CityNews 230824

BARR’S BUDGET BOASTING IGNORES DOUBLING OF DEBT

As ACT debt effectively increases by $3.2m a day, JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED unpick the chief minister’s budget spin

Small parties have a big role in democracy

MICHAEL MOORE

Worked hard, but now we’re the bad guys

ROBERT MACKLIN

Mr Cecil, she’s a very beautiful man!

ANTONIO DI DIO

Happy Wanderer puts on a spring show

JACKIE WARBURTON

HOW DID THE BENNETS EVER GET TOGETHER?

HELEN MUSA reports on a play about the courtship of that unlikely couple of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ fame

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

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John finds new ‘dock’ to show off his model boats

By Lily PASS

FASCINATED

The bigger ships, such as the Swedish royal warship, “The Vasa”, took John two or three years to build.

Now, it’s on display at his Greenway retirement village alongside six other ships that John, 81, has crafted, and he’s more than happy to finally be able to show them off.

“I had tried for about 10 or 12 years to keep them all together, in hotels or galleries throughout Australia,” he says.

“I had started to give up, but when I put my deposit down here, I thought I’d give it one last go and wrote to management.

“Two days later they said they’d take them, it’s just terrific.”

John says he picked the ships he wanted to make based on whether they were still in use.

“It’s not very often at all that you’ll see them in Australia,” he says.

“Once though, I had just finished making the German ship ‘Gorch Fock’,

magic.”

Funnily enough, says John, his love of putting the model kits together found him a career in architecture.

“I really found it quite stimulating to be reading and interpreting the plans. I would never want to design a ship but I have designed plenty of houses,” he says.

tal, and once, “many, many years ago” won an award at the Canberra Show with his models.

“I came here from Sydney, having finished my architecture course in 1964.

“I joined the Canberra Model Shipwrights Society, it was established in 1988.

“I worked on extensions for Old

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He finished his most recent model, the cross-section of Lord Nelson’s flagship, “HMS Victory”, eight years ago.

John says his three daughters have a model ship from him in each of their homes, as does his nephew.

One other person has one of John’s model ships in their possession, the surgeon who saved his life 22 years ago.

“Noel Tait was the surgeon,” he says.

“I was nearly stabbed to death in my own home. It was a drug addict who broke in looking for things he could sell to fund his habit.

“He’d stolen a serrated hunting knife, and I was stabbed in the liver, kidneys and pancreas, I had a blood pressure of 20 over 10 when the paramedics got to me, so I’m very lucky to still be here, and I wanted to say thank you to Noel for saving me.”

John says while he is still capable of making the model ships, he’s kept busy helping a new friend he’s made at LDK Greenway Views, Jenny.

“LDK stands for love, decency and kindness,” he says.

“I care for Jenny, take her to dance lessons and such, she’s had Parkinson’s disease for 25 years now.

“My wife died, and Jenny was divorced, and we found each other on a trip. I was heading down into a depression, I was alone, so it’s nice to have a friend.

“Unfortunately, in the last couple of months Jenny’s been moved into 24hour care, but we can still go and see each other.”

In his free time, John still enjoys reading about ships, and says he’s open to making another.

“I just haven’t seen another one yet that takes my fancy,” he says.

“But I guess you just never know what you’ll do next.”

by how they used the forces of nature in getting around the world, John Cottee developed a love for crafting model sailing ships when he was 10-years-old.

Retired architect and model-ship builder John Cottee… “ I would never want to design a ship but I have designed plenty of houses.”

Photo: Lily Pass

Small parties have big role in a lively democracy

JUST a little over a year out from the 2024 ACT election the electoral commission has announced its intention to cancel the registration of two small political parties.

Apparently, these parties have not retained more than 100 members. Unless they can demonstrate the appropriate number of party members, the ACT Electoral Commission is bound to remove their registration.

But why register small parties in the first place? Why not just run as independents with no affiliation and no bureaucratic need to develop rules and maintain membership.

Small parties have been a feature of ACT elections since the first election in 1989 and, no doubt, small new political parties will continue to be developed and play a role. Contesting the Hare-Clark electoral system is very challenging for lone independents. Hence the drive to form small parties.

Lone independents are invariably relegated to a list of random independents. They are referred to as “ungrouped”. When a small party is formed the candidates have both a position that the party presents and their own profile.

The courage in standing for an election is not to be dismissed lightly. Our democracy works most effec -

tively when people put up their hand to stand up for what they believe.

The proposed deregistration of the Small Business Australian Capital Territory party highlights a key issue in considering voting for small parties.

In June the party changed its name from the Australian Federation Party Australian Capital Territory. There is practically no information to be found regarding the new Small Business Party.

However, it provides an important lesson to learn about small parties.

The Federation Party (now renamed for the ACT and up for deregistration) is a populist party. The change of name was probably designed to have much more appeal in the ACT.

The Federation Party website starts

more devastating decisions than the disproportionate ‘public health’ policies of 2020, 2021 and 2022”.

The tone is set with: “Basic freedoms have been wiped out, small businesses have been destroyed, and the state’s extensions now permeate every element of our society”.

In reading this, I picture the extremists with their Eureka flags who came to Canberra during the pandemic and demonstrated against the government, against action on the pandemic and against vaccination.

The “Position Statement” of the party reflects the sort of information that was on the posters of those demonstrators. It is anti-abortion, pro-Judeo-Christian values including

funding Christian chaplains in our schools, and ensuring the Christian heritage of the nation remains “a central element of understanding our core values”. Health is not included in the other 10 policies of the party.

At the last election the party, which received just 600 votes in each of two electorates, had just three candidates: Jason Potter and Scott Sandford in Brindabella, and Mohammad Hussain in Yerrabi.

It is difficult to find current information about the Climate Justice Party. The main site has been discontinued. This party, which is also up for deregistration, scored around 600 votes in each of the electorates in which they stood candidates. They did not field candidates in Brindabella.

Twelve candidates were fielded in electorates other than Brindabella or Yerrabi. They scored close to 200

primary votes each on average.

The candidates were Oksana Demetrios, Sok Kheng Ngep, Jonathan Stavridis, Sophia Forner, Petar Johnson, Alix O’Hara, Rohan Byrnes, Andrew Demetrios, Richard Forner, Jackson Hillman and Peter Veenstra.

Even if these parties are also deregistered, small parties will continue to play a key part in ACT elections. Subject to deregistration, there will be 12 parties in the ACT. These, and probably others, will continue to challenge the dominance of the Labor, Liberals and, to a lesser extent, the Greens. Those who put up their hands are contributing to a lively democracy. No matter what they believe, or how many votes they eventually get, Canberrans should thank them for their contribution.

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

“I picture the extremists with their Eureka flags who came to Canberra during the pandemic and demonstrated.”

Photo: Mike Welsh

Contesting the HareClark electoral system is very challenging for lone independents. Hence the drive to form small parties.

Slow start for second-hand EV market

ONLY one in 100 second-hand vehicles for sale is electric and it could take three years for the situation to significantly improve, experts warn.

Greater government subsidies targeting fleets and second-hand vehicles may boost supply, they say, which could otherwise slow the wider uptake of zero-emission vehicles and cuts to transport pollution.

The modest number of second-hand electric vehicles in Australia comes despite soaring new car sales, with the transport technology breaking records in June and almost doubling this year.

CARS24 chief executive Olya Rudenko said finding used electric vehicles to buy in Australia was frustratingly rare.

“Out of 190,000 (second-hand car) listings, only 1800 are electric – that’s less than one per cent of used cars in Australia,” she said.

“That’s the reality of the market for us because the supply is so short.”

Ms Rudenko said the number of used electric cars remained low as motorists were likely to hold on to

new-vehicle purchases up to seven years.

The secret to growing the market, she said, was government and business fleet sales, which were unlikely to boost the second-hand market for years.

“Somewhere between three to five years from now we’re going to have a significant presence of used electric cars versus what we have today,” she said.

“When the fleets catch up to consumer sales and they get their share up to 20 per cent (of all car sales) that’s when it will be more realistic for us to see more electric supply.”

Offering more subsidies for businesses to buy electric could accelerate the market, she said, and extending government rebates for second-hand cars could encourage swifter sales and more listings.

CARS24, which fixes and packages second-hand cars for sale in Australia, does not currently offer electric vehicles due to a shortage of stock, and instead sells hybrid, petrol, diesel and LPG models.

Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Dr Chris Jones said the prices of second-hand

Experts say the

car market may take years to accelerate.

electric vehicles remained stubbornly high due to short supply.

Savvy shoppers could find some electric cars more available and cheaper than others though, he said, including early model Nissan Leaf cars with shorter driving ranges and some Tesla vehicles that had been discontinued or traded in by drivers upgrading to the popular Model Y.

“Certain vehicles are commanding lower prices,” Dr Jones said.

“In the case of the Tesla Model S, if you’ve still got a legacy model from

2015 or 2016, you’re probably not going to get as much money for that as you thought because they’re not going to make them any more, for example.”

Electric vehicle sales broke records by making up 8.8 per cent of new car sales in June, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The vehicles also represented 7.4 per cent of car sales during the first six months of the year, compared to 3.8 per cent throughout 2022.

Competing against 55 other players representing 17 countries, the 23-yearold member of the Canberra Croquet Club defeated the European Champion, Rachel Gee, from the UK.

The tournament was held between August 7 and 14 at the Sussex County Croquet Club in West Sussex, England.

Jamie is one of the youngest women to win the event and only the second Australian – Alix Verge won the trophy in 2009.

“It was an amazing experience just to be part of, but to come out from the competition having just won feels surreal,” Jamie said.

“It was also really nice to have so many people watching me [on live streaming] and supporting me through it.”

In all, five Australian women competed, three of whom are members of the Canberra Croquet Club – Kate McLoughlin, Gerda Lambeck and Jamie.

–AAP

Playing since the age of 15, Jamie holds the Australian title in women’s golf croquet, which she won last year.

second-hand electric

Photo: Dan Peled/AAP

Electric car sales are booming in Australia but only when it comes to new models. Experts warn the second-hand market may take years to accelerate, reports

JENNIFER DUDLEY-NICHOLSON.

Jamie Gumbrell competes in West Sussex.

Vika and Linda to headline NightFest

SISTERS Vika and Linda, pictured, will headline the final night of NightFest with a performance on Stage 88.

This year NightFest, an after-dark entertainment experience around the Floriade site in Commonwealth Park, will run from September 28 to October 1. Other local performers include Monica Moore, Finley Geach, Harry Cleverdon and Ben Drysdale.

Lighting installations will highlight the garden beds throughout the park and will include giant neon butterflies in the rhododendron garden and scores of illuminated floating flowers on Kangaroo Pond.

Community issues

MADDISON Perkins, of The Smith Family, is the guest speaker at the next lunch meeting of the Weston Creek VIEW Club. She will talk about programs and issues facing the community. It’s at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, from 11.30am on September 5. Visitors and interested ladies are welcome. Lunch is $38, RSVP to 0408 864616 by August 31.

Barr’s budget boasting ignores doubling of debt

earlier when seeking to understand what has changed in the budget. We are nevertheless entitled, one would think, to expect that what the Treasurer has advised in his press release reflects the true budget position.

EARLIER this year the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), following a complaint by an opposition member of parliament, reprimanded Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for claiming that public debt levels in the UK would fall in the coming years.

In fact they were simply forecast to rise less steeply than previously expected.

The head of UKSA wrote to the MP who made the complaint advising that they had spoken with “officials at HM Treasury to emphasise the importance of consistently adopting a transparent and accessible approach to communicating statistics and data in line with our guidance on intelligent transparency.”

Here, in the ACT, Treasurer Andrew Barr’s media release on the 2023-24 Budget advised:

• Key balance sheet metrics for 2023-24 – net debt, net financial liabilities and net worth – are all broadly comparable with the estimates presented in the 2022-23 Budget Review.

• Total revenue has increased by greater than total expenses over the

three years from 2023-24 to 2025-26 compared to the 2022-23 Budget Review.

• This reflects the government’s commitment to the principles of good fiscal management: sustainable economic growth; sound public finances; quality and efficient services; sustainable taxation and revenue, and a strong balance sheet.

Table 1 provides the actual key balance sheet metrics in the 2022-23 Budget Review, 2023-24 Budget and the changes in those metrics from the Budget Review to the 2023-24 Budget, and on which Mr Barr presumably based his glowing press release.

The financial statements show, in fact, that Net Financial Worth is set to deteriorate by $344 million from a Budget Review forecast of negative $850 million to a negative $1.195 billion in the 2023-24 Budget – a 41 per cent deterioration from the Budget Review forecast and in addition, Net Financial Liabilities are forecast to increase by $398 million above the Budget Review estimate. Hardly what one would describe as “comparable”

It is highly unlikely, of course, that many of us will have taken the time to refer back to the Budget Review document published some months

Having said that, we find it difficult to see how the key balance sheet metrics in the 2022-23 Budget Review and the 2023-24 Budget can reasonably be described as “broadly comparable”.

Equally concerning is that the Budget Papers, presumably prepared by an independent and professional Treasury, utilise the same description of the key metrics.

Of the three balance sheet metrics in the budget, only one – Net Debt – could be described as broadly comparable to the Budget Review. The media release, however, does not disclose that over the forward estimates period, Net Debt is forecast to increase at an average compounding rate of 17 per cent a year. It is forecast to more than double from $4.8 billion in 2021-22 to $10.6 billion in 2026-27 – increasing at an average of $1.173 billion every year.

To put it in perspective, the 2023-24 Budget forecasts an increase in Net Debt at the rate of $3.2 million every day including weekends and Easter and Christmas holidays. Over this period, interest costs will increase from $250 million to $595 million annually.

There is, of course, no official watchdog such as the UKSA in the ACT or indeed in any jurisdiction in Australia.

Sources: 2010-11

However, if one existed, it is inconceivable that it would consider either Mr Barr’s media release or the budget papers’ descriptions of the balance sheet position as meeting the standards of “intelligent transparency”.

Our past analysis and commentary on the budget and that above relate to the General Government Sector. However, some analysts and observers of the public sector finances have pointed out that a more comprehensive picture is provided through the Total Territory financial statements and their key metrics, ie, consolidation of the General Government and Public Trading Enterprises sectors.

While there are arguments for focusing on general government operations when assessing the performance of the government, it is a fact that the territory does draw dividends from the trading enterprises and is also, ultimately, responsible for their liabilities.

Accordingly, Table 2 illustrates the key balance sheet metrics at the consolidated Total Territory level.

We note again that with changes in the order of $400 million-$590 million, the key balance sheet metrics cannot, with any credibility, be described as being broadly comparable with the Budget Review. We also note that Net Financial Worth deteriorates by $3.5 billion, Net Financial Liabilities increase by $3.7 billion and Net Debt increases by $6.5 billion over the five years of the estimates.

The ACT’s balance sheet is far from stable. In fact, the budget and forward estimates reflect the continuation of a trend that commenced more than a decade earlier. Table 3 illustrates the degree to which the strength of the balance sheet has been persistently and worryingly eroded since 2011. Deterioration of this scale in the ACT’s balance sheet can, in our opinion, in no way be seriously claimed to reflect a commitment to sound financial management.

Jon Stanhope is a former chief minister of the ACT and Dr Khalid Ahmed a former senior ACT Treasury official.

Sources: 2022-23 Budget Review; Page 109 and 2023-24 Budget Paper No. 3; Page 289.

Sources: 2022-23 Budget Review, Page 127 and 2023-24 Budget Paper No. 3, Page 335.

“ACT debt will increase at the rate of $3.2m every single day. Over this period, interest will increase from $250m to $595m annually.” JON STANHOPE and KHALID AHMED forensically unpick this year’s ACT budget spin.

Table 1: Changes in Key Balance Sheet Metrics – General Government Sector

Table 2: Changes in Key Balance Sheet Metrics – Total Territory

Table 3: Changes in the Strength of the Balance Sheet – 2011 to 2027

We worked hard, but suddenly we’re the bad guys

YES, my wife and I – and many of our friends – belong to the “lucky generation” born in and just after World War II as precursors of the Boomers.

Sure, we’ve had a pretty good run, but now, it seems, we’re the bad guys in the great housing debate. It’s punishment time: end negative gear ing; pay capital gains on the family home; skyrocket rates; and badmouth the Boomers.

It’s easy to list the advantages we’ve had. In childhood, three good meals a day and we lived in okay houses even if sleeping on enclosed verandahs or sharing a bedroom with a sibling.

We walked or rode our bikes to primary school with classes of 40 to 50 kids. Our holidays were spent in rented beach houses where we could only stay two weeks before dad returned to work and mum to part time dressmaking. And boy, did we envy those folks with a beach house.

My experience was fairly typical.

After two years at Brisbane Gram mar, two years jackarooing, and a year matriculating with a Commonwealth Scholarship, I scored a cadetship on “The Courier-Mail”. The “south” beckoned and a stint at “The Age” led me to the paper’s Canberra bureau in the late 1960s; and pure chance – plus the jackarooing – the

fateful swim and McEwen became interim PM. John Gorton offered him a deal, too good to refuse so he (and I) stayed on till his retirement in 1971, then we escaped with our two little boys to the Asian Development Bank in Manila for the next five years.

video production which – combined with 17 per cent bank interest rates – resulted in our losing the Pearce house. Now we were renters and in 1990 I returned to journalism at “The Canberra Times”.

Happily, a bright spot arrived when

a generous colleague shared the acquisition of a little bolthole at Tuross. Then Wendy took an early farewell from daily teaching for the deposit on a house at Weston and I wrote a book with an old “Courier-Mail” mate.

This got me back into writing and 20 books later with Wendy’s relief teaching and a 2003 “Canberra Times” redundancy, we sold the house and moved to a nearby home unit.

That’s when the housing market went nuts; the value of Tuross passed the threshold that prevented even a part pension, and massively increased the maintenance on two properties. And just because we can’t live in two places at once, we’re suddenly the bad guys.

I’m not complaining. In our lifetime, our generation has been spared the threat of invasion. John Bell has brought us every Shakespearean play; we’ve watched great TV drama from “Breaking Bad”, “The Sopranos”, “West Wing” and Rachel Perkins’ “The Australian Wars”; we’ve been serenaded by The Beatles to Peking Duk; thrilled by the sporting greats too numerous to mention; relished the defeat of Scott Morrison by a fair election; and devoured the non-Murdoch press and ABC news which is keeping truth alive…just. I hang my head in shame that we failed to act on climate change and are entrusting our foreign affairs future to the American imperialists. But we have worked very hard – most of us – to acquire our little pieces of real estate, and a modicum of comfort in our final years. I just wonder if the punishment fits the housing crime. robert@ robertmacklin.com

Phone: 02 6257 6666

5A

When the housing market went nuts the value of Tuross passed the threshold that prevented even a part pension. And just because we can’t live in two places at once, we’re suddenly the bad guys.

Young homebuyers... the Macklins with their first born at the door of their first home in Pearce.

What has a laptop to do with airport security?

Ever wondered why laptops have to be taken out of bags at airport security? DOUG DRURY explains…

ANYONE who has travelled by air in the past 10 years will know how stressful airports can be.

You didn’t leave home as early as you should have. In the mad rush to get to your gate, the security screening seems to slow everything down. And to add insult to injury, you’re met with the finicky request: “laptops out of bags, please”.

But what does your laptop have to do with security?

Airport security changed dramatically after the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001. Before 9/11, you could pass through security with a carry-on bag full of everything you might need for your holiday, including a knife with a four-inch blade. Indeed, that’s how the 9/11 attackers brought their weapons on board.

After 9/11, screening processes around the world changed overnight. In the US, private security contractors being paid a minimum wage were swapped out for a federalised program with highly trained security personnel. Anything that could be considered a weapon was confiscated. Around the world, travellers were suddenly required to remove their shoes, belts and outerwear, and take

out their phones, laptops, liquids and anything else that could be used as part of an improvised explosive device.

This lasted for several years. Eventu ally, more advanced screening methods were developed to effectively identify certain threats. Today, some countries don’t require you to remove your shoes when passing through security.

So why must you still take your laptop out?

The machine your bags and devices pass through is an X-ray machine.

The main reason you have to remove your laptop from your bag is because its battery and other mechanical components are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively – especially if the scanning system is old. The same goes for power cords and other devices such as tablets and cameras.

With these items in your bag, security officials can’t use the screened image to determine whether a risk is present. They’ll have to flag the bag for a physical search, which slows everything down. It’s easier if all devices are removed in the first place.

A laptop inside a bag can also shield other items from view that may be dangerous. Scanning it separately reveals its internal components on the screen. In some cases you might

be asked to turn it on to prove it’s an actual working computer.

With newer multi-view scanning technology, security officials can view the bag from multiple angles to discern whether something is being covered up, or made to look like something else. For instance, people have tried to mix gun parts with other components in an effort to pass checked baggage screening.

Some airports have upgraded 3D scanning that allows travellers to pass their bags through security without having to remove their laptops. If you’re not asked to take out your laptop, it’s probably because one of these more expensive systems is being used.

Nonetheless, amping up the technology won’t remove the lag caused

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by airport screenings. Ultimately, the reason these are a major choke point is because of the speed at which staff scan the imagery (which dictates the speed of the conveyor belt).

Unless we find a way to automate the entire process and run it with minimal human supervision, you can expect delays.

But your bags aren’t the only thing getting scanned at airport security. You are too!

The tall frame you walk through is a metal detector. Its purpose is to uncover any weapons or other illegal objects that may be concealed under your clothes. Airport metal detectors use non-ionising radiation, which means they don’t emit X-rays.

The larger body scanners, on the other hand, are a type of X-ray machine. These can be active or passive, or a combination of both.

Passive scanners simply detect the natural radiation emitted by your body and any objects that might be concealed. Active scanners emit low-energy radiation to create a scan of your body, which can then be analysed.

The kind of machine you walk through will depend on where in the world you are. For instance, one type of active body scanner that emits X-rays in what’s called “backscatter technology” is used widely in the US, but is banned in Australia and the

European Union, where only nonionising technology can be used. Another type of scanner emits lower-energy millimetre waves, instead of X-rays, to image the passenger. Millimetre wave frequencies are considered to be non-ionising radiation.

AI seems to be all around us lately, and our airports are no exception. Advancements in AI systems stand to transform the future of airport security.

For now, human reviewers are required to identify potential threats in scanned images. However, what if an advanced AI was trained to do this using a database of images? It would do so in a fraction of the time. Some airports are already using advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners to produce high-definition 3D imagery. In the future, this technology could be further enhanced by AI to detect threats at a much faster rate.

Hypothetically, CT scans could also be used for both humans and their baggage. Could this allow travellers to walk through a body scanner while carrying their bags? Possibly. Until then, you should probably try your best to leave the house on time.

Doug Drury, Professor/Head of Aviation, CQUniversity Australia. This article is republished from The Conversation.

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Laptop batteries are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively.

No big surprise in the Manteena contract affair

WHY am I somewhat surprised to read about the Manteena affair (citynews.com.au) about a contract allegedly let upon direction, against the recommendation of best tender?

Because, for many years now there has been extant an MOU in place between the ACT government and Unions ACT (Agreed Memorandum of Understanding on Procurement of Works and Services by the ACT Government), signed by Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Unions ACT on March 28, 2016.

An earlier MOU with Unions ACT provided for all tenders being let by the government to be reviewed by the Unions ACT and, by association other unions, such as the CFMEU.

Although denied by the government, the earlier MOU gave the unions an effective veto power over all contracts let by the government, given that Unions ACT had the right to be involved in all tenders let by the government and subsequent selection of a contractor and contract negotiations.

The latest MOU has been the subject of the Freedom of Information request (CMTEDD07022017-110). A copy of the MOU may be made available from CMTEDDFOI@act.gov.au.

Max Flint (a former director of capital equipment acquisition in government), Erindale Centre

How about unwanted clothing to Maui?

WITH one of the latest human tragedies, the wild fires on Maui, wiping out the historic town of Lahaina and much of the island’s sustainability, could we not look to converting this country’s gross non-perishable and reusable waste into a lifeline for these unfortunate people?

For example, according to the ABC’s program “War on Waste”, tonnes of our unwanted clothing eventually ends up annually in huge storage facilities waiting to be disposed of. Where? To landfill somewhere? Surely there are agencies such as the Red Cross for instance who, given government support, could organise the transfer of such “donations” to areas of need around the world, currently like Lahaina?

Instead of wasting time and rhetoric, might I suggest that the federal government act to underwrite the collection of some of Australia’s unwanted and almost unused clothing and household goods.

Surely it would then be possible to authorise the deployment of sections of the armed forces to ferry and distribute them to this devastated island nation.

Would this not be a more satisfactory and humane outcome for all concerned?

Such action could also serve to pave the way for the future beneficial disposal rather than the destruction, from time to time, of the tonnes of manufactured goods that this lucky country is discarding.

Patricia Watson, Red HIll

Flag placement is all about protocol

THE former coalition governments rarely used the Aboriginal or the Torres Strait Islander flag as backdrops to media conferences. The Albanese government now routinely uses all three flags. This has prompted some to question why the Australian flag is placed on the left and not displayed more prominently in the middle.

Protocol demands that the Australian flag be placed on the far left when facing the flags.

The Australian Army website, “Smart Soldier”, explains military customs and procedures to young soldiers, and particularly school cadets. It states that the Australian flag is placed on the left – symbolising closeness to the heart. This left placement of the national flag is followed by many other nations, and particularly the US. However, the Army explanation of this widespread tradition may not be as romantic as claimed. The military often gives preference to the left side. Marching soldiers begin with their left feet because weapons are carried in their right hands.

When flags and banners were used in combat, swords were carried in the right hand. The flag was defended to the last and was most effectively defended by strong right arms when placed on the left. The placement of the Australian flag on the far left when facing a group of flags accords with protocols, whatever the true origin of this tradition.

It has no relevance at all to the current

bitter debate on the recognition of the First Australians in our constitution.

Noel Baxendell, Holt

Conveniently looking in the other direction

LAST month the chief minister announced that the City Renewal Authority would soon run an ideas competition to help design the future of City Hill and improve its role and use by “reimagining the space as a city park”.

Unfortunately, the only competition northwards along the national capital’s gateway boulevard is between major developers, to see who can cram in as many compact units as possible on every tract of rapidly sold-off land.

The increasingly densified Northbourne Avenue illustrates how the ACT government continues to turn a convenient blind eye to the need for significant green spaces, generous and well-vegetated frontages, parks, and urban forest sites that could break up the kilometres of very ungentle urban intensification that they and the NCA happily signed off on in December 2018.

Community consultation had raised the need for much more visual and physical relief and open green spaces for new and existing residents and passers-by, both in and around this major city entrance-way.

These views continue to be expressed but are not responded to in subsequent planning processes linked to the corridor’s current infill sites and future high-density

AS a strong supporter of dying with dignity – I’ve even written a novel “Twilight” in its defence – I share Jeremy Hanson’s concerns (CN August 10) over our Labor/Greens proposal for radical euthanasia laws.

The last development we need in this sensitive area is for our so-called “progressive” ACT government to race ahead of the country in extreme legislation involving children and dementia sufferers, among others, to choose to die.

I do not want to see Canberra become the “easy” death territory.

Thousands of Australians have worked long, hard and sympathetically to bring us to a considered position upon this complex issue not to have it abused by enthusiastic neo-Nazi type legislation playing into the hands of our opponents.

The 80 per cent of Canberrans in favour of death with dignity did not support this extremism.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

Of windmills and global warming

I FEEL compelled to respond to two letters in the “City News” edition of August 10. Bob McDonald accuses Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen of wanting to “cover the landscape with windmills (wind turbines), solar panels and transmission lines rather than keeping coal and gas going for reliable base-load power and seriously promoting adopting the nuclear option”.

residential precincts.

Yet in the wake of the UN’s recent warning about “global boiling”, the ACT government has more than a duty of care to both analyse and mitigate, in evidencebased ways, the additional and long-lasting urban heating impacts caused by highly concentrated renewal zones, impacts that, in turn, are exacerbated by the unhealthy harms caused by climate change.

In the meantime, distracting us with the vision of a popular and very green park kilometres away in the other direction only highlights the worsening dearth of balanced planning outcomes north of Haig Park.

Sue Dyer, Downer

The customers are the worst noise polluters!

DOES anyone know of cafes and restaurants in Canberra where the noise is controlled to a level where you can hear anything other than people bellowing at each other.

Among coffee machines, TV, music, traffic and open kitchen noise, the guests are the worst noise polluters.

I’ve been to outdoor cafes where groups of men or women seem to think that their conversation should be blasted at decibel levels that are ear-splittingly painful and less than confidential.

Perhaps dining reviewer Wendy Johnson has some favourites?

Sue Pittman, Kambah

(about global warming) because of the “record low temperatures and rainfall in Australia in the last few years”. Really? I remember clearly my primary school days, in the late ‘50s when the soil in my father’s garden was frozen solid and the water from sprinklers that had been left on overnight was frozen into spectacular icicles.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

The double whammy if trucking in wood

IN relation to the article on wood heaters “Heater policy wanting, government urged to act” (CN August 10), the need to act on wood heaters is greater than gas.

The ACT government is actively encouraging the transition from gas, but needs to do a lot more on transitioning from wood heaters.

Burning wood is worse for climate emissions than burning gas. In Canberra’s case, it is even more unsustainable.

I was amazed to learn that firewood is trucked in using diesel fuel from Queensland, Victoria, and the south coast of NSW. This is a double whammy in climate-change terms.

Merrilyn Fahey, Reid

Send pollies for a night at the camp

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Mr McDonald goes on to claim that minister Bowen’s “virtue signalling will ruin our economy and have practically zero effect on the world’s climate”. Mr McDonald’s comments seem to have been recited from the Murdoch media.

The second letter is, if anything, even more bizarre.

Ian Pilsner claims that I am concerned about global warming because of the record high temperatures in Europe and North America. That much is true, but record high temperatures and extreme flooding have been reported in northern China, including close to Beijing.

Mr Pilsner goes on to claim that I am not concerned

IF CEOs and caring business people can live hard on the street roughing it in support and understanding of the plight of the homeless, why don’t our politicians, in small, regular, rostered numbers, at indigenous invitation, live rough overnight in their camps minus their first-world creature comforts in fuller appreciation of the difficulties facing these marginalised Australian folk.

If they don’t, maybe the elected righteous aren’t that credible and the Voice referendum is questionable, or does the too-hard factor feature here?

John Lawrence

We can’t be the ‘easy’ death territory

via email

Constrain migration to take pressure off housing

THE housing supply actions identified at the national cabinet meeting are welcome, but more needs to be done to overcome the housing crisis.

Yes, as agreed at the meeting, the supply of land for higher-density housing in areas of high-accessibility needs to be increased but the supply of greenfields land (as is being done in SA) also needs to be increased.

Such areas to be developed with high-quality transport, facilities and services to reduce price pressures on inner-city land and better meet housing preferences.

Given the level of need, substantially more social housing needs to be constructed than that proposed. To help fund the increase, the proposed tax cuts and tax concessions for property investment should be reduced. However, substantive action on tax reform is unlikely given homeowners benefit from increases in property prices and the inevitable fear mongering of the coalition. An action that could have some acceptability would be the restriction of negative gearing concessions to two properties.

To reduce demand, first home buyers and first home builder’s schemes should be abolished as they simply bring forward demand and increase prices; and immigration should be reduced to a level consistent with our ability to deliver new housing, infrastructure and services.

After addressing current skills shortages, net overseas migration should be reduced

closer to its average of about 90,000 between 1991 and 2004 rather than the 219,000 it averaged between 2005 and 2019.

Mike Quirk, Garran

Other countries have just got on with it

THE PM has stated on many occasions that he is committed to following the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full – eg, the Voice, Makarrata (Treaty) and Truth Telling. The PM says it would not take long to read

as it is only one A4 size sheet of paper. He claims the Voice is not a treaty, which is theoretically correct, but it is all part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He argued with commentators Ben Fordham, Waleed Aly and Patricia Karvelas that the Voice was not a treaty, but refused to say the treaty followed.

The PM is not being truthful. The Uluru Statement is not only one page, there are25 further pages following of what the Uluru Statement from the Heart really is all about – land rights, reparations, rent, autonomy, self-determination, sovereignty, violent

Is Eric but a manifestation of AI?

THE concerns expressed in your August 10 letters pages by Messrs McDonald and Hingee about recent contributions by “Eric Hunter, Cook” could be allayed by explaining that no such person exists in reality, being but a manifestation of encroaching artificial intelligence into public media which, by all evidence of what is constantly being proffered, reveals being far more united to the first word than the latter.

That rarely a week passes without the appearance of written interventions by the aforesaid scribe suggests that some electronic device is automatically stimulated to issue comments regardless of topicality, logic or value, but merely to avoid an implosion of accumulated current that inclusion of a safety valve in this Dalekbased machine would have rectified.

It appears to have an avatar back-up in the Deakin Doctor, which lends credence to a recent review determining that letters to the editor are primarily the purview of multi-opinionated old men with nothing else to do, about whom today’s monosyllabic youth would deride by shrieking “Get a life!” To avoid being similarly designated I shall say no more.

John Murray, Fadden

Eric Hunter.

Editor’s note: Eric Hunter most certainly exists. His letters, as are John’s, are as welcome as anyone else’s, young, old, male, female or whatever.

Wood smoke responsible for chronic disease

THERE is still considerable ignorance in the community of the harms resulting from wood smoke.

Wood smoke is responsible for considerable chronic disease of the heart and lungs. It is more carcinogenic than cigarette smoke and the PM2.5 particulates in wood smoke are known to be particularly health hazardous.

Leading respiratory physicians in Australia such as Prof Guy Marks, at UNSW Sydney, and Dr James Markos in Launceston, Tasmania, are in no doubt about the harm done by wood heaters and want them phased out.

The NSW government states that health costs from wood heaters in Greater Sydney are more than $2 billion annually, topping the list of air-pollution sources. With less than 5 per cent of households using wood as main heating and perhaps another 5 per cent burning wood as supplementary heating, the health costs equate to more than $10,000 per wood heater a year. An $8000 health cost per wood heater per year has been estimated for the ACT. Education about wood heater risks as recommended by the ACT Environment Commissioner is badly needed, particularly when wood heaters are heavily

dispossession (not true), invasion (not true, there was no invasion, it was an amicable settlement if you read the history books). The first fleet was trading with the local Aboriginals. Would this have occurred if there was an invasion?

The history books I have read indicate the settlers got on with the Aboriginals. There may have been some fighting, but not to the extent the Voice is pushing. There definitely was no genocide.

Countries all over the world have been taken over by other country/countries and they have just got on with it.

Vi Evans

I do agree the Voice should be legislated

removed from our constitution. Recognition of the prior occupation of these lands by the Aboriginal people should be included in that document.

Geoff LeCouteur, Dunlop

Where is evidence the sky will fall in?

via email

I WOULD rarely agree with fellow letter writers Mario or Dr Doug, but I do agree that the Voice should be legislated (Letters, CN August 10).

I cannot support a constitution that offers different rights to people based on their race, whether intended either positively or negatively. All people are equal and should be treated equally before the law, in society and under the constitution. Race should never be a factor.

We are all so mixed in breeding that “race” is hard to define. If it is not defined in the constitution it will eventually be defined by the High Court.

I would like the right for the government to legislate on the basis of race to be

LIKE Douglas Mackenzie (CN August 10), I don’t often agree with our fellow letter writer Mario Stivala. This time I don’t agree with the good doctor, although I usually do. Learned though he is, he is not listening to the Uluru Statement from the Heart with its request that the Voice be enshrined in the Constitution. The very valid reasons for doing so have been stated over and over again and will follow established parliamentary and constitutional processes, including the checks and balances of full parliamentary debate and undoubtedly much public discussion.

What do we fear will happen if we meet this simple request, both symbolic and practical, and do so with the same level of grace and dignity as displayed in the Uluru Statement? Where is the evidence that the sky will fall in if we don’t?

Eric Hunter, Cook

increase housing supply.

It is said that a way to do this is to “simplify” planning.

This usually means making it easier to redevelop individual house blocks.

We know, in the ACT and other jurisdictions, that this mainly results in bigger, very expensive, single houses and less space for trees, while at the same time we are supposed to be countering “heat-island” effects with more tree planting.

The solution is, not less planning, but precinct-scale planning to identify areas suitable for mediumdensity redevelopment with greater requirements for communal open space and tree planting and with the agreement of local communities, so turning NIMBYs into YIMBYs!

Richard Johnston (life fellow, Planning Institute of Australia), Kingston

Why the nation’s floral emblem, the Golden

Canberra environmentalist MICHAEL CALKOVICS has been campaigning since 1988 to have the nation’s floral emblem –the Golden Wattle – planted within the parliamentary triangle.

“At this stage, there isn’t a single specimen there,” he says.

“Can we please change that?” Across these two pages he looks at the prized wattle’s history and reprises some of the support he’s received over the past 35 years.

BEING an Australian you would be familiar with our national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha). This wattle also constitutes our national colours: green and gold.

History of the national floral emblem

Since federation in 1901, the Golden Wattle has enjoyed popular acceptance as the national floral

In 1912, on the recommendation of the then Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, it was included as the decoration surrounding the Commonwealth

The insignia on the Order of Australia is also based on a single Golden Wattle flower in the form

The Golden Wattle was officially proclaimed the national floral emblem of Australia on September

On June 23, 1992, the governor-general proclaimed that September 1 of every year shall be observed as “National Wattle Day” throughout Australia, providing every Australian the opportunity to celebrate our national heritage.

Specimens of the Golden Wattle were collected by the Surveyor-General of NSW, Thomas Mitchell, in 1836 near Wedderburn in Victoria, which was still part of NSW at that time. The British botanist George Bentham described the species in 1842.

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha):

National floral emblem of Australia, leaflet, DAS & ANBG, Canberra, 1994.

Department of Administrative Services, Australia’s National Floral Emblem, poster, Catalogue No.

Botanical information

The generic name, Acacia, is probably derived from the Greek “akis” (a point), referring to the prickly leaves of some Acacia species. The specific name, pycnantha is derived from the Greek “pyknos” (dense), and “anthos” (a flower) in reference to the dense clusters of flowers.

This naming is appropriate as the Golden Wattle is a very spectacular plant when in full bloom.

The Golden Wattle is a shrub or small tree, it flowers in late winter to early spring and occurs naturally in south-eastern Australia, including Mt Jerrabomberra.

Mt Jerrabomberra is visibly located 11 kilometres south-east of our Parliament House and is just across the border of the ACT in Queanbeyan, NSW.

Mt Jerrabomberra holds millions of individual Acacia plants and is the regional stronghold for the species. The Golden Wattle is rare within the ACT and uncommon within the local region, due to massive habitat destruction since European settlement.

Evidence at hand shows that the Golden Wattle once grew within the national capital’s CBD.

The Australian Heritage Commission has listed Mt Jerrabomberra on the Register of the National Estate due to its significant vegetation communities.

Queanbeyan is the home of our National Floral Emblem and all it stands for. Go there this Wattle Day – September 1 – and enjoy its beauty and our great nation.

Michael Calkovics, photos and personal comments (former president Mt Jerrabomberra Preservation

Could this be the first Golden Wattle placed upon our Parliamentary Triangle? Every project has to start somewhere so I made a test run of what it could look like. It’s beautiful, but I didn’t want to be controversial, so no holes were dug to plant it.

Photo: Michael Calkovics

Wattle, should be planted in the Triangle

Comments in support of the Golden Wattle

Here are some of the comments in support of planting the Golden Wattle in the parliamentary Triangle:

• “A well organised and soundly argued case. I agree...”, Peter R Phillips AO MC Major General (Retd), national president, Returned Services League of Australia.

• “I am pleased to offer my support… I will raise the matter of planting wattles at the future meeting with the speaker, the Hon. Neil Andrews, MP”, Margaret Reid, (Lib) President of the Senate.

• “I will support any movements that seek to protect our patriotic features and heritage… Good luck,” Shaun Nelson, MP for Tablelands (Far-North Queensland).

• “I endorse the proposal,” Dorothy Pratt MLA, independent MP for Barambah, Queensland.

• “I would like to express my strong support for the efforts you are making… your project has environmental, aesthetic and humane motives driving it and your constant efforts in pursuing the objectives of the project are admirable”, Alan Corbett , MLC, NSW.

• “I support our National Floral Emblem at Parliament House....”, Dr Arthur Chesterfield Evans , MLC, Parliamentary Leader NSW Democrats.

• “I am very supportive,” Kelvin Thomson, MP, (ALP) Member for Wills (Victoria), shadow assistant treasurer.

• “I wish to register my support,” Richard Jones , MLC (independent), NSW.

• “To be commended for your promotion of our national estate and our symbols such as the golden wattle,” Gary Nairn (Lib), MP for Eden-Monaro, NSW.

My national floral emblem project

THIS is my third attempt at promoting our national identity and heritage.

The first was in March 1988 upon Mt Jerrabomberra; then again in 1999 and despite trying so hard, now some 24 years later, I will try again.

I would still like to see the planting of our national floral emblem – the Golden Wattle – somewhere in the Parliamentary Triangle (which includes Parliament House and Anzac Parade).

At this stage, there isn’t a single specimen there. Can we please change that?

Also, did you know that Mt Jerrabomberra was Australia’s former Capital Hill. And that in 1954 upon her visit to Australia, Her Majesty The Queen was presented with a brooch of Golden Wattle from Mt Jerrabomberra.

The wattles on Mt Jerrabomberra are local and acclimatised to our harsh Canberra climate. Local nurseries can grow them.

In 1999, I again tried so hard for this project to proceed.

Back then, there was a concerted effort and broad support

from all political parties at every level. From individuals, community organisations, and groups.

And a big thank you goes to everyone involved. Due to space limitations I can’t name everyone.

However special thanks must go to Indra Esguerra (who now is chief of staff to ACT Greens Leader) and friends for their dedication with the team and for one seriously couldn’t have achieved National Heritage Listing of Mt Jerrabomberra without them.

Also special thanks to Dr John Briggs, of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. And former Senators Irina Dunn and Bob Brown

But I’m stuck. What’s the situation today? Where do I go from here? Maybe letters to the editor of this publication (editor@citynews.com. au) could help.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Authorised by Michael Calkovics, Dip. App. Sc. UC, at PO Box 127 Curtin ACT, 2605.

• “ The Nature Conservation Society (NCC) of NSW, established in 1955, is the umbrella organisation for over 120 environmental and scientific societies which promote the cause and conservation throughout NSW... and the NCC supports this endeavour to enhance and protect Australian heritage,” Kathryn Ridge , executive officer, NCC NSW.

• “The Australian Conservation Foundation believes Mt Jerrabomberra is an area of significant conservation value… is home to the Golden Wattle, which has become rare in the ACT. The idea to propagate and plant the Golden Wattle species within the Parliamentary Triangle is an excellent initiative”, Anna Reynolds , national liaison officer, ACF.

• “I commend the foresight and desire to preserve the region’s native flora,” ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell.

• “It is a grand vision, and I wish you every success in your endeavours to persuade the cabinet and the Australian government (of any political persuasion) to advance your proposal”. Peter Webb, Nationals MP for Monaro.

Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)... is a shrub or small tree. It flowers in late winter to early spring and occurs naturally in south-eastern Australia, including Mt Jerrabomberra.

Photo showing large blooms of our iconic Golden Wattle on lower slopes of Mt Jerrabomberra and surrounding bush reserves.

Photo: Michael Calkovics

Ah, that Mr Cecil, she’s a very beautiful man!

THE best part of all my jobs is listening to how other people interpret each other – how they make sense of the world we live in.

Generally, we have a million daily decisions to make, so many effective people automate as much as they can – that’s why some IT moguls wear the same T-shirt every day, or why my wife has the same breakfast every day. I’m saddened by otherwise sensible people wasting a precious hour of their life every day, deciding what to wear or what to eat.

So we come up with rules for ourselves – inventing our own shortcuts.

When I’m at the supermarket key choices arise quickly by my rules, otherwise I could still be there an hour later, trapped like a fly in amber at the cereal aisle. Tuna Italian, everything else Aussie. Hide the chocolates. You know.

Fascinatingly, most of us have also made our shortcuts about a whole bunch of other things, and they are not always right, and we cannot fix them if we don’t know they are there.

If you’re wandering in a tough part of a US town late at night and a gang of youths appear nearby, you’d quite naturally raise a hackle of anxiety.

If you’re a youth in that part of town and a police officer walks by, you might both make each other anxious.

These emotional shortcuts are what they are, and get embedded, fair or not, over the years into our brain.

I get that we have a prime need for self protection, but what about values?

I asked a youngster recently how they assessed an issue and they replied, naturally, that they would assess all sides of an issue, test the evidence, and come up with an informed choice. Sounds great, me too. Except is that what we really do? I asked the same kid the next day what they thought about a book and they said it was bad. Why? Because it had been written by someone who had been cancelled. And you know what? They had not

even read the book. Two legs bad four legs good. Moral choices with shortcuts provided by the crowd. Maybe it was a terrible book – but how would he know? We must do better. As a society we need to make moral and value-based decisions with care and respect for each other and that means making the effort to think.

You can’t be fit without perspiring occasionally. You can’t be an ethical person if you race to the shortcut decisions made by others, without using your brain. And those shortcuts you create can be reasonably simple too, of course.

In a recent Donna Leon novel,

Commisario Brunetti is challenged by his mate as to why he wanted to undertake a strange investigation on behalf of a woman he hardly knew.

Embarrassed, Brunetti said: “Forty years ago, her mother was once kind to my mother”.

While desperately thinking further of a better reason, his mate smiles back and says: “Are you trying to think of a better reason? There is none”, and off they went to investigate. Beautiful. Very Italian, I know, but not the worst way to live your life. Moral shortcuts needn’t be complex, just thought out well,

My dad had a cracking reason to do stuff. When he’d say to mum that he had to mow Mr Cecil’s lawn because his own son was away, mum would ask why? We can’t afford anything! Dad would say: “Mr Cecil, she’s a very

beautiful man”. (Dad would have loved the pronoun festival of today’s world –he terrorised English grammar like a dog with a pizza-stained beanbag). Anyway, mum and dad shared a code – if anybody was a “very beautiful man” it meant that at some point since the early 1950s he (or she – sigh) had said a kind word to a migrant, an indigenous person or a poor farmer or fisherman in the town. That was good enough for mum, and off dad went with his mower. She was a beautiful mower, by the way – two stroke, by the name of Vittorio Emmanuelle the Third. God, I wish I was kidding.

Let’s design those shortcuts however we want, no matter how silly – because as long as they are kind, they will be fine. How can you be sure they’re right? Generally, I find wisest answers from mums – yours or anybody else’s. Tell them you need help with a very beautiful man.

Antonio Di Dio is a local GP, medical leader, and nerd. There is more of his “Kindness” on citynews.com.au

You can’t be fit without perspiring occasionally. You can’t be an ethical person if you race to the shortcut decisions made by others, without using your brain.

“If

you’re wandering in a tough part of a US town late at night and a gang of youths appear nearby, you’d quite naturally raise a hackle of anxiety.”

WOMEN’S Health Week is a campaign of events and online activities centred on improving women’s health.

Running from September 4-8, the week is a reminder for women to set aside time for their wellbeing.

Each day of the week will focus on an important women’s health topic including menopause, pelvic health, mind health, movement and health checks.

To learn more, “CityNews” spoke with some experts across Canberra who have tips, insights and advice to help women lead healthier lives.

Dr Vass offers life-changing hearing help

GETTING help with hearing loss is all about improving communication and gaining clarity, says Dr Vass Hearing Clinic principal Dr William Vass.

Offering professional, independ ent advice and treatment, Dr Vass says taking the first step with a hearing test can be life-changing.

“We know hearing loss can be linked to anxiety, isolation, anger, relationship issues, work issues and miscommunication in general,” he says.

“After treatment or rehabilitation patients can find it a lot easier to get along with people, don’t have to guess so much and are much more confident in their communication skills, especially with their partner.”

While hearing loss can come with ageing, Dr Vass says it can also often affect young people too.

“Those exposed to loud noises in military and construction fields can experience hearing loss. Some people might be genetically exposed to hearing loss or there could be viral infections,” he says.

“It’s very important to act early. Waiting too long can start to see a disconnect between the brain and the ear.

“We find that those people who put off getting

Dr Tran helps ‘significantly’ improve incontinence

A NON-INVASIVE procedure that can help treat mild to moderate urinary incontinence is available at Wattle Street Medical Practice, says Dr Tuan Quoc Tran.

Dr Tran says the BTL EMSELLA chair uses high intensity, focused electro magnetic technology to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, with no recovery time required, and patients remain fully clothed during treatment.

help with their hearing loss for long periods don’t have as successful outcomes as those who seek help earlier.”

Dr Vass says patients have the certainty that they’ll be seeing him when they visit the clinic and that he will provide one-on-one, tailored care and advice.

“It’s rewarding to help people not be so isolated, and help improve their communication with others, especially their loved ones,” he says.

Dr Vass Hearing Clinic, suite 14, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Visit drvasshearing.com.au or call 6282 2717.

“This BTL EMSELLA chair can help patients with weak bladder causing urine leaking when coughing, laughing, sneezing, running or jumping, and urgency in rushing to the toilets frequently,” says Dr Tran. He says he has more than four years experience using this technology and is now treating patients before and after prostate cancer surgery.

“I recommend early treatment, prior to surgery to help with a quicker recovery after surgery, to rebuild muscle,” he says.

Patients must book in for an initial assessment with Dr Tran to determine suitability for this treatment, and Dr Tran recommends six 30-minute sessions, scheduled twice a week, for

“Scientific research shows that 95 per cent of incontinent patients reported significant improvement in day-to-day life and 85 per cent improvement was observed in overall intimate satisfaction,” says Dr Tran.

“Here at the practice I have treated hundreds of patients, with excellent results.”

A BTL EMSELLA spokesperson says the chair can support muscle re-education of incontinent patients, women after childbirth and those with decreased intimate satisfaction.

Wattle Street Medical Practice, 83 Wattle Street, O’Connor. Call 6248 5446 or 6247 4807.

Principal Dr William Vass.

Poverty, racism, trauma, addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, homelessness and incarceration are just some of the issues that Julie says are affecting indigenous women every day.

On top of providing assistance with all of those

and a podiatrist.”

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 6284 6222 or visit winnunga.org.au

Passionate about managing women’s health

DR Shiamala Suntharalingam has been working in the women’s health industry since becoming a GP, 22 years ago.

“It is so important for women to come for guidance or to get checked, because there could be something wrong and it’s much better to know sooner rather than later,” she

“I can help with everything from birth control, menstrual pain, menopause, osteoporosis, mental health, eating disorders, fertility screening and breast screening.

“I’ve also been doing medical terminations of pregnancies for more than a year now.”

Shiamala says she’s passionate about help ing women manage their health, and able to help find the more specialised treatments once she’s done all that she can as GP.

“I am a GP who can do everything, but I just have a passion and particular interest for women’s health,” she says.

“I know Canberra Hospital has a great endometriosis clinic.

“I train and gain further certificates to continue updating myself and my knowledge of what’s going on in women’s health.”

Shiamala says it is a very satisfying experi ence knowing she is doing a good job and helping women to manage their health.

“You can speak to someone caring, who understands and has experienced the issues

Canberra Family Planning, Erindale Healthcare, corner of Comrie Street and McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa. Call 6296 2266, or visit canberrafamilyplanning.com.au Dr Shiamala Suntharalingam.

CANBERRA FAMILY PLANNING

Womens Health – from Menarche to Menopause and beyond

Fertility Investigations and referrals

Antenatal and PostNatal Care

Child Health Checks/Immunisations and acute and chronic presentations

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Overweight and Obesity Management

Iron Infusions

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– not head and neck

Phone: 02 6296 2266

Corner of Comrie Street & McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa ACT 2903 or book via easyvisit.com.au

Erindale Healthcare is part of IPN Medical Centres

Dr Shiamala Suntharalingam General Practitioner BSc(Hons), MB BS, DRCOG, DFFP, LoCIUT, LoCSDI, MRCGP(UK), FRACGP, DCH, CertFPAA, FPS ST(Aus)

WINNUNGA Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services CEO Julie Tongs.

WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

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

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

Our services include:

• GP and Nursing

• Midwifery

• Immunisations

• Health Checks

• Men’s & Women’s Health

• Hearing Health

• Dental

• Physiotherapy

• Podiatry

• Dietician (Nutrition)

• Counselling

• Diabetes Clinic

• Quit Smoking Services / No More Boondah

• Needle Syringe Program

• Mental Health Support

• Healthy Weight Program

• Healthy Cooking Group

• Mums and Bubs Group / Child Health

• Optometry Service

• Psychology and Psychiatrist

• Community Events

• Groups

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

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COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for Winnunga Clients

Help to live a more fulfilling life

IT is well researched that women carry the burden of disease when it comes to autoimmune and chronic pain conditions, says CEO of Arthritis ACT, Rebecca Davey.

“This is partially related to the extreme stress normal physiological events such as pregnancy and menopause place on the female body,” she says.

“At Arthritis ACT we support women to be able to self manage many of the effects of inflamma tory disease and other chronic pain and fatigue conditions to assist them to live more fulfilling and self-sustaining lives.

“Exercise is a key component for most inflamma tory and pain conditions.

Rebecca says Arthritis ACT offers support to formulate appropriate exercise prescriptions to ensure that exercise helps rebuild trust in exercise as therapy.

“We will start with you slowly, recommending exercise that you will enjoy, and that will also reduce the isolation that your pain may be causing, and reintroduce you to having some fun whilst exercising,” she says.

“We have a broad approach to exercise – it can occur anywhere! We offer hydrotherapy, group ‘gym’ type classes, Nordic walking, tai chi, pilates and yoga. Many of these programs can be carried out in your home or place of preference.

“Mental support is also important when living with any pain or fatiguing condition. We have a large range of support groups, some which meet face to face and others that are entirely online, helping you fit this in your busy life.”

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041, or visit arthritisact.org.au

Tiny seeds a storehouse of protein and vitamins

HEMP seeds are a storehouse of pro tein, Vitamin E, minerals and healthy fats, says store manager Sue Booth.

“From heart health, digestive health to skin issues, the tiny seeds can work wonders for your health,” she says.

“They are particularly useful for women’s health as they aid in hormone balance and relieve PMS symptoms.

“Hemp seed oil improves immunity, helps to naturally reduce inflammation levels and strengthen the immune system because of its perfect fatty acid profile of omega-3 fats and Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).”

Sue says hemp has strength, medicinal and nutritional value, and was first cultivated more than

10,000 years ago.

“Hemp shampoo and conditioner are also very good for your hair,” she

“Hemp oil infused products will nourish your scalp and aid in strengthening the keratin layer of each strand of hair.

“And the stronger your hair is, the less likely your strands are to be susceptible to breakage.”

And, Sue says the store also has a range of clothing and linen, fabrics, bedding and cushions.

“All made to promote wellbeing.”

South Pacific Hemp, 84 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0431 318898 or visit southpacifichemp.com.au

Pilates is the perfect training partner for life

OWNER of The Pilates Centre Canberra, Felicia DarbyshirePirie, pictured, says she’s proud that the centre provides pilates sessions that focus on each individual.

“We believe in quality over quantity,” says Felicia, a pilates instructor of more than 15 years.

“Pilates is total body strengthening, conditioning and re-balancing, which is why it’s perfect for women at any stage of life. To me it’s a combination of intuition and science that helps people enjoy life and achieve goals.

From teenagers, pre and post natal, perimenopausal through to postmenopausal, Felicia says the centre welcomes anyone regardless of experience or fitness level.

“We also work with many women that have women’s specific conditions such as endometriosis, where the body needs space and compassion to recover. Each individual’s journey is different and therefore we are never comparing one person to another,” she says.

She believes a good instructor is what makes all the difference.

“We only hire really high-quality instructors with really good qualifications,” she says.

“At the Pilates Centre we often work with women’s health specialists such as osteopaths and physiotherapists for client goals.

“I like to say pilates is the perfect training partner for everything, especially for life.”

The Pilates Centre Canberra, 58 Colbee Court, Phillip. Call 6162 1793, or visit pilatescentre.com.au

Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey.

Linda Clee – Physiotherapist

Linda is an experienced physiotherapist having worked clinically in private practice for over 20 years, in rehabilitation settings and in community based aged care. Having owned and operated her own clinic for over 10 years, Linda offered a range of different therapy options, and has refined her skills and service offerings to ensure a functional focus to therapy; that is holistic and promotes overall wellness. A dancer in a past life, Linda loves to add a bit of fun in her programs, often throwing in rhythm and co-ordination challenges that are good for the body and the mind.

Sophie Bullock – Exercise Physiologist

Sophie has post graduate qualifications in hydrotherapy, and as a non-sports centred Exercise Physiologist, helps clients who struggle with engaging in exercise due to a lack of sports participation. Sophie’s goal is to improve clients health via our hydrotherapy program, gym instruction and in-home visits. Sophie also is known for her passion for working with children.

Natasha Perry – Exercise Scientist

Tash takes a wholistic view of all her clients, considering their mental wellbeing as much as their physical needs. Tash delivers our Nordic Walking, Pilates and Tai Chi programs, all of which have a mental as well as physical component.

Tash also leads our strength and balance program, supporting those with lower levels of mobility or have concerns over falls to regain their confidence, whilst also meeting a great bunch of fellow exercise class participants.

Dorothy Johnston – Exercise Physiologist

Dorothy is our newest graduate Exercise Physiologist who we employed because she was such an outstanding student. Dorothy excells with us, having a soft spot for both older persons with pain, but also a long history of working in disability services with children. Dorothy loves working with people to improve their pain and function, and always has a bright smile for everyone in her care.

Blake Dean – Exercise Physiologist

Blake has expertise in improving clients mobility and decreasing their pain through appropriate exercise. Blake delivers our ‘My Exercise’ program, targeting the relief of lower back and sciatic pain, shoulder and upper body concerns as well as leg, hip and ankle interventions – for those who do not qualify for physiotherapy-led GLAD programs.

Blake provides individual & group exercise for younger people with a disability. Blake treats clients in-clinic or via our hydrotherapy program as well as attending your gym with you.

Jacqui Couldrick – Physiotherapist

Jacqui has a particular interest in hip and knee osteoarthritis. Jacqui delivers the GLAD program designed to reduce the need for joint replacements, or if a joint replacement is unavoidable, to prepare you thoroughly for surgery and recovery for day to day tasks. Jacqui is studying towards a PhD in the outcomes of the GLAD program.

Holly Hazelwood – Exercise Physiologist

Holly is a former sports journalist who believed so strongly in the power of exercise to heal and nurture that she undertook her 4 year degree in Exercise Physiology. Holly is be able to work with people directly to support them through their pain journey and regain independence and a joy for living again. Holly provides one on one and group exercise classes both on land and at our hydrotherapy centres to support people to gain freedom from chronic pain.

PILATES GROUP CLASSES ON NOW – NORTHSIDE & SOUTHSIDE

DON’T FORGET ABOUT ACCESSING OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WHO HELP MAKE YOUR EVERY DAY TASKS EASIER

• Occupational Therapy – Assistance with the planning and modification of your home, workplace or car. Applications for NDIS, the Disability and Housing Support Pension, and also driving assessments.

• Physiotherapy – including the GLAD program for knee and hip osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, and pain condition support.

• Exercise Physiology – Individual exercise prescriptions, small group classes to increase strength and improve rehabilitation, strength and balance classes, hydrotherapy support.

• Dietetics – meal planning, weight management support, food intolerance support.

“You do not need to have any particular condition to utilise our services, just a desire to ‘Build a Better You.’

Let us be a part of your radiant comeback and celebrate your inspiring resilience. As a special gesture Artistica Cosmetics is offering one cosmetic tattoo procedure to one remarkable cancer survivor for absolutely Free To

Beauty services with an empathetic nature

ARTISTICA Cosmetics is a small home studio that opened at the beginning of the year to offer per manent makeup artistry, says owner Afra Yazdan, pictured.

“I offer eyebrow, eyeliner and lip tattoo and non-laser tattoo removals,” she says.

“I also have a background as a dental practitioner, and I will soon be adding professional-grade teeth whitening to my services.

“We are also starting a campaign to see cancer survivors, free of charge, to offer tattooing, which includes their choice of tattoo service, six to eight weeks of follow ups and touch ups, and some aftercare products.

Clients can expect the use of the highest-quality pigments for a natural appearance across a diverse range of services.”

Afra says she prides herself on her ability to connect and empathise with clients, taking into consideration their unique needs, preferences and desires to deliver customised cosmetic solutions.

Afra says she has lost someone

SAY NO TO INCONTINENCE & INTIMATE DISCOMFORT A Breakthrough in Intimate Health

husband has someone in his family who has fought cancer, too.

“We decided we wanted to contribute our share to the community, to bring people some happiness,” she says.

“People can find the details on our website. One person will have their name drawn each month, starting from September 1 and running to November 30.

Artistica Cosmetics. Call 0431 223098, or visit artisticacosmetics.com.au

Nick’s got the gear to get women running

THE Runners Shop carries a great range of shoes for running, walking or going to the gym, says owner and long-time runner Nick Walshe.

“Having a pair of well cushioned shoes is important – for all types of exercise, but especially for runners,” says Nick.

“This is because runners are often sending a force equivalent to around four times our body weight, which impacts on our knees, feet and lower back.

“Good cushioning in runners helps with injury prevention, especially when increasing your training. Running shoes are also designed to flex in a way that supports the motion of your foot when running – much more so than training shoes or casual shoes. With a team of passionate staff all actively involved in running, Nick

hand knowledge of the products available.

“We take the time to make sure we help customers find the right pair of shoes – suitable for their feet and fitted correctly,” says Nick.

“Our shoe brands include Brooks, Hoka, Saucony, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno, On, Altra and Topo. Nick says running can be incredibly beneficial not just physically, but also mentally.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress, and find some balance in our busy lives,” he says. “Also, with the many running groups and events in Canberra these days, there is a social community side to running as well. And it’s surprisingly addictive!”

The Runners Shop, 76 Dundas Court, Phillip. Call 6285 3508, or

• Extensive range of shoes for Runners, Joggers, Walkers and Gym enthusiasts of all ages

• Brands include Asics, Brooks, Nike, New Balance, Mizuno, Saucony, Hoka and On

• Great range of technical running apparel which breathes (wicks moisture) all year round

• Extensive range of nutrition products from Endura, GU, Hammer and Tailwind

Artistica Cosmetics owner Afra Yazdan.

The Runners Shop owner Nick Walshe.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE Body in the canal brings out detective Brunetti

Playwright ponders how the Bennets got together

COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

JANE Austen mania, which has swept around the world in recent years, has not left Australia unscathed and Canberra Rep is about to take full advantage of that.

In what playwright Emma Wood almost blushes to admit might be called “fan fiction”, the play is about the courtship between that unlikely couple, Mr and Mrs Bennet, of “Pride and Prejudice”.

When I catch up with director Aarne Neeme recently, he steers me firmly in the direction of Wood, whose play he describes as “lovely”.

“What makes Austen so appealing, even to today’s audiences, is that she took on that position of women in society and didn’t shy away from them being intelligent or recognising their own flaws,” he says. Serendipitously, although Wood now lives in Victoria, it turns out that we can justly claim her as a Canberran. She was born here, went to Aranda Primary, Canberra High and Lake Ginninderra College, and studied English, drama and law at the ANU, where she won the RF Brissenden Award

for Best Essay on Poetry, later heading for Sydney and Newcastle.

She returned with her husband and two kids between 2014 and 2016, and performed principal roles for Canberra Rep in “Blithe Spirit” and “Witness for the Prosecution”, the latter directed by Neeme, before returning to Newcastle.

But in 2016 she had also performed in

staged in Newcastle, but performed in Chatswood at the Jane Austen Festival in 2015.

Three more plays have followed, including “A Hit and Miss Christmas”, and most recently “Piece of Mind”, which premiered at the Brickhouse Theatre in Los Angeles in December, and is slated for an off-Broadway show and a production by Canberra’s Papermoon Productions in early 2024.

“I wanted to write substantial roles for women aged 40+ and that continues to be a driving force in my writing,” Wood says.

Wood is not exactly an Austen tragic herself, but her mum was, and named her “Emma” because she was reading the novel of the same name when she was expecting. As well, she was born exactly 200 years after Austen in 1975 and her six-year-old daughter shares Jane Austen’s birthday.

She doesn’t claim to be an expert, saying: “My way into ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was through the 1995 mini-series, and I’ve always enjoyed Mr and Mrs Bennet. Suddenly, I thought: ‘How did those two ever get together?’ So I decided to think it

She says Austen is very strong on dialogue, so is very easy to adapt, but she stresses: “The dialogue in my play is entirely original, but it suits her style.”

“I never tried to write a novel, it came to me as a play. ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is full of such colourful characters and they just dropped into my mind.”

It’s the ninth production of the play and as she admits: “I’m riding on very big coat-tails, but it’s been very well received in its own right.”

Wood’s premise is that Mr Bennet, James, in the play, is a young man in his late 20s and an only child under strong pressure to carry on the name of the estate – his father gives him a deadline.

A bit of a contrarian, James wants to find an unsuitable match on purpose, and along comes his bride-to-be, 17 to his 28 and the daughter of James’ lawyer, in the full bloom of youthful giggling joy. Her father concocts to plan to throw his pretty but silly daughter in his way.

There are fun side-references to “Pride and Prejudice”, such as the presence, as a baby, of Collins, who will inherit the estate, because Mr Bennet is unable to produce male heirs.

“Although there are heartfelt moments in the play, I tried to stick with the idea of a comedic drama,” she says.

“We’re working with something that people know and love and this will be for people who love period plays with beautiful costumes.

“It’s my big dream that it falls into the hands of someone like Emma Thompson, who will want to stage it.”

“Mr Bennet’s Bride”, Canberra Rep Theatre, September 7-23.

Playwright Emma Wood… “I wanted to write substantial roles for women aged 40+.”

Why Cunio should keep leading School of Music

There’s a major review of the ANU’s School of Music coming soon this year, writes cellist DAVID PEREIRA

He’s holding his breath to discover what sensible changes it will recommend, but ‘what mustn’t change is the present excellence of its culture’.

IN 1991, I became the continuing full-time senior lecturer in cello at the Canberra School of Music. It’s 2023 and I’m still that senior lecturer (now a 0.4 fractional appointment on a one-year contract).

In September I will celebrate my 70th birthday. I’ve much-lived experience of directorships and headships – John Painter to Kim Cunio. Each of several has left their mark.

In this piece I claim my right, in the public interest, to express an opinion on the incumbent head – Kim Cunio. Praise where praise is due. Make known a significant truth.

Also, I want him to stay in that position as long as he wants to. That should be in the best interest of the School of Music and of music generally in our community. Leadership, like the performance of music, exists in theory and in practice, in ideology and actuality.

Entering the School of Music these days, I feel the kindness, compassion, empathy, safety, inclusivity and sincerity of service

BARBER SHOP IN HUME

All Styles, Cuts & Fades

provision of a staff now not only deeply tutored in these core values, but also acting them out, moment to moment.

I feel the effects of these on the students who spend months and years in this environment of carefulness – enlightened, artistic, holistic. Here the study of music, whether theoretical or performative, is conducted within a vital and hard-won sacred framework.

Sacred? Yes, definitely. For what else is it when we focus on the sacred in others and on the sacred in the doing of something? Music isn’t sacred only when it plays in church, or when it is called to underpin a belief in God.

It is sacred when we ask it to matter as anything may matter. It is sacred when it is happening between entities whose individual mattering equally is asserted.

Meanwhile, leadership of this school within the College of Arts and Social Sciences, within the ANU, is conducted on a vibrant web of interconnectivity.

A head’s decision-making is closely observed, from inside and from outside the university. Helpers and hinderers abound. Leaders’ powers and freedoms are limited. Their choices often are made

between alternatives neither ideal nor attractive. Such is institutional life. Personal and career survival, let alone flourishing, demands resilience, high energy, patience, good timing, wisdom, diplomacy, commitment, vision, a thick-enough-skin, a practical philosophy and emotional intelligence.

Having been an integral part of (and sometimes loud commentator on) 32 years of our School of Music, I usefully am placed to speak an opinion of its likely future trajectory.

In doing so, I note the extraordinary recovery from loss and grief that it has enjoyed in the last decade. For this my gratitude and admiration goes to many others as well as Kim Cunio, including recently an encouraging and protective ANU vice-chancellor and dean of CASS.

The school, semi-miraculously, has survived covid, too. It grows in stature as an excellent music school that is responsive to societal changes and that is significantly redefining some key aspects of tertiary musical training and research.

There is a major review of the school coming soon this year. That is exciting. I hold my breath to discover what sensible changes it will recommend, which of those will be taken up, and which others will come collaterally.

What mustn’t change is the present excellence of culture, both educational and interpersonal. May the preciousness of this school’s recovery be given the value it deserves.

THEATRE

Disaster and what to do for the greater good

By Helen Musa

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24-30, 2023

AT the end of the month Chaika Theatre is staging British playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s work, “The Children”, at ACT Hub.

Chaika is named after Russian dramatist, Anton Chekhov’s first famous play, “The Seagull” (Chaika) and is the brainchild of theatre artist Karen Vickery, who says of her company’s philosophy: “I’m interested in really good writing – not all plays that we see really fit in that category.

“I love great roles for actors. I am an actor, and although I do a lot of other things, I like to work on great texts that are exciting and simple.”

Kirkwood’s 2016 play is all of that, unsurprising from one of the hottest theatrical talents in the UK, who wrote and starred in her first play “Grady Hot Potato” in 2005 and hasn’t looked back.

Her 2022 play “Rapture” concerns mistrust of the UK government following the 2020 pandemic and this year it was announced Kirkwood would write a new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Witches” for London’s National Theatre.

Vickery won’t be directing “The Children”. That falls to Tony Knight, her colleague from her days at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and Canberra director Sophie Benassi, assisted by Belinda Henderson.

With echoes of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear explosion in Japan, “The Children” concerns two retired nuclear physicists, married to each other – Hazel (Vickery) and Robin (Michael Sparks) who live in a remote cottage while a disaster unfolds at the power station where they used to work.

They are visited by another nuclear physicist, Rose (Lainie Hart) but why has she come?

“Like Shakespeare and Chekhov, the characters express themselves but there are no goodies and baddies,” Vickery says.

“It’s a situation that is very poignant, a natural disaster which asks the question of what we

should do for the greater good and to what extent we have responsibility.”

“This is such a good play for older actors, as it’s written by a young writer who is writing about middle-aged characters, but in a wonderful, affectionate way that is quite bold.”

“But it asks questions through personal relationships between two women and a man, teasing out what those relationships actually are.”

Vickery says the characters test each other; they are forced together and they have to make a decision. At first we’ll think it’s purely personal and not about a broader issue, she thinks. Two of them make a firm decision, and the third one, well, you’re not quite sure – Kirkwood knows how to write an ending, she says.

Sounds heavy? Well, not at all. Chaika is billing the play as “a riotous reunion in which humour and drama oscillate”.

Vickery is more circumspect, saying: “It’s a good example of a play that expresses humanism in a way that sheds new light, it’s a combination of comedy and tragedy – life is like that, and sometimes we have them both at once.”

In her day job where she does simulations for medical students, she recently had to play the part of somebody who had to receive bad news.

“I found myself laughing,” she says. “We do things like that in an unexpected way – I like plays that allow us to look at that.”

There’ll be a pared back visual look to the production, which will allow focus to fall on the script.

But, she adds mysteriously: “There is unexpected delight in this play – there will be dancing.”

“The Children”, ACT Hub, Kingston, August 31-September 9.

“The Children”... “It’s a natural disaster which asks the question of what we should do for the greater good and to what extent we have responsibility,” says Karen Vickery.

DINING / Little Sutton Bakehouse

Bakehouse in Sutton with a recipe for success

IN the mood for a Sunday drive (or a drive any day of the week, for that matter)? Take the short but enjoyable trip to Sutton and head to Victoria Street for great coffee and fresh goods, baked daily.

Little Sutton Bakehouse made an immediate impact on this tiny town, with its recipe for success. Bright, modern and welcoming, the bakery is usually packed with loyal locals and visitors from Canberra and beyond. Even the Sunday car, motorcycle and cycle clubs have tweaked to its winning formula.

Previously The Baker, the new owners have upped the ante with a more artisan offering, including high-quality breads, beautiful baguettes, super-stuffed

sandwiches, granola and chia puddings.

Local and regional produce is used where possible, with Little Sutton Bakehouse having established solid relationships with quality growers and suppliers.

The mouth-watering pies are a main attraction, including the gluten-free chicken and leek version ($8.50). The flaky pastry was packed with well-balanced ingredients and Little Sutton Bakehouse does not skimp on the chicken. Other gluten-free pies include vegetable curry, spinach and feta, and chunky steak (all $12.50).

Gourmet sandwiches are delish. My friend opted for the chicken stuffed in two slices of fresh bread ($12.50). The oven-roasted, free-range chicken breast married well with house-made mayonnaise and was stacked with spinach leaves.

Baguettes feature hand-carved prosciutto with peppery rocket and vibrant basil pesto with parmesan. The other baguette available

FABULOUS FOOD

Chicken and leek pie… the Little Sutton Bakehouse does not skimp on the chicken.

No decent bakery would be without a good old egg and bacon roll. Little Sutton’s is created with free-range eggs and house made relish (also $12.50).

Definitely leave room for a sweet ending. The delectable line-up of treats made choosing a challenge.

Our chocolate torte, dusted with cocoa on top, was divine and we appreciated that it was

Oven-roasted, free-range chicken breast sandwich… with house-made mayonnaise and stacked with spinach.

decadent but not overly sweet. The orange almond cake was super moist and packed a punch with citrus flavour (both $7.80).

Also great with a barista-made coffee are desserts such as strawberry tart, lemon meringue, carrot cake and blueberry cheesecake. Again, gluten-free options available.

Large loaves of daily-made bread are for sale, stacked neatly and attractively on metal trolley shelves near the cash register. While enjoying lunch we noticed people rocking in

Chocolate torte… dusted with cocoa on top, decadent but not overly sweet.

Once we had nourished our souls, we walked around Sutton and popped into the neighbouring contemporary art gallery. Arts Sutton, which opened in 1980 and was renovated in 1992, is worth a visit. All visual and creative artists are Australian.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

Body in the canal brings out detective Brunetti

IN 1992, Donna Leon introduced to the world the first in a series of novels, set in Venice, which have become both successful and iconic.

Leon believes this is because her novels “show a Venice that is not often presented in English books nor much seen by tourists”.

“Death at La Fenice” also introduced her detective, Commissario Guido Brunetti, who Leon describes as “sane and decent, happily married, intelligent, a reader, dresses carefully and well, loves good food and wine, and also likes women. I think this is at variance with what many novels present as a protagonist or hero. People can be comfortable liking him.”

Leon has written a Brunetti mystery every year since. Her new novel, “So Shall You Reap”, is the thirty-second in the series and it’s winter in Venice, cold and quiet without the tourists.

Brunetti’s father-in-law has asked him to find out if the Palazzo Zaffo dei Leoni is for sale. The owner, Renato Molin, teaches medieval history at the university but, this being Venice, his wife Gloria went to school with Brunetti.

When Brunetti arrives at the Palazzo, he learns from one of the neighbours that the Molins have a Sri Lankan servant who lives in a small house in their garden. He is therefore not surprised when the door is opened by “a thickset, dark-skinned man”, who politely tells him the Palazzo is not for sale.

Some days later, when a body is found in one of the canals, Brunetti recognises the face as that of Molin’s Sri Lankan servant.

The police investigation reveals that Inesh Kavinda had been living illegally in Venice for more than eight years. Brunetti is impressed with the “tranquility and quiet beauty of the dead man’s home”, which is in stark contrast to the utter neglect of the overgrown garden, “the invisible earth smothered with matted decomposition, and all of it untouched, perhaps for years”.

On Inesh’s bookshelf, Brunetti discovers a scrapbook of pamphlets and newspaper articles documenting the terrorist acts of the Red Brigades in Italy in the 1980s. As Brunetti wonders why a Sri Lankan Buddhist would be interested in the violent past, he has to confront memories of his own involve ment in radical student protests, while at university at that time.

“So Shall You Reap”, a clever, complex story of lost ideals and the errors of youth, is sophisticated reading.

AS is Tan Twan Eng’s “The House of Doors” set on the other side of the world, re-imagining life in Malaysia in 1921 when Somerset Maugham visited Penang.

It is Eng’s first novel since his debut “The Garden of Evening Mists” was shortlisted for the 2012 Booker Prize and then won the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Walter Scott

Venice, cold and quiet without the tourists. Inset left: The cover of “So Shall You Reap”. Inset right: The cover of “The House of Doors”.

Prize for Historical Fiction.

Maugham arrives in Penang with both health and financial problems, having lost a fortune in a risky investment. He had intended to use his two weeks in Penang to recuperate, read, rest and swim but now he knows he must write to restore his finances.

Although most of the characters in “The House of Doors” are drawn from real life, Tan creates a fictional expat couple, Robert and Leslie Hamlyn, who welcome Maugham

into their colonial bungalow. Eng imagines that Robert is an old friend of Maugham, that they shared a flat in London and served together in World War I.

Leslie is Penang born and has lived there all her life. When Maugham arrives, Robert’

ARTS IN THE CITY

s health is deteriorating and she is horrified to learn he plans to move to the drier climate of South Africa.

Robert warns Leslie that “there’s nothing [Maugham] likes more than snuffing out people’s scandals and secrets”. However, when she discovers he’s a sympathetic listener, over a series of nights, she shares with him the events of 1910: the year Sun Yat-s en visited Penang fundraising for his eventual revolution against the Chinese Qing dynasty and a European woman, Ethel Proudlock was tried for murder.

Maugham will eventually take Ethel’s story as the basis of one of his most famous stories “The Letter”, which later became a long-running play as well as a film starring Bette Davis, restoring his fortunes.

“The House of Doors” captures the exotic lost world of colonial Penang, with it’s gin cocktails and gossipy parties, in a story of obsession, secrets and lies and the unhappiness of three women, Leslie, Ethel and Maugham’s abandoned wife Syrie, in a male-dominated society.

‘Spektakular’ night with camp Hans

ADELAIDE entertainer Matt Gilbertson, better known as camp German accordion player “Hans” and a winner of Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s Cabaret Icon Award is bringing his cabaret show “Disco Spektakular” to The Playhouse, August 30.

THE Song Company has announced ensemble members soprano Amy Moore and mezzo soprano Jessica O’Donoghue as co-artistic directors.

THE Korean Film Festival returns, with a highlight of the program, the comedy hit “6/45” by director Park Gyu-Tae. It presents a narrative on soldiers from North and South Korea dealing with a windfall. Palace Electric Cinemas, September 1-3.

“THE Family Business: A Killer Comedy” is an unpredictable show by Lightbulb Improv with special guest director Ali Clinch. Before the show, you decide who the killer is, and why. Lightbulb’s performers improvise the rest – no script, no rules, no limits. The Playhouse, August 31-September 2.

ART in Miniature Group Canberra is holding its 23rd annual exhibition since its inception. The tiny artworks by 19 artists depict local surroundings such as flora, fauna, home, overseas and children at play. Yarralumla Gallery and Oaks Brasserie, August 26-September 27.

THE Canberra Men’s Choir presents “Golden Oldies”, billed as an afternoon of song and merriment, Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, August 27.

MEGALO Print Workshop’s screen studio manager, Alex Lundy is travelling north to visit Tiwi Designs on Bathurst Island, NT, working with artists on screen projects in the Tiwi studio and attending the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. Elise Stanley will act in her place.

Author Donna Leon… it’s winter in

MARUKI Community Orchestra returns with Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No.1”, Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No.5” and Bloch’s “Suite Modale” for flute and strings. Albert Hall, September 3.

Matt Gilbertson, as camp German accordion player “Hans”... The Playhouse, August 30. Photo: Claudio Raschella

In filthy rich ‘Billions’ there’s nobody to like

AUDIENCES just can’t get enough of watching the uber-wealthy duke it out.

In recent months millions of viewers have been glued to “Succession”, a show which one might consider “Game of Thrones” set in the world of corporate media.

Now the seventh and final season of “Billions” is streaming on Stan, yet another series where viewers get to watch the filthy rich of New York backstab their way to the top of the food chain.

Like “Succession”, there’s nobody to like in “Billions” and yet it’s still easy to pick out favourite characters to root for.

Among them is Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), a shrewd district attorney who’s unafraid to take on the most powerful of shady business magnates and who has never lost an insider trading case.

When criminal evidence starts stacking up against hedge-fund king Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) Rhoades thinks it could be the case of his career, ensnaring himself in a zero-sum game with one of Manhattan’s most ruthless moguls.

Among the many players here is Rhoades’ wife Wendy (Maggie Siff), an incisive and calculating therapist who helped build Axelrod’s hedge-fund into the empire it is. Wendy refuses to sacrifice her career and motivations for her husband’s crusade against the company, making for one of the show’s most compelling feuds.

If “Succession” is the TV equivalent of fine dining, “Billions” might be considered fast food in comparison.

WINE

Wars” universe?

Put it this way. For aficionados this will be a very safe bet.

“Ashoka” has all the action and well choreographed lightsaber skirmishing a fan could ask for, complete with a coterie of A-list “Star Wars” cameos (Hayden Christensen among them).

But for those with waning interest in this ever expanding franchise, the show is likely to feel like just another routine entry in Disney’s relentless efforts to milk it dry.

It pales in comparison to “Andor”, the previous “Star Wars” spin-off which was so good it even scored eight Emmy nominations including best drama.

What made “Andor” so addictive was that it was bold enough to step away from popular “Star Wars” personalities, instead focusing on characters who have never before had a mention and their struggle for survival in a war-torn galaxy.

Netflix tops cool brand list

NETFLIX has topped the list of 100 coolest brands among children and teenagers, a survey has revealed.

The streaming service stole the top place from last year’s winner YouTube, while McDonald’s, Nike and new entry Oreo made up the rest of the top five.

The survey of 60,000 children aged seven to 14 across the UK is detailed in the annual “Coolest Brands Report” by Beano Brain, a family insight agency.

Their blistering rivalry makes it easy to keep coming back for more.

It’s impressive indeed that after 84 episodes people are still watching. This is thanks to the show’s ardent disinterest in any kind of slow burn. “Billions” kicks along at an unashamedly fast pace, moving so quickly that its flaws flash by with barely a chance to process them. This is what has made the series so addictive. “Billions” sells itself as high-brow trash and delivers on that promise. All eyes will be on it to see if it can stick its landing.

DISNEY Plus has dropped its latest “Star Wars” TV spin-off, this prequel set before the

Rosario Dawson plays the titular padawan, who in this series is on a quest to hunt down one of the Empire’s most merciless higher-ups, Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Thrawn is played by “House of Cards” star Lars Mikkelsen, whose brother, Mads Mikkelsen, also appeared in the “Star Wars” spin-off “Rogue One”.

How does “Ashoka” stack up compared to the many, many other entries in the “Star

Whisky gets whiff, sip and swirl test

GARTH Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood sing “Whiskey to Wine”, a plangent duet about how losing the song’s lover is like a change from whiskey to wine:

It’s not the same high

I miss the fire

The burning desire.

Well, instead of wine tasting I recently went to a whisky tasting: a few drams over a couple of hours, with plenty of food before and snacks during to make sure that the burn wasn’t too damaging or, worse, that I would burst into song a la Garth and wife. Representatives of Glenfiddich held the tasting at Walt and Burley on the Kingston Foreshore and I approached this event in the same manner I would a wine tasting: get a good whiff, sip and swirl and only swallow if you like the flavour.

Ross Blainey, the Glenfiddich representative, was knowledgeable and effusive about the offerings, himself the real thing being a Glaswegian. I refrained from telling him my favourite joke about that town: what do you call a man from Glasgow who’s lost his dog? Douglas.

He emphasised the purity of the water that went into the whisky making, and how that is a plentiful resource in Scotland, a matter I can attest to after a visit in July: it rains with persistent regularity. Single-malt whisky is made from only three ingredients: malted barley, water and yeast. The array of flavours that can be developed in the making is, however, myriad.

We started with the 12-year-old whisky: Our Original 12. I enjoyed the sweet earth tones and a hint of pear and pepper on the finish. It’s an easy,

mellow drink but at 40 per cent alcohol by volume, you need to be careful about pace and level of consumption. No more on the alcohol content, it’s all high.

The second offering was the 14-year-old bourbon barrel reserve. This whisky matures in oak casks formerly used for bourbon and then spends two months in toasted American oak before it is bottled and this imparts a sweet vanilla finish which is not to my taste.

The third dram was very different and my favourite.

The 15-year-old Solera Fifteen is finished in a 18,000-litre wooden vat that is only ever half empty and has been that way since 1998. Next was the 18-year-old Small Batch. This is stored in Spanish oak rather than American oak, which gives it a discernibly darker colour. It had a fiery finish mixed in with baked apple.

Penultimately was a 21-year-old started in sherry barrels and finished in single use Caribbean rum barrels for six months. This was delightful: sherry nose with smooth caramel below. A winner albeit with a volatile finish.

Last was Fire and Cane. This is a smoky, sweet whisky that relies on peat to obtain a distinctive flavour. Peated whisky is given this smoky flavour by compounds released from the peat fires used to dry malted barley.

I’d had a Laphroaig with these characteristics and had found it, frankly, medicinal and not enjoyable. Alas that’s also my view of this product.

I’m still a wine lover at heart, but it’s always good to get a different perspective:

An Englishman said to a Scot: “Take away your mountains, glens and lochs, and what have you got?”

“England”, replied the Scot.

“Ashoka” on the other hand falls into the trap of relying too heavily on what came before it, rather than attempting to do something new and interesting.

“Star Wars” pundits are sure to get a kick out of the show but for those who have given up on the franchise “Ashoka” won’t have them turning on their hyperdrive to come back.

The BBC had the biggest drop, falling 28 places from 43 to 71, while video game Minecraft dropped 22 places to 28, having failed to maintain the buzz outside its predominantly male fanbase, where it still ranks at 11 for boys. Amazon (15 down from four) and Apple (11 down from eight) all dropped out of the top 10 this year.

The Beano Brain team spent a year talking to young people aged seven to 14, known as Generation Alpha, about their likes and dislikes, chatting about and coveting, before testing their findings with the Beano Brain omnibus panel. –PA

Damian Lewis as hedge-fund king Bobby Axelrod in “Billions”.

Happy to put on a spring show

The Hardenbergia violacea can delicately trail over fences and won’t strangle what it’s growing on. Its roots are non-invasive and grow well in pots. An evergreen, it has small purple or white cascading flowers and as a small shrub it can be used as a ground cover on steep slopes and grows up to 1.5 metres wide.

The endemic variety is purple and now there are white flowering varieties available. A mix of the two colours together really does put on a show and is great for attracting bees to the garden.

Hardenbergia propagated and sold outside our region may be more susceptible to our frosts and cold weather and may struggle opposed to locally propagated plants. Look out for plants at market sales and native nurseries.

A light prune after flowering will keep them tidy and watering during the hot months will ensure a fantastic winter to spring flowering show. Hardenbergia is easy to propagate from seed and softwood cuttings during spring with strong, new growth tips removed, dipped in honey or hormone gel and gently planted in small containers with

propagating mix. Keep moist, but not wet. If growing from seed, pre-treat by soaking overnight in boiling water and then planting the following day in punnets. Seed will begin to germinate once the temperature is above 21 degrees and germination will occur around 10-21 days.

HYACINTHUS orientalis is a winter/spring flowering bulb with a knockout fragrance that will fill the garden with honey scent.

Suitable as a picked flower for a vase indoors or the entire bulb can be grown indoors in a forcing vase. These vases trick the bulbs into flowering and can be a decorative, longflowering fragrant display indoors.

When the flowering has finished, the bulbs can be planted outside in the garden in a sunny spot to flower the following year.

Growing Hyacinth indoors can be tricky and will need to be a perfect spot with dappled light to grow well. If the room temperature is too warm, the flowers may flop. Revive the flower by placing it outdoors for a few days in the cool air.

Hyacinth bulbs are generally not long lived and once the blooms are sparse, dig up, divide and replant only fresh bulbs. If the flowers are small and growing on particularly short stems with sparse flowers, it may be caused by the lack of cold storage while the bulb was dormant or beginning to slowly decline. Again, divide and only replant full, fresh-looking bulbs in good-quality soil.

NOW spring is around the corner, it’s time to change fertilising garlic with high-nitrogen fertiliser to a potash fertiliser to help fatten the bulbs and push it into flower.

The vegetable patch is only about six weeks away from planting out and now’s the time to make sure it is weed free, and the soil is dug over to a spade depth. Add any lime, compost or rock minerals that are needed to sweeten the soil, water in and mulch.

The soils don’t warm in Canberra until October, so early planting is not beneficial for many vegetables such as tomatoes and zucchinis.

Stone fruit trees are about to burst into flower, so keep the copper spray handy for peach leaf curl until the buds open.

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• September 1 is Wattle Day. Celebrate spring with a wattle in the garden.

• Add lime to the vegetable garden where peas and beans are to grow in spring.

• Sow edible flowers such as calendula, violas and nasturtiums.

• Preserve excess lemons in salt, water and lemon juice in a jar.

The Happy Wanderer…good for a fantastic winter to spring flowering show.

Hyacinthus orientalis… a winter/spring flowering bulb with a knockout fragrance.

Photos: Jackie Warburton

THE Happy Wanderer is a fastgrowing native plant that’s putting on a show right now.

HOROSCOPE PUZZLES

Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

28 August-3 September, 2023

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Impatient Rams are keen to share information and exchange ideas with family, friends and work colleagues. But remember, Venus is reversing through your friendship zone (until next Monday, September 4) and Mercury is reversing through your job and daily routine zones (until September 15). And then, on Wednesday night, the Super Blue Moon lights up your self-sabotage zone. So make sure your amusing chatter doesn’t denigrate into gratuitous gossip.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

With Venus (your power planet) and Mercury both in retrograde mode, your current inclination is to be timid and hypervigilant. But don’t overdo it, Bulls! With Jupiter and Uranus rollicking through your sign, aim to be cautiously optimistic and moderately adventurous. Otherwise, you’ll miss fortuitous opportunities when they come along. As movie star (and birthday great) Ingrid Bergman reflected: “I regret the things I didn’t do, not what I did.”

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

The planets activate your Gemini curiosity and rev up your restlessness. But you could encounter roadblocks along the way, as retrograde Mercury stymies your progress. Hasty actions and half-baked plans will only lead to long-term frustrations. You’re full of fabulous ideas but make sure you can differentiate between fact and fantasy. If you balance dynamic action with a dose of discipline and a spoonful of reality, then you’ll have a productive week.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

The Super Blue Moon, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune are activating your travel and education zones. So it’s time to make plans for a future trip or new course of study. However – with Mercury retro until September 15 – you need to be extremely patient and persistent. Then, when the right moment manifests, you’ll be ready, willing and able to take flight. Be inspired by birthday great, singer-songwriter Florence Welch: “I like the idea of taking off like a bird.”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Venus has been reversing through your sign for the past six weeks. So you may feel as if you’ve been treading water … or even going backwards. Has your Lion mojo gone missing? Has your ambition disappeared? Has a work project backfired? Or have you experienced problems with a colleague or client? Thank goodness Venus finally moves forwards on September 4. But you still have one more week to go – so slow down, pace yourself and be patient.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Venus and your ruler, Mercury, are both retrograde, so work, health, finances or family matters could be very frustrating this week. Heed the wise words of billionaire (and birthday great) Warren Buffett: “I’ve had periods of my life when I’ve had a bundle of ideas come along, and I’ve had long dry spells.” Be patient, keep things in perspective and keep plugging away. Put your clever Virgo mind to good use via reading, revising, researching and rehearsing.

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

With Venus retrograde, and Mercury reversing through your self-sabotage zone, are you being your own worst enemy? Is the only person undermining your efforts actually you? Stop being an over-accommodating Libra who’s trying to please everyone. Instead, start focusing on your future health and happiness. Your motto is from birthday great, singer-songwriter Florence Welch: “You should have high expectations for yourself, and others should come second.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Venus is reversing through your career zone, Mercury is retrograding through your peer group zone, and the Super Blue Moon fires up your friendship zone. So a work colleague could frustrate you, an authority figure could antagonise you, or a friend could give you confusing information. Avoid the temptation to just sulk, stew and simmer. A double dose of Scorpio charm and diplomacy will get you through with your reputation (and sanity) intact!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Expect a domestic drama or a professional project to go haywire, as this week’s rare Super Blue Moon (and retrograde Mercury) leave you wondering what on earth is going on! Do your best to be especially diplomatic with a cranky colleague or a recalcitrant relative. Blunt honesty isn’t the best policy; communication will improve with some creative sugar-coating. A pinch of patience (not your usual modus operandi) will also help you muddle through.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Saturn (your ruling planet) and the rare Super Blue Moon stimulate your communication and education zones. But remember that Venus and Mercury are both in retrograde motion (until September 4 and 15). So make sure you communicate clearly, are extra patient and understanding with loved ones and work colleagues, and don’t assume you have all the answers. Clever Capricorns will take the time to revisit, revise, reconsider, re-evaluate and readjust.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The Super Blue Moon, Saturn, Neptune and retrograde Mercury are stirring up your finance zone. So impulse buys today could lead to cashflow problems tomorrow. Astute Aquarians will avoid making expensive purchases or major money moves this week, as you’re inclined to view your current financial situation through rose-coloured glasses. Mars moves into your travel zone, so plan a weekend getaway (or a longer holiday) for after September 15.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

This week the rare Super Blue Moon’s in moody Pisces, and Mercury is reversing through your partnership zone. Plus, Venus continues retrograding through your wellbeing zone. So – when it comes to your health (physical, mental and emotional) and close relationships – you’ll have to be extra patient with yourself and others. Be inspired by actress and comedian Lily Tomlin (who turns 84 on Friday): “The road to success is always under construction.”

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023

General knowledge crossword No. 895

Across

4 What is a period of sixty seconds? (6)

7 To engage in a minor but noisy quarrel, is to do what? (8)

8 Name the psychic and emotional energy associated with instinctive biological drives. (6)

9 What is a gem cut into the form of a narrow rectangle? (8)

11 When one divulges or discloses, one does what? (7)

13 Name another term for lucerne. (7)

15 What might we call a through train? (7)

17 Name an alternative term for a hermit. (7)

20 Who is between 13 and 19 years of age? (8)

23 What is a strong regional accent? (6)

24 Which hour is the latest possible time? (8)

25 To be dormant, is to be what? (6)

Sudoku

Solution next edition Down

1 Which combining form indicates water? (4)

2 What is an empty space or missing part, especially in an ancient manuscript? (6)

3 To touch at one end or side, is to do what? (4)

4 What is a confused, hand-to-hand fight? (5)

5 To be loftier and more exalted in character, is to be what? (6)

6 Which term relates to the rise and fall of the ocean? (5)

9 Which open glass cylinder is used as a standard laboratory container? (6)

10 What might we call a learner? (7)

12 What is a concealed marksman? (6)

14 Name a highly infectious, usually fatal, epidemic disease. (6)

16 What do we call a weighing machine? (6)

18 Name the British peers next in rank above a viscount. (5)

19 To be precipitous, is to be what? (5)

21 What is a large wide-mouthed pitcher or jug? (4)

22 When one consumes food, one does what? (4)

EVERY DAY AT citynews.com.au

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TREASURE YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES

King O’Malley’s Pub is looking for the Best Beards in Canberra and will be holding its annual Beard Competition on Thursday 7th September in support of “Beard Season Skin Check Champions.”

Prizes including a specially engraved Beer Tankard will be awarded for: