The indies are going to do very well. They will hold the balance of power. But after talking so big on change, do they support Labor or make Lee chief minister?”
ANDREW HUGHES
The unbroken string of 12 deficits delivered by Andrew Barr, as Treasurer, is not only a record for any Australian jurisdiction, but also for a single treasurer.”
JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED
The choice is between extending the LaborGreens coalition or handing over to a Liberal alternative that doesn’t seem ready. Alternatively, voting for independents will ameliorate their excesses.
MICHAEL MOORE
TRULY, IT’S TIME
Barr has had his go, and he’s made an unholy mess of it. The tram is not just a stupid flashback to 19th century technology, but he wants to extend it at a crippling cost to Canberra ratepayers.
ROBERT MACKLIN
For Canberra to develop as a more inclusive city with transparent and accountable governance, the best outcome could be for independents to have the balance of power.
LETTERS
With their collective heads in a fog of denial, day by day the three parties regale us with promises to do this, to do that and do the other. What they don’t tell us is how any of it will be funded.
HUGH SELBY
Jo Twible
SNR FINANCIAL ADVISER PHILLIPS WEALTH PARTNERS
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ACT ELECTION 2024 / The Einstein (or eggedhead) predictions
Why the indies will hold the balance of power
“The indies are going to do very well. They will hold the balance of power. But after talking so big on change, do they support Labor or make Lee chief minister?” Political columnist ANDREW HUGHES calls the October 19 card.
First, thanks, to the 149 candidates running in this election. Our democracy is only as strong as those willing to take a stand and run for office.
Regardless of their views, they all want to make our lives better in this great city we all call home. Good luck to you all.
Next, thanks to everyone who during the campaign reached out to me. Including several candidates. And, yes, I even had someone hit me up on the coffee deal! Great chat that was, too! Comment was fair and, in one case, forthright but respectful.
Okay, to the serious stuff. Prediction time. Time to be either seen as the Einstein of Elections or the Eggedhead of Elections. So here goes.
The leaders I was on the expert panel for the leader’s debate. What I saw was the three parliamentary leaders of their respective parties who were exhausted but passionate about Canberra.
But then there was Tom. Independents for Canberra leader Tom Emerson /James Bond/Jack Ryan. Looking like he’d just stepped out of the pages of a Tom Clancy novel, but instead with a trusty iPad Pro and broad aspirational policies as his sidearms.
It showed the energy you have and need to enter politics as a leader, yet the other three show just how much the job takes from you. He and his independents will do well, but need to take note of how important balance is becoming in office.
Elizabeth Lee was never given a fair chance considering the internal party turmoil and will be wondering “if only” for a long time. With the conservative faction, and biggest vote gainers for the Liberals quiet or removed, there were spurts of momentum but never quite the spark. She should have used deputy Leanne
Castley earlier and with more profile earlier in the campaign. If anything it is Castley who represents the chance for the Liberals to maybe rebuild for 2028 if things go bad come October 19.
Andrew Barr was again rock solid this campaign but not rock star. Labor needs to have aspirational leaders. For themselves and for us. He has done a good job as leader. And that’s being fair. But the fatigue is there, the hardness emerging and it is time for new energy and aspirations. Who? Likely Chris Steel on logic, but for pure emotion and potential it’s Tara Cheyne. Getting better and better with each promotion.
Shane Rattenbury is Barr-like –solid as a eucalyptus regnans in the River Styx. And just as aged in his environment. Like a regnans he was far too head-and-shoulders above others in The Greens this campaign, and saying you are “fresh and new” just showed disconnect and not smart. His legacy is already impressive for the party, even nationally.
But it’s time for the future as well. Logic and choice will mean it’s likely to be Rebecca Vassarotti, even if she is defeated on election night. The Greens need to go Gen Y or Z and refresh because the indies are chasing their centre left.
The campaigns I’ve covered this already in an earlier piece, but going neg just doesn’t say that much about your own achievements. Labor and Liberals, looking at you here.
Policy depth and communication by all parties was very meh. Campaigns need to provide more aspiration and depth, and less corflutes. Just saying.
Best campaign this election? The indies, just fresh, although lack of
accompanying videos, along with patchy comms, means they never flicked the switch on the opportunity just sitting there.
The Greens need to understand that people see them, rightly so, as the government now. You were part
it comes to who they pick to govern. Only Tom and time will tell.
Dr Andrew Hughes is a lecturer in marketing with the Research School of Management at ANU where he specialises in political marketing.
Independent candidates Tom Emerson (Kurrajong) and Fiona Carrick (Murrumbidgee).
The quandary of voting for the Canberra Liberals
The Canberra Liberals are presenting themselves as ready to take government.
Last week I presented the challenge for the Labor-Greens coalition from the old political truism “oppositions don’t win elections – governments lose them”.
However, for the government to lose an election, voters do have to believe there is a valid alternative.
The choice is between extending the Labor-Greens coalition or handing over to a Liberal alternative that does not seem ready. Alternatively, voting for a strong crossbench of independents will at least ameliorate the excesses of the major parties.
Election after election the Canberra Liberals have shot themselves in the foot. They argue this time they provide “a fresh opportunity” to form government in the ACT.
Liberals’ leader Elizabeth Lee has been on the front foot presenting some of the promises made to improve the territory in areas such as surgery waiting lists, housing, education, accountability and women.
But are they really ready?
Conflict within the party is still rife.
In December, Lee, having returned from maternity leave, restructured the parliamentary wing of the party.
With less than a year to go to the election, Elizabeth Kikkert and
Jeremy Hanson were relegated to the backbench as the only Liberal MLAs without a shadow portfolio.
Lee pointedly argued she had assembled a team that she could “trust” to put forward a strong alternate vision for Canberra heading towards October’s ACT election. Even then it was clear that she had no “trust” in Hanson and Kikkert.
Or were they considered a threat to her? Or were factional differences the reason behind the demotions? Each shadow minister has a series of portfolios – there were plenty to distribute. At the time Nicole Lawder announced that she would retire at the election – but she still had shadow ministries.
As acting leader while Lee was on maternity leave, Hanson had been active in the media and was building a strong profile for himself and the
The choice is between extending the Labor-Greens coalition or handing over to a Liberal alternative that does not seem ready. Alternatively, voting for a strong crossbench of independents will at least ameliorate the excesses of the major parties.
party. The Liberals were looking like a co-ordinated and effective opposition. Hanson is one of the most trusted and experienced Liberal MLAs by a long shot having been first elected in 2008.
Only a few weeks ago Kikkert was unwillingly ejected from the Liberal Party and has found a home with Family First. There are still “he said, she said” comments around the decision. However, action like this at the last minute indicates tensions are high within the party.
There is a quandary for voters. The Canberra Liberals have constantly taken very conservative stances on many issues since the departure of Kate Carnell and Gary Humphries. This is despite the vast majority of Canberrans being quite progressive, as illustrated by support for The Voice referendum. Even so, the Liberals
have maintained a largely conservative stance.
Elizabeth Lee has demonstrated that she is less conservative than her colleagues. On the one hand, the preselection processes in the party indicate that conservative candidates are likely to remain common. On the other hand, as pointed out to me, it would take 13 Liberals to be elected to have the numbers to undo progressive policies.
What are the alternatives? Greens leader, Shane Rattenbury, has argued they could form government if they gain a couple more seats. He told ABC, increasing the density of the city and restricting choice on dwellings is high on their agenda. With the Greens the pendulum swings well away from the Liberals.
There is a reason that more people are contesting this election than ever before. There are just over double the number of candidates who stood in the elections of 1995 and 2012. Voters are dissatisfied with the government and are having trouble bringing themselves to vote for such a conservative opposition.
Those contesting the election include a well organised independent
movement. Encouraged by the success of Senator David Pocock in bumping ultra-conservative Zed Seselja from his role, many independent candidates have decided to contest the election.
Thomas Emerson and David Pollard are examples from the Independents for Canberra, along with Vanessa Picker, Leanne Foresti and AFP Officer Mark Richardson, who are part of the group committed to a stronger Legislative Assembly and ensuring whoever takes government is held accountable.
Fiona Carrick, Peter Strong and Bill Stefaniak are alternatives who are also seeking a position on the crossbench.
The choice is in the hands of ACT voters. There is an opportunity to return Labor-Greens for yet another term, change to the conservative Liberals or ameliorate excesses by voting independent.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legisla tive Assembly and an independent minister for health.
RETIREMENT ON YOUR TERMS!
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Add to this unfamiliar and complicated legislation, it really can be difficult to see your opportunities.
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From Left, Elizabeth Lee, Jeremy Hanson and Elizabeth Kikkert.
Rima’s a female Pocock… the real deal
In the recent NSW council elec tions, my Sydneysider son did a Full Donkey. On his ballot paper he wrote: “I’m easy, you pick one for me.”
Outrageous, right?
Trouble is, I was deeply tempted to follow his example in the ACT election right here in the very heart of Australian democracy. It’s a tempta tion I will resist, but I would be very surprised if many of my confederates were not also having the same problem.
Barr under Labor has had his go, and he’s made an unholy mess of it. The tram is not just a stupid flashback to 19th century technology, but he wants to extend it at a crippling cost to Canberra ratepayers.
And since the current rates don’t cover it, he’s determined to expand the population, thinking that might fix it, even if it means killing every kangaroo, wombat, echidna and any other ground dwelling native creature he can get his hands on.
By then all those new EV cars will ruin the roads and choke the intersections, while the EDs at all our hospitals will have queues around the block and parking towers the height of Black Mountain.
The Greens are out because they were and are the driving force behind
the tram! As for the Libs, I was quite taken with Elizabeth Lee and until recently I was even thinking they might be worth a go. But then came the Kikkert kerfuffle and the horrible Darren Roberts (or was it Bert Poppins?) who posted vile, anti-Aboriginal remarks during the Voice referendum. I couldn’t vote for him anyway since he’s not in my Murrumbidgee electorate.
My Lib choice is Jeremy Hanson and he has ambitions to return to the
leadership he held when the awful Zed dominated the party.
That leaves the independents and I have been attracted to the concept ever since David Pocock made it not just respectable but thoroughly desirable.
In the ‘Bidgee we have nine who call themselves independents, but eight of them have “grouped” themselves into two blocks of five and three, presumably to do clever things with preferences. So they aren’t really “independents”, just pretending to be.
Next, I checked out number nine, Rima Diab, right at the bottom of the list of candidates. I gave her a call and I have to say, I am very impressed. She’s a Bachelor of Medical Science with a Graduate Diploma in TESOL from the University of Canberra. She’s a certified translator/interpreter, and a Zumba instructor.
She moved to Australia from Lebanon in 1997, and for 14 years cared for her son Abdul Kareem, who had a disability and complex health needs. He died three weeks after his 14th birthday.
“During that time,” she said, “I met many remarkable individuals – sick children, children with special needs,
and those who faced neglect. This experience profoundly shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by families in similar situations, and the broader challenges of life.
“I met incredible nurses and caregivers, sharing stories, offering mutual support, and forming lasting friendships.
“I learned resilience, compassion and it fuelled my passion for a community where all voices are heard and represented, and every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
“I’m for abolishing payroll tax for GPs and providing tax concessions for medical practices to enhance bulk billing, ensuring access to healthcare without financial worry.”
And that’s just the beginning of her very long to-do list.
I’m so glad I took the time to check her out.
She’s like a female Pocock… the real deal.
robert@robert macklin.com
Candidates crowd in for the election
The October 19 ACT Legislative Assembly election will have 149 candidates vying for 25 MLA positions, with five seats available in each of the five electorates.
This is 12 more than 2020’s 137 candidates and eight more than 2016’s 141 hopefuls. This is also double the numbers from the two lowest number of candidates contesting in both 1995 and 2012 (74 each). However, there were three electorates with 17 members up until the 2016 election.
Under the ACT’s Robson Rotation method, the order of the printing of candidates’ names within each column will vary on each consecutive ballot paper. Ballot papers for each of the five-member electorates are printed in 60 different ways. Candidate statistics
A total of 142 candidates were nominated by registered political parties. Another seven were nominated. The numbers of candidates for the five electorates are set out below.
Independent candidate for Murrumbidgee Rima Diab… “I’m for ensuring access to healthcare without financial worry.”
ACT ELECTION 2024 / the government in focus
The ACT is the only jurisdiction in Australia not to have posted a surplus since 2012-13.
Ugly face of how a government failed Canberra
“The unbroken string of 12 deficits delivered by Andrew Barr, as Treasurer, is not only a record for any Australian jurisdiction, but also for a single treasurer.”
JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED summarise the performance of 12 years of Labor-Greens government. It’s not pretty.
For some years now, this column has commented on the ACT budget and a wide range of the government’s policies, programs and administration.
Our views on the ACT’s finances, government policy choices and service delivery have been formed by analysis of data published by either the government or the national reporting agencies such as the Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
We have been guided in our commentary by the accepted principles of public financial management, social justice and inter-generational equity. Our purpose has been to explain, elaborate on and clarify the ACT government’s policies and actions.
With the ACT election looming, we have sought in this column to provide an overview of the ACT government’s performance based on our previously published analyses.
This overall picture is in three domains: (a) over time, ie since the Greens-Labor coalition took office in 2012; (b) across jurisdictions; and (c) against the government’s claims and pronouncements.
Financial management: from best in the country to the worst
The ACT is the only jurisdiction in Australia not to have posted a surplus since 2012-13.
The ACT recorded consecutive surpluses in the three prior years to then and was in fact one of the few jurisdictions to have done so – on the same accounting basis.
The unbroken string of 12 deficits delivered since then by Andrew Barr, as Treasurer, is not only a record for any Australian jurisdiction, but also for a single treasurer.
Before the pandemic, the ACT’s deficits from 2012-13 averaged 5.8 per cent a year while the national average was a surplus of 1.5 per cent. Notably, the forward estimates also forecast deficits, which will extend the run of deficits under the Greens-Labor government and the direct stewardship of Mr Barr, to 16 years.
of $12.4 billion. The Net Debt to Revenue ratio is forecast to increase to 128 per cent, the second highest in Australia. Interest costs are rising at a staggering and unsustainable average rate of 21 per cent annually and are forecast to reach $823 million in 2027-28.
The increase in interest costs con sumed 12 per cent of new spending in the 2024-25 Budget and is forecast to rise to 26 per cent in 2027-28. This massive debt burden will be carried by future generations of Canberrans (our grandchildren and great grandchildren) well beyond the economic life of current infrastructure.
The Financial Management Act 1996 requires prudent financial management and adherence to the principle of intergenerational equity to ensure sustainability of services and that future generations are not burdened with undue costs. The government has clearly failed on both counts and one wonders when the Auditor-General or the Integrity Commission will pursue this issue.
Taxation: from below average to the highest taxing jurisdiction
The ACT was a below average taxing jurisdiction in 2012-13 at $3228 per capita (ABS data). With the highest taxation growth in the country (averaging 5.8 per cent annually per capita, compounding), it was one of the highest taxing jurisdictions in 2021-22.
Interest costs are rising at a staggering and unsustainable average rate of 21 per cent annually and are forecast to reach $823 million in 2027-28.
Persistent deficits need, of course, to be financed through increased taxes and borrowings.
Net debt has ballooned since Mr Barr became Treasurer from a negative $473 million to a forecast
The ACT has a limited tax base for which it is compensated through the GST distributions. It cannot tax Commonwealth activity and does not have the bases available to other jurisdictions. Relative to its taxing capacity, it is the highest taxing jurisdiction in Australia, as assessed by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Taxation reform has failed miserably with severe social and economic consequences. The ACT government collects more in stamp duty now than it did in 2012, while property transactions have decreased. Municipal rates have more than tripled over the decade, growing at a compounding annual average rate of 12.1 per cent. Land tax (a tax on renters) has increased at 10 per cent a year.
An increase in taxation has an inevitable impact on household spending and business investment. Unsurprisingly, both retail spending and business investment in the ACT
Regressive policy choices
The Greens-Labor coalition’s three terms have been characterised by four major policy choices with regressive impacts. Three of those choices have been driven by the Greens, but actively accommodated by Labor, hence the order in which we identify the coalition partners.
(a). Light Rail: The project was included in the 2012 Parliamentary Agreement to the extent of specifying a Public Private Partnership as the procurement method long before a business case was developed. The AuditorGeneral determined that the Cost Benefit Analysis for Stage 1 delivered a mere 49 cents for every dollar expended. The Stage 2A contract, for $577 million, was awarded without bothering to test the market or proceeding to tender. Hundreds of bus services were withdrawn reducing public transport choice particularly for the elderly and those unable to afford cars. According to the ABS, there has been virtually no increase in public transport patronage, with travel by tram merely substituting for bus travel but at a much higher unit cost.
(b). Public Housing: Under an agreement with the federal government, more than 1000 units of public housing stock along the Light Rail route and the inner suburbs was sold off by the ACT government with proceeds directed to the light rail project. The stock lost has not been fully replaced nor has Housing ACT been fully compensated for the loss of its assets. Stock condition has deteriorated significantly and is among the worst in the country. There are currently fewer units of public housing in Canberra than there were when the Green/Labor coalition was formed 12 years ago
(c). Land Supply: The Greens and
number of social and environmental issues, for example, gay marriage, transgender rights, end-of-life choices, climate change and the vote on the Voice. While commendable, those positions are in large measure consistent with mainstream social and political thinking across Australia.
Notwithstanding the relatively higher average incomes in Canberra, there are significant levels of poverty and hardship in the ACT.
The government has, however, regrettably and consistently failed to acknowledge or respond to the existence of material deprivation within the Canberra community, which we believe has been aggravated rather than ameliorated through government policies.
The degradation suffered by the ACT public health system over the past eight years is estimated to have added more than 2500 person years’ wait for health services.
ing, and overall, the ACT public health system has suffered the lowest growth in health funding in Australia. The operational performance of the public health system has, unsurprisingly, deteriorated from better than average to the worst in the country. Frontline staff are overworked, stressed and disengaged.
The above outcomes and policies and the general neglect of other social services have resulted in relatively poor outcomes over time and compared to other jurisdictions. Despite the massive level of debt, key service infrastructure has not received the appropriate or necessary investment resulting in dilapidated schools, uninhabitable police stations, inadequate health facilities, unliveable public housing and potholed roads.
Waste and mismanagement
The waste and mismanagement of public funds, for example, the failed human resource system, unchecked spending on the digital records project, questionable spending on a failed project in the office of Public Trustee,”‘think garden” procurement in CIT and the tender for Campbell Primary School, are sadly well known and symptomatic examples of a deterioration in the culture of the public service.
Perhaps more worryingly the notion of ministerial accountability has been redefined whereby being ignorant of a failure has been repeatedly presented as an excuse. There have been no repercussions and accountability for the wasted hundreds of millions of public dollars.
Progressive government?
Only in name
The government can claim credit for progressive positions on a
There is clear evidence that its taxation and service delivery – policies relating to income redistribution in a social democracy – are regressive. There has been a substantial increase in the number and scope of flat taxes and levies that unarguably have a greater negative effect on low-tomoderate income families and residents. The value of concessions have also substantially reduced since 2012.
Median wait times within the public health system for planned surgery have increased by 39 per cent over the last two terms of the Greens/Labor government, with some patients waiting years for procedures that are accessible within weeks in the private system. The degradation suffered by the ACT public health system over the past eight years is estimated to have added more than 2500 person years’ wait for health services.
Aboriginal people have been incarcerated at an increasing rate. In 2013 the rate ratio of Aboriginal to non-Aboriginal incarceration in the ACT was below the national average at 14.4. In 2023, this had climbed to 22.9, the highest in the country. Aboriginal people also wait longer in emergency departments and for elective surgery.
A most worrying sign is the loss of trust in service delivery agencies and institutions. Aboriginal Canberrans are 1.6 times more likely not to wait, 2.2 times more likely to leave A&E or health facilities at their own risk, and 2.8 times more likely to discharge themselves against medical advice.
Thomas Jefferson famously said: “The government you elect is the government you deserve”. We wait with interest the verdict of the people of Canberra on the government we deserve.
Jon Stanhope is a former chief minister of the ACT and Dr Khalid Ahmed a former senior ACT Treasury official.
Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr… overseen no repercussions nor accountability for the wasted hundreds of millions of public dollars.
Photo: Holly Treadaway
VOTE TO PROTECT KANGAROOS
We asked the political parties standing in the ACT election if they will stop killing our iconic kangaroos. And here’s how they responded.
When it comes to green, the ACT Greens aren’t
When I see our ACT Green MLAs in their green outfits, I wonder whether subconsciously they are compensating for a feeling that their policies aren’t very green.
They tell us that with climate change we are facing another apocalypse, that the climate crisis is as much an existential crisis as nuclear weapons and that “people made climate change happen. And people can stop it.” But what are they doing to stop it?
When in 2012, Shane Rattenbury traded his MLA vote for the light rail, did he not know that already two years earlier the Chinese had produced an electric bus, the BYD K9, so successful that it soon was manufactured in the US?
The government-commissioned URS City to Gungahlin Transit Corridor: Concept Design Report stated that a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system had roughly twice the benefitcost-ratio of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and would produce the same commercial development along the line.
The report was kept secret, and the public was fooled by comparing LRT not with BRT but with a “do nothing scenario” producing the statement: “A triple bottom line evaluation undertaken of these options comparing their social, economic and
environmental impacts to the ‘do nothing scenario’ has shown LRT to provide higher benefits due to its higher social benefits.”
Was there no expert to point out that instead of producing CO2 by laying steel rails in concrete together with overhead wiring and extensive roadwork, pollution would be much reduced by ordering electric buses for a BRD system?
Now, 12 years later, diesel buses are still polluting our environment. How much CO2 could have been saved by investing a fraction of the light rail’s expense in electric buses at an early stage!
with the closing of some 700 bus stops, public transport became so inconvenient that many reverted to their cars.
The light rail’s passenger boardings are increasing due to increasing accommodation built near stops, but the Gungahlin area has, nevertheless, some of the lowest percentages of people using public transport in
A lack of expert evaluation has produced an increasing number of high-cost government projects leading to high-cost waste of money.
This waste is topped by the lack of evaluation whether the tram purchased from Spain could cope with the hills of Canberra resulting in the absurd cost of the 1.7-kilometre stretch of the tram’s extension from Civic to the lake, plus the pollution caused by the roadworks.
over the world.
Infill means producing the same conditions in established suburbs by replacing mature gardens with concrete, creating the vicious cycle where increased heat and denser populations result in increased use of air conditioners blasting out hot air.
The justification for infill is that our footprint must not be extended.
The extension of the footprint around Canberra happened more than 200 hundred years ago when forests were cut down for pastures.
out of space built its new Boxberg suburb into the forest and orchards overlooking the Rhine Valley (CN, March 26, 2024).
Only the vegetation where buildings were placed was removed, with a good distance between structures, so that every window and balcony is surrounded by trees.
Historian Beatrice Bodart-Bailey is an honorary professor at the ANU School of Culture, History and Language and an emeritus professor of the Department of Comparative Culture, Otsuma Women’s University, Tokyo. In Boxberg, Heidelberg, only the vegetation where buildings were placed was removed.
In a CityNews column (May 27, 2021), architect Penleigh Boyd pointed out that it will take 19 years to offset emissions by private cars the light rail hopes to take off the road.
Most likely he did not factor in that
For all mechanical repairs
Another policy The Greens consider green is 70 per cent infill to increase housing. Naturally, we cannot add more suburbs where roofs virtually touch each other with “gardens” of pavers, plastic grass or pebbles. These new suburbs are already having summer temperatures some 10 degrees higher than the old leafy areas. When El Nino returns with days pushing 40 degrees, they will have to cope with 50, temperatures producing high mortality rates all
With climate change, replanting forests has become essential. Revegetation by commercial enterprises for tax concessions have not proved successful. The answer is larger house plots at reasonable cost in return for the purchaser’s commitment to revegetate 70 or even 80 per cent of the area. In this way we could surround Canberra with a green belt, mitigating heat and CO2 output.
The Liberals suggest bulldozing Kowen Forest to make way for housing and a new town centre. We need more housing, but must all trees be removed?
Previously I have explained how the medieval university town of Heidelberg, Germany, when running
Walter Burley Griffin grew up and worked with Frank Lloyd Wright at Oak Park, described as “one of Chicago’s suburban fringe villages” where he persuaded his parents to plant so many trees that their home was known as “The Jungle”.
Canberra would do well to create such a suburb with trees mitigating both heat and CO2 emissions to commemorate its founding architect.
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‘Fear and loathing’ isn’t cutting it this time for me
“We care about the journey” was emblazoned on an O’Brien’s truck that the bus passed just north of Goulburn on that long, straight climb that starts after the neglected railway carriages that, year by year, are falling apart at the end of a line.
That uplifting message caught this passenger’s eye, a promise of good team service to ensure success for the future.
The colours of the message were an arresting mix of white, blue and black, identical to the colours used for the caption on an election pamphlet that I found in my Canberra letterbox this week, “Don’t let your vote open the door to a conservative Liberal government”.
The pamphlet cover featured a door opening on to a white nothingness. On the reverse side were three quotes attributed to independent candidates, two of them unsupportive of our loveable, cheery, beaming chief minister and his government, and one fence sitting some months ago.
In the tiniest print, I found that this pamphlet was authorised (per section 292, subs 2 and 4 of the Electoral Act) for ACT Labor – our long time government (so long that the opposition Liberals seem to have forgotten the role requirements when in opposi-
do that, and do the other. What they don’t tell us is how any of it will be funded, or even what any of it is going to cost.
The Liberals have had years to come up with a plan that has us live
With their collective heads in a fog of denial, day by day the three parties regale us with promises to do this, to do that, and do the other. What they don’t tell us is how any of it will be funded.
within our means, but also ensures that the basic services are adequately resourced and acceptably delivered. Apparently, that’s too hard, but still they want us to trust them with government.
The Greens want us to believe that the long silent winter of their complicity in creating the present mess has ended with an outbreak of spring growth. They failed to prune when it was necessary and they have shown no aptitude for improving the sustainability and yield of our basic services.
How fitting that with all parties keen to keep us uninformed about the challenges for which solutions must be found, the most obvious signs of election fever are the numerous roadside signs featuring head photos of the candidates: vote one to five for the faces that are prettiest, ugliest, best known, unknown, etcetera.
It is surprising that the major parties didn’t put all their portrait
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candidates in emblazoned hats.
The Liberals might have gone with the embroidered caption, “Make Canberra Great Again”. Labor needed a message that showed their support for the unfettered right to feed off gambling addiction, such as “We win, the mug punters lose”. The Greens, naturally, needed the caps once worn by tram conductors. That way the corflutes would have carried a relevant message.
But wait, can corflutes carry a message beyond identifying the party that belongs to the face?
The answer, “Yes”, is found in our Electoral Act, Division 17, “Campaigning offences” (from section 291 and following).
The authors of pamphlets, such as the one featured above, must be wary of falling foul of sections 297 and 297A, which make it an offence to publish electoral material, “that is likely to mislead or deceive an elector about the casting of a vote”, or “contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent”.
Is it in any way misleading, inaccurate, deceptive to posit that elected independents will join with the Liberals to form a government? Does
it matter that there is no mention in the pamphlet of a “minority” government, of being prepared to guarantee supply, but otherwise voting independently, issue by issue? (the Assembly can always be dissolved if it is incapable of doing its job, per Section 16 of our Self Government Act.)
The pamphlet’s open door leading to nothingness intrigues. What was the intended meaning? Was it telling us that the cupboard is bare? Was it a warning not to open the door to change, or an invitation to step out and explore the unknown?
We can care about any journey on which these candidates wish to take us. It would be nice to know the destination, the route, the cost, the timing. I’d like to know, too, how they are going to fund buying the fuel for the journey.
Dream on fellow voters, because that’s what the three parties want us to do until election day.
Hugh Selby is the CityNews legal affairs commentator.
Part of the Labor flyer… putting us in fear.
Blinkered government that ignores the evidence
Political columnist Michael Moore (“Do the Labor-Greens deserve to be re-elected?”
CN October 3) identifies poor outcomes particularly in relation to financial management, health and education as reasons not to re-elect the Labor-Greens.
He also points to the government’s commitment to development of the extremely expensive tram without considering bus-based alternatives.
The assessment is reinforced by housing, urban development and transport outcomes. Between 2011 and 2024, despite an increase of more than 100,000 in the ACT population, the number of public housing dwellings fell by more than 1000.
Its infill policy, requiring at least 70 per cent of housing demand being accommodated in established areas and its Land Release Program, identifying multi-unit dwellings will be 89 per cent of dwelling supply, were adopted in the absence of analysis of housing preferences or infrastructure, travel and environmental costs.
A consequence has been an increasing price differential between detached and multi unit dwellings and an increase in car-dependent development in surrounding NSW.
Many redevelopment dwellings have been poorly constructed and designed.
Transport strategies aimed at doubling the use of public transport, cycling and walking on the journey to work by 2026 have been ineffective with a decline in the use of these modes.
The decline was a consequence of a bus system no longer able to deliver fast, frequent and reliable services; and the reduced ability of the government to direct employment to locations well served by public transport. Light rail has diverted resources from under-funded infrastructure including buses.
But it would surprise if the Liberals attracted sufficient votes, even under its moderate leader.
For Canberra to develop as a more inclusive city with transparent and accountable governance, the best outcome could be for independents of the ilk of Fiona Carrick or the Independents for Canberra to have the balance of power.
Win or lose Labor/Greens should review their priorities, too many of which are not evidenced-based.
Mike Quirk, Garran
Homelessness minister unmoved by homeless man
I saw Greens member for Kurrajong Rebecca Vassarotti campaigning for herself at trendy, tram-loving Dickson.
As Minister for Homelessness (excuse maker for Andrew’s constant failures) she didn’t consider the home less man begging outside Woolies, 15 metres away.
I suggested she would be more effective by finding him some accommodation.
He was begging for $50. I’m sure she could afford it.
Bob Howden, via email
Disastrous situation will only get worse
Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed have once again wielded their administrative scalpels, this time to dissect the Barr government’s Pre Election Budget Update. What they found was far from pretty (“Debt drives ACT from a top performer to worst”, CN October 3).
Net debt to revenue was 18 per cent above the average for the states and the NT in 2023-2024, is
projected to be 16 per cent above that average in 2024-2025, and is forecast to still be 15 per cent greater in 2027-2028.
This disastrous situation will only become worse if the Barr government is re-elected on October 19 and presses ahead with its multi-billion dollar light rail to Woden folly, regardless of the soaring level of debt that would be imposed on the ACT.
If they had read this frank and fearless publication, ratepayers could not say they weren’t warned.
Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
Bicycle pledge could go a lot further
Each day the average Canberran drives 19,000 metres and travels 1500 metres by public transport, but cycles only 400 metres.
We would cycle more, and travel less in polluting cars and buses, if our bicycles were better maintained and better equipped.
It costs around 10 cents a kilometre to properly maintain a bicycle. Only two thirds of 124 bikes that I surveyed had fully functional brakes. Only four were equipped to carry luggage, at night, without spraying the rider with muddy water.
In 60,000 kilometres of cycle commuting and a year of managing a bike fleet, I found that standard tyres punctured on average every 500 kilometres.
An e-bike is about 10 per cent faster overall than a normal bike, but it requires more frequent and more expensive maintenance.
The ACT Greens election promise is for $500 bicycle rebates, but only for electric and cargo bikes (“Greens offer cash rebates for e-bikes,” citynews. com.au, September 25).
Five hundred dollars would cover the cost of servicing an ordinary bike, plus upgrading it with lights, mudguards, saddlebags and puncture-resistant tyres. That would make it a much more effective alternative to fossil-fuelled travel.
Leon Arundell, Downer
For whom the Bell polls?
I just looked at the list of the Brindabella candidates. I only recognise two names.
Mark Parton, who I thought was a fairly reasonable “shock jock” (clearly told to hold his tongue by the Liberal Party machine) and Mick Gentleman (who is always missing in action).
Sorry, for the whinge, but the ACT was better served before so-called “self government” was imposed upon us. My point is, I have no choice, as a matter of logic (in my humble view) when voting in the election but to put the Liberals first followed by the organised independents.
Brian Bell, via email
Our government kills off our ‘roos…
Our government kills off our ‘roos,
Despite many constituents’ views.
For among their charms, Their half our Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
Thank heaven, there’s no emus to lose.
Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla
Martial art focuses the power of internal energy
Grand Master Neal Hardy, chief instructor of Fire Dragon Australia, teaches Pai Lum, or White Dragon, Kung Fu, to Canberrans of all ages and experience levels.
Pai Lum Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial art, which teaches effective self defence alongside how to achieve inner harmony.
Through meditation and Chi Gung exercises, both of which focus on internal energy and are integral to the training, Neal says Pai Lum helps students find a release from the stresses of everyday life.
“Students also find that training increases their self confidence, and ability to be assertive when required,” he says.
“So the benefits of training help students in all aspects of their lives.”
Neal says that while fitness is, of course, a key element to all martial arts – it is not necessary to be in perfect shape in order to start Pai Lum.
“Training will improve your strength, your flexibility and your cardio-vascular fitness as you work within your limits and learn how to extend those limits,” he says.
“And, the fun element is important – learning how to perform spinning techniques, spectacular jumping and flying kicks, to spar with other students, and have the opportunity to learn [to use] traditional Chinese weapons.”
Neal explains that Pai Lum is a long-range style, and uses a variety of punching and kicking techniques. However, they also train students in close-range blocks and strikes, which are of great importance and use, together with Chinese grappling techniques.
As a family style business, Neal says Fire Dragon takes care of all students no matter their age, gender,
“Students are encouraged to treat each other as brothers and sisters, and to take care of each other in class,” says Neal.
“This means that we do not fight each other in tournaments or bouts – although in training we do everything we can to improve ourselves and each other!”
Neal says that as a student of Pai Lum, “you will be asked to do your best,” and that due to each student having different abilities and potential, teaching and progress is tailored to individual requirements.
Fire Dragon always takes particular care to ensure children feel safe and valued, says Neal, and as someone who has recently turned 70 himself, Neal also encourages older Canberrans to consider training.
Fire Dragon Australia, meets at the All Saints Church Hall, Cowper Street, Ainslie. Call 0421 849551 or visit firedragon.com.au
Teaching Pai Lum (White Dragon) Kung Fu Learn:
• Traditional Kung Fu
• Effective Self Defence
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Chi Gung (internal energy)
Acquire:
• Fitness
• Self Confidence and Assertion
• Harmony – mind and body working together
Suitable for women and men, girls and boys from 8 to 80. Reach your potential!
Beginners Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.30 to 8.00pm, at the All Saints Church Hall, Cowper Street, Ainslie
Shr Fu Ingrid Bean shows her capacity to break hard objects, showcasing the power of mind and body.
Mark Parton.
Rebecca Vassarotti.
NEWS / family history
Greg’s soldier ancestors come marching into life
By Katarina LLOYD JONES
Delving into the family history can seem daunting, especially if there are skeletons in the closet, but this didn’t deter retired senior public servant Greg Fraser, who for the last 20 years has been researching his family’s history.
During his research, Greg says he came across six family members who had served in the military, and was so intrigued, he decided to collate their individual stories into a self-published book, titled For King and Country.
“It started off in the French Revo lutionary Wars and then went all the way through to the Vietnam War,” he says.
“Probably the only major war that I haven’t found anybody involved in was the Boer War in South Africa.”
However, it was no easy task to hunt down enough information to fill a book, and Greg describes the process as involving a lot of sifting through archives, a lot of internet searching, a lot of reading, but also, “serendipitous moments” where people shared unique, primary resources with him.
“The first port of call really was to get their military service records through the archives, and they’re all available online.
“And it also tells you where they fought and what units they were in.
thing I did was scan it, and then began to go through it, and I was able to line up Bruce’s descriptions of events to the unit histories and the official his -
Part of the research saw Greg discover two relatives who had been prisoners of war during World War II, and says reading more in depth about the experiences they lived through dramatically shifted his perspective
“The two guys who were prisoners of war endured terrible suffering and one of my uncles, a great uncle, came back quite a wasted person and he struggled for the rest of his days,”
“He died quite young really, but he was back for 16 years before he died.
“He became an alcoholic, he found it difficult to hold down jobs, and he was a member of a strict Presbyterian family and many of them turned their back on him, and I was very moved and touched by that.
“Understanding that for those World War II guys they had very little support.”
formed after the formal surrender of Japan.
“He was quite traumatised by his time at Balikpapan, and although he doesn’t say it, I’m pretty sure seeing Hiroshima and Nagasaki must have had quite an impact, and I can recall when I grew up, at home, that we had lots and lots of photos of ruins,” Greg says.
“It didn’t make much sense to me as a child in those days but knowing what I know now, they were pretty horrific photos.
“My father came back and he was traumatised by the fact that he’d killed a Japanese guy.
“He’d had to bury a whole lot of Japanese by a roadside and that had a big impact on him.
“He was a heavy drinker when I was a young person, [and] he smoked very heavily.”
“I suppose I was blessed to be doing this in the internet era,” he says.
“And that tells you a fair bit about when they joined. It tells you a bit about what their physique was, what colour eyes they had, what colour hair, etcetera.
“Bruce Fraser, who fought in the Light Horse Brigade, or Regiment, in World War I, had a diary, and I met one of his sons, and they pulled this diary out of the drawer and it was absolute gold.
“So I took that away and the first
Greg says the other story that had a big impact on him was that of his own father who fought at Balikpapan in Borneo, which was the last action by Australian troops in the Pacific War.
He also spent two years as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan, which were
Despite the intense nature of the content discovered, Greg says his relatives have been “absolutely wonderful” in assisting with the research for the book, and that many are delighted that the service of their forebears has been recorded and honoured.
He, too, says the process of writing the book allowed him to gain “a great sense of pride” about his ancestors and what they did.
Order a copy at forkingandcountry1948@gmail.com
Taking the advice that takes courage to give
My mate Ron used to routinely shatter the hopes and dreams of people he’d never met, and remains to this day one of the loveliest people I’ve known.
No, he’s not an oncologist although they often do similar things and I know plenty of them and they are, frankly, beautiful humans. Especially our local Canberrans.
Ron is a teacher, writer, bookseller, bon vivant and ponytail-wearing, west-coast import who arrived here 25 years ago looking like a cross between a Beach Boy and a Vonnegut, selling me Captain America comics with a free side order of advice, decency and wisdom.
He knows more about heartache and joy than most, and very few can match his ability to transpose those complex neuroendocrine brain impulses on to the written page into something quite beautiful.
Like many of us, life happened to him and plenty of it was challenging, but through it all his grace is remarkable. So what’s with the casual sadism? Nothing of the sort.
The thing is, Ron used to get roped into helping out at writers’ festivals. Editing, counselling, supporting and teaching – all the good stuff he knew and happily shared.
But more than rarely, he’d come
“Killing your darlings” is a writing philosophy – great writing is editing and removing stuff you love, leaving the best behind. It hurts.
across punters, like the bloke I spied in the mirror this morning, who work all their lives with a plan to one day Retire and Write, showing him their 300-page experimental novel about Envelopes as a metaphor for life, without using consonants, and… he’d have to come up with something.
Because he was generous and smart, he usually did, but after a while he realised that, for some people, the best thing, the most decent thing to do, was tell the truth.
Gently, because these people may have spent months on this project and 30 years dreaming of starting it, but the festering whirlpool of assembled pages was being produced by someone who thought they were using their time wisely.
Open every day during school holidays from 10am to 4pm Cafe open from 10am to 3pm
future when they practised an activity for which they had some aptitude.
Ron was inspired once when he saw a fellow who he’d years earlier advised to never write anything but a shopping list, expressing huge thanks. In the interim the chap had developed a different skill at which he was amazing, which gave him and others a lot of joy.
I need to stop here and tell you something right now. The sentiments expressed above should, under no circumstances, encourage you to travel in time and geography to visit my sainted great aunt Emanuela and give her unsolicited feedback about
If being terrible at something makes you happy, that’s great. But if somebody cares about you, they’ll ask you to get a lesson. Or give you the advice that takes courage to give.
the moustache that was mightier than Ernie Hemingway’s. You would not be helping her and she would give you a fat lip worse than if my wife ever met Mr Wickham after he’d tried to seduce Mr Darcy’s sister. Avoid.
It’s easier to tell uncle Fred that his series of 86 identical watercolours on the Seven Stages of Mucous are fine ONLY if he is a celebrity or really, really rich, than to suggest to him that maybe he will be immensely happier doing something else.
Of course, if being terrible at something makes you happy (please refer to my cricket career) that’s great. But if somebody cares about you, they’ll ask you to get a lesson. Or give you the advice that takes courage to give.
My wife has mastered the art of saying: “Darling, are you really thinking
that might be the best outfit to wear today? Or indeed, any day?” to the extent that it’s welcome. On the other hand, the first time someone asked me if her bum looked big in this, I could have used a few lessons in the Loving Delivery of Data from Ron.
“Killing your darlings” is a writing philosophy – great writing is editing and removing stuff you love, leaving the best behind. It hurts. I’ve never been good enough to do it. But Ron was, which is why he’s brilliant, whereas my best fiction, like any good Italian boy, remains my tax return.
If you really care, give that extra, gentle feedback. And if you see someone has gone to the effort of delivering you a message, maybe they are not a bugger. Maybe, as one of my amazing team said to me weeks ago, it’s coming from a place of love. I’ll miss my yellow and orange racing car blazer, but Ron might say it was for the best.
Antonio Di Dio is a local GP, medical leader and nerd. There is more of his Kindness on citynews.com.au
GETTING A GRIP ON GOLF
Make the most of the Canberra region golf scene
Whether it’s a one-off hit or a regular competition, there are plenty of golfing options across Canberra and surrounding regions.
Golf has been played in Australia since 1839 and, according to Golf Australia, there were an estimated 1,204,000 golf participants Australiawide in the 2020-21 period.
In this feature, CityNews has compiled a list of people and places that can help to advance individual golfing skills or just offer an enjoyable place to play.
Green pastures and social opportunities
Gungahlin Lakes is the gem of North Canberra, says marketing manager Tori Heron.
“Carved by challenging waterways and obstacles, and surrounded in a flourishing natural environment of plants and wildlife, our venue provides not only a state-of-theart 18-hole game, but a peaceful location to do so,” she says.
With an abundance of competitions, programs, lessons and twilight hours during daylight savings, Tori says the Gungahlin Lakes golf course accommodates all levels of experience, interest and constraints, such as time, age and ability.
According to Tori, the best part about the Gungahlin Lakes is the view.
“The course really is the centrepiece of Gungahlin Lakes, with the floor-to-ceiling
CORPORATE
view seen all the way along the clubhouse, the image before you really sells itself,” she says.
The facility also offers corporate golf days and with exciting renovations on the way for these events, Tori says they are a great way to enhance community activities.
The facility prides itself on its activities, says Tori, with exclusive access to competitions, events and benefits, cart hire, lessons from the pros as well as junior programs and competitions.
“We have some remaining corporate golf day spots left for 2024,” she says, and urges the community to “get in quick”.
Gungahlin Lakes Golf & Community Club, 110 Gundaroo Drive, Nicholls. Call 6242 6283 or visit ainsliegroup.com.au
An oasis away from home
Located five minutes from the beach, but surrounded by bush, general manager Josh Tyler says The Oaks Ranch is conveniently located without losing the sense of rural charm.
“It’s such a tranquil environment,” he says.
Stretched over 300 acres, The Oaks Ranch features a nine-hole golf course, with small greens and a selection of challenging runs that are suitable for all levels of experience.
Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd in December, which Josh says is an event not to be missed, and have special New Year’s Eve events.
Attendees are encouraged to take full advantage of the facilities, he says, and explore all the venue has to offer, with the option to book weddings, private functions and corporate retreats.
“It’s a stunning property,” he says, and is perfect for a summer holiday getaway.
But, Josh says, the summer period gets
G LF DAY At Gungahlin Lakes
Make Gungahlin Lakes the ideal venue for your next Corporate or Social Golf Day.
Discover the jewel of North Canberra and the heart of Gungahlin. Nestled amid picturesque natural surrounds, offering a serene and private setting that transforms any event into an unforgettable experience. Your corporate golf day will be a true hole-in-one, perfectly complemented by ample free parking, a fully dedicated events team, and a state-of-the-art golf course.
Providing seamless and personalised service, with a straightforward catering package and no hidden fees, Gungahlin Lakes makes your corporate golf event not just possible but perfect.
The Oaks Ranch, 340 Old Mossy Point Road,
GETTING A GRIP ON GOLF
Take a day trip to historic golf course
The Goulburn Golf Club is the perfect opportunity for a fun, family day-trip out of Canberra, says club manager Joanne Mills, with a fully maintained golf course and clubhouse that includes the pro shop, members change rooms and lockers, a licensed bar, TAB facilities, bistro, gaming room, and carts for hire.
Established in 1989, Joanne says the club has a long, rich history of golf in the region, even producing some notable golfers in the past.
She says the club has recently gone through a bit of a regeneration too, with new clubhouse renovations.
“We’ve just installed a lift outside the clubhouse to allow for disability
access in the club,” she says.
“This will allow our patrons to enjoy our views over the golf course from a first-floor perspective.”
Joanne says golf is a great activity to try because “anybody can play”.
“You can have young kids, up to people in their 80s and 90s who can come and play golf,” she says.
The club has also employed some new catering, so Joanne says it’s also a great option for lunch or dinner for those exploring Goulburn.
Yass Golf Club caters to all abilities, says golf shop manager Adrian Lynch, and welcomes visitors who are interested in social play and competitions.
Unlike city clubs, Adrian says Yass Golf Club has more availability, and can offer a country experience.
He says they also provide access to club facilities for lunch both during, and after rounds, or, for a casual drink at the “19th hole”.
“We also cater to private functions for all occasions,” he says.
The Yass Open weekend of golf starts at the end of November, says Adrian, featuring the Yass Open 2-Person Ambrose event on November 30, and the Robertsons of Yass Landscapes and Haulage –Yass Open event on December 1.
Experience one of the oldest country courses in Australia at the Goulburn Golf Club
Enjoy beautifully maintained greens, stunning vistas, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing round with friends or aiming to refine your game or simply wanting to celebrate a special occasion, Goulburn Golf Club provides the perfect backdrop.
With views over the picturesque course, the Clubhouse is a popular space for events!
Book in your next event with catering supplied by NK Kitchen.
Adrian says he simply loves the game of golf, and the community that is the Yass Golf Club, and, in a secret twist, he says visitors are, on average, able to play a round of 18 faster than their Canberra counterparts by one hour.
“With such a hidden gem of a course, and a history of 120 years of operation, all the board and staff want to see future generations here playing at Yass,” he says.
Electric cart or push buggies are all available as well, along with hire clubs, Adrian says, making it a great option for social group bookings or catered corporate days.
Status Golf is the only indoor golf centre in Canberra that doesn’t require players to have a membership to play, says director Dennis Hung.
“With 160+ international courses to choose from, including world famous Pebble Beach, St Andrews, TPC Sawgrass, Augusta National and a welcoming environment, golfers of all abilities can connect, improve their skills, and share their passion for the game,” he says.
Status Golf utilises state-of-theart auto tee-up systems, launch monitors and high-speed cameras to provide players with valuable swing, shot and impact analysis to refine their game, Dennis says.
Status Golf hosts a monthly
Nearest The Pin and Longest Drive Competition, which Dennis says is sponsored by Capital Brewing Co. According to Dennis, the simulators used are comparable to what professionals use to teach with, which creates a realistic experience for golfers to hone their skills from the comfort of inside.
“Playing on an actual golf course can be intimidating,” he says.
“We are focused on entertainment and having fun. Everyone is welcome, golfer or not.” It is a fully licensed venue that is suitable for practice or play, catering to all levels of ability, Dennis says.
Status Golf, basement, 11 Akuna Street, Civic. Call 0452 284 653 or visit statusgolf.com.au
Tournaments for all kinds of golfers
Steeped in history, and nestled on the picturesque grounds of a championship 18-hole golf course adorned with stylish gardens sits Duntryleague, one of the Orange region’s premier golfing venues, says office manager Renée Tom.
The West Orange Motors Duntryleague Classic event will take place in January, and Renée says it is an ideal opportunity to play one of the great golf courses and visit the surrounding cool climate wine region of Orange.
“Entry to the competition includes three rounds of golf on Duntryleague’s 18-hole championship course, registration and cocktail party on Saturday evening, gala presentation dinner on Tuesday evening, green fees and competition fees,” she says.
Duntryleague will also host the Hahn Open Amateur Tournament on November 2-3, where Renée
says participants can enjoy two rounds of golf on Duntryleague’s championship course, along with a presentation dinner on November 2.
The guest speaker will be Kerry O’Keeffe, and Renée says this is sure to make the presentation evening very entertaining.
“Orange is the perfect destination for your golfing getaway, with a historical mansion offering entrants a unique experience, stay-play packages overlooking the golf course, and a rich food and wine culture,” she says.
“Duntryleague also stocks a full range of golf equipment from all leading brands and provides tuition from four PGA teaching professions to extensive club-fitting technology for the complete player package.”
The Oaks Ranch golf course is open to everyone from dawn to dusk. It is suitable for all levels of golfer.
Challenge yourself on our 9-hole course, which is home to local kangaroos and beautifully framed by remarkable scenery.
Contact us if you have a group who would like to play together, or you are interested in organising a special golfing day.
340 Old Mossy Point Rd Mossy Point Ph 02 4471 7403 www.oaksranch.com.au
The southside valley that’s
Surrounded by nature and only 10 minutes from the centre of Canberra, Woden Valley offers one of the premier destinations for shopping, community events and recreation in Canberra.
“cornerstone of this nation” and encourages them to come to Kwik Kopy for their signage or printing needs.
All four of his daughters have at some stage worked in the shop during their school years, he says, doing binding, stuffing, collating and a manner of other services.
He says they can provide things as “simple as business cards” through to signage on business premises or vehicles, merchandise apparel, branding development, catalogue printing and even websites.
“Anything that you need in that space for your business, we can do,” he says.
Developed in the 1960s as Canberra’s first satellite city, Woden Valley is now a bustling area with 12 suburbs flanking the town centre. Physiotherapy that’s all about connection
His partner Julie is also involved, doing the accounts for the business.
Continuity of Treatment with Principal 24/7 Service • After hours appointments available • Gregory Nash (Principal) Professional treatment for: • Back & neck pain • Knee pain
Shoulder pain • Foot/ankle pain
Greg Nash, practice principal of Manuka-Woden Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic, says they are a general physiotherapy practice with a special interest in sports physiotherapy, musculoskeletal physiotherapy and occupational health.
Operating since 1990, Greg says they treat everything from sporting injuries to common variety gardening injuries, motor vehicle accidents, work injuries and rehabilitation after surgery.
Gridiron,
“We strive to provide personalised service in the day and age of electronics and computers and tele consults,” he says.
“We prefer phone contact as opposed to booking yourself in an electronic system.
“The reason for this [is] a computer program cannot be flexible, where with human contact, [you] can offer alternate times/locations.”
Greg says seeing the progression of people arriving in pain to rapid improvement from just one treatment keeps him passionate, as does getting to know their clients.
“We have been around long enough to sometimes see the next generation come through our doors,” he says.
They have preferred provider agreements
with the big four health insurance companies, BUPA, HCF, Medibank and NIB, but for those who don’t have private health insurance, Greg says they are “more than happy to charge the same discounted rates as the health funds when you mention our ad.” Greg says they also love supporting local charities and sporting teams, and are currently supporting the Centurions gridiron team. Team organiser and secretary Jay Mundine says: “Having a physio supporting the club, of Greg Nash’s calibre, is greatly appreciated by players.”
Emilio’s daughters have all worked in the Kwik Kopy Phillip store. From left, Madi, Izzy, Julie (back – Emilio’s partner), Lina and Phia.
Centurions
sponsored by Manuka-Woden Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, preparing for their sixth consecutive Capital Bowl.
IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, WE CAN DO IT
Celebrating 30 Years of Service to Canberra
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“He has spent his working life in legal practices in Canberra,” she says.
“He then worked with William G Pierce, eventually buying out the practice, which then merged with that of Geoff Capon, and became what is now known as Capon and Hubert.”
Ken and Geoff made a deliberate decision to keep their practice in the suburbs, firstly at Mawson and then in Phillip, says Rhonda, because Ken and Geoff always wanted to work with people handling the ordinary matters of life, and assist them with issues they face.
Rhonda says Ken’s legal career spans over 40 years, and that he has spent many years involved in family
she says, assisting clients to have wills created which reflect their wishes.
He also assists those who are faced with the completion and tidying up of estates in Probate work.
Daryn Griffiths joined Capon and Hubert more than six years ago, says Rhonda, and his area of expertise is with property law, handling residential and commercial work.
She says he also reviews retirement village agreements, which vary from village to village.
Capon and Hubert Lawyers and Mediators, first floor, 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6152 9203 or visit chsol.com.au
Ken Hubert
Family Law and Mediation. Wills and Estate Planning
Daryn Griffiths
Property and Commercial Solicitor
Experienced in Wills and Estate Planning and in all areas of Family Law, including adoptions.
Ken is an accredited business and family mediator.
Let us help to navigate the complexity of conveyancing laws in the ACT & NSW including stamp duty, identity verification, and tenancy laws. We also specialise in retirement village agreements.
For the best outcome when it matters how it’s done call Capon & Hubert on 6152 9203 First Floor, 32-38, Townshend Street, Phillip enquiries@chsol.com.au
The Austrian-Australian club is the place to be for music lovers at the moment, with the club placing a renewed focus on reviving the Woden live music scene, says acting manager Erin Weatherstone.
“We’re really trying to encourage people to get out more and enjoy live music,” she says.
“Especially after covid, people are struggling to get out there again, and we want to provide an oppor
November will see local bands The Crossbenchers and Jerikye and the Crawdads perform, and 7 Shots will perform in December.
It also remains the perfect place to go for a relaxing Sunday afternoon beer, Erin says, with more quiet music organised.
She says social pool, social darts and the meat raffle are all still available, as usual, but an exciting, new
Ken and Rhonda Hubert.
However, Bryce says addressing it is simpler than clients might think, with participants beginning the process by taking a free online assessment to gauge the likelihood of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.
“Results will direct the client to what the next steps should be,” says Bryce.
“If sleep apnea seems probable, clients should seek a referral for a sleep study through telehealth or through their healthcare provider. This will be conducted by Sleep Testing Australia.”
During the sleep study, clients will be fitted with a device
options,” says Bryce.
“For those already diagnosed, CPAP Direct offers support in navigating CPAP therapy, ensuring the right equipment for your lifestyle.
“By following these steps, you’ll embark on a journey towards better sleep and overall wellbeing.
“Reclaim your vitality with the support of Sleep Testing Australia and CPAP Direct.”
H x 260mm W Half Page Horizonal.pdf 1 25/09/2024 2:04:37 pm
C-Pap Direct, Unit 3 & 4/42 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6189 1256 or visit cpap.com.au
Old-school mechanics who value their customers
Nathan Lee bought JAWS Automotive in April 2022.
It had been in the hands of a family business for a decade and the name JAWS was inspired by the initials of the previous owner’s father, says Nathan, who was also the tow truck driver for the previous owner before buying the business.
“At JAWS we offer ACT Roadworthy Inspections, as well as NSW Pink and Blue Slip inspections for motor vehicles, motorbikes, trailers,” he says.
“We are a small, old school workshop that values our customers and their vehicle concerns [and] we try to help in any way we can if people are stuck needing a mechanic [at] the last minute.”
Woden community, as a lot of the businesses are small, owner operated, and have been in the community for a long time.
As part of that community, Nathan says they receive a fair bit of work from Lennock Motors, which is a large dealership that helps small, owneroperated businesses by sending work their way.
“We are, I believe, the only ACT Authorised Rego inspection station that does walk-in, on-the-spot rego inspections; all other authorised stations only do inspections by bookings,” Nathan says.
JAWS Automotive, 4
Salamander Circuit, Phillip.
Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes wired up for a sleep study with C-Pap Direct.
WODEN VALLEY
Feel relaxed, refreshed & energised after a Tai Chi session!
Tai Chi Academy
• Stress relief & restful sleep
• Freedom of movement
• Better balance & posture
• Improved circulation
Make sure they’re the right shoes for running
“Running has a lot of benefits,” says Nick Walshe, owner of The Runners Shop.
“It’s got fitness benefits, health benefits, it’s got social benefits and I think what people are finding nowadays is that running is really an all-year sport.
Nick says running can be a great way to get the day started and get the blood circulating.
But, with so many people discovering running, Nick says it’s important to be wearing the correct shoes and gear.
“Running can be hard on the body,” he says.
“When people run, studies show that there’s a
back, so having adequate cushioning in the running shoes to help the body absorb the shock is really important.”
Nick says this is particularly important for people who are getting into running for the first time and they’re increasing their level of activity but that it is just as important for seasonal runners.
He says comfortable running socks can also go a long way to making the running experience a lot easier and more enjoyable, as can proper, breathable running gear.
• Feel relaxed, calm & connected with your inner peace Benefits You Can Expect 1st Lesson Obligation Free
Tai Chi Beginners’ 10 week Course – 14 Oct to 18 Dec 2024
Aranda – begins 14 October Mon 6:15pm (to 7:30pm)
St. Vincent’s Primary School Hall, Bindel Street.
• More energy & clearer thinking
Bonus access to online lessons at no extra charge!
Weston – begins 15 October Tues 12:15pm (to 1:30pm)
Weston Creek Uniting Church Hall, 16 Parkinson Street.
Curtin – begins 16 October Wed 6:15pm (to 7:30pm)
Holy Trinity Primary School Hall, Theodore Street.
• 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
• Come in and speak to our staff of Runners, Triathletes and Orienteers with a passion and a first-hand knowledge of our entire product range!
Tai Chi Academy chief instructor Brett Wagland and instructor Fontane Ip.
The Runners Shop owner Nick Walshe.
elderly or people unable to come into the
due to disability, he says.
“This
“In
says Corey.
Curtin Optical owner Corey Nicholls.
GARDENING
Wattle with blooming pom poms
By Jackie WARBURTON
Hickory wattle is in bloom now with its beautiful cream-coloured pom-pom flowers through spring and summer.
Its juvenile foliage is different and fern-like and, as the plant matures, the foliage will change too, with long, curved leaves. An evergreen plant, it’s drought tolerant when established. It relies on rainfall for its irregular flowering times, which are generally only in the warmer months.
One stem or tree can live for more than 30 years and it’s considered
long lived in the wattle world. It’s a terrific habitat tree that’s attractive to parrots and silver eyes, and suitable for large gardens that have beehives.
Hickory wattle (Acacia Implexa) can sucker if given the room or when its roots have been disturbed, but once established, they’re terrific for soil erosion and embankments, adding nitrogen to the soil as well.
Once its created a thicket, it can also become a slow-burning bush border on a rural block or, using harvested stems, for smoking meats on the barbecue.
Trying to source locally grown hickory seedlings can be a little hard, but you may find it at the Australian Native Plant Society’s sale on October 19 in the southern car park at the Botanic Gardens.
Buying and supporting locally propagated plants comes with the bonus that they have already adapted to our climatic conditions and will grow successfully with minimal care.
Most natives will be in small tube stock pots and should be planted as soon as you can. There is only a small amount of potting mix in these pots and the roots can dry out quickly. If you can’t plant straight away, keep moist and in the shade.
THE forest pansy (Cercis canadensis) is also putting on a show right now. A small tree, it grows to about five metres with bold, heart-shaped leaves that give dappled shade in summer.
Its foliage colour is burgundy and can contrast well in the garden, but it’s planted for spectacular flowering on bare stems in early spring. The vibrant purple flowers are divine, followed by the foliage for summer. Its autumn colours are a buttery yellow and all-in-all, it’s a beautiful tree all year round.
It needs sun to enhance the purple colour in the leaves and if it’s in too much shade, it will slowly turn green. To grow well it needs water, but if it dries out,
any dieback will lead to branches needing to be removed. It doesn’t like root disturbance and will sulk if transplanted.
A forest pansy under stress can be prone to California red scale, which can be hard to eradicate. Although they can be fickle, finding the right spot for one in any garden is a bonus. It’s a lovely small tree.
THE vegetable patch should be in full swing by now the soils have warmed and the race is on to get tomatoes on to the Christmas table. Buy heirloom tomatoes for the besttasting tomato and the seed can be kept for sowing the following year.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
Jottings…
• Keep hedges trimmed, little but often.
• Pot orchids that have finished flowering.
• Camellias can have a hard prune, if needed.
• Plant out summer flowers such as zinnias and nasturtiums.
Hickory wattles… a terrific habitat tree that’s attractive to parrots and silver eyes.
Photos: Jackie Warburton
Forest pansy… planted for spectacular flowering on bare stems in early spring.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Inheritance play takes its time to get there
By Helen MUSA
EM Forster’s seminal novel Howards End has been adapted many times including into film and more recently into a novel, but it has never been quite so originally reinterpreted as in The Inheritance, coming up at ACT Hub.
Not since the 2008 production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America at the ANU Arts Centre have we needed to contemplate bringing a thermos and a meal because Matthew López’s blockbuster play demands two three-hour viewing slots.
López has gone a step further, looking into the love that dared not be named back in Forster’s time. Taking a leaf from the famous novelist’s own closeted private life, he turned several of the heterosexual protagonists in the novel into gay male figures in the post-AIDS era.
Macmillan, raised in Canberra’s southside and an early apprentice in shows such as Anything Goes, South Pacific and The History Boys.
After a stint at Queensland University of Technology, he got into London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduated after three years and hasn’t looked back.
In fact, this is a flying visit from Macmillan, although he’ll stay on to perform in a production of A Balloon Will Pop At Some Point During This Play at ACT Hub, but he fully intends to get back into the thick of a career in the UK after that is finished.
When I catch up with Macmillan for coffee, he tells me that The Inheritance is “like a Netflix six-part series” with six chunks in two parts, performed over 22 nights allowing audiences to choose how they will view it.
He sees the play as the “spiritual successor to Angels in America,” although that play was set in the midst of the early HIV-AIDS crisis whereas The Inheritance roughly covers the years 2015 to 2022.
“The whole thing strikes me as being about post-traumatic stress, a big What Now?” he says.
choose to see the two plays on the same day, but it is certainly not intended to be torture and Macmillan is adamant that there is little off-putting self-pity in The Inheritance.
“It doesn’t discount that we are living in a better time now, although there is still work to be done, just look at the neo-masculinist resurgence involving figures like Andrew Tate,” he says.
“Gay people now have full rights and legal opportunities and this script is very good at having a conversation with itself, it’s not preachy and there are lots of different points of view.”
Illustrating that point, he says, is a one of the highlight characters, writer Toby Darling, played by Joel Horwood, “a bit of a lost boy,” is “so likeable but a mess, who makes impulsive decisions while alienating the people who should be helping him.”
Of Macmillan’s two roles, Leo is an updated version of one of the pivotal characters in Forster’s novel – Leonard Bast, the lower-class outsider who finds himself ill-accepted by the Bloomsbury-type intellectual sophisticates of the story.
And it hit the spot. Although it began life as a commission in Hartford, Connecticut, it was publicly staged by Stephen Daldry in London in 2018 and lauded by the UK Daily Telegraph as the most important American play of the century. An American production
and subsequent Tony awards followed. Why? Because López’s story of intertwining relationships and classes provides a way, particularly for gay audience members, to look back and ask: “How far have we come and what do we owe to our forebears?”
Jarrad West, who with the late Liz Bradley, co-directed that 2008 production of Angels
in America, came across the script in a London bookshop and has been semi-sitting on it for the last few years, holding the occasional loungeroom reading.
Now his big moment has arrived and, with a top-class team of actors, he’s staging the play for Everyman Theatre.
Not least among those actors is Andrew
“It’s a large-scope play with lots of characters, but fundamentally a group of young, gay men grappling with their identities and asking what is their inheritance.”
And although it’s set around New York, there is a house in the play that bears a resemblance to the English Howards End.
Some theatre stalwarts, like me, will
And should we be bringing our tissues? Maybe, Macmillan advises, but the play is also very funny – “you need it with a play that long”.
The Inheritance, ACT Hub, Kingston, October 12-November 2. Unsuitable for audiences under 18. Session details at acthub.com.au
Andrew Macmillan, centre, in The Inheritance… “It’s…fundamentally a group of young, gay men grappling with their identities.” Photo: Caitlin Baker
BOOKS / Canberra Writers Festival
Passion drives the writers’ festival leap to spring
a real way of reflecting the city back to itself.”
Determined that the festival be more user-friendly and more community-focused, she wanted the opening to be big and democratic so has programmed a prequel launch by Tim Winton of his new dystopian novel, Juice, and a big noisy opening event called What If? in Kings Hall, Old Parliament House, on October 23.
She has inherited the festival’s tagline since its inception, Power Politics Passion, and she is happily running with it, “but what I really want to do is to focus on the passion aspect,” Silcox says.
Passionate writers and their consumerreaders will have their choice of 79 events
showcasing more than 100 writers and thinkers, nearly half of them from Canberra region. More than 80 new books will be on parade.
Any self-respecting festival, she believes, must put First Nations writers upfront, and to that end, 20 per cent of the content features First Nations writers.
Amy Mcquire is a case in point. A fearless young journalist who cut her teeth in the National Indigenous Times while living and working in Canberra, she will be holding a session on her book, Black Witness.
Anita Heiss will discuss her new novel Dirrayawadha, set during the Bathurst Wars as part of a live recording for The Garret
festivals, as part of the First Nations Narrative section, there will be a session called Send in the Poets, featuring four First Nations poets, including Jeanine Leane, Elfie Shiosaki and Cheryl Leavy.
Also new on the program is Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden and featuring five storytellers.
Front and centre will be a line-up of Canberra authors, two of whom were on hand at the National Library recently for a
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October 2024
Underhistory.
Warren tells me it came from finding, in a Canberra sale, a set of postcards from the 1930s which piqued her interest. The author turned out to be William Ashton, artist and director of the National Art Gallery of NSW from 1937 to 1943.
The plot thickened when Warren’s researches at the National Library and later MoAD revealed that years after his death, Ashton’s second wife had been murdered by a serial- killer. A gift to a storyteller, it gave
the impetus for a new novel that she calls “more crimey than usual, with less horror”.
Another local writer with a difference is Qin Qin, who now works at the National Library. A first-generation Chinese Australian, she started out as a “model minority” child who studied hard, took music lessons and later won a scholarship to Harvard.
But she went off the rails, became a high school teacher, discovered her love of writing and eventually contacted public intellectual Benjamin Law, not knowing that he was also a literary scout for Hachette.
The title of Qin Qin’s memoir tells it all – Model Minority Gone Rogue: How an unfulfilled daughter of a tiger mother went
Other local legends will be in the festival lineup, including Chris Hammer, recent ACT Book of the Year winner, environmentalist David Lindemayer, ANU historian Frank Bongiorno and south-coast writer Inga
Political debate is far from forgotten. Barrie Cassidy will lead a panel on the subject Democracy on a Precipice; Lucia Osborne-Crowley, in conversation with Karen Middleton, will give an inside look at the Ghislaine Maxwell trial through her book, The Lasting Harm; Rick Morton will tell Michael Williams the story of Robodebt, and, just ahead of the US elections, Fred C. Trump III, nephew to Donald Trump, will trace his impressions of growing up in Trumpland.
Canberra Writers Festival, October 23-27.
ARTS IN THE CITY Bruce
isn’t all he seems to be
Tempo Theatre’s Jon Elphick directs his 12th Agatha Christie play, Love From A Stranger, adapted from her short story Philomel Cottage. In the play, Cecily, after winning a sweepstake, moves to a country cottage with Bruce, a charming stranger, but her friends and family uncover disturbing clues about his past. Belconnen Community Theatre, October 25-November 2.
The 2024 Canberra Art Biennial, formerly known as Contour 556, is up and running all month, with exhibitions and installations around town. A highlight is Witness, Collector, Archivist, Narrator at Canberra Contemporary Art Space Lakeside. All program details are at canberraartbiennial.com
Herbie Hancock, the legendary jazz pianist with a career spanning seven decades and 14 Grammy awards, will perform at the Canberra Theatre, October 14.
In their debut concert, Canberra’s Jazmourian Ensemble, a husbandand-wife duo of Malek
of
Anna McDonald on kamancheh, perform a concert featuring music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music followed by Persian tea and cake. Ainslie Arts Centre, October 13.
The Department of Responsible Adulting (the acronym is DORA) is a new work created by Canberra Youth Theatre. Commandeering a real office space in Belconnen, this site-specific performance takes audiences into the belly of a new public service run entirely by children. At 40 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen, October 18-27.
The Artists’ Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition will be opened by the National Library’s
a
Workshop, Kingston, on October 19. It runs until October 27.
Only Everything is a new musical “dramedy” inspired by the real-life experiences of creators, Shell Abdoo and Berin Denham, performed with Rachel Thornton directing and Nicholas Griffin as musical director. Courtyard Studio, October 17-26. Elise Walsh will perform a concert themed Biophilia, with her band Bella Groove, which will include Miroslav Bukovsky creating horn parts and Matt Lustri playing guitar. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, October 13.
Two Strong Hearts is a musical show celebrating the careers of John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, performed by country singer/songwriter Anita Spring and Jeff Fallon. At The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, October 18.
Authors, from left, Kaaron Warren, Qin Qin and Amy Mcquire.
The cast
the Department of Responsible Adulting…
new work from Canberra Youth Theatre.
DINING / Ballyhoo
The fiery flavours pack a punch
Ballyhoo is lively, fun and fiery with its combo of South American and Mediterranean flavours that pack a punch and have your taste buds dancing from the first bite.
The latest edition to the Parliamentary Triangle on The Lawns of the Lobby, Ballyhoo sits proudly beside a casual garden bar and takeaway Rosa’s, and the fine-dining Japanese restaurant Koto. It is designed to complement, not compete and it does so with a lively menu created by executive chef Dave Young (from award-winning Temporada).
Ballyhoo’s fit-out is cool and the staff adds to the energetic vibe. The restaurant has been rebuilt from the ground up but maintains its famous hexagon structure. Enjoy the National Rose Gardens through large windows.
Wood-fired and wood-grilled are celebrated in several spots on the menu, which is fabulous for adding an intriguing dimension to dishes. Smoke intensifies flavours in such a delicious way.
From the “snacks and smalls” section of the menu, we began with piping hot, soft wood-fired bread ($8), warm marinated olives ($10) and 24-month prosciutto di San Daniele ($24). What a start.
A standout is the sensationally smooth taramasalata with a petite mound of sexy smoked salmon caviar on top ($18). Love those pops of saltiness. I bet that even those who aren’t fans of this meze will change their mind (don’t expect a pink colour).
Succulent prawns were up next, oven-roasted and all the more decadent with chermoula butter ($12 each).
Moving to large dishes, we delighted in the wood-grilled wagyu flank (220 grams) with brown butter glaze and chimichurri. It was melt-in-the-mouth, and the chimichurri was wow-factor. This dish goes to show how afford -
WINE / riesling
able cuts can be transformed into superstars.
Also from the “large” section of the menu, we ordered the braised pork neck, also melt-inthe-mouth. This was with rich black garlic and a smoky chipotle ($42). On top were fresh thin slices of green melon.
We applauded the wood-grilled broccolini, on a smooth base of chickpea hummus and perked up with mint, tangy pomegranate and crunchy pepitas ($16). The humble brussels sprouts were transformed through roasting ($16). Adding extra flavour and texture was the Ndjua crumb topping.
together.
With Ballyhoo you can expect what’s promised – “zesty personality” and “deliberately bold” flavours.
The wine selection is great, and we enjoyed Mount MacLeod Gruner Veltliner, a savoury, dry white ($82.50 a bottle).
White way to enjoy being by the sea
There is something inveigling about the sea: its constant movement and change of colour, the susurration of the waves, the aroma of salt mixed with the heady coastal earth.
Kate Chopin, in the 19th century book The Awakening captured these feelings perfectly: “The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation.
“The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.”
So, there I was sitting on the veranda of my Tathra house admiring the work I’d done in the garden and just looking at the sea, solo but held in its magnificent embrace.
This is the contrast that any desk worker wants from their quotidian screen life. The day had been unusually hot, ahead of an expected overnight cool change and the perfect accompaniment to the White Horse Bay vista at the end of this glorious day was a chilled glass of white wine.
So from the ethereal to the prosaic: my good friend Tom had told me that at Costco, where he regularly shops, they had Pikes 2023 Traditionale Riesling for a nudge under $20 a bottle. The winery’s website has them priced at $28 a bottle, so this was a bargain. He’d bought six of these bottles for me and I had taken one to Tathra. The
The winery’s tasting notes, viewed on return to Canberra, say this about the presence of acid: “A persistent, cool acid line in keeping with an unusually long and cool summer provides a framework around the pristine free-run juice and chalky minerality.”
The winery says that the match for this wine is freshly shucked oysters dressed simply with a squeeze of lemon.
Tathra has magnificent oysters, I’m told, but alas I cannot eat them as in my twenties I got terrible food poisoning from this delicacy and I can no longer look them in the eye.
Sometimes the sea has its revenge: why don’t oysters give you charity? Because they’re shellfish.
winery says that these wines can be cellared for seven to 10 years but the 2023 is good drinking presently.
I held my glass up to the now fading light to be presented with a lovely straw colour. The bouquet was of citrus, lemon and lime. The lime came through on first taste but with a hint of sweetness. The finish was slightly more acidic than I’d like, showing that the wine will keep for some time, but the feeling in the mouth was clean and refreshing.
My dinner of chicken fried rice with lemon zest and added lemon was a good match for the riesling though and I’d suggest that it would be a good match for any seafood dish, prawns or mussels especially.
What do you call fifty lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start –Anon
White Horse Bay... “I held my glass up to the light to be presented with a lovely straw colour. The bouquet was of citrus, lemon and lime.”
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The Office gets Australian accent, but will it work? STREAMING
Any big fans of the American version of The Office will often say the exact same thing when recommending the show to others.
“Just get through season one and it gets better”.
Not the most motivating sales pitch, is it? But it is absolutely true.
The first season of the massively popular series inspired by Ricky Gervais’ UK sitcom of the same name struggled to find its feet and turned many people off.
But those who stuck with it will happily talk of how it came to be one of their favourite shows, and, knowing Office fans, a show they’ve likely watched around half a dozen times as a conservative guess.
Despite its rough start, The Office has carved out a legacy as one of the most famous comedy shows to ever hit television, still consistently bringing in millions of streaming viewership almost 20 years after it first aired.
It begs the question, what will fans be saying about the first season of the Australian version of The Office that’s set to make its debut next week?
That’s right. The UK has had it, America has had it, and now it’s our turn. The Office Australia begins with an eight-episode season set to stream on Amazon Prime Video from October 18.
Like many remakes and spin-offs, the show’s creators have swapped the genders of a lot of the main characters.
Aussie comedian Felicity Ward takes on the role of the cringe-inducing office boss named Hannah Howard. She’s the equivalent of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott or Ricky Gervais’ David Brent, a bumbling wannabe who thinks they know how to win friends and influence people but in reality, does rather the opposite.
As for the supporting cast, it’s also very clear who is inspired by who.
Edith Poor plays Lizzie, the high-pants, shirt-tucked-in weirdo of the workplace who’s clearly supposed to be Dwight.
Then there’s also Nick (Steen Raskopoulos) and Greta (Sharri Sebbens) who seem to be the Jim and Pam of this version of the show, a couple who desperately want to be together but only get in their own way.
Any fans of the American and UK counterparts will also be able to spot the many other similarities.
It’s certainly got viewers abuzz, with the first trailer on YouTube already racking up two million views in under a fortnight. Some parts of the trailer look genuinely funny, while others fall terribly flat.
The Office Australia certainly has potential, but can it seize it?
When the American version first aired in 2005, it was trying too hard to be like the UK show that inspired it. That awkward mish-mash of comedy failed to resonate with any one audience. It was only when The Office US embraced its own identity and leaned more into its American brand of humour in season two onwards that it was able to translate.
There’s a strong lesson here.
If the Aussie show is to succeed it can’t make the same mistake.
In an era where television shows are so abundant, streaming services strike down and cancel them at a moment’s notice.
If The Office Australia can’t carve out an identity quickly, it may not survive to see a second season and might not have the chance to turn into a real hit. Australia is no stranger to shows
which poke plenty of fun at office politics. Utopia, which streams on ABC iView, brilliantly captures all the awkwardness of the 9-to-5 by taking a satirical look at the public service.
It comes from Rob Sitch, the man behind The Castle, Frontline and The Hollowmen. Productions like these prove there is plenty of satire to wring out of the Aussie workplace by embracing our own sense of humour. If The Office Australia can do the same, it might have a chance at becoming a beloved hit like its predecessors.
Fun fact, it’s not just the Poms and the Yanks who lay claim to The Office. It’s also been remade in 11 other countries including Poland, India, France, the Czech Republic and even Chile.
If they can do it, Australia certainly can.
The Office Australia cast… led by comedian Felicity Ward, who takes on the role of the cringe-inducing office boss, Hannah Howard.
HOROSCOPE PUZZLES
By Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
There’s a combustible Sun/Mars connection on Monday, so resist the urge for hot-headed arguing and feisty foot stamping. It’s a terrific time to travel, teach, publish, study, nurture a close relationship, learn something new or share an adventure with someone special. Then there’s a fiery Full Moon in Aries on Thursday, so do your best to get the ratio right between personal needs and relationship responsibilities. The buzz word for the week is Balance.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
Expect a topsy-turvy start to the week as Uranus opposes Venus (your power planet). Strive to manage disruptions, handle surprises and patch up problems in a patient and cooperative fashion. You’re very focused on work projects but don’t put all your eggs in the one basket. Make sure you diversify your interests, experiment with creative ideas and keep your options open. Thursday’s fiery Full Moon stirs dreams, inner compulsions and submerged secrets.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
This week the Full Moon focus is on friendships. How to nurture them, keep them … and let them go if you have outgrown each other. You’ll find mutual interests are essential to long-term platonic relationships. With Jupiter jumping through your sign (which only happens every 12 years) it’s time to boldly, confidently, unashamedly be the glorious Gemini you were born to be. As birthday great Oscar Wilde reminds us: “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
On Monday a domestic matter gets a welcome boost from the Sun/Jupiter trine. But your personal preferences could clash with a family member who wants to take a different approach. Courtesy of the Full Moon, it’s a good week to increase your public profile, complete a professional project, give a speech, launch a website or start a social media campaign. But don’t underestimate the hard work and patience it will take to keep the wheels of progress turning.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
The sparks are set to fly as the Sun/Mars square and the fiery Full Moon amp up your feisty, temperamental side. Expect some annoying frustrations and unexpected disruptions, especially involving a family matter or a work project. You’ll have to dig deep to find a quality that you usually have in short supply … patience. Monday and Thursday are the best days to push an ambitious project ahead with renewed enthusiasm and plenty of Leo passion.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
You’ll feel more confident this week as the Sun/Jupiter trine boosts a sense of wellbeing and security, especially at work. But resist the urge to judge or criticise others. Remember – you don’t have all the facts at hand, and appearances can be deceptive. As birthday great Oscar Wilde reminds us: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Thursday’s fiery Full Moon shines a bright spotlight on trust issues and long-forgotten secrets.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Unpredictable Uranus is disrupting relationships and/or finances. So tread gingerly with a sulky partner, an unreliable lover, a grumpy housemate, a frustrated family member or a cranky client. You’ll find the more diplomatic you are, the less stressful the week will be. Don’t let other people deter your ambitions or derail your dreams! Be inspired by Libran actor and disability rights activist Christopher Reeve: “Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t sell out.”
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
You’re keen to power ahead with a romantic relationship, a business partnership or a joint venture. But expect some disruptions as unpredictable Uranus upsets the applecart. Don’t stress, Scorpio! Review your approach and reassess your plans. Thursday’s Full Moon fires up your wellbeing zone, so it’s a good week to exercise, hit the gym, play sport, participate in a Fun Run or enjoy bushwalking. Thursday also favours communication and education.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Jupiter (your power planet) trines the Sun on Monday, which is particularly good for romance, friendships, joint ventures, writing, teaching, travel, publishing and public relations. Throw in a fiery Full Moon on Thursday and you’re set for a stimulating, action-packed week! If you want to last the distance, pace yourself. And with Venus sliding into your sign on Friday, you’re set for a social weekend where you charm the cynics and dazzle the doubters.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
The Sun and Jupiter activate your career zone which boosts ambition, confidence, good luck and your ability to lead others. But don’t focus on work at the expense of your home and family life. The Full Moon highlights the importance of getting the balance right between professional success and domestic harmony. On the weekend, Venus encourages you to slow down as you indulge in some relaxing yoga, calming meditation or quiet contemplation.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
The fiery Full Moon ignites your spontaneous and adventurous Aquarius daredevil side. But slow down (and calm down) otherwise you’ll put your foot in your mouth and come a cropper! With the Sun shining in Libra, try to find more balance in your relationships and more equilibrium within yourself. So your mantra for the week is from Libran actress Naomi Watts: “You have to make peace with yourself. The key is to find the harmony in what you have.”
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
The Venus/Neptune trine on Tuesday and Wednesday boosts compassion, sensitivity, creativity and spirituality. Then Thursday’s fiery Full Moon activates your money zones, as you start to see your current financial situation in a revealing new light. Your motto for the moment comes from playwright (and birthday great) Arthur Miller, who was born on October 17, 1915: “Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value.”
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024
(7) 8 Which term implies a resemblance to a finger? (7)
9 To utterly forsake, is to do what? (7)
10 What is often eaten in movie theatres? (7)
11 Who were the Secret State Police of Nazi Germany? (7)
12 Name a part of the eyeball. (6)
14 What is a shooting star called? (6)
18 Name the Russian Romantic composer, Aleksandr ... (7)
21 Which term also describes a white ant? (7)
22 Which nuclear device produces radioactive isotopes? (7)
23 What is an obscuration of light? (7)
24 What is the contraction of a word by omitting one or more sounds from the middle? (7)
1 What is a device for fitting together parts having different sizes or designs? (7)
2 Name the country of Omar Sharif. (5)
3 Name a former Turkish empire. (7)
4 What is a projecting rim, collar, edge, or the like? (6)
5 Which items examine the interiors of persons? (1,4)
6 To disseminate as from a centre, is to do what? (7)
7 Name a classical ballroom dance. (5)
13 Which term describes a tract of land? (7)
15 What is a rare green variety of beryl, highly valued as a gem? (7)
16 Who is a judge in certain games? (7)
17 What is a dish served at dinner before the main course? (6)
18 Name a renowned German tennis champion, ... Becker. (5)
19 Which term means “the same”? (5)
20 What are tale-bearers? (5)
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
Australia’s financial year is from July 1 to June 30. The US financial year is a calendar year. The UK has a financial year that starts on April 6 and ends on April 5, which I've always found to be weird.
Here's the reason why: in 1753 the tax year was extended from March 24 to April 5 as Britain replaced the Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar.
When William Pitt the Younger introduced income tax in 1799, April 5 became the financial year end and still is.
Another British fun fact: during medieval times, knights could opt out of fighting in wars by paying a tax called scutage, affectionately known as the cowardice tax. It had a very high tax rate and some people claim that this rate resulted in the creation of the Magna Carta to limit the King's power.
In 1795, again in the UK, the hair powder tax was introduced. This taxed the sweet-smelling powders that men and women put on their wigs. The story goes that this tax led to a dramatic decline in the popularity of wigs and put an end to Britain’s flourishing wig industry.
I always thought that Australia's tax laws contained a lot of words. Apparently the UK's tax code has more than 10 million words and is claimed to be one of the longest and most complicated in the world. Are you a Beatles fan? Did you know that in 1966 The Beatles song Taxman was released as a protest against the 95 per cent super tax rate. To quote: “Let me tell you how it will be, there's one for you 19 for me, 'cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman”.
Albert Einstein once said “the hardest thing to understand in the world is income tax”. While Benjamin Franklin said: “In this world nothing is certain, except death and taxes”.
If you're an American citizen, even if you are a tax resident of another country, eg Australia, you still have to lodge a tax return in the US every year. Interestingly enough, the only other country in the world that does this is Eritrea in Africa.
I love this: fortune tellers, astrologers and witches were added to Romania's labour code in 2011. So they have to pay income tax on their earnings. Some witches were angry and put curses on the government. There is no evidence that these curses actually worked. But others felt that it legitimised their work and they were happy to pay the tax.
From 1784 to 1811 the British government taxed hats. Based on the price of the hat, a stamp was secured inside it and anyone caught with a stampless hat was fined. One poor soul, a stamp forger, was sentenced to death for not having the correct stamp in his hat. If you live in Monaco you pay no income tax at all. In Bulgaria you pay a flat tax rate of 10 per cent. In Russia the flat tax rate is 13 per cent. In Ukraine and the Czech Republic the rate is 15 per cent. Romania’s rate is 16 per cent. Not sure whether it’s because of the cold, but Iceland charges 23 per cent as their income tax rate. Some countries have very high rates of tax. In Denmark the rate is 38 to 59 per cent of income, in Sweden it's 0 to 57 per cent , in Norway 28 to 49 per cent, in the Netherlands 0 to 52 per cent, in Austria 21 to 50 per cent, in Belgium 15 to 50 per cent and in Australia 16 to 45 per cent, followed by Germany Italy Spain France and the UK. Americans only pay 10 to 35 per cent and Canadians 15 to 29 per cent.
If you want to know anything about tax – including more fun facts –contact the experts at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 02 6295 2844.
Disclaimer
WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS is an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal community of the ACT.
In Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means Strong Health. The service logo is the Corroboree Frog which is significant to Aboriginal people in the ACT.
Our aim is to provide a culturally safe, holistic health care service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions. The holistic health care provided by Winnunga AHCS includes not only medical care, but a range of programs to promote good health and healthy lifestyles.
Our services include:
• GP and Nursing
• Midwifery
• Immunisations
• Health Checks
• Men’s & Women’s Health
• Hearing Health
• Dental
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Dietician (Nutrition)
• Counselling
• Diabetes Clinic
• Quit Smoking Services / No More Boondah
• Needle Syringe Program
• Mental Health Support
• Healthy Weight Program
• Healthy Cooking Group
• Mums and Bubs Group / Child Health
• Optometry Service
• Psychology and Psychiatrist
• Community Events
• Groups
Winnunga AHCS is a national leader in accreditation, was one of the first Aboriginal community controlled health services to achieve dual accreditation under RACGP and QIC standards. Winnunga AHCS has been at the forefront of setting a national agenda for quality improvement in Aboriginal community controlled health and continues to advocate locally and nationally for best practice standards in operational and governance areas of Aboriginal health services.
