CityNews 211216

WHAT A YEAR! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL READERS

Why Canberra needs an independent senator

MICHAEL MOORE

This year’s been more shark than dolphin

KATE MEIKLE

Hydrangeas need the water most

JACKIE WARBURTON

Buon Natale It’s an Italian Christmas, with style, for 2CC’s STEPHEN CENATIEMPO

Merry Christmas from the team at Kingo’s

er y Open Ev pt Day exce Day s C hr is t m a

KING O’MALLEY’S 131 CITY WALK, CANBERRA CITY | WWW.KINGOMALLEYS.COM.AU | 6257 0111 2021 Australian Hotels Association Award for Canberra’s Best Draught Beer 1 CityNews June 26-July 2, 2014

CHRISTMAS / animals without a home

Double the number of animals in care at RSPCA

By Nick

OVERALL WHILE many families will be excited to spend more time with their pets this Christmas, there’ll be a lot of animals across Canberra that won’t have a home at all.

Nearly 200 are currently in care by the RSPCA ACT, a number CEO Michelle Robertson says is almost double their usual numbers.

But to raise money to care for these animals and bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the capital, the RSPCA is selling authentic Christmas trees – an idea the Canberra community has excitedly got behind.

“Just a few days after starting we’ve already sold 55 trees – it’s amazing,” says Michelle.

“We rely very heavily on the community to be able to operate and Christmas trees are such a great way to celebrate and connect with people at this time of year.”

All money raised from the trees goes back into the shelter so that it can provide a safe environment for animals over the holiday break.

“It can be a really expensive exercise running a shelter because it’s not

INDEX

RSPCA chief Michelle Robertson with Possum, a year-old Jack Russell cross looking for a home this Christmas.

Photo: RSPCA ACT just food,” says Michelle.

“Just this week we’ve had a beautiful dog come in that has had to have a

leg amputated, so there’s going to be a period of time where we are going to be working with this dog for rehab.”

“We also had a kitten come in that was very badly injured that also needs medical rehab – it’s these sorts of things we are raising money for.”

The shelter is operating 24/7 right through the holidays and Michelle says the staff and volunteers will be doing the best they can to give their animals a special Christmas.

“I love Christmas Day – it just shows the love our staff and volunteers have for these animals,” she says.

“Every little creature gets a little present that’s wrapped for them.

“We do the best we can in our environment but ultimately the best present is a home for these animals.”

Michelle says one of their dogs, Homer, was recently adopted after being in the shelter for more than 350 days.

“It is just the best day for us when we see these animals find a new home,” she says.

“We recently got sent a video of Homer lying on the chest of his new owner happily snoring away.

“When we get sent things like that we all mist up a bit.”

The RSPCA also has some important tips for keeping pets safe and happy over the holiday season.

“It’s important that families are mindful, especially children, not to leave any of the Christmas decorations lying around,” says Michelle.

“Some cats and dogs can think they are balls or toys and can cut their mouths or insides.

“It’s also important to remember that very rich food is not healthy for our cats and dogs – their digestive system can’t cope with it.

“Chocolate, alcohol, raisins, grapes – any of those things we find around Christmas shouldn’t be close to animals.”

She also says the RSPCA continues to receive a large number of calls each year alerting them to dogs being left in hot cars.

“An animal can die within a minute in a hot car, it’s so important people don’t do this,” she says.

“If you have dogs outside it’s also good to be mindful of which way the sun is moving – especially over hot balconies.

“Make sure your dog always has access to cold, fresh water and shade.”

On a more festive note, Michelle also has a tip for giving pets their own Christmas treat this year.

“You don’t necessarily need to spend money, but you can make their Christmas Day fun, too,” she says.

“Try grabbing some treats and spreading them around your garden like a little scavenger hunt and watch how your pet has fun smelling them out.”

More at rspca-act.org.au

Since 1993: Volume 27, Number: 50

Arts & Entertainment 27-29 Canberra Matters 8 Crossword 31 Dining 28 Garden 30 Horoscopes 31 Letters 14 News 3-19 Politics 11 Seven Days 4 Streaming & Cinema 29

Cover: Stephen Cenatiempo and his Italian Christmas dinner. Photo: Holly Treadaway. Story Pages 16-17.

Well written, well read

Ph 02 6189 0777 Fax 02 6189 0778 9b/189 Flemington Rd, Mitchell 2911

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Ian Meikle, 9b/189 Flemington Road, Mitchell.

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 Journalists: Belinda Strahorn, belinda@citynews.com.au; Nick Overall, nick@citynews.com.au; Lily Pass, lily@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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SEVEN DAYS

On yer b-b-bike, says the Disruption Taskforce SOMEWHERE on London Circuit: A meeting is called to order.

“Guys, guys, the Chief is very worried and we have to find the solution.”

“What? To the Budget deficit?” asks an incredulous voice from the back.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Sally. Nor the hospital, nor planning, nor the bloody prison; no he’s having conniptions about Shane’s tram and the unprecedented shambles ahead for months, correction make that years, as we drag the thing over the lake.

“And we’re all here because good crisis management suggests we have to confront the problem, say it’s going to be shit and let the poor bastards on the southside work it out.”

“But where do we start? Ah, yes, create a taskforce. Good suggestion, Malcolm. Who doesn’t love a good taskforce? But it needs a name.

“No, Ben, not the Tram for a Better Canberra Taskforce. Nor the Tram to Woden or Bust Taskforce, Sally; we’re already bust.

“Something simple. Umm, yes, Ben? That’s it! The Disruption Taskforce. The Chief’s gonna love it! Meeting closed.”

Is it me? There’s a sense of complete hopelessness about some faceless entity, comfortingly composed of “representatives across the ACT government”, called the Disruption Taskforce, as if its raison d’etre is to provide disruption rather than solve it.

This past week our latest quango

dose of dorin

published its December “update” that began with this unsigned revelation: “The construction of light rail to Woden – together with the concurrent delivery of other major public and private infrastructure projects – will change how Canberrans will access our city centre for years to come.”

They’ve got that right when you look at the chaos that lies ahead that, to their credit, they have helpfully outlined in a couple of diagrams, the more interesting being the shocking traffic mess caused by choking Commonwealth Avenue, which carries an estimated 55,000 cars a day.

The construction of the tram line and simultaneous refurbishment of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is going to reduce the traffic flow by a road-raging 80 per cent, sending city-bound traffic rat-running all

over the place.

In the face of congested roads, the initial mitigation strategy from our “representatives across the ACT government” appears to be encouraging hitherto motoring commuters to mount e-scooters, ride a bike or get the bus.

Given the construction disruption starts in earnest mid next year, two wheels are going to be character-buildingly cold ways to wobble off to work. I’m thinking maybe Disruption Taskforce is totally the right name.

And it will finish, when? The next election is 2024 in time for the grateful southerners to say thank you to our Beloved Leader via the ballot box.

model Chiara Passari has said about former boyfriend and globally known Canberra tennis ace Nick Kyrgios.

Blissfully ignorant, I thought how romantic. Until I looked up the definition of “love bombing”: “​​Love bombing is an attempt to influence a person by demonstrations of attention and affection,” says Wikipedia.

“It can be used in different ways and for either positive or negative purposes.

Psychologists have identified love bombing as a possible part of a cycle of abuse and have warned against it.” Ouch!

While “CityNews” makes no inferences as to Mr Kyrgios’ character or behaviour, the aggrieved Ms Passari didn’t hold back, telling the “Daily Telegraph” their relationship was “toxic” and describing him as being “manipulative” and that he was searching for things in their relationship “to use against me”.

Kyrgios and Passari began dating in July last year only to break up after an argument in October that saw police visit their hotel in Adelaide.

Passari had accused Kyrgios of cheating in a post on Instagram. She reportedly shared a photo that appeared to show him in bed with a “naked girl”. Kyrgios, at the time, denied the cheating claim.

But this is where you raise an eyebrow: Passari is reported as saying her openness about the relationship “is not for attention,

it’s for awareness”.

“Why would I want to have attention on me from a story that makes me look weak and walked all over as I kept forgiving him and going back. It’s not for attention, it’s for awareness,” she told the “Tele”.

All quiet from the Kyrgios camp. He is reported to have moved on with Sydney-based blogger Costeen Hatzi. Hell hath no fury…

HERE’S the spirit of Christmas: someone with the unlikely name of Walton Holcomb, from a UK website called The Dozy Owl, in proffering tips for parents concerned with children getting enough sleep to fully enjoy Christmas offers this cruelty: “Wake them up early on Christmas Eve… this allows you more time to tire them out during the day and, seeing as they will likely wake up early on Christmas Day, it will give them more sleep ahead of the big day.” Good luck with that.

AND finally a filched joke from popbitch.com Q: How do you know if someone owns a Tesla?

A: Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.

“HE love-bombed me for the first three months,” unknown (to me) Instagram

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4 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

www.liveattheaerie.com | 265 Goyder Street, Narrabundah *Pricing and availability advertised are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change without notice. Information about the services and facilities providing in the village is correct at the time of printing but may change as the needs of residents change. Photographs are for illustrative purposes. Some images may depict items not provided by Lendlease within the units such as furniture and other decorative items.

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www.summerfield.com.au 6 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

Cartoon: Paul Dorin

Village choristers sing their cares away

By Belinda

STRAHORN A CHOIR of senior citizens performing a repertoire of songs is living proof you are never too old to try something new.

The Grove Singers range in age from 62 to 80, and their set list includes songs from The Seekers, Bette Midler and Tom Jones.

Some members of the 25-person choir – which formed two years ago – have choral experience, others have none at all.

“Sometimes we hit the wrong note, but that’s all part of it,” says choir member Renate Cvitanovic.

Seventy-three-year-old Renate, who leads the group, was taught to sing as part of a convent education in rural Victoria during the 1950s.

“There are some members in the group who were knocked back from singing in a choir when they were young because they weren’t good enough, but they are now singing with us and doing great,” says Renate.

“You are never too old to try something new.”

The choir is made up of residents from The Grove retirement village in Ngunnawal, some of whom decided to band together and form a singing group to give them something to do.

“We were just a group of people that wanted to get together and sing, but we had no direction because no one knew anything about singing or playing the piano,” says choir member Lynette Ivory, 79.

The choir was fortunate to have the help of Renate, in addition to retired university professor Dr Fay Sudweeks, who hadn’t played the piano in 40 years.

“We finally found Renate and Fay who helped to pull us into line and we are now a reasonably good choir,” Lynette says.

Fay, 79, a former adjunct associate professor at the Australian National University, rediscovered her love for the piano after a four-decade break from playing.

“I started learning piano when I was 11 years old then I got married when I was 19, so that was the end of that,” says Fay. “I was able to afford a piano when I was 35, so I took it up again and finished my diploma at 38, but I hadn’t played since.

“It’s been really nice to pick it up again.”

Elly Smith, 73, credits the choir for keeping her in good health and good spirits.

“It’s uplifting and enjoyable and even if you feel down when you sing, it elevates your disposition and makes you feel happier,” Elly says.

Although the choir was set up for the enjoyment of its members and residents of the retirement village, it’s now performing in public and is being enthusiastically received.

“We started introducing songs from musicals like ‘South Pacific’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘The Sound of Music’, and the concerts have gone down really well,” says Renate.

“We have given three concerts at The Grove and even ventured to Isabella Gardens retirement village.

“Our audiences clap and whistle and get very involved.”

The choir, which practices twice a week, has recently performed a Christmas carols concert.

“We have some residents that are not mobile and never leave their villas so we toured The Grove and sang carols in five different spots,” Renate says.

Plans are in the pipeline for a touring concert in March.

“And when covid is finished, we hope to be able to sing in some of the nursing homes,” says Renate.

“Singing is wonderful for people with dementia because most of them can remember old tunes.”

The Grove Singers in a Christmas mood… toured the retirement village and sang carols in five different spots.

Mandy MARTIN (b.1952 d.2021), Pink Drape 1980, Acrylic, oil, paintstick on canvas, CMAG, Gift of the artist 2021

A major new body of work by Brenda L Croft, a proud Gurindji/Malngin/ Mudburra woman whose background also includes Australian/Chinese/ English/German/Irish heritage. The mixed media installation maps Croft’s patrilineal relationship to Country, reimagining the customary design of the spear tip and kurrwa (stone axe) belonging to the Gurindji homelands of her father, Joseph Croft (c.1926-1996) connected to the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory. Shown alongside this installation, are eight works from Croft’s Made in Australia II series, from the CMAG collection.

Brenda L. CROFT, Jimpila (spearhead – uranium glass), 2017 – 21. Photographer © James Henry. Image courtesy Brenda L. Croft and Niagara Galleries.

Christmas Break: CMAG will close 5pm Fri 24 Dec and re-open Tues 4 Jan

Celebrating the artistic friendship of Melbourne artists Ethel Spowers and Eveline Syme, Spowers & Syme presents the changing face of interwar Australia through the perspective of two remarkable women artists. Spowers & Syme is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition.

Spowers & Syme is a Know My Name project.

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Mandy Martin arrived in Queanbeyan from Adelaide in 1978 as an emerging artist, with her primary experience working in the cut and thrust of politically charged community arts. Within just six years she was exhibiting large scale canvases at one of the most prestigious art museums in the world. This exhibition charts the shifts in Martin’s practice over those years, from the sensitive gouaches of her near neighbours and friends, to the expressive drama of the paintings that speak to her deep concern for the environment.

CANBERRA MATTERS

Of Christmas, trees and seeking biodiversity WANDERING through Civic, there loomed ahead a shape.

There it was, the latest gift to Canberra residents from the ACT government’s City Renewal Authority; its version of a Christmas tree for when you don’t really want to be jolly, but have to do something.

The contrast with its surroundings was stark. The City Walk trees are glorious. Whereas this plastic construction was pretending to be something it was not.

When it comes to trees and biodiversity this government pretends to be committed to greenery, whereas what we get most of the time is spin and little real action. Write them a letter questioning commitment and back comes blah, blah, blah! Bah, humbug to the writers of such rubbish!

Recently there has been a small group of blokes pop up at community meetings as well as online (same people) accusing residents in established suburbs of stopping younger people getting into homes.

This Labor-linked cabal is pushing a dubious line that, by coincidence, directly reflects the spin used by the government and its developer associates. They state that in questioning inappropriate development, the community groups are causing a housing shortage. Bah, humbug to the politicians who put these people up to this naive carry-on.

8 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

There desperately needs to be a complete change to the approach to planning. Biodiversity – plants, trees, shrubs, water, animals and insects – need to be the priority consideration.

There’s not enough space to outline in detail the silliness of the argument that residents looking after the future liveability of their suburbs are somehow blocking new housing.

To start, have a look around our suburbs and you will see loads of new housing appearing. Instead of dealing with those distractions, here’s a point or two that should form the basis of debates into 2022. This presumes that the ACT Greens and their Labor colleagues are interested in providing suitable housing for Canberra’s future residents.

The issue seems to be that the basic residential zone (RZ1) needs to be done away with to allow for more choices of housing – ignoring that there is the full suite of housing already available.

We need to stop debating plot ratios, how to divide up established blocks and how much should be squeezed on to smaller and smaller sites. The more

The Civic Christmas tree… the City Walk trees are glorious, whereas this plastic construction was pretending to be something it was not.

Photo: Paul Costigan intelligent approach would be to base planning decisions on how developments add to the biodiversity of the suburb and the city.

Start by introducing a biodiversity index for the city, for all suburban precincts and then, as that is used, develop and apply biodiversity criteria to each development.

Rather than all the usual complex and inaccessible planning criteria that is being randomly implemented by the planning directorate, and given that the future of the planet is what we need now to focus on, the main criteria for future planning should be to ensure the old and new suburbs become more liveable while doing everything possible to

still have a planet to live on.

This is not a request for politicians and bureaucrats to establish one of their meaningless taskforces or legislative sub-committees. It is a request that the government take actions by urgently looking at the wellestablished biodiversity indexes used internationally and to put one into practice in 2022. By using one already established, those using it will soon identify what needs to be adjusted.

There desperately needs to be a

complete change to the approach to planning. Biodiversity – plants, trees, shrubs, water, animals and insects – need to be the priority consideration.

Saving the planet, increasing the biodiversity and greenery urgently should not be exclusive of there being more development within all the suburban areas. It is about having a completely forward-looking approach – doing something real about climate change and creating places for people to live comfortably as the temperatures rise and energy becomes more expensive.

The catalyst for these suggestions was that fake Christmas tree in Civic.

A final suggestion would be for our Fun-Leader, the now senior Andrew Barr, to engage new designers for next year’s Christmas with something really wild and spectacular along Northbourne Avenue. Something jolly, something that will not only celebrate Christmas but also highlight the beauty and importance of greenery and biodiversity in Canberra.

Merry Christmas to our readers.

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He says that people have embraced the benefits that being a JAGA member provides them – from sole traders and start-ups to organisations – they enjoy the freedom that comes with working near where they live, the networking that the spaces encourage and the fully-staffed services that ensure the coffee machine is always working.

CEO of JAGA Workspaces Swaroop Kaushik… “I love helping people and if I can play a role in someone’s success I feel more than satisfied.”

Swaroop is excited to reveal the newest addition to JAGA Workspaces, located in Civic at 33 Allara Street.

Surrounded by greenery and natural light, the level-one office has 39 separate working rooms that can suit one to 36 people, three meeting rooms, a full kitchen, casual spaces, staffed reception area and a welcoming vibe.

He says that the beauty of co-working spaces is the flexibility and versatility that it brings people, whether they want to move in permanently to an office, “hot desk” in a collaborative workspace, or book a meeting room – JAGA supports whatever type of work they do.

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He says members can have the ability to move between Belconnen and the city, if they wish.

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JAGA is located at Allara Street, Canberra City and Swanson Court, Belconnen.

Visit jaga.com.au or call 1800 512150.

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 9

CHRISTMAS / street pantries

How street pantries come to Christmas rescue

By Lily

PASS PAMELA Zielke, 57, has seven older siblings and has been a family day care educator in Ngunnawal for 26 years. She’s seen her fair share of secondhand toys.

“I’m a child of eight, I know what it’s like to not have items. I was given hand-me-downs when I was a child and I just enjoyed them,” she says.

In the past few years, especially in childcare, Pamela says she’s noticed beautiful toys seem to be so easily disposable now.

“I just thought no, people can’t throw everything in the dump, we can’t throw beautiful toys that have barely been used away.”

So she created Pam’s Pantry, a street pantry of toys, crafts, books and other accessories for people who may be in need.

“I noticed last year, when the pandemic happened, people were struggling to find presents for their children. I was receiving donations of beautiful toys that you just wouldn’t even think had been played with, and I thought what a great idea it would be if I could pass them on.”

Lee Tammy’s pantry… containing clothes, nappies, toiletries and food.

Photo: Lily Pass

Pamela Zielke… “I’m a child of eight, I know what it’s like to not have items.”

Photo: Lily Pass

A kind lady donated a shed once she learned what Pam’s intentions were and it just got bigger and bigger.

“We put all the donated toys in there and all these families were coming, families from bad situations, and fam-

ilies in good situations would bring in more toys, it was like a toy library.”

If someone is in need of more than crafts, books and toys, Pam sends them to a neighbouring street to seek out Lee Tammy and her Dignity and

Desire street pantry.

“Lee fills the gaps in my stock and I fill the gaps in hers, she’s an amazing and lovely person,” says Pam. Lee Tammy’s pantry contains clothes, nappies, toiletries, food and she makes care packs.

“It’s a bag or handbag and we fill it with all the essentials that people don’t have because they leave [home] in a hurry and some of them have nothing,” says Lee. Both Pam and Lee have a Christmas appeal going on their Facebook pages, asking for donations of specific gifts and food in the lead up to the holiday season.

Between them, they helped more than 100 people last year for Christmas with food hampers, stockings and goodies for children and presents for carers, parents and everyone else, and the demand has grown this year.

Lee is having up to 15 visitors a day using her pantry and, so far, she’s providing 65 gifts for children.

“There’s going to be last-minute people that come in and I’ll help as many as I can, if there’s gifts left over then there’s always someone who needs them,” says Lee. She’s finished making 20 gifts so far and “still has so many to do”, with an aim of 15 food hampers and 80 gifts.

Pam has her own set of presents to put together, for 29 women, 44 children and 10 men, but she’s receiving

between 10 and 20 messages each day asking for presents, food and clothes for the Christmas period.

“Lee and I did hampers and Christmas-present wrapping until 7pm on Christmas Eve last year,” says Pam. Forty families that Pam helped over Christmas in 2020 have returned to her pantry recently to say thank you, and to offer their own donations for the families who are in need this year.

“The most rewarding part is giving back, putting a smile on someone’s face, seeing the tears of joy when the person gets what they need, that’s really rewarding,” says Lee. “No one will go without, not if I can help it,” she says, and Pam agrees.

“I just love seeing them smile and seeing the relief, seeing a parent who has come here and you see the tears and the stress go away.”

Pam’s two granddaughters Ayla, four, and Sophia, two, love to help.

“Ayla says Santa Claus helpers are the best and she says I’m his helper.

She’s got the spirit of Santa, but she knows he needs some help,” says Pam. “Tell everybody to have a lovely Christmas because we really need it this year and just keep giving.”

Donate or receive donations from Pam’s Pantry, 34 Bargang Crescent, Ngunnawal, or the Dignity and Desire Pantry, 37 Jabanungga Avenue, Ngunnawal.

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POLITICS / dirty electioneering

STEPHANIE’S BOUTIQUE LINGERIE advertising feature

Why Canberra needs Iconic lingerie boutique an independent senator

relocates to Manuka

THE transition from 2021 towards the next year gives us time to reflect on what has been and what might be. Two years of COVID-19 has worn us down.

However, eight years of conservative governments federally has worn us down even more.

And an election is likely quite early next year.

The ACT really needs an independent candidate to win a seat in the Senate. Until it does, major party politics in the federal parliament will ensure the ACT is treated as a second-class jurisdiction.

Senator, the Honourable Zed Seselja has been elected to represent the ACT through the same eight years of Liberal governments.

He has failed us on key issues. He even voted against the right of the territories to have the same self-determination as the states. This is in marked contrast to his predecessor, Gary Humphries, who felt so strongly that he was prepared to “cross the floor” to protect the territory.

Not Zed! He simply argues that the ACT Assembly cannot be trusted to have the same powers as the states. The issue in question is the right to decide on legislation regarding Voluntary Active Euthanasia. He argues that there are enough Canberrans who “don’t necessarily want their local assembly and 13 members of their local assembly to have absolutely unfettered power.”

He told the ABC: “Legalising assisted dying in the ACT would have national implications”. Bollocks! Pathetic!

It was about his own ultraconservative moral rectitude.

Unlike when the Andrews Bill removed this right from the territories in 1996, almost all of the states have now legalised the very same thing.

There are no national implications any more.

Liberal Party colleagues in the Assembly take a different view from Senator Seselja.

And the ACT’s other senator, Katy Gallagher, has posted on her website: “I, along with my ACT Federal Labor colleagues, want you to have the same rights as every other Australian, regardless of the postcode you live in.”

Zed is a committed Catholic and the church is strongly opposed to this sort of legislation.

It highlights one of the key problems of the Abbott and Morrison governments, where the lines between church and state were blurred with support from people such as Senator Seselja. He is part of a government that has introduced the flawed Religious Discrimination Bill purportedly to protect faith – but rather, protects the right to discriminate.

With an election looming the same senator has launched an unprecedented attack on Labor and the Greens. His recent letter posted to Canberrans illustrates his approach to the conduct of the next election. His approach echoes Donald Trump and the Tea Party.

“Defend your values and freedom in the next election,” he hollers, “by exposing the radical Labor-Greens power plot.”

Were he not serious, it would be laughable.

STEPHANIE’S Boutique Lingerie now faces The Lawns, in the heart of the inner-south, elegant shopping district of Manuka.

Unhappiness with Zed Seselja from an earlier election campaign. Photo: mockeryofshockery.com Actually, it is laughable. First of all, the LaborGreens government is a territory government.

Zed is standing for the Senate in the federal parliament. There is no Labor-Greens alliance federally. There is no “plot” – just scare tactics!

“I am asking you to help build a $75,000 federal election war chest” he goes on to say in such a way that I am reminded of the American evangelists. The money, he argues, is to stand up for “freedom of speech, enterprise and religion”.

Zed Seselja is feeling vulnerable. And so he should be; his aloof treatment of Canberrans should come back to bite him!

His begging letter to constituents, so late in his term, is illustrative of just how exposed he is feeling.

It does not stop there. He is also Assistant Minister for Charities and has written to community organisations to defend amendments to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

The main criticism is that the amendments can also be used to silence charities and reduce activism and advocacy within the charity sector.

What really exposes his government’s blatant hypocrisy is the tone that a charity does not have to worry if they are not breaking the law. Isn’t this the same argument for Morrison government ministers and members.

They do not have to worry about an Independent Commission Against Corruption if they are not doing anything wrong. Why then have they resisted so strongly despite the promise at the last election?

Canberra can, and should, do much better than having Zed Seselja represent us in the Senate.

Zed Seselja is feeling vulnerable.

And so he should be; his aloof treatment of Canberrans should come back to bite him! His begging letter to constituents, so late in his term, is illustrative of just how exposed he is feeling.

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.

Owner Fil Barilaro says the new location, in the Manuka Arcade, is central, open and inviting, but offers privacy and the same high standards of service.

Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie opened in 1992 and is renowned as a specialist and leader in bra fittings.

“Stephanie’s has one simple philosophy that underpins every aspect of the boutique – beauty and comfort,” says Fil. “Beautiful, well-fitted undergarments should provide skin-soft comfort that lets you be yourself.

“We invite you to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from confidently wearing some of the world’s most elegant and best quality lingerie.

“Tell us your mood and our expert team of fitters will help choose a style and brand of lingerie perfect for your body. Tell us your irritations with your current underwear and we will have them vanish forever.”

Fil says her team are widely respected as the bestfitting service in Canberra and hand-select a range of brands to suit all body shapes and sizes.

“Once we complete your first fitting, we securely store the details of what suited you. This makes your next visit one where we show you new styles, perfect for you,” she says.

Fil says now’s the time to consider a special Christmas gift from Stephanie’s.

“Lingerie has long been an intimate gift, perfect for

The owner of Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie, Fil Barilaro, in her relocated store at the Manuka Arcade. lovers, mothers to daughters, new mothers and best friends,” she says.

Beauty and comfort are not only the domain of women, with Stephanie’s stocking a range of boutique men’s underwear. Stephanie’s also offers gift vouchers.

Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie is now located in Manuka Arcade, Manuka. Visit stephaniesboutiquelingerie.com.au or call 6295 046.

Stephanie’s has relocated to Manuka Arcade Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie is now located in Manuka and welcomes you to call in and browse the wide range of new season stock, make an appointment for a personalised fitting or pick up the perfect Christmas gift

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Manuka Arcade, Manuka www.stephaniesboutiquelingerie.com.au 6295 0469 stephanies@vergola.com.au CityNews December 16-22, 2021 11

NEWS Prisoner numbers decline in the ACT THE ACT Council of Social Service has welcomed the “ABS 2021 Prisoners in Australia” data showing a decrease in the total number of prisoners in the ACT for the third successive year.

The data, comparing prisoner numbers as of June 30, 2020, to numbers as of June 30 this year, showed a decline of 16 per cent (70) to 379 prisoners. The imprisonment rate also decreased by 16 per cent, down from 135 to 113 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “This ABS data is a point-in-time snapshot of detainee numbers, that can rise and fall across the year. However, the overall downward trend in the ACT’s prisoner numbers is welcome.

“This change in prisoner numbers demonstrates the value of early intervention, targeted support and a respectful, human rights-based approach to justice and policing.

“ACTCOSS has continually advocated for reform of the ACT justice system. We need to ensure that people’s rights, safety and health are protected, and that people are treated with dignity and respect when engaging with the ACT justice and corrections system.

“In particular we need to address the continued overrepresentation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in our justice system.”

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LETTERS

Write to us: editor@citynews.com.au

I despair every time I drive into Civic; no respect I DESPAIR every time I drive into Civic at the way its environment has been destroyed by ugly unit development impinging on what should be our focus of an ideal city.

dose of dorin

Max Flint, Coordinator, Smart Canberra Transport

The ‘generosity’ of government housing

Even the new court buildings have turned City Hill into a joke and we can expect more with the latest developments.

I came to Canberra in 1963 and revelled in its wonderful planned and careful development. I worked on the construction of the National Library and was so proud when it was finished.

As for the farce of “consultation” on the AWM redevelopment, I suppose I really didn’t expect anything better. You have to wonder why these organisations even bother to pretend that the community’s concerns will be given due consideration.

What makes me mad is I just can’t understand how anyone can think this rampant development is in any way beautiful or respectful of the wonderful legacy that Walter Burley Griffin bequeathed to us.

Colin Smeal, via citynews.com.au

Then there’s that turn on to Parkes Way? WILL the ACT government and the National Capital Authority explain how northbound motorists on Commonwealth Avenue can continue to quickly and conveniently turn east on to Parkes Way, after the loss of the two western clover-leaf interchanges at City Hill (to “free up” their land for high-rise property development). It’s part of the current Works Approval Application to raise London Circuit, to facilitate the proposed Civic to Commonwealth Park tram (not to mention exactly how the Woden tram will get over the lake)?

Or will the governments continue to simply throw massive amounts of money at the problems?

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

About the teenage brain...

THERE are calls to allow young people 16-17 to be allowed to vote. It is accepted virtually universally that the human brain does not fully develop until 22-24 years.

fossil-fuelled generators.

The argument that one often hears that “electrons are electrons”, is nothing short of Greens’ sophistry.

Cartoon: Paul Dorin I’m not necessarily for or against but I do refer to what medical scientists say including “The Adolescent Brain Vs the Adult”. That is: “Frontal lobe is the part of our brain that controls impulse, emotion, judgement and empathy in an adult-like fashion.

“Limbic system controls impulse, sexual behaviour, emotion and risk/reward. There is a temporary imbalance in the rate of development in the two systems in the adolescent brain, which causes a challenge when it comes to making the right decision.

“Teens and adults have the same capacity to see between right and wrong, but teens have trouble making the correct decision in the moment. Teens think with the amygdala, the emotional part of the limbic system.

The emotional centre of the brain and the decision-making part are developing at different rates, leading to more emotions and less thinking when making decisions.”

None of what has been said is intended to reflect on those 18-24.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

Not so renewable in the ACT THE Construction Related Consultancy Agreement between the ACT Government and AECOM Australia Pty Ltd, is for the princely

sum of $93 million, unless otherwise agreed.

Clause 6.1, in respect of the ACT’s emissions reduction target, still persists with the fiction that the territory is supplied with 100 per cent renewable electricity. That is patently not true!

The ACT needs an electrical energy generation capacity of about 500 MegaWatts.

Renewable energy generation capacity in the ACT is all solar (rooftop and from solar farms) and is around 10 per cent of its total requirement.

To meet the 100 per cent claim, the ACT government’s agent, (ActewAGL) pays for 90 per cent of ACT demand from renewable generators (all wind), particularly from NSW and SA, which supply that electricity to the national grid, that in turn charges the floating market price to ActewAGL. Based on these figures, the government claims that the ACT has achieved 100 per cent renewable energy. Its agent may have bought it, but that is NOT what is being consumed.

Nationally, renewables account for, at most, 30 per cent of electricity demand, the rest (70 per cent) being provided by fossil-fuelled generators, from which ACT homes and industry draw 90 per cent of their demand.

Therefore, in reality, ACT consumers are using 37 per cent renewable electricity, with the remainder of 63 per cent being from

HOW many properties should be given to any family by the ACT government? This may seem a strange question but it isn’t.

I know a family of three adults who have already been given four properties and two of the adults have recently applied for two more properties.

They were told they will get them next year, which will take the total number of properties given to that family to six.

I had no idea how generous the ACT taxpayer was. I also know the waiting time for getting government housing in the ACT is much shorter than NSW, which makes us a soft target for those wanting what amounts to a free house.

The fact that a family of three people, all adults, can get as many as six houses leads me to the conclusion that the 11,600 properties owned by the ACT government are mismanaged.

At the same time these six properties have been given to this family there are still homeless people on Canberra’s streets. In fact, last Thursday I passed a homeless woman settling down for the night in front of a shop in East Row. It seems to me that some needy people in the ACT are more equal than others.

Lucinda Spier, Campbell

Wean humans off fossil fuels MY letter in “CityNews” (November 4) discussed some of the causes of global warming and the problems it represents to humanity. It’s now time to discuss the solution.

The most obvious (partial) solution is to wean humans off fossil fuels, starting with coal – which initiated global warming and is still its main driver – as quickly as technological and economic constraints allow.

This can be achieved by, for example, transitioning to renewable energy and

electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and aircraft, processes that have already begun.

Commuters in cities should be encouraged (or subsidised) to use public transport.

We should also make our towns and cities more energy efficient by using LED lights where feasible, switching off unnecessary lighting (most of us would have seen a satellite photo of Earth at night), and improving insulation.

An important part of the solution is to reduce and eliminate (if possible) deforestation and either allow regrowth or plant not millions, but billions of trees and other vegetation, as well as denselyplanted crops.

There are many other steps that we could take, but the core of the message is that defeating global warming is still possible if we have the will to change our lifestyles just a little.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Planting a tree isn’t ‘sustainability’ READING the article from columnist Paul Costigan regarding the development in Dumaresq Street, Dickson (“​​A world-class heat island in the making!”, citynews.com.au, December 10), I for one would appreciate it if he could include additional information in his opinion piece such as: the EER value of the housing design.

And details on insulation (heating/cooling), double-glazed windows, appliance ratings, solar panels, battery storage etcetera; what is the design life and residential purpose (independent living units perhaps)?

It is also worthy to note that artificial grass doesn’t need watering. And where are the cars meant to be parked if not on the concrete driveway. By the way, what is “passive housing”?

I am also a bit confused by the reference of double-storey mansions being referred to as “common in the inner suburbs” – being phrased in such a derogatory manner. If they are built correctly, they are awesome! I for one consider that planting a tree or two isn’t at the core of “sustainability”, “greenery” and “biodiversity”, which are just buzzwords it seems people use to appear informed.

Bjorn Moore, Gowrie

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WARRIGAL CARE

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Warrigal tops the nation with aged-care award AGED-care provider Warrigal has been awarded national recognition by being named Aged Care Provider of the Year.

The award, presented at the Aged and Community Services Australia Awards ceremony, December 7, recognises outstanding leadership, management, workforce culture, innovation, communication and excellence in the sector.

It was awarded online to Warrigal amongst other aged-care providers from across all other states and territories.

Warrigal CEO Mark Sewell said winning the award was a wonderful way to finish the year for Warrigal, after a string of award successes for the organisation.

“We are truly honoured to be named the National Aged Care Provider of the Year and this, along with our several other recent award wins, champion the great staff and workplace culture we have here at Warrigal,” he said.

Warrigal won the NSW/ACT State Provider of the Year award in October, and has now gone on to win the national award. It was also recognised in November at the IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards with the Outstanding Community Organisation award, and being named joint-winners for the Excellence in

Warrigal CEO Mark Sewell… “Truly honoured.”

Workplace Culture award.

“Our intentional workplace culture – The Warrigal Way – can certainly be credited for our success during a particularly challenging year as we continued to navigate

the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mark.

“It has been a tough year for our staff, particularly our frontline staff, who go to work every day with masks on and continue to care for older people, keeping them safe and cared for while we reach our vision that they will live great lives.”

He said Warrigal was proud to highlight the work of its 1500 staff and more than 350 volunteers, who had continued to work together tirelessly to reach positive outcomes for the residents and customers who used Warrigal’s services.

“Our positive workplace culture is a part of our organisational DNA, and is led by the incredible contributions from our volunteers,” Mark said.

“Warrigal was founded by volunteers, and it is volunteers who continue to govern us right up to our board of directors.

We thank all of the incredible people who contribute to making Warrigal what it is, and share this achievement of recognition at a national level with them.”

He said Warrigal was looking forward to celebrating its year of achievement with its staff, volunteers, residents, customers and community, particularly after a challenging year of working through the COVID pandemic.

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Entrance to the Warrigal Stirling aged-care home.

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 15

CHRISTMAS DINNER / Italian style

Christmas dinner with a touch of Cenatiempo BELINDA STRAHORN gets a big taste of an Italianstyle Christmas dinner with radio host and passionate cook Stephen Cenatiempo...

MOST people know 2CC’s Stephen Cenatiempo as an outspoken breakfast radio host, but his less known talent is his ability to cook.

It’s midweek, as Christmas approaches, and the 47-year-old is cooking up a storm in the kitchen of his Bruce apartment.

The accomplished chef is creating his version of Christmas dinner drawing inspiration from his Italian heritage.

“Dad was Italian, but mum was Australian so there was always a bit of a fusion at Christmas time,” Cenatiempo says.

Cenatiempo has already decided the menu; fried eggplant “toasties” with pancetta and provolone cheese, and he is cooking gnocchi in a sauce of cherry tomatoes and garlic.

“For mains we are having pork loin with honey glazed Dutch carrots, kipfler potatoes in duck fat and broccolini in lemon and chilli,” Cenatiempo says.

“And dessert is a panettone bread and butter pudding.”

When “CityNews” photographer Holly Treadaway and I arrive at his apartment, Cenatiempo is preoccupied with the meal preparation, removing the eggplant toasties from the oven

with his right hand, and stirring pasta sauce with his left.

The radio host, who has mustered up the support of his breakfast show producer Rania Yallop as sous-chef for the occasion, is clearly passionate about the preparation of Italian cuisine.

“The secret to good southern Italian food is simplicity,” Cenatiempo says.

“A few fresh ingredients is all you need – don’t overload things – and don’t pour sauce over pasta, you must mix the pasta through the sauce.”

When he has finished cooking we sit to eat at his dining room table, where a red and green layered velvet cake – baked and decorated by the man himself – makes for an impressive centrepiece.

“Cooking has always been a passion of mine but baking is a recent thing.

I only took it up in the last couple of weeks so you’ll be the judge of whether the cake is any good,” Cenatiempo chuckled.

It’s been a “good” year for Cenatiempo who has been in the 2CC breakfast radio chair for over a year.

The gig arrived at just the right time for Cenatiempo having fallen victim to job cutbacks in his previous radio role.

While he’s enjoyed his first 18 months in the job it hasn’t been with-

Stephen Cenatiempo… “Dad was Italian, but mum was Australian so there was always a bit of a fusion at Christmas time.”

Photo: Holly Treadaway out its challenges.

In a radio career spanning more than two decades Cenatiempo finds cooking to be “therapeutic” allowing him to switch off from an enjoyable but demanding role.

“When you spend your life fighting with politicians you need a break and cooking is my break,” Cenatiempo says.

Growing up in Sydney, cooking was a big part of Cenatiempo’s childhood.

His late father, Salvatore, migrated to Australia from an island off the coast of Naples, Italy in 1950. He established

usic, M e r o M un...

More F

a business as a fruit and vegetable wholesaler and his wife, Ila, whom he met in Sydney in the late 1960s worked for a swimming pool company.

Cenatiempo has fond memories of big family festive feasts, and Christmas dinner was always a lengthy affair.

“I’ve only got one brother, but we have a big extended family so we’d always have plenty of people around at Christmas time,” Cenatiempo says.

“Mum would set up a nice dinner table, she always made sure we had nice

placemats, the fancy cutlery would come out, and she was big on Christmas bon bons.”

A career in radio wasn’t always on the cards for Cenatiempo. After finishing school he worked in real estate as an auctioneer. But when the online auctioneering boom ended his 10-year career, he turned his attention to a job he “really wanted to do”.

“I applied and was accepted to go to the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in Sydney,” Cenatiempo says.

“I crammed a two-year diploma course in 12 months and the rest is history.”

The nine-time ACRA-winning broadcaster’s first job in radio was hosting the afternoon show at 2HC in Coffs Harbour. He then moved to 2NM in the Hunter Valley as the morning show presenter. Next was a gig hosting a national night-time talk show for Triple M, and following that he moved to Canberra.

Away from work, Cenatiempo is constantly experimenting with dishes, and before lockdown was giving cooking demonstrations at the Fyshwick Markets.

But it’s cooking for guests – mainly work colleagues – that he loves best.

“I make a pretty good curry, but Italian is my go to,” Cenatiempo says.

Finally we eat, and it’s amazing, every dish – especially the cake.

Cenatiempo certainly can cook.

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‘Finally we eat, and it’s amazing, every dish – especially the cake. Cenatiempo certainly can cook.’

Stephen’s Italian Christmas menu to try at home TRADITIONALLY, an Italian Christmas feast would consist of six courses: 1. Antipasto – usually mixed cured meats and preserves.

2. F rutti di Mare – traditionally baccala (salted cod) but in Australia, cold seafood.

3. Pasta – usually oven-baked like lasange or cannelloni.

4. S econdi – roasted meat. Traditionally porchetta (rolled, stuffed pork loin), chicken and veal.

5. Contorni – side dishes.

6. D olci – literally sweets. Traditionally panettone and a series of traditional cakes and tarts.

I’ve simplified things a little and have gone with the following: 1. Antipasto – Melanzane in carrozza (eggplant in carriages) – crumbed and pan fried eggplant slices sandwiched with pancetta and smoked provolone and baked until the cheese is melted.

2. P asta – Ricotta gnocchi in a simple sauce of cherry truss tomatoes, garlic & basil.

3. Secondi – Pork loin roast.

4. C ontorni – Roasted Kipfler potatoes in duck fat, honey-glazed Dutch carrots and roasted broccolini with lemon and chilli.

5. Dolci – Panettone bread and butter pudding and a layered red and green velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting.

2. PASTA

Ricotta gnocchi INGREDIENTS

1. ANTIPASTO

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. S lice eggplant into halfcentimetre rounds.

3. Dip in beaten egg then in INGREDIENTS seasoned bread crumbs.

4. F ry in light olive oil over 1. 1 large eggplant. medium heat until golden.

2. Eggs.

5. P lace a slice of cheese, then a 3. Breadcrumbs. slice of pancetta and another 4. 4 0 grams Parmigiano Reggiano slice of cheese between two cheese – grated and mixed into slices of crumbed eggplant breadcrumbs. (try to match the slices so 5. S alt and pepper to season breadthey’re of a similar size and crumbs. skewer them together with a 6. Light olive oil. toothpick.

7. S liced round pancetta (or any other 6. Place them on a lined baking cold cut that you like). tray and place in the oven 8. S liced smoked provolone cheese (any until the cheese is melted cheese that melts well can substitute). (about 10 minutes).

Melanzane in carrozza

1. 5 00 grams ricotta gnocchi (you can make your own, but there is some really good home-style gnocchi available in Canberra, so my advice is to buy it because Christmas dinner is hard enough without having to make your own pasta!)

2. 2 punnets of cherry tomatoes – cut the cherry tomatoes in half (I prefer baby Roma or cherry truss, but any cherry tomatoes will do).

3. 10 fresh basil leaves, three whole peeled garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil.

4. Salt.

METHOD 1. B ring a large pot of water to the boil (at least 1 litre per 100 grams of pasta).

2. A dd a tablespoon of salt (salt should be at a ratio of 10 grams per litre of water).

3. While the water is boiling, heat about 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy based fry pan over medium heat.

4. A dd the whole garlic cloves and saute until they become fragrant but don’t let them burn (at this point, you can also add some fresh

chilli if you want a bit of spice).

5. A dd the cherry tomatoes and salt to taste, and saute until they release most of their liquid.

6. Add the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook until they float.

7. U sing a slotted spoon or a spider, transfer the cooked gnocchi to the tomatoes, and toss until coated with the sauce. If it’s too thick, add a little of the pasta water and stir until it all emulsifies.

8. T ear up the basil leaves and stir them through.

9. Serve immediately.

3. 3 tablespoons of honey.

4. Salt and pepper.

4. CONTORNI

Roasted Kipfler potatoes in duck fat

METHOD

INGREDIENTS 1. 1 kilo washed Kipfler potatoes.

2. Salt.

3. Duck fat.

METHOD

3. SECONDI

Pork loin roast INGREDIENTS 1. 1 ½ -2kg rolled pork belly with scored skin (your butcher can do this for you).

2. Salt.

3. Olive oil.

METHOD 1. P at pork dry with a paper towel and leave the scored roast uncovered in the fridge overnight.

2. W hen you’re ready to cook, put your pork on a wire rack in the sink and pour a jug of boiling water over the rind. Pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

3. Rub the roast with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and half a tablespoon of salt (more if you like salty crackling), making sure the oil and salt penetrate the scores.

4. R oughly chop an onion, two carrots and

two celery stalks and toss them in some olive oil in a roasting pan with a whole bulb of garlic.

5. P lace the roast on a wire rack inside the baking tray and cook at 240°C (until the rind crackles, up to 50 minutes).

6. T urn the oven down to 180°C, pour a cup of white wine and a cup of water into the bottom of the pan with the veggies and cook for a further 30-35 minutes per kg of pork, depending on how well you like your roast cooked.

7. O nce cooked, let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

8. G ravy – transfer the baking tray to the stove top over medium-high heat and add a cup of water (or beef stock for a richer gravy) and bring to a simmer while mashing the roasted vegetables with a potato masher to extract the flavour. Add a tablespoon of plain flour and mix through until dissolved. Strain the gravy into a small saucepan and simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. Serve hot.

1. B oil potatoes in salted water until tender.

2. Drain and place on a baking tray.

3. Gently squash them a little with the bottom of a drinking glass just until the skin breaks.

4. L ather with duck fat and roast for approx 20 minutes or until crispy and golden.

5. DOLCI

Panettone bread and butter pudding INGREDIENTS 1. 3 cups (750ml) milk.

2. 300 mls cream.

3. 1/2 cup caster sugar.

4. 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.

5. 4 00 grams panettone, approximately.

6. 90 grams of butter, softened.

7. 4 eggs.

8. 2 egg yolks.

Honey-glazed Dutch carrots INGREDIENTS 1. 1 bunch each of orange and purple Dutch carrots.

2. 3 tablespoons butter, melted.

1. P reheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment.

2. C lean and trim the carrots.

3. Mix the butter and honey together and drizzle over the carrots.

4. Roast for 15 minutes.

5. T urn over the carrots with the tongs bathing them in the honey butter and roast for another 15 minutes.

6. Season with salt and pepper.

METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Combine milk, cream, sugar, rind and split vanilla bean in a saucepan; stir over heat, without boiling, until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil, remove from the heat; cover, stand 10 minutes.

3. Cut panettone into 1.5cm-thick slices. Spread both sides with butter.

Place slices overlapping in a greased shallow 2-litre ovenproof dish.

4. W hisk eggs and egg yolks in a bowl until combined; gradually whisk in strained milk mixture. Pour custard over panettone in a dish. Place ovenproof dish in a baking dish, add enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of an ovenproof

dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until just set. Remove from the baking dish.

5. S prinkle with icing sugar and serve.

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 17

NEWS / political thriller

Hugh sees a sinister side to grain silos

By Belinda

STRAHORN GAZING at a grain silo sparked the inspiration for Canberra author Hugh Watson’s new political thriller.

In his second novel, life in the fictional town of Gwydir is turned on its head by a gruesome murder in a grain silo, and a series of mysterious deaths.

“The Silo” tells the story of Barry Kingscliff, a power-hungry politician who appears to be at the centre of it all, and Sydney detective Susan Swift who is tasked to solve the spate of killings.

“It has blackmail, corruption, foreign investment, greed and branch stacking,” Watson says.

“All the stuff that’s going on in politics at the moment.”

Bega-born Watson, 71, draws on his country upbringing in the story, as well as his political background as a former private secretary to the late Senator Susan Ryan, and former executive on the planning committee for the Sydney Olympic Games.

“This isn’t based on anyone in particular, but I have experienced politics and politicians up close,” Watson says.

Author Hugh Watson… “You might be unsure where the story is going and then you’ll wake up at 3am with an idea and know exactly where it’s headed.”

“Some [politicians] are nasty and some are nice.”

The idea for Watson’s novel came when he was visiting friends in Wallendbeen, a small rural town near Cootamundra.

“I was watching a truck pull in and an auger was being hooked up to a grain silo,” Watson says.

“My friends were talking about the kinds of dangerous accidents that occur around silos and I thought to myself: ‘Aha, a murder in a grain silo’,”.

Watson, who has enjoyed a wideranging career as teacher, academic,

public servant and consultant, turned his hand to writing fiction in 2013.

His first novel “Home Grown”, a terrorism thriller set in Canberra, was published in 2015.

“The first novel – which starts with an explosion in the dispatch box at Question Time – had a reasonably nice person at the centre of it,” says Watson.

“So, I thought it would be a challenge to write a second novel with an incredibly despicable person at the centre of it.”

Some central characters in the novel are inspired by female role models Watson encountered in his childhood.

“I was brought up by and around very determined and strong women,” Watson says.

“One of the main characters is a matriarch of a country family who is very strong and intuitive, as is the female detective Susan Swift who suffers the slings and arrows of sexism and misogyny in the police force.”

The grandfather – who writes from his home in Hall – says his passion for writing was sparked by the encouragement he received from a school teacher.

“My second class teacher at Bega Primary School wrote a note on my report saying: ‘Hugh, you are a very good writer, keep it up’.”

Watson is also a songwriter and guitarist with his band Willie and the Correspondents.

“I’ve been writing songs for 30 years, but there’s something lovely about the element of surprise when you write a novel,” Watson says.

“You might be unsure where the story is going and then you’ll wake up at 3am with an idea and know exactly where it’s headed.

“It’s a lot of fun.”

The Silo is available at all major bookstores.

NEWS ACT Cub Scouts ‘walk’ around Mars ACT Cub Scouts have walked a distance more than the circumference of Mars inspired by the landing of the Perseverance Mars Rover in February.

The Cub Scouts were challenged to collectively walk 21,344 kilometres, a distance equivalent to the circumference of Mars.

Cub Scouts, their leaders and families went above and beyond, walking a total collective distance of 27,565 kilometres so far.

“This is an amazing achievement from Cub Scouts in Canberra, who have ‘persevered’ through another year disrupted by covid lockdowns,” said ACT Cub Scout commissioner Tim Kirsopp.

“Young people in Scouting, working together to meet the challenge, planned and undertook 344 separate activities, walking or cycling across all of the ACT’s nature parks, as well as Namadgi National Park.

“It looked like we weren’t going to complete the challenge when lockdown hit again in August, but as soon as lockdown lifted, Cub Scouts have pushed themselves to complete the distance. I am extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.”

The Perseverance Mars Rover was named

by Cub Scout Alexander Mather in the US and follows the motto of Cub Scouts (aged 8 to 11 years old) across the world – “Do Your Best”.

In his winning essay, Alexander said: “We are a species of explorers, and we will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere. We, not as a nation but as humans, will not give up.”

Christmas Services

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS 24th December at 11pm

CHRISTMAS DAY MASS 25th December at 9am

9-15 COWPER STREET, AINSLIE 18 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

MUMMY / sign from the universe

NEWS

It’s all been more shark than dolphin

ACT seizure leads to calls for vape ban

LAST New Year’s Eve, I was enjoying a dip at Henley Beach in Adelaide with my family.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky on that typical dry-heat Adelaide morning and the water of the suburban beach was perfectly still.

Suddenly, I was alerted by the sound of the nearby father and son exclaiming and pointing to the water ahead of them.

I saw a fin.

Dread came over me.

Also, I thought at that moment: “Oh that would be right after the year it’s been… of course, we will now be attacked by a shark”.

My first, mother-bear physical reaction was to grab my small daughter who jumped into my arms.

We were only in knee-height water, and I started moving back towards the beach.

But then my husband cried out: “It’s a dolphin!” and I stopped.

We all watched a beautiful, peaceful dolphin swim past.

There was a distinct moment of realisation that it was not, as I feared, a shark but a perfectly harmless dolphin making its way through the water.

This shift from terror to wonderment was profound.

Sounds a little hippie-dippie, but I thought then and there that it was a good omen for the New Year ahead.

Cartoon: Paul Dorin Things were going to be alright; the dolphin was a little sign from the universe to me on the last day of 2020.

Ahhhh.

I would visualise the dolphin many times, usually before bed. The peacefulness and hope that the dolphin represented was a nice way to drift off to sleep. I decided that the dolphin would be my “spirit animal” of sorts for the year, as I searched for meaning in the brief dolphin encounter.

Yes, I was probably way too excited about the dolphin for my own good, but

I needed something positive to symbolise the future for me and tell me that things were going to be alright. That’s what the dolphin was for me!

Well, we all know that as 2021 played out for us all, it was sadly much more of a shark sort of year than a dolphin.

It’s been another year of immense challenges, sacrifice and stress.

I’ve lost a piece of myself to the shark this year and have some scars to show for it.

But, hey, we’ve just about made it to the end.

I won’t get a second chance to see the dolphin at Henley Beach this summer – SA’s overbearing “test and isolate” requirements have rendered our annual family trip too hard and too complicated. Another annoyance to bear.

My kids regularly tell the story of when we saw the dolphin – each time they retell it, mummy’s reaction gets squeakier and louder as I scream: “It’s a shark!” and I run comically to the beach, every time getting more ridiculous. We’ve dined out on the dolphin story this year and it’s made me smile… every time.

Perhaps 2022 will be the “do-over” dolphin year? We can only hope. But like the dolphin, we can only keep swimming and searching for calm waters ahead.

THE seizure of vaping products containing illegal substances from Canberra businesses highlights the dangers of the unregulated vaping industry, says Lung Foundation Australia’s CEO Mark Brooke.

The joint operation by ACT Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration found that all seized products contained nicotine, despite two thirds not labelled as such, and two thirds of products contained at least one illegal ingredient known to pose health risks, including irreversible lung damage.

Mr Brooke said a nationwide ban on the use of e-cigarettes, and flavoured e-liquids was vital to protect Australians, especially young people, from the known and unknown risks of vaping.

“Along with the concerning risks to lung health and the inclusion of nicotine, the ingredients within many of these flavoured e-liquids include those that are commonly used in household disinfectant, petroleum, cosmetics, paint and even eugenol which is commonly used to euthanise fish. Importantly, these chemicals haven’t been tested or determined to be safe as an inhalant and many have known risks,” Mr Brooke said.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CANBERRA • QUEANBEYAN • YASS • COOMA • GOULBURN

GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE THIS CHRISTMAS! 100’$ for Thousands is a Christmas fundraiser aimed at helping local families in need across Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass, Cooma and Goulburn.

All money raised goes to a local Salvation Army centre of your choice.

Gungahlin • Belconnen • Canberra City • Fyshwick • Woden • Tuggeranong • Queanbeyan • Yass • Cooma • Goulburn

YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS

With your help, our goal is to raise $100,000, allowing us to provide 1000 families with a $100 grocery gift voucher to use over the festive season.

So donate today and GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!

DONATE NOW www.hundredsforthousands.salvationarmy.org.au CityNews December 16-22, 2021 19

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Still time to get in some last-minute gift shopping THE countdown to Christmas is nearly up, but there’s still time to shop for some lastminute gifts before Santa arrives.

Here’s the “CityNews” guide to some unique and special surprises for family and friends this festive season.

Celebrate 2022 at Canberra’s very own opera GENERAL manager of National Opera, Stephanie McAlister dares anyone to attend an opera and not leave with their soul full, just in time for their 2022 season launch.

“Art of all forms, and opera in particular, allows you to escape the stresses of real life, feel the emotions of the artists performing in front of your eyes, and admire the work, skill and talent it takes to work in this industry.”

National Opera provides professional performance and employment opportunities for Australian artists and creatives in the genre of opera.

“Through our work we are supporting existing and new career artists and creatives,”

says Stephanie.

She says there are many aspects of the work at National Opera which are rewarding, whether it be providing an emerging singer with their professional debut, or a local Canberran getting to return to their home town to perform the art they have dedicated their life to.

“We need everyone in Canberra to come out, see and experience what outstanding quality opera offers its audience, and it’s right here in Canberra.”

National Opera. Call 1300 965535, email info@nationalopera.org.au or visit nationalopera.org.au

Exclusive drinks and special offers for Christmas PAUL Cains, owner of Prohibition Bottle Shop Kingston, says Prohibition Bottle Shop Curtin has opened, and just in time for Christmas.

“We have a huge Canberra offering of wines and local spirits, as well as a huge supply of Japanese and Tasmanian whiskeys,” he says.

There are member offers on Eden Road local wines and Paul says the electric pink vodka cruiser is exclusive to his company for this year.

He says there’s an equal and extensive range of options available at both of the independently

MEMBERS OFFER

$44.99ea.

SAVE UP TO $15

owned stores.

“There’s also a large range of local wines and we carry all the local beers like BentSpoke and Capital Brewing.

“Customers can always feel free to have a chat with our team of great staff, who do a wonderful job.”

Prohibition Bottle Shop, 39 Eastlake Parade, Kingston, call 6295 0864. Shop 1, 44 Curtin Place, Curtin.

Email prohibitionbottleshop@gmail.com

National Opera’s Catherine Carby, left, and Helena Dix.

Christmas is Brewing

Yellowglen Yellow

Photo: Peter Hislop

MEMBERS OFFER

$72.99ea.

SAVE UP TO $23

NV 750ml & Range

MEMBERS OFFER

$48.99ctn.

SAVE UP TO $7

MEMBERS OFFER

3 for $20

Chivas Regal Scotch 12Yo 700ml

Prohibition Kingston 39 Eastlake Parade Kingston ACT 2604 Ph: 6295 0864 20 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

SAVE UP TO $11

Carlton Dry Bottles 24x330ml

Become a Rewards Member for even more savings! Sign up instantly in store. * Specials available until 11 Jan 2022 while stocks last. T&C’s apply. See in-store for details.

Taittinger Brut Reserve 750ml

Prohibition Curtin 44 Curtin Place Curtin ACT 2605

advertising feature

Margaret Hadfield of The Artists Shed.

Colourful and creative Christmas gifts THE Artists Shed has a great selection of gifts for those looking to get in touch with their creative side this Christmas, says owner Margaret Hadfield.

An award-winning artist herself with decades of experience, Margaret says she hand picks quality products to compile “Art Packs” which are perfect for people getting started in a range of techniques like drawing, painting, watercolours, acrylics and more.

“If you use poor equipment your work won’t come out as well,” says Margaret.

“As a professional artist I pick products that I know are only good quality and which can help beginners achieve the vibrancy they’re looking for.”

For those looking to take their artistic skills to the next level, Margaret says the Artists Shed is also selling

gift certificates for art lessons.

The lessons range from those who are absolute beginners, through to experienced artists looking to sharpen their skills.

And of course, Margaret says there’s also a range of art works by herself and a selection of Canberra creatives to purchase.

“We have a huge variety of beautiful pieces that are not necessarily expensive either,” she says.

“This includes hand crafted glass bead jewellery from another of our talented local artists Carole Griffiths.”

The Artists Shed, unit 1-3, 88 Wollongong Street. Call 0418 237766, email hadfieldgallery@gmail.com or visit artistsshed.com.au

Buy tickets to National Opera's exciting 2022 Season - La Rondine | Cosi Fan Tutte | Opera Gala | Alcina W W W . N A T I O N A L O P E R A . O R G . A U

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 21

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

ROLL THROUGH YOUR

CHRISTMAS LIST EXTENDED TRADING Mon to Sun from 8th Dec til 2pm Christmas Eve

Shop in-store!

11 Wentworth Ave Kingston ACT 2604

T 02 6260 7005 E contactus@canberraglassworks.com W canberraglassworks.com

Canberra Glassworks hand blown glass marbles. Available instore. Photo by Brenton McGeachie IF things look a little different at citynews.com.au, they are We have rebuilt the popular website from the ground up to give us a (very) modern digital hub designed to meet the fastnews needs of readers in Canberra and Queanbeyan.

It’s getting rave reviews from our thousands of readers who are driving record daily audience numbers, which is pretty cool.

Advertisers are responding positively to the flexibility and costefficiency of being seen by so many people digitally every single day. And that’s pretty cool, too.

Ian Meikle, editor

A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF LOCAL NEWS...

Peer through the looking-glass for Christmas gifts FROM handmade marbles to cast-glass wombats, Canberra Glassworks has gifts available in its shop that’s open through to Christmas Eve. Open every day, 10am to 4pm and until 2pm on December 24, creative director Aimee Frodsham says visitors can find a range of gorgeous handmade glass pieces.

“There’s a lot of beautiful things from jewellery to tableware, sculptures to Christmas keepsakes,” says Aimee.

“Find one-of-a-kind handcrafted glass objects by amazing Australian artists and designers including Kirstie Rea, Ruth Allen, Rob Schwartz, Harriet Schwarzrock and Tom Fereday.

“The extensive range of skilled work includes Luna Ryan’s cast-glass wombats, Glassworks-blown Continuum platters and engraved glass ornaments by Rose-Mary Faulkner.”

Aimee says the hand skills used at the Glassworks are passed down from maker-to-maker working in the most collaborative ways.

“Visitors can go deeper into the heritage building

and explore the facilities and see the artists themselves at work,” she says.

“You can take a walk around the viewing platform and see the hot shop in action with glass blowers, then walk into the vast engine room and see the 100-yearold plus gantry, which is still in action.”

Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston.

Call 6260 7005 or visit canberraglassworks.com

Motorcycle champion store in Mitchell HAVING represented Australia in several motorbiking world championships, owner of Moto Central Don Murray enjoys sharing his knowledge with new and experienced riders.

His store sells a range of road bikes, off-road bikes and scooters with brands such as CFMoto, Benelli, Crossfire, Sherco and Beta, as well as Kymco and Lambretta scooters.

“Currently, our most popular adult bike is the CFMoto 150 NK, which is proving to be a big hit with the commuter and delivery crowd,” says Don. “For the kids, you can’t go past the Sherco Electric kids’ balance bikes in two popular sizes: EB12 and EB16.”

Don says the store also has a fully equipped service centre with the latest, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that can service most makes and models of motorcycles and scooters.

“Log-book servicing, tyres and brakes are our specialty,” he says.

Don has been riding motorcycles since he was a kid, and says it was a dream to be able to represent Australia as both a rider and a team manager at multiple Australian championships.

“I love the freedom of being out in the elements,

From $3,490 Ride away

meeting interesting people and exploring new places always seems better on a bike,” he says.

“We are more than happy to get people started on their first bike as well as help them with where to get their licence and help with all the right gear like helmets, jackets, gloves and more.”

Moto Central, 12 Sandford Street, Mitchell.

Call 6248 0229, email sales@motocentral.com.au or visit motocentral.com.au

From $3,490 Ride away

For all your motor cycles, parts & accessories needs in Canberra • All motorbike & scooter sales & servicing • Helmets, jackets, gloves & accessories • Great range of oils, batteries & tyres

12 Sandford St, Mitchell | 02 6248 0229 | www.motocentral.com.au | sales@motocentral.com.au 22 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

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SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.COEGASUNWEAR.COM.AU WORLD RENOWN SWIMWEAR PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

Santa and Sesame Street in Canberra for Christmas SANTA will welcome you to the “Sesame Street Circus Spectacular – Christmas Edition”, says managing director of Showtime Attractions Keith Brown.

It’s a special event created in conjunction with Sesame Street NYC happening now until December 23.

In addition to the “spectacular circus” and “Sesame Street” characters, get into the festive season with dozens of decorated trees including “a massive sixmetre stunner” with thousands of lights and “Sesame Street” decorations, Christmas-themed games, a “Sesame Street” jumping castle and opportunities to meet Santa.

Keith says it’s an event for anyone who loves the

circus, the festive season or fantastic family outings.

The show runs for 90 minutes and has “exciting and jaw-dropping” circus acts alongside “Sesame Street” favourites including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and Super Grover.

A special offer, saving more than 50 per cent on silver tickets, is open now at Ticketmaster for all 6.30pm sessions. Just add the special offer keyword “sesame” on the booking page and your discount will be added.

HAVE YOU TRIED POOL/BEACH SHOES?

Protect your feet with our Pool/Beach shoes.

The durable but light weight anti-slip Toughtek soles provide superior protection from hot sand/concrete, rough surfaces, bindiis, rocks, shells and blue bottles.

“Sesame Street Circus Spectacular – Christmas Edition”, 18 Spitfire Avenue, Majura Park, until December 23. Tickets at sesamestreetcircus.com.au

Protective shoes and patterned swimwear for Christmas ROBYN Ebsworth, sales manager of COEGA Sunwear, says it’s a highquality product that has not previously been available in Australia.

“Our swimwear is made of Carvico fabric from Europe and certified UV 50+ by the Australian government, it is long lasting, light weight, quick drying and chlorine and salt water resistant,” she says.

The ranges include babies, children, teenagers, women and men, “while also serving a fast-growing fashion niche offering greater coverage for those customers who prefer a more modest form of swimwear.”

Robyn says the beach/pool shoes are excellent for protecting your feet

from the sand or concrete.

“We don’t ordinarily think about wearing shoes for swimming but these light weight shoes with the toughtek anti-slip soles give a barefoot feel while protecting your feet from hot sand, concrete, sharp rocks or shells.”

“Forget having to carry the kids across the hot sand while juggling all the towels, boogie boards and picnic stuff, just pop the beach shoes on and they can walk across the hot sand in complete comfort.”

Jet Flight Simulator Canberra Two ways to fly at Canberra’s only flight education and entertainment centre

B737 Jet Simulator

COEGA Sunwear. Visit coegasunwear. com.au or email sales@getsplashing. com.au

You be the pilot.

You fly the plane.

High Flying Fun for Everyone

The Boeing 737 experience, left, and ICAROS virtual-reality experience.

Fly all over the world without leaving Canberra JET Flight Simulator Canberra has the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who’s ever wanted to fly, says owner Trevor Vickers.

“Visitors get to operate a full-size replica of a Boeing 737-800 cockpit and can choose from 24,000 airports around the world to fly in or out of,” he says.

“There’ll be an instructor who’s there to point out what all the buttons and levers do and when to use them, but it’ll be you that’s doing the flying.

“Sometimes people want to fly over where they’ve been on holiday, others want to do things like fly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge – it’s all possible.”

But that’s not the only experience they’re offering, says Trevor.

Visitors also have the opportunity for a more fastpaced, virtual reality experience called “ICAROS” which he describes as a “completely different way to fly”.

“The way it works is that you lie on a frame and just by shifting your body weight it steers you in the virtual world,” says Trevor.

“The sensation is more like flying with a wingsuit or like you’re Superman.”

Whether it’s flying a 737, soaring through a virtual world, or both, Trevor says there’s multiple booking options on their website including gift certificates.

Jet Flight Simulator Canberra, 4 Montford Crescent, Lyneham.

Visit jetflightsimulatorcanberra.com.au or call 0438 834026.

• Qualified instructor assists your flight • Range of durations and packages • No experience needed

• Ideal for groups and parties • Buy now, book later • Personalised gift certificates

ICAROS Active Virtual Reality t Grea t f i G Idea

Shift your body to guide your craft

jetflightsimulatorcanberra.com.au 0438 834 026 CityNews December 16-22, 2021 23

CHRISTMAS GIFTS New Book For Christmas A photographic field guide to the birds of Canberra and the High Country.

Available at Dymocks, Bookcow or online.

Great gift idea

$49.99

Neil Hermes Canberra based ornithologist, columnist, expedition leader, science communicator, political advisor and author who has written about 20 books.

neilhermes.com.au

Walking tour shows the highlights of Canberra FOR those wanting to see the best of what the capital has to offer in a day, Neil Hermes says his “Highlights of Canberra” tour hits all of the ACT’s premier destinations.

“Say you had one day to explore Canberra and no more time, what would you see? In this tour we answer that,” says Neil.

“There’s visits to new and old Parliament House, the War Memorial, the Royal Military College and plenty of other iconic locations.”

“It’s a great opportunity for people with friends or family visiting Canberra who want to see the best of the city.”

He also says the tour is a great way for visitors to learn from some local experts what destinations to see in the capital on other days of their visit.

Neil, an expert local ornithologist, has also recently published a book Neil Hermes. on the bird life of Canberra, a place he describes as a “city of birds”. “‘A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of Canberra and the High Country’ has more than 300 illustrated species of local birds and is your guide to any bird that you’re likely to see in your garden around Canberra,” he says.

Visit canberraguidedtours.com.au or neilhermes.com.au

GOLD

“Sunshine Super Girl”.

Photo: Brett Boardman

Christmas sales at the Q The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The Q) is offering memberships, three subscription packages and sales on every show.

Artistic director and programming manager Jordan Best says packages are Gold, Silver, and 30 and under.

“Gold will save you 25 per cent, Silver 20 per cent and only pay $30 a ticket for our 30 and under subscription.

Or become a Q Member for 2022 for only $50, with heaps of benefits, including 10 per cent off at our bars and a cute Q keyring.”

“Ask yourself, how far would you go to get what you want?” (“Ruthless”, February 24-March 12).

“What would the world look like if everyone was equal?” (“This Changes Everything”, July 22-30).

“How does a young girl from the bush become the number one tennis player in the world?” (“Sunshine Super Girl”, November 2-5).

“What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with an incident between their children?” (“God of Carnage”, November 23-December 3).

“The Q has the answers, in 2022.”

The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6285 6290, search The Q on Facebook or visit theq.net.au

ADVENT

CALENDAR

SUBSCRIPTION

UNDER 30

SILVER theq.net.au

26 J A N

24 F E B

24 M A R

M A R

M A Y

Smokescreen

Ruthless!

King of Pigs

Mother & Son

21 Forster St

7

22

11

2

JUL

The Year of Magical Thinking 24 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

J U L

This Changes Everything

AUG

Demented

29

EDITION

NOV Sunshine Super Girl

26

23

NOV

God of Carnage

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Chalie & Chums owner Sandy Borgo.

Christmas stock and big sales at pet gift store SANDY Borgo, owner of Charlie and Chums says she has all the essentials for Christmas.

“We’ve got some beautiful patterned baubles, glass baubles, dog mugs, mug sets and coasters, we’ve got socks in store with animal prints on them for Christmas.”

She also says she has some more novelty items that are practical and fabulous.

“We’ve got lush dog hammocks for the back of the car, it’s very nice. I’ve had mine for nearly five years now and the cheap ones only lasted three months. It has helped some dogs with car sickness to travel without

being sick,” says Sandy.

Sandy says the hammocks are cheaper than if you were to buy them online, and she’s got 25 per cent off some of the other stock in store.

“We’ve also got a couple of handbags, luggage, wallets and a phone purse with pictures of dogs and cats.”

Since the lockdown ended, Sandy says she made sure she’s ready for customers and for Christmas.

Charlie & Chums, Shop 1, 103 South Point Tuggeranong.

Call 0402 097580, email charlieandchums@bigpond.com or visit charlieandchums.com.au

Great CHRISTMAS gifts for all the family

DIRTY DOG DOOR MATS NATIVE BIRD COASTERS, CHEESE PLATTERS & BREAD BOARDS

COIN PURSES VARIOUS

SLING GUARD CAR SEAT COVERS

OUTWARD HOUND R FUN FEEDER SLO BOWLS- SMALL & LARGE

GARDEN WALL ART- VARIOUS

GLOWING GLASS LAMPS ASSORTED DESIGNS

GARDEN WALL ARTSINGLE ANIMALS VARIOUS

SATCHELS -VARIOUS ANIMALS

CHRISTMAS IS COMING SOON- HURRY IN WHILE STOCKS LAST

www.charlieandchums.com.au

HURRY IN WHILE STOCKS LAST

Find us at South Point, near Big W Phone Sandy on 0402 097 580 CityNews December 16-22, 2021 25

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

advertising feature

Take the stress out of moving this Christmas HOUSE to Home co-owner Renee LeGrande says their team of experienced packers have been saving Canberrans hours of time and stress by helping get their property ready for sale, renovations, insurance work, downsizing or relocating.

“We specialise in packing up all your treasured possessions and can sort, pack, style and remove all items whether they are going with you, or to the local charity stores,” says Renee.

“We meticulously pack and label all goods to minimise the impact and disruption of moving home.”

Renee says the team offers a personalised service, where they recognise every client has different needs and expectations.

“Some literally just want the kitchen, bathroom and wardrobes packed, or the fridge and pantry,” she says.

“Others want everything that needs boxing up, so that is everything that is in a cupboard or behind a closed door.”

Renee says they also offer a full “walk-in, walk out” service, where clients can give the team the keys and they’ll completely clear the existing property.

“We remove the furniture, take the gifted items to the charity store and get the property cleaned, we can even pop the garbage bins out that final time,” she says.

“Then, at the new home, we can set everything up, pop the clothes in the wardrobe, make up the beds and ensure the milk is in the fridge!”

House to Home. Call 0457 456767, email info@house-tohome.com.au or visit house-to-home.com.au

Pamper the ones you love this Christmas QUINTESSENCE nail and beauty in Belconnen is offering gift vouchers, skin care kits, gift sets, makeup sets, handmade earrings and flower arrangements, candles, diffusers and a range of other stocking fillers for the Christmas and holiday season, says owner Alicia Fragopoulos.

“We are a one stop beauty shop for all beauty needs.”

They provide waxing and tinting services, manicures and pedicures, massages, facials, tanning, laser hair removal, lash extensions, lash lifts, henna brows, brow lamination, teeth whitening and spa packages.

DOWNSIZING

AND DECLUTTERING

Whether you are preparing for sale, renovations, or making your home safe our expert packing specialists can pack and clear rooms or whole houses quickly and efficiently.

We can organise and provide all packing materials to complete these clearing tasks for those who are busy and unable to complete these tasks in a short time frame.

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26 CityNews December 16-22, 2021

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Tis the season to be streaming

ED IS N

NICK OVERALL

If you’re travellin’ in the north country...

By Helen

MUSA

ARTS IN THE CITY

By Helen Musa

VETERAN actor Greg Stone is a man who grew up on the songs of Bob Dylan.

I catch up with him at the end of the first week of rehearsals for “Girl From the North Country” in which he plays Mr Burke, one of the stars, along with Lisa McCune, Zahra Newman, Helen Dallimore, Peter Carroll and Terence Crawford, who act in the Bob Dylan play coming soon to the Theatre Royal, Sydney.

“It’s like an Irish play with American songs,” he says of the text by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson who, after being approached by Bob Dylan’s record company, reimagined the songs of Dylan and created a play set in 1930s Depression-era Minnesota, specifically Duluth, the city of Dylan’s birth.

The story is set in a boarding house and the songs reveal the characters’ inner life without having much to do with the action, and that had the Broadway critics grumbling at the lack of direct connection between song and character.

That doesn’t worry Stone, who says it’s not like a conventional musical at all.

“I’d call it a play with music,” he says, “and the arrangements of Dylan‘s musical pieces are not always what you’d expect… It’s quite an emotional experience, a bit like the musical ‘Come from Away’ in the way it works on you.”

Bearing in mind Dylan’s folk origins as well as the play’s setting in 1930s Minnesota, the small, live band featuring Mark Harris, Tracey Lynch and Cameron Henderson, performing under Andrew Ross, will use simple acoustic instruments of the era, an ancient drum kit, a bit of piano, a violin and a double bass.

“I like that, it’s kind of raw,” Stone says, praising the tight harmonies.

On Stone’s advice, I head for YouTube to listen to a dozen of the numbers and, tight harmony or not, find that Dylan’s distinctive voice shines through loud and clear. This will be one for the fans.

So, what does Bob Dylan think about it?

Well for one thing, Stone points out it was his idea. He’d been very keen about Conor McPherson’s writing and initiated a conversation about writing a play around his songs.

“It’s a play for now, for coming out of

Kate takes a ‘Dive’ into streaming FORMER Canberra entertainer and co-founder of the CAT Awards, Kate Peters, has been seen on Netflix in the mystery drama “Dive Club”, which was shot in far-north Queensland. Peters left the ACT years ago for the Gold Coast, where she has become as much of an institution as she was here, and one of our reviewers wonders if she’ll become the next Jacki Weaver.

MURRUMBATEMAN artist Stephen Harrison has long been fascinated by lighthouses and has turned his attention to them in recent years in sculpture and painting. His new exhibition, “Pharus”, a nod to the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, will be at Kyeema Gallery at Capital Wines, Gladstone Street, Hall, opening at 5.30pm on December 23 (book at capitalwines. com.au) and running to January 24.

“Girl From the North Country”... “I’d call it a play with music and the arrangements of Dylan’s musical pieces are not always what you’d expect,” says Greg Stone.

Photo: Manuel Harlan lockdown,” Stone says. “It warms your heart and affects you in a deep way… but I don’t know how or why, because the songs don’t drive the plot along.”

The focus in the story is on the boarding house individuals but, as with the famous Dylan number “Hurricane” (which details the wrongful conviction of former middleweight boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter), the performance reflects the characters.

Stone has been in the business for a long time. His mum and dad were Dylan acolytes and Stone saw Dylan perform in Perth in 1978 during his reggae period.

“That had a great effect on me,” he says.

The plays features very famous songs, such as the aforementioned “Hurricane”, “Like a Rolling Stone” and “All Along The Watchtower”, but as well there’s the haunting “Duquesne Whistle”, the newest Dylan song in the show, dating from 2012, and a host of others, such as “Sign on the Window”,

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“Forever Young” and Stone’s personal favourite, “Every Grain of Sand”, the lyrics of which prove how misguided those snooty intellectuals were who complained that Dylan wasn’t a real poet.

Stone thinks Dylan may have written 1000 songs but he can’t prove it. Like me, he loves the angry songs, such as “Masters of War” and “Maggie’s Farm”, but believes they don’t belong in this gentle narrative. Mind you, the lyrics “Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth/ You’re an idiot, babe” do crop up.

Ensemble member Chemon Theys is not quite so reverential as Stone. She comes from a completely different generation, so that before she was cast in “Girl From the North Country,” her idea of the ‘60s consisted of The Temptations, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.

Then she realised that Dylan came from the same area and says: “I guess the show brought out my appreciation”.

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Equally at home in musical and straight theatre, the NIDA-trained Theys is a fine singer who performs a lot of the tight harmonies and says: “I love the fact that this is a play with music, you don’t need all the glitz… it’s like a straight play, it’s so beautiful”.

Theys admits to enjoying a bit of folk music, which made it easier to come around to Dylan. She’s been researching his discography and discovered, to her amazement, that Adele had done a cover of Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love”, which is in the show.

Her favourites? “There’s A Slow Train Coming” – “a very powerful piece” – “Like a Rolling Stone” at the end of act one and a magnificent final “piece de resistance” that she will not name – “people will just have to wait and see”.

“Girl From the North Country”, Theatre Royal, part of 2022 Sydney Festival, from January 5, book at theatreroyalsydney.com

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GEORGE Huitker and his band Junk Sculpture rocked into the New Year for years at Teatro Vivaldi’s. This year they’re playing at a dinner and show at Gold Creek Station. “Junk Sculpture are known to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into these New Year’s Eve gigs,” George reminds us. Book at goldcreekstation.com.au FURTHER to our recent story about Daramalan Theatre Company’s new film, “Under the Light”, teacher and drama critic Joe Woodward says the work is now public and the movie, described as “a work of theatre cinema which draws on the minds and emotions of its characters”, can be accessed free for a very short time before costs start to apply at vimeo.com/653284952 THE Nancy Sever Gallery has two exhibitions that focus on printmaking: “An Australian Alphabet”, an exhibition by the Southern Highlands Printmakers curated by Basil Hall; and “Rare Collectible Prints”, from the collections of Basil Hall, Monique Auricchio and Jo Diggens.

Both at the gallery, Level 1, 131 City Walk, Civic, December 12 to January 23.

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CityNews December 16-22, 2021 27

EXHIBITION

Museum takes a virtual look at the Venice Biennale

By Helen Musa

IN a sure sign that exhibitions of the future will sit somewhere between live and virtual, the National Museum of Australia is screening a digital reimagining of Australia’s pavilion exhibition for the 17th Venice Biennale of Architecture, which ran from May to November.

Travel restrictions prevented curators Jefa

Greenaway and Tristan Wong from doing the installation in Venice, so instead they resorted to a virtual format that turned out to have one big advantage – it will still be up and accessible long after the biennale has closed.

The overarching theme for the 2021 biennale, devised by curator Hashim Sarkis in the context of widening political divides and growing economic inequalities, was “How will we live together?”

In response, Greenaway and Wong developed a series of projects and processes that they selected for their representations

of indigenous peoples and cultures.

The International Exhibition had 112 participants from 46 countries, and included a sub-theme, “How will we play together?” in which five international participating architects designed a project dedicated to children’s play.

According to Sarkis, the global pandemic made the question that this Biennale Architettura is asking all the more relevant and timely, in light of the intensifying climate crisis, massive population displacements, political instabilities around the world, and growing racial, social, and

economic inequalities.

The Australian contribution, prominent because alphabetically we were the first country in the catalogue, took a close-up look at architecture and architectural practices and projects in remote, regional and metropolitan locations across all our states and territories as well as in NZ, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu, fits the theme perfectly, and contains a message for the future.

Co-curator Wong believes the practices and knowledge that have been around for more than 60,000 years can be embedded

into the way we design buildings, creating opportunities for a new kind of architecture that is “better for people, cities and the environment”.

Wong and Greenaway have enjoyed a rare chance to look at how architects, both non-indigenous and indigenous, are working with First Nations peoples, their traditional owners and their knowledge-keepers and elders, “as a way of embedding cultural authenticity into our built environment.”

“Inbetween,” in the National Museum of Australia’s Focus Gallery until June 12, 2022.

DINING / Lerida Estate pop-up bar, Regatta Point hi-micro

Winery’s pop-up bar by the lake FREE QUOTES

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UNTIL at least early February, Lerida Estate is operating an easy-going, pop-up wine bar at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Regatta Point. It’s covid-safe. It’s alfresco. It’s picturesque.

It’s Lerida by the Lake.

Lerida Estate is one of the region’s most well-known and popular cool-climate wineries, with its 2019 shiraz winning the Best Shiraz and Best Red in show at the 2020 NSW Wine Awards.

For the pop-up, Lerida Estate has set up large wine barrels and seating on the deck overlooking “that fabulous view” directly in front of the Captain Cook Jet (operating hours 11am to 2pm) and presenting a tasting experience of its top wines.

On the food front, Lerida has partnered with The Italian Place, in Braddon, which has curated antipasto boxes with quality meats, cheeses, olives and more.

My favorite meat was the thinly sliced prosciutto. It was melt-inthe-mouth, delicate, slightly sweet, and perfectly salty. A cracking salami puts our tastebuds on high alert. A considered selection of cheeses – some soft and some hard – complemented the wines.

The antipasto box… quality meats, cheeses, olives and more.

Photo: Wendy Johnson The semi-dried olives were punchy and the sundried tomatoes plump and juicy (I’m not a fan of over-dried tomatoes, which are uncomfortably chewy).

With the antipasto we enjoyed a five-wine tasting, starting with a vibrant 2021 riesling, bursting with lemon zest and, although full-flavoured, not overpowering.

We celebrated the 2021 Cullerin Chardonnay, somewhat complex but not overly oaky.

The rose (2021) is a true spring summer drop that was well finished and super easy on the palate (made a note to order a case).

The two reds included the 2021 Cullerin Pinot Noir – ruby red, smooth, and elegant. The tasting

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topped off with the multiple awardwinning 2019 Canberra District Shiraz, which Lerida is particularly proud of.

After the tasting we bought a bottle (or two) and relaxed, enjoying the view and people watching, especially the little ones who love playing on the lawn sloping to the water’s edge).

Lerida Estate provides an option to book a personal, one-hour tasting through Eventbrite (which guarantees a spot), from noon to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and noon to 8pm, Friday to Sunday. It costs $64.39 for two, which includes the five wines and antipasto meats and cheeses.

Another option is to rock up and buy a bottle, a pre-prepared takeaway antipasto box ($30) and a bottle and find a possie on the deck (seats 26) or on the lawns.

Estate wine is $45 by the bottle and Cullerin Wines $60 by the bottle.

Wine by the glass is $14.

If the weather turns, there are places to sit inside, alongside the temporary Lerida Bar.

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CINEMA / reviews

At a specified moment, a comet will collide with earth. What to do?

By Dougal

MACDONALD “Don’t Look Up” (MA) OBSERVANT readers may sometimes wonder why I seldom review science fiction films. I’ve got better things to do.

And frankly, futurist sci-fi movies populated by extra-terrestrial beings looking like a Hollywood designer’s worst nightmares coming to conquer our planet don’t show anything that I haven’t seen or manifest any purpose beyond grasping ticket money, which rather stifles creative merit But then along comes writer/director Adam McKay’s message movie firmly grounded on the present time, populated by people who may be fictional but whose provenance and purposes we recognise in our daily media diet.

“Don’t Look Up” runs for 138 minutes (including a helluva long set of closing credits.

What follows them briefly delivers a useful and credible truth. And that’s what scared me.

PhD candidate Kate (Jennifer Lawrence) researching what goes on out in space

discovers a hitherto undescribed comet.

She works the math.

She tells her supervisor that in six and a half months at a specified moment, it will collide with earth.

Leonardo DiCaprio That’s happened as Dr Mindy in before and we’ve “Don’t Look Up”. survived. But this comet is huge – about nine kilometres huge.

And probably it will wipe out most if not all of earth’s living creatures.

The main body of the film tells how Kate and her supervisor Dr Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) go about preparing for the cataclysm.

The screenplay comes close to credibility all the way to the moment of collision, giving it enough time to explore how we humans might respond to our fate.

Climate change? We won’t be around to see where that takes our planet. Divert the comet off its course? Not on. Spectrometry has determined that it carries squintillions worth in rare earths and whoever gets it first

will be very rich.

The US President can’t see beyond the next election (Meryl Streep handles this role wonderfully well – which is to say, in Trump-like manner).

The film is convincing for most of its length. Where it veers off its main path, it reminds us about its fictional values, giving Cate Blanchett an opportunity to look drop-dead gorgeous as a sexually-voracious TV newscaster who persuades Mindy into her bed despite the loyal wife who has given him a few strapping sons.

“Don’t Look Up” occasionally diverts its course through those moments before the collision without diminishing its underlying power.

DiCaprio’s performance looks Oscar-ish.

And do stay for the very end, which jumps some 22,700+ years when a group of humans who’ve been somewhere else conducive to survival returns to earth. This brief passage is notable for one element that I found unexpected and, in its way, optimistic for its view of future movies. The returning creatures have no shame about their bodies. Not a stitch.

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“The French Dispatch” (M) I CHOSE writer/director Wes Anderson’s film for review expecting only that I would probably find in it something likely to make me at least smile, perhaps even laugh.

A big cast mostly from the top layer of the movie industry delivers a quartet of mini-plots that take themselves not quite seriously enough to generate any audible reaction from the biggest morning-session audience I’d been among since COVID-19 began.

Which is sad, because the film’s stream of humour is clever enough to respect filmgoers’ collective intelligence without belabouring it with a thick layer of slapstick, pratfalls and other mawkish physical devices.

To be sure, it has occasional moments of unavoidable visual humour, but not so often as to be the work’s principal purpose.

The plot line focuses on a French prison, where Moses (Benicio Del Toro) awaits execution. Winsome guard Simone (Lea Seydoux) may fancy him or perhaps not.

Other actors making major contributions

WATCH IT! / streaming and stuff

‘Tis the season to be streaming THE trees are up, the lights are on and Mariah Carey’s royalties are in. It’s Christmas, and that means there’s more stuff to stream than ever.

The holidays mark large numbers of viewers flocking to platforms such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Binge and more for some family flicks, but in the sea of choice, what’s worth the time?

Here’s a few highlights.

Netflix has a unique and underrated animated film called “Klaus” that kids and adults alike can enjoy.

It tells the story of Jesper Johansson, a young boy failing postman school who is sent to a little frozen town in the north where he stumbles across a reclusive toymaker named Klaus. No spoilers on who that might be.

Although it originated in Spain, the film is spoken in English and features a beautiful handdrawn animation style that makes it a visual treat on top of a heart-warming story.

Looking for a festive classic?

Frank Capra’s delicately crafted “It’s a Wonderful Life” is streaming on Stan, a film that turns 75 this year and remains both a tear-jerker and a laugh-inducer.

It’s about a suicidal businessman who is shown by an angel what life would look like if he was never born, which from the outset admittedly sounds quite dour for a Christmas flick – but it’s anything but.

Even those who haven’t seen the film might recognise it through its countless references and love letters in pop culture.

“The Simpsons”, “The Big Bang Theory”, even “The Muppets” have all paid homage to the 1946 film that many believe to be the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

Don’t let the movie’s age discourage a watch; even by today’s standards it’s effortless to get caught up in.

Marvel fans have plenty to be happy about this holiday season.

Disney Plus is streaming “Hawkeye”, another of its television show spin-offs, adding to the exponentially growing “Marvel Cinematic Universe” (MCU).

In “Hawkeye”, crackshot archer Clint Barton

to one or more of the film’s three short stories include Tilda Swinton as a kind of narrator while wearing a flaming red wig and a dental prosthesis.

There is humour sprinkled all over the film. In Ennui-sur-Blasé (actually provincial city Angouleme) Arthur Howitzer Jr (Bill Murray), publisher of a weekly news magazine for half a century, is approaching the end of his life. His will specifies that the paper is to fold when he dies.

A literal translation of the town’s name means “utterly boring”. Some of the characters have names of notable film industry folk such as Zeffirelli, or parody names such as Nescoffier or Chou-Fleur.

Readers may justifiably form an opinion that Anderson’s film exhibits structural characteristics similar to what I have written thus far about Arthur’s life’s work. The effect doesn’t reflect the totality of the film’s creative impact. The word best fitting both is eccentric. And what’s wrong with that?

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OPEN 7 DAYS Cooleman Court, Weston Creek | 6293 4677 | songland.com.au Jesper Johansson, the young boy in “Klaus” who failed postman school. and his family are looking for some much needed downtime for Christmas – being snapped out of existence by a megalomaniac for five years would be a bit draining, I suppose.

But when ghosts of his past come back to haunt him, he has to team up with a new companion in order to make it home safely to his family in time for their festive celebrations.

“Hawkeye” is pretty much what to expect from any Marvel instalment these days – it won’t bat an eye from anyone uninterested, but for fans who can’t get enough, it’ll squarely hit the bullseye.

Then there’s Marvel’s first Asian-led film: “Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings”, which is also now streaming on Disney Plus.

While it may follow one of the lesser-known superheroes in the comic canon, it represents one of the more stylistically interesting entries in the MCU and will also tick the boxes of anyone wanting more Marvel.

There’s plenty more holiday classics spread throughout the streaming platforms, though.

Binge, for example, has got the Christmas doofus sub-genre covered with “Mr. Bean” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation” available to watch, while Netflix has classic guilty pleasures

such as “You’ve Got Mail” and ‘’Elf”.

The definitive Christmas movie though?

There’s not many who seem to disagree. It’s gotta be “Love Actually”, which is on Amazon Prime Video, Stan and Binge.

Of course, in this era of remakes and revivals, someone just had to try and ruin at least one Christmas classic this year.

This time “Home Alone” got the treatment, with a new movie called “Home Sweet Home Alone” now streaming on Disney Plus.

It’s a shocker – bizarrely shy of committing to the implausible and hilarious nonsense that made the first one worth the time.

Granted, a kids’ movie in 2021 probably isn’t going to have its hero hurl bricks off a roof like Kevin McCallister did in the originals, but this one plays it so painfully safe that there’s not a shred of fun left to be found.

It’s lucky the original two “Home Alone” movies are available for streaming on the platform, because Disney deserves some coal in their stocking for this new one.

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 29

GARDENING

Hydrangeas need water most

By Jackie

WARBURTON HYDRANGEAS and other large, leafed plants will dry out the quickest in the hot weather. Keep them in the shade for the hottest part of the day.

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The colour of the hydrangea flowers can be changed if you prefer pink or blue, but remember white cannot be changed.

To keep hydrangeas blue, feed them throughout their growing period with aluminium sulphate or iron as a blue tonic from July to October. It can take several years to get them to dark blue.

Make sure the soil is acidic and the pH is below 6.5. If the pH is above 6.57 there will be pink flowers. Adding lime makes the flowers pinker still.

I have cuttings from an old shrub that I divided and placed in steel-wool pads (not stainless steel, as I want them to rust) and buried them in a pot. I’ll be interested to see if the steel wool will add the iron that I need to turn the flowers blue.

The old gardener’s trick is to put a handful of rusty nails (not galvanised) at the bottom of the hole when planting, which could work as well.

Hydrangea colour test… pink or blue?

Plants such as the water irises should be

Photos: Jackie Warburton flowering now.

There are many different types of hydrangeas to choose from. One of my go-to plants in designing a garden is Hydrangea quercifolia. It loves shade and has a lovely contrast with purple foliage and large white/cream flowers. A little unusual is Hydrangea petiolaris, a deciduous climber in Canberra and very easy to prune.

FOR anyone away during the holidays, there are a few things to help get indoor plants through this time.

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FOR outdoor gardens, it depends on the weather.

Irrigation plays a big part in summer and getting this right is the key to a garden looking lush.

There are many choices of different types of irrigation and engaging an irrigation specialist will help with the most water-efficient ways of watering the garden and what system is best.

Choosing drought-tolerant plants is a sure way of keeping a summer garden alive.

THE rain over the last few

months has been great for growing herbs and vegetables. Sow and transplant all that you have.

Some herbs, such as oregano and sage, can be cut back quite hard to make room for smaller plants to grow. Continuously pick off leaves and produce to increase your yield at the same time.

Keep the water up to any shallowrooted herbs to prevent them from drying out. Mulching will help preserve the moisture as well.

GREVILLEA robusta is described as a tree not a shrub as most would think and is the largest species in the Grevillea family.

It is a fast-growing evergreen tree and sheds so much material under its canopy where nothing will grow under them. They are endemic to this area and great for windbreaks on large properties, but not a good choice as a suburban tree.

They have the most amazing large golden/orange flowers and a terrific food source for wildlife such as the honey-eater birds, rainbow lorikeets and bees.

Keep the ponds topped up with water for the birdlife and the bees.

Plants such as the water irises should be flowering now. jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

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• F or peace of mind, make sure plants are in good health before leaving on a holiday.

• P lace all the plants in a cool part of the house where there is no direct sunlight to dry them out (the bath can be a good option with wet towels under the pots).

•G ive your indoor plants a good, deep soaking by submerging them in a bucket of water for 30 seconds and drain.

•D rip trays can be used only as a short-term method as too much water around the roots will cause the plants to rot but see if there is a neighbour or family friend that can come by and check if you are away for longer than a few weeks.

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Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

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General knowledge crossword No. 812

December 20-26, 2021 ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

There could be misunderstandings involving work, colleagues or clients, as Venus reverses through your career zone. Saturn squares Uranus on Friday, which could affect your bank balance or your peer group. Despite the challenges, keep your hopes and dreams alive for 2022. You’ll be in a particularly festive mood on Christmas Day, as you enjoy the Yuletide celebrations. But, if you eat and drink and party too much, then you’ll be a cranky Ram on Boxing Day!

TAX ON SUPER? THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT, GAIL

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Lorna was watching television and was startled by the revelation that people could be taxed on their superannuation when it is left to an estate.

The Sun, Mercury, Pluto and retrograde Venus activate your adventure zone so travel and holidays are highlighted. But you could face covid restrictions that affect where in the world you can actually go. Don’t forget to make a special wish on Christmas Day, that will transport you into exciting new territory in the New Year.

Your festive season motto is from this week’s birthday great, writer Henry Miller: “One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.”

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Saturn squares Uranus (in your self-sabotage zone) so there’s a tendency to be negative and self-critical. Despite the challenges, don’t give up… be adventurous and keep exploring! Your motto for the week is from Gemini actress Nicole Kidman: “Life has got all those twists and turns. You’ve got to hold on tight and off you go.” Gregarious Geminis love to party in style, so you’re in the mood for a fun-filled Yuletide celebration that could end up lasting the whole weekend!

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Sentimental Crabs love the tradition, fantasy and kindness of the festive season, which highlights your Cancerian compassion, creativity and spirituality. Despite current difficulties, make sure you celebrate Christmas in a way that is extra special, magical and meaningful for you and your family. Your motto for the week is from singer-songwriter-activist Annie Lennox (who was born on December 25): “Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world.”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Sociable Lions love to party and celebrate in style. With the Sun, Mars and Jupiter all energising your entertainment zone, you’re keen to have fun with family members and close friends you haven’t seen for a long time (in covid-appropriate ways). Hopefully you’ll pace yourself, so you’re not worn out before Christmas dinner is on the table! Your motto for the festive season is from writer Henry Miller (who was born on Boxing Day): “Do anything but let it produce joy.”

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

The Moon’s in your sign on Christmas Day, so avoid being bossy and demanding as you rush around trying to organise everything and everyone. Try to keep your perfectionist side under control and be smart enough to rise above silly family squabbles! Make it a priority to slow down and enjoy the festive atmosphere of this special week. You’re the sensible soul of the zodiac so it’s up to you to handle Christmas celebrations, chaos and disruptions with Virgo composure and versatility.

Down

3 Who created Felix the Cat, Pat ...? (8) 7 What is a small tool for boring holes? (6) 8 In which parts of ships did they once hang miscreants? (8) 9 What is an alphabetical character? (6) 10 What describes the outer part of something?

(8) 11 Which word indicates a summary of one’s work? (6) 14 Name another term for compositions. (6) 17 What is a partial blackout? (8) 18 Who serves as an agency of divine communication? (6) 19 What is being overtaken by the email, etc? (8) 20 What are standing rules, as of companies or societies? (6) 21 Which soldiers are stationed at a place to keep guard? (8)

1 Name the Dutch National Ballet. (7) 2 What is a tabular surface of high elevation?

(7) 3 Which colourless liquid hydrocarbon is used in making synthetic rubber? (7) 4 What is an alternative term for boarders? (7) 5 What is another name for a porch? (7) 6 When one snuggles or cuddles, what does one do? (7) 11 Name another term for discounts. (7) 12 Which German fruit loaf is traditionally served at Christmas? (7) 13 What do we call one charged with the direction of a business or the like? (7) 14 When one buries someone, what does one do? (7) 15 What are careless types of handwriting? (7) 16 What does something do with age? (7)

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Keep things in perspective this Christmas. Connecting with family members (whether in person or online) is the number-one priority. When it comes to loved ones, expect some dramas as your ruler Venus reverses through your domestic zone. So be extra flexible and diplomatic. Your motto for the week is from writer and raconteur Quentin Crisp, who was born on Christmas Day: “Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities, but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster.”

Solution Page 28

Across

FREE SUDOKU EVERY DAY AT citynews.com.au

Sudoku hard No. 306

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

With Venus reversing through your communication zone, watch what you say.

And is a family matter or a relationship issue weighing you down? Strive to get the balance right between fulfilling your responsibilities to other people and creating change for yourself. Uranus demands that you let go of some old habits, routines and beliefs that are no longer serving you. Then there will be room for wonderful experiences, opportunities and people to come into your world in 2022.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Restless Sagittarius - this week the disruptive Saturn/Uranus square questions the status quo and breaks down rigid patterns of behaviour. Where do you need to make some serious changes in your life? Try to get the balance right between doing things for other people (especially at home and work) and personal freedom. With mighty Mars charging through your sign (until January 24) the more proactive you are the better. But don’t pounce until you have a well-thought-out plan.

If you or your family have any superannuation queries contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Expect some frustrations and delays, as retrograde Venus continues reversing through your sign. Pace yourself. There will always be projects to complete and mountains to climb. But perhaps a close friend or family member needs your attention and affection right here and right now? Saturn (the planet of planning) squares Uranus (the planet of improvisation) on Friday. So do your best to get the ratio right between being a gung-ho Goat and a cautious Capricorn this Christmas.

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)

Prepare for some drama as Saturn, Uranus and retrograde Venus stir up issues with a relative or friend. Use your diplomatic talents to find practical solutions to current problems. The stars encourage ambitious plans and you’re keen to impress others, but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver. The more disorganised you are, the more difficult Christmas will be. Contributing your talent and hard work to a community project will help to balance the karmic ledger.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2021

Solutions – December 9 edition Sudoku medium No. 306

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Solution Page 28

Crossword No. 811

With Venus retrograde (in your self-sabotage zone) and Saturn squaring Uranus (in your family zone) prepare for challenges this Christmas. Making a snap decision seems like a good idea but it could backfire. You also need to slow down and think twice before you blurt out something that you later regret. Be clever and uncharacteristically cautious, as you consider situations carefully before you respond.

You’re hungry for change but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!

"Surely, that can’t be right?” she asked when seeking clarification from me.

I told her I would explain how superannuation works and how this was possible.

"When you are left a bequest from a deceased estate you are correct that no tax is paid," I said.

"However, superannuation proceeds are dealt with under different legislation, so the taxation may be different. If a superannuation death benefit is paid to a dependent as a lump sum, it is not taxed.

"A dependant includes a spouse, a child under 18 or anyone who is a financial dependant of the deceased. The superannuation legislation refers to a child of any age but the tax legislation refines this definition to include children under 18.

"This means that if a superannuation death benefit is paid to an adult child then tax is payable on that payment.”

“To work out the tax rate you need to find the relevant components of the lump sum. The components are known as tax free, taxable taxed and taxable untaxed.

"The tax free component results from non-concessional contributions that have been made to the superannuation fund. The taxable taxed component results from concessional contributions that you or your employer have made and earnings of the fund that have had tax paid on them.

"While taxable untaxed components arise when proceeds are paid from a defined benefit fund, such as CSS, PSS or MSBS or insurance proceeds paid on death to the superannuation fund and then to the beneficiary. The tax rate on taxable taxed components is 15 per cent plus 2 per cent Medicare levy, if applicable. The rate payable on taxable untaxed components is generally 30 per cent plus 2 per cent Medicare levy if applicable. Concessional contributions are those that have had 15 per cent tax paid on them while in the fund and non-concessional contributions have had no tax paid on them when the contributions are made to the fund.”

Lorna then asked how she could tell the components of the lump sum.

“Usually these are advised on retirement," I said.

"If you are aged under 67, it may be possible to change the components using what is known as a re-contribution strategy. That is you can withdraw a mixture of taxed and untaxed contributions and then recontribute a maximum of $330,000 as a tax-free contribution.

"If you are aged between 67 and 74 then you could use the same strategy provided you pass the work test, but the maximum amount you can withdraw is currently $110,000.

"In the last Budget the government announced the removal of the work test if you are aged between 67 and 74. When this legislation is passed you should be able to do a re-contribution strategy over a number of years.

"However, that legislation has not yet been passed. When it is that could be a good strategy for you to employ as part of your estate plan. However, once you are over 75 this is not an option.”

Lorna said: “Thanks, Gail, that clarifies the position. Let's hope the legislation is passed soon.”

"Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

May 2022 be all you're wishing for!"

02 6295 2844 Unit 9, 71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston

(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

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ABN 57 008 653 683

CityNews December 16-22, 2021 31

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