Canberra CityNews July 1-7, 2010

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� CityNews July 1-7

CityNews July 1-7 �



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Editor: Ian Meikle, [email protected] reporter: Eleri Harris, 0414 618493 [email protected] editor: Megan Haggan, 6262 9100 [email protected] editor: Helen Musa, 0400 [email protected] and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086Designer: Joran DilucianAccounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler [email protected] and circulation: Richard Watson, 6262 [email protected]

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INDEXJuly 1-7, 2010 Since 1993: Volume 16, Number 26

Arts&Entertainment 21-24Body 30-31Crossword 33Dining 24Fashion 25Horoscope 33Letters 17Movie reviews 22News 5-17Property 34-39Social Scene 18-19Sport 10Sudoku 33

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By Eleri HarrisAFTER 11 years on the airwaves community broadcasters Valley FM 89.5 are set to open a new studio at their Tuggeranong station on Saturday, July 10.

Built entirely by volunteers with financial support from the ACT Government, the Com-monwealth and the Community Broadcasting Foundation, Valley founding president Chris Moy said the station was in desperate need of a revamped space and fresh technology.

“It’s been planned for a while now actually, a couple of years ago we started talking about it, we didn’t have a technician who could do it all.

“I was going to do it, but I had a stroke and a heart attack last November so it’s been a long time coming.

“We had to completely refurbish the room, then there was obtaining the new equipment.

“To build it’s taken all up about two months, entirely by volunteers.

“We run on the smell of an oily rag and it’s been really good that we can get this far, we can’t afford tradies.

“Apart from the better equipment, it’s cleaner, it’s newer, with more advanced technology. The old mixer was 30-40 years old from the late ‘60s or ‘70s. While this one is smaller, it’s a lot better and our sound quality has improved. We’ve added a turnta-ble, we’ve added the ability to source sound from an ipod and a laptop that we’ve never had before.”

Valley FM, which operates out of the sound-proof interview rooms of the old Erindale police station, will start to broadcast live from the new studio on the day of the launch.

Moy says volunteers are already being trained to use the new technology.

“We’ve got about 75 announcers on air each week, some of them are very young, we’ve had nine-year-olds on air and, on the other end of the spectrum, we’ve got seniors in their 90s.”

One of Valley FM’s more famous announcers is ACT Community Services Minister Joy Burch.

Burch says Valley FM is the perfect medium

for her to connect with her constituents in Brind-abella.

“Valley FM allows me to be part of the the true local voice to connect with the Tuggeranong com-munity, and with my show “Community Champi-ons” it also brings local people and organisations to the local audience.”

The valley’s clearer voice Bridge repairsALINGA Street bridge is being restored and repainted at a cost of $350,000. Its roof and drainage will be replaced and lighting and signage changed. There will also be occa-sional short-term closures of the road during construction work, which is expected to be complete by the end of October.

Tiny’s big giftTINy’S Green Shed, at the Mugga Lane Reusables Centre, has presented a cheque to the Starlight Foundation for $10,000. Since February, all proceeds from sales of second-hand goods from the last Wednesday of each month have been directed to charity.

Speedster finedA 33-year-old man from Flynn in an orange Holden Commodore sedan has been caught exceeding the 80kmh speed limit by 74km/h on Ginninderra Drive, Florey. The driver was detected by police as travelling at 154kmh and was fined $1811 and lost six demerit points.

Call to racesTHOROuGHbReD Park will promote and support the Call to Arms campaign, targeted at raising awareness and funds specific to cancers affecting men, at its July 23 race day. All proceeds will go to the Cancer Council (ACT).

Secure cardsNeW security features of micro-printing on the hologram and ultraviolet printing have been added to driver licences, proof-of-age cards, ACTION gold cards and public vehicle driver authority cards. existing driver licences and ID cards will remain valid until the card’s expiry date.

FRONT COVER: Actor Alex Dimitriades photographed in Sydney by Silas Brown. Story Page 21.

Valley FM’s Chris Moy... “We run on the smell of an oily rag and it’s been really good that we can get this far.” Photo by Joran Dilucian



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By Megan HagganTHE cost of child care is set to rise even as demand for places contin-ues to grow, says Roxanne Elliott, founder of www.careforkids.com.au, an online resource which aims to help parents find suitable care for their children nationwide.

And the problem’s particularly bad for parents of children under two years of age, she says.

Mandatory increased staff-to-child ratios mean that centres will now have to hire at least one carer for every child in this age group. By 2014, all carers in long-day care or family day care will be required to have for-mal qualifications.

“We polled [increased staff to child ratios] with the industry, and found that 85 per cent will need to raise fees to cover additional costs,” Roxanne told “CityNews”.

“Thirty-six per cent estimated a fee increase of $5 to $10 per day, and 20 per cent indicated an increase from $10 to $20 a day. Six per cent indicated they would increase fees by more than $20 per day.

“Some services are reviewing whether they will continue to provide

care for children under two, as it will be cost-prohibitive to do so. The flow-on effect will mean further problems for families finding care for under-twos.”

The Child Care Rebate (CCR) was capped to $7500 per child (reduced from $7778 per child) and its indexa-tion frozen for four years, in the 2010 Federal Budget.

The Federal Government has re-

neged on a 2007 election promise to build 260 new child care centres na-tionwide, only 38 are now to be built. Meanwhile, a $14.8 million program which was to have supported family day-care startups was scrapped.

Kate Sykes, Torrens-based founder of www.careermums.com.au, a job board for parents and flexibility spe-cialist for employers, says that this decision will also have significant repercussions for working families.

“The Government has made the decision not to go ahead with its planned centres because of statistics showing there are available spaces,” she says.

“The issue is much bigger than these statistics. Over 70 per cent of child care centres in Australia are privately owned, unlike the UK, for example, where most child-care cen-tres are owned by Government.

“This means that the Federal Government has no control over the pricing of child care.

“The cost of child care for some Canberran families can be anywhere between $15,000 and $25,000 a year, and that’s for one child! The 50 per cent CCR is capped at $7500 per child,

so the cost is often too much for fami-lies.”

Freezing the CCR is problematic, Kate says, because child care costs “continually far outweigh the CPI Index.”

She says that the costs for increased staff-to-child ratios “will fall back on families paying for child care.

“If the Government went ahead with its planned centres, there may have been more opportunity to subsi-dise the cost of care, and encourage more parents to return to work.”

Meanwhile, many parents of chil-dren in care continue to pay not only for days their children spend in care, but also public holidays and other times when centres aren’t open.

“It’s standard practice to charge parents, and this is probably one of the things that incense parents the most with their child-care arrange-ment,” says Roxanne.

“Often child-care centres close down between Christmas and New Year, and we pay for those days as well,” says Kate. “In general, people pay for child care while on holidays as well.

“Once you have a place, you are committed!”

children

Roxanne Elliott... says 85 per cent of child care centres will need to raise fees.

Child care costs set to spiralBaby boom drives demandAuSTRALIAN parents are becoming increasingly innovative in the child care they use, and Canberrans are no exception, says Roxanne elliott “What we are seeing is a mix of child-care arrangements comprising multiple types of child care. For example, you may have your child in centre-based care for two days a week, one day with grandparents, one day nanny share and one day you work from home,” she says.

“We are also seeing reports coming in of parents sending kids to school before they turn five, to avoid child care costs.”

This practice may increase due to increased costs incurred by higher staff to child ratios at centres, and the recent capping of the Child Care Rebate to $7500 per child per year, she said.

“Finding affordable quality child care can be difficult in any area of Aus-tralia; we are seeing a trend, however, whereby finding child care for under-twos is becoming particularly difficult.

“The effect is due to Australia enjoy-ing a baby boom, which has increased the overall demand for child care. With the cost of living in Australia being high, there is a genuine need for both parents to be working to support their family.”

Kate Sykes from Torrens, founder of www.careermums.com.au, a job board for parents and flexibility specialist for employers, said waiting lists in Canberra were very long.

“Canberra is a hard place for parents to locate child-care places. Waiting lists are long, and often parents are register-ing their child before birth.

“It is true that there are available places in child care centres around Canberra, but often these child care centres are not located either en route to work or near schools.

“Lyons is a great example of combining a school with a child care centre. This creates only one drop-off, compared to some days when I have to organise a triple drop-off and pick-up.”

–Megan Haggan

MOST children spend their recess running around in the playground and eating hot lunches in the can-teens, but not the Interact Club mem-bers of Telopea Park School.

Instead, the 25 club members spend their recess manning a small make shift stall by the playground selling cookies, muffins and cakes daily to raise enough money for the Port Resolution School in Tanna Islands, Vanuatu.

Setting up a small stall daily has helped the Interact Club raise $5000 which goes a long way towards the $80,000 needed to build a hall, a kitchen and a library.

This project is the initiative of teacher Susan Alexander, from Te-lopea Park School, who first visited Vanuatu in 2008 and took it upon her-self to help them.

What started off as sending the school a few boxes of old books and unwanted educational supplies through the effort of her and the members of the Interact Club has since transformed into a community-based project that has garnered the support of the Rotary Club of Can-berra Sunrise.

“Life has become so rushed that our community values are weak-ened,” she told “CityNews”.

“This project encourages commu-nity service partnership by not only involving the Rotary Club and the Interact Club but also all the other students of the school and their fami-lies as well.”

Ms Alexander says that the stu-

dents are well aware of how much needs to be done in order to raise the $80,000 in the next nine months. However, she is positive that they will achieve their aim.

“The Telopea kids have gained leadership skills and have grown more empathetic towards the cause. The playground has become more than just a place for students to inter-act – it has become a very impactful place for them to make a difference,” she said.

She hopes that companies, busi-nesses and even members of the public will come forward to help the Telopea Park School raise the funds.

“When the children in Vanuatu fi-nally do get this school, it will change

their lives. The school will become the centre and the heart of the com-munity for them.”

Teacher Susan Alexander.... “The Telopea kids have gained leadership skills and have grown more empathetic towards the cause.”

sHeReeN cHaRLes reports on a canberra school’s aim to raise money to build school facilities in Vanuatu

Building a hall from muffins



pRopeRtyBy Catherine Carter

news

NEW habitats in the enlarged Cotter Dam to help to ensure the survival of Canberra’s endangered Macquarie perch are the subject of a develop-ment application by ACTEW Corporation.

Managing director Mark Sullivan said the artificial habitats, designed by leading fish spe-cialists and researchers, who have been working on the project since 2007, would provide shelter from predators, particularly cormorants and darters.

“When the new dam is completed and fills, the reed beds which are currently used by the fish for

shelter will be inundated. It is unlikely that reed beds will re-establish in the new reservoir due to fluctuating water levels – so we’re building new habitats to replace them,” said Mr Sullivan.

More than 47,000 cubic metres of rock will be needed to build eight kilometres of rock reefs at carefully selected sites around the new reser-voir.

The rock will come from the enlarged Cotter Dam construction site, and only rocks of the right size and quality to provide effective shelter will be used.

“The boulders will be moved into place one at a time by an excavator with a grab bucket, like a large metal claw,” said Mr Sullivan.

“It’s quite a delicate operation. The machine operator has to leave a gap large enough for adult fish to use without making them so large that cormorants will enter.”

The Macquarie perch is a national endangered species and the Cotter Reservoir contains the only viable population in the ACT.

Subject to approval, work on the constructed rock reefs will begin before the end of the year.

AFTeR a recent fender bender, I became car-less for the first time in ages. And I expe-rienced for myself what I had been writing about for the past couple of years – just how hard it is to get around Canberra if you don’t have a car.

With two young school-age children to transport as well as myself, it became painfully clear that public transport just doesn’t fill the car gap for many Canberrans, and it certainly didn’t for me.

Worst of all, when invited to a weekend do in Queanbeyan I found no real transport options, bar what for many would be a prohibitively expensive taxi ride or, what I did in the end, to rely on getting a lift from others.

So the Chief Minister’s meeting this month with the Queanbeyan mayor to discuss cross-border transport was particularly welcome news.

The meeting between Jon Stanhope and Queanbeyan’s Tim Overall, happens quarterly, and this one was largely occupied with discus-sions on how to provide workable transport between the two destinations.

The Chief Minister said the agenda included setting up the inaugural meeting of the eastern Regional Transport Taskforce. The ACT Government’s investment in the Territory’s public transport network includes targeted investments in improving both public transport and road links over the border.

“This year’s budget provided $8.2 million for bus priority measures along Canberra Avenue, the major transit corridor between Canberra and Queanbeyan. Funding was also commit-ted to extend the high frequency ReDeX bus service to east Fyshwick, and to investigate a park-and-ride facility along the eastern corridor,” he said.

He also emphasised the need to ensure that new roads can meet future cross-border demand and that road investments are in sync with major new residential developments. Cr Overall pointed out that Queanbeyan’s population was projected to exceed 70,000 by 2031: “We need to act now to ensure the traffic network can cope with the rise in population,” he said.

After my recent transport adventures, I have to concur and hope this new taskforce is able to move from the problem-identification stage to solution-implementation without delay.

Catherine Carter is the executive director of the Property Council of Australia (ACT).

It’s no fun with no car!

Water chief seeks new home for rare fish

AT the launch of a Women’s Centre for Health Matters report, ACT Human Rights Commis-sioner Helen Watchirs pointed to the “yawning pay gap” in Canberra.

“In 1972 the Australian Conciliation and Ar-bitration Commission formally granted equal pay, but there is a persistent 17 per cent national average gender pay gap, ACT is lower at about 10 per cent in 2008,” Watchirs said.

“Our workforce is highly gender segmented, with women concentrated in five ‘C’ industries or occupations – caring, clerical, cleaning, cater-ing and cashiering.

“Two per cent of business CEOs are women, two per cent of the top ASX companies’ chair-persons are women and 20 per cent of the Aus-tralian Public Service Senior Executive Service are women, although 57 per cent of the APS are women.”

With the increasing monetisation of progress-ing female participation in business and govern-ment, it’s pretty clear that not only are women frustrated by their lack of advancement through the ranks and their retention of incomparable salaries, but also that they are willing to pay to learn how to break the glass ceiling.

After working in sales at computer multina-tional IBM in Canberra for a decade, executive coach Deborah May went to the US on a Full-bright Scholarship in 1996 to earn an MBA at the only female-tailored business school in the world and now she teaches ACT ladies how to dance corporate ladder climbing style, for a fee.

“When I was working for IBM the first five years were great and then I became a single mother and it was much more difficult. I left IBM after some difficult conversations about why my boss had to do me various ‘favours’ and decided that I wanted to learn what goes on in an or-ganisational light because, like many, I took that personally and thought ‘okay must be something wrong with me’. But when I stepped back, I saw that something bigger than me was going on.

“Workplaces work better for men than they do

for women. Because they work so well for men, men don’t or can’t see how they advantage them and disadvantage women. And it’s not inten-tional, it’s not malicious, it just is.

“Boys learn how to play fight and big note themselves and be direct and authoritative and take the lead; girls learn how to fit in and have a best friend and look the same, and that’s not useful in organisational life. Fitting in doesn’t work.

“Structures and values support the dominant mindset, until the mindset shifts the structures all stay the same. With a shift in structure we could support everybody.

“How can we create good work places or a world that works if we’re not listening to all of the voices?”

May cashed in on the growing business of female corporate progression with the launch of her website “Advancing Women” in May, provid-ing a “powerhouse of resources” to help women navigate their way up.

Her strategies, which may be successful for women at the upper end of the working spectrum, are in line with her aim to change the system from the top down.

The question is, are women at the top helping women at the bottom once they get there?

At a recent Equal Pay rally at the Legislative Assembly in Canberra Australian Services Union assistant secretary Natalie Lang called for greater government involvement in pushing female community service salaries up to par with male workers.

“For the last 15 years the pay gap has not moved, in fact over the last 10 years it has grown... because those occupations that are dominated by women are undervalued.

“A disability support worker, who supports, cares for, and is the person who ensures that a person with a disability lives with dignity and is socially included, earns less than someone who packs shelves in the supermarket. Is this fair?”

In Australia 80 per cent of community service workers are women, the Federal Minister for Community Services is Nicola Roxon, a woman, and the ACT Minister for Community Services is Joy Burch, another woman.

It is one of the most underpaid professional sectors in the country.

As a final touch at the rally, Lang encouraged the crowd of community services employees to blow a kiss to Julia Gillard, gesturing at Capital Hill behind her, patently asking the woman at the top to lend a hand to those at the bottom.

Deborah May... “Workplaces work better for men than they do for women.” Photo by Silas

the status of women is a hot topic with the sudden elevation of Julia Gillard, the passing of the paid parental Leave scheme and the gathering momentum of the equal pay lobby. eLeRi HaRRis reports

The price to break through


10 CityNews July 1-7

briefly

Help with shelterALeXANDeR uniknowski, a member of Telopea Park School’s Student Representative Committee, presents a cheque for $1670 to Gail Freeman, representing the District Governor of Rotary for Canberra Region. The money will be used to purchase a shelter box that can store relief supplies for a family of 10 to survive for six months. The shelter box will be dispatched to disaster-stricken areas when necessary.

– shereen charles

Stamp duty abolishedTHe Legislative Assembly has abolished stamp duty on applications to register caravans and camper trailers in the ACT from July 1. Treasurer, Katy Gallagher said the Assembly had also passed the Government’s Revenue Legislation Amendment bill 2010 which will enable businesses to claim an exemption from payroll tax for employees who undertake volunteer work in emergency operations.

Excellence winnersGOODWIN Village, Ainslie, and The Land Development Agency have been recognised at the fourth annual Property Council of Australia Rider Levett bucknall Innovation and excellence Awards in Sydney. Goodwin Village won the Gadens Lawyers Award for best Retirement Living Facility and the LDA was the winner of the Government Leadership Award for its OwnPlace program.

sport

I AM still finding it hard to believe that some people don’t think Timana Tahu’s stance against racism is a positive for sport.

Tahu, we all know, pulled out of the NSW Origin team following comments made by assistant coach Andrew Johns during a bonding session before the second game. Tahu said he did it to show his kids that rac-ism need not be tolerated at any level.

For his actions Tahu should be ap-plauded.

But there are a number of people who be-lieve that Tahu should not have stood up for his rights in the way that he did. According to some who phoned me during the week, he should have made his point quietly to Johns and then got on with the job of playing for the Blues.

This stance indicates to me that, as a society, we still have some way to go before people are not treated any differently based on race, religion or colour.

I think taking the stance that he did took a lot of courage. Rugby league is a tough game and the perception is that you should be able to stand up for yourself. If nothing else, it shows what impact it can have on the person on the receiving end of racist com-ments.

Tahu’s decision to walk out on the team should be elevated to the same prominence

as other protests by sports stars against racism.

In 1968, at the Mexico Olympics, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the now famous “Power to the People” black-glove salute after the final of the 200 metres. On the medal dais they wore black socks without shoes to highlight black poverty and raised their black-gloved fists in the air during the American national anthem with their heads bowed. Australia’s Peter Norman, who won the silver medal, joined the

two Americans in their protest by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge.

There was also Nicky Winmar’s stance against racism in the AFL in 1993 where Winmar pulled his jumper up and pointed to his skin colour after being vilified by members of the Collingwood crowd. Mind you, AFL still has some work to do judg-ing by Mal Brown’s “cannibal” comments. Thankfully, the AFL was quick to pounce on the issue, stating that the comments represented a bygone era. The AFL has adopted a positive approach with concepts such as “Dream Time at the G”.

Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds spoke out after being subjected to racist taunts during a test series against India in 2007. After it became obvious that “mon-key” chants were coming from the crowd, the International Cricket Council decided to put its anti-racism message on the big screen. The move backfired and the crowd became more vocal.

Zero tolerance needs to be supported by greater understanding and empathy. Rugby League, like AFL, has done plenty to embrace the role of indigenous players and other players of all cultures in the game. Preston Campbell, for example, is a great positive role model. Campbell was the driving force behind the indigenous all-stars game.

It is now up to rugby league adminis-trators to capitalise on the brave stance taken by Timana Tahu and aim for zero tolerance.

Rather than divide, sport should be a vehicle to unify.

Cheers for brave TahuBroadcaster tiM GaVeL believes sport should unify not divide us

Timana Tahu... should be applauded.

CityNews July 1-7 11

1� CityNews July 1-7

CityNews July 1-7 1�

all about Julia Eleri Harris | Robert Macklin | Sonya Fladun | Michael Moore

EVERY so often an event occurs that makes being a journalist living in Canberra akin to nirvana, but noth-ing ever beats the sudden ousting of a Prime Minister.

At 10.30pm on Wednesday the suit-ed-up, iphone-toting, lanyard-wearing wonks of the Phoenix bar dramatical-ly exited the dingy premises in Civic en mass, tearing up East Row towards McDonalds and its free wifi.

Laptops piled up upon the white-marbled, mustard-coated tables, screaming into mobiles news of a spill, the journos and hacks were in their element.

Within an hour “Julia Gillard” and “Kevin Rudd” were the top two twitter topics trending globally and by midnight ACT Senator Kate Lundy, amongst the first to throw support behind the ranga princess, was the most re-tweeted person on the planet.

The morning radio shows had more details than the night before, with politicians and commentators alike showing their hands as the news was processed: Kevin would step down without a vote. And I wanted in.

I got to Parliament just in time to see Kevin cry and hear the end of his speech.

I didn’t expect to ever see the man I affectionately call “Ruddbot” re-duced to tears.

The instant he finished speak-ing, the media pack turned and ran through the kilometres of corridors like a horde of camera and notebook wielding zombies from the Prime Minister’s courtyard to the Labor

Caucus room, where Julia Gillard would give her first press conference as leader.

Jam-packed and sweltering hot, flags displayed at the back, there was more than enough time to catch breath and glance at all the famous media faces in the room.

And then she was there.By some fluke, I was standing

in precisely the right place for the entrance of Ms Gillard, photographi-cally speaking, and became a page three girl in the Melbourne “Age”.

My parents are very proud.In her speech, Australia’s first

female Prime Minister emphasised her working-class background and

its accompanying values, declaring that Australia had won again.

Gillard’s usually nasal accent seemed muted, she stood upright and tall.

“She’s looking pretty prime minis-terial, hey?” a journalist friend said to me, as they punched out a tweet or two on a Blackberry.

I felt like I was in an episode of the “West Wing”.

I managed to lose the scrum on the way to Tony Abbott’s delivery, but caught it on a TV screen live in the parade to Question Time.

He looked confused, like he wasn’t sure which way to spin the news yet.

The withered look of Kevin aside, it was the surprise announcement by Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Finance and Member for Melbourne that I will remember from that day’s QT.

I lived in Melbourne for eight years and had harassed Tanner’s office regularly as a student journalist at a community youth radio station.

He had always been good about giv-ing us a grab, even during the madness of the Kevin07 election campaign.

When the day began to fade on the hill, I paid my respects to ACT Senators Kate Lundy and Gary Hum-phries, recorded their first impres-sions for posterity and congratulated Lundy on her epic rise on twitter.

LAST Thursday was a nightmare. And not just for Kevin Rudd but for those of us who know and like him.

As I watched him struggling with his emotions in that farewell address in the Prime Minister’s Courtyard, I was taken back to our many hours together as we traced his life from birth to the dizzy Prime Ministerial heights for my book, “Kevin Rudd: The Biography”.

When I began the research I had never met him before. And I felt instinctively that he lacked the common touch that would appeal to the broad Australian electorate. By the time it was completed I had changed my mind.

He was delightful company – witty, charming, immensely knowledgeable and with a very clear vision for Aus-tralia’s future. I also felt I understood the forces that drove him. They operate at two levels. On the one hand, he is deeply (even embarrassingly) religious. In that courtyard farewell, for example, he actually included “God” among those he thanked for the assistance they had rendered him over his career.

At the second level, he was motivated by the dreadful anguish he suffered as an 11-year-old when his father died and he was suddenly homeless, having to sleep some nights in a small car by the roadside with his mother and elder sister. That experience haunted him; it made him almost fanatically determined to succeed in life, never again to be prey to the charity of the state or the church. And, of course, it was education that pro-vided his pathway to that goal.

Indeed, by the time he reached univer-

sity he had settled one goal: the Prime Ministership of his country. And no one knew that more clearly than the love of his life, Therese Rein whom he met at that time. When he told her, a few years later, she said: “I knew all along”.

The quest consumed him. And for 30 years every thought and action was di-rected to its realisation. When he finally achieved it, he could barely believe it.

When I talked to him in his office at Parliament House after the election I had the sudden realisation that though it had been a hard and bruising campaign he felt he had not yet earned the Prime Min-istership. Only concrete reforms would achieve that, so he tried to do everything at once to deserve the position.

There followed a mad scramble from one policy to another – all of them admira-ble but so rushed that their achievement passed in a blur, and in the context of a

global financial crisis with the capacity to devastate the economy. Saving Aus-tralia from that should (and would) have been quite enough to deserve re-election. But not in the mind of this Nambour lad.

Unfortunately, like most religious souls he instinctively believes that au-thority is conferred from above, and that its dictates are virtually infallible. That is how he ran his office and his govern-ment – a terrible mistake in a party that is founded on the belief that real author-ity rises upwards from the people.

The impatience, the over-achieve-ment and the pontifical modus operandi became a deadly combination. My one concern now is that he will not take time out to grieve. He must face the wreckage of his life’s ambition; only then will he find the necessary emotional stability to move on... preferably without recourse to some ghostly giant in the sky.

the spill. it was a journalist’s dream and wide-eyed “cityNews” writer eLeRi HaRRis lived it last week in the media scrum scrambling around parliament House

I felt like I was in an episode of ‘West Wing’

kevin Rudd’s biographer RoBeRt MackLiN looks at the man who tried to do

everything at once to deserve the prime Ministership

MuM iN tHe cityBy Sonya Fladun

Kevin’s wrecked ambition“IT’S a girl, it’s a girl!”, my four-year-old daughter observed the other day as we watched the TV images of Julia Gillard become Prime Minister. ‘’That’s right,’’ I said enthusiastically, “a woman is now in charge of the whole of our country, isn’t that great!”

My seven-year-old son was less impressed. “yeah, but what happened to the other guy”, he demanded. At our house the gender wars are alive and well.

“He lost his job,” I offered, hoping they would leave it at that, but of course they wanted to know why. “Well...’’, I stated to explain, searching for some viable metaphor to explain the amazing political machinations. “you know how you used to like fish fingers best, and now your favourite food is pizza, well politics is a bit like that. People can change their mind about who they want to run the country, too.’’

They both pondered this for a moment. “So what will happen to the guy, you know the fish fingers?” they asked.

“Well, he could hang around in the freezer for a bit and if no one really wants him, he’ll get chucked out,” I suggested, clumsily persisting with my grocery model of politics.

“That’s not very nice,’’ they exclaimed a bit shocked. And I had to agree. As adults we too easily take for granted that politics isn’t about fair or nice,

it often just seems to be about winning. “Well, I don’t like politics,” my son declared.

“It’s just a game”, the four-year-old scoffed back, “and it’s good the girl’s the winner.’’

My little girl is always loyal to her sex and fiercely competi-tive. I could see the beginnings of political interest flicker.

“but, I do hope they are nice to her,” she added pointing to the large group of grey suited men surrounding our new Prime Minister.

That gave me pause for thought. Politics is not kind to women. Sadly female politicians who rise up in the ranks all too often end battered and bruised by the way the personal so easily becomes political. Images of intelligent, talented women whose political careers ended badly such as Cheryl Kernot come to mind.

“Well, she seems to have lots of friends and they will be pretty supportive for a while,” I cautiously predicted.

“Only until they get sick of pizza, right mum?”, the seven-year-old offered with unseemly cynicism. “Well,” the four-year-old huffed back, “everyone knows, it’s not whether you win or lose it’s how you play the game.” Ah, yeah, right! Politics 101!

When pizza’s in, fish fingers’ out!

Julia and Eleri... “The Age”, June 25.


poLiticsBy Michael Moore

all about Julia

SO, who voted for Julia Gillard to be Prime Minister?

I hear plenty of people arguing that they voted for Kevin 07 and I hear some com-plaining that they did not vote for Julia. Actually Canberrans voted for neither.

The only people voting for Kevin Rudd were in his electorate of Griffith. Rudd be-came Prime Minister as the “first amongst equals”, elected by his peers to lead the party that can maintain government and withstand a no-confidence motion. Now Julie Gillard, the member for Lalor, has been elected by her parliamentary peers to be the “first amongst equals”.

The trouble is that it is much easier for the media to report on presidential-style elections than to attempt to explain the parliamentary system of democracy we have in Australia.

It is not black and white. It is helpful to voters to have an idea in advance who is likely to be chosen by their peers as the leader and the nominee for Prime Minis-ter. However, the community should not consider it an affront when the elected members in the party that has control of the House of Representatives decides to change the leader.

Having watched such changes so regu-larly in NSW and now at the Federal level, it is time to question the way Federal elec-tions are portrayed. And it is not just the media. The leaders of the main political parties and the parties themselves feed into this system. A strong leader does have appeal and the way that the elections have been run along with the constant polling of leader popularity has helped spread this

misunderstanding.The concentration of power in the hands

of the leader has been a big temptation for those who have had the role. As a result, decisions seem to be taken more and more often without reference to the broader cabi-net and the backbench.

The electorate of Fraser comfortably returned Bob McMullan and the electorate of Canberra returned Annette Ellis. They were not elected by the people of Canberra to wallow in some backbench area, or even in the outer cabinet without a say in how government was carrying out its duties. The electorate expects them to play an ac-tive role in policy formulation and to follow up on implementation. No doubt that both of these conscientious members have done their best and have done so to the extent that was possible. The problem is that op-portunities for backbench involvement in major decision making have been dimin-ishing over recent decades.

Tony Abbott capitalised on this. The “gang of four” has become a favourite phrase in the hands of the Leader of the Opposition. The term was historically used with regard to Communist China and the power brokers in Mao Tse Tung’s govern-ment. Abbott would not have missed the connection and has used the term con-stantly to describe the Rudd inner-cabinet including Gillard, Tanner and Swan. He is persevering with the “gang of four” and

working hard to ensure Julia Gillard is not seen as a fresh face with new ideas and a different style.

The challenge for the new Prime Minis-ter is reflected in the inaugural speech she made to Parliament in November 1998 when she argued: “So-called ‘wedge politics’ sells the big lie that the answer to insecurity is to tread on the weakest amongst us. This shabby opportunism has hurt many and helped none... the Australian people, are looking for a return to passion and convic-tion in Australian politics and to the clear articulation of values. They rightly want to know what their politicians stand for, what we believe in and by what measures we are prepared to be judged”.

The most difficult challenge for Gillard is to handle the mining aristocracy. These most influential members of our commu-nity now believe they have successfully flexed their muscles and brought about a fundamental change in government. They have financed and run a political campaign of deceit and embellishment to protect the outrageous profits that they drag from our community’s natural resources.

The new Prime Minister has been elected by her peers to get on with the job. Let’s hope that she lives by the direction that she set in her first speech to the parlia-ment. Australia will then be able to take real pride in the first woman to lead this country.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an inde-pendent minister for health in the Carnell government.

Who voted for Julia Gillard?


2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards advertising feature

Export award window closes soon

SPONSORS are the backbone of any major event and the support and contribution of the 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s export Awards sponsors is recognised and grate-fully acknowledged.

The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, at the university of Canberra, is a world leader in border management educa-tion and training. It has a global reputation for strengthening the organisational capability of customs and other border agencies throughout the world, and is rec-ognised by the World Customs Organization as an international centre of excellence. In 2008, CCeS was recognised as the ACT Chief Minister’s exporter of the year and was also named the 2008 Australian exporter of the year for education and Training.

The ACT Exporters’ Network is a well-recognised network of ACT and region exporters collaborating and helping each

other in the practical business of building exports. Creating effective, business-driven and globally focused events, the ACT exporters’ Network is committed to the sharing of knowledge to enhance busi-nesses opportunities overseas.

Austrade is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency. Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by suc-ceeding in trade and investment. It provides advice, market intelligence and support to Australian companies to reduce the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets. The Australian export Awards, which recognise and honours export excellence through innovation and commitment, are presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Canberra Business Council is the

ACT‘s leading business organisation and is committed to sustainable economic development in the ACT and Capital Region. CbC has a long history of active involve-ment with the local exporting commu-nity through its leadership and ongoing management of the International business Taskforce and ACT exporters’ Network.

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation provides finance and insurance solutions to help Australian exporters overcome financial barriers when growing their business overseas. As the Australian Government’s export credit agency, it helps successful businesses to win, finance and protect export trade or overseas investments where their bank is unable to provide all the support they need. eFIC’s sponsorship of the Small to Medium Services Award reflects its commitment to small and medium-sized exporters.

Sponsors are event’s backbone

THe ACT Chief Minister’s export Awards acknowledge the innovation, hard work and success of businesses, large and small, in reaching new markets and also recognise the important contribution that ACT and region businesses make to the local economy through job creation and increased prosperity in the community.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said: “The export Awards are a celebration of our city’s entrepreneurial spirit and those in our com-munity who are taking Canberra, its expertise and innovations to the world.

“They also encourage aspiring exporters and entrepreneurs by recognising local businesses that are competing successfully in world markets.”

The average annual goods and services export growth from the ACT over the last five years is 4.9 per cent. In 2008-09, the value of total exports rose 5.7 per cent and exceeded $1 billion.

The Territory’s trade is dominated by

services which accounted for 98.9 per cent of exports. Significant exports growth has occurred in the “Other business Services” category (mainly technical and R&D), which increased 30.8 per cent to $119 million.

For anyone hard pushed for time, or unsure about their eligibility, or what category to enter, there is a free mentoring service available to assist them through the entry process. This is an opportunity to discuss and develop an application, or get comment on a

draft application. ACT category winners will be announced

at a presentation lunch on September 8 at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and progress as national finalists to the Australian Export Awards.

The 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s export Awards are managed and presented by the Canberra business Council on the behalf of the ACT Government. Visit www.exportawards.gov.au/act for information about the awards or to download an application form.

eNtRy to the territory’s most prestigious business awards, the �010 act chief Minister’s export awards, closes on July �0

Join the grinners this year... last year’s winners and sponsors show off the prizes.

The ACT Chief Minister’s Exporter of the Year trophy... recognises the important contribution that ACT and region businesses make to the local economy.

http://www.exportawards.gov.au/act

http://www.exportawards.gov.au/act



dose of dorin

letters

WHO were those thieves in the night, those faceless faction-bound men (and one well-known woman) that stole my franchise and so shabbily dismissed an Australian Prime Minister that had won the approval of his party and the majority of Australian electors hardly three years ago?

Those faceless men (and one woman) without timely and respectful consultation with the Prime Minister had, for all their subsequent protestations to the contrary, no deeper motivation than their own political survival or promotion. Their treatment of the high office of the Prime Minister was dishonourable.

The professed loyalty of these plotters over recent weeks has been hypocritical and decep-tive. Who now in the ALP can trust any of their comrades, or expect a fair go? Is disloyalty, even effecting a political as-sassination, a requisite of high political office? Most of the plot-ters (including the one woman) already had political blood on their hands from past intrigue and the deposing of previous Labor leaders.

The lurking fear in ALP parliamentary ranks is that the real people might not return the ALP in the coming election. The plotters have forgotten that they should respect the demonstrated will of the electors, and should toil for the good of the people. They have replaced these ideals with heartless self-interest. Greg o’Regan, Farrer

Who were these thieves?

Shame, JonBEING a regular ACTION bus traveller, I am writ-ing to say [Chief Minister] Jon Stanhope should be ashamed of himself.

After all his bragging about how good his public transport system is, he now expects drivers to ac-cept a 60/40 arrangement (that is 60 per cent of driv-ers will be made part time, on call, and 40 per cent full time) with no benefit to them. However, he can still spend obscene amounts on his “Jon Stanhope Memorial Arboretum”, which of course, is a great benefit to all Canberrans!

teresa Maynard via email

Opportunity wastedI AM totally disappointed and shocked that Canberra Tourism did not grasp the “Sunrise” media exposure with both hands to show the rest of Australia what the nation’s capital has to offer.

This is a peak tourism season for Canberra and the positive media exposure that you could have received to promote Canberra was huge. Why then did I only see two shivering Grant Denyer fans on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin? What a let down. What a monumental disappointment and waste

of an opportunity. I have previously lived in Canberra for 6.5 years and worked in the tourism sector to drive visitors to the Canberra area... what has happened to Canberra Tourism?

Why would anyone want to get “Wrapt in Canberra” when it appeared so bleak, cold, dreary and downright boring on national television? even Kochie was making fun of Canberra. What an opportunity lost Canberra Tourism! naomi Heyman,

Grafton, nsW

Strange letterWHAT a strange letter from Alan May (“Ric’s at it again”, CN June 24). First, he says that I “attacked” Michael Moore when my letter of June 12 actually said that “I have to disagree”. Considering the number of times I have supported Michael in the pages of “CityNews”, I very much doubt that he feels “attacked”. Second, he says that I “declared myself” as having a “vested inter-est”, presumably in opposing aspects of the RSPT on miners, when I simply pointed out that I had over 30 years experience in min-ing and energy-related fields and am one of few people who have actually assisted in ad-ministering a resource-rent tax on miners.

May assumes that I am against a tax on miners when, in fact, I am on record in the print media and on “CityNews” columnist Mark Parton’s radio show as supporting a generalised tax on miners, but in the form of a resource-rent tax, not a “super profits” tax. The reason is that a RRT is simpler to admin-ister and does not subject taxpayers like Alan May to being a 40 per cent partner in failed mining ventures. I pointed out in the local media on May 13 that a tax on the emerging coal-seam gas industry, which could reduce power station emissions by 40 per cent, was counterproductive and it now appears that this view is supported by government. And CSG production does not leave “huge holes in the ground” as May bemoans.

It is notable that May did not comment at all on the specifics of my letter, but simply plays the man rather than the ball. I won-der if he is man enough to apologise for his error?

Ric Hingee, Duffy

By GeorgeAT a forum with Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott on June 21, Cardinal George Pell described the Greens as “anti-Christian”, yet the ACT Greens lead Senate candidate, Lin Hatfield Dodds, is the former national director of UnitingCare and a passionate advocate of social justice (CN June 17). Does this mean that, in George Pell’s view, Lin and the Uniting Church are anti-Christian or that the Cardinal is as prone to the same ill-con-sidered and unreliable comments as his protégé, Tony Abbott?

Patricia saunders, chapman

Mocking Islam?JOHN Hargreaves MLA is mocking Islam by dressing up as an Arab (CN, June 17).

As punishment, he could face mutilation if he visits some Middle eastern countries.

ahmad arif, Gundaroo, nsW



scene More photos at www.citynews.com.au

At the opening of the Timor-Leste embassy, Deakin At the ‘Abstract Furniture Exhibition’ opening, Craft ACT

Lydia Soares, Priyangka Viana Martins, Taissa Pereira, Auriel Tilman, Tufu Lemos and Tatiana Tilman

Ambassador of Uraguay Alberto Fajardo and ambassador of South Africa Lenin M Shope

Samantha Baglin, Robert Reid and Lisa-Maree Coleman

Domingos DeSousa and Sinc Enez

Cecila Goncalves with Mario and Maria Pires

Lucio Tilman and Minister for Foreign Affairs Zacarias Albano

Consul general Abel Gutteres and President Jose Ramos Horta with baby Eleftherios Giannas

Vanessa Palombi, Helen Factor and Luigi Palombi

Dr Susan Wood and Leonie Andrews

Jon Goulder and Chetana Andary Diana Hare and Ian Factor

�0 CityNews July 1-7

scene invite us at [email protected]

At CIT’s Film and Television Awards, Southside Campus, Phillip At Watts McCray McGuinness Eley’s farewell to Michael Eley, Civic

Carla Papas and Bronwyn WhittonDouglas Kirk with Robyn and Mike Sainsbery

Kathy and Wal Kostyrko with Toni Purnell

Liza Milligan and Rachel Battams

Harriet Pike and Scott Wombay

Carmen Huckel, John Hunter and Ann Eastcott

Kaylee Borrett, Daniel Bornett and Alisha Brownlie

Michael Eley, Pam Lyndon, Ron Friesen and Jayson Hinder

Lesleigh Eley, Greg McCray and Carol ElizandoDebra Parker and Suzanne McCray

Gavin Howard, David Ridge, Athol Morris and Norm Headland

Michelle Bryant-Smith with Averil Foster

CityNews July 1-7 �1

coVeR stoRyWoRDs: arts editor Helen MusaPHotoGRaPHY: Silas Brown

all about living arts | dining | cinema | fashion | body | horoscope | puzzles

Nice girls:Do they ordon’t they?By Eleri HarrisJuLIA Gillard’s sudden ascendancy to Prime Minister may throw a spanner in the preparation for the panel of the annual AIM Women in Management Great Debate, to be held at the National Convention Centre on Friday, July 2.

The topic for this year is “Nice Girls Finish Second”.Street Theatre CeO and Great Debater Caroline

Stacey says the well-groomed Gillard and Governor General Quentin bryce, famous for her pink twinsets and pearls, neatly demonstrate how easy it will be to argue against.

“Given that big Jules is now our Prime Minister and Quentin bryce is Governor General, nice girls clearly can win.

“I want to be a nice girl, I want to be in touch with other people’s needs but I also need to be able to ask for what I want and that’s the tension the debate will explore.

“How do you define nice girl or the notion of winning or not winning?

“Nice, nasty or naughty, women should be in the workforce and we’ll be arguing that naughty or nasty is not necessarily a good long-term strategy.”

General manager of People Services at the Department of Human Services, Sue Chapman, will be arguing in the affirmative and says she’ll be using her own personal experiences for the debate.

“I think there’s the issue of whether woman are choosing different paths to the traditional slash your way up to the top.

“The difference will be made in what women talk about when they go back to their offices after the debate is over.

“If they’re handled well, even if you get one or two interesting facts that people don’t know, the aim is to provide some entertainment or for people to say I’m going to follow it up.

“but it’s not serious, because it’s not the right forum for a serious debate, 700 people in a room eating chicken!”

Bookings for the Great Debate http://aimnsw-act-greatdebate.com.au/

iF you really want to irritate actor alex Dimitriades, try suggesting to him that he is playing tom cruise in the production of “Rain Man”, as some of the advance publicity has done.

It’s impossible to resist the temptation.

“No, I don’t play Tom Cruise,” he says tersely, “I am just playing a role Tom Cruise once played… in fact, I’ve never seen the movie, you understand? That was a conscious decision.”

It is plain that Dimitriades doesn’t share what he calls “the affinity many Australians have with Tom Cruise”. He’s talking about his role as Charlie babbitt in Dan Gordon’s stage adaptation of “Rain Man,” directed by the ensemble Theatre’s Sandra bates and coming to the Playhouse soon.

Dimitriades has combined a high-profile TV career, with starring roles in “underbelly”,

“Wild Side” and “Heartbreak High”, a sizzling film performance in Ana Kokkinos’s “Head On” and stage roles, too.

In 2005, I saw him playing the off-the-wall Phil in Iain Sinclair’s production of “Hurlyburly” at the Stables Theatre in Sydney. Just as with “Rain Man,” he decided not to view the movie version starring Sean Penn, though his girlfriend keeps telling him that after five years, it’s okay.

“I like to mix it up,” he tells me, “I don’t get attached to any one form.” but he admits that it’s a lot more fun doing live stage work than endlessly-interrupted film shooting. “It’s the adrenalin, it’s the live interaction with audi-ences.”

By contrast, in film, excitement often only happens in between takes. “It’s the roll of the dice,” he says.

but there’s no dice-rolling for either Dimitriades or his co-star Daniel Mitchell as they play the paired roles of materialistic car salesman Charlie and his autistic brother Raymond. On

the contrary, it has been a lot of hard work, though the resulting performances combine serious-ness with having the audience rolling in the aisles.

“It’s a fantastic script,” he says. “The writing is very, very solid and we put a lot of hard work into uncovering what’s between the lines – so dense, so deep.”

Dimitriades admits that Mitchell has a head start in his role as Raymond, since he once worked as a carer with people experienc-ing difficulty with emotional reactions. but then again, there is such a strong centre to the play.

His character Charlie starts out as a feelingless man bent on getting the money from his deceased father’s will, but ends up genu-inely loving his savant brother. And in a push-pull conflict with the medical authorities, he comes to understand Raymond’s internal life, too. “They develop a relation-ship,” Dimitriades says.

“In the end it’s about the value of family in society, and in the end, that triumphs over money… Money f---ks us all up.”

“Rain Man”, The Playhouse, July 13-17. Bookings to 6275 2700.

Actor Alex Dimitriades... “It’s a fantastic script... and we put a lot of hard work into uncovering what’s between the lines – so dense, so deep.”

How Tomirritatesour Alex

�� CityNews July 1-7

arts&entertainment

“GROWN UPS” (PG)ADAM Sandler may have intended this vanity (he co-wrote and stars) to satirise American populist culture and lifestyles, which by any measure are fertile fields for such treatment, but “Grown ups” should be more entertaining than it is. Staying with it to the end demanded great forbearance.

In 1978, a high-school basketball team wins the championship for the only time in its coach’s career. Three decades later, for the first time since finishing school, the five players, their spouses and offspring hold a reunion in a rented country mansion after the coach’s funeral. Time has much changed them, not necessarily for the better.

Satire should persuade us not only to laugh but also, and perhaps more importantly, to dissect its underlying crisis. “Grown ups” offers superficial crises without useful analysis. Populated by unsympathetic characters, it unfolds among social and cultural values that generate no sense of concern about how it scarifies them.

you might argue that Sandler intended “Grown ups” only to be comedy and wrote it to show no such sense of concern. but its comedy is shallow and unconvincing. Plot, characterisa-tion and situation seem so anxious to point up the shallowness of contemporary American culture that what the screenplay offers as fol-lies reflects from the screen as minor tragedies.

If you’re looking for a movie with a different effect from what its makers intended, that struggles to bring you to laughter, that leaves you with a sense of having not had value for money or fulfillment as entertainment, that is essentially disrespectful of your intelligence, then “Grown Ups” will fill the bill.

At all Canberra cinemas

“TOY STORY 3 (G)

HOT on the heels of very likely the final install-ment of the very successful CGI series “Shrek”, “Toy Story 3” moves to what may be the end of the no-less-successful series that in 1995 begot

the CGI revolution of feature movies for kids of all ages.

Andy, now 17, is off to college and his mom wants him to clean out his room so his sister may move in. Where to send buzz, Woody, Jes-sie, the Potato-Heads, Rex, Hamm and Slinky? Landfill? The attic? Charity? That’s a grim future for toys whose whole existence and comfort depends on being played with, whatever risks, discomforts and vicissitudes that experience may entail.

By the time the film ends on a note that nei-ther totally closes out the possibility of a fourth in the series nor gives any strong suggestion of it, the toys have been to those three locations. Mostly they have spent time at Sunnyside pre-school, among incumbent toys firmly entrenched in their user age groups and somewhat resentful of the newcomers. Indeed, Lots-O’-Huggin’ bear, whose avuncular smile hides a ruthless domina-tion of Sunnyside pecking order, tries to confine them to the youngest group of children, those most likely to cause irreparable damage. Lots-O’ will get his comeuppance in due course.

Rescue is at hand for our friends in Michael Arndt and John Lasseter’s screenplay, despite

getting trucked to the recycling plant where ter-rifying possibilities including pulverisation and incineration threaten before a just-in-time salvation. Then it’s back for a last play session with Andy and the safety of a denoue-ment made out of warm fuzzies. Can you imagine any other kind?

At all Canberra cinemas

ciNeMaBy Dougal Macdonald

“Grown Ups”... its comedy is shallow and unconvincing.

‘Ups’ is a downer

CityNews July 1-7 ��

arts&entertainment

By Helen MusaWHeN Canberra stencil artist e.L.K. gets to work on an image, there’s a resemblance to the art of photography, but not quite. For while the quiet local artist claims to be working in photorealism, hyper-reality is more his game.

Take e.L.K.’s treatment of a photograph by “CityNews” photographer Silas brown, for instance. brown had attended a concert in Tasmania starring American spoken-word artist and musician Saul Williams and captured the full spectrum of the experience, the tears, sweat and angst. but e.L.K. pulled out of that image just what he wanted, to create an archetypal blue/black duotone picture of the artist in full flight.

“Magical” is how one writer has described his work, executed by spray-can in stencilled layers and taking hundreds of hours for each work. He snorts at machine-made stencilling and makes each layer lovingly by hand.

It’s a subtle difference, but one increas-

ingly appreciated in the Australian art world, as examples of his stencil art are seen on canvases in private collections and government office walls and in a huge mural at the cocktail bar Knightsbridge Penthouse in braddon.

The graduate of Melba High and Dara-malan College, who took his artist’s name from the elkhorn plant, has been included in group shows and was runner-up in the

2009 Australian Stencil Prize. He is about to stage his first solo show “How You Like Me Now, b!@CH…” at The Front Gallery and Café, Lyneham shops, July 9-21. The opening at 6pm on July 9 will feature local music and poetry.

The exhibition will showcase 16 works, many figurative, such as his chimp with crown-of-thorns, but the artist denies any overt social commentary.

By shereen charlesFOR three years, in conjunction with NAIDOC Week, students at Giralang Primary School have tried their hands at Aboriginal painting and put together an art show.

The annual Aboriginal Art Show is the brainchild of Trish Keller, who has been principal since 2007. She enlisted the help of local, award-winning indigenous artist Duncan Smith and brought Aboriginal art appreciation and education to the school.

They both share a common goal in ensuring that schoolchil-dren embrace the melting pot of culture that is Australia.

“It needs to be taught in every school to every child so that they have an appreciation

of their culture. It’s important that they know their true con-nection to indigenous people and to the culture and to the country,” said Mr Smith.

For Mr Smith, a Wiradjuri man, teaching Aboriginal art to students goes beyond just art appreciation. Instead, students get to learn the significance of symbols used in Aboriginal paintings.

“When I was a kid, we learned about Captain Cook and that was it. We knew we existed and that our people had always been here, but it was never said. Just seeing schools taking it up and allowing it to happen without any racism or control is really great. I love it,” he said.

The week-long show is open to the public.

Stencil starsteps intospotlight

E.L.K.’s stencil of Saul Williams from a photo by “CityNews” photographer Silas Brown.

Buining bids Youth goodbye NeWS is to hand that Pip buining, artistic direc-

tor of Canberra youth Theatre from 2006-2010, has called it a day. buining has been on maternity leave for some months, during which time Karla Conway has acted as director. but the show must go on and Karla is busy setting up the new “Writers unite” program, a 15-week play-writing process with guest tutors Jane bodie (head of play writing at NIDA), playwright Angela betzien and dramaturg Peter Matheson. Call Conway on 6248 5057.

A VeRy different Conway, Deborah, will join her partner and musical collaborator Willy Zygier in a show at Tilley’s, on July 3, highlighting songs from the new album recorded in Melbourne with producer James black, “Half Man, Half Woman”. The title is self-explanatory and the pair happily acknowledge that their “highly successful” song-writing and personal collaboration for Conway

& Zygier that has resulted so far in eight records and three children.” bookings to 6247 7753.

“LeADING the Way” is an exhibition of lithography, digital prints, photography, painting and glass by local indigenous artists John “Johnno” Johnson, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Liz McNiven, Duncan Smith and Renee Smith at the belconnen Arts Centre until July 11. All the while, an exhibition of papermaking and marbling by people of varying skills and abilities and led by Richard Pedvin, Paperworks Inc. can be seen at the same venue.

ILLNeSS has caused the postponment of Angela Little’s show “Celtic Fire,” scheduled for The Street Theatre on July 2. She will be back on August 20.

aRts iN tHe cityBy Helen Musa

School art with a cultural lesson

Indigenous artist Duncan Smith with Giralang Primary School students, from left, Jacinta, Caleb and Jonah. Photo by Silas

Fill your seats...6262 9100

advertise.


arts&entertainment

THe first thing that hit me when I walked into Ostani, at Hotel Realm, was the magnitude of the fit out.

The restaurant, which replaced the former bacchus bar, is divided into zones, including a bar, intimate booths, a large dining area and raised lounge. The décor is just as varied. Older-style warm, wood panelling and lush fabrics, contrasted with shiny, modern stain-less steel; and soft, mood lighting contrasted with bright neon lights.

We settled in to study the menu, starting with Ostani’s extensive wine list. It is an interesting read and we applaud the restaurant for proudly featuring local wines. Our preferred Lerida estate wine ($35) was out of stock, but the restaurant (without prompting) offered us a more expensive option from Gundaroo ($38) at the lesser price.

Ostani specialises in tapas, pizzas and “tavern specials”, which includes your typical burger, fish and chips, steak sandwich, steakhouse fries and good old potato wedges.

We were attracted to the tapas and pizzas, deciding to share our way through dinner. It would have been easy to close our eyes and just point to any tapas item since they all sounded great. Instead, we chose the sumac spiced ocean trout ($12.50), after being told it was super popular, and the lamb cutlets with basil pesto and prosciutto ($15.50).

The trout was best described as “flat”. We felt the description promised more than was delivered, and we were surprised at how dry the fish was. The lamb was cooked nicely, slightly pink inside, but it lacked in flavour and only one cutlet had pesto (and not enough to make a differ-ence to the dish).

Ostani offers about 10 pizzas, ranging from $15.50 to $19.50 (for the market-fresh

fish and shellfish, chilli, garlic, parsley and mozzarella). We spotted the field mushrooms pizza made with rosemary, mozzarella, shaved parmesan and white truffle oil ($16.50) and thought we would tuck into that. “Sorry,” the staff informed us, “we’ve run out of mushrooms”. It was only 7-ish so we assumed there had been a big run on this pizza selection at lunch. So we chose the Salsiccia e Taleggio, Italian sausage and cheese, with caramelized onion and thyme ($17.50). It came to the table cold and burnt around the edges.

In all my years of dining out, I have come to believe that restaurants are a bit like people: They have good days and bad days. While my visit to Ostani was far from perfect, I will give it another go, especially since management was proactive and came to our table to discuss our dining experience. And they adjusted the bill accordingly.

Ostani, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton, call 6163 1802.

reviews

THe terms “collage” and “assemblage” denote works made using fragments of natural or preformed materials. Artists have used these forms since the early 20th century to explore and define their world and to extend the boundaries of conventional art practice.

This is a big, bold, landmark exhibition – a major achieve-ment for the curatorial team of Deborah Clark and Mark Van Veen, who have revealed a particular history of art in the Canberra region that is vibrant, exciting and absolutely redolent of place.

Truly surprising is the number of works (134 from 41 artists), the majority of whom live (or lived) and work in the Canberra region. Who knew (apart from the cura-tors) that so many local artists of national and, in some cases, international reputation worked in collage and assemblage?

each wall and space in the

gallery holds a new treasure from artists born in eight successive decades, beginning with the remarkable Rosalie Gascoigne (born 1917) through to the youngest artist exhibited, Jacqueline bradley (born 1986). The works of rising artists such as blaide Lallemand and Waratah Lahy, established artists such as Anna eggert, Steven Holland (whose “grey blanket”, 1999, is a wildly original comment on the Canberra region double curse of rabbit/plastic bag) and Alex Asch, (“Room 1”, 1999 is complex and evocative) are joined by stellar works from luminaries Vivienne binns and Ingo Kleinert, icons

Robert Rauschenburg and Sidney Nolan and many more besides to make this the must-see exhibition of 2010.

Soggy, oldwarhorse

THOuGH much of this play is still good for a giggle if you’ve not seen it before, “Caravan” is a tired old theatrical warhorse set in the 1980s and probably best left there.

To be sure it observes all the classical unities; six people trapped in an awful caravan on a remote beach reserve cut off from the outside world by rain and their own dreadful personalities.

The play is full of sight gags (bumping your head on the doorway, tripping over someone’s knees again and again) and the usual fun of adultery, but ultimately fails because the characters are so self-absorbed that you rapidly lose interest in them. And just how funny is the fear of turning 40?

The timing is uneven and the attempt to jolly it up with summer holiday songs looks like unnecessary icing.

Of the players, berna-dette Vincent is a standout as the aggressive wife Monica, with Tony Falla as the proud caravan owner not far behind in ferocity. Andy McLeod and Robert de Fries play the blander male targets of laughter blandly, while Jenny Rixon as the stitched-up wife Penny and Lexi Sekuless as the fish-out of water 22-year old bimbo turn in tame performances.

DiNiNGBy Wendy Johnson

Bad day saved by the bill

THEATRE“Caravan”By Donald Macdonald, directed by Rodney Delaney, at the Q until July 3.Reviewed by Helen Musa

VISUAL ART“Something in the Air: Collage and Assemblage in Canberra Region Art”Canberra Museum and Gallery until October 10Reviewed by Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak

The big, must-see show

Alex Asch’s “In the holy roller the saints of evolution worship the pagan god”, 2009 (detail).


fashion

Make a statement

IT’S not size that matters – it’s making a state-ment when it comes to handbags!

Whether it’s studs, sequins, lace or panels of contrasting fabric or finish, bags are anything

but boring this winter.Use them to brighten an outfit,

add a touch of edginess or create contrast against winter blacks and greys...

Corniola leather bag from Furla, $1000. Spencer and Rutherford Agatha bag,

$239 from Bags to Go.

Lili red sling bag, $39.99.

Spencer and Rutherford limited edition Cheryl bag, $399 from Bags to Go.

Divide It Color Toni Forti bag from Furla, $520.


all about mums and bubs

Fitting little feetbIRKeNSTOCK boutique/Lil’ Feet in the City, in the Canberra Centre, orders shoes for customers who are looking for something exciting in design and brands which can’t be found in any other retail stores in Canberra, says retail operations manager Romina Fragnito.

“We have combined our stores, birkenstock boutique and Lil’ Feet in the City. We cater for customers ranging from pre-walkers to size 50,” she says.

“We pride ourselves as fitting specialists. It has been our main goal to ensure our staff are fully trained to find the right shoe for our clientele, with the highest quality and range of shoes from Australia and worldwide.”

The shop stocks brands including not just birkenstock, but also Richter, Garvalin, Tip Toey Joey, Crocs, blundstone, Reebok and more.

“We try to cater for the child and the parents by creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere, with a high level of customer service and fitting advice,” says Romina.

“Lil Feet and birkenstock boutique was designed with children in mind, with a really bright and colourful interior including a play tunnel where they can have fun while the rest of the family are being fitted.”

More information on 6248 9044.

a new arrival in the family is an exciting time, and it’s also a time of great change, with a lot of new products and services needed!

From setting up a nursery, finding clothes and shoes for little ones and buying toys, to finding child care and ways for kids to express themselves, the “CityNews” guide to what’s available in Canberra has the answer...

More than a bear in thereTHe Teddy bear Shop in the Canberra Centre has just stocked the Dandelion range of earth-friendly toys and accessories for babies, says the store’s Meg Cutter.

“This includes the Pink collection, of which a percentage of the price goes to breast cancer research,” Meg says.

“The range is all organic cotton, and all machine wash-able, which is important for babies!

“These days we all want to make sure that babies get the best start in life, and organic products are part of that. We even stock a feeding bowl and spoon which isn’t made of nasty chemicals, but of corn, which I found intriguing!”

The Teddy bear Shop continues to stock a huge range of teddy bears looking for a home, as well as offering a medical service to help patch up old or injured bears.

More information on www.theteddybearshop.com.au or call 6257 6966.

Dandelion Earth-Friendly range, top line; little house shape sorter, $69.90, organic plush bear, $34.90, soft stacker, $62.90 and duck, $34.90. Bottom line; feeding bowl and spoon, $14.90, ring rattle, $18.90 and flower book, $23.90.

When baby comes

Bio-mechanics boys’ double velcro, $125.

Garvalin Mary-Jane decorative shoe, $132.


advertising feature

Get out and gardenTeACHING kids about gardening is a great way to get them to appreciate the out-of-doors, says Kylie eaton who, with husband Iain, owns bliss Garden and Giftware in Pialligo.

“Our range of products and giftware for children has a focus on handmade and activity-based products, and we also support gardening for children,” Kylie says.

“We run potting workshops suitable for kids aged from two to primary school age. In summer, we’ll do strawberries, and in autumn or spring, blossoms and pansies; kids love it!”

bliss has run the workshops for playgroups and groups of parents.

Gifts and toys include wooden toys, Tiger Tribe mobiles, and magnetised activity boards and games that are perfect to play with in the car, Kylie says.

There’s also oobi clothes, Toshi hats and acces-sories and gifts for new babies.

More information on www.blissgardengiftware.com.au or call 6257 8358.

Play time at The MarketplaceTHe Marketplace in Gungahlin is set for holiday fun, with a free school holiday program starting on Monday, July 5.

From Monday until Thurday, July 9, kids can meet Milo the Clown from 11am to 1pm. From Tuesday, July 13 to Thursday, July 15 kids can decorate their own biscuits, with a workshop providing a fun, non-cooking experience.

Children who also wish to join the Club Kids program can call centre management to have an application form sent to them, or collect a form at Market Play, the new children’s indoor playground at The Marketplace.

More information at www.themarketplacegun-gahlin.com.au or call 6123 4900.

Babuska doll, $14.95

Front end loader, $29.95

Red Riding Music Box, $34.95

Snail xylophone, $24.95

Russian doll chess set, $69.95Magnetic pirates, $19.95

there’s always lots to do!


Welcome to play Preschool room opens

Anita Smith... art’s “an important form of relaxation.”

Space to create

all about mums and bubs advertising feature

A GOOD toy shop can be a place for the family to relax, says Catherine bridges, co-owner of Childplay, which opened at Colbee Court, Phillip, six months ago.

“We have areas and spaces where children can play with certain products, and we have tables set up with different games,” Catherine says.

“We want Childplay to be a welcoming, happy place to be. We see parents coming in holding very tightly to a child’s hand to keep them from running off, and then when we explain that the kids are allowed to play and interact with these toys and games, they visibly relax!

“If children are happy and engaged, parents can relax, and enjoy the chance to have a look around at the toys.”

Catherine says the shop makes a point of finding not only toys and games which will help

children learn, develop and be creative and imaginative, but also stock that is socially and ethically responsible and child-friendly.

“For example, we’re just getting in a range of indigenous dolls which have been hand-made and clothed. We try to find opportunities to support women in communities which may need a step up.”

More information on www.childplaytoys.com.au or call 6282 0050.

KIDS, just like adults, need opportunities to express themselves creatively, says Anita Smith, of Creating Time Art and Craft Classes for Children.

In addition to developing her own art practice, Anita offers after-school art and craft classes, and also offers her studio space in Watson for hire.

“I believe having an opportunity to ex-press oneself creatively is as important to a person’s wellbeing as good food, fresh air, good sleep and exercise!” she says. “It’s an important form of relaxation, and can only add to a healthy lifestyle.

“In other cultures, art and craft are in the fabric of daily life, whether it be an ornately woven basket, clothing or beautifully decorated walls and floor.”

Anita says offering her studio allows

busy mums in particular space to be themselves.

“They still tend to take the heaviest load when it comes to the commitments and demands of home and children. One might intend to put aside an hour to finish that mosaic pot on, say, the kitchen table once the kids have gone to bed, but it doesn’t quite ever happen,” she says.

“Preparation and clean-up is prohibi-tive, not to mention the distractions!”

Art and craft classes for kids are held between 3pm and 5pm, and include materials and a light snack, covering activities such as drawing, painting, clay, sewing, box construction, knitting and more.

For more information email [email protected] or call 6255 5247.

MAJuRA Park Childcare is excited to open its new preschool room, says co-owner Natalie Colbert, and there are places available.

“We’ve also just become the most highly qualified centre in Canberra, with three early childhood teachers,” she says.

“We’ve been looking to actively recruit them, and have brought two more on board.

“This is great from an early

childhood education perspective. The catchcry is ‘every opportunity to learn’, and in having that education focus, we support children in their natural ability.

“And of course, it’s great fun to see them running around shouting their numbers in Spanish, for example. They love the Spanish lessons we offer!”

More information on www.majuraparkchildcare.com.au or call 6257 7100.



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body

Facing the seasonORANGe and peach tones are hot this year, but many women are wary of them, says Clarins international make-up artist Claude Defresne: “They don’t want to look like the fruit!”

best suited to women with darker or yellow-toned skin, orange is best avoided by the very fair, he says.

“The secret to wearing orange and peach tones is blending it into the skin to avoid too much contrast.

“Apply, for example, a peach shade on the upper eyelid to attract light. Orange and apricot are really beautiful on tanned or gold skin tones, as they match perfectly with the natural skin tone and help create warmth.”

Women with “warm” or yellow-based skin should look for peach, gold, brown, copper and green shades of make-up, he says.

“Apricot will bring freshness and warm the complexion, as it belongs to the warm shades – try a touch of Clarins apricot multi-blush on the cheeks and lips.”

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81.Lancôme L’absolu Rouge Advanced Replenishing and Reshaping Lipcolor in 152, Rouge Mars, $49. 2.Make Up Store lipstick in Citrus, $35. 3.Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Orange Poppy, $40. 4.Vani-T Mineral Colour Stick in Peach Sorbet, $41. 5.Maybelline New York Colorsational in 515 Coral Crush, $16.95. 6.Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Genre, $34.95 from www.kitcosmetics.com 7.Bourjois Effet 3D Les Nudes 3-dimensional cosmic shine in 36 Fleur d’oranger poetic, $22. 8.Yves Saint Laurent Touche Blush in 7, $69.

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CityNews July 1-7 �1

body

THe Canberra climate’s harsh on our skin so we need to take extra care to keep it moisturised, says Katie Hyde, spa manager at the Hotel Realm’s Mudd the Spa.

“A big part of the problem is Canberra water, which has a lot of chemicals in it,” she told “CityNews”. “Chemicals like chlorine sit on the epidermis (the top layer of skin) after a shower, and dry it out. When we put moisturiser on, we’re just putting it on top of these chemicals.

“We then go outside, into the cold air and wind, then straight into a heated environment which sucks even more moisture out of the skin.” She says that some people notice their skin becomes considerably dryer following a move or even short visit to the ACT.

“Many people say their skin becomes a bit itchy due to dryness and the effect of Canberra water.

“It’s important to protect our skin; when we don’t, we contribute to the development of fine lines which are part of ageing. That’s why as beauty therapists we always encourage our ladies to pay a lot of attention to moisturising, and to drink lots of water.”

As well as using moisturisers and serums to boost hydration, Katie recommends Canberran women use toners in their daily skincare regime. “If you use a toner without alcohol, it removes some of the chemicals deposited in the shower, and leaves a nice, matte finish to put make-up on.”

The big dryNapoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Skin Renewal Serum, $79.

Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, $49.95.

Divina Whipped Liquid Gold, $34.95.


No. 268across4 What is a statement, seemingly self-contradictory, yet explicable?8 What expresses the energy value of a food?9 Of which nationality did Peter Tchaikovsky belong?10 Name another term for brigands.11 Which protein hormone maintains the balance of glucose metabolism?12 What are dromedaries?14 Which word describes a wise and trusted counsellor?18The treasury is alternatively known as the what?21 To be unnaturally strange is to be what?22 What is a long ornamental pillow?23 Such as to excite contempt by poor quality is referred to as what?24 Name another word for soap-operas.

Down 1 To be sour is to be what?

2 What are waddies?3 Which term describes a repository of arms, etc?4 Until 1935, what was the official name of Iran?5 What are coarse files, having separate pointlike teeth?6 What is a small or petty sum?7 Name the gaseous element, symbol Xe.13 Which device reduces noise from an exhaust pipe?15 To develop faculties and powers by teaching, is to do what?16 To prepare some waste for a second use is to what?17 What does one do, who seizes and holds power etc, without right?18 What are solids, surrounded by six equal squares?19 In films, what do we call a person hired as a member of a crowd?20 Name the preparation of powdered tobacco inhaled into the nostrils.

Solutionnextweek

your week in the starsWith Joanne Madeline Moore June 5-11

aRies (Mar �1 – apr �0)Many Aries are famous for being pioneers in their chosen fields (like Leonardo da Vinci, Marlon brando, Diana Ross and Gloria Steinem). With Jupiter and uranus barnstorming through your sign, you’re at your enthusiastic and inventive best as you experiment with fresh approaches to perennial old problems. Go Rams!

tauRus (apr �1 – May �0)Is a family member or work colleague pulling the wool over your eyes? Step back and take an objective look at what’s really going on. Professional projects and close friends are also a messy mix. Follow the advice of John Rockefeller (born on July 8) “A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.”

GeMiNi (May �1 – June �1)Friday through to Sunday are terrific days for Twins, as your mercurial mind is shaken and stirred. you’ll come up with a plethora of pithy lines, as you entertain others with your amusing stories and witty ways. your conversational skills are firing; your curiosity is piqued; and you’re in the mood to chat up a storm.

caNceR (June �� – July ��)Crabs can get stuck in a rut that may be comfortable, but does nothing for your personal growth and professional development. Don’t become so obsessed with security that you are afraid to move forward (especially at work). With Jupiter and uranus on your side, big ideas and innovative thinking will take you to places you’ve only dreamed of.

Leo (July �� – aug ��)With Mercury zipping into your sign on Saturday (until July 28) you’ll be at your talkative, mischievous, persuasive best over the next couple of weeks. Single Lions – you’re in the mood for romance but don’t assume things will fall effortlessly into place. expect a few disappointments before true love comes calling!

ViRGo (aug �� – sept ��)The more proactive you are (and the more you network with others) then the better your week will be. Vivacious Venus vamps into your sign on Saturday so say goodbye to your sensible, serious side – and hello to your inner vixen! From now until August 7 is the time to flirt outrageously, party like a pro, and live life to the max.

LiBRa (sept �� – oct ��)Librans long for a luxurious lifestyle but avoid being seduced by the bells and whistles of modern living. Step back from the surface gloss and examine your life on a deeper and more profound level. Don’t let fair-weather friends lead you up the primrose path to trouble (especially on Friday). Let your intuition be your guide.

scoRpio (oct �� – Nov �1)being demanding and domineering will get you nowhere this week Scorpio. Calm cooperation is the way to go – especially at work. Learn to relax and go with the flow, otherwise you’ll end up constantly arguing with others (and thoroughly exhausted). Perhaps it’s time to sample a session of meditation or a spot of yoga?

saGittaRius (Nov �� – Dec �1)you’re keen to get ahead at work but, with Mars and Saturn ganging up in your career zone, professional projects have been progressing at a snail’s pace. Things improve from Saturday onwards, when lucky Venus visits your work zone. Sunday is a fabulous day for travel and study, plus re-connecting with overseas contacts.

capRicoRN (Dec �� – Jan 1�)your domestic space is chaotic at the moment as people come and go, and change is in the air. It’s time to make your home the best possible place it can be – full of fun, laughter and joie de vivre. be inspired by birthday great the Dalai Lama: “A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.”

aQuaRius (Jan �0 – Feb 1�)Are you having problems with a partner (whether they are of the romantic, business or platonic variety)? Drop the “I’m right” attitude Aquarius, and instead hold out the olive branch of peace and cooperation. It’s time to inspire others with your idiosyncratic ideas and touch them with your humanitarian heart.

pisces (Feb 1� – Mar �0)Have you fallen in love with an angel and placed them on a very high pedestal? The rose-colored glasses come off this week, as Saturn calls for a reality check. you’re in the mood to help others (especially on Friday) but make sure they require your assistance, otherwise you’ll end up playing the role of the unappreciated martyr.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2010.

general knowledge crossword

Sudoku medium No.35 Solution next week

Crossword No.267 Sudoku hard No.34Solutions

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A R C T I C C B BE E A B R A S I V E

S P A R K S T T NL M T I N C T U R E

F I L I A L A M AC T E V I L E T

B A K E R L U N C HU A A J A R P AF F I E V E N L YF A T A L I S M N IA A W I N D E B TL I N E A G E S E RO S Y S E D G E S


buSINeSS consultants Synergy Group has commit-ted to new office space in Civic. The company is taking up 507sqm on level 2 of 54 Marcus Clarke Street.

The five-year leasing deal was brokered by LJ Hooker Commercial (acting as the introducing agent) in conjunction with Ray White Commercial (acting as listing agent).

Synergy has signed up for the space at around $380 per sqm per annum.

Synergy Group is a Canberra-based consulting firm with a specialisation in financial management and assurance services.

According to Andrew Smith, director of sales and leasing at Ray White Commercial, the market

is continuing to see a number of smaller deals come through.

“Private sector tenants below 800sqm are providing a steady stream of work for most agents at the moment in the city,” he says.

Owned by Mirvac, 54 Marcus Clarke Street is an eight-storey building with a two-storey podium to Rudd Street.

The office tower has basement parking and was the winner of the 1987 bOMA award.

It has two remaining whole floors available for lease including 909sqm on level 1 which is the podium floor and 625sqm on level 4. A 242sqm suite on level 3 has just been leased to a sitting tenant in the building.

Tim Humphrey is editor of “Property Daily”, a market news and intelligence service focused on commercial property markets nationally. www.propertydaily.com.au

Smaller firms bring buoyancy to CBDcommercial property

By Tim Humphrey





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Canberra CityNews July 1-7, 2010

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