NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 1
NEW
city 2 CONTENTS
NEW CITY
Contents
jan 2011
CITY Local News
04
family
08
family
10
lifestyle
18
family
14
lifestyle
20
media
28
travel
22
local news
30
food review
24
sculpture by the sea
single parents can have their cake and eat it too!
LOST AND FOUND IN
PARIS
Single parents
can have their cake and eat it to!
Sculpture Sea by the
Generation
Ending Exasperation
movie review
Hainan Airlines Flies to Sydney
telling stories
Workplace Sexual Harassment: The Other Targets
cheers!
lost and found in paris
gecko HARRY’S CAFÉ DE WHEELS
NEW CITY Magazine january 2011 edition Editor: Ben Irawan Account Executive: Joshua Yanto Art Director: Herlina Widjaja Local Writer: Miguel Ribeiro Office Manager: Yvonne Widjaja Contributors: Clare Heath Cisca Irawan Warwick Marsh Samuel Yanto Paul Rattray Dea Gunning Deb Sorenson Sonny Susilo Michella Kesumo Samantha Farm Vivin Sianipar Naomi Fields Contact Details: NEW CITY MEDIA PTY LTD ABN: 47 145 474 362 PO Box 1, Arncliffe NSW 2205 Australia Email: contact@newcitymagazine.com Website: www.newcitymagazine.com For advertising: Call Josh on 041 339 1100 or contact@newcitymagazine.com For editorials: editor@newcitymagazine.com DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in NEW CITY Magazine and its website, do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or their agents. All images and photos are copyright of NEW CITY unless specified in credits. Unauthorised use of any images and photos published in this magazine and its website is strictly prohibited. Printed by: mpd – printing the news everyday Unit E1, 46-62 Maddox Street Alexandria NSW 2015 2011
Letter from the Editor Hello my beloved NEW CITY readers, We have another great edition cooked up for you! Lots of interesting and juicy articles for your reading enjoyment... Happy New Year guys!!! Go on and do something different this year. Make this year count... Cause by the end of this month, there’s only 334 days left in the Year 2011. That’s scary isn’t it? You want something even more scarier? How’s this..., the average life span of a person is around 80 years old. So, how old are you now? If you’re 20 years old, you have about 60 more years to live. If you’re 30, you have 50 more years. If you’re 40, you have only 40 more years and so on. That’s if you are blessed with a LONG LIFE! You know how fast 2010 came and went... so don’t waste anymore time! Don’t play anymore games! Don’t waste your life away! Start to really live and make a difference in your world and leave a legacy for your children and their children. You might say, “I still have about 50 more years to live.” Cool... great for you. That will be 50 years x 365 days in a year = 18,250 days. Half of that time would be used for commuting to work, sleeping, eating, drinking, showering and going to the toilet. So you’re left with about 9125 days and counting down. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but this is what I heard once on the radio. It reminds us to live soberly and live wisely. Well, that’s something to think about... I wish you all the best for 2011. Your thoughts please? Write to me... editor@newcitymagazine.com ::Ben Irawan Editor of NEW CITY Magazine
WALL POSTS ON NEW CITY MAGAZINE FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/newcitymagazine Pene: Just wanted to say congrats Ben on a fabulous magazine! Has some great content, saw Anita’s article and the photography is incredible! Models look really well done. So yeah, congrats!! :)
Editor: Hi Pene, thanks for the encouragement! Much appreciated.
EMAILS TO EDITOR OF NEW CITY MAGAZINE
editor@newcitymagazine.com
reader to editor
Editor, I was reading December 2010 New City page 15 on school zones. I was in Alice Springs in 2005, saw a school zone sign and I had to look twice at the sign. The 40km zone starts at 7am and finishes at 5pm. A total of 10 hours of 40km speed zone! In Australia, they could have sensors in roads and cars would have to have sensors fitted to reduce their speed automatically before they get to a crossing or a school zone. But of course emergency vehicles would not have these fitted. :Laurence Hi Laurence, I don’t think that the answer to having a safer school zone is 10 hours of school zones... That would drive me nuts!!! LOL. But, I agree with you that technology has gone so advanced that it feels like we’re living in a Jetson’s world! What’s so hard about having a GPS installed in cars that are connected to the engine of the car. So, when the car is approaching a school zone, it will automatically slow down. I have also been thinking along this line of thought as well... why not just have an option of “auto drive”. Have sensors on roads and other cars, punch in the address, then just sit back and relax and even take a snooze if you want to... in no time you’ll arrive at your intended destination. No traffic jams, no accidents, no stress, no loss of lives. What are your thoughts on this idea... anyone? :Editor
Dear Editor, What type of Australia do Australians want? A conservative Australia or a liberal Australia? Firstly, let’s look at an Australia based on conservative views. Conservative Australians believe that nothing is wrong, that it should be business as usual and that if it is not broke, then don’t fix it. Conservative Australians believe that Australians can simply put a fence around Australia and ignore the world regardless of any global obligations. Conservative Australians believe Australians can blame the newest and future immigration for our environment problems. Conservative Australians continue to grow water intensive crops in the extremely dry Australia and that Australians can continue to waste water simply as they believe we have plenty of resources as Australia have 22 million people. Conservative Australians believe all Australians can ignore topics like sustainability practices and population size, population size and resource usage, the over allocation of Murray River water and the generous allowance of flood waters to flow away to nothing or nowhere. Secondly, let’s consider Australia based on liberal views.
Liberal thinkers want to look at the way we design our cities, develop our housing policies and use our resources in a truly sustainable way. Liberal thinkers believe that even though Australia’s population growth is substantial, Australians must not fight nor reject immigration as immigration allows families to we reunite in Australia and to develop community bonds which help build Australia. Yours fraternally: Jane
COMMENTS FROM OUR WEBSITE
Dear Jane, What type of Australia do Australians want? I believe the answer is NOT in Conservative thinking or Liberal thinking. All Australians want a peaceful, united and happy Australia, governed by honest and wise politicians who are genuinely looking out for the people’s best interest and not just playing politics. To other readers, what do you think... are you happy with your current government now? Whether federal, state or local government? :Editor
www.newcitymagazine.com
Aramita : Looking forward to your great surprise of prizes and the type of make up you all produce and manufacture. Is it organic and suit any skin? Great. Hi Aramita, Every now and then we would have giveaways and competitions. So make sure you check future editions. Not sure what kind of make up our guest Make-Up artist would use. But she is a professional, so I’m sure it will suit any skin. You can visit her website at www.makeupartbycarmelle.com :Editor
NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 3
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I had the privilege to experience
Fun Facts:
this year’s Sculpture by the Sea with a few friends on a Sunday afternoon. The weather was excellent as the day was beautiful and sunny, perfect for the beach and therefore made this experience more enjoyable and memorable. Sculpture by the Sea is held annually on the coastal path from Bondi Beach to Tamarama. This year it was held from 28th October – 14th November. It is a free exhibition of hundreds of outdoor sculptures by both Australian and international artists. Sculpture by the Sea is an enormously popular event, with more than 400,000 visitors each year, the majority attending on weekends. It was first held in 1997 and has been running successfully for 13 years. Many prizes and awards were presented to artists for their outstanding sculptures. Danish artist Keld Mosehelm was announced as the winner of The Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize of $60,000, the main prize at Sculpture by the Sea in 2010.
• The concept for Sculpture by the Sea came from the founding director, David Handley.
• With many years of thinking, essentially the exhibition came from his wish to create a major free to the public arts event for Sydney.
•
Handley was inspired by community arts events such as ‘Opera in the Park’ and ‘Symphony Under the Stars’. The sense of community was not displayed or available in the modern world and therefore wanted to create an accessible visual arts event in Sydney.
•
He was then taken to an outdoor sculpture park set amongst 13th century ruins in northern Bohemia. There he had his first experience of the power of sculptures.
•
Then took a walk along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk and saw where sculptures could be installed.
• In the first year
of the exhibition in 1997, the biggest issue was finance. Staffed by volunteers, started with a bank account of $100, Council approval and sponsored by Sydney Water which put up $5,000 for the first prize, it was produced on a budget of $11,000, of which $8,500 went to the artists in the form of awards. The first exhibition was limited to only one day.
• 25,000 people visited
the 1997 exhibition. The quality of the show and media interest gave the momentum for future development.
•
Slowly, one by one, sponsors came and more finance were given to budget the exhibition and turned it into what the exhibition is today!
The exhibition is designed for people of all ages, from arty fartys, to families with young children and to teenagers who enjoy looking at bizarre things. There is something for everyone! So I recommend that you watch out for Sculpture by the Sea 2011. Don’t miss out! (VS)
Sculpture Sea by the
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The anticipation & excitement was high in preparation for Carols by the Sea at Lady Robinson’s Beach, Brighton-Le-Sands. A picturesque location that is beautiful and known for its white sandy beach and calming atmosphere. A perfect place for Carols by the Sea as it’s frequented regularly by local families on weekends. This wasn’t your average everyday Christmas Concert but I like to call it a Community Wide Celebration that was immersed in an atmosphere of love, caring and giving, a True Spirit of Christmas! There were hundreds of people that attended which included a wide variety of both nationalities and ages. People were packing out the boardwalks and walkways as they looked to get a top spot to enjoy the concert from. There was even a photo shoot by the beach for a newlywed couple that took place 20 minutes before the concert began. What better way to start than with love and commitment, it was truly priceless. ☺ It started to rain prior to the first song, but amazingly as the band began the rain stopped... WOW, now that’s cool! I don’t think anyone wants to be soggy singing carols with family and friends. The songs were great; from Christmas Classics to Bruno Mars, there was something that everyone could sing too. You could see from the excited kids playing around
with their glow sticks and lit up Santa bobble headbands that they were having a great time. The RCC (Rockdale City Council) News group interviewed a few people and this is what they had to say about the event, “It’s great, we have been waiting for this for years, it’s beautiful to come down and just listen to this. It’s nice for younger and older people to be able to be a part of this.”(Older Lady) “We had a lot of fun and it was very family oriented.” (Mother) “We’re very happy that’s there’s such an event held in our community.” (Young Mother) “I think it’s great and fantastic to celebrate Christmas on the beach.” (Mother) “It’s VERY GOOD!” (Older Woman) Rockdale City Council held Carols by the Sea on Saturday the 4th of December 2010 which was hosted by television personality and entertainer Monica Trapaga from Channel 7’s Playhouse Disney. The evening included bands and choirs from Life Centre Church, Bay City Church, St Thomas More Catholic Church Ave Maria choir and a surprise visit by Santa Claus. Rockdale Mayor Bill Saravinovski lit the Christmas tree at 8.45pm and it was the first time the event was held at Brighton-Le-Sands. The atmosphere and overall vibe of the event was fantastic and from the wonderful and heartfelt response of the crowds I can safely say that Carols by the Sea at Brighton Beach was a great success. (MR)
LIFE CENTRE’s
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
“Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.” Well, it wasn’t the perfect weather to go on a sleigh ride (with Christmas in summer and all), but it was the perfect weather to host a spectacular Christmas Concert. For some, Christmas Eve was spent watching TV and laying out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. However, others spent Christmas Eve in 2010 hanging out at Arncliffe Community Life Centre, watching a bunch of talented people put on a show. The warm, summer evening began with a performance by an up and coming band by the name of EQ. A mixture of jazz and R’n’B with recurring rap verses, EQ started the night with a bang. Their relaxed music styles allowed the audience to merely sit back and let go, preparing themselves for what was to come. As they wrapped up their items, actors
in the drama that was next on the agenda busied themselves as they got into position. As someone who was involved in the play, I can truthfully and proudly say that the final performance went much better than all of the practices combined. Mainly consisting of today’s youth, the drama went by fabulously, sending out a message of “The True Meaning of Christmas”. Filled with jokes, dialogue and a few popular Christmas Carols, the audience laughed and sniffed along with the main character. The cast and crew were professional and performed to the best of their abilities. Finger foods were served afterwards and allowed people to chat and mingle. The evening went by quite smoothly, despite the pre-performance jitters. Christmas Eve was the opposite of a calm, silent night, but it was definitely bright. Members of the community that attended enjoyed themselves and we’re looking forward to another production soon. (SF)
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Telling Stories
As a young boy I once lived in an old red brick home in a suburb called Croydon in Sydney. Every night, before
bed time, my little brother and I would rush towards dad and sing him a song: “Tell us a story, tell us a story, tell us a story before we go to bed. You said you would, you know you should, we are ready now, so please be good. Tell us a story before we go to bed”.
And so, much to our mum’s consternation, we would snuggle up to dad, in mum and dad’s bed and listen spell bound as dad told us stories about the killer black panther in the African jungles, or the Australian gold prospector who was down on his luck and then finally struck it rich just before his supplies run out. My dad told us lots of snake stories, some real and some imaginary. They always ended the same way, the evil and offending snake was thrown onto the nearest bull ants’ nest where, in a matter of hours or
days, the snake was reduced to bare bones by the voracious bull ants. I remember stories of Sadhu Sundar Singh. Sadhu was brought up as a devout Sheikh in northern India but when he was sixteen he became depressed and wanted to commit suicide. It was then that he had an encounter with God and began to live the life of a holy man, complete with turban and yellow saffron robe and a vow of poverty. The difference was that dad told us how Sundar Singh was travelling
through an area where there was a man-eating tiger that was preying on the local villagers. Sadhu was staying in a house on the edge of the village, facing the jungle. Sadhu had a habit of going into the jungle to pray at a log in the late afternoon as the sun went down. The owner of the house, a friend of Sadhu was worried about Sadhu’s safety but Sadhu would not listen to him - he had a complete trust in providence. Late one afternoon Sadhu went out to sit on the log in the clearing at the edge of the jungle. The owner of the home silently watched from the veran-
da of the home as the sun went down and twilight grew. All of a sudden, out of the jungle the large man-eating tiger appeared. The tiger silently crept up behind Sundar Singh, who was sitting on the log, seemingly oblivious to his fate. Sundar’s friend was transfixed with fear. Should he yell a warning? But that might make the tiger pounce upon his victim and carry him into the jungle. These thoughts were racing through his friend’s mind, making him freeze. Meanwhile the huge tiger crept closer and closer. Now only a few feet behind Sundar, his friend thought that Sundar would be dead in seconds. At that moment, Sundar Singh reached his hand behind his back without looking and began to pet the tiger. The man-eating tiger acted inexplicably like a kitten and rolled over while Sundar scratched his belly. Sundar Singh’s friend watched for quite some time while Sundar played with the tiger before that man-eating tiger crept back into the jungle.
Such stories from dad left my brother and I in awe, and of course passed something on to us that no similar TV or radio story ever could. Our favourite stories were of our dad’s real life encounters and adventures. I venture to say it will be the same with your children. ‘Dads telling stories to children’ is a lost art that must be regained. It starts with reading bedtime stories, but your own stories, both real and imagined will always be your children’s favourites and the memories will last a lifetime, perhaps for several lifetimes... And that’s a legacy that will not be forgotten. Start telling stories to your children whether you are a father or a grandfather. Your children will love it and you will leave a legacy for your children’s children. (WM) www.fatherhood.org.au
info@startravelworld.com.au www.startravelworld.com.au
The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
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Single Parents can have their cake and eat it too! Being a single mum can be tough going. Sometimes we flit from here to there, yet never feel like we have achieved much in our day, yet we fall into bed each evening exhausted then wake the next morning and jump right back onto that treadmill. Our lives can become a chaotic mess filled with the stress and anxiety of trying to be all things to all people. Does this sound like you? Do you feel like everything is getting on top of you and it’s a real struggle just to keep up with the everyday things that need doing? Washing, cooking, shopping, housework, lawns, gardening… Not to mention spending time with the children, driving them to and from school, sport, parties, and kindergarten. Take heart my friend, because you are not alone. There is an increasing number of other single mums (and dads) in the same boat, feeling the same way, but there are some things we can do that I have tried and proven to make life a bit less complicated as you get more organized. Interested?
Here’s some of the things that I’ve found have worked well. Why not take one or two at a time and have a go? 1.
Garden for just 15 minutes a day. Seriously, you may not think you can achieve much but you will be surprised as you designate a patch or section to do each day just how much you will get done.
2.
Make double or triple batches of everything you cook. Or better yet, get together with another single mum or dad once a month or once a fortnight and cook for a whole fortnight or month together, then share the meals you’ve cooked. So if you both cook double batches of everything you keep one and give one to your friend and he/she does the same for you. It takes a day or two to cook up this much food, but is well worth the effort I assure you.
3.
Make a start – take a walk through your home and make a list of what needs to be done in each room and area. Then each week make a start to work on one of those at a time. Organizing and cleaning as you go.
4.
Everything in its place – sort out toys, sewing and craft stuff, and put into clear plastic boxes. Print out some labels on your computer or on A4 paper and use clear contact to stick them on to the appropriate boxes. You can also put appropriate pictures on them for the children’s toys which will help young ones to know what goes in what box – blocks, cars, shoes, animals, Leggos, etc.
5.
Plan your menus and shopping lists – otherwise we spend money on things we don’t really need. If you shop weekly plan what meals you will have for that week (if you haven’t already cooked a month’s worth!) and then make a shopping list of what you will need. Then you know you will have everything you need for all those meals and won’t have to waste time and energy running Make a time sheet – write down everything you do for a week or two. This to the supermarket to get one or two things. Besides, how many of us really just come out with those one or two things that we went in for? I’m sure you know will help you to see where you are spending the bulk of your time and will help to show you where you can claim back some time to do other productive things. the things I’m talking about….chocolate, ice cream, lollies, Coke…
6.
7.
Try never to shop for groceries on a Thursday. Seriously, I have kept a price index of my grocery prices for the past few years and things are more expensive on Thursdays and Fridays. If you can manage to shop on Tuesday, you will find many prices are reduced and there are more items on special to choose from. If you keep a good eye on your grocery prices you will also know when things are really on special not just a few cents knocked off.
8.
Take your friend’s children for a day to give him or her some time out and then swap over another day and you have some time out.
9.
Do your Christmas shopping through the year – this can save you many dollars as you buy things when they are on special and tuck them away for Christmas and or birthdays. It also saves impulse buying and last minute shopping in the rush.
10.
Plan fun things to do with the children or friends – they don’t have to cost much, if anything. You can have a picnic, pies or fish and chips in the park, go on an op-shop treasure hunt, bake cookies, go to McDonalds for coffee and cookies or a muffin, go to the beach, progressive dinner around the house – a different part in a different room. (DG)
KATE’S
fAMILY dAY cARE Friendly. Fun. Affordable. Home-based child care for
0-6 year olds.
Limited Spaces Wed-Friday for 2011.
Mention this ad and your child will receive free play group attendance for one month. Blue Mountains - Springwood Area CCB subsidy available. Phone : 02 4754 4889 NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 11
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Nice things not bad things
city 12
I treasure my bedtime talks with the children, especially when the lights are turned off and they are not quite asleep yet. This was my conversation with Immanuel (5) the other night: Me: “Immanuel... how would you show someone that you love them?”
Immanuel: “Ummm... I would tell them that I love them, then I would also make a special card with the shape of a love heart and put pink sparkles on it, and I would also tell them nice things not bad things, like I always say ‘I love you’ Mummy...” Something to think about: How many times do we say we love someone, yet in the heat of the moment we can sometimes say hurtful things to them? Let us reflect on our recent words and actions to our loved ones. Take Immanuel’s advice and make a conscious decision to appreciate them with more kind words. (CI)
Do Something About It
While watching the “Joseph King of Dreams” movie with Immanuel the other day, I asked him to sit beside me on the sofa. I called out his name twice, but he did not move from the carpet where he was sitting. Suddenly, I caught him wiping his tears while watching the movie and I knew that the movie had spoken to him, not just to his head, but more to his heart. He then moved over to give me a big, long hug. With so many things going on around us, we can often be so desensitized and we can miss out on learning so many things that surround matters of the heart. There is at least a lesson that we can learn with every movie, every story that we come across. But it all depends on our heart condition, whether we would allow a story or an incident to speak to us. Look around you, what can you see? With what you see, what can you learn from it? With what you learn, how are you going to apply it in your own life? For only when we decide to do something about what we see that moves our heart, that we will begin to see change in our lives and our surroundings. (CI)
A Handsome Heart
This was a conversation with my 5yr old Immanuel the other day: Mummy: Immanuel... which one is more important? A handsome face or a handsome heart? Immanuel: A handsome heart. Mummy: Ok... what do you mean by a handsome heart? Immanuel: A handsome heart means you have to do good things from the heart. Mummy: Let me give you examples and you tell me
if it is an example of a handsome heart or an ugly heart, ok..? Immanuel: Ok... Mummy: You won’t share stuff with your brother... Immanuel: Ugly heart. Mummy: You love your brother and give him hugs... Immanuel: Handsome heart. Mummy: You whinge and complain because you didn’t get what you want... Immanuel: Ugly heart. Mummy: You pray and ask God for something that you really want...
*PAUSE* Immanuel: Ohhh... handsome heart. That was a tricky one Mummy! *laughs* Even though as a parent I may be biased to say that my children have fairly good looks, I often remind them that beyond their outer appearance and Godgiven talents that they need to have beautiful hearts inside. A beautiful heart will carry a person all the way steadily to the top, yet their feet will remain on the ground, realising and acknowledging that every good gift comes from above. (CI)
New Year New You What a time of the year. It is that time when we reflect and try to get back into the groove of things, work, business or even just cleaning the house! We are sobering up quite literally, realising how much we ate, drunk, partied and even sunbaked (if you’re like me, burnt). I’m hearing all my colleagues and friends talk of losing weight. They say, “this is the year, I am getting rid of 5 kilos at least, it’s all or nothing”. I hear “I’m saving up for the BMW I want”, “I’m never drinking that much at the Christmas party again, so embarrassing!” What I am not hearing though is, “I’m going to look after myself.” The best place to start is to look af-
ter yourself, as I found we only have one body to take care of, why not do it well? I’ve always been a fan of massage therapy and detoxifying therapies, which rejuvenate and kick start the body. I am all about putting your best foot and face forward, looking after the thing that people look at first… Your face! So why not do something different, something fantastic for you, why not try to look and feel your best this year. I’ve found that you don’t have to go out to the city these days to get the best, you can get it done right here in the St George area. EB Medispa are fantastic professionals and they definitely know what they are doing. Ask them about their summer specials. You’ll feel that you will tackle 2011 with gusto!
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Ending
Exasperation
Have you ever wondered why as a dad, especially during holiday season, your presence seems to bring out the best and worst in your children? Why just one negative comment seems to deflate them just as an uplifting one does the opposite, making them feel good about themselves? One of the reasons is that dads, like me, working full time are often absent more than present. As a result, children crave our attention. I have noticed this particularly with my girls--an 18 month old and six year old. Both won’t let me out of their sight! When I try and get away from them, either mentally or physically, they immediately get exasperated, upset. My little guy, a three year old is different. He is more of a mummy’s boy at this age, so reacts differently when I withdraw. His exasperation is not so obvious. He tends to withdraw himself from me, just like I am doing from him. Have you ever noticed this exasperation--quiet or more obvious-- in your own children or children of friends? Have you ever wondered: how do I end their exasperation?
If you haven’t noticed a child’s exasperation then you are missing it (which is the most likely scenario) or you are a perfect parent or carer (which does not include me!). One of the blessings I had was growing up in a tribal society where family was not just a nucleus of mum and dad and the kids, or mum and the kids, or dad and the kids, a blended family or whatever other post-modern concoction a family is perceived to be. Rather, family to me was community, where uncles and aunties, dads and mums were not just biological, they were relational and educational. One ‘sister’ taught me how to fish, one ‘dad’ taught me how to hunt, another about timber for woodwork and woodworking. Other ‘mums’ taught me how to garden: what to plant, where and when. Through all of this I can remember few times when I was exasperated by my parents’ lack of attention. Why? My extended family invested time training and instructing me. At night my mum or dad (my biological ones) read stories to me. From these story times comes my love of reading and research. My community parents taught me many other things during the day. I learned by doing, by being given a chance to bait my own hook, set my own traps, dig my own garden. During this time of learning by doing, I found out from my extended family what they believed in, why they believed it, what values they had, all whilst doing things with them I enjoyed. I wasn’t being lectured. I was being trained and instructed. The difference between the two is worlds apart, even if the information and aim is the same.
Extending family is exactly that. Start by involving more people in the upbringing of your children. If you don’t have children, be one of the extended family members spending time with other people’s children. Involve children in what you are doing. Explain to them what you are doing and why. You will be amazed at the response! If you want to end exasperation in your children, start by extending your family. Spend time involving them in what you are doing rather than leaving them to be entertained in front of the TV or computer. You will be amazed at the results. (PR)
Good Bugs
& Weeds Spring and summer in the garden, lawn and yard is a time of bugs and weeds. One of the first reactions of the modern gardener is to grab a herbicide spray to get rid of those pesky weeds or an insecticide to blast those buzzing insects into oblivion. But wait a minute. What if there are good bugs and weeds that will benefit your plot more by being alive than dead? Remember that one of the problems with herbicides and insecticides are that they can kill indiscriminately more than intended and may remove bugs and weeds that do more good than harm.
Some of the good weeds and even the bugs can be eaten, though most of you will probably stop at the weeds! Even if you don’t eat them, leaving good bugs and weeds in the garden can help protect and fertilise you garden. One of the best weeds is legumes because they add nitrogen to fertilise the soil. (See my article “Growing Fertiliser” in new city’s dec 2010 Edition for more information). Other great weeds are Dandelions, which attract bees when in flower and birds when they go to seed. Bees pollinate plants and birds eat insects, twin benefits. Poppies often grow in shaded areas, helping to hold dry soil together. Many groundcovers help hold soils together and can be pulled out or cut back and piled up around plants.
Insects can be helpful too. Ladybugs, small beetles with red or orange black dots, are a great addition to gardens because they feed off aphids and other small insect larvae. My daughter loves them, going on ladybug hunts to find different hues of red, yellow and orange. After putting them in her hand she lets them go back to work
again. Dragonflies, another cool bug which I always dreamed were helicopters, also eat aphids and their habit of skimming water-filled areas is to feed on water-borne bugs, particularly mosquitoes and their larvae.
green ants play similar roles in cooler, more temperate climates Burrowing grubs are also great in the soil and the less you dig and the more you mulch, the more likely they are to remain in the soil, helping to retaining moisture and providing organic fertilizer to your garden.
Apart from flying insects, crawling insects like centipedes kill caterpillars, grubs, slugs, fly larvae and pupae. Ants too are beneficial, since they will also eat aphids. In more tropical climes, weaver ants, which can be red or green and build their nests by weaving together leaves, eat stinkbug, leaf-feeding caterpillars, aphids, bugs, moths, adult black bugs, and small animals. Other ants, like the bull ant and
So next time you see some bugs and weeds popping up in the garden or lawn don’t immediately reach for the bug or weed spray. They may not be the enemy. There are good and bad bugs and weeds so there and before you shoot (spray), make sure you know who is friend and foe. You never know a good bug or weed may do you a good turn by saving you time and money. (PR)
NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 15
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NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 17
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Workplace Sexual Harassment: The Other Targets
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2010 seemed to be the year of the scandal, didn’t it? We witnessed political scandal as Julia ousted old Kev from office. We had Julian Assange and Wikileaks putting Australia on the map as big shots all over the world squirmed and waited for their dirty laundry to be aired internationally. We sympathized then rolled our eyes as one by one, celebrity marriages crumbled. We didn’t really bat an eyelid when Shane Warne’s latest affair hit the news but nice try anyway Warnie. One fascinating headline from last year was the case of Kirsty Fraser-Kirk vs. David Jones Boss, Mark McGuiness. It was the largest sexual harassment case Australia had ever seen. The complainant was after a massive $37 million dollars in damages and walked away with $850,000. I wasn’t sure what I thought about the whole case but I was happy about one thing. At least workplace sexual harassment was on the agenda again.
“I don’t think there are many cases where a guy would complain. He would not want to appear fragile or weak to those around him. Even though the harasser may make him feel threatened, embarrassed, rejected or humiliated, not many men would even let people see the effect it has had on them, let alone formally complain.”
But did anyone pay attention to the ‘other’ harassment case that took place last year? It went before the court in September: Sammut vs. Distinctive Options Limited. It was an anti-discrimination case due to sexual harassment, the victim was male and it was a reminder that women aren’t the only prey. Niki Howells-Shramm from the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientist and Managers went on record saying this: “It’s very difficult for them (male victims). We know that the reporting of sexual harassment is woefully low for women and it is even worse for men. Men are less willing to raise it because they still face a stigma in speaking out about sexual harassment but it’s not fair and it’s not on.” Niki went on to say that men often don’t raise the issue until they are ready to resign or are already on stress leave. So I asked some men what they thought of it. It came as a shock to me that some men didn’t necessarily agree that this type of harassment really exists. Perhaps this attitude is part of the reason why those who are facing this type of harassment find it so hard to deal with. I was less shocked to find that very few of the men I spoke with would ever admit to having been harassed. One man I spoke with said this:
Workplace Sexual Harassment: The Other Targets
Only one respondent said that he had been subject to sexual harassment. He was also quick to say he was able to deal with it himself. Just because men don’t often speak up doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen! Mr. Sammut won his case! And he would be just one of thousands of men across Australia who are in situations where they are being harassed. The thing that makes him rare is the fact that he spoke up. There have been fantastic advancements in Equal Opportunity Policy in Australia. Women now have a better shot than ever before, but it’s possible that some men don’t know how to stand up for themselves without appearing aggressive, chauvinistic or even weak. Could this be contributing to the problem? I once sat in a lecture on feminism and noticed three male students boiling in their seats beside me. They didn’t feel able to speak up on things they found unfair because they didn’t want to appear anti-feminist. I got them to pass notes to me and took on the lecturer myself. But it is one example of how men sometimes struggle to speak up for fear of appearing either too aggressive or too fragile. One man I spoke with had some interesting insights on the topic of bullying against men. He said this: “To a point, the degree of impact is proportionate to the response and resilience of the ‘victim.’ I have been fortunate in that I am assertive enough to take a stand and deal with it personally so it becomes a non-issue. I am glad there is good policy in place to assist those who may need help though. However, I do think it might be harder for a man to admit they are a victim if they lack assertiveness.” I think this particular man has a bit of wisdom we can all learn from, not just the guys. So girl or guy, sexual harassment or otherwise, how do we protect ourselves and minimize the impact of bullying and harassment on our lives? Here are a few tips.
Know when it’s harassment and know the policy on it. There is a lot of information out there! There are state standards on bullying and harassment and most organisations will have their own policies about the issue too. The definition of sexual harassment is worth noting as well. It is any intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature or unwelcome, inappropriate requests and demands. It can range from seemingly mild actions and comments right up to full blown abuse or assault. Many people think that if ‘proper’ abuse or assault didn’t happen, then it’s not harassment. Not true. If it’s intimidating, if it’s coercion, if you said ‘no thanks,’ then it’s not okay. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being harassed, find out what your organisations policy is. If they don’t have one, places like Legal Aid, Reach Out Australia or Workcover NSW will be able to help you with information. Be assertive. In every kind of abuse or harassment, one thing remains the same. The power balance is shifted in favour of the abuser. If you are assertive and can stand up for yourself, you are in a good position to address the issue and minimise its damage upon you. Know when to say “Enough is enough.” Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a trusted manager or colleague if you find yourself lacking in the courage department. It is a shame to think that some people go on stress leave or resign before resolving an issue! Don’t wait until it is causing you stress and anxiety to put a stop to it. Remember that the art of assertiveness is one that is best learned be-
fore necessity demands it. If you nip bullying in the butt in a firm and fair manner before it becomes a problem, you may be able to avoid victimisation in the first place. There is no substitute for your own personal resilience. Be it bullying, harassment or purely the ability to weather the trials of life, personal resilience is an asset we can all benefit from. We can’t always control what happens to us but we can control how much of our lives we let it impact. Resilience is what lets us bounce back from adversity. It is like the film that causes water to run off a ducks back. So often we take care of the finances, the kids, the mortgage and the bills yet we ignore the thing that allows us to enjoy all of these things: a healthy resilient mind. Bullying and harassment is a serious issue for both men and women in workplaces, schools and social groups right across Australia. If you are a target, know that you are not alone. I do believe that if armed with knowledge, resilience and assertiveness, anyone can improve their situation. Sure it might take a little help, but it can be done. But why wait to be a victim before taking steps to stay safe? If you can establish boundaries of what is and isn’t okay, if you can practice the kind of assertiveness that is kind but fair and develop resilience within yourself, then you just might be able to stop this issue from causing you unnecessary stress and anxiety in the first place. (CH)
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NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 19
CHEERS! NEW
city 20
It was meant to be a fun night with
a few close friends to celebrate the New Year. David downed a six pack, was feeling good and flirted with a girl he didn’t even know. His wife Jen was so upset she drove home over the drink limit and hit 3 parked cars. Ben spotted David all over his girl and a fight erupted in the lounge room. Several mates joined in or tried to break it up. Drinks, several dips and a large photo frame were caught in the fray. The carpet needed steam cleaning. Ben needed stitches. Jen needed a lawyer. David needed some serious grovelling. Aussies love a good party don’t we? What better excuse than Christmas, New Year and the holidays (love those BBQ, pool or ‘kicking back and watching the cricket’ parties). Whatever the theme, the common denominator is usually alcohol. While we joke about getting “merry” and love to spin a yarn about our (or others’) drunken exploits, it seems however that where there is alcohol, there’s often trouble. Over the 09/10 Christmas and holiday season, as many as 70% of Australians were negatively affected by the drinking of a stranger (from noise nuisance through to physical and sexual assault); 2 million Australians say they knew someone who injured themselves or was harmed while drinking; and 1.3 million Australians directly experienced abuse or violence due to excessive alcohol consumption. (AERF media release 26/11/10) Staggering numbers! It’s not limited to the holiday season of course. Australia is a country of drinkers. The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household survey indicated 83% of Australians over the age of 14 had consumed alcohol in the months prior to the survey. I’m reminded of my eldest daughter Sian’s ‘Sweet 16th’ birthday. She asked for a party with “just some school friends”. Naively I agreed. My husband and I were pre-committed to another function until about 9pm, so I thought the kids would be fine until we got home. What was I thinking? We arrived home just after nine... And I’ll never forget the mayhem that greeted us. About 200 (yes that’s not a slip of the keyboard) kids from 13 years up were spilled out down our drive, across the lawn and into the street. There were even a few on the roof! The house was lit up like a Christmas tree and the music… Well we could feel the earth pulsating ‘doof doof doof’ long before we reached home. They were all having a very merry time – girls, boys, music, alcohol (and lots of it by the looks) and no adults, teen heaven-on-a-stick! It was a party to rival any New Year’s Eve bash. We made our way into the house, just as a group of kids were dragging a clearly unconscious lad out the back door. “We’re just taking him outside to sleep it off”, they said. “Who is he and what has he had?” I demanded. They were a bit unclear on both counts. “Just some whisky maybe”, they thought. Turned out he’d downed a whole bottle of Jack Daniels! Still unconscious he proceeded to vomit. What if we’d been just 2 minutes later arriving home and he’d been left alone outside in the dark? I still shudder to think.
He was the first of several calls to the local hospital. Thankfully, the others were more minor - cut feet from broken glass and an asthma attack. (Granted the injury count would have been greater if we’d had a whip on hand as we cleared them out.) We spent the next couple of hours scouring the premises for any other unconscious children, cleaned up quite a few, rang a heap of parents to collect their darlings and herded the rest of them off into the ether. The next day, as we were picking glass out of the back lawn (great fun), Sian told me, “Thanks mum that was the best party ever!” I replied, “I’m glad you enjoyed it – BECAUSE YOU ARE NEVER having another one!”
So, what about supervision? Surely we can teach our kids to handle their alcohol? Well the jury is well and truly ‘in’ on this one. We now know the adolescent brain is still developing until the age of about 24 and is particularly vulnerable to alcohol. Research shows early age onset of drinking (including supervised drinking in the home) greatly increases the likelihood of binge drinking (outside the home) and alcohol dependence in adulthood. Drinking may also ‘lock’ young people into an impulsive, immature state. Could this explain the rise in drunken brawls amongst not-so-young adults?
We laugh about it now but I still wonder how did so many kids access so much alcohol? How did one child come so close to death on my watch? Was it just a matter of providing better supervision? Was it even such a big deal or is it just part of growing up? And why would they want to do that to themselves? Confession time. Sian had asked me if she could have alcohol at the party and I reluctantly agreed to buy her some of those premix alcopops. I figured if she was going to drink it would be better if I knew ‘what’ and ‘how much’. It seemed like the rational and responsible thing to do. That was ten years ago. I now know and think differently and not just thanks to hindsight. Over the last decade the science community has gathered a vast array of new knowledge about alcohol and its affects, particularly where young people are concerned. You might not be surprised to know that over half of all serious alcohol-related road injuries occur among 15-24 year olds, but did you know that alcohol is responsible for more deaths in this age group than all illicit drugs together?
uselessfacts
Research reveals other sobering facts. Teen drinking is associated with increased risk of learning problems, social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, impulsive behaviours, illicit drug use and violence.
So why are young people so bent on drinking? Perhaps it’s because they are bombarded by messages that associate alcohol with having fun, being cool and being ‘grown up’. Kids along with adults are vulnerable to the many pressures to drink and this is reflected in current social trends with statistics indicating by age 14, around 68% of students have consumed alcohol and many on a regular basis. (Australian Secondary Schools Students Use of Alcohol in 2005) It seems that getting drunk has become a ‘rite of passage’ into teen-hood (along with losing your virginity and getting your licence – often in that order). And it’s a practice that often stays with us for life. While most Aussies would likely say they drink responsibly, it’s estimated that the consequences of alcohol use (lost work hours, injury etc etc) costs us a whopping $36 billion per year. Of course the fallout is not just economic, it’s our relationships and health (physical and mental) that bear the brunt. Yet, it seems to be a price we are willing to pay. Do we forget alcohol is a drug? Most of us are aware that it damages the liver and the brain, but you might be interested to learn that alcohol consumption can result in impotence, shrinking testicles and damaged sperm. Beer companies don’t tell you that in their ads! Let me ask you - are you happy with the status quo? Can we keep pretending our drinking habits are all just a bit of harmless fun? When so many are paying such a high price - especially our kids? So what can be done? Maybe acknowledging that there is a problem is a good place to start. (DS)
www.families.org.au
The average human dream la sts 2-3 seconds.
When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, and they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
It takes the fo od seven second s to get from yo ur mouth to you r stomach.
The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.
NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 21
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LOST AND FOUND IN
It’s easy to lose yourself in Paris. Somewhere between the first exciting Frenglish conversation with a local (“He just called me ‘mademoiselle’! Do you think he thinks I’m French?!”), and your first authentic croissant, you begin to forget that wherever you came from even exists. All of a sudden, it’s perfectly acceptable to walk around carrying a breadstick under your arm and have a coffee so strong it makes your eyes water. You visit
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PARIS
patisseries without worrying about the astronomical calories in your buttery pastry delight – it’s a key cultural experience. Gone is the routine of home, wherever that may be. You’re in Paris, for goodness sake!
I was there barely two months ago and by the end of the two short days, I felt like I had been raised on baguettes and fromage. I did the touristy thing and then spent the other day and a half simply meandering around the city. The much raved about Eiffel Tower, and the famed shopping on Rue Cambon had absolutely nothing on the other experiences. Sitting by the Seine, with cherries, surrounded by pigeons,
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I realised I could really get used to it. Regardless of the fact I could barely muster a decent “how are you?” in the native tongue, I was determined to return and live the little French dream. It didn’t matter about the very vocal male contingent of the city, who seemed to admire and appreciate everything female, or the ridiculously jacked up prices in the tourist hotspots. It was all part of the not-so-perfect charm that makes up any experience. The longer I spent there, in a country full of people I couldn’t understand, the more I figured out something. The time away from reality, per se, and the time spent experiencing another country really made me think differently about my own life. What do people think, when they come to Australia? Do
they see a beer with breakfast and a good steak as part of their ‘cultural experience’ here?
Anywhere will capture you for a while. Paris stole a little piece of my heart. But at the end of the day, maybe you need to leave home, to love home. And maybe you don’t lose yourself in Paris after all, maybe you actually find yourself. (NF)
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food review GECKO
B
righton-Le-Sands is quickly becoming one of my favourite places to eat, not only for its close proximity to where I live, but for the atmosphere and of course the food which hasn’t disappointed me so far.
So the other day my friends and I had lunch at GECKO’s, which is situated at Shop 18, inside Bayside Plaza on The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands. Since I arrived late, my brother started without me and ordered the GECKO express menu (12-3pm). For $15 you get a choice of Cannelloni filled with spinach, ricotta, Napoli sauce, Spaghetti Napoli /Penne Pesto or Panini’s and wholegrain buns with your choice of topping. To wash it all down, you get a choice of a glass of house wine, soft drink or local beer (VB or James Boags Light) When we arrived, my brother was almost done with lunch and before he could finish, I sampled his spaghetti with Napoli. The pasta was cooked “al dente”
(to the tooth) and the pasta sauce was very balanced. When we had a chance to order, I ordered the Fettuccine with pancetta, mixed mushrooms, cream, garlic (boscaiola) and my friend ordered the Rigatoni with lamb sausage ragu. Both dishes tasted great except for one thing, most of my fettuccine was stuck together which made eating slightly difficult. All in all, I think GECKO is a great place to have lunch or dinner especially during summer time with their al fresco dinner area and their modern spin on classic dishes and friendly staff. (SY)
www.geckorestaurant.com.au
HARRY’S CAFÉ DE WHEELS I t might be slightly strange to review a place like Harry’s but it’s become such an icon in Sydney, how could you not write about it? Yes ok, it might be a franchise now but let me take you back to how it all began… Just kidding! You can check their website listed above below if you are interested to know how it started. I will tell you this though, I’ve been going to Harry’s for as long as my memories could take me. My first reactions were, “Why are we ordering food from a caravan thingy?” Little did I know that Harry’s would be one of my favourite places to get a late night snack or two. Not surprisingly, that was the exact same thinking Mr Harry Edwards had; where to get a late night feed all those years ago in 1938. For those still living in their caves, you need to get yourself down to Harry’s Café De Wheels (in Woolloomooloo) and sample one of his pies. The most famous one “The Tiger” (mash, peas and
www.harryscafedewheels.com.au
gravy on your choice of pie), nickenamed after Mr Edwards himself when he was in World War II! But they do also have hot dogs with any topping you want. My favourite hot dog toppings are mash and gravy (bangers and mash in a bun). But don’t despair for those living in the St George district, there’s a Harry’s Café De Wheels in Tempe on Princes Highway over the bridge! (SY)
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The Entertainment
Generation Ever hummed along to “Let me entertain you” by Robbie Williams? I cannot profess to be a fan but I must admit that song is catchy. Robbie seems to have hit the nail on the head with that song though. Of course it did well on the charts! It captured the attitude of a generation obsessed with entertainment.
are of utmost importance to us. Just look at the meteoric rise of social networking platforms and sites like YouTube.
Electronic gadgets, video games, gaming equipment, music and movies topped lists of “What to buy for Christmas” once again last year and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Generation Y, born between 1982 and 1994, is riding the wave of the biggest technology and information boom in history. We literally have the world at our fingertips. On one level this can bring us together. A few months back I was on Twitter lamenting how hard it was to tune my Cello. I whacked a little ‘#’ symbol in front of the word “cello” and wham! I was contacted by cellists all over the world wanting to help me with my problem. “Ah”, I thought. “I am part of the cello community.” I felt all warm on the inside. I did read a funny tweet (a Twitter message) that made me think though. It said “I am in complete control of my social media use. I can stop any time I want to. I simply don’t want to.” Sounded like talk of an addict to me. If you were to remove a mobile phone or revoke internet usage from a member of Generation Y, you might be surprised at the angst that it causes. Connection, expression and acceptance
But even though technology does have the capacity to ‘bring us together,’ we shouldn’t ignore the fact that it also has the potential to isolate us and create a false sense of connection. It is now possible to make friends and maintain friendships online, to communicate, become part of groups and causes in cyberspace and in the same breath disconnect from the real world. We can now even pick and choose which news pieces we view. If the headline doesn’t hook us, we don’t have to click on the link to open the article. It is now possible to tune out the bad or boring bits of news and current affairs. But does it mean that these things don’t affect us? No. My ‘first time voter’ colleague may not have had any interest in reading political updates but she was still part of the democratic process that elected our government. Like many first timers on Election Day, she wished she had taken the time to find out more. Musician John Mellencamp ranted last year that the internet had destroyed music. His claim, among
other things, was that it was missing the warmth and quality it was intended to have. In fact, he could have a point here that is bigger than music. The majority of non face-to-face communication now takes place via short messages. Text messaging, Facebook statuses and comments, Twitter’s 140 character ‘tweets’ and other social networking methods have transformed the way Generation Y communicates. This can make life very convenient. I often get a message from my housemate that goes something like this: “Toilet paper. Light Globes.” I know what that means. Someone is sitting on the loo in the dark. So I swing by the supermarket on the way home. Crisis averted. However, the short nature of messaging doesn’t always suit the complexities of life. Often context is missing, emotion can be misinterpreted and intent can be misread.
Back in the early days of text messaging, my mum was getting all ‘up with it’ and texting us instead of calling. I remember receiving a phone call from her with some very bad news. After I hung up I had two text messages on my phone. One was from mum detailing the bad news I had just received via phone. The other was from my sister saying “Delete mums message! I made her call you instead. Hope you got the phone call first.”
Cyberspace had become the only place this person could interact. Now she was reaching out for help on a platform that couldn’t reach out to her because it was made of Java-scripts and HTML code, not of heart and soul. I stared at the statement for a while and wondered what to say. I felt like I had to say something because it seemed that everyone else on her friends list, like me, had no idea how to respond. I didn’t have her phone number so I private messaged her the number for Lifeline instead.
You see, there is a time and a place for instant messaging and online communication. It can make life a lot more convenient. But there is also a time and a place for real person-to-person relating too. They say communication is 10% words, 35% tone and 55% body language. How can we possibly get the full picture in a text-based message? Though the convenience of technology cannot be denied, it mustn’t be the lens through which all life is viewed. Perhaps with a bit of mindfulness we can make sure that it stays there to support us but not to define or restrict us. I once heard someone say “I am a shy person, so I am reaching out to find friends online first.” At first I thought, ‘Hey girl, at least you are doing something.’ But then hours later I was reading the status update of another acquaintance asking ‘would anyone notice if I was gone.’ Sure it was a different friend who made the statement but I saw how it could affect someone similar who lacked social confidence.
The point I am getting at is this: whether we are dealing with news and current affairs or with the stuff of life, we must learn the balance between shortmessage exchanges and rich communication. Rich communication is time with friends, family and those who love you. It is when you put down the phone, log off the computer, grab yourself a coffee and spend time with a human. It is when you read the full article, not just the headline and first paragraph. It is when you take the time to reach out and fully interact with your world and be part of it instead of just being vaguely kept up to date with what is happening in it. I love my generation. I think we are incredible. In ‘Gen Y’ I see so much innovation, passion and potential to create positive change. We are embracing the tech-boom and all it has brought us. So too must we take care to not lose ourselves in it. MP3 players, video games and gaming equipment will continue to top the list of most-purchased gifts for years to come. We may have the whole world at our fingertips but it is still at our doorstep too. Being connected is bigger than just being ‘logged in.’
So while we all made New Years Resolutions, most of which will have been broken by the first few weeks of January, let’s consider the world at our doorstep and not just the virtual world. Try logging in to life this year. (CH)
Who Said Social Networking Is Useless?
And now for some good news spotted around cyberspace recently. Joshua #####: A man found my wallet and used Facebook to find me... with all my money and cards still in it... we need more people like this! Elise ####: Can someone tell my mum I am still waiting out the front of Coles? I think she has forgotten me and I am all out of credit. (Ten Minutes Later) Elise #####: Thank you Facebook world and whoever messaged mum for me! I’m a going home! Angela #######: Zac Efron is single. Fabulous. I am moving to LA.
NEW CITY MAGAZINE . 27
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MOVIE r e v i ew
The Green Hornet “The film warrants the biggest marketing budget in film history,” a Miramax executive commented in the press release. Well, it makes sense as the movie has been marketed consistently for over 18 years and it has been nearly 20 years since the first screenplay was written for the big screen!!! Is it worth watching? Are you kidding? It’s one of the best adapted screenplays and superhero movie resurrections! Period! Seth Rogen (You, Me & Dupree, Kung Fu Panda) who plays “The Green Hornet” also impressively co-wrote the screenplay along with Evan Goldberg. As most of you would know, in the original “GREEN HORNET”, Kato was played by BRUCE LEE. Now the much coveted role has been filled by none other than Taiwanese Superstar Jay Chou (Initial D, Curse of the Golden Flower) who is a well known musician, singer, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. Rogen and Chou are a great mix that will appeal to those of varying tastes, kinda like cookies and cream ice-cream, wonderful on their own but once combined, you never want to go back! Rogen inherits his father’s vast fortune and media empire! One day he meets an employee named Kato who is a highly resourceful young man who is so much more than he seems. Seeing as they both have amazing abilities that are going to waste, they decide to team up and become crime fighters, “The Green Hornet & Kato”! Reid’s secretary is played by the highly talented and beautiful Cameron Diaz (The Mask, Charlie’s Angels) and this time round they must face their greatest challenge yet... All the gangs of the city united against them because they fear them to be a direct threat to their elaborate grand plan! With so much star power, humour, amazing gadgets & a slick storyline, this visually stunning movie is sure to be a HUGE HIT this summer. Might I add, it’s also in 3D! ☺ (MR)
The Way Back EPIC, GRAND and BREATHTAKING are just a few words to describe this GIANT of a film in terms of storyline, heart and incredible acting. You couldn’t ask for much more but then you will be delightfully surprised to realise that this wonderful movie is based on a TRUE STORY! “The Way Back” is based on the escape of several prisoners from a Stalinist Siberian Gulag (regarded as one of the worst prisons of all time) during World War II. The movie also traces their gruelling journey from Siberia all the way to India! Director Peter Weir (Master And Commander) is at the helm of this modern masterpiece and it features a wonderful ensemble cast of Academy Award-Nominees such as Ed Harris (The Rock, The Truman Show), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe, The Other Boleyn Girl), Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, City of Ember and The Lovely Bones), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood) and Academy Award-Winner Colin Farrel (Alexander, S.W.A.T). I love movies that take you on unexpected journeys, with a surprise around every turn, movies that both excite and thrill you into anticipating what will happen next, only to be shocked and startled by the twist that you didn’t see coming! ☺ I’m THRILLED to say that this movie has all of this and so much more. You will feel as though you are there taking every step with the escapees, going through all the emotional highs and lows but receiving the greatest gift through it all... “FREEDOM & REDEMPTION!” (MR)
The Dilemma Whenever I hear that Ron Howard is directing a film I STOP and take notice! He’s a highly creative director who sees things from a truly unique point of view. This, I believe... is what sets him apart from other directors. And with Academy Award-Winning films such as “Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind” up his sleeve, this is sure to be a hit too! This is the second comedy for Howard, his first being “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” which starred Jim Carrey back in 2000. It’s a very ambitious move but one that has paid off too. We see the likes of Ronny (Vince Vaughn) who completely idolises his partner and best friend Isaac’s (Kevin James) marriage for years. The blow comes when Ronny discovers that Isaac’s wife Geneva (Winona Ryder) is having an affair with another man named Zip (Channing Tatum), this then shatters his faith in relationships and he quickly becomes to a certain degree obsessed. His absolutely crazy behaviour is jeopardising his own relationship with his girlfriend. Now this is his greatest dilemma... Do I tell my best friend that his wife is cheating on him and potentially destroy his marriage or do I stay silent and probably lose his friendship if he ever found out I knew in the first place? Certainly a real dilemma, but if I was in his shoes I would definitely tell my friend the truth with great care and wisdom. “Do to others what you would like them to do to you!” This says it all don’t you agree? When interviewed by Eric Eisenberg, Ron Howard said, “I thought that the characters were really interesting... I’ve been interested in trying to find a comedy to do again. I looked around and realized that it had been a decade or more since I’d done one. This is kind of a comic psychological thriller. The characters are great and the scenes are funny.” (MR)
The Mechanic Explosive and downright ballistic!!! If you are into the “Transporter” movies you’re gonna love this one, I guarantee it. Just when you thought Jason Statham couldn’t get any better then he jumps into the role of “The Mechanic”, which was popularised back in the 70’s as this is a remake of the original film that was released in 1972 starring Charles Bronson. There are some great talents on show... including the likes of veteran Donald Sutherland (The Dirty Dozen, Mash), Ben Foster (Hostage, XMen: The Last Stand), Jason Statham (The Transporter, Crank) in the lead role and Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) directs this white knuckle, adrenaline fuelled ride! “The Mechanic” Arthur Bishop (Statham) is an elite assassin with a strict code and unique talent for cleanly eliminating targets with ease. There has to be no personal or emotional attachments to jobs or targets of which Bishop is the best in the business. But things take an unexpected turn when Bishop’s close friend and associate Harry (Sutherland) is murdered. Bishop then takes this personally and the irony of it all is that Harry’s son Steve (Foster) wants to join Bishop and bring those responsible to JUSTICE! Its visual mayhem and the ingenuity of some scenes are so amazing, they have to be seen to be believed. All in all, a slick action extravaganza with adequate points of humour and emotion that do well to balance the raw power that surges through most scenes at a lightning fast speed. Strap on your seatbelts peoples you’re in for one WILD RIDE! (MR)
CD review Charlie Wilson: Just Charlie FUNKY FRESH and a nice blend of Old & New school, Charlie Wilson shows that he’s still got it! Especially in a market that’s inundated with R&B and Pop groups not just in America but around the world. As we see the rise of K-Pop (Korean Pop) and J-Pop (Japanese Pop) in Asian countries but now they have become popularised in the west too! Charlie started his career back in the late 70’s early 80’s with the Gap Band, who were made up of a trio of brothers of which Charlie was the lead vocalist. They have been a huge inspiration to many of today’s biggest artists and you can hear traces of Charlie and his soulful R&B style through singers like Madonna, Usher, Mary J Blige, Will Smith & Ashanti to name a few! Charlie Wilson Himself said, “From day one R Kelly has always proclaimed himself a modern Charlie Wilson... He and I have talked about cooperation for several years and now it’s finally happening!” Charlie Wilson has a style that will always be current and with songs like: “My Girl Is A Dime”, “You Are” and “I Wanna Be Your Man” (featuring Fantasia) you will be pleasantly surprised by his soothing sounds, heartfelt and exquisite lyrics and humbleness. All in all a great album and just like a fine wine, Charlie only gets better with age. (MR)
Guy Sebastian: TWENTY TEN
Guy has come a long way since his win on the first Australian Idol back in 2003! Can you believe this is his sixth album to date? That’s nearly one album every year, he’s one busy guy... Excuse the pun. ☺ He has matured a lot and you can really hear it through his songs over the years. He has appeared on many talk shows and played at some of the biggest and best gigs within the Australian and American circuits! Talk about versatility, Guy is a man of many talents able to play guitar, drums and piano, has that boyish charm mixed with a mature composure that comes from a life that is both grounded and focused. Everyone has always known him as the “Nice Guy” on and off screen, I was able to put this to the test when I met him and his lovely wife Jules in Sydney after enjoying an exquisite lunch at Makato (Japanese) restaurant with friends. I approached him after he paid for his meal asking if I could take a photo with him, he gladly obliged and I returned the favour by giving him one of my well known bear hugs... (No “bro-mancing” here) Hehehe... Yes, it’s safe to say firsthand that he’s not only a so called Nice Guy but a Good Guy too and the way he treated Jules was the way all women would love to be treated with dignity, love and respect! KUDOS to you GUY!!! This is a very generous “retrospective” album which is a 2 CD set, the first CD features 18 songs from his first 5 albums with 2 new songs which features the very popular lead single, “Who’s that Girl” featuring American rapper “Eve”. Disc 2 features acoustic versions of 10 of the songs. This is a high quality album and for those of you that like “Robin Thicke”, “Out With My Baby” was cowritten by him and also features on this album. (MR)
music Michael Jackson: Michael
I took a deep breath as I was about to review such a legend of the music industry... Michael Jackson, THE KING OF POP! He has been sorely missed since his death but not unlike Tupac Shakur (the late rapper), will be releasing albums for years to come. He left behind a Plethora of unreleased tracks, some of which have been compiled into this FANTASTIC album. ☺ I grew up listening to songs like, “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough”, “Rock with You”, “She’s Out of My Life”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “Thriller” and the list goes on... I’ll never forget when I first saw the “MOONWALK”. My jaw dropped eyes were wide and I was mesmerized by Michael’s skill as he glided along the stage!!! I was so inspired and so were all my friends at school that we were busily trying to “Moonwalk” for the next few weeks with little success... but boy was it fun! ☺ Michael had that effect on you. His charisma, amazing dance moves and incredible songs seemed to just lift you into another world, where you felt free to express yourself without a second thought. There are some great collaborations on his new self-titled album like the very catchy and heartwarming “Hold My Hand” (featuring Akon) and “Monster” (featuring 50 Cent) and other great titles like “Best of Joy” and “Keep Your Head Up” There is so much inspiration that can be gleaned from this album and if you’re looking for that injection of encouragement, hope and inspiration this album will definitely safeguard your joy and positive outlook throughout the day! (MR)
Susan Boyle: THE GIFT
WHAT A VOICE! Even though she has received much criticism in the past year, I don’t care what anyone says, I truly appreciate talent when I hear it. If you’re like me and got goose bumps on your goose bumps when you first saw Susan’s masterful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the Musical “Les Miserables” on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. You’ll agree a star was not just born but has continued to shine brighter with each passing moment! Why, I not only love Susan’s voice, excellent song choices and new album but her persevering nature and fighting spirit too! Back in 1999, Boyle recorded some demos that she hoped would kick start her musical career but opted to take care of her aging mother, in turn putting her musical career on hold. This shows where her heart is and I admire an artist who is so grounded and humble, yet knowing that she has superstar talent and quality. “I Dreamed a Dream” was her debut album and was released in 1999, it went to No 1. On both the U.S & U.K charts and set a record in Scotland (Boyle’s Homeland) for first week sales! WHAT A GIFT to either give or receive this Christmas. “THE GIFT” is a compilation of some holiday season favourites such as, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “The First Noel” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Plus other superb tracks like, “Halleluyah” and “Perfect Day” that really showcase “Boyle’s” sweet, sublime and soothing vocals. (MR)
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Hainan Airlines Flies to Sydney and demonstrates again the significant economic contribution that the airport makes to Sydney. “The growth in the Chinese market over the last five years has been very strong and is of increasing importance to Sydney’s tourism industry. The number of Chinese arrivals into Sydney has increased from 185,000 in 2004 to 285,000 in 2009. This is growth of more than 50% in just five years.
Sydney Airport has gone from strength to strength and has recently upgraded with a $500 million dollar facelift. Due to the renovations, it is now the Capital City Airport of the Year - Australian Airports Association Industry Excellence Awards 2010. If that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite... wait, there’s more, Hainan Airlines (the Best Airline in China - Skytrax) has confirmed that it will be operating out of Sydney for the first time and will be taking delighted travellers to great destinations such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou. Russell Balding, CEO of Sydney Airport, congratulated Hainan Airlines and said that its decision to fly to Sydney Airport demonstrated again that Sydney has a great global appeal as a destination for leisure and business travellers. “I welcome Hainan Airlines to Sydney Airport. It is a fast growing airline with an extensive domestic network across China. This is great news for Sydney
“Sydney Airport is Australia’s busiest airport offering the most comprehensive network of international, domestic and regional routes and destinations which is of significant appeal to the marketplace. Expanding Sydney’s access to the global aviation network strengthens Sydney as a global city and enhances our attractiveness as an international tourist destination,” Mr Balding said. Hainan Airlines is one of seven airlines that fly excited travellers to Chinese destinations from Sydney Airport. In 2009 there were a reported 10.6 million travellers which was an increase of 28% in just six years! The prediction is for this growth to continue to increase to 20 million by 2020 and to 30 million by 2029. The flagship aircraft for the newly operated Hainan Airlines out of Sydney will be the Airbus A330. The new service will primarily target business people, overseas students and tourists between China and Australia which has proved to be a flourishing market. Shenzhen Hangzhou and Sydney have always been “dream” destinations and with the addition of Hainan Airlines we will see Sydney Airport continue to soar high into a very bright future. (MR)
motoring
Fiat 500
Jaguar XF
I find logical people buy small cars to get them from A to B, for pure transport reasons because they are inexpensive to buy, economical to run and are all in all cheap and cheerful. So it is a surprise then that there is a small car that has some kind of character and charm to it. What doesn’t come as a surprise though, is that it originates from a place where the words design, passion and heart must be used in conjunction with; that country of course is Italy. You buy this car with your heart, not your head, why? Because it really isn’t the cheapest compact car out there, it doesn’t have the best fuel-efficient numbers, and it doesn’t even carry the most groceries. What it does have though is flair, the X-factor and it’s great fun to drive as well. Oh and the best part
is, the ladies love the car, it has the kind of pulling power a puppy or cute baby has… Except you can carry them both and the lovely lady you have just won over in style. It comes with a pokey little 1.4ltr engine, which sounds small in a normal sized car, but this little Italian is just under 1tonne, so it doesn’t need much to get it going. It starts from $27,990 and comes with 7 airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes and a 5 Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating. Cheaper than a Mini, sexier than a Yaris, if you’re in the market for a funky car but cant afford a Mini or Audi A1, the 500 is really hard to beat. (JY)
Engine Specs:
3.0 V6 petrol, 4.2-litre V8 219kW 100km/h in 6.2 sec
Pricing:
From $100k onwards
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes comes another beast… Jaguar! Not long ago, T Jaguar was a toothless beast that couldn’t stand up to a fight with zee Germans. With the help of Ford money and Ian Cullum’s (stolen from Aston Martin) design genius, they came up with Jaguar’s saviour, their personal Jesus, their Mother Teresa and Santa all rolled into one, to save the company and hopefully make a profit. What they came up with is so far away from what Jaguar was all about. They moved away from the tea and scones designs of the past, that attracted the tweed-wearing gentlemen who lawn bowls; and moved it into a high tech, high fashion statement that is fresh and relevant TODAY, and is attracting the high rollers back to the mark. I love it. I give two thumbs up to the interior, which, at night, is bathed in a beautiful blue hue that makes you feel like a boy again. The switchgear and details are more sci-fi than luxury. For instance, when you start the car, you push the start button and the transmission stub rises and the air vents rotate all at once like a well trained Ballet Company. It’s this kind of soul that you can only find in cars like Jaguar and I am so pleased that they delivered with the XF. If they keep it up, Jaguar will be sharpening its teeth and sinking them into some German rivals very soon. (JY)
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