CityNews 231123

NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Well written, well read

Berry’s attack on Greens disloyal and cowardly JON STANHOPE Optus crash confirms why cash still matters CHRIS VASANTKUMAR Money down the toilet?

KEEPING UP THE ACT thinks so…

King Karen KAREN VICKERY takes the crown in a new production of ‘King Lear’

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NEWS / down syndrome

Charlotte: ‘People think I can’t do things I know I can’

By Lily

PASS CHARLOTTE Bailey is just like any other 23 year old, she loves keeping up with TikTok dance trends, playing netball, catching up with her friends over Grease Monkey burgers, and playing with her black labrador, Zoe. She has worked for Eastlake Football Club for more than five years, and has been the ACT Employment Ambassador for the ACT Down Syndrome Association since 2020, which she says makes her very proud.

“My role as Employment Ambassador sees me talking with employers to show them people with Down Syndrome can absolutely, with the right support, do any job,” she says.

“At Eastlake I’m a coffee barista, I serve meals and I take orders.

“With the Down Syndrome Association, I work in admin, as well as being the receptionist. I take recycling out, answer emails, organise birthday cards, answer the phone and sort the mail.

“I can work independently, I had to work from home during COVID-19 lockdowns, I am very capable.”

Charlotte Bailey… “When people ask me what it’s like to have down Joanne Farrell, 2024 ACT Australian of the Year, syndrome, I say it’s just like normal, it’s me.”

Photo: Lily Pass with Charlotte Bailey.

Her message to employers is that employing someone with a disability in any job can make their dreams come true.

“Down syndrome is the triplicate of the 21st chromosome,” she says.

“When people ask me what it’s like to have down syndrome, I say it’s just like normal, it’s me.

“I have a job, I go out to movies, I can do everything just like everyone else can, but because I have a disability people think I can’t do things, I know

INDEX Arts & Entertainment 27-30 Crossword & Sudoku 31 Dining & Wine 30 Gardening 26 Keeping Up the ACT 11 Letters 14-16 News 3-16 Politics 8-9 Streaming 28

I can.”

Born in Sydney, Charlotte’s family moved to Canberra when she was three.

“I went to Turner Primary School,” she says.

“Then Black Mountain for high school, and now I live in McKellar.

“I also have a brother, and two sisters, but I am the oldest, and I am very capable, too.”

Charlotte’s most recent achievement was being nominated as a final-

Since 1993: Volume 29, Number: 47

Cover: Karen Vickery in the title role of “King Lear”. Story Page 27. Photo: Jenny Wu.

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

ist in the 2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year awards.

“I was just in shock, but very excited, too,” she says.

“I had a beautiful blue dress on from Myer for the awards night, and I danced and met lots of interesting people. I had such a great night, and I got a photo with Joanne Farrell who won the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year.

“I loved the music too, it was Daydream Machine, who are Canberra neurodivergent people between nine

years old and 21, exploring and performing their musical talents.”

It is another incredible achievement, Charlotte says, for her to add to her growing list.

“In 2022, on World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, I addressed the United Nations and spoke to them about employment for people with down syndrome,” she says.

“Last year I also won the Emerging Young Leader at the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards, and I got a commendation, runner up as Canberra Young Citizen of the Year.

“My advice to young people is to come and see me, come and see the ACT Down Syndrome Association, we can and will help people with intellectual disabilities to get jobs.”

When she is not flat out busy advocating, Charlotte enjoys being active in her down time.

“I listen, dance and sing to Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, they are the best,” she says.

“I also play netball, my team is called the Marie Little Shield, and it’s a team for adult women with an intellectual disability in Canberra, and we represent the ACT nationally.

“We got to go to Melbourne this year in September, and we did pretty well.

“And I do bowling in the Special Olympics, and I’m pretty good at that too, and it’s fun.”

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YESTERDAYS

Moving story of Queanbeyan’s Boer War memorial YOU can still make out the oddly-shaped indentation in the centre of the primary crossroad of Queanbeyan’s CBD where an unusual monument stood for more than 50 years.

From resurrection to transplantation, the journey of the NSW town’s memorial to a brutal, almost three-year conflict in which Australia really didn’t have any quarrel, the South African Boer War, 1899-1902, is almost unknown.

On November 9, 1903 – 120 years ago – an “imposing” procession led by the town band (est 1871) with local members of the 1st Australian Light Horse joined by children from the Queanbeyan Superior Public School (1877), marched down Monaro Street to the cheers of a 350-odd throng.

The crowd attired in “Sunday best” milled excitedly around the front of the Royal Hotel (of 1850) or gathered on the balconies of well-positioned two-storey establishments, jostling for the best view of the “striking” 12-foot high, banded column.

Adorned with streamers and flanked by the district’s horse-drawn fire engine (the volunteer brigade formed in 1890), it was among the first – and forever few – of its kind throughout the country. Intended to honour the brave and the dead, so

Queanbeyan’s original Boer War memorial in Monaro Street, outside Byrne’sw Royal Hotel. too was it a demonstration of the still small town’s progressive path.

Over a decade earlier, Queanbeyan had dashed a proposal to become one of the earliest regional centres to be electrified (coincidentally, Tamworth was first on November 9, 1888).

Instead, in 1903 illumination of its public spaces was limited to a few kerosene lamp posts (until 1920).

Funded by the community, the memorial’s dual function in lighting up the main intersection was another relatively rare occurrence.

Atop it was a platform bearing a large and ornate vapour gas lamp.

A tank to supply it was buried deep beneath the hard-packed dirt of the main thoroughfare, accessed by a stone and timber tunnel constructed almost 20 years earlier.

Among the esteemed guests present,

grazier, future member for Queanbeyan (1906-1910) and decorated war hero, Major Granville Ryrie, of Michelago – one of 190 to enlist from the region (63 from Queanbeyan alone, making it one of the largest contingents in NSW).

Australia, as a frontier nation volunteering for a frontier war to aid Mother England in the pursuit of far-off lands and riches (in particular gold and diamonds), saw some 20,000 “citizen soldiers” pledge their service.

For the skilled riders and crack shots, the appeal was adventure with a side serve of patriotism, evidenced in felt slouch hats buttoned up on one side with the badge of a rising sun; a practical allowance so as to shoulder a rifle without damaging the brim.

The unanimous outcome of a Queanbeyan public meeting had been for the district’s tribute to “bear the

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names of the all locals who participated in the war”. Only five though, would be etched for eternity on the marble plaque: among the 1000 or so to die or never be found.

Trooper James Swan, of Stony Creek (Carwoola) is one.

Twenty-four years old, his enlistment number was 56, his older brother Richard, 57.

Richard returned. James died in 1901 following a neck injury when his horse was shot from under him.

“One of Queanbeyan’s best known landmarks” would stand vigil to them all for just over half a century – until progress almost led to its demise.

From the arrival of the town’s first Model T Ford in 1910 thanks to “Moore Bros, the pioneers of the motor car in Queanbeyan”, the central position had become a traffic hazard.

A 1935 controversial suggestion of replacing it with a clock tower was resisted (“must be kept sacrosanct”) but when hit by a truck in 1956, requiring a three-year restoration effort, nearly 10 years on, preservation was paramount.

Rebuilt from “synthetic stone” with a less ostentatious electric light fitting, it was afforded a “distinct place

of its own” on a median strip across from the Town Park.

Come 2020 it was decided a location more befitting was in order: the Moore Park Memorial Rose Garden – which I had the great honour to open as mayoress in 2015 to mark the Anzac and Red Cross centenaries.

Intended as a community’s reminder of the sacrifice of the “flower of our youth”, the Boer War Memorial also came to symbolise patriotic fervour: the rallying point for “sons of the Empire” called to emulate those previous “noble efforts” in “the war to end all wars”. On the initial plea from this poignant pulpit, 27 locals enlisted for World War I. As crosses row on row mark their place, so does a well-travelled but much overlooked marking in the middle of a regional city’s heart bear testament to the march of time.

More of Nichole’s investigations into the history and mysteries of the Canberra region at capitalcrimefiles.com.au

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NEWS FEATURE / cash

The Optus crash confirms why cash still matters Cash may no longer be king, but the Optus debacle shows it is still necessary, writes CHRIS VASANTKUMAR. A SIMPLE software upgrade went wrong. Across the country economic life ground to a halt.

Groceries were abandoned at supermarket checkouts. Commerce was paralysed as the nation waited for its payment system to be brought back on line.

The Optus outage lingers fresh in our minds yet the scene described here is not Melbourne or Sydney in November, but Zimbabwe four years ago when the southern African nation suffered a 72-hour outage of the mobile money service known as Ecocash.

At a time when up to 96 per cent of the country’s transactions were cashless, EcoCash, owned by the privately held telco, EcoNet, boasted more than three times the number of registered users than there are Zimbabweans who hold traditional bank accounts, and a near monopoly on mobile money payments.

Occurring soon after a deeply unpopular move towards a cashless economy, this outage, along with a shorter one due to rolling blackouts earlier that same year, exacerbated concerns about the reliability of non-cash payments.

Abandon the cashless experiment Four years on, Zimbabwe has retreated from cashlessness, with the pandemic facilitating a return to cash in US dollars as the preferred means of payment. While the 2019 outage was not the only reason Zimbabwe returned to a cash economy, increasing frustration with mobile phone transactions contributed to it.

When I talk informally to Australians about these events and their possible implications for our own economic behaviours, I commonly hear some variant of the reply “but Australia isn’t Zimbabwe!”

But the Zimbabwean case holds some important lessons for us about the undesirability of eliminating cash in the aftermath of the latest Optus outage.

First, these outages highlight a key advantage of physical cash – it never goes down. We can rely on it to be there when we need it in contrast to cashless payment systems such as EFTPOS, which suffered disruptions during the 2020 fires in NSW and Victoria.

Less cash, but we still won’t let go Many Australians might argue for the need to keep cash as a fall back in

Doing away with cash might be illadvised and potentially destabilising. the event of future natural and technical disruptions but the main reason they want to hang on to it has nothing to do with using it to buy and sell.

Indeed, its use in buying and selling has been in decline for 20 years and continued to decline during the pandemic. The total percentage of economic transactions cash accounted for dropped from 69 per cent in 2007 to 13 per cent in late 2022 according to the Reserve Bank’s June Bulletin on Consumer Payment Behaviour in Australia.

By contrast, much of the continuing demand for cash can be attributed to its use as a store of value – something you hold on to rather than spend.

During the pandemic there was more cash being kept under metaphorical mattresses as a source of security and comfort, than was being spent.

A March 2021 RBA report from March 2020 to February 2021, the value of banknotes in circulation rose 17.1 per cent to $97.3 billion because people were holding on to money at home?

Moreover, even as its most recent report on cash usage highlights decreased reliance on cash across all demographics, the percentage of respondents stating they would “experience a ‘major inconvenience’ or ‘genuine hardship’ if cash was hard to access or use” has remained unchanged since 2019 at just over a quarter.

This desire to access cash even as its circulation declines highlights the degree to which doing away with it might be ill-advised and potentially destabilising. Indeed, this is exactly what happened in Zimbabwe – the country went cashless very quickly and without buy-in from most people.

Other reasons to keep cash Other concerns about going cashless include the lack of privacy in the electronic payment system plus it being more difficult to control spending.

Even as some Australian banks move away from handling cash, other

countries, Sweden most famously, have been forced to walk back such measures to respond to the needs of communities left behind by the shift to cashless payments.

These include the elderly, people in regional and remote areas, migrants and people who don’t have a bank account? While these groups are decreasing in size we ignore people who don’t have the knowledge, the confidence or reliable access to cashless payment systems at our peril.

The financial transaction process needs to be inclusive. Standard, stateissued currency has historically been a public good that is accessible to all and ideally not a source of profit.

Going cashless is a form of privatising money. It moves transactions into a world where you must rely on banking institutions to buy and sell things while someone is making money off your financial dealings through fees.

We wouldn’t usually think about this as similar to selling off the power grid but in some ways it is.

And as we saw all too vividly with the Optus debacle, a transition to privatised payment infrastructures opens up new kinds of vulnerability to go along with their convenience.

Chris Vasantkumar, Lecturer in Anthropology, Macquarie University.

This article is republished from The Conversation.

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POLITICS / democracy in the ACT

Berry’s attack on Greens disloyal and cowardly THE recent scandal centred on the alleged behaviour of a Greens member of the Legislative Assembly has again highlighted the fragility of the ACT’s democracy.

The current ACT government is a formal coalition of members of the Labor and Greens Parties (I have, incidentally, been a member of the ACT branch of the Labor Party for 47 years).

Since Labor and the Greens have formally united to form the current government, it is simply untenable, in my opinion, for acting Chief Minister Yvette Berry to attempt, as she has sought to do, to disown and attack the actions or response of her coalition partner, the Greens, and its leader Shane Rattenbury in respect to their handling of this disturbing issue.

The fact that Ms Berry attacked the Greens leader and his party about their handling of the matter, presumably in order to deflect responsibility from Labor members of the coalition and also, presumably to minimise any blowback or damage to the Labor Party, is unseemly, disloyal and, I think, also cowardly.

It also flies in the face of the fact that Labor and the Greens are, as coalition partners joined at the hip and Labor’s attack on the Greens is in reality also an attack on the govern-

The response of the ACT government to the allegations concerning a member of the Assembly, including strident demands that he resign, lacked any semblance of a commitment to that person’s right to the presumption of innocence. ment as a whole, meaning itself.

While I don’t wish to digress too far from the point I am seeking to make about the state of our democracy in Canberra, I will say that I am also concerned that the nature of the response of the ACT government (ie the Labor and Greens parties) to the recent allegations concerning a member of the Legislative Assembly, including strident demands that he resign, lacked any semblance of a commitment to that person’s right to the presumption of innocence.

It’s a deficiency that may well have consequences down the track.

I have commented previously about the fact that the ACT is unique in Australia in having both a parliament with a single chamber only and no local or third level of government.

Tasmania, the only other Australian jurisdiction that employs the Hare Clark voting system, has by comparison an upper house and local government. And while the Queensland parliament does not have an upper house, it does have a robust system of local government. All other jurisdictions have a lower house, an

upper house and local government.

I am increasingly concerned that the absence of any such effective system of checks or balances in the ACT is leading inexorably to outcomes and behaviour within the ACT government that are anathema to a strong, responsive and functional democracy.

For example, I have recently had occasion, at the request of Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service, of which I am an employee, to review the status of each of the pre-election commitments made by the Labor and Greens parties which were of specific relevance to the Aboriginal community before the last ACT election three years ago.

I identified a total of 34 such promises or commitments a majority of which, so far as I have been able to determine, have not been actioned.

Among those lying dormant, forgotten or simply abandoned are the following: 1. F und a $32 million, 80-bed Reintegration Centre at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

2. R epeal and replace the Namadgi

Agreement.

3. Support First Nations families with claims of connection to country in the ACT to submit native title claims.

4. E stablish a Ngunnawal Language Centre with dedicated full-time staff.

5. Move the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs into the Chief Minister’s Directorate.

6. Fully implement all the recommendations of the Our Booris Our Way review.

7. E mbed the policy of self-determination.

8. G ive First Nations community control over Boomanulla Oval, the Yarramundi Cultural Centre and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm.

9. Fund the establishment of a First Nations-controlled indigenous community housing corporation.

10. F und a dedicated communitycontrolled drug and alcohol withdrawal service.

11. Audit all ACT government funding for First Nations services and programs to determine whether promised outcomes are being delivered.

12. U ndertake discussions on a treaty with traditional custodians.

13. Implement all recommendations of

the We Don’t Shoot our Wounded Report to improve domestic and family violence responses.

14. D eliver all action plans contained in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement.

15. Hire 400 more doctors, nurses and health professionals.

16. Ensure all Aboriginal children have timely access to ear, nose and throat outpatient appointments and elective surgery.

Many of these promises were made separately by the Labor and Greens parties despite the fact that they govern as a formal coalition, which it is clear they each use as an excuse for not being bound to honour each other’s promises.

But to be fair, they did all vote “yes” in the recent referendum.

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

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POLITICS / Brindabella countback

Greens’ Laura Nuttall likely but not a certainty WHO is most likely to replace Johnathan Davis on his resignation from the ACT Legislative Assembly?

The Greens will be hoping that the HareClark method of filling a vacancy by countback will favour their party. Although this is likely, it is certainly not guaranteed.

Three years have passed since the last election and most of the unsuccessful candidates have got on with their own lives, set new goals and established themselves in other workplaces.

The Electoral Commission will check with candidates to see if they are still willing to stand for election by countback before a decision can be made by November 27.

The countback process can then commence.

The Electoral Commission will look at the votes that were cast in favour of Davis and then redistribute them according to the voters’ preferences.

This will include the primary votes as well as those votes that Davis received after preferences flowed through to him. About a third of Davis votes were primary – the rest were preferences.

In the seat of Brindabella, which is largely based on Tuggeranong, the Greens won 10.8 per cent of the primary vote with 5.4 per cent going to Davis. He was well ahead of the other two Greens candidates, Laura Nuttall (3 per cent) and Sue Ellerman (2.4 per cent). Only in the electorate of Yerrabi (Gungahlin) did the Greens score a lower percentage of the votes.

Labor’s Taimus Werner-Gibbings did not get elected despite having substantially higher first-preference votes than Davis at 8.2 per cent. Such is the power of preferences.

It is an important lesson for both voters and candidates to remember just how critical preferences are in the ACT elections.

Using the Bouckaert ACT election countback simulator, it is Werner-Gibbings who is the first non-Greens candidate with a chance of being elected. However, the calculator finds that Nuttall (should she agree to stand for election) will replace Davis as an MLA. Should she decline the next in order is Ellerman followed by WernerGibbings.

Some will argue that a candidate with just 3 per cent of the primary vote ought not be able to be elected. However, keep in mind that there are five candidates to be elected from this electorate and therefore the percentage of votes to be elected in Brindabella (a quota) was close to 17 per cent. The reason it is less than 20 per cent is because not all votes are formal, and quite a few will be wasted.

Voters who give their first preference to the Greens tend to remain in the party grouping for other preferences. The Bouckaert calculator shows that the last candidates to remain in the count after distribution of preferences are in order: Nuttall and Ellerman (Greens Party), Werner-Gibbings (Labor Party) and Andrew Clapham (Sustainable Australia – Stop overdevelopment. Stop corruption Party).

Nuttall graduated from ANU with a double degree in politics, philosophy and economics/ Asian studies. Her election pitch remains

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Laura Nuttall… most likely to replace Davis. available on the Greens website. It provides an insight into what was driving her in 2020.

“I believe that everyone has a right to a dignified, secure, and meaningful life.” she says.

“Too often the old parties put the interests of corporations and their donors before the people they are supposed to represent. That’s why we’re one of the richest cities in the world and could house and support everyone, yet we have so many people living on the streets and struggling to meet their basic needs.

“We’ve seen what’s possible during a crisis, and we need to use this moment to build a better normal. That means making sure that everyone has a place to call home, food on their table, and feels welcome in our community.

I’m committed to supporting the one thing all politicians and political parties should focus on: people”.

The ACT Hare-Clark system works efficiently and effectively in filling casual vacancies without the need for a by-election as happens elsewhere. The challenge for any replacement MLA will be to make such a mark that their chances of being re-elected next year are substantially improved.

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Some will argue that a candidate with just 3 per cent of the primary vote ought not be able to be elected.

citynews.com.au

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.

15/41-45 Tennant Street, Fyshwick ACT, 2609

CityNews November 23-29, 2023 9

NEWS FEATURE / vanadium

Battery power to run renewables round the clock The high-tech battery behind a $20 million project could be the answer to using solar and wind power 24 hours a day and kickstart a new supply chain, reports MARION RAE. VANADIUM could be the answer to using solar and wind round the clock, silencing critics who say they’re useless when the sun doesn’t shine and the breeze isn’t blowing.

So-called flow batteries may be more expensive up front but last for decades, don’t catch fire and can store and dispatch sunshine for 10 to 18 hours.

In contrast, rows of lithium-ion batteries springing up around the country are handy back-up to meet peak energy demand for a few hours at a time.

Australia has vast reserves of vanadium but most of the world’s supply is sourced from China, Russia and South Africa and goes into making steel alloy.

That is rapidly changing as allies eye the potential of an end-to-end chain – from mine to electricity grid – in Australia.

Chief commercial officer Matt Harper at Invinity, the British company behind the southern hemisphere’s largest vanadium flow battery, said the company was in talks with local developers to use

Australian vanadium within two to four years.

“Lithium batteries have done a great job at showing many problems on the grid can be solved by batteries,” he says.

“We want to be able to Invinity’s Vanadium Flow Battery near Hawker in take solar power and make it SA is fully commissioned. available 24 hours a day.”

Invinity’s Port Pirie VFB in SA In coming years, Invinis fully commissioned and going ity aims to use the technology with through its final technical tests before vanadium that is mined in Australia connecting to the national electricity and manufacture for the domestic market. market.

Backed with $5.7 million in seed Because the technology is built funding from the Australian Renewaround vanadium that is suspended able Energy Agency (ARENA) in 2020, in the electrolyte, a solution inside officials say the set-up demonstrates the battery, it doesn’t require gigathe potential for grid-connected VFB factories to make them. to provide energy and frequency “We are definitely looking at doing control services. that in-country,” Mr Harper says.

Coupling a six megawatt solar plant He says blending the vanadium into with an eight MWh flow battery at the the liquid electrolyte is an intermedisite will produce 10 GWh of dispatchate step that could also be done in able solar power yearly.

Australia.

“These are assets that serve the That would bring a technology grid not for five or 10 years, which is invented in Australia back home. It how long a lithium-ion battery lasts, was created in the ‘80s by Prof Maria but for decades,” Mr Harper says.

Skyllas-Kazacos and her team at He says the technology is at the UNSW and Mr Harper worked for the company that took it to North America. point where it doesn’t require direct

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An energy subsidiary of Perthbased developer Australian Vanadium Ltd (AVL) will supply, install and commission the energy storage system - also sourced from manufacturer Invinity.

Several potential vanadium mines have been granted major project status over the years by federal and state governments but none have got off the ground.

AVL is developing a project south of Meekatharra in WA for an ethically sourced supply of vanadium to global steel, battery and critical metals markets, with a processing plant planned.

The mining company expects to be able to provide Invinity with electrolyte from next year, with the plant to be commissioned by the end of 2023.

Earlier this month, Invinity’s Mr Harper advised the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on their use in the UK, where they are considering rapid deployment.

In place for decades in China, the technology – and need for reliable supply chains – is also on the minds of European governments who need industrial-scale clean energy.

China has pushed hard on VFB and has a number of companies who are champions of the technology, while lithium batteries are the cornerstone of their electric vehicle industry.

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subsidies but does need the right regulatory thinking.

If there’s a battery that can deliver over 25 years, then a contract should be available to lock in that generation and storage for that period and give certainty to developers and investors, he explains.

The Australian Energy Market Operator and the federal government’s first Low Emissions Technology Statement identified the technology as having potential to support industrialscale, low-emission energy projects.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller says flow batteries are an “exciting technology” to address the emerging energy storage requirement, complementing established technologies like pumped hydro and lithium-ion batteries.

Non-flammable, vanadium flow batteries can be stacked up at utility scale and offer more flexibility in where they are built compared to pumped hydro energy storage.

In July, a utility owned by the WA government announced plans for a vanadium flow battery at Kununurra as part of a long-duration energy storage trial to see what works best in harsh conditions.

Horizon CEO Stephanie Unwin said the pilot program would test its ability to provide long periods of 100 per cent renewable energy in a regional energy system.

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LEGAL OPINION / Mark Dreyfus KC

Dreyfus talks the bravery talk, but does he walk it?

IT’S reporting season: today’s report looks at the Commonwealth Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus KC. What, if any, KPIs did he set for himself in his early 2008 maiden speech?

In that speech he wanted, inter alia, ”to offer some reflections on the work ahead and the contributions I hope I will be able to make”.

He spoke of a key value: “Tolerance lies at the heart of our Australian multiculturalism. It is a vital democratic value.

“Tolerance of others-tolerance of different cultural and religious values and tolerance of different political positions-produces inclusiveness and not division.”

But this government opposed the end of “indefinite detention” for some would be immigrants.

It’s usual to wait some time for High Court decisions. Not on this occasion. The court gave its decision on the spot: ending indefinite detention for some 90 fellow humans.

Some of us have not forgotten how Labor lost its way on Tampa. It – Labor – is still adrift. Could it be that the tolerance for “tolerance” becomes more brittle and jaded with successive applications of political expediency over 15 years in the parliament?

He ended his maiden speech: “First

Mark Dreyfus… “I know that if I finish my time as attorney-general without pursuing things that are brave I will have failed.” speeches are full of hopes. I hope that on the day on which I last sit in this place I will be able to reread this first speech and recognise its themes in what I will, by then, have done here.”

Apart from the shifting sands of tolerance there is nothing in his maiden speech by which to assess his performance as our attorney-general in the Albanese government.

Let’s look then for relevant comments in his more recent speeches outside of parliament In a late 2022 address, at Western Sydney University, talking about the National Anti-Corruption Commission, he said: “The legislation provides strong protections for whistleblowers against reprisal and other adverse consequences, includ-

ing immunities from criminal, civil and administrative liability.”

Actions speak somewhat louder than words. Here we are, one year later, and he has not withdrawn the prosecutions of an ATO whistleblower or a Defence whistleblower, nor has he supported a pardon for Witness K who blew the whistle on reprehensible conduct by Australian officials in Timor Leste and was convicted and punished for so doing.

Speaking earlier in 2022, then as shadow attorney, to the Australian Bar Association conference, he said: “Mr [Bernard] Collaery and the intelligence officer he was acting for, Witness K, were… charged with a number of criminal offences under the Intelligence Services Act. “Those prosecutions were only allowed to proceed because Mr Porter [then the Attorney General] authorised them. While Witness K pleaded guilty and received a non-custodial sentence, Mr Collaery is still defending himself against the criminal charges”.

He went on to say: “The very manner in which the [Morrison] government has sought to conduct the prosecution appears to me to be an affront to the rule of law.”

To his credit, as attorney-general, Mr Dreyfus stopped the prosecution of Mr Collaery; however, he has done nothing to restore Witness K’s reputation – so easy, and proper to do by way

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of an unconditional pardon.

In his December 2022 “Inaugural Michael Kirby Address” he said: “Sometimes… ministers have to stick their heads above the parapet and be brave… I know that if I finish my time as attorney-general without pursuing things that are brave I will have failed.”

There was no bravery in his incorrect claims in mid-2023 that the Higgins payout (made in the lead up to Christmas 2022) complied with the standard directions for settling litigation.

The extent of the departure from approved practice was set out in my “CityNews” column of June 29.

Months later we still have only silence – that favoured tactic in our current political life to consign unwelcome truth to a dustbin on the edge of the news cycle.

Nor is there any bravery in the proposal for a Federal Judicial Commission. It would have been brave to have seized the chance to lead a national (rather than parochial) approach to complaints about litigation decision makers, to ensure that the actions of tribunal members as well as judiciary could be investigated. It was not brave to opt for “same old, same old”.

It was pedestrian, uninspired and uninspiring, as I argued in a column in October.

Returning to “the rule of law”, once upon a time there was a real interest in having a Federal Human Rights Act. Those with longer memories will recall the efforts of Father Frank Brennan (among others) during 2008 and 2009; ie, during Mr Dreyfus’ first term in Parliament. That was during the Rudd Government. All for nought.

The concept doesn’t even rate a mention these days, a comfortable space for those – whatever their politics – who want human rights to be mere concepts, not a part of the rule of law.

Mark’s take-home report is brief: “Shows promise, makes promises, but needs to work harder on worthwhile deliverables. Bravery would be welcome. There’s still time”.

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WHIMSY / obscure words

As Michael Caine says, not many people know that There’s a word for the smell after rain, another for the rumble of a hungry stomach and one for when you don’t want to get out of bed. Columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS bets you haven’t heard of them…

THE “Oxford English Dictionary” estimates that there are around 170,000 words in current use, with an additional 47,000 obsolete words.

According to a recently conducted study by “The Economist”, most adult native speakers of the English language have a range of 20,000-35,000 words. Eight-year-olds have 10,000 words and four-year-olds have 5000 words.

To read newspapers, you need 8000 of the most common words. The 1000 most common words will get you 80 per cent coverage so in order to consume foreign language content as quickly as possible, you need to learn those 1000 words.

I thought this time I would consider some rarely used English words.

When I was in Defence, I was sure that some of the Five-Eyes intelligence analysts were plagiarising my assessments, so I used the obscure word “lustrum”, meaning five years.

Sure enough, within a few days, other Five-Eyes analysts were referring to lustrums in their assessments!

I never got to use “overmorrow”, which is the day after tomorrow. However, the day before yesterday is just the day before yesterday. There’s no special word for it.

Words in one English language culture may not be common in another.

Most Americans have no clue what a “fortnight” is. I suspect we know what it is because our government workers The “glabella” is the smooth part of the forehead above are paid fortnightly. and between the eyebrows and the “columella” forms the US government central fleshy portion between the two nostrils. employees are paid monthly which is why image in general. they do mega-shops with Costco-size The “columella” forms the central shopping trollies, have large fridges fleshy portion between the two nosand consume lots of preservatives. trils. It is a single midline structure Moving right along, the “glabella” composed of cartilage and overlying is the smooth part of the forehead skin, extending posteriorly from the above and between the eyebrows. It’s tip of the nose. an important factor in creating our The rumbling of your stomach facial expressions. It determines our is called a “wamble”, while the facial structure, our profile and our sick feeling you get from eating or

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drinking too much is aptly named “crapulence”.

When you combine a question mark with an exclamation mark () it’s called an “interrobang”. It consists of an exclamation mark and question mark superimposed on top of one another. It was first introduced in the 1960s by an advertising agency, and even made its way on to the American typewriter keyboard in 1968. You don’t see it on modern keyboards.

Not many people handwrite these days, but illegible handwriting is called “griffonage”. Getting the dot above the i and j is sometimes difficult; the dot is a “tittle”.

The way the air smells after rain is called “petrichor”. If you find it hard to get out of bed when it’s raining (or at any other time for that matter) it’s called “dysania”. Dysania is closely associated with “clinomania”, which is an obsession with staying in bed.

Occasionally, you may come across an obscure word in someone’s writing. Unless it’s a technical piece, it might seem pretentious as the art of communication is to impart information and entertain, not to send readers scrambling for their dictionaries.

By the way, the first purely English

alphabetical dictionary was “A Table Alphabeticall”, written by English schoolteacher Robert Cawdrey in 1604. The only surviving copy can be found at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

The oldest known dictionaries were cuneiform tablets with bilingual Sumerian–Akkadian wordlists, discovered in Ebla (modern Syria) and dated to roughly 2300 BCE, the time of the Akkadian Empire.

On a lighter note, what’s the difference between a literalist and a kleptomaniac? A literalist takes things literally. A kleptomaniac takes things, literally.

On a numerical note, a man lost the forefingers on his right hand in a freak accident. He asked the doctor if he would still be able to write with it. The doctor replied “Probably, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist.

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LETTERS / 1

Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

When twice the fire engines might be more ‘woke’ WELL-known Braidwood mushroom farmer and avid greenie, Peter Marshall, has been commenting of late on being “woke”.

What he needs to realise is that being “woke” is not necessarily constructive or productive.

When I commented on an ACT decision to buy electric fire engines and suggested that a cost/benefit analysis should be done first as they cost twice as much as normal ones, I was accused by Mr Marshall of not researching the matter properly.

Actually, I had checked the cost of these same fire engines, which are used in America. No doubt Mr Marshall would have been chagrined to learn that the ESA later confirmed that they would indeed cost twice as much as current engines.

Furthermore, the auditor-general revealed that it intended to examine the cost/benefits of the decision.

I was obviously anti-woke in my suggestions as far as Marshall was concerned.

It seems to me that such people are incapable of looking beyond the initial proposal. For example, wouldn’t it be better to put out a fire in half the time by having twice as many fire engines?

If that were the case, wouldn’t putting out a fire more quickly result in more environmental benefit, and limit the impact on flora and fauna, outweighing the benefits of driving electric fire engines around when there are no fires? Hopefully the auditorgeneral will consider this aspect.

I have been a supporter of environmental matters for decades, was even involved in drafting the Commonwealth’s first environmental legislation, The Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act, and was a Green supporter until Adam Bandt took over the reins from Bob Brown, so feel I am in a good position to determine whether particular proposals should be supported simply because they are “woke”.

Let commonsense prevail.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Jewish population influences US COLUMNIST Robert Macklin (“The only means left to decide the winner is force”, CN November 9), referring to the IsraelPalestine conflict, contends that the current situation results from the main religions involved – Judaism and Islam.

The reality is if both faiths adhere to the central tenets of their beliefs, they would not be at war. I hasten to add that Israel has the additional problem having to deal with Hamas which complicates the situation.

However, in line with their beliefs and international law, extreme care should be taken to avoid civilian deaths.

While the official death toll is disputed (it usually is in times of war), it is clear thousands of Palestinians have died including a very high number of children. As Anthony Blinken has said, far too many have died.

Israel’s response should be proportionate.

Mr Macklin also states that the Israelis count the Evangelical Christians of the US as their friends. I would contend that the US stance is influenced more by the sizeable Jewish population in the US and its significant presence in the media landscape. If Donald Trump were to be re-elected as president, while it would be partly due to Evangelical support, he would severely curtail US aid to Israel, as he does not particularly like Benjamin Netanyahu and will be looking to retain the loyalty of his wider support base.

Herman van de Brug, Holt

Contaminants of the mind spread fear THE problem with contaminants in our environment is that data can be deceptive and misconstrued (Murray May, letters, CN November 9).

If the object supposedly impacted is the Great Barrier Reef and the contaminant is either 1ppb (parts per billion) or 1 per cent, the emotional response will be the same. This is despite the Great Barrier Reef having the highest coral cover since monitoring began.

Similarly with woodfire smoke, the health impact from smoking a cigarette is orders of magnitude worse for an individual, although admittedly voluntary.

The unpleasant smell from wood fires is the product of incomplete combustion.

Similarly on fireworks night, the smoke and smell are the same although the combustion

material is different and could be regarded as less benign than wood.

Emissions from wood fires are transitory, localised and will persist until that pocket of air moves.

As for extrapolating statistical results from large-scale epidemiological studies these can be misconstrued when applied to individual risk.

The contaminants that cause the most concern these days are contaminants of the mind that spread fear and are based on many issues including poor reasoning, inaccurate context, exaggeration, limited data or inconclusive science. The pressing need is to ensure the education system provides our youth with critical thinking skills.

Malcolm Sherren, Stirling

From the mob who are asking us to trust them (NEARLY) buried, on page 345 of the planning authority’s annual report, are some interesting stats on handling DAs. In only one “accountability indicator” did the EPSDD meet (in fact significantly beat) their target – exemptions from requiring development approval!

In all the others they were a long way below target – eg, only 66 per cent of decisions within the required timeframe and, very notably, only 54 per cent of their decisions upheld on appeal to ACAT (compared to their 85 per cent target).

This is an appalling performance and can

only be attributed to their poor decisionmaking. And this is from the mob who are asking us to trust them to objectively and competently apply their new, highly discretionary, “outcomes-focused” planning system!

Richard Johnston, former senior executive ACTPLA, Kingston

The Voice has come and gone, and what?

THE Voice referendum has come and gone, indirectly educating many Australians to the plight of our indigenous people.

Yet across the country this new recognition has produced no improvement in their circumstances and least of all here in the ACT, the only place to deliver a majority “Yes” vote.

Are we Canberrans thus to slip back into comfortable complacency, content to obey a pointless law by meaningless announcements about “Welcome to Country” and using borrowed slogans like “First Nations”?

Even empty statements by government and businesses that we are upon indigenous land, irksome to many like the proceeding slogans, which again achieve no positives for our locals.

So come on ACT government, start moving upon the many issues needing attention among our Aboriginal population and which our community supported.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

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LETTERS / 2

Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

In her last moments, she knew she was cared for RECENTLY, I drove back into Canberra from Bywong (I volunteer at an animal sanctuary there) and I came across a kangaroo on Horse Park Drive, Gungahlin, who had either just been hit or was terrified at finding itself trapped on one side of a major arterial road.

Perhaps Ms Evans is not aware that apart from spewing carcinogens into the air we breathe, internal combustion engines waste an appalling 70 per cent of their fuel energy in the form of heat. Only 30 per cent goes into propelling the car.

Australians also send more than $30 billion out of the country each year to despotic countries, just to buy oil to keep our transport running. Is that sensible?

It was panting and distressed, and collapsed in front of me on the side of the road.

I was extremely fortunate in that three people cared enough about her to stop and help me (thank you, kind strangers). The gentleman undertook a pouch check and also lifted the kangaroo to safety on to the nature strip away from the cars.

I covered her with a towel and stayed with her until she passed away.

When she looked into my eyes, I was glad that in her last moments she wasn’t alone and she knew she was cared for.

Yet again this was a scenario where a kangaroo was trying to cross from one green space to another but had four lanes of traffic travelling at 90km/h plus to navigate.

Most likely her death could have been prevented if there was a wildlife overpass.

Other countries such as the US and Canada have established wildlife overpasses and underpasses, successfully reducing the rates of death and injury for wildlife as well as reducing car accidents.

The Greens have promised to deliver a series of wildlife corridors across the ACT but have failed to deliver on this promise.

Peter Lyons, Kaleen

One question: where has the money gone?

dose of dorin We’ve got to do better for our wildlife than this.

Rebecca Marks, Palmerston

Speaking of cheese, thanks Clive MY thanks to Clive Williams for his reminder that puns are an essential part of our literary lives (CN November 2).

It’s especially true for us old blokes as our “dad jokes”, often puns of the groan-inducing kind, morph inevitably into execrable “granddad” versions. Like the ancient and mouldy: “Speaking of cheese,

Edam is made backwards”.

Eric Hunter, Cook

Gas guzzlers can still be driven after 2035 VI Evans (Letters, CN November 9) can sleep soundly knowing that both local and interstate gas guzzlers will still be able to be driven in Canberra after 2035. And she’ll still be able to buy her petrol.

ACT government policy is for no new non-EV registrations after 2035. The existing fleet of vehicles will still be able to be registered.

CARPET | TIMBER | HYBRID | LAMINATE | VINYL | CURTAINS | BLINDS

AMONGST all the dollars, statistics, tables and graphs in the article “How this hightaxing government can’t stop spending”

by Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed (CN November 16) one question stood out for me: where has all that money gone?

It hasn’t gone into road or suburban maintenance; its expenditure is conspicuously lacking in the upkeep of public land (outside the Parliamentary Triangle) and in public housing; and it certainly hasn’t gone into Canberra’s health system.

My strong feeling is that a large slice of the ACT’s revenue pie goes into the gaping maw of the “19th-century technology” light rail project. That maw has yet to be sated: stage 2B, if the first sod is turned or the first hole is drilled, its multi-billion cost will make the ACT government’s 2023-2024 forecast budget blowout of $579 million look trivial.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

And then I realised I was dreaming…

I DREAMED last night that I was reading the “CityNews” letters page and read a letter praising the ACT government. That’s when I realised I was dreaming!

Russell Wenholz, Holt

Garran street parking far from calming FIRSTLY, I miss your “Grumpy” column because this is a grumpy email.

Parking on both sides of Dennis Street, Garran, on weekends by hospital construction employees has become dangerous, causing road rage by local drivers unable to move forward and truck drivers who have become wedged between cars, struggling to reverse out of the situation they have found themselves in.

Then, of course, there is the backup of cars obstructing Palmers Street trying to turn right.

I have contacted Fix My Street with videos of wedged trucks and enraged car drivers. A Fix My Street representative assures me parking along Dennis Street, is not a problem and is allowed because it is a traffic-calming measure.

He/she has obviously not driven along Dennis Street on the weekend, it is far from calming.

Ann Sullivan, Garran

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LETTERS / 3

Let loose to: editor@citynews.com.au

Why would any addict seek help?

WHY would any drug addict consider treatment when they now have been given the “green light”, signalling it’s now okay to use small amounts of meth, cocaine and ice?

Barr’s woeful, arrogant, tired and “no-morals” government totally beggars belief!

Perhaps all citizens, voters and road users, should be demanding that our politicians need to be regularly drug tested before making any decisions that will affect all Canberrians living in what is supposed to be a safe environment.

This out-of-touch, far-left government is now openly encouraging our youths and older citizens of Canberra to simply go for it. It has completely lost its moral compass. Drugs are illegal, no matter what spin Barr wants to put on it.

I truly do not know what planet Barr is on, but clearly he has conveniently forgotten that we do not have a health system as such; we have a toxic Canberra Hospital (the worst in Australia), that nothing seems to work, blow-outs and long, long waiting lists with no end in sight.

Hence why he had to “acquire” our beloved Calvary Public Hospital. And now, it is going downhill since the takeover with nurses leaving en masse.

Further to the above, Canberra’s current population stands at 472,000.

Given that we only have 731 sworn in police, how does Barr really think he is going to control more crime, more deaths on our roads, related to drug-driving accidents and “ice heads” attacking innocent victims?

Enough of these ongoing blatant failures. Do the jobs you’re being paid to do, and grow up or get out!

Ros Thomas, Gordon

Offended by ‘druggie’ reference IN response to Vi Evans (Letters, CN November 16), I can only state that I am appalled and offended by Vi labelling people who are dependent on substances as “druggies”.

Vi stated that according to her sister, whilst visiting Vancouver, “there were druggies out on the streets, in the

Who could dispute our culture of death?

dose of dorin

gutter, propped against the walls and parked on any available bench”. This appears to imply that this will occur in the ACT following the implementation of the decriminalisation of drugs bill.

Vi, with all due respect, can you please provide a concise definition of what a “druggie” is? I question whether you have met a “druggie” and listened to how they became dependent on substances.

Why am I offended? I’ll tell you why.

I watched my beautiful daughter become dependent on illicit substances; however, she is no longer here to defend herself to explain why she became, in your terms, a “druggie”.

I sincerely hope you do not have to endure the pain of watching a loved one succumb to the tentacles of dependency; however, I do wish you may open your mind to many people who have suffered trauma and self-medicate to numb their pain.

Janine Haskins, Cook

Why we’ll have zero effect on warming SO many words about climate change in the media, but so little about the fundamental cause, ie world population growth and the energy demands thereof that produce the greenhouse gases that

are said to be causing the problem.

World population is set to grow from the current 8.1 billion by 30 per cent to over 10.5 billion before the end of the century, most of this increase being due to developing countries of the Indian sub-continent, Africa and south-east Asia. Countries of these regions – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nigeria together (2.343 billion) account for about 29 per cent of population.

However, all of these nations understandably aspire to greater standards of living, all of which demands energy, most of which will come from fossil fuels for the rest of this century and probably beyond.

When one considers these demands, one can easily reach the conclusion that, without some natural or induced catastrophe blighting the world, the demand for energy will continue to increase and the vast expense by the world in renewable energy sources (themselves renewable every 20-30 years) in the hope of reducing non-vapour greenhouse gas emissions is really a forlorn hope.

Australia alone is planning to waste an estimated $1.5 trillion on renewable energy infrastructure which, with only 1.1 per cent of world emissions, will have zero effect on global warming, let alone permanent climate change. Some investment!

Max Flint, Erindale

IT was good to read the letters from Ian Pilsner and Sue Dyer (CN November 14) because, as Martin Gordon noted coincidently, such a broad spectrum of views is no longer supported by “The Canberra Times”.

Perhaps this letter is an example.

While Sue Dyer is undoubtedly correct when she vents that politicians who oppose the trend in the ACT are not tolerated, she should open her eyes to what is happening.

During the past year Calvary Hospital was taken over by the government amid cries for free abortion; hard drug use has been decriminalised with little evidence that the associated death rate will be reduced and no other motivation to abstain; euthanasia legislation has been introduced, dedicated to ending life once a relevant diagnosis has been made.

We are an ageing society with little time or inclination to raise children, preferring unrestricted choice and consumerism.

Who could dispute that we have a culture of death?

It is conservatives such as Zed Seselja who see the consequences of this abuse of freedom.

John L Smith, Farrer

Halloween is rooted in the occult I FULLY agree with the sentiments expressed by Valarie Jones (Letters, CN November 9) regarding the effects of Halloween, especially on children.

The general public thinks this imported American festival of ugliness, darkness and death is all only fun and games.

The reason for this is ignorance about the origins of Halloween. In fact, the festival is rooted in the occult.

For a thorough and erudite explanation not only about Halloween but about scores of cults and other weird beliefs, people can check jubileeresources.org Vivien Munoz, Holt

The MG4 electric hatchback has been named Carsales Car of the Year for 2023. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

NEWS / car of the year Cheap EV named Car of the Year ELECTRIC cars have dominated the annual Carsales Car of the Year Awards with one of the cheapest models in Australia claiming top spot, while another two ranked as runners-up over their petrol-powered equivalents.

The MG4 electric hatchback has been named the best new vehicle of 2023 after being assessed by 10 judges and awarded points based on value for money.

The electric car – one of just three in Australia to launch for less than $40,000 – is the third battery-powered vehicle in a row to claim the Carsales title following wins by the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Carsales editor-in-chief Mike Sinclair said judges cast their votes after a week of testing cars on public and closed roads, and awarded vehicles points for their safety, innovation and technology, practicality and presentation, as well as driving performance.

Eight of the 10 judges voted MG’s electric hatchback as the competition’s clear winner.

RedBook also assessed finalist vehicles’ total cost of ownership, residual value and specifications to determine the winner.

Carsales judges also issued “highly commended” ratings to two other electric vehicles, the refreshed Polestar 2 and the Hyundai Kona SUV. The three electric vehicles topped a varied field of 10 finalists and two wildcard entrants in the Carsales awards, including the BMW X1, Mazda CX-90, Range Rover Sport and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Electric vehicle sales have surged in Australia this year, with more than 71,000 new models sold by the end of October, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The figure represents triple the number of electric cars sold during the same time last year, when consumers bought more than 23,000 EVs. FCAI’s sales data also showed Australians bought 751 MG4 vehicles during October, representing more than one in four sold in the small-car category.

–AAP

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COPING WITH STRESS

advertising feature

Professional help in coping with all sorts of stress INTERNATIONAL Stress Awareness Week is observed during the first week of November each year, to emphasise the importance of recognising, understanding and managing stress for better mental and physical health.

But, these Canberra businesses know it’s crucial to find healthy ways to cope with stress all year long.

“CityNews” spoke with the professionals who can help to manage and ease stress in every aspect of day-to-day life.

Natasha helps women fix their money relationship WOMEN With Cents was started in 2016 by money coach Natasha Janssens, initially, she says, as a financial education platform.

“After years of running workshops and online courses for women, I published my first book ‘Wonder Woman’s Guide to Money’ in 2019,” she says.

“I quickly realised that women needed more than just financial education. They needed support with navigating financial anxiety, indecision, and the pressures of societal expectations.”

Natasha says research has found that personal finances are the leading cause of stress in Australia, and that women in particular have a lack of confidence when making financial decisions.

“There are so many factors that affect a woman’s relationship with money. Childhood trauma, social conditioning, gender pay gap, these all play a part.

“I grew up in war-torn Yugoslavia, and came to Australia by myself at 18. I know all too well the impact that childhood trauma can have on our financial decisions as adults.

“Arguments over money are also the leading predictor in divorce and relationship breakdown.

“Couples often respond to financial stress in very different ways, making it harder to communicate effectively.

“People don’t talk about their financial challenges because they fear judgement and we often carry a lot of shame – regardless of our income.

“So, now I work with women and couples to support them to transform their relationship with money and get on the same page.”

Women With Cents. Visit womenwithcents.com.au

Sarah has an answer to stress – remedial massage SARAH Flenley started Capital Hill Remedial Massage a year ago.

“I worked as a public servant in government and in the private sector, so I understand the stress,” she says.

“I want to support people holding tension in their body.”

After completing her diploma in remedial massage, Sarah now Principal massage offers remedial, deep-tissue and therapist Sarah relaxation massage services.

Flenley.

“Remedial massage is for when someone has a particular issue going on, such as a frozen shoulder or a tear in their tendon,” she says.

“Deep tissue is great for general tension and relaxation is good for lowering pressure overall.

“When people get stressed, they tighten their bodies, and often our head is playing catch-up with the rest of our body.

“Massage brings the head and body back together and is a great way to remove that tension.”

Working full time herself, Sarah understands that “people are often looking for after-hours and weekend services.”

“I love massage and I love people,” she says.

“I bring the remedial massage skills and they bring their body and we work together.”

Sarah also offers mobile massage services.

Women With Cents money coach Natasha Janssens.

Capital Hill Remedial Massage. Call 0419 126 926 or visit capitalhillremedialmassage.com.au

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CityNews November 23-29, 2023 17

COPING WITH STRESS ‘Strong demand’ for self recovery CANBERRA Detox and Rehab Services opened in 2022 to help people recover from drug and alcohol problems and addiction issues.

“There is strong demand for a service like ours, we also pick up from Sydney and the airport for our interstate guests,” a spokesperson for the business said.

“Unfortunately, there are many youthful and otherwise successful people with cocaine, marijuana, prescription or other drug misuse and alcohol problems.

“Sometimes it starts as a binge issue, is seen as a reward for hard work, or is due to a deep physical or mental pain.

“It gets out of control and starts having a negative impact on health, relationships and career.”

Canberra Detox and Rehab offered detox services in a relaxed, modern retreat environment.

“Some people only stay a week to physically detox, reset and get back on track,” the spokesperson said.

“Others stay 28 days plus, to focus on rehabilitation and deal more deeply with the causes of their problems.

“We offer a personalised service, guests have their own rooms with ensuites, our chef prepares nutritious meals and you can stay in touch with business and family.”

They said Canberra Detox and Rehab took great satisfaction from its guest’s success: “We look after everything so a person can focus on themselves and their recovery.”

Canberra Detox and Rehab Services. Call 0477 827744, or visit canberradetoxandrehab.com

Traditional Chinese instrument.

Cultural centre offers Chinese experiences THE Chinese Classical Art Centre, which opened in September 2022, offers a wide range of traditional Chinese cultural classes, says marketing co-ordinator Jessica Lin. “We offer classes to learn traditional Chinese instruments, Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting,” she says.

“We also offer classes for traditional Chinese tea ceremonies.

“Classes like this are quite rare in Canberra, and we want to share the beauty of these traditional ceremonies and traditional instruments and contribute to multicultural Australian society.

“Our director Anna Zhang has been playing traditional Chinese instruments since she was six years old.”

This includes ensembles with the ANU, says Jessica.

“Our slogan is ‘let music heal your soul’,” she says.

“These instruments are great to alleviate stress.

“There are classes available for all ages, both children and adults.

“We also work a lot with vulnerable people.”

Chinese Classical Arts Centre, Suite 9, Level 1, 5 Badham Street, Dickson. Call 0423 927947, or visit chineseclassicalartcentre.com

LET US TAKE CARE OF YOU

Let music heal your soul Find your rhythm and beat stress at the Chinese Classical Art Centre

Traditional Chinese music lessons • Commercial performances • Concerts Classes we offer: • Traditional Chinese musical instruments • Chinese painting and calligraphy • Tea ceremony

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Call 0423 927 947 | info@ccacart.com.au | chineseclassicalartcentre.com Suite 9, Level 1, 5 Badham Street, Dickson, ACT 2602 18 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

0477 827 744 | canberradetoxandrehab.com citynews.com.au

advertising feature Alison helps to make a lasting difference

Relaxation, Deep Tissue & Remedial Massage

DECLUTR began in 2016 when director Alison Abernethy says she realised people need a whole lot more than just a home organiser.

“Over time I have added another three professional organisers to my team,” she says.

“We give people the mental and emotional space to live their lives.

“It’s very stressful living with clutter and disorganisation. It’s even more stressful trying to overcome this if you’re completely overwhelmed about how and where to start.”

Alison says her team is non-judgemental and works alongside clients making changes at their pace.

“We declutter people’s lives with a different perspective, we work with our clients to help them realise clutter is always a symptom of something else,” she says.

“Lots of our clients have had some sort of tragedy in their life, and things get out of control, so we come in to help and offer both mentoring and coaching once the clutter is gone, to address the underlying issues.

“I love the fact that I can go and see a client, and at the end of the two-hour session I know I’ve made a difference in their life.”

Alison says she works with lots of people who are socially isolated, too.

“So, for them, knowing someone will be coming in regularly helps reduce stress even before their session starts. I get a lot of joy out of helping people to live lighter, more enjoyable lives.”

Declutr. Call 0412 299359, or visit declutr.com.au

In the heart of Canberra At Capital Hill Remedial Massage we offer massage techniques to support with the daily tensions of life.

Private Health Care rebates available

Our reviews speak for themselves...

“I saw Sarah for lower back/hip tightness.

I walked in with the movement of someone 20 years older and after Sarah’s ‘magic’, I walked out feeling 20 years younger.” ~ Stuart C.

Declutr director Alison Abernethy.

Photo: Tracy Lee Photography

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Whether working with clients in their homes or businesses, Alison aims to help create systems that allow people to live their lives without clutter and stress.

I’ve been working with Alison for about 6 months now. Together we’ve audited all our personal papers and the papers relating to our business. Our filing cabinet is in tip top shape and the home office is tidy and pleasant to be in. Before Alison came on board, the desk was buried under a pile of papers and I couldn’t find anything.

The difference is life changing.

DECLUTR can help you organise a cupboard, a room, a garage or a whole house. We’ll work with you to identify what you need, what you don’t, what’s junk and what’s precious.

We won’t just do the job and walk away though, DECLUTR can schedule regular check-ins to help you stay or get back on track.

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- HK, Inner South

“

Alison is delightful and she has a pragmatic, collaborative approach. Alison doesn’t just organise your ‘stuff’ – she helps understand what’s going on to put achievable systems in place to help create physical and mental space.

- Nikki, Tuggeranong

citynews.com.au

”

”

CityNews November 23-29, 2023 19

DISABILITY SERVICES

advertising feature

Services that support people with disabilities LIVING with a disability, ageing or recovering from an injury can be a challenge.

There are many passionate experts based in the ACT region who offer services that can make daily life a little easier, whether it’s at home, or beyond.

“CityNews” has found the Canberra businesses who are here to offer support and guidance.

Services lead to healthier, happier lives

Care that makes a difference

ARTHRITIS ACT can help people with physical and mental disabilities find the pathways they need to lead happier and healthier lives, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“We are an NDIS provider,” she says.

“We are more than happy to assist people in getting into the NDIS. “We specialise in helping people with invisible disabilities.”

Rebecca says Arthritis ACT has an occupational therapist who can assist people particularly with their assistive technology needs.

“That includes wheelchairs, scooters, home modification and he can also do private driving assessments for people with disabilities who need them,” she says.

Rebecca says it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference Arthritis ACT’s services can provide.

Arthritis ACT also helps people access important services such as the NDIS and the disability support pension.

“These kinds of services make such a big difference in people’s lives, and help open up doors,” says Rebecca.

“We want to provide them the support they need so they can participate fully in the community. ”

HARTLEY Lifecare is a Canberrabased organisation that makes a difference in people’s lives, says CEO Eric Thauvette.

“I’ve been here for 17 years now, and Hartley started in Canberra in 1962. It’s grown a lot through the years but it’s still retained its wonderful atmosphere,” he says.

“There’s a willingness to work, and we’re like a family – real people who look out for each other.

“International Day of People with Disability on December 3, is a day to understand and respect people with disability. There are 4.4 million people with disability living in Australia.”

When Hartley first started, Eric Hartley Lifecare CEO Eric Thauvette. says, it was a group of parents of people with disabilities that came their job properly, and we can strive to together and supported each other. do our best.

“They realised the need was there “We have 24-hour care in 35 homes and they created support groups, across Canberra. That’s 85 people and respite care, which gave the in supported accommodation, and parents a chance to have a break and we support another 20 to 25 people recharge their batteries so that they through our respite care.” could continue to provide the proper Hartley currently has vacancies for support,” he says. group homes for people with disability.

“We invest a lot in our employees in training and support, so that they feel Hartley Lifecare, 6 Hodgson Place, Pearce. they’ve got all the tools to be able to do Call 6282 4411, or visit hartley.org.au

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce.

Call 1800 011041, or visit arthritisact.org.au

SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING Our experienced staff support people to pursue interests and hobbies, make friends, plan holidays and participate in the community.

Whether living alone or with other people with disability, we support people to maintain their home and complete day-to-day household activities including meal planning and cooking, washing or even maintaining a vegetable garden.

Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey.

SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION (RESPITE CARE) Hartley provides short term accommodation to people with disability. Residential respite care is 24/7 care in specialist disability accommodation for a short period of time.

If you are interested in discussing STA options please contact our Disability Programs Manager:

Whether you have your own home and would like Hartley to support you, or you would like to live with others with a disability in a home already supported by Hartley Lifecare,

E: enquiriesSTA@hartley.org.au

please contact the Senior Manager of NDIS and Service Development on 02 6282 4411.

www.hartley.org.au

20 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

HYDROTHERAPY POOL The Hartley Hydrotherapy Pool is an all abilities accessible heated pool which operates 5 days per week at a temperature of 34oC. The pool is available for hire to all members of the Canberra community and surrounds.

For bookings: T: 02 6185 1653 | E: hydrotherapy@hartley.org.au

T: 02 6282 4411

citynews.com.au

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES INCLUDING DRIVER ASSESSMENTS AND HOME MODIFICATIONS AVAILABLE

BOOK TODAY ON 1800 011 041

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS HELP MAKE YOUR EVERY DAY TASKS EASIER We assist you with: Planning and design of custom builds or modification to your home Workplace modifications to make working easier, efficient and less painful Car modifications and driving assessments - if you have been told you need this Applications to the NDIS and other schemes e.g Housing and Disability Support Pensions We work closely with our team of physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, art therapy and dietetics at Build a Better Me: Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT to provide you with the best support possible!

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

www.arthritisact.org.au | e: info@arthritisact.org.au

DISABILITY SERVICES

advertising feature

Helping people with a disability to live the way they choose

Helping people manage hearing loss

Trauma programs work up to the pool

CAPABILITY Support helps people living with disabilities and provides support for young people needing assistance engaging with their families when they are unable to remain in their family home.

“We offer personalised, flexible and professional services to people living with disability to assist them to live the way they choose,” says managing director Mark Marlor.

“This may vary from intense one-to-one support in someone’s home to accessing the community and group-based home supports.”

For Capability Support, which has been in operation since July, Mark says its vision is simple.

“More support, less admin,” he says.

“By leveraging our professional experiences and the experience that we have in the community sector, we are able to create easy-to-access services which require less administration.”

Mark says this allows them to provide higher-quality support to those living with disability. There is a range of services offered

by Capability Support that operate under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“Our team are community service and industry professionals who genuinely care about making a difference. Our management and staff members are dedicated to doing better for people living with disability,” says Mark.

FOR more than 35 years, the ACT Deafness Resource Centre has been advising people on how best to manage their hearing loss, says executive officer Joe Symons.

“I’ve been working at the centre for three years now,” he says.

“I have had moderate/severe hearing loss since birth, which allows me to bring lived experience Joe Symons. to the centre. There’s no course you can do that will teach you that.”

Joe says the centre offers important education, information, guidance and referrals.

“We’re a not-for-profit so our services are free,” he says.

“One in six Australians has some form of hearing loss, and for people aged over 65 it’s one in four, so it’s important to have the necessary information.”

Joe says the ACT Deafness Resource Centre can help with alert systems in the house, such as fire alarms or notifications when someone is at the door.

“We also offer free talks to retirement homes or independent living villages,” he says.

“My top tip when it comes to communication is get the person to face you, and to speak clearly and concisely, that can make a world of difference to a person with a hearing loss.”

He says the centre is also expanding to Queanbeyan and the regional NSW coast, offering hearing support groups.

WATERWOMBATS, a charity that runs a small, adapted, learnto-swim and safety program for neurodiverse children and children living with physical disability, is now offering land-based programs.

Founder Carol Jennings says the land-based program is led by a qualified expressive art therapist Carol Jennings. and focuses on things such as emotional regulation and the imagination.

“The complementary aspect of those programs is that the therapist can work on things like water trauma and near-drowning experiences so the child can work through some of that before they come to the pool programs,” she says.

Carol says these allied health-led programs are available for children up to the age of 12.

“Families are able to access the services through their NDIS plan,” she says.

“I understand that waitlists for services can be long, which is why I have introduced these new complementary services.

“If we can help these kids and they can build some skills before they get to the pool then we’re doing them a favour.

“We’ll be enrolling new participants for the landbased programs in Term 1 next year.”

The programs are on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Scullin Community Hall.

ACT Deafness Resource Centre, 1b/27 Mulley Street, Holder.

Call 6287 4393, or visit actdrc.org.au

WaterWombats. Call 0413 139018, or visit waterwombats.com

Capability Support, Unit 2, National Surveyors House, 27 Napier Close, Deakin. Call 5117 4155 or visit capabilitysupport.com.au

Capability Support managing director Mark Marlor.

Hearing Loss the invisible disability

Water Wombats empower students to tackle challenges and take on new experiences

Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?

Do you have difficulty following conversation when there is too much background noise?

Can you hear the door bell or the phone ring?

Can you hear the Smoke Alarm when you are asleep?

Do you turn up the volume on the TV or radio that others find too loud?

Our holistic disability support programs in and out of the pool include: Aquatics:

Land based:

• Hydrotherapy

• Expressive arts and play therapy

• Adapted swim and safety skilling programs

• Exercise Physiology

• Aquatic play therapy (water trauma & phobias)

• Family social work & counselling services

• Small group aqua aerobics for teens & young adults

Can help and Support You On Your Hearing Loss Journey www.actdrc.org.au

22 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

hearinghelp@actdrc.org.au

ENQUIRE TODAY 0413 139 018 E: waterwombatscanberra@gmail.com

ENROLLING NOW FOR LAND BASED PROGRAMS

(02) 6287 4393

citynews.com.au

Capability Support provides personalised and professional supports to people living in the Community to live their life the way they choose.

Capability values diversity of opinion and is dedicated to client-centric, automated and simple support solutions.

Family Support Services

Capability Support provides a range of support services to Children and Young People in collaboration with the ACT Government (Child and Youth Protection Services) and other statutory bodies, where families require support to engage with each other in a safe and therapeutic manner or when Children cannot live in the Family Home.

• Residential Services • Managing Risk • Staff Training • Therapeutic Contact Spaces

NDIS Services

We take immense pride in our distinctive approach to providing NDIS Support Services. Guided by our vision of “More Support, Less Admin,” we are dedicated to delivering exceptional, client-centred support while minimising administrative complexities.

• Promoting Independence and Inclusion • Assistance with Daily Life • Independent Living Options (ILO) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) • Social and Community Participation

Behaviour Support

Capability Support provides Positive Behaviour Support with professional, personalised and person-centred objectives.

• Development of an interim behaviour support plan where restrictive practices are present.

• Development of a comprehensive positive behaviour support plan • Implementation of a behaviour support plan, training for staff, family and carers • Analysis of data, reduction and elimination of restrictive practices

(02) 5117 4155 (24/7) | capabilitysupport.com.au info@capabilitysupport.com.au Unit 2, National Surveyors House, 27-29 Napier Close, Deakin

DISABILITY SERVICES

advertising feature Finding customised opportunities for careers

Yamuna Karki, left, Prakash Bhattari and baby.

Cultivating a sense of wellbeing DTC Care stands for “Dignity, Thankful and Calm”, says director Prakash Bhattarai, which is what he strives to achieve.

“DTC Care stands as an NDIS disability service provider dedicated to bringing forth a unique blend of care and compassion,” he says.

“I, along with my wife Yamuna Karki, who is an integral part of our organisation, extend our roots from the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal, the land of Mount Everest.

“Nepal is a country where Sherpas exhibit unparalleled dedication, which serves as the backdrop to our ethos at DTC Care.”

DTC Care tailors an array of services to meet the diverse

24 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

needs of NDIS participants, Prakash from “personalised care to around-the-clock assistance, community access, shopping support and appointment assistance”.

“Our commitment is unwavering. We understand the significance of a holistic approach to care,” he says.

“We go beyond the conventional, by hosting free meditation sessions every Sunday at the Axis Youth Centre in Queanbeyan, 5pm to 7pm.

“Join us at DTC Care as we embark on a journey to elevate lives, foster independence and cultivate a sense of wellbeing through our comprehensive and compassionate services.”

DTC Care. Call 0426 803524, or visit dtccare.com.au

CAITLIN Milne, a career coach with Koomarri, says her goal is to get people with disabilities into work.

“Our commitment to participants makes us stand out,” she says.

“We take a human-centric approach, and have our participants at the forefront of all our decisions.”

Caitlin says she’s been working with Koomarri since December, but has been working with people with disabilities since 2021.

“I was a learning support assistant at a school in Ireland,” she says.

“Now, I enjoy helping people find something, an opportunity, they might have otherwise missed out on.

“It has, and continues to be, very special to meet people from all walks of life.”

Through Koomarri, Caitlin says she spends 10 weeks getting to know participants.

“We get some background on their interests and skills, to help them find a job where they will thrive,” she says.

“The aim is to get them customised employment, from starting with some work experience and working towards paid employment.

“We as career coaches are available every step of the way, and there is a support person present, too, for as long as needed.”

Caitlin says next year Koomarri is starting a school leavers program.

“It is for participants between the ages of 17 and 22,” she says.

Koomarri, 24 Launceston Street, Phillip.

Call 6280 6143, or visit koomarri.com.au

Clockwise from bottom left: Caitlin Milne, Nick Kamarul, Santosh Subedi and Veronica Lovell.

citynews.com.au

DIGNITY

THANKFUL

CALM

PERSONAL CARE

SHOPPING & SKILLS BUILDING

ACCESS TO COMMUNITY

Showering Personal hygiene Nail trimming Bowel management Catheter management Medication Supported independent living assistance

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Are you looking for a Support Worker that is the BEST FIT for you?

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NDIS Service Provider

0426 803 524

DTC Care prakash@dtccare.com.au www.dtccare.com.au

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PLUMBING

Chinese snowball… a show stopper when flowering.

Drying garlic in an old basket worked well.

Photos: Jackie Warburton

It’s all go in the veggie patch THE vegetable patch should be in full swing now as the heat has arrived; all the tomatoes, zucchini, corn and pumpkins can go into the garden.

Tomatoes will need a trestle or something to climb to keep the fruit off the ground and away from night-crawling insects.

Zucchini will grow at least one metre wide and will need room. I would think one or two plants for a family of four would be plenty and there’ll still be some left over for relish!

Planting corn is best once the soil has warmed up. Sow seeds in blocks for wind pollination and water them while they grow.

NOW’S also the time to pull and dry garlic.

Garlic can be a little tricky to know what’s happening underground. In harvesting timing is essential, so when half the leaves of a garlic plant have gone brown, it’s time to harvest them.

Reduce watering for a few days before pulling them out of the ground.

I grew a hard-neck Monaro purple this year and will be harvesting the flower stems (scapes), too. They grow about four to six weeks before the bulb is mature. The stems

can be stiff or curly and can be removed to help the garlic bulb put on growth before harvesting.

When the garlic is out of the ground, storing and drying quickly will help with the length of storage and prevent mold or rot.

Last time I used an old basket to dry my garlic.

It worked well, but another method is to place the bulbs on a flat surface with good airflow.

To store garlic, the bulbs should be free of dirt and lightly brushed off, if needed. The long leaves should not be cut off, they are still putting goodness into the bulb.

CHINESE snowball, which is flowering now, is such an undervalued plant.

Viburnum macrocephalum is deciduous and has the characteristic viburnum teardrop-shaped leaf. Like all viburnum, it is drought tolerant when established.

In flower, it’s a show stopper with its large spherical hydrangea-like, brilliant white flowers that sit above the foliage.

It’s a good backdrop plant in the garden and to keep it in shape, cut a third of the bush after flowering to keep the growth compact. Chinese snowballs don’t do well in clay soils and don’t like wet feet, so drainage is important.

It prefers an acid soil with lots of organic matter added. It needs to be in partial shade and needs at least six hours of sun to grow well.

If there’s too much shade, it will grow leggy, and the blooms will be sparse. The best time

for fertilising is straight after flowering with a general, all-purpose fertiliser.

Another interesting viburnum that grows successfully in our region is V. Carlesii, which flowers in winter and has a knockout fragrance and a beautiful autumnal colour.

If there’s room in the garden, then look at Viburnum burkwoodii as an old Canberra favourite. It’s really tough when established.

If space is at a premium then Viburnum daviddii is a favourite. A no-prune shrub, it creates its own natural dome shape to a metre tall with dark, glossy leaves and blue berries in the autumn.

Watering in the warmer and drier months will keep them growing well and, hopefully, thrips on viburnum hedges will not be as bad an issue now the drier times are ahead. jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• Deadhead and feed ros es for continuing blooms.

• Sprinkle diatomaceous around seedings to keep insects away.

• Weed and mulch before summer comes.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE

French, where the focus is on exceptional

WENDY JOHNSON

Karen takes the crown, as Horwood’s King Lear COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

IT’S been open season on Shakespeare in Canberra this year, with quite a lineup of comic rip-offs, gender-bending interpretations and even a rock ‘n’ roll version of a history play, but now The Q’s Echo Theatre is embarking on the real thing – a full production of “King Lear”.

The story goes… the ageing Lear decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters into three parts, a very bad idea, and violence ensues. Meantime, his former courtier the Duke of Gloucester has two sons, the compassionate Edgar and the bastard son Edmund, to deal with.

Considered by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge to be all but unstageable and “the most painful” of Shakespeare’s plays, it vies with “Hamlet” to be considered the Bard’s master work.

Huge in scale and teetering on the brink of madness throughout, it is a work that only the most intrepid of directors would attempt.

Enter someone game enough, Joel

Karen Vickery in the title role of “King Lear”… “We are finding new things in the text,” says director Joel Horwood.

Photo: Jenny Wu Horwood, by day a staffer at The Q, but by night one of our most talented actors.

Trained at the WA Academy of Performing Arts and now treading the boards, Horwood cut his teeth earlier in the year directing Noël Coward’s “Hay Fever” and now, in an inspiration all of his own, he has cast one of Canberra’s most powerful female actors

Karen Vickery in the title role of King Lear.

Hang on? Shouldn’t that be “Queen Lear?”

Well, not really, for as Horwood points out when we catch up: “I wanted people to know that it’s still the play, ‘King Lear’.”

He is much assisted by the fact that Shakespeare never specifies a Mrs Lear, so it’s always been just Lear and his daughters and

when the king curses his daughter Goneril with sterility, it’s much more telling coming from a woman.

“We are finding new things in the text,” Horwood enthuses.

“Lear” is my favourite,” Horwood tells me, “I first did it as an actor at Monash University, where I was miscast as Gloucester.

Although he disapproves of the 19th century habit of giving “King Lear” a happy ending, he does admit it’s quite a big risk for an inexperienced director.

“I’m more experienced as an actor,” he continues, but I’ve assembled a pretty extraordinary cast.”

The design, he says, will not be “wacky and wild”, because his main imperative is telling the story, which he describes as “so profound, beautiful and tragic.”

“We wanted to set it in a timeless place” he explains, so there’ll be no prehistoric bearskins or a transition into, say, the 1960s.

“It’s about the dynamic of two families… to be sure, there is political strife around the family drama, but the play is not primarily about politics.”

As for his star cast, Vickery leads as Lear alongside her real-life daughter, Natasha Vickery as Regan, Lainie Hart as Goneril, with Joshua Wiseman and Lewis McDonald, both Bristol Old Vic graduates, as Edgar and Edmund respectively.

Petronella van Tienen doubles as Cordelia and the Fool, Jim Adamik plays Albany,

Christina Falsone plays Kent, Tom Cullen is Cornwall and Glenn Brighenti Oswald, with Holly Ross playing a vast assortment of minor roles.

“Six men and six women,” Horwood says with pride.

The play holds endless fascination for him, partly for the way it veers between prose and poetry, sanity and madness, with Gloucester speaking mostly prose but the evil Edmund using verse.

“It’s one of the longest plays by Shakespeare and I’ve cut it quite a bit, but carefully,” he says.

Some logistical problems have emerged, as in Lear’s scene of grief over Cordelia, where he traditionally carries Cordelia’s body. If not physically possible for Vickery, they have two plans of action.

As for the unbearable parts of the play, there certainly is a high body count at the end.

There’s also the scene where Gloucester’s eyes are gouged out – he won’t give too much away there, but notes, “sight is such a big theme in the work.” The question of sight and blindness runs throughout this play as much as in ‘Oedipus Rex’.”

“See better, Lear,” Kent advises Lear early in the action.

And if Lear had taken that advice – well, there wouldn’t be a play.

“King Lear”, at The Q, Queanbeyan, November 29- December 3.

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CityNews November 23-29, 2023 27

STREAMING / ‘The Curse’

‘The Curse’ is an awkward treat for TV masochists IN the world of television, cringe comedy is its own force of nature.

For some, the excruciating antics of shows such as “The Office” make for A-grade entertainment.

For others, it’s hell.

Many are unable to stomach the spine-chilling awkwardness of David Brent forcing his own original songs on staff at an HR retreat or Michael Scott reneging on an 18-year promise to pay for disadvantaged students’ college fees after mistakenly thinking he’d be a millionaire by the time they were grown up.

And yet for those who can endure it, cringe comedy has more than carved out its own beloved sub-genre.

“Arrested Development”, “Peep Show”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “The Inbetweeners”, “Fleabag” and the list goes on.

While these are all bound to get viewers squirming in their seats, all pale in comparison to Paramount Plus’ newest streaming offering “The Curse”, which feels less like a show and more like a diabolical experiment to test just how much awkwardness viewers can endure. A treat for TV masochists.

What’s it all about?

Ensconced in middle-class suburbia of

Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone as Asher and Whitney Siegel... a dysfunctionally holier-than-thou couple attempting to start a reality TV show where they perform good deeds for their uninterested local community.

New Mexico are Asher and Whitney Siegel, (played by Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone) a dysfunctionally holier-than-thou couple attempting to start a reality TV show where they perform good deeds for their uninterested local community.

Whether it’s getting former crooks jobs at coffee shops or peddling carbon-neutral real estate, the Siegels are desperate to make themselves local heroes by “redesigning” their hometown. Not gentrification, they say, but “flipanthropy” a term which also happens to

be the title of their struggling reality show.

Amongst this sanctimonious chaos is their producer Doughe Schecter (Benny Safdie), who is doing whatever he can to ramp up the emotion to get their fledgling show off the ground.

In one shoot he sprays an elderly woman in the face with some water in order to make sure she’s “crying” for the camera after the Siegels secure her deadbeat son a job at a local business.

It gets worse.

In another excruciating exchange, Asher is urged to give a young girl selling drinks in a car park some cash because “it’ll be great for the camera”.

Of course, it turns out he only has a $100 bill, which after giving her for the show he quickly demands back after the cameras stop rolling.

In return the young girl “curses” Asher and that’s where things really start to get strange.

It’s never quite revealed whether this eponymous “curse” is supernatural in nature or not, but with the roster of events that go on to befall this strange couple one wouldn’t be surprised.

Indeed “The Curse” starts out as what seems like an offbeat comedy, but as things unravel over its 10 episodes it becomes something more akin to horror.

I’ll leave that for the viewer to discover.

Fielder (who doubles up as the creator of the show) is well and truly on his A-game here.

The Canadian comedian is a virtuoso of cringe-comedy. One can see the discomfort emanating from every inch of his body

language. Emma Stone is just as good, her awkwardness hidden behind a thin veneer of smiles and pleasantries.

As is the divisive nature of cringe, “The Curse” has well and truly split its audience.

A breakdown of the show’s reception on IMDb puts the audience score at 6.9/10 – divided by the majority of user reviews either giving it a 10/10 or a 1/10.

This is no doubt exactly what “The Curse” was going for.

It’s unafraid to alienate some of its audience if it means hitting its satirical targets.

If all of this doesn’t exactly sound like a pleasant viewing experience, I don’t blame you.

It’s a hard show to say one “enjoys”, but this is a fascinatingly unique and often hilarious takedown of virtue signalling.

“The Curse” may dial up cringe-comedy to the nth degree, but it’s a spell I just couldn’t help but fall under.

MUSIC

Sally’s had a signature year

By Helen Musa

IT’S been a signature year for one of Canberra’s busiest composers, Sally Greenaway.

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28 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

The ACT is blessed with many fine contemporary composers, but few have proved as entrepreneurial as Greenaway, who combines an active piano-teaching business with an ongoing program of private recitals at Greenaway Studio in Chapman and imaginative recordings of her work.

And there’s been recognition, with Greenaway named festival composer at the 2023 Bowral Autumn Music Festival, where she saw Sally Walker, billed as “Australia’s best flautist”, play her new composition “Of Moths and Moonlight”.

Greenaway Studio concerts are always accompanied by wine, food and informal post-concert gatherings in the gardens Greenaway and husband Peter have established.

Last year in a significant coup, she scored a visit from Calvin Abdiel, named best Australian pianist of the 2021 Sydney International Piano Competition.

Recently, the American harpist Emily Granger performed for the second time at the studio in a concert where was later joined by Walker.

Internationally renowned saxophonist Niels Bijl and leading Dutch harpsichordist Peter Hagen also performed there and Hagen will be back again for a pre-Christmas afternoon concert of 17th and 18th century baroque harpsichord music on December 10.

Composer Sally Greenaway and her new book.

Photo: Stephanie Neeman Greenaway, whose writing spans a wide assortment of styles and genres, including classical solo, chamber and orchestral works, jazz ensemble and big band works as well as film, advertising and documentary soundtracks, is a graduate of the ANU School of Music’s Jazz Department and a postgraduate from the Royal College of Music in London.

During the pandemic, she developed and fine-tuned a digital concert series, the latest in which is “The Memories of Poplar Trees”, inspired by the avenues of tall poplars in towns across NSW. Greenaway, unlike many of her more taciturn peers, has been outspoken on the subject of the plight of contemporary musicians, both before, during and after covid, arguing out loud against the limited opportunities for female composers and composers in Canberra and the need to be constantly having to find ways “to find your people”.

“We’d love to be seen more,” she says.

Recently, when launching her new book of 12 original compositions, “Piano Music for Discoverers (vol 1),” she had more to say.

Asked at the launch what had been the hardest part of her life as a musical artist, she responded, quick as a flash, “sustaining yourself, paying bills, in a world where music is free”.

As to the age-old question of whether to take a day-job as she had done many times in the past or whether to follow one’s “real vocation”, she proposed the value in taking commissions, bringing real people into the music and asking them, what is their story?

But in the search to “find freedom, create moods and colours through music”, she said, she had found one relationship which was unbreakable – “the piano is like your friend”.

Peter Hagen, baroque harpsichord, Greenaway Studio, Chapman, (address on booking), December 10.

Sally Greenaway’s music is accessible at sallygreenaway.com.au/poplars citynews.com.au

ARTS IN THE CITY

Exciting Europeans heading here

By Helen Musa VIOLINIST Noa Wildschut and pianist Elisabeth Brauss make one of the most exciting European musical partnerships heard in years, and Musica Viva will bring them to Llewellyn Hall on November 27.

LIZ Lea’s Stellar Company plans on finishing 2023 with a bang, aligning with International Day of People with Disability to present “A Stellar Lineup”, a team of Canberra’s community dance companies, at Canberra College Theatre, December 1-2. Performers include the Deaf Butterflies, Project Dust, Subsdance, ZEST, the 4 Me Dancers, GOLD and the Chamaeleon Collective, Canberra’s first inclusive dance company.

IT’S that time of the year and Oriana Chorale, directed by Dan Walker, will perform Poulenc’s set of Christmas motets, which famously opens with “O Magnum Mysterium”, along with Frank Martin’s “Mass for Double Choir” and works by Maddalena Casulana and Sydneysider Brooke Shelley. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, December 1.

Amy Harris (with Nathan Brook) says she’s retiring from the Australian Ballet with a “happy heart”.

Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

DANCE

ALSO, with the season in mind, the Canberra Men’s Choir will perform “Journey to Christmas” at St. John’s Church, Reid, December 2.

FOLLOWING our grumpy com-

Work hard, play hard: dancer’s final bow

Pianist Elisabeth Brauss and violinist Noa Wildschut… Llewellyn Hall, November 27. ment about Sydney’s Hayes Theatre’s failure to mention Canberra’s part in the success of Canberra’s Heart Strings Theatre Co’s “The Hello Girl”, we’re pleased to see that the company has now updated its PR. It now says that the show, which will run during January, was supported through Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works and Sector Development Program “to elevate the work of ACT artists and producers” and that the production premiered at The Playhouse in September.

INSPIRED by Louise Bourgeois’ and Tracey Emin’s collaborative work “Do Not Abandon Me”, acquired by the National Gallery in 2020, a new survey exhibition called “Deep Inside

My Heart’’ exploring the work of major female artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, will open at the gallery on November 25 and run until May 19. It includes Kiki Smith’s tapestry, “Sky, Earth and Underground”, and a group of early sculptures by the late Bronwyn Oliver.

CANBERRA International Music Festival’s commissioning circle, A Major Lift, has announced its chosen composers for the 2024 event – Holly Harrison, from Western Sydney, who will write for an all-women percussion trio and Nicole Smede, a participant in Ngarra-Burria First Peoples Composers program, who will write a song for Australian mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean.

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Australian Ballet dancer Amy Harris says there will be happiness and tears when the curtain falls on her 22 year career, reports LIZ HOBDAY. DANCER Amy Harris is wondering how she will feel when the final curtain drops on her 22-year career with the Australian Ballet.

Her last role with the national company is playing Marguerite, in “Marguerite and Armand” by legendary choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, a role originally created for Margot Fonteyn.

There will be happiness and definitely a few tears onstage at the Sydney Opera House, she predicts.

“I am going out with a really happy heart,” Harris said. “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in 22 years, so it’s a mix of emotions.”

She began dancing aged three-and-a-half in her hometown of Ararat and joined the Australian Ballet School at 15.

Even so, it hasn’t always been an easy rise to the top.

“I had some struggles in the early years,” Harris said.

“I had to find my way and it took a while for me.”

These days she has two children with fellow Australian Ballet dancer Jarryd Madden and they are used to taking Willow, 8, and Phoenix, 4, on tour.

But that’s a more difficult proposition at school age, she said.

Leaving the national company has been a bitter-

sweet decision several years in the making, according to Harris, with “Marguerite and Armand” a beautiful ballet to end on.

It’s based on “La Dame aux Camelias”, a novel and play by Alexandre Dumas first published in 1848 and part of the inspiration for Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge” more than 150 years later.

Her performance features on a double bill also including Ashton’s Shakespearean adaptation, “The Dream”.

“Marguerite and Armand” is one of the tragic love stories that have been highlights of Harris’ career, including dancing as Anna in 2022’s “Anna Karenina” and Romola in 2016’s “Nijinsky”.

So what’s next? Harris wants to take the slow lane for a while but says ballet will remain part of her life: her eldest, Willow, started classes this year.

Another top Australian Ballet dancer Adam Bull retired in June, also after 22 years with the company – he and Harris went through ballet school together.

“We always said we certainly knew how to work hard but we also knew how to play hard,” she said.

“Maybe that’s the formula for life.”

“The Dream/Marguerite and Armand” runs until November 25 at the Sydney Opera House.

–AAP

SUNDAY ROAST Talking to the names making news.

Sundays, 9am-noon. citynews.com.au

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Grilled calamari… with fennel, grapefruit, anchovy butter with fronds of dill.

Pork cutlet… served on top of braised cabbage and featured an earthy charcutière finishing sauce.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

DINING / Louis, Hotel Realm, Barton

French focus is on exceptional THERE’S something special about a classic French bistro and Louis is no exception.

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The décor is elegant indoors and out, the ambiance “parfait” and the focus on intriguing wines and exceptional food is undeniable.

Louis, at the Hotel Realm, Barton, has a gorgeous, fully enclosed outdoor terrace with a central fireplace and a combination of lounge and small-table seating. We’ll be back soon to enjoy the bar menu, which begins with tasty snacks such as marinated green olives and toasted almonds ($12), an intriguing-sounding smoked eel, avruga and chickpea pancake ($10 each), the chicken liver parfait ($11 each) or a charcuterie plate ($22 or $35).

We dined indoors and went for the two-course, fixed-price spring menu ($65 each or $80 for three courses). Trust me, it’s great value for the size of each serve and the quality of every dish.

While it took a bit to attract someone to bring a menu, Louis quickly found its groove and we had a lovely lunch, starting with warm bread rolls and high-quality butter.

The grilled calamari was sensational and the combination of ingredients memorable. The

fennel, grapefruit and anchovy butter combo is brilliant, the fronds of dill on top added an aniselike flavour and the calamari was tender and not overly grilled, which would have detracted from the taste. It’s a wow-factor dish on all counts, including a stunning presentation.

My friend dived into the gnocchi and gorgonzola dish (V) which was rich enough, but not overly so. The gnocchi were perfect pillows of goodness and the sauce was smooth, sensational and not too strong. The pine nuts added texture and the raisin a welcome sweetness.

Second courses were equally impressive.

My pork cutlet was thick, juicy and perfectly cooked with a touch of pink. It was served on top of braised cabbage and featured a flavoursome and earthy charcutière finishing sauce, which I adored.

The John Dory, also cooked to perfection, arrived with a beautiful cauliflower cream and a well-executed grenobloise sauce (typically created with capers, lemon, parsley and, of

course, butter).

Additional sides range from $12 to $15.

Our mixed-leaf salad hit the spot with a white balsamic dressing and helped us cut through some of the richness. The French fries were thin and salty.

The extensive wine list features some “up there” wines. Our chenin blanc, which was incredible, was excellent value for $95.

Sadly, there was no room for desserts, although the strawberry and lime cheesecake sounded divine. We were presented with a lovely chocolate, a partnership between Louis and Loco for Cocoa (Melbourne).

Louis operates under culinary director Ben Willis, who won more hats than any other local chef for his restaurant Aubergine.

He now partners with Doma hotel group and has succeeded in bringing quality, well-executed European bistro food to the capital.

WINE / Nero d’Avola

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citynews.com.au 30 CityNews November 23-29, 2023

APOPHENIA is the phenomenon where individuals perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things.

It is also a term to describe a propensity to unreasonably seek definite patterns in random information.

This patterned happenstance is the start of my story about Nero d’Avola, a red wine grape that is vitally Italian, but grown in Australia since the late 1990s.

Its origin is Sicilian and it’s named after the town of Avola, which is located in the far south of Sicily: the name means the black grape of Avola.

Why did the Mafia cross the road? Forget about it!

It started at the tennis club where one of the women described her recent trip to Sicily where she remarked that wine from this varietal was available in supermarkets, was remarkably cheap but good drinking and she knew that it is the most widely planted grape for red wine production on the island as it thrives in the hot, dry climate. I don’t think she appreciated my statement that I thought I was Italian in a pasta-life.

Later that week, mate Tom and I stopped in to say hello to John Ings, of Canberra Wine and Spirit Merchants, on the way home from lunch in Civic. John offered us a range of Mallaluka wines

that had been on taste the night before, but which he kindly revisited.

I especially liked the Nero made by young winemaker Sam Leyshon, who has taken over the family’s vineyard in the Yass Valley. The Mallaluka label has become his own and the range of wines is interesting, with the Nero d’Avola my favourite: bold, yet smooth despite the varietal having a reputation for high tannin content.

The Mallaluka is medium bodied yet mouth filling. Even though it’s the 2022 vintage, it’s drinking well now but I’d reckon that this is a keeper with the structure allowing five or more years storage.

This is not a budget wine (as the woman from tennis would have me believe): I paid a nudge over $33 for the bottle. This is one to put away for a rainy Wednesday a few years from now.

The third occasion was at the recent Canberra and Region Wine Show trophy presentations where there were an overwhelming number of good local wines on taste.

Here there were three local Neros on taste. The best two were the Tumblong Hills Table of Plenty 2022, which won a bronze medal, and the Eden Road 2023 Gundagai.

The Eden Road won top gold and was judged the best red wine of the show, a considerable feat given the quality on display. Eden Road is in Murrumbateman and is headed by Parisian-born Celine Rousseau as winemaker and manager.

The Gundagai-sourced fruit produces a wine that has depth despite its youth. It had a bouquet garni and vanilla nose with hints of raspberry, the fruit flavour that was also dominant on first taste.

The mix of vanilla and a savoury rather than an acid or fruit finish makes this an intriguing wine obviously exposed to oak and gratifying in its complexity. It is available for $35 from the winery and is good value at that price, a wine that would also benefit from storage for at least five years.

None of these events have anything to do with each other except that they reveal something about the events of my life in retirement. Put together though they led inexorably to me being required, by an almost supernatural force, to write about Nero d’Avola.

“I’ve never had paranoid delusions. Somebody told me I did, but I know they’re lying.” –Anon

citynews.com.au

HOROSCOPE Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

PUZZLES

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General knowledge crossword No. 908

November 27-December 3, 2023 ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Monday’s Full Moon is a good time for a brilliant light-bulb moment. You have the creative ideas and fiery passion to get an ambitious project off the ground. Now all you need is the patience and persistence to finish it. The Sun, Mercury and Mars are visiting fellow fire sign Sagittarius, which revs up your Ram motor. But Saturn sends a cautionary reminder: if you are too hasty, then you could find yourself in hot water. So slow down and pace yourself!

Changes afoot for some not-for-profits

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

The Full Moon urges you to shine a bright spotlight on financial matters and personal values. Do you need to let go of certain people, possessions or attitudes that have passed their used-by-date? With the Sun, Mercury and Mars also activating your money zone, be careful that your main form of entertainment isn’t shopping. Your bank balance (and budget) won’t appreciate a shop-till-you-drop kind of week. The weekend stars favour catching up with old friends.

If your organisation is a not-for-profit, has an ABN, is not registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and does not lodge a tax return, this information is for you.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Neptune squares your ruler Mercury on Monday, so you could easily become confused or side-tracked by the busyness and minutiae of daily life. The more you concentrate on the needs of others, the better the week will be. With the Sun, Mercury and Mars stimulating your relationship zone, you’re in a romantic and flirtatious frame of mind. So it’s the perfect time to pamper your partner. Unhappily single? Look for love with an amorous Aries or a sexy Sagittarian.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

You’re keen to daydream the hours away in your cosy Crab cave, as the Full Moon illuminates your solitude zone. But – as you retreat into your private world – make sure you can differentiate between fact and fantasy, otherwise you’ll end up in a confusing mess. A current project needs to pass the Practicality Test, so try to balance being idealistic with being realistic. And don’t make serious commitments unless you’re certain you can keep them.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

This week a long-cherished dream may need to be re-imagined and reworked so that it better suits your current situation. Rather than seeing it as a disappointing setback, clever Cats will perceive it as an exciting new challenge. You’re keen to communicate about a wide range of topics, as you share creative ideas with family and friends. But, with Neptune squaring Mercury, avoid spilling secrets or saying something that’s inappropriately ambiguous.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Even though you’re run off your feet at work, home is where the heart is as the Sun, Mercury and Mars move through your domestic zone. So it’s a good time to tackle DIY projects and communicate with family members in creative ways. Avoid sending mixed messages though, especially on Monday and Tuesday. On the weekend, the Mercury/Saturn link is wonderful for mental focus, problem solving, strategic thinking and long-term planning.

Down

1 Name an imaginary creature said to haunt billabongs and their like. (6) 7 Who formulated the theory of relativity? (8) 8 Name a renowned card game. (6) 9 Which term describes the art of prose? (8) 10 What is a place where instruction is given to children? (6) 11 Which word means private, secret, or confidential?

(8) 14 What do we call the male offspring of one’s daughter? (8) 18 Name a philosophical system developed by Laozi.

(6) 19 What is a deposit of sand, mud, etc, formed by flowing water? (8) 21 Which dish is served at dinner before the main course? (6) 22 Which term describes “relating to the beast fables”? (8) 23 Hollywood is known as which town? (6)

1 What often comes as something in surprise? (8) 2 Name the race of brutes in Gulliver’s Travels. (6) 3 To have no equal, is to be what? (8) 4 Name the joint between the thigh and the lower part of the leg. (4) 5 To be at leisure, or idle, is to be what? (6) 6 Name an atoll in the Marshall Islands. (6) 12 What is an unguent also known as? (8) 13 Name the English general, Puritan statesman, and lord protector of the Commonwealth, Oliver ... (8) 15 What was the dole once called? (6) 16 What is a nerve cell also known as? (6) 17 Which substance is used for making thread? (6) 20 Who was the Egyptian goddess of fertility and nature? (4)

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Librans love things to run efficiently and smoothly but (courtesy of the Full Moon, Neptune and Pluto) there’s unpredictable planetary energy about this week. So drop the perfectly-planned schedule and just take things as they come. Some possible scenarios? A relationship with a lover, relative, colleague or neighbour could veer off in a confusing direction. Or something you say, text or post on social media could receive a disappointing response.

Solution next edition

Across

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Sudoku hard No. 355

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Scorpios can have trouble trusting other people at the best of times and, this week, the Full Moon fires up your trust and intimacy zones. So a confidence could be broken, a loved one could let you down or an old resentment could resurface.

Also, if you don’t feel comfortable asking someone for help then don’t. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer Louisa May Alcott: “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

The Sun, Mercury and Mars are moving through your sign, which activates your spontaneous side. But avoid overcommitting and promising more than you can deliver. The weekend stars encourage you to tie up loose ends before you launch new ventures. The more energy and focus you put into current projects, the less confused you’ll feel. Make it a priority to communicate clearly, do your homework thoroughly and check all details before you proceed.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Monday’s Full Moon stimulates your wellbeing zone, so jump off the comfy couch and get moving! Nutritious meals are also on the celestial menu, as you take more interest in your health and more pride in your appearance. Are you worrying about something? If you have the confidence to listen to your wise inner voice, then it will point you in the right direction. Mercury moves into your sign on Friday, which boosts communication, creativity and concentration.

Disclaimer This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser. Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023 citynews.com.au

Solutions – November 16 edition Sudoku medium No. 355

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

This week you could feel confused or discouraged, especially when it comes to a family matter or a professional issue. But escaping into a fantasy world won’t make problems magically disappear. As the week progresses, do your best to banish procrastination and be a firm and focused Fish as you find creative solutions to current challenges. The distance between dreams and reality can be wide but, with patience and persistence, that gap will decrease.

Solution next edition

Crossword No. 907

Take a good look at your close friends and current peer group. Do they encourage you to be the quirky, avant-garde Aquarian you were born to be? Are they supporting your talents and championing your dreams? It’s also a good week to tackle a creative solo project, as the Full Moon energises your self-expression zone. Your mantra for the moment is from entertainer Bette Midler (who turns 78 on Friday): “Cherish forever what makes you unique.”

If your organisation is registered with ACNC, then ACNC administers your tax position and you lodge an annual statement with ACNC every year. The information below does not apply to you. Likewise, if your organisation lodges an annual income tax return, the information below does not apply to you, either.

The change – effective from July 1 2024 – means your organisation will have to lodge an annual self-review return with the ATO. The first one needs to be lodged between July 1 2024 and October 31 2024 if you lodge using ATO online services or there may be a later date if you use a registered tax agent.

There will be no financial questions on the form. If you do not lodge the form you may become ineligible for future income tax exemption.

The return will include questions similar to those in the self-review worksheet that currently exists. On the ATO website you'll find a worksheet titled “income tax status review worksheet for selfassessing non-profit organisations”.

You will need to complete a short questionnaire, currently it lists the name of your organisation, the ABN, the year and why you're completing the return.

Then you are asked if your organisation has a charitable purpose.

If you answer "yes", you'll need to be registered with ACNC. I recommend that you look at the questions carefully and go to the ACNC website if that's where you should be registered.

If your organisation is not a charity then you have to determine the category that your organisation belongs to. You will need to read the definitions very carefully.

The categories listed include organisations involved with community service, cultural, educational, employment, health, resource development and scientific. Sporting organisations are covered on a separate form.

Once you have indicated you're an exempt entity, you need to advise whether your organisation meets all the requirements for that type of exempt entity.

Again, this means a careful reading of the information on your type of tax-exempt organisation.

I often hear people say, "we are not-for-profit therefore we don't have to pay income tax". That is not correct; you have to fall within the above listed categories to be tax exempt.

To clarify if you are a not-for-profit you are automatically exempt on your member income, that is the income from your members, so member income and related expenses are income tax exempt.

If you are in receipt of sponsorship and you make a profit you could be taxable on that profit. If you earn interest in excess of $416 that could also be assessable, so please don’t assume that "not-for-profit" means not taxable.

There is a lot of information on the ATO website about this and for quick clarification that's the best place to look.

In some instances it is not clear, so I recommend you do your research now so that when July comes you can complete the form easily. As I understand it, in future years you will just need to confirm that the information held at the ATO is correct.

If you need assistance with your not-for-profit organisation or with completing the annual form please contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman and Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.

Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd 02 6295 2844

Unit 9, 71 Leichhardt Street, Kingston ABN 57 008 653 683

(Chartered accountant, SMSF specialist advisor and Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892)

info@gailfreeman.com.au | www.gailfreeman.com.au Follow us on Facebook @gailfreemanandco

Connect with me on Linkedin bit.ly/3bcXEZl

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