CORALIE BRINGS DOWN THE CURTAIN
Well written, well read
Dutton channels Trump: in Canberra, you’re fired!
MICHAEL MOORE
With family and friends like these who needs enemies?
HUGH SELBY Is the golden age of streaming slipping away?
NICK OVERALL Patient-centred care is the focus for family doctor
MARYSE BADAWY’S new practice
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CANBERRANS WITH A STORY / Ian Stehlik
Ian’s long love of guitars never goes out of tune
This is the first of DAVID TURNBULL’s series of profiles on Canberrans with a story. This week, meet guitar tragic Ian Stehlik.
Ian Stehlik and Simon Wilkins share a passion for guitars. Not just what they sound like. What they look like and how they’re made. And the older they are, the better.
Ian and Simon are joint directors at Capital Vintage Guitars – a hobby turned business that sells vintage guitars and amps online.
“The first rudimentary electric guitars appeared in 1932, but acoustic guitars date back to Spain in the 16th century,” Ian says.
“There’s vintage and there’s vintage, of course, and for some time now the major guitar companies have been making modern reissues of their vintage models, but we tend to focus on items made before 1980.”
Ian’s guitar journey started as a teenager in Adelaide in the 1960s when he heard The Beatles and the Rolling Stones on 5KA.
“My dad bought a pub and there was a music shop across the road.
“I walked in there one day and there was a guy named Tony Faehse playing guitar. He had long hair and to a sheltered Adelaide Boys High kid like me that seemed exotic.
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Crossword 27
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Gardening 22
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News 3-13
Politics 4
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“I just loved the sound of the instrument and started lessons the next week.”
At 17, Ian applied for and got an American Field Service Scholarship that took him to San Francisco and then to Wausau in Wisconsin.
“School was a huge culture shock. No uniforms, kids with long hair. And girls!” he says.
“I was billeted with a conservative family like my own, but I always made friends with people who were into the same music as me, music by Elmore James and Muddy Waters.
“We’d jam together and go to shows in Chicago.
“I remember seeing Muddy Waters pull up in a Lincoln Continental one night with all his amps in the back.
“Kids I was in class with had been to Woodstock the previous summer. It was another world and the music of the era filled my head.”
Desperate to buy an electric guitar, Ian mowed lawns on weekends, saved up and bought a Gibson Melody Maker for $140 – an instrument that still looks brand new.
When he returned home, he stopped going to Adelaide Boys High, finished school from home, and then – over the
next 10 years paid his rent by playing in bands with his younger brother, Tom.
Along the way, his passion for guitars broadened.
“It wasn’t just the playing, I wanted to learn how to make guitars sound better, how to do basic repairs. How to look after them,” Ian says.
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He also started dabbling in buying and selling, picking up guitars with minor defects from the classifieds in the local paper and repairing them. With a degree in psychology and a master of business administration, work brought Ian to Canberra in the 1990s.
And that’s when he met Simon Wilkins.
“We played music together and joked about setting up some sort of business trading vintage instruments,” he says.
“It was all just talk back then, but when the kids grew, and left home, we got serious.”
It’s a perfect partnership. Ian knows guitars, and Simon knows amps. Moreover, Simon is an IT professional and got the Capital Vintage Guitars website humming.
“This guitar thing is a lot more than just a hobby,” says Ian.
“Guitar people are a different breed. Of course they play, but they’re interested in lots more – the history of the instruments, who played them, all that stuff.
“Yes, we sell. The real joy, though, is finding old guitars and amps that might be tucked away in cupboards. We become custodians for a time and then find them a new home.
“Matching this guitar with the right person… that’s the most enjoyable thing.
“Matchmaking!”
Journalist David Turnbull is writing a series of profiles about interesting Canberrans. Do you know someone we’ve never heard of? Share the name in an email to David via editor@citynews.com.au
• Wills and Testamentary Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Self-managed
•
Ian Stehlik with his much-loved Gibson Melody Maker… he mowed lawns on weekends, saved up and bought it for $140 and it still looks new. Photo: David Turnbull
POLITICS / Canberra bashing
Dutton channels Trump: in Canberra, you’re fired!
“The streets of Canberra are paved with gold, the public servants all have personal coffee machines, and these ‘fatcats’ only work a few hours a day”. These sorts of statements from politicians were common when we lived in rural SA.
The sentiment remains with just a slight change in the way language is used. Canberra bashing works well in marginal electorates – especially around election time.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is using a modified Trump playbook.
Marginalising South American migrants as scapegoats, does not work so well in Australia, and so his alternative is to hit out at Canberra’s public servants (the migration card is in the hip pocket).
Prime Minister John Howard cut 10,000 federal public servant jobs in each of the three years after being elected in 1996. These cuts had a serious impact on Canberra’s economy.
However, the financial advantage to government was short-lived as consultants were brought in to cover up the loss of public servants and ensure the work was done.
Firing 36,000 public servants, as Peter Dutton has announced, will not only have an impact on Canberra. There are
regional centres, such as Geelong, that are also supported by a federal public service presence. However, the biggest impact will be in Canberra.
The far-flung electorates love it. Of course! Blaming Canberra for the ills of their own electorates makes good sense. It hurts when told that the taxes they are paying are just used to support the “good life” of Canberrans. And they believe it!
Firing public servants is not enough. Dutton is the man to force ”lazy” public servants to work harder. No more working from home. Dutton should understand the lessons learnt from the pandemic about increased productivity with a work-from-home
Canberra bashing is an easy point-scoring exercise anywhere outside of the ACT. For members of the Liberal National Party, it is particularly attractive… but they might wonder then why they do not do so well at election time in the ACT.
option. However, it is not in line with his narrative of being tough on public servants. Being tough on Canberrans.
Shadow public service minister
Senator Jane Hume launched into Canberra public servants at a speech to the conservative think tank Menzies Research Institute.
She argued: “If you accept a job with the Australian public service, I think the taxpayer that is funding that job, would expect you to do that job from the office”.
The work-from-home option is simply implying that Canberra’s public servants use this approach to rort the system. It’s just alternative language to the old description of being a “shiny bum”.
Second hand information and cherry-picking evidence were the hallmarks of her speech. She had been “told stories” of people working
from home full-time but caravanning around Australia with their family. No doubt it was from someone who knew someone who had spoken to another who saw a family in a caravan!
Senator Hume was cherry-picking evidence from a Stanford University report that found (in one instance) a drop in productivity of 20 per cent resulting from a work-at-home policy. However, as reported by the ABC, the researchers also stated: “Studies of hybrid working arrangements often find productivity gains (relative to traditional arrangements) or no discernible effect”.
In an even stronger statement the researchers concluded: “These studies suggest that working from home one or two days a week improves productivity and leads to happier employees”. Happier employees! This seems an anathema to the Coalition when it comes to public servants.
In a “It’s Not a Race 2025” post, independent MP Zali Steggall is quoted as pointing out that Dutton has attended just 42 per cent of the divisions in the federal parliament. Sussan Ley has attended 58 per cent. These people are elected to participate in decision making but do not turn up to vote.
It is the hypocrisy regarding their own productivity and sense of political responsibility that needs to be questioned.
Canberra bashing is an easy point-scoring exercise anywhere outside of the ACT. For members of the Liberal National Party, it is particularly attractive. They no longer have Canberra-based elected representatives from their party in the federal parliament.
This approach is not new. As an MLA a couple of decades ago, I recall exposing then Finance Minister John Fahey, who had made disparaging comments about Canberra in the local Wingecarribee paper about our city.
With the Coalition continuing such Canberra-bashing tactics, they might wonder then why they do not do so well at election time in the ACT.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an in dependent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.
Peter Dutton… has attended just 42 per cent of the divisions in the federal parliament, says independent MP Zali Steggall. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
A second opinion on hearing loss – you need professional advice, not a sales pitch
A woman came into my clinic for a consultation about her hearing aids, telling me her hearing aids were 4 years old and she had never found them to be of much help. She said the salesperson quoted her $14,000 for a pair of hearing aids, however, the monthly special of 20% discount meant they cost her $11,200. So, she ‘only’ paid $11,200 for hearing aids that did not help her. Sadly, I hear this all too often.
Here are some things to do to avoid this type of problem:
1. Visit your GP. If you or someone you know has a problem with their hearing, visiting your GP to check for wax in the ears, and to get advice is a starting point.
2. Qualifications. Always check the qualifications of the person you are dealing with. A person without professional qualifications has no business advising you about your hearing. They need to belong to a professional association with a Code of Conduct, so you know they are acting in your best interests, not their own.
years. If you are not sure about their advice, then seek a second opinion. The wrong hearing aids can be an expensive waste and could lead you to stop wearing them. You should always have a trial of hearing aids to ensure that they are right for you.
6 Pensioners and eligible DVA card holders often have entitlement to free services. If you are covered by a government concession, then let the clinician know (even though your clinician should ask). Eligible clients may obtain free hearing tests, consultations, and free hearing aids (referred to as fully subsidized hearing aids).
“A person without professional qualifications has no business advising you about your hearing. They need to belong to a professional association with a Code of Conduct, so you know they are acting in your best interests, not their own.”
– Dr Vass
These hearing aids are appropriate for many people, however if you have great difficulty hearing in background noise (for example a restaurant), then you may want to consider partially subsidized hearing aids. This is when the government pays a certain amount, and you pay for additional features and benefits. Your decision should be based on the following:
you are dealing with a qualified clinician, then they belong to a professional association. The best contact is an independent complaints body referred to as Ethics Review Committee. You can email ethics@auderc.org.au and view the website www.auderc.org.au. You can make an anonymous complaint and your complaint will be handled in a confidential and professional manner. If you are in the ACT, contact the ACT Human Rights Commission email human rights@act.gov au and the website www.hrc.act.gov.au
3. Independent advice. You should get independent, professional advice.
4. There are a wide range of hearing aids out there. Finding the right hearing aids for your communication needs can be challenging. Hearing aids vary in price and performance. Bluetooth® connectivity and rechargeable hearing aids are available on most hearing aids, along with apps that allow you to control your hearing aids from your mobile device. Be aware that just because a hearing aid is more expensive, that doesn’t mean they are the best hearing aid for you.
5. Just as hearing aids vary in performance, clinicians may also vary in performance due to training, experience, and skills. Make sure that you are comfortable and confident in their advice. You are likely to be with this clinician for the life of your new hearing aids, typically 4 to 5
(a) Can you afford the more expensive hearing aids? Don’t go into financial stress if you can’t afford them. (b) Are you clear on the free vs partially subsidized features & benefits? Never believe someone who tells you the free hearings are not good or of poor performance, this is simply not true. (c) If you try the partially subsidized hearing aids and are not happy, then return them. Do not keep hearing aids because you think the failure is yours or that you will improve over time. If the hearing aids are not working for you in the trial period, then they will not work for you in a year or two.
7. If you have a complaint, then seek help. Your clinician should be able to help you through most of your needs. Sometimes, a problem may be beyond the expertise of even the best clinician. However, if you have a complaint there are things you can do. If
FREIBURG BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
Locals welcome at Parkinson’s national conference
People living with Parkinson’s, carers and healthcare professionals of the ACT are welcome at the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference, April 6-8 at the National Convention Centre. Organisers describe the conference as “a rare opportunity” to learn from international and local experts about the latest in Parkinson’s wellness, research and treatments.
There are three international keynote speakers: Prof Roger Barker (UK), a leading expert in cell and gene therapy; Dr Laurie Mischley (US), a pioneer in data-driven interventions for living well with Parkinson’s, and Richelle Flanagan (Ireland), co-founder of The Women’s Parkinson’s Project, focusing on gender-specific issues. Register at parkinsons.org.au/ conference/
Fete ‘for everyone’
The Majura Primary School Parents and Citizens Association is hosting its Autumn Fete in the school grounds in Knox Street, Watson, noon-4pm, on Saturday, March 15, with proceeds used for upgrades to the naturescapes play area, new shade sails for the kitchen garden and enrichment programs, such as hatching chicks, at the preschool. Organisers are promising “something for everyone”, including music, second hand stalls,
Times has sold its soul to the gambling industry
Splashed beneath the famous Canberra Times masthead of Sunday, March 9, is a huge gambling ad:
“bet 365
ODDS DRIFT PROTECTOR, Every Race, Every Day. If the price at the jump is greater than the price you took, you’ll be paid out at the bigger odds.”
Then to give it a modicum of relevance it says, “Canberra Cup”. There’s lots of small print, but you get the message: The Canberra Times has sold its soul to the gambling industry.
It gets worse. You open it only to find it on page two – and it stretches into a massive ad across two pages both sides, back and front. It flags the death knell of the paper after Alexander Murray sold his four-page Federal Capital Pioneer to Thomas Mitchell Shakespeare and his four sons who produced its first issue of The Canberra Times on September 3, 1926. It pains me deeply, as I’m sure it similarly affects all those former colleagues who toiled beneath the masthead to bring genuine news and heartfelt views to its distinguished readership. It saddens me that it happened on the watch of current – and
I suspect the last – managing editor John-Paul Moloney. He was a thoroughly likeable bloke
It pains me deeply, as I’m sure it similarly affects all those former colleagues who toiled beneath the masthead to bring genuine news and heartfelt views to its distinguished readership.
and a fine young sports reporter on the Canberra Times in the years I was there from 1990 to 2003. By then I had been associate editor since May 20, 1999 after founding the role of arts editor, becoming a Page 3 columnist, running a heritage page and regularly writing leaders (editorials).
That’s when I was suddenly terminated, along with Crispin Hull, then deputy editor and Ian Sharpe, the excellent illustrator-cumcartoonist. I was told I wasn’t sacked, but the position of associate editor was no more so I should collect my things and depart. It was the same for Crispin and Ian. It was the first squeeze by then
owners Rural Press in the gradual strangling of the paper’s lungs by a fierce combination of managerial incompetence in the face of a technological revolution.
Sunday, March 9 is not the final physical edition; that will follow its death throes of some mixed online and paper productions, but nothing will be the same after surrendering its ethics to the gambling industry.
That ethical link is the lifeline of any publication in the news business and once broken can never be fully restored.
Some felt it was stretched almost to breaking point with the forest of trees devoted to the advertising of a furniture business that, without explanation, declined to return the government funding during the pandemic.
But that, apparently, was insuf-
ficient to keep the presses rolling, so when the Furies came calling, the Canberra Cup provided the starting gun for that fatal next step, for Every Race, Every Day.
In another bailiwick it might have succeeded, but Canberrans have signalled time and again that they want fewer gambling ads on their media, not more, and certainly not a four-page wraparound in the Canberra Times.
Similarly, most of their columnists, I imagine, will be desperately seeking some formula to avoid withdrawing their talent from the ramshackle remains of a once great newspaper.
“We have to pay the bills,” they will say. “It’s not our fault if the managers do what’s necessary to keep the paper going.”
Good luck with that. At least you will have a front stall seat for the final rites.
robert@robert macklin.com
The front page of March 9… Nothing will be the same after surrendering its ethics to the gambling industry, writes Robert Macklin.
LEGAL OPINION / clinical forensic medicine
Family and friends like these, who needs enemies?
Canberra is well served by the Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care Centre (FAMSAC) at the Canberra Hospital, Woden.
Any person with concerns about a sexual encounter within the previous five days can be referred, at any time of the day or night, for expert and compassionate medical care.
Those aged 14 or under will be referred to the Paediatric Forensic Medical Service, also at the Canberra Hospital.
The care will include treatment and evaluation of any injuries, voluntary forensic collection of samples that may be useful for any police investigation, medication that may be necessary for possible HIV, sexually transmitted disease, post intercourse contraception, and, if necessary, referral to other service providers
Clinical forensic medicine (CFM) extends beyond allegations of sexual assault. These skills are needed to assess and interpret non-fatal injuries suffered during domestic violence, or assaults that occur, for example, at pubs, schools, road rage, in melees and robberies.
While privacy and confidentiality have always been a part of CFM, the data about their patients means that it is now possible to interrogate that de-identified data and publish useful
reports that will help better understanding of behaviour and, hopefully, influence good policy development.
Between 2023 and 2025 reports written by local ACT experts (published in the Sexually Transmitted Infections Journal, Emergency Medicine Australasia, and the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine) have covered these topics (paraphrased):
• The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among those reporting unwanted sex.
• Do male victims who report sexual assault then continue to criminal trials?
• The prevalence of non-fatal strangulation in non-sexual assault cases.
• Signs, symptoms and injuries such as black eye and other injuries seen with non-fatal strangulation.
The offer of STI testing is accepted by almost everyone who comes to FAMSAC.
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Most male victims of sexual assault don’t have their case heard. Of 138 audited reports by males, only 30 per cent went to the police. Of those, 80 per cent never made it to court. Of those that did, the conviction rate was a bit over 60 per cent.
The data collected over 18 years looked at 1900 patients. Of these, at initial testing, 5 per cent had chlamydia, while gonorrhoea was found in less than 0.5 per cent. There are two follow ups, one after some weeks, and the other at three months. This showed treatment to be effective, though chlamydia was still present in some cases (notably among those aged 15 -29).
Most male victims of sexual assault, even after attending FAMSAC, do not have their case heard in the criminal justice system; 138 reports by males between 2004 and 2022 were audited. Only 30 per cent of those who attended then went on to report to police. Of those, 80 per cent never made it to court. Of those few that did make it to court the conviction rate was a bit over 60 per cent.
These results should not surprise. The angst, embarrassment and
humiliation that is part and parcel of giving evidence to strangers about a sexual experience is well reported among female complainants. Those feelings are no less among male reporters of unwanted sexual acts.
Those who don’t beat up their partners or others at home might be surprised to learn how often these assaults include strangulation, aka choking.
Between 2018 and 2022 ACT police referred 315 non-sexual assault cases to CFM. Of these, a staggering 170 included strangulation, that’s more than 50 per cent. Among these 170, around 40 per cent thought that they might die.
The stranglers were nearly all male, 60 per cent being the current partner, 20 per cent being a former partner and 10 per cent a family member. Nearly 50 per cent of them used two hands. In nearly 30 per cent of cases one or more children were present when the strangling took place.
And the strangler is more likely than not to do it more than once.
Given the number of family violence deaths, and the element of chance that separates the non-fatal from the fatal strangling, the propensity to do it
again is frightening.
Turning to eye injury, the thin, clear membrane that covers the inside of your eyelid and the white of your eye is called the conjunctiva. Injury to it and to the eyelid, commonly recognised as a “black eye”, has been studied in 85 non-sexual assault victims who were part of a larger cohort of 315 patients examined by CFM.
As well as the “black eye”, patients may also have other injuries to the eye and the eye socket. The cause of the “black eye”, being blunt force (for example, from a fist) may have longterm complications such as cataract and glaucoma for the victim.
Among those “black eye” victims around half had been non-fatally strangled (this time). This means that the attacker has so lost control that “he” (in nearly all cases) both strangles his victim and punches their head in the eye region.
With family and friends like these there is no need for enemies.
Hugh Selby is a former bar rister and the CityNews legal columnist.
“Black eye” patients may also have other injuries to the eye and the eye socket.
‘I strive to individualise and deliver care and medicine that is unique to the person.’
Family doctor’s sharp focus is patient-centred care
Canberra Family Health Centre’s founder is Associate Professor Dr Maryse Badawy, whose medical passion has taken her across the globe, now she is focusing her skills and expertise at a new practice in Canberra.
While her three older brothers and father pursued careers in finance, she broke the family tradition and followed her dreams in medicine.
“I am a clinician at heart, and I am a people person,” says Associate Professor Badawy.
“I believe in being thorough and taking the time to get to know my patients and their needs.”
Awarded a Bachelor of Medicine, a Bach elor of Surgery, a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine and a Masters in Family Medicine, Dr Badawy has practised nationally and internationally for many years.
While working in Hong Kong, Dr Badawy was conferred Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in the Discipline Family Medicine.
“It is exciting to set up a practice with protocols at all levels of general medicine, both administrative and clinical,” she says.
At her Deakin clinic, her status as Principal gives her not only clinical responsibilities, but also sees her overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice, including staff management, financial oversight and compliance with regulations, ensuring continuity of treatment and managing long term patient care while upholding ethical medical practice standards.
“Although at times challenging, I enjoy the satisfaction of being involved at all levels of running a medical practice, building and shaping according to patient and societal needs,” she says.
Beyond her passion for family medicine, Dr Badawy thrives on being a mentor for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate medical students.
relationships with new patients.
“It is really heartwarming to see patients relax knowing that I have a commitment to them.”
“I enjoy imparting experience and knowledge to students and newly graduated doctors who wish to further their education by attaining their Fellowship examination,” she says.
“I believe in not only teaching students, but also mentoring them, to teach them the special atmosphere of a doctor-patient relationship, which plays a pivotal role in managing the patient’s illness.”
“I am thrilled when I meet up with a young medical professional whom I taught and mentored during their undergraduate years.”
Dr Badawy says her favourite part of
“I want to be a doctor and a mentor who can contribute to treating, consoling, comforting, reassuring and supporting both patients and students alike.”
“Trust is a key foundation to the doctorpatient relationship,” she says.
“It is a privilege knowing you’re trusted and that patients can come to you.”
At Canberra Family Health Centre, Dr Badawy says she likes to take her time to fully understand her patients and their needs.
“At Canberra Family Health Centre, we treat the whole person and cater to their
their doctor taking the time to explain complex medical procedures and processes, and providing the knowledge that will improve their quality of life.”
Proud to have cared for four generations of the same family, including children she helped deliver who brought their own children to her as patients, Dr Badawy recognises the individuality of each patient.
“I strive to individualise and deliver care and medicine that is unique to the person.”
“Patient-centered care is incredibly important to me, no two people are the same.”
Dr Badawy says she believes in contributing in any way that she can to the next generation of doctors, her patients and the broader community.
18 months ago, she says although she misses her students and former patients, she doesn’t regret being closer to her family.
“You never regret your experiences, because you’ve learned from them.”
“I have moved on and I hope to establish the same experience with a new group of people and have the same sort of interaction with Canberrans as I had in Gold Coast.
“I would like Canberrans to know that I have their backs, that I am here for them and their entire family.
“I utilise available resources, including pathology, radiological investigations, and allied health services, to support patient care and manage their conditions effectively.
“I draw upon the expertise of specialists to assist in addressing their conditions.
from daily interactions with patients,” she says, “I have had the privilege of rejoicing with my patients whilst sharing their happiness and successes, and crying with them when sharing their sadnesses and crises,
“My day is made when a five or six-yearold tugs at my stethoscope and says, ‘Hello, Dr Badawy!’ and asks to hold my hand as I walk the family to the consulting room.
“Patients (young and old) are like you and me, they reciprocate empathy, commitment and the love they are shown.”
Dr Badawy is taking new patients at her new practice, the Canberra Family Health Centre, Peter Yorke Building, Suite 6, Level 3, 173 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Call 5133 7112 or visit cfhc.com.au
Consulting Hours Monday to Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
We are closed on Saturdays and Public Holidays
Principal Practitioner Associate Professor Dr Maryse Badawy at her new Deakin clinic… “It is really heartwarming to see new patients relax knowing that I have a commitment to them.”
/ Coralie Wood
Coralie brings the curtain down on Canberra
By Helen MUSA
One of Canberra’s most flamboyant personalities is about to bid farewell to her adopted home.
Coralie Wood, famous for her flaming red hair and her fluttering fake eyelashes, is also known as the queen of Canberra’s publicists, one whose exploits in hosting personalities such as Roy Orbison and Sir Les Patterson have been chronicled in the Ginninderra Press book, Floating in Foyers: Coralie Wood Lashes Out, by Maria Glyn-Daniel.
Wood’s skills as a raconteur are legendary and stories such as the one about accommodating actress Shirley Maclaine and her admirer, the late politician Andrew Peacock, are just some of her prize yarns.
She was also beloved of journalists, always taking care of them royally with hospitality and interview opportunities as if they were part of her brood.
Born Coralie Cohen, she was part of a Russian Jewish family, raised in Melbourne, and schooled at MLC. She trod the boards as a child actor and musician star when she was
small, but arrived in Canberra as a housewife married to an RAAF officer in the late 1960s with two young children, Shani and Arron, in tow. While settling into life as an Air Force wife, Wood quickly made contacts in the Canberra theatre scene and, at age 34, got the role of the redheaded bridesmaid in a production of Jack Hibberd’s play Dimboola. That was the source of her trademark hairdo, styled by hairdresser-to-thestars Charles Oliver, later a lifelong friend and travelling companion.
Wood and British-born theatre identity Jim Hutchins, who had played the MC in Dimboola, picked up the show as a commercial proposition, formed the Wood Hutchins Organisation (later Super Flak) and turned it into a cult success.
In 1976, Wood Hutchins was offered an office in the Canberra Theatre Centre by founding director Terry Vaughan, who became her mentor and advised her that the way to program theatre was to “have three good shows then have your wank”.
This was a golden period for Wood, who was taught the ropes by Vaughan. He also introduced her to the movers and shakers in Australian showbiz, most notably to circus and ballet entrepreneur Michael Edgeley, with whose family company she still enjoys a professional role.
While at the theatre centre, she introduced popular lunches featuring guest artists, something she would continue long after she left Canberra Theatre.
After Vaughan’s retirement, Wood and Hutchins were offered an office in London Circuit as well as the contract to operate the ticketing agency Canberra Bass.
Wood cemented her place in the community, and still occasionally performed, including at the Queanbeyan School of Arts Cafe, where she played in the autobiographical show, Eyes Wide Shuttered.
But she had other plans in mind.
She and actor/theatre agent Kate Peters got together in 1994 to found the Canberra Area Theatre Awards – the CATs – which highlighted amateur theatre productions in Canberra’s immediate region and is still going in 2025.
After Peters left for the Gold Coast, Wood became the undisputed monarch of the CATS which, although never supported by the ACT government, picked up considerable funding
under the watch of former deputy premier of NSW John Barilaro.
In 2008 Wood was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the entertainment industry in the ACT.
In recent years she has experienced a variety of health problems and her capacity to carry out major publicity projects has waned.
With her extended family living down south she has decided to relocate to a Jewish aged-care facility in Caulfield, Melbourne. She tried it out recently and enjoyed the colourful characters, the good cuisine and the activities, which she reports included “kosher exercise classes”, performed seated.
As Wood packs out of her Deakin home for a March 19 departure, she’s busy deciding how much of her memorabilia to take with her to Caulfield.
It will be the end of an era for Canberra theatre-lovers but the beginning of a new era of fun for Canberra’s – and Australia’s – most enduring theatre publicist.
As a sign off, Wood says: “I want people in Canberra to know how much they took to me and involved me… it always felt like home here.”
Coralie Wood would be pleased to hear from old friends at her new email, coraliewood1940@gmail.com
Coralie Wood… “I want people in Canberra to know how much they took to me and involved me… it always felt like home here.” Photo: Graham Tidy
Journey through six decades of the Mint’s history ROYAL
The Royal Australian Mint is celebrating 60 years of history with the Mint60 Exhibition, which takes visitors on a journey from the Mint’s humble beginnings as a sheep paddock to its $6.5 million museum refurbishment in 2024.
The exhibition offers the opportunity to learn about the Mint’s architect, Richard Ure, who also designed Canberra’s iconic Black Mountain Tower.
Visitors can unearth secrets of the Mint and discover why the solid rock encountered during excavation turned out to be an unexpected benefit.
Among the rare historic photos is one of Prince Philip opening the Mint on February 22, 1965.
The Duke of Edinburgh was presented with a Year Set, which he gifted back so it could be displayed in the Museum. There is also a photo of Queen Elizabeth II inspecting machinery at the Mint in 1970.
The museum showcases never-before-seen coins from the National Coin Collection, which includes the Beauty, Rich & Rare –Daintree Rainforest $100 Coloured Gold Proof Domed Coin and the Australian Rainforest Cassowary $200 Gold Proof Coin.
Also on display are beautifully designed medallions and tokens, including the National Antarctic Research Expedition Bronze Medallion and WWF for Nature, Western Swamp Tortoise Token.
The robot featured in the Mint60 Exhibition was affectionately named Roxie by the Mint’s coin-packing team in 2004. Roxie picked and packed coins using a camera to ensure they were facing the right way. Able to run day and night, Roxie was retired in 2021.
The Mint60 Exhibition is on until May 11.
The Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin, ramint.gov.au, call 1300 652 020, email hello@ramint.gov.au
From grazing to minting
It made sense for the Mint to be built in the Nation’s Capital.
Initially, the preferred site was on the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and King Edward Terrace, near the Treasury Department, but this site was deemed unsuitable due to unstable seismic refraction.
The site where Parliament House now stands was also considered, but Treasury settled on the Deakin site, which was then a sheep paddock, after assuring residents that there would be no smoke, noxious fumes or noise.
During construction, solid rock was encountered in the basement and main vault excavations, which actually helped secure the vaults.
It was 38ºC when His Royal Highness Prince Philip officially opened the Royal Australian Mint on February 22, 1965.
Despite the heat, 600 people attended the event. Prince Philip struck a coin using one of the Mint’s presses and was presented with a Year Set containing all six new decimal coins. He gifted the set back to the Mint so it could be displayed in the Museum, which is where it remains today.
Free entry, open 7 days Denison St, Deakin ACT 1300 652 020 | ramint.gov.au
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, presses the first coin at the opening of the Royal Australian Mint (1965). Photo: National Archives of Australia
Sheep grazing in front of the Royal Australian Mint (c. 1965)... residents were assured there would be no smoke, noxious fumes or noise from the new building.
Tight aged care in Canberra ‘not fit for purpose’
I
can’t be the only person trying to find respite care for an aged parent in Canberra!
During the last fortnight my nearly 96-year-old mother has fallen twice in her bathroom (despite using a support frame) because her legs “just gave way”.
Mum fortunately has an alert pendant. She remained lying on the floor after passing out and waited for help from an ambulance for more than two hours.
Her family arrived before the ambulance and agreed with paramedics that she be taken to hospital to be “checked over”.
After a blood test, but no further investigative tests, she spent a very cold and uncomfortable night in emergency. As a consequence of these falls mum’s health, confidence and physical abilities have dramatically declined.
She can’t be left alone during the day or night, because she can’t get to the bathroom on her own, can’t make a cup of tea, can’t cook/reheat a meal and is terrified of being left alone.
The family have rallied and extra care services have been put in place to cover the many hours of care she needs. The family discussed the need for respite care and one option offered up was the Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre in Rivett, which is run by the Salvation Army and able to admit her for three weeks so that a long-time planned family holiday could go ahead.
During the admissions process we
were told that Burrangiri was to be closed because the ACT government classified the facility as “unfit for purpose” (Burrangiri is more than 30 years old).
The staff who operate the Salvation Army administered care home are dedicated to their patients and the level of care is exemplary. My question is, when Burrangiri is bulldozed, what will replace it? Where will the people searching for extremely hard-to-find respite care find an appropriate service?
Every facility (on a two-page list) that you contact for respite care is already at 95 per cent capacity and available rooms are as
scarce as hen’s teeth. Combine these factors with the 12-18 month wait for ACAT Home Care Packages the aged-care situation in Canberra is in a catastrophic state and most definitely not fit for purpose.
Carole Ford, Conder
Genuine love and caring from the staff
I read with horror a letter in CityNews last month bemoaning the forthcoming closure of Burrangiri Respite Centre. The letter
QUALITY AUSTRALIAN HEMP PRODUCTS
spoke of a lack of political empathy, true, but I will speak from experience.
I have used four different respite places since moving to Canberra for medical reasons, including one in Broulee. I must add that Banksia Gardens was a pleasant place with good services and staff.
I once had to use a respite place in Isaacs.
Then there were LDK and Burrangiri. The latter, Burrangiri, was outstanding. All others were left behind in their dust.
Nowhere else was the feeling of genuine resident love and caring from the staff, who always chatted and laughed amongst themselves, obviously happy to work there.
It was a lovely place, and nowhere else could I have been better looked after and cared for. The meals served were always varied and excellent for those in an institution type of premise.
The people making this decision have no understanding of the service value Burrangiri provides.
Noel Smart, Canberra
Light rail cost down to the millimetre
The three articles in CN (The tramcars that ate Canberra, February 27) talked about $577 million for stage 2a of the Light Rail project, plus $81.5 million for raising London Circuit.
These are figures that are hard to comprehend.
For the 1.7 kilometres of the project that equals $387,352 per metre of completed
Concerns
infrastructure or $387.35 per millimetre.
Barry Peffer, via email
Unplug
your ears on the tram’s black hole
Bravo CityNews for such a collection of articles and letters decrying the light rail travesty (The tramcars that ate Canberra, February 27). Coincidently, during the same week, even the Canberra Times was questioning the economics of the tram.
The reality is that the majority of Canberrans do not want stage 2b to Woden, according to the paper’s Insider’s Reader’s Panel.
Maybe, just maybe, the Barr government might unplug its ears on this financial black hole.
Max Flint, co-ordinator, Smart Canberra Transport
Light rail money could have gone further
Michael Attwell (letters, CN March 13) makes a good point when lamenting the waste of public funds going into light rail when it could be better used expanding sporting venues. Indeed, we can think of many alternative uses for these funds, not just sporting venues.
Our dragway supporters have been backfiring over the loss of their hot-rod strip for decades, but remain focused.
John Lawrence via email
about the growth of public debt
As a monetary economist, I have had growing concerns about the growth of public debt of the Australian states and federal government. Government expenditure is increasingly taking the form of borrowing, which is not being repaid.
Government debt increases to the point where the government(s) are unable to pay the interest from tax revenue, given other expenditures, and have to resort to borrowing to pay the interest.
From that point, the size of borrowing will rapidly compound. The states will then resort to the federal government for help. The federal government can only print money to pay. But not forever. The outcome will be, as Keynes said, would be to “debauch the currency”.
Inflation then becomes hyper-inflation as long as the financial superstructure, banks and so-on, continues to exit.
But often after that the currency ceases to have any value. Money supply collapses because the financial system locks up and can no longer issue new credit, and commerce comes to a standstill because most goods are shipped on credit.
In turn incomes decline precipitously, and shortly after, tax revenues drop to zero. With financial institutions wiped out, governments have no ability to continue borrowing or print money to finance deficits.
As banks have gone, electronic money disappears. Government can’t print paper money because it cannot buy the paper. Government will be unable to pay anybody, even the armed forces.
As Dmitry Orlov said in his book, The Five Stages of Collapse, society collapses as people cannot buy food, farmers cannot buy fuel to harvest their crops, and there is general starvation. Armed gangs roam around, each claiming legitimacy.
This has happened to several countries in the past few years.
Can this trend be reversed? Unlikely. Aside from default (actually not a bad idea), government debt would have to be reduced. But there is no will or intention to do this.
Readers of this letter need to take intelligent precautions. The inhabitants of many countries where
this has happened have resorted to using US dollar notes for exchange. Society may continue to exist, though at a much-reduced level. Their governments have ceased, and they remain dependent on foreign aid, yes in US dollars, to minimally exist.
Tim Walshaw, Watson
Bus figures came from the ACT government
Columnist Mike Quirk (“Bloody minded politics is what’s driving the tram”, CN March 4) says that a consultant concluded that bus rapid transport would be half the cost of light rail, bring roughly twice the profit and produce the same development along the route. It was actually the ACT government that concluded that a single bus rapid transit route would cost less than half as much as light rail, would provide twice the bang-for-buck, and would provide 92% of the benefits of light rail. The government made those conclusions in its August 2012 “City to Gungahlin Transit Corridor –Infrastructure Australia Project Submission.”
Leon Arundell, Downer
Thank you, Memory Walk supporters
I extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the community of Canberra for their participation and support of our 2025 Memory Walk & Jog. It was wonderful to see the community of Canberra rally in support of people living with dementia, their families and carers.
The February 23 event at Lake Burley Griffin was a success, with the community helping to raise $240,000. These funds will help us provide invaluable support services, education and resources for all Australians impacted by dementia, including the 6100 people living in the ACT.
It was also great to see everyone getting active for their brain health, one of the key things we can all do to help lower our risk of dementia.
Prof Tanya Buchanan, CEO, Dementia Australia
dose of dorin
LETTERS / 2
Behaviour on buses goes unchecked
Regular users of Canberra’s bus system would have been witness to some disgraceful behaviour on Canberra’s buses which largely goes unchecked.
On a recent Monday evening, I was on an R5 bus heading to Tuggeranong from Civic that was held up at the Woden Interchange while police boarded the bus to interview young louts.
They had smashed a window on another bus then quickly changed buses, presumably to try and avoid being apprehended.
On my bus, a large group of young people created an absolute racket at the back of the bus which made things very uncomfortable for other passengers.
The driver was clearly most unhappy about their behaviour but not in a position to stop the bus on busy Adelaide Avenue.
I have observed that ever since Action stopped talking cash during covid and subsequently when the government made bus travel free during the MyWay trial period, the behaviour of many adolescent passengers has worsened considerably.
Drivers have told me they receive little support from Transport Canberra to take action and clearly the court response is so weak that the offenders are not deterred.
This anti-social behaviour would discourage some people from bus travel.
On the driver front, it also seems apparent to me that Action places little, if any, importance on including basic communica -
tion skills and thoughtful driving practices with new recruit training.
There was a time when they were nearly all very friendly and drove safely. It is supposed to be a customer service job, after all.
Colin Lyons, Weetangera
I’m not cheering for Sam Kerr, either
I agree wholeheartedly with Declan Mcgrath’s comments (letters, CN February 27) about our Matilda’s captain, Sam Kerr.
What a disgraceful young woman this episode of her behaviour had been and thank goodness the media coverage has given us a good account of what happened.
The TV coverage of her in the Twickenham police station afterwards, slouching on the seat as if she had no manners at all, disgraced herself, her position and Australian sport in general.
If this is the sort of person Australians are supposed to support, then I’m out. Have her sacked immediately, I don’t want to see her face again.
Bronwyn Halbisch, via email
Liberals need to speak up and be counted
Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley recently talked up her party’s lead ACT Senate candidate for the 2025 federal election and indicated that “the candidates we have” are “excited” for an election date to be called.
At that stage preselection of only one lower house candidate had taken place, for the southern electorate of Bean. By the beginning of March the local Liberals had announced two more candidates who will be standing in the electorates of Canberra and Fenner.
The nomination of the Bean candidate, who has enjoyed significant lead campaign time since December, was accompanied by a public Liberal Party CV-style statement that does not mention that this candidate is both a board member and a leading “Distinct Marker”, which is a person “of reverence” and “courage”, at the Vision Church in Fyshwick, an institution whose strong belief statements suggest that, inter alia, it does not recognise or support same-sex marriage .
ACT Liberal representatives have exhibited a very long and poor voting record at both the federal and local parliamentary levels when support is expected and required for territory rights and other key social, human rights and health-related reforms that would benefit constituents.
Hopefully all ACT federal election candidates, particularly key Liberal ones and those belonging to conservative minor parties, will be far more forthcoming and open with voters about their background, past and current paid and unpaid positions, and personal interests.
Voters deserve to know whether candidates would support any socially conservative Coalition representatives, such as SA’s Liberal senator Alex Antic and Queensland’s LNP senator Matt Canavan, in
Dutton’s nuclear solution won’t deliver
Does John L Smith understand modern power conversion technology, or the proposed “nuclear solution” (Letters, CN March 6)?
The Dutton nuclear proposal will NOT provide 38 per cent of energy needs, even if it were available now, let alone in 2040 when it might become available.
The proposed five full-scale nuclear reactors (at around 1GW each) plus two SMRs (at around 0.5GW each) starting in 2037 and 2035 respectively, would produce just 6GW of nuclear energy. Just one of these might be built by the 2040s.
Mr Smith says “There are many questions about the proposed grid forming inverter technology” and uses the term “synchronous generators” without seeming to understand what that actually means.
In fact, it is possible (and happening right now) that inverter technology can create synthetic P-f characteristics far stronger than any existing rotating machines such as those driven by nuclear or existing coal. Lastly, he says cooling water would be recycled, but contradicts this by saying that the water usage would be “about the same” as that used in the coal-fired plants being replaced.
In cooling tower technology, a lot of water is lost through evaporation. Is it recycled, or lost? We all need accurate information so we can make the right decisions.
Fiona Colin, Malvern East, Victoria
The answer is blowing in the wind
John L Smith (letters CN, March 6) states “38 per cent of Australia’s energy needs” could come from nuclear power plants. He is evidently a staunch supporter of nuclear reactors to generate base-load power. That is theoretically true, but there are serious practical problems in its implementation.
Mr Smith does not mention the cost, which Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has inferred would be met by his government – ie Australian taxpayers – were he to win the forthcoming election.
The CSIRO, with input from the Australian Energy Market Operator, found that building a large-scale
nuclear power plant in Australia would cost at least $8.5 billion, take 15 years, and would produce electricity at about twice the cost of renewables.
Mr Dutton’s plan is to build six nuclear power plants, although Premier David Crisafulli has said he will not agree to the building of the Callide and Tarong nuclear power plants in Queensland.
Nuclear power for Australia is simply too expensive and too slow if we hope to make any impression on emissions and prevent the worst effects of unabated global heating.
Extreme weather events, such Tropical Cyclone Alfred with its powerful winds, torrential rain, and devastating floods, are becoming more common and could be the harbingers of truly catastrophic weather events.
Do we still have sufficient time to avert such dire threats? The answer is blowing in the wind.
Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
Turning housing into an investment industry
Again, a letter writer blames the Albanese government for the national housing crisis (“Cost of living election, bring it on, Albo”, CN March 6).
Responsibility for housing is shared between national, state and local governments, with the last two being responsible for the operational aspects.
The Albanese government has distributed billions of dollars under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement to state and local governments to boost supply, spent millions under the Rent Assistance programs easing costs for tenants, and boosted TAFE sector funding to train more tradesmen.
The Howard government accentuated the crisis by halving the capital gains tax in 1999. Coupled with negative gearing concessions, this decision encouraged first-time investors into the market, and established investors to buy up more property.
In effect, Coalition tax policies over many years turned housing into an investment industry. How can the Albanese government be expected to quickly rectify the situation?
Bill Bowron, via
their regular and obsessive social-control crusades that seek to interfere in and turn back the clock on progress made not just in the ACT but elsewhere on matters relating to citizens’ private decision-making about their own lives.
Sue Dyer, Downer
Were life so simple as letter writers suggest
John L Smith and Paul Ross (letters, CN February 27) seem to think that religion (Christianity, in particular) and “family fidelity” are all that are needed to ensure Australia’s future.
Centuries-old religious upheaval in the Middle East isn’t helping Australian Jews or Muslims feel secure and part of the wider community.
Nor do some of our leading families set a good example with one former Australian making headlines for seeking to dispossess three of his four children from their share of the family’s multi-million dollar media empire. Millions of families give love and do their very best for their children, just as millions of religious faithful live lives of decency and compassion, yet in so many cases they suffer from the sins of others, sometimes horribly so while the sinners often go unpunished, even prosper.
Were life only so simple as Messrs Smith and Ross suggest, regardless of God’s apparent lack of concern.
Eric Hunter, Cook
Pre-loved fashion sale
The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast is hosting a sale of pre-loved fashion at the Shine Dome, Acton, with a drinks-andnibbles launch on Friday, March 14 (5pm-8pm, $30, tickets via Humantix)
Calling model makers
The Canberra Model Shipwrights Society has a standing invitation for anyone (experienced or a beginner) who enjoys model making, particularly ships, to join one of its monthly meetings in the community room at the Uniting Church, Conley Drive, Melba, 10am-noon, on the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is March 18.
Stories from Nepal
Sally Eldridge will share inspiring stories and adventures from her three-weeks of trekking in Nepal at the next lunch meeting of the Gungahlin Day View Club at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club, Nicholls, from 11.30am, March 26. Lunch cost is $35 and visitors and interested ladies are welcome.
Health, wealth and wisdom… it’s all about seniors
In 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistic (ABS) found about 4.2 million people (roughly 16 percent of Australia’s total population) were aged 65 or over. Canberra has a wealth of experts catering to seniors. From law advice, pain care and renovation help, here are some experts that have Australia’s 16 per cent covered.
Cost-effective health services for fatigue and chronic pain
Offering low-cost exercise programs, including tai chi, chair yoga, pilates, hydrotherapy and strength/balance classes, Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey says their services have steadily grown in response to the needs of the community.
“In this cost-of-living crisis, it is our mission to ensure that Canberrans have the opportunity for quality health care that is affordable,” she says.
Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT provides a hub of information and services for anyone living with a condition that leads to chronic pain or debilitating fatigue.
“The lovely thing about our classes in particular is the people attending them become friends,” says Rebecca.
“Many of our clients came to us very socially isolated, and they then find people with similar issues to themselves that they can talk to.
“We have pool groups that now meet for breakfast after their early morning exercise sessions and strength/balance groups that go out and celebrate each other’s birthdays, support each other through loss, and some even holiday together!”
Rebecca says it’s important to know that clients aren’t required to have a fatiguing condition or a doctor’s referral to access the services.
“That’s why we exist.”
“We have a lot of people who come to us for things such as ongoing rehabilitation and some come because they know they need support to improve their general health and wellbeing,” she says.
Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au
Renovation Matters offers transformational renovations that add the biggest
and value when
your
If you are not selling, we can help you renovate to meet your specific requirements!
Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey.
MEET OUR PAIN MANAGEMENT EXPERTS
Emil Terbio – Exercise Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist Emil comes to us with a wealth of physiotherapy experience and knowledge from the public hospital system and also private practice. Emil works closely with our team of Exercise Physiologists on a coordinated approach to improving your pain and overall wellbeing. Emil has a special interest in neurology and improving the lives of people living with neurological conditions. He’s also mad keen on soccer and will support you with all sports related injuries and injury prevention.
Sophie Bullock – Exercise Physiologist
Sophie has post graduate qualifications in hydrotherapy, and as a non-sports centred Exercise Physiologist, helps clients who struggle with engaging in exercise due to a lack of sports participation. Sophie’s goal is to improve clients health via our hydrotherapy program, gym instruction and in-home visits. Sophie also is known for her passion for working with children.
Sarah Solano – Exercise Physiologist
Sarah believes that exercise is the best medicine. She is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with her degree in exercise physiology and rehabilitation. Previously Sarah was a swim teacher, personal trainer and an allied health assistant in the hydrotherapy field.
Jarrod Phillips – Exercise Physiologist
Jarrod is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who graduated from the University of Canberra in 2024.
He has a passion for wanting to help those in need and aims to provide the best possible treatment and advice to each and every one of his clients.
Blake Dean – Exercise Physiologist
Blake has expertise in improving clients mobility and decreasing their pain through appropriate exercise. Blake delivers our ‘My Exercise’ program, targeting the relief of lower back and sciatic pain, shoulder and upper body concerns as well as leg, hip and ankle interventions – for those who do not qualify for physiotherapy-led GLAD programs. Blake provides individual & group exercise for younger people with a disability. Blake treats clients in-clinic or via our hydrotherapy program as well as attending your gym with you.
Jacqui Couldrick – Physiotherapist
Jacqui has a particular interest in hip and knee osteoarthritis. Jacqui delivers the GLAD program designed to reduce the need for joint replacements, or if a joint replacement is unavoidable, to prepare you thoroughly for surgery and recovery for day to day tasks. Jacqui is studying towards a PhD in the outcomes of the GLAD program.
Holly Hazlewood – Exercise Physiologist
Holly is a former sports journalist who believed so strongly in the power of exercise to heal and nurture that she undertook her 4 year degree in Exercise Physiology. Holly is be able to work with people directly to support them through their pain journey and regain independence and a joy for living again. Holly provides one on one and group exercise classes both on land and at our hydrotherapy centres to support people to gain freedom from chronic pain.
• Occupational Therapy – Assistance with the planning and modification of your home, workplace or car. Applications for NDIS, the Disability and Housing Support Pension, and also driving assessments.
• Physiotherapy – including the GLAD program for knee and hip osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, and pain condition support.
• Exercise Physiology – Individual exercise prescriptions, small group classes to increase strength and improve rehabilitation, strength and balance classes, hydrotherapy support.
CELEBRATING SENIORS
The Grove opens up their doors to an extension
Now entering into expansion work, the Grove Ngunnawal Retirement Village is currently in the process of incorporating 45 new two-and three-bedroom premium villas, to grow the village from a 161 to 206 villa precinct.
ACT senior development manager of Keyton Sarah Forbes says the new homes will feature spacious kitchens, equipped with premium stainless-steel appliances, a generous master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and private ensuite, outdoor living with an undercover alfresco for entertainment and is an accessible single-storey living space with ample storage.
The new homes will be ready to move into early 2026.
“The site will also include expansive greenery and a welcoming space, including the restored historic
Homestead, for residents to enjoy,” says Sarah.
“This also includes a clubhouse complete with a library, gym, heated indoor swimming pool, village green and gardens as well as connected walking trails and more.”
Sarah says new residents will have access to The Grove’s existing program of wellbeing events that continues to expand.
“This ensures residents experience the best of retirement living, including a sense of connection, belonging and a vibrant environment that ensures residents thrive.”
The Grove Ngunnawal, 1 Monty Place, Ngunnawal ACT. Call 1800 550550 or visit visitthegrove.com.au
Fixing homes to suit personal needs
Renovation Matters specialises in futureproofing homes by enhancing accessibility for the ageing population, says founder Kim Persson.
Installing grab rails is a key safety measure that provides crucial support at home, allowing for more autonomy.
“Grab rails are beneficial not only for the elderly but also for individuals recovering from temporary injuries and even young children,” Kim says.
“They offer stability when getting in and out of a bath or shower or using the toilet.”
While grab rails are commonly installed in bathrooms, Kim emphasises that they can be placed anywhere in the home, so long as the walls offer adequate support.
However, she stresses the importance of professional installation to prevent potential hazards.
“If not securely fixed, grab rails have the potential to detach, which could lead to falls and injuries.”
Beyond grab rails, Renovation Matters also improves home accessibility by widening doorways for wheelchair or mobility access, installing higher-seated toilets or bidets and removing large hobs from showers.
“These are all modifications that make daily living safer and more convenient for individuals with mobility challenges,” says Kim.
Renovation Matters. Call 0427 696662 or visit renovationmatters.com.au
Artist's Impression
A villa lounge at The Grove Ngunnawal.
Renovation Matters founder Kim Persson.
Offering premium, residential aged-care services, including 24/7 nursing support and dedicated relationship-focused care, Arcare Aged Care CEO Colin Singh says their services include private suites, chef-prepared meals, engaging lifestyle programs and a strong focus on emotional and social wellbeing.
“Over time, we have evolved to place even greater emphasis on personalised care by introducing our unique Relationship-First Approach, ensuring residents, families and team members build meaningful connections,” Colin says.
Embracing technology, Arcare uses innovative solutions to enhance its services, improving communication, engagement and healthcare support.
“What sets us apart is our commitment to our Relationship-First Approach, our premium hospitality, our intergenerational and community engagement as well as our innovative partnerships.”
Residents have access to elegant private suites,
cafes, private dining rooms, cinemas, hair salons and indoor/outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialisation.
“We create meaningful programs that bring together residents and the wider community, enhancing social connectedness,” says Colin.
Ensuring a high standard of care as Australia’s ageing population grows, Colin says Arcare is constantly looking at innovations in building and service models to ensure that the next community cohorts’ needs and wishes are met.
“Arcare is excited to be expanding our services into the ACT, starting with our first residence in Aranda, followed by two more in Wright and Gold Creek,” he says.
“We look forward to welcoming new team members, residents and their families, and becoming an integral part of the ACT’s aged-care landscape.”
Arcare Aged Care. 1 Bindel Street, Aranda. Call 1300 297 189 or visit arcare.com.au
Arcare Aged Care, Aranda foyer.
Offering compassion and support during difficult times
As the operations manager for Invocare ACT, Cassandra Proctor says she is proud to lead a dedicated team that exemplifies compassion within the community.
“With genuine warmth and empathy, we strive to provide comfort and support to families during their most difficult times,” she says.
“Our mission is to stand alongside our clients, their families and friends during pivotal moments in their lives, offering compassion, exceeding expectations and delivering exceptional service.
Encompassing three ACT brands of White Lady, Tobin Brothers and Simplicity Funerals, Cassandra says innovation is central to their operations.
“We actively seek new strategies, opportunities and technologies that enable client families to honour
their loved ones in meaningful ways,” she says.
“Our team is deeply passionate about the service we provide, viewing our work as a true vocation that transcends traditional job roles.”
Caring is fundamental to Cassandra’s approach, and she says they take pride in building authentic connections with the families and communities they serve.
“By fostering trust through our compassion, we help alleviate the burdens faced by grieving families and guide them thoughtfully through their journey.”
“At Invocare, we are committed to ensuring that every farewell is a meaningful tribute, making each moment count during times of need.”
Invocare. Call 02 9978 5200 or visit invocare.com.au
Trusted advice for diabetes management
Maintaining good health while ageing is the key to enjoying a great quality of life.
Living with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, means maintaining good health is even more important.
“There’s a lot of misinformation and conflicting advice out there,” says Natalie Smith, general manager of Health Service Operations at Diabetes Australia NSW & ACT.
“We know that many seniors are online and active on social media and we’re concerned about people masquerading as experts, handing out dubious advice and promoting products that don’t work.
“Management techniques that may have always worked might not be as effective or may stop working all together and you may need to find different kinds of support.”
According to Natalie, it is essential to build a team of trusted, qualified experts when managing a complex chronic condition.
“Medical costs are high enough without the added worry of scams,” she says.
“Educating yourself and building your knowledge about self-management can also make a big difference.
“Trusted sources such as the Diabetes Australia or NDSS websites, or joining Diabetes Australia’s free membership, will give you access to a wide range of relevant information at your fingertips.”
The dance floor was Tony’s happy place. So when he died, we made sure he was remembered in his own special way. We found a vintage jukebox full of his favourite songs and turned his final goodbye into a ballroom. Tony was, as he so often had been, the star of the show.
The best way to say goodbye is just the way they would have wanted. Tobin Brothers knows how.
DIABETES AUSTRALIA
CLINIC
We specialise in evidencebased care for people living with diabetes and prediabetes. Book an appointment to see a diabetes educator or dietitian.
Call us on 1800 177 055 to arrange an appointment or scan the QR to book online
Offering a range of programs and one-on-one clinics with qualified and experienced diabetes educators and dietitians, Natalie encourages people looking for support or information to book an appointment, register for a free membership or contact Diabetes Australia.
Diabetes Australia. Tenant B, 19-23 Moore Street, Turner ACT. Call 1800 177 055 or visit diabetesaustralia.com.au
Tobin Brothers and White Lady Funerals in Belconnen.
Natalie Smith, general manager of Health Service Operations at Diabetes Australia NSW and ACT.
Support at home services provided locally, by locals
Community Services #1 has been delivering a wide range of services across Canberra since 1987, says Juliette Spurrett, executive director of Aged Care Services.
“An important part of our service is offer ing a variety of aged-care services including Home Care Packages,” she says.
“If you have a Home Care Package and are looking for a more personal and trans parent experience – you might consider contacting Community Services #1.”
Juliette says being based in Canberra gives Community Services #1 the distinct advantage of being able to provide a responsive and accessible service to people in the greater ACT area.
“One of the great benefits of providing a local service is that it gives our clients confidence with their support at home knowing that the people providing the sup port live right here in the local community,” she says.
Juliette says the team at Community Services #1 is dedicated to ensuring clients receive a more individualised experience, and that one of the key aims is to always ensure our clients feel and are confident with their support at home services.
“If you would like to know more, please reach out to one of our team members to find out how Community Services #1 can deliver an improved level of service,” says Juliette.
Community Services #1, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 6126 4700, or visit communityservices1.org
Goodwin salutes the special expertise of women
Residents and staff across different Goodwin Aged Care Villages have celebrated International Women’s Day, marking the 50th anniversary of the UN’s recognition of the day.
“Women are the cornerstone of aged care in the ACT, making up over 80 per cent of the workforce,” says the board chair of Goodwin Aged Care Services, Laurann Yen.
“These dedicated individuals provide essential care and support to our elderly population, ensuring their well-being and quality of life.”
Recognising and celebrating the invaluable impact of women in the sector and the contributions of many individuals who helped shape and continue to drive the organisation, Lauren says women bring a vital perspective to aged care, often demonstrating strong empathy, exceptional communication skills and a nurturing nature.
“[Women] excel at creating a sense of community and understanding the emotional well-being of residents, making a profound difference in their lives,”
says Laurann.
“Goodwin is incredibly proud of the many women who embody these qualities and contribute to our mission every day.
“Our sector continues to grapple with the challenges of workforce shortages and high turnover, but at Goodwin, our staff are more than just employees; they’re partners in delivering the highest quality care and support.
“Together, we’re committed to making a positive impact on the lives of our residents and clients.”
As the ACT’s population ages, the demand for skilled and compassionate aged care professionals will only increase.
“Supporting women in leadership positions alongside ensuring fair working conditions for the broader workforce, are essential in building a sustainable and high-quality aged care system for the future,” says Laurann.
CEO Stephen Holmes says: “Goodwin is grateful for the dedication and expertise of the women who have built and continue to strengthen our organisation.
“We’re committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive, lead and continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Goodwin Aged Care Services. Call 6175 5100 or visit goodwin.org.au
International Women’s Day at Goodwin Aged Care.
Laurann Yen.
Sarah and Annette.
Lawyers who are there for clients’ life journeys
“As we get older, we often face new challenges,” says KJB Law principal, Jo Twible.
“These can include decisions to downsize from the family home to a smaller home or retirement village, or it could be entering aged care.
“You might also re-think your will, enduring powers of attorney and superannuation nominations, to take into account what you see happening in your family’s lives.”
Jo says things can get complex if one partner has started to lose capacity.
“In addition to these issues, we also have the new aged-care regime coming into place on July 1, 2025,” she says.
KJB Law runs free seminars twice yearly, in conjunction with Phillips Wealth Partners, to help seniors gain an appreciation of downsizing, estate planning and aged care issues.
The next free seminar is on Wednesday, May 7 at the Woden Hellenic Club.
“With the upcoming changes, we want people to have an understanding of the impact on residential aged care and in-home care costs as well as estate planning capacity issues to ensure that people understand the issues which might impact them, and options to address those issues,” says Jo.
Jo says KJB can also help with general buying and selling of property, business succession planning and exits, as well as family separations.
“At the end of the day,” says Jo, “we view ourselves as here for our clients’ life journeys, helping them with their legal needs.”
KJB Law, ground floor, 10 Corinna Street, Woden. Call 6281 0999 or visit kjblaw.com.au
KJB Law draws on decades of experience, helping you create a Will and Estate Plan that addresses all your wishes and concerns.
We are able to assist with:
• Wills and Testamentary Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Self-managed super funds
• Advice on potential claims against estates
• Advice for blended families
33 Allara Street, Canberra City. Call 0404 857242, or visit davidlukeplanning.com.au Director David Luke.
Retirement village contracts are often difficult to navigate. Jo Twible will simplify the process, explaining the details of your contract, to help you with a smooth transition.
Jo Twible’s services include:
• Retirement village entry & exit
• Aged care entry
• Residential & Commercial Conveyancing
• Commercial Leasing
• Sale and purchase of businesses
KJB Law principal Jo Twible.
Stepping away from a regular salary can be scary, and there are so many choices to consider. Where do you start?
Add to this unfamiliar and complicated legislation, it really can be difficult to see your opportunities.
• Make the rules work for you, to enjoy retirement on your terms.
• I have 23 years of experience in advising retirees in the Canberra region.
• Extensive experience in government super such as CSS and PSS.
• Centrelink advice and implementation.
• Is a redundancy right for you at this time?
For an experienced, straight forward and consistent advice relationship Call David for an appointment.
Director and founding partner of Capon & Hubert, Ken Hubert.
By Jackie WARBURTON
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Marguerite daisies are easy to grow and, given the right spot where they are a little protected from the frosts, surprisingly can flower just about all year round.
Their flower colour ranges from white to all shades of pink. Anyone trying to grow them should use small plants and let them grow to acclimatise to our conditions. It will result in a better growing plant overall. They live to five years. Marguerites can be hard to prune because they are either budding or flowering and, in many cases, some flowers are sacrificed by pruning and keeping the plant into a nice,
rounded shape. Pruning keeps them from splitting at the base from the weight of the flowers.
They are one of the easiest plants to propagate; place a little twig about 10 centimetres long with a few nodes under propagating soil and stand in the shade to grow slowly over the cooler months. In spring, once there are roots, they can be planted out.
KALANCHOE, with its bell-like flowers, grows well as potted colour in our region.
It loves the heat and can be grown outdoors in the summer and brought into a glasshouse or indoors for winter protection from the frost.
One of the most interesting kalanchoes I grow is the largeleafed K. beharensis
If there’s not the room for the larger variety of beharensis, then
look for oak leaf, which is a slow grower to a metre tall and is just as striking as its parent plant. As a succulent, it doesn’t need much water nor much care.
NOW the nights are beginning to cool, there are lots of jobs in the vegetable patch to be done before the soil goes cold.
All the seedling planting needs to be in the soil this month, fertilised and watered to get them growing fast before the first frost.
Transplanting of broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbages can be done and placed under netting straight away to keep cabbage moths from laying eggs and destroying the crop.
Sowing of Asian greens, corn and lettuce can still be done and in punnets in a warm overnight area. That will get them growing ready to plant into the garden when there are a few sets of leaves after the true leaves.
Covering with a cloche will give some protection from night insects and keep the seedings warm as the night temperatures begin to drop.
SOWING sweet peas is always about this time of year, around St Patrick’s Day (March 17). Soak the seeds in hot water overnight to
help with even germination. Feed with seaweed tonic to get them growing before the cold sets in. Over winter they will not really grow, but come spring the speed of growth is fast.
SMALL, fallen autumn leaves can be placed onto the garden bed in a thin layer, but larger leaves need a good soaking with the hose to begin the decomposition process. Larger leaves will need to be broken up and placed into the compost. Once decomposed, it is ready to put on to the garden and around plants to assist in keeping the moisture in the soil and helping the microbes in the soil.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
Jottings…
• Add green manure crop to fallow areas of the vegetable garden.
• Fertilise camellias and azaleas for this season’s flowers.
• Final chance to do summer prune of stone fruit.
• Remove female asparagus plants that have berries.
Marguerite daisies can be hard to prune because they are either budding or flowering.
Photos: Jackie Warburton
Oak leaf… a slow-growing succulent to a metre tall that doesn’t need much water.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
By Helen MUSA
“Unfortunately, the story is perennial,” director Lee Lewis says of Shirley Valentine, British playwright Willy Russell’s seminal 1986 play.
Lewis is directing the new production of the famous play starring screen identity and pop singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte in the role of Shirley Valentine Bradshaw, the repressed Liverpudlian housewife who breaks free of her constraints when the chance comes to head for Greece on holiday.
The play well and truly precedes the #MeToo movement, as well as “strong women” plays such as Fleabag, Prima Facie, RBG and Julia, and has become a byword for feminine strength and resilience.
“It’s such a necessary play,” Lewis says.
Shirley Valentine is very familiar to Canberra audiences from a long-running production by the late Raymond Omodei, starring Amanda Muggleton, who appeared on stage starkers to wild applause as the curtain rose on the second half of the play.
That production, originating in Perth in late 1988, went on to tour the country during the ‘90s, meaning fame and fortune for all
Why Shirley Valentine still matters to woman
says it’s a hard watch for men but that, surprisingly, it’s not a male-bashing play.
“I didn’t see Amanda in the part, but I know her and I can imagine how divine she was,” Lewis tells me. “She came along one night and it was wonderful to see her there. She told me that Shirley Valentine was a huge part of her life and she had done over 1000 performances.”
“Willy Russell’s writing is extraordinarily beautiful, but it has a sadly confronting quality… there are layers and layers as he depicts an unhappy family and there’s a very light critique of the religious structures and particularly the Catholic Church.
“Our production is still set in the 1980s and there are some sentences that come from a long time ago, but the dynamics of our relationships and the humanity inside that script is so present that it’s still a wake-up call.”
“You’ll be transported back to the 1980s and many people will have that flash of recognition, also there’s cooking on stage so it’s a reminder to us of the very ordinary.
“At the time it first appeared, it was revolutionary and that’s why it’s been seen all around the world. Perhaps it’s not revolutionary now, but it does resonate in our society and many women on seeing it are asking: ‘How did I let that happen to me?’
themselves.
“It’s in the fine theatrical tradition of women actually saying no. Now she’s a waitress in a taverna in Greece and that’s close to being the happy version of herself. You have to be really brave to do that.
“What I love about Shirley Valentine is that she’s really smart and so is Willy Russell.
“She’s not educated, she doesn’t have university knowledge but she has life knowledge and she says it’s not all men’s fault, we did it to ourselves. Shirley is very generous and says leaving her husband Joe for Greece is good for him, too.
“Joe needs a holiday, too; he needs to be loved.”
Lewis believes Shirley Valentine is not an essay, it’s a play in which the character finds her younger self.
“I’m going to come back to this play in 10 years’ time and I can imagine that that would be a universe in which a man could be a Shirley,” she says.
Lewis has spotted a funny part in the play about Shirley’s son getting stuck with the part of Joseph in the nativity play – Joseph is a pretty thankless part, too.
“It’s a beautiful reflection on her husband’s role in life and the way the men are trapped too. This play is about the way you get yourself untrapped.”
elicits cheers, Lewis says, and the play attracts
“The sad thing is that among the audience members there are large groups of women saying how it reminds them of
Shirley Valentine, Canberra Theatre, March 19-23.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte in the role of Shirley Valentine Bradshaw, the repressed Liverpudlian housewife who breaks free of her constraints when the chance comes to head for Greece on holiday.
Funny girls with a passion to kill… but only at comedy
By Helen Musa
Contesting the oft-repeated phrase that “women aren’t funny”, a group of Canberra comedians are taking the stage together for the Canberra Comedy Festival with a menacing-sounding show called Why Women Kill… at Comedy.
In 2025 the entire women’s stream at the festival seems set to prove that the outdated adage about women is simply laughable, as I find when I catch up with Katrin Praseli, Jelin Palm, and Janine Jeffreys – who’ll be joined by Effie Tan, who’s just moved to Melbourne, in their debut performance together.
With an age-range from the 20s to the 70s, multicultural backgrounds and cats and husbands to satirise, there’s no shortage of targets for their humour.
Three of the self-styled “four fierce and funny ladies” are multilingual and all have been taking raw comedy competitions by storm. They met at open mic evenings and on a Women in Comedy chat group on Messenger before deciding to join forces.
Each of them brings a particular edge to the comedy scene.
Palm, the newest on the comedy round, is married to a Papua New Guinean and, with a Chinese background, that makes for an idiosyncratic take on what happens when “budget-savvy Asian meets free-spirited Islander.”
Tan was a state finalist for the
Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy competition last year and has been performing at comedy clubs in Manhattan. She’s only in her 20s. Praseli, who moonlights as a member of an Indonesian dance troupe, declares herself an expert on “mediocre motherhood” is well-known for her rapid-fire comedy style.
And Jeffreys, at 73, knows a thing or two about showbiz, having been working for years as head of wardrobe at the Canberra Theatre, describes herself as “the oldest new face on the comedy scene”.
Collectively they have a lot to laugh about.
That, they assure me, is very different from what men think is funny – namely, “penises, boobs and how they’re going to cheat on their wives”.
“We take different angles,” Palm tells me, adding that they all have tightly written scripts, but have spent quite a bit of time making sure that they don’t overlap.
It’s not all that hard. Tan, being single, talks about life in one’s 20s, being single and wanting or not wanting to get married.
Praseli, of Indonesian Chinese background, has a two-year-old child and is married to a German, so has fun negotiating cultural differ ences, while Palm has an eight-yearold and is used to contending with different money values, different approaches to raising children and, of course, the clash between Chinese punctuality and “Island time”. Both husbands come in for quite a bit of lampooning.
cat lady”, covers that part of life when an older woman becomes invisible, telling me that being old and decrepit gets a lot of laughs, too.
Jeffreys, also single and a “crazy
“I used to want to be a go-go dancer on TV, but now I just want to wake up in the morning,” she quips.
Is the golden age of streaming slipping away?
By Nick OVERALL
IN the avalanche of streaming services that are hitting the Aussie market, Binge may soon be buried.
The Foxtel-owned platform which launched five years ago has been home to some of the biggest shows of the decade but a new service is about to take them back.
That service is called Max and it’s owned by Warner Bros Discovery, the company that also owns HBO.
Just a few of HBO’s greatest hits include The White Lotus, The Last Of Us, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and Westworld.
Until now these shows and many more were available to stream on Binge but come March 3, when Max makes its Australian debut, they will all start to move over to the new platform.
ARTS IN THE CITY STREAMING
It’s the latest, latest, read all about it!
By Helen MUSA
A production by Dianna Nixon of the musical Newsies Jnr, about newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, will see her collabo rating with choreographer Helen Linkenbagh and designer Martin Thomas. They’ll be working with young local performers under the PATH (Performing After Training Hard) program and casting director Lauren Wiley will be in town for auditions on March 16. Details at musictheatreprojects.com
Inspired by the Pompeii exhibition, Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Australian Series will perform Peggy Polias’ new composition, Sleeping Stories in what they’re billing as a night of powerful
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16.
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premieres of
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Australia, March 20.
host an afternoon of social dancing, foot-tapping music and dancing demonstrations. Folk Dance Hall, 114 Maitland Street, Hackett, March 16.
Apeiron Baroque has a knack for adopting catchy titles such as its latest, Pluckers and Scratchers, featuring Hannah Lane and Laura Vaughan, and, back from studies in Switzerland, James Monro on cello. The concert focuses on the unusual sound world of violin/d’amore, gamba, harp, and harpsichord and is preceded by a children’s concert. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, March 23.
Oriana Chorale’s first performance looks at music of loss, grief and healing by Monteverdi, Eric Whitacre, Ella Macens, Sam Amidon, Paola Prestini and Canberra’s Olivia Swift. Wesley Uniting Church, March 21.
Max, available in the US, UK and Asia for some time, has had its eyes on Australia for quite a while.
“The globalisation of Max is a top priority, and Australia represents one of our biggest new markets and a significant opportunity to delight even more fans with the incredible stories told by our iconic brands,” says the CEO of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros Discovery.
“Combining an unrivalled breadth of high-quality content, legendary franchises and a strong product experience, Australians can look forward to the highest-calibre streaming proposition from March 31.”
In no coincidence, Max will launch just two weeks before the premiere of the second season of The Last Of Us, the post-apocalyptic thriller starring Pedro Pascal that has proven a hit.
Max will no doubt be hoping to score an immediate influx of subscribers eager to see the new installment of the show.
The platform will also be home to some of the biggest new franchise shows set to hit screens in the next few years.
That includes It: Welcome To Derry,
a spin-off series based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, the new shows in the rapidly growing Game of Thrones universe, as well as the remake of a little series called Harry Potter. In other words, an absolute choke hold on pop culture.
One notable exception will be season three of The White Lotus. As the show is already halfway through its new season on Binge, the platform will get to see it out until the end. So what will all that mean for Australian consumers already trying to keep streaming subscriptions to a minimum?
For those eagerly waiting for more HBO shows, it’s likely this won’t have too much impact as it will be merely a case of swapping one service out for the other.
No other production company is currently on par when it comes to the quality and scale of HBO shows. By having that content Binge had carved itself out as an essential streaming service. Without the HBO catalogue it simply loses its necessity.
At the time of writing there is no confirmation on pricing but there will be three tiers for subscribers to choose from, including an option with ads. The most premium tier will probably come out at around $30 to $35 a month, with the cheapest will sit at around $15.
Foxtel isn’t entirely losing out though. The company will be a launch partner of Max, meaning those who pay for Foxtel IQ can get the subscription for free. This is ultimately still a story of an oversaturated streaming market that is only becoming more segmented. With each new platform content is being spread more and more thinly. It’s only so long before many subscribers get fed up and start turning back towards piracy.
A vocal group online are already declaring they’re flying what you might call a digital Jolly Roger, saying they’ve turned to “alternative websites” to get their entertainment for free. Streaming has made high-quality television shows and films more accessible than ever before. It’s concerning to see this golden age starting to slip away.
Goodbye... the latest season of The White Lotus is already halfway through on Binge and the platform will get to see it out until the end, but after that?
storytelling through music.
will also perform world
works
Alice Chance, Christopher Sainsbury, Jane Sheldon
Nardi Simpson. National Museum
Canberra Mandolin Orchestra is joining with Historic Dance Delights and the Monaro Folk Society to
Casting for Newsies Jnr, about newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York, will be on March
When it comes down to it, they say, women’s comedy is all about the cycle of life.
Why Women Kill… at Comedy. Courtyard Studio, March 16 and at Fun Time Pony, Civic, March 19.
The cast of Why Women Kill… at Comedy, from left, Katrin Praseli, Effie Tan, Jelin Palm and, below, Janine Jeffreys.
DINING / Romanée Wine Bar, Braddon
Cool vibe and a compact menu
Tucked in the back of Lonsdale Street’s Branx Building in Braddon is a wine bar with a cool vibe, an extensive and impressive wine list and a compact menu with interesting food that complements the top drops on offer.
Romanée Wine Bar has a niche place in the market and in charge is sommelier Chester Mok, who has strong credentials in the hospitality industry and deep knowledge of wines from Australia and around the world.
Early on a gorgeous warm evening, we settled in at a table in Romanée’s cosy outdoor courtyard. There was no rush, and Chester took time to chat about wines and answer questions. He promises something for everyone from his extensive cellar and doesn’t skip a beat in recommending labels that take customers out of their comfort zones.
Romanée offers wine by the glass and keeps matters interesting by changing the menu weekly. The bar also offers an intriguing bespoke cocktail list that includes a maple bacon old-fashioned and a lemongrass and ginger martini (both $20). The refreshing martini was a stunning mixture of gin, lemongrass, ginger liqueur and vermouth.
Sharing is the name of the game, and we delighted in the broad bean hummus, well balanced and a lovely texture. It arrived with Turkish bread and crispy polenta. We applauded the sumac.
Decadent was the baked Raclette ($21 and also from the snacks section of the menu) – melted Swiss cheese served with drizzles of quality honey and sunflower seeds for a bit of crunch. The fresh rosemary and leaves from colourful, edible flowers augmented the dish.
The prawns were plump and perfect ($18.50 for three). The tempura was light, the fresh lime
was zesty punch and the chilli mayo creamy and smooth.
Cured kingfish was next ($24) and it was sensational with pepper berry, radish and buddha’s hand – a citrus fruit, segmented into finger-like sections, featuring a lovely, lemon-like floral aroma.
We shared both dishes from the main section, adoring the duck ($32). The breast was succulent and seared to perfection. It married well with tangy orange jus and roasted carrot puree. The tender Wagyu beef was also wonderfully seared and elevated with burnt butter and garlic ($35).
Our visit was topped off with a house-made trio of chocolate ($16) which I still crave – Chardonnay salted honeycomb, Riverina strawberry
WINE / grape growers in crisis
Wines we explored included a 2019 Chenin Black from Goon Tycoons (Margaret River, $65 a bottle), a Swinging Bridge 009 Gamay (Orange, $70) and a Dawning Day Skin Shady (Southern Highlands, $72). We appreciated Chester’s support in selecting these top drops.
The wine bar is named in honour of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, an estate in Burgundy, France, widely considered among the world’s greatest wine producers.
Grapes of wrath for Australian growers
The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee recently published its report on the Australian winegrape purchases code of conduct.
l know that’s a boring first sentence, but the report is important because it highlights a trend that reflects one of the basics of economics: when supply exceeds demand, prices reduce.
In this case, the supply of wine grapes exceeds demand and this is affecting those grape growers whose economic fortunes are dire because the crop they grow is worth less than the cost of production.
Mr Micawber in Dickens’ David Copperfield got it right: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.”
It is clear from the report that many grape growers are feeling that misery.
The Senate committee heard evidence from growers and others that the oversupply of grapes and a depressed market are having a profound effect on
the mental health of those in the industry. Financial instability and uncertainty, higher debt levels associated with sustained low grape prices, climate uncertainties, and the impact of power imbalances between some growers and wineries were raised as contributors to declining mental wellbeing.
The committee’s inquiry was established to look into the adequacy of the voluntary code of conduct for Australian winegrape purchases.
The code is clearly inadequate as a means to protect the livelihood of grape growers, especially as it is voluntary and has failed to create a fair and equitable trading environment for wine industry participants.
Let’s cut to the chase and look at what the committee recommended by way of government action. Some of the recommendations are anodyne but two, I believe, would make a real difference.
Recommendation 1 was to look at an appropriate model for a mandatory code that would regulate Australian winegrape purchases for all growing regions, but with a specific focus on the most impacted regions of the Riverland, Riverina and the Murray Valley.
The code would ensure more timely payment and a better pricing model so that growers were not left with last-minute price taking. There would also be quality requirements built in and binding dispute resolution mechanisms set out. This would be a good progression from the
current voluntary code.
Recommendation 4 is that the Australian government, in consultation with Australian Grape and Wine Ltd, the national association of winegrape and wine producers, investigates potential support packages to aid growers in transitioning out of winegrapes and into other crops or land uses in the warm inland wine regions.
That sounds like a good idea: where there is a viable alternative crop that could be grown, that aids sustainability and lets farmers stay on their land.
But that recommendation is unlikely to go any further under the current government: in the report’s additional comments Labor senators oppose Recommendation 4.
One of the reasons is that they believe a subsidy to mothball vineyards would assist some growers to leave the industry but would not reduce the long run supply capacity and be difficult to target.
On that basis and other grounds, the Labor senators said that the government should not act on this recommendation but instead wait for the recommendations to be made by former Labor minister Dr Craig Emerson.
He is currently leading an independent impact analysis of regulatory options for the Australian grape and wine sector about fair trading, competitive relationships, contracting practices and risk allocation.
While the website for this process indicates that a final report will be released in “early 2025” any recommendations are likely to be caught up in the forthcoming election byplay with grape growers set for another round of misery.
Taste of the fantasy fiction topping book sales
Fantasy has increasingly impacted the cultural mainstream, be it through books, TikTok, games or movies.
Fantasy is now the best-selling fiction genre in Australia. According to Nielsen BookData, American fantasy author Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm sold 119,300 copies in its first week of publication at the end of January, bringing in nearly $3 million in hardback and paperback versions in one week alone.
Susanna Clarke’s award-winning historical fantasy Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Bloomsbury, $39.99), which was long-listed for the Booker Prize, has sold more than four million copies since it was first published in 2004. It was made into a BBC TV series in 2015.
Bloomsbury has now issued a hardback, 20th century anniversary commemorative edition, with an introduction by best-selling American fantasy author VE Schwab, who says: “It’s not that Clarke tells the story of a world possessing magic, It’s that she convinces us that magic lives in ours”.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in an alternative Napoleonic England, in which two men, the reclusive scholar magician Mr Norrell and the young charismatic Mr Strangel, unleash the buried powers of English magic, an act that will dramatically impact their lives and those around them. Clarke’s original creation, her textual buttressing of the magic framework and adoption of literary pastiche, ranging from Jane Austen
to Charles Dickens, ensured a fantasy classic.
SUSANNA Clarke has also released a short novella The Wood at Midwinter (Bloomsbury, $14.99), illustrated by Victoria Sawdon, with a suggested link to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. The story sees Merowdis, a 19-year-old young woman walking in snowy woods where she feels at home with animals and trees. In an afterword, Clarke notes she was influenced by the music of Kate Bush’s 2011 song 50 Words for Snow. Merowdis informs the trees that she wants a “midwinter child… A child to bring light into the darkness”. Clarke then moves away from the familiar Christmas birth narrative into the framework of folklore as Merowdis becomes a bridge between different worlds.
Open every day during school holidays from 10am to 4pm Cafe open from 10am to 3pm
Best-selling and award-winning author Neil Gaiman, now under media siege as a result of sexual misconduct allegations by numerous women, had previously described Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as the finest work of English fantasy in the last 70 years.
Gaiman also provides the introduction to a much more expensive, lavishly illustrated, three volume edition of Clarke’s book published by the British Folio Society, priced at a whopping £190 ($A380).
Gaiman‘s 2017 interpretation of stories of Norse Mythology (Bloomsbury, $60) has now been reissued in an updated version, with dramatic full-page colour illustrations by Australian-based artist Levi Pinfold. Gaiman effectively delivers through vibrant clear prose, and often with dry humour, his
interpretation of the Norse legends.
Gaiman begins with the formation of the legendary nine worlds and ends with the great battle of Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. In 16 segments, we find all the familiar figures such as Odin, Thor, Loki, and Freya. An essential companion to the current cinematic interpretations of the Norse legends.
JOANNE Harris has written 20 novels, one of which, her 1999 novel Chocolat, was filmed with Johnny Depp and Juliet Binoche.
The Moonlight Market (Gollancz, $32.99) is a fantasy, described by Harris as “Romeo and Juliet, with fairies”, although with a much less tragic end.
Tom Argent, an orphan and reclusive photographer in London, is unaware that
London’s King’s Cross, is the principal location of a centuries-old war between two factions, the Midnight Folk and The Daylight Folk.
Humans are called the Sightless Folk, but Tom Argent slowly begins to see the hidden mysterious world after the beautiful Vanessa enters the small photographic shop in which he works and buys a photograph.
Tom’s misguided love takes him, via a moonlit market, into an alternate world of time and place, hidden amongst the streets and rooftops of London.
Tom slowly finds out that he will have a vital role resolving a millennia-long dispute between the Moth King and the Butterfly Queen over a lost young prince, “a boy of both light and shadow”, a quest that will allow him to save his true love Charissa and reunite the kingdom.
Beneath the fantasy framework of The Moonlight Market, Harris reflects on issues of inequality and celebrity, the role of memory, the nature of reality and how love can transform.
If Shakespeare is to be cited, maybe A Midsummer Night’s Dream might have been more appropriate.
Cover of Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Susanna Clarke’s short novella The Wood at Midwinter.
Neil Gaiman’s reissued and updated Norse Mythology.
Joanne Harris’ fantasy book The Moonlight Market.
HOROSCOPE PUZZLES
By Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
The Sun shifts into Aries, and it’s the Equinox on Thursday, and then retrograde Venus (in your sign) links up with Pluto and the Sun. So, this week’s astrology is all about maintaining your equilibrium, celebrating your individuality and pursuing your dreams within a climate of transformation and reflection. Draw inspiration from birthday great Reese Witherspoon: “I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It’s just believing in yourself and your abilities.”
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
Expect professional problems or domestic dramas, as retro Mercury and retro Venus stir up old grievances. Use your diplomatic talents to help find solutions. If you just sit back and let others make decisions, you’ll feel powerless. So strive to be more self-sufficient, especially at home and work. Getting the ratio right between your public and private lives is challenging. But if anyone can juggle conflicting commitments during Equinox week, it’s a well-balanced Bull!
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
With Mercury (your boss planet) in retrograde mode until April 7, it’s time to ask yourself: “Am I being too subjective and short-sighted about a current issue?” –especially involving hopes and dreams. It’s the Equinox on Thursday, when day and night are of equal length. So take a step back, adjust your focus and review things from a much broader and wiser perspective. Balance is the key. Also, an old friend could boomerang back into your world.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
Do your best to avoid being a snappy Crab, as Mars (in your sign), plus Mercury and Venus (both retrograde) magnify mood swings and heighten emotional sensitivities. If you’ve been burying your head in the sand, then a problem could come to a head and demand to be addressed. The planets encourage you to be extra diplomatic when dealing with challenges, especially involving work, finances, intimacy and trust. No sulky side-stepping allowed!
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
On Thursday, the Sun (your ruling planet) transits into fellow fire sign Aries and then links up with Venus on Sunday. So you’ll be at your feisty, fabulous best – and your belligerent, bossy worst! It’s Equinox week, so try to find an outlet for your fiery energy and a way to bring more balance into your busy world. With Mercury and Venus both retrograde, double-check all arrangements involving local travel, business trips, holidays, and weekend getaways.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
You’re impatient about making things happen according to your strict timetable but Mercury and Venus are retrograde, so avoid taking shortcuts and relying on others. Don’t expect family, friends or colleagues to drop everything and hand you your dream. There is just no substitute for hard work and thorough preparation. It’s also Equinox week, so stop overcommitting! Smart Virgos will calm down and recalibrate to a slower, steadier and more sustainable pace.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Is a close relationship stuck in a stultifying rut? And how well do you really know your nearest and dearest? Mercury and Venus are reversing through your relationship zone, plus retro Venus links up with powerful Pluto (which is visiting your romance, children and friendship zones). So it’s time to dig deeper and gain valuable insights into the inner motivations of a lover, friend or family member as you blast away the cobwebs and look at things from a different angle.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
You’re a capricious creature, constantly buffeted by intense emotions and deep desires. On Thursday it’s the Equinox (when day and night are of equal length) which will help to stabilise your temperamental moods and balance your brooding nature. Attached Scorpio – remember there’s a fine line between ardent affection and clingy obsession. Are you unhappily single? You could find yourself magnetically drawn to someone with a powerful personality.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Spontaneous, impulsive, fiery Sagittarius… this week try to tread carefully, as Mercury and Venus are both in retrograde mode. A child could feel misunderstood, a sporting event could be delayed, a creative project could backfire, or a so-called friend could talk about you behind your back. Avoid the temptation to jump in, overreact, and burn a few bridges along the way. Keep your eyes peeled, your ears open, and think (carefully) before you speak!
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Cool down and calm down, Capricorn! Don’t make major mountains out of minor molehills and waste time worrying about annoying problems (especially at home) as Mercury and Venus reverse through your domestic zone. Things won’t run according to plan and, if there are complications, then clever communication will help you through any temporary turbulence. With Mars in your partnership zone, be proactive about improving a troubled relationship.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Quirky Aquarians can be self-indulgent souls. However, over the next few weeks, you’ll gradually shift your focus further afield. Retro Mercury and retro Venus will remind you that family matters, plus local community connections and social responsibilities, are just as important as individual priorities. Your motto for the week is from fellow Aquarian, music icon Bob Marley: “Live for yourself and you will live in vain; live for others, and you will live again.”
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
The Sun, Saturn and Neptune are visiting your sign, so strive to be more proactive about pursuing your creative and spiritual goals. No procrastination allowed, Pisces! Then, on Thursday, it’s the Equinox (when day and night are of equal length) which favours meditation and contemplation, as you aim for more equilibrium and perspective. With Pluto transiting through your solitude and spirituality zones, peace-of-mind and strong self-esteem are highlighted.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2025
4 Which ancient linear units were based on the length of the forearm? (6)
7 To confuse or puzzle, is to do what? (8)
8 What is a harmonious union of sounds? (6)
9 Which term describes a man native to the Netherlands? (8)
11 What are wigwams of the Native North Americans? (7)
13 What is one of the twelve disciples called? (7)
15 To be of low character is to be what? (7)
17 Name the mythological god of the sea. (7)
20 What are hermits known as? (8)
23 What, in biology, is the intercellular substance of a tissue? (6)
24 Which portable shade offers protection from rain, etc? (8)
25 When something confuses, it does what? (6)
1 What might we call a young girl’s sweetheart? (4)
2 What is the big top known as? (6)
3 Who was Eve’s gentleman friend? (4)
4 Which device is used for moving heavy weights? (5)
5 Name the muscle on the front of the upper arm. (6)
6 How many singers are there in a trio? (5)
9 Who was Australia’s second Prime Minister, Alfred ...? (6)
10 What is the studio of an artist? (7)
12 What, colloquially, are prison guards called? (6)
14 Which word element refers to hardness or solidity? (6)
16 Which compounds contain oxygen? (6)
18 To rub out, is to do what? (5)
19 What is a means of connection? (5)
21 Name the Italian island, the scene of Napoleon’s first exile. (4)
22 Snake-like fishes are known as what? (4)
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
First steps to a business refresh
Blake and Emmy wanted to know how to improve their business. Blake said they really needed to refresh where they were going now that the covid pandemic had abated and could I help?
“Yes, I can do a business diagnostic for you," I said. "It will be a great tool for you to start the change process and work with your staff to move forward in the direction that you want to go.
"Let me give you some idea of the process, then you can use this tool and turn it into your business vision.
"The starting point is to work on one issue. So you would select the issue for the business that's most important for you right now.
"Possible issues could be marketing, cash flow, staff strategy, leadership or profitability.”
For example, I said, let's look at what could happen if a senior manager were to leave suddenly.
"The sort of issues that could arise include cash flow problems, lack of team cohesion, budget blowouts, incorrect recording of sales and expenses and great stress for you both," I told them.
"The solution would be to find a new leader as quickly as possible so that the staff do not feel rudderless.”
Emmy said that sounded great, but how do you find a good solution to the most pressing problem?
I said: "Once you have identified the issue you want to work on we then draw a graph showing how the issue has developed over the last five years.
"You should then put external events on the graph that have impacted this item. Obviously covid would be a big factor, maybe an election or even the birth of your baby which presumably impacted in many ways.
“That's the looking back part. Then we start to look forward, so I would sit down with you and the staff and you would all complete a questionnaire of about 20 questions that will assist with arriving at positive and negative influences on the business.
That then enables you to come up with action plans including relevant timeframes and who is going to lead those actions. It would be great if your managers were able to run with this as it would give them a sense of ownership and take some of the load off both of you."
I shared an example of a surprising result from one of these workshops I had run some time ago.
"There were many issues but the one that they settled on was that the studio door opened into the studio," I said.
"So the door was re-hung so that it opened outwards and a few other layout modifications were made.
"When I went back, everyone was ecstatic, productivity was greater and the whole business felt so much more relaxed.
"The staff were so grateful and I was amazed that something so simple achieved really great results so quickly.”
Blake said: “Gail, that sounds like it could work for us. When can we start?”
If you need help with your business, your vision, managing change or any other business or tax related issue contact the expert team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd on 02 6295 2844.
Disclaimer
This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this topic please contact Gail Freeman or your professional adviser. Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFS Lic No. 229892.
WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS is an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal community of the ACT.
In Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means Strong Health. The service logo is the Corroboree Frog which is significant to Aboriginal people in the ACT.
Our aim is to provide a culturally safe, holistic health care service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions. The holistic health care provided by Winnunga AHCS includes not only medical care, but a range of programs to promote good health and healthy lifestyles.
Our services include:
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Winnunga AHCS is a national leader in accreditation, was one of the first Aboriginal community controlled health services to achieve dual accreditation under RACGP and QIC standards. Winnunga AHCS has been at the forefront of setting a national agenda for quality improvement in Aboriginal community controlled health and continues to advocate locally and nationally for best practice standards in operational and governance areas of Aboriginal health services.
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