CityNews 230420

Greens go to weeds as bowlo awaits its fate

PAUL COSTIGAN

‘Government kicked my daughter out of heaven’

JON STANHOPE

What will our covid complacency cost?

MICHAEL MOORE

Loving the baby bubble

Opposition Leader ELIZABETH LEE introduces her baby daughter Ava

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Discover the story of Canberra – the people, places and history that make up this city and region. Canberra is a young city on ancient country – a place where nationhood found a home. Selected as Australia’s National Capital in 1909, Canberra’s history has a much older history and it continues to evolve to embrace new narratives of belonging and expressions of identity through its communities and places.

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Solo cyclist readies for charity ride to Singapore

By Lily PASS

IAN Wallis, 65, is getting ready to ride from Canberra to Singapore, to raise money for the indigo foundation, a cause he has become very passionate about.

The money he raises will go towards funding school resources in Afgani stan, helping to confront sexual har assment in public spaces, and funding bursaries to enable girls to attend university.

Departing from Burgmann College at 9am on May 1, Ian, of O’Connor, plans to arrive in Cowra at the end of day three, before travelling through Forbes, Bourke, Long Reach, Mount Isa, Katherine and Darwin.

Ian has ridden bikes since he was a kid, but his introduction to long rides came soon after he married Cora, in 1995.

He says they then both got offered new jobs.

“I went for a lectureship. I’m re tired now but I was a biologist. Cora went for a public health type job. We had an agreement that if, at the in terview, we’re offered the job, we’re going to take it only if we can have a few weeks off.

Since 1993: Volume 29, Number: 16

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Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001

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Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au

Journalist: Lily Pass, lily@citynews.com.au

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Distribution manager: Penny McCarroll penny@citynews.com.au

from England to Singapore, from Canberra to the Margaret River and back, through Pamirs and Kyrgyzstan, and from Uluru to Canberra.

Previously, he has cycled from London to Singapore, and will close the loop with his ride from Canberra to Singapore, while supporting “a very important” cause.

“I chose to raise money for the indigo foundation because every dollar goes towards a program. I wanted no overheads, and the indigo foundation lets locals decide what needs to be done. They’re not being told what they

In 2021, indigo foundation partnered with Juventude ba Dezenvolvimentu (JDN) – Youth for National Develop -

In Dili, Ian says, there’s a real problem with sexual harassment.

“So JDN has gone over there and they’ve trained quite a few people, aged between 16 to 24 about what’s reasonable and what’s not reasonable when it comes to sexual harassment,”

“They are a small charity that really tries to do global stuff, on a local

And, Ian says, he will be doing the ride unsupported.

“I choose to ride unaccompanied, that is with no support vehicle, no one setting up camp each night for me, I do it all myself,” he says.

“Riding a bike loaded with all that I need makes me feel more part of the environment; I feel less removed from those I see doing it tough along the way.”

He says a major interest of his on the road is cooking.

“Every trip I add a new bunch of dishes to my home menu,” he says.

“Once, I saw a fungus puffball, and I know you have to be careful with fungi, but it was the size of my head. It’s like tofu. I cut it into cubes and popped it on the billy with garlic, onion, ginger and a tomato paste, and let it marinate for the whole day, and that was dinner over some wild rice.

He and the indigo foundation have left their fundraising goal open, saying they will use the money for whatever is needed, whenever it is needed, rather than locking in specific targets.

“On April 27, I will launch a blog on CycleBlaze for anyone who is keen to follow my journey, just search for indigo foundation. I’ll aim to update it daily with a paragraph or two and some photos,” he says.

“I expect it will take me five weeks to get to Darwin, and then I’m just going to fly to Timor and go from there. So, how much time will it take? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t mind being home by September.”

To donate, visit great-indigo-bike-ride. raisely.com

Ian Wallis… “I choose to ride unaccompanied, that is with no support vehicle, no one setting up camp each night for me, I do it all myself.”

Photo: Lily Pass

Greens go to weeds as old bowlo awaits its fate

THE Braddon bowling club story is one of many about how this government and its bureaucracy has corrupted its own governance – how they do stuff badly.

The saga of the former Canberra City Bowling Club just goes on and on and has consumed local residents’ goodwill and energies.

It starts with the Ainslie Football Club management taking over the bowling club. This was seen as logical as the bowls club was struggling.

Years later, the Ainslie club itself was having a tough time financially so the promise of moving the venue to Gungahlin was called off. The site was seen as a chance for some quick funds. It was sold to a developer. The winners were the football club with millions from the sale. The losers were players, the community and nearby residents.

This suburban area was faced with this former community facility being converted in an ever-changing list of money-making proposals.

These have included a high-profile events venue, a resort with spa and cinema, a boutique hotel, a restaurant and a day spa, a block of apartments (heights varied depending on which document you read) or the latest that looks like a hotel even though it is be -

BLACKBOARD

Discounts

ing canvassed as blocks of apartments. Local politicians have done little to resolve the issues raised by residents. The government’s planning authority has refused to consider that this suburban area should be subject to a master plan. Instead, it has been left to the developer to dream up ideas that suit him but definitely have not aligned with the feedback from locals.

The more inclusive and democratic way of doing planning would have been for the government to have taken over consultations early on, to have allowed residents to be heard and to have then published a neighbourhood master plan for what should be happening on these streets.

Instead, the residents have had to suffer rumours, thought-bubbles by the

developer announced through local media, consultations designed to sideline residents’ views, as well as innuendo about residents not being flexible. Nothing positive has surfaced from the planning bureaucracy or from ACT Greenslabor politicians. As for the planning minister – say no more as he is always busy doing something somewhere.

More recently, residents realised how neighbours did not know about what was going on. One day later, after some very efficient letter-drops, more than 40 people showed up to a meeting. The consensus is that locals do not appreciate the games being played and why local politicians will not get involved (we do pay them, don’t we?).

For a community site that has

frontages (front and back) on to two suburban streets, that is alongside a childcare centre and is opposite the Ainslie public school, the logic of what has been proposed to date has annoyed and angered residents. The amazing thing is that faced with all this nonsense, they remain polite.

They still think that the planning directorate and their elected politicians would not allow such a planning plunder to happen. Bowls clubs in other cities have been repurposed as new community facilities. Why not here – for once? The site is now walled off with overgrown weeds instead of bowling greens.

The latest episode has not helped. After a round of proposals for a block of apartments that looked and sounded very much like a hotel, and after some initial feedback from residents, the developer called off the development – again.

The informed residents realised what was being proposed would have been able to be challenged (if residents had the energy). They know that the chief minister’s deregulation of developments is being pushed through despite a massive number of objections.

Residents now expect the developer to re-apply once the full deregulation of the rules is passed by the ACT Greens and Labor – well before next year’s ACT elections.

It is common under this Greenslabor government for community facilities and green spaces to be regarded as land banks and as opportunities for profit. Being a common practice does not make it good practice. This form of ad-hoc spot development that is often undertaken by developers and the government itself works against everything good that former planners of this city achieved. Unfortunately, for the moment, an opaque and corrupted form of governance rules how planning is undertaken. These governance issues should be the basis for a total reform of the planning directorate.

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

It is common under this Greenslabor government for community facilities and green spaces to be regarded as land banks and as opportunities for profit.

Overgrown weeds where once there were bowling greens in Braddon. Photo: Paul Costigan

‘Government kicked my daughter out of heaven’

ON Palm Sunday, I again attended the Refugee Action Campaign (RAC) rally against Australia’s abhorrent treatment of asylum seekers.

I have been going most years in the last decade and I applaud John Minns, convenor of RAC, and his team for their determined and passionate support of asylum seekers in Australia.

In a recent opinion piece published in “CityNews”, John provided an update about the thousands of asylum seekers in Australia whose status is yet to be determined, whose lives remain fractured and whose future is uncertain.

As an example, he used the random cruelty and heartlessness of the current policy in the treatment of a young woman from Iran who arrived, with her family, at Christmas Island in 2013, was transported post haste to Nauru where they were detained for five years before being evacuated to Australia on medical grounds.

Her name is Sahar Ghasemi. The fact that Sahar and her family arrived in Australia in late 2013 is of relevance because of the policy of mandatory and indefinite offshore detention introduced by the then prime minister Kevin Rudd and his deputy, Anthony Albanese, which was given effect on and from September 19, 2013.

Under that policy, any person who arrived in Australia by boat, from that date, would be automatically denied both asylum and the opportunity of ever settling in Australia. In a cruel twist of fate, Sahar and her family arrived at Christmas Island on that day.

asylum. Where is the end of all this misery and suffering?’”

Zarah also talked of Sahar’s recent expulsion from university: “After five years of being deprived of education in Nauru, once we got to Australia, my older daughter started going to school and worked hard to catch up with her studies. She knew she had no choice but to be successful. She wanted to make up for the past and its hardship. She wanted to become a lawyer, to help people like us, something she had dreamed of since childhood.

members

attendance at the rally led by member for Canberra Alicia Payne and, from the Legislative Assembly, Rachel Stephen-Smith and Tara Cheyne.

Despite having earned a scholarship to study arts/law and having begun her studies at an Australian university earlier this year she was, a few weeks ago, on turning 18, effectively expelled from university because of her immigration status.

At the RAC rally Sahar’s mother, Zarah, spoke at length about the devastating impact the treatment that she and her family have experienced at the hands of the Australian government over the last 10 long years is having.

This is some of what Zarah had to say about her family’s passage, by boat, to Australia: “I am a mother, a mother who gambled the life of her children by taking them on a boat, to the heart of the ocean to save them. A mother who had a fear of losing her children every second of the journey… Please, put yourself in my shoes. Imagine what it’s like to be a desperate mum, risking everything to save your children.

“The situation in Iran is heartbreaking, even worse than when we left, especially for women. My daughters and I could have lost our lives just for wanting freedom.

“In this world, parents are always worried for their children… parents put all their efforts into helping their children. But the worries of myself and other families in my situation are way beyond this.

“Constantly there is a question in my mind: ‘Why? My God tell us why? What crime did our children commit? It is not illegal to seek

“She got a full scholarship to university, and again the seed of hope was planted in her heart. She thought she would become the angel of rescue that had never come to rescue her. She felt the doors of heaven were opened for her, and her world became colourful, not black any more. She thought she was a normal person, able to build her own life.

“However, after seven weeks of joy the government kicked her out of heaven. Her crime? Turning 18. They took away her study rights. They said university is not a human right. Once again, I witnessed my daughter’s spirit melt away. Her hope has once again been replaced by pain and hopelessness.”

I was pleased to see a significant cohort of my fellow ALP members in attendance at the RAC rally led by member for Canberra Alicia Payne and, from the Legislative Assembly, Rachel Stephen-Smith and Tara Cheyne. Their attendance at a rally, the purpose of which was to condemn and demand the repeal of a policy introduced and still supported by the ALP, a party to which they and I belong, is to be applauded. I admire their courage and commitment to principle over party.

I was also impressed by the stoicism that each of them displayed during the frequent chanting of all those in attendance at the rally of “Shame, Shame, Shame” as the policy was rightly and roundly condemned for its inhumanity.

Jon Stanhope was ACT chief minister from 2001 to 2011 and the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly. Read more of his columns on citynews.com.au

Palm Sunday rally... the purpose was to condemn and demand the repeal of a policy introduced and still supported by the ALP. Photo: MIke Welsh

I was pleased to see a significant cohort of my fellow ALP

in

Elizabeth’s in no hurry to burst last

By Lily PASS

ELIZABETH Lee, 43, says she is definitely in a newborn bubble, as baby Ava celebrates her first week at home.

The ACT opposition leader’s partner, Nathan Hansford, says they’re doing well considering all things, with Elizabeth adding: “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

“A lot of people say it is easier the second time around, but I don’t know,” says Elizabeth.

“With the first one you didn’t know what to expect, so you just take everything as it comes, with the second one you know there are ups and downs, but we’re also transitioning Mia into her older-sister role.”

But, older sister Mia, 3, “adores baby Ava”, affectionately referring to her sister as “Strawberry”, and on her return from childcare, immediately asking where her baby is.

Elizabeth says she couldn’t do any of it without the support of Nathan and her family.

“Nathan does more of the night time wake ups, he’s more of a night owl, which helps,” she says.

“On our third night at home, I fed Ava at about 10.30pm and went to bed at almost midnight,

thought I’d missed the 1am feeding, but I had a text mes sage from Nathan saying he had fed her. Obviously he’d got up and I hadn’t even noticed, I needed the sleep, clearly.

“Mum came down from Sydney, too, the week I went into labour, she made lots of home-cooked meals, my blood glucose levels were better than they had been throughout the entire pregnancy, and she would massage my feet and just make sure I was as relaxed as possible.”

Nathan’s extended family live in Canberra, too, so there is no shortage of support, even from Elizabeth’s colleagues in the Legislative Assembly.

“Obviously I have support from acting leader Jeremy Hanson and the rest of the Canberra Liberals MLA team, but also from the MLAs from across the political spectrum,” she says.

“When I first found out I was pregnant I had all these good intentions about being back at work before the budget, and everyone said that only gave me six weeks.

“As the pregnancy progressed, I realised this will be my last pregnancy and baby. I decided that I should, and wanted to, and had the right to make the most of it, and to give my time to my second daughter.”

So, Elizabeth submitted a notice to the Assembly speak-

aims to return to work around mid-August.

“The ACT Legislative Assembly has always led the way in terms of being very family friendly, and a lot of credit for that goes to former chief minister Katy Gallagher,” she says.

“As a minister, [she] took maternity leave and made sure there was a culture of family friendly hours for both men and women.”

Not only was Elizabeth the first leader of a political party in Australia from an Asian background, but she believes she is also the first leader of a political party in Australia to take maternity leave.

“It really puts in context how inaccessible public life and politics has been for working mums, so if I can set a good example and set a precedent that’s a good thing,” she says.

Elizabeth says that when the next election is due, in October 2024, Mia will be 5, Ava will be 18 months, and she will be in the throes of school starting and toddling around, so she’s sure to have her hands full.

“But I’ve got great support, I have no doubt that I have what it takes to be chief minister in 2024,” she says.

“There’s certainly an air of dissatisfaction with the current Labor-Greens government. There’s no surprises that we have focused on the tram and the major failings in health, education, community services and housing

“I think most Canberans can see these issues are in dire need of a complete overhaul, and no amount of reviews or spin from this current government will change that.

“I know that I can’t be the type of mum that will handmake lunches every day and turn up to canteen duty, or do volunteering at school, and will my children miss out be -

cause of that? Perhaps.

“But I also hope that I’m setting a good example for my girls, that women can do whatever they set their minds to and they can play leadership roles and make a lasting contribution. Hopefully, I can set an example for my girls, and that’s the best thing a parent can hope for.”

Elizabeth Lee with new baby Ava… “I’ve got great support, I have no doubt that I have what it takes to be chief minister in 2024,” says Elizabeth. Photos: Andrew Campbell

Nathan with his girls, Mia, 3, and newborn Ava… “Nathan does more of the night time wake ups, he’s more of a night owl,” says Elizabeth.

Dad Nathan Hansford holds baby Ava with mum Elizabeth Lee and big sister Mia, 3… “I hope I’m setting a good example for my girls, that women can do whatever they set their minds to and they can play leadership roles.”

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Calls to sink so-called ‘ocean plastic’ labelling

In a statement, parent company The Clorox Company said: “Glad takes seriously our obligations under the law and industry codes of practice to package and market our products with claims that are truthful and substantiated.”

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MORE and more brands are telling consumers they’re waging war on plastic to create a safer, healthier ocean.

Take Glad’s recycled bin liners, for example. In bold capitals the label boasts they are “50% OCEAN PLASTIC”.

A little lower on the label, in a less prominent spot, “OCEAN PLASTIC” suddenly becomes “50% Ocean Bound Plastic*”. The block capitals vanish. An asterisk appears.

To work out what that means, shoppers must look for the fine print on the back of the roll where they discover “OCEAN PLASTIC” and “Ocean Bound Plastic*” may never have been in the ocean at all.

In fact, it could have been plucked from the landscape in developing countries, up to 50km away from the sea.

“Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50km of the shore line,” the explanatory note reads.

Glad didn’t invent the definition for ocean plastic or ocean-bound plastic, as it’s variously called. The 50km rule is in broad use by the commercial enterprises behind the rise of “ocean plastic”.

But it’s the kind of devil-in-the-detail approach that has clean-up campaigner Heidi Tait hot under the collar, and imploring the consumer watchdog and politicians to act.

Ms Tait is the founder of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, which works to prevent, remove and track marine debris in Australia. And she recently told a government inquiry consumers are being taken for a ride.

While she didn’t specifically mention Glad’s bin liners, she took aim at a growing class of products that say they’re made from 50 to 100 per cent ocean plastic, or ocean-bound plastic.

“We’re allowing frameworks that have (overseas) waste pickers that might go and pick up rubbish 50km from the coast that may never have entered into the ocean,” she told the inquiry.

“We are importing that waste as a feedstock to be manufactured into (new) products and then we are claiming that somehow we’ve cleaned up the ocean and it’s going to have a benefit to our marine environment and to our wildlife.

“Those things are all extremely misleading.”

Glad does not assert that it is cleaning up the ocean. Its language is focused on how “recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean” and how that helps make the seas safer for marine life.

But Ms Tait isn’t convinced that when consumers see headline descriptions like ocean plastic and ocean-bound plastic – in the middle of their weekly shop – that they’ll necessarily understand what they’re buying.

California-based company Oceanworks is Glad’s partner on its ocean-plastic, recycled bags and describes itself as “a powerful, responsible, plastic-sourcing engine that brings traceability and digitisation to the recycled plastic trade”.

Oceanworks provides the recycled plastic feedstock Glad uses in its bin liners, and says the material is harvested from the land, in places that lack efficient waste-management systems.

One of the reasons for that is plastic waste that’s been in the ocean is “hard to collect at scale” and is difficult and costly to use in manufacturing because it is typically degraded.

“We are by no means saying that every piece of plastic that is ocean bound would have ended up in the ocean,” Oceanworks co-founder and CEO Vanessa Coleman said.

“But it’s at very high risk of ending up there.”

“To solve ocean plastic pollution, as a problem, you need to get the plastic out of the ocean that’s already in there. But you absolutely also have to stop new plastic from going in.”

Late last year, Bunnings withdrew a plastic storage bin that proclaimed: “I’m made from ocean bound plastic.”

“While we were satisfied the product contained recycled material, we weren’t satisfied with our supplier’s claim it was ocean bound,” the retailer told AAP.

Ms Tait believes there’s a clear need for Australia to develop government-approved definitions for ocean and ocean-bound plastic, so consumers can easily understand what they are getting.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning all brands to tread carefully.

“Businesses should take care when making claims about using ‘ocean plastic’ or ‘ocean bound plastic’ in their products. As there is no standard definition for these terms, this may leave consumers with a false impression,” a spokeswoman said.

Last month, the watchdog flagged a number of investigations after an internet sweep found that more than half of the 247 businesses reviewed had made concerning claims about their environmental or sustainability practices. It has not named any of the companies.

“CityNews” and AAP are not suggesting any wrongdoing by any of the brands mentioned in this article.

There’s growing disquiet about the rise of new products claiming to be made using “ocean plastic” or “ocean bound plastic” that’s actually come from the land, reports TRACEY FERRIER .

Join us at the Australian War Memorial to remember all Australians who have served and died in war and on operational service, past and present.

PRE-DAWN READINGS 4.30 AM

Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard and Sculpture Garden

DAWN SERVICE 5.30 AM

Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard and Sculpture Garden

Reid Oval will be made available to members of the public to observe the Dawn Service.

RSL (ACT BRANCH) VETERANS’ MARCH 9.30 AM

Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard and Sculpture Garden

LAST POST CEREMONY 4.45 PM

Watch live at awm.gov.au/anzac

Free bus services will run for the Dawn Service and Veterans’ March. For event details, bus travel options, and road closures visit awm.gov.au/anzac

Michael Coleridge, 1967, EKN/67/0130/VN

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BREIFLY Seminar looks at trackless trams

THE Deakin and Yarralumla Residents Associations are hosting a seminar on trackless trams and other public transport options for Canberra. The seminar aims to provide an insight into alternative public transport technologies from three keynote speakers who will present papers on: driverless cars, electric buses and trackless trams. At Canberra College Theatre, Phillip, 7.30pm-9.30pm, on May 8. Numbers are limited, tickets from president@deakinresidents. asn.au

Church garage sale

ST Ninian’s Uniting Church in Lyneham is holding a garage sale in the church hall, 9am-noon, on Saturday, April 22. Organisers say there will be bundles of material at cheap prices for craftspeople as well as toys, household goods, sports equipment and more.

Open family history

RESOURCES, books and computer programs will be showcased at the Family History ACT library open day, at the Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street, 2pm-5pm, on Saturday, April 29. Visitors can also book a free 30-minute session (trybooking.com/ CGZUP) with an experienced FHACT member and learn how to start “shaking your family tree”.

POLITICS / Where are the hand-washing messages?

What will our covid complacency really cost?

WALKING around you wouldn’t know that covid is the slightest problem, but in the last year there have been more than 230,000 cases in Canberra alone.

This is almost half of our population that’s estimated to be around 470,000.

There is no compulsion to report covid cases any more – so we can expect these numbers to be a serious undercount. Where are the handwashing messages? Where are the social-distancing messages? How many people are wearing a mask? The uptake of the next tranche of covid vaccinations has slowed compared to the early days.

One of our “CityNews” regular readers has drawn to my attention the specific problems of schools, particularly as we head into the winter term. The point being made is that it is great covid-transmission weather for the second term of schooling. And it’s not just covid we should be worried about. The preventive measures that were taken for covid also have a significant impact on the transmission of influenza, colds, other respiratory diseases and common tummy bugs.

Schools and childcare centres are areas where so many people are in close proximity and are particularly

vulnerable to the spread of such diseases. Perhaps, as important, is the impact on teaching staff. Not only the personal impact on their own health, but also the impact on all of the staff that work with them along with the students they teach.

With the number of teachers who have been forced to take sick leave because of covid over the last year, the impacts have been quite devastating. Teacher absences because of sickness have in the past been largely covered by relief teachers. There has always been some call on the school staff to cover where relief teachers have not been available.

However, the schools are now facing significant issues as there are simply not enough teachers. This will

exacerbate the problems significantly. The solutions come down to things such as inadequate teacher coverage, split classes, lack of preparation time and, with it, less effective teaching.

It is no good blaming the teachers who are already working so hard. Keeping a school running with staff absences presents very significant challenges for the principals, the senior staff and all of the teachers who are called upon to put their shoulder to the wheel.

For a short while, it is possible to cover in this manner. However, in the long term this is likely to have significant impacts on the mental health of teachers. It ought not be surprising to us that they will simply get worn out as they strive to look after students

who were not their responsibility at the start of term.

In the coming term things can be expected to continue to get worse. The pressure will be on teachers to turn up for school even if they are feeling ill. In attempting to do the right thing to protect their colleagues from being stressed and overworked the problem will simply snowball. The consequences will be further spread of such infections.

Schools are there for the students. Not only will students be at further risk from infection, but their learning outcomes can be expected to deteriorate.

The NAPLAN results over the last few years have illustrated that the outcomes for ACT schools have not been able to keep up with the national averages. It is just one indicator of learning achievements. But these are the basics. Can our community really afford to see this go downhill even further?

The reader also raised the question of ventilation in our schools. How many schools have seen improved ventilation? In fact, how many other public-sector buildings remain with inadequate ventilation?

There are wide-ranging consequences of poor management of “prevention” in schools. The ACT government has been lax on this crucial part of the Canberra workforce. There seems to be little political appetite to address the “cause of the cause” of these challenges.

Addressing this issue in schools is simply the start. What about the similar impact in nursing and on the patients who are going to miss out on treatment while waiting lists move from amongst the worst in the country to even worse (if that is possible). What about police officers? Bus drivers? Public servants? What will our complacency really cost in the long term?

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.

Keeping a school running with staff absences presents significant challenges for principals, senior staff and all of the teachers who are called upon to put their shoulder to the wheel.

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Inquiry we had to have, when we didn’t need to

The issues before the inquiry are:

1. Whether any police officers acted wrongly:

a) in their investigation of Ms Higgins’ allegations;

IT’S now four years since something did or didn’t happen between two parliamentary staffers on the hill.

Events since, culminating in the Sofronoff Inquiry, which begins its public hearings in Canberra on May 1, have included:

• media beat ups,

• police frustrated in their investigation,

• unexpected conduct by our Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold and the Victims of Crime Commissioner Heidi Yates,

• delays to the trial, a late search for defence counsel,

• a deadlocked jury,

• the finding of material in the jury room that meant that the jury had to be discharged,

• claims that the complainant, Brittany Higgins, was so mentally distressed that a retrial was impossible,

• a formal complaint by the DPP about alleged police conduct,

• the ACT opposition demand ing an inquiry,

• the ACT government gleefully agreeing to have an inquiry,

• repeated claims by main stream media that the complainant (despite her illness) and the Albanese government negotiated a sev eral million dollars payout to her but with both sides giving neither confirmation nor justification,

• and – most recently – the acquitted accused, Bruce Lehrmann, taking multiple defamation actions.

The commissioner, Walter Sofronoff KC, and his team are charged as a Board of Inquiry (the ACT equivalent of a Royal Commission) to investigate the actions of the police, the conduct of Drumgold and whether Yates followed the law in support provided to

Ms Higgins in relation to the abandoned trial of Lehrmann, who was charged with raping fellow Liberal staffer Higgins in Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019. It is a charge he strenuously denies.

Sofronoff is a nationally known former judge whose most recent success was the inquiry into shortcomings within parts of the Queensland Forensic Science Service.

But this is the inquiry we had to have when we didn’t need

to have one at all – the basic issues and their resolution are obvious: prosecutions start with a presumption of innocence and must be based on sufficient evidence that there are reasonable prospects that a jury, considering all the facts and following the judge’s instructions as to the law, will convict.

The police told Mr Drumgold that there was insufficient evidence. He didn’t agree. Then he complained loudly about the police when he didn’t get the conviction.

Instead, he got a jury that was discharged because someone was naughty and careless, but only after the jury had told the trial judge it was deadlocked. Worse for him and her, he and Higgins then found that because she did not give her evidence from a remote room there was a gap in the law: she’d have to give her evidence a second time if there was a retrial. That meant she would be cross-examined a second time, when the defence would reap all possible benefit from how she had answered questions at the first trial.

Police and the prosecutors

The working relationship anywhere between police and prosecutors is inherently tense for various reasons including:

• Because the prosecutors who are desk bound are criticising the field work of police investigators.

For example, is the evidence collected by police complete? Is the evidence credible? If not, can credible evidence be provided by someone else?

• Many police feel that prosecutors should be more appreciative of police efforts and better prepared when it comes to hearings.

• Police, prosecutors, defence lawyers and judicial officers are all likely to underestimate the work demands and stresses placed on each other. This

b) in their dealings with the Director of Public Prosecutions [Mr Drumgold SC] in relation to the criminal proceedings against Mr Lehrmann;

c) in their dealings with the lawyers for the defence before, during or after the trial;

d) in their provision of information to anyone about this criminal case;

can lead to a blame game, both in and out of court.

Not all complainants are victims

Actions have consequences. Repeated over-egging of the assumed validity of complaints about sexual misadventure has changed the environment in which not only the public but also media, police, lawyers and jurors deal with these allegations.

Human beings, that’s all of us, exaggerate, lie, confabulate, forget, and misremember. Investigators, prosecutor assessment of whether to go to trial, defence lawyers, and trial fact finders must all acknowledge the inevitability of these behaviours.

It follows – despite shrill calls to the contrary – that complainants are only that until it has been proved that they are the victim of a crime.

When someone is assaulted or robbed in a public space then their “victim” status is on display. That is not so when a person alleges that they were forced into an unwanted sexual act in a private place where only the two parties were present. Forensic evidence can confirm sexual activity and often with whom it took place; however, it rarely shows consent or non-consent.

Many readers will recall that Victims of Crime Commissioner Yates chose to be closely associated with complainant Higgins, so closely that she presented as the Complainant’s Commissioner.

Despite the Barr government setting up this inquiry and including her conduct in the terms of reference, it then renewed her statutory appointment instead of giving her an acting appointment until the results of the Sofronoff Inquiry were known.

Information that may lead to change

What may make this inquiry

2. If any police officers so acted, their reasons and motives for their actions;

3. Whether Mr Drumgold acted wrongly;

4. If Mr Drumgold so acted, his reasons and motives for his actions;

5. Mr Drumgold’s post trial letter of complaint to the police;

6. Whether the Victims of Crime Commissioner [Ms Yates] followed the law in support provided to Ms Higgins; and,

7. Any issues that are closely related to those issues.

truly useful is the information that it gathers and its analysis of that information for our future investigations and trials.

The inquiry team has been busy interviewing people about their roles and performances as players in our criminal justice system.

This gives hope that the final report will make recommendations that will lead to changes in how the police are to investigate complaints about alleged sexual assault, the way that decisions about prosecutions are made (both for a first and any subsequent trial) and interactions between investigating police and defence lawyers.

I note that Steven Whybrow SC, who appeared for Lehrmann, and recently for an accused following a rape allegation by a “friend with benefits”, is reported as having said, after his client was very quickly acquitted by the jury, that the case should never have gone to trial. It was more than a little telling that there had been sexual events following the alleged rape –with no complaint.

This is not the only case in which the ACT DPP has chosen to go to trial (and retrial) in the face of other conduct by the complainant that is incompatible with “forced” sex.

Given that the High Court, when overturning the convictions of the now late Cardinal Pell, made it clear that viable “alternate hypotheses” make beyond reasonable doubt impossible, it is surprising years later that this lesson remains unlearned in Canberra – at least among some in the office of the ACT DPP.

This is an edited version of Hugh Selby’s column. The full work is at citynews.com.au. Hugh Selby is the “CityNews” legal columnist. His free podcasts on “Witness Essentials” and “Advocacy in court: preparation and performance” can be heard on the best known podcast sites.

“The police told the DPP there was insufficient evidence. He didn’t agree. Then he complained loudly about the police when he didn’t get the conviction.” Legal columnist HUGH SELBY previews the Sofronoff Inquiry.

More to planning than counting heads

POPULATION projections have been indispensable in informing the planning and provision of social infrastructure (schools, shops, aged care, public transport etcetera) and physical infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, stormwater, power) and services.

The projections, based on assumptions about fertility, mortality and net migration, have primarily been done at the national, state and territory level. They have regularly been reviewed in the context of changes in these variables.

Projections are not generally prepared at the district and suburb level given the complexity of demographic changes. Instead forecasts of possible populations have been made based on the context of planning policies, demographic trends, likely land releases and redevelopments.

The assumptions underlying the recently released 2022 projections at the territory level, resulting in a population of 619,900 in 2041 and

784,000 in 2060, are clearly stated.

However, the assumptions behind the projections at the district and suburb level are not, which may explain the inconsistency with the 2018 Planning Strategy and the draft District Plans.

The Planning Strategy was based on an ACT population of 589,000 in 2041. After allowing for the difference in aggregate growth, the projected populations by district are very different in the Strategy and the Projections, despite both being based on the planning directions outlined in the Planning Strategy.

In the Planning Strategy the population of Tuggeranong was estimated to be 100,600, Weston Creek 33,200, North Canberra 78,700, Gungahlin 100,200 and Molonglo 51,400.

In the 2022 Projections the population of Tuggeranong was projected to be 87,300, Weston Creek 24,600, North Canberra 98,500, Gungahlin 116,500 and Molonglo 67,600.

The different estimates are concerning as they affect the provision of infrastructure, services and facilities.

While the Planning Strategy is likely to have overstated the populations in areas such as Tuggeranong and Weston Creek, the 2022 Projections are likely to have underestimated the population in many suburbs, by failing to recognise the regeneration taking place and the level of dual occupancy occurring.

For example, the 2022 Projections indicate a fall in the population of Kambah/Wanniassa by 2033 of 832 despite these suburbs growing by 979 between 2016 and 2021, after earlier decline. Similarly the population of Weston Creek (excluding Weston where new development is identified) is projected to fall by 441 despite growing by 882 between 2016 and 2021 and Cook/Aranda is projected to fall by 422 despite growing by 183 between 2016 and 2021.

The situation is further complicated by the estimates of dwelling capacities by district in the Planning Strategy. The capacity of Molonglo is identified at 25,000 dwellings suggesting, depending on trends in dwelling occupancy, a population of between 55,000 to 60,000. The dwelling capacity of Gungahlin is identified at some 40,000 dwellings indicating a population of around 100,000 to 105,000.

The 2022 Projections, without analysis, assume the higher projected population can simply be accommodated by increasing densities in inner

Spit hood ban ‘heartening’

areas and higher densities in the major centres (eg, the population of Molonglo is said to increase to 86,000 in 2060 – is it desirable, feasible, at what cost?).

All the district and suburb estimates of population suffer from the inadequacies of the 2018 Planning Strategy which assumed 70 per cent infill best achieved compact city objectives.

The strategy did not evaluate the merits of higher greenfield share scenarios where such areas are well connected and have substantial employment, services and facilities.

Clearly there is a need to review the strategy to comprehensively consider housing preferences, infrastructure requirements, transport, environmental impacts and housing affordability.

Such a review will need an increase in the strategic planning capability within the bureaucracy including the appointment of a demographer.

There has not been an in-house demographer since 2015. Such capacity may increase the community’s confidence in the competency of the government in exploring alternative urban futures and avoid the muddle of the 2018 Planning Strategy, District Plans and 2022 Projections.

Mike Quirk is a retired NCDC and ACT government planner.

ACT Human Rights Commissioner Dr Helen Watchirs is “heartened” by the announcement that spit hoods will no longer be used by ACT police or by the AFP nationally.

The mesh-fabric hood, which covers the face to stop a person from spitting and biting, will no longer be used by the AFP after a review found the risk of using them outweighed the benefits.

The force said the review, launched after a spit hood was used on a minor, found the devices were ineffective in preventing transmissible diseases.

“The AFP, which includes ACT Policing, has stopped using spit hoods, and is providing equipment and implementing procedures to better protect members from spitting and biting,” it said.

Commissioner Watchirs said: “In our view, spit hoods can pose a serious risk of suffocation and are not the least restrictive means necessary to detain people. Therefore their use by force is not reasonable nor proportionate.”

Australian Federal Police Association President Alex Caruana said the ban meant officers would be without the appropriate equipment to minimise their exposure to bodily fluids, ultimately putting them in an “unacceptable position”.

“Offenders are still able to spit while handcuffed or restrained,” he said... The government must do more to protect police from occupational violence in this respect.”

Without analysis, it’s assumed the higher population can simply be accommodated by increasing densities in inner areas and higher densities in major centres… but is it desirable, feasible, at what cost, asks former planner MIKE QUIRK

This race-based constitution change divides us

legislation before demanding a referendum is generating distrust about why a referendum is being pursued.

ON principal, I believe we shouldn’t change the constitution to entrench any racially based entity that treats one group of Australians differently to other Australians.

As a nation, we have worked tirelessly to treat every individual equally, regardless of race, colour or creed.

I do not support something I consider to be taking Australia backwards by institutionalising racial division in our founding document.

We are all Australian and each of us has a voice that represents all of us equally, it is the Australian Parliament.

There are currently 11 indigenous federal members, which proportionally outnumbers non-indigenous parliamentarians. This is something I celebrate, and I fear entrenching a separate, unelected Voice in the constitution would diminish the power of those elected members and the people they represent.

The solutions to the undeniable disadvantage faced by some, but

certainly not all, indigenous Australians are in my view not to be found by creating race-based constitutional division.

The Voice is already creating division across Australia and, in particular, amongst indigenous Australians. On Australia Day in Canberra, representatives of the Tent Embassy led protests against the Voice. Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe resigned as a member of the Greens because of her opposition to the Voice and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from Alice Springs is also campaigning strongly against it.

Indigenous Australians in remote Australia have disputed the idea that their very diverse communities can be represented by a group of appointed people as a single voice.

Jacinta Price, who is married to an Australian of Scottish descent, has described to me how the Voice is something that risks division between families and within marriages.

This is not just a debate about the principle. This would be a deeply

significant change to the constitu tion, and the inclusion of “executive government” in the Voice risks an ongoing legal quagmire of High Court challenges. Beyond its potential legal powers, the Voice will also wield significant political power.

The prime minister has admitted that only a “very brave government” would disagree with the Voice on certain policy issues. I believe that no group of unelected Australians should ever wield such legal and political power.

It concerns me that the prime

minister has refused to provide sufficient detail about the Voice or release the solicitor-general’s advice and the referendum has been set up to limit debate.

Both sides of the debate won’t be funded as was the case for the republic referendum, and in an overt act of undemocratic bias, initially any donations to the “yes” case tax were deductible but not for the “no” case. This has eroded trust not just in the Voice but in the whole fairness of the referendum process.

The refusal to create a Voice by

My suspicion is that the Voice is being presented as some utopian panacea, to solve the great disadvantage faced by indigenous Australians, but will not actually progress closing the gap.

It is hard for me to see how yet another advisory body on the back of other failed models, such as ATSIC, will make any real difference.

A logical and less divisive way forward has been proposed by the federal opposition, which would provide recognition for indigenous Australians in the constitution and establish regional and local voices through an act in parliament. I support this approach.

I believe we should all commit to work together to respond to our indigenous peoples with recognition and with legislation but not allow a race-based change to the constitution to divide us.

MLA Jeremy Hanson is the deputy leader of the ACT opposition and was, among other portfolios, Liberal spokesperson for indigenous affairs (2008-2012).

“CityNews” welcomes all opinions on the Voice to parliament to editor@citynews.com.au

QANTAS POINTS^

“I fear entrenching a separate, unelected Voice in the constitution would diminish the power of those elected members and the people they represent,” says JEREMY HANSON.

Why light rail needs to be stopped in its tracks

enormous dislocation to the CBD road network and the delays to bus services on the southside, it can’t be justified because there are much cheaper and less disruptive alternatives.

Dr Ahmed further noted that Net ACT Government Debt in 2024-25 is forecast to reach $8.659 billion with an interest cost exceeding $500 million annually.

apartments would disappear.

It is a parking lot, not helped by the ridiculous 40kph limit. Light rail was promoted by the government on the basis it would increase public transport use and reduce congestion. Neither has occurred.

In a presentation to the ACT branch of the Economics Society of Australia in March, former senior ACT Treasury officer Dr Khalid Ahmed revealed that between 2016 and 2021, the main method of travel for employed persons aged 15+ using bus and tram increased from 14,267 to 14,552, a trivial increase of 285 despite a very large increase in the number of employed persons aged 15+ in the same period of 43,000.

Dr Ahmed also showed in his address to the society that for Stage 1 of light rail, the benefits were overstated, the costs understated and the counterfactual case (do nothing) was not correctly defined. The benefit to cost ratio (BCR) for light rail was 1.2, for Bus Rapid Transit, 2.4. These figures were from the government’s business case.

Furthermore, the auditor-general cited 0.49 as the BCR (Auditor-General’s Report No. 5/2016; Initiation of the Light Rail Project) and added this was an optimistic figure.

Even more significant in the debate as to whether we should persist with light rail in Canberra are the facts around the comparative construction costs of light rail versus trackless trams.

The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies located at the University of Sydney Business School is an acknowledged leader in the areas of transport, infrastructure, logistics and supply chain management. In a research paper written by Yale Wong from the ITLS in December 2018, the capital cost of a trackless tram, varied between $US7-15 million per kilometre. The equivalent cost for light rail was $US20-30 million per kilometre! There is no reason to believe that the relative difference in costs has changed. Construction costs have increased by about 30 per cent since.

The capital cost of Stage 2 of light rail is staggering. Even setting aside the

Given that there has been a massive transfer of funding from health and public housing budgets to pay for the tram, the government’s arrogant determination to pursue light rail extension should be stopped in its tracks.

And then we get to the overpasses…

ALTHOUGH I am a geologist and not an engineer, I see some potential problems with the construction of light rail stage 2B to Woden, all involving overpasses.

The first is at the intersection of Adelaide Avenue and Hopetoun Circuit. The overpass is divided into two widely separated carriageways, each on a reinforced concrete platform with wall-like supports on either side of Hopetoun Circuit (see photo).

The light rail system, presumably with two tracks, will obviously require a separate bridge. The potential problem is whether a concrete platform about 35 metres long will be strong enough to carry the light rail vehicles without central support.

Either way, construction of an extra bridge will necessarily cause considerable traffic disruption, mainly on Hopetoun Circuit. If this work takes as long as did relatively minor modifications to the Kent Street overpass, about one kilometre further west, the disruption on busy Hopetoun Circuit could last for months.

Has the cost of this work and its side effects been factored into the cost-benefit analysis of light rail stage 2B?

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

I AVIDLY read “CityNews” each week to get my dose of sanity. Thank you to Paul Costigan, Jon Stanhope and Michael Moore for tirelessly putting the facts out there rather than the biased and distorted view the current ACT government continues to provide.

Please, listen to reason, not only from these gentlemen, but many readers, and actually think about the very well thought out feedback and submissions from your constituents.

It is a fact, the bush capital is slowly being poisoned by medium-density development, the loss of green spaces and a train that most people do not want yet is sucking all the funds from the budget. Funds that should be being used to maintain the bush capital and support residents by providing good education and health outcomes for all.

This would result in improved employment opportunities and mental health.

My rates and taxes are simply being wasted. I feel like giving up because you just don’t listen except where the mighty dollar is concerned and a property developer is involved in the conversation.

Vicki Wallis, via email

Comparison needs more than just figures

BEATRICE Bodart-Bailey’s column (“The flawed ecological argument of high-rise infill”, CN April 6), is impeccably researched. However, I would like to add a point of view from someone having experienced different styles of accommodation.

I have stayed a few times in an apartment high rise of around 32 floors at Broadbeach in Queensland. We stayed in a bedsitter with a small balcony overlooking the ocean. The apartment was complete with a small, closedoff laundry, dishwasher, microwave, hotplates and TV. I don’t pretend this would suffice as permanent accommodation, but I looked at it as to how it would suit us as a couple.

The building featured indoor and outdoor pools, a small gym, convenience store and coffee bar. It was a short walk to a modest shopping mall with restaurants, coffee shops and Woolworths, the nearby park hosted weekend markets.

It could provide a satisfying lifestyle, at least for retirement. If I imagined the number of apartments, even as two storeys, spread as single buildings with bitumen access, concrete aprons, footpaths, modest greenery in between, all the convenient aspects of the

Fortunately, our current multi-storey accommodation in Greenway features many of the advantages mentioned even though Lake Tuggeranong can’t substitute for a Queensland surf beach. A comparison requires more than just figures.

Eric Lindemann, Greenway

Temperature, humidity and discomfort 101

CLIVE Williams in his “Whimsy” column, “Why humid weather makes you feel lethargic” (CN March 30) states: “In humid conditions, the air is populated by hydrogen and nitrogen as well as oxygen, and our lungs have to work harder to get oxygen from the air. This is part of the reason why we feel so lethargic in humidity, and why physical activity can be especially taxing.”

Any physiologist would say to Clive: “Take a little time and study some physical chemistry and thermal physiology.”

What makes physical activity so hard at high temperatures is the need to lose heat.

Humans lose heat in four ways – evaporation of water (sweating, wet clothing, respiration), radiation (when air is cool), conduction (lying on a cold surface) and convection (sitting near a fan).

At high temperatures, still conditions and low humidity, the latter three are negligible and we rely on evaporation.

Now, let’s toss humidity into the mix. When we talk about humidity in relation to weather it is termed relative humidity (RH) – the amount of water vapour in the air relative to the maximum it can hold at that temperature.

When saturated (ie 100 per cent RH), a cubic metre of air can hold about 9 grams of water at 10°C and 17, 30 and 51g at 20°C, 30°C and 40°C, respectively. Thus at 50 per cent, RH the air holds about 4.5, 8.5, 15 and 25.5 grams of water at these temperatures. When it’s hot and dry (eg mid-afternoon in Canberra in summer (35°C and 35 per cent RH) sweat evaporates without you noticing, taking heat from your body. In the tropics in the wet season, it is always hot and humid (eg Mandalay 33°C and 80% RH) and sweat does not leave your body; you are soaked. Also the heat does not leave your body. How do you stay cool? By being lethargic!

Do nitrogen and hydrogen play a role in this? Simple answer – No! We breathe in more nitrogen (78 per cent of air) than any

other gas, it’s inert and we simply breathe it out again. Hydrogen is barely detectable in air (0.00005 per cent) but, of course, it is 11 per cent of H2O!

Ian Wallis, O’Connor

Clean out of highlevel public servants

ONE doesn’t need to have been “living in the dreamtime” to see how important the Royal Commission into Robodebt was.

It was able to penetrate the barriers of legal professional privilege and cabinet confidentiality and expose the workings of the public service and of government.

It is beyond my comprehension as to how bad the scheme and its implementation was, and it definitely needed the powers of a Royal Commission to winkle out of high-level public servants and their political masters, just how much obfuscation, stonewalling, blame-shifting, evasion, memory loss and fear of superiors was involved in administering a scheme that was noted as possibly illegal as far back as November 2014.

And no one has taken responsibility for the fiasco with Stuart Robert actually blaming Cabinet solidarity for its continuance.

Various high-level public servants knew that Robodebt was illegal, but were too frightened to advise departmental heads or their departmental ministers.

What is needed as a result of the Royal Commission is a complete clean out of those high-level public servants, along with responsible ministerial staffers and their masters, who allowed the scheme to proceed at the expense of hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients.

It is to be hoped that the Royal Commission will recommend that further investigations are warranted to see whether criminal conduct was involved and, if so, investigated under criminal law procedures.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Democracy may not be the best, but…

FEW would deny that the world is in a mess – driven mainly by increasing lust for power. I would like to see the UN fund a video about Donald Trump and Mary Doyle as excellent examples of the saying (from a fading memory) democracy may not be the best political system, but it is superior to others that have been tried.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

IF anyone had any lingering belief that the ACT Light Rail Stage 1 had made a positive impact on traffic congestion on the corridor it serves, just observe Northbourne Avenue during peak hours.

‘My rates and taxes are being wasted’

‘Cold plains’ develop into a warm-hearted district

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

These days the district is a set of contiguous residential suburbs consolidated around Lake Tuggeranong, with a population of around 90,000.

January, to service the community in southern Canberra, says area manager, southern NSW/ ACT, Brooke Waters.

“It was very exciting to open, and we’re getting the word out. Customers have been very pleased to have the shop in Tuggeranong,” she says.

“At Open Mobility, we aim to give 100 per cent, A+ customer service, every day.

“We provide expert advice to assist everybody with their needs, to find the best, most suitable products.

“We are having a 10 per cent to 40 per cent stocktake sale on selected items in our showroom, including homyped shoes, cushions, scooters, reachers, sheep skins, tipping kettles, quick shoelace ranges, walkers and more.”

“Open Mobility also offers free delivery and install, as well as a five per cent price match,” she says.

“Open Mobility are Assistive Technology Specialists and authorised DVA equipment providers. We also trade in, rent and service mobility and accessibility equipment.

“We stock an extensive range of equipment and a range of wbrands including Afikim, Canterbury Concepts, DeVilbiss, Invacare, Karma, Merits, Otto Bock, Pride, Roho, Shoprider and Theorem.

“We also have stores in Belconnen, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Dubbo.”

Open Mobility, 310 Anketell Street, Greenway. Call 1300 881355, or visit openmobility.com.au

KIDSTART Southside Education and Activity

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

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

Operating since 1996 and located in Wanniassa, Kristen says it’s wonderful to be part of the Tuggeranong community.

She says Kidstart offers three distinct and

can thrive in a school format,” says Kristen.

KidStart is proud to have just welcomed their 21st class of three-year-olds into the program.

“It has been amazing to see 21 years worth of three-year-old Kidstart kids and their families growing, loving, enjoying and benefiting from the program,” says Kristen.

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

“By allowing them to thrive in an educational setting and experience the joy in

•

Professional, fun tuition in Ballroom Dancing

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All Classes are held at: The Crystal Ballroom Canberra 6/38 Reed Street Nth, Greenway, Tuggeranong

Dale’s Ballroom Dancing

Phone: 0407 066 110 | Email: dale_harris@bigpond.com

Web: dalesballroomdancing.com | Principal: Dale Harris

ALL ABOUT TUGGERANONG

Fun way to get fit, socialise and compete

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

“I have new adult classes that start on Wednesday, April 19, at 7pm,” she says.

“The classes will cover Latin, New Vogue and standard dances.

“Junior classes will also recommence on Thursday, April 27, from 5.30pm.

“Anyone can join. You can just rock up on the night and we can get you caught up. Everyone and anyone is welcome”.

Dale says she loves to welcome anyone to come and learn regardless of age or experience.

“We have people of all ages coming in for the classes,” she says.

“One of the great things about it is the fitness. You don’t realise how much exercise you’re doing, you’re constantly on the move.”

Dale is an expert in many styles of dance including

ESTABLISHED in 2015, Canberra-based company TradeWise Renovations is quickly becoming the go-to company for home renovations, says owner Angelo Nardi.

The business specialises in all aspects of interior renovations including custom built kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

“We also offer a comprehensive design and drafting service,” he says.

With a complete team of qualified tradespeople at their disposal and strong working relationships with some of Canberra’s largest suppliers, Angelo says

“there is not much we can’t handle”.

The business is family owned and has more than 30 years of experience building and renovating in the Canberra area.

“We believe our success comes down to three things: excellent service, excellent communication and excellent product,” he says.

“It’s all about the customer experience,” says Angelo. The business also offers an “obligation-free quote”. TradeWise Renovations. Call 0430 172451 or visit tradewiserenovations.com

Grooming dogs with pride

SHAMPOOCH is a dog grooming salon, with owner Anita – a long-time dog groomer – saying she couldn’t turn up the opportunity to buy the business.

“My husband Cheyne and I became managers in November, and we purchased the business at the beginning of February,” she says.

“We found the perfect shopfront so we moved it to Greenway.”

She says they wanted to keep the business on the southside, to keep servicing the same clientele, but they wanted the shop to have a divide between the grooming, bathing and reception areas.

Anita and Cheyne say they can work to specific time frames, and can have pets ready to a high standard for special occasions to help celebrate weddings and baptisms.

“I’ve always loved animals, I’ve owned cats, dogs, horses, ferrets, birds growing up, but I knew I could never be a vet,” says Anita.

“We strive for difference, we don’t churn through as many dogs as possible in a day, we pride ourselves on always getting to know each dog personally, and making them as comfortable as possible.

“We do it for the love of the animals, and our senior groomer has 12 years of experience, specialising in poodle trims.

Shampooch, 230/142 Anketell Street, Greenway. Call 6286 9225, or visit shampooch.au

Valley Grill unveils a new menu

AT its Tuggeranong venue, the Canberra Southern Cross Club offers the Valley Grill Restaurant for food and drink, function spaces for events and an atmosphere to invite anyone in, says venue manager Jason Lowe-Moon.

“We also have a good relationship with the Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football Netball Club,” he says.

“We host a meat raffle every week, and we have an Anytime Fitness gym upstairs for the convenience of our members.”

Opened in the late ‘90s, Jason says they have had regulars coming

filtering through towards the end of the week, and, of course, happy hour is very popular.

“It’s from 4pm to 6pm, with 40 per cent off tap beer, wine by the glass and soft drink post-mix,” he says.

“Tuggeranong is a good central location, and until recently there were not many food offerings.

“Until the end of April, we’re offering a free drink with every meal of $20 or more, to celebrate our new menu.”

Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong, Cnr Pitman and Holwell Street, Greenway. Call 6293 7200, or

Sandy’s ‘happy’ store has more to discover

CHARLIE & Chums’ owner Sandy Borgo says there’s plenty to discover, and she’s having a storewide sale.

“It’s 20 per cent off, on April 21 and 22, with the exception of the Lisa Pollock and Mother’s Day ranges,” she says.

“We’ve got garden ac cessories, ponchos, a new range of umbrellas, mugs and new handbag hooks that are decorated with blue wrens, dragonflies or cockatoos.”

She says the store has added even more to its range of practical accessories and decorative pet-themed gifts.

“We’ve got a lot of dog bowls that are square and rectangle-shaped for water and food, which makes it easier for the bowls to sit up against a wall and they come in three colours,” she says.

“We’ve got some cheese boards and knives, picnic items, wine coasters and there’s plenty more stock coming soon.

“There’s toys for cats and dogs, pet hair brushes and brooms, bookmarks, bags, painted mugs, figurines,

sculptures, leashes, collars and much more.”

Sandy says the store is also now better set out, with dedicated sections for garden, wall art, pet supplies, giftware and more.

“People tell me that the store makes them feel happy. I have people who can come in and spend an hour just looking around.”

Charlie & Chums, Tuggeranong South.Point. Call 0402 097580 or visit charlieandchums.com.au

A range of handbag hooks are available at Charlie & Chums.

Winter comforts to keep things toasty and warm

THE capital is starting to get chilly, and while there is more cold weather to get through, it does have its upsides. Around the region, there are also businesses that know how to keep things toasty. Boil the kettle, start the fire or just cozy up a little, because this week “CityNews” has some warm inspiration for the colder months.

Or Mathew’s favourite, a T-bone with veggies and a good gravy.

But, no matter what it is, Unique Meats, based in Fyshwick, has provided everything regarding meat since 2001.

“We’ve got lamb that’s grown out in Cowra, through to organic meats, through to Halal-certified meats, too,” he says.

There’s premium quality steaks, roasts, a large range of gourmet gluten-free sausages (made in store) and Unique Meats also produces its own smoked ham and meats.

“Our smoked bacon is far superior than the manufactured bacon you’d buy from the big companies,” he says.

Mathew, his wife, and now their son are

butcher now and is taking over the business,” says Mathew. “It’s all done by us.” Mathew says they also get weird and wonderful requests such as crocodile and eyeballs and, for a while, they were selling possum regularly.

Proud of the well-presented and clean store, he says Unique Meats has great staff, who take pride in its carefully handled, trimmed meat. “We also do wholesale and provide meat trays to a lot of the Raiders and Eastlake Clubs,” he says.

Unique Meats, Fyshwick Markets, G19 Dalby Road, Fyshwick. Call 6295 8573 or email unqmeats@tpg.com.au

WINTER is almost here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping homes warm while also keeping energy bills low, says Benn Masters, CEO of SolarHub.

“SolarHub, Canberra’s leading solar and battery installers and a rapidly expanding air-conditioning retailer, have both the expertise and solutions to efficiently heat your home by utilising the sun’s energy,”

“By focusing on energy-efficient appliances, SolarHub can provide a comprehensive solution that maximises energy efficiency and minimises power costs.

“Given that heating and cooling represent more than 60 per cent of the average Canberran household energy usage, an efficient ducted air conditioning system is usually the lowest hanging fruit to reduce energy consumption.”

To make the transition to solar and electric heating successful, SolarHub recommends oversizing the solar system and opting for a heat pump.

“By installing a larger solar system that anticipates higher winter consumption, homeowners can ensure they have access to sufficient energy throughout the year”, says Benn.

transfers heat from the outdoor air to warm the inside of a building, using electricity to power the process, making it more efficient than gas heating or resistive electric heating as it uses the ambient heat energy from the sun.

“To help finance upgrades, interest-free finance options are available in the ACT, such as the ACT government’s Sustainable Household Scheme and ActewAGL’s Appliance Payment Plan.”

SolarHub, 2/157 Flemington Road, Mitchell. Call 1300 213422 or visit solarhub.net.au

Mathew Hicks (right), his wife Bec and son Jordan (left).

ENDEAVOUR Carpets offers the largest range of topquality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien.

Established in 1970, and still a family run business, Endeavour will this year celebrate its 53rd anniversary.

“To celebrate, we have a sale running until the end of May on selected carpet ranges, including underlay upgrades,” she says.

Taylor says the business has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, bamboo, timber, laminate, cork floating floors, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

Taylor describes their Fyshwick-based showroom as Canberra’s “greatest floor show” with thousands of samples on display, and an experienced team of flooring specialists to make the customer’s experience as easy as possible.

“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send

their customers to view our huge range of top-quality floor coverings,” she says.

As a member of the Independent Carpets group, Taylor says it means Endeavour Carpets can offer customers greater choice and the best available prices.

“As a family business, Endeavour Carpets appreciates that customers are spoilt for choice in a competitive market place, and so maintain an objective to offer the best service and products available and for the best possible price,” she says.

When customers visit Endeavour Carpets, Taylor says they experience a good, old-fashioned service from a long-standing, local family business.

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” she says.

“At Endeavour Carpets, we don’t just endeavour, we do.”

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132, or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au

6132

Get going on winter greens

By Jackie WARBURTON

The favourite to grow is the loose-leaf lettuce because it selfseeds and grows all year round for me. The old leaves are rarely bitter and the more they are picked the more they grow.

there’s still lots happening in the garden.

Leaving the vegetable patch fallow for winter can be a good thing. It lets the soil rest and it’s also good for pest and disease management. Keep the area weed free, mulched and, in spring, the ground will be ready for planting.

Now’s the time to grow corn salad and land cress for winter greens. Get them going now and they’ll continue to grow right

be directly sown on to lightly tilled soil, watered in and lightly covered with mulch such as sugar cane or pea straw.

Loose-leaf lettuces grow well into winter. In the cold weather, tight-leaf lettuces are prone to rot, so save the cos and iceberg lettuces for warmer months and grow the loose-leaf lettuces in the cooler months.

There are more than 15 types of lettuces, from butterheads, endives, icebergs, cos, muslin and just about

Replant seedlings every two months in the ground and a few extra for the glasshouse pots ready for the cold July and August months.

NOW’S the peak of the mushroom season and especially after rains.

Mushrooms and toadstools can be found in local parks where there are exotic trees such as pine and birch trees. Toadstools are considered a poisonous mushroom.

Mushrooms (fungi) are not plants and do not produce chlorophyll, which is the green bit in plants that they need to grow. Mushrooms attach themselves to a growing organism to live.

There are many pine forests locally to explore and there are field guides to take with you to help identify what you might find. Whether it’s toadstools or mushrooms, they should not be

One highly poisonous toadstool common to our urban parklands is Amanita Muscaria, or fly agaric, found at the base of northernhemisphere trees such as oaks and birch.

They are short lived and will only be around for a day or two. They look pretty, but belong to the same family as the death cap mushroom and are toxic to humans and animals.

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• Still time to plant sugar snap and snow peas in the vegetable garden.

• Continue to deadhead roses and keep the water up to them for their autumn blush.

• Fertilise turf before the cooler months set in and resow and top dress if needed.

Amanita Muscaria, or fly agaric… a highly poisonous toadstool.

Loose-leaf lettuces… grow well into winter. Photos: Jackie Warburton

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE

Comedy, tragedy and the challenge of four friends

By Helen MUSA

ANY thought that Suzanne Hawley’s play “Wild Thing”, coming to The Q soon, was a kids’ play, is much mistaken.

The play is billed as “a tale of sea eagles and pole dancing, of children and childhood dreams, of religion and rock ‘n roll” and The Q’s publicity features the cast in school uniforms.

But “Wild Thing” is very much an adult work as it zooms in on a group of friends aged well past 60, who face a challenge to their long-standing friendship.

When I catch up by phone to Sydney with producer Di Smith, who also plays the pivotal role of Jackie, and Katrina Foster as her friend Frances, I find they see it as a comedy and tragedy – a “dramedy”. Not just that, it’s got an age recommendation of 18+.

The subject, lifelong friendship, is about leading a big life, they say, but also, it’s a memory play, involving people who have been friends for 40 years, who have seen each other’s relationships, birthdays, and babies, “a serious subject, but with a very comic telling”, Foster says.

Smith and Foster say the characters are definitely not them, but there’s a personal backstory.

with Hawley, then acting at the Ensemble Theatre in Milson’s Point but now an AFIwinning screenwriter. They’ve been friends

Fast forward to 2017 and Smith found herself sitting with old NIDA mates Foster and the late Penny Cook around the kitchen table of another NIDA graduate, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, who plays “Geoff and everyone else” in the coming show.

They all said: “Let’s collaborate on something’” and Smith said she’d just read

Cook, who died in 2018, was a prominent advocate for new works and always talked about how she wanted playwrights to write leading roles for women in their 60s, where the humour is very particular. Hawley’s script looked perfect.

They read the play together in FitzGerald’s kitchen, after which, with the help of Hawley, Smith tried to get it produced.

“Then I thought, I’ll do an indie production,” she says.

Covid intervened, but they eventually got it up at Flight Path Theatre at Marrickville in 2021 in what she calls “the magic mix of a perfect company”.

While being about lifelong female friendship, it naturally appealed to women. Young people came to the show at Flight Path, too, some saying things such as: “I want to go home and be a better friend”.

“Wild Thing,” The Q, Queanbeyan, April 28-29.

Bill brings the best to saying goodbye to ‘Barry’ NICK OVERALL

From left, Di Adams, Katrina Foster, Di Smith and Helen O’Connor in “Wild Thing”.

Photo: Lisa Tomasetti

to perform the only Scriabin concerto, of which she says: “It’s got some tricky spots I would say, maybe on the same level as Grieg, but I wouldn’t call it fiendishly difficult. My hand can reach for the full octave, so technically it’s not all that hard.”

What would be fiendish for her would be Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2, or of course Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3, the one that nearly finished David Helfgott off in the movie “Shine.”

Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor, Op. 20

ARTS IN THE CITY

Burgess a finalist in national stroke award

By Helen MUSA

STROKE survivor and theatre-maker Gretel Burgess has been nominated as a finalist in the National Stroke Foundation’s Creative Award for her dance theatre work, “Stroke of Luck”, which we featured on the cover of “CityNews” recently. The finals on May 4 will be telecast live.

“THE Rocky Horror Show” is about to turn 50, having first been born in Aussie director Jim Sharman’s production at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1973. It’s since become a cult sensation on stage and screen, translated into 20 languages. Its anniversary production will be at the Canberra Theatre, September 29-October

7, with Olivier-winning performer David Bedella playing mad transvestite scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter.

and as a performer you’re trying to create a three-dimensional aural space.”

is part of a very unusual concert for, as we have reported before, the artistic director of the CSO Jessica Cottis is a self-identified synesthete, who responds to music in terms of colour.

With this in mind, the concert is titled “Electric Blue”. It also features RimskyKorsakov’s famously popular “Scheherazade” and two world premieres, “Bathed in Blue”

good professor for the kind of music I want to study”.

“Music has different voices and different textures, and as a performer you’re trying to create a three-dimensional aural space,” she says.

“But for some people, it’s the acuteness of a colour perception that is prominent, they will see things in colour, we are talking about nuance.”

“Electric Blue”, Llewellyn Hall, April 26-27.

AUSTRALIAN Dance Week is almost upon us and Ausdance ACT’s guest performers include former Canberran Jozsef Trefeli, a major exponent of folkloric and especially Hungarian dance. There’ll be a free Hungarian dance workshop and Jinx 103 performance in the Main Hall, Gorman Arts Centre, noon-2pm, April 29, followed by “Creature”, a 40-minute work about “origins” to be performed by Trefeli and Gyula Cserepes. Details at ausdance.org.au

ALSO free to the public is young Sydney pianist Tony Lee’s solo performance of Schubert and Bartok at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, 12.30 pm, April 27 as part of Canberra International Music Festival.

A HIGHLIGHT of the music festival will be “Seeds of Life, featuring the Djinama Yilaga choir and clarinettist Oliver Shermacher, culminating in a performance of “Hillscape”, choreographed by Australian Dance Party’s Ashlee Bye, with a new composition by Dan Walker. National Arboretum, 11am, April 28.

“CRIMES of the Heart”, by Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright Beth Henley, is coming to Canberra Rep soon in a production by Karen Vickery. The story, set in Mississippi, revolves around three sisters coming together. It was released as a film in 1986, with Sissy Spacek, Diane Keaton and Jessica Lang, but Vickery thinks that was over-sentimentalised. At Canberra Rep Theatre, April 27-May 13.

THE Australian Catholic University’s Prize for Poetry is one of the richest in Australia with a pool of $18,000. It’s celebrating a decade this year. Canberra poets Geoff Page and John Foulcher are among the former winners. This year’s theme is “love”, but less the Keats kind and more the kind inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. when he said: “I have decided to stick to love… Hate is too great a burden to bear”. Entries to acu.edu.au

The Mozarts, the Haydns & the Bear

7:30pm, Fri 28 April Fitters’ Workshop

A classic symphonic feast focussed on three of the 18th century’s most prominent musical families. This concert features forgotten works by Michael Haydn & Leopold Mozart and is bookended by two great symphonies showcasing the Australian Haydn Ensemble.

Photo: Andrea Conangla Fernandes

Bill brings the best to saying goodbye to ‘Barry’

“BARRY” is back and he’s going out with a bang.

This month the curtain drops on the popular series about a hitman-turned wannabe actor who can’t seem to escape his life of crime.

Now streaming its fourth and final season on Binge, this sublimely deranged dramacomedy comes from the mind of “Saturday Night Live” star Bill Hader, who most will have seen turn up in one movie here or another TV show there.

Here, however, Hader is well and truly the star of the show. He’s Barry Berkman, a top-of-the-line mercenary paid to take out high-profile clients. His deadly career takes a turn when one of his assignments finds him in an amateur drama class where he falls head over heels in love with a fellow student.

It’s not long after Barry decides it’s time to leave his murderous work behind for a shot at Hollywood fame. His trials and tribulations only become more bizarre as this outlandish show goes on.

It is by far Hader’s best work. He’s starred in, produced, written and directed a solid chunk of the show’s 24 episodes thus far, which together have racked up nine well deserved Emmy awards.

The series has also evolved into a scathing takedown of the entertainment industry, painting a clear bullseye on the hollow nature of Hollywood.

But even on top of its superb blend of drama and comedy, “Barry” features action sequences that are thrilling enough to rival

the endless list of TV shows in the streaming world that solely dedicate themselves to delivering pacey thrills.

Minor spoilers ahead for those not caught up: Season three ended with Barry finally behind bars, leaving many to question how this final season will unfold. Hader promises that for his intriguing character, the final set of episodes will see him ready for his “breakout” role and I personally can’t wait to see how the performance unfolds.

THIS month Amazon Prime Video is serving up a wickedly hilarious premise with

their newest comedy-reality show “Jury Duty”.

In it, a fake jury of actors all play out a carefully scripted case. The twist? One poor sod believes it’s all real and is unaware that everyone’s in on the hoax except him.

Like some kind of weird legal version of “The Truman Show”, the series’ creators said the idea stemmed from a core question: “Was it possible to make a sitcom like ‘The Office’ about a trial, populate it with brilliant comedic performers, and put a real person at the centre of the show who doesn’t realise he’s surrounded by actors?”

That real person is Ronald Gladden, a Los Angeles everyman whose reactions we observe as the case around him descends into absurdity. No matter how off-the-wall things get, Ronald is never the butt of the joke. A lot of the comedy stems from his unwavering ability to remain cool and try to find solutions in even the most silly situations.

The first four episodes are available now and the show is releasing two new episodes each week.

AND this month in shows-that-nobodyasked-for there’s “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” – a prequel to, would you believe it,

These days every remotely popular thing has to have a prequel, sequel, or cinematic universe attached to it and this time it’s the 1978 musical that’s getting the treatment on Paramount Plus.

Set four years before the events of the beloved film, audiences return to Rydell High to see the story of four outcast girls and their rise to coolness in the iconic school. While the show does include a cast that sports much musical and acting talent, it’s not enough to save this otherwise bland and unnecessary addition to the celebrated source material. Even “Grease 2” is more enjoyable – and that’s saying something. It simply comes down to the fact that not everything needs the spin-off treatment and this is a crystal-clear example. Sometimes a story is best just told once and left to enjoy its legacy.

Tell me less, tell me less, less, less.

Bill Hader in his title role of “Barry”.

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DINING / Vincent Restaurant, Barton

Chefs Kin crank out cracking food

CHEF Kin and Chef Kin are doing a great job at Vincent Restaurant in Barton, cranking out cracking food.

One chef specialises in Vincent’s relatively new line-up of pastas. One chef focuses on other tantalising dishes.

Vincent has been around for some time, but these two chefs are committed to changing the menu each season. If you haven’t been for a while, it’s time.

We popped by for lunch and noticed – since my first review in 2016 – that Vincent now has a couple of tables outdoors. We began there but moved indoors for mains since the sun was strong and there were no umbrellas for protection (perhaps because of the wind).

Outdoors we revelled in sharing the kingfish ($26). The fish wasn’t carpaccio style (not that this is a problem), but not too thickly sliced. The coconut cream, coriander and lychee combined to transform the dish into a decadent experience.

We also shared the scallop with its hugely unique presentation ($28). Other ingredients were black sesame, yuzu kosho, for a welcoming chilli and citrus element, and katsuobushi, for a sensational smokey element. The ingredients formed a piece of striking artwork on a

light-grey plate.

After moving indoors, we indulged in the pasta specials, which are innovative and excellent value (both quality and quantity). Lunch specials Monday to Friday are $22 to $24 (add $10 for a glass of red or white house wine).

Heavenly was the ricotta gnocchi. The fluffy pillows served in a smooth Japanese pumpkin puree-style sauce arrived with zucchini, goat cheese and sage (a marriage made in heaven with pumpkin). Crunchy bits were sprinkled about to undercut the sweetness and add much-needed texture.

Also scoring top marks was the duck pappardelle served with thickish slices of smoked duck breast.

Vincent has a knack for combining flavours and this pasta was created with earthy, umami portobello mushroom and elevated with truffle oil. The duck was succulent and perfectly pink.

Vincent’s wine list has been carefully curated and features top drops from the region and around the world. We enjoyed the delicious Domaine Felines Jourdan, Picpoul de Pinet 2021 from Languedoc, France, which complemented our selection of food beautifully ($60 a bottle).

Indoors, Vincent is relaxed and casual and the long communal bar is

a great addition. Tables for couples or small groups are also available. The dark and somewhat moody interior design is warm and inviting. We always look forward to dining al fresco in the warmer weather and welcome the new tables on the patio. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable and even though the dining crowd had thinned out as we were finishing, there was no attempt to rush us out.

Scallop… with black sesame, yuzu kosho, and katsuobushi. Duck pappardelle served with thickish slices of smoked duck breast.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

HOROSCOPE PUZZLES

Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

24-30 April, 2023

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Many Rams are independent operators, fiery communicators and masters at multi-tasking. But things could go haywire this week as the planets disrupt your preconceived plans. Don’t let it deter you! Mars (your patron planet) links up with intrepid Uranus, so strive to be more adventurous, as you grab opportunities with both hands. Be inspired by birthday great, actress Shirley MacLaine: “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. It’s where all the fruit is.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

The Sun conjuncts the North Node (in Taurus), which is fabulous for taking bold new ideas and incorporating them into your professional plans for the future. Destiny is calling and you’ll find the more you combine the creative with the practical, the better the long-term outcome will be. But with Mercury still in retrograde mode (in your sign) there’ll be some stumbling blocks along the way. So do your best to be a patient and adaptable Bull.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Venus is visiting your sign, so you’ll be at your gregarious Gemini best. You’re keen to have fun but, when it comes to a problematic relationship, resist the tendency to be superficial. There’s a lot more going on beneath the surface than meets the eye. Mercury is retrograde, so slow down, observe, listen and learn. In the words of writer (and birthday great) Harper Lee: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

This week could be confusing so slow down and get your bearings before you proceed. Aim to get the balance right between socialising with other people and spending quality time on your own. Shine a spotlight on your aspirations for the future. Are they an honest reflection of who you are right here and right now? If you have an ongoing problem that’s bothering you, look to a work mentor or a wise friend for some well-chosen words of advice.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Beneath a deceptively calm exterior, you’ll feel rather restless this week, Cats. The planets imbue you with a sense of urgency and you’re keen to activate an ambitious project. But self-discipline and gradual, structured modifications are what’s needed at the moment, and there’s still plenty of background work to complete. It’s also important to do your best to get the balance right between your professional/public life and your personal/private life.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Mercury (your ruler) is retrograde until May 15. So things won’t run smoothly –especially involving relationships, finances, education or travel. So throw your obsession with perfection out the window! If you adapt to changing circumstances and accept mistakes and misunderstandings with good grace, you’ll manage fine. Heed the wise words of Virgo entertainer Beyoncé: “If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.”

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Mighty Mars is charging through your career zone, so it will be difficult to escape work issues this week. Intense concentration, careful listening and calm compromise are the keys to drama-free relationships. But – with Mercury reversing through one of your financial zones – it’s not a good time to buy big ticket items (like a house or a car), sign business contracts, apply for a bank loan or lend money to others. Instead, be a patient Libran and wait.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

This week retrograde Mercury could confuse communication in romantic and platonic relationships. So be careful you’re not viewing people through ridiculously rose-coloured glasses. If you’re attached, are you and your partner on the same page? If you’re single and looking for love, be cautious. Make sure you can differentiate between a dream date and a disappointing dud. When it comes to a close friendship, it’s time to get real and face the facts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

A romantic partnership or a creative joint venture looks promising, as long as you are realistic about what you can bring to the table. Promising professional and/ or financial opportunities are around. But you need to work out the perfect time to strike (and don’t be afraid to ask others for help). Plus avoid getting half-baked financial information from a flaky friend. Smart Sagittarians will look to a successful colleague for some astute business advice.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

This week you’re keen to help, but do other people require your well-meaning assistance? Remember Mercury is in retrograde mode until May 15. So be careful you’re not just being a fussy and finicky meddler. And if you are too quick to critique others, then you could find yourself with a fractious friend or a cranky colleague on your hands. Praise and encouragement will always get you a lot further than criticism, no matter how ‘constructive’ it is.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

With powerful Pluto now transiting through your sign, old rules have flown out the window. Change, elimination and transformation are the new norms in your life. So businesses need to innovate, communities need to be creative, people need to pivot and astute Aquarians need to be very adaptable. So your motto is from comedian (and birthday great) Jerry Seinfeld: “If life boils down to one thing, it’s movement. To live is to keep moving.”

PISCES (Feb

20 – Mar 20)

Saturn (in your sign) forms a positive aspect with the Sun on Tuesday, so it’s a good time to plan projects and communicate confidently. But Mercury is retrograde, so pace yourself and – if in doubt – don’t hesitate to double-check facts and figures, appointment times and travel details. Your motto for the week is from birthday great Barbra Streisand: “Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need both. They balance each other out.”

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023

General knowledge crossword No. 877

DOUBLE-GLAZED WINDOWS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

1 What is a brood of chickens? (6)

7 Which term describes a symbolic narrative? (8)

8 What is an established procedure for a religious or other rite? (6)

9 Name a particular printing paper size. (8)

10 Which marine gastropod mollusc is found adhering to rocks? (6)

11 To have produced something as one’s own, is to have done what? (8)

14 XIX is the symbol for which number? (8)

18 What is a person who is weak-minded, especially from old age? (6)

19 Name another term for racemic hyoscyamine. (8)

21 What is the holding or possessing of anything? (6)

22 What do we call a boastful person? (8)

23 What is another name for a courtyard? (6)

Solution next edition Down

1 Which set of stationary bells is hung in a tower? (8)

2 Name a colloquial term for bosses. (6)

3 What do we call a rest period between two halves of a match? (4,4)

4 Name the lowest female voice. (4)

5 When one urges or encourages, one does what? (4,2)

6 To be smoothly polite, is to be what? (6)

12 What is a private family feud? (8)

13 To indulge in visionary fancy while awake, is to do what? (8)

15 What is a resident member of the medical staff of a hospital? (6)

16 That which is ample, is what? (6)

17 What might we call one who throws rocks? (6)

20 Baghdad is the capital of which republic? (4)

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MICHAEL DRAGE

, founder of Reimagined Habitat, says:

Thank you to all our readers who contacted me regarding last month’s topic on energy-efficient homes. Keep the questions coming in, we love helping people upgrade or build better homes!

Tips, traps and a little science

Windows are the weakest point of the home from an insulation point of view, except where there are big air leakages.

In the Canberra region, we notice this especially in winter with the “crying windows”, especially if you have gas heating.

Apart from being a health hazard from a mould point of view, they just leak heat from now through to October. So what to do?

Pretty much every person we speak with talks about double glazing, which is great. The glazing can take many shapes and forms, but generally the newer glass panels are good. The problem is the frames.

Aluminium is the fifth most conductive material in the world. So, aluminium frames conduct heat like a superhighway and some research shows that some aluminium, double-glazed windows will not perform much differently than single – all due to the frames. Alternatives include UPVC – high performance, well priced; or timber – high performance, high priced; or thermally broken aluminium – mid-to-high performance, mid-to-high price.

So what do we mean by thermally broken? Some aluminium frames these days in Australia – and all in Europe – have a synthetic spacer in the middle to stop that superhighway. The bigger the spacer, the better the performance. Non-thermally broken aluminium windows have been banned in Europe for many years now, and most Europeans are aghast at what is still sold here.

TIPS – check the U value of the windows. This determines the performance. The lower the U value, the better the performance. Ideally, aim for windows with U values of 2.5 or lower.

If in doubt, check out the WERS rating website and play with their tools, or just call us and we can work it through with you.

TRAPS – many window companies will give quotes on the U value of the glass, not the overall window system. Remember the glass is the better performing area, it is all about the frame system.

Even if you get high end windows, make sure they are installed correctly with foam sealant around the window frames. It is no use having great windows if there are big gaps around them leaking air/heat.

We also import high-performance European windows. Check out: www.netzeroplus.com.au for more details. For any questions, comments or queries, please email us at info@reimaginedhabitat.com.au or just give me a call.