Well written, well read
Here’s to better outcomes from the new Assembly
MICHAEL MOORE
A fair-dinkum Aussie Christmas is unique
A very different 12 days of ‘Chris-mess’ KEEPING UP THE ACT
EX-GOVERNMENT FURNITURE
Some dumb rules just don’t apply at Christmas
ANTONIO DI DIO
Planting and pruning, then some holiday time
JACKIE WARBURTON
This Cinderella’s unsure about love at first sight
HELEN MUSA
ANCIENT TREASURES AND IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION
13 December 2024 – 4 May 2025
CHRISTMAS / Reindeer’s Retreat
Real-life stories behind the tinsel and baubles
By Elizabeth KOVACS
Nestled in the heart of Narrabundah, a Christmas shop has turned its lights on for business, however there’s more than meets the eye behind the tinsel and baubles.
Reindeer’s Retreat is a social enterprise that provides employment to domestic violence survivors as well as for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
“We’re not a charity by any means,” says owner Adele Bullock.
“They earn every dollar, there’s no free passes here.
“We want this to be a safe space where [the employees] can engage safely, grow and learn safely.”
All funds raised go directly into the education, support, opportunities and experiences for vulnerable people.
Walking into her weekend volunteer role at a Christmas shop five years before Reindeer’s Retreat, a “for sale” sign was the catalyst for Adele’s dream.
“I’ve always loved Christmas and wanted to have a Christmas shop since I was a little girl,” she says.
INDEX
“I decided that I was in a position to try and make a difference, and I was able to do it with something that I love.”
Previously donating her earnings from the shop to women’s shelters every Christmas, creating a safe space for domestic violence victims and those living with disabilities seemed like the perfect step.
“I decided we could go one step further in helping people,” Adele says.
“I thought we could give people a sense of fulfillment, achievement and
value, and employ them in the shop while creating other opportunities for outside of the shop.”
Adele’s idea was quickly hatched, with her moving the shop to the Narrabundah shops.
“I had been thinking about it for a number of years,” she says.
“But it became [the Christmas shop] in about the space of eight weeks.”
Wallpapering, flooring, decorating and setting up was done over the course of six weeks with help from
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Adele’s “elves” in addition to family
“Our elves now have higher hours working in the shop and they’re much more confident than when we first all got together,” says Adele.
“We have people who have experienced some adversity, undue adversity.
“There isn’t one of my team that this shop could run without. They are absolutely critical to this place running.”
Adele employs seven elves and says she sat down with all of them before working to learn about their conditions and what they could do in the shop.
“We chatted about what we could do to get them more confident and feeling good about themselves,” she says.
Adele has the lease for three years, and says her elves and the shop aren’t going anywhere.
“We want to contribute to the community,” she says.
“We’re not just a shop, we’re an experience and we want to be able to do something that hasn’t been available to Canberra before.”
After Christmas, Adele hopes to turn the space into a themed gift shop, catering to other holidays such as Valentines Day and Easter.
“We also want to do things that aren’t happening elsewhere in Canberra, such as doing Lego Masters,” she says.
Adele’s elves are instrumental in each decision that has been made
about the shop, with many of them now implementing their own ideas, designs and suggestions.
Adele says it’s important to let them test their confidence in the shop, with many now bringing their own wares to be sold.
Reindeer’s Retreat also offers Christmas craft workshops for anyone interested in making baubles, wreaths, bon bons and more.
Adele says her elves are true problem solvers, always bringing new and innovative thinking to the store.
“Unfortunately, the day the shop opened, construction went up and no one could see us from the road,” says Adele.
“But true to my team, because they’re used to experiencing adversity more than the average person would, they went straight to work on the problem.
“We grabbed the tinsel and tinselled the construction site, that’s how we roll.
“Life throws things at you and we’re pretty good at making lemonade from lemons.”
Adele’s shop prides itself on inclusivity, often opening on request for silent hours or adjusting themselves to suit individual needs.
“The work environment is very flexible,” Adele says.
“It’s important that everyone feels welcome, regardless of if they’re working here, coming in or even walking past.”
/ what a year!
Here’s to better outcomes from the new Assembly
This election year started with: “The Labor-Greens Coalition government will be judged. A decision will be taken about whether the Liberal opposition is really up to governing the Territory”.
There was a decisive judgement in October returning Chief Minister, Andrew Barr to government in a minority capacity, rather than as a coalition with the Greens. Across the world, while voters were returning right-wing governments, the ACT returned a left-leaning Labor government – allowing Labor to rule through to 2028.
This was also the year starting with: “A challenge will be launched by a series of independent candidates who will seek to hold the balance of power” and noting, “there are outstanding candidates already emerging across the political spectrum”. Independents Tom Emerson and Fiona Carrick would be elected in October.
By March, the Canberra Hospital system was in more strife. The accreditation was lost for the Centenary Hospital for Mothers and Babies. A draft report from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) argued that patients were being put at risk. Accreditation was reduced to
just six months while the management sorts the “challenges”.
Rebranding the health services seemed a good idea… but how much difference did it really make? By the end of the year, and after the election, we were being told that a new administrative arrangement would solve the problems.
Will the re-appointed Rachel Stephen-Smith as Minister for Health be able to move the hospital services from where they have languished amongst the worst in Australia to amongst the best?
Voluntary Assisted Dying was put back on the agenda after the power was restored by the federal parliament. Minister Tara Cheyne took the ACT through an extensive consultative process. There was a positive report from an Assembly and the legislation was passed. Before it comes into effect, however, it really
With a minority government installed we can now look forward to the New Year in the hope a government that’s more accountable to the Assembly will deliver better outcomes for all Canberrans.
does need some broadening in scope.
In March, national waste-water analysis painted an interesting picture of drug use in Canberra and across Australia. Canberrans’ drug use was generally on a par with other parts of Australia. However, the use of some drugs, such as methamphetamine, was way below the Australian average. Others, such as heroin, were being more widely used in this territory.
A review of the recent laws that decriminalised the use of hard drugs as well as cannabis will be revealing. It is highly likely that any review will find similar use to Australia. However, I suspect there will be less harm and less valuable police time wasted on personal use of illicit drugs.
Gambling reform also came under the spotlight in both the ACT and at the federal level. Labor’s Dr Marisa Paterson found herself “between a rock and hard place” while she worked hard to ensure a sound
Labor policy. Federally, Senator David Pocock accused the Albanese government of “a total cop-out” over failure to deliver on gambling reform. Conflicts of interest remain!
What about anti-corruption commissions? The National AntiCorruption Commissioner Justice Paul Brereton was found to have engaged in “misconduct” when he rejected further investigation into the senior public servant in the robo-debt scandal. This was despite the investigation including an army reserve colleague.
Canberrans still await the outcome of the Operation Kingfisher inquiry from the ACT Integrity Commission.
Kingfisher has been examining why the ACT government awarded the Campbell Primary School’s refurbishment to Lendlease when there was another cheaper bid that, it would appear, met the criteria of the tender.
With the possibility of Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry being included in the report, it ought to have been tabled before the election. Hopefully 2025 will see much more action from the ACT Integrity Commission – even to clear the air on a range of issues.
This was a year when the ACT was
able to celebrate the effectiveness of our electoral system. Many will not have approved of the outcome of the election. However, the outcome did reflect the views of people right across the ACT.
Unfortunately, with the return of Labor, it is likely that rates will continue to increase, our Standard & Poor’s rating will remain stunted and support for light rail will continue. With a minority government installed we can now look forward to celebrating Christmas and looking forward to the New Year in the hope a government that is more accountable to the Assembly will deliver better outcomes for all Canberrans.
CORRECTION
In last week’s column, on the auditorgeneral’s scathing report exposing the mishandling of the Safer Families Levy, former Greens MLA Emma Davidson was incorrectly named as the minister responsible. That ignominy rests with Labor’s Yvette Berry.
Independents Thomas Emerson, Fiona Carrick... elected in October.
Some dumb rules just don’t apply at Christmas
The village was made of bricks and stucco, the bones of the poor, mixed into a paste by an unholy collusion of religion and subjugation, and a conga line of 3000 years of invaders and oppressors.
The fuel that ran the town was stories; thousands of tales tall and true.
My mum and dad were the most honest of folk, so all their stories were true to them, but often they had no idea they were describing fiction.
They told me about Orlando and the court of Charlemagne, Victor Emmanuel, Romeo and Juliet, Valjean and Javert, and Queen Lizabetta of England, Sofia Loren and Ben Hur and they were all equally real to them.
It’s Christmas 1976 and there is a fuss and fun and talk. December 25th and the fancy new-fangled habit of exchanging gifts on Christmas has arrived from the Americans and northerners.
This is pretty cool, my cousins and I reckon, especially with that new-fangly Lego stuff. Our table has spread out to the balcony and there are streamers from somewhere.
At some point an older cousin, maybe 13, talks about moving inland to be closer to the volcano, to breathe in its threats without fear and live
This Christmas, I hope everybody who feels different or excluded, by dumb rules or social mores, gets a lifetime of joy and belonging.
“So why did this thin man return every Christmas? Because his family’s table was full of people, there were so many in the house that he could visit them safely.”
“like a man”.
This terrifies me, and I ask dad what it means to leave. Would it be shameful to stay when you had to leave?
He says there are different kinds of shame, as the thinnest bloke I’ve ever seen walks down the old road between buildings of terraced apartments, the sea air sprinkling cold salt on to pasta and 17 kinds of tomato.
“Is that bloke a shame, papa?”, I ask. Well, he is disgraced, son, yes. How, I ask? And how comes he’s walking like Maxwell Smart in secret and it’s Christmas Eve and he doesn’t look up and wave hello to everybody?
This bloke, says dad, was a hero, “a regular person, he went off to the
Working with you for the best result
Photo: Maria Tyutina
war like me, I never saw him away, but met again in ’46 when we got back. His disgrace? Well, apparently he was confused, and he did something different to other people – so he had to leave and never return.”
It broke his family’s heart, this terrible thing he did. But, dad said, he is despite this awful sin, the same good man. Dad did not understand how he can be good and disgraced. What this rule was.
So why did this thin man return every Christmas? Because his family’s table was full of people, there were so many in the house that he could visit them safely.
He sat at the table – they set a place
for him – he rarely spoke apparently but to say “pass the salt” or some such, and then, after the meal ended and people started to chat, he wandered away. What? I asked, but that is ridiculous? Why doesn’t he stay? What’s wrong?
What’s wrong, replied dad, is the world: “The world has rules – the law of God and the law of the men in Rome in the government. But the thin man’s old mamma and papa will surely die if they do not see his face once a year and in this big full gathering tonight he can both be there and be hidden at the same time.”
I live in Canberra today in a political town and in that village 50 years ago papa taught me the concept of plausible deniability.
That poor, skinny neighbour, once a year at Christmas, could pretend
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
he was a member of the world that had rejected him, just for being himself, and see the faces of those his heart yearned for every other day of the year.
The human heart’s capacity for kindness extends to creatively rewriting the rules made by the cruel and the unjust, and in so doing will one day defeat every challenge that besets us.
None of us kids got Lego those years, but we were surrounded by love and family and joy. And acceptance. We had no idea how lucky we were that the world was built for us, people our shape and size and colour and religion.
This Christmas, I hope everybody who feels different or excluded, by dumb rules or social mores, gets a lifetime of joy and belonging. We can’t change dumb rules, but we can all make our attitudes kind and generous, today. That’s more powerful than any rule.
Antonio Di Dio is a local GP, medical leader and nerd. There is more of his Kindness on citynews.com.au
A baby is born to save us
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Columnist HUGH SELBY takes to poetry with a seasonal message of hope.
I love the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet
Their words repeat
A baby is born to save us
Then peel the bells more loud and deep
“Gods are not dead, nor do they sleep”
The wrong shall fail
And right prevail
A baby is born to save us
A lone bell wail seeks heaven’s door
Inscribed on which is found this lore
Search for the dove
Come back with love
A baby is born to save us
A great bell tolled, the missile struck
Lives vaporised by mindless luck
Fate cut the threads
Fate spared one bed
A baby is born to save us
Sons and daughters
A baby is born to save us
Calls to prayer ring out each day
Justice is sought by all who pray
Allah their light
Justice their right
A baby is born to save us
The bells and calls reach out to all
Including babies on the crawl
The bells sound justice, truth, and peace
But first the sounds of war must cease
Now a ceasefire
Our fates still dire
A baby is born to save us
Bells are silent, bellringers sleep
Survivors through the ruins creep
Food and water
Still free of hate
Any may be great
A baby is born to save us
I love the bells each waking day
Their old familiar music plays
And wild and sweet
Their words repeat
A baby is born to save us
CHRISTMAS GADFLY
An Australian fair-dinkum Christmas is unique
The best thing about Christmas in Australia is Christmas in Australia.
Here we are, a multi-cultural community way down in the southern hemisphere; no snow, no sleighs, no mangers and no one knows much about the little chap whose birth didn’t really occur on the day we celebrate it.
But we all know of the visiting shepherds and three wise men said to have brought bizarre gifts to the little fellow. Oh, and there’s talk of angels being spotted in the vicinity.
Truth is, an Australian Christmas is unique. And even though we do strange things such as decorating a plastic pine tree with stars and bunting, it’s really about getting together with families and opening the presents glowing in flash wrapping paper under said plastic tree. Then having a big feed where Uncle Aubery gets pissed and slobbery, and maiden Aunt Jessica wants to play Monopoly because once in a dim distant Christmas past, she won with every property on the board (including the train stations).
But my dear wife Wendy has the best Christmas story. When we lived at Batehaven for a few years she taught at the local Bateman’s Bay school and, as a music specialist, produced the annual tableau of the
birth scene in the manger. I was a mere onlooker that famous year she prevailed on a local lady farmer, to lend an actual lamb and bring a bit of verisimilitude to the scene.
A stinking hot day it was, and the six-year-old kiddies in Year 1 were suddenly in showbiz. For some unknown reason her wardrobe mistress had clad several angels head-to-toe in blue crepe paper and by the time the curtain rose and they entered stage left the blue dye had started running down their foreheads and chubby cheeks.
Enter the shepherds from the other side in gowns of tea towels until one waved at mummy in the audience and tripped over her gown and into the back of the boy shepherd in front. The domino effect took place. Shepherds everywhere. Angels in blue masks. The parental audience hooting. Mary and Joseph unmoved, caring for the doll in the manger. No gold, frankincense or myrrh were available in The Bay that year, but the wise men carrying silver sugar bowls filled with marshmal-
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The tableau became unhinged. Blue angels, sprawling shepherds, wise men and even the doll’s doting parents panicked. Theatrical chaos threatened.
lows, Smarties and Jaffas made their entrance, just as the lady farmer launched the lamb from the wings.
Naturally, the audience applauded; and the startled lamb responded with a pee so powerful that you could hardly believe it came from such a tiny bladder.
The tableau became unhinged.
Blue angels, sprawling shepherds, wise men and even the doll’s doting parents panicked. Theatrical chaos threatened.
That’s when the chunky headmaster, the late lamented Charlie Wedd, leapt to his feet and shouted (of the lamb), “Get it off! Get it off!” And some bright spark in the audience cried: “It’s not prawn night at the club, Charlie!”
By then the parents, visitors and supporters were clutching their sides
and falling off their little chairs. Wendy rose to the occasion and saved the day with her Aussie carol composed for just such an eventuality. To the tune of Jingle Bells she tickled the ivories, the lady farmer rescued the lamb and the tableau recovered and sang:
Dashing through the sand, On a sunny Summer’s Day, Surfboard in my hand, Laughing all the way
Floating on the waves, We will swim and play,
Oh what fun to ride my board, This sunny Christmas Day, Hey, Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Santa Claus is coming now, surfing all the way, Hey, Hurrah for dear old Santa Claus, Hurrah for Christmas Day!
That’s what I call a fair dinkum Ausiralian Christmas
robert@robert macklin.com
Cartoon: Paul Dorin
On the beat with Cold Chisel and the fun police
I recall memories of many years ago, decades in fact, when the Food and Wine Frolic was one of the highlights of my year.
We would gather in a group, a picnic blanket, a cask of wine or two, and purchase tickets to buy food from the amazing array of delightful delights at the event. It was so much fun.
We would party like there was no tomorrow – no violence, no aggression; just a whole bunch of young people enjoying the day and each other’s company.
Fast forward about 35 years; the Frolic is no longer a thing, as is the same with the Birdman Rally. We live in a risk-adverse territory now, which is so very sad.
A couple of weeks ago, some of my crew and I attended the Cold Chisel concert at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park, the same venue as the Frolic.
At entry to the event, I was directed to tip my beautiful cold water out of my water bottle (substituted by lukewarm water inside the venue), and having my bag rigorously checked for contraband (alcohol, umbrellas, butter knives etcetera). It felt like going through security on an overseas flight!
At $16 for a pre-mix can of spirits, I decided not to bother imbibing.
Then, walking to the toilets, I saw a bit of a furore at the designated smoking area, and with my innate curiosity (or perhaps nosiness!), I decided to see what was going on.
The security company staff, XPG, were directing smokers to leave their drinks outside the designated smoking area while they smoked. This caused quite a ruckus between punters and the security staff, as many were concerned their drinks could be spiked while they left them unattended. I concur; I would feel the same way.
Then the constabulary arrived, and I mentioned to a police officer about community safety in relation to drinks being potentially spiked. The response I received was that people need to keep an eye on their drinks. Pardon? It seemed that I needed to explain the bleeding obvious: “Hello, harm is caused because people are oblivious to the fact their drinks have been spiked, umm, if someone saw their drink being spiked, do you think they would then drink it?”
So, safe to say, all is well and thriving with the fun police, and confirmation that the ACT is indeed a nanny territory.
On the flip side, Cold Chisel was brilliant!
Janine Haskins, Cook
Dutton’s indifference to good governance
Peter Dutton’s use of scare campaigns and thought bubbles as policy, demonstrate his indifference to good governance.
He is relying on the community’s inability to identify truth in the mountain of misinformation and disinformation spread on social media and by some Murdoch outlets.
His claim Labor is responsible for the cost-of-living crisis ignores the contribution of Coalition spending during the pandemic; the impacts of the disruption of material and labour supply chains, the surge in the prices of energy, fertilisers and food from the invasion of Ukraine and that increased housing costs were also a product of failed housing policies over decades especially the distortion of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discounts.
House prices could increase from the Coalition’s plan to allow homebuyers to withdraw up to 40 per cent of their super savings to buy their first home as it increases demand. It would also lower retirement savings.
His nuclear “policy” won’t keep the lights on or keep prices down. Even if his nuclear reactors were viable, they won’t be providing power for at least 15 years. The policy makes climate targets impossible to meet by extending the use of coal and requiring the use of more gas.
Extending the life of coal-fired power stations will have to be funded from higher bills to consumers, higher taxes, a reduction in services or increased debt.
Similarly, increased use of gas would increase prices from the need for substantial new infrastructure, including LPG terminals. Overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates climate change is not a hoax. Political parties too frequently bow to the demands of powerful interest groups, including the mining industry.
Is it no longer possible to advance the national interest by debating issues informed by the truth? Or are we trapped in a Trumpian post-truth world?
Mike Quirk, Garran
Multi-billion dollar folly that is light rail 2B
Two comments in the letter from Colin Lyons (CN, December 5) caught my attention. He was justifiably scathing of the inordinately high cost and long time taken to install traffic lights at the intersection of Athllon Drive and Mannheim Street in Kambah.
In any event, as Mr Lyons’ “very experienced civil engineer” told him, traffic lights increase the incidence of tail-end collisions. Of course this incidence could be reduced or eliminated if drivers exercised caution and slowed as they approached traffic lights.
Mr Lyons also referred to persistence with the light rail project as the “grand-daddy waste of money of them all”, despite much less expensive options such as expanding the electric bus fleet to service the entire city and not just the narrow transport corridors that suit certain developers.
The electric bus option would not only provide public transport for many more people, it would be far less costly than the multi-billion dollar folly of light rail stage 2B.
Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
Liberal boffins must have worked hard on this!
Voters were duped, conned and fell for trickery in the May 2022 federal election (“Seat wobble pushes Fletcher to dump on teals”, Michelle Grattan, citynews.com.au December 4).
So says a senior federal Liberal frontbencher who now insults those who thought carefully and chose to vote for a progressive community independent instead of a Liberal candidate.
No doubt Liberal Party boffins worked long and hard on this latest part of their strategy to win back the hearts and minds of voters, especially women.
Sue Dyer, Downer
McBain ‘ignores’ the parliament and islanders
On November 13, Minister Kristy McBain published a media release entitled “New Local Governance for Norfolk Island” that imposes on Norfolk Island a modified version of the Queensland Local Government model.
The Accommodation and Tourism Association of Norfolk Island (ATA) categorically rejects this new governance model, which basically imposes more of the same on the community.
In October 2023, the Norfolk Island community elected three representatives with a resounding majority of votes to faithfully represent the will of the community on the Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC).
The three members were elected on a platform that opposes a local governance model as it continues to deny true democracy to the people of Norfolk Island and fails to address the democratic deficit.
In representing the will of the community, the NIGC community representatives have rejected the local governance model being imposed by the minister on the community.
One of the NIGC community representatives has voiced her opposition to the imposed model by publishing a statement and resigning from the NIGC, while the other two are attempting to make it very
clear to the federal government that, on behalf of most of the community, they also oppose a local governance model.
Opposition to any form of a local governance model has been expressed in an overwhelming number of submissions to the NIGC, as well as by many of the organisations on the island, including the Council of Elders and Norfolk Island People for Democracy.
A local governance model is not fit for purpose, resulting in negative impacts in many areas, including the accommodation and tourism sector, which is the main driver of the Norfolk Island economy.
The minister has ignored the will of the people. Consequently, the ATA’s trust in the negotiation process has been eroded.
The minister plans to implement the new Norfolk Island Assembly by an Ordinance made under s19A of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 (Cth), which clearly avoids the democratic advantages of parliamentary debate and scrutiny.
The minister’s stated reason is speed and limited government resources for creating legislation. However, it would enhance democracy by accepting a delay, and obtaining community acceptance, rather than rushing the process, ignoring community sentiment and sidelining the Australian Parliament.
Rael Donde, president, Norfolk Island Accommodation and Tourism Association
Can I claim for my troubles and time?
The old MyWay was iffy at best. I can’t really tell whether the new MyWay+ is better, because I can’t even get the system to work.
First, I was reassured months ago by TCS that I didn’t need to buy a new card, but ensure my old card was registered, which I duly did.
But, on trying to use the card this week, I learnt you needed a new card. The three newsagents near my house and work aren’t selling them. I drove to the Woden newsagent, they had sold out, and weren’t happy with TCS.
I drove to Mawson, finally got a card, then was unable to verify it on several tries after setting up a new account. That’s half my work day blown driving around town, $25 poorer and unable to transfer $100 from the old to the new card.
Can I have a reimbursement, TCS for my troubles and time?
G Nielsen, via email
Best wishes to all of our patients for the festive season
dose of dorin
Dead wombats along the highway, who cares?
As convenor of the Global Nature Positive Summit, it would have been difficult for Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to convince ecologists from home and overseas that our federal government is doing enough to reduce our present record-high rate of native animal extinction.
Take the case of the wombat, a native marsupial that is already extinct in parts of our great southern land, but can still be found in some rural and semi-rural areas. What efforts have been made to save these gentle creatures from being run over when they attempt to cross the highway in a country area near Canberra?
The accompanying photo is of a dead wombat, one of many along the Kings Highway between Braidwood and Bungendore. It also shows a tiny wombat joey half out of its mother’s pouch.
Effective signage, including digital smart signs, could help reduce the number of such road deaths, according to experts such as Prof Darryl Jones, an ecologist and expert in wildlife signage from Griffith University. Unfortunately such signage with follow-up speeding fines for offending motorists have not been widely applied in all states. Wombats become most active at dawn and dusk, which is the time drivers should be made aware of the danger of collision.
The wombat is an inoffensive creature. It
cate burrows for its young to provide shelter and a safe retreat from extreme weather and bushfires. Such burrows also sometimes form a refuge for other creatures.
The foetus wombat joey is born very small and under-developed. It weighs about two grams and is roughly the size and colour of a pink jelly bean.
The tiny black joey in the photo lying between the hind legs of its dead mother was certainly too young to survive the impact of a car.
The blue cross on the bloated corpse of the adult indicates that it has been marked for removal. How many similar deaths have taken place over the past few years. Do we know? Do we care?
Susan Cruttenden, Dalmeny, NSW
We dodged a bullet in defeating the Voice
Apparently, Eric Hunter believes “Voice misinformation is still flying around” (letters, CN November 28) and how the Voice failed because of issues that seemed to become lost in the cloud of politically based misinformation that destroyed the Voice nationally.
I challenge Mr Hunter to identify exactly what he believes to have been such misinformation. To the contrary, I can identify many aspects of skullduggery by the government and supporters using real misinformation. See my analysis, posted at the time on my website alogstudycente.com.au.
The truth is that Australia dodged a bullet in defeating the Voice. Ironically, voters did it for whatever reason, but most would not have been aware of the ticking time bomb buried therein, being the principal requirement of the Aboriginal elite pushing the Voice.
That was their refusal to accede to the request of both the attorney-general and PM to exclude representation by the Voice to all levels of government, which could have crippled our country’s administration.
Of course, the PM should have pulled the plug then and there but, in sheer hubris, did not.
And as for the ACT voters who “thought carefully enough about the issues involved to favour the Voice”, who is Mr Hunter kidding when he and the 64 per cent of rusted-on Labor voters have put Labor into government in the ACT so far for 28
years, despite the financial scandals, sheer incompetence and spiralling debt?
Max Flint, Erindale Centre
Voice silenced by Albanese’s ego
I note Eric Hunter is still carrying on about the Voice, “Voice misinformation still flying around”, (letters, CN November 28) when in fact he helped contribute to the “misinformation”.
Nowhere in his letter does he mention Albanese’s part in the Voice failing, along with his own and all the others who were promoting a “Yes” vote so voraciously.
Shortly after Albanese promoted a referendum on the Voice and pushed the issue day after day, I expressed reservations about his strategy in CityNews and was accused by Hunter of being a “No” advocate when I was no such thing.
What Albanese was doing with his constant promotion of the Voice and his refusal to take it off the agenda when it was obvious it would fail, is that it was an ego trip for him and a vote on his popularity.
I stated that I felt the Voice would fail if he continued in this vein, which was made even worse when large businesses, sporting bodies and other discredited bodies like Qantas, got involved.
The First Australians, who should have been running the show, hardly got a look in. Others, like Hunter, made it worse by promoting a “Yes” vote on an almost daily basis, which
resulted in the feeling that this was an operation being masterminded by an “elite”. No wonder only the ACT voted “Yes” when the general population, especially in rural areas, gave it the big “No”.
It was never going to succeed and Albanese should have pulled the referendum before it came to a vote, but his ego would not allow it. As a result the indigenous cause has been put back years, if not decades.
I presume that Hunter was unaware that I worked with and on ATSIC under Senator Collins for some years, so actually had an idea of what I was talking about.
So it was not “politically based misinformation that destroyed the Voice nationally”, but Albanese’s ego, big business seeking to make profits and various organisations and sporting bodies being seen to be woke. I would hope that Eric Hunter will at least see some credit in my viewpoint.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
Sensible option is live within planetary limits
John L Smith (letters, CN November 28) seems to be arguing for nuclear and against renewables.
His point about capacity (ignoring pronuclear arguments) is not without foundation. The more realistic and sensible option open to humanity is to significantly reduce our materials and energy use, so we can live within planetary limits.
Peter Tait, O’Connor
for all businesses, big or small. Without proper security measures, organisations face various risks like regulatory penalties, potential lawsuits from clients due to data breaches, and significant downtime or loss of valuable data. These risks can lead to financial losses and damage to the reputation of your company.
The cyberthreat landscape has evolved rapidly over the past few years, becoming more complex and sophisticated. This means that businesses need to stay ahead of potential threats to protect their sensitive information and systems from cyberattacks. Investing in robust security measures is not just a precautionary step; it’s a necessity to safeguard against ever-evolving cyber threats.
At BluePackets, we understand the importance of proactive security measures. We’ve observed a phenomenon we call the “Security Dividend,” where clients who invest in security experience fewer issues and require less reactive support. By prioritising security, our clients not only save money in the long run but also avoid costly outages caused by security vulnerabilities. Plus, the cost of implementing security measures with us is often lower than what competitors charge for reactive servicing alone, providing a win-win situation for our clients. Investing in security with us means investing in long-term savings and peace of mind.
A dead wombat with a tiny joey half out of its mother’s pouch. Photo: Susan Cruttenden
Top from left, Angel Thayani - Rishi Perera - Paul Clark - Lakshitha Senanayake - David Parker Bottom from left, Laura Vargas - Charlotte Wang - Stephen Caie - Nadeesha Sugathadasa - Claudia Thurgarland
The holiday ride that honed my survival skills
“I went to India and realised that no one in the world could ever be as spiritual as they are... except when it comes to shopping.” –Lindsay Lohan
Readers of Whimsy will know that I like to travel.
My latest endeavour combined two interests – motorbikes and Rajasthan – to spend 13 days with Vintage Rides riding a vintage Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle more than 2000 kilometres in Rajasthan. On a motorcycle you can get to places not accessible to four-wheel vehicles.
Rajasthan (in northwest India) means “The Land of Kings”. It’s scenically varied and spectacular, with mountains, deserts and lakes, numerous forts, palaces, and temples, and varied wildlife – including tigers. Sizewise, it is five times the size of Tasmania or 118 times the size of the ACT.
Why a Royal Enfield? They are now made in India, still to the original 1950s British design. My bike was a fairly new 500cc model. Royal Enfields are popular in India because they are reliable and easy to maintain.
I expected the trip to be challenging and it was that – and more.
Indian roads vary between excellent multiple-lane concrete roads (that motorcycles aren’t allowed on) to rural ones that are just dirt or gravel
with very large potholes. I broke the axle on one road. After a day on the roads your kidneys certainly know all about it. A particular road hazard is the speed bump that can be big, small or multiple. They are rarely indicated – so particularly deadly for motorcycles.
Animal hazards included wandering cows, water buffaloes, goats, pigs, camels, elephants, mongeese, monkeys, horses, dogs, oxen, donkeys, lizards and deer. I saw no sheeps. Along with the dead animals on the road there are many unseen bodies by the roadside – but obvious from the smell. My brother-in-law hit a cow that leapt out from the side of the
Rural India is rather confronting from a modern perspective, with women doing most of the manual labour while the men drive tractors or idle their time gossiping in the shade.
road. Fortunately, neither he nor the cow suffered major damage.
We were riding with a group of Frenchmen who suffered two accidents, one of which caused the rider to be hospitalised.
Another challenge was the heat. If you’re wearing heavy duty European protective bike gear in 35-degree temperatures, it’s somewhat like being in your own mobile sauna.
Rural India is rather confronting from a modern perspective, with women doing most of the manual labour while the men drive tractors or idle their time gossiping in the shade.
All of the rural towns and villages have open sewers in the streets with smells to match. Then there’s rubbish everywhere, some of which is eaten by cows – particularly the paper and cardboard. Fly tipping seems to be a national pastime in India.
Our accommodation was mainly former palaces and stately homes – or havelis – heritage listed and
converted to hotels. In the past there were 6000 royal families in India, and they all seemed to have their own palaces and city houses. Rajasthan in particular is known for the splendour of its royal residences and hotels.
Rajasthan’s lakes and rivers look scenic from a distance but don’t bear close scrutiny because of the pollution and rubbish in them. Air pollution is particularly bad around Delhi and major cities such as Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur – but makes for spectacular sunsets.
Traffic in the towns and cities seems chaotic. The vehicle in front of you claims right of way although you can pass it on either side by sounding your horn.
Despite the volume of traffic, with sometimes only centimetres between motorcycles, scooters, tuk tuks, tractors, lorries, buses etcetera., major collisions seem uncommon. That said, nearly every vehicle has dents and scratches from the urban combat.
At first, it’s disconcerting to have vehicles speeding towards you without warning from the roadsides or the wrong way against the traffic. At night, vehicles often don’t use their lights.
The most confronting experience
was riding through a one-kilometre tunnel with no lighting, filled with large vehicles, mostly without their lights on, and having to guess what was in front of you. Definitely not a place to stop or fall off a motorbike –or be wearing sunglasses (as I was). Would I do it again? Probably not – but it was a great experience, and it certainly honed my survival skills.
On a lighter note: God gathered the three most important world leaders – Trump, Xi, and Modi – to announce the end of the world in a month’s time and pass on the message.
Trump immediately tweeted: “God does exist and misguidedly thinks he can undermine my second term.”
Xi’s message read: “God exists –and the outlook is bad for China’s economy.”
Modi tweeted: “God acknowledges an Indian leads the world and, better still, the BJP to remain in power for the foreseeable future.”
Clive Wiliams is a Canberra com mentator.
CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
Gift ideas for even the hardest people to please
Still stuck on that hard-tobuy-for friend or family member? CityNews has compiled a list of more gift ideas to choose from to cater to young, old and everyone in between!
Although Monica now spends most of her time in the shop, you can still find her attending local markets around Canberra and surrounds.
“I love that I’m introducing people to Australian animals through art and the like,” says Monica.
“It’s a nice way to talk about country and the
“I love the Australian animals… and I love expressing my joy through the store.”
Monica says Wombat Cards and Gifts will be
supporting people in your region, not a multimillion-dollar company,” she says.
Not only does Monica sell her handmade cards, her shop now supports and stocks other local artisans and creators.
Wombat Cards and Gifts will also have a market stall at Summernats 2025.
Wombat Cards and Gifts, Shop 2, 31/35 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen. Call 0423 786222, or visit wombatcardsandgifts.com.au
Trevor takes gift giving to new heights
Jet Flight Simulator Canberra is a one-of-akind experience, says owner Trevor Vickers.
“We provide the opportunity to experience what it’s like to captain the world’s most popular commercial aircraft, using our replica 737 flight simulator,” he says.
No experience is necessary to fly in the simulator, based on the Boeing 737-800NG, as every “flight” is assisted by an experienced instructor to ensure the budding pilot gets the most out of the session.
“It’s a gift that’s out of the ordinary. People love the experience. Some say: ‘It’s reignited my passion for aviation’.
Trevor says participants can bring up to four passengers for free.
With more than 24,000 airports around the world to choose from, each session is tailored to the interests of the guest pilot. Some like to fly over cities such as New York or Paris, or visit the Egyptian pyramids, while others prefer trying barrel rolls and flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or being challenged by a difficult approach in the Himalayas.
Details of two other activities – paraglider simulator and Icaro’s active virtual reality – can be found on the website.
Owner Monica Rolls.
CHRISTMAS
Named as one of the top three best weightloss centres in Canberra for the second year in a row, owner Christy Christensen says a gift voucher to the salon is the perfect gift for Christmas.
“Total Body Contouring is a place to redefine your silhouette,” she says.
“We help people achieve their goals from reducing cellulite and fatty tissue, assisting with muscle growth, through to lymphatic drainage, and facials that reduce acne scars.”
Christy says Total Body Contouring is about building body confidence without surgery.
The new Manuka salon, which features private treatment rooms and an extended service menu, is running a Christmas Special on fat freezing with Cooltech, which Christy says requires no downtime and is surgery free.
“Cooltech is one of the most advanced and non-surgical fat-reduction treatments available today,” she says.
“Dr Wen, our cosmetic doctor, has extensive experience in aesthetic medicine and general dermatology,” she says.
“He integrates mainstream medicine into the delivery of safe and advanced cosmetic medicine.”
“We give a personalised experience and journey, everyone is different,” she says.
“With industry certification for all our services, your safety comes first.
“We give full transparency to everyone so there are no hidden extras or inflated prices.”
Total Body Contouring, Shop 3/22 Franklin Street, Griffith. Call 6239 7347 or visit totalbodycontouring.com.au
Advance Jewellers is having a “massive sale” from Monday, December 16, to Christmas Eve”, says owner Hellen Tyrrell
There will be savings of 20 per cent to 30 per cent on diamonds and gold, and 20 per cent on South Sea and Tahitian pearls, she says.
“Everything else on display in-store, including our stunning collection of watches, will be available at a 30 per cent discount,” she says.
“Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to find the perfect gift or treat yourself to something
“We’ve proudly served the Canberra community for over 34 years.
“From our beginning in Woden, where we operated for seven years, we later relocated to our current location in the Mawson Shopping Centre, where we have been a trusted presence for the past
Specialising in high-quality repairs, custom ring designs and remakes, Hellen says Advance Jewellers is proud to carry out all work locally in Canberra.
“In addition to our primary location, we operate two dedicated design studios within the city to better serve our clients,” she says.
Advance Jewellers, 22 Mawson Place Shop 6A, Southlands Shopping Centre, Mawson. Call 0408 310063 or visit advancejewellers.com.au
3/22
With a wide variety of frost-hardy and heat-tolerant plants, owner of Pialligo’s Cool Country Natives, Karen Brien says she has the perfect gift for anyone this Christmas.
“We are dedicated to only selling Australian plants,” she says.
“We’re also Canberra’s only retail nursery to propagate ninety per cent of its tubestock and some of its potted stock.”
According to Karen, 95 per cent of their plants are hardy in frost and heat, but they do have a selection of special plants that require “a special place”.
“We hold licences to sell threatened species, and collect and propagate from local populations,” she says.
“Our plants have been selected for local conditions, however because we propagate our own plants, we can source many local species and have a large range of threatened species.
“We choose our suppliers carefully to ensure plants are hardened to our local conditions.”
Being selective in the nursery’s stock is important to Karen to ensure that it provides the best quality plants, potting mix and fertiliser.
Alongside the plants, Karen says they also have a line of locally produced cards from a local well-known botanic artist Cheryl Hodges featuring native plants and insects, as well as new Christmas ones.
“They’re a perfect way to finish off your gift,” says Karen. Cool Country Natives is open seven days a week, except on some public holidays.
Cool Country Natives, 5A Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6257 6666 or visit coolcountrynatives.com.au
Callistemon Western Glory.
Total Body Contouring owner Christy Christensen.
National Dinosaur Museum
The National Dinosaur Museum is home to one of the largest displays of crystals, fossils, minerals and gemstones in Australia, and general manager Carole Arulantu says a family pass or gift voucher makes for the perfect Christmas present.
“Discover one of the biggest permanent collections of interactive dinosaurs in Australia,” she says and get a close-up look at one-of-a-kind skeletons and fossils.
“Specimens and dinosaur memorabilia are available to purchase in the gift shop which is an extension of the museum itself,” says Carole.
The gift shop stocks hand-sourced items found domestically and internationally and is open every day alongside the rest of the museum from 10am to 5pm, except for Christmas Day.
“Specimens and dinosaur memorabilia are available to purchase in the gift shop which is an extension of the
museum itself,” says Carole.
“There is no admission fee for visitors who would only like to explore the gift shop and will not be entering the museum galleries.”
The museum features 700 million-year-old marine fauna as well as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
“The Dinosaur Museum is escapism,” says Carole, with new discoveries to be made about dinosaurs every day.
The museum won the Tourist Attractions category at the Canberra Region Tourism Awards for the second year in a row and will represent the ACT at the National Tourism Awards in SA in March.
The National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls. Call 6109 8160 or visit nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
‘Something different’, something fashionable
Things of Desire is the perfect place to find “something different” in women’s fashion from around the world, says creative director, Alan Arab.
Recently moving its retail presence to Manuka, Alan says the new location is three times the size of its previous shops.
“The new shop has gardens around it. It’s a very relaxing place as customers are out of the hub of Manuka and don’t feel like they are rushing around,” he says.
“You’re still in the centre though, some of our loyal customers visit
weekly to escape.”
Established in 1995, Alan says Things of Desire is committed to providing the best of European fashion for Canberra.
“Our name ‘Things of Desire’ says it all; that’s our buying formula,” he says.
According to Alan, the residence feels more like an atelier than a shop: “Our mission statement is to empower the women we dress.”
Things of Desire, 34 Bougainville Street, Manuka. Call 0412 955911 or visit todesire.com.au
CANBERRA REGIONAL TOURISM AWARDS’ BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION 2023 & again
MUSEUM
CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING advertising
The gift of experience in handcrafted glassware
Ahead of Christmas, Canberra Glassworks is extending its hours to be open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, until December 22.
“From handcrafted tableware to bespoke artworks, every purchase at Canberra Glassworks supports local artists and makers,” says artistic director, Aimee Frodsham.
“That’s not something every business can boast about!”
According to Aimee, receiving something from Canberra Glassworks is special because it’s more than just a gift – it’s an experience.
“Each piece is crafted by talented, local artists and makers who pour their skill, passion and creativity into every detail,” she says.
“Whether it’s a bespoke glass sculpture, functional tableware or a limited edition piece, every item tells a unique story of those makers.”
In the lead up to Christmas, Canberra Glassworks will also be holding some special Christmas-themed classes.
“We are hosting Christmas glass classes to blow your own glass bauble in the hotshop or craft handmade ornaments with friends and family,” says Aimee.
“Supporting Canberra Glassworks means supporting local artists and keeping the tradition of hand-made glass alive.
“It’s a gift that reflects Canberra’s vibrant arts community.”
Located in the largest glassmaking facility dedicated to studio glass in the southern hemisphere, Aimee says there is something for everyone at Canberra Glassworks.
Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston. Call 6260 7005 or visit canberraglassworks.com
Pre Christmas week: (Timings) 10am to 5pm – Mon 16th, Tue 17th, Wed 18th, Thu 19th and Fri 20th
10am to 3pm – Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd closed 10am to 5pm – Monday 23rd 10am to 2pm – Tuesday 24th
Specialised in Custom Home and Knockdown Rebuild
Multi-Award Winning Local Custom Builder
Building since 2012 • Built over 250 homes
Sunny Homes is proud to celebrate a milestone year of outstanding achievements, reaffirming our position as a leader in Canberra’s housing industry. We are delighted to announce that our Taylor display home has earned both the 2024 Master Builders Association Display Home to $500,000 Award and the 2024 HIA-CSR ACT Housing Awards Display Home to $500,000 Award
This remarkable single-story residence showcases the quality, design, and innovation that define our work. With four spacious bedrooms, three luxurious bathrooms, and high raked ceilings enhanced by strategically placed skylights, the home strikes a perfect balance between luxury and functionality.
Adding to our success, Sunny Homes has also been awarded the Custom Home of the Year up to $600,000 at the 2024 HIA-CSR ACT Housing Awards. These accolades reflect our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional homes tailored to our clients’ needs.
As specialists in Custom Home and Knockdown
Rebuild projects, we take pride in crafting homes that meet the highest standards of quality and innovation. Since 2012, our passionate team has built over 250 high-quality homes, cementing our reputation as a trusted, local builder.
We’re also honoured to be finalists in several prestigious categories, including:
0493 030
• HIA Professional Medium Builder of the Year
• Professional Business Woman – Patricia (In-house Interior Designer)
• Custom Built Home of the Year ($600k–$1.1M Construction Value)
• Medium Density Townhouses and Villas
These achievements highlight our dedication to excellence and the hard work of our talented team. The recognition from these esteemed awards reflects the trust we have built with our clients and community.
Sunny Homes is also thrilled to be a finalist for the Business Excellence Award in the Medium Residential Building Company category (Annual Turnover between $5M–$20M) at the 2024 National Business Excellence Awards. This honour celebrates our innovation, resilience, and commitment to corporate responsibility, alongside our peers shaping the future of the industry.
We invite you to experience the award-winning craftsmanship of Sunny Homes by visiting our Taylor display home at 73 Robin Boyd Cres, open weekends from 10am to 6pm and by appointment on weekdays.
At Sunny Homes, we are committed to building your dream home. With a proven track record of excellence, a dedicated team of 25 local professionals, and a passion for creating bespoke residences, we are here to elevate your lifestyle. Together, let’s make your vision a reality.
HIA-CSR ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards 2024
Award-winning builders take a bow for know-how
The judges says Ben excels in communication, recently taking on responsibilities that involve co-ordinating with suppliers, sub-trades, and clients, marking a significant advancement in his apprenticeship.
“Ben’s ability to follow instructions while also suggesting innovative solutions showcases his initiative and critical thinking. A bright future lies ahead for this young tradesperson.”
Each year the Housing Industry Association (HIA) awards bring together the top builders and designers in new-home construction.
The Housing Industry Association ACT & Southern NSW has recently announced this year’s winning homes, kitchens and bathrooms.
The HIA Awards identify, highlight and reward excellence throughout the housing industry, representing some of the finest tradespeople and their businesses across the country. The awards are split into regions throughout Australia. Participants enter at their relevant regional level, selecting their preferred category, and are judged by a highly experienced team of building experts. Regional winners go on to compete in the national awards.
HIA has been representing the Australian residential building industry for more than 74 years.
Two awards and it’s all down to personalised service
Status Living has won two categories in the 2024 Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards for Renovation/Addition Project of the Year and the Renovation/ Addition Project $700,000 to $1million.
Director Brent Redmayne says their awards can be credited to the company’s ability to deliver a personalised service.
“We were able to breathe new life and light into the home,” he says.
“We transformed the dated structure by expanding the living space into a more functional and practical area, suitable for our client’s lifestyle.”
According to the award citation: “The project involved a comprehensive transformation of a dated property into a modern and functional home, highlighting contemporary materials and construction techniques.”
Brent says: “By incorporating distinctive roof angles
and carefully positioned windows, we successfully integrated modern design elements while preserving the building’s original character.
“The interior design features bold choices, and we particularly enjoy working with clients who embrace their unique style when personalising their space.”
The citation’s winning details also noted the “meticulous attention to detail throughout the renovation showcasing the dedication and skill of the team.
“Particular attention was paid to a large steel extension attached to the existing residence, which expanded the living area and improved functionality which resulted in a versatile home for families, as well as the angled ceiling, which flooded the space with natural light, further enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the home.”
Two awards are just the ‘fruit at the end’
Taking home two HIA awards, builder Sunny Malhotra says winning was just the “fruit at the end”.
“We are always trying to do the right thing by our clients and the community,” he says. “Winning won’t change our ethics.”
Winning the Display Home up to $500,000 Award and Custom Build Home $400,000-$600,000 Award, Sunny says they are already looking forward to what next year will bring.
“Our commitment is to be transparent and reliable for our clients,” he says.
“We are proud to be servicing the Canberra community.
“As locals ourselves, it brings us great pride to keep doing the right thing for the company, community and beyond.”
Utilising in-house professional consultants, Sunny
‘Humbled’
says the family business has been operating since 2012 and has successfully completed more than 50 houses.
“We aren’t a cookie-cutter business,” he says.
“We customise the whole process from A-to-Z for our clients.”
The winning display home featured high ceilings, skylights, a firepit outside and an indoor fireplace.
“We have created a multi-generational house,” he says.
Sunny works alongside his wife Sara to create beautiful homes for their clients.
“We’re a great team,” he says. “We work on everything together.”
Sunny Homes. Call 0493 030306, visit sunnyhomes.com.au or email sales@sunnyhomes.com.au
Hector wins spec home award
Rydgeport Constructions has won the Spec Home of the Year Award and was a finalist in the Country Home of the Year and Kitchen of the Year Awards.
Owner Hector Aguirre Ruiz says he couldn’t have been more surprised or humbled by the award.
“We put ourselves in three categories, but never would have guessed we’d win,” he says.
“We were so excited but very surprised.”
Featuring big windows, a spacious kitchen and other “barn style” features, Hector says they were inspired to create a home that was perfect for a family.
“It’s designed to be big and welcoming,” he says.
Specialising in new homes, extensions and renovations, Rydgeport Constructions has been in operating for seven years, with Hector bringing a wealth of experience to the company.
He says he’s proud to work alongside his wife, Rebecca, who has been instrumental in the work he does with Rydgeport Constructions.
“Our ethics are to make sure that we are always doing and making the best product that we can provide,” says Hector.
“I enjoy what I do and we make sure that our clients are happy.”
The winning house took a total of 10 months, of which Hector says careful planning and implementation meant there were no delays.
Hector is now setting his sights on a house around the block to create a simpler style of barn house for another family to enjoy.
Rydgeport Constructions. Call 0417 027 455 or visit rydgeportconstructions.com.au
Inside the Status Living residence that won their2024 HIA awards.
Rydgeport Constructions owner Hector Aguirre Ruiz with his wife Rebecca.
Sunny Homes multi-award winning home in the 2024 HIA awards.
Ben wins top apprentice title
Carpenter Benjamin Kozak is the 2024 Apprentice of the Year. Described as skilled and dedicated, he is pursuing a Certificate IV in Building and Construction with aspirations to launch his own building company.
Elevating Canberra homes: Status Living’s award-winning approach to custom builds
Status Living, a premier residential builder in Canberra, continues to demonstrate their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship
For more than ten years, Directors Matthew Bellingham and Brent Redmayne have established themselves as respected figures in Canberra’s residential construction sector, specialising in premium custom homes and sophisticated renovations throughout the ACT and surrounds.
Their excellence has been consistently recognised through numerous yearly industry accolades, with their latest achievement at the recent HIA Awards highlighting an outstanding renovation in the suburb of Hawker.
The awards for this project, Brent believes, is a testament to his team’s dedication and expertise. “We approach every project,
whether it’s a knock-down rebuild or an extension, with the utmost care and precision. We have a passion for creating modern homes that honour the past but excite the present.”
“But it’s not just about the construction for us; it’s about creating homes that resonate with our clients’ dreams and stand as a testament to our commitment to quality building outcomes.”
From Build to Life –excellence in every element
Drawing from their extensive carpentry expertise, Matthew emphasises that Status Living’s distinction stems from meticulous attention to detail.
“Our standing in the industry is built on delivering superior quality of work for these complex builds. Each project element receives careful consideration, which drives our collaborative approach with our team, engineers,
architects, and designers. We exclusively partner with top-tier tradespeople to achieve the exceptional standards both we and our clients demand,” Matthew explained.
Matthew also believes part of the Status Living difference is their ability to deliver a personalised service. “We have an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, which sits at the core of all our operations.
“Our homeowners are reassured at every turn that they have a builder and team who is approachable and committed. We do care, and that’s why our clients choose us – for our candour and dedication to build their home in a way that makes the journey enjoyable.”
Directors Brent Redmayne and Matthew Bellingham
Creating dream homes at Rydgeport Constructions
Winner 2024 HIA -ACT Southern NSW Spec Home
Rydgeport Constructions has expertly crafted a modern barn-style home that stands out with its impressive peak windows, soaring up to 5.5 metres high in the main living area, multipurpose room, and master bedroom.
The layout is both practical and contemporary, perfectly suited for family living.
It features a spacious kitchen with a butler’s pantry and wine fridge, complemented by large sliding windows that open onto a generous covered alfresco area.
The practical laundry/mudroom offers ample storage, while underfloor heating in all bathrooms and a large slow-combustion fireplace ensure comfort year-round.
Additional highlights include a triple garage with workspace, making this home a dream retreat on a nearly 7000-square-metre block in picturesque Murrumbateman.
FOR ENQUIRIES FOR NEW HOMES OR RENOVATIONS CONTACT HECTOR & REBECCA TODAY 0417 027 455
Tell us more about your project
Winner 2024 ACT Southern NSW Spec Home Finalist 2025 HIA Australian Spec Home
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
By Helen MUSA
A Sydneysider with a globetrotting operatic career and a young family is back in Australia to play Cinderella in Opera Australia’s lavish production of Jules Massenet’s opera Cendrillon.
The production’s title is literally little ashes, from which the English word Cinderella comes.
Opening at Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve, the production is a remounting of French director Laurent Pelly’s Englishlanguage staging already seen at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House.
As well as boasting a lavish set and costumes, it’s a highly recognisable version of the story, for Massenet took fewer liberties with the traditional tale by Charles Perrault than his Italian counterpart Rossini when he wrote La Cenerentola.
When I catch up with Emily Edmonds, who plays the title role, the day before she’s due to go into rehearsals in Sydney, she’s already very familiar with her part and laughs when she considers that some of her actor friends
Cinderella Emily’s unsure about love at first sight
Australia and it couldn’t be pleasanter – “it’s a show for all the family – a welcoming show”.
It’s not one of those Stephen Sondheim psychological reassessments of fairytales such as Into the Woods, she says, but it is true that there is a kind of symbolism in the narrative.
“It does have a depth of humanity… one thing about fairytales is that they are a kaleidoscope showing us fragments of humanity,” she says.
It has occurred to Edmonds that Cinderella and The Prince fall in love fairly quickly and she says: “If I were telling my two-year-old daughter the story, there’d be a lot of caveats.”
two-year agreement that allowed her to play what she calls “a whole bunch of roles” – 20 to be precise – including in a lot of new work. She has continued to take an interest in such edgy material and was preparing to perform in British composer Philip Venables’ chamber opera Denis & Katya and for a show in Rome, when covid struck. That forced her and her partner back into “a holding pattern” in Sydney until work started coming back.
Edmonds has a “high mezzo-soprano” voice, perfect for the role of Cinderella but also suitable for Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte and the pants role of Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, both of which she has
played.
No pants part for her in Cinderella, though – that falls to Prince Charming, who will be shared by Margaret Plummer and Sian Sharp. Instead, Edmonds gets to wear all the beautiful rags-to-riches costumes given to her with a wave of the wand by Aussie operatic legend Emma Matthews, playing The Fairy Godmother.
You’ll recognise all the characters, although Massenet gives them individual names, whereas in the original story by Charles Perrault, only one character, the stepsister Charlotte is ever named.
This is Edmonds’ first role for Opera
“The story really speaks of abiding hope, the ability to think that things might change for the better and that love can be a driving force in one’s life – it’s much more about that than love at first sight.”
So, will she be hanging around in Sydney after Cinderella? Unlikely.
“Travelling is such an enriching part of my life, it gives you some fire in your bones,” she says.
“I grew up with the impression that once you had a baby, you couldn’t do this, but it has not been the case, so if I get an engagement in London, we go and live there for a few months. We’re flexible.”
And yes, their daughter comes too.
Cinderella, Sydney Opera House, December 31-March 28.
Mezzo-soprano Emily Edmonds, left, and Cendrillon as it was staged at Covent Garden.
Young actors brighten North Pole Lane
By Helen MUSA
Young Canberra actors have joined to bring entertainment to Canberra families in the interactive Christmas experience, North Pole Lane, the brainchild of Murrumbateman midwife, Mindy Dominick. Before meeting the big man, visitors can meet Mrs Claus, the Winter Princess, Bear Mischa and other characters, performed by 10 actors, including three members of the same family, Sam, Lily, and Rosie Welling. At South Point Shopping Centre in Tuggeranong until December 24.
Wayfarers Australia and friends, along with Music for Canberra, will be directed by Canberra music legend Judith Clingan in a Christ-
including a Christmas cantata, The Birds’ Noel, with words and music by Clingan herself. Overture Hall, Orana Steiner School, Weston, December 20.
Former CityNews Artist of the Year Michael Dooley and his colleague Daniel White’s easy-listening jazz project DM Ascension features French-Catalan musician Christophe Goze on guitar on their new single, Immersion, written by Dooley and White. Goze’s involvement follows their initiative in forwarding him a story published in CityNews about their work.
DINING / Carlotta, Scotts Crossing, Civic
Ragu was divine, service so-so
QL2 Dance’s Emerging Choreographers Project will see young dance artists, Akira Byrne, Alex Potter, Arshiya Abshiree, Calypso Efkarpidis, Charlie Thomson, Chris Wade, Jahna Lugnan, Magnus Meagher and Sam Tonna, each choreograph a short work of their own, in collaboration with their peers. A Block Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, December
Veteran Canberra watercolour artist, Isla Patterson, will be holding an Open Studio at 10 Mainoru Place, Hawker, December 14-15.
Aussie folk singer Eric Bogle, North East Arnhem Land reggae ragers the Andrew Gurriwirri Band and Blue Ridge Mountains singersongwriter Martha Spencer will lead the line-up at the 38th Illawarra Folk Festival. Bulli Showgrounds, January 17-19.
Scotts Crossing, Civic, is the home of new Mediterranean restaurant Carlotta, opened by Chris Lucas, the Australian restaurateur behind Chin Chin in Sydney and Melbourne.
Lucas says he has “witnessed from afar how exciting and energetic the Canberra food scene has become”, making it time for him to venture to the capital.
Carlotta has established relations with local producers and growers, but also sources high-quality ingredients from afar, including Italy and Spain.
It was lunchtime and we settled on Carlotta’s banquet ($88 a head). The wine list is a whopping 34 pages and even has its own index, so be prepared to invest time to truly explore.
Before weaving through the banquet, we ordered drinks to accompany gorgeous oysters (Moonlight Flat Clair De Lune, Batemans Bay, $7.50 each, and Rockefeller, $8.50 each). We waited a l-o-o-ong time before they arrived, so much so that staff had already started to serve our banquet items.
The freshly baked rosemary and sea-salt focaccia was soft and inviting. We enjoyed it with whipped ricotta, chilli and a vibrant herb oil (a couple of us would have loved more chilli, but that’s personal preference).
A winning dish was the vibrant red roast peppers with just the right texture, served with Cantabrian anchovies that did a fine job of elevating the dish. This was followed by Prosciutto di San Daniele, sliced every so thinly and wonderful with fresh buffalo mozzarella sourced from Italy.
We agreed the beef ragu was divine and one of the best we’ve had. The beef was slow cooked and full of flavour, and the Mafaldine (ribbonshaped pasta) was superbly cooked. It arrived with a crown of intricately shaved parmesan that we mixed through before we divvied up the pasta. This more-ish dish was heart-warming and enveloped us with a big hug.
When one orders the banquet at Carlotta, one doesn’t go home hungry. Next, it was time
WINE / anger and avarice
SUNDAY ROAST
for grilled chicken, super juicy and joyful to eat. The chicken smelled wonderful, with aromas of garlic, anchovy and lemon.
Broccolini had a lovely crunch and the right level of chilli and garlic. The coleslaw of cabbage and peas had great balance even though, at first glance, we were distracted by the mound of shredded pecorino that hid the other ingredients.
Get ready for a huge service of Tiramisu Carlotta, a truly decadent dessert – rich, creamy and loaded with character.
Service at Carlotta needs to be refined. There was confusion over our seating and our preference next time would be to avoid the tables in the busy “corridor” of the restaurant. We’d prefer window seating and will be back to dine outside. Heaps of staff were on deck with the right intentions, but the service was, in some instances, sporadic.
Journo takes fizz out of Christmas bubbly
A mate and I are sitting having a glass of pre-Christmas red at the Symposium wine bar.
It’s a Victorian 2022 Unconquered Carmenere that, fresh from the newly opened bottle, tastes acrid but with air changes to a pleasant enough drink, the nose also changing so that vanilla and violets suffuse the bouquet while blueberries dominate the palate. This varietal is from Bordeaux, a member of the cabernet family of wines, and is a wine that is unusual in its colour and in its complexity, but doesn’t rate as a future wine of choice.
My mate grew up in Tasmania and we were discussing the wines we’d be looking forward to consuming during the Christmas break. Despite his state of origin, he waxed lyrical about a French wine he’d tasted at a recent evening out, a 2020 Maison Bouachon Les Comborines Cotes-du-Rhone Villages.
He said that this wine was excellent with French food, a grenache, shiraz, mourvèdre blend I believe (although the varietal make
up is not shown on the label) that he found had good balance with spicy dark fruits on the palate and which finished with real depth.
He’d bought a dozen for around $28 each and he presented me with a bottle.
“Hah, thanks there’s nothing better than a friend, unless it’s a friend with wine,” I said.
“Friendship is like peeing in your pants; everyone notices but you’re the only one who can feel the warmth. “But really, mate, this gift has made my feelings of anger and avarice about my choice of Christmas bubbly much less real.”
“What do you mean?” he said.
“Well, you know how much I like Tasmanian sparkling, especially made by EL Carr?”
“The House of Arras, yes.”
“Okay,” I said, “well, it was to be my Christmas bubbly of choice but that feeling of happy anticipation of having it with seafood for the coming season was subsumed by some much more negative feelings after I read a recent article in the Australian Travel and Luxury magazine. It made me angry and envious all at once.
“What’s that about?”
“The journalist disclosed at the end of the piece that she was a guest of the House of Arras
for a 40 Years of Tirage private experience named for the period that the three sparkling wines she was presented with had been aged.
“She was provided with a vertical tasting of the late disgorged 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Marvellous, what an experience sitting back on a sunny day drinking world-class sparkling wine, completely at no cost.
“The article ignores the cost of this adventure for real people, so I had to look it up: it’s $500 per person, would have been $1000 for the journalist and her friend.”
“Was she knowledgeable about wine, you know, was it a good read?” he asked.
“I must say that the anti-Christmas feelings of avarice and anger were elevated when the journalist posed the rhetorical question: ‘Do I dare sully these exquisite wines with food?’
“It’s about matching food and wine, appreciation of wine,” he said.
“Yes, yes, absolutely. A Frenchman, can’t remember his name, once said that a meal without wine is like a day without sun.”
“At least you’ve got something else to put on your bucket list,” he said, and took another swig of the red.
“Yes, mate. But that comment’s a bit like the joke about when I told my anger management counsellor that I wanted to punch something and he replied, try a pillow. I just said that his advice was soft. Merry Christmas.”
Rosie Welling, left, with a young visitor to North Pole Lane.
Photo: Quentin Nguyen
STREAMING Joy to the world and the IVF battle to get there
There are some remarkable true stories about medical breakthroughs out there, but the one depicted in Netflix’s new film Joy must be among the most astonishing.
It’s the real-life tale of the world’s first IVF baby, Louise Joy Brown, who was born in 1978.
The British biopic stars Bill Nighy, Thomasin McKenzie and James Norton, who together play the tenacious trio who made IVF a reality.
They’re a pioneering scientist, an ambi tious young nurse and a veteran surgeon who faced a huge amount of resistance and backlash from the government, the church and the media in their goal to create the world’s first “test tube baby”.
Since then it’s estimated more than 12 million children have been born using IVF. Coming in at just under two hours, the film offers a thought-provoking experience about one of the most consequential medi cal achievements in history coupled with a deeply human story at its centre.
Joy lives up to its title.
FROM The Stand to The Walking Dead to The Last Of Us, tales of post-apocalyptic survival have become a popular staple of modern streaming and this month Stan is trying to bring a new doomsday hit to the platform with Earth Abides.
Unlike the others though, this series looks
has fallen into ruin from a plague.
Sounding a bit familiar at this point?
Well, rather than brawling with the undead or leading a resistance, Ish (played by Alexander Ludwig in the show) tries to more peacefully rebuild society by searching for survivors.
The book opts for an intellectual rather than action-packed story, diving deep into how a civilisation emerges from the ashes
Now a new British mini-series wants to tackle cancel culture head on.
It’s called Douglas is Cancelled and it stars
Then things only go from bad to worse when his co-presenter Madeline (Karen Gillan) tries to step in, sharing the post and telling her many followers “don’t believe this.
What exactly she means is left entirely to others in the Twittersphere to decide.
Douglas himself claims he can’t remember the joke, a line we so often hear from those caught in the centre of these scandals, leaving him in a battle to save not only to save his job but his entire personal life as the public outrage heats up.
This comedy-drama comes from prolific British TV writer Steven Moffat, who’s earned himself a cult following for his long-running work on Doctor Who and Sherlock.
Known for his witty dialogue and addictive central characters, Moffat has gone for an amusing change of pace and protagonist here.
It’s a little slow off the mark but it’s absolutely work sticking around for the ending. Plus with only four episodes it’s an easy one to knock over on a quiet weekend.
Earth Abides could go down the thriller route, like its popular counterparts, or it could hold into its more philosophical leanings. For the sake of creating something original, hopefully it’s the latter.
IN this day and age it feels like a celebrity is “cancelled” on a daily basis. It seems there’s always one high-profile comedian, actor, politician or otherwise saying something that catches the ire of the mob.
Hugh Bonneville as a popular news anchor Douglas Bellowes whose career gets turned upside down after he makes a joke at a wedding that causes furore.
The show plays out almost like a horror movie at the moment Douglas’ producer spots the singular Tweet that ignites the disaster he knows is about to unfold.
All four episodes can be streamed on ABC iView now.
Bill Nighy, left, Thomasin McKenzie and James Norton in Joy. Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan in Douglas is Cancelled.
CHRISTMAS GARDENING
Planting, pruning and then some holiday time
By Jackie WARBURTON
•
As Christmas looms, it serves as a deadline for me to get all planting and pruning done before some holiday down time.
All dahlias, summer and autumn annuals should be in the ground and the last sowing of tomatoes, capsicums and zucchinis can be done for late-autumn cropping.
Growing seed this time of year can be tricky and it will need watering several times a day. A misting system to water and create humidity will increase growth and get them quickly to seedling stage. Once they’re growing well, the misters can be reduced, and the seedlings moved to larger pots or planted in the garden.
hedge pruning. It’s best done in the cooler months.
If there are plans to hard prune hedges in autumn, watering and fertilising now will help with a quicker recovery when the job is done.
KEEPING vegetables and gardens watered in the heat of summer can be tricky, but there are ways to reduce watering and reduce stress.
The first and most important thing to remember is to encourage good soil practices with extra nutrients and compost. This will help the water-holding capacity around the roots of plants, and fibrous roots can access moisture.
Keeping the soil moist at all times and not allowing it to dry out stops it becoming hydrophobic and repelling the water. Once soil has dried out, plants can become stressed and it takes a lot of work to rebuild the soil to take up moisture again.
Try not to do any fertilising in the hotter months, but fortnightly use of Seasol or any microbial soil additives is beneficial to the overall growth of the soil and the plants.
FLOWERING now is a terrific little, old-fashioned plant called baboon flower (Babiania angustifolia). Its electric blue/purple flowers can self-seed over time, or the corms will multiply and can be a good ground cover in areas of dry shade and where very little can grow.
Once they’ve flowered, deadhead to prevent them becoming a weed and cover with mulch as they go dormant over the summer months and don’t need any water until new growth appears in autumn.
FOR a handmade Christmas gift, a jar of preserved lemons is a simple present to make. The cost is only salt and free lemons from the tree.
Once cool, label and shake once a day until the salt is dissolved and then they will be ready for eating. Preserved lemons and rind can be thinly sliced and added to salads or chicken or fish dishes. Unopened jars will keep for at least six months.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
Jottings…
• Ensure all irrigation is work- ing before going on holidays.
• Have a peek at bulb cata- logues for autumn planting
• Keep citrus bugs at bay by hand picking and putting in hot water.
• Pick berries to encourage more fruiting. Keep them watered, too.
Flowering now is a terrific little, old-fashioned plant called baboon flower with electric blue/purple flowers that self-seed over time.
Merry Christmas in the garden. Photos: Jackie Warburton
HOROSCOPE PUZZLES CHRISTMAS BOOKS
By Joanne Madeline Moore
December 16-22, 2024
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
After three weeks of confusion, chaos, delays and/or dramas, Mercury finally turns direct on Monday morning (Sydney time) – yeah! It starts moving forwards in your travel, education and communication zone, which encourages you to explore exciting new horizons, physically and mentally. The wider your circle of friends and acquaintances, the more influence you will have in the big world outside your door. Being curious and confident are the keys.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
It’s a fabulous week for many Bulls, especially involving work, career, money and business. Mercury moves forwards on Monday and Venus (your patron planet) forms a trine with prosperity planet Jupiter on Friday. So look out for a fortuitous meeting or a special sign/synchronicity/opportunity. But you must make the most of good fortune when it comes along. If you procrastinate or fail to recognise the signs, then Lady Luck will promptly pass you by.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
Mercury (your ruling planet) moves forwards on Monday. When it comes to work, habits, health and fitness, the more proactive and organised you are, the better the results will be. But Neptune squares the Sun midweek, so a lack of focus, direction and diplomacy could temporarily side-track relationships and confuse you. And don’t let a dubious acquaintance lead you down the primrose path to trouble. Keep your trusty Truth Detector set on high.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
With the Sun shifting into your partnership zone, you can’t escape close relationships this week Crabs! And Mercury finally moves forwards on Monday, so don’t approach things with the same old stale attitude. It’s time to recalibrate. If there is a problem: fix it. If there is a misunderstanding: sort it out. If there is too much distance between you and a loved one: get closer. The more positive energy you pour into partnerships, the more enjoyable they will be.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
On Monday, Mercury finally moves forwards, so communicating (especially with young children and moody teenagers) should gradually improve. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Sun (your power planet) squares Neptune, so be on alert for confusing information, fake news, and dodgy deals (especially involving friends and finances). Friday is fabulous for romantic relationships, close friendships, socialising, joint ventures and financial matters.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Your ruling planet Mercury has been reversing through your home zone, which may have resulted in mistakes, misunderstandings, setbacks and/or self-doubt (especially involving domestic matters and family members). Thank goodness Mercury finally moves forwards on Monday and – hopefully – you’ve learned a thing or two over the last few weeks. So your motto is from fellow Virgo, actress Lily Tomlin: “The road to success is always under construction.”
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Courtesy of the Sun, the Venus/Jupiter trine, and Mercury turning direct, the buzz words this week are communication and education. Your curiosity is piqued, and you’re keen to connect with a wide range of stimulating people, within your local community and further afield. But Neptune squares the Sun (in your conversation zone) so some relationships will be complicated, and communication could be confusing. Clever Librans will listen and learn!
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
This week, Mercury moves forwards in your money zone and the Sun shifts into your communication and education zone. So it’s time to be more financially literate, more conversationally engaged, and more curious about the world around you. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, actress and activist Jane Fonda (who turns 87 on Saturday): “Stay curious, keep learning and keep growing.” But friends and finances could be a dodgy mix.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Mercury finally moves forwards on Monday morning (in your sign), which boosts your confidence, energy levels, and personal magnetism. But then Neptune squares the Sun on Wednesday/Thursday (in your sign) so, if you indulge in gossip or make vague pronouncements, you could end up in a confusing mess. Smart Sagittarians will have a better week if you slow down, think things through, communicate clearly, and double-check often.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
You’re in the mood to let your hair down and party but don’t accept things at face value. With Mercury moving forwards in your mystery zone (and Neptune squaring the Sun) look beneath the surface gloss to discover what’s really going on. Andwhen you’re buying last-minute presents – Saturn encourages you to choose gifts that are timeless, practical and sturdy. When the Sun transits into Capricorn on Saturday, it’s your turn to sparkle and shine!
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
This week, vivacious Venus (in your sign) trines jolly Jupiter, so you’re at your charismatic Aquarian best as you charm the cynics and dazzle the doubters. Compatible companionship is a must, as you surround yourself with stimulating friends, positive peers and curious colleagues. As writer (and birthday great) Jane Austen wrote: “My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation.”
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
The Sun/Neptune square (on Wednesday and Thursday) could drain your Piscean energy and sap confidence so pace yourself and prioritise projects. Don’t make commitments unless you have the time and motivation to follow through on your well-meant intentions. If something can be put off until another week, then do so. Communicating with loved ones and work colleagues also looks confusing and frustrating, but things should improve from Friday onwards.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024
1 What is an American Indian hut? (6)
7 Which military staff officer assists the commanding officer? (8)
8 Name another term for tin plate. (6)
9 What is a ship, abandoned at sea? (8)
10 What do we call a person who fishes for pleasure? (6)
11 Name another term for a firebug. (8)
14 To be rich, is to be what? (8)
18 Name a lustrous, hard, brittle metallic element. (6)
19 What is a national memorial to those killed in war? (8)
21 Who has a special skill in a particular field? (6)
22 What is a cake topping of nuts, sugar, spices, etc? (8)
23 What is a fixed periodical payment for work? (6)
1 Name a former gold mining centre in southern Victoria, north of Morwell. (8)
2 What is an alternative term for acacia? (6)
3 Name a narcotic, short-stemmed European herb. (8)
4 To be partly opened, is to be what? (4)
5 Name a former premier of the Soviet Union, Joseph ... (6)
6 What are light meals called? (6)
12 Which bags are used for carrying schoolbooks? (8)
13 Which fabric is used for wall hanging? (8)
15 What is a religious celebration? (6)
16 What do we call a plunderer? (6)
17 To drive, is to do what? (6)
20 What is a vaulted semicircular recess in a building? (4)
Nothing says Christmas like murder and mystery
COLIN STEELE reviews a couple of books with lots of spooky Christmas twists.
Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane (Titan Books $39.99), delivers 18 short stories of Christmas murder and mystery.
It opens with the CL Taylor’s story, How to Commit Murder in a Bookshop, which Taylor says was inspired by a Christmas party he attended at Waterstones bookshop in Swindon. He asked the attendees: “Has anyone written a story about a murder at a bookshop Christmas party? One day I will!”.
And then Taylor did. The end result is a story set in London’s largest and oldest bookshop, in which head bookseller Eleanor invites authors, publishers and publicists to solve a Christmas murder mystery game The game is going to be derailed, however, not just by the amount of wine, but by the intention of a once famous crime fiction writer to exact revenge on those responsible for his books falling out of favour.
The second story, Christmas Yet To Come by Helen Fields, spins off the characters Charles Dickens created in A Christmas Carol. It begins on Christmas Eve 1899 when Marley, the nephew of Jacob Marley, who had inherited his wealth, is walking through the corridors of the Marley Memorial Workhouse.
The now 68-year-old Tim Cratchit is worried that Marley’s sudden proposal of marriage to his daughter Adelaide has been accepted. Marley’s wife had died of malnutrition, which gives an indication as to the conditions of the children, hidden from the public, in the workhouse. Adelaide’s acceptance of the marriage proposal will, however, not turn out for Marley as he anticipated.
Vaseem Khan, the award-winning author of the Malabar House series, sees in Indian Winter, his main character Persis, India’s first female police detective, collaborating once more with Archie, an English forensic scientist. This time they are investigating and ultimately solving an intriguing locked room murder in a Bombay mansion on Christmas Day, 1950.
Less plausible is the murder motivation in both The Midnight Mass Murderer, although the setting in the English seaside town of Whitby at Christmas provides a suitably dark backdrop, and in Liz Mistry’s Secret Santa, in which the Christmas office party has a deadly outcome.
ACCLAIMED British horror nonfiction and fiction writer, Kim Newman in the novella, A Christmas Ghost Story (Titan Books, $26.99), delivers an initially dark tale of a haunted Christmas. Single mother and selfpublished author Angie Wickings lives with her teenage son Russell, nicknamed Rust, in an isolated cottage in rural Somerset. Their Christmas begins strangely when the first advent calendar chocolate tastes strange and sinister Christmas cards arrive addressed to Rust, known for his Paraphenomena podcasts. As their apprehension increases with each day’s calendar and card, Angie believes that what is happening resembles an episode in a TV series, The Cards, which she says she watched as a child in 1979. This featured a warlock, Mr Rooke, who kills the Spirit of Christmas. Unfortunately, Rust can find no evidence of this television series existing and worries about his mother’s sanity. Strange events increase as “the dark days and long nights” to Christmas shorten. The power goes out in the cottage, Rust begins to decline physically, while the Christmas framework has cruels instead of carols, visits from the Merciless Gentlemen and the Jingle Basterds.
Is their reality being overturned by Angie’s memories, real or unreal? And then a portal to an alternate world opens. Can Angie and Rust escape back to normality before Christmas Day?
Newman certainly keeps the reader’s attention in an intriguing Christmas novella.
Death Comes at Christmas.
A Christmas Ghost Story.
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