CityNews 231102

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Well written, well read

YIKES! It’s time to start organising things for Christmas…

Drug reforms are not the end of the world

MICHAEL MOORE When the jury ends up in the dock

HUGH SELBY

‘Loophole’ bill a noose of bad policy and law

RICHARD CALVER

‘Lest we forget’, but there’s nowhere to remember them

JON STANHOPE

Why the Qwire’s got a lot to sing about

HELEN MUSA

ALLSTAR MAYHEM

Comedian PAUL McDERMOTT still goes where angels fear to tread

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NEWS / adventures in music

Just for the record, dealer Shane’s written a book

By Lily

PASS AFTER taking a redundancy from the public service in 2014, Shane Stark began collecting records, which quickly got out of hand.

“I started life as a record dealer,” he says.

“I spent the first several years on the road, buying and selling vinyls, and I was meeting all of these crazy, weird and wonderful characters.

“So, just for the benefit of my friends and family, I started writing diary entries about the people I was meeting, and the stories they shared.”

Shane, of Queanbeyan, says he always knew he had good writing ability, but never knew how to channel it.

“I ended up with a shop space to sell my records eventually, in Dirty Janes, and I thought about writing a book,” he says.

“I didn’t really know where to start, but I knew I had written all these diary entries too, and there seemed to be a record associated with each of them.

“I thought I could write some other stories from other parts of my life, that were connected to records through moments and memories, and I ended up with 50 meaningful short stories.”

Author and record dealer Shane Stark with his book “Might As Well Be Me”... “I am always discovering something new about music, finding music I’ve never heard before or rediscovering music.”

Photo: Lily Pass “Might As Well Be Me” is the name of Shane’s book – launching on November 30 – and he says he’s very happy with the finished product.

The book includes stories about celebrity encounters, horror stories,

INDEX Arts & Entertainment 31-34 Crossword & Sudoku 35 Dining & Wine 33 Gardening 30 Keeping Up the ACT 10 Letters 14-15 News 3-18 Politics 4 Streaming 32

hopeless attempts at romance and travel stories.

Shane, 52, says it’s a story of his unconventional life, the ups and downs.

“Majority of the chapters are quite funny really, but my favourite chapter

Since 1993: Volume 29, Number: 44

Cover: Still going where angels fear to tread… Paul McDermott, story Page 6.

Well written, well read

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

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

General manager: Tracey Avery, tracey@citynews.com.au Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656 Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001 Tim Spare, 0423 381691 Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au Journalist: Lily Pass, lily@citynews.com.au Arts editor: Helen Musa, helen@citynews.com.au Production manager: Janet Ewen Graphic Designer: Mona Ismail Distribution manager: Penny McCarroll penny@citynews.com.au

is on my late brother, Craig,” he says.

“He was just this amazing guy, there’s a record link to him as well, and I’ve dedicated the book to him, so I think it’s a really nice way, at the end, to finish the book.

“My parents will love it, too; they know I’ve written about him. He suffered a random heart failure, so of course I think it will be very upsetting for them and other people to read.

“Besides, I know he would have had a go at me if he didn’t get his own chapter.”

Shane’s parents are in Newcastle, but he says his life is in Canberra at the moment.

“I have my record shop in Dirty Janes, and demand is pretty high and consistent,” he says.

“I’m always chasing my tail, running around like a headless chicken trying to find enough good records to keep up stock.

“It is a rollercoaster of an industry, I love it though. I often find myself laughing, rolling my eyes and horrified all in the same day.”

But, what keeps him passionate is the music.

“I am always discovering something new about music, finding music I’ve never heard before or rediscovering music,” he says.

“It really is an addiction, I have too many favourites to list.

“Music is just beautiful, some of my

favourite bands include Spy vs Spy, Journey and Del Amitri.”

The first record Shane bought was a compilation album when he was a kid, but the first actual album was Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet”.

“It features in one of the early chapters of my book, working at McDonald’s we’d have it turned all the way up as we cleaned,” he says.

“The book only took me about nine months to put together, I already had all the diary entry stories, I just had to make sure I tidied them all up and put in my own share of stories.

“I think my book will resonate with a lot of people, because so much of our lives – memories, events, special moments, emotions, highs and lows – can be traced through the music that was playing at the time.

“Sometimes it’s the music that actually helps embed our memories into our souls, whether we’re aware of it at the time or not.”

Shane says his book is being launched on November 30 at Paperchain Bookshop in Manuka at 5pm.

“I’ll be at the launch for people who may want to meet me and get a signed copy,” he says.

“There will be another book launch at Dirty Janes on December 2 at 11am.”

“Might As Well Be Me”, available through Amazon, Pegasus Publishers and Booktopia.

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POLITICS / drug decriminalisation

Reforms not the end of the world as we know it CANNABIS was decriminalised in the ACT in 1992. The policy provided for a $100 on-the-spot fine rather than going to jail.

Finally, other drugs are aligning with this policy.

Illicit drugs are not being made legal. Rather, as pointed out by ACT Health, “the maximum penalties for possessing small amounts of some illegal drugs for personal use have been reduced”.

As part of a harm-minimisation approach, ACT Health points out that “the reforms aim to divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and encourage them to access health services”.

The Canberra Liberals remain “adamantly opposed to the laws and have re-committed to overturning them if they win next year’s election”.

It is surprising that Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee does not realise that this simply reinforces her party as conservatives. Conservatives cannot win the next election.

The ACT government has not gone “soft” on drugs. “Drug use is not safe or encouraged, and police will still confiscate illicit drugs if found on a person”. Lessons have been drawn from the successes of our own experience as a self-governing territory as well as from the management of other

4 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

higher the price. Supply and demand dictates the higher the price the more motivation for criminal elements to become involved. In this manner, prohibition drives greater drug use and greater harm.

Finding the right balance used to be referred to in the early 1990s as the “Goldilocks solution’” Not too hot, not too cold. Not too much towards prohibition, not too much towards the free market. Either way increases use and increases harm.

Nationally agreed drug policy aims to minimise the harms associated with all Elizabeth Lee… will she have the good grace to drug use. To achieve harm eat her words? minimisation, they agree to drugs in Australia and internationally. the three pillars of “supply The killer drug is tobacco. It has reduction”, “demand reduction” and been the most difficult to manage and “harm reduction”. has been done with a careful step-byThe new ACT legislation is consiststep approach. Despite being highly ent with these Australia-wide goals. addictive, it has not been prohibited.

Supply reduction remains as police Rather, governments have carefully will take “a strong stance against tightened regulations, levied taxes drug trafficking and drug dealers. and placed onerous conditions on Possession of larger amounts of the manufacturers. Tobacco use has drugs covered by the legislation… steadily declined. will still attract higher fines and On the flip side, the tighter the potential prison sentences”. prohibitionist approach, the more Demand reduction demands a difficult the drug is to obtain – the significant spend on health promotion

and treatment. The new approach encourages users to attend a health education and information session.

Treatment must be readily available for anyone who uses drugs. Criticisms of the 2001 decriminalisation of drugs in Portugal, even from their police, are directed at the failure to provide enough treatment.

The action taken by the ACT government on this occasion is as part of harm reduction. A criminal record for possession or use of small amounts of drugs makes no sense.

It did not make sense in 1992 on cannabis and it does not make sense now, even with drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and LSD. A criminal record can have an impact on employment prospects, on being able to obtain a visa for certain countries (including the US) and on the rest of an individual’s life. It is disproportionate.

Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash failed in her attempt to override ACT legislation. She missed a fundamental historical point.

Other legislation to override the ACT has all been reversed. The reversal simply showed that on issues such as marriage equality and voluntary

active euthanasia, the ACT was at the forefront of progressive thinking.

Senator Cash was supported by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton arguing: “It is effectively welcoming more ice, heroin, cocaine, MDMA and speed on our streets”. There will be an evaluation in 2025. When the outcome is positive, I predict that neither Elizabeth Lee nor these federal conservatives will have the good grace to eat their words.

The drug wars have gone on for too long. Prohibitionist approaches have failed. As Albert Einstein pointed out: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. We should all look forward to the outcome of the evaluation.

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

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COVER STORY / Paul McDermott

McDermott still goes where angels fear to tread

By Helen

MUSA THERE’S a serious side to comedian and all-round firebrand Paul McDermott – and he’s back in his hometown exploring it.

That said, it’s not all that serious, for “Paul McDermott Plus One – Blood Orange”, performed with self-styled “rock god” Glenn Moorhouse, is likely to bring the house down.

And with just as much absurd vulgarity as in the heady days of the Doug Anthony Allstars when, along with Richard Fidler and Tim Ferguson, he trod the world stage shocking and annoying people.

Now at age 61, McDermott is a sort-of respectable father and enjoying the freedom of a residency at the Canberra Theatre, where he and Moorhouse can “work ideas”.

“It’s very exciting at this time of life to be a little bit independent and it’s great to have a supportive team at the Canberra Theatre,” Mcdermott says.

He’s back in the town that was home to him from age three until about his early 20s. He still has family here and once more finds himself at the centre of political turmoil, where,

Paul McDermott… “The show is essentially about three things – the fall of empire, the rise of women and masturbation.” he believes, his new show will be “quite appropriate”.

I catch up with McDermott and Moorhouse at The Courtyard Studio after they’ve been hard at work all day, thinking.

“Blood Orange” is their third collaboration in three years and, in their view, it’s the best, as they’ve kicked

off the gloom of the pandemic seen in the previous “Paul + 1” shows.

Now more or less mature-aged, (we debate as to whether 61 is the new 41 or the new 51) he declares, “my irreverence hasn’t abated”.

That willingness to go where angels fear to tread emanates from his time as a schoolboy at Marist College in the

heyday of “rugger-bugger and overt masculinity, which I didn’t enjoy”.

However, his youth wasn’t entirely miserable and after school he enrolled in the graphic investigation workshop at the School of Art under legendary Czech-born artist Petr Herel.

“Graphic investigation doesn’t exist anymore, but it was great,” he says.

“It was a different kind of art, it allowed everyone to follow their own course, so that some people did scribbles on plaster and some made cities of books.”

While the Catholic system “binds you”, this was the first time he felt he was with like-minded people, even though Herel copped a lot of flak from other staff members for being “too European”.

It wasn’t long before he discovered the uni bar, took a vacant spot alongside Fidler and Ferguson in the Doug Anthony Allstars and became hot for several years touring the world until Ferguson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and they disbanded.

But McDermott was to experience even more fame when from 1996 he hosted the outrageous TV show, “Good News Week”, famous for introducing good talkers such as Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin, the latter significant in a time when comedy was male-dominated.

Fast-forward decades to 2020 and the enforced isolation during covid.

“I loved it, I got away from people to spend time with my family, and I survived… I had a lovely time and so did lots of other visual arts people and poets, he says.

“I know some people had a really rough time, but not me.”

Emerging from covid, he and he and Moorhouse, a Tasmanian muso with a huge career behind him, were able to work up three shows and, hearkening back to his Doug Anthony Allstars days, broke down the “fourth wall” of the theatre to busk after performances by taking people on a wander where anything could happen – people would stop and honk their horns.

The pair wanted to create “a larger piece with a longer life” and McDermott believes that in “Blood Orange”, billed as “a sweet-voiced assault on hypocrisy”, they’ve hit gold.

“It’s the third and the best of the three shows, it’s monumental,” he says. “Certain politicians are lambasted, but mine is the view from the sidelines, not like Max Gillies.

“The show is essentially about three things – the fall of empire, the rise of women and masturbation.

“It’s funny, it’s got all the hallmarks of what I’ve done before, but now I’m embracing the wonderment.”

“Paul McDermott Plus One – Blood Orange”, The Playhouse, November 17.

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LEGAL OPINION / juries

In a world where the jury ends up in the dock IT’S 2025 and the nation’s attention is upon the good governance of our territory.

In an outcome that was not anticipated by the polls, the longtime Labor/Greens government was replaced by a Liberal/teals coalition.

As colourists well know bright, medium shades of teal are great with blues and complement dark, warm traditional timbers, as often seen in the grand design homes of the most successful developers.

The new Assembly is meeting in a couple of classrooms in an abandoned primary school. This followed the firesale of the Assembly building to raise public funding for urgently needed repairs to roads and other infrastructure suffering “melt” damage from the blistering summer of ‘24.

Where the Assembly and the museum once stood there is now a ginormous hole that is swallowing steel and concrete for a 60-floor apartment block with helipad and indoor pool (Civic pool has also been sold to raise government funds).

In the last days of the previous government the Rattenbury amendments to the Juries Act ensured that jurors would do as they were told and only as they were told.

These amendments followed “wide”

consultation, meaning that the minister yawned and burped.

Meanwhile, a couple of dedicated public servants are waiting to recharge their e-cars so that they can get home. It’s a long wait. The kids will be sleeping and dinner will have to go back in the microwave…

“Did you see tonight’s news? Jury discharged and all 14 jurors charged with collecting and using info they got off the web.

Can’t be 14, mate. Only 12 on a jury.

Wrong. ‘Cos it was a long trial they sat 14 until the first selected 12 went to consider their verdict. They’d been out for days. Their spokesman told the judge they felt they could reach unanimous verdicts on all counts.

How’d the extra fact searching come to light?

Just as you’d expect. Two of the jurors became emotionally entangled.

One of them told their partner during pillow talk what was going on in the courtroom and outside of it. Revenge, as they say, is sweet and not much concerned about collateral damage.

The court staff received a tip off.

Did the jurors deny it?

At first, but the revenge hound

handed over the home computer.

The forensic computer whizzes got to work. Then the police got warrants to seize all the computers accessed by all the jurors.

The investigators used the skills they have honed to take apart paedophile groups, ‘cept this was easier because none of the jurors could use the dark web.

Was there a ring leader, someone who put the others up to it?

Seems not. They were, they are, a tight knit bunch. All their statements are the same, explaining why they did it. They all refer to the interests of justice; respect for the community; lawyers and judges failing to respect the intellect and experience of jurors; the legal system being completely out of step with 21st century sources of information; that kind of stuff.

Are they bailed or being kept in cells?

They’re all bailed. The prosecution asked for a bail condition that the charged jurors not contact each other.

That request didn’t go down well, made the prosecutors look stupid.

Someone In the public gallery briefly held up a sign that read, “lovebirds not jailbirds”.

Rattenbury’s so-called reform to criminalise juror initiative shows just how out of touch he is with today’s society and criminal law processes.”

What about that big banner outside the courthouse?

Oh, the one that read, “Rattenbury had the same approach to transport as he had to the law: blinkered, out of date, uninformed”.

Yeh, that one. Bit unfair don’t you think?

Unfair to him? I wouldn’t know. I can’t blame him when I don’t even know if he could follow those reports that said the light rail project was a bad, bad, bad idea. And his so-called reform to criminalise juror initiative shows just how out of touch he is with today’s society and criminal law processes.

Whoa! Remember how the Higgins Lehrmann trial ended in 2022 because a juror ignored more than a dozen warnings from the trial judge to keep away from any info except what was presented to them at the trial?

Of course I remember it. The lesson, the blindingly obvious lesson, is that those sorts of warnings and punishment don’t work. You can’t tell people not to do what they innately want to do. People get a thrill from finding stuff on the web – they have to do it. Simple. Period. That’s life.

Whad’ya reckon is going to happen?

They’ll come to court in teal T-shirts and plead guilty. A celebrity lawyer or two will come in from interstate to make submissions about penalties to a judge who will also come from interstate.

The argument for the defendants will be that they are of good, unblemished character and should have no conviction recorded.

The prosecution will say that they must be punished as a deterrent to others minded to pull the same stunt.

The judge had better be Solomon.

Makes a mockery of our law, doesn’t it?

Sure does. Better hope that Chief Minister Lee repeals it retrospectively, quick smart.”

Hugh Selby is the “CityNews” legal affairs commentator. His free podcasts on “Witness Essentials” and “Advocacy in court: preparation and performance” can be heard on the best known podcast sites.

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BRIEFLY Liz takes reins of racing club THE Canberra Racing Club has elected Liz Clarke as chair, making her the first woman to serve in the role.

She was first elected to the committee in 2020, and served as vice Liz Clarke. chair in the last year.

She retired from the ACT public service in 2021 after an extensive management career where she headed the ACT government’s major venues portfolio, including Exhibition Park, GIO Stadium, and Manuka Oval, and the government’s property portfolio.

“The club’s relationship with government will be extremely important as we move into our redevelopment phase and I think I am well placed to build on that relationship.

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OPINION / “Closing Loopholes” bill

‘Loophole’ bill a noose of bad policy and law Lawyer RICHARD CALVER is a specialist in industrial relations. Here he outlines some fundamental misgivings around Labor’s so-called “Closing Loopholes” bill. He has a word for it…

THERE’S a bill before federal parliament that is summed up in one word: egregious, meaning extraordinary in a bad way.

I’m referring to the government’s proposed changes to workplace relations legislation – the so-called “Closing Loopholes” bill.

More on the title later, but in my opinion, the Senate committee examining the bill should recommend it be withdrawn and reconsidered (except for the worthwhile provision that would enhance protections against discrimination for workers who have been subject to family and domestic violence).

Why do I have such a strong view?

It’s not because I’m on an ideological mission. It’s because the bill represents bad policy and bad law.

At one level, I shouldn’t complain because the provisions create a picnic for employment lawyers. But at a more fundamental level, bad laws punish employers, employees and the country.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I’ve reached this viewpoint.

1. The bill comes hard on the heels of the passage in December of one of

12 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

the most complex pieces of workplace relations legislation ever introduced, particularly the bargaining provisions.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 “The bill’s provisions will create uncertainty.

Uncertainty about labour costs deters investment.” passed the Parliament

Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP with its provisions being rolled out over the course pared with a contractor. The bill’s of this year and the final tranche provisions will create uncertainty. coming into effect this December.

Uncertainty about labour costs The workplace relations system is so deters investment. complex already that the government 3. How much the bill will cost the department administering these economy, you and me in reality, is laws, the Department of Employment a mystery. The Regulatory Impact & Workplace Relations, has itself Statement is inadequate to do this, a admitted to underpaying staff for matter that is admitted in the terms more than a year. Greater simplicity, of the RIS. There are very large areas not more complexity, is needed. of uncertainty that would be created 2. The name is deeply Orwellian: especially because in some areas, there are no loopholes being closed the final impact would not be known or problematic technicalities until the Fair Work Commission rectified. Instead, the reforms are makes a decision. This is especially fundamental, including turning the case where the commission is on their head’s laws established by provided with new powers to reguthe High Court that have brought late independent contracting and certainty to the topics of who is or the commercial arrangements that is not a casual employee and to the operate across the supply chains that issue of who is an employee comuse road transport services. That is

not a useful model when seeking to assess costs.

4. The provisions will severely harm the labour-hire industry and add to complexity. I use this area to illustrate how the bill throws a spanner into arrangements that are working well now. The commission would be given new powers to make orders about the supply of labour between businesses. If subject to a commission order, the host business must ensure that the employee engaged via a labour hire or contract arrangement is provided with no less than a “protected rate of pay” or the full rate of pay that would be payable to a worker employed directly by the host business under an enterprise agreement or similar.

But the affected employees are those of the labour hire company and may not have the skills or the experience of the workers who negotiated the enterprise agreement with “the host”. These employees could also be subject to a number of commission orders where they work at different host places of work. Plus, these arrangements could apply to a whole raft of subbies in the building and construction industry, for example, where as part of their usual business they supply their labour to a “host” employer. It’s difficult to conceive that this was intended. The running of a labour-hire business

will become very difficult and the bill would discourage use of this form of engagement.

5. Workplace delegates are currently protected by workplace laws. But this bill would extend that protection ad absurdum by giving union delegates a range of new rights. For example, employers must give delegates access to “workplace facilities” that could include access to a business’ email system, inclusive of communication with non-members.

6. There is an uncalled for incursion on the rights of independent contractors. The provisions go well beyond protecting vulnerable food delivery drivers and others in that sector. The bill gives the commission the power to set minimum standards orders for “employee like workers” and “road transport contractors”, the latter being far too close to the disastrous consequences that flowed when there was last an attempt to regulate owner drivers federally through a tribunal system.

When you consider the many consequences of the bill it quickly becomes apparent that significant damage could follow.

So keep in mind the words of former US President Theodore Roosevelt: “It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws.”

citynews.com.au

6 - 12 November 2023

Neighbourhood Watch WEEK

Y A D TO NEIGHBOURHOO DW ATCH H C T A W D O O H R U O B BEC TODAY OME PART OF N EI G H

LETTERS / 1

Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

Like nappies, governments need regular changing GOVERNMENTS need changing regularly, like nappies, and for the same reason.

Our rates, the ridiculous tram, our credit rating, our “planning” debacles, and the general state of roads and signage give the Liberals a chance to take over, especially with a sensible leader.

So why do they oppose progressive Labor policies such as evidence-based treatment of drug addiction?

In a territory where people support same-sex marriage, a Voice for First Nation’s people and women’s rights to control their own bodies, why does Jeremy Hanson hold a dinner to honour Zed? The Liberals appear to want to remain in opposition forever. Our territory deserves better than our tired (tram to keep Shane happy) government. It seems our only hope is that some teal-type candidates hold the balance of power.

Maria Greene, Curtin

New blood is what is needed in the ACT I AGREE with columnist Michael Moore (CN September 21) that the loss of the ACT’s AAA credit rating proves, once again, that the woeful Labor/Greens simply cannot, nor are able to manage any budget or balance our books.

This mob have become so secretive and underhanded with everything they touch,

dose of dorin

and are clearly totally lacking in integrity.

Perhaps the 39 per cent of “political” public servants in Canberra, could give some serious thought to giving this arrogant, complacent, non-productive, secretive, toxic and stale government the massive boot it deserves for landing the ACT in so much debt.

One million dollars a day in interest repayments, with it increasing over time.

We are already the highest taxed state in Australia, so no more taxes!

Barr and his economic wreckers need to go! They can all apply for a job to the World Economic Forum, along with their

incompetent mate Dan Andrews, seeing as he lost Victoria’s AAA rating as well.

Wake up all you public servants; we need change and we need it now.

New blood is what is needed in the ACT, not the recycled wrecking balls that they have become!

Ros Thomas, Gordon

Concerns about new southside crematorium CANBERRANS might not be aware that the ACT government has recently approved a crematorium to be built on the corner of

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Crematories have been identified as sources of various environmental pollutants. Cremation releases harmful gases such as mercury and dioxin. And the energy needed for one single cremation is the equivalent of the power an average person uses for an entire month.

Nevertheless, the people who live in the surrounding suburbs can rest easy because ACT Health has raised no concerns about the bad odour of smoke that will be emitted from the furnace.

In addition to the environmental issues, 15 trees used for foraging by the Swift Parrot may be removed or damaged during construction.

As well as this, the development will further fragment the habitat of the wildlife who live in Callum Brae, Mt Mugga Mugga and Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserves.

Can Canberrans really accept the assurances of the ACT government when they state “the development is not considered to impact on the climate to warrant refusal …”.

Robyn Soxsmith, Kambah

Vegan foods for humans and pets WOW. Although I was aware of the detrimental environmental impacts of animal agriculture, I had not previously considered the significant role our pooches are playing (“Vegan dogs could help save

the planet” CN October 12).

That the world’s domesticated cats and dogs consume seven billion land animals as well as billions of fish each year is as extraordinary as it is unsustainable.

It seems humans and our pets could all benefit from switching to more plantbased diets. Our health would be better.

And plant-based meals create far fewer greenhouse gas emissions, save fresh water and use less land, fertilisers and pesticides.

Where possible, let’s embrace vegan foods for both ourselves and our pets.

Amy Hiller, via email

The sky has not fallen in, move on THE people have spoken, the Voice has been resoundingly rejected; the sky has not fallen in and the rest of the world has been conspicuously silent on the issue, making a mockery of how Australia would have been seen as a racist country as advocated by pro-Voicers.

It’s now time to move on.

Mario Stivala, Belconnen

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LETTERS / 2

Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

NEWS

adopts A matter of time before someone trips ACT majority verdicts, PETER French (Letters, CN October 26) relates a harrowing story of how an elderly woman tripped on raised pavement blocks at the Red Hill shops and suffered serious injuries, including fractured facial bones and the loss of three front teeth.

She has every right to sue the responsible authority, company, or person, depending on where responsibility lies.

There are numerous trip hazards at the Deakin shops. I am not aware of anyone being injured due to tripping on one of these hazards. However, a few weeks ago, I tripped on a centimetre-high displacement between two concrete slabs close to the IGA supermarket and almost fell.

It’s just a matter of time before someone trips, falls, and is injured – perhaps seriously.

Something must be done to prevent this from happening. Over to you, Mr Barr.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

The wonder of animals who glow in UV light FASCINATING to read of new research discovering mammals that glow in ultraviolet light (“Mammals shine bright in the right light”, CN, October 12).

This includes humans, which was

convincing victory the Voice’s “Yes” had in the ACT. A victory indicating much more needs to be done to help our own indigenous residents.

So, how about it, Mr Barr and your Labor/Green government? Not only the Narrabundah oval but improvements to education, employment, health, housing and prison reform, in support of which most of Canberra’s population voted.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

Prevention ‘imprisoned’ in misguided ideologies

Raised paving at Deakin shops. established “some time ago”. However, the discovery in animals is yet another reason for protecting and conserving native wildlife and their habitat.

Our beautiful environment is full of wonders and we must help it thrive for its own sake and ours.

Barbara Fraser, via email

Do more for local indigenous residents JULIE Tongs’ lament over Boomanulla Oval (CN October 19) reminded me of the

BILL Bush’s article “How reducing drug harm beats law enforcement” (CN, October 12) is yet another example of meaningful discussion on illicit drugs being impossible unless discussants understand the three principles of prevention governing illicit drug use – primary, secondary, and tertiary.

What decides the progression or regression of an illicit drug epidemic? If the number of first-time users does not fall substantially, the epidemic cannot be contained.

According to Commonwealth Health figures, in 1995 there were an estimated 10,000 people on methadone in Australia.

Leading health bodies estimate this figure has increased to about 52,000.

While methadone treatment has an accepted link in treating opiate use, with some it remains questionable with

the term “liquid handcuffs” used. So where is the harm reduction? A five-fold decrease in opiate users would certainly qualify as harm reduction, but not the opposite.

In 2014, a report by the UN on drugs and crime found that Australia had the highest proportion of per-capita (illicit) drug use in the world, with the number of users continuing to rise steadily.

If a drug strategy is formulated and implemented in terms of alleviating the situation of those already drug dependent, the effectiveness of primary prevention is severely reduced and opens the floodgates for first-time users.

Recommendation 8 of a 2007 House of Reps report recognised this ever-growing societal cancer and recommended that the Commonwealth government bring to the Council of Australian Governments a national drug strategy, which contained a resolute aim of achieving permanent drug-free status for the drug-afflicted.

No government since has made any serious attempt to implement this recommendation. So while morbidity/ mortality and taxpayer costs for secondary and tertiary treatments balloon – primary prevention, the cornerstone of resolving the drug epidemic remains imprisoned in misguided ineffective ideologies.

Colliss Parrett, director Drugs of Dependence, Barton

juror penalties

THE ACT will fall into line with the rest of Australia by allowing majority verdicts in trials and creating a new offence for juror misconduct.

These reforms come in the wake of the abandoned rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann late last year. The jury was discharged following juror misconduct.

“With these reforms, majority verdicts in criminal cases will be permitted when 11 out of 12 jurors agree on the verdict, the jury has deliberated for at least six hours, and the court believes the jury won’t reach a unanimous verdict,” said ACT Attorney General Shane Rattenbury.

The reforms also create a new offence for juror misconduct – making it illegal for jurors to inquire about trial matters or ask someone else to do so without court authorisation. This new offence will carry a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

“If a juror relies on their own information, it undermines the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

This is particularly relevant in situations where an innocent person could be found guilty of an offence due to a juror relying on information found in that juror’s own unauthorised inquiry,” Minister Rattenbury said.

“Further, this could result in a mistrial, causing both time delays and increased costs, on top of the potential for re-traumatising victims and others involved.

“Introducing this offence makes clear to jurors, and the community, both the importance of jurors not conducting their own inquiries, and the serious consequences for making an inquiry without the authorisation of the court.”

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Cooper, who is also a personal trainer, says he feels honoured after being chosen as the brand ambassador, and says he couldn’t recommend CC Beauty Centre highly enough.

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OPINION / board of inquiry

ACT’s clear disregard for indigenous voices “Since 2020, Aboriginal leaders have unsuccessfully asked for an inquiry into the justice and corrections systems. In contrast, when concerns were raised about the handling of the Lehrmann case, an inquiry was announced within days.

POST-referendum, many people are asking what should now be done to address the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians?

I say that the ACT government must start listening to existing voices and then take decisive action.

There may be no clearer evidence of this government’s disregard for the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than its unenthusiastic implementation of recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way review into child welfare.

As opposition spokesperson for Families and Youth, I have been deeply distressed by this agonisingly slow response.

The all-indigenous steering committee first met in February 2018 and by August that year had delivered an interim report with four early recommendations.

The committee pleaded with the Labor-Greens government to implement those four recommendations immediately “to accelerate improvements to the child protection system so that the community may

see change during the review”.

That was five years ago. As reported in the update tabled in the Assembly in May this year, not one of those first four recommendations has been fully implemented.

In fact, the Implementation Oversight Committee accepts that only two of 36 total recommendations have been completed (with one more at the monitoring stage).

Things may finally be starting to improve, according to the committee’s chair, but only after facing down this government’s “ferocious indifference when it came to a commitment to action to implement recommendations”.

The chair has also noted that: “Throughout the review, many attempts were made to diminish our voices and our decisions”.

Acting decisively to implement reforms is as important here in the nation’s capital as it is in regional and remote areas. In my shadow portfolio of Corrections, the gap is in fact the nation’s widest.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest “Prisoners in Australia” report reveals that indigenous men in the ACT are imprisoned at a

rate 19.6 times greater than nonindigenous men, 17.5 times greater if age-standardised data are used. Both measurements are the worst rate ratio in Australia.

Indigenous women in Canberra are locked up at a rate 47.4 times greater than non-indigenous women! This is not just Australia’s worst rate ratio but is more than double the national average.

While the imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has increased everywhere over the past decade, it has increased faster in Canberra than anywhere else. On average, indigenous admissions into the ACT’s prison have grown by 5.7 per cent per year.

Likewise, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recidivism rate here is the nation’s worst. Fully 94 per cent of indigenous detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre have a prior conviction. Lack of required support and services during and after incarceration contributes to this outcome.

Detainees had no access to structured education for two years.

Employment opportunities continue to be very limited, as does access to computers and higher education. The long-promised reintegration centre still has not been funded, and the transitional release centre has not yet been used to its full potential.

Post-release throughcare is limited

and often ineffective.

Since July 2020, local Aboriginal community leaders have repeatedly asked the ACT government for a fully independent board of inquiry into the territory’s justice and corrections systems to identify exactly what is going wrong and why, and to make recommendations. The government response to these united voices has been “no”.

In contrast, when concerns were raised about the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case in December 2022, an inquiry was announced within days, and by February the government had funded it with $4.3 million. The only possible conclusion is that the inquiry requested by Canberra’s Aboriginal leaders does not hold the same priority for this Labor-Greens government.

That conclusion is supported by the first piece of advice one ACT government office gave to officials before a roundtable with these same indigenous leaders (as revealed in documents I obtained through FOI): “The meeting needs to have modest goals for what will be achieved by government”. The deafening “no” from ACT Labor and the Greens has

certainly met that objective!

I thank the strong, united Aboriginal voices that are seeking to guide us forward when it comes to closing the gap in this territory.

Diminishing or disregarding those voices, as the current Labor-Greens government regularly does, is wrongheaded.

Promising to take decisive action when the government’s actual agenda is “modest goals for what will be achieved” serves only to increase cynicism and foster resentment.

Voices lose their value when ignored. The ACT government should commission and fund the board of inquiry that has been requested, should implement all Our Booris, Our Way recommendations as a matter of urgency, and should commit itself to listen more seriously to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

Liberal MLA Elizabeth Kikkert is the opposition spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs.

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THE GADFLY

When a little more ‘yuma’ will go a long way “YUMA Robert”. This intriguing greeting arrived at the head of half a dozen emails in the last several weeks as the referendum approached.

They were sent by two pleasant and highly intelligent women from two very different social circles.

At first, I thought it was a joke I’d missed and was too embarrassed to question them. Finally, when another arrived yesterday, I did the sensible thing and consulted Dr Google.

The answer changed my whole appreciation of the referendum and the consequences of its loss.

Perhaps you know it already, but if not, “yuma” is simply the Ngunnawal word for “hello”. And I’m told its use as an opening to emails and other messages is catching on with Canberrans (and others) for reasons that go beyond supporting the “Yes” case.

Even without its Aboriginal source, I think it’s a great compromise between the formal “Dear Someone” and the awkward transition to “Hi Someone”. And it’s so much nicer than the English “Hello Someone”, which totally lacks the friendly nature of the “yu-ma” syllables.

It’s an area where change is the rule rather than the exception.

“Mr”, “Mrs”, “Ms” and “Miss” have virtually disappeared from the

Only when the truth is known to the entire nation can we take that vital step to draw a line under the colonial mindset and celebrate the unique wonders of our country and its native creatures – our Aboriginal inheritance.

Protesters opposed to the White Australia Policy demonstrate in 1966.

Photo: State Library of NSW/Australian Photographic Agency introductory address; and whether it’s email, the phone or the electricity bill, first names seem to have become the custom… just when I was starting to be comfortable as “Mr Macklin”.

But obviously, the Aboriginal origin is an opportunity to incorporate something special into the Australian lexicon; and clearly, it’s a spin-off from the great exposure we’ve had to the Aboriginal world throughout the campaign.

It might not be the most significant one. Better evidence for that is the

bloodbath of the savage religious violence in the Middle East; or the vile nationalist ravages of the Ukraine-Russia artillery barrages.

The comparison with the Australian reaction to our disagreement could hardly be more striking.

It was a wise decision by the Aboriginal leadership to take a week of silent mourning and deliberation before returning to their quest for the equality that is their due. And I can guarantee the new strategy will not involve the violent shedding of Australian blood in

massacres and kidnappings.

Indeed, it looks like the leadership will do what should have been done in the first place: a well-planned and managed truth-telling process. It must expose the horrors visited upon them by the settlers and their British guns; but it can’t stop there.

White oppression didn’t end with Federation. The White Australia policy included the Aboriginal people and their progeny. The 20th century was no Dreamtime; it was their living nightmare.

Only when the truth is known to the entire nation can we take that vital step to draw a line under the colonial mindset and celebrate the unique wonders

of our country and its native creatures – our Aboriginal inheritance.

Most states are continuing their steady progress on treaties. Peter Dutton’s people in the LNP have missed the bus to the future, but he’ll be off at the next political stop.

The rest of us will toddle along each side of the centre line, rising to the pleasures of the rough mateship that unites us. Along the way, we will pick up the identities of the language groups, and their tribal names as our cars pass through their ancient borders.

Gradually, I suspect, we’ll adopt the Aboriginal words that fit neatly into the polyglot “English” we inherited from the 1788 mob. “Yuma Robert”, I reckon, fits that particular bill.

And I do get a chuckle from the Aboriginal word for “goodbye” to end our messages to our Victorian friends.

It’s “yarra”. robert@ robertmacklin.com

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CityNews November 2-8, 2023 17

HALL / war memorial

‘Lest we forget’ but nowhere to remember them I CONFESS to not being one of those who object to the $500 million upgrade to the Australian War Memorial.

My view has been influenced by the death over the last 125 years of the more than 103,000 Australians who have died from injuries received while on active service in wars fought in our names and in defence of Australia or its interests.

For as long as I can remember, I have believed there is nothing we have done as a nation, in remembrance and acknowledgement of that sacrifice by those men and women, that I felt was excessive.

As is undoubtedly the case for many families, members of both my family and of my wife Robyn’s family were killed on active service in World Wars I and II. I reflect often about their deaths and that they had, by joining up, knowingly risked their lives.

While I’m a great supporter of the War Memorial, I think it is regrettable that there is not in Canberra, a memorial, in an accessible and visible public space (preferably in Civic), recognising by name and dedicated specifically to the men and women from the ACT, who have served our nation in war.

This is an omission I feel deeply we should address.

As we approach November 11, Armistice Day, I was moved to raise this issue because during a recent holiday in WA, Robyn and I toured through a number of towns every one of which had, in pride of place in the main street, a war memorial.

Each memorial included, invariably beneath the entreaty “Lest We Forget”, the names of all those residents of the town and district who had undertaken active war service on behalf of Australia. Most such memorials also identify those who had died from injuries or been killed in action.

The Peace Tree, a juniper pine planted 104 years ago, on July 19 1919, a day designated across Australia as Peace Day. I have an almost lifetime habit, which is patiently endured by Robyn, when we are travelling, of stopping at such memorials and reading, out of respect, the names of all those so memorialised. I did that on this occasion and was again reminded that this is not something one can do in Canberra.

However, last week I visited Hall Village to buy sheep manure.

While I was aware the avenue of trees along Victoria Street and beside the sports oval (and which mark the entrance to the village) had a military connection, I was unaware of what that was, so I stopped and walked its length.

I discovered that adjacent to each tree is a brass plaque each bearing

I think it is regrettable there isn’t in Canberra a memorial dedicated specifically to the men and women from the ACT who have served our nation in war. This is an omission I feel deeply we should address.

Hall’s avenue of remembrance… trees for the grove were provided, personally, by Charles Weston.

the name of one person and the initials AIF. The names are: Brown M, Blundell A, Boreham E, Clark KA (DCM), Carney PJ, Crace EG, Hall S, Hollingsworth C, Kilby KK, Kilby AC, Miller S, Rolfe J, Southwell F, Southwell A, Southwell N, and Thoms W. My interest having been piqued, I visited the Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre with a view to learning more. The museum, perhaps unsurprisingly, has produced two wonderful booklets titled “When Hall Answered the Call” and “Armistice and After”, which chronicle the role residents of Hall and the Hall district played in World War I and to a lesser extent in World War II. On reading “When Hall Answered the Call”, I learned that of the men honoured in the avenue of trees two, namely Clyde Hollingsworth and Morley Brown were killed in action in France. Clyde was killed in May 1917 in the Second Battle of Bullecourt and

is buried in an unmarked grave in Queant Cemetery and Morley Brown was killed on April 4 1918 during a German advance on Villers-Bretonneux, and is buried at Namps-au-Val. Incidentally, at the head of this memorial avenue is one of the most magnificent trees you will find in Canberra. Fascinatingly, the trees for the grove were provided, personally, by Charles Weston who had only recently been appointed as the newly established ACT’s afforestation officer.

While the Hall villagers had asked Weston for 16 trees, one for each man on the Hall Roll of Honour, he provided an additional tree to be planted in memory of one of his forestry staff, Mack Southwell, who had also enlisted in the AIF and was

Brass plaques for AIF soldiers Clyde Hollingsworth and Morley Brown who were killed in action in France during World War I. Photos: Jon Stanhope killed at Flers in 1916.

My education also involved an introduction to the Hall Village Peace Tree. It is a juniper pine tree, and it was planted 104 years ago, on July 19 1919, a day designated across Australia as Peace Day. It was planted by Mrs Susan Hollingworth whose son Clyde was, as I mentioned above, killed in France. The tree is in the Hall school grounds. It is, I think, perhaps one of the most precious things in the ACT and I blush that I did not know, until a week ago of its existence.

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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

advertising feature

Time to get organised for the festive season dose of dorin

Raise a merry glass to the year that was With Christmas celebrations looming, it’s time to think about getting the festive season plans underway.

There are venues ready to help with Christmas parties for work or social functions, and businesses

looking to help customers get started on their Christmas shopping.

“CityNews” speaks to some local experts with inspiration and ideas for making the most of the festive season.

‘TIS the season to indulge in festive delights and celebrate the spirit of togetherness with colleagues, family or friends, says Rydges Canberra area director of sales and marketing, Natalie Graham.

“Book your team in for a feast that promises not only delicious food, but your own covered private outdoor terrace to enjoy the best of Canberra’s summer weather,” she says.

“The Lounge Bar at Rydges opened in 2022, after an extensive refurbishment of the entire hotel.

“It was designed to present a sophisticated and relaxed bar for guests and external patrons alike with a large outdoor terrace to enjoy the afternoon sun.”

Natalie says Rydges’ carefully curated menu includes all of the traditional trimmings and is available with a beverage package or cash bar.

“Our love of hospitality, and seeing our guests have an exceptional experience drives our passion here at Rydges,” she says.

“So come share in the joy as we make merry, and raise a glass to the year that was and the year ahead.

“No venue hire fees apply to groups of 12 or more for lunchtime bookings.”

Rydges Canberra, 17 Canberra Avenue, Forrest.

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Available for groups of 10+ with prices starting at $55 per person available throughout November & December. Contact us today to secure your private bar & covered terrace 02 6295 3144 or functions_rydgescanberra@evt.com citynews.com.au

CityNews November 2-8, 2023 19

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

advertising feature Crown Christmas, with choices to suit everyone CROWNE Plaza is a great destination venue for Christmas events with three main menu offerings, says meetings manager Emily D’Aquino.

“With a variety of spaces including garden terraces or private function rooms, Crowne is great for a staycation for those who wish to stay in the city,” she says.

“And, it’s walking distance to late-night venues for those who wish to kick on after the event.”

Emily says Crowne Plaza’s “Summer Festive BBQ” is perfect for up to 100 guests in a private shaded garden terrace with an outlook to Glebe Park, and access to the park, perfect as a family friendly event.

“Our pre-Christmas buffets – November 24 and 29, December 1 and 8 at 12pm to 2pm – are perfect for those who have smaller groups or offices to book a table (or two) with seating available up to 110

guests,” she says.

“It includes a buffet lunch of tiger prawns, salads, leg ham, chicken breast, gnocchi, Christmas pudding and so much more.

“Or immerse yourself in festive flavours of our two-course or three-course Festive Set Menu, specially crafted for groups of 25 guests or more.

“Delight in smoked salmon and truffle salad, sousvide duck breast, mushroom risotto and turkey.”

Crowne Plaza has been operating for 20 years in Canberra, says Emily, offering eight event venues and staff who take pride in the seamless delivery of events, dinners and overnight accommodation.

Crowne Plaza, 1 Binara Street, Canberra City.

Call 6274 5500, or visit canberra.crowneplaza.com.au

Mike says goodbye with a Christmas sale MIKE Welch, CEO of The Christmas Emporium at Hang Ups, says he has always been passionate about Christmas, but it’s time for him to say goodbye.

“Not to the Christmas Emporium, but myself,” he says.

“After some 10 years of sourcing Christmas delights from all over the world, I am taking a step back, and handing the reins over to new blood – Adele.

“Adele shares my passion for Christmas, the decorations, festivities and most importantly, family.”

Mike says Adele will be taking over The Christmas Emporium from next year.

“She is seeking a new location to house The Christmas

Emporium,” he says.

“But, we’ve gone into clearance to move The Christmas Emporium, everything is half the ticketed price.”

Mike says The Christmas Emporium is also making way for a new, down-to-earth, art gallery.

“Selling Aboriginal art and contemporary sculptures, mirrors and the like,” he says.

“But eh, sorry, with me still here, you’ll get the same irreverent service you’re used to!”

The Christmas Emporium at Hang Ups, 72 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 0312, or visit christmas.com.au

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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Where everyone’s welcome to celebrate Christmas

The Stateman Hotel’s Nancy B cocktail lounge.

A ‘scandalously’ good Christmas party is the Policy THE Statesman Hotel’s Nancy B cocktail lounge is almost fully booked every Friday and Saturday night leading to December, but general manager Kirsty Danks-Brown says there’s still a few nights available.

“This is the perfect space if people are looking for a midweek private area,” she says.

“Officially, the hotel is 55 years old, and underwent a full refurbishment in 2022 reopening at the end of last year.

“Featuring a revamped restaurant with a gorgeous open kitchen, Policy, and our quaint little cocktail lounge and private function space, Nancy B.” Kirsty says additionally, Policy Restaurant is offering a Christmas menu for group bookings.

“The Policy Terrace is just perfect this time of year,

HIGHLIGHTS of the Christmas season at All Saints Anglican Church in Ainslie include a Christmas Fayre on December 2, Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6pm, December 10, and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11pm.

“At All Saints, our vision is to share the love of God and love of neighbour within a progressive, inclusive community,” says secretary to the Parish Council of All Saints Anglican Church Ainslie Betsy Dixon.

“We are committed to sacramental worship that engages our senses, to social justice and to learning and growing together in faith.

“All are welcome at All Saints Ainslie.”

Betsy says the church building has a fascinating history.

“It was originally built as a railway station for the Rookwood Cemetery in NSW,” she says.

“Its architect, James Barnett, was also responsible

for the NSW General Post Office, Sydney University Medical School and many other significant buildings.

“The use of the Gothic Revival style for a railway station makes All Saints Ainslie an archetypal example of the bold Victorian architectural spirit. It unites the traditional arts of stone carving and gothic forms with the (at the time) ‘modern’ technology of rail transport.”

The church also features two stained glass windows from England, says Betsy.

“All Saints Anglican Church is not just a heritagelisted building but a thriving, active member of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn with Sunday services and many other activities where all are welcome, including the monthly ‘Saturday Saints’ program for young people.”

All Saints Anglican Church Ainslie, 9 Cowper Street, Ainslie. Call 6248 7420, or visit allsaintsainslie.org.au

to be enjoying dining and celebrations outdoors,” she says.

“We will, of course, be decorating with the usual Christmas cheer and will have a little theme fun with the team in their favourite festive fashions.

“We are fun, affordable and don’t mind a little scaled-down scandal to add to the mix.

“We love our guests, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we do take our intention seriously, to make each and every guest feel they are the most important person in the room.”

The Statesman Hotel, Corner of Strangways and Theodore Street, Curtin. Call 6281 1777, or visit statesmanhotel.com.au

The Statesman Hotel is bringing back the Scandal this Christmas......

And we are ready to put the F back into Festive, with Fun times, Fantastic Food, Flowing beverages, and Fabulous ‘on-it’ staff.

You decide if you want to pop behind the velvet curtain into our Nancy B cocktail bar; or bring the merriment to Policy Restaurant and Terrace.

Whether you are coming as a group for lunch or bringing the entire office, we are looking forward to welcoming you.

02 6281 1777

hello@statesmanhotel.com.au Cnr Strangways & Theodore Streets Curtin, ACT

22 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

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Christmas Services

A masterpiece of Christmas creativity HAVING opened in Belconnen in September 2020, Pinot & Picasso studio manager Melissa Boarer says it offers a place for great experiences through creativity.

“Our BYO paint-and-sip functions are always popular for Christmas parties and work get-togethers,” she says.

“We offer both two and three-hour classes catering for groups of 10 to 30 people.

“We can also come out to you for pop-up sessions.

“For smaller groups, we offer joining one of our super fun public sessions, which we host during the Christmas period.”

Melissa says the amazing creative team has a collection of 20+ festive artworks to choose from, which range from beginnerfriendly paintings, textured artworks, DIY baubles and gingerbread house plant pots.

“There’s something for everyone and every group,” she says.

“Our team has worked hard to become Australia’s number one Paint and Sip experience.

“Our team of artists are passionate about people and creativity. We love seeing people get out of their comfort zone and try a new skill.

“We feel rewarded when people leave with a masterpiece and a smile on their face.”

Pinot & Picasso, Shop 6/54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen. Visit pinotandpicasso.com.au

citynews.com.au

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CityNews November 2-8, 2023 23

CLUBSACT 2023 CLUBS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS

Community clubs celebrated in local awards MEMBERS of ClubsACT are not-for-profit community clubs that exist to give back to the local community, says CEO Craig Shannon.

“The ClubsACT 2023 Clubs and Community Awards saw the biggest attendance yet, with more than 250 people” he says.

“We repositioned the focus of the awards a couple of years ago to further highlight the positive impact on the community, and clearly the renewed focus has been a success.

“I am a sixth-generation Canberran myself, so I love seeing the engagement and efforts to become part of the community.”

Craig says having been in his role for almost three years, he still sees his position as a very exciting opportunity.

“My background is in the community and not-for-profit sectors, so I have been able to bring that knowledge to this role,” he says.

“Each award category tells a story, which highlights an often overlooked feature of our community; the narratives that have always existed, but

The 2023 Clubs and Community Award winners

ClubsACT CEO Craig Shannon.

haven’t always been covered.

“I know it’s important to understand clubs are becoming more diverse and innovative, and it’s an ongoing pleasure to see this growth.

“I enjoy my role, and I’m hoping, in future, to continue to build stability for clubs outside the more traditional sectors.”

ClubsACT, call 6273 4694 or visit clubsact.com.au

• Arts & Culture: Canberra Irish Club • Hospitality Innovation: Vikings Group • Contribution to Sport, Community Development and Wellbeing: Ainslie Group • Celebrating Diversity & Social Inclusion: Eastlake Group • Education, Learning and Development: Vikings Group • Sustainability & Environment: Ainslie Group • Emerging Talent: Thoroughbred Park – Elizabeth Francis and Karin Kaeser – Erindale Vikings • Individual Service to the Industry – Person of the Year: Thoroughbred Park – Ken Lewis • Extra Award for Special Recognition for Service to the Industry: Ian Mackay, Canberra Southern Cross Club • Heart of the Community (Small Club): Thoroughbred Park • Heart of the Community (Large Club): Ainslie Group

Awards bring ‘incredibly special’ night to remember IT was a night to remember at the 2023 Clubs ACT Clubs and Community Awards for the Canberra Racing Club, says chief executive Darren Pearce.

“For the first time in our history, the club was awarded the prestigious Heart of the Community (Small Club) Award,” he says.

“This is an award which recognises the outstanding efforts of a club that has had a significant positive impact on their community by contributing Canberra Racing Club receiving their awards, from left, CRC CEO Darren Pearce, Ken Lewis, to and improving the social, cultural, financial or environmen- Elizabeth Francis and former chair Ian Mackay. tal wellbeing of the community.

“Liz is our events and catering manager “We are passionate about being a force and stands as a shining example of dedicafor good in the Canberra community so tion, she strives to learn and grow every to have been selected from what was a day. wonderful group of nominees is incredibly “Like Liz, Kenny is a favourite here at special.”

Thoroughbred Park and as our assistant Two individual employees of the facilities manager rarely seeks the credit Canberra Racing Club were also honoured, for his tireless work around the venue and says Darren. his willingness to go the extra mile for “Elizabeth Francis and Ken Lewis secured customers, horses and horse people.” the Emerging Talent of the Year Award and the Individual Service to Industry Award Thoroughbred Park. Visit respectively,” he says. thoroughbredpark.com.au

Clubs play a pivotal role in community commitment, sustainability and environment, cultural preservation and the promotion of grassroots sports.

Community Commitment:

Grassroots Sports:

Social Hubs: Clubs often serve as social hubs for the local community, providing a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Youth Development: Clubs provide opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and pursue their passion for sports.

Charitable Initiatives: Many clubs are involved in charitable activities, supporting local causes, and contributing to the betterment of the community.

Access to Sports: They offer affordable access to sports, making it possible for individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds to participate.

Community Events: They host events and activities that bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

Talent Development: Clubs can identify and nurture local talent, potentially leading to regional, national, or international success in sports.

Sustainability & Environment:

Cultural Preservation:

Green Initiatives: Clubs can implement sustainability measures, such as solar, energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and water conservation efforts, reducing their ecological footprint.

Cultural Events: Clubs can host cultural events, festivals, and exhibitions that celebrate the rich diversity of their community, fostering a sense of pride and unity among residents.

Community Education: They can educate their members and the community on sustainable practices and eco-friendly living.

Support for Local Artists: They can provide a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers, helping to showcase and preserve the cultural heritage of the region.

Sourcing Locally: Clubs can source products and services locally to reduce their carbon footprint and support local businesses.

Green Spaces: Clubs often maintain green areas that contribute to a healthier local environment and enhance the quality of life for residents.

24 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

By actively engaging in these areas, clubs not only enhance their own sustainability but also enrich the communities they serve. Their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, along with their support for grassroots sports, creates a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the well-being of the environment.

Clubs contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of their community and create opportunities for individuals to connect with their cultural roots and heritage. This, in turn, enhances the overall quality of life and sense of belonging in the local area.

Cultural Education: Clubs can offer cultural education programs, workshops, and classes to promote cultural awareness and understanding.

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Fostering and cultivating Irish culture THE Canberra Irish Club won the Arts & Culture Award at the 2023 ClubsACT, Clubs and Community Awards, says general manager Paul Lander.

“When the club was established in 1975, one of three objectives enshrined in the constitution was to cultivate and foster Irish culture,” he says.

“Over the years the club has supported many cultural events and activities including Irish language, Irish dancing, traditional music and celebrations of Ireland’s national day, St Patrick’s Day on March 17.

“We are proud to offer a little bit of Ireland in the national capital.”

Paul says the club is the venue for an extensive range of community groups.

“Providing opportunities for people to develop skills,

to pursue their interests and to develop contacts, as well as to seek assistance or guidance in the areas of wellbeing,” he says.

“The club has a diverse and socially inclusive membership as well as staff make-up covering LGBTQI+, people with disabilities, and different cultures.

“Community involvement and engagement is at the core of the club’s operations. As a non-profit association we are committed to serving the local community and providing opportunities for a wide range of community groupings to develop and foster involvement and growth.”

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Arts & Culture Award ClubsACT & Community Awards CityNews November 2-8, 2023 25

WAR ON WASTE

advertising feature

There are lots of benefits in reducing waste PLANET Ark established the National Recycling Week campaign in 1996, to educate on recycling and the waste hierarchy.

This year National Recycling Week will be held from November 13-19.

According to the Australian Plastics Flows and Fates Study for 2020-21, a total of 3,791,000 tonnes of plastics were consumed in Australia.

“CityNews” spoke with some of the experts who are tackling the large problem of waste, locally.

Recycling and re-using IT

Operating globally in a sustainable manner IN the ongoing quest to combat waste, Sims Metal Management’s trading manager NSW/ ACT Rhett Gerard says the company is deeply driven by a resolute purpose.

“To shape a world free from the burdens of waste, a mission intrinsically linked to preserving our precious planet,” he says.

“This purpose harks back to our modest origins when Sims Limited was established in 1917 by English immigrant Albert G. Sims, in Newtown, Sydney.

“Over a century, we’ve undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a global leader in metal recycling, circular technology solutions, and renewable energy.”

With 4000 dedicated employees across 260 facilities spanning 14 countries, Rhett says Sims Metal Management leads the industry in reshaping resource management practices.

“Moreover, Sims Metal ACT exemplifies our

commitment to this cause,” he says.

“Specialising in procuring ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the public, demolition, manufacturing, and government infrastructure projects, we provide a secure licensed recycling facility in Hume, featuring collection bins of varying sizes.

“Our mission transcends waste elimination; it’s about transforming how we perceive resources, the environment, and the global community.

“Guided by our purpose to create a world without waste and preserve our planet, we are steadfast in making a significant impact on the journey towards a sustainable, waste-free world – a testament to our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and a brighter future.”

Sims Metal Management, Alderson Place, Hume.

Call 6129 8800, or visit simsmm.com

DISPOSING OF IT Doing it right

TODAY e-waste is recognised as a significant concern for future generations, which is why Reuse-RecycleIT is “doing it right” by recycling and re-using end-of-life IT, says Capital Easy Finance and Leasing sales director Sydney Borg.

Reuse-RecycleIT, which is a division in Capital Easy Finance and Leasing, has been operating for more than 28 years helping clients with their disposal needs.

Reuse-RecycleIT’s three major aims are to ensure that; privacy and security matters are formally addressed when recycling used and surplus IT equipment; that no used IT equipment ends up in landfill and that there’s a financial return to its clients on sale or disposal of the equipment depending on condition.

Sydney says it’s important to recycle IT because if it’s not recycled it can have harmful, long-term effects.

“Electronic waste affects nearly every system in the human body because it contains a plethora of toxic components including mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium and lithium,” he says.

“As a community, our objectives are to ensure we protect future generations by ensuring e-waste can no longer pollute our water supplies.”

Sales director Sydney Borg.

The services at Reuse-RecycleIT are designed for large e-waste disposals to organisations such as the ACT government, federal and state governments, councils and large and small businesses.

RRIT is the preferred e-waste broker for all of ACT government and seen as one of the leaders in secure data wiping, sanitisation and shredding of hard drives, and recycling/ re-use of IT equipment of all types.

99 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra. Call 6282 7844, or visit reuse-recycleit.com.au

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WAR ON WASTE

advertising feature Metal shop that can do the lot METALMART is a one-stop metal shop, says owner Belinda Reynolds, who, backed with experience in the construction industry, took over the business in 2019.

MetalMart is a steel and scrap icon and has been successfully trading for more than 30 years in steel retail sales and scrap metal recycling.

“We are popular with a diverse range of steel users including farmers, steel fabricators, artists and the backyard handyman,” says Belinda.

“Whether it’s for domestic, rural or commercial applications, MetalMart has the products you need

and if we don’t have what you are after we will do our best to track it down for you through our extensive range of suppliers.”

Belinda says MetalMart stocks an extensive range of brass and stainless steel products with a wide range of flat sheets in hot rolled, aluminium, zinc, steel plate perforated and stainless steel.

“Customers can come in with any idea and MetalMart can make it, too.”

MetalMart, 53 Collie Street, Fyshwick.

Call 6239 2422 or visit metalmart.com.au

Ex-Government Furniture owners James Fullerton, left, and Taylor Radnell.

Quality second-hand furniture RATHER than creating more waste, Ex-Government Furniture gets second-hand items weekly, in an “almost new condition”, says co-owner James Fullerton.

“For everything we sell, it means one less item people are buying that’s brand new and disposable,” he says.

“We’re diverting thousands of tonnes of furniture from landfill, and giving people the opportunity to reuse and recycle it.

“At the moment we have lots of stock that’s been repurposed into shelving or storage, making them truly unique items.

“We’ve got high-quality office chairs, desks, worksta-

tions, boardroom tables and shelving, storage, and new stuff coming in all the time,” says James.

“Some of our products come in nearly brand new as well, but the metal used in their frames has already been made from recycled materials, so it’s a doublewhammy really.

“We charge fair prices and are often able to source the best, no-nonsense, quality furniture available, always with an eye for good quality.”

Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick.

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28 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

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Morning iris… although the flowers only last a day, they are produced in profusion.

Photo: Jackie Warburton

Red ironbark… suitable for fire-prone areas as its dense timber will not ignite easily.

The flowers just keep on coming MORNING iris (Orthrosanthus multiflorus) is a hardy plant, native to western and southern Australia, that grows well in our climate.

While it will take regular watering to get established, it is relatively drought hardy. It’s terrific for informal rockeries or a border plant.

Its delicate blue flowers, which are attractive to insects and bees, appear above the strappy green foliage. Although the flowers only last a day, they are produced in profusion and will keep flowering for many months. A light trim after flowering will keep it in shape.

A tall plant that grows to about 50 centimetres wide, it will respond well to full sun or part shade.

To grow morning irises by seed can be tricky as they need smoke treatment to initiate germination. Smoking seed at home can be achieved by using a kettle barbecue and some dry leaves, sticks or straw in the bottom. The seed should be in a container away from the flames and heat.

Smoking seeds should take about 20 minutes. When the seed turns a yellow/ brown colour, it’s ready for sowing.

Other methods of smoking can be done by smoke-infused

call David 0410 682 457 or Nancy 0410 081 771

water or buying paper that’s been smoked and laying it over the seed.

NOW that the last of the frost has gone, all the vegetables can go into the garden for summer eating. If you’re quick enough, there might even be tomatoes for the Christmas table.

Vegetables such as zucchinis, eggplants and capsicums can be planted as seedlings and, at the same time, add a few seeds to a shallow tray in seed-raising mix and in a few weeks, you will have lots of plants. When it comes to rotating crops, root vegetables such as beetroot, shallots, onions and carrots can be planted where the broccoli or where any brassicas were planted over winter.

Plant all solanaceae food plants such as tomatoes, capsicums and eggplants where root vegetables were.

A four-bed rotation for roots, solanaceae, brassicas and legumes will help minimise pest and disease issues, and fewer sprays are required in the long run.

RED Ironbark or Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon “Rosea”) is a tall, drought-resistant, shade tree that grows to about 25 metres with a tall, spreading canopy.

Relatively fast growing, it has been used extensively as a street tree in Canberra. The bark is furrowed, very rough and near black in colour.

Its straight trunk contrasts with the blue green/ grey foliage.

It doesn’t shed like other eucalyptus, making it much more suitable for fire-prone areas as its dense timber will not ignite easily.

While it doesn’t flower annually, it will put on a spectacular display every few years. It’s attractive for all nectivores and a valuable source of honey production.

Unfortunately, the cockatoos pull off branches with little care and can make a mess of the foliage all over the ground, but in doing so they’re pruning and shaping the tree to generate more flowers and future growth.

Ironbark trees also flower in white and cream, but to me the Rosea is the most spectacular. jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• Plant out all tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini and pumpkins.

• Clip hedges to keep com pact.

• Place diatomaceous ear th around seedlings to keep insects away.

• Deadhead flowering pla nts to encourage more flowers.

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INSIDE

Stories of rags to riches and riches to rags

COLIN STEELE

30 years on, the Qwire’s got a lot to sing about

By Helen

MUSA AS Canberra’s famous LGBTQI+ Qwire gears up for its 30th anniversary birthday concert “Singing Out with Pride,” conductor Lachlan Snow is busy putting the choristers through their paces.

Snow – no, not a member of a very well-known Canberra family – is the University of Queenslandtrained baritone turned music teacher turned choral expert who started with the Qwire in 2022 just after its return from covid.

He tells me that after contemplating a career teaching French and music in schools, he realised years ago that his true calling was working with community choirs, orchestras, bands and ensembles.

The Qwire is the very first queer ensemble he has conducted.

Snow doesn’t sing solo any more himself, but he used to, and describes his own voice as “a

The Qwire’s going to be “Singing Out with Pride” on November 11. generic male voice, neither high tenor nor low bass”.

“A choir is not just about vocal output, it’s about making sure you’re engaging with something more than just what’s coming out of your mouth,” he says.

It’s a non-auditioned choir, which means that the singers are of mixed ability, with some members some able to read music, others not.

“Conducting a non-auditioned choir is like going back to teaching… like being in a classroom in a

Photo: Peter Hislop way,” he says.

“With varying abilities, it’s on the teacher to make sure that it works for all abilities… fortunately, the Qwire has fantastic teaching resources.”

Prime among those is what is known as the “teaching track” for

people who can’t read music. That’s prepared by his predecessor Karen Wilden, who does it as a labour of love, though it’s not easy.

Snow says: “The sheer act of singing in a choir is affirmative, but when you add the next level, being allied to a special community, in this case the queer community, it gives extra meaning and depth.”

Other than that, he confesses, it’s almost indistinguishable from running any other choir rehearsal, with perhaps greater sensitivity, emphasis on inclusivity and allowing people to be who they are.

“The message of inclusivity is very important for our community and finding music which resonates with that is important,” Snow says.

On The Qwire’s website, for instance, favourite songs include “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Let Love Rule” by Archie Roach and “Walk a Mile in my Shoes” by Rebecca Spalding.

“That’s because the music centres on affirmation of who you are,” he says.

“The act of singing publicly or to friends and family is very powerful and we want to support that.”

“We have fantastic allies too, who have queer children or a sibling

and want to be connected to the community.

“The choir is proudly LGBTQI+ but we are open to anyone who wants to sing with us.”

Of the current 120 members, there are 100 who are active and the weekly Thursday night attendances usually number about 70 to 80.

An unusual aspect of the 30th anniversary concert in Llewellyn Hall will be the songs chosen by some individual choristers, who will share the stories related to each piece.

“It’s going to be a lovely opportunity to hear from choristers, just what the Qwire means to them, and it will be bringing another layer of enjoyment, a secondary meaning,” says Snow.

Other highlights will be a performance by folk singer Judy Small, who proudly identifies as lesbian and a string quartet.

Oh, yes, there’ll be the chance for audience members to sing along – “community singing needs to be done by everyone,” Snow says.

“Singing Out with Pride”, The Qwire’s 30th anniversary concert, Llewellyn Hall, November 11.

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CityNews November 2-8, 2023 31

STREAMING

Piracy on the rise as streamers push up prices IN yet another blow to the wallets of many Aussies, Netflix has scrapped their cheapest option to watch movies and TV on the platform without ads.

The “basic” plan, which set streamers back $10.99 a month, has officially been axed.

It means those wishing to subscribe to Netflix are left with two options. For many, neither are either ideal.

Option one is the “standard with ads” plan, which costs a modest $6.99 a month but will interrupt viewers with commercials.

For those who don’t want ads, option two is the “standard plan” which skyrockets to $16.99 a month.

The platform’s most expensive membership, which includes HD video quality, remains at $22.99 a month. It also now costs users an extra $7.99 a month for every additional household they want to add to an account after Netflix cracked down on password sharing.

It’s not just Down Under to have copped the change.

American, Italian, Canadian, German, Spanish, Japanese and British Netflix subscribers have all also lost out on the “basic option”.

The good news is that those who are currently subscribed to the “basic” plan won’t be affected. Yet. “Nothing will change for members currently on the Basic plan at this time,” Netflix

“Game of Thrones”... we’ll be right back after this message from our sponsors. said in a statement.

Who knows how long that will last though.

The controversial shake-up follows rumours swirling in recent weeks that the platform will also be lifting the cost of all their subscription plans in the near future on the back of the Hollywood writers and actors strike, but at this stage the streaming

giant is tight lipped on that front.

It seems Netflix’s bid to change to an advertising-based model is working though.

The company says the subscription options where users are forced to watch ads have grown nearly 70 per cent. The ad-based option also now accounts for 30 per cent of all new subscribers globally.

“Our immediate priority is building our ad membership so that Netflix becomes an essential buy for advertisers, which is key for advertising to become material to our business,” a Netflix statement said.

Those who are looking for a cheap, ad-free alternative to Netflix will notice the options are getting more slim.

Foxtel’s streaming service “Binge” now includes ads and from November Disney Plus is also introducing an ad-based membership in Europe and Canada after a “successful launch in the US”, making it very likely Australia is next in line.

There’s a sad irony in all of this.

Once upon a time part of why people were flocking to platforms such as Netflix was the promise of no interruptions to their viewing. Subscribers pay the money to watch content and in turn those profits help generate more content. Fair is fair.

This move to streaming platforms ushered in a new golden age of TV, offering viewers a more cinematic experience on the small screen. Now it seems Netflix is trying to push aside what set it apart.

What the traditional streaming model also did was almost eradicate internet piracy. For a modest monthly subscription fee, users could get access to a sweeping range of movies and television shows, meaning illegally downloading content

became near obsolete.

Now it seems piracy is back on the rise.

One global study from research firm Muso found there were 215 billion visits to piracy websites in 2022. That’s an 18 per cent increase compared to 2021.

The past tells us people turn to illegally watching movies and TV when prices become too dear. It’s what happened with cable television, when viewers complained of paying too much for too many channels.

Now, with every company attempting to launch its own streaming platform and with ads popping up right across the board people are having to pay upwards of $50 a month just to catch all their favourite programs and have them interrupted by commercials in the process. Sound familiar?

The trend paints a concerning picture for the industry. After the boom in streaming over the last decade, could it be reverting back to a model of entertainment it once so proudly and successfully broke away from?

While I’d say a move away from streaming is unlikely, it would be sad to see the epic battles of “Game of Thrones” interrupted by someone trying to sell you shampoo become the industry standard.

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DINING / Mrs Wang, Canberra Centre

Mrs Wang’s gastronomic touch is all about wow!

IT’S wow-factor at Mrs Wang.

Your tastebuds are guaranteed an exciting gastronomic journey at this modern Australian Chinese restaurant, in the heart of the bustling Tiger Lane precinct at the Canberra Centre.

If you haven’t been, put it on your bucket list – at the top – even if it’s to bask in the glory of the 1930s Art Deco fitout (I love the massive neon M and W letters adorning the bar).

Mrs Wang is a place of discovery. Inspirational local chef Gerald Ong is heading the kitchen and has just rolled out a new lunch menu, new lunch specials and yum cha. So now is the time to go.

Gerald (think Project Enoke) seizes the moment with every dish, putting a contemporary twist on traditional Chinese flavours.

The key to the prawn toast – the best I’ve ever had – is in the duck fat ($4 each).

With the new menu, these tasty morsels are changing shape from round to triangle but will be just as divine. They’re coated in

Wood-fired cauliflower… a whole cauliflower is sliced in half, wood-fired and served with an almond and sambal sauce.

Prawn toast… secret is the duck fat.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

seeds for crunch.

We worshipped the dumplings and Mrs Wang makes all versions (and its dim sum) inhouse, executed by its own dumpling master.

Give the soup dumplings a go and don’t go past the crystal skin prawn and bamboo dumplings (both three pieces for $14).

From the small-plates section, we shared a vibrant hiramasa kingfish that melted in

the mouth ($22). The key with all Mrs Wang’s dishes is quality ingredients. The kingfish is no exception. It comes with a wedge of fresh lime and ginger kosho. Squirt just a bit of lime on so as not to overpower the fish.

Our group rarely goes past duck pancakes and Gerald’s version is fantastic ($32 for four pieces). The succulent duck is sliced and tossed in a bowl with ingredients

WINE / Riesling Challenge

Ken steps away from Challenge

citynews.com.au

I’ll keep secret so it’s a surprise. The hoisin is silky smooth.

Although the menu is “new”, Gerald has kept some of the most popular dishes

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TO start with a cliché: a week is a long time in politics. As well, it’s a long time for a wine event to unfold.

But with around 370 wines from 154 wineries to evaluate and then pick winners that time is needed.

The 22nd Canberra International Riesling Challenge was held last month and I attended the opening event and the awards night.

And speaking of politics, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the renewal of the ACT government’s sponsorship for the event for a further three years. We, the taxpayers of the ACT, are the main sponsors.

The idea for the Challenge was developed in 1999 by Ken Helm, of Helm Wines, who has just completed his 47th vintage and has been winemaking for 50 years.

When the 21st Challenge resumed in 2022, after its resurrection from the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, Ken was one of the originators of a new system of awarding medals. Instead of gold, silver and bronze medals, the wines are given a designation based on the internationally recognised 100-point scale as follows: Elite - 95+ points Excellent - 93-94 points Premium - 90-92 points Recommended - 85-89 points This scale is intended to give consumers more information about successful wines in particular without, for example, sending a signal that a “bronze” medal winner is third class. I’m not sure that it’s been market tested but it adds another unique element to the Challenge.

When I spoke to Ken on the phone, he was lamenting a devastating frost where he lost over 65 per cent of his riesling grapes, a frost that hit on October 17 after the Challenge had packed up.

While he expressed his dismay at this weather event, his natural resilience came through: he emphasised that the quality of the wines from the Canberra District would mean they kept on selling and that the affected wineries would bounce back.

At the beginning of the Challenge week, he had announced that he was retiring from the Challenge but not from winemaking. I asked him why he was leaving the Challenge that he has helped build over many years and he said: “I’m 78 and you’ve got to

Beef tenderloins and broccoli… sizzling on the hotplate when it arrived at the table.

customers can’t live without (he probably fears for his life). One must-have newbie is the cauliflower, which tastes as amazing as it looks. A whole cauliflower is sliced in half and then wood-fired and served with a thrilling almond and sambal sauce ($19).

The beef tenderloin and broccoli may sound familiar, but it packs a punch and was sizzling away on the hotplate when it arrived at our table.

If you want to feast, Mrs Wang has carefully curated a selection of dishes guaranteed to impress ($60 a person or $75 a person).

Mrs Wang has live lobsters and crabs in a massive tank at the entrance. We’ll be back… for the Singapore chilli crab and/ or the steamed ginger scallion lobster and egg noodles (both dishes market price). Yum!

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the good earth

Ken Helm with his winemaking daughter Stephanie. know when its time to leave.

“The Challenge needs to be taken to the next stage.

Winemakers have got to get more out of it. The Challenge has always been very innovative, including with the new descriptions, and a young enthusiastic person should be there in my place.

“I’ll sit on the sidelines and look on in interest. It must grow. It has to look at what it can offer people rather than just awards, for example helping the wineries promote in overseas markets by way of roadshows, selling more wine.”

At the Challenge Awards night, I spoke with Stephanie Helm and her partner Ben Osborne. Stephanie has taken a leaf (well more like several chapters) out of her father’s book and has established a winery with Ben in Murrumbateman. She also makes riesling, carrying on the Helm tradition.

I said to Steph: “Where’s your dad tonight?”

“Not here! He’s babysitting the grandkids,” she replied.

Then we had to be quiet as the Elite wines, the best in class, were announced. In a testament to the skills that Ken has passed on to Stephanie, the Vintner’s Daughter Semi-sweet 2023 Riesling won the best in class for the Canberra District.

The maths teacher taught his class how to use a protractor, with varying degrees of success.

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BOOKS / review

Biographies of rags to riches and riches to rags NICHOLAS Shakespeare’s new biography, “Ian Fleming: The Complete Man” and Patrick Stewart’s autobiography “Making It So”, reveal the men behind James Bond and “Star Trek. The Next Generation”.

There have been several previous biographies of Ian Fleming, but Shakespeare’s has the advantage of unprecedented access to the Fleming archive. Fleming will forever be coupled with James Bond, but Shakespeare aims to give a picture of “the complete man”.

Fleming, from a wealthy background, had a difficult childhood. His father was killed in World War I and he grew up impacted by a “monstrous” mother and a more popular elder brother, Peter.

He left Eton under a cloud and similarly at Sandhurst after contracting gonorrhoea.

A period as a stockbroker was followed by journalism in the 1930s, before an impressive career in Naval Intelligence in World War II, which Shakespeare covers with much new detail and which provided Fleming with an authentic background for the Bond novels.

Patrick Stewart, now 83, begins his autobiography with an epigraph from Shakespeare: “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together”. His life, like that of Fleming, was a mingled one.

In contrast to Fleming, however, Stewart

Author Ian Fleming… a 70-cigarettes a day smoker. came from an impoverished working-class background in rural Yorkshire.

His was another dysfunctional family, with his mother often assaulted by a father with World War II PTSD and an alcohol problem.

Stewart reflects: “The future 24th century commander of the ‘Enterprise’ grew up with neither a toilet nor a bathroom in his house… It’s taken me decades of analysis… to understand and cope with the impact of the violence, fear, shame and guilt I experienced as a child”. He believes he copied “Jean-Luc Picard’s stern, intimidating tendencies” in “Star Trek” from his father.

Similarly, Fleming’s background imbued

the Bond novels with “sex, sadism and snobbery”, as Paul Johnson described them in a 1958 review of “Dr No”.

Shakespeare covers Fleming’s numerous affairs. Fleming evaded marriage until 1952 when he married his mistress, the pregnant Ann Charteris, previously married to Lord Rothermere.

Their love of flagellation is reflected in Fleming’s 1953 debut novel “Casino Royale”, launched amidst the “Spam-munching gloom of Attlee’s Britain”.

Fleming’s relationship with Ann, who was accustomed to wealth, became one of “piranha shoals of recrimination”, allevi-

senses that he takes more pride in the first half of his life when he had a significant career in British theatre, including 60 productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Nonetheless, he acknowledges the benefits of the wealth and fame, including a knighthood, which arrived from his starring roles in the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” series.

Stewart’s memoir essentially falls into two parts, his acting life before and after “Star Trek”. Trekkies may not be interested in the theatrical first half, while the minutiae of “Star Trek” detail in the second may only appeal to that group.

Stewart’s personal relationships, post Yorkshire with his parents and his three marriages, which significantly impacted his relationship with his two children, are largely glossed over – no boldly going here. He comments: “In a life chock-a-block with joy and success, my two failed marriages are my greatest regret”.

“Making It So” is an ultimately engaging rags-to-riches story, while “The Complete Man”, at the personal level for Fleming, is more riches to rags. However, readers of both books will undoubtedly wish, as Picard would put it, to engage with their lives.

Emily Granger, left, and Sally Walker.

Photo: Cole Bennetts

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34 CityNews November 2-8, 2023

ated by episodes of mutual flagellation.

Fleming once commented: “My profits from ‘Casino Royale’ will just about keep Ann in asparagus through Coronation week”. Ann’s intellectual coterie, which included her lover, future Labour Party leader, Hugh Gaitskell, scorned “Casino Royale”, forcing Fleming to call it an “oafish opus”.

Bond book sales only really took off globally after the 1962 “Dr. No” film with Sean Connery. Fleming, a 70-a-day cigarette smoker, did not have long to enjoy the royalties. He died of a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 56. Fleming had reflected, “Ashes, old boy. It’s just ashes . . I’d swap the whole damned thing for a healthy heart”.

The world thus missed the Bond novel, with, in Fleming’s words, “one final fatal Australian blonde”.

Shakespeare ends his definitive biography in 1964, apart from covering the suicide in 1975 at the age of 23 of Ian and Ann’s son Casper, another tortured individual.

Patrick Stewart reflects back on his life with a little more joy than Fleming, although one

By Helen Musa

Melbourne for Victorian Opera .

STAR Canberra flautist and ANU flute lecturer Sally Walker joins harpist Emily Granger for a Canberra concert that marks the release of their first CD collaboration, “Something Like This”. House concert, Greenaway Studio, Chapman, November 5.

THIS year’s British Film Festival features many famous faces, including Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Spall, Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson (who appears in her final film, “The Great Escaper”). Electric Cinemas, until November 29.

THE unique Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim (Pforzheim Jewellery Museum) in Germany has acquired collections by Canberra region artists Helen Aitken-Kuhnen and Johannes Kuhnen, including a group of Johannes’ anodised aluminium series from 1981 to 2010 and recent pieces by Helen from her enamelled “Coral and Dying Ocean Brooch” series. It is the only museum in the world devoted to the history of jewellery.

“THE Visitors” by Jane Harrison, directed by Wesley Enoch for Sydney Theatre Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts, is coming to The Playhouse, November 8-11. The play was the basis for Canberra composer Christopher Sainsbury’s new opera of the same name, which was performed recently in

BELCO Arts is teaming up with Smith’s Alternative in the inaugural monthly “Smith’s@Belco” live-music series launching on November 11 with Nashville-based, Australian guitarist-singer-songwriter, Daniel Champagne.

“METAVERSE of Magic”, which combines magic, illusions, stagecraft and cutting-edge technology brings together magicians from Japan, Taiwan, The Netherlands and NZ as well as online sensation, Ash Hodgkinson (“Ash Magic”). Canberra Theatre, November 22-December MICHAEL Tsalka joins Diana Weston for a concert of two harpsichords, piano and combinations of both.

Wesley Music Centre, November 5. citynews.com.au

HOROSCOPE Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

PUZZLES

TREASURE YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES

General knowledge crossword No. 905

November 6-12, 2023 ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

On Monday you’ll find being resourceful and strategic pays off well at work. Tuesday and Thursday favour creative ideas and thorough research. On the weekend there’s a Mars/Uranus opposition so don’t blow your budget with a spontaneous spending spree. Or commit yourself to an ambitious project that you don’t have the time or enthusiasm for. Short-term big talk is no good if it doesn’t translate into long-term action. Patience and persistence are the keys.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Your ruler Venus transits through Libra (from Wednesday until December 4) which highlights food, fashion, wine and good times. But remember adventurous Jupiter and disruptive Uranus are still charging through your sign, so expect some thrills and spills along the way. Your motto for the moment is from singer-songwritermusician Neil Young (who turns 78 on Sunday): “As you go through life, you’ve got to see the valleys as well as the peaks.”

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GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Have you been wondering (and worrying) about your professional options in the future? The ideal is to follow your dreams and make your day-to-day work a pleasure rather than a full-time chore. This week Neptune, Pluto and Saturn push you to turn an abstract idea into a rock-solid reality via an inspiring vision and a strategic plan. From Friday onwards, you’ll find clear communication and lively conversation are the keys to harmonious relationships.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

With the Sun, Mercury and Mars all activating your entertainment sector, jump out of your Crab comfort zone, let your hair down and have some fun! Plus, when it comes to your personal and professional friendships, strive to be extra patient, and keep the lines of communication and creativity wide open. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, singer-songwriter-musician Joni Mitchell: “I want to have fun, I want to shine like the Sun.”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

The week starts well when the planets promise a financial boost and/or pleasant interactions with colleagues, clients or customers. But on the weekend – courtesy of the tricky Mars/Uranus opposition – expect some disruptions or surprises when there is friction between family needs and work responsibilities. Things will gradually settle down if you choose diplomacy over drama, encouragement over criticism and acceptance over judgement.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Are your goals for the future ambitious enough? This week (with Jupiter and Uranus activating your aspirations zone and your ruler Mercury charging into confident Sagittarius) there’s no room for false Virgo modesty or passive procrastination! The Sun, Mercury and Mars also stimulate your thought processes and encourage you to come up with a cracking plan and stick to it. Begin with a dream and then work hard to make it a robust reality.

Across 4 Name an earlier door-to-door lagomorph salesman. (7) 8 Name a brittle, metallic element, having compounds used in medicine. (7) 9 What is a territory under the control of an emir? (7) 10 Which term describes slow musical directions? (7) 11 That which serves no purpose is said to be what? (7) 12 Name a renowned Australian cricketer, Keith ... (6) 14 What, colloquially, is a person who endures pain bravely? (6) 18 What is loss of memory? (7) 21 Which scale is used to express the magnitude of an earthquake? (7) 22 Name a kind of soup or stew. (7) 23 Reykjavik is the capital of which North Atlantic island republic? (7) 24 What are bicycles built for two? (7)

Down

Solution next edition

1 Name the Biblical third son of David, King of the Hebrews, who rebelled against his father. (7) 2 Name the religion of the Muslims. (5) 3 What is an alternative term for the epidermis? (7) 4 Which monkey is common in India? (6) 5 Name a soft woollen fabric, resembling felt. (5) 6 To be the silliest is to be the what? (7) 7 Name the US track athlete, winner of four Gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games, Jesse ... (5) 13 Name the 16th President of the US. (7) 15 What is a toothed bar with which a pawl engages?

(7) 16 Which compound usually contains two elements only, one of which is nitrogen? (7) 17 Name an Australian entertainer, composer and musician, Rolf ... (6) 18 Which English town in Berkshire is famous for its nearby racecourse? (5) 19 Name a grass-like plant that often grows in wet places. (5) 20 What is an ermine also known as? (5)

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LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

With Venus (your power planet) trining Pluto and then transiting into your sign, you’ll be at your magnetic and charming best! So it’s a wonderful week to create, collaborate and communicate, in your charming Libran way. As birthday great Albert Camus wrote: “Charm is the way of getting the answer ‘yes’, without having asked any clear question.” But avoid making impulsive financial decisions. Take your time, do your research, and get a second opinion.

FREE PUZZLES EVERY DAY AT citynews.com.au

Sudoku medium No. 354

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

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Things are intense at Casa Scorpio as the Sun, Mercury and Mars visit your sign.

Pluto makes positive aspects to Venus and Mercury, so passion is high and you’re in the mood to listen and learn. But look out anyone who tries to knock you off your chosen course! Wisdom for the week is from Scorpio singer-songwriter Lorde (who turns 27 on Tuesday): “Take care of your thoughts when you are alone and take care of your words when you are with people.”

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

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Sassy Sagittarius – you’ll experience the greatest satisfaction if you share your goals, aspirations and dreams with like-minded colleagues and friends. Group projects and creative collaborations are favoured. But this week’s stars could also disrupt your daily routine or stir up an old health issue. So do your best to get the balance right between being creative and being thorough; between having inspirational ideas and making practical progress.

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CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Fault-finding Saturn could exacerbate a problem with a friend, neighbour or family member. But hopefully Mercury and Venus will come to the rescue and teach you an important celestial lesson. If you look for the best in the person involved, and work hard on improving your communication skills, then the relationship will gradually improve and have a good chance of longevity. It’s important to take baby steps, with a heart full of love and forgiveness.

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AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023 citynews.com.au

Solutions – October 26 edition Sudoku hard No. 353

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

With the Sun, Mercury and Mars activating your aspirations zone, it’s a wonderful week to dream big dreams and set ambitious goals for the future. But family and friends must be handled with an extra big dollop of diplomacy and discretion. As birthday great Joni Mitchell reminds us: “There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.” On the weekend there’s an accidentprone Mars/Uranus opposition so drive extra carefully.

Solution next edition

Crossword No. 904

The Mars/Uranus opposition could stir up your restless and reckless side, as you unleash your Inner Rebel. But try to do so in appropriate ways that don’t upset loved ones, antagonise authority figures, or endanger your personal safety! A professional or domestic challenge could also test your mettle. Aim to approach problems with a brand-new perspective. Be inspired by singer-songwriter (and birthday great) Neil Young: “One fresh take can change everything.”

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UNDERCURRENT

DESIGN MARKET FRI 24, SAT 25 & SUN 26 NOVEMBER Over 60 designer makers from across Australia including jewellery, glass, ceramics, childrens, textiles and more.

Market kicks off 5.00pm Friday 24 November with live music, drinks and nibbles.

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