CityNews 240307

JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED’s budget deficit predictions are coming true

Well written, well read

Flapping politicians miss the key planning point

MICHAEL MOORE

Out came the kilts for the kirk’s big day NICHOLE OVERALL

Atomic Andy, the man of nuclear-level chutzpah KEEPING UP THE ACT

OUR PHYSIOS WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR HEALTH GOALS

KATHERINE McMAHON was born on the site of the National Museum of Australia. Now she’s its new director.

By Katarina LLOYD JONES

Across the world, a new commuter trend is emerging, known as the “bike bus”.

Aimed to increase safety and posi tive exercise habits among primary school children, the bike bus acts as a school bus would – following a des ignated (off-road) route, picking up students along the way and dropping them off at school.

Kate Bradney is a local mum who wanted to bring the concept to Lyne ham, so she, Paris Lord, Pedal Power board member, and some other par ents met at Tilley’s Cafe in Lyneham to hatch a plan.

“Paris, myself, my mum, and a few other volunteers from the school, we were a group called Walk Cycle Lyne ham,” says Kate.

“I met Paris about a year ago when he was running an adult bike bus through Lyneham.

“Together we kind of had the idea that this would be great for young people, for kids going to school.

“I guess one of the catalysts was that kids in Lyneham really love cycling, and we have a really strong bike culture.

“Lately it’s been getting more and more dangerous to ride to school

Arts & Entertainment 27-30

Crossword & Sudoku 31

Dining & Wine 30

Gardening 26

Keeping Up the ACT 13

Letters 14-15

News 3-15

Politics 4, 12

All aboard, kids: the ‘bike bus’ pedals off to school

Kate says the young girl practised all school holidays and is now able to

“We’re hoping to make like these lifelong riders for sustainable transport and all that,” says Kate.

“I’ve been really grateful that so many of our school networks have really supported and got behind this.

“I wasn’t sure when Paris and I hatched this idea whether we’d have community support and I kind of had

“And then people just kept coming

Kate’s eldest daughter Tildie Brad-

“It’s good for the environment, and it’s better than driving a car and stuff

Kate says they advertised the idea via their local network of parents, through the Lyneham Primary P&C and on their Walk Cycle Lyneham Facebook group.

On December 13, the bike bus went for its first ride, and Kate says it was an enormous success.

“It was just so joyful and peaceful and the kids had such a great time and

we had an incredible turnout in the first week,” she says.

“Around 40 people attended.

“We dropped kids to the preschool and then continued to school. They were buzzing when we arrived at school with music, in a gang of bikes and excitement. It was pretty spectacular.

“It just shows what good teamwork can be when you have a community who have all the social networks and then you have Paris who’s this expert on bike bus methodology.”

Alongside encouraging already competent cyclists, Kate says they have had children wanting to learn to ride specifically for Bike Bus.

For other kids that might be nervous, Tildie says: “I’ll be right there next to you if you ever need help or something like that.”

Eventually, Kate says she would love to expand the bike bus to run from Downer to Lyneham but there are a few infrastructure hurdles that they would need to consider first.

Ph 02 6189 0777 Fax 02 6189 0778 9b/189

“Paris has been trying to get a bike bus movement going in Canberra for, I think, a fairly long time and he was just so blown away by the people that turned up.

One of her daughter’s friends from preschool had attended the Bike Bus in December on her scooter, says Kate, but when she saw all her friends on pushbikes she was determined to join

The Bike Bus meets on Wednesdays at the Hide and Seek café in North Lyneham at 8am for an 8.15am departure time. It arrives at Lyneham Primary School at 8.45am. Full route at canberrabybike.au/home/bikebus

Since 1993:

General manager: Tracey Avery, tracey@citynews.com.au

Senior

David Cusack, 0435 380656

Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001

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

Journalist: Katarina Lloyd Jones, katarina@citynews.com.au

Arts editor: Helen Musa, helen@citynews.com.au

Production manager: Janet Ewen

Graphic Designer: Mona Ismail

Distribution manager: Penny McCarroll

9. Photo: Peter Hislop.

by Ian Meikle, 9b/189 Flemington Road, Mitchell.

Lyneham bike bus organisers Kate Bradney (co-founder) and Paris Lord both wanted to bring a Bike Bus to life. Photo: Katarina Lloyd Jones

The bike bus threads its way to school.

Photo: supplied

Flapping politicians miss the key planning point

The expansion of the Molonglo Valley has the three political parties in the Assembly at each others’ throats. But they have all missed the most significant issue of all.

Planning Minister Chris Steel has used his (soon to be redundant) call-in powers to expedite development in the Molonglo Valley. At the same time, he has announced the intention of expanding housing targets in the area from around 55,000 dwellings to more than 70,000 by the year 2050.

The Greens attacked him for not being environmentally friendly enough. The use of call-in powers, according to Jo Clay and Rebecca Vassarotti, “was a slap in the face for Canberrans concerned about environmental protection” and then the usual naïve mantra “build more homes within our current footprint”.

Ms Vassarotti, is the government’s environment minister. She slammed the decision blatantly stating that she was not consulted on the matter. For his part, Mr Steel argues: “Planning for the commercial centre already includes provision of key infrastructure expected in a town centre, such as a college, library, community centre, transport interchange, a town park, and other recreational facilities”.

Verifying the lack of consulta-

tion that enraged the environment minister, Mr Steel added “the ACT government will also soon progress consultation work on a commu nity needs assessment for the whole Molonglo Valley district”.

The Molonglo Valley (although at the lower population projections) was part of the consultation on the recently released Territory Plan. However, failure to consult a fellow minister with such an important interest is certainly churlish.

For Mr Steel, the increase in population projections provides an opportunity to approach the National Capital Planning Authority to re-designate the Molonglo Valley from “group centre”

While the parties in government are either ignoring or attacking each other, the Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Planning, Peter Cain, bought into the melee.

He called for more transparency on the use of the call-in powers and argued “this is a clear sign that the planning minister has no faith in the new planning system to properly assess and approve major developments such as Stromlo Reach”.

He argues: “At current projections, the area could even surpass the population of the city centre and Woden Valley. That’s why it is time to reclassify the suburb of Molonglo to reflect the scale and status of this district”.

There is real potential for the same planning mistakes as Gungahlin. The current planners have ignored a key element of the Y-Plan – the plan that underpinned Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen town centres.

It is the presence of Commonwealth

There is real potential in Molonglo for the same planning mistakes as Gungahlin. The current planners have ignored a key element of the Y-Plan.

and other offices.

Having workplaces close to where people live improves productivity. It reduces time to get to work, reduces traffic congestion, reduces use of our urban infrastructure. Many will still move between town centres and commute to the city centre in Civic – but not all. It is illustrative to observe the traffic flow impact of school holidays. Even reducing traffic by 10 per cent makes a huge difference to traffic flow.

Part of the pressure for light rail from Gungahlin to Civic was the failure to provide appropriate incentives to departments and large companies to move to new city centres.

Granted, a huge confounding factor in the case of Gungahlin was the sale and retaining planning controls of the airport by the federal government. The Pialligo office development ought

to have taken place in Gungahlin.

The Greens’ policy of maintaining the current footprint will exacerbate inequity. Lack of land supply has already made it nigh on impossible for young families to purchase a home with a backyard. The current trajectory is that only the very wealthy, and those with a helping hand from their parents, will be able to afford a free-standing home.

Skyscraper apartment buildings remove more and more of the trees from our suburbs. They act as heat generators and wind tunnel facilitators. This hardly provides a healthier and more friendly environment than an appropriate mix of housing. A mix of dwellings provides a genuine choice for as many Canberrans as possible.

Planning issues have caused dissention from the very first days of self-government – and before that time. It ought not be surprising that the dissension is becoming feistier in an election year.

From left, Chris Steel, Rebecca Vassarotti and Peter Cain.

turns 150

It was a “kilt-wearing occasion” 150-years ago when the unadorned timber doors of the coppery-coloured stone church opened to all comers as a rather rare Presbyterian “kirk” in the Canberra region.

With its gothic features and a spire now shadowed by towering cypress “cemetery trees”, when St Stephen’s was welcomed by the community on March 8, 1874, it occupied a bare paddock at the edge of Queanbeyan’s primary centre.

Looking out to a substantial Town Park established at a similar time, it was the fourth in Queanbeyan itself, 30 years after the Anglicans’ first Christ Church beside the town’s river.

Pastor Robert McMullan, St Stephen’s newest minister, having arrived from Northern Ireland in September, 2022, says he was surprised to learn that while Presbyterians were some of the earliest Christians to arrive on the Limestone Plains, it was a battle to gain a foothold.

“It’s so interesting to hear that they were sparse in number and dedicated places of worship were few,” he says.

“In my small hometown, we had seven Presbyterian churches!”

The paucity was partly a reflection of simmering “religious tension”

reminded that while Robert Campbell of Duntroon was Presbyterian, his largesse had benefited the Anglican St John’s in Canberra (1844).

“Obviously, many of those involved in the early church in this area were not well off, so it was a significant achievement to raise funds,” says Pastor McMullan.

“It is inspiring to know that despite challenges, the community rallied to create churches at Lyneham (St Ninian’s) and Gundaroo from the mid-1860s.”

St John’s at Bungendore was added in 1876, demolished a decade later for the arrival of rail. And 60 years would pass before Canberra had the

imposing St Andrew’s cathedral, 2024 marking its 90th anniversary.

The existential struggle was in evidence at St Stephen’s inaugural ceremony: windows yet to be filled with stained glass were covered with calico, benches had to be borrowed from the courthouse and Methodist Church (1860), and the consecrated grounds were enclosed by a makeshift timber fence.

In another quirk for this kirk (Scottish for church), it was the local, long-serving Church of England rector, Alberto Soares – Parisian-trained artist and engineer – who designed the Presbyterian addition. Of the 35 ecclesiastical buildings he was involved with, it was unique for Soares.

Another of his works to open in the same year and an echo of this ecumenical effort, Carwoola’s St Thomas on

the Captains Flat Road – celebrating its 150th anniversary in November.

On St Stephen’s big day, 200 attendees packed the pews, those to address them including influential townsman, former Methodist minister and Queanbeyan Age editor, John Gale.

Most captivating for the audience though was the eloquent Rev Robert Steel, minister of the namesake of Queanbeyan’s church, St Stephen’s in Sydney.

In another moment of serendipity, it would be his handsome, dark-haired son, the Rev Robert Alexander Steel, who’d become involved.

“The Rev RA Steel was much

admired and spent 16 years ministering to the wider Queanbeyan area until the tragic death of his wife in 1897 from a heart disorder,” says Pastor McMullan.

Mother of seven, Amy Steel was buried in the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery (1846), her coffin plate specifically stating she was aged just 40 and three-quarters.

And there’s another lasting connection. James Barnet, NSW Colonial Architect (1862-1890), was responsible for the likes of Sydney’s architecturally splendid GPO and Rookwood cemetery’s gargoyled “receiving houses” of the dead. Unusually, in 1883 Barnet designed the adjoining residence (manse) of still small Queanbeyan’s newest church.

Although costing more than St Stephen’s itself, it was a labour of love – to be the family home of his eldest daughter, Amy.

Nichole Overall is a social historian and journalist.

She co-hosts the CityNews Sunday Roast program, 9am-noon, on 2CC.

A second opinion on hearing loss – you need professional advice, not a sales pitch

A woman came into my clinic for a consultation about her hearing aids, telling me her hearing aids were 4 years old and she had never found them to be of much help. She said the salesperson quoted her $14,000 for a pair of hearing aids, however, the monthly special of 20% discount meant they cost her $11,200. So, she ‘only’ paid $11,200 for hearing aids that did not help her. Sadly, I hear this all too often.

Here are some things to do to avoid this type of problem:

1. Visit your GP. If you or someone you know has a problem with their hearing, visiting your GP to check for wax in the ears, and to get advice is a starting point.

2. Qualifications. Always check the qualifications of the person you are dealing with. A person without professional qualifications has no business advising you about your hearing. They need to belong to a professional association with a Code of Conduct, so you know they are acting in your best interests, not their own.

years. If you are not sure about their advice, then seek a second opinion. The wrong hearing aids can be an expensive waste and could lead you to stop wearing them. You should always have a trial of hearing aids to ensure that they are right for you.

6 Pensioners and eligible DVA card holders often have entitlement to free services. If you are covered by a government concession, then let the clinician know (even though your clinician should ask). Eligible clients may obtain free hearing tests, consultations, and free hearing aids (referred to as fully subsidized hearing aids).

“A person without professional qualifications has no business advising you about your hearing. They need to belong to a professional association with a Code of Conduct, so you know they are acting in your best interests, not their own.”

– Dr Vass

These hearing aids are appropriate for many people, however if you have great difficulty hearing in background noise (for example a restaurant), then you may want to consider partially subsidized hearing aids. This is when the government pays a certain amount, and you pay for additional features and benefits. Your decision should be based on the following:

you are dealing with a qualified clinician, then they belong to a professional association. The best contact is an independent complaints body referred to as Ethics Review Committee. You can email ethics@auderc.org.au and view the website www.auderc.org.au. You can make an anonymous complaint and your complaint will be handled in a confidential and professional manner. If you are in the ACT, contact the ACT Human Rights Commission email human rights@act.gov au and the website www.hrc.act.gov.au

3. Independent advice. You should get independent, professional advice.

4. There are a wide range of hearing aids out there. Finding the right hearing aids for your communication needs can be challenging. Hearing aids vary in price and performance. Bluetooth® connectivity and rechargeable hearing aids are available on most hearing aids, along with apps that allow you to control your hearing aids from your mobile device. Be aware that just because a hearing aid is more expensive, that doesn’t mean they are the best hearing aid for you.

5. Just as hearing aids vary in performance, clinicians may also vary in performance due to training, experience, and skills. Make sure that you are comfortable and confident in their advice. You are likely to be with this clinician for the life of your new hearing aids, typically 4 to 5

(a) Can you afford the more expensive hearing aids? Don’t go into financial stress if you can’t afford them. (b) Are you clear on the free vs partially subsidized features & benefits? Never believe someone who tells you the free hearings are not good or of poor performance, this is simply not true. (c) If you try the partially subsidized hearing aids and are not happy, then return them. Do not keep hearing aids because you think the failure is yours or that you will improve over time. If the hearing aids are not working for you in the trial period, then they will not work for you in a year or two.

7. If you have a complaint, then seek help. Your clinician should be able to help you through most of your needs. Sometimes, a problem may be beyond the expertise of even the best clinician. However, if you have a complaint there are things you can do. If

THE GADFLY

How Jake’s going to change the face of cricket

Former Test batsman now cricket commentator, Mark Waugh recently declared that Canberra’s Manuka Oval has the best firstclass batting wicket in the world. He should know, since he’s played them all.

The wonderful irony is that the recent ODI game played there between the West Indies and Australia was the shortest ever. The visitors were skittled for a mere 86 runs in 30 overs while Australia passed that total in only seven overs.

But however stunning the result, it actually took second place to the arrival of an Aussie batsman – Jake Fraser-McGurk – who will soon lead the change to cricket in all its formats – T/20, ODI and even the five-day test matches with their venerable and beloved history, will be over in three.

When Fraser-McGurk wielded his flashing blade, the sound of leather on willow was unique – a joyous whack so powerful that you just knew the ball was loving every second of its perfect journey up and over the boundary. And the time is fast coming when, with McGurk in the team, surrounded by similar up-and-comers, Australia will be unbeatable.

Big claims, I know, but I’ve had a passion for the game ever since I was eight. That’s when I changed Sunday

schools from the Methodists to the Presbyterians because they had a Saturday morning team… and by the time I left Brisbane as a journalist for Canberra at 23 I was opening the batting for The Koalas (on my Sunday off) with partner Sam Trimble, the then Queensland cricket captain.

Today we already have the best captain in Pat Cummins heading the world’s best bowling attack. But Jake Fraser-McGurk’s innings against the West Indies – 41 off 18 balls – revealed a total game changer! The essence

of his batting is simplicity itself – a boundary (whether 4 or 6) from every ball that’s bowled to him.

Born in 2002, he’s been playing for his native Victoria in the age teams since he was in year seven. He made his first-class debut in 2019, scoring a half century. And in October 2023, he hit the fastest ODI century in history – off a mere 29 balls!

He’s not the first to make that mental and physical leap. That honour probably goes to Adam Gilchrist halfway through his Test

Saturday & Sunday 16-17 March

Quakka Pavilion at EPIC 10am - 5pm

$5

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s innings against the West Indies – 41 off 18 balls – revealed a total game changer! The essence of his batting is simplicity itself – a boundary from every ball that’s bowled to him.

career. Then came David Warner and the freakish Glenn Maxwell who with 201 not out in an ODI in November, dragged his side from 7-91 all the way to 291.

That trio might have led the way, but the Australian revolution is bigger than its early moving parts. A whole new approach to the game is cutting a swathe through teams at home and around the world. The crowds adore it, but it has divided the Australian team now in NZ into those marked yesterday and tomorrow.

Even Steve Smith, one of our all-time greats, is now surplus to requirements. The little-known Ian David will take his place. The elegant Test keeper, Alex Carey will be re -

placed by a revolutionary Josh Inglis. Manus Labuschagne, two years ago named the world’s best batsman, is too “slow” even to be considered. The happy-go-lucky Travis Head is on a knife edge between the two eras. The new revolutionaries just keep getting better.

Overseas, India’s young Yashasvi Jaiswal could rise to similar heights; and NZ’s Rachin Ravindra has possibilities. But South Africa and Pakistan are trapped in tradition and not even England’s swaggering Ben Stokes could be confident of adapting to the Australian revolution. The British colonials had their faults, but at least in 1788 they gave us cricket. Now here’s my prediction: before the decade is out, Australia’s revolution will return it, totally reborn.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Batter Jake Fraser-McGurk… the sound of leather on willow was unique – a joyous whack.

Photo: Cricket Australia

New director keeps her feet firmly in the galleries

By Helen MUSA

If it hadn’t been for Cyclone Tracy, Katherine McMahon would never have become director of the National Museum of Australia.

Her parents were happily living in Darwin when Tracy struck, forcing a move to Canberra, where Katherine was born at the old Royal Canberra Hospital on the very land where the National Museum now stands – she gestures to show me when we meet.

Her family were very much Darwin people, her grandfather having been a senior bureaucrat in the NT, but now she considers herself a true-blue Canberran, with her parents, two sisters, her brother and lots of nieces and nephews, living in the ACT, too.

Now at just 48, she lives with her 16-year-old daughter and two dogs, Frankie and Maggie, in Aranda, once the suburb of scholars from the ANU and the CSIRO.

Everything about McMahon speaks of Canberra.

She was schooled at the beautiful Giralang Public School, designed by the late architect Enrico Taglietti. She swears a passion for late 20th

century Canberra architecture and particularly that of “her” suburb, where she bought her first home. A netball player while studying at Lake Ginninderra College, she captained the ACT netball team and dabbled in touch football, all the while maintaining a keen interest in the arts and humanities.

After school, McMahon worked a day job while pursuing a degree in history, art history and curatorship at the ANU, developing a particular passion for the Renaissance.

Her degree, she says “gave me a

From 2002, she worked for 16 years at the Australian War Memorial, mostly under Steve Gower as director.

Gower believes the National Museum will benefit from the appointment, declaring himself delighted and thrilled, also praising her astuteness and the “calibre” of her personality.

“She came to us from the ACT government, initially into HR,” he tells me, “but we soon realised she had potential, and she was appointed as council secretary, which gave her a

view of the overrun of the memorial… then we had a vacancy in gallery development. She got the position and

McMahon says she came to the museum specifically to work with her

Her idea was to help support Trinca’s ambitions, helping to oversee initiatives such as the development of the Great Southern Land exhibition and a children’s play/discovery space, but soon found herself stepping up to administrative jobs, also looking after indigenous repatriation, and First

As well, McMahon looked after galleries and temporary exhibitions, which she loves, overseeing touring exhibitions such as Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters, now in Europe.

“So much goes on in museums,” she says. “My portfolio set me up to take a leadership role, as my job was to understand the collection.”

“One thing I love to do is be involved in the transformation of organisations. But it is the galleries that are always at the centre of a museum.”

A strong admirer of Trinca, she says: “Mat has built an incredible foundation for the museum, left it in a state of financial stability and this has allowed me to think across the five years of my contract. His role was very stabilising, especially during the pandemic… he made the public know

they could safely come here.”

Nonetheless, she says: “We are very different personalities. Mat is an historian and an academic. I would not define myself that way, but there is no doubt that we were complementary, I was able to help.

“My aim is to make the museum as attractive to the broadest audience ever.”

She says Discovering Ancient

Egypt [presently on show] brings a lot of value to Canberra, stressing the kudos related to the fact that the Rijksmuseum holds one of the greatest repositories of Egyptian material in the world.

McMahon is also forging a path to digital education.

“I’d like to think the teachers and students can look to museums for information on Australia’s defining moments, through our digital classroom,” she says.

As well, thanks to the financial stability bequeathed to her, she can offer employment to people working in arts and culture: “Our staff at the museum are incredibly loyal.I’ve had really great people working with me and people are very motivated to work in this place. Now I have the capacity to give them long-term employment.”

If this sounds like naked enthusiasm, it is.

“Every job I’ve ever had is the best job ever,” she says.

New director of the National Museum of Australia Katherine McMahon… “It is the galleries that are always at the centre of a museum.” Photo: Jason McCarthy

There’s a word for when words start morphing

“If one could only teach the English how to talk and the Irish how to listen, society would be quite civilised.” – Oscar Wilde

Moving on from Oscar Wilde, this week I’m going to examine some talking inconsistencies in English – including the natural morphing or switching of sounds, called “metathesis”.

An example is “Feb-you-wary” instead of “February”.

First though, I want to focus on some odd pronunciations and adaptations of written words, such as “St John” and why it’s sometimes pronounced “Sinjun”.

It’s a prime example of how English has assimilated and adapted foreign names over centuries. The name “St John” was originally French, deriving from the Old French form “Seint Johan”, which itself is a variant of the Latin name “Johannes”.

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought a significant influx of French influence, including linguistic changes. Over time, the pronunciation evolved in English, leading to the peculiar “Sinjun” pronunciation in English.

Another apparent oddity is the name “Siobhan”, pronounced “Shivawn”. The reason is that Siobhan is an Irish name and the “bh” in Irish is

pronounced as a “v” sound. An example of metathesis is the pronunciation of “Magdalen”, as in Magdalen College, Oxford.

I was embarrassed the first time I went to Oxford and asked the way to “Magdalen” College –one of the more than 30 colleges at Oxford University. I was soon told that Magdalen is pronounced “Maudlin”. “Magdalen” takes its name from the Greek “Magdala”, the name of the town on the Sea of Galilee from which Mary Magdalen originated. In the Middle Ages its pronunciation became anglicised to “Maudlin”.

Metathesis is not uncommon in the evolution of languages, and has contributed to many changes in the English language. For instance, the word “bird” was originally “brid” in Old English, but the “r” and “i” switched places over time.

downturn in moral standards.

Socrates’s views on morality are just as relevant today as they were in his day. In ancient Greece (469-399 BC), he

One day, an acquaintance strode up to him excitedly and said: “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about

pass a little test. It’s called the triple “Triple filter?” asked the acquaint-

Diogenes, take a moment to filter what

“So,” Socrates said. “You want to tell me something about Diogenes that is not good – and you’re not certain it’s true?”

The man wilted, somewhat embarrassed. Socrates continued: “You may still pass the test though, because there’s a third filter, the filter of usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful?

“No, not really.”

“Well,” said Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is not true, good or useful, why tell me at all?”

The man walked off, bewildered and ashamed.

You can see now why Socrates was regarded as a great philosopher and held in such high esteem. It also explains why no one ever told Socrates about his wife’s infidelity.

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist.

“No,” the man said. “Actually, I heard it from someone else.”

Another example of metathesis is the English word “thrill”, which was “thyrlian” in Old English and “thirlen” in Middle English. By the late 16th century, native English speakers had changed the placement of the “r” to form “thrill”.

Sometimes words have become

abbreviated. “Ask” was once “ascian” in Old English, but the ending got dropped, resulting in the modern pronunciation.

There’s a lot more to be said about words and I will continue about them in my next Whimsy, but I wanted to close this time on a moralistic note given Donald Trump’s well-known moral flexibility and the global

“All right,” said Socrates, “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second filter, the filter of goodness

“Is what you are about to tell me about, Diogenes, something good?” “No, quite the contrary...”

A Socrates bust carved by Victor Wager from a model by Paul Montford. Photo: Greg O’Beirne/ University of Western Australia

OUR BEAUTIFUL TERRITORY / Tidbinbilla

Someone’s got to go and collect the crickets…

NOEL BEDDOE continues his occasional series reminding us why Canberra is the most beautiful place to live… this time he visits Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

“One of our great threats is bushfire. The last bad ones destroyed vegetation across about 20 per cent of the reserve on our south east slopes.

“With ground cover removed, flooding rains carried sediment and debris down the mountain with them. It damaged roads and took out great sections of fencing. You can imagine the crisis.

“Getting the fences repaired was a job for all hands on deck, it didn’t matter what your designated job was.”

The speaker: Alison Mungoven, senior ranger for the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

The fences are tall, heavy wire erected over some kilometres of three sanctuaries to protect the threatened species that live within.

“While the fences were broken our endangered species had no protection from feral predators; it was an urgent matter,” she said.

The permanent staff at Tidbinbilla numbers 14 across three divisions. Nearly all are university graduates

in the field of environmental studies and they come to work at the southern reserve from as far away as Ainslie and Belconnen, a round trip of more than an hour and a half a day.

I imagined them struggling in cold rain, wind, mud doing heavy, dangerous work. Why do they do it?

I was talking with Alison seated at a picnic table in one of Tiidbinbilla’s meadows; there’d been rain and wind was blowing masses of cloud down from mountains to the west. Meadow grasses and gum tree leaves sparkled with water. A juvenile grey kangaroo hopped up close to take a look at what we were doing.

reserve was proclaimed by government gazette in its current form in 1971; it now covers an area of more than 54 square kilometres and is home to at least eight species of native animals, including the endangered brush-tailed rock wallaby, platypus, koalas and corroboree frog.

Not all of the work is dramatic or exciting.

“Sometimes someone has to go to the post office to collect the live crickets,” Alison said.

It took me a while to process that information.

“The corroboree frogs eat live crickets. We can’t harvest them here. We have to buy them, and they are sent to the post office for collection,” she said.

after a walk of about three kilometres from the reserve’s main parking area.

How can visitors help Tidbinbilla?

Alison: “One of the most difficult tasks relates to invasive species. We spend about $200,000 a year on weed eradication. Beyond question some foreign seeds get carried in on vehicles and on the shoes of visitors.

“If you’re coming, it would be a great help to us if you could hose down your vehicles of any mud that might carry seeds and check shoes and other equipment.”

Alison nodded at the vista around us.

“This,” she said, “is not a bad office to work in.

“I love watching how the seasons change the country. The seasons dictate the nature of the work – spring is weed work, summer bushfire duty. In winter inevitably we get a few search and rescues.

“I love how varied the work is.” Tidbinbilla has two tasks – to hold a perfect forever the trees, bushes, foliage, wildlife, grasses exactly as they were for thousands of years before European settlement, and to protect and develop several endangered species that live within its boundaries.

The need for a reserve first was suggested probably in 1910. Land purchase began in the 1930s.The

The area is one of significance to the Territory’s indigenous population. In her seminal work The Moth Hunters, author Josephine Flood speculated that the name “Tidbinbilla” derived from a Ngunnawal expression “jedbinbilla”; translating is a chancy business because of the cultural significance that gets left behind, but a fair attempt is generally held to be “the place where boys become men”.

The area, it appears, was a place of male initiation to the Ngunnawal; probably a site for the ceremonies was the Bririgai rock shelter, an impressive formation that can be viewed

Other tips if visiting: there are no local sources of petrol so be sure that you have a full tank before setting out; currently there is no reception area or shop, so everything you want to consume, including water, will have to be brought with you; Tidbinbilla has no rubbish bins – whatever you bring in must be carried out; it might be a good idea to include a garbage bag if you intend to have a barbeque of picnic.

It’s ours. Enjoy.

Canberra author Noel Beddoe’s has been published in “The Australian” and “The Sydney Morning Herald”. Three of his novels have been nominated for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. He is grateful for the assistance of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate media unit in facilitating this report.

Koalas at Tidbinbilla. Photo: Vivienne Beddoe

Blowouts, crippling interest, is no-one listening?

“Interest costs are increasing at the staggering rate of 19.7 per cent a year. The government’s debt management strategy (if there is one) is not working”.

JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED’s deficit predictions for the ACT are coming true.

The recently released 2023-24 Budget Review has reported a $340 million blowout in the deficit.

In a series of articles late last year on the 2023-24 budget we predicted just such a blowout. It does not, therefore, come as a surprise.

The Budget Review also adds $164.4 million to the interest costs over the budget and forward estimates. Interest costs are now forecast to reach $684.4 million in 2026-27, which is 7.5 per cent of total expenditure.

Table 1 provides the changes in interest costs and their share of expenditure from the 2023-24 original budget to the Budget Review.

The increase in interest costs, which are presumably a consequence of the recent downgrading of the ACT’s credit rating, reflects an increase in the cost of borrowing on future bonds (to repay the maturing debt, as well as for new debt) from 4.45 per cent to 4.90 per cent.

Interest costs are increasing at the staggering rate of 19.7 per cent per annum. Tables 2 and 3 highlight that the government’s debt management strategy (if there is one) is not working.

Table 2 provides the changes in Net Debt and the Net Debt to Revenue Ratio from the 2023-24 original budget to the Budget Review.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr reportedly expects the decrease in payroll tax to be recognised by the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) as a decrease in fiscal capacity and that the territory will, accordingly, be compensated through the GST distribution.

The CGC assessments of fiscal capacity take into account the relative changes in all jurisdictions and we, like all fair-minded Canberrans, would nevertheless hope for a successful outcome in this regard.

We are also conscious, following the unrelenting bashing that Scott Morrison received from the Labor

and Green Parties for his alleged pork barrelling of Liberal Party electorates, that Anthony Albanese will be loath to bail the ACT government out of the massive financial hole that his Labor and Green colleagues have knowingly dug themselves into.

However, the chief minister’s problem is not the revenue side of the budget, as in fact, the ACT is already the highest taxing jurisdiction in Australia. The real problem is the runaway expenditure, and quality of that spending.

We continue to be surprised by the ambiguous reporting of these issues in local media, and consequently, the misinformed discussion this generates.

To be fair, the reporting is mainly based on government media statements, including claims, for example, that the blowout was due to a shortfall in payroll tax collections, caused by the Commonwealth Government’s decision to reduce expenditure on consultants, and a decrease in GST payments resulting from lower consumer spending.

There was even a cursory, if brazen, reference to an increase in expenditure on new health initiatives. None of these claims are deserving of serious consideration.

Table 3 summarises the aggregate revenue, expenditure and Net Operating Balance in the ACT 2023-24 Budget and the Budget Review. It also details the changes from the original budget.

For the current year (2023-24), of the total increase in the deficit of $358 million, a decrease in revenue is forecast to contribute $189 million (53 per cent) while an increase in expenditure is forecast to contribute $169 million (47 per cent).

Across the four-year budget estimates, which the government is required to produce and update under the Financial Management Act 1996 , revenue is forecast to decrease, in total, by $99 million with an increase now incorporated in the last two years that in large part compensates for the decrease in the first two years.

Over this period, the Budget Review predicts an additional $620 million in expenditure.

The total deficit, across the estimates period in the 2023-24 Budget, is forecast to be $1.231 billion, which has increased to $1.950 billion with the revenue decrease contributing only 14 per cent and expenditure increase contributing 86 per cent to the increase in deficit.

The budget remains in deficit in all four years of the cycle, and is forecast to increase by $719 million over the budget estimates period.

In the analysis above we have applied the nationally agreed standard for measuring the operating budget re -

sult rather than the ACT government’s preferred measure which, unlike every other government in Australia, includes gains on superannuation investments and hence delivers a Clayton’s surplus in the last two years.

In our commentary on the 2023-24 budget, we questioned the miraculous turnaround of $600 million in just two years. That turnaround is irrespective of which bottom line measure is used.

The Budget Review estimates now show an improvement of more than $850 million in the operating budget from 2023-24 to 2025-26. Budget adjustments of such magnitude – in the order of 10 per cent – are rare and quite obviously, cannot be achieved without significant pain.

The government will need, regardless of cost-of-living pressures, to take an axe to services and expenditure, or impose an even greater tax burden or in all likelihood, both.

The revenue trajectory is now forecast to grow at an annual average of 5.7 per cent compared to the

original budget growth of 5.4 per cent.

This is well above the growth rate of the economy.

However, the trajectory of expenditure still remains flat although increasing from 2.9 per cent per annum in the original budget to 3.4 per cent in the Budget Review. This is well below the “natural” growth rate of the budget under existing policy settings on service delivery.

We have previously analysed the variance between the forecast budget growth and the actual growth in expenditure, and concluded that over the last decade, the variance has averaged 2.7 per cent (How this high-tax ACT government can’t stop spending | Canberra CityNews).

We have also observed that “based on the 10 years of actual results against the budget forecasts, the estimate in the current budget spend, of $9.021 billion for 2026-27 [in the 2023-24 budget] is almost certainly understated and, in reality, will be in the order of $9.6 billion”.

The Budget Review has increased the 2026-27 spending to $9.2 billion, and it can be taken as a given that spending growth will not be contained at the level currently forecast.

The forecast increase in expenditure and the resultant deficits will inevitably need to be funded by further borrowings. Net debt is forecast to increase by more than $1 billion.

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

2023-24 Budget Paper No. 3 and 2023-24 Budget Review. Notes: A (+)ve sign indicates an increase and a (-)ve sign indicates a decrease in revenue and/or expenditure. Growth rates are from the base of 2022-23 Audited Outcome.

Table 3: Changes in Revenue, Expenditure and Net Operating Balance

Table 2: Changes in Net Debt and Net Debt to Revenue Ratio

Table 1: Changes in Interest Costs and Interest Cost to Expenditure Ratio

Source:

Source: 2023-24 Budget Paper No. 3 and 2023-24 Budget Review.

Source: 2023-24 Budget Paper No. 3 and 2023-24 Budget Review.

Atomic Andy, the man of nuclear-level chutzpah

Awards season is upon us once again, so KEEPING UP THE ACT has gowned-up to look at this year’s winners of the ACT-cademy Awards…

Worst Vision, Worst Actor, Worst Director Wisenheimer by Andrew Barr

True to his dictionary definition of being “a person who behaves in an irritatingly smug and arrogant fashion”, Wisenheimer has once again shown us that Andrew Barr is the man to beat when it comes to nuclearlevel chutzpah.

From promising us his seventh stadium to arguing that deficits were surpluses, Mr Barr audaciously suspends disbelief in this epic tale of Canberra bombs.

The level of Mr Barr’s devastation is truly sobering as he lays waste to hospitals, schools, the police, prisons and the justice system. “I am tram, destroyer of buses!” says Atomic Andy at one point, in a fit of progressive rage.

Regrettably, not to be missed.

Runner-Up – Poor Things by all the rest of Canberra

It was good to see the ACT-cademy recognise the poor suffering citizens of Canberra in this year’s underdog film, Poor Things. However, while having the better narrative, Canberra’s Poor Things couldn’t possibly compete with

the plutonium bombast of Andrew Barr’s Wisenheimer and Barr-be.

Worst Foreign Director

Anatomy of a Fall by Zed Seselja and the Canberra Liberals

Since losing power in 2001, what has happened to the Canberra Liberals to see them so completely fall from grace?

Foreign director (some might say, interferer), Zed Seselja, blithely overlooks how a combination of conservatism and cack-handedness contributed to his party’s political descent.

“It’s because of same-sex marriage!” fumes the clueless, Zed.

Don’t miss the post-credits scene where an empty chair becomes the next leader in the depressing Liberal Cinematic Universe.

Best Visual Effects

Guardians of the Fantasy III by the ACT Greens

In the latest of this goofball series, Greens leader, Shane “Ratto” Rattenbury and his rag-tag team of virtue-signalling misfits, must, once again, defend Canberra from imaginary forces of evil.

The stunts in this latest chapter

promising us his seventh stadium to arguing that deficits were surpluses, Mr Barr audaciously

are next level. At one point, Shane holds a press conference to ban Israeli plasticised-coal from being used in straws, while, in the background, Summernat V8s let loose their petrol-dripping exhausts to shred Clark-loads of rubber!

But hypocrisy is raised to nail-biting levels in the finale, when Rebecca “The Wrecker” Vassarotti calls on the Guardians to save a poor bunnywunny on City Hill, while a large mob of kangaroos are ruthlessly mowed down in front of her. You’ll be Green

about the gills watching this stuff!

Runner-Up – Zones of No-Interest by the Labor/Green Noalition

Taking in huge swathes of Canberra outside of the inner-north, Zones of No-Interest follows on from last year’s Oscar-winner, All Quiet on the Southern Front.

Best Un-Sound Production

Wonky supported by the Labor/Green Noalition

“Come with me, you’ll be… in a

world of pure imagination…” So begins the stirring intro to this fanciful story of a magical rainbow-land in the middle of NSW that is ruled by the capricious candy-king, Andy “Wiley” Wonky, and his unhappy workforce of Glumpa Lumpas.

At first, the flashy Wonky appears to show warmth for the children in his care. But it’s not long before we see his sinister side, as he purrs with pleasure in punishing those who don’t adhere to his peculiar ways.

“A fat rate-rise for you, Augustus Gloop! A 40kp/h speeding fine for you, Violet Beauregarde! No affordable house for you, Verruca Salt!”

Best Animated Production

Mission Impossible: Red Reckoning by the Canberra Independents Battling incredible odds, the Canberra Independents are back in this race against time to overthrow a dictatorial regime ravaging Canberra. Featuring, Peter “Still Going” Strong, Thomas “Not the Light-bulb Guy” Emerson, and “Bellicose” Bill Stefaniak, this team of disgruntled daredevils recklessly throw themselves into the dangerous world of ACT politics where angels fear to tread, but plenty of fools rush in. Do they have policies? Nah. Do they have candidates? Nope. Do they have a rainbow slushie’s chance in Hell? Nuh-uh!

From

suspends disbelief in this epic tale of Canberra bombs.

The modern miracle that is the supermarket

On any day people in this country are able to access an enormous range of fresh and packaged foods from the thousands of supermarkets.

These companies source fresh fruit and vegetables from producers across our country and then rapidly transport these foods to shelves via a sophisticated logistics chain.

Similarly with meat and fish which can have a more complicated delivery path from paddock or sea to shelf. An enormous range of packed, frozen and tinned foods are always available.

The storage and logistics tools employed surely are a modern phenomenon and support and co-ordinate a large workforce meeting consumer demand on a daily basis.

This system enables shelves to be kept stocked and monitors consumer choices to update inventory to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers in a competitive market.

This has only been achieved through our free-market economy where individual choice and reward have produced prosperity and success. Centralised governments in all instances have been an abject failure in providing economic growth and efficient service and delivery systems.

I doubt any government could equal this performance for even one product, let alone the tens of thousands we are able to select from each day.

Cries of profit gouging are wrong with the net profit margin of Coles and Woolworths being 2.6 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.

Similarly, the claims of a duopoly are misplaced with Coles having 28 per cent of the market and Woolworths 37 per cent.

Malcolm Sherren, Stirling

Excessive profits and a lack of competition

The move to have the ACCC investigate price gouging was welcome, the recent Fels report highlights that excessive profits, coupled with a lack of competition, is responsible for aggravating the on-going cost-of-living crisis .

I believe the government should mandate that all items be priced on a “per kilo basis” to make price comparisons easier for shoppers.

Shoppers should shop around for genuine “ specials”, refuse to purchase ridiculously overpriced items and be wary of so-called “fresh foods” as in all probability they have been kept in cold storage for considerable periods of time.

Although some “rejected” perfectly usable food items have found their way to charity organisations, far too many end up in disposal bins, which is a disgraceful state of affairs when many people are struggling to make ends meet.

Mario Stivala, Belconnen

Read the auditor’s report, Caroline

The Australian Railways Association chief executive Caroline Wilkie claims that Light Rail Stage 2B will deliver wider economic, social and environmental benefits.

She obviously has not read what the ACT auditor-general said about these claims.

The sort of “urban renewal” referred to could occur just as easily with bus rapid transit or trackless trams.

The auditor-general drew attention to the wider economic benefits being unsubstantiated and unduly large. They may benefit developers who build apartment blocks along the route, but that does not help Canberrans to pay for the cost of the tram.

And far from Wilkie’s “Renaissance of Light Rail”, other jurisdictions such as NSW are getting cold feet about this expensive form of public transport.

Ryan Hemsley is reported to have alleged that the report 21st Century Public Transport Solutions for Canberra is a “mish-mash of mistruths and half-baked proposals”. This sort of unconstructive comment shows that the Public Transport Association is unable to offer any substantial input on Stage 2B.

John Bell, via email

E-cigarettes: well done, Minister Butler

Congratulations to federal Health Minister Mark Butler for his initiative in tightening

the laws on electronic cigarettes. It is correct and commendable that the federal government is taking this action. He has shown courage not necessarily displayed by some of his predecessors in standing up against Big Tobacco.

For years, the industry has boasted how they can water down any proposed legislation against the marketing of its products. Not so with this government.

Well done, Mark Butler. Hopefully the opposition will give full support in the interests of all Australians, especially children.

Dr Alan Shroot, President, Canberra ASH

Premier’s got his ‘mankini’ in a twist

I’m not surprised to see Queensland Premier Steven Miles getting his “mankini” in a twist because Brisbane didn’t win the relocation of the AIS from Canberra to Brisbane.

Canberra is an “awful place”, says the premier – a strangely childish and churlish jibe that you would expect to hear in a kindergarten stoush, but not from the premier of the second largest state In Australia.

Miles backed up his little anti-Canberra tanty, citing the weather and employment opportunities. Fact checking reveals that the ACT was the fastest growing economy in 2022-23, according to ABS Statistics. Both Canberra and Brisbane have almost the same annual average hours of sunshine per day, between seven and eight.

Who are the athletes that Miles talks to that would “prefer to be training in Queensland”? Names, dates and times please, Steven.

I would suggest the reason most athletics would prefer to train in Canberra, Steven, is because you are clearly a sore loser – and most self-respecting athletes hate a sore loser, eh!

Declan McGrath, via email

Best wishes to young Billy Bourchier

Thank you very much for the article on singer and Canberra boy Billy Bourchier (CN February 22). It is great to see young Canberrans doing so well.

I would add to his story by saying there is a bit missing prior to Marist School.

Bill was a regular attender at Hughes Baptist Church from a baby and began his solo performances there. He was a soloist in several of the outdoor carol concerts held at the primary school.

I also have a memory of singing “Good King Wenceslas” with Bill when he was about nine years old – he as the Page and me the King.

Bill also went right through Boys Brigade and was a leader amongst the other boys. He was baptised in the church.

Best wishes to Bill on his future, which I follow with interest.

Geoff Harding, Mawson

Is Mr Barr allergic to budget surpluses?

I am not at all surprised that our faithful and persistent Chief Minster-cum-Treasurer, Andrew Barr “has never recorded a budget surplus” (“Fact: Andrew Barr has never posted a surplus”, CN February 29).

One could be forgiven for concluding that Mr Barr is allergic to budget surpluses.

The Barr administration – or should that be autocracy? – has been too busy spending ratepayers’ money on an horrendously expensive but antiquated tram system, and trying to appease the developers, with whom he has allegedly become a little too familiar.

These developers are leaving a legacy of new suburbs devoid of the upper soil horizons on which most plants depend in their “infancy”.

Overly large houses are crammed into small allotments, leaving little or no room for trees, or even green space such as real lawn.

The last two comprise a surefire recipe for urban heat islands – the last thing a city needs is global heating advances relentlessly, enabled by a federal government that seems desperate to appease the fossil fuel industry.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Canberra’s just slip sliding away

At a gathering the other night I posed the question: “Is Canberra deteriorating and becoming third-rate?”

Unsurprisingly, the response was in the affirmative. No one appeared to rush to the city’s defence accusing me of being too hard, fussy or demanding.

There was just general acceptance we are slipping and may no longer be seen as a planned city of excellence. Is this the reality and absent from our masters’ radar?

Maybe along with ceasing marijuana growing in backyards, abandoning the decriminalising of drug usage and supply, ramping up responses to other fringe law and order issues, improving public housing, making land more affordable/available, vastly improving hospitals, schools, or developing

a modern, economically sensible electric rail-less technology transport system, and terminating all alternative lifestyle rainbow painting in the city.

What do the readers of CityNews think – fact or fantasy? I’d welcome your views.

John Lawrence via email

Peacock sightings go back to 1995

Letter writer Anita Lacey (CN February 29) disputes how long peafowl have been in Narrabundah, saying that “they were not in this area before the new millenium”. This isn’t right, sightings go back to at least early 1995. Geoffrey Dabb, of the Canberra Ornithologists’ Group, reported seeing one on March 15 1995 in that month’s issue of “Canberra Bird Notes”. This aligns with my recollection of when I first saw them.

Regardless of how long they’ve been around, many Narrabundah residents love the peafowl. An ACT government survey in 2018 found that 57 per cent of respondents wanted them kept and only 14 per cent wanted them removed.

Fintan O’Laighin, Narrabundah

Support the government? No. I didn’t!

G Hollands (CN letters, February 29) claims I support Labor/Greens credentials in my critique of the Canberra Liberals (CN letters, February 22). I did nothing of the sort. In fact, I concluded the letter by saying two independents I had contacted supported the ACT government’s very sensible policy of phasing out wood heaters.

Murray May, Cook

LETTERS / 2

Reduce bus and tram fares and make a profit!

A recent correspondent said that the bus and tram fares are subsidised at the rate of $10 per fare.

There is a simple way to reduce this subsidy to zero and even allow ACTION to make a profit.

How? Between 10am and 4pm, halve the fares or less.

Why? The aim of the exercise is to fill every seat at all times. If all the seats are filled and the fare is above marginal cost (this is an economist talking) the bus/trams will make a profit.

This is what airlines do. They attempt to fill all seats all the time. An unfilled seat is loss making. So they drop the price in a form of internet auction so that all seats are filled at all times.

While an auction system would not work for buses, it would be easy enough to drop fares outside peak hours so as to attract customers and fill these loss-making seats.

ACTION makes a profit at peak hours. It’s all these empty buses roaming around at off-peak hours that lose money, Reduce fares at off-peak to fill these seats – and make a profit!

Tim Walshaw, Watson

High time politics was cleaned up

Robert Macklin is right to highlight the problems with Australia’s political donation

laws (“The gaping hole that corrupts elections”, CN February 22).

While his focus is on the chequebook influence of the big four consulting groups, the existence of so-called “dark money” is equally disturbing.

Australia’s weak donation disclosure rules allow for the source of large swathes of money to be hidden from public view. A 2023 analysis of donations data in the 202122 FY by the Centre for Public Integrity, for example, revealed that almost one-quarter of total party income ($91 million) came

from undisclosed donations less than the $14,500 disclosure threshold. A federal inquiry last year recommended the Albanese government lower the disclosure threshold and require disclosures in real-time.

Much of the disclosed funding comes from the fossil fuel industry. For example, in the same financial year, coal-miner Adani gave $107,700 to the Liberal Party. But both major parties take big money from other mining giants such as Woodside and Santos.

The way these companies lobby the government is also inappropriate. When

tabling the Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill in November last year, Monique Ryan, independent member for Kooyong explained how the lobbying code of conduct meets only one of 10 key OECD principles. Eighty per cent of those who lobby Australian politicians are not even registered.

It’s high time Australian politics was cleaned up. For too long, those with the big money have had too much sway. With Clean Up Australia Day just around the corner, the timing of an announcement could not be better.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Victoria

Rising costs will keep electricity price high

Ray Peck (Letters, CN February 29) reminds us again that the wholesale price of electricity has fallen significantly since peaking in 2022.

He omits to say that it is still above the 2021 wholesale price and while one pundit has suggested there may be a small reduction in retail prices in July, the majority view is that the rising costs of energy transmission and retailing will keep the retail price high.

There is still much to prove about the AEMO Integrated System Plan to generate most of our electrical energy from wind and solar. Countries that generate more than 65 per cent of their electrical energy from renewables do so almost totally from hydro generation.

Our eastern grid covers one of the largest expanses of any integrated system, bringing higher transmission costs and greater vulnerability to weather events as the grid expands.

We are yet to see how investors will react as the renewable component grows and spot prices go negative for longer periods.

John L Smith, Farrer

When Australia will have come of age

My thanks to letter writer Ian Pilsner (CN, February 15). We appear, at long last, to be on the same tram.

He says: “When the country can accept the sacrifices and hard work of our early settlers, convicts, immigrants and indigenous people as one, then Australia will have finally come of age”.

As Noel Pearson said, our national heritage comprises three parts, “our ancient heritage, our British inheritance and our multicultural triumph”.

When we can bring the three parts together in genuine and lasting equity, as Ian says, Australia will have come of age. May it be soon.

Eric Hunter, Cook

Write to us

Celebrating ACT’s small business women leaders

Canberra is home to hundreds of female-run small businesses, whether it is mechanical services, renovation needs, or health and beauty, Canberran businesswomen have something for everyone.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, so to celebrate, “CityNews” spoke with some experts across Canberra who have tips, insights and advice to help women be their best selves.

Kim wants to help create dream homes For Raffy, it’s more than just mechanics

Kim Persson was in the renovation industry for more than seven years before deciding to start her own business, Renovation Matters, two and a half years ago.

“I’m probably one of the longest-running people doing this type of thing in Canberra, where I’ve been project managing it myself,” says Kim.

Kim says that while they do a lot of renovating for people planning on selling their home, they have started doing more renovations for those who are just seeking to refresh their space.

“If they ask for help with declut tering or cleaning or anything, they might need some rental assistance.

“We are happy to help with whatever they need help with, to help them move on and get a good outcome,” she says.

Renovation Matters offers a “fix up, profit and pay later” process that allows clients to pay for the renovations post-settlement, says Kim.

“It’s a win-win situation, with me being able to renovate, and have the possibility of funding it, then that helps them come out with more,” she says.

“Whatever situation they’re in, whether they’re in a good or a bad situation, every

little penny can help anyone.

“So it’s just helping them and also then providing a service where I’m prepared to help with whatever I can, and whatever needs they have.

“Nothing’s too big or too small.”

Renovation Matters, call 0427 696662 or visit renovationmatters.com.au

MAXIMISE YOUR PROFIT WHEN SELLING

NOW IS THE TIME…

Going to the mechanic can often be an intimidating task for women, says Raffy Sgroi, CEO, Car Mechanical Services, with many feeling like they are being talked down to and ripped-off.

But Car Mechanical Services have been breaking this mould, and Raffy says they have a good percentage of female clients, which she attributes to their commitment to honesty.

“They feel empowered about their choice, they feel there is an honest approach, there is not that looking down on you,” she says.

“All our technicians explain the work very well, with an honest approach so they don’t feel that ripped-off effect.”

Raffy’s commitment to breaking these industry stereotypes has seen her and the team receive numerous accolades, including the 2023 Australian Women’s Business Champion Award, 2023 Australian Small Business Champion Award Automotive Champion, 2021-2022 ACT Most Outstanding Canberra Automotive services and 2023 ACT Business of the Year.

designed to be for a boy, but there is no such thing.”

“We’re trying to be a pioneer in the industry and lift our game.”

On top of Car Mechanical Services’ regular auto repair work, Raffy has been running a work experience program that helps high school students to join the automotive

Car Mechanical Services, 82 Kalgoorlie Crescent, Fisher. Call 6162 4111 or visit carmechanicalservices.com.au

Charlie and Raffy Sgori.

Kim Persson of Renovation Matters.

‘There’s always someone saying you’re not capable of doing a job, trying to bring you down, but you just need to give it a go’

Champion Raffy rules and Charlie’s okay with that

RAFFY Sgroi, CEO of Car Mechanical Services, was named Trade Services Champion at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. She’s finding it a little surreal.

“It was not expected at all, I was up against so many incredible women,” she says.

“But it’s nice to know my efforts through work are reflecting well on what I want to achieve.”

The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards support and recognise small businesses owned by women across Australia. The awards seek to recognise the hard work that women business owners contribute to the local community in generating employment as well as their commitment to the Australian economy.

Car Mechanical Services was established 15 years ago in Fisher, but Raffy’s husband Charlie has been working in the industry for more than 42 years.

“We started Car Mechanical Services for ourselves, to give us a bit more control and freedom,” says Raffy.

“Our goal was to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

“I’ve had to push through challenges to set an example, and this award shows I’ve done it, and we are doing the right thing.

“What has been the most encouraging for me, in my success, is knowing that Charlie has given me his trust and support.”

She says Charlie has always been passionate about working on cars, and he’s really good at what he does.

“Charlie has worked in mechanics for more than 42 years, with three or four

years’ experience beforehand in helping his dad repair their tractor, and that is where his passion began,” she says.

“Charlie has trusted all my new ideas, and without his knowledge and guidance behind me I wouldn’t be where I am today, and Car Mechanical Services wouldn’t have the praise and reputation it currently holds.

“I am proud of Car Mechanical Services, proud of Charlie and proud of myself, for putting all this work into actioning change within the industry.”

Raffy says now they have a few young girls doing work experience with them.

“They are very driven girls, and have only been further motivated by seeing me in the workshop every day,” she says.

“Mechanics has often previously been known as a male-dominated industry, but

I’m here showing that women deserve a fair go.

“Especially with all the work health and safety rules now, women can lift or do anything men can.”

Next on her list of goals for the company, while continuing the path she’s begun, Raffy says she’s hoping to grow their work-experience opportunities to people who are neurodiverse.

“It’s part of growing our inclusive workplace,” she says.

“There is always someone telling you that you’re not capable of doing a job, trying to bring you down, but you just need to give it a go.

“If it turns out that you don’t like it, or you’re not good at it, that’s okay, at least you tried and you made the decision for

yourself rather than listening to other people, because you might just surprise yourself.”

Raffy says she is also passionate about making improvements for sustainability, and she is doing just that through Car Mechanical Services.

“The world is obviously moving towards electric vehicles pretty quickly, and we want to set a benchmark for the automotive industry,” she says.

“We have invested in electric vehicle repairs and servicing, and we have significantly reduced our single-use plastic consumption.”

Instead of the five-litre plastic tub generally used for engine oil, Raffy has introduced Car Mechanical Services to bulk buying their engine oil.

“Doing this has saved probably 70,000 bottles from landfill,” she says.

“We are going to implement anything possible to improve the sustainability of our business.

“I’m passionate about it because I know we can do so much more than just catering to electric vehicles to make a difference, and I think it’s our responsibility, for each and every one of us, to do our bit for the planet.

“If you tell someone to think of a car workshop, they will think black and dirty. I want to see, and I want other people to see more green, and even more pink would be welcome.”

Car Mechanical Services, call 6162 4111 or visit carmechanicalservices.com.au

The Car Mechanical Services team, from left, Francesco Sgori, Angus Gray, Raffy Sgori, David Beatty and Charlie Sgori… “I am proud of Car Mechanical Services, proud of Charlie and proud of myself,” says Raffy.

Winner… Raffy Sgori with her Trade Services Champion trophy.

value to the event.”

Ajitha says that $70,000 of the total funds was donated by philanthropist John Margerison, after he quintupled other donations.

“He wanted to give back to the Pacific Island community through a charity that puts donations to use directly in the community,” says Ajitha.

“I would like to thank Prerana Mehta and Shelby Higgs for building the relationships that have enabled us to start work in PNG, and Dr Geetha Isaac-Toua for organising the event.

“Without the efforts of these women, we would not be able to start our work in the Pacific Islands in May,” says Ajitha.

Ajitha says that Greg Wisbey, CEO of Wisbey Dental, will procure all the dental equipment.

“This is the first project of many in the Pacific Islands, and a 100 per cent of the donations will go towards future projects in the Pacific Island countries.

“All administrative costs are paid for by the Esesson board, to ensure that all donations are genuinely used to help the communities we serve.”

Ajitha says any donations over $2 to the Esesson Foundation is tax deductible.

“So if you want to join us in doing good, please do!” she says.

Esesson Foundation, esesson.org for more information.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU

Industry certified body contouring

Total Body Contouring has been established in Canberra for a few years, but new-owner Christy Christensen only recently took over.

“The community and customer base around the brand appealed to me, as we have so much to offer for the next phase of growth and service offerings,” she says, with 15 years of experience backing her up.

“Total Body Contouring is a place to redefine your silhouette. We help people achieve their goals from reduc ing cellulite and fatty tissue, assisting with muscle growth, through to lymphatic drainage, and facials that reduce acne scars.”

Christy says Total Body Contouring is about building body confidence without surgery.

“We give a personalised experience and journey, everyone is different,” she says.

“First, we set up a consultation to make sure you get the right specialisation for your needs and wants.

“With industry certification for all our services, your safety comes first.

“We give full transparency to everyone so there are no hidden extras or inflated prices.

“Currently we are offering fat freezing from only $320, and up to 50 per cent off some limited services booked

takes

- Ajitha Sugnanam, founder

“But, most of all, it’s the smile on our clients’ faces when they see the results for themselves,” she says.

Total Body Contouring, Shop 3/22 Franklin Street, Griffith. Call 6239 7347, or visit totalbodycontouring.com.au

Christy Christensen, right, with daughter Chloe.

Founder Ajitha Sugnanam, second left, with supporters at the Esesson Foundation’s recent fundraiser.

Canberra’s Most Trusted Non-Surgical Body Sculpting, Beauty and Health Clinic

Fat loss with Cooltech®

Cooltech, also known as fat freezing, is a popular, non-surgical treatment that makes it possible to reduce fat deposits by up to 25%. The applicator design gives you more than DOUBLE the treatment time and far exceeds the results of any of its competitors. The advantages of Cooltech are, among other things, that the treatment is very effective, almost painless and far more gentle on the body than, for example, surgery.

Our advanced CoolTech® technology uses controlled cooling to target and destroy only the fat cells. Fat reduction only occurs in the designated treatment area. After your fat freezing session, your body naturally starts eliminating dead fat cells, so all treated fat cells are removed for good.

The latest in Body Contouring and Pelvic Floor Treatment

ONDA With Coolwaves®

ONDA is an award winning and the world’s first and only body shaping device to use revolutionary new Coolwaves technology – and is set to change the way in which non-surgical body shaping procedures are delivered.

Cool waves bypass the uppermost layers of skin tissue, helping deliver more energy/heat directly to where it is needed: the subcutaneous fat cells. This new technology helps dramatically reduce the heating of the surface tissue by focusing heat in the subdermal fatty tissues, with 20% more heating of the fat than laser and RF fat reduction technologies while keeping the skin cooler and more comfortable. Additionally, ONDA Coolwaves has no consumables, no downtime, and offers faster treatment in fewer sessions. Not available elsewhere in ACT.

TESLAFormer Treatment builds both muscle in the areas you want and leads to burning fat as muscle forms. The TESLAFormer can contract muscles over 50,000 times within a session which is excellent for strengthening areas such as your abdomen, arms and pelvic floor. This makes the TESLAFormer one of the most powerful non-invasive treatments now available within Australia!

The TESLAChair offers the latest technology to battles incontinence and weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. It is an effective treatment for conditions that form after child birth, sexual dysfunction and pelvic/ lower back pain and stress making it a versatile machine capable of resolving multiple issues of the body. This treatment also enables better circulation within the targeted muscles which helps those with circulatory problems.

OPENING HOURS:

Tue – Fri 9:30am – 6:00pm

Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Shop 3/22 Franklin St, Griffith ACT 2603, Australia

info@totalbodycontouring.com.au

totalbodycontouring.com.au

So many ways to improve health and wellbeing

Everyone benefits from a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s improving strength from home, attending smallgroup personal training sessions or managing pain. There are many ways to improve someone’s health, and this week “CityNews” gets to know some of the health experts of the Canberra region.

New clinic, same team of trusted surgeons

Wakefield Garden Surgery in Ainslie has been providing surgery needs to the community for more than 50 years, and has recently expanded to a new clinic in Manuka.

“What we were finding was, where we are currently located, there’s only so much room,” says practice manager, Kristy Stanford.

“We’ve got such a good team of doctors and people wanting to do more hours that it was either try and rearrange where we are or start a second site.

“So it’s to help the need in the com munity for health care.”

The new site in Manuka is also a general practice surgery, but Kristy says that for the first six months they will have two skin specialists working out of their rooms as well.

Kristy herself has had a long history in healthcare, working in a general practice clinic in Cooma for 15 years before starting her role as the practice manager for Wakefield Gardens Surgery three years ago. She is now the practice manager for Ainslie and the new Manuka clinic.

“It’s a great, same service; same doctors, just on a wider scale,” she says.

The Surgery in Manuka Terrace. Shop 21-23 Manuka Terrace, 18 Flinders Way, Manuka. Call 6196 6700 or visit surgerymanukaterrace.com.au Practice manager

Pain support with a personal touch

Arthritis ACT offers a wide range of allied health services, including an occupational therapist, physi otherapist and exercise physiologist working out of both Pearce and Bruce, says CEO, Rebecca Davey.

“We also have a couple of registered nurses that have years of experience in working with people with chronic conditions of all de scription, and also have experience of the conditions,” she says.

“We also do a lot of education sessions, so we do talks that we mostly hold via Zoom so that people can join in whenever they can or from where they are, and they’re usually recorded.”

Alongside the education sessions, Rebecca says they have lots of written pamphlets and fact sheets so that patients can easily access reliable and thorough information on a number of conditions.

“We’re absolute experts in chronic pain, arthritis conditions and debilitating fatigue, things like ME/CFS and long covid. We intimately understand those conditions, not just because that’s what we work with every day, but because a very large chunk of our staff have lived experience with all the conditions,” says Rebecca.

“Especially if what you’re coming for is

NOW OPEN - THE SURGERY IN MANUKA TERRACE

From the same experienced and knowledgeable team as Wakefield Gardens Surgery in Ainslie, a general practice of 50+ years, comes The Surgery in Manuka Terrace

Offering the full range of general practice services, we have special interests in:

•

• Chronic disease management

• Skin checks

• Aged

•

www.surgerymanukaterrace.com.au

Kristy Stanford.

Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey.

MEET OUR PAIN MANAGEMENT EXPERTS

Linda Clee – Physiotherapist

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

Sophie Bullock – Exercise Physiologist

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

Emil Terbio – Exercise Physiotherapist

Physiotherapist Emil comes to us with a wealth of physiotherapy experience and knowledge from the public hospital system and also private practice. Emil works closely with our team of Exercise Physiologists on a coordinated approach to improving your pain and overall wellbeing. Emil has a special interest in neurology and improving the lives of people living with neurological conditions.

He’s also mad keen on soccer and will support you with all sports related injuries and injury prevention.

Sarah Solano – Exercise Physiologist

Sarah believes that exercise is the best medicine. She is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with her degree in exercise physiology and rehabilitation. Previously Sarah was a swim teacher, personal trainer and an allied health assistant in the hydrotherapy field

Blake Dean – Exercise Physiologist

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

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

Jacqui Couldrick – Physiotherapist

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

Holly Hazelwood – Exercise Physiologist

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

Jarrod Phillips – Exercise Physiologist

Jarrod is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who graduated from the University of Canberra in 2024. He has a passion for wanting to help those in need and aims to provide the best possible treatment and advice to each and every one of his clients.

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

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

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

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

“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

Denture experts embrace new technology

Fringe Dentures is a direct-to-thepublic denture clinic that helps with dentures plus mouthguards and other services such as denture cleaning.

“We’re embracing new technology to make sure we get the best service and quality of work, and a better customer experience,” says owner Terry McHugh.

“We’ve transitioned to digital denture and mouthguard manufactur ing, which has revolutionised our processes.

“We were doing high-quality work before, and we’re doing even higher quality work now because of the new technology that we’re using.”

Terry says that the business has expanded to include another clinic in Hawker, as well as expanding to other regional locations such as Jindabyne and Gundagai.

“We’re still servicing the industry through a lot of partner dentists,” says Terry. “And you can claim through your health funds.”

“The most important thing, and the most enjoyable thing is seeing happy customers walking out with their new dentures.

“Customer satisfaction is our reward.”

Fringe Dentures, 3/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick, 6/108 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 6239 2534 or visit fringedentures.com.au

Fringe Dentures owner Terry McHugh.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services is a culturally safe service that provides holistic care to indigenous women throughout Canberra and the surrounding region, says CEO Julie

“It is well documented that Aboriginal women die eight to 10 years younger than non-Aboriginal women and carry a higher burden of chronic disease at very young ages,” says Julie.

“It is important for women who are struggling to reach out to the Winnunga social health team or a Winnunga staff member to seek assistance. They should never feel ashamed as there is assistance available.”

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

On top of providing assistance with all of those issues, she says Winnunga can help secure access to covid testing and vaccination, child protection, court and Centrelink support and assist with the filling out of paperwork.

“Winnunga provides GPs, nurses, midwives, a drug and alcohol nurse, and a mental health nurse who are also able to be accessed in the Alexander Maconochie Centre,” she says.

“We also have allied health professionals in our clinic who the GPs can do internal referrals to. They include the social health team psychiatrist, psychologists, sessional dietitians, an audiologist, optometrist, physiotherapist and a podiatrist.”

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

WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS is an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal community of the ACT.

In Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means Strong Health. The service logo is the Corroboree Frog which is significant to Aboriginal people in the ACT.

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

Our services include:

• GP and Nursing

• Midwifery

• Immunisations

• Health Checks

• Men’s & Women’s Health

• Hearing Health

• Dental

• Physiotherapy

• Podiatry

• Dietician (Nutrition)

• Counselling

• Diabetes Clinic

• Quit Smoking Services / No More Boondah

• Needle Syringe Program

• Mental Health Support

• Healthy Weight Program

• Healthy Cooking Group

• Mums and Bubs Group / Child Health

• Optometry Service

• Psychology and Psychiatrist

• Community Events

• Groups

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

CLINIC hours | MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9am-5pm

Ph: 6284 6222 | 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah

www.winnunga.org.au

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for Winnunga Clients

Emma is a UK trained podiatrist

biomechanics,

been caring for the aches and pains, injuries, sprains

“We understand that at the beginning of a year, many people are keen to reclaim control of their health.

“To help people get started, we are happy to offer a $20 discount on initial consultations from now until

There are also three new additions to the Belconnen

“Zoe Zeuschner joined us late in 2023, Zoe has a long history of exercise prescription for health and

return to sport and improve their performance. She has particular interests in soccer and AFL.

“Matt Chan just joined our team. He has extensive experience helping people manage injuries from workplace trauma and strains, to sporting injuries at all levels.

“He prides himself on empowering people to look after themselves better.”

Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic, 1/20 Purdue Street Belconnen. Call 6251 3487 or visit belconnen.physio

nail

Falknor’s needling surgery.

Special Interests:

• Preventative and/or Post-Surgical Management of Biomechanical issues

• General Podiatry (Nails, Skin, Corns, Callus, Warts)

• Ingrown Toe-Nail Surgery

• Verruca Needling

• High-risk foot

• Diabetic foot checks

• Rheumatology

• Wound care (not including leg ulcers)

• Manual Therapies (Soft Tissue & amp; Joint Mobilisation)

• General Lower Limb Biomechanics, injury & Gait Analysis

• Orthotic Prescription, Design and Manufacture

Podiatrist Emma Readhead.

The team at Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic.

Help with managing hearing loss

For more than 35 years, the ACT Deafness Resource Centre has been advising Canberrans 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 to the centre. There’s no course you can do that will teach you that.”

Joe says the centre offers important educa tion, 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 communica tion 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.

ACT Deafness Resource Centre, 1b/27 Mulley Street, Holder. Call 6287 4393, or visit actdrc.org.au

Sleep apnea and snoring solutions

Orofacial myology is a non-invasive, cost effective treatment option for people with snoring and sleep apnea who may not be able to tolerate an oral appliance or CPAP machine, says Happy Faces Orofacial Myology owner, Jaimee Stakelum.

“Basically what we do is we aim to establish correct oral resting posture, to minimise vibrations of the soft tissues that cause so much noise when people snore, as well as to strengthen and sort of tone up all of those muscles as well,” she says.

“It’s available for anyone who has concerns about it.”

In particular, Jaimee says it can be a good solution for those who suffer from mild sleep apnea and are not recom mended a machine.

“It’s also a good option for children who’ve had their tonsils and adenoids removed, but they still breathe through their mouth and snore when they go to sleep,” says Jaimee.

“Research has shown that it also can improve outcomes from CPAP therapy and increase compliance to wearing a CPAP machine, so it’s even a sort of a complementary option for people who want to maximise their therapy.”

Jaimee says referrals are not necessary, with online bookings available.

“Or the old-fashioned way, and give me a call,” she says.

Happy Faces Orofacial Myology. Call 0472 775058 or visit happyfacesom.com.au

Good gracious, a grass tree

Grass tree – neither a grass nor a tree – is a spectacular native shrub that grows well in our region.

It has strikingly long thin leaves that grow from the trunk and is botanically most unusual.

It likes free draining soil and will benefit from being planted into a raised garden bed or pot. It’s fussy with being moved and minimal root disturbance is necessary in any successful transplant.

It can be put into the ground in its pot, but the base of the pot should be removed before planting and holes made in the side walls of the pot for the roots to grow through.

It can take many years to flower and its flower spike grows slowly, taking months to produce white nectar for insects and birds.

Despite originating in northern NSW and south-east Queensland, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii grows best in our region and is, fortunately, untroubled by frosts.

Another truly spectacular species is Xanthorrhoea glauca. Botanically, glaucus means blue and this striking plant is just.

Both species can be a stunning feature in any garden, but in buying a grass tree it’s important to ensure it comes with a government tag to prove its authenticity and not being sold as a plant stolen from the bush. They are drought hardy once they’re established and

the old, dead fronds (skirt) can be trimmed for neatness, but it does no harm to leave them on.

DWARF comfrey, a terrific hardy ground cover that survives well on its own once established, is flowering now.

It’s a small plant that grows to 30 centimetres tall, which makes it great for growing under eaves or as a garden border.

Its dainty, nodding bell-shaped flowers are the most striking blue and white. It needs full sun to flower and grow well.

Another familiar comfrey plant is the rapid growing Comfrey officinale. A much bigger plant, it has pink/purple flowers and can be used in many ways such as mulch, pollinator, fertiliser, compost activator and terrific for the chooks as well.

Comfrey officinale has an extensive root system that aids in mining minerals from lower in the soil. However, be wise as to where it’s planted; once there, it’s hard to get rid of.

A comfrey fertiliser tea can be made by steeping a hessian bag of leaves in a large drum or bucket of water with the lid on and giving it a weekly stir.

When it’s on the nose, you know it’s working. After the leaves are unrecognisable in the bag, it can be strained and the remaining liquid bottled and used with 10 parts water, one part comfrey juice to make a weak tea, which can be applied to all plants over the foliage in the cool of the day.

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• Get composting bays ready for autumn leaves.

• Last of winter vegetables go into the ground.

• Plant herbs before the cold weather.

• Prune abelias and any summer- flowering shrubs.

The Xanthorrhoea johnsonii grass tree grows best in our region and is untroubled by frosts. Photos: Jackie Warburton

Dwarf comfrey… a terrific hardy ground cover that survives well on its own once established.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Women who seriously like to make people laugh

By Helen MUSA

Standing up to make people laugh in public is a serious matter, but two Canberra mums have taken on the task with considerable success and will be showing off their comic skills during the coming Canberra Comedy Festival.

Together they will perform a show called Before and After, which is all about life, love and menopause.

I caught up with Caitlin Maggs and Sarah Stewart at their favourite pub on the Kingston Foreshore for a chat about laughter.

Both are wives and mothers. Stewart, proudly in her 60s, has kids in their 30s and Maggs, in her 30s, has a six-year-old, Sadie.

There the similarity ends, for Maggs is also an electrician and successful boss-woman, while Stewart, who likes to think of herself as “a little bit crazy”, is a public servant in the nursing sector with a midwifery background. Their respective professions make downtime TV-watching a problem, with Call The Midwife eliciting cries of “oh, no, you shouldn’t do that” from Stewart, and Maggs

heart. There were electricians in the family, so I did a pre-apprenticeship in 2007 – not exciting being able to work at last and earn attention?’ But now there are girls in every

Crime in a world where social media reigns ANNA CREER

the 2021 National Grand Final Raw Comedy competition.

Stewart says: “I always wanted to be an actress, but no, I became a midwife.”

Then her daughter, sensing her mum’s innate comic skills, bought her an online comedy course during the covid period.

“I was able to practice my comedy online, so I was very grateful,” she says.

Comedy is hard work, Maggs says. “Only 20 per cent of comedians are women.”

forced to do sewing and a lot of boys doing

“The apprenticeship was the hardest four years of my life,” Maggs says. “I had to deal with sexual harassment and ask myself: ‘Do I just suck it up?’ – such a strange choice to

“I’ve always been a bit of a larrikin,” Maggs says, but she actually started doing open-mic partner was working on wind farms around Ballarat, thinking, “no one is going to know.”

Comedy, won the heats here in Canberra and then did six shows in Melbourne in front of 1000 people – mum, dad, my daughter and

She’s too modest. She was the winner of

Neither has ever dried up on stage. Stewart even has a trick joke about dementia, which she keeps up her sleeve, and she never forgets that line.

The pair met while performing with a group of comedians in a show at Tumut two years ago and when Stewart decided to create a show for the 2024 Comedy Festival and needed to find someone she’d get on with, Maggs was free.

They work separately within the show, but their themes are similar – mothers and families, and their audiences are women.

“We complement each other… Caitlin’s got a lot of fans and I’m hanging on her coat-tails,” Stewart says, but Maggs believes Stewart is the brains behind the act, saying: “She’s the driving force”.

“I don’t have little kids,” Stewart says. “But Caitlin has this amazing network. It’s all about coming together.”

Before and After, The Street Theatre, March 16.

Crime in a world where social media reigns

Dervla McTiernan gave up her career as a lawyer in Ireland, moved to Australia and decided she wanted to be a crime writer.

She has published four critically acclaimed crime novels all set in her native Galway.

However, in her first standalone novel, The Murder Rule (2022), McTiernan moved to an American setting, drawing on her memories of working as a law student in Maine, which she claims are “among my brightest and most tightly held”.

What Happened to Nina?, her latest novel, is set in rural Vermont and explores the devastating impact of a missing daughter on two families, while highlighting the power of social media to distract and misinform.

Nina Fraser and Simon Jordan have been a couple since high school but attending different universities has led to separation and tension.

They decide to go away together for a week of trekking and climbing, staying at Simon’s parents’ holiday house, but only Simon returns.

He tells his parents that, as a result of a quarrel, he had returned home and Nina was going to Boston to visit friends.

When Nina doesn’t make contact, her distraught parents, Leanne and Andy Fraser, report her missing to police.

In a desperate plea to the public for information, Leanne demands the Jordans

allow the police to search the grounds of their holiday house.

The wealthy Jordans decide to hire a PR firm, who specialise in reputation management, to protect their son from gossip and innuendo.

They start an online campaign against Nina’s parents, planting seeds of suspicion about unsavoury behaviour to distract media attention away from Simon.

Rory Jordan tells his wife: “What matters is that we keep muddying the waters. What we want is a lot of confusion, we want people to feel like there’s more going on here than meets the eye.”

As a result public sympathy shifts, as conspiracy theories grow and the Frasers’ life becomes a nightmare.

What Happened to Nina? is a disturbing exploration of crime and punishment in a world dominated by the power of social media, culminating in a shocking resolution.

EVEN more disturbing is The Prey by Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir, who said she started writing crime novels in 2005 to release her “darker side”.

Her detectives investigate bizarre crimes often involving horrific supernatural elements in life-threatening locations. As

novel explores the devastating impact of a missing daughter while highlighting the power of social media to distract and misinform.

a result, her novels are a unique blend of crime fiction with a horror twist. The Prey is no exception. In mid-December, members of the Hornafjordur Search and Rescue team are searching for four Icelanders missing in the National Park near Hofn.

Although it’s not unusual for tourists to go missing, it’s rare that Icelanders would

choose to trek in the wild at this time of the year.

When Johanna and her partner investigate one of the huts in the area, they discover a woman’s body frozen under the snow. There is no sign of her companions but Johanna feels the presence of something following them across the snow.

At the same time, Hjorvar working lone shifts at the nearby Stokknes radar station is plagued by a child’s voice on the phone asking to be let in.

his contribution to film. However, he claims in his acknowledgements: “I’ve always enjoyed reading thrillers and had the idea of writing one of my own for years – so I’m glad that life has finally allowed me the time to do it.”

Caine has used a true story about uranium being found by workmen on an East End dump as the basis of Deadly Game, but he’s based his heroic DCI Harry Taylor on his younger self, or at least the characters his younger self portrayed on film.

In flashbacks, Sigurdardottir reveals the horror that the two couples encountered on their trek across the snow, in an atmospheric, complex and totally chilling exploration of encountering the unknown.

AND for something completely different there’s Sir Michael Caine’s debut thriller, Deadly Game.

Caine has starred in over a hundred films and was knighted in 2000 in recognition of

In Caine’s thriller, the uranium is stolen from the dump in a violent robbery and then it’s a race against time to discover which major criminal organisation was responsible.

You’ll either shake your head in disbelief or enjoy the rollercoaster ride of Taylor and his team saving the world.

ARTS IN THE CITY Stunts step into the spotlight

Stunt Double is an action-packed dance-theatre work by physical theatre collaborators, The Farm. Set against the backdrop of genre classics such as Wake in Fright and BMX Bandits, the show, co-commis sioned by Canberra Theatre Centre, transforms a section of the audience into extras and stagehands. The Playhouse, March 14-16.

Helios, winner of Summerhall’s Lustrum Award at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, transplants a story about the son of the Greek sungod into a modern-day myth set in rural and urban England. Written and narrated by Alexander Wright with music by Phil Grainger, it shows a teenager on a road trip in a stolen car, or maybe it’s a chariot. Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, March 23.

join the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for Symphony in the Park on March 10 as a highlight of the Enlighten Festival.

Canberra’s Greek-jazz fusion band Kavos launches its second album, Athina, inspired by Athenian locations. At Smith’s Alternative, March 14.

14-16.

purports to have audience members in attendance for his own funeral and eulogy, led by clergyman Pastor Fastor. There’ll be dancing and smoke and videos but likely no tears at this send-off. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, March 16.

Materiality… But Not As We Know

The 2024 Canberra Comedy Festival plans to keep Canberrans laughing from March 13 to March 24. Highlights include the return of Jimeoin, a new show from Wil Anderson and the return of Sh!tfaced Shakespeare performing The Scottish Play.

It, features 10 Australian artists with close connections to Canberra. All their work sits in between sculpture and design in a fusion of art making with functional objects. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until October 20.

The four musicians of the Hoodoo Gurus will

Eulogiser Bunny is a new Q The Locals show by Kamilaroi comedian and 2022 Deadly Funny finalist, Cameron Ribbons. It’s a ridiculous 60-minute show in which he

Canberra Bach Ensemble’s 300thanniversary performance of Bach’s St John Passion BWV 245 will be at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka, March 16-17.

Stunt Double… Canberra Theatre March

Peering deep inside the racing heart of Formula 1

The mark of any great doco is one that drives interest in a topic that many would otherwise be uninterested in.

There’s perhaps no better example than Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive To Survive, a high-octane series exploring the hyper competitive world of motorsport which has just dropped its sixth season.

This up-close look at the 2023 Grand Prix has seen the show race to the top of the streaming charts yet again, reigniting interest in Formula 1 on a global scale.

Since Drive To Survive first released in 2019 viewership of the Grand Prix has increased by around 70 per cent and boosted ticket sales by almost a fifth.

Slick cinematography spliced together with rip-roaring editing make the races on screen endlessly additive and offer new insight into just how much focus and training is needed to handle such high speeds.

But it’s what happens off the track that keeps viewers coming back. Drive To Survive also offers a glimpse into the battle for the soul of the multi-billion dollar business and the newest season is no less action packed than its predecessors.

From Aussie driver Daniel Riccairdo’s tumultuous return to Red Bull to Lewis Hamilton’s $US100 million deal with Ferrari, there’s plenty here that makes Drive To Survive well worth another lap.

THIS week Amazon Prime Video is rebooting a 2000s classic (or so they’re

calling it) with Mr and Mrs Smith. Did anyone ask for this?

as the titular spy couple, this eight episode series certainly has enough charisma on screen to rival that of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Rather than being employed by rival spy agencies and sent to kill one another, the characters in this newest take on the story instead work for the same top-secret organisation, which tasks them with being in a fake marriage together.

Of course it’s not long before their

There’s way more talk than action, something that here should be the other way around, and any attempts at interesting social commentary amidst all this cumbersome dialogue only ever feel lukewarm at best.

If we were in 2005 Mr and Mrs Smith might be able to cut it as a weekend time killer, but in an era where there are so many great TV shows out there it’s safe to say

viewers would be dodging a bullet indeed by

there’s a severely underrated historical drama film from 2005 that’s just dropped into the platform’s catalogue.

Good Night and Good Luck is the true story of a team of American broadcasters

who took on the David vs Goliath mission of exposing Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Amidst the height of the Communist scare in ‘50s America, the reporters and producers of CBS boldly took aim at the US military after an air force lieutenant named Milo Radulovich was tried and convicted over his father and sister being deemed Communist sympathisers.

To them, it was a sign that McCarthyism had gone too far, and their resulting attempts to lay bare the exploits of the senator would see members of the army itself trying to shut the story down.

Featuring an all-star cast that includes George Clooney, David Strathairn, Robert Downey Jr, Jeff Daniels, Frank Langella and more, this fascinating 90-minute flick is filmed in black and white, giving it a distinct feel of a film of old despite coming out only 19 years ago.

Those who enjoyed the flashback sequences of Christoper Nolan’s war epic Oppenheimer last year are bound to find more to love here, especially viewers eager to see more of Downey Jr’s serious work.

Good Night and Good Luck is a moody slice of history that makes for a streaming treat.

CANBERRA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY IN ASSOCIATION WITH ERINDALE THEATRE PRESENTS

Formula 1: Drive To Survice… an up-close look at the 2023 Grand Prix has seen the show race to the top of the streaming charts yet again.

DINING / Le Petite Breton

Where warm crêpes in the park come on wheels!

Hot, lazy days. Loads of sun and, in many parks, mature trees offering plenty of shade.

Instead of dining at a café or restaurant one weekend, gather family and friends, and head to a local park to enjoy some of the capital’s famous food vans.

Many offer tables and chairs but we grabbed our portable ones – in case all others were taken – to enjoy a gorgeous weekend afternoon.

Our passion for authentic French crêpes, galettes and waffles led us to the small but pretty Norgrove Park, in Kingston, with its walkways and waterways. It’s always so peaceful to sit, relax and enjoy the ducks, swans and water birds of the foreshore bopping about.

But back to the food vans.

Le Petit Breton, owned by chef Bruno Paressant, was on site early and it wasn’t long before we were lining up for savoury galettes. After a substantial break (and more wine in the sun) we lined up once more for sweet French crêpes. Très délicieux.

The galettes are a generous size and

One of my all-time faves is the smoked salmon galette, with beautifully ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy avo, a smooth hollandaise sauce and cheeky cheese. I added fresh, vibrant baby spinach for an extra $3. What a great combo of flavours.

With mild peri-peri sauce, the shredded chicken galette didn’t disappoint. It’s created

in that tiny van by Bruno with mushroom, baby spinach and cheese (add tomato for an extra $3).

Equally rewarding was the roasted capsicum with goat’s cheese, rocket and pine nuts. This galette features a heavenly balsamic dressing drizzled on top and you can add smoked salmon or chicken for $4. A classic ham, cheese and tomato galette is also on the menu.

The smoked salmon galette.

Photos: Wendy Johnson

Le Petit Breton is also popular for its sweet crêpes, with nine variations available. Ohla-la, the mango-passionfruit coulis crepe is decadent, all the more so with bits of broken, crunchy meringue ($14).

A classic is the simple lemon and sugar ($9) and we also tucked into the homegrown apricot crêpe ($14), a true flavor bomb. The apricots are cooked with love in honey and rosemary and the crêpe sprinkled with slightly sweet and nutty pistachios.

The van by Zierholz, the fresh beer company, arrived during our visit, offering live music, beer, wine, meat and cheese boards, kranskys and the like. We’ve also spotted Brazbecue with its Brazilian barbecue, adding spice to life with slow-cooked meats that are memorably melt-in-the-mouth. Jarochos Mexican also travels around.

Social media lists where food vans appear. They rotate regularly and also set up in places such as Black Mountain Peninsula, Bowen Park and Hassett Park.

WINE / Pinotage

The year starts with a bold burst of pinotage

Kerikeri is in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of NZ and seven of us, family and hangers-on, went to stay there over the New Year period in a large house surrounded by a splendid garden.

We hadn’t planned to visit any wineries, as we only had four days there, albeit that the Bay of Islands is the original home of winemaking in NZ.

The first vineyards were planted in 1819 by missionary Samuel Marsden in Kerikeri and nearby Rangihoua, Russell and Waitangi.

Wine production now is a small percentage of the local economy.

It’s amazing how much food and wine seven people consume on holiday and, in search of fresh produce after two days of indulgence, we headed to the Kerikeri farmers’ market on the Saturday before New Year’s Eve. The market was small, funky and interesting, especially as I was approached by two people to congratulate me on the message on my T-shirt, a present from my sister: It’s weird being the same age as old people

The coffee stall was crowded but worth the wait. Just down from the coffee vendor was a small table on which was arranged red wine for taste presented by Wandering Vines.

Claire Pearson, one of the owners, urged us to taste the wine, especially the pinotage, which is a grape

variety normally associated with South Africa.

Say it quickly and the name makes you think of pinot noir but even though related to that varietal, it is darker and bolder than this element of its parentage.

The other parent is the variety cinsaut known as “hermitage” in the 1920s South Africa where it was successfully fused with pinot noir by a viticulture professor, Abraham Izak Perold, who apparently forgot about this genetic experiment.

Hence, the first commercial plantings of this varietal weren’t made in South Africa until the early 1940s.

Part of the South African experiment was to make a wine that is easier to cultivate than pinot noir and this ease of growing was one of the reasons that Claire and her husband Richard decided to plant a very small winery with predominantly pinotage grapes.

The most recent of the vintage on taste was the 2022, which was a tannin hit but the 2021 appealed with its complex, savoury flavours with a bright fruit/tannin burst on the back of the palate.

The only vineyard that I’m aware of that grows pinotage in this country is Ravenscroft Wines based in the Granite Belt in Queensland.

The Australian Wine Research Institute says there are at least seven pinotage wine producers in Australia (New England, Granite Belt, Riverland, Alpine Valleys, Yarra Valley and Geographe).

I haven’t tasted the Ravenscroft but in the 1990s I tried a South African pinotage that a then fellow academic had brought back from a visit to that country. At the time he raved over the ripe fruit forward taste of the wine and its great value-for-money.

I didn’t buy any of the Wandering Vines Pinotage, but my brotherin-law did. He was enamoured of this wine because of its long finish and pleasant association with the experiences of beach and waterfalls and the bonhomie at the farmers’ market.

The 2021 Pinotage is the wine that we drank to see in 2024. Its plush taste and the fact that it resonated with the wonderfully relaxing break we had in the Bay of Islands made it a very special wine.

As I age (unfortunately not like a fine wine) I can look back on a lovely family experience made better by an unusual but good wine.

“I’m not old, I’m just chronologically gifted” –Anon

Pinotage… a grape variety normally associated with South Africa.

HOROSCOPE PUZZLES

By Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Are you confused about which path to follow? Pay close attention to your nightly dreams. They are full of creative ideas and symbolic wisdom that can lead you in the right direction. Painters, artists, writers, musicians and performers will feel particularly inspired as the Sun, Neptune, Venus and Saturn boost creativity and productivity. Some Rams will bump into a lover from the past. But do you really want to travel down that rocky road again?

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Don’t become so focused on the busyness and minutiae of day-to-day life that you lose sight of the bigger picture. Look beyond the horizon, Bulls! Being proactive at work, setting short-term and long-term goals, dreaming big dreams and socialising with your extended peer group are the secrets to a successful week. Beyond that, your motto for the future is from birthday great, singer-songwriter James Taylor: “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.”

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

There’s a positive Mercury/Pluto link and no less than seven planets are activating your career and aspirations zones. So it’s time to have ambitious dreams and set humongous goals. Stop procrastinating and, instead, ask yourself an important question: “Do I need to tweak my dreams to make them a more honest reflection of the real me?” Your motto is from entertainer (and birthday great) Liza Minnelli: “Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t know how to dream.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Trusting your intuition and helping others are the main themes this week. It’s time to think philosophically and feel an essential part of a wider international community. Your thoughts are important, your words matter, and your actions can make a real difference. Draw inspiration from fellow Cancerian, Princess Diana: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

The Sun (your patron planet) links up with Neptune in the gentle, mystical sign of Pisces. So slow down and calm down, Cats! Tap into your imaginative, intuitive, spiritual side. Dream a special dream that will propel you into a magical future. And aim to surround yourself with family and friends who support your aspirations and encourage your creativity. Your motto is from birthday great, Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Monday favours study, research, intense conversations and solving problems. Attached Virgo – is your relationship stuck in a time-warp where it’s been difficult to move forward? This week’s stars bring a shift in perspective, as you view your partner in a promising new light. Single Virgo – are you sick and tired of looking for love? Your Prince or Princess is waiting in the wings, but you may have to kiss a few frogs before you finally find them!

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Venus (your ruling planet) shifts into Pisces, so you’ll be at your flirtatious best as you charm the cynics and dazzle the doubters. If you’re attached, it’s time to rejuvenate the relationship with some good old-fashioned romance. Single Libra –you could meet your soulmate while you’re doing routine daily chores, like grocery shopping or walking the dog. But be careful your luxury-loving urge to splurge doesn’t spin out of control via a spontaneous spending spree.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Monday’s Mercury/Pluto link is good for strategising, organising work projects and planning the domestic week ahead. For the rest of the week, you’ll feel more inspired than usual as four planets stimulate your self-expression zone. Use the power of your imagination to solve problems and soar into higher realms of creativity. Your motto is from birthday great Albert Einstein: “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Family matters and domestic DIY projects are favoured this week, as lucky Venus starts transiting through your home zone. Can you figure out a problem that has got loved ones stymied? They’re expecting you to come up with the goods so get creative! For many Sagittarians, good fortune and family are linked. You’ll also find the more time and effort you put into local travel, education, communication and social media, the more successful you’ll be.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Financial matters and family conversations are favoured on Monday, and Sunday is a great time for a romantic rendezvous. Venus joins the Sun, Saturn and Neptune in your neighbourhood zone on Tuesday, so the rest of the week is wonderful for fostering positive feelings within your local community. Your motto is from fellow Capricorn, Michelle Obama: “The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The Sun, Venus, Saturn and Neptune are all stimulating your cash zone. Letting finances take their own course seems tempting but you need to keep up to speed with money matters. If you increase your financial literacy then it will pay off handsomely further down the track, as you replace short-term whims with wise long-term strategies. With Mars visiting your sign (until March 22) you need to be proactive about personal projects and future plans.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Perceptive Pisceans have an uncanny sixth sense. And you’ll be using it in spades as the Sun, Venus, Saturn and Neptune all meander through your sign. You’ll feel increasingly inspired, compassionate and/or spiritually inclined. So it’s the perfect time to break out the paint brushes, dance in the moonlight, help someone in need or explore a new spiritual practice. Sunday’s Sun/Neptune hook-up particularly highlights romance, creativity and healing.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

1 What was the former name of Alice

8 Name a renowned US boxer, Sugar Ray ... (8)

9 To stick fast, is to do what? (6)

10 What is the convex or concave upper surface of a column of liquid? (8)

11 Name a class of mysterious rites of the nature of sorcery, etc. (6)

12 Which city was “not built in a day”? (4)

13 Name a constellation in the southern hemisphere. (5)

16 What are the slender parts of bottles? (5)

19 What are small hotels known as? (4)

21 To increase in size, is to do what? (6)

22 To have looked back upon, is to have done what? (8)

23 What are sun-dried bricks? (6)

24 Name a particular instrumentalist. (8)

25 What are compositions also known as? (6)

2 Name an immature form of frog. (7)

3 What are lists of things to be done? (7)

4 Name a fit of trembling. (6)

5 What is an inhabitant more commonly known as? (7)

6 To be in possession of ESP, is to be what? (7)

7 When one grinds one’s teeth, one does what? (7)

13 Name an alternative term for a germ. (7)

14 What is salvation achieved by absorption into Brahman? (7)

15 What is a hinged, movable flap of an aeroplane wing? (7)

17 When one uses the services of a person, one does what? (7)

18 What was the former name of Cape Canaveral? (7)

20 To be calm, quiet, or composed, is to be what? (6)