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Sciatica is caused by nerve pain that originates from the lower back and can cause pain from the point, right down through your bottom and down one leg to your calf.

Not the entire area may be causing you pain at any one time, but what the pain will certainly do is cause you frequent extreme discomfort that is often not relieved by pain medication.

Exercise is a key to dealing with sciatica. People who have lived with sciatica for some time will generally have some weakness of the

muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the joints and bones that support the sciatic nerve.

This is largely due to not having used their body to the fullest extent due to the sciatic pain.

Sciatic pain will generally respond well to rebuilding the support structures surrounding the sciatic nerve. For some people surgery may be the only solution, but in most cases, even if surgery is required, building up the support structures either prior to or following surgery will still be necessary.

Arthritis ACT has a team of exercise physiologists that can improve your quality of life in relation to your sciatica. Both hydrotherapy and land based exercise techniques are useful, and for those who do not like water exercise, land based exercise is just as effective.

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Christine shares the personal life of famous Bryce

and I found a box of letters.

“I began to read them and I burst into tears. They were let ters written by Bryce, I think

IT’S estimated that one in every three Australian homes has a Bryce Courtenay novel on the bookshelf.

The South African-born author who would one day make Canberra his home is celebrated for 21 books that have in spired audiences across the world.

“The Power of One”, Courtenay’s epic debut novel about a young boy raised under apartheid, has sold more than eight million copies, been translated into 18 languages and turned into a major film starring Morgan Freeman.

Now, for the first time, the remark able and little-known personal life of the author that inspired his beloved stories has been told in a memoir written by his wife, Christine – a book which also com memorates a decade since his passing.

“I think he knew one day a biogra phy would be written about his life, but he never wanted to write one him self,” says Christine.

“He was warm, funny, generous and he had an insatiable appetite for learn ing about things.”

Christine still remembers the mo ment she met the man who would later become her husband.

“I had a marketing company and

hopper on steroids and I thought: ‘I bet that’s Bryce’.

“He came over and said: ‘Oh, you must be Christine’ and I said: ‘Yes, Mr Cour tenay, it’s a great honour to meet you,’ and he said: ‘Oh, just call me Bryce, just think of me as someone who sits down every year and writes a book’.”

That same memory would inspire

about how Bryce and I first met. I sent it to a girlfriend and she said: ‘This is really good, why don’t you keep go ing?’,” says Christine.

“And I said: ‘Well, keep going with what?’ and it was one of those strange things. I don’t know if you’d call it serendipity, but in June 2020 I was clearing out some stuff in my garage

“They were mostly to and from his mother and family and some of them were written when he was a very small child, grow ing up in and out of institutions

Through Bryce’s own voice found in his letters, Christine discovered stories that read remark ably like one of his epic novels: a tough childhood, risking his life down the mines before heading to London to study journalism, finding love and docking in Australia with only a suit case, all while holding on to the dream

“If anyone was going to write a memoir of Bryce’s life, after that there was something telling me I should

“I remember deciding this was go ing to be the heart of the book.”

Christine would go on to study dozens of interviews, pull records from overseas and track down family members and friends from whom she heard “many wonderful stories”.

“Bryce started to tell me a lot about his early life, can you believe it, in the very last days of his life. He seemed to have this desire to talk about it and I had a book and wrote it all down,”

says Christine.

“With all of that I had almost too much material. It was like a race to get it all done. I fell across the finish line on my stomach to get it done in time for Christmas.

“Bryce used to say his books belong with the socks and chocolate under the Christmas tree. He was always very proud of them being seen that way.”

While Christine says writing about Bryce’s early years was no easy feat, telling the story of their time together at their home in Reid was one she found much more trouble-free.

“Bryce loved Canberra for its natu ral beauty. He was always walking up Mount Ainslie with the dog,” she says.

“He loved Canberra’s intellectual life, cultural life, the fresh air and he loved his rugby and the Brumbies embraced him. Canberra was so welcoming.”

While Christine believes more biographies will be written about her husband, she says for now, this is one that Bryce would have loved.

“I think he would have thought it was gracious and dignified, but I also think he would have liked that it isn’t sugar coated,” she says.

“Perhaps a more academic work will come along one day, but this one is a love story, one written to honour Bryce.”

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By Nick OVERALL

A new bridge for the tram over troubled water

THE tram will roll across Lake Burley Griffin on its own new bridge, wedged in the vacant space between the twin spans of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.

It’s all done and it’s all dusted. Nothing’s approved by the way, but everything, it seems, is agreed.

How do I know? Certainly, not because anyone in the smug ACT government, holed up in Tramalot Castle on London Circuit, will tell you. It’s because the National Capital Authority says so.

Over recent days the NCA has told us more than the secretive government spinners have. To repeat, there is no formal approval to drag the 2b section of light rail over the lake on its slow, 19th century-inspired wander to Woden.

In announcing a handsome $137 million refurb of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, NCA chief Sally Barnes gave us the usual blah-blah.. “working collaboratively”... “major projects along Commonwealth Avenue”... “future light rail works”...

Whoa, what’s that, Sal: “Future light rail works”?

Well, yes, absolutely. Her bridge renewal project director Greg Tallentire came on to 2CC’s “CityNews Sunday Roast” program to share details of the bridge renewal. A job, he said, that won’t see a ribbon cut this side of mid-2025.

“It’s a significant bridge,” said Greg. “The

bridge itself is not heritage listed but it sits within the lake heritage and adjacent lands.”

So you can’t mess with it, I asked him.

“We’re looking to maintain what’s described as a slimline bridge. It’s one of the most elegant bridges… in Australia and so we’re making sure that we can maintain that feel and look while still maintaining an update to the bridge.”

But what about the ACT government’s work pumping up London Circuit?

“We’re quite aware of those projects and we’re maintaining constant contact with those projects to make sure that what we’re doing is not going against their project… When they’ve got closure of the bridge, we’ll make sure that we’re co-ordinating with them if we need to.”

So, they’re coming over the bridge? Are you strengthening the bridge to take the tram?

“The strengthening for this project is completely separate. When we looked at this project even bringing the strength up to where we needed to be wouldn’t still be enough to carry the light rail. So they’ll have their own separate bridge [and there it is]

“And we’re space-saving the centre sections of the bridge for that project [and that’s where it will be].”

There’s a decision on that, asked my co-host Rod Henshaw

“No decision has been made.” Then a quick seque to London Circuit. “You were talking in terms of disruption, when we look at London Circuit, that’s kicking off in earnest later this year. We’re expecting that as that project, as

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we know it, starts to wrap up, we’ll be getting into our works on the bridges.”

So how long are you going to be?

“Construction at the moment is marked, for what we know, from late 2023 for 12 to 18 months. So, somewhere around mid 2025.”

Right, let’s start counting on our fingers: London Circuit is being mangled from now until late 2023. Traffic misery coming into Civic from the south. The NCA starts strengthening the 60-year-old bridge (cars are heavier than they used to be and the shared paths need to be widened) until mid-2025. The bridge will stay open but, at times, down to a lane or two in either direction. More misery. Then, presumably, mid-2025, the new bridge construction will start on Commonwealth Avenue until when and how much? Hello?

Anybody? Paging Tramalot Castle.

Will the bridge look the same? Then-PM Bob Menzies in 1963 described it as “the finest building in the national capital”. So, no pressure, Greg: “Pretty much. When you have a ‘60s house and you do a renovation, you know you’re never going to find that brick and the exact colours… but it’s a heritage item in terms of where it sits in the lake so we’re quite confident that we’re making sure it pays respect to its area and history.”

MY Campbell snout reports that a few weeks ago, an Icon Water team was working

bour – who had parked on the footpath –outside his home, was the unlucky recipient of such a fine.”

She wonders why isn’t Icon fined (Access Canberra, see photo)? And, surely, the company realises what happens when you park a bulldozer on a footpath – it blocks the path and damages the surface. Not very Iconic.

Ian Meikle is the editor of “CityNews” and can be heard with Rod Henshaw on the “CityNews Sunday Roast” news and interview program, 2CC, 9am-noon. There are more of his columns on citynews.com.au

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Bridge, but no hint of what’s to come down the middle of it.

2010

High hopes as Queanbeyan show bounces back

By Belinda STRAHORN

THE Queanbeyan show returns in November after a pandemicenforced break, with organisers hoping for record crowd numbers and competition entries.

Cancelled for two consecutive years due to COVID-19, Queanbeyan Show Society treasurer Bill Lilley said people were “excited” to welcome the historic show back after a 1096-day absence.

“It’s going to be a bumper show,” said Lilley, 75.

“People have had enough of being locked up and staying away from things.

“By the time November rolls around and the weather is nice again we ex pect people will be itching to get out and have a great time.”

The 2019 Queanbeyan show was a huge success with record gate takings and 1500 pavilion entries.

Organisers are hoping the same amount of energy and enthusiasm will greet the 2022 running of the show despite a two-year hiatus.

“Last year we had a false start be cause we were going to have the show and then, because of the lockdown, it all went pear shaped and it didn’t hap pen,” said Lilley.

a really good turnout.”

No-one is more pleased to see the show return than show stalwart Jan ice Moore, 68, who hasn’t missed a Queanbeyan show in 67 years.

Moore said she’s proud of her fam ily’s involvement in the show that spans five generations.

“Dad was president, my great uncle was president, and my great great

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“Mum was a steward for 75 years from the day she met my dad until she was in her 90s, when she decided to give it up.”

Her mother’s commitment to the show was beyond question, attending while heavily pregnant and delivering her daughter the same night.

“I was born on the day of the Quean beyan show in 1954,” said Moore.

“Mum came to the show that day then left to give birth to me I was born about 9pm that night.

“The show is something we have always been involved in as a family.”

The chief pavilion steward for the past 26 years, Moore has noticed a change in the level of interest in pavil ion exhibits from year to year.

“Some years the pavilion is so full we don’t know where to put things, other years it slacks off a bit, but then it bounces back again,” she said.

Inside the pavilion showgoers will find displays of cookery, art, flowers, produce, jams, preserves, wool, and needlework with most entries open to exhibitors until November 7.

By far the most popular exhibits year in and year out are the photogra phy and fleece sections.

“The photography section is enor mous and we have had to limit entries to three per person, because it’s such a popular section,” Moore said.

“The fleece section is very popular a lot of people like coming to look at that and we get a lot of people from Yass, Adaminaby and Canberra entering things.”

All the usual show favourites are returning this year including the farmyard nursery, woodchopping and sideshow alley.

“We have the poultry, horse and goat sections, too; and a mini goats judging section,” said Moore.

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“There will be free entertainment for the kids. The big concert on Sat urday night is the Choir Boys, and there’ll be fireworks.”

There’s only been a handful of years in its 125-year history that the Quean beyan show hasn’t been held due to war, drought or, more recently, the global pandemic.

“It’s been running for a long time and it’s changed a lot over the years to be more modern but it still has that traditional feel and country vibe,” said Lilley, a retired car dealership owner who’s been involved with the show society for the past six years.

“When I was a kid we’d come to the show to watch the boxing in the boxing tent.

“And my father was a keen gardener so he’d enter his potatoes and there’d be a good honest rivalry between him and the other fellows because they all wanted to win.”

Like many volunteer organisa tions, the show society is looking for younger volunteers to bolster its age ing membership.

“The show is a big event and there’s lots of work to do so we definitely need some help,” Lilley said.

“Our oldest member is in his 80s so we are all getting a bit old and need some young blood.”

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The 125th Queanbeyan Show, Novem ber 12-13, Queanbeyan Showground.

Damning reports but the government just shrugs

WHEN looking at the use of public money, I want to focus on two ACT Auditor-General reports one year apart.

The first, in September last year, analysed and heavily criticised the economics of the tram stage 2A – the branch line from Civic to the bridge that was supposed to be mutu ally beneficial with the West Basin development. It was damning about the financial basis for the project. The Greenslabor government shrugged its shoulders.

The mainstream media reported the auditor’s report, but has since been largely silent. For the City Renewal Authority (CRA), it was business as usual. The CRA carried on receiving large pay packets for expertise they were employed for. No-one paid any penalty for the dubious financial decisions. The CRA remained blessed by the chief minister as his favoured government developer.

In September this year came an other ACT Auditor-General’s report.

This time about the procurement and contract activities for the West Basin development – renamed Acton Waterfront to deny its heritage. This was a scathing report on the expertise of those responsible – the former Land Development Authority and the

CRA, who work directly to the chief minister.

The mainstream media re ported this major issue, conducted an interview or two and then silence descended.

The CRA acknowledged the report and said any faults would be ad dressed – over time. This well-paid authority is supposed to have a high level of expertise and experience in contracts and procurement. Spending tens of millions of dollars of govern ment money was not supposed to be a learning experience!

The CRA remains a key ACT Greenslabor agency with two major audits critical of how it operates. It remains in favour with the chief minister and by implication with the

cians. No-one in this government forced changes on the CRA. No heads rolled.

The auditor and the people of Canberra should have expected that these agencies were skilled in handling government contracts and procurement – and respected good governance.

We have been systematically let down. When community and cultural groups mess up their grants the ex pectation would be that they suffer consequences for the misuse of or in ability to account for the expenditure of government – our money.

The CRA is also supposed to ensure that new buildings in the precinct from the lake to Dickson are approved

with an eye to good design.

Take a drive along Northbourne Avenue and see how well they’re doing. It is not good. A couple of years ago the CRA undertook urban design projects to enhance places around the Dickson shops and along Dickson’s Woolley Street. With millions spent –there was not much left to brag about. New works on Woolley Street will be revealed soon.

New paths with the wrong gravel in Haig Park are a nightmare for walkers, cyclists, mothers with prams and the disabled. Pop-ups keep appearing in Civic, but so far it remains a patchwork of ideas with little cohesion.

Last month your rates were due to be paid. There have been substantial increases in rates over the last decade. Higher rates are always hard

to swallow but can be justified if people think that the money is being spent well.

With the City Renewal Authority carrying on as it does, residents may need to rethink why they are paying their rates to see tens of millions frittered away.

Add that sour taste to that already being experienced with the huge costs being thrown at ideologically driven decisions to install a tram south when all logic and evidence points to more modern, more efficient and less costly solutions.

Before you take to burning your money instead, read the media releases and if you have time, the reports mentioned: Google ACT Auditor-General reports and down load “2022/5 Acton Waterfront” and “2021/8 Light Rail 2A”. Once read, you may need to go outside and scream. It is really that bad!

Paul Costigan is a commentator on cultural and urban matters. There are more of his columns at citynews.com.au

Scathing criticism of the City Renewal Authority’s procurement and contract activities for the West Basin development.

Photo: Paul Costigan

With the City Renewal Authority carrying on as it does, residents may need to rethink why they are paying their rates to see tens of millions frittered away.

Republican theme to the trio of proper Charlies

British subjects of King Charles III are in for a lively time if the reigns of his first and second namesakes are any guide. There’s even a couple of vague parallels with the current occupant of the throne.

Charles I was a corker. As the Prince of Wales in succession to his Scottish father James I, he had an early romance with an 18-year-old aristocrat, the delicious Spanish infanta Maria Anna. But his heart wasn’t in it, and after eight months they called it quits.

Two years later he married prin cess Henrietta Maria of France. But because of her Catholic background she was denied a coronation and like Camilla became a Queen Consort. However, she produced two bouncing boys who would later succeed to the throne themselves.

Meanwhile, Charles I’s reign, beginning in 1625, went from bad to worse. He truly believed in the divine right of kings and squabbled with Parliament over his tax policies and his refusal to send aid to the Protestants fighting the 30-year-war in Europe.

The quarrel became so intense that by 1642 the Parliamentarians rose against him in a Civil War that

value when

Alas, Dicky Cromwell was not up to the task. A gentle soul, he tried to mediate between the army and the parliamentarians and even allowed many disaffected royalists to take their seats at Westminster.

But when word spread that his people were about to prosecute an army officer for some slight against a royalist, Dicky went to water and

renounced his position after only nine months in the chair.

This was the cue for Charles II’s Scottish supporters under Gen George Monck to storm south and the republican army melted away. In 1660 the line of Stuart royal succes sion was restored. However, Charles II was almost as high-handed as his father and by 1681 he had dissolved Parliament and ruled alone.

He’d married a Portuguese

princess, Catherine of Braganza, but though he had at least 12 illegitimate children from his many mistresses, none would be conceived with Cath erine. So when “the Merry Monarch” departed his mortal coil in 1685, his kid brother James II took over.

It would be quite some time – and several houses of succession later – before the current Saxe-CoburgGotha family changed their name in 1917 to Windsor. But why, we must wonder, did Elizabeth and Philip choose to call their little sausage Charles? Surely they knew of the republican imbroglio of his name sake predecessors.

Of course, he could always follow multiple precedents and change his name to whatever he wished. No doubt he’d appreciate some sugges tions from the gang Down Under. The possibilities are endless… Barry? Trevor?…

robert@ robertmacklin. com

From left, Charles I, Charles II and, now, Charles III.

Brave’s big end to helluva season back on ice

THIS year’s Goodall Cup win for the CBR Brave capped off one of the most impressive seasons from a Canberra-based sports team in recent memory.

The Brave was the most dominant team during the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), winning 16 of its 20 games to take home the H Newman Reid Trophy as regular season premiers.

They then went undefeated in the finals, beating the Newcastle Northstars 6-1 to qualify for the grand final, before meeting and beating the Novacastrians again 3-2 in the decider to secure the Goodall Cup for the second time in the Brave’s history.

The dominant season is all the more impressive given how disrupted ice hockey has been during covid. Unlike the leagues some of Canberra’s other teams compete in, the AIHL went on a hiatus as state and interna tional borders closed and lockdowns were in place across the country.

For members of the Brave, such as defenceman Nick Christensen, this meant finding other ways to keep skills and fitness up as the 2020 and 2021 seasons were cancelled.

“It was pretty tough for us, especially with the Canberra rink shutting down for almost a year. It meant even if you wanted to skate or

play you really had no opportunity to – except on your roller blades,” Christensen told “CityNews”.

“One time, for my birthday I drove all the way up to Sydney just to get one skate in. It was a long time off the ice and not seeing anyone, so it made getting back to playing more special.”

Those training sessions during the cancelled season helped Christensen and his teammates make sure they weren’t completely rusty when this season eventually rolled around.

“No matter how much you run or you lift weights, skating is such a different exercise,” said Christensen.

“Your body hurts. There is off-ice fitness and on-ice fitness and it is surprising how different they feel.

as it was, and I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like without that.”

The dominant season may have come as a surprise to some around the league, but those around the Brave knew the team had a squad that would be competitive.

“We knew we had a good team and if you look at the squad, we are young-ish – I don’t want to say young any more – but in 2019 we played pretty well and had a great season,” Christensen said.

“A few years later, when all of the guys are a bit older you can take a bit more of a step and when you looked at

was also confident in the squad that was brought together for the premier ship season, and believes the club is in a good position to remain competitive beyond this year.

“I wasn’t surprised (with how the team went this year), that was my expectations before we even got a player to step on the ice,” said Philps.

“I knew the talent we had in the locker room… With the players we

had from the 2019 season, we knew we had a great base to start with.

“That core of our roster is so young and will just get better and better every year. Potentially we have a lot of successful years ahead of us with that squad that is so young.

Philps also credits the senior play ers and leadership group in helping to steer the talented young side through the season.

The way Philps and Christensen talk about the championship-winning squad suggests that Canberra is primed for more success on the rink for years to come.

“We think so,” said Philps.

“With the squad we have and the passion the guys have to play and be successful, the Brave have created a winning culture and the stats support that with how many games we have lost since the inception of the club.

“This team is there to push forward

CBR Brave players relishing the rewards of their winning season.

Liberals push for a real chance at government

In this second of three columns reviewing the mid-term achievements of the Legislative Assembly, MICHAEL MOORE reviews the performance of the Canberra Liberals.

THE Liberals under Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee have been attempting to rebrand themselves by transitioning the public persona of the party from conservative to liberal.

Halfway through the current Assembly is a good time to consider how they are going. So I asked them to share some of their highlights.

The Greens and Labor do have control of the purse strings. The chal lenge for the Liberals is to present issues where they have been able to encourage (or perhaps embarrass) the government into action.

A comprehensive strategy for our education system was released by the shadow education minister Jeremy Hanson with the title “Bringing out the Best in every Child”. In launching the report, Hanson argued: “Improve ments are needed across the key areas of academic standards; equity; bullying and violence; school funding and governance; and overcrowded schools and ageing infrastructure”.

Unfortunately, the conclusions are not surprising. However, the tone is one of liberal, rather than conservative philosophy, as it seeks “more effective funding and better

Leanne Castley… fought for the Gungahlin pool. Mark Parton… pursuing social-housing issues.

tion. It will be interesting to see if it remains if the Liberals are ever in the position to win government.

Transitioning away from the former party position that expressed pride in being conservative certainly increases the Canberra Liberals’ chances of forming government. The real question is whether they are able to put behind them the conservative influence of former senator Zed Seselja and once opposition leader

Taking on the developers is not what one would expect from the Liberal Par ty. In this respect, Peter Cain showed he can give community needs a prior ity. His move to protect “off-the-plan” purchasers by introducing legislation to prevent unfair and unreasonable contract rescissions by developers is one such move. He has also fought to retain a green-waste facility for his constituents in Belconnen.

actions illustrate the importance of day-to-day politics in looking after local constituencies.

On the health front, the Liber als have ensured the inclusion of dementia-friendly design in the age-friendly city plan and received a commitment from government to an independent inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit following hundreds of cases of occupational violence.

Canberra has been considered by many as a “Labor city”. However, as Kate Carnell demonstrated in the latter half of the 1990s – a Liberal Party, that is not a conservative party, does have a real chance of taking on government. There are two more years for the Canberra Liberals to show what they can do.

the Liberals. Mark Parton managed to get the Minister for Housing to concede that millions of dollars from the sale of public housing has been diverted into supporting the light rail development.

And this at a time of such great need in the ACT. Housing Minister

In bringing about change, the Liber als have also sought greater transpar ency in government dealings. Lee has introduced a Freedom of Information Bill to create a proactive disclosure provision for the government to publicly release records within 30 business days after cabinet considera

In a similar vein, Leanne Castley has worked to ensure action on the Gungahlin pool while in Tug geranong, and Nicole Lawder has managed to get tri-partisan support on a motion that she put to the As sembly to improve amenities around Lake Tuggeranong. These sorts of

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.

BRIEFLY

Historic dresses on display in Goulburn

“THE Fabric of History”, an exhibition of historic dresses, costumes and fabrics reflecting life in 19th century Goulburn, will display original Victorian and Edwardian dresses in the heritagelisted Garroorigang homestead and fine embroideries and vestments in St Saviour’s Cathedral between October 22 and 29.

Period dresses from the National Trust collection and items from the Twynam family will also be on display in the Trust’s Riversdale property, but for several months.

There will be a guided tour of the three venues with a light lunch at Riversdale on Saturday, October 22. Tickets at fabric-ofhistory.eventbright.com.au

Plants at ‘bargain’ prices

THE promise is indoor and outdoor plants at bargain prices. The occasion is the Calvary Hospital Auxiliary’s plant stall outside the hospital front entrance, 8am-4pm, October 27. Proceeds buy equipment for the care and comfort of Calvary Public Hospital patients and staff.

Preschool’s fun fete

THE French Australian Preschool Community Fête is back from a two-year covid break with “an inclusive, fun and action-packed day” of entertainment, games, kids’ activities, stalls and food. It’s at 31 Astrolabe Street, Red Hill, 10am-2pm, Saturday, October 22.

renting

Only a lunatic would buy to rent in

under a life-tenure scheme.

In addition, 1.6 million people live in households with a household income of between $0 and $999 a week.

CANBERRA has the highest land taxes in mainland Australia, by far, so only a lunatic or a philanthropist would buy or could afford to buy a house in Canberra and rent it out.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s unique land tax policies have artifi cially created a dire shortage of rental housing in Canberra.

A study commissioned by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in August found that constructing a 2/3 bedroom apartment in Canberra costs between $330,000 to $560,000.

If owned by social housing, there is an ongoing annual subsidy of about $46,000 for each unit in the community sector and $56,000 in the government sector, to cover repairs, maintenance, rates, depreciation plus management, less rent collected.

The federal Labor government has pledged $10 billion to the Housing Australia Future Fund to build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties over five years, about $333,000 per home, for about 6000 houses or apartments each year, to

supplement state and territory efforts.

Canberra has about 2 per cent of Australia’s population and a higher cost of building than the Austral ian average. It would be hoped that Canberra should get 600 homes over five years from the program (that is, about 120 homes a year).

In a previous article in “CityNews”, I discussed how 63 per cent of Austral ian households live in houses or apartments that they own. Together, these 16 million people comprise 67.5 per cent of Australia’s population.

There were also 31 per cent of houses or apartments occupied by people rent ing in 2021. This housing accommodated 29.5 per cent of Australia’s population.

There are 1.1 million people renting with a household income of $1000 to $1500 a week, hopefully not in rental stress. A further 3.18 million people have a household income ranging from $1500 to more than $4000 a week.

Presumably, the free-enterprise system has met their housing needs.

There are 202,000 people living rent free (provided by relatives or employ ers) and a further 103,000 people rent

There are 353,000 households, perhaps providing housing for about 1 million people, living in accommo dation provided by state or terri tory housing or community housing associations, where maximum rent is less than 30 per cent of family income.

It is quite likely that some 200,000 households, or about 600,000 Austral ians, are living in private-sector housing with rental stress. What is the best way of assisting this group?

An estimated 1.7 million individuals or families receive Commonwealth rental assistance of up to $73 per week ($3800 a year) for an individual, and greater amounts for families who live in private rental accommodation.

Commonwealth rental assistance provides $1.4 billion each year for people renting privately, subject to an income test.

This program is an efficient way of assisting those who don’t have state or community housing, and need help. It may be a more cost-effective and appropriate means than building designated social housing and is worthy of further study.

The same AHUR study included case studies of challenged single men, lack ing support from family or relatives.

It is often difficult for the govern

ment to help such men. The late Rupert Gerritsen and I wrote a book, free on my website (researchgate.net/publica tion/334248437), which explains how an extended family can provide effec tive help, and housing, in Canberra.

Organisations such as St John’s Care can also provide vital assistance at times of crisis.

There is no need for anyone to sleep in the street in Canberra. Youth Hostels Australia provides quality, safe, clean hostel accommodation for all ages for a daily tariff of about $30.

Australian residents can access sup plementary Centrelink rent assistance of $10.40 a day or $73 a week towards that cost by completing a form online or by visiting Centrelink.

I have Indian and Vietnamese friends who came to Canberra in their 20s as students, studied postgraduate degrees, worked part time and lived with six people in a three-bedroom house. Rent was $600 a week and they found housing costs of $100 a week manageable. After graduation they gained full-time employment in Aus tralia and bought their own homes.

That is not possible for many people and social housing support is necessary.

Dr Paul Kauffman administered national housing grants and loans programs for many years. Thanks to Dr Mark O’Connor for comments on an earlier draft.

Car-boot stall holders wanted

BURRA Community Association is holding a community car-boot sale at Burra Park (corner of Lagoon and Burra Roads), 10am-2pm, November 13. The association is looking for stall holders ($10 donation) and a call to 0417 676664 will secure a booking.

Heads Up for lunch

SUE Owen, of Heads Up, which provides wigs for cancer patients, is the guest speaker at the next lunch meeting of the Weston Creek VIEW Club at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, 11.30am, November 8. The cost is $35 with RSVPs to 6286 4626 by 5pm, October 27. Guests and interested ladies welcome.

A dance with spring

THE LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club is holding a free knees up during Sp ringOUT Festival at Ainslie Arts Centre’s main hall, 1pm-3pm, November 12. RSVP to ainslieandgorman.com.au

Village market day

GOODWIN Village Farrer is hosting a market day and car display with vintage and electric cars on show. Stalls include art, crafts, children’s items, plants, cakes, books, jewellery and collectibles. Free entry at 220 Beasley Street, 10am-1.30 pm, Saturday October 29.

a complaint

problem?

The ACT is holding its position as the most expensive place to rent in Australia, but there’s no need for anyone to sleep in the street in Canberra, says PAUL KAUFFMAN, who looks here at the challenges and choices facing people seeking to rent.

age

responsibility

Empty gesture falls short of the election promise

TWO years ago, in the months leading up to the last ACT election, the ACT Greens and ACT Labor made unequivocal and unambiguous promises to raise the age of criminal responsibility in the ACT from 10 to 14.

Just two weeks ago the ACT Greens and ACT Labor announced they would break that promise and, instead, at some yet to be specified time, raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12.

Considering the massive overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in contact with the child protection and justice systems in the ACT, and incarcerated as juveniles and adults, this is an issue of major concern to the Aboriginal community.

I’m sure that the Labor/Greens backflip did not involve a reassess ment of the merits of the case for raising the age. The case for change is impossible to deny. The only remaining explanations for such a fundamental shift in intent would seem to be either a concern that the change of age to 14 would generate a political backlash or, alternatively, it would cost more than the government was prepared to spend.

The reason I mention cost is because, having read the excellent report

McArthur at the request of the ACT government, I am aware of the resource implications of the change of age to 14.

She reported on the level and nature of the wraparound and casemanagement services and infrastruc ture, in particular, the need for crisis accommodation as well as permanent housing, which the government will need to fund to support those children and families diverted from the criminal justice system,

In this regard, it’s telling that Prof McArthur’s report was presented to the government more than a year ago and not only have I not been consulted about any aspect of the report or its recommendations, many of which are Aboriginal specific, I’m unaware of any consultation on the report, let alone action on or funding for its implementation.

It is notable that, in announcing

There are no children 12 or younger incarcerated in the ACT and in the years 2008 to 2020 a total of four children under 12 were held on remand at Bimberi, that is an average of one child every three years.

its decision to restrict the increase in the age of criminal responsibility to just 12 years of age, the government did not indicate what proportion of children in the ACT, who have histori cally been charged with a criminal offence or detained at Bimberi were in fact under 12.

In this respect it is notable that there are currently no children 12 years old or younger incarcerated in the ACT and in the years from 2008 to 2020 a total of four children under 12 were held on remand at Bimberi, that is an average of one child every three years. This does raise a question of roughly how many children, if any at all, will be materially affected by increasing the age to only 12 years.

The relevance of this has been highlighted by the Human Rights Law Centre and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service who recently advised that if all state and territory govern ments were to raise the age to 12, as the ACT proposes, then 456 of the 499

children under 14 in detention across Australia in December last year would remain behind bars.

They also note that 65 per cent of the younger children in detention in Australia are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders.

These two services have sum marised their opposition to raising the age of responsibility to 12 and not 14 in the following terms. I agree entirely with what they say.

“A proposal to develop a plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old is an absolute missed opportunity to look after children.”

“Both medical evidence and international standards put 14 years as the minimum age a child should be held criminally responsible. The proposal (to increase the age to 12) is completely out of step.”

“After years of legal and medical experts making it very clear that the age of criminal responsibility must be at least 14 years old it is nothing short of devastating to hear that … the decision has been made not to raise the age to 14. That human rights norms, indisputable medical evidence and Aboriginal voices have been ignored, is shocking.”

“This proposal would see 12-year

olds who are in grade 5 or 6 and only just starting to walk to school by themselves – arrested by the police, hauled before the courts and sent to prisons.”

“That Aboriginal children will continue to be locked up, at alarming rates, is simply unacceptable. The impact of this decision will further entrench the systemic disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal children.”

In light of the above trenchant criticism, I would welcome an explanation from Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury, Indigenous Affairs Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith and Youth Justice Minister Emma Davidson of the basis of their decision to “ignore international standards, human rights norms, indisputable medical evidence and Aboriginal voices” in deciding against raising the age to 14 years.

Let us help to navigate the complexity of conveyancing laws in the ACT & NSW including stamp duty, identity verification, and tenancy laws. We also specialise in retirement village agreements.

Daryn Griffiths Property and Commercial Solicitor

For

call Capon & Hubert on 6152 9203

First Floor, 32-38, Townshend Street, Phillip enquiries@chsol.com.au chsol.com.au

For

Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.

rising rates

‘Give this government the message. Do it now’

I was distressed to receive my rates notice for 2022 to find that the valuation of the Unimproved Value of my land had increased by around 50 per cent in just one year.

I agree with Ron Edgecombe, of Evatt, in his concern over the ACT Unimproved Land Valuation increases (Letters, CN October 6), but it’s not only units that are being treated unfairly.

My rates for a medium-size block are now $4324 a year, almost doubling in the last seven years. My fixed income in retirement certainly hasn’t doubled in the same period.

It’s not as if the increase in rates offers any increase in services. Instead, potholes are not fixed, grasslands are overgrown to the extent they can’t be used (unless you are a horse or kangaroo), health and mental health services, the education budget and public housing have all declined.

I object to an inflated valuation of my land that I believe is based primarily on two factors: the need for the ACT govern ment to pay for its useless extensions to the tram, and the government’s failure to make new land available to match the pace of demand and thus greatly inflating the cost of new land, which in turn also helps pay for the tram.

What a tidy solution to years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities of this government!

I urge those concerned with this rude grab for money to lodge a written objection with the Commissioner for ACT Revenue at revenue.act.gov.au/rights-andobligations

It’s too late to wait until the next elec tion to give this government the message. Do it now.

Dianne Deane, via email

Sign a sign of no progress

DRIVING south along Athllon Drive, as I pass over Sulwood Drive, I am greeted by a sign that says: “We are duplicating this road”.

It has been there since before the last ACT election, now some two years hence. What has happened in the fulfilment of this statement? Nothing!

It is testament to yet another unfulfilled election promise from the Labor/Greens. Perhaps it is a dual-use sign – usable at the next election – that’s cost-saving economy for you!

Would the ACT government either get on with the job, or perhaps be more honest about it, and remove the sign!

Graham Harper, Wanniassa

Canberra’s ‘shambolic’ public transport

I RECENTLY returned from a holiday in WA and had the opportunity to use Perth’s public transport system.

What a contrast with the shambolic system here.

First of all, the bus drivers accept cash and interstate visitors can pay that way if they are not there long enough to justify buying a pass. They recognise interstate Seniors Cards, too.

With the diabolical debt that the ACT government has got the territory into (ref Stanhope & Ahmed in various editions of “CityNews”), you would think they would see the importance of ending a stupid policy that bleeds revenue and resumed accepting cash on our bus system.

But no, covid must be a much more virulent strain here than in the West!

Another massive difference between the two transport systems is that in Perth, bus services on weekends are a little less

frequent than on Monday to Friday with 10-15-minute intervals being common place and 30 minutes in the evenings. Compare that with the two hour intervals we have had to suffer on weekends in Canberra on non-Rapid routes for two years.

We can’t afford a better service despite the outrageous property rates because of the government’s arrogant refusal to recognise the outrageous disruption and cost of extending light rail.

Colin Lyons, Weetangera

True-blue colours keep flapping

FEDERAL Liberal Party vice-president and Sky News regular Tina McQueen comes across as rather Putinesque (“No coming back for Libs without those ‘lefties’”, citynews.com.au, October 5).

Any teal-tinged voter who is wonder ing about supporting the Liberal Party, or any moderate-leaning party member aiming for future party preselection, would be running yet another mile away from the party by now.

Many would also have reason to be suspicious about the true credentials, beliefs and motivations of future Liberal female candidates in particular.

So far, the ACT Liberals, who are also on a rocky path to resurrection, have not shown intestinal fortitude to stand up to

Ms McQueen’s damning and controlling comments about ridding the party of “lefties”, and only welcoming “good conservatives”.

Or did too many local members and MLAs instead attend the Conservative Political Action Conference Australia at the beginning of October and remain in thrall of the presentations made by McQueen, Nigel Farage, former Trump as sociates, Australian right-wing politicians and commentators, arch-conservative lobby groups and think-tanks?

Sue Dyer, Downer

Doug’s got something to crow about

DEAR Dr Douglas MacKenzie (Letters, CN October 6), as a true believer I know that you will continue to crow about the Labor Party’s ascendancy to the government benches, but to quote a 600-year-old French quotation: “The king is dead – long live the king”.

Let your mate Albo get on with his job and hope that all will be well with the world for the next few years.

Dave Jeffrey, Farrer

Outrageous disrespect for Canberrans

I HAVE received a five-and-a-half-page statement from the ACT Revenue Office showing what I owe but nowhere does it show what I have paid.

As your columnist Paul Costigan (“Canberra Matters”) often states, this government shows an outrageous disrespect and inefficiency in dealing with Canberrans.

Imagine if the statements of my bank or body corporate didn’t show the amounts I’ve paid over the period covered by the statements. Who does the ACT Revenue Office take us for?

By the way, I must point out another inept, new way this government is choos ing to serve its constituents, namely, not supplying the name of the officer who sends you a letter.

Instead it says “Delegate of the Com missioner for ACT Revenue Operations”. It might sound impressive to them, but not to us.

Vivien Munoz, Holt

What have monarchs ever done for us?

RICK Forster’s arguments in favour of the monarchy are so old hat I’m surprised he didn’t also regurgitate the tedious, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

While listing the terrible nature of republics, he failed to mention how the world has also seen many bad monarchs and monarchies over the centuries.

In our own lifetimes, British monarchs have done little or nothing to prevent us from falling into catastrophic times, to avoid disastrous economic downturns, or to right the wrongs placed on the disadvantaged.

And critically, how many times has the British monarch sided with Australia over the interests of the British government? The answer is, none. Historically, what did the cousins, George V and Kaiser Wilhelm II do to prevent the slaughter of World War I?

I could go on, pointing out that the late queen on her travels abroad, was required to speak on behalf of the UK government, rather than Australia. King Charles III will be required to do likewise.

It has been Australian governments that have had to speak up for Australia, as John Curtin did in bringing troops back from the Middle East to fight the Japanese, against the wishes of the British War Cabinet. What did the British monarch have to say about that?

We don’t know, because we’re not allowed to know what our Head of State thinks behind the palace doors, even when our interests are at stake, such as with the Whitlam dismissal. It took 50 years and High Court intervention to get access to the letters between Kerr and the Palace. Does Rick think this is acceptable for an allegedly democratic nation?

I’m not against any individual monarch – it’s the institution that is at fault, serious fault, as far as Aus tralia is concerned. Surely we are capable of learning from the mistakes of other republican systems, most of which have plenty of good points as well as faults, just as we can take some of the values of our present system and preserve them in a changed format while getting rid of the useless bits.

The main consideration is; it is long past time that a sovereign Australia stands up for itself, with a system that represents us first and foremost and is represented at its head by an Australian rather than by a foreigner who is foisted upon us through an accident of birth.

By the way, he or she must also be a believer in a par ticular brand of a particular religion that had its origins in the aberrant behaviour of a monarch seven centuries past. That too, is apparently a desirable “value” for this modern multicultural society to live with.

It IS broke, and it does need fixing.

Kingston Natural Therapies

Eric Hunter, Cook

Luke Clews

Cartoon: Paul Dorin

No handicap to making the most of playing golf

WHETHER it’s a one-off hit or a regular competition, there are plenty of golfing options across Canberra and surrounding regions.

Golf has been played in Australia since 1839 and, according to Golf Australia, there were an estimated 1,204,000 golf participants Australia-wide in the 2020-21 period.

“CityNews” has compiled a list of people and places who can help to advance individual golfing skills.

Keeping golfers playing stronger longer

PRIORITIES for Golf Fit participants at Higher Function are injury risk reduction, increased longevity, improvements in joint ranges and strength/power production, says exercise physiologist Sam Catherall.

Sam recently completed a certification with the Titleist Performance Institute which, he says, allows him to identify areas of interest regarding hip and spine mobility, strength and function.

“Higher Function and Yowani Country Club have combined their expertise to announce the eight-week Golf Fit Package, providing golfers across Canberra the opportunity to assess and develop multiple facets of their game,” he says.

“Golfers are repeatedly exposing their bodies to high amounts of force every time they swing the club. If lacking strength, mobility and, importantly, technique, golfers are highly likely to experience injury and have lower driving distance.”

The Golf Fit Package includes three, 45-minute, one-on-one lessons with Sam Pasquali, a “teaching professional” from Yowani Country Club, as well as a one hour physical golf assessment with Sam Catherall, and eight Golf Fit group exercise classes led by Catherall.

correlation with better players,” says Sam. “But the point of strength training is not just to hit the ball further. At its most basic level, a strengthening program is a longterm robustness strategy, reducing injury risk and keeping you playing longer.”

Higher Function Physio & Pilates, Suite 4, Level 1/23 Petrie Plaza. Call 6262 9664 or visit higherfunction.com.au

Move better, with less pain

Family golf store helping the community

ROHAN Madgwick took on ownership of The Golf Factory from his mum and dad earlier this year, because he’s always loved it.

“I play golf as much as I can,” he says.

“We are a retail factory outlet that sells all the golf gear, at lower prices.

“Our range helps us stand out from other, similar shops. We’ve got a big 600 square metre store that is completely full.”

The Golf Factory has been open for 25 years, and offers golf clubs, balls, cart and stand bags, golf shoes, club covers and gift vouchers.

The Golf Factory was opened initially because the original owners noticed a need for a bigger golf store.

“One that wasn’t just like your local pro shop on the course,” he says.

“It is a friendly store that provides a family experience. It’s just a nice little attraction that has been helping the community for a long time.”

The Golf Factory, 269 High Street, Penrith. Call 4722 8640 or visit thegolffactory.com.au

Specific strength and stability are needed for all sports, for better performance and injury prevention.

See a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist to find out what's slowing you down or causing pain.

FlexTech 21 Crossover Stand Bag.

Exercise physiologist Sam Catherall leads the “Golf Fit” group classes.

feature

Calling amateur golfers to play in tournament

DUNTRYLEAGUE Golf Club in Orange is encouraging golfers to enter the 99th Hahn Open Amateur Golf Championship, say head PGA club professionals Nathan King and Matthew Barrett.

“We joined Duntryleague in August, 2021. We have a big interest in growing the game and grassroots events to increase participation across all levels of golfing abilities,” they say.

The 99th Hahn Golf Open Amateur Championship at Duntryleague is open to men with handicaps of plus to 36, and will be played November 19 and 20.

“Steeped in history, Duntryleague is one of the region’s premier venues and is visited by many from the greater Sydney area and the state for yearly golfing tours,” they say.

“Nestled on the picturesque grounds of a

‘Exceptionally maintained’ nine-hole golf course

THE Braidwood Servicemens Club was opened in the ‘50s, says manager Michelle Griggs.

“The golf course was built and the clubhouse was added later,” she says.

“The Servicemens Club is home to the Braidwood golf, bowls, squash, fishing and rugby clubs.

Michelle says their slogan is “the friendly club in the heart of Braidwood”.

“We are an all-inclusive venue and families and visitors are most welcome,” she says.

Braidwood Servicemens Club has all the usual club facilities, including Keno, TAB, gaming machines, meeting rooms, outdoor dining, a barbecue area and a kids’ play area.

“We have a huge car park for large vehicles and

offer overnight stays for self-contained caravans,” says Michelle.

“We also have regular live music, and we’re open from 10am daily – closed Mondays – although the golf course is still open for play.

“Our nine-hole golf course is exceptionally main tained by our green keeper and wonderful volunteers. A chook run is held Thursday afternoon and comp is from noon on Saturday.”

The Pine Garden Restaurant offers Chinese and Australian cuisine too, including lunch specials and banquets.

Braidwood Servicemens Club, 15 Victory Street, Braidwood. Call 4842 2108, or visit braidwoodservicemensclub.com.au

Whether you are looking for a round of golf, a delicous meal, or drink with friends, the Braidwood Servicemens Club boasts a wide range of recreational and sporting facilities to cater for every taste.

game

championship 18-hole golf course and adorned with stylish gardens, Orange is the perfect destination for your golfing getaway, rich in food and wine culture that Duntryleague provides.

“The historical mansion offers entrants a unique experience with stay play packages available overlook ing the golf course.”

Nathan and Matthew say Duntryleague stocks a full range of golf equipment from all leading brands and provides tuition from four PGA teaching professions to extensive club-fitting technology for the complete player package.

Duntryleague Golf Club, Woodward Street, Orange. Call 6362 3466 or visit duntryleague.com.au

Head PGA club professionals Nathan King, left, and Matthew Barrett.

Cleveland

Irons

Turbo

Srixon Under Armour

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE Malbec and steak, just perfect! RICHARD CALVER

Concert of forgiveness puts POW pain to rest

By Helen MUSA

AFTER generations of hatred and grieving, and 80 years after the fall of Singapore, it’s time to forgive and reconcile, the Australian War Memorial’s musical artist-in-residence Christopher Latham says.

With that in mind, Latham has embarked on the mightiest of epic journeys in his musical series “Flowers of Peace” with the coming “POW Requiem”.

The epic concert will canvas the experi ences of prisoners of war around the world, paying special attention to Australians’ experiences closer to home – in Changi, on the Thai Burma Railway, and in the Sandakan Death March.

Straddling the globe, act one will look at POWs in Europe and Australia, including Italian and German interns as well as the Cowra breakout of 1944, the biggest in the war, while act two will turn to the POWs in Asia.

As with his previous blockbusters, “The Gallipoli Symphony”, the “Diggers’ Requiem” and the “Vietnam Requiem”, Latham has galvanised the full force of Australia’s

musical royalty to write no fewer than eight new commissions.

The performers are no less formidable –singers Susannah Lawergren and Andrew Goodwin, Riley Lee on shakuhachi, Dong Ma on erhu, Yuhki Mayne on violin, Bill Risby and Edward Neeman on piano, Alice Giles on harp, military musicians, the CSO, and ANU School of Music and choirs.

Spectacular it may be, but some com mentators believe the POW experience is too grim for music.

However, Latham says it’s a story that has to be told once and for all, in order to close the book.

He has a formidable ally in his old friend composer Jonathan Mills, perhaps best known as director of the Edinburgh International Festival from 2006 to 2014.

Sir Jonathan has obtained the philan thropic support of Metal Manufactures Limited, but earns his place in the POW requiem because he is also the composer of “Sandakan Threnody”, a savage lament for those who suffered in Australia’s worst wartime atrocity.

I caught up with him in Canberra recently where he adamantly contested the charge that the POW requiem is a downer.

“Chris is doing remarkable things, all on

JONATHAN BIGGINS MANDY BISHOP DREW FORSYTHE PHILLIP SCOTT

a very large scale. It is an epic part of our history, so it deserves to have the same kind of ambition,” he told me.

“These were defining narratives in the his tory of Australia, seared into our memories, but Chris wants us to see these moments as places for healing.”

“I did not write ‘Sandakan Threnody’ as an accusation; ‘Threnody’ is ‘grieving’ in Ancient Greek, a public, not a private act, so it was about paying tribute to the people in World War II, saying goodbye to them while they were still with us.”

His 2001 threnody forms a key part of the requiem as it evokes the pain and suffering of the 2345 Australian and British prisoners of war who were marched to death on the road from Sandakan to Ranau in present-day Malaysian Sabah – only six survived.

His own father, the noted heart surgeon, Frank Mills, narrowly avoided the fate of his comrades when he and other officers and NCOs were transferred to Kuching. After the war, Frank Mills became one of the leading advocates for reconciliation between Australians and Japanese. He even spent his honeymoon in Japan.

Music, old and new, binds the requiem throughout. Debussy’s “Reverie”, arranged by Margaret Dryburgh and Norah Chambers, is used to reflect POWs’ mental state, while Slim De Grey’s “My Castle In The Air” from “Changi Song Book” tells of daredevil RAAF pilots who evaded capture.

In a segment about starvation, Latham uses the “De Profundis” from “Sandakan Threnody”, but commissioned “The Fall of Singapore” from Cyrus Meurant.

Nobody expects the “POW Requiem” to be a laugh a minute, but Latham has found glimmers of hope in a section about love and care and in “The Entertainers”, which deals with concert programs, especially in Changi, where the standards of acting, set design and production were remarkably professional.

He’s approaching the project with characteristic zeal as he assembles and adjusts the musical scores, sources more than 220 slides for a visual backing and engages with POW families and Canberra’s Japanese community to spread his message of peace and forgiveness.

Latham believes there is much good to be found. The Canberra-Nara sister city relationship, he says, goes back to the ThaiBurma railway where POW chaplain Father Sam Marsden promised that if he survived, he’d go to Japan to preach forgiveness and reconciliation. He did.

And after a recent preview, repre sentatives from the Japanese embassy and community told him that they felt that art, more than any other mechanism, would be the key to repairing this historic wound.

The “POW Requiem”, Llewellyn Hall, 1pm-4.15pm, Saturday, October 29.

Former POW Frank Mills. Father Sam Marsden. Christopher Latham.

Wharfies look for the real

By Helen Musa

THERE’S a new captain at the helm of the ship of state and The Wharf Revue team couldn’t be happier.

“Looking for Albanese” is the title of the show, a twist on the name of Melina Marchetta’s book-film-play, “Looking for Alibrandi” and it gives the satirical trio of scriptwriters, Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott, a chance to pull out all the stops as they look for the real Albo.

It’s a relief after a year of disasters, which they catalogue: inflation, rising interest rates, conflict in Ukraine, climate disaster, culture wars, COVID-19-20-21-22-23, a looming World War III and, pos sibly worst of all, the cancellation of “Neighbours”.

Contrary to the promotional im ages being touted which show them as a line-up of showground clowns, they’re focusing their joint attention on one individual this year.

“We’re all having a go at playing Albanese,” Jonathan Biggins tells me by phone from Sydney.

One such will be “Albo in Wonderland”, where he frocks up to contend with Forsythe playing the Red Queen of Queensland – now who could that be?

Another of the Albos is in an aged-care home, but that’s done with a light hand, Biggins says.

It’s a good year for Amanda Bishop who, although she can’t play Pauline Hanson because Forsythe does it every year, gets to play Alice/

Albo, reprises her popular Julia Gillard and Jacqui Lambie roles, then plays Tanya Plibersek, Katy Gallagher and Allegra Spender.

A showstopper for her will be an appearance as Peta Credlin, in which guise she sings Maggie

Smith’s seductive number, “I’ll Make a Man of You” from Joan Littlewood’s “Oh, What a Lovely War” in The Wharfies’ version, “Oh What a Culture War”.

As for the music, their Mr Music, Scott, has easily mastered the spoof, “Inner West Side Story”, where his flying fingers can cope with the Bernstein numbers, but has been finding difficulties with a number where they appear as Green

Forsythe is the one member of the team who always turns out something a little more sombre. In recent years he’s been seen as playing Rupert Murdoch both as King Lear agonising on the heath and enjoying a chat with Mephis topheles, as well as the late Queen in her darker moments. In 2022 he turns his attention to Afghan refugees – and that’s no laughing matter, Biggins says.

Leadership is probably the bind ing motif of this year’s Wharf Revue, so we’ll get to see Biggins once more stride the stage as Donald Trump. But with more than one new ruler to contend with, he’ll have a new role as King Charles giving an address to his loyal Australian subjects.

“Looking for Albanese”, The Playhouse, October 24-November 5.

Talking

Clockwise from top left, Phillip Scott, Amanda Bishop, Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe… “We’re all having a go at playing Albanese,” says Biggins.

Finally, a spin-off worthy of the galaxy far, far away

DISNEY’S umpteenth “Star Wars” spin-off, “Andor”, is a modern instalment that’s finally worthy of the galaxy far, far away.

Doing away with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and every other Tom, Dick and Yoda, this new 12-episode series creates its own story that’s refreshingly distant from the heavily milked sci-fi saga.

Since Disney pocketed “Star Wars” from creator George Lucas for $US4 billion a decade ago, the five major films and three television shows they’ve since produced have all relied on some kind of connection to the original films in order to prop up viewership.

It’s a failsafe move. Even if the spin-offs are lousy, fans only have to hear about the return of an iconic face such as Han Solo or Princess Leia to stay subscribed to Disney Plus, the company’s streaming service where the new shows premiere.

But here’s where “Andor” distinguishes itself. It’s a series that carves out its own corner of the “Star Wars” universe and confidently does its own thing with it, unconcerned about the escapades of any Skywalker elsewhere in the galaxy.

For the first time in years here’s a story that doesn’t feel like every single one of its plot points is being signed off by some executive eager to make sure the show isn’t contradicting the dozens more spin-offs they have planned ahead.

The result is a gritty, absorbing adventure that takes inspiration from sci-fi classics such as “Blade Runner” and “The Fifth Element” to tell a more mature story that will still entertain a younger audience.

There is a real-life swear word thrown in there that’s drawn some backlash from disapproving parents though. Apparently “S***” is canon in “Star Wars” now. What’s it all about?

The eponymous

“Rogue One” spin-off film, is the star of this series, which charts his journey from petty thief to rebel spy.

All sounds pretty stock-standard on the surface, but “Andor” ultimately tells a more personal and relatable story of a man just trying to make his way through a world being torn apart by war.

For those wanting to know wherea bouts in the relentlessly expanding “Star Wars” timeline the show takes place, think a little before “A New Hope” (the original 1977 classic) but don’t quite go as far back as “Revenge of the Sith” (the conclusion to the widely panned 2000’s prequel trilogy) and somewhere roughly in the middle are the events of “Andor”.

If my maths work out correctly, that makes it a prequel to the sequel of the prequels.

In the end, it doesn’t actually matter too much when the show takes place and that’s the great thing about it. It’s a fun slice of sci-fi adventure that doesn’t have to desperately cling on to its source material to succeed. “Andor” captures the spirit of “Star Wars” on its own two feet.

TOUCHING back down on earth, this month Netflix is boasting a drama that tells the true story of the idea that made the CD near obsolete.

music app that not only revolutionised the way people listen to songs, but the streaming medium itself.

At the centre of the six-part mini series is Daniel Ek, the Swedish co-founder of the company that would one day transform him into a billionaire.

It’s been inspired by the work of Swed ish investigative tech journos Sven Carls son and Jonas Leijonhufvud who wrote “The Spotify Play: How CEO and Founder Daniel Ek Beat Apple, Google and Amazon in the Race for Audio Dominance.”

It’s a fascinating story. Without veering too much into spoiler territory, the idea of Spotify actually came from an attempt to curb the rampant music piracy of the 2000s that was made possible by a swathe of websites where users could download free music. It worked like a charm.

While Netflix has disclosed that the show is a somewhat “fictionalised” account, the broad brush strokes still capture the story of how a small group of people changed the way the world listened to music.

Think in a similar vein to David Fincher’s tendentious 2010 flick “The Social Network” (also on Netflix), which documented the somewhat true account of Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of Facebook and which ushered in a new wave of popularity for the tech-start up drama.

Fans of “The Social Network” will find a similar, if slightly less nuanced product here. “The Playlist” doesn’t quite hit all the right beats, but it’s still a story worth plugging into.

CINEMA / reviews

Fiction, but emotional pain remains the same

By Dougal MACDONALD

“Muru” (MA)

THIS is my second attempt to write about this quite special film after a savage scam left three good paragraphs languishing on my PC while I tried to replace them on the laptop.

While “Muru” is fictional, its repeated dis crimination of Maori people has a background in truth packed together with a suspenseful thriller to provoke a strong emotional response that at every twist turns oppression and police raids into factual narrative.

Police sergeant Taffy Tāwharau (Cliff Curtis) is driving the school bus along its accustomed route in NZ’s North Island. He’s got nothing else to do in this quiet rural community. But today is going to be different.

On this day in 2007, NZ police are about to raid the Tūhoe community believing that activist Tāme Iti is building a terrorist network with the intention of assassinating the prime minister.

Tāme Iti is alive and well. He’s recently been in Australia promoting the film. Have you seen his gentle, tattooed face on TV? Opposing him on the screen is Manu Bennett as police sergeant Kimiora, full of twisted righteous anger and rage. And Kimiora also has Taffy in his sights.

Writer/director Tearepa Kahi’s actionthriller to some extent softens its real-life events message that not all police officers are “bad” by adding level-headedness, decency and instinctive resistance to extreme or irrational responses.

At the same time, it doesn’t pull any punches about police as a diabolical political weapon and a potential reflection of the

ongoing oppression of indigenous peoples.

After premiering at the Toronto film festival earlier this year, “Muru” has been selected as NZ’s international feature submission for the next Oscars. I reckon it’s in with a good chance. At the same time, I can’t help shivering at the thought of its potential to send a misconceived message across the ditch.

At Dendy, Palace and Hoyts Woden

“A Taste of Hunger” (M)

I ONCE considered earning a living by feeding folk. Sanity prevailed. Cheffing is not for amateurs.

I’ve said this before and I don’t mind saying it again; movies provide a great platform for expressing human sensitivities. But there are two basic human passions that movies don’t do well. Food and sex. Visual, tactile, olfactory temptations. Look. Yearn. Don’t expect to touch.

This Danish film serves the restaurant trade on a platter of hard realities. masterchef Carsten (Nikolaj Coster-Walda) and his wife Maggi (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal) are hungry for great food and even hungrier for a Michelin star to assure the success of their restaurant.

Writer/director Christopher Boe’s film moves them to and fro through time and place in five tastes – sweet, sour, salt, fat and heat – from their sweet first meeting to a sour betrayal, and the heated climax when all of the elements combine.

Is the mysterious gentleman who had dined alone in their restaurant a Michelin talent scout? Better treat him like one just in case.

But something goes wrong with Carsten’s signature dish. Without that Michelin star, the restaurant will fail and they will lose everything. Maggi races off promising to somehow find the mystery solo diner, even though she has no idea who or where he is, to make him give them another chance.

Maggi has a second reason to panic. She has intercepted a message to Carsten telling him that his wife loves someone else. We go back in time to the Sour chapter to learn the origin of her affair. And the recipe for “A Taste of Hunger” goes from haute cuisine to merely cuisine. Pity. And what’s the signature dish? I won’t spoil it by telling you more than that it’s

Sat, 29 Oct, 1pm Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, Canberra

At Palace Electric

Diego Luna in the title role of Cassian Andor.

Jay Ryan as Gallagher in “Muru”.

and steak, just perfect!

By Richard CALVER

THESE days I don’t often eat meat. But on the weekend, I decided to have an eye fillet as a solo dinner.

I have a moral ambivalence about meat eating, so it is difficult to articulate my sudden desire to sink my teeth into a juicy steak. I discarded the ethical issues.

I went to the Fyshwick markets and bought a small steak of the best qual ity. I passed by the Plonk bottle shop after making this purchase. Featured in the door display were a number of wines. But the one that caught my eye was a Clandestine Vineyards’ 2020 Margaret River Malbec.

Malbec is usually associated with Argentina where it is the main grape variety grown. It is a meat lovers’ wine. The price for the Western Australian was very good, just $21.90, so after getting reassurance from the proprietor that this was indeed a wine he would recommend, I purchased the wine to go with my steak.

I had not tried an Australiangrown malbec varietal since 2017 so this was an unusual choice for me, although I did have an Argentinian malbec in my collection.

Argentina has embraced the malbec varietal as its own, although the grape originates from Bordeaux in France. In July, I purchased a 2019 Catena Malbec from Vintage Cellars, Manuka, for $32. It was intended for immediate consumption, again with meat, but it was put into storage instead.

This wine is from the foothills of the Andes and is a cold-climate wine.

The Wine Enthusiast website tells me that when grown in warm regions to the north of the country, malbec is often dark, higher in alcohol. From the higher, cooler reaches of Mendoza, the wines tend to have greater natural acidity. The Catena was grown in the Mendoza region. Malbec and steak are made for

each other. I checked the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation data and in 2019 Australia had a per capita meat consumption of 142kg, with 26kg of that being beef. Argentina, in contrast, has a lower per capita total consumption at 117kgs but a higher rate of beef consumption at 48kgs. They like their steak.

The Clandestine Malbec was a big wine; it is 14.5 per cent alcohol by volume and was plush and purple and replete with blue fruit flavours.

It has a great mouth feel and opens up with food. There was no heavy tannin or oak fighting with the meaty flavours.

I called Nick Stacy, joint owner and vintner at Clandestine: “Mal bec’s an unusual grape to come out

of WA, what is the history there?”

“Yes,” said Nick, “it is an unusual grape. But if you go back to 1965 to 1968 when they were planting Bordeaux varieties in the Margaret River, you got about 70 per cent cabernet and 30 per cent the rest, including malbec.

“It was rare to find malbec of any volume but the producer at Celestial Bay had over five tonnes, which we purchased. But even though we produced a malbec in 2019 and 2020, with the 2021 about to be bottled, that will be our last release. It’s become popular overseas, and it was $1800 a tonne or less but now is $3000 a tonne and we have no room for a $40 malbec in our range.”

“How disappointing,” I said.

The night after I tried the Clandestine, a mate and I compared it with the Catena. We drank the wines with prosciutto and three different cheeses. The Argentinian was similar to the Australian but with a more plummy taste and smell and a smoother finish. They were both excellent with the Italian ham. Such a pity that we will no longer be able to get the Clandestine.

UK: knock knock.

Argentina: who’s there? UK: Falkland Islands.

Argentina: I don’t get it. UK: And you never will.

Keen to salute Olivia in musical tribute

By Helen Musa

ONE of Canberra’s musical treasures, singer, actress and piano player Leisa Keen has been commissioned by Jordan Best at The Q to present “Olivia: I Honestly Love You”, a celebration of the musical journey of Olivia Newton-John. The “B”, Bicentennial Hal, 7.30pm, October 28, with a “Morning Melodies” version at 11am.

“TO Barbra, With Love: an 80th Birthday Celebration”, a tribute to Barbra Streisand, will be at Canberra Theatre October 28-29, with

Canberra Symphony Orchestra supporting featured singers Elise McCann, Ryan Gonzalez and Caroline O’Connor.

THE thirteenth annual “Come Alive Festival of Museum Theatre”, where young people make little plays based on the stories in our cultural institutions, will be held in the Liangis Theatrette, National Portrait Gallery, on October 28-29 and November 1, 2 and 5.

“THE Wind in the Willows” is coming to ArtSound FM from October 23 as a new, nine-part series featuring Graham Robertson as Badger, Geoffrey Borny as Rat and Tony Turner as Toad. It’s a production by Papermoon Theatre Company,

recorded by ArtSound and airs on Sundays at 4pm and reruns on Mondays at 10pm on ArtSound FM, 92.7FM (90.3FM in the Tuggeranong Valley).

CANBERRA Mandolin Orchestra, the Monaro Folk Society and Dance Delights are holding an afternoon feast of social dance music and demonstrations titled “Settlers, Sheds and Ballrooms”. Folk Dance Hall, Hackett, 2pm, Sunday, October 30.

GREEK Fringe is presenting the raw sound of rebetika, music from the Greek underground in “Rebetiko Caravan”, led by Greek musical virtuoso Fotis Vergopoulos, with a line-up of local musicians. Smith’s Alternative, 7pm, October 28.

The Catena vineyards in Argentina… the malbec is from the foothills of the Andes and is a cold-climate wine.

DINING / Kodiak, Kingston

Fab food, but music hard to bear

RECENTLY opened Kodiak in Kingston promises a new experience for the inner south – upmarket, casual, sophisticated, playful and stylishly relaxed.

The fit-out reflects Kodiak’s elevated offering. The black and white artwork featuring stylised Ko diak bears (the largest bears in the world, in case you need to know) are fabulous. The warm colour palette is inviting and Kodiak is divided into two sections – order-at-the bar on one side and sit-down, full-service dining on the other.

I’ve been there a couple of times, but only dined once. Kodiak takes its food seriously and Ben Sanderson (formally Raku), as executive chef, has done a stellar job creating dishes that look as appealing as they taste. Owners Leeroy and Sophia Petersen have worked hard with their team on creative cocktails and an extensive champagne and wine menu.

The oysters were stunningly beautiful ($6 each from main menu). The rum and pineapple version was funky, the pickled ginger and honey vinaigrette fresh and the bacon and Worcestershire bold.

scallops from the specials menu ($32 for four), with Yuzu butter and Nori. They were some of the best scallops we’ve ever had.

Another tasty share dish is the Kingfish Tostada ($20), designed to get the taste buds grooving. Other raw plates include salmon tartare ($19) and beetroot tartare ($17).

Instead of pizzas, Kodiak has a lineup of flatbreads. The pumpkin was

promise but some of the meat was dry ($20). The zucchini with whipped goats’ cheese, peas, and chilli ($18) sounds amazing and the octopus with tomato and chilli ($20) does, too.

For those looking for heartier fare, a good-old-American-style cheeseburger is available ($24).

While the food is fab, and the drinks too, Kodiak is a bar for those loud music from opening to closing. On our first visit on a late afternoon the music was so loud we had to raise our voices considerably to hear each other. When one of our party asked if it was possible to turn it down, the bartender asked her to repeat her question because he couldn’t hear what she was saying. We abandoned the idea of dining and rocked up to Queenies. The music was equally loud on my second visit, but sitting on the dining side eased matters. The style of music on our visits didn’t seem to be in sync with stylishly relaxed but I suppose everyone has their own take on the definition of stylishly

Kodiak’s large outdoor area features rough wooden wine cask tables and seating. We weren’t sure if the area is “finished”… design is subjective, but for us the look is more pub style than sophisti cated.

Friday 21 – Sunday

October

Friday 21 October: 6.00pm

8.30pm Saturday 22 October – Sunday 30 October: 10.00am – 5.30pm Monday 24 October

OFFICIAL OPENING: Friday 21 October at 7pm Fitters Workshop, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston Next to Bus Depot Markets www.asoc.net.au

PRIZES

Scallops from the specials menu with Yuzu butter and Nori.

Photo: Wendy Johnson

Now is the time to get busy back into the garden

NOW we’re in the swing of spring, it’s time to get those green thumbs back into the garden. Throughout Canberra there are a variety of businesses to help people get their garden in shape. Whether it’s landscape design, plant hire or colourful pots and equipment, “CityNews” spoke with the people who can help create a green space in any environment.

FAMILY business Corkhill Bros aims to incorporate the family ethics and values in its day-to-day business operations, says co-founder Brian Corkhill.

From humble beginnings with a few trucks in 1954, Corkhill Bros now provides landscap ing materials to the public, as well as green waste recycling services.

Corkhill Bros’ commercial operations include chipping, screening, grinding, processing, bulk production and special blend production as requested.

Then its waste side has services such as the hire of skip bins of various sizes and recycling of drop off and kerbside garden organics.

And now, at the Mitchell depot “there is a new and exciting range of exterior gardening pots,” says Brian.

The family-owned business started with

Brian and his brother Patrick, who established Corkhill Bros after the family dairy farm was removed to make way for the construction of Lake Burley Griffin.

“We strive to create a workforce of hard working, committed, trustworthy and loyal employees that promote this culture,” Brian says.

Through its multi-faceted operations Brian says the company’s intention is to successfully extract, process and deliver its products to meet the needs of varied target markets, both residential and commercial.

Corkhill Bros’ landscaping supply outlets are located at Mugga Lane, Symonston and Darling Street, Mitchell. Ordering is also available online.

Corkhill Bros, 33 Darling Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 8860 or visit corkhillbros.com.au

outdoor furniture

store

Plants, pots, furniture and everything in between

LIVING Simply began as a commercial indoor plant hire company in Pialligo more than 30 years ago to enhance shopping centres, government departments and commercial office spaces, says owner Graham Holbrook.

“Over the years, the business has evolved and expanded to offer the public a superb range of indoor-outdoor decorator and feature plants, decor pots, water features, garden furniture and so on,” he says.

Melton Craft outdoor furniture.

“Today, Living Simply provides a full interior/exterior property styling, landscape consultation, design, build and maintenance services for either pre-property sale or to completely upgrade and enhance your home for your personal enjoyment.

“Of course, our boutique retail store in Pialligo gives us the ability to choose from a vast array of home and garden decorator items.

“You can either do it yourself or have

a consultant/designer visit your home to discuss the enhancement process.”

Graham says they can complete the work, whether that be simply a styling process for a balcony or courtyard, or a complete customised landscape design.

“Please feel free to make contact with one of our professionals to assist your next project.”

Living Simply, 10 Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6249 1552 or visit livingsimply.com.au

Warmer weather brings people to nursery Gift shop highlights all that Australia offers

COOL Country Natives stocks the largest range of native Australian plants in the ACT and surrounds, says owner Karen Brien.

“We’ve moved out of winter and it’s definitely nice warmer weather now, it’s a really good time for planting,” she says.

Her dedicated team of knowledgeable staff say they’re happy to talk to customers and help them with any queries.

“We go out of our way to help people find the right plant for the right spot; we’re attentive and we know what stock is in the nursery,” she says.

“Shoppers can find groundcovers, grasses, ferns, climbers and small-to-large shrubs and trees such as acacia, banksia, crowea, daisies, ferns and grevillea.

“There is lots in the nursery, plenty of variety and it is the peak time for flowers.”

Karen says everyone is welcome at the next market day, to be held on November 5.

“We know how it grows and what it requires,” she says.

Karen says opening hours have changed now to 8.30am to 4.30pm seven days a week – except public holidays – to make it more consistent for customers.

“Our growth from humble beginnings has been steady and reliable and assures us of the popularity of native plants in our area.”

Cool Country Natives, 5A Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6257 6666 or visit coolcountrynatives.com.au

WOMBAT Cards and Gifts is a small family busi ness started by Monica and John Rolls in 2015.

“We started as a small market stall selling homemade greeting cards that I started making when I retired,” says Monica.

And, while Monica says she loved that mar kets gave her a chance to see more of Australia, and she loved meeting all the interesting people along the way, it was time to put down some roots closer to home, and opened the Wombat Cards and Gifts store front in Belconnen in July.

“We have plenty of ornaments and garden accessories,” says Monica.

“We offer windmills in three sizes, garden stakes that sit in the garden or pot plants and have little animals on top, lots of rusty metal or aluminium wall art, I have some cassowaries and emus and pelicans that stand up, or antique looking bird cages.

“We also offer cards, children’s books, puppets and plush animals, coasters and gifts.”

Monica says she loves what she does, and loves introducing people to Australian animals.

“I love the Australian animals, I just think they’re so unique and I love expressing my joy through the store. It makes me feel happy when people come in and see the products that we have.”

Wombat Cards and Gifts, Shop 2 31/35 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen. Call 0423 786222, or visit wombatcardsandgifts.com.au

Ross brings new look on landscape to Canberra

ROSS Goodman has recently been appointed to dsb Landscape Architects as senior landscape architect, says director, Michael Reeves.

After an acclaimed career in landscape and garden design in Melbourne, Ross has relocated to Canberra and will enhance dsb’s residential design capability.

Ross provided landscape design and installation services for prestige homes and apartment complexes of the inner-east suburbs of Melbourne for the last 20 years.

His experience includes design, documentation and installation of the Coburg Project for “Grand Designs Australia”. He has won awards for design and installation of showcase gardens in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show “Place, Grow, Shift”.

His design of “Lisa’s Garden” for the Horticulture Festival won a bronze award. It consisted of an outdoor room with planter boxes, seats and a garden arbour with bamboo and a Japanese-style plant selection. It featured in magazines such as “Landscape Outlook Magazine” (the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers magazine), “Best Homes Melbourne” and “Outdoor Rooms”.

Ross says he’s pleased to be bringing his design experience to new dsb residential projects across Canberra, Illawarra and surrounding regions, while continuing with prestige residential landscape projects in Melbourne.

“We provide a ‘Residential Design Package’, which is an all-inclusive design package tailored specifically for our private residential clients,” says Michael.

“This package provides visually stunning concept sets with 3D visualisations of the design, and supporting construction documentation suitable for approvals, tendering and construction by your chosen landscape contractor.

“The services are delivered sequentially from preliminary con cept design, final concept design, to construction documentation.

“The benefit of this all-inclusive package is we work closely

project phase; ensuring a smooth project timeline and a finished product that meets your expectations and budget.

“In addition to our services, we have a reputable landscaper and pool designer/builder that we work closely with on our prestige residential projects.

“They meet with the client during the initial design concepts and discussions where they can provide early advice, rough cost estimates and general feedback to ensure design intent and budget are met.

“This early, in-depth co-ordination with the team is one of the many benefits of choosing dsb Landscape Architects.”

Ross Goodman is available for residential project consultations via dsbla.com.au

Acclaimed landscape architect Ross Goodman… provided landscape design and installation services for prestige homes and apartment complexes of the inner-east suburbs of Melbourne for the last 20 years.

Lisa’s Garden, Horticultural Festival. Coburg Project for Grand Designs Australia.

you pass passionfruit test?

By Jackie WARBURTON

TO grow passionfruit vines in Canberra successfully, you have made it as a gardener in our climate.

These fussy, short-lived plants need exactly the right spot to grow well. They last only for about seven years before another one needs to be bought.

Almost all the passionfruit vines that we buy from the nursery to grow are grafted with a rootstock of Passiflora caerulea and the top fruiting part (the scion) is usually Nellie Kelly.

In our climate, unless you find the right spot, winter will kill the scion and the rootstock plant becomes a weed and very quickly takes over all

neighbouring vegetation.

They grow best with their roots in the shade and their heads in the sun. The main way to tell if the plant growing is a weed is the leaf shape, P. caerulea (the rootstock) has five lobed leaves and passionfruit Nellie Kelly has three.

Once the rootstock takes hold in the garden bed it suckers and moves fast. It can be difficult to get rid of.

However, its flowers are exquisite and attract pollinators, making it always worth a try along a small fence where there is good airflow.

THE vegetable garden should be in full swing now after all that winter preparation. The soil is warm and ready to sow seeds and plant seedlings. Sowing of tomatoes, zuc chini, silverbeet, beans and cabbage (and any seed packets lying around) can be done.

Test the seed viability in water. If it floats, discard it. If the seed sinks, plant out. Soaking overnight in a weak seaweed solution can also help germinate seed and be beneficial in the growth of the seedling.

Slaters and nocturnal insects will be around eating seedlings and new growth on plants. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth on top of the soil will keep crawling insects away to give the seedlings a chance to get growing.

NOW’S the time to plant pungent herbs such as rosemary, sage and oregano and those that taste aromatic, spicy or acrid.

Plant between other seedlings to confuse predators and mammals such as mice and rats. Be on the lookout for pests such as aphids, caterpillars and other insects and squash them before their popula tion increases dramatically.

In the cool of the day, apply horticultural oil to the bark of fruit trees. This will lessen the insect attack on trees in summer.

Most fruit trees will be flower ing, so be sure to keep watering them while the fruit is forming.

Prune shrubs that have finished flowering and fertilise.

It’s a good time to also check the irrigation is working and mulch

under hedges, but not too close to the stem. It’s important that air can still flow under the hedge.

LOUISIANA Iris is in flower now. It makes a truly delightful plant for the perennial garden.

It can add height to the garden and its flowers come in many colours; the most colourful is cobalt blue and gives a stark contrast against whites and greens.

Irises can survive well on the edges of a pond or on boggy, low areas of the garden. They like a pH of six or so and like to be shallow rooted with their necks out of the soil. They clump with age and really put on a show.

ANY indoor plant can be divided and potted up now to make more plants for gifts at the end of the year.

Most indoor plants need par ticularly good drainage. There are indoor potting mixes available that have all the fertiliser and nutrients the plant needs.

I’ve had remarkable success with anthuriums, dieffenbachia and devil’s ivy this year. They all grow fast and are easy to propagate.

All my indoor plants are on a north and west window sill all year round and watered once a week.

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

garden.

Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Tuesday’s intense Solar Eclipse highlights close relationships, shared finances and/or trust issues. And watch your enthusiasm for a project doesn’t overtake your ability to knuckle down and get the job done. If you promise more than you can deliver, then other people will just end up disappointed. So slow down, look within, and listen to the wisdom of your inner voice. It offers an alternative perspective that can point you in the direction that’s right for you.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Mid-week looks eventful, as the Venus/Pluto square stirs up trouble. A double dose of diplomacy is required if you want to keep the peace. Then the focus is on friendships – how to nurture them, keep them… and then let them go if you have outgrown each other. You’ll find enjoyable mutual interests are essential to long-term platonic relationships. An old friend could also be the final piece of the puzzle as you follow the path to your true destiny.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Expect some highs and lows this week! The Solar Eclipse and Venus promise improved relations with a friend, client or colleague. But the Mercury/Pluto square highlights hiccups in your financial management in the form of a large bill, an unexpected expense or a retrospective tax debt. Which reinforces the importance of having a smart savings plan and a well-stocked emergency fund. Strive to be cautious and thrifty, rather than impulsive and extravagant.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

This week (courtesy of the Solar Eclipse and the Pluto/Mercury square) focus on platonic and romantic relationships. Avoid making assumptions! Communicate your expectations and then double-check what others expect from you in return. Attached Crabs – working through a partnership problem requires persistence and commitment. Singles – give superficial suitors the flick. Look for love with someone who is mature, dependable and ready to commit.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Leos love to be the Top Cat but this week you need to ask yourself, “Am I leading others or just bossing them around?” If you power ahead without considering other people, then you’ll create unnecessary drama. Do your best to accommodate the needs of those around you. Life will also run more smoothly if you can incorporate a spiritual ritual into your daily routine. Something like yoga, tai chi, chanting, meditation or creative visualisation would be beneficial.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

When it comes to the way you think, blast out of a boring rut and jump into an exciting new phase. Use your imagination and think outside the box. The Solar Eclipse, Venus and Mercury (your ruler) are all visiting your communication zone. So stop avoiding issues and start discussing what you really want and need. You can’t expect others to magically read your mind! For some clever Virgos, a joint venture or creative project has the potential to fly.

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Tuesday’s Solar Eclipse signals a fresh start involving finances and/or self-esteem. Learn to manage money better – and learn to love yourself. Jupiter jumps back into your work zone until December 20. So a lucky opportunity could be heading your way but you must reach out and grab it or it will pass you by. Confidence is the key. Be inspired by birthday great, singer Katy Perry: “If you’re presenting yourself with confidence, you can pull off pretty much anything.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

This week the Solar Eclipse, Venus and Mercury are transiting through your sign, but the Mercury/Pluto square could rattle your Scorpio resilience. So it’s time to bounce back, as you demonstrate (and celebrate) your strengths – including passion, determination and discretion. Your motto is from fellow Scorpion, singersongwriter Joni Mitchell (who turns 79 next week): “There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Sagittarians can be feisty and unpredictable souls. But don’t allow yourself to be drawn into a heated exchange (especially involving finances and/or friends). It would be better to watch the fireworks from the sidelines. With the Solar Eclipse, Venus and Mercury in your privacy zone, slow down and chill out as you relax, rejuvenate and contemplate. After some quiet reflection and quality ‘me-time’, you’ll start to see things from a refreshingly different perspective.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

It’s time for an unexpected pivot! Examine all possibilities this week, especially ones that come from left field. With the Solar Eclipse, Venus and Mercury moving through your hopes-and-wishes zone, it’s important to have ambitious long-term goals that you’re working towards. You’ll have to be patient though, as you focus on bringing your dreams down to earth via a practical plan. Then – when everything is in place – you’ll know the perfect time to pounce.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

With the Solar Eclipse, Venus and Mercury stimulating your career zone, start thinking about strategic ways to maximise your professional potential. As singer Katy Perry (born on October 25, 1984) says, “Find out what your gift is and nurture it.” It’s also a good week to get feedback from your bosses, clients or customers. But you may have to bite the bullet and criticise a colleague, sack an employee, ditch a struggling project or look for a better job.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Are your aspirations for the future ambitious enough? Bountiful, expansive Jupiter transits back into your sign (until December 20), which favours ruminating over big-picture ideas. And there’s no room for false modesty or passive Piscean procrastination as you enjoy talking, texting, posting, promoting, socialising and circulating. The Solar Eclipse stimulates creative thinking and encourages you to come up with a cracking plan, and then pursue it.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2022

Across

4 Upon which airport area are aeroplanes loaded, boarded, etc? (6)

7 Which person is kept in custody as the result of legal process? (8)

8 What is a line drawn on a weather map? (6)

9 Who is the most completely prepared for immediate action? (8)

11 What are periods of five years? (7)

13 To be engaging or charming, is to be what? (7)

15 Which containers are used for boiling water to make tea? (7)

17 To bring into contempt, is to do what? (7)

20 What are passages under curved structures? (8)

23 What, colloquially, is a stupid person? (6)

24 Which persons are arraigned for offences? (8)

25 What is an accusation of guilt? (6)

Solution next editionDown

1 That which is not false, is said to be what? (4)

2 What are words spoken in undertones? (6)

3 Name a poker stake. (4)

4 To be hackneyed by constant use, is to be what? (5)

5 Upon which perches do fowls rest at night? (6)

6 What is a medal, or a prize? (5)

9 To wind back, is to do what? (6)

10 Who is the presiding officer in the Australian House of Representatives? (7)

12 What are involuntary muscular contractions? (6)

14 Name another term for a public speaker. (6)

16 To be gaudy, showy and cheap, is to be what? (6)

18 Which planet in our solar system is not named after a Roman god? (5)

19 What is a waltz? (5)

21 What is a prison room known as? (4)

22 Name the abominable snowman. (4)

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CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

FATHER'S WILL CAUSES TAX ISSUES FOR SONS

Badal and his brother Kumar have been left a lot of shares in their father’s estate and, on legal advice, were seeking tax guidance.

Kumar said the brothers were uncertain about whether it was better to sell the shares now or transfer them to their selfmanaged superannuation fund (SMSF).

I looked over their lawyer's quick calculation and said: “It appears as if the shares cost $500,000 and the profit looks to be $300,000.

"I'll look at the capital gains tax issues first then the tax issues and lastly the SMSF issues.

"On your father’s death, the shares went to the estate and then to you as the beneficiaries. If your father bought the shares before the introduction of capital gains tax, that is before September 20, 1985, then they pass to you at the market value at the date of his death.

"If he bought them after this date they pass to you at the price he paid for them including brokerage and other on-costs. If the shares are bonus shares they attach to the original shares and have a nil cost base. So, for example, if he bought 5000 shares for $10,000 and he received a bonus of 1000 shares he now holds 6000 shares with a deemed cost of $10,000 and this is treated as one parcel of shares.

"This is different to a rights issue where you pay the advertised cost for the rights and you would now have two parcels of shares for capital gains tax calculations. Similarly, if he was in a dividend reinvestment plan, which results in additional parcels of shares, each one has its own price and its own capital gain.”

I then turned to the tax position.

"The shares that have been owned for more than 12 months, which in this case is all of them, are subject to a 50 per cent discount on the tax payable," I said.

"If they are sold in the estate instead of by you as individuals, there will be no Medicare levy payable by the estate. I have calculated that if there is no discount, the likely tax is $105,000.

If you transfer the shares from the estate to yourselves taking into account your other income, the tax payable could be about $63,470 each. So, obviously, you would pay less tax in the estate.

“Finally, you may be able to transfer the shares to the SMSF, but that will be messy. As the tax differential is so great I recommend you sell the shares in the estate, pay the tax there and when you receive the funds personally you can then invest them in your SMSF in different companies, which may provide better returns for you both.

"From a tax perspective you can each contribute $330,000 to your SMSF as a non concessional contribution over a three-year period and you do not receive a tax deduction. The advantage of this approach is that you will be making tax-free contributions so that if they pass on to other than your spouses they will not be subject to 17 per cent tax on your deaths.”

Badal said he had no idea this was so complex and left my office with options to solve the problem.

If you need help on the tax benefits of receiving funds from a deceased estate contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman on 6295 2844.

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.

ABN 57 008 653 683 (Chartered accountant and SMSF specialist advisor) info@gailfreeman.com.au | www.gailfreeman.com.au

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NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS is an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal community of the ACT. In Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means Strong Health. The service logo is the Corroboree Frog which is significant to Aboriginal people in the ACT.

Our aim is to provide a culturally safe, holistic health care service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions. The holistic health care provided by Winnunga AHCS includes not only medical care, but a range of programs to promote good health and healthy lifestyles.

services include:

GP

Nursing

Midwifery

Immunisations

Health Checks

Men’s & Women’s Health

Hearing Health

Dental

Physiotherapy

Podiatry

Dietician (Nutrition)

Counselling

Diabetes Clinic

Quit Smoking Services /

More Boondah

Needle Syringe Program

Mental Health Support

Healthy Weight Program

Healthy Cooking Group

Mums and Bubs Group /

Health

Optometry Service

Psychology and Psychiatrist

Community Events

Groups

Winnunga AHCS is a national leader in accreditation, was one of the first Aboriginal community controlled health services to achieve dual accreditation under RACGP and QIC standards. Winnunga AHCS has been at the forefront of setting a national agenda for quality improvement in Aboriginal community controlled health and continues to advocate locally and nationally for best practice standards in operational and governance areas of Aboriginal health services.

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