us,” she says.

“I’m sure everyone likes to feel that they are somehow making a difference in this world.

“This is my small way of trying to make a difference and, of course, there is a certain level of satisfaction knowing that the role you play can have an impact on hospital staff, patients and visitors.”

The Canberra Hospital Auxiliary is accepting new volunteer applications.

Email admin@canberrahospitalshop. org.au

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Real Estate Australia .com.au | W: realestateAustralia.com.au | E: info@realestateAustralia.com.au | P: (02) 6287 4577 | A: 39 Brierly Street, Weston, ACT 2611 CityNews June 24-30, 2021 15

ALL ABOUT TUGGERANONG

Experts breathe warmth into district’s ‘cold plains’ Sandy’s store has everything for your pet

TUGGERANONG, one of the original 18 districts in the ACT, was derived from the Ngunnawal expression “Togranong”, which roughly translates to “cold plains”.

Cave paintings and Aboriginal artifacts reveal that its original indigenous inhabitants have occupied the area for more than 21,000 years.

These days the district is a set of contiguous residential suburbs consolidated around Lake Tuggeranong.

And while it’s named after “cold plains”, the businesses in the region bring plenty of warmth to Tuggeranong through their passionate customer service and expertise.

Automotive services go beyond tyres JAX Tyres and Auto Tuggeranong may be widely known for their huge range of global tyre brands, but owner Harry Mildner says the business’ automotive services extend much further than that.

“On top of tyres we do wheel alignment, car servicing, brakes, suspension, general repairs and more,” says Harry.

“It’s really a one-stop-shop for anything automotive.”

Harry brings 35 years of industry experience with him to his role at JAX Tuggeranong, having started as a tyre fitter at age 18 and having spent

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15 years of his career managing tyre stores.

He says the team, a group of trained experts, strive to treat customers with respect and honesty.

“Our number one goal is to have our customers satisfied to confidently recommend us to their family and friends,” says Harry.

“We look after our customers and their vehicles as if they were our own.”

JAX Tyres and Auto Tuggeranong, 149-165 Soward Way, Greenway. Call 6293 2238 or visit jaxtyres.com.au

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ESTABLISHED in 2012 with only a small keyring of a dog, Charlie and Chums has grown to a store that has everything for “your best friend”, says owner Sandy Borgo.

“There’s toys for cats and dogs, pet hair brushes and brooms, bookmarks, bags, painted mugs, figurines, sculptures, leashes, collars and much more,” she says.

An animal lover with two dogs of her own, Sandy says she’s been able to see first hand how some of the products can benefit pets.

“I always try to pick products that are Australian made and sustainable,” she says.

On top of the huge range of practical items she has available, Sandy says Charlie and Chums has a lot of decorative items, too.

“I’ve got lots of items to brighten gardens up, especially this time of year when our gardens go a bit dull,” she says.

“There’s bumblebees, ladybirds,

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peacocks, flamingoes, chickens, sheep, cows, things that can fit on top of pots and on the side.”

With so many unique odds and ends, Sandy says it’s easy for people to get caught up in the store.

“I have people who can come in and spend an hour just looking around,” she says.

“It’s a store that makes both people and pets happy.”

Charlie and Chums, shop 1, 103 South Point Tuggeranong. Call 0402 097580, email charlieandchums@bigpond.com or visit charlieandchums.com.au

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16 CityNews June 24-30, 2021

Fyshwick Mitchell Phillip

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advertising feature Vir’s business focuses on convenience

Dale loves making lessons fun

FOR about 14 years, Kambah Newsagency and Post Office has been providing convenience to the Tuggeranong district with its central location, post office services, unique gifts and long opening hours, says owner Vir Gogia.

Located on Drakeford Drive, Vir says the newsagency continues to welcome both regulars and new customers all the time, whether they’re stopping by for their paper every day or just passing through the area.

“We always have all the major newspapers, and of course we’re a Lotto and scratchie outlet,” says Vir. “For that added convenience we also have very long greeting hours, 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday and on Sunday, 8am to 1.30pm.”

Vir says that as the business also includes a post office, customers have added access to important services.

“With Australia Post we do different services like Western Union, passport photos and ID check,” he says.

And he also says the business includes a unique gift shop.

“We get our gifts from right across the country,” he says.

“And that’s a full range – whether it’s toys for the kids or something nice for an adult, we have quality greeting cards and decorative pieces.”

TEACHING a range of classic dance styles, Dale’s Ballroom Dancing offers a fun way to get fit, socialise and compete in a friendly environment, says owner Dale Harris.

“You don’t realise how much exercise you’re doing, you’re constantly on the move,” she says.

Dale, who loves seeing her students having fun and improving in her classes, teaches styles such as the 10 traditional ballroom dances: waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep, Viennese waltz, cha cha, samba, jive, rumba and paso doble.

Backed by more than 20 years’ experience teaching dance, Dale started dancing even earlier, at the age of six, when she developed an interest in ballroom dancing.

She’s since received many qualifications in ballroom dancing and is also a championship adjudicator who travels interstate to judge ballroom competitions.

And while it’s not compulsory, Dale says her students have a chance to compete and she loves seeing them receive medals for their achievements.

“I enjoy seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they get their medals,” she says.

But, she says she also loves to see them having a great time and enjoying the classes, with classes for adults, children and social classes, too.

Kambah Newsagency and Post Office, Kambah Village Shopping Centre, shop 1, 5 Primmer Circuit, Kambah. Call 6231 7615.

Dale’s Ballroom Dancing, 245 Cowlishaw Street, Tuggeranong. Call 6296 4009, email dale_harris@bigpond.com or visit dalesballroomdancing.com

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Find us at South Point, near Big W Phone Sandy on 0402 097 580 CityNews June 24-30, 2021 17

ALL ABOUT TUGGERANONG

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Agency keeps breaking sale price records

Giving kids a head start on schooling

CANBERRA’S “most recommended” real estate agent Sandy Morris and the team at One Agency have broken the sale price record for Tuggeranong with a property in Conder going for $1.63 million.

Sandy, along with agents Zac Morris and Tahlia Davidson, were able to break the previous record (also held by One Agency) by $229,000.

Real estate agent Sandy Morris.

“Property owners only get one chance to sell, so you have to do everything in your power to get them as much as you possibly can,” says Sandy.

“I always say it’s a very short relationship you have with somebody, but there’s still a lot of trust involved that we strive to create.”

For Sandy, who, for the second year running received the “Most Recommended Real Estate Agent Award” by ratemyagent.com.au, as voted by her clients, it all comes down to customer service.

“That’s really what it is with a boutique agency. You’re dealing with the principal rather than having 20 sales agents,” she says.

“My business has always been run on making sure owners are looked after. “Building their trust is so important so they know that my advice is from my heart.”

KIDSTART Southside Education and Activity Centre understands that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for development, says owner Kristen O’Connor.

“Kidstart offers classes for children from five months to five years of age to develop them socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually,” she says.

Operating since 1996 and located in Wanniassa, Kristen says Kidstart offers three distinct and age-appropriate programs to ignite in kids a love of learning.

This includes a “pre-preschool” program for children to attend by themselves in the year before preschool.

“It focuses on literacy skills, social skills and all round school readiness so that children can thrive in a school format,” says Kristen.

Kidstart is proud to have just welcomed their 20th class of three-year-olds into the program.

“It has been amazing to see 20 years worth of three-year-old Kidstart kids and their families growing, loving, enjoying and benefiting from the program,” says Kristen.

“We are passionate about developing a love of learning in each and every child.

“By allowing them to thrive in an educational setting and experience the joy in exploring and achieving, we hope learning will be a lifelong passion for all our Kidstart kids.”

One Agency Sandy Morris. Call 6296 4252 or 0420 380895, email sandymorris@oneagency.com.au or visit oneagencysandy.com.au

Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre, 65 Sternberg Crescent, Wanniassa.

For enrolment enquiries visit kidstart.com.au

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Doing well from the devil’s work

INSIDE

NICK OVERALL

High-camp attack on conventional good taste

By Helen

MUSA IN A high-camp assault on conventional good taste, the Hayes Theatre Co will be coming to Canberra soon from Sydney with a production of “American Psycho: The Musical”.

Based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis and the 2000 film, it’s a satirical riff on the American culture of greed seen in movies such as “The Wolf of Wall Street”, but this is satire on steroids – or ice.

Partly a jukebox musical, it includes 1980s hits by Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, New Order and Huey Lewis, interspersed with original music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, the composer of “Spring Awakening”.

It also features endless rounds of pumped-up sex, excessive consumption of food and alcohol and, oh yes, a swathe of murders.

For the body-perfect protagonist, Patrick Bateman, a 26-year-old investment banker and serial killer whose aspirations to be caught are thwarted in an ambiguous ending – the closing song is titled “This is Not an Exit” – which makes it look as if he’s got away with murder, only to be punished with

Amy Hack, playing Patrick Bateman’s mother (in the skirt suit with the cigarette). a boring married life to his girlfriend Evelyn.

“American Psycho” is a fast-moving kaleidoscope in which Patrick climbs the greasy pole but never manages to make it into the poshest restaurant in town.

At one level it’s a biting satire on the “greed-is-good” ethos, as the vain, superficial characters chat about homelessness and the Sri Lankan Civil War while exposing what they really are – empty. But there’s comedy too, as Patrick’s efforts to become a notorious killer are frustrated at every turn.

According to cast member Amy Hack, one

22 - 25 JUNE

of the exciting parts about the musical is the balance between original and old music, achieved by sound artist musical director, Andrew Worboys, a regular with Hayes productions and seen here in 2018 with “The Wharf Revue”.

“Andrew has pulled the music together to make an amazing sound, the great hits are really evocative and there are great dance numbers,” she says.

Hack, a familiar face to Canberra from previous Hayes productions, including “Spamalot”, gets to play seven different

Photo: Daniel Boud characters as they rush by.

The practice of multiple casting has become commonplace in contemporary musicals, and Hack says: “I really enjoy playing multiple characters”.

One of her characters is Sabrina the sex worker, who gets involved in a threesome with Patrick and is later implicated in what she calls “doing some incredibly harmful things”.

Then there’s Mrs Bateman, Patrick’s alcohol-soaked mum, a role created for the musical.

5 - 7 JULY

It’s a plum part for Hack, as the mother, intoxicated throughout the show, must seem disconnected from the real world, thus making Patrick more three-dimensional by showing how he’s been raised to become a monster.

That is, Hack is quick to cut in, if you think Patrick is a monster. He could also be perceived as likeable or normal, as he is by his loving secretary, Jean.

Surprisingly, Hack is adamant that “American Psycho” doesn’t go down the path of “gratuitous violence”, relying more on the comedy that brings to life the vulgarity of the world Patrick lives in.

“It’s not just about violence – violence is just the tipping point,” she says.

Hack also raises a question that has puzzled critics of the musical as to whether the violence is real or just a reflection of the narcissism, greed and vanity of the protagonist.

The environment of the play is more, she says, “a vicious game, climbing this horrible ladder where there is no room for empathy or real humanity”.

In the end, she believes, the musical speaks of moral ambiguity.

“We hope people will leave the theatre a little bit rattled,” she says.

“American Psycho: The Musical”, The Playhouse, June 30-July 3. Book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

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CINEMA / reviews

When Sergio turns home mole

By Dougal

“From the Vine” (M)

MACDONALD

I’VE not read Kenneth Canio Cancellara’s novel “Finding Marco” from which Willem Wennekers adapted the screenplay for director Sean “The Mole Agent” (G) Cisterna’s film.

CHILEAN filmmaker Maite Alberdi’s But I guess that the book probably deeply moving film expands the works better than the movie. Which conventional boundaries of is unfortunate, since a story about a documentary storytelling by going middle-aged, middle-level Canadian into a Santiago aged persons’ home. businessman of Italian birth offers A family has engaged private some prospects of intellectual and investigator Romulo to look into the emotional satisfaction. care of their mother at a retirement Playing Marco, who deals with home populated mostly by women.

Recently widowed, 83-year-old Sergio... is endearing, amusing and his midlife crisis by returning to the To pave the way, Alberdi inserted fiercely independent. The camera loves him.

Italian town of Acerenza where he her crew into the daily life of the grew up, Joe Pantoliano is likeable skills were adequate although not “It’s an unbelievable lightweight home under the pretext of filming a and convincing. But once he gets brilliant.

The wandering coverage of drawn-out demolition derby with documentary about old age, while there, Marco wants to resurrect his his reports was more often than not hands slamming shifters through Romulo searched for an agent who dead father’s vineyard. And this, irrelevant. gates, pedals meeting metal, spinmight live inside the home for three “I would like people who watch ning wheels, smoking rubber, toned rather than any shortcoming of plot, months to investigate the family’s is what lets the film down. this movie to leave… wanting to young female bodies, road manners concerns and report whether the Marco’s dad’s vines never shed call their parents or grandparents,” best described as “Why are cops home was providing adequate care. their leaves and fermentation and Alberdi says. never here when they’re needed?”

Recently widowed, 83-year-old maturation of Marco’s vintage reach “It is an invitation to look within Here’s the end of what I wrote Sergio is endearing, amusing and commercial success in a relatively yourself and ask what you can do about “Fast and Furious 6” in 2013: fiercely independent. The camera better.”

“F&F built its reputation on American brief period. As well, Marco’s wife and loves him. He got the job. Alberdi adult daughter aren’t going to wait muscle cars. Version 6… wastes and her small crew could follow him At Dendy and Palace Electric many of its 132 minutes showing feet patiently in Canada while he spends without blowing his cover. the family retirement fund pursuing stamping on pedals and grim-faced Apparently they got some 300 his dream in Italy. drivers ramming gear levers and hours of raw footage. It’s not hard “Fast and Furious 9” (MA) Marco’s ambition, intention, clutching steering wheels, apparently to imagine how exhausting Carolina desire, yearning – call it what you to pump up notions of speed.

HERE’S part of what I wrote in 2009 Siraqyan’s task of editing it down to like – lead the film out of the realm “Bottom line? Who cares? It is about “Fast and Furious”. a run time of 84 minutes must have of possibility and abandon it on the what it is without pretending to be “You may assume with some been. crags of ridiculousness. something else.” confidence that much of this movie, The result has much charm, a “From the Vine” displays several “F&F 9” scarcely wavers from the generous seasoning of comedy and a for rev-heads, muscle-car aficionados breaches of continuity that I found formula.

It’s a money mine for direcpoignant flavour. Three of the home’s and people who’d rather not think tor Justin Lin and his team. Same old regrettable in an otherwise pleasant inmates died while Sergio’s long and about it, is computerised imagery little film. And so might you. and that whatever looks improbable same old. And whose money? Yours. not always relevant reports were in it isn’t reality.

At Palace Electric At all cinemas exasperating Romulo. His hi-tech

WATCH IT! / streaming and stuff

Winning friends from the devil’s work

By Nick

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20 CityNews June 24-30, 2021

IF there’s one surefire sign of the influence of Netflix, being able to revive the Prince of Darkness might be it.

“Lucifer” is the slick, darkly comic series which sees Satan himself move to LA to open a nightclub after growing tired of dwelling in hell, and its new string of episodes has been going gangbusters on Netflix.

But it wasn’t always the hit it’s now become.

It originally aired on Fox in 2016, and despite the wicked premise conjured up by Neil Gaiman, the best-selling author of “American Gods”, the show was cancelled by the end of its third season, cast out of production due to poor viewership.

However, thanks to a following of fans rallying to revive it, #SaveLucifer became a number one trending topic. A hashtag that would have undoubtedly raised some eyebrows, fan of the show or not.

Although the effort didn’t work, a second attempt under the title #PickUpLucifer also went viral and Netflix slyly spotting the potential stepped in to take creative control of the series.

Now produced by and running on the streaming platform, “Lucifer” has seen huge success, especially with the newest season being one of the most watched shows in June.

Tom Ellis devilishly plays Lucifer.

So if the shows failed to keep pace on commercial television, why has the opposite effect occurred on a streaming platform?

Because commercial television relies so heavily on ad breaks, the more episodes per season a network can include the more money there is to be made.

That’s why so many shows of the 2000’s era aimed for 20 or more episodes a season.

As streaming platforms aren’t bound by ad-break quotas, the length of modern television storytelling has been chopped in half, with seasons sitting more around the 10, rather than 20-episode mark.

Compared to its early seasons of around 18 episodes each, the revived, fourth Netflix season of “Lucifer” was only 10 episodes and able to move its plot along at a breakneck pace.

That concentrated storytelling was infinitely more suited to its style and concept than its

lengthy, earlier seasons which dragged along.

The added pace gave it the leg-up to become the popular beast it is today.

Its fifth season technically has 16 episodes, but even then they’ve been split into two sets of eight episodes released a year apart.

But it’s not the only hit show that plays with angels and demons for its premise.

Amazon Prime’s “Good Omens” has had a warm reception from critics and fans alike, and all signs point towards a second season gearing up.

It’s based on the hilarious book by the late Terry Pratchett, about the finicky angel Aziraphale and hedonistic demon Crowley teaming up to track down the antichrist and thwart a looming armageddon.

In the show the duo are played by Michael Sheen and David Tennant respectively, whose waggish charisma bounces off one another in a way that makes the show an effortless watch.

Interestingly, “Good Omens” also has Neil Gaiman’s hand in it, who contributed to the novel now published more than 30 years ago and who was pivotal in getting the modern television adaptation up and running.

He’s become known as a master of bringing mythological characters to a modern audience, and the concurrent success of “Good Omens” and “Lucifer” together certainly prove that to be the case.

Lucky indeed he and the team behind “Lucifer” are that Netflix had, as perhaps best put by Mick Jagger once upon a time, some sympathy for the devil.

DINING / The Pelican Place, Kingston and Gungahlin

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Wendy

Queens bring raw energy to percussion

Lovely lunch, with wrinkles JOHNSON

By Helen Musa ALL-female percussion group, the Drummer Queens are coming to Canberra in a display of girl power. Created and composed by Joe Accaria, with direction

by Nigel Turner-Carroll and choreography

by Peta Anderson, the group is described as a “powerhouse of pure entertainment” with uplifting beats and raw energy.

Canberra Theatre, July 2-3, book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

THE Pelican Place has landed and is now open at the Eyre Street Market, Kingston, and Hibberson Street, Gungahlin, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Post-breakfast, The Pelican Place dishes up starters, salads, burgers, hoggies (hot dogs), what it bills as “old-school treats” and more. Dine indoors or outside on wooden picnic tables.

We shared super-soft squid ($14) with bright garden greens, a couple of wedges of lime, chilli and lime aioli. We also shared the Caesar salad, which arrived with a perfectly poached egg on top ($16).

The winning dish of the day was the “Pelican signature”, jerk-spiced chicken ($26 for a half-chicken). It was super moist and while the spice wasn’t overly punchy, it had presence. The chicken arrived with hot chips, a side of crunchy and colourful coleslaw with creamy dressing and grilled corn. All up, a lovely lunch.

The most confusing dish of the day was the grilled French tacos ($12). The soft tortilla was stuffed to the brim but not with a lot of chilli con carne. Instead, the filling was mostly smashed chips, cheese sauce and chilli mayo.

It was more like a potato sandwich.

While The Pelican Place describes itself as “casual dining”, there is no table service.

Caesar salad… arrived with a perfectly poached egg on top.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

Jerk-spiced chicken… with hot chips, a side of crunchy and colourful coleslaw with creamy dressing and grilled corn.

It’s order at the counter, grab pre-wrapped cutlery and find yourself a seat.

The steak sandwich hit the spot ($19). It was revved up with green chimichurri, horseradish mayo, gorgeous ripe tomatoes and fresh rocket. The steak was tender and, once more, the chips piping hot.

Also tender was the premium scotch fillet steak ($32), although it was slightly overcooked for the ‘rare’ that was ordered and arrived with chips not mash (staff apologised and quickly brought out a side dish of creamy, buttery mash).

The fish and chips were lacklustre and the beer-battered coating was not crisp. It was a generous serve, with three, decent-sized pieces of fish for only $19.

The Pelican Place is new and has wrinkles to iron out. Service is with a smile but needs refining. One of our party ordered two starters for her meal, asking that the hot dog come after the grilled French taco. They arrived together. As mentioned, there was a mix up with the mash. Staff didn’t pay attention to the dirty dishes we kept piling at the end of our table as meals were finished. We eventually asked for them to be cleared. Dishes arrived in a very haphazard and staggered fashion, mine so late that everyone else was almost finished with their meals.

When sitting outside you can smell exhaust (the Kingston location). The Pelican Place apologised for this and is urgently working on fixing the problem.

AN excited email has arrived from The Q telling us of Queanbeyan’s new civic and cultural precinct, which will have community spaces, gallery linkages to The Q and The B (The Bicentennial Centre), basement parking and “an extra outdoor performance space for those cruisey summer nights”. There will be limited parking around The Q from midJuly while construction takes place.

A PROGRAM developed by the Art Gallery of NSW, Health Infrastructure, and Murrumbidgee Local Health District has been launched to provide aged-care residents living in three new, multi-purpose service sites in the region with access to arts experiences, including reproductions of famous artworks from the gallery’s collection in residents’ living rooms.

CANBERRA REP’s fourth production for this year will be Australian writer Beatrix

Christian’s “The Governor’s Family”, which was first performed at the Australian National Playwrights Conference at the ANU in 1996. Directed for Rep by Tony Llewellyn-Jones, the play explores family secrets and the manner in which the governor of NSW, circa 1897, handles the outcome of a rape case. Canberra Rep Theatre, Acton, July 2-17. Book at canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

AUSDANCE ACT is partnering with Dance Hub SA to present “Dance.Focus 2021”, a dance film project designed to help choreographers with a track record in dance filmmaking to engage with screen dance. Two dance artists from SA and two from the ACT, yet to be selected, will be awarded $1000 each to assist with the costs. The four commissioned dance films will premiere online in September.

BUNGENDORE artist Kerry McInnis has once again made it into the Salon des Refusés, the alternative Archibald and Wynne Prize selection, this time for her portrait of Jude Rae. Rae, a former Canberran, was highly commended in the Archibald for her self-portrait “Inside Out”. We note that Luke Cornish (ELK) was also selected into the Salon for his portrait “Claudia and Tumble in the Garden”. The exhibition runs at SH Ervin Gallery in Sydney until August 15.

ART

Cross finds virtue in the regions

By Helen Musa

WHEN I catch up with one of Canberra’s genuine arts stars, Dean Cross, he’s working on a construction site in Redfern, painting a large-scale mural that has been commissioned for a new building.

His upcoming art show, “Icarus, My Son”, opens at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery for NAIDOC Week.

Of Worimi descent, he was born and schooled in the ACT and initially trained in dance at QL2 alongside Daniel Riley, the new director of the Australian Dance Theatre. Both went on to Queensland University of Technology and both danced with Bangarra Dance Theatre and on the world stage.

But Cross soon tired of the bright lights.

“You think performing at the Opera House is the epitome of success, but then you realise it’s just another place to perform and the whole structure comes crashing down around you,” he tells me.

“I’m semi-retired from dance and really, these days I’m dancing only in my head.”

Cross wasted no time in changing professions, re-training at Sydney College of the Arts and the ANU School of Art and Design, where he

Visual artist Dean Cross. gained first-class honours.

He became artist-in-residence at the Canberra Contemporary Art Space, was selected to be a part of the 4A Studio Residency Program in Beijing. In 2019 he undertook the inaugural Canberra/Wellington Indigenous Artist exchange.

He started to think about what it means to be a regional artist. In 2020, when qualifying as an artist born and raised in the region, he was announced as the inaugural winner of Goulburn’s “The Good Initiative” and received $20,000 for a major commission. He decided to examine the experience of rural and regional people who must leave in search of opportunities not available to them.

“As a young dancer, I knew I was going to have to leave Canberra… ambition was an inbuilt expectation, a ‘noble’ trait in young men, but it’s inauthentic, it takes people away from their families, their

homes, their country,” he says.

“Many young people find that success comes at a cost… I’ve been away for so long, but now I’m married and starting my own family so I want to come home, and it makes me ask why I left in the first place.”

Funnily enough, when he got to Sydney, he encountered the perception that Australia itself is provincial and you can only go so far in Oz – “surely Australia is not a vacuum”, he says.

Good regional art galleries such as the one in Goulburn, he believes, are well-placed to challenge the expectations that artists will leave.

And there’s a nice reversal, because, while “Icarus, My Son” will open at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, it will move to the Carriageworks in Sydney in November as part of a partnership between the venues.

“Normally, exhibitions are shown first in the metropolitan areas and then the regional places get a watered-down version,” he says.

He’s not giving away too much about the new work, except that it is definitely not performance and has a strong video element. The famous Susan Boyle clip of “I Dreamed a Dream” will be bookended with a clip of African-American legend Paul Robeson singing “Ol’ Man River” to the workers at Sydney Opera House.

“Icarus, My Son”, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, July 2-August 28.

CityNews June 24-30, 2021 21

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The renovated gazebo with a smart new roof.

The seats are now ready for the next 20 years.

When, baby, it’s cold outside EVEN dedicated gardeners don’t feel like working in the garden when it’s minus 7C. However, it’s an ideal time to take a slow walk round the whole garden and assess any overdue maintenance.

I had such a job that I’ve been putting off for years. It’s been 20 years since the construction of our gazebo with the only maintenance being occasional painting, but winter’s not the time to do outdoor painting. That can wait until warmer spring days.

But the roof needed urgent attention.

Originally with a split bamboo roof, which had remarkably stood the test of time until finally falling apart.

It is important for us to keep our garden in reasonable shape with visits from time to time from garden clubs.

These dedicated garden-club members cast their eagle eyes over every aspect as they look at plants and sit and enjoy afternoon tea.

We have seats with timber slats, which are reasonably easy to maintain. However, both our seats have cast-iron ends with paintwork that’s got to the stage of serious deterioration, even to showing rust.

Equally, the timber slats were getting to the end of their life.

So I decided this state of affairs was seriously letting the side down and couldn’t continue.

Now to find help from people interested in doing small jobs.

First up was finding tradesmen to put a new Colorbond roof on our 2m x 2m gazebo, a relatively small task. Simple: just ring a few handymen or roofing contractors, I thought.

I contacted three, all of whom said they were interested and would call to give me a quote within the week. Three weeks later, the silence was deafening.

Fourth time lucky with Rory, of ISL Home Maintenance, who turned up a couple of days later and had the job completed within four days.

Next the seats. I dismantled them as some of the timber slats needed replacing. Taking a sample for sizing to two branches of a well-known DIY firm was a complete waste of time. They were simply not interested in helping me.

Then I remembered the original Magnet Mart Home and Timber firm, which still had a branch in Yass Road, Queanbeyan. Its staff found the right timber and cut it to size in no time at all.

Next the metal seat ends, which were a bit more complicated. First step was to sand blast

the old paint and rust back to the bare metal.

This was easy as I had used the same firm for more than 20 years when designing and restoring gardens – AA Sandblasting, just off Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. In just a few days they had the seat ends sandblasted and undercoated with a special paint.

Then to the final paint. The only long-term finish for outdoor metal furniture is powder coating, with the paint baked on, but the metal has to have been sandblasted first.

I have used Canfab, at 88 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick, also for more than 20 years and as the photos show, the finish is fantastic.

The end result is illustrated here and our gazebo is ready for the coming summer and those eagle-eyed visitors.

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Your week in the stars

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General knowledge crossword No. 787

By Joanne Madeline Moore

June 28-July 4, 2021

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Monday’s Mars/North Node link is fabulous for pouring energy into creative projects. It also encourages you to help a friend or family member who’s going through a rough patch. But reckless Ram behaviour could mar the rest of the week so tread carefully. You’re keen to get things moving but don’t be in such a rush that you start an argument or cause an accident. Do your best to be dynamic and courageous, rather than bossy and demanding.

LAST-GASP TAX TIPS FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Mars, Saturn and Uranus stir up your home zone, so be careful how you communicate with family members. When it comes to other matters, Uranus (in your sign) urges you to jump out of your comfort zone, shake off bad habits, embrace opportunities and fast track changes. It’s time to view transformation as terrific, rather than terrifying. Be inspired by Taurean author and philosopher Edward de Bono: “If you never change your mind, why have one?”

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Twins are in the mood to enthuse and extrapolate. Mars and your ruler Mercury encourage you to talk, text, tweet, post, podcast or publish in style as you convey your ideas to the outside world. But you must take your time and think things through. If you rush, then you could end up regretting what you say. Travel also looks problematic, as Saturn slows things down and Uranus upsets previous plans.

This week, slow and steady wins the race… eventually!

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

On Monday, Mars activates your humanitarian side so it’s the perfect time to lend a hand to someone who’s in need, at home or far away. Be inspired by birthday great Princess Diana: “Everyone has the potential to give something back.” But then the Mars/Saturn/Uranus aspects could exacerbate a relationship problem. Don’t take things too personally and put away those Crab claws! You’ll find the more defensive you are, the more difficult the week will be.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Creative Cats are fabulous at formulating ideas, discussing dreams and talking about future plans. But – with Venus and Mars both visiting your sign – it’s time to be passionately proactive and actually walk your talk. This week, actions definitely speak louder than words! So your motto for the moment is from entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was born on June 28, 1971: “I don’t create companies for the sake of creating companies, but to get things done.”

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Are you taking your work responsibilities seriously? Saturn demands that you shape up or ship out. Mercury (your patron planet) is powering through your career zone until July 11. So it’s a terrific time to improve your professional literacy through study or via the mentorship of someone with smart and savvy connections. Some brave Virgos will tentatively revisit an old romance – but do you really want to travel down that bumpy road again?

Down

1 What is a hole in one on a par five? (6) 7 Name a blend of China black tea, flavoured with essence of bergamot. (4,4) 8 To be sticky, adhesive, or glutinous, is to be what? (6) 9 Which term describes an ordinary person? (8) 10 Name the British political party that represents the interests of the working people. (6) 11 What are remnants, or their like? (8) 14 What might we call a person who frees someone from confinement, etc? (8) 18 Which fine white clay is used in the manufacture of porcelain? (6) 19 To be suave or stylish, is to be what? (8) 21 Name one of the most influential figures in Australian pop music, Johnnie ... (6) 22 What is an indirect intimation about a person? (8) 23 Which term describes niggardly, avaricious people?

(6)

1 What is an alternative term for a knight? (8) 2 Name a person who has received the highest degree conferred by a university. (6) 3 Name an international philanthropic organisation. (3,5) 4 What is a metric unit of mass? (4) 5 To refrain from noticing someone, is to do what?

(6) 6 What is a fault or imperfection? (6) 12 Which area is used for developing photographs?

(8) 13 What, colloquially, are betting coups in horse racing? (8) 15 What is a stage direction indicating that the actors named go out, or off, stage? (6) 16 Name the second book of the Old Testament. (6) 17 Name the extra cards in packs of 52. (6) 20 Name the daughter of Elizabeth ll of Britain. (4)

FREE SUDOKU EVERY DAY AT citynews.com.au

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Expect some annoying dramas as the planets stir up old grievances. By all means use your natural diplomatic talents to help smooth troubled waters. However, if you sit back and let other people make decisions, then you’ll just feel paralysed and powerless. So strive to be more self-sufficient. Getting the ratio right between your public and private lives is an ongoing challenge. But if anyone can juggle complex commitments, it’s a well-balanced Libran!

Solution next edition

Across

Sudoku medium No. 294

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Are you running on empty? Smart Scorpios will strive to get the ratio right between being on top of things at work, while still having time to rest, reflect and recharge your batteries. Balance is the key. Relations with a loved one or work colleague could be unpredictable and problematic later in the week, particularly if you try to control an uncontrollable situation. So expect the unexpected and keep your adaptability muscles well flexed!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Sadges love drama, and there’ll be plenty of it this week as your usual routine is shaken and stirred. You’re keen to persuade others but don’t add fuel to the fire by being too hasty. There’s much more to a current situation than meets the eye, so resist the temptation to jump to conclusions. Discretion and moderation are what’s needed at the moment. Connecting with colleagues brings benefits, as you put on your networking hat and schmooze in style.

If you need help with last minute tax planning or any other tax matter, contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Your compulsive Capricorn side is likely to go into overdrive, as conscientious Saturn amps up your obsession with perfection. But family and friends may find your standards far too demanding. If you push too hard, you’ll just end up driving them away. So do your best to modify your control-freak tendencies. Being an iron fist in a velvet glove is the smarter (and less stressful) way to proceed. Remember – the highest form of control is knowing when to let go!

Disclaimer This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser.

Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2021

Solutions – June 17 edition Sudoku hard No. 293

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Have you been feeling like a lacklustre Pisces? Are you sick and tired of being perpetually busy? Have you got too many tasks crammed into your timetable?

With Saturn snoozing in your solitude zone, you’ll find sleep, meditation, contemplation, rest and relaxation are just what the doctor ordered. You also need to listen to the wisdom of your inner voice. Be inspired by Cancerian birthday great, Princess Diana: “I work on instinct. It’s my best advisor.”

Solution next edition

Crossword No. 786

Calling all Aquarians – avoid being disruptive and getting drawn into disputes with your frustrated partner or an assertive family member. This week will work best if you keep your nose out of other people’s business and concentrate on pursuing personal projects. Then Mars and Uranus turbo-charge your impulsive side on the weekend. So slow down and simmer down, otherwise you could find yourself smack bang in the middle of an argument or accident.

Prya dropped by to ask if there was anything she could do to minimise her tax for this, closing, financial year. I told her, yes, it wasn't too late for some things, but it might be for others.

And I gave her a quick rundown: "You should be able to make tax-deductible donations to appropriate organisations up until June 30. Although if you leave it until the last minute, it would be prudent to ring and check that it's not too late.

“You may be able to make tax-deductible superannuation contributions before June 30. If you're contributing to an external fund, it will have a close-off date, so check with the fund directly.

"If you are making contributions to a self-managed fund the only proviso is that the payment has to be cleared by June 30.

“Another change brought in this year is that you can claim the cost of any depreciable items that you buy for your business outright. So if you purchase a car tomorrow you can write that cost off in full.

"Of course, when you sell that vehicle down the track you'll have to bring in the full selling price as profit at that time. So, in the case of a big-ticket item, such as a car or a computer system, you should weigh up whether it's better this year or next as this fullexpensing option will still be available during the 2022 financial year.”

Prya was warming to the subject and was keen to know if there was anything else that could be helpful.

I told that, as she ran her business through a company, there were also a couple of things relevant to companies she might find helpful.

"The first one is for small businesses, of which you are one: the company tax rate goes down next year so it could be beneficial for you, as you record your income on a cash basis, to defer any additional income until next year," I said.

"Send out new invoices after July 1 so the income is included in your 2022 figures. Alternatively, you could spend more money before June 30 to reduce your 2021 income.

“The other useful provision for companies is the loss carry back provision. You might be aware that you can carry losses forward but there is a special provision that allows you to carry your losses back and get a refund of tax paid in the prior years.

"You can only carry your loss back to the 2019 year and the amount of tax that can be refunded is limited to the frankingaccount balance so you will need our advice if you decide to use that provision.

“I should also point out that last year people were confused because they were not provided with their payment summaries.

This will be the same in 2021 because of Single Touch payroll.

"However, we can access your payment summaries and your health-fund statements from the ATO site, as your tax agent. So don’t be concerned if you are not provided with them.”

Prya said she was off to check out a new car, saying: "I'll see you in the new financial year.”

02 6295 2844 Unit 9, 71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston ABN 57 008 653 683

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(Chartered accountant, SMSF specialist advisor and Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892)

info@gailfreeman.com.au | www.gailfreeman.com.au Follow us on Facebook @gailfreemanandco

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