Well written, well read
Politicians need to let go of their love of booze
ROSS FITZPATRICK
When chips are called fries and crisps are chips! CLIVE WILLIAMS
Hairy Man’s ‘convict punk’ to fire up the folk festival HELEN MUSA
From a book of Italian poems, a world of wonder ANTONIO DI DIO
Queanbeyan teen MITCHELL CLEMENT is kicking up his heels in the lead role of Billy Elliot the Musical
Fergus Paterson, from Newcastle, since the law requires double casting for the young people in the show.
Clement, 14 years old and in year 9 at Karabar High School, is “our” Billy.
Stephen Daldry’s 2000 film, Billy Elliot, was a phenomenon of its time.
Tapping into the seemingly bottomless well of the Thatcher reign, it set the aspirations of a working-class boy against the background of the 1980s miners’ strike in northeast England.
Now Free Rain Theatre, with Jarrad West as director, is launching into Billy Elliot the Musical in an era when most of the performers have never even heard of Maggie Thatcher.
The enduring power of the show can be put down in part to Lee Hall’s original script and in part to the snazzy music of Elton John, who wrote all the numbers for the musical show that followed in 2005. The top team of Katrina Tang and Caleb Campbell as musical directors means that’s all in hand.
Choreographer Michelle Heine has been grappling with an enormous document that dictates the moves to replicate the West End and Broadway productions.
“It’s like McDonald’s, you have to make everything look roughly the same,” she tells me.
But in amateur productions without multilevel sets or the capacity to fly characters, “as much as replicated as possible, but there’s a little bit of licence.”
The titular role of Billy Elliot is shared by Mitchell Clement, from Queanbeyan, and
Arts
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He’s been studying contemporary, tap and ballet at Eden Dance Academy in Crestwood since he was six or seven,” he tells me, and says: “I’ve done a little bit of singing and acting at school, but I’m more heavily trained in dance.
“I did receive some bullying during my primary school, but my parents were really very good to talk to about it.
‘What I enjoy so much about dancing is that I’m able to express how I feel.”
That’s maybe why his favourite song in the show is “Expressing Yourself”.
He’s busy learning the North Country accent from a list of words, but says: “It’s easy to become Billy, it’s quite natural to act the part and the Elton John songs help… once I’ve learned them they get stuck in my head.”
Joe Dinn, who plays Jackie, Billy’s widowed father, performed in European productions of Priscilla: The Musical for many of his nearly 20 years overseas before his return during covid; he now acts by night and works in marketing at the Canberra Theatre Centre by day.
From Priscilla to rough miner is a big leap for him.
As for the Thatcher component, he agrees most young kids have no idea who she was, but says every character is real, as we see when the community tries to push Billy into the way young men are supposed to be, while he dreams only of dance.
Since 1993:
General manager:
“In the opening act I’m kind of the villain,” Dinn says. “But in the second half I come to realise that dancing might well be Billy’s ticket out of town.”
There’s even a parallel in his own life. His parents tried to push him into sport but found him tap-dancing in his soccer shoes instead. And in a delicious “full-circle event”, Heine was his own very encouraging dance teacher when he was young.
Dinn praises Clement, who is, he says, “a Queanbeyan-trained dancer, who’s learning to act and sing – it’s like having to play Hamilton as a boy.”
Lachlan Elderton, who plays Billy’s older brother Tony, is about to turn 19, exactly the right age for the show’s angry, industrial activist and boxer.
Although he has a regular gig in burlesque shows at Templo Theatre in Civic, he says: “I can hold my own, but I wouldn’t say I was a dancer.”
“Tony is a challenging role. You’d think it would be easy to be angry all the time, but being young, it’s hard to be in character and remember I’m Lachlan at the end of the day.”
The big showstopper is the 10-minute number, Solidarity, where the miners have to dance with little ballet girls who are so much better than they are.
He, too, has nothing but praise for Clement, whom he knew at Karabar High School.
“When he turned up at auditions for the show he was only a dancer, and now he’s the triple treat,” he says.
Billy Elliot the Musical, The Q, April 9-May 5.
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Recent national wastewater analysis has painted an interesting picture of drug use in Canberra and across Australia.
The most interesting observation is that Canberrans’ drug use is generally on a par with other parts of Australia.
However, the use of some drugs, such as methamphetamine, is way below the Australian average. Others, such as heroin, are more widely used in the ACT.
We do not yet have a good insight into the impact of the decriminalisation of the so-called hard drugs in the ACT following the move last year by the government to limit penalties for the personal use of all illicit drugs. An on-the-spot fine or taking a treatment option are available for personal use of illicit drugs.
Report 21 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) looked at samples for the 12 months from August 2022 to August 2023.
This was before the legislation tabled by Michael Pettersson MLA came into force. However, Report 21’s great value is that it does establish a bottom line regarding drug use. The next national wastewater report will allow a comparison of drug use
From Report 21 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
before and after the enactment of the legislation.
The report examines the quantity of drugs consumed by users. However, this is not the only issue being addressed when legislation such as that introduced by Mr Pettersson is considered. There are many other issues. These include crime, harm to the users and their families and the impact on the community.
The CEO of the ACIC explained the focus for her organisation is the threat of serious and organised crime groups. She said: “Our wastewater analysis is used in conjunction with seizure, arrest, price, health and availability data, which reveals drug market resilience and points of vul-
nerability that present opportunities for co-ordinated strategies to improve community safety”.
There are a range of issues that Report 21 has raised for Australians generally and for Canberrans in particular. There has been a significant reduction in use of alcohol in Canberra since the last report. Nicotine use is on the increase – most likely fuelled by e-cigarettes. There is a similar story in other capital cities but not so in regional Australia.
The ACIC pointed to a “tangible increase” in the use of methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA across Australia.
Canberra is described as the exception regarding heroin use. The report
Canberra is described as the exception regarding heroin use. The report shows a significant increase between July and September. In this period, on a per capita basis, Canberrans had the highest use in Australia.
shows a significant increase between July and September of 2023. In this period, on a per capita basis, Canberrans had the highest use in Australia.
However, although a careful examination of the report shows a spike in that period, there was a similar spike in usage in August 2020.
Report 21 notes: “At the national level, heroin consumption in capital cities exceeds that of regional areas. The consumption of heroin has fluctuated over the life of the program. The regional average consumption of heroin increased in August 2023 (as did capital city consumption) and is similar to levels observed in August 2020 and August 2022.”
The “party drug”, MDMA, showed similar usage levels between regional areas and capital cities. This is a change from the past where levels in regional areas were higher than in our capital cities.
According to the report: “Cannabis consumption is substantially higher in regional areas, nearly double that of the capital cities, and has fluctuated with no clear patterns. Although cannabis consumption has fluctuated over time, current national consumption estimates are higher than when it was first measured for the program in August 2018.”
The use of cannabis in the ACT has been on a par with regional usage and is well above usage in the other capital cities.
The variability of drug use across different states and across a range of drugs indicates that there are many more factors at play than legislation enacted in any jurisdiction.
Recently on Brisbane radio I briefly canvassed a proposal that all our state and federal parliamentary buildings should be alcohol-free zones.
At first glance, this might seem to be either outlandishly radical or an example of wowserism.
But it’s important to note that in 2024 many workplaces involved in critical decision-making processes are now required to be alcohol-free zones.
For example, health professionals throughout Australia are required to be alcohol and drug free at work.
Indeed a senior nurse at a major hospital informs me that under the Health Department’s code of conduct, if she was caught drinking alcohol at work she would be immediately sent for drug and alcohol counselling, and could even be dismissed.
These days, most large companies, and certainly all public service offices, no longer have a liquor cabinet in the boardroom or in the executive office.
Some organisations even have a rule that, if employees consume alcohol while out at lunch, they are not allowed to return to the office for the rest of the day!
Reasonably enough, it is now mandatory for any police officer involved in a “critical incident” to be subject to alcohol testing.
It’s well and truly time that our parliaments, state and federal, caught up with other important sectors in our nation that have sensibly made their workplaces alcohol-free zones.
on the booze.
As some readers may be aware, I’m a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and have been sober for many years.
I hope that after reading this column people will come to understand that my seemingly radical proposal is actually a much-needed reform, which I believe most thoughtful Australian citizens will support.
Those people who regard me as somewhat of a libertarian may think I’m being hypocritical in advocating that our parliaments should be alcohol-free zones. In response I would point out that reforms about cigarettes and alcohol are health issues and not part of the prevailing cancel culture, which I utterly oppose.
This is to ensure that the decisions officers made were not impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
More broadly, throughout Australia, any police officer suspected of being impaired at work by alcohol is immediately subject to alcohol testing and, if found to be impaired, they will face a police discipline proceedings.
That is unless they have resigned before the proceedings begin, which according to a senior Queensland police source is what some officers are doing.
Bearing the above information in mind and weighing up the gravity of the situation, surely the alcohol-free workplace principle should apply to our parliaments.
No-one can deny that critical decisions are made there that impact on all
Australians and which require clear thinking and sober consideration.
So, I think it’s well and truly time that our parliaments, state and federal, caught up with other important sectors in our nation which have sensibly made their workplaces alcohol-free zones.
I have been informed by a reliable Labor Party source that, this month, the NSW government was lobbied by alcohol reform groups about how to prevent the sexual abuse, especially of women, as a result of alcohol abuse in state parliament.
Some people might say that I’m a wowser, which I’m not. In fact, I never mind who drinks alcohol, as long as they are not violent or out of control or if they behave like I did when I was
If the idea of banning alcohol in parliament seems to be a bridge too far, it is useful to be reminded (or informed) that, when it was first proposed that smoking cigarettes be banned in our workplaces, this initiative was met with strident opposition and derision. Now the vast majority of Australians, including our state and federal politicians, regard these reforms about smoking as quite normal and certainly acceptable.
To give another example, the same initial opposition applied to the life-saving reform about it being mandatory for all drivers and their passengers to wear seat belts.
What I have long argued for is the preservation in Australia of our precious freedom of speech, and the freedom to express ideas, however unusual or offensive they may be.
This is because freedom of expression and free speech are the linchpins of any actual democracy.
Drinking alcohol on the job is not.
Ross Fitzgerald AM is emeritus profes sor of history and politics at Griffith University.
Suffered from a
You deserve better .
better.
You shouldn’t have to live with a physical or psychological injury because of someone else’s negligence or abuse. That’s why when it comes to awarding you compensation, we believe you deserve better.
The good guys are such as us, most of the Scandinavians and Europeans, the Kiwis and the Canadians. The top dog in that happy pack for many years has been the US and this year its election is of enormous consequence. That is really where the future of humankind will be decided, and we won’t know the answer until a certain Tuesday in November.
We got off to a pretty good start in Indonesia with the peaceful election of the 72-year-old former general Prabowo Subianto, supported by
his predecessor, the popular Djoko Widodo.
And after Joe Biden’s State of the Union address he made a very good case for four more years. America’s electoral college will make the final decision, but my money is on Joe. Trump is a clown and enough American voters will see him as such.
However, what does worry me is
What worries me is the decision of our own former PM Scott Morrison to join the Trump motorcade with his new boss, Michael Pompeo, a weird believer in the ‘Rapture’.
the decision of our own former PM Scott Morrison to join the Trump motorcade with his new boss, Michael Pompeo, a weird believer in the “Rapture” – a kind of Judgement Day where the “elect” run the whole kit and caboodle.
You will recall Morrison’s attendance at a Trump rally during a Washington visit as PM and his boast that “I believe in miracles; I have always believed in miracles”.
So have the rest of us… until a better explanation came along. I believed in the tooth fairy until I saw my mother swapping my little brother’s baby tooth for a coin. I believed in Santa Claus until I only pretended to be asleep as mum and dad put the pillowslip on the end of
the bed. I believed in the Jesus fable till I decided to write a biography of him (Pan Macmillan, 1990).
The reality is too complex for a Gadfly column but it’s at the heart of the real battle in the US – belief versus scientific fact.
Science gave us civilisation but there’s still a long way to go in our adventure of discovery.
Quantum mechanics, dark energy, black holes – all seem like miracles until we find out how they all work together. What a joy awaits.
Not so with Scomo.
An ambitious man, he’s joined the Rapture gang to be one of the elect.
Perhaps those five secret ministries in his own government will do the trick. Either way, the fabulists can have him.
I just wish he wasn’t Australian.
robert@robertmacklin.com
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In 1997 I saw The Castle and, notwithstanding its reputation as fiction, I’m certain it was a documentary about my big, goofy, relentlessly joyful dad.
There’s a scene in which Daryl Kerrigan asks his wife Sue: “What are these, love?” in wonderment at the marvel before him.
“Chops.” she smiles proudly, and reminds him that they have them often.
“Yeah, but what you’ve done with them!” He is overjoyed at this wonder of the world.
Every night of my childhood, dad would marvel at what delight mum had created.
“Pasta”, she’d say, and could not help smiling at this silly, happy man.
“Luigi, we have it every night”.
“Ah, but what you’ve done here –its-a beautiful!”
He was so excited, how could we not be, too? Even on days we had no work, no money, no home, he would be filled with joy at the wonders his wife and life gave him.
Today I found in my briefcase a book of Italian poems purchased at the wonderful Lifeline markets at Fyshwick ages ago.
Cool – it’s got an English translation for the tricky bits! Cooler – the translation is by ANU’s RF Brissenden, Michael’s dad, and Mr Page, head of
English at Narrabundah. Even cooler –it’s published in Canberra, Australia!
Arts lovers, I needed to sit down and rest, like a Bronte heroine about to get the knock back from Hugh Grant on account of he’ll get disowned by his aunt if he picks up her hanky.
But more amazing – page one features a bio of the poet, Salvatore Quasimodo. Lovely! I’m called “Antonio” for a ridiculous Sicilian reason, but my older siblings, and the oldest male cousins on one side, are all called Salvatore too, like my nonno.
Among my first cousins are six Emanuellas, six Marias and six Giovanni-Battistas. This particular Salvatore was born in 1901 and raised
in Gela, our village of illiterate Salvatores and Marias!
He would have perhaps known mum and dad (born in the 1920s) and surely known so many of my family! Wow, now I need a lie down – this is more emotional that Mr Darcy finding out about your sister running off with Wickham!
I love literature and closeness to greatness. I love that Peter Carey, on his way to the Booker Prize, was a hippie in nearby Bellingen when I was at school, or that Kenneally’s daughter knew my mate when I was at uni.
Well, this Quasimodo was extraordinary – in 1959 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature! That’s
Gratitude is the first step to kindness, because the inevitable result is, despite your efforts – happiness.
right, a guy from my impoverished little town famed for olive oil, poverty and crime was a god in my pantheon and, until this afternoon, I had never heard of him.
All those years at the Gela primary school conjugating verbs and we were taught that the coolest people from our town were some famed criminals and a guy who played on the wing for Palermo… and this was never mentioned!
Anyway, what was my first reaction? It was some dumb negative thought – how can they build statues to people who shot and killed other people and my town never even mentioned a Nobel Prize winner?
Luckily, I put a stop to myself quickly. The genius was born in a nearby village and lived mostly in Rome and Naples, and has been feted plenty. And me – I’ve had a wonderful beautiful day out of it – not to mention some cracking fine poetry to read.
Too often in our world we are given a moment, a story, a scene, and event – and we filter it through the negative. If tomorrow morning hunger was abolished, I’m sure some of our media outlets would call it a crisis and some individuals would need a support group.
Dad dragged us back and forth to this wonderful land and saw every day of his working awful jobs as a privilege and every meal he was given as a feast.
Gratitude is the first step to kindness, because the inevitable result is, despite your efforts – happiness.
If I fail to make my case for why looking at the world openly and gratefully is the greatest gift, let me add the indisputable argument of our great Australian legal mind that it’s the Vibe, it’s Mabo, it’s just… you know… the Vibe.
Huge thanks to everyone and everything. If some misanthrope tells you the world is without hope, tell ’im he’s dreaming.
Antonio Di Dio is a local GP, medical leader and nerd.
There is more of his Kindness on citynews.com.au
“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” – Bob Dylan
Continuing from my last Whimsy column, another intriguing aspect of English pronunciation is the influence of regional dialects and accents.
The diversity of accents across different regions has led to variations in pronunciation that may seem odd or unfamiliar to those from other areas.
It’s particularly the case between American and British/Australian English. For example, the pronunciation of “schedule” as “shed-yool” in British English and “sked-yool” in American English.
Anyone who has visited America knows that, for Americans, herbs are ‘erbs, advertisements are advertize-ments, vehicles are vee-hickles, international is innernational, buoys are boo-wees, khaki is kacky, etcetera.
Then there are the different terms for some items. On the food front, surprisingly, entrees are appetisers and main courses are entrees, while sweets are candy, biscuits are cookies, chips are fries, crisps are chips, soft drinks are sodas etcetera.
It’s disconcerting to be told in the US that your flight will be taking off “momentarily”. To Americans that means soon while to other English
speakers it means for a short period of time.
And take the case of cars (or autos) where boots are trunks, windscreens are windshields, bumpers are fenders, petrol is gas, and so on.
I learned during my first posting to the US that in the race-conscious southern states of the US you don’t ask a black waitress for a white coffee, the accepted term is coffee with cream.
The historical evolution of the English language has been shaped by the assimilation of words from other languages.
English has borrowed extensively from Latin, French, Germanic languages, Indian, Mandarin Chinese etcetera, resulting in a linguistic mosaic with diverse pronunciation patterns.
Consider the word colonel, which originated from the Italian word colonello and is pronounced “kurnel” in English. That’s because we got the word via the French, who had changed colonello to coronel.
Names of places can be particularly susceptible to unusual pronunciation.
In England, there are numerous instances where the spelled names of towns or villages defy phonetic expectations. For instance, the town of Leicester is pronounced “Lester” and
the village of Bicester is pronounced “Bister”. These variations often have historical roots, reflecting changes in language and pronunciation over time.
In some cases, the odd pronunciation of words in English can be attributed to orthographic (spelling) conventions that have persisted despite changes in spoken language.
The word knight is a notable example, where the “k” is silent – or as my father used to say, “like the p in bath”. The silent “k” harks back to Middle English, where the word was pronounced with a guttural sound that eventually disappeared in spoken English but remains in the written form.
You are no doubt now ready for
some profound celebrity insights into language and words:
“My wife is teaching me Cuban. It’s like Spanish but with fewer words for luxury goods.” –Emo Philips, American actor and comedian.
“I would love to speak Italian, but I can’t, so I grew underarm hair instead.” –Sue Kolinsky, American film producer.
“You don’t have to have a language in common with someone for a sexual rapport. But it helps if the language you don’t understand is Italian.” –Madonna , American pop icon.
“Learning English was like moving from one darkened house to another on a starless night during a strike of candlemakers and torchbearers.” –Vladimir Nabokov, RussianAmerican novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist.
“There are over 30 words in the Irish language which are equivalent to the Spanish mañana. But somehow none of them conveys the same sense of urgency.” –Patrick Kavanagh, Irish poet and novelist.
“Boy, those French, they have a different word for everything.” –Steve Martin, American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician.
“She speaks18 languages and can’t say ‘No’ in any of them.” –Dorothy Parker, American satirist.
“I am sorry that I cannot address the people of Latin America in their own language – Latin.” –Dan Quayle, former US vice president.
“I speak Esperanto like a native.” –Spike Milligan, comedian.
“The worst words in the English language are ‘We have to talk’. Either that or ‘Whose bra is this?’’’ –Jerry Seinfeld , American comedian.
“The trouble with words is you never know whose mouth they’ve been in.” –Dennis Potter, television screenwriter.
“If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word.” –Dave Barry, American actor.
“I asked the barmaid for a quickie. The man next to me said: ‘It’s pronounced quiche’.” –Luigi Amaduzzi, Italian ambassador to the UK.
Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist.
Four novels by CityNews columnist Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen now available! Of the nine novels featuring Grafton Everest, four have been written by Ross Fitzgerald in collaboration with Ian McFadyen: Going Out Backwards, The Dizzying Heights, The Lowest Depths and Pandemonium.
This unique series of four satirical novels charts the rise of the insecure and selfindulgent university lecturer – Doctor Professor Grafton Everest – from the corridors of a provincial Australian campus to the international corridors of power.
How did this hapless, work-shy anti-hero repeatedly save his country and the world without intending to?
And who were the mysterious persons that orchestrated his inexplicable rise from obscurity to world leadership? The Ascent of Everest is an epic satire that mocks, without mercy, politics, academia, media, culture and sex.
Ross Fitzgerald AM is Emeritus Professor of History & Politics at Griffith University. He is the author or co-author of 45 books.
Ian McFadyen is a multi-award-winning writer, actor and television producer who has created a number of successful television series, books and plays. He has collaborated with Ross Fitzgerald to write several Grafton Everest novels.
‘Our passion is to change the old paradigm that dentistry has to be painful and unpleasant’
Since moving her practice to Canberra, dentist Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne has noticed a couple of things she enjoys most among the many “beautiful things” the city has to offer – the sight of early-morning cyclists, joggers and walkers by the lake, and her patients’ readiness to ask questions and seek information.
Both go to the heart of Dr MacriEtienne’s determination to bring a new paradigm of dentistry to the capital – the “importance of the whole person” or the mind-body connection, and the need to empower patients on their own journey to dental and broader health.
Henriette is an award-winning dentist, recognised in the industry for her special expertise in treating patients with dental anxiety and dental phobia and is also invested in bringing the latest high-tech dental treatment to her Moore Street, Civic, practice, Integrated Dental Canberra.
She says Integrated Dental Canberra has both state-of-the-art equipment (for example, the ability to produce same-day, high-quality crowns in-house) and a unique “comfort menu” designed to relax patients and provide a “spa-like” experience.
The practice has a team of dentists skilled in the latest, high-end treatments and cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, as well as general dentistry and links to allied health practitioners to assist with related
treatments and therapies.
Henriette, who has received awards for “innovation” in dentistry and, in 2023, for more than 10 years managing dental trauma and special needs dentistry, has made the move to Canberra after more than 15 years running her own practices in Lithgow and Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.
She sees the move as a chance to both enjoy the lifestyle of the Bush Capital and
introduce what she sees as a unique style of dentistry to Canberra.
“Our team takes a holistic view, which allows us to consider the whole person, not just their teeth and mouths,” she says.
“This means we consider a whole range of factors such as anxieties, fears, shame and avoidance. These are things we all experience at different times in our lives around a range of issues and there is no judgement
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attached to them. But with care, we can tailor treatment plans to people’s needs.
“Our passion is to change the old paradigm that dentistry has to be painful and unpleasant. We aim to create a dental spa feel to our practice and space.”
Another particular passion of Henriette’s is for anxious patients to know they’re not alone.
“Rarely a day goes by when I don’t meet
someone who has dental fear in some capacity,” she says.
“And this is not a simple concept – its origins can be rooted in unique experiences and entrenched within the body as well as the mind.”
Her wish is that dental anxiety does not deter people from seeking treatment, or even a check -up and clean. Avoiding or delaying dental visits can lead to worsening problems and more significant treatments, and can also impact on overall health.
“Dental health doesn’t sound as ‘sexy’ as a work-out in the gym or as invigorating as a morning walk, but our mouths are a gateway to both our body and mind and good oral health can have a very positive impact on our overall health and how we think about ourselves – the mouth-mindbody connection,” she says.
In addition to simple empathy, compassion and human kindness, Integrated Dental Canberra has a broad menu of “comfort” options, including warm pillows, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, a full range of pain management options, a range of relaxation therapies and alliances with allied health practitioners.
And, of course, the practice sees many patients who are lucky to not feel anxiety, but just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, welcoming staff and state-of-the-art treatment by expert and highly-trained dentists.
Happily, Henriette has found Canberrans a receptive and interested lot – whether back from a walk by the lake or on a break from the office!
Bookings with Dr Macri-Etienne and her team can be made at integrateddentalcanberra.au
anxiety & dental phobia experts
Dear Housing Minister,
1. Public housing numbers will inevitably fall if housing stock is sold off, eg to pay for the tram, and is not replaced.
2. To move public housing tenants out of their existing homes so that they can be sold off, you need to first build replacement stock into which they can be moved.
There are 1032 fewer public housing dwellings today than there were in 2011 despite an increase of 98,813 in the population. JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED look at the shameful state of ACT public housing.
There have been regular reports in recent years of ACT public housing tenants living in squalor due to the poor condition of the housing they have been allocated.
The ACT government’s response to such reports has followed a set script, namely blame the Commonwealth Government.
However, with the Labor
defeat of the Liberals in the last federal election the ACT government has effectively lost this most convenient scapegoat for its failure to meet the housing needs of Canberra’s most vulnerable citizens.
The housing minister has also been keen to point to the Public Housing Renewal Program as the solution to the state of disrepair of much of the public housing stock.
The budget papers, for example, have repeatedly claimed investment of between $600 million and $700 million in
public housing.
However, as we revealed in a series of articles in 2022, the program was in essence aimed at selling off 1288 Northbourne Avenue and inner-city public housing dwellings with the proceeds of the sales to be allocated to the light rail project. The minister initially denied the existence of any such arrangement until we referenced a signed agreement to that effect between Treasurers Andrew Barr and Josh Frydenberg.
As to the actual investment in public housing, we have only
identified a net investment of $235 million on Housing ACT’s balance sheet, and notably the Greens/Labor coalition has never disclosed how much money it made from the sale of public housing. The outcome of the renewal program was a decline in the public housing stock.
Table 1 details the ACT public housing stock and household numbers, and (net recurrent and capital) expenditure in each of the past six years.
Stunningly, the Productivity Commission has reported, as detailed in Table 1, that despite a consistent and steady increase in population there were 355 fewer households in public housing in Canberra in 2022-23 than there were in 2017-18.
However, even more remarkable is that there were 11,859 public housing dwellings in Canberra in 2011 but only 10,827 in 2022-23.
In other words, there are 1032 fewer public housing dwellings today than there were in 2011 despite an increase of 98,813 in the ACT population.
There was also a significant decline in net recurrent expenditure in 2022-23 compared to the previous year. The negative figures in capital expenditure, noted above, reflect the fact that the proceeds of sales of public housing were larger than new investment in housing.
Even by the usual ACT government standard, we find the following reported comments from the Minister for Housing, Ms Yvette Berry concerning.
She said: “A whole range of things have to match up together to get new houses built. To get people into homes you have to move people from homes, we have to demolish those homes, we have to sell
those homes and we have to build new homes.”
The minister was, seemingly, referring to the difficulties with tenant relocation in the second housing renewal program.
What is extraordinary is that the minister has set up a (false) “chicken and egg” dilemma. Such perverse situations can indeed arise in the private market, for example, in relation to access to finance or housing, or as a “cold start” problem, for new businesses.
However, in this instance, it is a case of putting the cart before the horse. There would be no dilemma if the program was designed properly and in the correct logical sequence, that is:
(a) in order to refurbish or replace unliveable dwellings, tenants need to be moved; and
(b) to move tenants, new houses should first be built.
When moving tenants, the government would hopefully be mindful of their needs, which include access to services and social support networks.
The government appears to have expected that the housing renewal program would address all the problems of public housing stock condition and numbers. However, as we have noted above, under stage 1 of the program, housing numbers declined. Notably, the condition of the stock also deteriorated.
We know this because the Productivity Commission reports on the proportion of stock in “acceptable condition”. The “benchmark” on which all the states and territories report to the commission is that each dwelling has at least four working facilities and not more than two major structural problems.
Table 2 provides the results
over the period that the ACT Public Housing Renewal Program has been in operation.
The table reveals that “acceptable” dwellings in the ACT decreased from 81 per cent in 2016 to 73.4 per cent in 2021 and recovered slightly to 76 per cent in 2023, ie, about one in 12 households.
The decline in dwelling condition confirms that the government is not spending enough on timely maintenance that would not only improve the living conditions but also increase the economic life of the dwelling.
According to the Productivity Commission report, 99.1 per cent of households in ACT public housing are “low-income families”, ie, financially and economically vulnerable.
Surprisingly, especially for those who believe the ACT government’s claims about its progressiveness, identified vulnerable groups, ie Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households and households with a member with a disability, fare much worse than the average, with about one in five and one in six households, respectively, seeing their dwelling deteriorate below an acceptable level.
How can this be?
We have previously pointed out a variance in the waiting time statistics for Aboriginal people in hospital emergency departments, compared to the overall population. There is also evidence of a similar variance within the housing/ homelessness portfolio.
Chart 1 provides the proportion of clients experiencing persistent homelessness, by Aboriginal status.
There have been persistent calls from Aboriginal community leaders in the ACT for a royal commissionlevel inquiry into entrenched indigenous disadvantage.
The government has denied those on the basis of costs, and that the government has already programs in place to address these problems. The data suggests otherwise. As for costs, we note the government had no problem finding $577 million for a 1.7 kilometre tramline to a prime residential
Jon Stanhope is a former chief
and Dr Khalid Ahmed a former senior
With more than 25,000 books for sale, the Woden Seniors Big Book Fair promises something for all book lovers. Organisers say most books will be $2.50 each and children’s books $1 each. In addition to books, they’re selling jigsaws, DVDs, CDs, board games and paintings by the Woden Seniors art group. At Woden Seniors Club, Corinna Street, Woden, 10am-4pm, April 5-7. Sales tables will be restocked continuously throughout the three days.
Brad’s view of the stars… ANU astronomer Brad Tucker will be regaling the ladies of the Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club at their dinner meeting at the Town Centre Vikings Club, Greenway, from 7pm on March 27. Guests welcome. RSVP to tuggeven@gmail.com
Adam’s view of Lifeline Adam Miller, of Lifeline Canberra, will speak to the ladies of the Weston Creek VIEW Club at their next monthly lunch meeting at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, from 11.30am on April 2. Victors welcome. RSVP to 0408 864616 by March 28.
When are Canberrans ever going to wake up to how we taxpayers are being fleeced on light rail by the sole-source, contractor/unions consortium, with the impotent compliance of the Labor/Greens government?
It can be shown from published sources that, to date, some $3.3 billion has been committed (much of it spent) on Stage 1 ($1.78 billion) and on Stage 2 planning and build contracts ($1.524 billion).
At this point, $1.32 billion has been committed for Stage 2A (Civic-Regatta Point) for planning and a build contract alone.
To this must be added the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) (20 years nominal) of $0.384 billion, for a total cost of Stage 2A of $1.7 billion. Not bad for 1.7km of track.
For comparison (and a source of wonder), Stage 1 (12km) cost $69 million per kilometre to build but Stage 2A (1.7km) will be $305 million per kilometre to build (excluding raising London Circuit). How could that be short of snouts in the trough?
The outrageous contract price of $519 million to build Stage 2A (excluding raising London Circuit, extra trams and facilities), for 1.7km has prompted a revi -
sion of probable costs of Stage 2B, Regatta Point to Woden.
The most probable build cost now for Stage 2B (10.1km) is $2.2 billion. An extension from Woden to Mawson (2km) would be another $0.32 billion. By the time 20 years of O&M and off-contract related expenditures are included, Stage 2B will be about $3.5 billion.
All up (build plus 20 years O&M), Stage 2 to Woden will be about $5.2 billion ($1.7 billion for 2A and $3.5 billion for 2B.
Hair-raising stuff!
Max Flint, co-ordinator, Smart Canberra Transport
At the risk of sounding like a Stanhope/ Khalid fan club member, I did enjoy their ACT Debt/2023-24 Budget Review (CN March 7).
I think that Andrew Barr’s sophistry with finances suggests that the budget just be called a “fudget” and avoid any pretence of honesty or credibility.
The downgrade of the ACT credit rating seems to be of no concern to the supreme leader (aka Barr) or the eternal regime either, despite its importance.
As an accountant, I am a bit of a budget tragic. The four takeaways from the “fudget” are: one, the main problem is spending (not revenue); two, revenue is sky high anyway, and apparently on track to new highs; three, capital spending seems to be very opaque
but is in the range of $1 billion-$1.5 billion each year, and masked by the fourth and most irritating fudge of net debt. Given we pay interest on the gross debt, the gross debt really matters.
Then there is the scale of decay of ACT services (from decrepit road signs) to delays in projects (the Molonglo bridge plus hospital building delays are great examples). The tram will reach Woden by 2033 (apparently).
Our national capital is not the showcase it should be, some regime change could only be a good thing for our democratic order.
Once revolutions were led by people with pitchforks chasing the vanquished regime out of town, we are so much more civilised these days – we use pencils instead.
Given the four-year spells between pencil use, don’t miss the opportunity to change the ACT management in October.
Martin Gordon, DunlopIn his letter “Light rail taking on farcical proportions” (CN March 14), Richard Johnston commented on the Barr government’s undertaking to build light rail (to Woden) “by 2033”.
That “promise” was soon replaced with “working towards a construction period of 2028-2033 for future stages of the project”.
Mr Johnston concludes “it is difficult to see how (the light rail project) could possibly be viable”.
I would go further: at no stage could Barr’s light rail project survive a cost-benefit analysis. If construction of light rail were to go ahead, and even if a network were extended to Belconnen, Tuggeranong and Canberra Airport, we would be left with a “skeleton” – Gungahlin to Woden being the “spine” – of high-rise apartment blocks with the surrounding single-level suburbia as the “flesh”.
The Walter Burley Griffin vision of a “bush capital” would be sacrificed – on the altar of political pressure.
Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
I write about jail shortcomings. Janine Haskins’ March 11 letter is spot on.
Police are understaffed and underresourced, and our court system fails the community by light sentences instead of punishment. Criminals ignore the prospect of jail, continue to undertake criminal acts, go before the courts, seldom incarcerated for acceptable periods, and are released on bail to repeat the process.
Jail experts have visited, advised and reported yet the AMC largely continues to do what it always does – fails the inmates who are expected to be rehabilitated to gain the keys to a productive life in the community.
Low-risk prisoners should be offered work experience with local businesses.
I note many crimes are drug related. How
many of these brought before the courts are already on drug-rehabilitation programs?
How many are repeat offenders?
The buck stops with the responsible ministers. You elected this government, and they have failed. We need a government that makes the community safer, that punishes and fully and holistically rehabilitates inmates to become worthy citizens. This government has the keys but fails to use them.
Russ Morison, TheodoreRe Clive Williams’ Whimsy column “There’s a word for when words start morphing” (CN March 7): I always enjoy Clive’s articles, and I acknowledge his expertise in this field.
I have a comment on his anecdote about Socrates, which as he says, may be apocryphal (probably is).
In the process of scrutinising the other person’s account, trying to make sure that it is truthful, good and useful, the anticlimax is that there had been a malicious possibly untruthful story about his own wife.
He, therefore, was spared the anxiety of doubt about the woman he loved. The final remark implies that she was guilty as supposed.
My knowledge of Greek mythology has no information to add about the veracity of these allegations.
Stewart Bath, via email
I am writing in relation to the opinion piece by Kathryn Kelly, titled “Why are we following the US on Israel?” (CN March 14).
In her opening paragraph, Kathryn suggests that it is the “Palestinians in Gaza” who are facing “plausible genocide”. This suggests that she doesn’t know what is written in the Hamas Charter that is available on their website.
Also, it shows that she doesn’t understand what the slogan “from the river to the sea ...” actually means. This is actually calling for the genocide of every man, woman and child, be they Jew, Gentile, or Muslim who are actually living happily in Israel.
The IDF is doing everything in its power to keep the death toll just to the Hamas militia with all care being taken to prevent civilian deaths – unlike Hamas who do not care who they have to kill to achieve their aims, including their own people. Any death in Gaza is 100 per cent the responsibility of Hamas.
Golda Meir is quoted as saying (which was paraphrased by Benjamin Netanyahu): “If the Arab lay down their arms there would be no more war, but if Israel lays down its weapons there would be no more Israel.”
I believe this quote is 100 per cent accurate. Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah are interested in the safety of their own people. They are only interested in destroying Israel whatever it might take to reach that end.
On the matter of International Law, Israel has been adhering 100 per cent to Article
19 of the Geneva Convention, which “also considers the discontinuance of protection of hospitals. If a decision is made to attack a hospital, international humanitarian law requires advanced warning to that hospital. If the hospital fails to heed the warning, the subsequent attack on that hospital must adhere to the principles of precaution and proportionality”.
As well as: “A building ceases to be a hospital when it is used as a base to launch rockets. Under these circumstances, a building is transformed from “hospital” to “legitimate military target.”
Finally, I would just like to repeat what I have heard and read in various sources – “you can’t negotiate with someone who
wants to kill you”.
If Israel was to accept either a ceasefire of any duration or even a pause of several hours a day Hamas would just use this time to regroup.
Israel should not agree to either of these until Hamas has been removed and the Palestinians of Gaza are truly free to vote in what should be genuinely “free and fair” elections for a civilian government and I just can’t see this happening.
I heard recently of a survey carried out in the West Bank in which the residents were asked how they would vote in a future election and there was, allegedly, a 60 per cent plus response for Hamas.
Paul Myers, Karabar, NSWMany decades ago I read a similar article to Clive Williams’ column (“There’s a word for when words start morphing”, CN March 7), which included another “wronged” word which still annoys me.
Although it is not a fly, nor has anything to do with butter, the delightfully descriptive “flutterby” became the totally meaningless butterfly. In my mind it will always be a flutterby!
Rozlyn Eyre, via email
Following the tragic defeat of the referendum for constitutional change for indigenous peoples to overcome poverty, repression, exclusion, disadvantage and a multitude of other failures one has to ask t if the condition of indigenous people has suddenly improved because concern has fallen silent.
Out of sight, out of mind, got rid of that nicely! Where have all the worrying noisy citizens gone? Moved on to the next shallow trendy issue have we? It’s okay, coz I voted in the referendum?
How pathetic if that’s true, why aren’t you maintaining the rage – bugger all has changed?
John Lawrence via email
Wealthier Australians are being urged to pay more for aged care so the federal government can help older people with lesser means access residential and in-home services.
The government-commissioned Aged Care Task Force reports that the overall wealth of older Australians is expected to increase, with the proportion of people over 65 accessing the aged pension or other income support projected to decline by 15 per cent by the early 2060s.
The proportion of people on the full pension is likely to decrease because of increased superannuation and assets.
But there are still a large number of retired Australians without significant means, such as pensioners who do not own their own homes.
The government funds about 75 per cent of residential aged care and 95 per cent of home care costs.
The tax base has dwindled as the proportion of the working-age population declines and the ratio of older Australians – most of whom do not pay income tax – grows.
Though co-contributions have been made to aged care, these make up just five per cent of funding, which the report says is extremely low and will not support the projected growth in demand. –AAP
To Canberra’s west is Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley, a district with a strong sense of community and a variety of friendly businesses.
From health providers to community centres, Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley have everything the local community needs to thrive.
Here CityNews speaks to some of Weston Creek and Molonglo’s successful business owners who want to share their skills and services with the region.
Sanctuary Aus is a not-for-profit family support centre based in Holder that is purpose built for Canberra, says Kim Hefran-Webb, executive director.
“We have two goals,” says Kim.
“The first is to provide professional child and family services for vulnerable families.
“The second is to build community.”
A lot of families parent in isolation in Canberra because it is such a mobile city, says Kim, so building community is important.
“We provide ‘circle of security’ training, which is an attachment based training program for families.
“We try to pick up the families who can’t access the current programs in Canberra, because they’re all during the day, during business hours, so we provide it at home, we’ll go to the families.”
Kim says they provide NDIS services including behaviour support services mainly for kids with autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, oppositional defiance, developmental delays with communication or genetic disorders that have not been labelled.
Kim says they also run support groups, one is Cool Kids, which supports children to manage their anxiety and learn coping skills.
They also have a club called Club Mojo, which teaches children between seven and 11 how to understand their emotions or others’ emotions.
“And we run a beautiful women’s group each week,” says Kim.
“Give us a call,” says Kim, “we help families with lots and lots of stuff, we do not judge, it’s a really lovely team of people.”
Sanctuary Aus. Call 0431 449822 or visit sanctuaryaus.org.au
St John Vianney’s, Waramanga, is situated on spacious and well-kept grounds featuring extensive spaces for all students, says principal Peter Rodda.
“Our school follows the example of our Patron Saint, John Vianney, striv ing to do ordinary things extraordinarily well,” he says.
“Children, regardless of their needs or faith background, are welcome and every effort is made to support all students and families in our school.
“St John Vianney’s is staffed by highly-trained professionals, committed to providing the best of Catholic education.”
Peter says their teaching approaches are evidence-based and centred upon the key pedagogies of explicit and direct instruction.
“We place significant emphasis on literacy and numeracy as we believe these are important foundations for learning across all areas,” he says.
“We teach students to have a growth mindset and to recognise the impor-
“As a charity we work with families on how we can create long-term positive change”
Local charity ‘Sanctuary Aus’ is a child and family service, custom-built for the Canberra community by professionals with decades of therapeutic and management experience.
• Positive Behaviour Support Services: Holistic and attachment focused services for young people with disabilities, who are displaying challenging behaviours.
• Cool Kids with Autism: Specialist anxiety management program for children 7 - 12 yr/o. Accredited by Macquarie Uni.
• Club Mojo: For 7 - 12 yr/o kids who are struggling to manage their emotions and social skills.
• Circle of Security: Internationally recognised attachment focused program for parents/carers: flexible home or web based delivery.
• Counselling: Attachment based counselling for young people and parents.
• Women's Carer Support Group: Come along and meet some new people, do an activity and share lunch with us! Free to attend.
www.sanctuaryaus.org.au
I have witnessed the positive growth that my son has been displaying since working with Sanctuary Aus
-Canberra mum
tance of being a life-long learner.
“Our school is well resourced, with interactive LED boards in every classroom, and all year levels have access to their own iPad or laptop.”
Peter says students at St John Vianney’s participate in specialist classes in the performing arts, Italian, library and health programs.
“At St John Vianney’s all students are provided with an individualised education and all community members are treated as family,” he says.
“It is a very special place to belong to.”
St John Vianney’s, 91 Namatjira Drive, Waramanga. Call 6288 2383, or visit sjv.act.edu.au
“In the heart of our state-of-the-art mechanical repair facility, amidst the hum of engines and the scent of grease, a different kind of transforma tion is taking place,” says Raffy Sgroi, co-owner, car mechanical services.
“It’s the My Portfolio Career initia tive, a beacon of hope and opportunity for the leaders of tomorrow.”
Raffy says this program is not just about fixing cars, it’s about fixing futures.
“At My Portfolio Career, we believe in creating and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, where every individual, regardless of their background or abilities, has the chance to thrive,” she says.
“Our program isn’t just for the academically inclined; it’s for everyone, including neurodivergent kids who may need a softer, more accommodat ing environment to explore their career aspirations.”
Through a blend of mentorship, practical experience, and hands-on learning, Raffy says students are equipped with the skills and confidence they need to navigate the complexities of the modern job market.
“From resume writing to interview preparation, from understanding superannuation choices to mastering TFN applica tions, we leave no stone unturned in preparing our students for success,” she says.
“It’s about instilling in them a sense of purpose and Call 6162 4111 or visit carmechanicalservices.com.au
No matter what type of chronic pain condi tion people may have, Arthritis ACT can offer support, says CEO Rebecca Davey.
“We run strength and balance classes at the Weston Creek Community Centre on Whitney Place, every Tuesday from 10am to 11am,” she says.
“It’s important to remain active at all ages, and particularly as we age, we need to ensure we maintain our balance and strength.
“For something different, for those that don’t like structured classes, we offer Nordic Walking instruction. We’re teaching people how to walk with poles, which is a great, low-impact aerobic activity for everyone.”
Rebecca says it’s also important to build strength in different areas of the body.
“We now run Pilates from both of our locations, Pearce and Bruce,” and, as an added benefit for Arthritis ACT members, “we have free, online exercise classes every week from Tuesday to Thursday.”
She says Arthritis ACT also offers services such as exercise physiology, disability support and meal planning to help people in managing their pain.
“People come to us because we know the condition. About 50 per cent of our staff live with chronic pain, so we understand how chronic pain can affect all parts of a person’s life,” she says.
“No task or question is too big or small for us.”
Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au
with the first pupil intake in January 1975, says principal Cameron Reed.
Almost 50 years on, Cameron says the students still love learning.
“They are a joy to be around and they are supportive of each other,” he says.
“Unlike some other schools in the same area, we are well established. With that comes tradition, wisdom and an openness to purposeful growth in everything we do.
“We are a high-quality, community-oriented Catholic educational environment, where students thrive, staff are happy and parents are engaged.”
Cameron says the St Jude’s community believes in educating spirit, mind and body to embrace today and meet the challenges of the future.
“In 2025, we will celebrate 50 years of Catholic
schooling and we look forward to joining with all our community to celebrate,” he says.
“As a school we are known for creating a safe, caring and nurturing community. Our oldest students look after our younger students. “Academically, our students compare with the best schools in Canberra.”
St Jude’s has an education support dog, named Judy, to help with student anxiety.
“She is calm, caring and loving, a fantastic addition to our school community,” he says.
Cameron says with Molonglo continuing to grow, they are always open for new enrolments with their Open Day on Wednesday, May 8, 9.15am-11am and 4pm-6pm.
St Jude’s Primary School, Mulley Street, Holder. Call 6288 7688, or visit stjudesps.act.edu.au
Our physiotherapists work closely with our exercise physiologists and excercise scientists so if you need hydrotherapy or other exercise supports, you can keep your care all in the hands of one practice.
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.
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.
Emil has come to Arthritis ACT highly recommended by clients he has worked with previously.
With experience in the hospital system and private practice, Emil has interests in neurology, chronic pain and sports injury management and prevention.
Emil is soccer fan and assists local clubs in his spare time on weekends.
“You do not need to have any particular condition to utilise our services, just a desire to ‘Build a Better You.’
“Everyone wants a hashbrown,” says EightyTwenty Cafe owner and operator, Aakash, “but our hashbrowns are baked in the oven then cooked on a grill plate rather than in the deep fryer.”
“We have all of your favourites made in that way, so you can get healthier options,” he says.
At Eighty/Twenty Cafe, Aakash says every menu item has at least five fruits or vegetables in it so customers can enjoy their favourite foods without compromising on sugar and carbs.
“All of it is real, raw, delicious food and we’re proud to have everything done in-house,” he says.
“It’s all made from scratch and in-house including granola, cakes, and our pastries.
“All our milkshakes are freshly made, so if you ask for a banana milkshake, it is actually banana,
not syrup.”
Aakash says he loves food and grew up in a “foodie” family.
“I always wanted to work in the food industry, but I always wanted to make change through food, so people can actually enjoy the food and they don’t feel like they are just eating raw vegetables.”
EightyTwenty Cafe has six locations across Canberra, Aakash says, with the Belconnen site featuring a 100 per cent gluten-free menu.
“Our goal is to make healthier food more accessible across Canberra.”
EightyTwenty Cafe. 1 Fairhall Street, Coombs. Call 0450 220 890 or visit eightytwentyfood.com.au for other locations and menu.
‘Life is about balance, and we’re here to bring it all to life with food that is wholesome, enjoyable and sometimes even a bit indulgent’ ‘At
Galilee is celebrating 25 years as a registered school, says principal Tim McNevin.
“We are what is known as a special assistance school,” he says.
“What that means is, young people, as they journey through life, they often encounter barriers to learning and engagement at school. For some, it is the social and emotional barriers that are the most significant in terms of their success at school.”
“Galilee School is designed specifically in support of those young people.”
Given the right opportunity, the right environment and the right support, Tim says young people who have struggled in mainstream school environments can engage meaningfully with learning.
“We seek to maintain a staff-student ratio of 1:5,” says Tim.
“That staffing allocation is made up of teachers, youth
workers, learning support staff and other support staff all of whom are organised around the particular needs that a young person has.”
Tim says that being owned, operated and governed by Communities at Work is a tremendous benefit to the school, because it means they are able to access the central office supports, including marketing, HR, payroll.
“This means those services don’t need to be provided by the school,” says Tim.
“We can focus on our core business, which is the education and support needs of our students.”
The Galilee School has two campuses, the main campus in Kambah, which has programs designed for years seven to 10, and the Holder campus, for students in year 11 and 12, says Tim.
Communities at Work, The Galilee School. 172 Dixon Drive, Holder. Call 6293 6314 or visit commsatwork.org
Denman Village Early Learning Centre has been open for two years, with five children’s rooms and outdoor and indoor play areas, says owner Lise Percival.
“I wanted to cater for the community,” she says.
“I have been an early childhood teacher for more than 20 years, and I wanted to create my own space and environment.”
Lise says the state-of-the-art centre not only provides high-quality education, but also feels like an extension of family.
“It takes a (Denman) village to raise a child, and everyone grows here together, both children and staff,” she says.
Lise says she enjoys children and has been told she has a natural ability with them.
“I enjoy seeing the children develop,” she says.
“Developing essential relationships and shaping the growth of your child drives our core philosophies.
“Our values are open communication, learning community, children’s rights and evolving needs.
“It’s been a great, really rewarding experi ence to see Denman Village Early Learning Centre come together,” she says.
“We have some committed early child hood educators that have been at the centre since opening.”
Denman Village Early Learning Centre, 7 Felstead Vista, Denman Prospect. Call 6287 3648, or visit denmanvillagechildcare.com.au
Whether it’s seeing a live show, learning about Australian history or trying a new sport, there are plenty of activities to keep the kids engaged and entertained these school holidays.
Here “CityNews” rounds up some of the Canberra region’s best activities that the whole family can enjoy over the school break.
officer Maddison Cater says the autumn school holidays coincide with ACT Youth Week and its program calendar is filled with a range of experiences across Canberra, including the National Zoo and Aquarium, movies, bowling, trampoline parks, mini golf and ice skating.
“The school holiday program will run from April 15 to April 26,” she says.
“Our school holiday program caters to those aged 12-25 years old.
“Families and young people can expect to be met with fun and engaging activities that cater to a range of interests.
“Our activities and events are a combination of qualification-building, skill-building and good old-fashioned fun!”
15 - 26 APRIL 2024
profit-for-purpose community organisation supporting children, young people, families, older people and communities in Canberra and beyond since 1976, says Maddison.
“Northside supports people of all ages to live the lives they choose as members of socially just and connected communities,” she says.
All information can be found on the Northside Community Service website, Maddison says, but registration is required for most events and activities. Secure a spot at 6171 8000 or email engagement@ northside.asn.au
Northside Community Service, 2 Rosevear Place, Dickson. Call 6171 8000 or visit northside.asn.au
Northside provides free school holiday programs and events for young people aged 12-25.
Gymnastics is a great holiday activity, says Zoe West, coach of the not-for-profit Canberra City Gymnastics Club.
“Not only are they getting some energy out, there are kids of all ages coming. Lots of kids make friends, they make memories and learn about gymnastics,” she says.
“Gymnastics is also great for practising co-ordination and other skills.”
Zoe says the club has been open since 1978 with the mission to spread gymnastics for everyone of all ages and
The club is running a dedicated holiday gymnastics program, April 15-19 and April 22-26 (excluding April 25 for the public holiday) with games, craft and free time.
“Drop-off is at 8.30am, they will do a couple of gymnastics circuits throughout the day with accredited gymnastics coaches,” says Zoe.
Morning and afternoon tea is provided.
Prices for the school holiday program are $90 for one day, $176 for two days, $255 for three days, $332 for four days and $80 per day for bookings of more than five days. Pick-up is at 5.30pm, says Zoe.
Canberra City Gymnastics Club, 85 Chandler Street, Belconnen and 196 Mouat Street, Lyneham, 2602. Call 6251 1131 or visit canberracitygymnastics.com.au
Zoocation is a fun-filled school holiday care program for children in primary school who have completed at least one term of kindergarten, says Jessica Cartwright, education manager at the National Zoo and Aquarium.
“Zoocation is a whole day at the zoo with two guides to answer all your animal questions, special keeper talks, games, craft activities and a chance to relax and watch some animal information videos in our new Reptile Discovery Learning Centre,” says Jessica.
“The day also begins and ends with a visit to our Adventureland Playground to play with new friends and old.”
The program will run April 15-19 and again April 22-24 inclusive, says Jessica.
There will also be two Keeper For a Day sessions running on April 26.
“These three-hour sessions get into the true nittygritty side of zoo keeping, with participants seeing behind the scenes, meeting a friendly reptile and even helping clean out an animal enclosure or two,” she says.
“While the Keeper for a Day and Zoocation Programs are just for kids, get the whole family in on the action with our Enrichment and Training Tours.
“Learn how we take care of the mental and physical health of our animals in a fun-filled, two-hour behindthe-scenes tour – it’s essentially Keeper For a Day for the family without the cleaning. We figure mum and dad get enough of that at home!”
National Zoo and Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla. Call 6287 8400, email frontdesk@ nationalzoo.com.au or visit nationalzoo.com.au
understanding of our local patrons.”
These school holidays Flip Out Majura will offer a “2+2” package.
“When you purchase a two-hour jump session, you can buy a slushy for only $2,” says Christina.
“We are a place where people come for fun, to move their bodies, to learn new skills and challenge themselves in a safe, supportive environment.”
an exciting environment,” she says.
Christina says Flip Out Majura can keep even the most energetic of kids entertained, and with a cafe located on-site, parents and caregivers can easily take a break.
Flip Out Majura Adventure Park, 13 Mustang Avenue, Majura. Call 5133 7777 or visit flipout.com.au/majura
“We show the history of corrections in Australia starting from the First Fleet, up until today,” he says.
“On November 1 2023, we celebrated our 150th anniversary, we’re the oldest working jail in Australia.”
In January, Andrew says the jail received its highest number of visitors ever, with 1000 people coming to visit.
The museum has been expanded to include all aspects of Australia’s criminal justice history, he says.
“People should come and visit us as a big-city museum in a rural setting, we’re only slightly off the main road,” says Andrew
“We have a working gallows, people can use a real trap-door, but we also have fire trucks and tractors from history.”
they are coming to the end of serving their time,” he says.
“We also have a show of Aboriginal history.
“We’ve received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, and some absolutely fantastic reviews.”
Andrew says he has been doing this work for eight years, having previously worked as a senior prison officer in the UK and in Canberra.
“My passion is the privilege I have been given to tell Australia’s history,” he says.
“I also set up displays in the reception area of some other correctional facilities, too.”
Cooma Correctional Museum, 2 Vagg Street, Cooma. Call 6452 5974, or visit correctiveservices.dcj.nsw.gov.au
Tuff Nutterz was started in 2019, with the idea of creating an environment where families can have fun and come together, says general manager Juan Gomez.
“It’s a day filled with excitement for children, their parents and even grandparents,” he says.
“We are bringing the fun once more to Canberra during the school holidays. You can join us every day from 9am to 4.45pm from April 13 to April 28, at the corner of Parkes Place Lawns East and King Edward Terrace.
“The event features Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course – 300 metres long – and two other inflatable games, which are sure to provide an exhilarating experience for all ages.”
Juan says Tuff Nutterz is one of Canberra’s top-voted school holiday activities, and visits the ACT
twice a year during April and September.
“We are very happy and lucky to be able to provide such an enjoyable family event,” he says.
“Tickets start at $25, with session times at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and group discounts are available.
“We will have coffee, ice cream and yummy food available at our events, and you may bring your own food and drinks, too. Socks with grip soles are highly recommended.
“What I love about Tuff Nutterz is it’s a whole day out for the families, and away from screens, so everyone is able to share their experience together.”
Tuff Nutterz, King Edward Terrace and Parkes Place Lawns. Visit tuffnutterz.com
The woody herbaceous common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an old-fashioned plant that grows and flowers well in our climate.
Despite having beautiful blue, bee-attracting flowers, it’s an underwhelming looking plant with its wiry growth.
The sky-blue flowers are most interesting with a little frill on each of the petals and make up for this drab-looking plant.
In its juvenile stage, the plant has small flat leaves and resembles a dandelion. With age it will establish tall stems that grow to 70 centimetres or so.
While probably not a candidate for the garden border, it can be a worthy addition to the vegetable patch.
All parts of the chicory plant are edible and are mainly known as a coffee substitute. It also has many medicinal properties.
Plants to grow also from the chicory family (or endive and radicchio) can be sown or planted out now and until the end of April. There are a lot of seed options to try and for little or no cost.
Endive is a biennial plant, and the leaves can be cooked or eaten raw and has a mild bitter taste and radicchio has a red leaf, head forming plant and looks like cabbage. Unlike endive, radicchio is harvested all at once. They both need lots of water and good organic compost
around their roots, otherwise they will turn more bitter and bolt to seed. Fertilise with a nitrogenrich fertiliser a month after planting to keep them growing fast.
HARDY petunias are the most common summer flowering annual for a good reason: they don’t mind the heat and will cope with full sun.
A small plant can flower for up to five months through summer and into autumn and is one of the easiest plants to grow.
They’re from the Solanaceae family, the same as potatoes and tomatoes, and have similar shaped flowers with fine hairs (trichomes) with sticky stems.
Petunias benefit from being planted close by tomatoes, strawberries, basil and alyssum, just to name a few, for a long-lasting summer display.
They also can be planted in the vegetable patch as their flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects.
There are many cascading varieties that do well in hanging baskets.
A close relative is the short-lived perennial Calibrachoa “Million Bells” that resembles a miniature petunia. If grown in the right spot it can just about flower all year round and a light tip pruning will keep the flowers coming.
It likes good soil with good drainage and a pH of about 6-7. It will definitely benefit from a dusting of dolomite lime.
It dies when the heavy frosts arrive and is treated as an annual in our climate.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
• Fertilise sasanqua camellias.
• Net apples and pears if needed.
• Fertilise citrus before the soil goes cold.
• Remove paspalum and crab grass from lawns.
A curious history of the role of love in 50 objects COLIN STEELE
The triumvirate of artistic directors for the 2024 National Folk Festival is obviously composed of three people – but they speak with one voice.
All of them graduates of the ANU School of Music, they are composer and multiinstrumentalist Michael Sollis, bass player Holly Downes and fiddler-composer Chris Stone.
All have been part of the Griffyn Ensemble, which Sollis founded. Downes and Stone founded the folk act The String Contingent. Stone is the artistic director of the music camp Stringmania. Downes was programmer of the Majors Creek Festival. And Sollis was, for several years, artistic director of education for Music Viva Australia.
Collectively, their vision for the Folk Festival is one “where individuals become part of something bigger than themselves”.
They also see the festival as a tree – “our roots are firmly set in our traditions, cultures and histories, we celebrate the strength of the trunk and the present and foster new growth for the future through diversity, creativity, risk-taking and youth”.
their student days are long gone, all three live in the world of young people, with Sollis the father of two lively young sons.
Having hung around the event since they were teenagers, they see the need to reinvigorate a festival that has sometimes been accused of being crusty and old-fashioned.
Together with a super-enthusiastic general manager in Heidi Pritchard, they’ve engaged with the ANU School of Music to provide First Nations performances, enhanced by local singer Alinta Barlow, Kamilaroi and Tongan singer Radical Son, and WA artists Gina
him the festival is going swimmingly, and he has no time to reflect on past mistakes.
They’re definitely thinking left of field, away from the star line-up approach, so what has him really excited is the imminent arrival of a singer-songwriter simply known as Hairy Man who lives in the wilderness of Tasmania off-grid, and hasn’t been to a city in five years.
Somehow, with the help of folk historian Rob Willis, Sollis has got him to appear at the National Folk Festival.
Hairy Man’s real name is Dale Fullard. Though born in Hobart, he spent some of his youth living on Bruny Island, developing a sense of comfort with the bush and his father, a fossicker who also collected Huon Pine, taught him bush skills and snaring.
Trained as an electrician, he worked with Environmental Air for a time before moving on to a remote property 22 years ago, where his instruments, artwork, books and much of the bush were destroyed in the 2019 Tasmanian bushfires.
With music and poetry in his family, he likes putting his poems into song form to comment on corruption and the power of money. Songs include Digging Deep for Coal, 8 x 4 Cell (a song about Port Arthur) and songs about shipwrecks and whaling – all are based on real characters and events.
“He has an incredible voice, he sings convict-punk songs,” Sollis says. “We’re so thrilled that the folk festival can bring these voices to be heard.
“Ours is a community with diverse views and perspectives and that’s why we decided to do it as a trio, engaging with groups from the community who’d sometimes never been involved in the National Folk Festival.”
Examples leap to mind, such as the project of Alfira O’Sullivan, director of Suara Indonesia Dance, with the help of two dancers from Aceh, is teaching local Canberra dancers traditional Acehnese body-percussion style moves.
They’ve even got in a Melbourne community orchestra for Balinese music called Gamelan DanAnda, a pun on the Indonesian for “and you” and “Downunder”.
Another initiative is the “kids-run céilí” spearheaded by Melbourne group Ceoltóirí Naarm, who provide a space for children and teens to learn and play Irish music, bringing new players into the folk game.
Sollis welcomes Harry Manx with his Indian-inspired take on the blues, but equally English folk singer-songwriter and guitarist Grace Petrie from Leicester, and bouzouki player Con Kalamaras from Brunswick, who’s behind a Rembetika (Greek blues) night at the festival.
There is nothing purist about their approach and a successful result would be if audiences could interact with the players, hear them, talk to them, sometimes maybe even play with them.
As for directing as a trio, he says: “We’ve worked together for many years, especially with the Griffyn Ensemble.
“What’s really special is that all three of us have an approach to artistic leadership so that it’s not just a single person with a grand vision, it’s something coming from the collective dreaming of the community and from talking to wonderful artists – it’s a very privileged position we are in.”
The National Folk Festival, EPIC, March 28-April 1.
Prince Charles, when asked in 1981 if he was in love with Diana, famously replied, “Whatever ‘in love’ means”, as he looked awkwardly at the floor.
The profusely illustrated, Love: A Curious History in 50 Objects by Edward BrookeHitching, if it had been available, might have provided Charles with a more considered reply.
Brooke-Hitching, a former factfinder for the BBC series QI, is the author of the bestselling books, Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports (2015); The Phantom Atlas (2016); The Golden Atlas (2018); The Sky Atlas (2019); The Madman’s Library (2020) and The Devil’s Atlas (2021).
Brooke-Hitching’s entertaining and informative survey explores the role of love as a psychoactive agent of history and art through essays on 50 objects. They indicate that when it comes to love and the heart, little has changed over the millennia.
Brooke-Hitching notes: “Our species is at its most impressive, most terrible and strangest, when inspired to demonstrate the full furnace
of our imagination, and nothing pours more petrol on that fire than love.”
The essays are roughly chronological. The earliest entry is of a sexually embracing couple, the Ain Sakri lovers, a stone carving of about 9000BC, while the last essay documents the golden phonograph recording of Sounds of the Earth that was sent out into interstellar space on Voyager I in 1977.
The record includes the brainwaves of a woman in love with Carl Sagan converted into sound – “the love story that left the solar system”.
Brooke-Hitching’s background on QI lends itself to some quirky and unusual commentary, spinning off items such as prehistoric carvings, phalluses, chastity belts, love spells in medieval manuscripts, a Viking guide to dating, wedding chains, romantic messages in artworks and codebooks, courting sticks and love spoons and combs.
Did you know that the dating app can be traced back to an ad in the Manchester Weekly Journal in 1727, but the woman seeking a man to share her life was publicly castigated and placed in a mental institution for a month.
Thomas Edison, taught his wife Morse code so they could tap out loving messages to each other and he even proposed to her in Morse code. But is love all pink hearts and Valentine’s Day roses – or is there a darker side?
Medieval physicians diagnosed love and heartbreak as serious illnesses. Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?
And is it possible to die of a broken heart?
The practice of preserving the heart, the ancient symbol of the soul and emotion, symbolised lovers being united in death.
Perhaps the most famous literary heart is that of poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822), whose heart was eventually retrieved from an Italian beach grave and given to Mary Shelley, who reputedly kept it in her desk, wrapped in the pages of one of his last poems, Adonais, until her death 30 years later.
Jennifer Lopez once commented: “Think
I’m gonna spend your cash? I won’t. Even if you were broke, my love don’t cost a thing”, but historically women especially were often commodities and dowries applied and just think of Jane Austen’s heroines.
In 1832 the Dorset County Chronicle carried an advert by a widower seeking “a woman to look after the pigs while I am out at work”. The notion that you can pick your own partner based on love is a relatively modern one.
From the female perspective, BrookeHitching reports that the idea for his book was found in the armpits of 19th-century rural Austrian women.
When women danced they did so with slices of apple tucked into their armpit. Men would surround them in a circle. When a woman decided that her apple was sufficiently soaked in sweat, she would present it to the suitor of her choice.
If he wished to accept the proposal, he would eat the “soggy slice” to share “her
personal fragrance”. If he declined, the woman would place the slice back under her arm and resume dancing.
Samuel Johnson believed: “Marriage is a triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience”, while American columnist Franklin P Jones stated: “Love doesn’t make the world go around. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile”.
Perhaps the best way to conclude is with In The Art of Love by the Roman poet Ovid in which he argues that to retain a woman’s love is “not forgetting her birthday” and “not asking about her age”.
Love: A Curious History in 50 Objects, by Edward BrookeHitching. (Simon & Schuster, $55).
It’s no easy feat repairing an android child, alasBy Nick OVERALL
AS the rise of AI propels us towards our uncertain future, it is fascinating to see the way films and television meditate on what it might look like.
One of these disquieting tales is After Yang, a sci-fi drama now streaming on SBS On Demand.
It’s the story of a young family forced to reckon with grief after the loss of their adopted son, one that just so happens to be robotic and powered by artificial intelligence.
After the teenage techno-sapien malfunctions during a dance event, well past his (or should I say it’s?) warranty date, his father tries to find a cheap way to repair him to console his devastated daughter.
Turns out it’s no easy feat repairing an android child when you run a struggling tea shop.
Colin Farell plays this exhausted father. He’s joined by great talent including Halyey Lu Richardson and Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, but Justin H Min is the standout here with a performance able to bring life to a robotic youngster.
Like if Blade Runner were scaled down to an intimate family drama, After Yang makes for an intriguing sci-fi premise that in our rapidly changing world hits close to the bone… and perhaps one day maybe even a bionic version of one.
WHETHER she’s on sinking ships or solving murder mysteries,
Kate Winslet is a master of playing morose women.
But far more rarely seen is her knack for comedic timing. Films like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” or “The Holiday” give audiences a glimpse into her funny side.
A new series on Binge though puts it on display like never before.
The Regime is a six-part show which stars Winslet as Elena Vernham, the diabolical dictator of a fictional European city that sends dissenting citizens to prison faster than you can say “freedom for all”.
We meet this amusing despot as the walls of her opulent, authoritarian empire begin to crumble around her.
In a bid to tighten her grip, she befriends a Colonel Zubak, a soldier whose dealy approach to subdue protesters has earned him the nickname “the butcher”.
Winslet is fantastic in her sheer commitment to the role. It’s a performance worthy of writing more nuanced than the brutally dry satire on display here.
The show has its funny highlights but in our current world the comedic punches perhaps land a little harder than they should.
The Regime might be the TV embodiment of “all you can do is laugh about it.”
It’s a tightrope indeed that any good satire must walk. Audiences will have to be the judge of whether this one keeps its balance.
TRENDING on Netflix this month is crime thriller Fool Me Once, a series with a killer premise that’s kept it in the platform’s top 10 for several weeks now.
British actress Michelle Keegan stars as Maya, a woman trying to come to terms with the recent murder of her husband. It’s not long after she spots someone on a nanny cam she uses to keep an eye on her young daughter. Quite the fright indeed when she realises it’s her recently deceased spouse somehow back inside her house.
It sounds like the setup for a horror show, but this eight-episode series comes from a 2016 Harlan Coben novel of the same name and is firmly in the crime mystery genre.
And although this mystery starts well, things unfortunately start to feel stale pretty quickly. “Fool Me Once” insists on so many plot twists that it eventually starts to tie knots in its own story.
For crime drama junkies this will be serviceable, but ultimately the show would have been more suited to a film or a much shorter, more concise run of episodes.
“Fool Me Once” has one of the best hooks in recent TV memory. It’s a shame it’ll lose many of its viewers while trying to reel them in.
In a daring move away from the festival format that has seen Barragga Bay near Bermagui filled with music at Easter for the last three decades, the Four Winds organisation has departed from the three-day festival model.
In February, Four Winds’ executive director Lee Small launched a year-long schedule of events. While the larger-scale festival accoutrements won’t be there at Easter, the food truck and bar will, and concerts on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are expected to attract punters.
First up on Good Friday in the Windsong Pavilion will be Yirinda – storyteller Fred Leone and contrabassist Samuel Pankhurst – exploring ancient stories and soundscapes.
The performance will mark the release of the third single, Nyun (Brother), from their self-titled debut album recorded in Brisbane by Pankhurst, mixed in London by Jake Miller and mastered at Abbey Road by Alex Wharton. Combining ancient Aboriginal language with modern production, Leone’s vocals are set against Pankhurst’s experimental soundscapes of strings, horns, double bass, synthesizer and piano.
Leone is one of three song and language custodians for the Butchulla people from the
Fraser Coast region of Queensland and the songs on this album are sung in the endangered Butchulla language, now spoken by only a handful of people. The founder in 2009 of Queensland’s first Aboriginal hip hop label Impossible Odds, he collaborates regularly with his cousin, Birdz.
Pankhurst, by contrast, is a contrabassist/ producer who has performed with the Brodsky String Quartet and is a member of the Australian Art Orchestra. His studio work covers everything from the Bluey TV show to Hiatus Kaiyote.
Then on Easter Saturday, March 30, in the outdoor Sound Shell and on Easter morning in the Windsong Pavilion, the Goldner String Quartet, on its final concert tour after 30 years, will play for its dedicated classical audience.
The quartet, Dene Olding, Irina Morozova, Dimity Hall and Julian Smiles, will perform works by Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and the NSW premiere of a composition by Pēteris Vaskas, as well as the compositions of Paul Stanhope and The Goldner Variations on Beethoven’s theme Ode to Joy from his Ninth Symphony by 30 Australian composers.
Darkfield, created by UK directors Glen Neath and David Rosenberg, is coming to Canberra, where its experiences Séance and Flight will engulf audiences in complete darkness, inside shipping containers, where immersive 360-degree audio experiences explore the depths of human psychology. Séance explores the psychology of a group of people who have been bombarded with suggestible material, while Flight takes audience members on a journey through two worlds. Civic Square, March 28-April 14.
National Capital Orchestra, under the baton of Louis Sharpe, opens its 2024 season at The Q, Queanbeyan, March 24.
Soul singer Gladys Knight will be in town as part of her farewell tour. Her career has seen her record more than 38 albums over the years, including four solo albums during the past decade. Royal Theatre, Thursday, March 28.
Soprano Greta Claringbould and alto Maartje Sevenster join an ensemble led by John Ma to perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and two of the Divoti Affetti alla Passione di Nostro Signore by Ristori at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, Good Friday, March
29. Free entry, no applause. Canberra aquatic ecologist, zoologist, science communicator and author of the book Blossom Possum, Gina Newton says spiders get a bad rap. So she’s joined with illustrator Nandina Vines to create a book, Spider Wars, putting them in a better light and showcasing Australia’s Peacock Spiders.
Sierra Leonean-Australian sculptor Rosalind Lemoh, of Gundaroo, who undertook a residency at Canberra Glassworks in 2023, has been delving into the history of the Kingston Powerhouse to uncover “things hidden or unsaid”. The result is a solo show, Told. Retold. Untold, at the Kingston Glassworks until April 28.
Four Canberra artists were recently selected for the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize – Kerry McInnis, Wendy Teakel, Sally Simpson and 2020 Canberra CityNews Artist of the Year, Julie Bradley.
Campbell shops are mighty fine on the food front and one of the most recent destinations is The Bloom.
It was brunch time, on a stunner of a morning and we settled into outdoor seating surrounded by mature trees.
At The Bloom, you order indoors with meals brought to your table. The all-day food menu is designed around loads of breakfast items and it runs through to lunch options.
Coffee is excellent with The Bloom sourcing quality beans from multiple-awardwinning Ona. Great flavour and the barista is artistic with coffee designs. Tea is a major feature, with 10 varieties available.
The menu kicks off with simple items such as toast ($9 with jam, vegemite or peanut butter) and tops off with The Bloom Breakfast ($26), a whopper of a meal.
The mushroom dish immediately caught my eye. Two large, thick slices of mushroom – sauteed to perfection – arrived on top of a slice of sourdough. Poached eggs were on top with micro herbs dancing about for added colour ($21). The rocket pesto added
zip to the dish, as did the creamy goat cheese. I’m an “eggs-not-too-runny-not-toohard” kind of a gal and The Bloom executed my request with precision.
My friend settled on the smashed avocado ($19), which looked lovely on the plate. The avo arrived with poached eggs, goat cheese and dukkah. The nutty flavour of the dukkah married well with curled thin slices of pickled cucumber and – for extra zest – pretty pink
pieces of pickled radish and bright green pieces of fresh mint (The Bloom cares very much about presentation).
If you’re looking for something smaller, check out the arrays of goodies in the glass display fridge. The day we visited the line-up included slices for $4 (pecan and macada mia, as well as apple, date and maple), fruit salad ($6), banana bread ($5), and muffins ($5). Also decadent-looking cookies, such as
Muesli and a granola (both $15), as well as pancakes ($20) and baked beans ($21).
Order a chicken or beef burger for $21. The eggplant stack sounded intriguing with sugo and savory and dense Grana Padano cheese ($17). My bet is that the fresh salad would be amazing (beetroot, grilled halloumi, beetroot relish, mixed herbs and lemon dressing, $16).
The Bloom’s interior is clean and contemporary and there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor dining. It’s service with a smile.
Other food places at Campbell include Hello Café (now an institution at the shops), Les Bistronomes (award-winning fine dining), Just Wok, Department of Pizza (excellent) and Café Express (part of Supaexpress).
It is a flashback moment. I’m reading an Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) report on the outlook for wine.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s in my role with the Farmers Federation, I read a lot of these outlook reports as they assisted to guide the cases that we ran in the now Fair Work Commission about increases to minimum wages.
The quotation that reverberates from those days is one that I shared with the economist who assisted me to write these submissions:
“I believe that economists put decimal points in their forecasts to show they have a sense of humour.”
I like this quotation by William Gillmore Simms because maybe economists do have a sense of humour even though they’ve forecast 10 out of the last five recessions. Economics is appropriately called the dismal science, notably in the context of the outlook for wine revealed in the March 2024 report. Here are the headline points:
• Value of wine grape production to fall by 2 per cent to $926 million in 2024-25.
• Value of wine exports to fall by 3 per cent to $1.8 billion in 2024-25.
• Declining demand for wine and high existing stocks weighing on prices, both domestically and globally.
• National prices to fall by 4 per cent for red wine grapes and 1
per cent for white wine grapes in 2024-25.
The cliché that every cloud has a silver lining is evident in the last dot point; wine consumers are likely to benefit from a fall in wine grape prices.
But then again (or as economists would say, on the other hand) the lower price points for grapes is forecast to have a negative effect:
“In 2024-25, wine grape production is forecast to increase marginally. This is on the back of forecast good growing conditions, high water availability and easing disease pressure.
“However, the higher production potential will likely be constrained as growers leave grapes on vines, or engage in heavy pruning to put their vines in ‘survival mode’. This is due to continuing low prices with the ongoing excess supply of red wine varietals in warm inland regions and sluggish domestic and international demand for wines.”
Linked to this forecast is a prediction that some wine grape growers are expected to leave the industry or switch to growing more profitable crops with ABARES singling out almonds as a likely switch product.
When I recently drove to Yass for a walk along the river with the bushwalking club, I was astounded by the level of development around Murrumbateman.
Maybe for our region, the increasing cost of land and the problems with issues of water supply will see a switch from
growing grapes to more housing development.
I asked Ken Helm, who is an expert on the Canberra District with 50 years’ experience, for his opinion: “There is some pressure on local vineyards and we’ve seen Shaw Vineyard Estate sell before Christmas with all the vines pulled out, about 30 hectares gone.
“It’s definitely for rural residential housing development. We see that as devastation for the district because here we are short of fruit and we are bringing it in from other areas like Tumbarumba.
“Unlike the Riverland where growers are being offered $150 a tonne, in this district we are paying $3000 per tonne. Canberra is a standout because the premium end of the market is ignoring a downturn.
“Here at Helm we are allocating wine to restaurants because we can’t produce enough to meet demand. We are different to the Riverland. We are so different –they’re going backwards but we are enjoying good prices because we grow premium fruit.”
“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” –JK Galbraith
By Joanne Madeline Moore
March 25-31, 2024
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Monday’s pre-Easter Lunar Eclipse lights up your partnership zone. So, this week, focus maximum attention on the special loved ones in your life. It’s also time to get the balance right between invigorating independence and cosy togetherness. Your motto for the moment is from Aries writer and activist Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
Are you stuck in a Taurean rut? Have you been too stubborn to embrace change? This week’s Lunar Eclipse shakes up your daily routine zone. Plus, adventurous Jupiter and innovative Uranus also inject fresh energy and enthusiasm into your day-to-day life. So use it as an opportunity to open your mind and expand your world. The Easter weekend favours social get-togethers with your extended peer group as you eat, drink, dance, enjoy and explore.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
With four planets powering through your work zone, a professional matter or a volunteer project is taking up most of your precious time at the moment. If it’s too much to handle on your own, then don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from your peer group. Don’t battle on alone… others are happy to pitch in and help. As Ringo Starr sings: “I get by with a little help from my friends.” The weekend is wonderful for relaxing, unwinding, drifting and dreaming.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
Crabs are the natural nurturers of the zodiac but looking after loved ones won’t be easy, as you juggle your busy personal and professional lives. Monday’s Lunar Eclipse falls in your domestic zone, so it’s a good week to clean and declutter your living space, then you can enjoy entertaining family and/or friends on the Easter weekend. Some lucky Crabs will travel somewhere special or unexpected – to a destination with good food and a cosy, homey atmosphere.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
The Lunar Eclipse fires up your tempestuous nature, so you’ll feel amped up and ready to perform as you overdo just about everything! But don’t let overconfidence (and over-exuberance) trip you up. Your head’s full of ambitious dreams and fabulous schemes, but they’ll only work if you can persuade other people to contribute to Team Leo. You’ll find creative collaboration (especially at work) will take you a lot further than functioning as a solo operator.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
With four planets dashing through your partnership zone, the more diplomatic, caring and compassionate you are, the better your personal and professional relationships will be. Monday’s pre-Easter Lunar Eclipse stimulates your self-esteem and money zone. So – if you want to do well financially – spending sprees are out, and serious saving is in! It’s also an appropriate time to reflect on your personal values and reassess your current priorities.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
The pre-Easter Lunar Eclipse is in your sign, so do your best to be fair and balanced, as you appreciate differing viewpoints. But is your love-life stuck on autopilot?
It’s time to blast away the cobwebs and look at things from a fresh angle. Single Libra – are you fed up with dating disasters? Steer clear of flirtatious charmers with frivolous values and dubious motives. Attached Libra – love, adventure and experimentation are a super romantic mix.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Monday’s Lunar Eclipse favours meditation, contemplation, relaxation and investigation as you solve a problem or get to the bottom of a perplexing mystery. However, if you stubbornly hang onto the past and resist change, you’re in for a rocky ride. You need to be more flexible and adapt to constantly changing circumstances. Heed the wise words of Scorpio actor and social commentator Will Rogers: “Chaotic action is preferable to orderly inaction.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
The Sun and Mercury are transiting through your leisure-and-pleasure zone, so it’s time to plan a party, book a massage, attend a concert, see an exhibition, or organise a night at the movies. Plus, the Lunar Eclipse activates your hopes-and-wishes zone. So smart Sagittarians will start dreaming and planning a bigger and better life now! Your quote is from this week’s birthday great, entertainer extraordinaire Elton John: “I’ve always been, and still am, a dreamer.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Do your best to be sensitive to the needs of others. The pre-Easter Lunar Eclipse stirs up relationship insecurities (especially at home and work) and you may have to handle someone with kid gloves! Keep your Capricorn cool, as you participate in some difficult conversations and then deftly steer the subject matter onto safer ground. Short trips, education, friendships, creative projects, and local community connections are particularly favoured.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
With the Lunar Eclipse activating your wanderlust zone, many restless Aquarians will feel cooped up, housebound and a bit stir-crazy. So pull on your travelling shoes and escape on an Easter getaway or plan an adventurous trip for sometime soon. On the weekend you’ll communicate your innovative ideas with extra pizazz, as you dream big dreams, talk about progressive philosophies, and make connections with influential folk from foreign shores.
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
The pre-Easter Lunar Eclipse highlights a close relationship, shared finances or a joint venture. Secrets and issues of loyalty could also be placed under the microscope, as you discover whether your trust in someone has been well-placed. And prepare for a burst of Piscean creativity and energy as Venus, Mars, Saturn and Neptune activate your sign. Lucky opportunities could magically manifest, especially within your local community or via social media.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024
Across
1 What are the stems of plants? (6)
8 What is a bolo punch? (8)
9 Many stockings are called what? (6)
10 Name another term for voyages. (8)
11 Who is one to whom a lease is granted? (6)
13 Which National Park is near Nimbin NSW? (8)
16 Who minds sheep? (8)
19 What is an alternative name for termagants? (6)
22 Name a 24-hour Australian emergency counselling telephone service. (4,4)
24 What is a small knot, or knob? (6)
25 To be lowered in dignity, is to be what? (8)
26 To be the most mentally sound, is to be the what? (6)
2 Name a plant of the mint family, used for seasoning. (5)
3 Who was the Australian Prime Minister 1932-39, Joseph ...? (5)
4 What is a state of mental indecision? (8)
5 Which term describes gorillas? (4)
6 What might we call a pupil who stays away from school without permission? (6)
7 Name a renowned Victorian stockade. (6)
12 What is an inflammatory swelling on the edge of the eyelid? (4)
14 What are unexpected but welcome arrivals? (8)
15 To quote, is to do what? (4)
17 What is a cow that has not produced a calf? (6)
18 Name another term for a magpie lark. (6)
20 Name a French sculptor, Auguste ... (5)
21 Harry Secombe was a native of which country? (5)
23 What are electrically charged atoms? (4)
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