CityNews 240620

GAUGUIN

The National Gallery of Australia brings the work of the famous French artist back to the Pacific

MSA AUTHORISED DEALER

Full range of:

• Harnesses • First aid kits

• Safety equipment

• Protective clothing

• Corporate and trade uniforms

• Wide range of protective gear

• Workwear for all trades

Australia wide distribution

TRADE AND MASTER BUILDER MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY

Member of MBA & HIA

NEWS / Action on Smoking and Health turns 40

How ASH helped Canberra to quit smoking

By Celeste Gibbs

Canberra’s Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has been at the forefront of the ACT’s antismoking movement for more than 40 years.

And for its founder and advocate, Dr Alan Shroot, the growing presence of vaping means there’s still more work to be done.

Founded in 1983, ASH emerged in the haze of rising smoking rates, predatory advertising from tobacco companies and the adverse health effects plaguing Canberrans. Nearly half of all Australians over the age of 18 were smoking at the time, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around this time.

Reflecting on the organisation’s four decades of activism, founder and advocate Dr Alan Shroot says: “We’ve done a lot of good work, with a lot of good people. I’m proud of what we have done.”

ate responses and an additional 40 people turning up to the group’s first meeting.

ASH was born from targeting a newspaper advertisement. When the then Prince Charles visited Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald published a photo of the royal family above a smoking advertisment.

In response, Dr Shroot and ASH co-founder Garreth Smith made an advertisement of their own, one to

“People joined because they agreed about banning tobacco advertising and smoking in public spaces,” Dr Shroot says.

“There we were up and going, we were not a minority of one or two, but we were the silent majority.”

But silent they weren’t. ASH routinely lobbied representatives, wrote let-

moment of protest was interrupting the then Canberra Festival for its tobacco sponsorship and advertising of a family event.

“We got rid of tobacco advertising at the Canberra Festival,” he says.

“A week after the Canberra Festival I got a call from a member of its committee who said: ‘You’ll be pleased to know we won’t be using any more tobacco advertising’.”

They were effective. According to

Since 1993: Volume 30, Number: 25

Arts & Entertainment

Crossword & Sudoku

&

4, 12, 16

Streaming 28

Cover: Femmes de Tahiti, 1891, by French artist Paul Gauguin. Story Page 27.

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

Senior advertising account executive: David Cusack, 0435 380656

Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001

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

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

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

Production manager: Janet Ewen

Graphic Designer: Mona Ismail

Distribution manager: Penny McCarroll

Conveyancing for

Tobacco in Australia, efforts from campaign groups such as ASH directly attributed to the noticeable decline in smoking in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as increased tobacco and smoke-free

ASH was directly involved in this legislative shift also, clearing the air for the ACT’s politicians. Dr Shroot says one of its landmark achievements was successfully lobbying the then Liberal ACT government, and working with Health Minister Gary Humphries to raise the legal age to

Similarly, ASH was instrumental in the development of the ACT’s smokefree legislation in the early 1990’s. ASH worked with local restaurants to trial smoke-free evenings, ran surveys to gauge support (a whopping 80 per cent) for such legislation and worked with the ACT government to support

“Gary Humphries told us: ‘Don’t underestimate the effect all that lobbying has done’. It gave the politicians the confidence to do what needed to be done,” Dr Shroot says.

And yet, the air isn’t clear today. While ASH celebrates its achievements, its members are confronted with new challenges – namely, the rise of vaping, especially among young people.

It’s a pressing concern, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

(AIHW) has recently found that the number of young people using e-cigarettes has doubled since 2019.

Dr Shroot is concerned about the impact of vaping on the community. “It’s the same tobacco industry using the same techniques they used years ago,” he says.

“And I believe, in time, it will be shown to be just as dangerous as tobacco smoking already is.”

According to Lung Foundation Australia (LFA), this is right. LFA has marked vaping as a “gateway” for nicotine addiction, and reports that vaping can cause irreversible lung damage, nicotine addiction, unintentional poisoning, burns, seizures and cancer caused by carcinogenic chemicals.

So, as it marks its 40th milestone, ASH finds itself as just as necessary as it always has been, but finds itself grappling with an ageing membership and declining public interest.

Dr Shroot isn’t giving up, though. He and the rest of ASH remain steadfast in their commitment against smoking and vaping in the ACT.

“I wish we had outlived our usefulness,” he says, “but we haven’t now that vaping has come along. But we’ll keep doing the work that’s needed.” The fight isn’t over yet.

Anyone interested in joining or supporting ASH can contact Dr Alan Shroot at ashroot@iinet.com.au

Can there ever be truth in political advertising?

One of the questions I get asked a lot about is can we ever have truth in political advertising? Can we regulate political advertising to ensure it is honest and truthful?

The first question is a yes, the last no. Can we ever have truth in political advertising?

Just look at what gets the views on social media. But also votes in a ballot box if I promise new and shiny things sometime in the next government. This is what so much of what political communications has become about. Making us believe fake is real. That what we are seeing, hearing and reading is the most accurate reflection of the world.

Algorithms on social media are part of the issue. They are diluting democracy and creating echo chambers where we accept, rather than critically analyse, the information we are presented with. We are becoming blind to those who want to manipulate us for their own ends.

Remember the Saturday read?

Getting multiple papers and sitting down for hours to obtain a balanced perspective of the world? That’s gone. And even though we have so much information now compared to even a few years ago, which is good, much of it is open to manipulation and distortion.

This is because we want entertainment, not a great analytical piece. We are as guilty sometimes as those manipulating us when it comes to the value placed on truth.

The broader environmental context means that “truth” in politics is becoming harder and harder to find.

As the Coaldrake Review into the Queensland Public Service noted, even frank and fearless advice, aka

So much of what political communications has become about is making us believe fake is real. That what we are seeing, hearing and reading is the most accurate reflection of the world.

the truth, meant to be provided by public servants is disappearing.

So it does fall back to those making comms and ads to do so truthfully. But that is just not going to happen to the level we need to see actual truth in political advertising and comms. It can be though if the culture starts to punish those doing this.

So the answer is yes, but conditions do apply.

Is it possible to regulate truth in political communications?

The answer here is no. Why? Laws are reactive and not proactive. Existing laws on truth in political advertising, like those in South Australia, are triggered only when an ad or comms is shown.

By then it has likely achieved its objectives. And challenging the ads may actually help as people want to see what all the fuss is about. In the time it takes a court to issue the order for it to go down usually it’s too late as

you can’t unsee something and it may have been running for weeks, only to reappear again anyway somewhere else on the net.

This is exactly what happened in SA during the last state election when Labor was asked to take down two misleading ads it had been running. The damage had been done. The same with the comms targeting David Pocock in the 2022 federal election. Damage was done.

What would work better is a more proactive response. For example, providing a verified symbol on ads from an independent panel of fact checkers. Or a temperature-style gauge for how close to the truth an ad is out of 100. Giving the AEC more powers would help as well.

Keep in mind though that this is just for the paid and identified comms. Everything else falls into questionable grey areas, which means it becomes a social media giant issue. TikTok, for example, only had 3-4 moderators during the 2022 federal election campaign. So don’t expect anything other than the most offensive to get taken down.

If BlindFreddy182 posts disinformation or other misleading content to

10,000 followers on their platforms, it’s just an individual expressing their freedom of speech. And the people then resharing that content to their networks? The same, right?

And how about AI? A bot posting its own created content? AI and deep fakes will be a factor in all political comms from now on.

The laws could be broadened here on the definitions of political advertising and communication to help the AEC, but ultimately the free-speech argument, and the sheer volume of content, makes it hard to regulate. Ultimately, it gets back to us and the parties. We need to become our own best fact checkers. We need to hold parties who lie and manipulate accountable at the ballot box. Otherwise we will only ever have a form of truth in political advertising.

Dr Andrew Hughes is a lecturer in marketing with the Research School of Management at ANU where he special ises in political marketing and advertising.

Proudly Stocking the Largest Range of Australian Native Plants in Canberra and Surrounds

We specialise in local native plant varieties:

• Hardy, cold and frost tolerant natives

• A large range of advanced stock • Tubestock to advanced

Let our expert staff show you a range of plants suitable for your garden soil type, to grow and enjoy an abundance of Australian native plants.

election dishonestly characterising independent candidate David Pocock as a Greens extremist member… the damage was done, says Andrew Hughes.

YESTERDAYS / The Royal Australian Mint

Why cabinet banished mint to ‘the bush’ of Deakin

The wide passageway leads to a staircase descending to a colossal underground vault constructed of 61-centimetre thick reinforced concrete.

A steel door of massive proportions –12-tonnes in weight, three metres high and 1.5 metres wide, at a thickness of 61 centimetres – prevents access to the treasure trove within.

Here the 10 million coins a week churned out by the Royal Australian Mint reside until circulated throughout the nation.

It was 60 years ago the huge vault door was lowered into position before the floor of the main gallery above was laid and the iconic Canberra building rose up around it.

Now preparations are underway to mark that journey and the official opening by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, on February 22 1965.

There’s also a call for anyone who was present or has memories or memorabilia about the occasion to take part.

On that summer’s day, a reportworthy Fahrenheit century (38C), some 600 guests marvelled at the gold-coated, nearly two metres by one metre coat-ofarms heralding the moment.

Then, with a princely flourish, two small green buttons were pressed and the nation’s first decimal coins minted.

“The Duke selected a one-cent coin to add to the set he was presented with at the official opening,” says the Mint’s eleventh chief executive, Leigh Gordon, who is overseeing the anniversary as well as significant renovations currently underway.

“The Mint has national heritage importance as well as cultural significance,” Leigh says.

As with most things Canberra, the arrival of the Mint wasn’t without controversy.

According to Sir John Overall, inaugural Commissioner of the National Capital Development Commission (yes, this columnist is related), arguments on ACT planning were rarely “about architecture or engineering matters”.

Instead they were “between ministers and heads of departments who wanted the best located sites and

the most impressive buildings”. The Mint was a prime example.

Harold Holt, as treasurer, pushed for the Australian coin repository to “occupy a place of pride in… that exclusive territory in the national capital reserved for its more noteworthy buildings.”

Sir John, present for the Cabinet meeting, noted the proposal’s rejection on the grounds Holt’s political colleagues “refused to have a ‘factory’ in the prestigious Parliamentary Triangle”.

Instead it was “banished to the bush”, the remote “entrance to Yarralumla Creek Valley” (Woden).

The Mint was constructed in record time: more than 9000 cubic metres of concrete and one million bricks assembled in less than a year at a cost of 1.7 million pounds (more than $53 million today).

The “gracious and dignified” creation emerged from ACT Chief Designing Architect Richard Ure.

Also responsible for the eagle-bearing, 79-metre tall Australian-American Memorial unveiled in 1954, Ure would later generate angst for his iconic Black Mountain Tower.

“The Royal Australian Mint provided the Commonwealth with its own facility for coin making for the first time,” says Leigh.

“Prior to this, the government had no control over such operations, the other mints in the country were essentially branches of the Royal

Mint in London.”

More colourful episodes have also featured in its past: abnormal coins, foiled heists and even purported ghostly presences.

A technical hitch in 2000 saw a set of $1 coins struck with the wrong profile of the Queen. Intended for a 10c piece, the highly collectible result was slightly thicker and bore a double rim.

After 60 years, the Royal Australian Mint as a cultural institution, an operating business and a tourist attraction is as much a feature of the ACT landscape as its architectural siblings of the stature of the National Library (1968).

“We’re extremely excited our renovations are heading towards completion,” says Leigh.

“There will be some definite wow factors that we’ll reveal when the work is complete, but we think people will be really happy with the end result.” Canberra, it seems you are worth minting!

Nichole Overall is a social historian and journalist.

EXPERT ADVICE ON THE PERFECT FIT FOR YOU

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

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

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

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

Prince Phillip opens the Royal Australian Mint in Deakin on February 22 1965. Treasurer Harold Holt is seated on the left, and Prime Minister Robert Menzies on the right. (Woden).

Leave the kangaroo culling to Mother Nature

In May, 1930 a farmer named Wilfred Batty of Mawbanna, Tasmania, heard a commotion in his chook house. Rifle in hand, he went to investigate and finished up shooting the last known wild thylacine, or “Tasmanian Tiger”.

The species itself lasted only six more years, the last known one dying from exposure in Beaumaris Zoo, Hobart, on September 7, 1936.

In wild populations, every member of every known animal species can be classified as fitted-out by Nature to be a herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, or parasite (as in the cases of the mosquito and the blood-sucking vampire bat).

All species are also at some position in a food-chain, and their abundance according to their total biomass can mean assignment to a position in a food pyramid, with a rough 10-fold decrease in biomass at each step up the pyramid. One hundred tonnes of producers (plants) will support 10 tonnes of herbivores, which in turn will support one tonne of carnivores.

Thus, driving through the countryside one sees plants (eg grasses, trees) everywhere, but not so many plant-eaters (eg cattle, horses, sheep, kangaroos) and only very rarely a wild carnivore (dingo, fox, domestic

Every shooter involved in an Orwellian ACT ‘conservation cull’ is doing the exact opposite of what any competent stock-breeder would do when culling his or her herd.

fences or a motor vehicle.

But you can take it from me: the wildlife-protection laws in this country are a sick joke. When did you ever hear of some farmer or grazier being prosecuted for shooting kangaroos without a permit, for their competitive grazing or dining on a crop?

However, permit or not, there is another dimension. Cut to the ACT ‘roo cull. Every carnivorous or herbivorous animal is a gene selector, whether aware of that or not, selecting genes and the organisms carrying them in or out of their target population.

Such a feat takes absolutely no skill or superior speed or strength at all.

Thus, every shooter involved in an Orwellian ACT “conservation cull” is doing the exact opposite of what any competent stock-breeder would do when culling his or her herd.

So, the shooters, the politicians directing them and we electors, who vote those latter into office, are each and all in our own ways, following in the footsteps of Wilf Batty, and are helping along a chain of events that will likely see the total extermination of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, from long or short-term genetic decline.

Simply because no shooter can know what effect he or she is having on the gene pool of the target species, each of them might as well be shooting their bullets or contraceptive darts with their head inside a thick black bag.

She has always been the best gene selector.

Finally, firing rifles in ACT reserves and parks is inherently dangerous, and, of course, illegal. It can only be a matter of time, and well short of Doomsday, before some citizen or casual tourist gets themselves culled; by bullet or dart. Then there will be political Hell to pay.

The ‘roos definitely help prevent fire by eating much of the fuel in the reserves; particularly the understorey grasses, shrubs and small trees. And I recommend that the next such memorable event coming be named The Great Barr-Vassarotti-Rattenbury Fire, in honour of those who will have done so much to cause it.

cat or dog gone wild).

My wife and I, and my wife’s brother have been part of a cattle-farming enterprise. But now is the right time for us to quit. Looking back, while I have shot plenty of rabbits, the odd fox and some injured domestic animals, I have never shot a native marsupial, except for one or two injured beyond recovery through encounters with

For example, wild carnivores can easily pick the weakest and slowestfleeing animals: those that one might say are short on genes for speed, and proceed to select them out of the general stampede.

But a shooter can, with a rifle of whatever kind, simply select out “the biggest and the best” – particularly if the carcasses can be sold on some meat and/or skin market.

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED Keeping

The result will most likely be a steady weakening of that ‘roo gene pool, and sooner rather than later, the total extermination of the Eastern Greys. And we Canberrans will all have been part of the process.

So, I recommend leaving it all to the population control systems natural to the kangaroos; and to Mother Nature.

Ian MacDougall taught science and biology at all levels in the ACT school system. These days he commutes between Canberra and Gulargambone, in northwestern NSW, where he has an interest in a cattle property.

The shooters, the politicians and we electors are all, in our own ways, helping along a chain of events that will likely see the total extermination of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.” Photo: Valeriia Miller

/ planning

Constrained review skirts planning concerns

The just released ACT Planning System Governance Review, by Adelaide-based Peg Consulting, notes that its first term of reference is: “The Review will consider the effectiveness of the governance framework of the ACT’s new planning system and whether it supports the delivery of an efficient and transparent planning system within the ACT context.”

The review notes that: “Transparency in decision-making is a cornerstone of good governance (particularly in the public sector), as it fosters trust and accountability. Transparent decisions based on accessible information and opportunities for public input are more likely to be perceived by the public as fair and inclusive.”

Khalid Ahmed, adjunct professor, Institute of Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra, has commented: “The Draft Planning Bill incorporates significant changes to the governance of the planning system in the territory. In particular, it:

• Degrades the role and powers of the Legislative Assembly for oversight and input to key planning instruments;

• Provides unspecified discretionary

powers to the minister to make planning instruments and directives, and to make rules for community input;

• Increases the powers and discretionary authority of the Chief Planning Executive; and

• Diminishes the role of the community in planning decisions.”

Unfortunately, the Governance Review was constrained and was only able to consider aspects of governance within the bureaucracy. It only deals with one of the above concerns, the excessive power concentrated in the chief planner and director-general of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, currently one person.

The government has announced it will fix this by the appointment of a new chief planner, but hasn’t said whether that person will be independent of EPSDD and will report directly to the minister.

The review does provide some good

The new planning system allows the same authority even more discretion to ignore communitysupported, acceptable standards and favour the interests of developers.

suggestions about making current bureaucratic processes more “transparent” to interested members of the public. But it does not address “the role of the community in planning decisions”.

What typically happens for a more significant development application (DA) is that it is advertised with a few weeks to comment, representations are made by those affected by it and nothing further is heard, usually for several months.

Then the planning authority pops out its decision, which is most often a conditional approval.

It appears that the planning authority’s internal processes normally involve one or more officers assessing the DA and comments received, identifying issues and requesting the DA applicant to provide “more information” on these issues.

The developer’s planning consultants (spin-

Orthopaedic consults for Paediatric patients

Chris Spelman is a paediatric hip and knee surgeon, with a special interest in the management of hip dysplasia in all age groups. Dr Chris Spelman

Justine St George is a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip dysplasia and other paediatric hip disorders, limb length discrepancy and reconstructive surgery. Dr Justine St George

Dr Samya Lakis regrets to inform that Ortho ACT appointments for Dr Lakis are now closed. All Scoliosis referrals should go through to Sydney.

The SCH clinic referral is SCHN-SCH-OPD@health.nsw.gov.au

doctors) leap into gear and bombard the authority with copious “reasons” as to why the DA should be approved regardless. Usually the authority succumbs, perhaps insisting on some minor changes.

Nothing about the current processes, or the recommendations of the review, guarantees there will be better, more innovative “outcomes” and the “new” planning system allows the same authority even more discretion to ignore communitysupported acceptable standards and favour the interests of developers.

When the authority’s decision is made public, all community members can do is to apply to the ACT Administrative and Civil Appeals Tribunal for a review of the decision.

Appealing is a costly, very timeconsuming and stressful process. Developers (and the planning authority) are usually represented by teams of well-paid lawyers and other consultants, whereas the community members, who volunteer their time, tend to find themselves at the wrong end of aggressive cross-examination and can be threatened with developers’ costs being awarded against them.

A better model for open and

transparent decision-making on more significant DAs, which could easily be adopted by the ACT government, is the kind of “local planning panel” now in use in parts of NSW and SA. These are composed of experts in various relevant fields appointed by the government on a rotational basis. They meet in public and consider written submissions as well as presentations by interested parties at the meeting. Decisions are generally made on the spot and are only appealable on points of law, rather than planning grounds.

The other important part of a good process around the redevelopment of established areas is getting the up-front planning right, with genuine engagement of affected local communities, such that DAs do not contain nasty surprises and the potential for conflict and disputation is substantially reduced. But that’s another story…

Richard Johnston is a former senior executive of the ACT Plan ning & Land Authority.

Open every weekend from 10am to 4pm Cafe open from 10am to 3pm

“If someone says ‘my mum needs this, my dad needs this’, call me up and I can go there.”

Optometrist meets mission with mobile eye tests

Shane Brookman, former owner of Capital Eye and founder of Angel Eyecare, a mobile optometry service, has returned to Canberra after spending five years living abroad.

The optometrist has more than 20 years of experience and he says his return comes with a particular mission: to help as many people access affordable, comprehensive optometry services as possible.

He says the idea of a mobile optometry service came to him last year, when he returned to Australia to visit his grandmother, just before she passed away.

“When I saw her in that very sad state, she had crooked glasses, she was half blind from cataracts, diabetes... she’d been there for years and no-one came to help her with her eyes,” Shane says.

“She’d never been out to see anyone. She was just languishing, like many old people in residential care, not being able to see.

“She passed away shortly thereafter, and I said: ‘Gosh, there’s got to be a better way’, and, well, this is what I do for a living. I can help people.”

Shane says Angel Eyecare can provide comprehensive eye exams that check for glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and corrective eyewear from the comfort of their home, no matter where they are in the greater Canberra region.

“There’s plenty of people sitting at their homes right now that can’t get to their local optometrist because of mobility issues, and need to have a medical health professional come to them,” says Shane.

“No matter where they are, even if they’re in residential aged care, nursing homes, veteran centres, if we can just get one son or daughter to say ‘my mum needs this,

Mobile optometrist Shane

conducts an eye test at a patient’s home... “It’s all about removing the barriers to quality care.”

my dad needs this’, call me up and I can go there.”

In the last five years, Shane says mobile optometry technology has rapidly grown, with portable devices that can photograph the back of a person’s eye and show if they have diabetes, high blood pressure or cataracts, and devices to take photos of the front of the eye to look out for cancers.

He says they even have portable equipment to check the power of someone’s eye, so even if they can’t speak, he can still measure what glasses they need.

“If I can help someone with a gift of sight in their last golden era of life, it’s a huge shift to their quality of life,” he says.

“You can prescribe someone a new pair

SEE BETTER WITHOUT LEAVING HOME

of glasses where they can see the faces of their relatives, or see letters, or watch TV, or read the newspaper, and they can maximise the quality of life in those last important years.

“I wish that for myself and everybody.”

Part of the service is a free report of vision and eye health findings, which Shane says they can then give to members of their family or carers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Shane says the key message optometrists want to get out is that prevention is the cure, because 90 per cent of blindness is avoidable.

“Cataracts, macular disease, glaucoma, diabetes, they’re the top ones that cause

blindness in this first-world country that we live in,” says Shane.

This isn’t the first time Shane has dedicated his time and resources to help those in need, having established the eye clinic at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services in 2017, after learning there is a 20-year health gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

“My grandmother was indigenous, and so from a very young age, she kind of drummed into me, ‘this is part of who you are, don’t forget this side of who you are’.

“So I felt very moved by that, and I approached Winnunga and said: ‘I’m an optometrist, I’ve got a special interest here

because of my family connection, I’ve got a practice in Barton, how can I help?’”

He says they put together a budget, received a small grant from the government and set up the eye clinic at Winnunga, where he worked every Friday until moving abroad.

Shane says his ultimate aim is to improve lives through the gift of sight, including for patients who may not be able to afford or easily access comprehensive eye care.

“It’s all about removing the barriers to quality care by providing an essential community service, and preventing blindness,” he says.

Angel Eyecare, call 6108 3658 or visit angeleyecare.com.au.

Brookman

Shane says that in the past five years mobile optometry technology has grown rapidly.

POLITICS

The world inches closer to a pandemic treaty

By Michael MOORE IN GENEVA

The world ought not to have been caught unprepared for COVID-19. There were plenty of indications and warnings.

There are still warnings in place for a repeat, and yet there is not enough being done worldwide to prepare for the next pandemic.

COVID-19 has not disappeared and bird flu is starting to make its presence felt. The current bird flu virus has already moved to both cattle and people. Recall early indications from Wuhan (a then largely unknown city in China) about a cluster of deaths caused by a previously unidentified virus.

Viruses know no borders and they can rapidly mutate. As national and international travel is proceeding in unprecedented numbers, it is unlikely that this will be the last pandemic to be faced by humanity. Appropriate preparedness is long overdue.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not been sitting on its hands. However, keep in mind that the WHO is largely the bureaucracy that serves its member states. These 194 countries have representatives

who sit in Geneva in May each year at the World Health Assembly (WHA).

The WHA is, in effect, an international parliament that sets the agenda and oversees WHO, which is part of the United Nations.

A “Pandemic Treaty” was meant to be completed for debate at the World Health Assembly this year. Although the meeting did not reach agreement on adopting the draft, there are indications, with more work, such a treaty can be adopted.

Let’s hope that there are no serious international infectious outbreaks in the meantime.

There are those who argue that such a treaty will reduce their sov-

Photo: Salvatore Di Nolfi/EPA

ereign power. It parallels an intense anti-UN feeling pushed through ‘fake news’ by small forces that advocate anti-multilateralism. Viruses do not respect such sovereignty issues. Concerted and coordinated action is critical to human health.

The WHA was attended in May by Health Minister Mark Butler and Chief Medical Officer Prof Paul Dugdale. With strong encouragement from Australia, some progress was made.

According to the WHO, the 194 countries present “agreed a package of critical amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), and made concrete commitments to completing negotiations on a

Democracy in Action

global pandemic agreement within a year, at the latest”.

This is an important step towards a comprehensive global pandemic treaty.

The WHO was seeking “comprehensive, robust systems in place in all countries to protect the health and safety of all people everywhere from the risk of future outbreaks and pandemics”.

Non-government organisations such as the World Federation of Public Health Associations* worked intensively with other civil society organisations, academics and public servants to have a draft of the Pandemic Treaty ready for decision in May. It is disappointing that the 194 countries were not able to adopt a draft that has been years in the making.

This is particularly disappointing considering the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, one of the most successful health treaties that makes use of International Health Regulations, only took six iterations before agreement was reached.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus argued “the amendments to the International Health Regulations will bolster countries’ ability to detect and respond to future outbreaks and pandemics by strengthening their own national capacities, and co-ordination between fellow states, on disease surveillance,

information sharing and response.

“This is built on commitment to equity, an understanding that health threats do not recognise national borders, and that preparedness is a collective endeavour”.

According to Dr Tedros, the new International Health Regulations include:

• Introducing a definition of a pandemic emergency to trigger more effective international collaboration in response to events that are at risk of becoming, or have become, a pandemic

• A commitment to solidarity and equity

• Establishment of the States Parties Committee to facilitate the effective implementation of the amended Regulations and to promote and support cooperation for effective implementation

• Creation of National Authorities on International Health Regulations to improve co-ordination of implementation of the Regulations within and among countries. This is a sensible start. However, consider the suffering and deaths associated with COVID-19.

Even with surveillance seriously curtailed, as of January this year, the WHO reported more than 774 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over seven million deaths globally. There is no time for complacency.

*Michael Moore is a past-president of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.

Zak’s walks the talk every Sunday

By Katarina Lloyd Jones

At the start of 2021, Zak Pino was studying, working full time, dealing with the aftermath of covid and struggling to find balance in his life.

He knew his friends were facing the same uncertainty, and started thinking of easy ways to encourage everyone to get together and simply debrief.

So he started a weekly walk around Lake Burley Griffin. He says most of his friends only lasted two weeks or so of sacrificing their Saturday nights in favour of a Sunday morning walk, but strangers had started asking if they could join his weekly walk around Lake Burley Griffin.

“I started accumulating these mobile numbers and started sending a text message every Friday, which led to people coming or not coming on Sunday mornings,” he says.

Four years later, Zak says Walk-W-Me usually sees about 45 people coming to the walks around the lake, but he’s had more than 100 on multiple occasions.

Zak says Walk-W-Me focuses on inclusivity and mental health.

“It’s like a second family,” he says.

“There’s no formalities, you know, you either rock up in your activewear, tracksuits, or some people do generally just roll out of bed, put their shoes on and come, and so you’re getting people who are quite raw,” Zac says.

“And because of that, there’s no emphasis on the interpersonal skills or having

to have a conversation, because you don’t know who you’re going to talk to, there’s less pressure, there’s no structure.”

The demographic of participants is hugely varied, he says, and this has allowed everyone to gain valuable new perspectives on life, with some networking new jobs, finding professional mentors and, of course, making friends.

“The walking is to distract you,” he says.

“You’re not thinking about what you’re talking about because you’re feeling good while you’re walking.

“You’re seeing seagulls, you see people rowing boats, you talk about the weather, what you did last night, what the restaurant you ate at was like, introduce yourself to a new person, it’s just endless conversation.”

Zak says he is most grateful for the direct or indirect support he has been able to provide for people.

“The best thing is seeing people, kind of, develop,” he says.

“It’s become a very safe space for a lot of people.”

Walk-W-Me has expanded into new fields since its initial inception, Zac says, having previously hosted breakfasts and recently organising a Walk-W-Me Gala.

“I wanted to get everyone out of their activewear,” he says.

“And I wanted to see everyone dancing.”

Walk-W-Me starts at 9am Sundays, meeting at the flags display, Lake Burley Griffin. Visit the Walk-W-Me facebook and instagram pages for more details and for future events.

Tax cuts for every taxpayer

Talking lids with hero Tim

The 2021 ACT Local Hero, Tim Miller, from Lids for Kids, is the guest speaker at the next dinner meeting of the Tuggeranong Evening VIEW Club, June 26, at the Town Centre Vikings Club, Greenway. RSVP to tuggeven@gmail.com

Indoor winter sale

St Ninian’s Uniting Church, Lyneham, is staging an indoor winter sale on 9am-1pm, Saturday, June 22. There’ll be a warming sausage sizzle and morning tea of scones, cheeses and slices. Sale includes toys and baby things, jewel lery, winter clothing, yarns and material remnants, books, DVDs, CDs, and more.

View from the top

National VIEW Club councillor Frances Turner is presenting at the next lunch meeting of the Gungahlin Day VIEW Club at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club, Nicholls on June 26. RSVP to 0413 923933 before 9pm on June 23. Lunch costs $35.

A word from an author

Author Robyn Hipkiss will discuss her books on the inspirational stories of local residents at the next lunch meeting of the Weston Creek VIEW Club at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden on July 2. RSVP to 0408 864616 by June 27.

MEGA FOSSIL WEEKEND TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW SKULL EXHIBIT

There’s entertainment to be had for every age at the National Dinosaur Museum’s upcoming Mega Fossil Weekend, says general manager Carole Arulantu.

The weekend will celebrate National Fossil Day, which is usually observed during the third week of June. This year it will take place on June 26, with Mega Fossil Weekend taking place on June 22-23.

Visitors can enjoy a 10 per cent discount on admission when attending the Mega Fossil Weekend, as well as access to free fossil talks, fossil hunts, and baby T. rex encounters. The Museum will also be launching its brand-new interactive skull exhibit.

“Every child who does a fossil hunt will win a shark tooth; a real, prehistoric shark tooth,”says Carole.

It’s two hours of the day, she says, that eager visitors will need to put aside in order to let themselves become completely immersed in the Museum and all its offerings.

The Museum will also be running a competition to win a Canberra Monopoly set, with exclusive “NDM” dinosaur tokens being hidden in their new skull exhibit.

As the name suggests, the display is dedicated to an impressive array of dinosaur skulls: inside the upstairs cabinet are 14 skulls, lit only by a dim light until visitors press a button to illuminate any one skull of particular interest.

Beside the buttons are approximate illustrations and an information package about each dinosaur, encouraging visitors to guess at the corresponding skull before they reveal the answer. Visitors will need to guess the number of hidden NDM tokens and submit

an entry form to go into the draw to win one Monopoly board, plus two exclusive dinosaur tokens.

With this new interactive skull exhibit, as well as the array of modernisations that the team has applied to the displays and garden over the last year, even repeat visitors may attend the

event and learn something new.

“Dinosaurs are interesting for everyone,” says Carole.

“We want everybody to come and ask us as many questions as possible, because there’s always so many intriguing things about fossils.

“Through fossils, we identified that

vision-impaired over the weekend. Interested participants must call or email the Museum to book.

The Museum was bought and converted from its role as an opal museum in 1993—the same year that the first Jurassic Park film was released. In 2011, it was bought by brothers Jeno and Tom Kapitany, Chris Michael, and Martin Rowe, four private collectors of palaeontological items who wanted to share their passion with the public.

The directors have purchased all Museum displays, including items such as real parts of meteorites, real megalodon teeth, and dinosaur fossils, including a 67-million-year-old T. rex tooth.

Carole says their strong desire to share these incredibly rare items is a testament to the enduring mysticism and interest surrounding the prehistoric era.

“There are a lot of people who are serious about their fossils. They come here, they look at our cabinets, they buy their fossils.

“There are also children who can relate to The Land Before Time and other dinosaur movies, or are even budding palaeontologists themselves.

“History is always an ongoing topic. It never dies.

“We’re always learning something more about dinosaurs. Every single day there’s a new discovery.”

these guys roamed the earth, and we also know where they are from, what they ate, and how they lived. It’s just a beautiful mystery that we can begin to solve for everyone.”

The National Dinosaur Museum will also be running a special, accessfriendly tactile tour for the blind and

“And so, I’ve got members who visit day in and day out, but they discover something new every time,” she says. Visitors to the Museum this weekend are welcome to bring food and sit on the deck while they eat, or are alternatively encouraged to explore the variety of food options in nearby Gold Creek.

Carole’s top tip for the event? Buy your tickets at the door to ensure the 10 per cent discount can be applied.

National Dinosaur Museum general manager Carole Arulantu… “Every child who does a fossil hunt will get a shark tooth; a real, prehistoric shark tooth.”

Territories labour under Canberra’s ‘colonial’ yoke

The recent passage of legislation in the ACT enabling Canberra residents to access euthanasia is, regardless of personal views, an exercise by our community of our democratic rights and is, as such, appropriate and to be welcomed.

The decision of the Federal Parliament some three decades ago to deny the territories this right was anti-democratic, wrong and an unconscionable overreach of federal legislative power. We Canberrans had every right to be outraged.

Many of those in the federal parliament who have so forcefully and successfully fought for this “Territory Right” to be restored are currently engaged in a process that has resulted in the residents of another Australian territory, namely Norfolk Island, being denied any of the rights vested in and enjoyed by the ACT and the NT.

That’s right, not only do they not have any say about euthanasia they have no say in any of the state-type laws to which they are subject.

The residents of Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands, Australia’s two Indian Ocean territories, are similarly denied basic democratic rights.

Unlike Norfolk Island, which until a decade ago was effectively self-

While the pedants in Foreign Affairs will insist otherwise, as far as I am concerned these three Australian territories are, to all intents and purposes, colonies… and our treatment of the residents shames us all.

governing until, that is, Labor and the Greens joined with the Liberals to repeal the Norfolk Island Act, end self-government and return Norfolk Island to colonial status, the residents of Christmas and the Cocos Islands have never had a genuine voice in how they are governed.

The fact that a majority of the residents of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are of Asian heritage and of the Muslim faith is surely not relevant to the decision by successive Commonwealth governments to deny them any meaningful say in how they are governed. Perish the thought.

During my public service career, I lived and worked on Norfolk Island for two years. At that time, in the ‘90s, the island was, unlike today, a functioning and successful democracy.

Admittedly, there were occasional issues with the state of the budget, but Norfolk Island is not alone in that regard.

For example, I grew up in the Bega Valley in the quaint village of Wolumla. I have retained close links to the region and am advised that in

recent years the Bega Valley Shire’s finances took a big hit at a time Kristy McBain was the mayor. I am told that, consequently, there has been a massive increase in local rates in an attempt to repair the damage.

Ms McBain has gone on to greater things and is now the federal Minister for Territories and busily engaged in limiting the democratic rights of Norfolk Islanders because of, I believe, the state of the territory’s finances.

I have suggested to my friends on Norfolk Island and on Christmas and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (I was also honoured a decade ago to live and work on Christmas Island as Administrator of both territories) that in my opinion it is past time to seek the involvement of the United Nations in respect of the treatment meted out to them by the Australian Government.

As far as I am aware, Norfolk Island is the only non-self-governing community in the Pacific Ocean, while Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are similarly the only non-self-governing communities in the Indian Ocean.

QUALITY AUSTRALIAN HEMP PRODUCTS

While I am sure that the pedants in Foreign Affairs will insist otherwise, as far as I am concerned these three Australian territories are, to all intents and purposes, colonies. While that may be technically incorrect I for one believe that their ambiguous status and our treatment of the residents shames us all.

I am sure the Chinese ambassador would agree with me. I must ask him what he thinks and if perhaps China would be prepared to raise the issue in the UN.

It is notable that in a recent speech welcoming the prime minister of Papua New Guinea to Australia, PM Anthony Albanese said: “Every Pacific nation, big or small, has the right to shape its future and secure its destiny”.

While Mr Albanese did not go on to say “unless, of course, it is an Australian territory”, one is entitled to assume that that was implicit in his commentary.

On a brighter note, I am also aware of a speech delivered recently by Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan, which gave me reason to hope that the voice of reason and justice will prevail.

This is some of what he said:

“The report explores ways to return democracy to the people of Norfolk Island. For some time now they have borne the yoke of an oppressive administration, which is the creature of the Australian bureaucracy.

“My time on the island and with its people made a lasting impression upon me. I came to the view that there are two immutable principles that must guide the mainland’s interactions with the people of Norfolk Island.

“First, Norfolk Island is a distinct and separate territory and is entitled to determine its own future in accordance with the aspirations of its people.

“Secondly, in all its dealings with the people of Norfolk Island, Australia must treat them with respect and a generosity of spirit. Australia must resist using its economic power unethically and instead negotiate with the island as an equal, having regard to its moral obligations to support the people and respect their aspirations.” Amen to that.

Jon Stanhope is a former chief minister of the ACT.

LETTERS

How the Danes took a stand on wood heaters

In response to the push by the wood heating industry to overturn the ACT government’s decision to phase out wood heaters in suburban Canberra, it’s worthwhile drawing public attention to the recent actions of the Danish Consumer Ombudsman against what it considered was “greenwashing” of wood heaters and wood burning.

In July, 23 companies were charged with violating that country’s Marketing Practices Act with what the Danish Consumer Ombudsman found were deceptive environmental claims about wood burning.

The ombudsman’s office ruled that wood stoves, firewood, and wood pellets may no longer be marketed as environmentally friendly or carbon neutral in Denmark, because it considered the claims to be false and misleading.

Despite Denmark’s tough environmental certification scheme, the Ombudsman noted that certified wood heaters still emit “environmentally harmful particles”.

A press release issued by the Ombudsman stated that “marketing must therefore not give the consumer the impression that burning wood in a certified wood heater is less harmful than it is.”

Further, it said wood heaters can no longer be marketed as being carbon neutral, because it is “misleading.”

Perhaps there is something we can all learn from the environmentally health conscious Danes.

Darryl Johnston, Tuggeranong

Nice to see a change in local government

The June 3 edition of CityNews was an excellent issue, especially the Great Rates Rip-off articles by Clive Williams, Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed, Hugh Selby and, of course, the KEEPING UP THE ACT cartoon.

Criticism of the local Labor/Greens government by one is formidable but to have four and a cartoon in one edition was outstanding.

As a community, we have borne their mismanagement for years, (especially Barr/Rattenbury, who show no remorse) and we, our children, grandchildren and their children will be paying off this government’s debt for years to come while services deteriorate even further. They, of course, will leave the scene on a fat super payment plus other benefits, all paid for by the people.

The Canberra community is supposed to be one of the most highly intelligent in Australia, yet come this October, most of those that voted for this local mob in the last election will do the same again and then go home and whinge about how they are being screwed by the government. Why, you ask. Because people have become too complacent.

It would be nice to see a change in local government in October with a lot more independents taking the stand and Labor, Greens, Liberals in a minority role. One can only dream.

Errol Good, Macgregor

Compensating for a poor opposition

Thank you for Clive William’s insightful article “The great rates rip-off, the debt mountain and how you’re paying for it” (CN June 6).

Every person voting in October’s ACT election needs to read this along with all back copies of excellent CityNews articles written by Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed. CityNews has compensated for a poor opposition, many of whom are, without shame, seeking re-election. Amazing! CityNews is our last hope for common sense, thank you for your diligent reporting.

John Lawrence via email

Thank you for getting VAD bill passed

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne and others who worked with dogged determination to get the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation over the line. Congratulations!

I am unsure if letter writer John L Smith (CN June 13) has witnessed the pain, debilitation, loss of independence and dignity of someone suffering from a terminal illness. Sadly, I have.

Last year, I witnessed a dear friend succumb to the cruelty of motor neurone disease, which ultimately led to her taking her own life, as there was no effective palliative care (ie she would have starved to death while receiving such “care”). That is simply inhumane.

Two years ago, I watched my father take his last breath after suffering from dementia for several years. During this time, I observed his demeanour change from being a highly intelligent man to figuratively “disappearing” from his former self.

My father’s cognitive function declined to the point his disassociation with reality was almost incomprehensible. It was a dreadful experience for him, and for those who loved him; I could see the fear in his eyes when he was hallucinating and so very confused. My dad would have despised dying in the way he did.

At the end of the day, when the VAD legislation is implemented, it will be about an individual’s choice to end, or not end their life. And while I respect John’s choice to not end his own life if diagnosed with a terminal illness, I would request he respect others’ decisions to embrace VAD.

Janine Haskins, Cook

dose of dorin

Trams won’t ‘save the planet’, nor reduce rates

Rail-borne public transport is something I understand, growing up in a tramline city and serving as chief surveyor for a major urban rail project.

Trams don’t suit Canberra’s low density, disbursed residential and workplace commuting patterns. Trams are inherently inflexible. Trams cannot respond quickly or inexpensively to commuter traffic variations. Fixed tram routes serve a limited clientele. Making commuters change modes (bus to tram and vice versa) is shown to deter the use of public transport due to waiting times and inconvenience. Thus door-to-door cars are Canberra’s commuter preference, especially in winter.

For a low-density city like Canberra, trams are a costly luxury. The billion-dollar Gungahlin tram increased rates by more than 40 per cent in three years. It resulted from political pressure to establish a minority government and elevate a power-broker. Trams will never recoup the ACT government’s borrowing costs.

Extending trams to Woden will cost another billion dollars, hiking rates and despoiling Commonwealth Avenue and parts of Civic, one of the world’s few planned, attractive conurbations that works.

Canberra’s low-density environment suits efficient, flexible, economical, low-emission buses, sharing the cost of roads with other vehicles. Trams won’t “save the planet” and definitely don’t reduce the cost of rates.

Anthony Horden, Jamison Centre

Tunnel, bridges and billions more

Further to my letter and those by Tim Walshaw and Dave Rogers (CN June 13), I offer more examples of the madness gripping the increasingly desperate Barr-Rattenbury government.

Having assumed that the Commonwealth Avenue bridge problem has been solved, the government plans to press ahead with Light Rail Stage 2B.

The 100-year-old Himalayan cedars along the median of Commonwealth Avenue median will be destroyed. This has been indirectly confirmed by the Major Projects Canberra plans for planting trees.

A “cut and cover” tunnel under Commonwealth Avenue to State Circle East has been proposed to solve the engineering

problems posed by a tight left-hand bend on the preferred light rail route. The tunnel would carry the rail tracks under the Commonwealth Avenue median on the approach to Parliament House, then up on to the State Circle median.

The rails would then follow the State Circle median until nearing Adelaide Avenue, where it is proposed to cut across the northbound lane of State Circle, across Capital Circle, presumably via a new bridge, another very tight bend, and another new bridge over State Circle; then on to the median of Adelaide Avenue.

There are several other problems, but it is already clear that Stage 2B will cost multi-billions, take many years to build, and cause many months of severe road-traffic disruption.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Fallen for the two-card trick

Dave Rogers (Letters, CN June 13), is right to question Douglas Mackenzie’s extraordinarily inaccurate claims of up to $8-$10 billion for the Stage 2B tram to Woden.

Having been cost estimating the stages of light rail for 10 years, I don’t know where Dr Mackenzie gets his $9-$10 billion cost from.

My best estimate for Stage 2 (CivicWoden) is $4 billion for construction only, and $5.3 billion, including 20 years of operations and maintenance (O&M).

That said, Mr Rogers has fallen for the government’s two-card trick that Stage 1 cost only $675 million, but that was for construction only, whereas the total cost in 2016 was $1.78 billion, including 20 years of O&M (auditor-general’s figure).

Max Flint, co-ordinator, Smart Canberra Transport

Long time since cyclones were so deadly

Columnist Robert Macklin (CN May 25) preaches the same tired, old line about how we are supposably experiencing more natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, etcetera.

There is no real hard scientific evidence to back this up just endless slogans from the left with even former politicians such as Jacinda Ardern and Malcolm Turnbull saying such scientific based statements like: “It is getting hotter”, along with media hysteria that like you to believe that the latest storm is the worst one that has ever happened.

One check on history will tell you natural disasters have been occurring for millions of centuries and were just as bad then, if not worse, than they are now.

Our worst cyclone, Mahina, occurred more than 100 years ago resulting in more than 400 deaths and was the worst recorded tropical cyclone in the southern hemisphere; more well known was Cyclone Tracey and that was 50 years ago. Seems like a long time since our cyclones were so deadly.

Ian Pilsner, Weston

This government has its priorities so wrong

As I walked home from my consulting rooms on a very cold, wet and dark Canberra evening, I was struck with a mix of despair and anger.

I had to pick my way carefully along the street using my phone torch as, yet again,

our street lights have been out for the last week.

Our footpaths are bitumen – all lumpy and uneven from our beautiful old oak tree roots.

Meanwhile, the government rangers and hired guns were zeroing their weapons on Red Hill. It was night two of the annual kangaroo slaughter and night one of the killing on Red Hill.

Strathbogie holds the five-year contract for the slaughter. It was originally valued at $880,000, but they romped through that in four years, so I assume that the cost is now well past a million – for killing kangaroos and wallabies.

Security is, quite frankly, over the top this year. Another not insubstantial cost to taxpayers.

While we can’t even get our street lights to work consistently or the footpaths repaired so our elderly don’t trip and fall, this government has its priorities so wrong.

Dr Gwenda Griffiths, via email

Time for an independent inquiry into roo culling

This whole annual killing of kangaroos and joeys in the dead of these freezing winter nights in Canberra is inhumane, to put it mildly.

The chance of survival of pouch joeys who escape bludgeoning to death when pulled from the pouches of shot females is almost non-existent.

The claim by the government that the so-called cull is carried out at a time of year when there are fewer pouch joeys is not backed up by its own post-killing figures each year. These figures show that at least 60 per cent of females every year were carrying pouch joeys when shot.

Not only that, it is leaving many reserves devoid of almost their entire kangaroo populations. The flawed counting models used by the government to set its kill target is a major contributor to this. And that target never even includes the pouch joeys killed, yet they make up an additional 30 per cent every year of the numbers actually killed.

It is time for a truly independent inquiry into this whole sorry and inherently cruel business and, once and for all, the Canberra public be informed of the true numbers to be killed. And to be told why this is done at such a bitterly cold time of the year, as the current argument in that regard just does not stand up to scrutiny.

Jennifer Macdougall, Farrer

I’m sick of this government

How can the ACT claim any credibility in animal welfare when Eastern Greys are slaughtered and their joeys bludgeoned to death or left to die in our freezing weather! I’m sick of this government, let’s move to a clear and compassionate one. For the first time in a very long time l will be voting Liberal, who have promised to bring some brains and compassion to this issue.

Gillian Jewell, Barton

Inspiration to make the most of school-holiday fun SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Whether the family is staying in Canberra or travelling to the surrounding regions, there’s plenty of fun to be had during these school holidays.

Live shows, visits to museums or trying a new sport, there is everything and more to keep the children engaged and entertained.

In this feature, CityNews rounds up some of the Canberra region’s best activities that the whole family can enjoy over the school break.

Australia’s newest, and most inclusive rowing facility; Red Shed, is poised to launch its first rowing program in Canberra on July 8, says Red Shed president, John Gasson.

The “Oar Explore” program is one in which Red Shed aims to put 1000 schoolkids from all backgrounds through rowing programs a year, he says.

John says Red Shed aims to provide access to rowing for all, promote wellness, and inspire a commitment to community.

Red Shed will provide accessible rowing programs for people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds in a bid to fulfil their

“Rowing For All” mission, John says.

To celebrate the opening of the Red Shed, John

rowing program for free.

“At Red Shed, we want to empower everyone to explore the sport of rowing and to discover their own potential,” says John.

“Rowing develops skills and resilience, and has brought a huge amount of joy and value to my life and community.

“Canberra is a diverse and supportive community, and we want to grow that. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a complete beginner, we hope you join us at Red Shed.”

Red Shed, Black Mountain Peninsula, Acton, access via John Cardiff Close. Visit redshed.org.au

Morning holiday care with spirit

The St Andrews Holiday Club has been running during the July holidays for more than 35 years, says holiday club leader Helen Rowe, and is back for the upcoming school holidays.

“For one week we run it, each morning, Monday to Friday,” she says.

“We provide a range of activities, craft, games, there’s a bible story, a play that runs through the week, like a little segment each day, singing, morning tea. That’s the basic structure of the day.”

The Holiday Club is run completely by volunteers, who are also members of the church.

portunity for the young people to have

some fun, join together, and we tell them a little bit about Jesus as well,” says Helen.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with the children, it’s lovely to see them get involved and have some enjoyment in doing something that’s, for many of them, quite different to their day-to-day.

“And I like the opportunity to spend some time getting to know the kids as the week progresses.”

Bookings are essential due to limited spaces and costs just $7 a day.

Presbyterian Church of Saint Andrew

“We are a local, family-owned business with 30-plus years of experience in family entertainment,” she says.

“We are all about community and have a great understanding of our local patrons.”

These school holidays Flip Out Majura will be offering two winter promotions.

Christina says when purchasing a one hour session for $22, a pair of Flip-Out winter socks are included, or, $32 for a two-hour session with socks.

They are also offering a one-hour session with a beanie for $24, or $34 for two hours and beanie, she says, but excludes mandatory Flip-Out socks.

Christina says.

This year we will take on an Olympic twist, as we jump into the Gospel of Luke to find out how we can be part of the greatest team... team Jesus!

We invite all school aged kids (from Preschool to Year 6) to join us at our More than Gold Holiday Club. Together we will enjoy games, crafts, experiments, and STEM challenges whilst learning about Jesus.

Socks can be bought separately for $5 a pair, and move their bodies, to learn new skills and challenge themselves in a safe, supportive environment,”

“It is a great and fun place to bring the kids to burn off energy and meet up with their friends or family in an exciting environment.”

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

HOLIDAY CLUB IS ON TUESDAY 9TH TO FRIDAY 12TH JULY, EVERY DAY FROM 9:00AM TO 12.30PM. OUR REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

classes and workshops for beginners to the confident artist lavenderartstudios.com.au

floor, 42 Townsend Street, Phillip, ACT

to the names making news.

9am-noon.

SUNDAY ROAST

Discover the world through art Learn backstage and onstage theatre skills

Young artists have the extraordinary opportunity to step back in time and immerse themselves in the splendour of ancient Egypt these winter school holidays, says Elita Mackay, owner of Lavender Art Studios.

From July 8 to July 12, children will explore a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and illuminated art, all inspired by the grandeur of ancient Egyptian art and daily life, she says.

“Each session is designed to ignite creativity while providing top-notch instruction and all necessary materials,” says Elita.

“This week promises to be a magical blend of education and artistic expression, making history come alive through the power of creativity.”

To ensure a comfortable experience, morning and afternoon teas are included, she says.

Then, from July 15 to July 19, Elita says Lavender Art Studios is inviting young creators on an artistic safari.

“We will transition from the ancient sands of Egypt to the untamed jungles and rugged wilderness, drawing inspiration from the majestic creatures that inhabit these wild landscapes,” says Elita.

“Participants will channel the spirit and energy of diverse animals into their artwork, capturing the raw beauty and untamed essence of nature.

Lavender Art Studios, First Floor, 42 Townsend Street, Phillip. Call 0412 649770, or visit lavenderartstudios.com.au

Child Players ACT is a children’s community theatre company established in 2005, says production manager Ange Fewtrell.

“We are dedicated to providing a positive, supportive and inclusive learning environment where young people feel safe and confident to express themselves and have fun participating in theatre,” she says.

If parents are looking to keep the creative juices flowing after the school holidays, enrolments for the Term 3 Complete Theatre Training Program, are now open, Ange says. It is the first time since 2019 the program has been run, due to covid.

“This program will conclude with a production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, adapted from the book of the same name by CS Lewis,” says Ange.

“This program is uniquely designed for students aged 10 to 18 who want to experience every aspect of theatre, both onstage and backstage.”

Ange says that during the program students will learn and develop their stagecraft skills, such as audition skills, script analysis and character development, plus, their acting skills such as physical and vocal characterisation, projection, and improvisation.

“Students will also learn about different backstage roles, such as make-up, costume, props, lighting/sound, set moving and stage management,” she says.

Child Players ACT, go to childplayersact.net for all enrolment and timetable information.

Opened in 2005, the Cooma Correctional Museum offers the history of Australia through correctional eyes, says statewide museum manager Andrew Weglarz.

“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.”

Andrew says people should think of them as a big-city museum in a rural setting.

“We have a working gallows, people can use a real trap-door, but we also have fire trucks and tractors from history,” he says.

Andrew says they have serving minimumsecurity prisoners working as guides.

“We have done risk assessments with them, and they are coming to the end of serving their

time,” he says.

“In 1957, a minister put all offenders who identified as homosexual into Cooma Jail, until reforms in 1984, so we have that history, too.

“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. Open seven days, 8.30am-3.15pm. Call 6452 5974 or visit correctiveservices.dcj.nsw.gov.au

FUNERALS & ESTATE PLANNING

For peace of mind, it’s always best to plan ahead

Organising a funeral, creating a will or investing in an estate plan can be an uncomfortable reality, but throughout Canberra there are compassionate experts who can help ease the burden. Pre-planning can provide peace of mind to friends and family that the people they care about are having their wishes carried out properly. In this feature, CityNews speaks to professionals who offer peace of mind when it comes to some of life’s most difficult decisions.

Harley Davidson hearse can make a final farewell unforgettable

Grantley Perry & Sons Funerals is an independent and family-run funeral home that has been serving the Canberra region for the last 32 years, says owner and funeral director Clayton Perry.

Clayton says they offer a range of funeral and cremation services, even one that includes a Harley hearse.

“It’s a 2022 Harley Davidson Road King, and it’s been converted to have the sidecar hold the coffin for the funeral service,” Clayton says.

“It’s available for people that would like to have a service that’s a little bit different.

“Maybe they like their bikes or maybe they just want a different sort of thing to the normal, and the Harley hearse is just a nice way to go.”

They can also facilitate an honour ride with other family members and friends before going to the cemetery, Clayton says.

Our Harley Davidson 2022 Road King has been professionally modified to include a sidecar that accommodates coffins for funeral services.

We can facilitate an honour ride with other family members and friends before making our way to your loved one’s final resting place.

Our Harley hearse service allows the opportunity to stand out from a usual funeral service and honour a person’s life in a unique and unforgettable way.

For more information, feel free to get in touch Phone

62 41 4101 Email: Enquiries@perryfunerals.com perryfunerals.com 7/12 Sandford Street Mitchell, ACT

the Harley hearse service after noticing there were no options for anything different in Canberra, with all options for funeral services being rather the same. Clayton says whether opting for the Harley hearse or a more traditional service, Grantley Perry & Sons can assure a personalised service that will make saying farewell easier.

Grantley Perry & Sons Funerals, 12 Sandford Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 4101 or visit perryfunerals.com

Not just for bike lovers, but for anyone who wants to turn heads and make a little noise.

Operated by our experienced funeral staff

When a loved one passes away, it is an emotional time, not just at the time of passing but it can continue for some time, says Lorraine White, principal lawyer and partner at BDN Lawyers.

“The lawyers at BDN have many decades of experience in handling estates efficiently, sensitively and with compas sion,” says Lorraine.

“If we can make it a little less stressful by administering the estate, it will take some of the burden away from the remaining family.”

Over the years, Lorraine says BDN has seen the impact that a poorly constructed will (or lack of) can have on family members following someone’s death.

assets in both Canberra and NSW.

“The surviving family are left with sorting out the estate at a time when they are also emotionally dealing with the passing of a loved one,” she says.

Issues can also occur when making an application for a grant of probate. Applications should be made in the Supreme Court of the state where the deceased lived, says Lorraine, but in the Canberra region, people often have

The responsibilities of being power of attorney similarly differ between NSW and the ACT, says Lorraine. It is therefore important to engage a lawyer who is familiar with the requirements in both places, she says.

BDN Lawyers, Level 1, 1 Farrell Place, Civic (call 6130 1999) and 260 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan (call 6299 3999). Visit bdn.com.au

BDN principal lawyer and partner Lorraine White.

“Our

“The services we offer are facilitated by our expertly trained and considerate customer service people, who help you navigate what option best suits your personal needs and wishes or cultural tradition.

“Staff are available to conduct tours of the grounds at Woden, Gungahlin and Hall cemeteries and assist you with finding a beautiful resting place.”

Canberra Memorial Parks, call 6207 0000 or email canberramemorialparks@act.gov.au

Capon & Hubert Lawyers director and founding partner Ken Hubert.

Canberra Memorial Parks

Cremation – Burial – Memorialisation

Canberra Memorial Parks is there for you to celebrate and honour the life of a loved one and find them a beautiful resting place, or to plan your end-of-life options.

Our facilities and experience allow us to facilitate a wide range of religious, cultural and family traditions in your end-of-life planning.

• Gungahlin Crematorium at Gungahlin Cemetery offers a wide range of facilities including a private viewing room which is ideal for intimate services.

• Our natural burial area at Gungahlin Cemetery offers burial options with a lower environmental impact.

• Eternity Memorial Garden at Woden Cemetery is a beautiful space where ashes can be laid-to-rest and loved ones memorialised.

• The Olive Grove development at Gungahlin Cemetery offers a premium lawn burial option to complement our range of burial products.

To make an appointment to explore end-of-life options for yourself or your loved ones, contact Canberra Memorial Parks on (02) 6207 0000.

www.canberramemorialparks.act.gov.au

FUNERALS & ESTATE PLANNING

Enlightening people on legal options

Taking the first step in estate planning is often an enlightening experience, with many people being surprised to find out what they’re actually worth, says KJB Law’s estate planning special counsel Kerstin Glomb.

“I have clients who believe they do not own much, but when we walk through their financial circumstances during our initial meeting – which includes discussing superannuation and life insurance – they are surprised to find out the value of their wealth and what they have to organise, so it’s distributed to the person/s of their choice,” she says.

“To address wills and estate planning is for most people an uncomfortable topic, and they put it in the ‘too hard basket’. However, I find people feel a lot of relief to have started the process.”

Although it can be uncomfortable, Kerstin says estate planning is something everyone should think about, and KJB Law takes pride in helping ease the burden, make clients comfortable, and run smoothly.

“I guide my clients through different options on how they may structure their documents, and what they should address, so they can take charge and protect themselves and their loved ones,”

“It’s about working out who the right people are to look after their affairs, and structuring their documents to reflect their wishes and concerns.

“There’s nothing better than hearing clients say they’re happy

KJB Law draws on decades of experience, helping you create a

and

they’re comfortable and, most importantly, they understand what they’ve signed.”

KJB Law, Ground Floor, 10 Corinna Street, Woden. Call 6281 0999 or visit kjblaw.com.au

Bringing a personal touch to funeral arrangements

Carolyn Jamieson says she is the “dedicated” location supervisor at Tobin Brothers Funerals.

“With a warm smile and empathetic nature, I have become a familiar face in the community, providing solace and support to families during their most challenging times,” she says.

“I absolutely love hearing stories about a loved one and finding a personal touch that we can bring into their celebration of life, to make it truly memorable.

“I take immense pride in alleviating the stress of grieving families and helping them navigate the difficult journey with compassion and care.”

Carolyn says among the many funerals she has arranged, one stands out as particularly remarkable.

“I had the privilege of organising the farewell for a military hero who valiantly fought in the Battle of Long Tan,” she says.

“The funeral procession was led by a rider less Light Horse, with boots placed backwards in the stirrups, paying homage to the fallen soldier.”

Carolyn says she is not only a professional in her field but a caring individual who goes above and beyond to ensure that every farewell is a personal and meaningful tribute.

“Through dedication and compassion, Tobin Brothers Funerals brings comfort to the grieving families we serve.”

Tobin Brothers Funerals, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Kingston and Queanbeyan. Call 6295 2799, or visit tobinscanberrafunerals.com.au

The dance floor was Tony’s happy place. So when he died, we made sure he was remembered in his own special way. We found a vintage jukebox full of his favourite songs and turned his final goodbye into a ballroom. Tony was, as he so often had been, the star of the show.

The best way to say goodbye is just the way they would have wanted. Tobin Brothers knows how.

Carolyn Jamieson, dedicated location supervisor at Tobin Brothers Funerals.

KJB Law estate planning special counsel Kerstin Glomb.

GARDENING

Winter can be good for colour

With planning, the winter garden can still have plenty of colour and, in some cases, the cool winters encourage leaves on plants to go red under stress.

The stand out is an old-fashioned, hardy Canberra plant with small leaves called the Nandina. A tough, evergreen plant, it grows in full sun or full shade and can withstand our cold winters.

Suitable for just about any style of garden, the Nandina nana grows smaller than its counterpart, the Nandina domestica, and does not have berries.

They can be clipped to form a small-growing hedge or planted en masse to fill a large space. They are not fussy with soils, but will do better with watering and fertilising.

The larger Nandina domestica, which grows to about 1.5 metres tall, is commonly (and confusingly) called sacred bamboo, but it has nothing to do with bamboo. It’s good for screening in small spaces.

Its attractive red berries are at their best in winter, but poisonous to wildlife and domestic animals. Try to pick all the berries before they’re ripe to prevent them spreading by birds and bring a sprig inside to put in a vase.

When choosing a variety of Nandina

for your garden, choose any that do not produce berries such as the gulf stream variety, which has been bred to be almost fruitless. It also produces a more vibrant foliage colour that’s showing its best at this time of year.

THE orchard will be in dormancy, but there are still plenty of jobs to do. Now’s a good time to spray the bark and leaves of all the citrus for bronze orange bugs and scale.

Both of these insects lay eggs over winter and are best treated when their populations are small. Bronze orange bugs (or stink bugs) are a native to Australia and while they prefer to eat the native finger lime or desert limes, they’ll eat anything from the citrus family.

These bugs are a menace in the domestic garden or orchard. When they hatch in spring they grow fast with their outer shell getting stronger and changing from green, to brown and on to black.

All through their adult life they emit a foul spray when disturbed and this can be harmful if you get it on your skin or in your eyes. The older the bugs, the harder to kill, so interrupting the breeding cycle and getting a good percentage before they hatch is a preventative rather than a cure approach.

Spray the bark and leaves of all citrus trees to dripping point on a sunny day and repeat every month until spring and there will be very little sign of scale and stink bugs on citrus trees in spring and summer.

The best choice of spray would be lavender or spearmint diluted in a spray bottle. Eco and Neem oil will lessen the population in the warmer months. These sprays are also suitable for orchid trees, such as stone fruit including cherries and apricots, to help combat aphids in early spring with new growth and are not harmful to beneficial insects.

WORK in the vegetable patch still continues in the colder months with continual planting of green, leafy vegetables such as silver beet, chard and broad beans.

To give them a good start, sprinkle a little diatomaceous earth and place a cloche over seedlings at night. This will also protect them from snails and slugs. Feed with liquid fertiliser to keep them growing strong. Keep fallow garden beds lightly turned over and ready for planting in spring. Keep mulched with organic mulch such as straw or lucerne and water well.

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au

Jottings…

• Turn the compost bin over and add water if it’s dry.

• Add coffee ground around herb gardens to keep snails at bay.

• Add dolomite lime to apple trees to increase pH.

• Prepare the ground for any tree planting.

The hardy Nandina… a tough, evergreen plant that grows in full sun or full shade.

Photos: Jackie Warburton Now’s a good time to spray the bark and leaves of citrus trees for bronze orange bugs and scale.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A gallery first has Gaugin back in the Pacific

COVER STORY

By Helen Musa

It’s almost impossible to believe it, but the upcoming exhibition, Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao, is the first exhibition in this country dedicated to the famous French post-impressionist artist.

Paul Gauguin is the subject of legends both positive and negative and his name has suffered a deal of a opprobrium in the post #MeToo era because of his use of young women as models and lovers during his years in Tahiti and the Marquesas.

So much so that the National Gallery of Australia’s senior curator of international art, Lucina Ward, says it’s almost a case of “love the art; hate the artist”.

He was the inspiration for Somerset Maugham’s book The Moon and Sixpence but more significantly, in a recent book, Trouble in Paradise: Gauguin and Polynesia, Nicholas Thomas re-examines Gauguin’s engagement with Polynesian culture more positively.

The exhibition’s curator is Henri Loyrette, the former director of the Louvre Museum and Musée d’Orsay in Paris, Loyrette, funded by the Australian

International Cultural Foundation for a trip to Tahiti and Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands, has researched how the landscape, people and culture were interpreted by Gauguin, opening up a new window on the Pacific.

Ward says it’s been a great pleasure to work with him, enjoying his knowledge of French 19th century artists, and also being part of an NGA-created “first”.

With more than 130 important paintings on show from more than 60 public and private collections, the paintings trace the artist’s life and work.

“He wanted to live outside French society, to move away from the control of the centre and, let’s face it, lead a more decadent lifestyle,” Ward says.

“The art scene in France was very competitive, so working with van Gogh in the south, he had a chance to play with ideas of painting something different.”

The exhibition is conceived to show Gauguin looking back on his life from his home in the Marquesas, conscious that he didn’t have long to live.

Without access to medical care and

increasingly reliant on morphine, he was effectively bedridden for his last 12 to 18 months, which Loyrette believes became a period of great self-reflection.

The very first thing we’ll see on arrival is a short film emphasising his love of travel, which had begun very early when his family went to live in Peru. They returned to France when he was age 7.

He worked as a stockbroker in Paris, a tarpaulin salesman in Copenhagen and a merchant seaman, travelling around the world.

He also lived in Bretagne, Martinique,

Panama, Arles then later in Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands, where he died in 1903.

By 19th century standards he was remarkably well-travelled and the show reflects this.

The exhibition jumps back to the 1870s. In the early rooms, we see his ceramics, rooms devoted to his time in Bretagne and his experiments with different media and colour, as well as works from his brief sojourn in Arles, where he worked alongside van Gogh.

The fourth room jumps forward again to 1891 when he went on a mission to Tahiti at a time when the French government was trying to encourage migration and it was hoped that Gauguin could contribute to the effort with enticing paintings.

The fifth room shows several huge works from the Musee D’Orsay and the final room focuses on images from Tahiti and the Marquesas.

“We haven’t shied away from the controversies about Gauguin,” Ward says. “We know about the young women in Tahiti and the Marquesas, but they had more agency than you would think.

“We are very conscious that the exhibition could raise questions, but bringing his works here in such a major exhibition is positive.

“Gaugin has finally arrived back in the Pacific.”

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao, National Gallery of Australia, June 29-October 7.

Three Tahitians, 1899, by Paul Gauguin.

STREAMING

Lawsuit rains on Baby Reindeer’s

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer has become one of the most talked about shows of not only this year, but arguably the decade.

The meteoric rise of this seven-part “true story” about a man and the obsessive woman who stalks him has been watched by more than 22 million people and is already in talks for an Emmy sweep.

The show has turned its creator, little-known comedian Richard Gadd, into a household name in the space of just a few weeks.

Gadd has told stories of airplane pilots coming out of the cockpit to introduce themselves to him to say just how much the show moved them.

All that’s on top of a near-perfect critical reception that’s praised his story as raw and brave.

The 35-year-old created Baby Reindeer, wrote it and played himself, confronting some intense topics head on including drug abuse, sexual assault and self-destruction that he had to partially relive to tell his story.

It seems almost the whole world has got on board with Baby Reindeer, but one person in particular is not happy.

That would be Fiona Harvey, the woman who identified herself as the real person who stalked Gadd for years.

In the show, she’s played by Jessica Gunning in an absolutely terrifying performance worthy of the best actress gong.

Gadd previously saying in an interview with The Guardian: “It’s very emotionally true, obviously: I was severely stalked and severely abused. But we wanted it to exist in the sphere of art, as well as protect the people it’s based on.”

But after Baby Reindeer released it wasn’t long before internet sleuths tracked down the real Martha through a trail of manic tweets and newspaper articles. This was despite Gadd repeatedly telling people to stop the search.

Fiona Harvey soon had the whole world’s

intentional infliction of emotional distress and more.

That follows a bombshell interview she gave on Piers Morgan’s controversial television program that racked up 14 million views on YouTube in just four weeks. It was an attempt to clear her name, telling Morgan she thought he would give her “a fair go”.

watched the series will notice striking similarities to the way she’s depicted in the series.

In the time since, a British lawyer named

ARTS IN THE CITY

parade

Laura Wray has also appeared on Morgan’s program, also accusing Harvey of stalking and being obsessed with her.

Minor spoilers for those who haven’t seen it yet, but in Baby Reindeer Martha is eventually convicted of stalking and sent to prison, whereas in real life Harvey maintains that conviction never happened, the basis of her lawsuit.

Gadd has previously been open to the fact that his story included “tweaked events to create dramatic climaxes”.

Netflix has responded to all this by saying it plans to defend Gadd vigorously and his right to tell his story. Boy, does it make for a hell of a lot of publicity for the show in the meantime.

In a strange way, it feels kind of like a new twist in the Baby Reindeer saga, almost like the series has spilled out from the screen to real life for a sequel that people are still obsessively watching.

Could “Martha” cause even more trouble for Richard Gadd yet?

The court documents have now been filed.

I wonder if they were sent from her iPhone?

Triple treat for a Sunday of music

By Helen Musa

Sunday, June 23 will be a busy day for enjoying music in Canberra.

Irish folk-rock band The High Kings return to Australia following the recent release of its album The Road Not Taken. Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, June 23.

• The Australian String Quartet will be here with a new program called Vanguard, made up of Australian composer Harry

Sdraulig’s String Quartet No.2, Beethoven’s late string quartets and Korngold’s impressionistic String Quartet No.2. Gandel Hall, NGA, June 23.

• The Canberra Mandolin Orchestra is planning a Sunday afternoon of cabaret music as chanteuse

Theodora Volti, meanders through classic cabaret tunes, all made famous by stars such as Edith Piaf and Nana Mouskouri.

Polish White Eagle Club, Turner, June 23.

Australian Dance Party plans to transform the Fyshwick’s concrete Vault into a unique theatrical dance experience, The Dataset, which integrates bodies, light and sound to explore the relationship between humanity and data. The Vault, Dairy Road, Fyshwick, June 27-29.

The NFSA is screening The Trust Fall: Julian Assange + In Conversation at Arc Cinema on June 25, followed by a panel conversation with MPs Andrew Wilkie, Bridget Archer and Josh Wilson.

The Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine, now in exile for more than two years, is back in town with its popular double bill, Forest Song and Don Quixote. Canberra Theatre, June 29.

Musica da Camera welcomes up and coming conductor, Brad Tham for its concert, An Afternoon of Suites and Serenades, works by Vaughan Williams, John Dowland and John Rutter. Holy Covenant Anglican Church, Cook, June 29.

The Australian Haydn Ensemble will perform Boccherini, Ries and Beethoven in a concert aptly titled, Beethoven’s Fifth. Wesley Music Centre, June 27.

Jessica Gunning as Baby Reindeer’s Martha… “an absolutely terrifying performance worthy of the best actress gong.”

ESKIMO JOE

WITH

Dan Sultan

SUNDAY, 7TH JULY

DINING / Early Edition, Kingston Foreshore

Starting the day in the right way

If you’re a rise-and-shine-early person and want coffee with a view, Early Edition is here for you from 7am, seven days.

New to the Kingston Foreshore, Early Edition has been packed most days since it swung its doors open only a couple of months ago, serving breakfast, lunch and trusty takeaway. The bar rista is fully focused and super busy cranking out coffees for walkers, cyclists, tourists, mums-andbubs and locals.

The all-day menu kickstarts with straightfor ward eggs on toast for $12 (however you like them) and stretches to the Wagyu rump, egg and the lot for those with mega appetites ($27). Lunch is from 11.30am.

We began with fresh juice (made on-site… not bottled and brought in, $7 to $9). Loved the Sweet Goddess with its perfect blend of pear, mango, lemon and fresh mint.

Although the crab omelette with crème fraiche and with burnt caper butter caught my eye ($12), I was in a fishy mood so selected the barramundi ($31).

Early Edition puts effort into presentation, and the effort is appreciated. The pan-roasted fillet (a lovely portion) was placed to the side and partially on a serving of sauteed beans (not overcooked). Nicely arranged was the bright-looking fennel citrus salad featuring punchy segments of a ruby red grapefruit. Decorating the fish was a scoop of pine nuts, finely chopped tomato and olive salsa, a welcoming salty element. The fish was perfectly cooked although the skin wasn’t crispy as I was hoping. So I scooped it off and concentrated on the flesh, squeezing lemon all over.

My friend enjoyed her wine-glazed lamb

backstrap ($36), medium rare, consistently sliced and carefully arranged on creamy labneh with vibrant mint. Crunchy red radish added zip. Peas, leaves of gem lettuce and salsa verde added gorgeous colour.

We shared an attractive side salad ($15) with loads of avo, cucumber, baby cos and a welcoming, well-balanced vinaigrette. The fries with parmesan and aioli were piping hot ($9), although next time we’ll ask for the aioli on the side instead of squirted all over the top.

Early Edition’s coffee is excellent. Hot drinks include a deluxe hot chocolate and a series of serious lattes. Cold drinks feature iced creations,

WINE / biodynamics

PHILANTHROPY

Wine-glazed lamb backstrap arranged on creamy labneh with mint with red radish, peas, gem lettuce and salsa

Sherbert and cold brew. Milkshakes, thick shakes and smoothies are on offer as is a solid list of loose-leaf teas steeped in pots.

Everyone at Early Edition is super friendly and unpretentious. Customers are greeted with a smile and a welcome. Retro artwork, including of Snoopy the beagle from the comic strip Peanuts, is fun and a line-up of mags are available for browsing. Indoor and outdoor dining are available. Order at the counter indoors with dishes brought to your table.

Here’s to a taste of biodynamic drinking

It was another winter Friday night, cold with rain pelting down, and we were nestled in the Symposium bar and restaurant at the ANU after a gym workout.

Two glasses of top-quality wine with some of the scrumptious food was the order of the day. Just like if you got the bird flu this is the “tweetment” we needed after exercise.

And speaking of birds, we started with the local: a glass of the 2022 Lark Hill Estate Pinot Noir. The Symposium online wine list shows that the 2021 Lark Hill pinot noir sells for $80 a bottle, but the vintage has obviously moved on and this night the wine was on sale at $15 a glass. The 2022 is shown on the winery’s website as selling for $55 a bottle so the markup to $80 is reasonable.

This pinot is on the savoury side but with a dark cherry finish; it is light in colour (as with most pinots, given their thin skins) but has depth of flavour. It is a good reflection of this varietal, but is yet to develop the earthy complexity that comes with age.

The next wine, the 2018 Bonics Quintess shiraz, also usually sells for $80 a bottle at Symposium. Again it was $15 a glass. The vineyard is located in Jerilderie, NSW, in the heart of the Riverina, about 400 kilometres from Canberra.

Like Lark Hill, owned by the Carpenter family, this is a family vineyard, owned by the Bonics family. It is also a biodynamic vineyard, as is Lark Hill. The shiraz was a perfect accompaniment to the sirloin, sliced and served with mushrooms and kale. The wine sells for a nudge under $50 a

bottle from the vineyard, so again the markup is

floral bouquet. It was soft for a shiraz, unlike say a Warrabilla or a Burge Family Wine shiraz, which are big and bold with high alcohol content. Instead, this wine has a silken, soft finish, the tannins discernible but smooth, and is 13 per cent alcohol by volume. It was slightly spicy with a richness that surprised me. Top notch.

The common feature of these two wines is they are produced biodynamically. My children went to a Steiner School so the biodynamic process is familiar.

Steiner in the 1920s famously warned that the widespread use of chemical fertilisers would lead to the decline of soil, plant and animal health and he approached agriculture from the perspective of the farm or vineyard being a self-sustaining

organism that thrives through biodiversity.

Reflecting that philosophy, Lark Hill on its website says this about their approach to biodynamics:”At its heart, biodynamics treats a farm as a living organism – a (sic) interconnected web where crop health comes as a function of farm health, not in isolation.

“The first step to this is using the organic farming standards to eliminate artificial, toxic inputs into the farm. Beyond this, biodynamic farming uses a collection of natural methods to increase crop health by re-establishing and supporting positive microbiology in the soil and on the crop itself.”

This approach is commendable; both wineries, Lark Hill and Bonics, are certified biodynamic with Lark Hill indicating that for some time the vineyard has complied with the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce. This standard was implemented in 1992 as the Australian Export Standard for products labelled as organic or biodynamic so that Australia could negotiate an equivalency agreement with the European Union. Bonics displays its Australian Certified Biodynamics certificate number on the label.

To end, I’d tell you a chemistry joke but I am worried about a reaction.

By Helen Musa

Canberra arts advocate, writer and critic Meredith Hinchliffe has been awarded a Philanthropy Leadership Award from Creative Australia.

The awards celebrate exemplary individuals from Australia’s philanthropy, business and arts sectors who show leadership in private giving, philanthropy and business partnerships with the arts.

Recipients are chosen as inspiring advocates who encourage others to give to the arts and Hinchliffe’s predecessors include John and Pauline Gandel and Tim and Gina Fairfax.

Hinchliffe, whose professional career in the arts dates back to 1977, was described by Creative Australia’s Partnership Award assessors, Carly Severino, from Australian Communities Foundation, and Kim Harland, from Philanthropy Australia, as “one of Canberra’s most significant philanthropic forces, having helped to nurture and preserve a wide variety of cultural institutions in the nation’s capital”.

They said her work in the realm of giving had great impact across organisations large and small, including the National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra Contemporary Artspace and Ausdance ACT.

Hinchliffe’s efforts, they said, had allowed works by artists of the local region to be acquired by Canberra Museum and Gallery, which has also received donations from her own extensive art collection.

Hinchliffe continues to be as active as ever.

She is a Canberra CityNews craft reviewer, a role she’s been performing with different magazines and newspapers since the ‘70s and is currently a voluntary research associate at the National Museum of Australia, working on the Trevor Kennedy Collection.

On learning that she would be named in the Philanthropy Leadership Award, Hinchliffe told me, her initial reaction had been, “this must be a scam.”

But formal correspondence followed and she realised it was true,

confirmed when a film crew arrived from Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council) to interview and film her at Craft + Design Canberra in the North Building for more than an hour.

As for how she felt on hearing the news she said: “It’s such a big deal, I think it’s good that it’s recognised.

“I don’t consider myself to be a rich person, but it really helps the people I give to.”

Hinchliffe started donating around 2004 when her late father left her an unexpectedly large bequest.

“I thought, what am I going to do with it? Then I decided I wanted to support the galleries. I was already donating to the NGA and I’d donated to the Canberra International Music Festival several times, so for me to do that wasn’t unusual,” she said.

But while she sees it’s important to give to institutions, she’s equally committed to giving to individuals, saying: “It really helps the people I give to.”

In recent years, she’s given a leg up to a designer/artist and a writer/ curator, for instance.

“I think it’s really rewarding. I feel I’m useful and it’s good to know that the money is not just floating out the window,” she said.

While most of her giving has been directed towards the decorative arts and crafts, as something of a Renaissance person, her interests are broad. She’s even given to the National Library for a particular program digitising election ephemera.

It concerns her that the Canberra Museum in Gallery struggles and, noting that the Legislative Assembly has a bigger art acquisition budget than CMAG, says: “A little bit can make a difference… anybody thinking about donating should give it a go.”

So, what brings her the most joy?

“I really like to see artists prosper, I do think they should be able to live the way everybody else does,” Hinchliffe says. “It’s really disappointing when they have to struggle to pay their bills.”

Ms Hinchliffe was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Australia Day awards for “significant service to the arts through a range of roles and organisations”.

Rose

Pan-roasted barramundi fillet decorated with a scoop of pine nuts, finely chopped tomato and olive salsa. Photos: Wendy Johnson

verde.

The 2022 Lark Hill Estate Pinot Noir... a certified biodynamic wine.

Philanthropy Leadership Award winner Meredith Hinchliffe… “I really like to see artists prosper, I do think they should be able to live the way everybody else does.” Photo: Run Wild Productions

HOROSCOPE PUZZLES

By Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Courtesy of the Mercury/Saturn link, you’re keen to follow humanitarian or spiritual pursuits. You’ll seek out the wise counsel of a trusted mentor or play that role yourself to someone who’s looking for firm guidance. You’ll also question your inner motivations, and a soulful examination of your interior life will give you the self-knowledge and confidence to let your unique Aries’ talents shine. Saturday is fabulous for love, lust, friends and flirtations.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

It’s a good week to entertain family, friends and neighbours, as Venus and Mars encourage socialising. Convivial conversation is a bonus. But has an old relationship finally run out of steam? Or is a fair-weather friend criticising your behaviour and holding you back? The planets urge you to review your peer group and discard negative influences. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage your talents and support your dreams.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

This week - courtesy of Mercury (your ruling planet) and Uranus - you’re keen to jump in and act with lightning speed, but other people may need some time to adjust. Smart Twins will aim to get the balance right between Mercury and Saturn; between being spontaneous and thinking things through. On Saturday, Venus and Mars encourage creativity in action, as you connect with your inner muse and sing, dance, write, perform or play music.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Don’t sulk and sit on the sidelines! With the Sun, Mercury and Venus visiting your sign, you’re at your creative, communicative, charismatic Crab best. Mars and Uranus are also activating your networking zone, so it’s the perfect time to promote yourself as you push forward in a proactive and adventurous way. Confidence is the rocket fuel that will take you to exciting new places. The weekend is wonderful for socialising with family and having fun with friends.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Are you impatient for adventure, excitement and success? Awesome opportunities are circling around you, but they’re not immediately obvious. They are hidden in unexpected places, waiting for you to discover them. Lions love to spring into action but – at the moment – some of your best work will be done quietly, behind the scenes. Other people may not notice what you’re currently doing, but your efforts will be rewarded in the weeks and months ahead.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Professional projects are favoured, as you rub shoulders with influential people. Don’t be a wallflower though. Speak up and promote your talents! If you hesitate, then promising opportunities will pass you by. With Jupiter jumping through your career zone, confidence and an adventurous attitude will take you places. So your motto is from birthday great, deaf-blind author and educator Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

If you’re looking for a promotion or a new job, now’s the time to strike as lucky Venus and proactive Mars enhance your career charisma and professional persona. Communicating with work colleagues, clients and customers will also improve, as you initiate contact and impress others with your conscientious, perfectionist approach. The positive Venus/Mars link should also benefit partnerships of the romantic, platonic and business variety.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

It’s a good week to channel energy into educating and expanding your mind. Your communication skills are firing, as you extend your peer group and make creative new connections. With your ruler Pluto in your domestic zone, family comes first as you build firm foundations and foster affection at Casa Scorpio. Singles – with Mars and Uranus in your relationship zone, it’s time to proactively look for love online. So start posting your updated profile pronto.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Is it always appropriate to be fearlessly frank? Is honesty always the best policy? Your natural inclination is to be incredibly blunt, but not everyone is ready for your special brand of Sagittarian truth serum. The Sun, Mercury and Venus are in your secrets’ zone, so a dollop of discretion and a pinch of diplomacy will smooth troubled waters. If you’re smart, then you’ll talk a lot less and listen a lot more. It’s time to hold your tongue and uncover a mystery (or two).

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Mercury trines Saturn (your patron planet), which boosts drive and ambition. But it’s also likely to fan your control-freak tendencies, which could end up alienating others. Remember - the only person you can control is yourself! So turbo-charge your personal evolution, tap into your leadership skills and steer your life in a positive direction. With the Sun, Mercury and Venus in your relationship zone, put the needs of loved ones at the top of your to-do list.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The Sun, Mercury and Venus are visiting your job zone, so socialising with customers, clients and/or colleagues will help improve workplace relations. If you’re looking for employment, then put the word out amongst family, friends and within your wider peer group. At the moment, it’s not what you know but who you know! The Mercury/Uranus link (on the weekend) is wonderful for innovative ideas, lively communication and brilliant, lightbulb moments.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Courtesy of taskmaster Saturn (in your sign) hard work, discipline and determination bring benefits. Channel your energy into a personal project or a creative venture. Draw inspiration from singer-songwriter Carly Simon (who celebrates her 79th birthday on Tuesday): “There’s always a creative side to me, even when it’s quiet musically. Like painting, decorating or planting a garden.” Plus aim to be more proactive about protecting your local environment.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

4

Name a polite title after a man’s

(7) 13 Which person is a non-professional? (7)

15 Which term relates to right and wrong in conduct? (7)

17 What are mariners more commonly known as? (7)

20 What are impressions as on paper, taken from processed plates? (8)

23 Name a member of an alliance of related North American Indian peoples now living mainly in Oklahoma. (6)

24 What is a private feud? (8)

25 Name an insect of the coleoptera order. (6)

1 Name the head of a medical school, university faculty, or the like. (4)

2 What is a duplicate of something? (6)

3 Name another term for an agreement. (4)

4 What are clairvoyants called? (5)

5 What is a space entirely void of matter? (6)

6 Name the lowest point, as of adversity. (5)

9 What is a calculating device? (6)

10 To be the weirdest, is to be the what? (7)

12 What are golf scores of two under par? (6)

14 What is a solid body revolving around the sun? (6)

16 Name some of the various wading birds. (6)

18 What describes a proverb? (5)

19 Who is an administrative officer of a town or district? (5)

21 What is the hundredth part of a dollar? (4)

22 Which movable barrier is a swinging frame in a fence, etc? (4)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says one of its areas of interest this year is claims for work-related deductions in 2024 tax returns.

In the run-up to the end of the financial year when many people will be completing tax returns, the following information will help in preparing your records.

As many of us continue to work from home this is a good opportunity to remember your obligations in claiming workingfrom-home expenses. There are two methods of claiming those expenses – the fixed-rate method and the actual cost method.

The fixed-rate method allows a claim of $0.67 an hour for each hour worked at home and covers electricity and gas used in your home office. It also includes phone costs, data, stationery and computer consumables.

The most important thing in any home office claim is that you need to have a diary record showing your starting time, your finishing time, your lunch break and any other relevant breaks.

An estimate of, say, two hours a night or when I worked all day on Friday so that is 7 1/2 hours which does not satisfy the ATO's rules. If you keep timesheets they are acceptable to the ATO as a record. In all other cases, starting and finishing times are the criteria for making claims. It is also important that you have an obligation to pay the electricity even if you are not the homeowner.

The actual-cost method requires you to work out the percentage of running costs that you incur in working from home. This needs an apportionment usually of your floor area, but you could use some other appropriate means. The disadvantage of using this method is that claims are messy.

You cannot claim for rates or interest on your loan unless you are carrying on a business from home. It is also worth remembering that if you are carrying on a business from home, whether you claim the costs or not, a proportion of the selling price is subject to capital gains tax when you sell. If you use the actual-cost method you can also claim for your phone and data.

You can claim separately for depreciation on the assets in your home office under both methods. You have to depreciate every item that costs more than $300, so these claims are generally small. In the case of computers you need to apportion the usage. The best way to do this is to keep a log for a representative month of use and the calculated percentage can be applied across the whole year.

The ATO is also looking at car expenses. Again, there are two methods you can use to claim car expenses. The first is cents-perkilometre. You can claim $0.85 per kilometre for work-related use of your car. If you use this method the rate includes registration, fuel, insurance, repairs and tyres.

Alternatively, you can claim the logbook method, where you have to keep a logbook for 12 weeks, which is a representative sample of your car usage. You also need receipts to claim car expenses. The ATO has reminded taxpayers that a credit card statement is not a valid receipt.

The ATO also says if you have been reimbursed for a cost, you cannot claim it in your tax return – this is known as double dipping.

If you are reimbursed for cents per kilometre, this is included on your payment summary so you can claim the offsetting deduction. If you need any help with your claims and what you can include as tax deductions contact the expert team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 6295 2844.

Disclaimer

This column contains general advice, please do not rely